Ethics of Gamification and Intent

What if you could sit down with the people actually building the future of personal finance and just... ask them everything?

That's exactly what happens in this episode. Joe Saul-Sehy gathers three FinTech insiders around the basement table—Peter Polson (founder, Tiller), Aaron Froug (founder, Grifin), and Ryan Ruff (longtime FinTech pro, Array)—for a rare look inside the industry that's reshaping how we handle money.

This isn't about pitching their products. It's about understanding how FinTech actually works, where it's headed, and how everyday people can use these tools more effectively. Peter and Aaron share what they've learned building companies from the ground up, while Ryan pulls back the curtain on the infrastructure most people never see but rely on every single day.

The conversation goes deep: What are most people getting wrong about money apps? How can you get more value from the tools you're already using? Where is AI actually making finance easier (versus just adding complexity)? And as creators, how can they design tools that genuinely help people instead of just creating more digital clutter?

You'll also hear their take on what's coming next—the innovations that'll matter in five years, the trends that are overhyped, and the blind spots the industry still needs to address. Whether you're a FinTech skeptic or an early adopter, this conversation will change how you think about the apps sitting on your phone right now.

What You'll Walk Away With:

• The insider perspective on how FinTech tools are actually designed—and what builders wish users understood

• How to get more value from the financial apps you're already using (most people only scratch the surface)

• Where the industry is headed: what innovations are real and what's just hype

• Why some tools work for some people but fail for others—and how to find your fit

• The infrastructure that makes your financial apps work (and what breaks when it doesn't)

• How AI is changing personal finance in practical ways, not just buzzword ways

• What FinTech creators are trying to solve—and where they admit the industry still falls short

This Episode Is For You If:

• You're curious about what's actually happening inside the FinTech world

• You want to use your money apps smarter, not just download more of them

• You're wondering what's coming next in personal finance tech and whether it'll actually help

• You've felt like financial tools are being built for someone else, not for you

• You want the insider perspective without the sales pitch—just honest conversation from people who live this every day

Before You Hit Play, Think About This:

What's one thing you wish your money apps could do better? Drop it in the comments—these are exactly the kinds of insights that help creators build tools that actually work for real people.

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/the-current-state-and-future-of-fintech-1764

Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201

Enjoy!

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