Episode 107: Follow the Money?

Last week, I talked about what happens after reaching a goal you’ve been chasing for a long time. This week, I’m looking at a different question: should we follow the money, or should we follow something deeper?

Money matters. It pays bills, creates stability, and can give us the room to build the life we want. But money can also pull us into jobs, businesses, trends, and choices that don’t align with who we are.

In this episode, I reflect on moments from my own life where I had to decide whether the money was worth the cost. From sales and security work to side hustles, writing, and creative decisions, I talk about the difference between using money as a tool and letting money become the thing that controls your direction.

In this episode, I discuss:

Why chasing money alone can lead you away from your values

The importance of integrity in work, sales, and business

Knowing when a higher-paying opportunity is not the right opportunity

How burnout can happen when money becomes the only reason you stay

The difference between using a job as a stepping stone and letting it trap you

Why side hustles and trends are not always as simple as they appear

The danger of copying someone else’s path just because it looks profitable

Building a financial foundation without losing sight of the life you actually want

Sometimes following the money makes sense for a season. But the goal should be knowing what you’re building toward, so the money serves your life instead of becoming your life.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Have you ever taken a job, opportunity, or side hustle just for the money? Was it worth it?

The Books By Josh Audio Immersion is a reflective podcast focused on perspective, growth, and the quiet lessons we often overlook. Each episode is an invitation to slow down, think differently, and explore ideas that don’t always fit into neat categories.