This week on the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m joined by Amelia Hruby, feminist writer and host of the Off the Grid podcast, for a conversation about building a successful business without relying on social media.

Amelia shares her personal journey away from social media dependence and explains how she created a sustainable, relationship-centered business through community, creativity, email marketing, and intentional audience growth outside the attention economy.

Also mentioned in today’s episode:

00:10 Introduction to Amelia Hruby

01:24 Journey to Feminist Podcasting and Authorship

03:40 Personal Experience with Social Media

07:26 Navigating Business Without Social Media

10:17 Building Relationships Beyond Algorithms

18:24 Reframing Attention: From Scarcity to Ecology

25:29 The Art of Noticing and Attention

27:57 The Impact of Social Media on Creativity

30:30 Navigating the Challenges of Social Media

34:35 Reclaiming Attention and Relationships

38:32 Deciding to Leave Social Media

44:49 Finding Connection Beyond Social Media

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.

About Amelia Hruby:

Amelia Hruby is a feminist writer and podcaster with a PhD in philosophy from DePaul University. Over the past decade, she’s been a university professor, a community organizer, and a radio DJ. Now, she is the founder and executive producer of Softer Sounds, a podcast studio that supports women and nonbinary small business owners.

Since leaving social media in April 2021, she’s also launched the popular podcast Off the Grid, where she interviews artists, writers, business leaders and former influencers. Amelia is a platform critic, an AI skeptic, and an advocate for a non-extractive internet. Her new book, Your Attention is Sacred Except on Social Media is out now.

Check out Amelia’s work:

Off The Grid Podcast

Download Amelia’s FREE Leaving Social Media Toolkit

Get Amelia’s Book: Your Attention is Sacred Except on Social Media Use code SUNLIGHT for $5 off the book (paperback, ebook, or audiobook version)

Episode Links:

Get my Tax Help on Substack.

Get your FREE visual guide to tax deductions

Order my book: Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed

In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, financial advisor Shari Rash shares how her journey into finance shaped her mission to help women build wealth with clarity and confidence.

We dive into common money challenges like decision paralysis and conflicting advice, and how to move forward without overwhelm. Shari outlines a simple order of operations for managing your finances so you can focus on what actually matters and make aligned decisions.

You’ll also learn practical strategies for investing, managing debt, and building long-term financial stability, plus a fresh take on outdated financial advice that no longer works in today’s world.

Also mentioned in today’s episode:

00:00 Introduction to Shari Rash and Her Journey

02:38 Understanding Client Needs and Decision Paralysis

09:09 Order of Operations in Financial Management

14:24 Tips for Long-Term Financial Health

17:07 Outdated Financial Advice and Modern Strategies

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences:

About Shari Rash:

Shari Rash is a nationally recognized financial advisor, money mindset expert, and the host of Everyone’s Talkin’ Money—named a Top 4 money podcast by The New York Times, with over 24 million downloads. She’s also the founder of GWA Wealth, a virtual advisory firm helping women navigate money with confidence, clarity, and zero shame.

With 18 years of experience and a no-nonsense style, Shari breaks down complex financial topics into real-life conversations that empower women to own their worth and build lasting wealth. She’s been named a 2024 Best Wealth Manager and Advisor Under 40 by InvestmentNews and holds an Advisor For Women Certificate from Willow.

When she’s not talking money, she’s a mom of four, Goldendoodle wrangler, and unapologetic lover of Grandmillennial decor.

Check out Shari’s work:

GWA Wealth

Everyone’s Talkin’ Money Podcast

Instagram: @everyonestalkinmoney

Episode Links:

Get my Tax Help on Substack.

Get your FREE visual guide to tax deductions

Order my book: Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed

In this episode of the Sunlight Tax podcast, I share how solo business owners can set up or tune up their businesses to create legal protection, stay compliant with taxes, and actually feel at ease. I walk through what makes a business “official” in the eyes of the IRS and break it down in a simple, practical way.

I’m also introducing an upcoming workshop called “Set-up or tune up your business” designed to help you get your business organized and set up the right way.

Also mentioned in today’s episode:

00:00 Embracing the Human Element in Teaching

03:11 Navigating Business Setup and Legal Essentials

05:48 Understanding Tax Obligations and Business Protections

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.

Links:

Sign up for the Setting Up (or Tuning Up) Your Business Workshop

Get my Tax Help on Substack.

Get your FREE visual guide to tax deductions

Order my book: Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed

Your 2025 taxes are due tomorrow, April 15th.

In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m sharing simple, practical tips for filing a tax extension, understanding key deadlines, and setting up your business the right way. I’m also announcing some upcoming workshops to help self-employed people better manage their money and get their legal setup in place.

Also mentioned in today’s episode:

00:00 Navigating Tax Day: Understanding Extensions

07:42 Workshops for Financial Empowerment

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.

Links:

Get my Tax Help on Substack.

Join my Substack Bookkeeping Club

Get your FREE visual guide to tax deductions

Order my book: Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed

Feeling the pressure as the April 15 tax deadline approaches? In this episode of the Sunlight Tax podcast, I share practical strategies to help creative entrepreneurs reduce tax stress and stay in control. Learn how to systematize your finances, understand quarterly taxes with more confidence, and start building long-term wealth through smart retirement planning. Simple, actionable, and designed to make tax season feel a whole lot lighter.

Also mentioned in today’s episode:

00:00 Navigating the Tax Deadline Stress

03:49 Understanding Tax Day Challenges

06:53 Overcoming Financial Pain Points

09:29 Building Wealth Through Smart Tax Practices

12:13 The Importance of Tax Education

14:54 Taking Action Before the Deadline

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.

Links:

Get my Tax Help on Substack.

Watch: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Pay Your Estimated Quarterly Taxes on The IRS Website

Get your FREE visual guide to tax deductions

Order my book: Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed

This week on the Sunlight Tax podcast, I’m breaking down what tax day really means and clearing up the common misconceptions that can cost you money. If you’re someone who gets confused about the difference between tax filing and tax paying, or is not sure about estimated quarterly tax payments, this episode will give you the clarity you need.

I’ll walk you through how the tax system actually works, why quarterly payments matter (especially for freelancers and small business owners), and how to avoid unnecessary penalties. You’ll get practical tips you can use right away to stay on track, manage your cash flow, and feel more confident navigating tax season.

Also mentioned in today’s episode:

00:00 The Start of Spring and Tax Preparation

03:44 Understanding Tax Filing vs. Payment

06:32 The Importance of Tax Extensions

09:14 Quarterly Tax Payments Explained

12:20 DIY Tax Support and Resources

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.

Links:

Get my Tax Help on Substack.

A Step by Step Guide on How to Pay Your Estimated Quarterly Taxes on The IRS Website

Get your free visual guide to tax deductions

Order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed

On this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I break down everything you need to know to make your first 2026 estimated quarterly tax payment. Learn how to manage cash flow, make accurate payments, and avoid going it alone.

I share actionable tips, resources, and introduce my new Substack to help small business owners stay on top of taxes and maintain financial health all year long.

Also mentioned in today’s episode:

00:00 Introduction to Quarterly Tax Payments

10:09 Understanding the Importance of Quarterly Tax Payments

15:25 Methods for Calculating Quarterly Tax Payments

23:02 Final Thoughts on Tax Payments and Support

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.

Links:

Get my Tax Help on Substack.

Last week’s episode: The April 15 Cash Crunch: Why It Happens and How To Handle It

Get your free visual guide to tax deductions

Order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed