Episode 335

From Scarcity to Security: How Michele Novack Built Financial Resilience & Cyber Confidence

Published on: 12th August, 2025

What if the key to your financial breakthrough wasn’t another budget, but a bold mindset shift?

In this powerful episode of I Date Money, Lisa Drennon sits down with Michele Novack—cyber engineer, author, and financial resilience mentor. Michele shares her extraordinary journey from growing up in a motel with a single mom to working 30 years in the financial industry and stepping fully into entrepreneurship.


This conversation dives deep into emotional money cycles, how to stop overthinking your ability to make money, why cybersecurity matters for entrepreneurs, and what building a healthy relationship with money actually looks like.


You’ll learn practical steps to stop paycheck-to-paycheck living, protect your assets, and use your multi-passionate gifts to create a financially secure life.


Topics Discussed


  • Michele’s story of overcoming financial scarcity and her path into cyber engineering
  • What it means to “date your money” and develop a loving relationship with it
  • How trauma and generational patterns shape our financial behavior
  • Building a business without debt (and why Michele ditched credit)
  • Simple steps for single moms and entrepreneurs to create emergency funds and financial safety
  • The power of paying yourself first—even if it’s $5
  • Using envelopes, 401Ks, Roth IRAs, and T-bills to build true wealth
  • Why your mindset is more important than any spreadsheet
  • Michele’s advice to entrepreneurs stuck in fear and overwhelm

A Quote to Remember


“There’s no such thing as 100% security—only being proactive. That’s true in cybersecurity and in your finances.” – Michele Novack

🔗 Connect with Michele

🌐 Website: www.CarnelsBiteByte.com

🔗 LinkedIn: Michele Novack


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Remember, it doesn't matter how much money you make; it's what you do with it

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Intro/Outro music "IDM" by Christa Lily

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About the Podcast

I Date Money
Rebuild financial stability after divorce—rewrite your money story with clarity and confidence.
Welcome to iDateMoney®, the podcast where divorced mompreneurs learn how to rebuild financial stability after divorce without spreadsheets, shame, or second-guessing every decision.

Hosted by Lisa Drennon—Wealth Activator, money strategist, and creator of the Money Multiplier System— this show is where clarity meets confidence.

Each week, Lisa shares raw stories, practical strategies, and spiritual insights to help you:

Release fear and guilt around money so you feel safe spending again.

Create steady income and financial security—even if your business feels unpredictable.

Confidently pay yourself, cover taxes, and provide stability for your kids.

Rewrite your money story so you can step into your role as a secure, empowered mom.

This isn’t your accountant’s podcast. It’s real talk for women ready to stop feeling broke, build true stability, and finally trust themselves with money.

Because it doesn’t matter how much you have—it’s what you do with it. 🗝️🌬️💖💸

About your host

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Lisa Drennon

Lisa Drennon, Wealth Activator & founder of iDateMoney® has been in the finance & insurance industry since 1987. Her unconventional Money Multiplier System transformed her money relationship to become a self-made millionaire, retire 2 ½ years early, pay $100K of debt in 6 months, & relocate to her beachfront dream home.