Dre & Smiley - The Inner Circle

What if your toddler could grasp the value of money before they even enter kindergarten? In this episode, we sit down with Kelly Lee, author and illustrator of the Little Economists series—a set of children's books designed to teach financial literacy in a fun, engaging way.

Kelly shares her journey from Ivy League computer science major to quantitative trader to children's book creator, and why she believes financial education should start the moment a child sees you swipe your card at the store. We talk about how to make complex concepts like saving, spending, and investing relatable to kids, and how parents and caregivers can start meaningful money conversations early.

Whether you're a parent, teacher, or just passionate about financial education, this conversation will change the way you think about kids and money.

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Dominique Luster — storyteller, archivist, and founder of The Luster Company — whose life’s work is centered on preserving and elevating the voices of the Black diaspora. From her tenure as the Teenie Harris Archivist at the Carnegie Museum of Art to consulting with The King Center and the Getty Foundation, Dominique has become a torchbearer for Black-centered narratives.

We explore her unique journey from museum halls to TED stages, her philosophy on memory as a form of resistance, and why archival work is not just about the past, but shaping our collective future. If you've ever wondered how stories survive — and who gets to tell them — this conversation will stay with you.

🎧 Listen now to learn:

• Why storytelling is a radical act of preservation
• The behind-the-scenes of building The Luster Company
• How institutions can better honor marginalized histories
• The emotional weight of Black archival work
• What Dominique believes the future of history looks like

🔗 Tap in. This one’s more than a conversation — it’s a calling.

Get ready to travel smarter! In this episode, Julia Menez shares her journey from actuary to top-tier points strategist and explains how Geobreeze Travel flips the script on traditional travel hacking.

Listen in as she covers:

• Her pivot during the pandemic and building a brand rooted in collaboration geobreezetravel.com+11wiredforyouth.com+11investormama.com+11geobreezetravel.commedia.loyaltystatus.com+2geobreezetravel.com+2hurdygurdytravel.com+2hurdygurdytravel.com+1media.loyaltystatus.com+1chrishutchins.comgeobreezetravel.com
• Why financial stability must come before chasing points media.loyaltystatus.com
• Techniques like stacking, buyers clubs, and hotel VIP upgrades chrishutchins.com+1geobreezetravel.com+1
• Stories of students saving tens of thousands using her methods 
• The hidden perks you get beyond free flights

This is the ultimate guide for anyone who wants to go from beginner to savvy points traveler—without falling into risky credit card patterns. Tune in and start planning your next big trip…on a small budget 🎉

In this powerful recap of Episode 134, we revisit our inspiring conversation with Eloheem Ali—author, teacher, and founder of the FAMS movement (Food Forest, Foraging, Hunting, Anti-fragile, Modern Society).

Eloheem shares how his spiritual upbringing, deep-rooted family values, and life as an educator shaped his mission to help people break free from fragile modern systems. He unpacks the vision behind his two bestselling books, how food forests differ from traditional farming, and why he believes we can build tech-savvy yet earth-centered communities that thrive.

We also reflect on his greatest personal success—marrying his wife—and his unique ability to connect dots across history, culture, and spirituality.

🌱 Learn more or support the mission: www.thephilosophyoforder.com

What happens when two former Wall Street pros turn their passion for financial freedom into a movement? You get The Wealth Twins—Nadia and Nicole—financial educators and sisters on a mission to help everyday people build wealth with intention.

In this episode, we dig into the mindset, strategies, and habits that helped them retire early and live life on their own terms. Whether you're just starting your financial journey or looking to level up, The Wealth Twins drop real, practical advice you can use today.

🔍 What you'll learn:

• The money habits that matter most
• How to avoid beginner investing mistakes
• Building generational wealth from scratch
• Navigating FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early)
• How families can align on financial goals

These women don’t gatekeep—they give it to you straight, with clarity and confidence. If you’ve ever thought wealth wasn’t for you, this episode will shift your mindset for good.

📲 Follow The Wealth Twins on IG: [@thewealthtwins]

🌐 Learn more: https://wealthtwins.com/

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review—it helps others find this message!

In this special recap episode, Dre & Smiley revisit Episode 128: “Unleashing the Power of Personal Plant Medicine” featuring Elizabeth Sage, a Certified Ganjier and passionate advocate for the transformative power of cannabis.

Elizabeth opened up about her unconventional journey—what she calls “life as a labyrinth”—from greenhouse work and fashion marketing to becoming a pioneering voice in the professionalization of cannabis. As a Certified Ganjier (think sommelier, but for cannabis), Elizabeth explained how this evolving role is helping elevate cannabis culture through education, sensory analysis, and a deep respect for the plant.

This recap highlights her reflections on motherhood, her superpower of juggling priorities, and her drive to de-stigmatize cannabis by connecting ancient wisdom with modern neuroscience. We explore her emphasis on personalized medicine, safe consumption (“start low and go slow”), and the need for open conversations that move us beyond the outdated "D.A.R.E." era.

We also dig into the gritty challenges of the legal cannabis industry—from 280E tax barriers and lack of banking access, to the untapped potential of international markets and the frustrations of navigating 37 different state-level systems.

Whether you're cannabis-curious, plant-medicine-passionate, or just love hearing stories of people carving out their own path, this episode is a powerful reminder that healing and transformation are deeply personal—and often political.

🎧 Listen in and be inspired to rethink what health, healing, and community care can truly look like.

After being fired from seven jobs and hitting rock bottom with just $80 to his name, Kris Haskins made a bold pivot from music producer to real estate investor. In this powerful episode, Kris opens up about his journey—from a couch-surfing EMI publishing deal recipient to managing millions in real estate assets. He shares how he built his portfolio through creative financing, private money, and sheer hustle. Now, with two bestselling books and a top 1% YouTube channel, Kris is on a mission to raise your financial literacy through real estate and entrepreneurship. Tune in and learn how to escape the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle and buy real estate the “right” way.

What does it mean to truly become a good relative — to land, to community, to ancestors, and to the future?

In this episode, we sit down with Hilary Giovale, author of Becoming a Good Relative: Calling White Settlers toward Truth, Healing, and Repair. Hilary is a mother, writer, community organizer, and ninth-generation American settler based in Flagstaff, Arizona. As an active reparationist, she follows Indigenous and Black leadership in support of human rights, environmental justice, and equitable futures.

We explore the inner and outer work of decolonization, the role of dreams and ceremony in healing ancestral harm, and how wealth can be transformed through what Hilary calls “philanthropic alchemy.” This conversation is an invitation — to reckon with history, to feel deeply, and to repair what has been broken.

Whether you're just starting this journey or looking to deepen your practice, Hilary offers stories, frameworks, and hope for walking a different path.

• Guide to Making a Personal Reparations Plan
• Webpage with links to indie booksellers
• 100% of book proceeds are going to Decolonizing Wealth Project and Jubilee Justice

In this powerful recap of Episode 169, we revisit our conversation with Rainn Wilson—best known as Dwight Schrute from The Office—and unpack the heartfelt wisdom he shared. 🎭🌍

We reflect on his role in the film Ezra, a story that offers a refreshingly real portrayal of autism, and how it aligns with Rainn’s passion for authentic storytelling. He opens up about losing his father and how that profound experience shaped his spiritual journey.

We also dive into Rainn’s mission-driven life—how a trip to Haiti, followed by the 2010 earthquake, led him to co-found LIDÈ Haiti, a nonprofit empowering girls through education and creativity. 🙌

From navigating fame to grounding his life in the Baháʼí Faith, this episode is a deep reminder of purpose, presence, and using your platform for good. And yep—he even talks tennis! 🎾

Listen in for:

• A behind-the-scenes look at Ezra
• Reflections on grief and growth
• Rainn’s approach to fame and faith
• The origin story of LIDÈ Haiti
• And some unexpected laughs along the way

In this episode, we sit down with the incredible Aleesa Mann — a writer, data scientist, and world traveler whose life and work reflect a unique blend of creativity, intellect, and heart. Aleesa recently debuted her first play, Lost and Found: A Story of Hope, inspired by the history and resilience of Nashville’s Jefferson Street. We dive into her journey from coding healthcare solutions to crafting stories for the stage, and how she uses both data and drama to heal, inspire, and uplift.

Tune in for a conversation that’s as insightful as it is inspiring — and discover how Aleesa is building bridges between the analytical and the artistic to make a powerful impact on the world.