Who is Kyla Scanlon?
Kyla Scanlon is an American economist, author, financial educator, and content creator best known for her ability to simplify complex economic ideas using humor, relatable analogies, and digital storytelling. She has become a standout figure in the world of personal finance and macroeconomics, especially among younger audiences navigating a world of inflation, crypto, job uncertainty, and “vibecessions” a term she coined.
Kyla’s rise to prominence stems from her engaging content across platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Substack, and her podcast Let’s Appreciate. Her mission is simple but powerful: make people understand and feel the economy, not just memorize numbers.
Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | Kyla Scanlon |
Date of Birth | 1997 |
Age | 28 (as of 2025) |
Birthplace | Louisville, Kentucky, USA |
Nationality | American |
Profession | Economist, Author, Content Creator |
Known For | “Vibecession,” TikTok finance content, book In This Economy? |
Education | Western Kentucky University (Finance, Economics, Business Data Analytics) |
Current Residence | United States (Exact city not public) |
Marital Status | Single |
Husband | Not married |
Languages | English |
Book | In This Economy? (Published May 2024) |
Net Worth (est.) | $300,000 – $500,000 |
Kyla Scanlon Early Life & Education
Born in 1997 in Louisville, Kentucky, Kyla grew up with a strong interest in numbers, finance, and storytelling. She began investing in high school and was intrigued by how market systems worked, especially during economic crises.
She went on to attend Western Kentucky University, graduating in 2019 with a triple major in:
- Financial Management
- Economics
- Business Data Analytics
This combination set the foundation for her data-driven yet highly empathetic approach to explaining the economy.
Kyla Scanlon Family Background
Kyla comes from a supportive, middle-class American family. While she maintains privacy about her parents and siblings, she has occasionally shared that her upbringing in Kentucky shaped her values of curiosity, humility, and independence.
- Father: Unknown publicly; she credits her family with encouraging her curiosity.
- Mother: Supportive of her early interest in economics.
- Siblings: She has mentioned growing up in a family environment that valued education, but names/details remain private.
As of now, Kyla Scanlon is single and does not have a husband; she keeps her personal life distinct from her professional persona
Kyla Scanlon Philosophy: Economics is Emotional
Kyla’s philosophy stands out in the world of finance: economics isn’t just about numbers, it’s about feelings.
She challenges the traditionally dry and academic way economics is taught by emphasizing:
- Economic empathy: understanding how people feel about inflation, job loss, or market news
- Narrative over jargon: using stories and analogies to explain data
- Accessibility: democratizing finance for those excluded from elite institutions
- Behavioral understanding: looking at how people actually act, not just how they’re supposed to
Her coined term “vibecession” (a recession in public sentiment, not in data) reflects this philosophy. She believes that emotional perception can shape reality, especially in markets.
Kyla Scanlon Career Journey
From Analyst to Educator
Kyla started her professional career at Capital Group, one of the largest investment management firms in the U.S., where she worked on market research and macroeconomic analysis. However, she felt disconnected from real-world conversations happening outside the investment bubble.
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kyla pivoted toward digital education. She launched content across TikTok and YouTube to explain topics like:
- Inflation and interest rates
- The Federal Reserve’s actions
- Crypto market volatility
- Recession signals
- Meme stocks and retail investing behavior
Her unique mix of education and entertainment quickly struck a chord, especially with Gen Z and millennial audiences.
Author and Entrepreneur
In May 2024, Kyla released her first book titled In This Economy? How Money and Markets Really Work. The book presents financial systems in a digestible, illustrated, and deeply human way. It became a Wall Street Journal and Amazon bestseller, praised for its voice, clarity, and emotional intelligence.
She is also the founder of Bread, a financial education startup aimed at empowering individuals with better tools to understand and navigate their money lives.
Key Innovations and Influence
“Vibecession”
In 2022, Kyla coined the term “vibecession” a word describing the emotional disconnect between strong economic data (like low unemployment) and negative public sentiment (like fear of recession). The term caught on quickly and was even referenced by financial media, economists, and policymakers.
Her newsletter coined more such terms, like “FAFOnomics” (F*** Around and Find Out Economics), and helped her stand out as not just informative—but also culturally relevant.
Kyla Scanlon Achievements
- Speaker at Harvard, MIT, and UC Berkeley on financial storytelling and economic behavior
- Regularly featured in Bloomberg Opinion, The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, CNBC, and more
- Named one of the most influential voices in digital finance and Gen Z education
- Advisor and content consultant for financial platforms and media outlets
- Runs a popular Substack newsletter read by thousands of subscribers weekly
Kyla Scanlon Social Media Presence
Platform | Handle | Focus |
TikTok | @kylascan | Skits, economic trends |
YouTube | Kyla Scanlon | Explainers, policy breakdowns |
@kylascan | Clips, infographics, and memes | |
Substack | kyla.substack.com | Weekly newsletter + coined terms |
Podcast | Let’s Appreciate | Interviews and deep dives |
Kyla Scanlon Net Worth
Though exact numbers are private, Kyla’s income streams include:
Source | Details |
Book sales | In This Economy? royalties |
Substack | Subscription revenue |
Speaking engagements | Harvard, MIT, Fed, Fortune 500 firms |
Brand deals | Selective partnerships |
YouTube/TikTok | Monetized through ads and views |
Net Worth (est.) | $300,000 – $500,000 |
Kyla Scanlon Physical Appearance
Attribute | Description |
Height | Approx. 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) |
Hair Color | Brown |
Eye Color | Hazel |
Style | Smart casual, expressive, Gen Z chic |
Notable Traits | Approachable demeanor, expressive voice |
Interesting Facts About Kyla Scanlon
- She coined “vibecession” a term now used in academic and policy circles.
- Kyla was a car salesperson before moving into finance.
- She self-produces, edits, and writes most of her content.
- Her book blends economics with emotional literacy.
- She completed a triple major in just four years.
- Kyla intentionally avoids political bias in her financial commentary.
- She’s been invited to speak at the Federal Reserve and top finance conferences.
- She often uses whiteboards and skits to teach economics in under 60 seconds.
- Her content has been featured by Fortune, Bloomberg, and Morning Brew.
- She was named “the Gen Z voice of economic reason” by financial editors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who is Kyla Scanlon?
A Gen Z financial educator, author, and creator known for simplifying complex economic topics online.
Q2. What is she famous for?
Coining “vibecession,” her viral finance videos, and her bestselling book In This Economy?
Q3. What is her background?
She studied finance, economics, and analytics and worked at Capital Group before launching her brand.
Q4. What platforms is she on?
TikTok, YouTube, Substack, Instagram, and her podcast Let’s Appreciate.
Q5. Has she written a book?
Yes, In This Economy? was released in 2024 and received wide acclaim.
Q6. What’s her mission?
To make economics understandable and emotionally relevant for everyone.
Q7. Is she a licensed financial advisor?
No, Kyla is an educator and creator, not a registered investment advisor.
Q8. Where is she based?
She is based in the United States but travels frequently for talks and media engagements.
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