We all want to live a life that is successful, thriving, and free from any major disruption or difficult circumstances, right? Unfortunately, that’s just not the way life goes, and as bestselling author Keisha Blair points out in her book ‘Holistic Wealth Expanded and Updated: 36 Life Lessons To Help You Recover From Disruption, Find Your Life Purpose and Achieve Financial Freedom‘, there is a way we can still live life to its fullest despite the circumstances.
If there’s anyone who understands life disruption to its core, it is Keisha. When she was 34, her husband unexpectedly died. It led her to a whole new path in life where she not only shared her story in this incredibly popular article, but also the lessons she learned. Her book has become a roadmap for how to move through life after a major disruption – whether it is a death of a loved one, a global pandemic, political instability or anything in between.
Considered the “Mother of Holistic Wealth” today after founding the Holistic Wealth Movement, Keisha’s career began in a very different place. She is a Harvard University-trained economist and Policy Expert, and understands the importance of financial freedom both on a professional and personal level. Today she is the Founder of the Institute on Holistic Wealth and host of the Holistic Wealth podcast.
As the mother of the movement, Keisha has written for Buzzfeed, the New York Observer, Thrive Global, and many more publications. She has been featured in the New York Times, Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper, Essence Mag and more. On the Holistic Wealth podcast, Keisha has interviewed guests including Actress Kelly Rutherford, Reshma Suajani, Loren Ridiger, CNN Anchor Kirsten Powers, Eve Rodsky and other high profile and notable names.
We had the chance to speak with Keisha about the updated and expanded version of ‘Holistic Wealth’, what the term means, how each of us can life a life that encompasses the values of holistic wealth, and wisdom on how to move forward after disruption.
You began your thriving career in the economic sector, but you are also a renowned author and thought leader. Did you ever think your life and career journey would take numerous paths like this?
I would never have thought my life would go in this direction. Like many girls, I disliked math and I didn’t like economics in high school. I remember dreading my grade 12 economics class. I thought it was overly complicated and as a teenager, I had no idea how I would ever take more of an interest in economics. As I realized later on – every bit of our lives prepares us for the journey ahead.
In University, I developed a love for Economics, International trade, and International affairs and how they reinforced one another and the synergies of how they worked together. My first job after completing my master’s degree was as an Economist doing energy policy. Then as a Senior Economist, working in micro-economic policy, I wrote Federal Budgets later on and then on to many other pursuits, including being part of the [Canadian] Prime Minister’s supporting delegation to several international fora.
I often tell people, you never know what will happen in life so just be open to opportunities and allow yourself to learn and grow. As a female Economist, the field was always male-dominated and I sometimes felt so out of place. We often heard that it was an “old boys club”. The gender gap in economics is huge – it’s even worse than tech but it doesn’t get enough media attention. Some experts believe that Economics is the worst academic field to be a woman. In the field of Economics, women represent only 26.2% and only 3 percent of professionals in economics identify as Black.
As I outlined in Holistic Wealth Expanded and Updated, I’ve endured my fair share of sexism and racism. When I coined the term “Holistic Wealth” with the release of the first book in 2019, the aim was to write a book that women and girls could relate to and one that also made personal finances accessible to all. Holistic Wealth is more than just finances, and that’s also a message I wanted to get through to everyone.
Your life took a drastic turn at the age of 31 when your husband died unexpectedly. How did you find the strength and determination to start talking about this publicly, and write about it?
Losing my husband unexpectedly at the age of 34 was undoubtedly a life-altering experience. It was a profound and heartbreaking moment that left me grappling with immense grief and confusion. Yet, amid the darkness, I found a wellspring of strength and determination that eventually led me to share my journey publicly and write about it.
Healing Through Expression: Initially, I couldn’t fathom speaking about my loss or writing about it. However, as I navigated the complex landscape of grief, I realized that talking about my experience and expressing my emotions was a crucial part of my healing process. It was a way to release the pent-up feelings, to honour my husband’s memory, and to find some semblance of closure. When I wrote the viral article “My Husband Died At Age 34. Here Are 40 Life Lessons I Learned From It” – it came from a very vulnerable place and it took on a life of its own. Over 50 million people globally connected with the article and I got messages from women cross the globe.
Connecting with Others: As I began to open up to close friends and family, I discovered the power of human connection. Sharing my story not only helped me but also provided solace to those who had experienced similar losses. The empathy and understanding of others were invaluable in my journey toward healing, and it became evident that my story could inspire resilience in others.
Recognizing the Universality of Loss: Grief is a universal human experience, yet it can often feel isolating. I came to understand that by sharing my own story, I could contribute to a broader conversation about loss and resilience.
Empowering Through Vulnerability: Vulnerability can be a source of strength and it’s critical to build resilience. Sharing my most intimate thoughts and emotions in writing allowed me to connect with readers on a deeper level. It was through my vulnerability that I found resilience, and I hoped to inspire others to embrace their own vulnerability as a path to healing.
I often say that Holistic Wealth is the Art of Recovery From Disruption. Through my healing journey, I was able to develop a comprehensive framework to help others heal and overcome setbacks. The power of vulnerability and connecting with others on a very deep level was the catalyst for that.
Your book ‘Holistic Wealth’ has undergone an expanded update. What can readers expect in this new version?
Readers can expect new chapters that include themes such as financial resilience and financial resourcefulness, personal financial identity, money mindset and even building a Holistic Wealth portfolio. There are more tips and strategies for building holistic wealth. Every chapter in the book has been expanded and updated.
I’ve also included more of my personal story and also tackled some difficult topics that impact the holistic wealth of many minorities such as racism and sexism. As a female Economist, I felt like I needed to address this given that we’re talking about holistic wealth and some communities are still struggling with issues such as health equity and financial marginalization.
In a nutshell, what does holistic wealth mean and how can it benefit our everyday lives?
The traditional concept of wealth solely measured by net income and material possessions needs to be revised. Holistic wealth, a term I first coined in the 2019 book Holistic Wealth: 32 Life Lessons to Help You Find Purpose, Prosperity, and Happiness ($14.95, amazon.com) elevates and emphasizes the importance of collecting experiences (as opposed to just money), engaging in meaningful work, and having more control over your daily life. Holistic wealth also includes developing financial savvy and independence, leading a life of purpose, and establishing a spiritual practice.
When combined, these things lead to greater joy and happiness, as well as a sense of wholeness and resilience in life particularly in times of difficulty.
We all want to go through life as if it is smooth sailing, but as your story (and actress Kelly Rutherford who wrote the endorsement for your book) shows it doesn’t always happen that way. How can we prepare for disruption, or live a life that can adapt to it?
In the world of Hollywood, Kelly Rutherford has made a name for herself by taking on some of the most intricate and multifaceted characters. Her ability to breathe life into complex roles speaks volumes about her depth as an actress. She was the perfect person to write the foreword for Holistic Wealth, especially considering the disruptions in her own personal life. Throughout her career, Kelly Rutherford has tackled roles that required her to delve deep into the psyche of her characters. This transformative talent mirrors the essence of holistic wealth—a journey of personal transformation, which transcends the disruptions life may throw our way. She’s also a deeply grounded person who loves humanity.
Just like my story, Kelly Rutherford has faced her own set of real-life disruptions and challenges. Her personal life experiences have shown her the highs and lows, the setbacks, and the comebacks. Her resilience in the face of adversity makes her not just an actress but also a real-life embodiment of the holistic wealth philosophy—rising stronger, even when life takes unexpected turns.
As I stated in Holistic Wealth, mindset is very important in overcoming disruption. Having a mindset of fear, victim and scarcity is counterproductive. Cultivating a holistic wealth mindset is key to overcoming disruptions.
Having a personal mission statement is critical, particularly for those who may be at an intersection in life, trying to recover from something and start anew. This statement is an outline of the new mission for yourself. It will help you recover, put the past behind you, and move forward.
Your mission statement encompasses both personal and professional goals, and outlines how you want to live your life as well as what you want your lifestyle to be like. Ideally, developing such a statement will help you to chart a new course in life that’s mission-led and mission-oriented.
When developing your statement, you’ll want to use action verbs and include qualities that are aspirational. (Think: dependable, reliable, open-minded, optimistic, courageous, passionate, innovative, and loyal.)
It’s also worth noting that money does indeed factor into your mission statement. You should craft it with money goals in mind, but remember they’re just a portion of your overall mission in a holistic wealth mindset.
We all can be far healthier, happier and better able to cope with life-altering setbacks if we focus on making decisions in terms of whether those decisions will lead to holistic wealth bank account additions and depletions.
All of the decisions you make are either an addition or a depletion to this metaphorical account. It’s basically a framework for decision-making. Every day we need to think about the actions and decisions we’re making in terms of whether we’re adding to or depleting our holistic wealth. I think about every decision in terms of that holistic bank account. I ask myself—Is this going to make me better, healthier, or happier?“
The daily life decisions one might view through a holistic wealth lens include food choices, exercise, spending time with loved ones, spending time in nature, and even job choices.
Who have been some of your favorite guests on your podcast, and what have been some of the standout quotes or nuggets of wisdom you’ve heard?
The Holistic Wealth podcast is jam-packed with gems in every single podcast episode. Some of my favorite guests on the Holistic Wealth podcast include Loren Ridinger, Kelly Rutherford, Reshma Saujani, Eve Rodsky, Dr. Uche Blackstock, Dr. Monique Rainford, on topics that range from the Black Women’s Maternal Mortality crisis to Health Equity to Toxic Relationships, Wealth Inequality, Money Trauma and Money Mindset.
I’ve been coaching women on overcoming money trauma and it’s been such a rewarding process. As a maternal near-miss survivor (I almost died in childbirth with my first child), maternal mortality and health equity are dear to me. My favorite episodes mirror the issues dear to my heart but also include some guests who are stellar in their field and have achieved so much impact on society.
For the launch of the Holistic Wealth Expanded and Updated book, the Institute on Holistic Wealth announced an inaugural list of Holistic Wealth Trailblazers that I hand-picked personally to be announced. Several of my favorite episodes include the Holistic Wealth Trailblazers. We also announced the first-ever Global Holistic Wealth Day to be celebrated every year on April 9th.
Quotes and Nuggets of Wisdom from The Holistic Wealth Podcast:
Here are some of the stand-out quotes or nuggets of wisdom from the Holistic Wealth podcast:
“If you know what you love, and you know what you want to do, then it doesn’t really matter what other people are doing, you will align with people that are interested in doing the same that you are”. – Actress Kelly Rutherford, Episode 8 of the Holistic Wealth podcast.
“Passion is the key to freedom, not just financial freedom but emotional freedom and physical freedom. When you tap into your passion, that’s when you tap into your destiny.” – Entrepreneur Joanna Davis on the Holistic Wealth podcast.
“Try to find a neutral space so you can be objective and anything that is a distraction just try to eliminate it. We overcomplicate things sometimes (myself included) instead of simplifying our lives, and make all day a meditation”. – Actress Kelly Rutherford, Episode 8 of the Holistic Wealth Podcast.
“It’s not about making more money. It’s about making more of an impact. I believe in making an impact on other people’s lives that will change them forever. I’m not one who subscribes to corporate America where the only way to get to the top is to tear somebody else down and take their place, I hate that thinking. That’s why I could never work for anybody”. – Loren Ridinger on the Holistic Wealth Podcast.
“When we think about bias, we probably think about overt bias or overt racism, they know they’re biased and they give unequal treatment because of this known bias…but with implicit bias, these are people who generally mean well, but they are giving substandard and biased care…so Black women are getting care from people who mean well and people who are not so noble.” – Dr. Monique Rainford on the Holistic Wealth podcast (on Black Maternal Health).
“As a child, the messages really were especially with my mom who was a devout Catholic, if you think about money at all its sinful. You are a bad person. Just the idea of abundance was off limits. There was this feeling of lack that was just pervasive and I think the real deepest root that was in my family line was a deep feeling of unworthiness”. – Sara Connell on the Holistic Wealth Podcast.
“I hate to say it but most human beings will not fulfill their true purpose in this lifetime. One of the reasons that we won’t fulfill our purpose and destiny is because we are lying to ourselves. The lies we tell ourselves keep us stuck. The lies we tell ourselves keep us stuck doing less than our true authentic purpose. We stay in relationships that are not aligned. We work jobs that we know are not in alignment with our purpose and perhaps compromise our integrity. We betray ourselves in so many ways”. – Kute Blackson on the Holistic Wealth Podcast.
“Active intuition is like an ignition: it generates that spark – the energy needed to channel holistic wealth” – Keisha Blair on the Holistic Wealth podcast.
If you could go back in time and give some advice to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could turn back the hands of time and share advice with my younger self, especially in the context of holistic wealth I would offer the following advice:
1. Embrace Holistic Wealth Early: I would urge my younger self to recognize that wealth extends far beyond financial success or net worth. I’d emphasize the importance of nurturing emotional well-being, having a balanced life, building meaningful relationships, and pursuing a life filled with purpose from the very beginning. Understanding this holistic approach to wealth lays the foundation for a more balanced and fulfilling life and helps with overcoming setbacks and disruptions in our lives.
2. Embrace Resilience: Life is filled with unexpected twists and turns, and I’d tell my younger self to embrace resilience as a core life skill. Setbacks aren’t failures but opportunities for growth.
3. Embrace Change: Change is inevitable, and I’d tell my younger self to embrace it rather than fear it. Change is often the catalyst for personal growth and transformation. Recognizing this earlier would have helped me adapt more readily to life’s disruptions and transitions.
4. Follow Your Passion: Pursuing your passion isn’t a luxury but a necessity for holistic wealth. I’d encourage my younger self to explore passions with enthusiasm and vigour. When we follow our innermost desires, we’re more likely to find purpose and fulfillment in our lives.
5. Prioritize Self-Care: I’d stress the importance of self-care, not as a fancy indulgence, but as an essential component of holistic wealth. Taking time for nurturing activities, whether it’s meditation, exercise, or relaxation, contributes to overall well-being and is a worthy investment of our time and pays back in scores of holistic wealth.
What do you hope readers of ‘Holistic Wealth’ will implement into their lives after learning more from you?
Holistic wealth is one of the most important concepts of our generation, especially in light of COVID-19 and the fact that we can no longer divorce our physical, mental, and spiritual health from our wealth or finances. When readers dive into the pages of “Holistic Wealth,” they’re embarking on a transformative journey—one that holds the power to reshape the way they approach every aspect of their lives.
A New Definition of Wealth: I’d love to redefine your notion of wealth. It’s not just about the numbers in your bank account; it’s about living a life brimming with fulfillment, purpose, and joy. You’ll discover that true wealth encompasses financial stability, emotional resilience, and meaningful connections.
Empowerment to Confront Fear: Fear can be paralyzing, but it doesn’t have to be. Through the wisdom in this book, you’ll gain the tools to confront fear head-on, transforming it from a hindrance into a catalyst for growth. You’ll learn that it’s okay to stumble along the way; what matters is your determination to rise stronger.
Practical Financial Mastery: Holistic Wealth equips you with practical financial guidance that’s accessible and actionable. You’ll learn to create a budget, save, invest wisely, and ultimately gain control over your finances. Understanding your personal financial identity is also critical. No matter where you are on your financial journey, you’ll find invaluable insights to secure your future. The Holistic Wealth Personal Workbook is also a great tool.
Enhanced Emotional Resilience: Life’s challenges are inevitable, but how you navigate them can change everything. You’ll gain strategies to boost your emotional and financial resilience, helping you bounce back from setbacks and find inner peace even in turbulent times.
Strengthened Relationships: Our connections with others are the threads that weave the fabric of our lives. Holistic Wealth shows you how to nurture and deepen these connections. You’ll discover the power of empathy, effective communication, and the joy of building lasting, meaningful relationships.
Health and Wellness: Your well-being is the cornerstone of holistic wealth. The book encourages you to prioritize self-care, set health goals, and establish habits that promote physical and mental wellness. A healthy body and mind are your greatest assets.
The Courage to Dream: Ultimately, we want you to have the courage to dream big and chase those dreams fearlessly. Holistic Wealth isn’t about settling; it’s about thriving. Your dreams are not only valid but also achievable, and this book is your guide to making them a reality.
“Holistic Wealth” is a comprehensive toolkit for life transformation. I hope readers will take away not just knowledge but also the inspiration and determination to implement these principles in their lives. The world is waiting for you to unlock your full potential and live a life of holistic wealth, and this book is your key to that extraordinary journey.
Purchase your copy of ‘Holistic Wealth Expanded and Updated: 36 Life Lessons To Help You Recover From Disruption, Find Your Life Purpose and Achieve Financial Freedom‘, subscribe and listen to Keisha on the Holistic Wealth Podcast, learn more about the Institute on Holistic Wealth, and follow Keisha on Instagram.
