SUMMER LISTENING: How To Ask For More Money (Without Dying From Awkwardness)

SUMMER LISTENING: How To Ask For More Money (Without Dying From Awkwardness)

Author: Mamamia Podcasts December 22, 2025 Duration: 23:19

This summer we’re curating your What The Finance playlist, filling it with unmissable episodes of BIZ the podcast that gets your work life sorted. Enjoy!

Asking for a pay rise is about as comfortable as explaining to your boss why you've been late three times this week. But what if there was a way to do it that actually works? 

Host Em Vernem gets Biz career coaches Michelle Battersby and Soph Hirst to share their proven framework for getting what you want at work (spoiler: don't mention your expensive oat latte habit).
Plus, they bust the myths about asking every year, using other job offers as leverage, and what to do if you get a 'no'.

Consider this your cheat sheet to having the money conversation - minus the awkward sweating.

What you’ll learn:
- The framework that does the hard work for you
- What to ask for if they can't give you more money
- The exact words to say to your boss (and what never to say)

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Got a work life dilemma? Send us all the questions you definitely can't ask your boss for our Biz Inbox episodes - send us a voice note or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au.

HOSTS: Michelle Battersby, Soph Hirst and Em Vernem
EXEC PRODUCER: Georgie Page
AUDIO PRODUCER: Leah Porges

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


Money talk can feel awkward, but putting it off rarely helps. That’s the idea behind What The Finance, a straightforward series from Mamamia Podcasts that tackles the questions we often think are too simple or too embarrassing to ask out loud. Over eight episodes, you’ll follow along as financial expert and author Melissa Browne works with actress and activist Pallavi Sharda to demystify personal finance from the ground up. It’s less about stock market jargon and more about the practical stuff that makes a real difference in your week-to-week life. You’ll hear honest conversations about setting realistic savings goals, understanding how superannuation really works, and untangling the confusing concept of so-called ‘good debt’. This podcast creates a relatable space where financial literacy is built one clear, manageable topic at a time. It’s designed for anyone who’s ever felt a bit lost looking at their bank statement or wondered if they’re making the right moves with their pay. By blending expert guidance with a genuine beginner’s perspective, the series makes the often-intimidating world of business and investing feel accessible and, most importantly, actionable. Tune in to get a clearer handle on your money, without the confusing jargon or judgment.
Author: Language: en-au Episodes: 24

What The Finance
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