NGPF Podcast

What happens when a class of 5th graders who can multiply decimals in their heads freezes in an aquarium gift shop, unable to tell if they have enough money for a souvenir? That moment sent Lauren Langlois from the math classroom into curriculum design, and on this episode, Tim talks to Lauren and Jessica Chung of FitMoney to talk about what personal finance education actually looks like in kindergarten through middle school. They share how 2nd graders run a greeting card company, why a needs-versus-wants debate over a roll of paper towels convinced their founders to ditch click-through lessons, and how their free Super Squad game lets kids make money mistakes safely before anything goes on their permanent record. You'll also hear how a former NFL player helps amplify their message, and why high schoolers are suddenly asking how to write a check. If you want a spark of inspiration, this one's for you!

NGPF Speaker Series: Join us for a conversation with Daania and Adriana, two inspiring high school students that have developed a strong passion for financial literacy, business, and youth leadership. They will share how their involvement in DECA has led them to create a financial literacy project that advanced to the international level. They will also share more about how they organized a school-wide credit fair designed to teach their peers about credit, budgeting, and personal finance, making financial education more accessible and relatable for their peers. In this conversation, Daania and Adriana reflect on their journey, the challenges and opportunities they have encountered, and how these experiences have shaped their future goals. Both plan to pursue careers in business and finance, with an interest in the pre-law track, and are committed to empowering other students to take control of their financial futures.

What if the most powerful shift in your financial education classroom isn't a new lesson, but a new way of talking about money? In this episode, Dr. Darla Bishop, author of How to Afford Everything, joins Yanely Espinal for an honest, energizing conversation about teaching money with possibility, not shame. From why struggling financially doesn't mean someone is "bad with money" to how small wins can build confidence, Bishop shares insights to help you connect with students whose financial realities don't always fit traditional advice. You'll leave with fresh ways to frame classroom conversations and a little encouragement for your own financial journey, too.

NGPF Speaker Series: Historian Jonathan D. Cohen, author of Losing Big: America's Reckless Bet on Sports Gambling, explores how the rapid expansion of legalized gambling has reshaped American culture, policy, and personal finance. Sports betting is no longer just about who wins the game—and today's teens are growing up with a casino in their pocket. Jonathan talks about the apps, parlays, and prediction markets reshaping gambling. Hear why telling students "you'll never win" can backfire—and how educators can deliver a message that sticks.

Ten years ago, Seema Hingorani founded Girls Who Invest to close the gender gap in investment management, and today the nonprofit has trained more than 4,000 alumni, partnered with the biggest names on Wall Street, and built one of the most respected pipelines into finance! In this conversation, Seema shares what it took to build the organization and draw on a three-decade career that has spanned hedge funds, the $160 billion NYC Retirement Systems, and now Morgan Stanley Investment Management. She offers students a rare window into what a career in investment management really looks like.

Could the lessons you teach today change your students' financial futures by millions of dollars? In "The $5 Million Payoff for a Financially Literate High School Graduate," Paul Merriman uses historical returns and hypothetical investing scenarios to make the case for starting early, keeping costs low, and staying invested. He explores how choices about stocks, bonds, retirement accounts, and automated saving can produce dramatically different long-term outcomes. Teachers will hear ideas for making those choices memorable, including a classroom display of financial literacy's lifetime benefits and quotes students can carry beyond graduation. Listen for a motivating reminder that financial education is about more than building wealth: it can help students imagine a future with greater security, generosity, and freedom.

What does diversification really mean beyond "don't put all your eggs in one basket," and how can you make that lesson stick with students? In this episode, Paul explores "The Inside Story About Diversification," using historical examples to show why owning hundreds of stocks isn't the same as spreading risk across different types of investments. He highlights classroom-friendly tools, including a colorful "quilt chart" of investment returns, to explain why yesterday's winners aren't always tomorrow's leaders. You'll also hear how bonds, index funds, and target-date funds fit into the bigger picture, and why staying invested matters more than always having the best-performing portfolio. Tune in for concrete examples that can sharpen your investing lessons while giving you a fresh lens on your own retirement portfolio.

What does diversification really mean beyond "don't put all your eggs in one basket," and how can you make that lesson stick with students? In this episode, Paul explores "The Inside Story About Diversification," using historical examples to show why owning hundreds of stocks isn't the same as spreading risk across different types of investments. He highlights classroom-friendly tools, including a colorful "quilt chart" of investment returns, to explain why yesterday's winners aren't always tomorrow's leaders. You'll also hear how bonds, index funds, and target-date funds fit into the bigger picture, and why staying invested matters more than always having the best-performing portfolio. Tune in for concrete examples that can sharpen your investing lessons while giving you a fresh lens on your own retirement portfolio.

Is trying to beat the market actually holding your investments back? In this episode, investing educator Paul Merriman breaks down the case for index funds and explores how fees, taxes, and frequent trading can quietly chip away at your investment returns. He challenges common investing myths, explains why not all index funds are alike, and introduces approaches that look beyond the S&P 500. Plus, you'll hear what he learned during a memorable meeting with Vanguard's founder John Bogle, and why their retirement goals differed. Tune in to learn more about how a simpler investing approach could help you keep more of your money and stay focused on your financial future.

Could starting just five years earlier or keeping a little more of your investment returns for yourself really change your financial future by millions? In this episode, investing educator Paul Merriman explores the math and history behind small decisions with potentially life-changing results. He explains why fees matter, how diversification helps investors avoid chasing yesterday's winners, and why a market downturn can offer opportunities for someone just getting started. Whether you're investing yourself or teaching students, tune in for compelling examples that make long-term investing feel more approachable and reveal why you don't need to start big to think big!