Press & Testimonials

PRESS, WRITING & INTERVIEWS

Building Wealth as an Outsider, Insider, March 2022

“Queering Economies,” Outsources podcast on KGNU Denver, Jan 2022

Why LGBTQ+ Distrust Big Banks, SheVentures podcast, June 2021

Post-Pandemic Glow-Up: Get an anticapitalist financial advisor, Mic, May 2021

Beyond Pride: Inside the Movement to Make Money More Inclusive of LGBTQ+ Americans, Money Magazine, May 2021

Money Stories, Daylight Bank, Feb 2021

Receipt Femme — Interview on Queersplaining, Jan 2020

Artists and Money — Interview on the Artist Athlete, March 2019

Money, Possibility, and Imagining our Futures, The Wild Word, Nov. 2017

Interview on Roots, Runners, Rhizomes, Nov 2017. On “financial health and the crucial urgency of stable lives for radicals and progressives especially at the end of capitalism.”

Interview in GO Magazine “Seven Minutes In Heaven With Artist & Financial Consultant Hadassah Damien”, Nov. 2017.

[Read a selection here] Interview in Make/Shift 20, MONEY IS AN ANTI-CAPITALIST FEMINIST ISSUE: Hadassah Damien, Interviewed by Jessica Lawless. Get a copy in your local bookstore! June 2017

Interview on Side Hustle School’s podcast with Chris Guillebeau, “She speaks to her people in a voice they understand, and the course uses adjectives like “fun, feminist, and fearless.” Speaking of prominent voices, Hadassah believes that much personal finance is very patriarchal and therefore she wants to provide an alternative.” – Feb 2017

“Sliding Scale” in The Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training Journal, Fall 2016

OH CRAP! What Now Survival Guide, Fall 2016

Interview with Liz Gold, on her blog Delicate Bull. November 2015

TESTIMONIALS

“When I was stuck in a job I hated that was making me sick, but was afraid to quit and go back to scrabbling for $50 or $100 checks as a freelancer and maxing out my credit cards, I talked to Damien. Coaching with her allowed me to figure out a way to plot an accessible self-employment life for myself that was 1000% more stable and less ass-busting, where my rent got paid and money went into savings. Her working class femme money genius has been an invaluable tool to help me figure out how to build my stability and- gasp- start saving for retirement while meeting my goals and enjoying the fuck out of my life as a disabled, middle-aged femme of color working artist with no access to family support and high out of pocket medical expenses. I really don’t get a cut from her, but I do recommend her to everyone I know.” — Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha, writer, educator

“Thanks for this and thank you for all of your work. I am so excited about having taken this step, and I’m noticing how much more aware and attentive I am to the money I’m spending every day. After years of contract work and cobbling together part-time gigs, I am now able to save money for the first time in my life. This course was a great way to get the support I needed to get my shit together, all in a way that aligns with my values, so thank you thank you thank you!” — T., librarian

“In just one session with Hadassah Damien I gained the skills and perspective I needed to stay calm and focused to make smarter financial decisions.  It was as advertised – judgement-free real talk informed by life experience.  I can’t think of a better form of self-care than to give your financial life the attention it deserves through Ride Free Fearless Money.  I don’t necessarily have more money than I did when I came to my first session, but I do have a plan for what to do with my finances – which means I can dream bigger dreams than I thought possible.” — S.G., nonprofit lawyer.

“I’ve talked to a few professionals about financial stuff in the past, and it’s never been clearer to me how important it is to be able to talk this stuff with someone with shared values and language, and how important it is to be able to consult with someone who treats you with respect and who will listen. THANK YOU for being an awesome queer person doing this work. Your website, knowledge, patience and excitement about this are incredible resources.” — MT, writer/editor.

“Thank you so much for the awesome session last night — I have been flying high and talking about it all day. I honestly feel less afraid (not yet quite riding free fearless money) and I can’t wait to put your tools and suggestions to work. I already started!” — Emmett F., queer musician & digital storyteller

“I wanted to let you know that I paid off my biggest credit card last week. I still can’t believe it. I had been trying to get my financial life in order for the last six months, but your class kicked it into high gear for me. The shift was totally in the idea of taking myself more seriously and believing that there will be a future me. I even renamed my excel budget spreadsheet takeyrselfseriously. Huge shift.” — K., freelance designer, April 2016

“The last webinar of yours that I took helped me a lot – I went from auto-saving $10 a week to $35 a week, and now I have $1000 in savings!! My all time best so far.” — May 2017

“I deeply appreciate the depth of presence and lived experience you bring to this work.” — L., coach, March 2016

“Taking this “money management” class is one of the best things I have ever done for myself. This is crucial information that we can *all* use to make the money we have do more for us, all delivered in an easy-to-digest, totally not overwhelming way by one of the raddest queer babes in town. Really, you couldn’t ask for more. Do yrself a favor and sign up!!!!” — M., Feb 2016

“I never wanted to take a course on financial planning because I had always assumed it would be over my head or speak to values that didn’t resonate with me. But this class was designed for people like me! Damien shares my values of social justice, and helped me to figure out fair, ethical ways to relate to money.” – Dara B., education consultant, dareconsulting.com

“I feel more calm about money after this. I’m shocked. I realized that I don’t have to use the same symbols and judgements that everyone else seems to use when they talk about this stuff. I thought I was totally going to be triggered, but I feel better now. Like this is do-able… I realized I can change my perspective on how I view money. That’s really powerful.” -Bevin, blogger & lawyer queerfatfemme.com

“As a chronically ill femme of color artist living the freelance life, money is often a source of fear and uncertainty for me. I have a lot to learn in terms of practical money skills, yet have been afraid to ask for support – largely because I didn’t think most financial advisors would understand my lived experience. Then I took Damien’s class and was blown away by her clarity and sensitivity.  How amazing to learn about money with someone who is so anchored in social justice! She created a warm, inclusive environment; was on-point about intersectionality, and shared incredibly useful tools and tips. I never thought that discussing money could be so fun, and I left the class feeling a new sense of hope and possibility.” — freelance artist

“I learned more than I knew I needed to know about money in Damien’s class and I don’t regret it! It has been very beneficial for my wallet and my mental health.  Taking the class with other queer folk created a safe space for me to learn and experience that I am not alone with my confusions and fears around managing my finances.  I received very practical advice on how to start managing my debt right away as well as some great ideas for how I can make the most out of my money in the future.” — Ryan, bike mechanic

“Just wanted to express gratitude for all your money teachings and tips! My sweetie and I are using it together and it’s helped us talk about money and planning with less shame and guilt.” — anonymous