John Pelletier, Director of the Center for Financial Literacy at Champlain College, delves into the current state of financial education in the United States, centering on Pelletier's recent research report that evaluates states based on their personal finance education policies. The discussion underscores the positive strides made by several states, with seven now earning an A grade, while highlighting the potential underestimation of progress as more states are in the process of implementing favorable laws. The bipartisan support for financial education, reflected in overwhelming approval of related bills, is noted, with Pelletier attributing accelerated legislation post-COVID to lawmakers recognizing constituents' financial struggles.The conversation also covers the economic benefits of financial literacy, ongoing initiatives to improve education in various states, and the influence of Pelletier's annual report on shaping state policies.

In this podcast episode, Daniel Hiebert, Associate Professor of Financial Planning at Minnesota State University, and his student Aidan Ryan discuss core financial planning principles, effective teaching strategies, and Aidan's unique perspective. Both share personal money memories, emphasizing experiences with savings accounts and challenges tied to family finances. Daniel underscores the experiential education focus in their CFP Board-certified program, aiming to graduate well-rounded candidates. The dialogue delves into the evolving financial planning landscape, discussing collaborative client-planner relationships and concluding with insights into the fiduciary standard and the importance of trust in client-advisor relationships.

Priscilla Guerra of Impact Early College High School (Baytown, TX) and Yra Climaco of Castiac High School (Castiac, CA) joins us on the NGPF Podcast as the National Grand Prize Winners of the 2023 Payback Challenge. Both winners discuss their lessons from playing Payback, emphasizing the importance of education, work-life balance, and financial consciousness in college. Tune in for an inspiring conversation with these exceptional students!

Rachel Labi, a student at Purdue University, entrepreneur, and Co-Founder of Building Financial Freedom, shares her journey through personal finance education, internships, and social entrepreneurship.

Caleb Silver, the editor-in-chief of Investopedia, leads the platform's adoption of a user-centric pull strategy, catering to 18 to 22 million monthly users actively seeking financial information. The platform houses a vast collection of continually updated content, with a focus on serving students and individuals with specific financial queries. Silver highlights the uniqueness of each user's search, emphasizing the platform's role in delivering an educational narrative about the world of money. Investopedia maintains around 40,000 articles and definitions, prioritizing content updates and the creation of new material. Silver discusses the current popularity of search terms, including bank failures, bonds, and discussions around the American dream, reflecting user sentiments. The conversation concludes with insights into Investopedia's widely used stock market simulator, a valuable tool for investment education.

Professor Hal Hershfield from UCLA's Anderson School of Management discusses key concepts from his book, "Your Future Self: How to Make Tomorrow Better Today." First, he recommends a departure from traditional goal-setting and the use of proxies. Instead, his primary focus is on narrowing the gap between our present and future selves, emphasizing health choices, prudent financial decisions for retirement, and commitment to financial and fitness goals. Hershfield addresses the challenge of forming an emotional connection with one's future self, proposing practical exercises like writing letters and using technology to evoke a vivid future self. He also introduces practical tools like commitment devices for better financial decision-making. Overall, Professor Hal Hershfield recommends reframing the way financial education is taught.

Today on the show, Yanley is joined by Greg Ratliff, a Vice President at the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisor's New York Office with a main role of advising investors on portfolios to generate both social and financial returns. Working in the field of philanthropy for the last 35 years, he joins us on the show to talk about his passion for developing and executing coordinated grant and investment strategies that improve livelihoods for low-income and disadvantaged populations. Listen to this podcast to hear invaluable insights on how to pursue a career in philanthropy.

James Redelsheimer and Derek D'Angelo from the Foundation for Economic Education discuss their passion for and background in financial literacy as well as AI's role in teaching. Both educators turned curriculum developers begin by sharing their experiences advocating for personal finance education legislation in their respective states. They then emphasize the power of AI tools, particularly ChatGPT, in enhancing teaching efficiency. The educators showcase creative uses, like role-playing scenarios with historical figures or economists and aiding students in analyzing data or creating arguments. Despite the benefits, they also acknowledge the importance of carefully crafting prompts and remaining vigilant about potential inaccuracies in AI-generated content.

Cara Macksoud, the CEO of Money Habitudes, transitioned from being an ETF trader on Wall Street to becoming a passionate advocate for financial education. Her journey began when she worked with unbanked youth and discovered their mistrust of financial institutions, sparking her interest in financial literacy. Teaching these individuals the importance of banking and overcoming their resistance served as a valuable foundation for her work. Cara later acquired the Money Habitudes tool, aimed at uncovering financial behavior patterns and beliefs. Her journey highlights the significance of accessible and relatable financial education for people of all backgrounds and financial situations.

In this podcast episode, Crystina Cardozo, an educator and real estate investor, shares her journey into real estate investing and offers valuable insights into the world of short-term rentals. She discusses her experiences buying properties in the Poconos and expanding into other areas, highlighting the importance of developing systems and networking with other investors. Crystina also emphasizes the need to create an open dialogue about money, both with students and her own children, to foster financial literacy.