The Pressures of Privilege: a new chapter

When I told my mother I was going to rename this blog, “The Pressures of Privilege” and start writing about money, she shuddered.

In families like mine, talking about money is taboo—yet it remains central to our lives, often cloaked in terms like "legacy," quietly dictating our choices, relationships, and responsibilities.

Why this change?

Since returning to Rhode Island from Switzerland, I've felt out of alignment. My journey has been unconventional: after seven years in journalism in the US, I spent 17 years in the Swiss Alps, where I connected with my late father's agrarian roots, worked for a community newspaper, and helped found a magazine. During this time, I got sober, identified my core values—mastery, empathy, and authenticity—and transitioned from journalism to coaching. I became an ICF-certified coach, wrote a yet-to-be-published book, and explored everything from finding purpose to navigating life as an Adult Third Culture Kid.

But something was still missing. Back in my mother's world, I found myself hiding and isolating.

Working with coaches to navigate this internal block, I began to question my limiting beliefs.

As I embraced my English-American heritage—a part of me that had felt disconnected for so long—something shifted.

Clients who shared my experience with inherited wealth began to find me, and for the first time, I felt genuine empathy for people facing similar challenges.

My unique perspective comes from being the daughter of a Swiss mountain guide and an American philanthropist and photojournalist. This dual heritage blends Swiss pragmatism with American optimism, old-world discretion with new-world transparency.

Three foundational pillars

As we explore The Pressures of Privilege, our discussions will center around:

1. Identity & Worth: Discover tools and strategies to define your authentic path, embrace your self-worth, and break free from the limitations of societal expectations.

2. Belonging & Well-Being: Learn how to cultivate deeper connections, improve your mental health, and build a support system that aligns with your values.

3. Responsibilities & Legacy: Gain clarity on balancing family expectations with personal vision while making a meaningful impact through your wealth.

To ground these pillars, I'm launching a three-part series called “Beyond the Golden Ghetto” which will explore:

1. The money taboo: why wealth can feel ugly to those who inherit it

2. When shame is the norm: unpacking love, abuse, and intimacy

3. Impostor syndrome in the world of privilege: who am I without my wealth?

This series is designed to provide you with fresh perspectives and actionable insights. These posts will offer practical steps to move forward with confidence.

Each part will share my unconventional perspective, addressing questions from clients and readers. After the New Year, I'll be opening a few coaching spots. While my current schedule is full, you can join the priority waitlist. Click here to to send an email with ‘YES’ in the the body and join the waitlist.

Moving forward together

These conversations aren't always comfortable, but they're necessary. My hope is that by writing about these topics, we can transform the pressures of privilege into opportunities for growth.

If my mother shudders again, I'll remind her: talking about money doesn't diminish its value—it adds context, clarity, and most importantly, humanity. It allows us to transform inherited privilege into intentional impact.

Whether you've been here since the beginning or are just discovering my work, I welcome your thoughts on this new direction. Please share this blog with others who might benefit from these conversations.

Stay tuned, I can’t wait to share this with you!

Here’s to this next chapter,

P.S. Starting today, the comments section is free for everyone! These conversations are too important to keep behind a paywall. For those seeking advice or deeper connection, the paid chat feature remains available.

To learn more about Diana and her work, visit her website.