This week, I’m on a couple of podcasts for the very first time, so instead of a separate post today, I’d love for you to head on over to give them a listen.

FIRE Drill Podcast

FIRE Drill is one of the first podcasts I ever listened to, and it is one of my absolute favorites. I don’t have a ton of time to listen to podcasts during the week, but theirs is one of the few that I make sure to listen to each time they release a new episode.

Gwen and J are totally awesome, and it’s obvious they have a lot of fun talking together each week. Their episodes focus on financial independence, savings, and side hustles, and they’ve done an awesome job highlighting stories that I haven’t heard before (or talking the discussion down a different path so I get to learn new things about my favorite bloggers).

As I mentioned with my Abandoned Cubicle guest post, FIRE Drill is where I first learned about his blog and have been a regular reader since. I was really honored when they reached out to me to record an episode, and I had fun talking to the two of them. I hope you enjoy listening to it as well. We talk about lifestyle inflation, grocery budgets, the change that comes with having a child, and why we aren’t on a flat out race to FI.

To hear my story: Episode 064: Making every day better and not putting off happiness for FIRE

Countdown to FI

Countdown To FI is a new podcast this year and one I’ve quickly grown to love. The cohosts are a husband and wife team in the pursuit of FI, and they aren’t afraid to speak their minds on a variety of topics. If you haven’t listened to their podcast yet, I would highly recommend starting from the beginning and listening to them all (especially the recent one with Mr. Groovy).

Their podcast alternates between episodes with just the two of them where they drill down their FIRE plan as well as episodes (like mine) where they talk with other bloggers on the path to financial independence.

In my episode, I go into a little more detail than I ever have about the work I do at my job, and why financial independence won’t mean walking away from what I consider to be my life’s purpose. We also talk about early marriage, travel, smaller home living, and the environment. We had a blast recording this episode, and I can’t wait to see where they end up taking this podcast in the coming months.

To hear my story: Episode 15 – Interview with Tread Lightly Retire Early

45 thoughts on “My Podcast Debuts (FIRE Drill and Countdown To FI)

  1. Just to say I’ve listened to them, and you come across amazingly well. I loved when you said we can never easily predict our 10 year plans, so true!

    (And I expected you to sound differently, not sure why!).

    1. Thank you! It’s hard enough to predict out 1 year, versus 10! You’ll have to listen to Countdown To FI tomorrow and let me know if you can figure out how you expected me to sound 😉

  2. Congrats Angela – so great to hear your voice! Love your story and honestly didn’t know what a bearded dragon was until now. I learned today, I can go back to sleep 😉

    Also I REALLY appreciate you reading my blog and great to have you as a blog-buddy!

    1. Thank you! Ha, knowing all about bearded dragons is obviously the key to life 😉

      Glad to have you as a blog buddy as well! The community is a big reason I enjoy blogging and keep writing this thing.

  3. Listened to the FIRE Drill episode and you were great!! I just started listening to CTF last week and really like them as well! The rants by Mr CTF are too funny and an interesting way to start the episodes 😂 Still have a few episodes to catch up on but can’t wait to hear you on there as well!

    1. Thank you!! The first podcast recordings were a bit intimidating because it was something I’d never done before. I quite enjoy Mr. CTF’s rants as well 😄

      1. I listened while walking the dogs and enjoyed it! And you know, I still highly recommend automating some of those things (once you get comfortable with the 50%+ savings rate). After saving towards FI for ~1 year, I automated everything I could since I got pretty comfortable with where our spending landed.

      2. I really should automate more than I do. I’m really hoping my work gets a 401k in place this year because I will be all over that.

  4. I just finished listening to it this morning, Really cool to hear your voice after reading many of your blog posts. I liked how you mentioned about your mindset going to work especially on Mondays when many dread going after the weekend. It’s a sign that you really love what your doing and really don’t mind going to work whether it’s Monday or Wednesday. I’m the same way especially if I want daily goals to be accomplished at work, it’s pushes me to get the tasks done and in an efficient way.
    I’ll listen to your Countdown to FI interview later this week.

    1. It probably helps on days when the toddler has a really trying time – then I can’t wait to get to the office 😉 But honestly, most days I’m very glad to be at my job, and I know I’m making a difference.

  5. Perfect timing! I’ve been needing new podcasts to download! Can’t wait to listen. It’s always so cool to experience a blogger through different vehicles.

    1. Well… now I can think of two episodes in particular for you to download 😉 I just don’t have enough time for podcast listening so I’m ALWAYS behind.

    1. Hmmm. It depends on what kind of stuff you mean. I do mention the book Cradle to Cradle in my CTF episode, and that’s a great one. Otherwise, it’s a pretty broad topic that covers a whole lot of stuff.

    1. Thank you!! And not proactive at all – both reached out to me. But now I’m considering requesting others because it was fun 🙂

    1. I’ve completely switched over from audiobooks to podcasts for the time being. But I don’t have tons of time to listen every month – no long commute 😉

  6. I listened to your FIRE Drill podcast today (will be listening to the Countdown to FI podcast tomorrow), and I really enjoyed it. That Dave Ramsey quote has always bothered me, too. I truly believe you can find a balance of enjoying life now while making good progress towards financial independence. It’s nice to hear that others feel that way as well. Great job on the podcast!

    1. I think Dave Ramsey has a lot of good advice (specifically for people just starting down the debt repayment path), but he can take it a bit extreme sometimes, as can the FIRE community.

  7. Finally got around to listening. 1 down (Choose FI), 1 to go. Great job on your first podcast!

    In terms of taking longer periods of time off — I call them mini sabbaticals, would taking an unpaid leave of absence or switching to consulting be an option? I know a big driver in terms of contracting for me was the flexibility to do that — though I haven’t used it yet. At least not for 3 months.

    1. Unpaid leave of absence, perhaps. But I’d rather work it to where I could just go remote for a few weeks at a time, I think.

  8. Just listened to the podcast and found your blog! I really enjoyed it and what you said about not sacrificing your happiness now to get FI faster really resonated with me. Me and my partner just started our journey this December and are trying to wrap our heads around all the concepts of financial independence. I also really liked that you talked about the environment and wanting to make an impact which is close to my heart (I work with environmental questions in the building industry in Sweden). I write about reducing your environmental impact and love that it goes hand in hand with being frugal and saving Money! Thanks for a great podcast and I will definately keep reading your blog 🙂

    1. I’m so glad what I’ve said resonates with you! It was actually a trip to Denmark and Sweden back in 2005 that was the catalyst to my green building journey! I will be checking out your blog as well 🙂

  9. I have your episode of the FIRE Drill podcast bookmarked to listen to this evening. Congrats on the first podcasts, that’s really exciting!

    1. Thank you! They were both a lot of fun to record. Very different from blogging

  10. Loved your FIRE Drill podcast! Like other commenters, your focus on living the life you want *now* and your focus on the environment really resonates with me. And I love the lifestyle-style of your blog! It’s been such a privilege to read from the beginning and watch your life evolve on this journey. Thanks for sharing so much with us!

    1. Thank you so much! Glad you are enjoying and following along with me. Really appreciate your comments.

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