Every once in a while an article touches the depths of every individual who comes across it.  Some inspire, some report news, others speak truth to the heartaches of a certain era. The Atlantic’s The Secret Shame of Middle Class Americans hit the nail on the head for our time.

Would you believe a college graduate who studied finance, did Teach for America, excelled in various industries for the past ten years, and is the founder of this website struggles every week to make ends meet? That she and her significant other celebrated a Medicaid acceptance letter because without it, they wouldn’t have been able to afford an emergency c-section for their son as well as his healthcare? It’s true. There are too many stories like this and that of the established writer who penned the article, but no one feels safe to talk about it. Most feel isolated in their suffering.

Now, when friends including a small business owner, a handful of corporate professionals, graduate students, a seasoned fashion designer and even a veteran open up about their issues, we send them the link to this very article. The dialogue that follows is one of honesty, relief, and positivity. Not because misery loves company but because financial impotence (rooted in crushing student loan and mortgage debt, rising living costs, healthcare, social media pressure) is an issue we are all battling together. And, the first step to recovery is admittance.