In this special season finale, Rachael and Mary bring you voices of #ExperienceAFCPE2024 attendees directly from the symposium floor. Attendees share their experiences, key takeaways, and advice for financial educators and those entering the field. This compilation of mini-interviews offers unique insights into the world of financial education and the power of shared learning.

This episode is also Mary’s final episode as podcast co-host. After 5 years, Mary is passing the baton to a new co-host – to be announced in the new year. Mary and Rachael reminisce about the good times, the laughter, and look forward to a new chapter in 2025.

Show Notes:
00:02 Welcome to the Season 5 finale of Real Money, Real Experts 
12:32 Switching it up for this year's Symposium Recap 
14:43 Voices of Symposium ft. the AFCPE Community
33:15 Mary's farewell 
36:53 See you in February with Season 6!

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In this powerful episode of Real Money, Real Experts, Rachael DeLeon and Dr. Mary Bell Carlson sit down with Dr. Michael G. Thomas Jr., a financial empathy expert and lecturer at the University of Georgia, who is changing the way we think about money and wealth. As an Accredited Financial Counselor® (AFC®), Dr. Thomas’s work emphasizes the importance of empathy, self-compassion, and active listening in financial counseling and planning. We explore his unique philosophy that the journey to financial health is deeply relational—not just about personal gain but about shouldering each other’s burdens and celebrating each other's successes.

Dr. Thomas shares insights from his book, Black Financial Culture: Building Wealth from the Inside Out, and we dive into the impact of brain function on financial behavior and the essential role of data visualization in helping individuals see their financial paths more clearly. Dr. Thomas’s message is clear: we don’t all start or end at the same place, and it's about recognizing our shared struggles and learning how to thrive collectively.

Show Notes:
02:41 A Glimpse Into Michael's Keynote Speech 
07:21 It's Not You, It's the System 
12:22 Digging into Michael's book "Black Financial Culture"
17:58 Unpacking cultural norms
22:18 The importance of genuine connection 
27:13 Why the AFCPE Symposium is a constant 
29:58 Michael's 2 Cents 

Show Note Links:
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/moneyandwellness/
Twitter @Modomsolutions
Instagram @modomsolutions
Tik Tok @modomsolutions

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, we tackle the evolving world of financial fraud and how we can break the cycle of shame that often keeps victims silent. In this exclusive sneak peek of their keynote session at this year’s symposium, Lori Schock, Director of the SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, and Robert Mascio, Director of Investor Education Outreach at FINRA, share compelling stories of today’s most sophisticated scams such as AI-driven impersonation schemes. Lori and Robert explain how fraudsters exploit trust and emotion, and why it's crucial to have open conversations about these tactics. By discussing fraud openly, we can empower victims, protect ourselves, and make more informed decisions. 

Don’t miss this insightful preview into the strategies you can use to safeguard against these evolving threats. 

Show Notes:
02:50 What is the SEC? 
04:08 What is FINRA? 
05:56 Lori's career path to the SEC
08:59 Robert's career path to FINRA
11:30 How the financial fraud landscape has changed 
12:30 The rise of technology has impacted the financial fraud landscape 
16:26 How to spot an impersonation scam
18:11 Resources to protect yourself against financial scams
20:02 Why conversations are vital to break the guilt & shame victims experience
22:36 Lori's 2 cents
24:51 Robert's 2 cents

Show Note Links:
SEC Website
Investor.gov 
FINRA's BrokerCheck
FINRA’s Website
Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website
Help for Seniors Website
Help for Seniors phoneline: 844-574-3577
Investor.gov phoneline: 1-800-732-0330
Robert Mascio's 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.

In this thought-provoking episode of Real Money, Real Experts, Rachael and Mary are joined by Wendy De La Rosa, Assistant Professor at the Wharton School and behavioral finance expert, to dive deep into the psychology behind our financial decisions. 

Wendy shares how behavioral science can reshape the way we approach saving, spending, and budgeting, offering practical strategies to build healthier money habits and eliminate financial shame. We’ll also explore why money remains a taboo topic, the role of AI in personal finance, and how to create an environment that supports financial well-being. 

Whether you’re looking to get a handle on your budget, gain confidence in your financial decisions, or simply understand why we think the way we do about money, this episode is packed with insights to help you take control of your financial future.

Show Notes:
04:18 Why we don't talk money (& why we should)
05:36 Financial Shame no more
08:06 Practical tips to talk about money with your loved ones
10:02 A sneak peek into Wendy's next project
13:00 Why a spreadsheet is not the answer for financial wellbeing 
17:29 How to bring women into the financial conversation
20:31 How AI will influence personal finances
22:45 Wendy's top resources for financial conversations
23:53 Wendy's 2 cents

Show Note Links:  
Wendy's Linkedin
Wendy's X/Twitter 
Your Money, Your Mind Ted Talk
Wendy's Ted Talk

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 insightful episode of Real Money, Real Experts, we sit down with Syble Solomon, the visionary behind Money Habitudes and a trailblazer in the world of financial behavior. Syble shares her unique journey, from her early career as a Peace Corps volunteer to becoming a Financial Behavior Specialist, transforming how people understand their relationship with money. We explore her "deck of cards" approach to life, the pivotal moments that shaped her work, and how AFCPE® has played a crucial role in her success.

 Get a sneak peek into AFCPE 2024, learn about Syble’s breakthrough moments with debt, and hear her powerful message about being bold in your money habits. This episode is packed with wisdom, motivation, and practical advice for meeting people where they are and empowering them to move forward.

Show Notes:
02:53 Who is Syble Solomon?
06:39 The beginning of Money Habitudes
09:55 Syble's debt breakthrough
11:34 Dealing with the deck of cards life throws at you
16:45 AFCPE to the rescue!
17:28 How AFCPE impacted Money Habitudes
20:10 Safe and Sound: A sneak peek at AFCPE2024!
28:40 How to be bold in your money habits
33:44 Syble's 2 cents

Show Note Links: 
https://www.moneyhabitudes.com/
https://shop.moneyhabitudes.com/cards/
https://www.afcpe.org/symposium/
https://www.freefrom.org/ 

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 keynote episode of Real Money, Real Experts, we’re diving into the power of movement—whether it’s moving beyond cultural gaps, moving through discomfort, or moving towards impactful change. 

Join us as we kick off the Symposium Keynote series with two incredible guests, David Scherer and Joe Davis, who are experts in bridging the diversity gap through thoughtful, grace-based conversations. David and Joe share their insights on how we can just move beyond guilt, blame, and shame, creating brave spaces where we can challenge ourselves to embrace discomfort and grow.

David Scherer, an educator, speaker, and performer, brings over 20 years of experience in intercultural development and anti-racism work across the globe. Joe Davis, an award-winning artist and educator, uses poetry, music, and dance to reshape culture and connect communities. Together, they share their unique approaches to facilitating impactful conversations around race, money, and culture.

Tune in to learn how we can start building bridges across cultural differences and move towards a more inclusive and empathetic world. It all starts with the courage to just move.

Show Notes:
03:07 Your "JustMove" crash course
05:52 Getting to know David
08:14 Getting to know Joe
11:12 What is money culture & implicit bias?
12:41 How to foster a culture of money curiosity
14:13 The power of conversation & accountability in financial counseling
18:04 Practice makes progress
21:24 Action steps to breaking free from discomfort & creating brave spaces
27:59 David's & Joe's 2 cents

Show Note Links:
@justmoveculture, @joedavispoetry, and @agapedave1
For more information on their work, go to www.justmoveculture.com 
Joedavispoetry.com: https://www.joedavispoetry.com/
Joe’s books: https://www.joedavispoetry.com/books 

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, we sit down with Cara Macksoud, the dynamic CEO of Money Habitudes, who shares her remarkable journey from a 15-year career on Wall Street to becoming a leading voice in the behavioral finance space. Cara’s insights reveal how money is more than just numbers—it's a tool with its own hopes and dreams. We explore her unique perspective that “personal finance is anything but personal,” and learn why having small, meaningful conversations about money can lead to big changes in our financial lives. Whether you're looking to unlock the 'money genie' within or understand how every dollar can be an arrow in your financial quiver, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical advice.

Show Notes:

02:27 The journey of becoming the CEO of Money Habitudes
09:32 Why we are more similar than different 
10:54 The impact of our financial behaviors
14:43 How Money Habitudes helps you create your own story 
24:16 Why loud budgeting may not be the answer
27:28 The power of intentionality 
31:00 How to foster positive financial habits
32:53 Cara's 2 cents

Show Note Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/caramacksoud/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/money-habitudes 

[email protected]  

https://www.moneyhabitudes.com/ 

https://shop.moneyhabitudes.com/ 

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, we sit down with Dr. Tiffany Murray, AFC®️ the Managing Director of the Society for Financial Education and Professional Development, Inc. (SFEPD). Tiffany shares her journey from leading Red to Black®️ Peer Financial Coaching at Texas Tech University to becoming a driving force behind SFEPD’s financial literacy programs. We explore how her core purpose and mission align with empowering the next generation to make informed money decisions. Tiffany discusses the innovative use of Money Management Essentials (MME) to train student ambassadors, offering insights into bridging the gap between old and new financial knowledge.
 
Tune in to learn how Tiffany is paving the way for financial education that transcends generations and empowers youth to take control of their financial futures.

Show Notes:

02:12 Catching up with Tiffany!

07:01 The impact & power of student ambassadors 

16:03 Why the future of financial coaching is bright 

19:35 Insight into the AFCPE Archives Project

21:54 What led Tiffany to the AFC

24:33 Tiffany's go-to FinLit resources

25:36 Tiffany's 2 cents

Show Note Links:

Tiffany's Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/tiffany-murray-ph-d-afc®️-a975b325  

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.

"Would you believe that all of those things are part of the AFC program? It's like a warm, fuzzy blanket that I wear at night."

Jessica Medina is not throwing away her shot.

This week on Real Money, Real Experts, we welcome Jessica Medina, a dedicated Accredited Financial Counselor®️ who transitioned from a career in law to follow her true passion. Jessica's journey highlights the power of embracing life's unexpected paths and finding fulfillment in new dreams.

In this episode, Jessica shares her inspiring story of letting go of one dream to pursue another, and how she discovered her true calling in financial coaching. She discusses the importance of following the path life presents to you, even when the answers aren't clear at first, especially when starting a private practice. Join us for a heartfelt conversation on finding your path, embracing uncertainty, and the impact of personal passions on professional success.

Show Notes: 
2:00 The Hamiltune's are back!
03:37 Jessica's transition from law to pursuing her passion
06:34 The secret to starting your private practice
09:02 Unlocking the entrepreneur mindset
11:41 How collaboration & networking are your secret weapon 
15:43 The power behind stepping outside of your comfort zone 
18:31 Why you need to set boundaries 
21:18 What led Jessica to the AFC 
27:29 Handling life's transitions & saying yes 
30:17 Jessica's 2 cents

Show Note Links:
https://www.jessicamedinallc.com/studentloanseries 

Website: https://www.jessicamedinallc.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicamedinallc 

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jessicamedinallc 

Instagram: @jessicamedinallc 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9_kStA0zw2

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.

This week on Real Money, Real Experts, we delve into the power of community and advocacy with Raven Newberry, AFC®. Raven Newberry is the managing director of policy and advocacy for the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE), leading efforts to shape financial education policies on state and national levels. In this episode, we discuss how using your voice to advocate for change can create powerful ripples throughout your community. Join us as we explore the collective fingerprints of the AFCPE community in supporting the passing of crucial legislation and the impact we can make at the local and community level.

Show Notes: 
02:59 Raven's top horror movie pick for the summer
03:41 The perfect blend of geography & personal finance
05:12 Why public policy and advocacy matter
07:17 The catalyst of the financial education movement 
10:33 How to begin your advocacy journey
13:16 The power of community & longevity in your advocacy journey 
21:05 Raven's 2 cents

Show Notes Link:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/raven-newberry-5baa9774/
https://www.nefe.org/about/our-team/default.aspx
https://www.nefe.org/initiatives/ecosystem/default.aspx, https://www.nefe.org/impact/policy-and-advocacy/default.aspx, https://www.nefe.org/impact/policy-and-advocacy/policy-tracker.aspx
https://fined50.org/
https://www.ngpf.org/
https://www.jumpstart.org/
https://www.cee.org/ 

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.