Rachel Webster

That's Kathy O'Neill, a data scientist who studies the way shame is used as a tool for profit. And she says not only does shame not help, it hurts. It's called a toxic feedback loop.

That's Kathy O'Neill, a data scientist who studies the way shame is used as a tool for profit. And she says not only does shame not help, it hurts. It's called a toxic feedback loop.

You do something you're ashamed of. You feel ashamed about it. Hide from your shame. And as a result, you're driven to do that very same thing again.

You do something you're ashamed of. You feel ashamed about it. Hide from your shame. And as a result, you're driven to do that very same thing again.

And when following the rules relies on our singular willpower to be responsible when everything around us tests that willpower at every turn... Following the rules doesn't feel like a reasonable choice.

And when following the rules relies on our singular willpower to be responsible when everything around us tests that willpower at every turn... Following the rules doesn't feel like a reasonable choice.

But that starts with honesty, not willpower. And you did have a model for that in an apartment building in Queens.

But that starts with honesty, not willpower. And you did have a model for that in an apartment building in Queens.

Within a few months, there were tens of thousands of people following Jamie's journey. She even started to get news coverage.

Within a few months, there were tens of thousands of people following Jamie's journey. She even started to get news coverage.

She kept getting stopped on the street by people who recognized her, mostly young women. Remember that one lady who made a beeline for you? Oh, God, of course. How could I forget? It was my Taylor Swift moment. She dropped her bags and left her friends and just, like, ran up to you and was like, I love you. To be fair, I'm pretty sure she was drunk.

She kept getting stopped on the street by people who recognized her, mostly young women. Remember that one lady who made a beeline for you? Oh, God, of course. How could I forget? It was my Taylor Swift moment. She dropped her bags and left her friends and just, like, ran up to you and was like, I love you. To be fair, I'm pretty sure she was drunk.

Every year, the same news outlets run the exact same segments telling you how to fix your financial problems.

Every year, the same news outlets run the exact same segments telling you how to fix your financial problems.

Yeah. Her tools and tips to fortify our funds are all in her new book. Usually somebody who's struck it rich by being smart with money.

Yeah. Her tools and tips to fortify our funds are all in her new book. Usually somebody who's struck it rich by being smart with money.

Of course, they've made even more money selling you a book or eight about how you too can be smart with money. But if this was such easy advice, then it wouldn't be a problem that only gets worse every year.

Of course, they've made even more money selling you a book or eight about how you too can be smart with money. But if this was such easy advice, then it wouldn't be a problem that only gets worse every year.

And 50% rely on credit cards just to get by.

And 50% rely on credit cards just to get by.