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Tax and Money Education for Creative People, Freelancers and Solopreneurs
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Amelia Hruby: How to Build a Successful Business Without Social Media
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This week on the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m joined by Amelia Hruby, feminist writer and host of the Off the Grid podcast, for a conversation about building a successful business without relying on social media.
Amelia shares her personal journey away from social media dependence and explains how she created a sustainable, relationship-centered business through community, creativity, email marketing, and intentional audience growth outside the attention economy.
“The idea that you have to be on social media to have a successful business is provably false.”
This week on the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m joined by Amelia Hruby, feminist writer and host of the Off the Grid podcast, for a conversation about building a successful business without relying on social media.
Amelia shares her personal journey away from social media dependence and explains how she created a sustainable, relationship-centered business through community, creativity, email marketing, and intentional audience growth outside the attention economy.
Also mentioned in today’s episode:
00:10 Introduction to Amelia Hruby
01:24 Journey to Feminist Podcasting and Authorship
03:40 Personal Experience with Social Media
07:26 Navigating Business Without Social Media
10:17 Building Relationships Beyond Algorithms
18:24 Reframing Attention: From Scarcity to Ecology
25:29 The Art of Noticing and Attention
27:57 The Impact of Social Media on Creativity
30:30 Navigating the Challenges of Social Media
34:35 Reclaiming Attention and Relationships
38:32 Deciding to Leave Social Media
44:49 Finding Connection Beyond Social Media
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.
“Leaving social media doesn’t mean you stop marketing, it just means you do other things and figure out what works for you.”
About Amelia Hruby:
Amelia Hrubyis a feminist writer and podcaster with a PhD in philosophy from DePaul University. Over the past decade, she’s been a university professor, a community organizer, and a radio DJ. Now, she is the founder and executive producer of Softer Sounds, a podcast studio that supports women and nonbinary small business owners.
Since leaving social media in April 2021, she’s also launched the popular podcastOff the Grid, where she interviews artists, writers, business leaders and former influencers. Amelia is a platform critic, an AI skeptic, and an advocate for a non-extractive internet. Her new book, Your Attention is Sacred Except on Social Mediais out now.
Check out Amelia’s work:
Download Amelia’s FREE Leaving Social Media Toolkit
Get Amelia’s Book: Your Attention is Sacred Except on Social Media Use code SUNLIGHT for $5 off the book (paperback, ebook, or audiobook version)
Episode Links:
Get my Tax Help onSubstack.
Get your FREE visual guide to tax deductions
Order my book: Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed
Shari Rash on Money Mindset, Debt Strategy, and Building Wealth Without Shame
LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE HERE
In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, financial advisor Shari Rash shares how her journey into finance shaped her mission to help women build wealth with clarity and confidence.
We dive into common money challenges like decision paralysis and conflicting advice, and how to move forward without overwhelm. Shari outlines a simple order of operations for managing your finances so you can focus on what actually matters and make aligned decisions.
You’ll also learn practical strategies for investing, managing debt, and building long-term financial stability, plus a fresh take on outdated financial advice that no longer works in today’s world.
“Not making a decision is a decision.”
In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, financial advisor Shari Rash shares how her journey into finance shaped her mission to help women build wealth with clarity and confidence.
We dive into common money challenges like decision paralysis and conflicting advice, and how to move forward without overwhelm. Shari outlines a simple order of operations for managing your finances so you can focus on what actually matters and make aligned decisions.
You’ll also learn practical strategies for investing, managing debt, and building long-term financial stability, plus a fresh take on outdated financial advice that no longer works in today’s world.
Also mentioned in today’s episode:
00:00 Introduction to Shari Rash and Her Journey
02:38 Understanding Client Needs and Decision Paralysis
09:09 Order of Operations in Financial Management
14:24 Tips for Long-Term Financial Health
17:07 Outdated Financial Advice and Modern Strategies
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences:
“Money is very forgiving… not doing anything is worse than doing something imperfectly.”
About Shari Rash:
Shari Rash is a nationally recognized financial advisor, money mindset expert, and the host of Everyone's Talkin' Money—named a Top 4 money podcast by The New York Times, with over 24 million downloads. She’s also the founder of GWA Wealth, a virtual advisory firm helping women navigate money with confidence, clarity, and zero shame.
With 18 years of experience and a no-nonsense style, Shari breaks down complex financial topics into real-life conversations that empower women to own their worth and build lasting wealth. She’s been named a 2024 Best Wealth Manager and Advisor Under 40 by InvestmentNews and holds an Advisor For Women Certificate from Willow.
When she’s not talking money, she’s a mom of four, Goldendoodle wrangler, and unapologetic lover of Grandmillennial decor.
Check out Shari’s work:
Everyone's Talkin' Money Podcast
Instagram: @everyonestalkinmoney
Episode Links:
Get my Tax Help onSubstack.
Get your FREE visual guide to tax deductions
Order my book: Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed
takeaways
Not making decisions about money can cause more harm than good.
Money is forgiving; mistakes can be undone.
Focus on diversifying with ETFs instead of picking individual stocks.
Prioritize paying off high-interest debt before investing.
Don't put all your net worth in your home equity or retirement accounts.
Sarah Walton: Growing Up Poor, Undoing Harmful Stories, Empowering Women
LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE HERE
In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m joined by business coach and sales expert Sarah Walton for a powerful conversation on money, mindset, and meaningful success.
Sarah shares her personal journey from growing up in poverty to building a life and career centered around financial empowerment and abundance. We explore how internal healing and mindset work shape not only our relationship with money, but also how we show up in business and life.
We also talk about the importance of authentic human connection in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world, and what it really means to build an ethical, values-led business today.
If you’re interested in money mindset, wealth consciousness, entrepreneurship, emotional healing, and ethical business in the age of AI, this conversation will give you both grounding and perspective.
LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE HERE
In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m joined by business coach and sales expert Sarah Walton for a powerful conversation on money, mindset, and meaningful success.
Sarah shares her personal journey from growing up in poverty to building a life and career centered around financial empowerment and abundance. We explore how internal healing and mindset work shape not only our relationship with money, but also how we show up in business and life.
We also talk about the importance of authentic human connection in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world, and what it really means to build an ethical, values-led business today.
If you’re interested in money mindset, wealth consciousness, entrepreneurship, emotional healing, and ethical business in the age of AI, this conversation will give you both grounding and perspective.
Also mentioned in today’s episode:
00:00 Empowering Women Through Wealth Consciousness
04:44 Personal Journey: From Poverty to Empowerment
10:21 The Impact of Community and Support
12:30 Revisiting Past Experiences for Growth
16:19 Navigating the Current Business Landscape
20:17 The Role of Human Connection in Business
21:07 Returning to Inner Guidance
24:25 The Power of Morning Rituals
28:08 Healing Through Small Decisions
31:19 Navigating Trust in Online Business
33:58 The Importance of Ethical Boundaries
38:39 Harnessing Unique Human Creativity
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.
About Sarah Walton:
Sarah Walton is a business coach and sales expert who’s been featured on The Today Show, speaks at women’s conferences all over the world, and has helped hundreds of women start and grow businesses they LOVE. She works with a handful of 1:1 clients, runs The Sales Mastermind, and leads her exclusive Abundance Academy for women in business.
She’s the voice behind the Game On Girlfriend Podcast and the face of “Sarah Uncut” on YouTube - making her the go-to source for no-nonsense business coaching and real-life, mind-blowing abundance.
From growing up in a low-income household with a single mom to helping moms turn their passion into a business they love that can support their families, Sarah’s lived experience shows how women can powerfully change their lives and the lives of their families and communities.
Through her successful coaching business, which she designed to put more money in the hands of more women, Sarah transitioned from being “just another coach” to being a change-maker. It’s time to put more money in the hands of more women, and Sarah is all in.
Check out Sarah’s work:
Episode Links:
Sign up for theSetting Up (or Tuning Up) Your Business Workshop
Get my Tax Help onSubstack.
Get your FREE visual guide to tax deductions
Order my book: Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed
Behind The Scenes As I Navigate Change In My Business: We’re In This Together
Listen and Subscribe Here
In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I share my personal experiences with vulnerability and the challenges I’ve been navigating in my business, especially after a recent drop in sales. I talk about the emotional impact of that shift and why transparency, integrity, and adaptability matter so much to me as a business owner. I also reflect on the economic uncertainty many small businesses are facing right now and the importance of trust, community, and personalized guidance during these times. I’m also inviting you to my upcoming class, which I created to help simplify taxes and make it more accessible for small business owners.
Listen and Subscribe Here
In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I share my personal experiences with vulnerability and the challenges I’ve been navigating in my business, especially after a recent drop in sales. I talk about the emotional impact of that shift and why transparency, integrity, and adaptability matter so much to me as a business owner. I also reflect on the economic uncertainty many small businesses are facing right now and the importance of trust, community, and personalized guidance during these times. I’m also inviting you to my upcoming class, which I created to help simplify taxes and make it more accessible for small business owners.
Also mentioned in today’s episode:
01:00 Navigating Vulnerability and Business Challenges
05:11 Modeling Flexibility in Business
09:52 Understanding Economic Uncertainty
14:35 Building Trust and Community
19:04 Improving Business Offerings
23:55 Invitation to Learn and Grow Together
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it!
Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.
Links:
Join my Free Class on 3/4: Make Money Easier, Starting With Taxes
Order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed
Check out my program, Money Bootcamp
An Interview with Paddy Johnson of the Art Problems Podcast on Clarity, Taxes, and Not Being Boring
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In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m interviewed by Paddy Johnson of the Art Problems Podcast about my book Taxes for Humans, a tax guide for self-employed creatives. We explore why demystifying taxes is about more than numbers—it’s about understanding the systems, values, and power behind them.
I share why tax education matters, how it can empower creatives, and how the companion workbook helps put these ideas into practice. Plus, hear real stories from artists navigating taxes and the emotional weight money can carry in the creative world.
Listen and Subscribe Here
In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m interviewed by Paddy Johnson of the Art Problems Podcast about my book Taxes for Humans, a tax guide for self-employed creatives. We explore why demystifying taxes is about more than numbers—it’s about understanding the systems, values, and power behind them.
I share why tax education matters, how it can empower creatives, and how the companion workbook helps put these ideas into practice. Plus, hear real stories from artists navigating taxes and the emotional weight money can carry in the creative world.
Also mentioned in this episode:
03:19 Understanding the Book's Unique Approach
06:37 The Importance of Context in Tax Education
09:32 Breaking Down Tax Myths and Misconceptions
12:22 Empowering Artists Through Financial Literacy
15:37 The Role of Taxes in Society
18:33 The Workbook: A Practical Companion
21:17 Addressing Judgment and Shame in Tax Preparation
24:36 Real Stories of Artists Overcoming Tax Challenges
27:28 Resources for Artists
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it!
Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.
Links:
Link to Order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed.
Link to pre-order my workbook, Taxes for Humans: The Workbook
Join my free class: Make Taxes Easier and Stash an Extra $152k in Your Savings
Check out my program, Money Bootcamp
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