The Clever Girls Know Podcast With Bola Sokunbi

On this episode of the podcast, we're joined by Deora Clairé—Digital Marketing Professional, author, speaker, and Christian bilingual singer-songwriter—for a deeply honest conversation about rebuilding your life after financial and personal setbacks.
Deora opens up about her mental health crisis during the pandemic, the experience of filing for bankruptcy at 26, and the reality of starting over from the ground up—financially, emotionally, and spiritually.
She shares how she moved from that low point into a high-earning corporate role while intentionally rebuilding her savings, paying down debt, and restoring her credit.
Through her story, Deora offers powerful insight into choosing consistency over perfection, releasing financial shame, and finding the confidence to begin again—no matter where you're starting from.
 
What Deora Discussed on the Podcast:
Her experience navigating a mental health crisis and how it impacted her finances.
What filing for bankruptcy at 26 was really like—emotionally and financially.
The reality that habits don't automatically change after debt discharge.
The turning point that sparked both mental and financial transformation.
What choosing consistency over perfection looks like in real life.
Mindset shifts needed to break cycles of debt and negative net worth.
Letting go of financial shame and rebuilding confidence.
Advice for anyone feeling like they've completely messed up their finances.
 
How to Keep Up With Deora Clairé:
Follow on Instagram: @deoraclaire
Learn more: deoraclaire.com
 
New Book - Clever Girl Millionaire; A Guide to Redefining What's Possible, Turning Ambitions into Actions, and Dreams into Millions - Available to order now
 
More Clever Girl Finance Resources:
👋 New to Clever Girl Finance? Start here: https://clevergirlfinance.com/start-here
❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books
❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages
❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog
❤ Follow us on Instagram: @clevergirlfinance

If you've paid off your debt… first of all, congratulations. That is a huge financial milestone.
But here's the truth most people don't talk about: What you do next matters just as much as paying it off. Because if you don't have a plan, that extra money can disappear just as quickly as it used to go toward debt.
On this episode, I'm walking you through 10 smart money moves to make after paying off debt so you can stay debt-free and start building real wealth.
You'll learn: 
What to do immediately after paying off debt
How to avoid lifestyle creep
Where to put your extra money now
How to build your emergency fund the right way
How to start investing after debt
How to shift your mindset from debt-free to wealth builder
This is your next chapter. Paying off debt is often about survival. What comes next is about ownership, investing, and long-term wealth.
 
New Book - Clever Girl Millionaire; A Guide to Redefining What's Possible, Turning Ambitions into Actions, and Dreams into Millions - Available to order now
 
More Clever Girl Finance Resources:
👋 New to Clever Girl Finance? Start here: https://clevergirlfinance.com/start-here
❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books
❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages
❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog
❤ Follow us on Instagram: @clevergirlfinance

On this episode of the podcast, we're joined by Angela Weikel, founder of The Moneta Academy, for a powerful conversation about what it really takes to rebuild your finances while navigating burnout, service work, and real life pressure. 
She shares her personal journey from being nearly $80,000 in debt and emotionally overwhelmed to achieving financial stability, paying off her car, and becoming a homeowner. Through a nervous-system–informed lens, Angela reframes financial stress and burnout not as personal failure, but as a response to systemic strain, and offers a more compassionate, sustainable path to building clarity, confidence, and peace with money.
Angela is deeply committed to supporting the helpers—case managers, advocates, and system leaders—who carry so much for others, often at the expense of themselves.
What Angela Discussed on the Podcast:
Her background and what led her to join Clever Girl Finance.
What life felt like while carrying nearly $80,000 in debt—emotionally and financially.
The decision to stop staying stuck and take control of her finances.
Building a relationship with money rooted in clarity, consistency, and self-trust.
The specific tools and frameworks that helped her pay off debt.
What made her financial transformation sustainable—not just temporary.
The difference between financial stability and true financial peace.
How goal setting helped turn intention into real, measurable progress.
Challenging the belief that financial stability isn't possible for everyone.
How her personal journey now shapes the way she supports others through The Moneta Academy.
Advice for women who pour into others but feel financially and emotionally drained themselves.
Her clever girl superpower.
Where to learn more about her work and offerings.
 
How to Keep Up With Angela Weikel:
LinkedIn: Angela Weikel
Instagram: @the_moneta_academy
Join her waitlist: Mini Course Waitlist
Learn more: Angela Weikel
 
New Book - Clever Girl Millionaire; A Guide to Redefining What's Possible, Turning Ambitions into Actions, and Dreams into Millions - Available to order now
 
More Clever Girl Finance Resources:
👋 New to Clever Girl Finance? Start here: https://clevergirlfinance.com/start-here
❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books
❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages
❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog
❤ Follow us on Instagram: @clevergirlfinance

New Book - Clever Girl Millionaire; A Guide to Redefining What's Possible, Turning Ambitions into Actions, and Dreams into Millions - Available to order now
If you just had a baby, or you're about to, your life has changed in a big way. And your finances? They've changed too. In this episode, I'm breaking down 8 essential money moves every new parent needs to make right now to protect their family and build long-term financial security.
These are practical, real-life steps you can take immediately—even if you're exhausted and short on time. Because the truth is: the decisions you make in these early months can have a lasting impact on your financial future.
You'll learn key tips on: 
How to update your budget for your new reality
Why your emergency fund needs to grow—and by how much
What to know about adding your baby to health insurance
Why life insurance is critical once you have a child
Updating your beneficiaries and create a will
Starting to save for college with a 529 plan
Thinking through your income and career plan as a parent
Why automating your savings is a game-changer
 
For new and expecting parents:
Whether you're a new mom, expecting your first baby, or growing your family, these money tips will help you feel more confident and prepared with your finances.
 
More Clever Girl Finance Resources:
👋 New to Clever Girl Finance? Start here: https://clevergirlfinance.com/start-here
❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books
❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages
❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog
❤ Follow us on Instagram: @clevergirlfinance

New Book - Clever Girl Millionaire; A Guide to Redefining What's Possible, Turning Ambitions into Actions, and Dreams into Millions - Available to order now
If you've ever felt like wealth is only for "other people," you're not alone. I used to think the same thing—until I realized that building wealth isn't about luck, or hype. It's about having a system. In this video, I'm breaking down the 4 pillars of wealth that helped me become a millionaire, and how you can start using them in your own life today. 
 
You'll learn: 
What the 4 pillars of wealth are
How to turn your income into long-term wealth
Why you don't need to do everything at once
How to build a strategy that actually fits your life
Whether you're just starting your financial journey or looking to level up, this framework will help you build wealth with intention—not guesswork.
 
More Clever Girl Finance Resources:
👋 New to Clever Girl Finance? Start here: https://clevergirlfinance.com/start-here
❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books
❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages
❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog
❤ Follow us on Instagram: @clevergirlfinance