Changing the Conversation with Emily Win
Quench Finance: How was money viewed in your childhood? Did your family talk about it?
Emily Win: Money and all financial things were kept a secret. Growing up, my family didn’t talk about anything remotely controversial, even if it directly impacted us. Money was certainly controversial, or at least I thought it was. I am privileged enough to have grown up in an upper-middle-class family. My dad almost always had the same career in the same location. All I knew was that we could afford nicer outfits and Barbie toys but maybe not a trip to Japan. When I heard friends of mine talking about their parents’ and/or family’s income, it honestly made me insecure. I felt ignorant, like I should know more so that I can be more mature and participate in more adult conversations. I wanted to be able to calculate my privilege. I wanted to know how to get a head start.
QF: Have any of your beliefs about money changed in adulthood?
EW: Since I didn’t have much to go off of growing up, I would say my beliefs haven’t changed, but rather, developed. As a struggling writer in my mid-twenties, I can now see why the only conversation in my household about money ended in “just become a doctor.” However, teaching myself about credit cards, statements, rent, loans, and taxes has allowed me to really form my own strong opinions on money; Even though it’s needed, it completely and totally sucks. I can now see the grotesque effects of capitalism and how it disguises itself into shame around money talk.
QF: What about in 2020 specifically?
EW: Oh gosh, how can I even begin to think about this question! At the beginning of 2020, I was in a dark place. I was living at home with my parents having recently finished grad school without a job lined up. The pressures of finding an income were weighing heavy, especially because I knew — as a queer person — I needed to get out of small-town Ohio. My goal (before COVID) was to be completely financially independent by the end of the year.
As I was filling out my unemployment paperwork come March, I realized this probably wasn’t going to happen. I’ve come a long way since then (simply by listening to podcasts and asking friends very blunt questions), but my beliefs about money remain the same: it’s a necessary evil that — within our system — helps the rich get richer and makes the poor get poorer. It favors those who were dealt more luxurious hands.
I firmly believe that we need to talk about it more, especially those of us in the creative community. It’s a taboo topic because it is grossly entangled with sexism, racism, and classism, but to build one another up, we need to start talking about how to do money “things.”
QF: If you could give your younger self advice about money, what would it be?
EW: Take yourself, your future, and your craft seriously. Find a financial mentor you trust. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Athletics are great but a good CV is even better: get a job.
QF: Who are your fave money leaders like blogs, vlogs, & podcasts?
EW:
- Bad With Money by Gabby Dunn!!!! (book and podcast)
- Queery with Cameron Esposito (podcast) — this one isn’t explicitly about money but she has many people on the show who talk about being queer and figuring out finances
- Snacks Minute (podcast) — this is business financial news but actually, it’s digestible.
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Emily Win hosts Our Daily Beard, a podcast that aims to bring the spectrums of queerness and spirituality into conversations with one other. Past topics have included discussions on the enneagram, trans representation in sci-if, the spirituality of doula work, and conversion therapy. Season 2 is available on Apple and Spotify Season 3 is in the works now.
Emily (she/hers) is a Midwesterner by nature, but now enjoys writing and podcasting about queerness and spirituality from her Los Angeles apartment. She recently earned her MA in Creative Writing and Critical Life from the University of Leeds in Leeds, England. When she isn’t fighting the weight of capitalism, she’s roller blading, swimming laps, or collaging. Follow her on all socials @_erosececilia
