Real Money, Real Experts

In the Season 6 premiere of Real Money, Real Experts, we’re joined by 2025 Board President and our new co-host Dr. Brandy Baxter, AFC®️, the powerhouse behind Living Abundantly and Envision 30. As an Accredited Financial Counselor®️, financial coach, and strategic leader, Brandy helps individuals and organizations think from the future to achieve financial success. With a wealth of experience—including her service in the U.S. Air Force, leadership in financial education, and dedication to community building—Brandy brings a unique perspective on how forgiveness plays a crucial role in financial well-being.Join us as we discuss the power of community, the importance of elevating diverse voices in financial coaching, and how simple steps like storytelling can make planning for the future less intimidating. Brandy’s insights will leave you inspired to take action, forgive financial mistakes, and embrace abundance.Tune in and take your seat at the table—because we’re all more powerful when we come together.Show Notes:2:00 Introducing our new co-host...Dr. Brandy Baxter2:12 What led Brandy to AFCPE09:03 Brandy's hope for her presidency11:43 How serving on the AFCPE Board of Directors has impacted Brandy's journey15:59 Why the AFC matters20:02 Looking ahead for the future of Real Money, Real Experts22:33 Brandy's 2 centsShow Note Links: Connect with Brandy on Linkedin!Connect with Brandy on Instagram at  @brandys2cents4uWant to get involved with AFCPE®?Here are a few places to start: Become a Member, Sign up for an Essentials Course, or Get AFC Certified today!Want to support the podcast? We love partnering with organizations that share our mission and values. Download our media kit.

In this special season finale, Rachael and Mary bring you voices of #ExperienceAFCPE2024 attendees directly from the symposium floor. Attendees share their experiences, key takeaways, and advice for financial educators and those entering the field. This compilation of mini-interviews offers unique insights into the world of financial education and the power of shared learning.This episode is also Mary’s final episode as podcast co-host. After 5 years, Mary is passing the baton to a new co-host – to be announced in the new year. Mary and Rachael reminisce about the good times, the laughter, and look forward to a new chapter in 2025.Show Notes: 00:02 Welcome to the Season 5 finale of Real Money, Real Experts 12:32 Switching it up for this year's Symposium Recap 14:43 Voices of Symposium ft. the AFCPE Community33:15 Mary's farewell 36:53 See you in February with Season 6!Want to get involved with AFCPE®?Here are a few places to start: Become a Member, Sign up for an Essentials Course, or Get AFC Certified today!Want to support the podcast? We love partnering with organizations that share our mission and values. Download our media kit.

In this powerful episode of Real Money, Real Experts, Rachael DeLeon and Dr. Mary Bell Carlson sit down with Dr. Michael G. Thomas Jr., a financial empathy expert and lecturer at the University of Georgia, who is changing the way we think about money and wealth. As an Accredited Financial Counselor® (AFC®), Dr. Thomas’s work emphasizes the importance of empathy, self-compassion, and active listening in financial counseling and planning. We explore his unique philosophy that the journey to financial health is deeply relational—not just about personal gain but about shouldering each other’s burdens and celebrating each other's successes.Dr. Thomas shares insights from his book, Black Financial Culture: Building Wealth from the Inside Out, and we dive into the impact of brain function on financial behavior and the essential role of data visualization in helping individuals see their financial paths more clearly. Dr. Thomas’s message is clear: we don’t all start or end at the same place, and it's about recognizing our shared struggles and learning how to thrive collectively.Show Notes:02:41 A Glimpse Into Michael's Keynote Speech 07:21 It's Not You, It's the System 12:22 Digging into Michael's book "Black Financial Culture"17:58 Unpacking cultural norms22:18 The importance of genuine connection 27:13 Why the AFCPE Symposium is a constant 29:58 Michael's 2 Cents Show Note Links:LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/moneyandwellness/Twitter @ModomsolutionsInstagram @modomsolutionsTik Tok @modomsolutionsWant to get involved with AFCPE®?Here are a few places to start: Become a Member, Sign up for an Essentials Course, or Get AFC Certified today!Want to support the podcast? We love partnering with organizations that share our mission and values. Download our media kit.

On this episode of Real Money, Real Experts, we tackle the evolving world of financial fraud and how we can break the cycle of shame that often keeps victims silent. In this exclusive sneak peek of their keynote session at this year’s symposium, Lori Schock, Director of the SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, and Robert Mascio, Director of Investor Education Outreach at FINRA, share compelling stories of today’s most sophisticated scams such as AI-driven impersonation schemes. Lori and Robert explain how fraudsters exploit trust and emotion, and why it's crucial to have open conversations about these tactics. By discussing fraud openly, we can empower victims, protect ourselves, and make more informed decisions. Don’t miss this insightful preview into the strategies you can use to safeguard against these evolving threats. Show Notes:02:50 What is the SEC? 04:08 What is FINRA? 05:56 Lori's career path to the SEC08:59 Robert's career path to FINRA11:30 How the financial fraud landscape has changed 12:30 The rise of technology has impacted the financial fraud landscape 16:26 How to spot an impersonation scam18:11 Resources to protect yourself against financial scams20:02 Why conversations are vital to break the guilt & shame victims experience22:36 Lori's 2 cents24:51 Robert's 2 centsShow Note Links: SEC Website Investor.gov  FINRA's BrokerCheck FINRA’s Website Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website Help for Seniors Website Help for Seniors phoneline: 844-574-3577Investor.gov phoneline: 1-800-732-0330Robert Mascio's LinkedinWant to get involved with AFCPE®?Here are a few places to start: Become a Member, Sign up for an Essentials Course, or Get AFC Certified today!Want to support the podcast? We love partnering with organizations that share our mission and values. Download our media kit.

In this thought-provoking episode of Real Money, Real Experts, Rachael and Mary are joined by Wendy De La Rosa, Assistant Professor at the Wharton School and behavioral finance expert, to dive deep into the psychology behind our financial decisions. Wendy shares how behavioral science can reshape the way we approach saving, spending, and budgeting, offering practical strategies to build healthier money habits and eliminate financial shame. We’ll also explore why money remains a taboo topic, the role of AI in personal finance, and how to create an environment that supports financial well-being. Whether you’re looking to get a handle on your budget, gain confidence in your financial decisions, or simply understand why we think the way we do about money, this episode is packed with insights to help you take control of your financial future.Show Notes: 04:18 Why we don't talk money (& why we should)05:36 Financial Shame no more08:06 Practical tips to talk about money with your loved ones10:02 A sneak peek into Wendy's next project13:00 Why a spreadsheet is not the answer for financial wellbeing 17:29 How to bring women into the financial conversation20:31 How AI will influence personal finances22:45 Wendy's top resources for financial conversations23:53 Wendy's 2 centsShow Note Links:  Wendy's Linkedin Wendy's X/Twitter  Your Money, Your Mind Ted Talk Wendy's Ted TalkWant to get involved with AFCPE®?Here are a few places to start: Become a Member, Sign up for an Essentials Course, or Get AFC Certified today!Want to support the podcast? We love partnering with organizations that share our mission and values. Download our media kit.

In this insightful episode of Real Money, Real Experts, we sit down with Syble Solomon, the visionary behind Money Habitudes and a trailblazer in the world of financial behavior. Syble shares her unique journey, from her early career as a Peace Corps volunteer to becoming a Financial Behavior Specialist, transforming how people understand their relationship with money. We explore her "deck of cards" approach to life, the pivotal moments that shaped her work, and how AFCPE® has played a crucial role in her success. Get a sneak peek into AFCPE 2024, learn about Syble’s breakthrough moments with debt, and hear her powerful message about being bold in your money habits. This episode is packed with wisdom, motivation, and practical advice for meeting people where they are and empowering them to move forward.Show Notes: 02:53 Who is Syble Solomon?06:39 The beginning of Money Habitudes09:55 Syble's debt breakthrough 11:34 Dealing with the deck of cards life throws at you16:45 AFCPE to the rescue!17:28 How AFCPE impacted Money Habitudes20:10 Safe and Sound: A sneak peek at AFCPE2024!28:40 How to be bold in your money habits33:44 Syble's 2 centsShow Note Links:  https://www.moneyhabitudes.com/ https://shop.moneyhabitudes.com/cards/ https://www.afcpe.org/symposium/ https://www.freefrom.org/ Want to get involved with AFCPE®?Here are a few places to start: Become a Member, Sign up for an Essentials Course, or Get AFC Certified today!Want to support the podcast? We love partnering with organizations that share our mission and values. Download our media kit.

In this keynote episode of Real Money, Real Experts, we’re diving into the power of movement—whether it’s moving beyond cultural gaps, moving through discomfort, or moving towards impactful change. Join us as we kick off the Symposium Keynote series with two incredible guests, David Scherer and Joe Davis, who are experts in bridging the diversity gap through thoughtful, grace-based conversations. David and Joe share their insights on how we can just move beyond guilt, blame, and shame, creating brave spaces where we can challenge ourselves to embrace discomfort and grow.David Scherer, an educator, speaker, and performer, brings over 20 years of experience in intercultural development and anti-racism work across the globe. Joe Davis, an award-winning artist and educator, uses poetry, music, and dance to reshape culture and connect communities. Together, they share their unique approaches to facilitating impactful conversations around race, money, and culture.Tune in to learn how we can start building bridges across cultural differences and move towards a more inclusive and empathetic world. It all starts with the courage to just move.Show Notes: 03:07 Your "JustMove" crash course05:52 Getting to know David 08:14 Getting to know Joe11:12 What is money culture & implicit bias?12:41 How to foster a culture of money curiosity14:13 The power of conversation & accountability in financial counseling18:04 Practice makes progress 21:24 Action steps to breaking free from discomfort & creating brave spaces27:59 David's & Joe's 2 centsShow Note Links:@justmoveculture, @joedavispoetry, and @agapedave1 For more information on their work, go to www.justmoveculture.com  Joedavispoetry.com: https://www.joedavispoetry.com/ Joe’s books: https://www.joedavispoetry.com/books Want to get involved with AFCPE®?Here are a few places to start: Become a Member, Sign up for an Essentials Course, or Get AFC Certified today!Want to support the podcast? We love partnering with organizations that share our mission and values. Download our media kit.

In this episode of Real Money, Real Experts, we sit down with Cara Macksoud, the dynamic CEO of Money Habitudes, who shares her remarkable journey from a 15-year career on Wall Street to becoming a leading voice in the behavioral finance space. Cara’s insights reveal how money is more than just numbers—it's a tool with its own hopes and dreams. We explore her unique perspective that “personal finance is anything but personal,” and learn why having small, meaningful conversations about money can lead to big changes in our financial lives. Whether you're looking to unlock the 'money genie' within or understand how every dollar can be an arrow in your financial quiver, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical advice.Show Notes:02:27 The journey of becoming the CEO of Money Habitudes09:32 Why we are more similar than different 10:54 The impact of our financial behaviors14:43 How Money Habitudes helps you create your own story 24:16 Why loud budgeting may not be the answer27:28 The power of intentionality 31:00 How to foster positive financial habits32:53 Cara's 2 centsShow Note Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/caramacksoud/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/money-habitudes Cara@moneyhabitudes.com  https://www.moneyhabitudes.com/ https://shop.moneyhabitudes.com/ Want to get involved with AFCPE®?Here are a few places to start: Become a Member, Sign up for an Essentials Course, or Get AFC Certified today!Want to support the podcast? We love partnering with organizations that share our mission and values. Download our media kit.

In this episode of Real Money, Real Experts, we sit down with Dr. Tiffany Murray, AFC®️ the Managing Director of the Society for Financial Education and Professional Development, Inc. (SFEPD). Tiffany shares her journey from leading Red to Black®️ Peer Financial Coaching at Texas Tech University to becoming a driving force behind SFEPD’s financial literacy programs. We explore how her core purpose and mission align with empowering the next generation to make informed money decisions. Tiffany discusses the innovative use of Money Management Essentials (MME) to train student ambassadors, offering insights into bridging the gap between old and new financial knowledge. Tune in to learn how Tiffany is paving the way for financial education that transcends generations and empowers youth to take control of their financial futures.Show Notes:02:12 Catching up with Tiffany!07:01 The impact & power of student ambassadors 16:03 Why the future of financial coaching is bright 19:35 Insight into the AFCPE Archives Project21:54 What led Tiffany to the AFC24:33 Tiffany's go-to FinLit resources25:36 Tiffany's 2 centsShow Note Links:Tiffany's Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/tiffany-murray-ph-d-afc®️-a975b325   Want to get involved with AFCPE®?Here are a few places to start: Become a Member, Sign up for an Essentials Course, or Get AFC Certified today!Want to support the podcast? We love partnering with organizations that share our mission and values. Download our media kit.

"Would you believe that all of those things are part of the AFC program? It's like a warm, fuzzy blanket that I wear at night."Jessica Medina is not throwing away her shot.This week on Real Money, Real Experts, we welcome Jessica Medina, a dedicated Accredited Financial Counselor®️ who transitioned from a career in law to follow her true passion. Jessica's journey highlights the power of embracing life's unexpected paths and finding fulfillment in new dreams.In this episode, Jessica shares her inspiring story of letting go of one dream to pursue another, and how she discovered her true calling in financial coaching. She discusses the importance of following the path life presents to you, even when the answers aren't clear at first, especially when starting a private practice. Join us for a heartfelt conversation on finding your path, embracing uncertainty, and the impact of personal passions on professional success.Show Notes: 2:00 The Hamiltune's are back!03:37 Jessica's transition from law to pursuing her passion06:34 The secret to starting your private practice09:02 Unlocking the entrepreneur mindset11:41 How collaboration & networking are your secret weapon 15:43 The power behind stepping outside of your comfort zone 18:31 Why you need to set boundaries 21:18 What led Jessica to the AFC 27:29 Handling life's transitions & saying yes 30:17 Jessica's 2 centsShow Note Links: https://www.jessicamedinallc.com/studentloanseries Website: https://www.jessicamedinallc.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicamedinallc Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jessicamedinallc Instagram: @jessicamedinallc YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9_kStA0zw2Want to get involved with AFCPE®?Here are a few places to start: Become a Member, Sign up for an Essentials Course, or Get AFC Certified today!Want to support the podcast? We love partnering with organizations that share our mission and values. Download our media kit.