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A Healthy State of Panic: Follow Your Fears to Build Wealth, Crush Your Career, and Win at Life
The creator of the popular finance podcast So Money demonstrates how leaning into your fear can actually become your greatest superpower, in this accessible and clever guide to maximizing your financial success and beyond, for fans of Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies and You Are a Badass at Making Money.
Farnoosh Torabi is familiar with fear. Growing up in the 1980s as the daughter of Iranian immigrants, she was warned to proceed with caution and play it safe. She spent her childhood immersed in fear—of rejection, loneliness, missed opportunities, and falling short of her potential. Of course, now her mother says, “It all worked out, didn’t it?” Funnily enough, it did. Farnoosh came to the realization that fear never limited her. Instead, it has become a friend, opening her world and equipping her with the tools and street smarts to navigate life’s trials and thrive on her own terms.
Now, Farnoosh pairs stories from her immigrant upbringing with hard-won industry knowledge and data to show how leaning into your fears can help you take control of your financial future. With clear-eyed advice and an engaging, heartfelt voice, she lays out the nine most common fears that hold us back—both personally and in our financial decisions—and shows how these fears can be pivoted into strengths and mined for wisdom to help us achieve richer, more meaningful
1. The Fear of Rejection and how it leads to self-discovery and where we are loved.
2. The Fear of Loneliness and how it promotes strength, resilience, and empathy.
3. The Fear of Missing Out and how it begs for self-reflection and promotes individuality and boundaries.
4. The Fear of Being Exposed and how it heightens awareness and draws comedy and connection.
5. The Fear of Uncertainty and how it accelerates our goals and finds order in the disorder.
6. The Fear of Money and how it encourages landing on your (true) money story and pursuing financial freedom.
7. The Fear of Failure and how it helps us to embrace red flags and the next right thing.
8. The Fear of Endings and how it sparks action, deepens an appreciation for what endures and unveils the beauty in regret.
9. The Fear of Losing Your Freedom and how it fuels self-advocacy and inspires a legacy.
Discover how to become more self-reliant and financially resilient, how to invite more calm and control into your daily routine, and how to stop hiding from fear and instead invite it into your living room, where it can serve you in building your best life.
Farnoosh Torabi is familiar with fear. Growing up in the 1980s as the daughter of Iranian immigrants, she was warned to proceed with caution and play it safe. She spent her childhood immersed in fear—of rejection, loneliness, missed opportunities, and falling short of her potential. Of course, now her mother says, “It all worked out, didn’t it?” Funnily enough, it did. Farnoosh came to the realization that fear never limited her. Instead, it has become a friend, opening her world and equipping her with the tools and street smarts to navigate life’s trials and thrive on her own terms.
Now, Farnoosh pairs stories from her immigrant upbringing with hard-won industry knowledge and data to show how leaning into your fears can help you take control of your financial future. With clear-eyed advice and an engaging, heartfelt voice, she lays out the nine most common fears that hold us back—both personally and in our financial decisions—and shows how these fears can be pivoted into strengths and mined for wisdom to help us achieve richer, more meaningful
1. The Fear of Rejection and how it leads to self-discovery and where we are loved.
2. The Fear of Loneliness and how it promotes strength, resilience, and empathy.
3. The Fear of Missing Out and how it begs for self-reflection and promotes individuality and boundaries.
4. The Fear of Being Exposed and how it heightens awareness and draws comedy and connection.
5. The Fear of Uncertainty and how it accelerates our goals and finds order in the disorder.
6. The Fear of Money and how it encourages landing on your (true) money story and pursuing financial freedom.
7. The Fear of Failure and how it helps us to embrace red flags and the next right thing.
8. The Fear of Endings and how it sparks action, deepens an appreciation for what endures and unveils the beauty in regret.
9. The Fear of Losing Your Freedom and how it fuels self-advocacy and inspires a legacy.
Discover how to become more self-reliant and financially resilient, how to invite more calm and control into your daily routine, and how to stop hiding from fear and instead invite it into your living room, where it can serve you in building your best life.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 3, 2023
About the author
Farnoosh Torabi
23 books72 followersFarnoosh Torabi is a personal finance journalist, author and TV personality. The New York Times calls her advice “perfectly practical.”
In 2008 she published You’re So Money – Live Rich Even When You’re Not, a tell-all for young adults searching for financial independence.
Her second book, Psych Yourself Rich, arrives September 2010.
Farnoosh recently wrapped SoapNet’s new series “Bank of Mom and Dad,” coaching young women struggling with piles of debt. Previously Farnoosh appeared in REAL SIMPLE. REAL LIFE., a makeover series on TLC, where she helped busy women better understand and manage their financial challenges.
Her work and advice has been profiled in numerous national magazines and newspapers, including Real Simple, Glamour, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Money Magazine, People, Entrepreneur, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Daily News and The New York Post. You've seen her on Larry King Live, The View, Good Morning America, MSNBC and the Today Show.
In 2008 she published You’re So Money – Live Rich Even When You’re Not, a tell-all for young adults searching for financial independence.
Her second book, Psych Yourself Rich, arrives September 2010.
Farnoosh recently wrapped SoapNet’s new series “Bank of Mom and Dad,” coaching young women struggling with piles of debt. Previously Farnoosh appeared in REAL SIMPLE. REAL LIFE., a makeover series on TLC, where she helped busy women better understand and manage their financial challenges.
Her work and advice has been profiled in numerous national magazines and newspapers, including Real Simple, Glamour, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Money Magazine, People, Entrepreneur, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Daily News and The New York Post. You've seen her on Larry King Live, The View, Good Morning America, MSNBC and the Today Show.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
November 17, 2023
First off, Farnoosh seems like an amazing woman and definitely has the confidence and experience to send a message. However, I read this because it was recommended as a read from someone I follow in the personal finance space. There wasn't a whole lot of pages deducted to finance, personal finance, or building wealth. I actually don't think I'm in the target demographic. There's a lot of time dedicated to helping someone finding themself and their own confidence. There was a lot of story related to being a woman, a mom, a Persian, etc. so it wasn't incredibly relatable for me
It would be a great book for a woman or mom looking for information on career and confidence advice.
Not so much a great book for anyone looking for insight into personal finance and building wealth.
Again, she's amazing and I respect her, but I didn't gain anything from this book other than an insight into her personal journey through her professional life.
It would be a great book for a woman or mom looking for information on career and confidence advice.
Not so much a great book for anyone looking for insight into personal finance and building wealth.
Again, she's amazing and I respect her, but I didn't gain anything from this book other than an insight into her personal journey through her professional life.
July 6, 2023
Wow, I have never heard Farnoosh Torabi before, but now I'm definitely going to be checking out her other books and podcast! As a social worker, I found it very insightful and interesting how she deciphered the importance of fear in life, business, and financials! I love how in depth she got! This book is truly phenomenal! I loved reading it! Thank you to goodreads for the advanced readers copy!
December 14, 2023
3.5✨ while I enjoyed listening via audiobook and found some things to be insightful, there wasn’t anything new that I felt I’d take away—a must for me in this genre of book, hence the rather neutral rating.
I thought it was super well written and engaging! Torabi does a wonderful job of meshing anecdotes with sound advice and research —my favorite type of self-help. However, I didn’t feel there were many wealth building tips even though the title says so. I loved the title “A Healthy State of Panic” and the concept of following your fears, but I definitely felt a bit misled considering the financial side is advertised but not explored in-depth. Sure it discusses the author’s story and she built wealth, but doesn’t provide a path for others.
Something I appreciated were the prompts for reflection at the end of each chapter. I always love this call to action for the reader to engage more deeply with the material. Even if not taking time to journal or talk about it, the question alone plants the seed. My favorite question was in the latter chapters and asked, “Are you afraid to fail because your definition of success is borrowed and not really yours?” Along similar lines, Torabi tells her audience, “Use FOMO to ditch the trendy script and do what you do best. If you ever feel yourself not wanting what everyone else is doing…question the FOMO to unearth your actual intent. See what it’s like to stop following society’s GPS and ask yourself what you really want.” Again, nothing I hadn’t heard before but a concept I can appreciate being reminded of from time to time.
The other positive for me when Torabi was discussing behaving in line with what we want versus with what others may want for us (ie our families), she said that often we are too focused on being “dutiful descendants” rather than “good ancestors.” Essentially saying that what those who came before us wanted or imagined was often in line with the ideals and beliefs of a different era or generation. We shouldn’t necessarily live our lives in this way but rather in thinking forward, in how to make the next generation proud and be good ancestors <3 while again this is something I appreciate being brought back to, this concept (as reminded by my partner) is based in Indigenous culture and the idea of seven generations. There was no mention of these communities or the origin of this evidently unoriginal thought which was disappointing.
In terms of what I didn’t love, at times this felt a bit self righteous? Some of the examples of living with fear felt unrealistic and didn’t necessarily address how to move through that feeling of discomfort…for example, in the chapter on FOMO, Torabi shares a time where she saw photos of a friends baby shower on social media that she wasn’t invited to. She briefly mentions feeling hurt just to follow up and say that she ran into those same friends who expressed they were surprised she didn’t come. Long story short they’d sent an invite and she’d recently moved so she didn’t receive it…This is nOT a universal experience of fomo at all ?? Most people who experience fomo are actually just not invited point blank! What would’ve been helpful would be to talk about sitting in that feeling and making peace with it…
I felt this similar sentiment at other times throughout the book where the instances shared as examples had some sort of “solution” where she ended up in what was expressed as an advantageous position, when that’s not reality for many people. Rather, it’s a shift in mindset and moving through the feeling of discomfort that can help us navigate fear. There weren’t really tools of how to do that in my opinion. The reflective questions and nuggets of wisdom are a great start and maybe for some the anecdotes are enough but again for me, the experiences shared didn’t cut it.
Overall, I’d recommend this! I appreciated the perspective of a woman of color in the finance world and enjoyed hearing her story. Had this been marketed more memoir, I feel my rating would be higher but as it was self help I didn’t take that much away. Regardless, this was a strong book that I think will be impactful for women especially!
random relatable quote - “My fears of loneliness as a kid stemmed from dark stories I’d crafted, a series of terrifying what ifs”
I thought it was super well written and engaging! Torabi does a wonderful job of meshing anecdotes with sound advice and research —my favorite type of self-help. However, I didn’t feel there were many wealth building tips even though the title says so. I loved the title “A Healthy State of Panic” and the concept of following your fears, but I definitely felt a bit misled considering the financial side is advertised but not explored in-depth. Sure it discusses the author’s story and she built wealth, but doesn’t provide a path for others.
Something I appreciated were the prompts for reflection at the end of each chapter. I always love this call to action for the reader to engage more deeply with the material. Even if not taking time to journal or talk about it, the question alone plants the seed. My favorite question was in the latter chapters and asked, “Are you afraid to fail because your definition of success is borrowed and not really yours?” Along similar lines, Torabi tells her audience, “Use FOMO to ditch the trendy script and do what you do best. If you ever feel yourself not wanting what everyone else is doing…question the FOMO to unearth your actual intent. See what it’s like to stop following society’s GPS and ask yourself what you really want.” Again, nothing I hadn’t heard before but a concept I can appreciate being reminded of from time to time.
The other positive for me when Torabi was discussing behaving in line with what we want versus with what others may want for us (ie our families), she said that often we are too focused on being “dutiful descendants” rather than “good ancestors.” Essentially saying that what those who came before us wanted or imagined was often in line with the ideals and beliefs of a different era or generation. We shouldn’t necessarily live our lives in this way but rather in thinking forward, in how to make the next generation proud and be good ancestors <3 while again this is something I appreciate being brought back to, this concept (as reminded by my partner) is based in Indigenous culture and the idea of seven generations. There was no mention of these communities or the origin of this evidently unoriginal thought which was disappointing.
In terms of what I didn’t love, at times this felt a bit self righteous? Some of the examples of living with fear felt unrealistic and didn’t necessarily address how to move through that feeling of discomfort…for example, in the chapter on FOMO, Torabi shares a time where she saw photos of a friends baby shower on social media that she wasn’t invited to. She briefly mentions feeling hurt just to follow up and say that she ran into those same friends who expressed they were surprised she didn’t come. Long story short they’d sent an invite and she’d recently moved so she didn’t receive it…This is nOT a universal experience of fomo at all ?? Most people who experience fomo are actually just not invited point blank! What would’ve been helpful would be to talk about sitting in that feeling and making peace with it…
I felt this similar sentiment at other times throughout the book where the instances shared as examples had some sort of “solution” where she ended up in what was expressed as an advantageous position, when that’s not reality for many people. Rather, it’s a shift in mindset and moving through the feeling of discomfort that can help us navigate fear. There weren’t really tools of how to do that in my opinion. The reflective questions and nuggets of wisdom are a great start and maybe for some the anecdotes are enough but again for me, the experiences shared didn’t cut it.
Overall, I’d recommend this! I appreciated the perspective of a woman of color in the finance world and enjoyed hearing her story. Had this been marketed more memoir, I feel my rating would be higher but as it was self help I didn’t take that much away. Regardless, this was a strong book that I think will be impactful for women especially!
random relatable quote - “My fears of loneliness as a kid stemmed from dark stories I’d crafted, a series of terrifying what ifs”
May 11, 2026
Farnoosh Torabi does something rare in personal finance: she makes fear feel like a feature, not a bug. In A Healthy State of Panic, she reframes anxiety as a compass — especially when it comes to money, career, and big life calls.
What stands out:
Her humor: This isn’t a dry money manual. Torabi’s comedic timing is perfect. She’ll walk you through a childhood panic about her immigrant parents’ layoff risk, then hit you with a one-liner that makes you snort-laugh before you realize you’re learning about risk tolerance. As a fellow immigrant, I felt seen when she wrote about the “scarcity brain” we inherit — and how she flips it without shaming it.
Her expertise: You can tell she’s lived in the finance world for 20+ years. The advice isn’t vague “save more” fluff. She breaks down how to use fear of regret, FOMO, and rejection as data points to negotiate salary, pivot careers, or finally invest. It’s behavioral economics meets real talk. No jargon, just frameworks that actually work when your parents taught you cash-only.
Her journalist chops: Torabi’s background at Money, CNBC, and CNET shows. The book is reported, not just memoir. She interviews psychologists, CEOs, and other immigrants to back up her points. Each chapter moves fast, with crisp storytelling and zero bloat. You get the credibility of a journalist + the warmth of a friend who’s been there.
The immigrant lens: This hit hardest for me. She names the specific panic we carry — “don’t rock the boat,” “be grateful, not greedy,” “what will people think?” — and gives permission to question it. Her story about turning down a “safe” job because her gut panicked in the right way was the push I needed.
Bottom line: If you want a finance book that respects your intelligence, makes you laugh, and understands what it’s like to build wealth when your family started from scratch, this is it. Torabi proves panic isn’t something to medicate away. It’s something to listen to.
Perfect for: anxious overthinkers, first-gen professionals, and anyone who’s ever made a spreadsheet to avoid a decision.
What stands out:
Her humor: This isn’t a dry money manual. Torabi’s comedic timing is perfect. She’ll walk you through a childhood panic about her immigrant parents’ layoff risk, then hit you with a one-liner that makes you snort-laugh before you realize you’re learning about risk tolerance. As a fellow immigrant, I felt seen when she wrote about the “scarcity brain” we inherit — and how she flips it without shaming it.
Her expertise: You can tell she’s lived in the finance world for 20+ years. The advice isn’t vague “save more” fluff. She breaks down how to use fear of regret, FOMO, and rejection as data points to negotiate salary, pivot careers, or finally invest. It’s behavioral economics meets real talk. No jargon, just frameworks that actually work when your parents taught you cash-only.
Her journalist chops: Torabi’s background at Money, CNBC, and CNET shows. The book is reported, not just memoir. She interviews psychologists, CEOs, and other immigrants to back up her points. Each chapter moves fast, with crisp storytelling and zero bloat. You get the credibility of a journalist + the warmth of a friend who’s been there.
The immigrant lens: This hit hardest for me. She names the specific panic we carry — “don’t rock the boat,” “be grateful, not greedy,” “what will people think?” — and gives permission to question it. Her story about turning down a “safe” job because her gut panicked in the right way was the push I needed.
Bottom line: If you want a finance book that respects your intelligence, makes you laugh, and understands what it’s like to build wealth when your family started from scratch, this is it. Torabi proves panic isn’t something to medicate away. It’s something to listen to.
Perfect for: anxious overthinkers, first-gen professionals, and anyone who’s ever made a spreadsheet to avoid a decision.
March 7, 2024
I am huge Farnoosh fan - and this is an extension of her podcast. Not a lot of “new” info, but still loved her tone and wit and story telling ability. Of course - her financial focus !
January 19, 2026
Didn’t take away anything new
Read
August 15, 2024Do not resuscitate.
January 22, 2024
I loved this book because this is a different way of thinking about fears - in that it can be a good thing and that it's something we can control and should welcome in order to continuously grow. Always inspiring to see a woman from cross-cultural backgrounds rising to the top despite the adversities she faced.
August 20, 2023
I received an ARC version for an honest review
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Farnoosh Torabi is a 'tarsoo', a scaredy cat. But this might be her superpower. Farnoosh does a deep dive into fear and its impact on her at different inflection points in her life. Her perspective is fascinating and provides takeaways for the reader to utilize in their own day-to-day life. It's a great read for anyone at a pivot point in their life.
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Farnoosh Torabi is a 'tarsoo', a scaredy cat. But this might be her superpower. Farnoosh does a deep dive into fear and its impact on her at different inflection points in her life. Her perspective is fascinating and provides takeaways for the reader to utilize in their own day-to-day life. It's a great read for anyone at a pivot point in their life.
September 11, 2023
An entertaining read on a challenging subject!
As a long-time listener of the So Money podcast, I was delighted to get an advance copy of Farnoosh's new book. I truly appreciate the fresh perspective of #ahealthystateofpanic to acknowledge and befriend fear as a teacher.
I loved Farnoosh's candor in sharing her personal stories from being called a scaredy cat at a very young age through her college and early career years to her life today. I felt seen, validated, and inspired throughout.
As a long-time listener of the So Money podcast, I was delighted to get an advance copy of Farnoosh's new book. I truly appreciate the fresh perspective of #ahealthystateofpanic to acknowledge and befriend fear as a teacher.
I loved Farnoosh's candor in sharing her personal stories from being called a scaredy cat at a very young age through her college and early career years to her life today. I felt seen, validated, and inspired throughout.
October 24, 2025
Appreciated the humor, but it also leaned really autobiographical. Hard to believe someone who has worked in finance talked about pulling her money out of the stock market because she didn't think the economy would recover when she still has 20 years til retirement.
September 21, 2023
What if you could read a book that helps redefine the way you interpret your fears, so that you can propel yourself forward - in wealth, career, and life? For example, Farnoosh Torabi suggests looking at the fear of uncertainty as a signal to pause, reflect, gather information and work our way through the fog. And that's not all -- she examines nine different fears by sharing her own stories of tackling these fears.
I loved reading this book. It's a fantastic journey that explores your inner farsoo. What's a farsoo? You'll just have to read the book to learn more.
I'm a fan of Farnoosh's podcast, "So Money," so when she announced she was writing a new book, I was excited. She noted she would share more personal stories in A Healthy State of Panic: Follow Your Fears to Build Wealth, Crush Your Career, and Win at Life and I knew from following her that we have some similarities: growing up in an immigrant family, with an uncommon name, while living in Central Massachusetts in the late 80s/early 90s.
While a lot of Farnoosh's stories resonated with me -- the dog-eared pages and my scribbles in the margins as proof -- let me be clear: a lot of these stories will resonate with many people and this book is for anyone who encounters fear in their lives. Last I (unscientifically) checked, that's just about everyone.
Each chapters explores a fear (Rejection, Loneliness, Missing Out [FOMO], Exposure, Uncertainty, Money, Failure, Endings, Losing Your Freedom) complete with Farnoosh's personal stories around that fear. Each chapter ends with questions to help you rethink each of the fears and unpack your own stories.
The conversational-style writing is easy to read and I could hear Farnoosh while reading - and that’s a good thing! - because the book is completely authentic in reflecting her voice and personality. I'm looking forward to the audiobook version! Humor is mixed in throughout and an anecdote (or two) may even bring a tear to your eye. After reading, I’m ready to redefine the way I look at some of my fears. Are you?
I loved reading this book. It's a fantastic journey that explores your inner farsoo. What's a farsoo? You'll just have to read the book to learn more.
I'm a fan of Farnoosh's podcast, "So Money," so when she announced she was writing a new book, I was excited. She noted she would share more personal stories in A Healthy State of Panic: Follow Your Fears to Build Wealth, Crush Your Career, and Win at Life and I knew from following her that we have some similarities: growing up in an immigrant family, with an uncommon name, while living in Central Massachusetts in the late 80s/early 90s.
While a lot of Farnoosh's stories resonated with me -- the dog-eared pages and my scribbles in the margins as proof -- let me be clear: a lot of these stories will resonate with many people and this book is for anyone who encounters fear in their lives. Last I (unscientifically) checked, that's just about everyone.
Each chapters explores a fear (Rejection, Loneliness, Missing Out [FOMO], Exposure, Uncertainty, Money, Failure, Endings, Losing Your Freedom) complete with Farnoosh's personal stories around that fear. Each chapter ends with questions to help you rethink each of the fears and unpack your own stories.
The conversational-style writing is easy to read and I could hear Farnoosh while reading - and that’s a good thing! - because the book is completely authentic in reflecting her voice and personality. I'm looking forward to the audiobook version! Humor is mixed in throughout and an anecdote (or two) may even bring a tear to your eye. After reading, I’m ready to redefine the way I look at some of my fears. Are you?
August 17, 2023
I've always loved Farnoosh as a writer, and this book is a wonderful bridge for her from writing about personal finance and money best practices to writing about how her life philosophies (I'll get to that more in a bit) have helped her build the career, happiness and success she has. So don't expect this book to be tips about personal finance (although a good core of the book is about Fear of Money)!
The theme of the book, which is written in lovely and intimate personal vignettes, is how Farnoosh recommends we give our fears permission to guide us. It's sort of like a repositioning from fear as a stopping point to learning to relate to fear as a necessary guidepost. An invitation to honor your emotions and also self-reflect to curate comfort and peace in your life.
One of my biggest fears has always been the fear of being rejected or disliked. And what I saw as I read the book was how, in many ways, I've crafted my career to appear "bullet proof" from the outside, but that hasn't kept the doubts from taking root in my head. And when I look at those doubts, they never really come to fruition. What I've actually realized is I no longer need that approval from the outside world, I'm in a place now where I need to choose to have faith that I am, in fact, already enough. It's a little insane how many things I now see myself starting to do with the intention of "making someone like me" behind them. When I stop myself from taking all those insane little disingenuous actions it's amazing how much white space shows up on my calendar.
If you're finding yourself stopped because you don't want to make wrong moves in your career, finances, dating, etc., this book will help you feel both validated and clear-headed.
As the mom of a 7 yr old, I even got some good (tongue-in-cheek) parenting advice. One super memorable and charming moment from the book is when Farnoosh is looking back on her childhood and describes how, to keep control of her, her parents made her afraid of *everything*. In looking back on it, Farnoosh asked her mom how she felt about leading with fear. Her mom's response is something like "Well, it worked out, didn't it? You're alive!!"
But seriously, it's a great book that calls out our obsession with fearlessness and gives useful frameworks for turning inward to answer to what will actually give you true quality of life.
The theme of the book, which is written in lovely and intimate personal vignettes, is how Farnoosh recommends we give our fears permission to guide us. It's sort of like a repositioning from fear as a stopping point to learning to relate to fear as a necessary guidepost. An invitation to honor your emotions and also self-reflect to curate comfort and peace in your life.
One of my biggest fears has always been the fear of being rejected or disliked. And what I saw as I read the book was how, in many ways, I've crafted my career to appear "bullet proof" from the outside, but that hasn't kept the doubts from taking root in my head. And when I look at those doubts, they never really come to fruition. What I've actually realized is I no longer need that approval from the outside world, I'm in a place now where I need to choose to have faith that I am, in fact, already enough. It's a little insane how many things I now see myself starting to do with the intention of "making someone like me" behind them. When I stop myself from taking all those insane little disingenuous actions it's amazing how much white space shows up on my calendar.
If you're finding yourself stopped because you don't want to make wrong moves in your career, finances, dating, etc., this book will help you feel both validated and clear-headed.
As the mom of a 7 yr old, I even got some good (tongue-in-cheek) parenting advice. One super memorable and charming moment from the book is when Farnoosh is looking back on her childhood and describes how, to keep control of her, her parents made her afraid of *everything*. In looking back on it, Farnoosh asked her mom how she felt about leading with fear. Her mom's response is something like "Well, it worked out, didn't it? You're alive!!"
But seriously, it's a great book that calls out our obsession with fearlessness and gives useful frameworks for turning inward to answer to what will actually give you true quality of life.
September 25, 2023
Fear is oftentimes something we are told should be ignored or suppressed -- that it is a sign of weakness. However, Farnoosh challenges that notion and proposes that rather than hide fear, that we acknowledge it, listen to it, thank it and consciously decide on the next move. There are so many practical applications of the lessons in this book, and I'll focus on one for now that's immediate for me: the book is better equipping me for my day job. I work with highly trained people (surgeons, executives, engineers, etc.) to teach them how to adopt a growth mindset to improve their work -- being ok with making mistakes and focusing on experimenting to make things better. What this book helped me realize is that in them pretending to have it all together, they may be experiencing a not-so healthy state of panic. There are pointed questions Farnoosh includes in the book that I'm adding to my coaching conversations to help catalyze positive change.
If you haven't jumped on the Farnoosh train, consider this my gift to you: jump on now -- follow her on social media, subscribe to her podcast and buy this book (and future books I'm sure are yet to come). You'll be delighted. Her wisdom over the years has been so helpful -- from me switching jobs, launching businesses, raising three little kids -- she doesn't know it yet, but she's like the big sister I never had. I'm a longtime follower of her work and her perspectives remain fresh, insightful and practical. This book is a lovely combination of her wisdom, wit (c'mon, the fact that she's done stand up comedy just for fun tells you how bold she is), and transformational thinking while still remaining completely relatable. The story telling woven into the how-to's of this book make it a fun read. I started a leadership, self development and business book club and as soon as this one is widely available, I'm featuring it because it's that good.
If you haven't jumped on the Farnoosh train, consider this my gift to you: jump on now -- follow her on social media, subscribe to her podcast and buy this book (and future books I'm sure are yet to come). You'll be delighted. Her wisdom over the years has been so helpful -- from me switching jobs, launching businesses, raising three little kids -- she doesn't know it yet, but she's like the big sister I never had. I'm a longtime follower of her work and her perspectives remain fresh, insightful and practical. This book is a lovely combination of her wisdom, wit (c'mon, the fact that she's done stand up comedy just for fun tells you how bold she is), and transformational thinking while still remaining completely relatable. The story telling woven into the how-to's of this book make it a fun read. I started a leadership, self development and business book club and as soon as this one is widely available, I'm featuring it because it's that good.
October 1, 2023
I’ve been a regular Farnoosh reader, viewer and listener for well over a decade. I recently had the opportunity to review an advanced copy of her new book, A Healthy State of Panic, and I have to say, it’s my favorite one yet. If you haven’t yet heard of Farnoosh, she’s a Persian American personal finance guru, fellow Penn Stater and advisor you never knew you needed. This book follows her bestseller When She Makes More (which is *fascinating*, btw) and we get a thorough view of Farnoosh’s experience growing up in an immigrant household, working in a male dominated industry and understanding how societal and familial customs and beliefs can, for better or worse, breed a sense of fear in us.
My favorite (and honest) line in the book was “I was afraid of being too ambitious for my own good.” I think many women, myself included, have felt this at one point or another. I remember when I accepted a graduate teaching position and started sharing the news. I already had a demanding consulting career that I was trying to balance with being a wife and mother to a young son. I was asked by more than one person “it’s at night? So what does your husband think of that?” in a not so subtle judgmental tone. (BTW- my response was “he’s happy that I’ll be home for dinner on the other 6 nights a week.”)
This book was an honest take on fears that many of us go through, and Farnoosh prompts us to get real with our own fears with end of chapter questions. Farnoosh helped me realize that once we dig into why we have some of the fears we do, they’re not that scary. I wish I had this book at various points in my life- graduating from college, my own “quarter life crisis” and my career purgatory (transition) to name a few. Click “add to cart”- you won’t be disappointed.
My favorite (and honest) line in the book was “I was afraid of being too ambitious for my own good.” I think many women, myself included, have felt this at one point or another. I remember when I accepted a graduate teaching position and started sharing the news. I already had a demanding consulting career that I was trying to balance with being a wife and mother to a young son. I was asked by more than one person “it’s at night? So what does your husband think of that?” in a not so subtle judgmental tone. (BTW- my response was “he’s happy that I’ll be home for dinner on the other 6 nights a week.”)
This book was an honest take on fears that many of us go through, and Farnoosh prompts us to get real with our own fears with end of chapter questions. Farnoosh helped me realize that once we dig into why we have some of the fears we do, they’re not that scary. I wish I had this book at various points in my life- graduating from college, my own “quarter life crisis” and my career purgatory (transition) to name a few. Click “add to cart”- you won’t be disappointed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2024
I see a lot of positive reviews on this book so I thought I would get some great nuggets on building wealth, crushing my career and winning at life. Instead, I felt like I was reading a woe-is-me, ungrateful, humble brag of a feminist biography.
The anecdotal stories in the book are often towards men or husbands or fathers when they could have easily been positive. Like her story about her father who gave her good advice but kept things from her mom, when he finally gave her mother all the information she needed Torabi says she made it happen instead of being grateful her father realized his mistake.
She even tells a story about a time she stole a car from a kid and she was basically justified because she didn't get a toy herself.
She frustratingly promulgates the trope and puts it in quotes "money is the quote 'root of all evil'" when in reality it's "The love of money is the root of all evil" which is obviously extremely different things, I don't know how someone that spent their life in money could mix this up if they weren't intentionally doing it.
She also says money will make you happier and implies that it doesn't matter how much more money will always make you even happier, I think this is just wrong, a dangerous idea because from what I've heard, people don't lie on their death bed saying I wish I earned more money.
Lastly, when times are tough or you're in debt she actually puts negotiating with credit card companies BEFORE cutting expenses, maybe this was an oversight but if you are living beyond your means negotiating with CC companies is not going to solve your problems.
I'll admit, I only made it through 2/3 of the book because I felt like I was only getting incorrect financial advice out of it, but hopefully the final third is a gem.
The anecdotal stories in the book are often towards men or husbands or fathers when they could have easily been positive. Like her story about her father who gave her good advice but kept things from her mom, when he finally gave her mother all the information she needed Torabi says she made it happen instead of being grateful her father realized his mistake.
She even tells a story about a time she stole a car from a kid and she was basically justified because she didn't get a toy herself.
She frustratingly promulgates the trope and puts it in quotes "money is the quote 'root of all evil'" when in reality it's "The love of money is the root of all evil" which is obviously extremely different things, I don't know how someone that spent their life in money could mix this up if they weren't intentionally doing it.
She also says money will make you happier and implies that it doesn't matter how much more money will always make you even happier, I think this is just wrong, a dangerous idea because from what I've heard, people don't lie on their death bed saying I wish I earned more money.
Lastly, when times are tough or you're in debt she actually puts negotiating with credit card companies BEFORE cutting expenses, maybe this was an oversight but if you are living beyond your means negotiating with CC companies is not going to solve your problems.
I'll admit, I only made it through 2/3 of the book because I felt like I was only getting incorrect financial advice out of it, but hopefully the final third is a gem.
September 30, 2023
I have been enjoying Farnoosh and her podcast for years now so when I heard about her book I got a copy as fast as I could. This book gives us an insider's perspective of Farnoosh and her life growing up as a first gen kid and how her experiences guided her through her life and career.
We all live with Fear and the way the book breaks it down is brilliant. As a first gen kid myself and a female I related with so many of her stories in particular how to use fear to help make clear and bold decisions by pausing and reflecting. She shares some embarrassing career moments and how she was able to stay calm in a state of chaos.
One of my favorite chapters is The Fear of Money. I didn't realize my personal fear of money until I read this chapter and am still trying to work through them. The personal stories about herself and other women that were on her podcast were heartwarming and educational. The questions Farnoosh asks in this chapter really hit home. Questions like "How did you grow up learning about money? Is that narrative really true"? And so much more....
I honestly think anyone who reads this book will have something in common with each chapter and it's not only relatable but there are some great lessons. From being a daughter, a mom, a career woman, an entrepreneur, a money expert, a journalist and so much more. Farnoosh is transparent and funny. I am not sure if her goal was for the reader to go through some soul searching or contemplation, but that is what it did for me and I thank Farnoosh for that.
I really hope you grab a copy of this book as soon as you can!
We all live with Fear and the way the book breaks it down is brilliant. As a first gen kid myself and a female I related with so many of her stories in particular how to use fear to help make clear and bold decisions by pausing and reflecting. She shares some embarrassing career moments and how she was able to stay calm in a state of chaos.
One of my favorite chapters is The Fear of Money. I didn't realize my personal fear of money until I read this chapter and am still trying to work through them. The personal stories about herself and other women that were on her podcast were heartwarming and educational. The questions Farnoosh asks in this chapter really hit home. Questions like "How did you grow up learning about money? Is that narrative really true"? And so much more....
I honestly think anyone who reads this book will have something in common with each chapter and it's not only relatable but there are some great lessons. From being a daughter, a mom, a career woman, an entrepreneur, a money expert, a journalist and so much more. Farnoosh is transparent and funny. I am not sure if her goal was for the reader to go through some soul searching or contemplation, but that is what it did for me and I thank Farnoosh for that.
I really hope you grab a copy of this book as soon as you can!
September 28, 2023
"A Healthy State of Panic" reminded me again how talented Farnoosh is! I have followed all of Farnoosh's work for several years now. At the beginning, I didn't know how I could possibly learn from these fears, but she's done it again! She is truly authentic! She broke down the nine fears with logical explanations, examples and ways to use fear as a guide to achieve what you want in your life. I have only finished it this week but am already executing her processes and feel like I have a perfect recipe of how to manage and overcome the fears I was "afraid" to admit I had!
I have since ordered additional copies for my sister and daughter to also gain the insightful ways into this "recipe". Every walk of life will benefit from reading this book! Spoiler, you may laugh out loud in one paragraph and the next find yourself with a tear in your eye. Do yourself a favor and learn what it takes to WIN AT LIFE! TIP: Memorize the BOLD statements!
A Healthy State of Panic: Follow Your Fears to Build Wealth, Crush Your Career, and Win at Life
I have since ordered additional copies for my sister and daughter to also gain the insightful ways into this "recipe". Every walk of life will benefit from reading this book! Spoiler, you may laugh out loud in one paragraph and the next find yourself with a tear in your eye. Do yourself a favor and learn what it takes to WIN AT LIFE! TIP: Memorize the BOLD statements!
A Healthy State of Panic: Follow Your Fears to Build Wealth, Crush Your Career, and Win at Life
October 3, 2023
I’ve been a fan of Farnoosh Torabi & her podcast for over a year. Listening to her is like talking to a good friend! And through the thoughtful content on her podcast, she has helped me figure out what my relationship with money really is. As you can guess, Farnoosh doesn’t just talk money, finance and investment tips, she talks about everything that money affects in our lives. As a single mom in my 50s, who’s been through so many negative experiences with work and money, it’s been incredibly calming to know that here is a woman who despite the ups and downs in her life, is getting it right! I wish Farnoosh was around for me in my youth, as I definitely could have used all the great advice she gives on a weekly basis, but at least I’ve got her now.
So when I heard she had a new book coming out, I jumped at the chance to read it. A Healthy State of Panic is essentially about the relationship we all have with fear. The first chapter—on the fear of rejection—is an honest take on what it means to be an immigrant, how we all need to belong and connect, and how one feels when that’s difficult. It’s so relatable and really took me back to my childhood and how I viewed my experiences growing up. Farnoosh’s tips on how to work with your fears is so useful, I’m using them now. Farnoosh crafts every chapter with the stories of her youth which ends up giving you insight and a new perspective on your own life. It’s really universal in this way. I recommend it wholeheartedly. You won’t be disappointed. Go buy it!
So when I heard she had a new book coming out, I jumped at the chance to read it. A Healthy State of Panic is essentially about the relationship we all have with fear. The first chapter—on the fear of rejection—is an honest take on what it means to be an immigrant, how we all need to belong and connect, and how one feels when that’s difficult. It’s so relatable and really took me back to my childhood and how I viewed my experiences growing up. Farnoosh’s tips on how to work with your fears is so useful, I’m using them now. Farnoosh crafts every chapter with the stories of her youth which ends up giving you insight and a new perspective on your own life. It’s really universal in this way. I recommend it wholeheartedly. You won’t be disappointed. Go buy it!
September 26, 2023
A Love Letter to Fear! Stirring, Relatable, and FUNNY!
Farnoosh Torabi is the award-winning host of the So Money podcast, but her latest book is SO much MORE than about money. It is the story of how it is OK to feel fear, but we need to listen to what it is trying to tell us. In all aspects of life: Career, Family, Friendships, and, yes, MONEY, what we THINK is going on isn’t usually the real underlying issue. That issue is fear. But the fear of what? Read on to find out!
Through personal stories, Farnoosh invites the reader into her relatable and funny life as she recounts what it is like to be the American born daughter or Iranian immigrants, the Brooklyn hipster, the suburban mom, and the entrepreneur. You will laugh and cry as you find yourself in the pages of this book. All of us want to belong, be cool, be secure in our career, our finances, and our relationships.
The chapter on the Fear of Failure is meaty and compelling. “Fear less the mistake …. and fear more not using the fear of failure as a motivator.” I couldn’t get enough of this book and will be re-reading again with my book club!
Fortunately, this blockbuster is NOT yet another “how-to” book on saving, investing, and life hacking. The world does not need more tips on how to use coupons. The world needs more Farnoosh!
*I received an advance copy of the book from the publisher. This review is my honest opinion and has not been influenced by any outside sources*
Farnoosh Torabi is the award-winning host of the So Money podcast, but her latest book is SO much MORE than about money. It is the story of how it is OK to feel fear, but we need to listen to what it is trying to tell us. In all aspects of life: Career, Family, Friendships, and, yes, MONEY, what we THINK is going on isn’t usually the real underlying issue. That issue is fear. But the fear of what? Read on to find out!
Through personal stories, Farnoosh invites the reader into her relatable and funny life as she recounts what it is like to be the American born daughter or Iranian immigrants, the Brooklyn hipster, the suburban mom, and the entrepreneur. You will laugh and cry as you find yourself in the pages of this book. All of us want to belong, be cool, be secure in our career, our finances, and our relationships.
The chapter on the Fear of Failure is meaty and compelling. “Fear less the mistake …. and fear more not using the fear of failure as a motivator.” I couldn’t get enough of this book and will be re-reading again with my book club!
Fortunately, this blockbuster is NOT yet another “how-to” book on saving, investing, and life hacking. The world does not need more tips on how to use coupons. The world needs more Farnoosh!
*I received an advance copy of the book from the publisher. This review is my honest opinion and has not been influenced by any outside sources*
October 9, 2023
Former Secretary of State Madeline Albright once said, “There’s a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.” On the contrary, I believe there’s a special place for women like Farnoosh Torabi, a woman who bravely and selflessly extends her hand to other women and says, “Follow me and take my hand. I will show you how to continue to empower yourself.”
This book is a beautiful extension of Farnoosh’s financial podcast, “So Money.” I’m exceptionally impressed with it because it goes much deeper than just the numbers and finance. It explores the psychology of fear and, rather than shaming the reader, encourages the reader to explore the fear and then use it as motivation to make change.
I’m so drawn to Farnoosh’s leadership and writing, especially her Iranian heritage and the advice given to her from her own parents. I appreciate her honesty and her ability to stand boldly in her convictions as opposed to chasing the latest social media trend.
My personal favorite chapter is the one on FOMO. It explored FOMO in a way I’ve never thought about. I even paused the audiobook at that point to reach out to Farnoosh herself on IG to tell her just that.
This book is one I will reread more than once. It offers timeless advice and is the perfect gift for anyone looking to continue growing as a human being.
This book is a beautiful extension of Farnoosh’s financial podcast, “So Money.” I’m exceptionally impressed with it because it goes much deeper than just the numbers and finance. It explores the psychology of fear and, rather than shaming the reader, encourages the reader to explore the fear and then use it as motivation to make change.
I’m so drawn to Farnoosh’s leadership and writing, especially her Iranian heritage and the advice given to her from her own parents. I appreciate her honesty and her ability to stand boldly in her convictions as opposed to chasing the latest social media trend.
My personal favorite chapter is the one on FOMO. It explored FOMO in a way I’ve never thought about. I even paused the audiobook at that point to reach out to Farnoosh herself on IG to tell her just that.
This book is one I will reread more than once. It offers timeless advice and is the perfect gift for anyone looking to continue growing as a human being.
September 28, 2023
If you're looking for a book to teach you how to create another budget this ain't it!
Farnoosh's book is a wonderful collection of personal stories and interviews and research that all tie back to her life and how living in a state of panic created the person she is today. Everything is written in such a wonderful way that sometimes you're in agreement; sometimes you're in an argument and other times you find yourself having these wonderful thought-provoking moments of how does this relate and reflect in my life.
Each chapter ends with questions that leave you with things to think about and consider and really be retrospective on your life. This book truly isn't just a read for fun it's a read that can push you to explore more of yourself and how you want to show up in the world.
But Farnoosh I disagree I want my kids to tell me the good and the bad because it is in the moment of having to express that, they themselves will realize I probably shouldn't have done that and hopefully choose differently next time.
I found myself highlighting and dog earring and then having conversations with my husband about what I had just read. This a wonderfully written book that's about much more than finance. Well done Farnoosh!
Farnoosh's book is a wonderful collection of personal stories and interviews and research that all tie back to her life and how living in a state of panic created the person she is today. Everything is written in such a wonderful way that sometimes you're in agreement; sometimes you're in an argument and other times you find yourself having these wonderful thought-provoking moments of how does this relate and reflect in my life.
Each chapter ends with questions that leave you with things to think about and consider and really be retrospective on your life. This book truly isn't just a read for fun it's a read that can push you to explore more of yourself and how you want to show up in the world.
But Farnoosh I disagree I want my kids to tell me the good and the bad because it is in the moment of having to express that, they themselves will realize I probably shouldn't have done that and hopefully choose differently next time.
I found myself highlighting and dog earring and then having conversations with my husband about what I had just read. This a wonderfully written book that's about much more than finance. Well done Farnoosh!
October 1, 2023
Farnoosh Torabi departs from purely financial topics to dwell on the deeper ingredients of success. Taking an autobiographical approach, she dissects one of the most common human emotions, fear, and explores how we can leverage it to become all we can be.
The core message of the book is that fear is not an emotion that we should, or even can, seek to avoid. Fear is ultimately an emotion to be studied. It can teach us how to live our lives. The book made me feel curious instead of anxious about fear.
Farnoosh creates a very useful catalog of everyday fears and puts them in a universal chronology—the order we might experience them in life, from the primal fears of childhood to the anxieties of maturity and old age. Much of the book consists of stories from her life, starting with childhood and extending through early career trials, later career successes, marriage, and parenting. Some of the stories are quite candid and intimate. She profiles her parents and discusses a miscarriage.
This is a brave and eloquent tale full of valuable lessons learned during a successful career and family life. The ideas are essential reading for anybody who struggles with anxiety and wants to lead a rich life.
The core message of the book is that fear is not an emotion that we should, or even can, seek to avoid. Fear is ultimately an emotion to be studied. It can teach us how to live our lives. The book made me feel curious instead of anxious about fear.
Farnoosh creates a very useful catalog of everyday fears and puts them in a universal chronology—the order we might experience them in life, from the primal fears of childhood to the anxieties of maturity and old age. Much of the book consists of stories from her life, starting with childhood and extending through early career trials, later career successes, marriage, and parenting. Some of the stories are quite candid and intimate. She profiles her parents and discusses a miscarriage.
This is a brave and eloquent tale full of valuable lessons learned during a successful career and family life. The ideas are essential reading for anybody who struggles with anxiety and wants to lead a rich life.
May 7, 2024
I'm not really sure if this was meant to be a memoir, self help, finance or humor. At the end, the author explains that the book came about because she got a call asking for more after trying stand-up for the first time, so maybe it was supposed to be funnier than I found it to be. But as a fellow woman in the media living in NYC who loves personal finance and has struggled with anxiety, I was really expecting to get more out of it. Many of the best lessons shared were things I feel I've learned over the past decade, so maybe this book just came to me later in life than I needed it. Even so, there were bits of advice in here that felt very based on the author's experience, without much acknowledgment that others might have other experiences and perspectives, which contributed to me being confused about the genre. In particular, the author's distress about not being married in her mid-20s and treating it as the most relatable feeling in the world (especially living in New York!) struck me as a bit of an insular reflection. In the end, while there were some valuable nuggets of truth here and there -- especially in the finance chapter -- I found this book disjointed, and not much resonated with me.
December 11, 2025
2.5 stars. First off, Miss Farnoosh is a great writer and has had an amazing and impressive life! I really enjoyed learning more about her and how she was shaped by a rich culture while growing up and learning about life in multiple cities. Her career has been really interesting and I wanted to hear more about what she had to say about her expertise, not necessarily a bunch of self help talk that I already knew, like oh yeah fear can be conquered! Like yeah that’s great but I thought u were gonna teach me about personal finance from the lense of a woman trying to make it more approachable for other young women? She gets really close to explaining some tips but like parallels them instead of explaining what she means. I wish it was marketed as a biography instead bc she’s a very interesting person but it fell flat. A lot of it is def also aimed at moms and I am certainly not one so that kinda distanced me from it as well. I didn’t really take anything away from this book except she’s had a cool career, but I still don’t know what she actually built that career off of. Kinda left wanting more but like learning nothing even though ir was well written? Idk not my fave but it was enjoyable
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2024
3.5 / 5 rounded up to 4
TL;DR this is as inspiring and entertaining a personal finance book can go. More so, I enjoyed it as a semi-autobiography more than a self-help book; it is authored by and speaking from a perspective of a women of color and 1st generation immigrant.
Forgot how I stumbled on this book and almost dropped after 5 mins listening on Audible, deciding this was more for bored housewife than a professional like me. Glad I persisted.
Skipping to the later chapters instead of reading in ordinal order, I was able to enjoy the author's humor and wit coming through her semi-autobiographical narratives, how she getting into the business of writing/talking/teaching women about personal finance, the influence from her upbringing and as an Iranian immigrant in the States.
The tone was authentic, and the insight was revealing and informative. And it was fun to read/listen.
Just what I needed for a long weekend, escaping from difficulties wrestling in a male dominate corporate world :)
TL;DR this is as inspiring and entertaining a personal finance book can go. More so, I enjoyed it as a semi-autobiography more than a self-help book; it is authored by and speaking from a perspective of a women of color and 1st generation immigrant.
Forgot how I stumbled on this book and almost dropped after 5 mins listening on Audible, deciding this was more for bored housewife than a professional like me. Glad I persisted.
Skipping to the later chapters instead of reading in ordinal order, I was able to enjoy the author's humor and wit coming through her semi-autobiographical narratives, how she getting into the business of writing/talking/teaching women about personal finance, the influence from her upbringing and as an Iranian immigrant in the States.
The tone was authentic, and the insight was revealing and informative. And it was fun to read/listen.
Just what I needed for a long weekend, escaping from difficulties wrestling in a male dominate corporate world :)
September 26, 2023
Farnoosh is a well-rounded financial journalist. She has an amazing, informative podcast, SoMoney, and has written several money-related books.
A Healthy State of Panic focuses less on money lessons and more on the individual and what individuals fear and how that holds them back.
Using examples from her own life that are quite relatable, she talks about how to lean into your fear, find out what the fear is trying to tell you or protect you from, and finally how to break through the fear for the rewards that await you on the other side.
Much of this book resonated with me and was the pep talk I needed at just the right moment to move onward and continue to pursue my dreams and passions. Some of the statements hit too close to home and validated what I already knew for better or worse. Because these statements were too close to home, it has reignited my ambition, drive, and passion just when I needed it.
A Healthy State of Panic focuses less on money lessons and more on the individual and what individuals fear and how that holds them back.
Using examples from her own life that are quite relatable, she talks about how to lean into your fear, find out what the fear is trying to tell you or protect you from, and finally how to break through the fear for the rewards that await you on the other side.
Much of this book resonated with me and was the pep talk I needed at just the right moment to move onward and continue to pursue my dreams and passions. Some of the statements hit too close to home and validated what I already knew for better or worse. Because these statements were too close to home, it has reignited my ambition, drive, and passion just when I needed it.
September 25, 2023
Farnoosh has excelled as a podcaster and finance guru for all the same reasons AHSOP works - she's bold, but not preachy. Gentle, but direct. In a world where influencers want you to believe the key is fearlessness, her approach to finding your path by listening to your fears is a breath of fresh air.
Equal parts advice and personal memoir, AHSOP teaches you to *listen* to your fears and keep them as your passenger while you drive. Walking through various stages and aspects of life, we learn how fears can illuminate and inform the way forward.
Each chapter provides a set of insightful, introspective questions that can help you get unstuck and answer lofty questions. Being someone who can sometimes see their anxiety as a weakness, it was incredibly empowering to hear from someone who finds fear as their superpower.
Equal parts advice and personal memoir, AHSOP teaches you to *listen* to your fears and keep them as your passenger while you drive. Walking through various stages and aspects of life, we learn how fears can illuminate and inform the way forward.
Each chapter provides a set of insightful, introspective questions that can help you get unstuck and answer lofty questions. Being someone who can sometimes see their anxiety as a weakness, it was incredibly empowering to hear from someone who finds fear as their superpower.
September 29, 2023
A Healthy State of Panic! couldn’t have come at a better time for me to read. It’s like I’m sitting down with a childhood friend over coffee and reminiscing our lives—but in the most empowering, uplifting way—with candor, transparency, and vulnerability.
As a First Generation American myself and in the midst of a career change, the stories drive so much closer to home for me than I thought they would. I particularly love how Farnoosh weaves in flashbacks to her own childhood alongside her adult life’s and other people’s stories. It’s all so conversational! All throughout, Farnoosh guides the readers on how to use the fears to reflect or to take a step for our benefit, like she did when she started her company. So instead of being panicked, I’m left reassured that fear really can coexist in my life, rather than hinder. So glad to have read the book and definitely recommend!
As a First Generation American myself and in the midst of a career change, the stories drive so much closer to home for me than I thought they would. I particularly love how Farnoosh weaves in flashbacks to her own childhood alongside her adult life’s and other people’s stories. It’s all so conversational! All throughout, Farnoosh guides the readers on how to use the fears to reflect or to take a step for our benefit, like she did when she started her company. So instead of being panicked, I’m left reassured that fear really can coexist in my life, rather than hinder. So glad to have read the book and definitely recommend!
April 8, 2024
This book had an unexpected point of view that I really enjoyed - Farnoosh identifies different types of fears, she doesn't actually ask you to get over the fears, instead she gives advice on how to dive into them and examine what each one is actually trying to teach us. This book is part self-help part memoir and love the balance of both those approaches. Farnoosh had me laughing many times and tearing up at other times. The candor in this book is very much like Farnoosh's refreshing honesty and unassumingness on her podcast. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone. Even if you are not Iranian, a woman, a person who has anxiety or fears in a similar way to Farnoosh, this is a book that can teach you to reflect on your feelings, question your assumptions and if nothing else it teaches you a unique point of view on the world.
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