Money and the Mother Wound with Michelle Atlas

Money and the Mother Wound with Michelle Atlas

Author: Leisa Peterson January 8, 2026 Duration: 37:14

Your relationship with money isn't just about budgets and strategies—it's deeply connected to your earliest attachment patterns, particularly with your mother.

In this conversation, transformational coach Michelle Atlas reveals how the mother-daughter relationship shapes everything from our sense of worthiness to our capacity to receive, and how these early patterns become our money attachment styles.

Michelle, who lived in an ashram for 12 years and has been on a spiritual path for over four decades, shares the surprising connection between anxious, avoidant, and disorganized attachment styles and our financial behaviors. She opens up about her own journey from shopping to fill a void to experiencing a spontaneous moment of self-forgiveness that completely transformed her relationship with money—and herself.

In this episode, you'll discover:

  • How mother wounds show up in your bank account
  • Why attachment styles and money styles are one and the same
  • The somatic sensations that drive your money decisions
  • Why decades of spiritual practice matter in transformation work
  • How to befriend money the way you'd befriend a trusted companion
  • The path from "I need this to feel whole" to "I am enough"

Whether you've been working on your money relationship for years or you're just beginning to sense there's something deeper beneath your financial patterns, this conversation offers a portal to profound healing.

Resources mentioned:


Leisa Peterson has spent years as a business coach and financial expert, and she’s noticed something profound: the journey to wealth is often blocked not by a lack of opportunity, but by our own internal landscapes. That’s the space where Mindful Millionaire with Leisa Peterson lives. This isn't a typical finance podcast focused solely on spreadsheets and market trends. Instead, Leisa guides conversations that sit at the unique intersection of practical money wisdom and deep personal growth. You’ll hear from a variety of voices-entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and everyday people-who share stories about aligning their financial ambitions with their core values and mental well-being. Episodes delve into how our beliefs about money are formed, how to lead with vision without burning out, and how cultivating mindfulness can directly impact our financial decisions and business success. It’s about building a prosperous life that feels authentic and sustainable, where self-mastery informs every dollar earned and invested. Tune in for a blend of actionable advice and heart-centered commentary designed to transform your relationship with abundance from the inside out.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Mindful Millionaire with Leisa Peterson
Podcast Episodes
Camp is in the Heart with Torey and Shannon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:53
Remember the magic of summer camp? That feeling of possibility, deep friendships formed in just days, and the courage to try things you never thought you could do? Torey and Shannon, lifelong friends and co-creators of "…
Courageously Stepping Into Your Authentic Self with Kandiee Campbell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:27
In this deeply inspiring conversation, host Leisa Peterson sits down with therapist and radio host Kandiee Campbell, whose remarkable journey from personal loss to reaching over 1.6 million radio listeners demonstrates t…
Building Your Business Foundation with Cheri Hill [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:59
In this essential episode for entrepreneurs at any stage, host Leisa Peterson sits down with business formation expert Cheri Hill, founder of Sage International, who has been helping entrepreneurs build successful busine…
Wall Street to Well-Being: Redefining Prosperity with Ruchi Pinniger [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:18
This conversation features Ruchi Pinniger, founder of Watch Her Prosper, discussing her journey from Wall Street to becoming a financial guide for entrepreneurs. Ruchi explains how her company provides practical financia…
Women Risking: Feminine Leadership with Anodea Judith [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:54
In this profound conversation, I welcome back renowned chakra expert and visionary Anodea Judith to discuss humanity's great transition and women's leadership in these challenging times. Anodea shares her wisdom on how w…
The Money Catalyst with Stacey Reid [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:21
In this heartfelt conversation with Stacey Reid, we explore how fiction can transform our relationship with money and unlock deeper personal insights as we discuss my new book, The Money Catalyst and how she has been a p…
How to Make Your Relationships Better with Lisa Merlo-Booth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:05
This week, I spoke with relationship expert Lisa Merlo-Booth about transforming how we communicate in our relationships. Lisa shared powerful insights about creating "uncompromising safety" as the foundation for meaningf…