Real Money, Real Experts

2025 was full of insightful conversations, and in this special episode, Rachael DeLeon and Dr. Brandy Baxter revisit some of the most impactful moments from the year. From defining true wealth to building trust with clients, our guests share nuggets of wisdom that inspire both financial professionals and everyday money managers alike.Join us as we highlight key takeaways from Justin Chastain, John Ackerman, Ericka Young, Joanne Danganan, and Colleen Salchow. You'll hear about building self-worth, the power of journaling, military family money lessons, and the importance of compound interest. This is a celebration of learning, growth, and actionable advice to help you and your clients thrive in 2026.Tune in to leave with your own “two cents” for the year ahead!Shownotes:00:04 Welcome to our 2025 round up01:09 Justin Chastain: Wealth vs. Brand04:57 Jon Ackerman: Helping the Underserved08:31 Ericka Young: Financial Coaching & Building Trust11:42 Joanne Danganan: Journaling & Money Conversations15:47Colleen Salchow: Military Family Money LessonsWant 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.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Ann Lentell, CFA, AFC®️, CFP®️ — a financial professional whose career bridges equity research, nonprofit leadership, and deeply human financial coaching.Ann shares how a childhood curiosity about markets led to a lifelong passion for personal finance, and how a transformative college class sparked her commitment to helping families build savings and stability.We dive into her decade at Compass Working Capital, where she scaled financial coaching programs for families in federally subsidized housing, and explore how culturally competent, client-centered coaching can shift lives.Ann also reflects on her journey to the AFC®️, what drew her to AFCPE’s mission, and how raising the bar for financial education brings greater access and equity to communities nationwide. Plus, she gives us a look ahead at her vision as AFCPE’s incoming Board President.This episode is filled with heart, strategy, and a powerful reminder that every financial story deserves dignity and high-quality guidance.Show Notes:03:31 – Get to know AFCPE's 2026 Board President, Ann Lentell07:26 – What drew Ann to AFCPE12:39 – Brandy reflects on Ann’s impact on the AFCPE board12:58 – How nonprofits can raise financial education standards13:37 – The role of credentials and combating misinformation online17:11 – Why the AFC pathway matters17:58 – Ann's 2 CentsWant 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.

Join hosts Rachael DeLeon and Dr. Brandy Baxter live from the AFCPE Symposium for a special episode capturing the energy, insights, and inspiration of this year’s event.In this unique format, you’ll hear directly from attendees—from financial coaches to educators to organizational leaders—as they share what the Symposium means to them, the moments that moved them, and the lessons they’re taking home.You’ll hear powerful “made for this moment” reflections from:Kelsea Dickey (Financial Coach Academy)Christine Richardson (Financial Planning Association)Debra Barker (Magellan Federal)Sean Brigham (Texas Tech University)Kimberly Rand (Project Equity)Young Mao and Tanya Brinston (University of Minnesota)Whether you attended in person, joined virtually, or are listening from afar, this episode captures the heart of the AFCPE community—connection, learning, and purpose.Show Notes:00:42 Why We Were Made For This Moment02:05 Rachael’s Symposium Highlights03:10 Brandy’s Symposium Highlights08:10 Interview: Kelsea Dickey11:20 Interview: Christine Richardson13:30 Interview: Debra Barker18:00 Interview: Sean Brigham20:30 Interview: Kimberly Rand23:13 Interview: Young Mao and Tanya Brinston 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, hosts Rachael DeLeon and Dr. Brandy Baxter sit down with the iconic Saundra Davis — master certified coach, financial well-being expert, and founder of Sage Financial Solutions — to explore the deeper layers of money, mindset, and human behavior.Sandra shares her powerful journey from financial planning to financial coaching, unpacking why knowledge alone isn’t enough to create change — and how understanding our “money parts” through the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model can transform both our personal and professional relationships with money.Together, they dive into:How different parts of ourselves — the saver, the spender, the worrier, the giver — all try to protect us in their own waysWhat it means to lead from our Self in financial decision-makingHow to bring compassion, cultural humility, and mindfulness into client workWhy continuous learning, reflection, and safe community spaces like the AFCPE Symposium are vital for financial professionalsWhether you’re a coach, counselor, planner, or simply someone striving to make peace with money, this episode will leave you inspired to meet every “part” of yourself — and your clients — with grace, curiosity, and compassion.Show Notes: 03:24 Saundra’s Journey into Financial Coaching06:18 The Framework of IFS (Internal Family Systems)11:57 How to Heal Your Money Parts28:37 A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Saundra’s Pre-Conference Session36:37 Saundra’s Two CentsShow Notes Links:Listening When Parts Speak by Tamala FloydNo Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz Explore Sage Financial Solutions!Connect with Saundra on Linkedin!Connect with Saundra on Facebook!Connect with Sage Financial Solutions on Instagram!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, hosts Rachael DeLeon and Dr. Brandy Baxter sit down with Erika Wasserman, Certified Financial Therapist and author of Conversations with Your Financial Therapist: Stories and Scripts to Grow Your Financial Mindset. Erika shares how her personal journey—spanning a corporate career, global travel, motherhood, and personal transformation—shaped her holistic approach to financial well-being.Together, they unpack the emotional side of money—how values, relationships, and even shame influence the way we spend, save, and talk about finances. Erika offers practical tools for breaking money taboos, building confidence, and creating space for empathy in financial conversations.Whether you work directly with clients or are exploring your own relationship with money, this episode will inspire you to say yes to compassion and start the conversations that lead to financial clarity and confidence.Show Notes: 00:00 Welcome to Real Money, Real Experts03:13 Erika’s Journey to Financial Therapy05:08 Why Money Fights Aren’t About Money06:58 Breaking the Cycle of Money Shame09:24 The Power of Compassion in Financial Conversations10:52 How to Start Difficult Money Conversations13:36 Inside the Growing Field of Financial Therapy15:40 Why Professionals Must Know Their Own Money Story18:59 Erika’s Two CentsShow Note Links:Grab your copy of Erika's book!Connect with Erika on LinkedIn!Follow 'Your Financial Therapist' on InstagramExplore 'Your Financial Therapist' on Amazon!Check out 'Your Financial Therapist' website! 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.

What does financial health really look like in America today — and how can we help households thrive in an increasingly complex financial world? In this episode of Real Money, Real Experts, hosts Rachael DeLeon and Dr. Brandy Baxter sit down with Lisa Berdie from the Financial Health Network and Dr. Gary Mottola from the Financial Investor Education Foundation (FINRA) to uncover the latest research on financial capability, resilience, and well-being. From the Financial Health Pulse to the National Financial Capability Study, they explore what drives financial health, how major life events like job loss or medical emergencies impact households, and what behaviors can help families build stability. Lisa and Gary also discuss systemic and structural barriers, trends in credit use, and practical steps financial counselors and educators can take to empower clients. Tune in for a deep dive into data, insights, and real-world strategies to help Americans navigate their financial lives with confidence and control.Show Notes: 02:46 Get To Know Lisa & Gary06:49 The Importance of Collaboration in Financial Research08:34 Surprising Findings from the 2024 National Financial Capability Study09:28 What’s Driving Household Financial Health?16:13 Can Households Keep Up with Financial Complexity?20:00 Practical Steps to Strengthen Financial Health27:28 Lisa & Gary's 2 CentsShow Note Links:Connect with Gary on Linkedin!Explore Gary's research on FINRA!Look into Financial Health Pulse 2025 U.S. Trends Report!Connect with Lisa on Linkedin!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.

What do financial counseling, professional wrestling, and Hugh Jackman all have in common? Human connection. In this episode of Real Money, Real Experts, we sit down with international keynote speaker, author, and broadcaster Riaz Meghji to talk about why every conversation counts. With over 10,000 interviews under his belt—from celebrities to changemakers—Riaz has seen firsthand the power of meaningful dialogue. He shares how valuable vulnerability, curiosity over correction, and a beginner’s mindset can strengthen relationships and transform the way we connect with clients. We also explore the role of storytelling in financial counseling, why human connection matters more than ever in an age of polarization, and how financial professionals can make every conversation extraordinary.Show Notes: 02:00 The Fun Fact That Started It All05:26 From Finance to Human Connection08:12 Embracing the Beginner’s Mindset10:21 The Power of Co-Creation14:21 Value-Added Vulnerability23:25 Vulnerability vs. Oversharing24:14 Riaz's 2 CentsShow Note Links:Connect with Riaz on Linkedin!Connect with Riaz on Instagram!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, hosts Rachael DeLeon and Dr. Brandy Baxter sit down with financial therapist, author, and AFC®, Rahkim Sabree, to explore the complex and deeply human realities of financial trauma.Rahkim breaks down the six sources of financial trauma, from generational cycles and workplace dynamics to systemic barriers and societal expectations. He shares how financial professionals can adopt a trauma-informed lens, why empathy and language are essential in client interactions, and the importance of shifting from shame-based approaches to healing-centered ones.The conversation also gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look into Rahkim’s upcoming book Overcoming Financial Trauma (Wiley, 2025). He reflects on how writing the book transformed his own money story, the healing he’s found in revisiting his past, and why the theme of healing will anchor his keynote at the AFCPE 2025 Symposium.Whether you’re a financial professional, a community leader, or someone working to redefine your own relationship with money, this episode will leave you with tools, language, and hope to build a healthier, more compassionate approach to financial wellness.Show Notes: 01:56 Get To Know Rahkim 02:25 Defining financial trauma06:29 Who is impacted by financial trauma? 10:11 Becoming trauma-informed vs. trauma-responsive24:10 The power of personal stories in healing34:42 Empathy, bias, and client relationships35:38 Looking ahead to Rahkim’s keynote at AFCPE Symposium37:14 Rahkim's 2 CentsShow Note Links:Read Rahkim's Forbes Article!Connect with Rahkim on Linkedin! Connect with Rahkim on Instagram! Connect with Rahkim on Twitter! Visit Rahkim's website! Explore Rahkim's substack! 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.

On this episode of Real Money, Real Experts, Rachael DeLeon and Dr. Brandy Baxter sit down with Dr. Jacquie Carroll—educator, researcher, speaker, and Accredited Financial Counselor®—to talk about the power of the pivot.Jacquie shares her non-linear career journey, from higher education and HR to financial counseling and now launching her own legacy project, GameKraft, a financial education game designed to help people learn in engaging, accessible ways.Together, they explore:Why pivots—both planned and unexpected—are essential to personal and professional growth.How AFCs can prepare clients for an ever-changing workforce.The importance of leaning into community, mentorship, and side hustles.Why success isn’t about a straight path, but about being ready when preparation meets opportunity.Whether you’re considering a career change, supporting clients through transitions, or just need inspiration to embrace the unexpected, this conversation is full of wisdom, encouragement, and practical takeaways.Show Notes: 2:15 Jacquie’s Early Career6:40 Discovering Financial Counseling 12:05 Embracing Career Pivots 18:20 Building Community & Connection 24:45 The Birth of GameKraft 32:10 Legacy & Impact 38:00 Jacquie's 2 CentsShow Note Links:Learn more about Jacquie's journey!Connect with Jacquie on Linkedin!Learn about GameKraft!Jacquie's favorite resources!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.

Michelle Smoley, AFC®, a seasoned financial counselor with over 20 years of experience, shares her expertise in navigating college costs. She discusses the complexities of student loans and financial aid, addressing common misconceptions parents and students face. Michelle emphasizes the importance of early financial education and transparent conversations about college financing. She also provides insights into the FAFSA process and strategic planning for financial decision-making, helping families empower their futures.