Anything and Everything Can Become Our Teacher: Lessons on Healing and Justice

Highly Sensitive Money with Diana Gisel Yañez

From dreaming of a career as a professional jazz trumpet player to deciding health insurance was something worth getting, leo freeman's journey into financial planning took unexpected turns. His path was anything but conventional, and his realization of the undervaluation of cultural workers and artists in society sparked a pivotal shift in his trajectory. Embracing various jobs and eventually finding himself at a registered investment advisory firm, leo's unique journey serves as a reminder that the most unexpected detours can lead to fulfilling and purposeful destinations. What surprising twists and turns will lead you to your true passion and purpose?

You can watch the conversation here.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Explore the intersection of finance and social justice for a more inclusive approach to financial planning.
• Gain insights from leo freeman's journey in finance for a fresh perspective on ethical wealth management.
• Uncover strategies for navigating impostor syndrome in the financial planning industry for personal and professional growth.
• Discover the empowering community of Rad Planners and their impact on the financial planning landscape.

This is leo freeman's story:

In this episode, leo freeman shares their journey as a highly sensitive person (HSP) and their transition into socially responsible financial planning. They discuss their experiences in the investment advisory industry and their realization about the lack of social justice within the financial services sector. leo's involvement with the Rad Planners community and their commitment to integrating social justice into financial practices serve as an inspiring example for financial planners seeking to incorporate ethical practices into their work.

The episode emphasizes the importance of embracing sensitivity as a strength, the power of emotional sobriety in social justice work, and the need for community and support among highly sensitive individuals. leo's insights and personal journey offer valuable perspectives on navigating the world of finance with sensitivity and finding strength in vulnerability, making this episode essential for financial planners seeking to foster inclusive financial planning.

leo freeman's journey as a highly sensitive person (HSP) and their transition into socially responsible financial planning takes center stage in this episode. As they reflect on their experiences in the investment advisory industry and their realization about the lack of social justice within the financial services sector, leo provides valuable insights for financial planners seeking to integrate ethical practices into their work. Their involvement with the Rad Planners community and their dedication to incorporating social justice into financial practices serve as an inspiring example.

The episode underscores the importance of embracing sensitivity as a strength, the power of emotional sobriety in social justice work, and the need for community and support among highly sensitive individuals. leo's personal journey offers essential perspectives on navigating the world of finance with sensitivity and finding strength in vulnerability, making this episode a must-listen for financial planners aiming to foster inclusive financial planning.

leo is a thinker and a tinkerer with a musician’s brain and an activist’s heart. for the past eight years, leo has worked inside of the financial services industrial complex as an advisor (learning the master’s tools), then as a social justice financial advisor with adasina social capital (wielding the master’s tools in service of social justice movements), and most recently as the director of fund development with seed commons (building new tools to channel non-extractive capital to community).

a passionate advocate for intersectional justice, leo brings a systems approach to his work with philanthropic orgs, institutional and individual investors and financial advisors. leo is a founding member and inaugural steering crew member of the radical planners community, a co-creator of capital J collective, a co-director of (re)define, and a member of the transformative25 committee.

leo is not big on academia, but he does hold a few degrees from csu sacramento in jazz performance and pedagogy. he is an accredited investment fiduciary analyst and holds a series 65 license.

leo lives in berkeley with their dog, friend. leo is an anticapitalist, abolitionist, vegan, feminist, activist, non-zionist, anarcho-utopianist who reads a ton of queer theory and liberation lit and is focused on building and deepening community relationships and dreaming the world to come.

The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:00 - Welcome and Getting to Know Each Other
00:01:38 - Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) and Money Work
00:05:37 - Embracing Emotional Sobriety
00:10:54 - Path to Radical Financial Planning
00:13:59 - Turning Point in Career
00:14:38 - Early Career and Industry Insights
00:16:02 - Fast Tracking to Leadership
00:19:50 - Gender Identities and Golf
00:22:41 - Linking Money and Social Justice
00:25:17 - Class Ascension and Privilege
00:28:37 - Connecting with Be Present and Wisdom and Money
00:29:57 - Challenging Capitalism and Wealth Redistribution
00:32:21 - Anarcho Utopianism and Hope in Anarchy
00:33:30 - Solidarity with Palestine and Emotional Vulnerability
00:43:44 - Declaration of Solidarity and Framework of Commitment
00:44:04 - Finding Community and Identity within Rad Planners
00:45:08 - Embracing Geopolitical Conversations
00:47:12 - The Healing Power of Questions
00:48:47 - Challenging White Supremacy and Saviorism
00:55:31 - Navigating Overwhelm and Finding Refuge
00:58:56 - Overcoming Impostor Syndrome and Codependency
00:59:35 - Finding Safe Spaces for Self-Exploration
01:00:12 - The Power of Waiting and Intentionality
01:01:00 - Using Financial Services as a Springboard to Action
01:01:40 - Gratitude and Invitation for Further Exploration

Resources

• Explore Capital J Collective: Do you need support brining a Just Transition framework to your financial space and would love leo's help doing this? You can find leo at Capital J Collective providing just these advisory services.
• Join Rad Planners: Connect with a community of like-minded individuals in the financial services industry who are committed to social justice, solidarity economy, and restorative economies. Email Diana at [e-mail] for more info.
• Read Surviving the Future: Explore the book Surviving the Future, which delves into the concept of abolishing carceral systems and the state while envisioning a different future. This book can be a valuable resource for understanding and engaging with these ideas.
• Explore Queer Theory and Abolition Work: Consider delving into queer theory, abolition work, and disability justice frameworks to gain a deeper understanding of how people have imagined a different world. These resources can provide valuable insights and perspectives.
• Fantastic Negrito’s Bad Guy Necessity on why we all need someone to blame
• To support a free Palestine check out Funders for a Ceasefire Now Philanthropy Open Letter for Humanity and Justice and the Free the Land Capital Campaign

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Connect with me here:

• www.allthecolors.net
• https://www.youtube.com/@HighlySensitiveMoney
• https://www.linkedin.com/linkedin.com/in/dianagyanez/