Dr. Paris Woods: From £70K Debt to Financial Freedom The Truth About Money, Wealth, and Breaking Free
What if the reason you're struggling financially isn't because you don't make enough money—it's because nobody taught you what to do with what you have?
In this powerful episode, Tino sits down with Dr. Paris Woods, bestselling author of The Black Girl's Guide to Financial Freedom (120,000+ copies sold) and the upcoming The Student's Guide to Financial Freedom.
Dr. Woods went from £70,000 in debt at age 30 to complete financial freedom. And in this honest, no-fluff conversation, she breaks down exactly how she did it—and how you can too.
This isn't your typical finance interview. It's a real conversation about:
Why society is designed to keep you in debt
The simple wealth-building formula that actually works
How to recognize financial traps and bad advice
Why financial freedom is 80% mindset, 20% practical skills
What it really means to be free with your money and your time
Whether you've got £100 or £10,000 in your account, this conversation will change how you think about money.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
The Wake-Up Call
How Dr. Paris Woods realized she was in £70,000 of debt—and the exact moment she decided to change everything.
The Debt Trap
Why credit cards, car loans, and buy-now-pay-later schemes are designed to keep you broke (and how to escape).
The Simple Wealth Formula
The three-step system anyone can use to build wealth: Bring in money. Spend less than you earn. Invest the rest.
Index Funds > Get-Rich-Quick Schemes
Why boring, consistent investing beats flashy crypto and trading apps every time.
Money Is 80% Mindset
The emotional and psychological work behind financial freedom—and how to automate good choices.
Community & Accountability
How to have real money conversations with friends and family (and why it matters).
Financial Freedom for Black Communities
What financial independence means for Black people specifically—and why representation in financial education matters.
Next Steps for Young People
Practical advice for 16-25 year olds: What to do right now to set yourself up for wealth in 10 years.
KEY QUOTES
"Debt is a weight on your life. And once you realize you don't have to carry it, everything changes."
— Dr. Paris Woods
"The money part is easy. The actual work is what's happening inside of us while we're making these decisions."
— Dr. Paris Woods
"Society is designed to make it easy to get into debt and hard to get out. But once you see the trap, you can avoid it."
— Dr. Paris Woods
"Financial freedom means having complete control over your labor and your time. That's what our ancestors fought for."
— Dr. Paris Woods
"If you want to build wealth, find someone who's already traveled the road you want to go—and take advice from them, not from people who haven't done it."
— Dr. Paris Woods
ABOUT THE GUEST
Dr. Paris Woods is a bestselling author, award-winning education leader, and financial freedom advocate.
Her debut book, The Black Girl's Guide to Financial Freedom, has sold over 120,000 copies and inspired readers nationwide to take control of their finances. She wrote it because financial independence resources were dominated by voices that didn't look like her—and she wanted to infiltrate her own community with life-changing information.
Her forthcoming book, The Student's Guide to Financial Freedom (releasing March 3rd, 2026), equips high school and college students with the tools to build wealth early and live with purpose.
Dr. Woods holds a doctorate in higher education leadership and is passionate about making financial literacy accessible, simple, and empowering for young people.
Follow Dr. Paris Woods:
Instagram: @authorParisWoods
TikTok: @authorParisWoods
Website: ParisWoods.com
