Molly Benjamin is on a mission to make financial literacy accessible, practical, and empowering—especially for women and now, kids. After transforming her own “hot financial mess” into a thriving movement that’s educated 70,000+ Australian women, Molly is bringing the conversation to the next generation. As a spokesperson for Spriggy, she has deep insights into how kids earn, save, spend, and give—and how parents can raise resilient, financially confident children who are ready to thrive.

Molly explains how kids form their attitudes toward money by age seven—and how adult behaviours code that mindset. She shares why normalising conversations around spending, saving, and giving early matters, especially in a cashless society.

“It’s not just what we say, it’s what we do around money. Kids are watching.”

Molly outlines her favourite financial framework for children—Spend, Save, Share—and explains how to use tools like Spriggy or Monopoly money to reinforce tangible learning about financial priorities and delayed gratification.

The FY25 Spriggy Kids Economy Report reveals that girls are earning $1.03 for every $1.00 boys earn—flipping the adult gender pay gap. What can this tell us about confidence, motivation, and resilience in young people?

From over-rewarding chores to avoiding money conversations, Molly highlights the unconscious habits that may undermine a child’s financial resilience.

“Money shouldn't be a taboo or secret. If they don’t learn it from us, they’re learning it somewhere else.”

With house prices now 8–14 times the average wage, Molly discusses how we can prepare our kids for lifelong affordability pressures—through saving, investing, and open dialogue.

“Even if you’ve never invested before, go on the journey with your child. Learn together.”

From setting savings goals to explaining superannuation and tax to teens, Molly shares strategies to raise informed, confident kids who won’t panic the first time they fail—or the first time they look at a budget.

• Financial resilience isn’t just about money—it’s about mindset.
• Teach saving before spending. Help kids delay gratification.
• Make chores part of life, not always tied to payment.
• Involve kids in financial conversations early and often.
• Model what you want to teach—especially around budgeting, insurance, super, and investing.
• Support teens to understand taxes, super, and compound interest when they get their first job.

• Ladies Finance Club
• Spriggy Kids Economy Report
• Spriggy App
• Money Smart Tools (ASIC)
• Book:Raising Money Confident Kids (Molly Benjamin, 2025)
• Tool: “Super Detective” retirement checker
• See also research: Harvard, La Trobe, Spriggy, Stoicism, and Bobo Doll Experiments

Episode Subtitle: “Emotions, TED Talks & Teddies: Louise Mansell’s Mission to Build Brave Kids”

In this episode of Building Resilient Kids, host Tim Curtis is joined by Dr Louise Mansell, a clinical psychologist and founder of Tedology. Originally from the UK and now based in Perth, Louise brings a wealth of experience working with vulnerable children in care systems and mainstream settings.

Louise shares insights into her personal upbringing, how her mother’s anxiety shaped her sense of responsibility and empathy, and what inspired her journey into psychology. She discusses the need for a whole-system approach to child development, the importance of working with schools and families, and how trauma-informed, compassionate care can change the course of a young life.

The heart of the episode is Louise’s innovative creation: TED (Teddy for Emotional Development) – a science-based, sensory teddy bear that helps children regulate emotions, build resilience, and develop emotional literacy through play. From weighted limbs and textured paws to guided voice prompts based on proven psychological tools like CBT and DDP, TED is a cuddly co-regulator for kids.

Louise reflects on parenting, teaching, and the daily challenge of applying psychology at home, candidly admitting her own occasional “screen bans” as a mother. Her honesty and evidence-based practice make this a must-listen for educators, parents, and anyone committed to raising emotionally resilient kids.

Highlights

• Louise’s early family life and how helping her mum manage anxiety set the foundations for her career
• Her work in the UK’s social enterprise sector, supporting children in the care system
• The biopsychosocial ecological model simplified for everyday parenting and teaching
• The development of TED: a sensory, talking teddy designed to build emotional skills and resilience
• Why kids need to feel seen, heard, and held in mind—and how a teddy bear can help
• Practical strategies for teachers to emotionally coach children without needing all the answers
• The power of emotional literacy and expression as central to long-term resilience
• The science behind TED’s features (fidget-friendly paws, crinkle ears, soothing voice prompts)
• Louise’s commitment to play-based learning and co-design with children
• Honest parenting moments: “If I shout about screen bans, it doesn’t count.”

Learn More

• Dr Louise Mansell's work: https://www.minimindshealth.com.au/louise-mansell
• Tedology (TED - Teddy for Emotional Development): https://tedology.com.au
• The ACEs Study (Adverse Childhood Experiences) – CDC Resource
• Tina Payne Bryson’s "Whole Brain Child" approach (Refer to books by Siegel & Bryson)
• Theraplay & DDP (Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy) – therapeutic models that Louise references as cornerstones in her clinical approach. https://ddpnetwork.org

Quote of the Episode

“Resilience isn’t about just coping. It’s about being brave enough to express yourself—and knowing someone will listen.” – Dr Louise Mansell

Joy, Diagnosis and the Village: Annie Hicks on Building Resilience in Kids with Disabilities

In this deeply personal episode of Building Resilient Kids, host Tim Curtis speaks with his amazing cousin, Annie Hicks—a dedicated mother of three and a fundraising professional in the education sector—about what it means to raise resilient children, including two living with disabilities: Calvin (Sotos Syndrome and ADHD) and Lily (Down Syndrome).

Annie opens up about the surprises and challenges of receiving a diagnosis, the evolving needs of her children, and how she and her husband Michael have navigated parenthood with intentionality, balance, and love. With candour and warmth, Annie discusses the power of community, the importance of self-care, and the need to be selectively selfish to model resilience for her kids.

From managing emotional regulation through sensory tools, companion animals, and trampoline resets, to redesigning family expectations and slowing down to meet her children where they’re at, Annie offers practical wisdom for parents, carers, and educators alike.

Also in this episode:

• The concept of wellbeing hubs and navigators in schools
• Parenting withopen communication and emotional availability
• The transformative role ofcanine and equine therapy
• Her superhero alter ego,‘Modulux’, imagined with the help of ChatGPT
• Insights from the blended family experience with Layla, her stepdaughter
• The critical role ofpositive self-talk and modelling resilience

Annie’s heartfelt stories and honest reflections will resonate with anyone striving to raise strong, self-aware, and joyful kids; regardless of ability.

• Annie Hicks on LinkedIn:com/in/anne-marie-hicks-8b55a284
• Sotos Syndrome(Medline Plus): https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/sotos-syndrome/
• Down Syndrome Overview(Wikipedia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_syndrome
• Carly Findlay – Author and Disability Advocate:https://carlyfindlay.com.au/
  • The Book:Growing Up Disabled in Australia, edited by Carly Findlay
• Hannah Diviney – Writer, Speaker & Advocate:https://hannahdiviney.com/
• Guide Dogs WA – Companion Dog Program:https://www.guidedogswa.com.au/
• Amaroo Equine Therapy (Belinda Muiser):https://www.amarooequine.com.au