Dear Friend,
I missed my June newsletter, so I’m popping into your inbox at the beginning of July instead.
June held a few meaningful milestones for me.
It marked ten years since my father passed away, and the ten-year publishing anniversary of my first book, The Art of Money: A Life–Changing Guide to Financial Happiness.
It has always felt significant that my father died just as my book was entering the world, though I’ve never tried to assign a particular meaning to the timing.
In The Art of Money, I share some of our complicated money dynamics. I also write about sitting with my dad in the ICU after his stroke, and the healing and forgiveness that unfolded in the final two years of his life—something that ultimately brought me a great deal of peace. This anniversary also had me reflecting on the life of the book itself.
Over the past ten years, more than 36,000 copies have found their way into readers’ hands. That feels quietly remarkable.
I’ve started doing podcast interviews again, and one host recently shared that, ten years later, The Art of Money is still the first money psychology book she—and many of her therapist and coach colleagues—recommend.
I can’t tell you how much that means to me.
You can listen to one of these recent interviews on the Mindfulness in Action podcast, right here.
I still feel this book has so much more life to give. One of my goals this coming year is to hire someone to help me continue sharing it with new readers. I also still have a dream of seeing it become required reading in counseling and psychology programs. It’s already used as a textbook at Naropa University, my graduate school alma mater, and I’d love to see that continue to grow.
Speaking of traditions…
My family recently returned from our annual trip to our cottage on Lake Michigan where I’ve fully embraced my role as cottage chef.
Every year I make a few savory and sweet galettes, my favorite chicken schnitzel with apple-fennel salad dressed in lemon and honey, and of course my chunky New York-style chocolate cookies.
Cooking for the people I love has become one of my favorite rituals.
I’ve also been reading even more than usual this summer—many of these books would come with their own trigger warnings.
I read three novels by Charlotte McConaghy—Migrations, Once There Were Wolves, and Wild Dark Shore. I loved the first two. By the third I started to notice some familiar patterns, but I still appreciate her beautiful nature writing, strong female protagonists, and themes of conservation and mystery. Then I moved on to The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon, a historical novel about a midwife in 1880s Maine that I also really enjoyed.
And then… possibly the wildest novel I’ve ever read: A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers.
The narrator is a food critic writing her memoir from prison after murdering—and eating—her lovers.
Yes. Really.
I almost never reread books, but I’m reading this one a second time. I found myself looking up new words every few pages, laughing out loud, and completely engrossed in the food writing.
Now onto what’s next.
I’ve been receiving emails asking what happens when my year-long sabbatical officially ends in August.
Yes… it’s really almost been a full year.
For now, I think my live online group teaching will remain on pause, although my self-paced Art of Money course—all 12 modules—is still available if you’d like to work with me in that way.
I also plan to reopen private financial therapy sessions in a new format, so stay tuned.
And perhaps most exciting…
I’m getting close to finishing the manuscript for my third book—and the very first title from my new Financial Therapy Press.
It’s called The Money Emotions Handbook, and it will be a practical guide to the somatic tools and practices I’ve been teaching for years.
Once Financial Therapy Press is up and running, I’m thinking about returning to my roots and hosting a handful of intimate author gatherings.
The idea actually came from one of my oldest girlfriends while I was visiting her in Chicago last week.
There is something incredibly special about spending time with friends who have known you since you were fifteen years old. We talked about everything, ate wonderful food, laughed a lot, and remembered old versions of ourselves.
I also managed to squeeze in a few Barre classes while I was there (I’m officially obsessed!). I visited a lovely new Barre3 studio in Deerfield, and if you’re in the area, say hi to the owner, Andrea, for me!
So perhaps Chicago will be the first stop.
It is my hometown, after all.
And somehow… that feels like exactly the right place to begin this next chapter.
As I look back on ten years since my first book—and ahead to a new one—I keep thinking about how life unfolds in seasons. We rarely know exactly where a season will lead while we’re living it. We simply keep showing up, listening closely, and taking the next honest step.
Thank you for continuing to walk alongside me through all of these seasons.
I’m grateful you’re here.
With my dearest wishes,
P.S. While I am on sabbatical, I still have a few offerings from free to low-price points. You can see my Offerings page here.
