Real Money, Real Experts

What does the data tell us about the financial coaching and counseling profession; where is the field headed next?

In this episode of Real Money, Real Experts, we’re joined by Joshua Escalante Troesh CFP®️ | MBA and Amelie Riendl AFC®️ | PMP®️ of Financial Coaches Network to unpack findings from the State of Financial Coaching and Counseling Survey. We explore how professionals define themselves, the role of credentials like the AFC, emerging business trends, technology adoption, professional boundaries, and the importance of finding a niche.

Josh and Amelie also share what the data reveals about the profession’s growth, where coaches and counselors may need additional education or support, and how financial coaching could increasingly intersect with financial planning and advisory firms.

Plus, we discuss why financial coaches don’t need to expand into regulated services to demonstrate their value, and why the foundational work of budgeting, accountability, saving, and debt reduction remains so important.

Topics discussed include:

• How financial coaches and counselors define their roles
• What the survey reveals about credentials and professional identity
• Professional boundaries and regulated services
• Technology and efficiency in coaching practices
• Niches, revenue, and business growth
• The current state and future of the profession
• How financial coaching may fit into financial planning firms
• The importance of investing in your education, business, and practice

If you’re a financial coach, counselor, AFC, educator, or simply interested in the evolution of the profession, this conversation offers a data-driven look at where the field is today and the opportunities ahead.

Learn more about AFCPE® and AFC Certification. 

🎧 Tune in to Real Money, Real Experts for practical insights on creating financial education programs that meet people where they are.

Like, subscribe, and follow the show so you never miss a conversation with financial professionals making an impact in their communities.

Show Notes:

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction

02:15 – Why This Survey Matters

05:00 – Financial Coach vs. Financial Counselor

09:00 – Credentials & Professional Identity

12:00 – Professional Boundaries & Regulatory Risks

16:30 – Financial Coaches & Technology

19:30 – Niches, Revenue & Business Growth

23:30 – The State of the Profession

27:00 – The Future of Financial Coaching

31:00 – Investing in Your Coaching Business

34:00 – The Value of Financial Coaching

37:00 – What’s Next for Financial Coaching?

40:00 – Josh's & Amelie's 2 Cents

Connect With Our Guest

• Reach out directly via email: [email protected]
• Connect on social media: FCN on Facebook
• Participate in the survey today: 2026 State of Financial Coaching Benchmarking Survey
• Resource Mentioned: https://www.financialcoachesnetwork.com/moneycoachnetwork_career
• Resource Mentioned: https://www.financialcoachesnetwork.com/moneycoachnetwork

Listen on Your Favorite Platform

• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: Real Money, Real Experts on Apple Podcasts
• Listen on Spotify: Real Money, Real Experts on Spotify
• Listen on Amazon Music: Real Money, Real Experts on Amazon Music 
• Listen on Cast Box: Real Money, Real Experts on Castbox

About the Real Money, Real Experts Podcast

Brought to you by AFCPE®, this podcast supports, educates, and connects financial professionals with actionable insights to advance their careers and better serve their communities. 

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 happens when financial stress becomes more than just the numbers? 

In this episode of Real Money, Real Experts, Rachael DeLeon and Dr. Brandy Baxter sit down with Dr. Kristy Archuleta, a pioneer in financial therapy and professor of financial planning at the University of Georgia.

Kristy breaks down the important difference between financial stress and financial anxiety, how financial professionals can recognize when a client’s challenges go beyond the numbers, and when it may be time to refer a client to another professional. She also opens up about her own experience with burnout and the boundaries and community that helped her find her way back.

Plus, Kristy shares how her background in marriage and family therapy shaped her work in financial planning—and why technical expertise alone isn't enough when we're working with people.

Kristy will also be joining AFCPE as a keynote speaker at Symposium this November, where she’ll dive deeper into working with clients when you’re feeling overwhelmed and burned out yourself.

Learn more about AFCPE® and AFC Certification. 

🎧 Tune in to Real Money, Real Experts for practical insights on creating financial education programs that meet people where they are.

Like, subscribe, and follow the show so you never miss a conversation with financial professionals making an impact in their communities.

Show Notes:

00:00 — Welcome & Meet Dr. Kristy Archuleta

02:00 — What Does Burnout Look Like for Financial Professionals?

04:14 — Financial Stress vs. Financial Anxiety

06:16 — When It’s More Than the Numbers

08:08 — Knowing When to Make a Referral

12:15 — The Origins of Financial Therapy

16:34 — Managing Work, Family & Everything in Between

20:24 — “Farm Girl Therapy Time”

21:03 — Why Community Matters

23:09 —Kristy's 2 Cents

Connect With Our Guest

• Reach out directly via email: [email protected]
• Connect on social media: Kristy Archuleta on Linkedin
• Resource Mentioned: Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Nagoski and Nagoski
• Resource Mentioned: UGA Financial Planning

Listen on Your Favorite Platform

• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: Real Money, Real Experts on Apple Podcasts
• Listen on Spotify: Real Money, Real Experts on Spotify
• Listen on Amazon Music: Real Money, Real Experts on Amazon Music 
• Listen on Cast Box: Real Money, Real Experts on Castbox

About the Real Money, Real Experts Podcast

Brought to you by AFCPE®, this podcast supports, educates, and connects financial professionals with actionable insights to advance their careers and better serve their communities. 

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 it take to make financial education truly meaningful and accessible? 

In this episode of Real Money, Real Experts, Holly Zugay, CFP, AFC, shares her journey from chemistry to financial education and the lessons she’s learned working with diverse communities, including low-income families, veterans, homeowners facing foreclosure, and individuals transitioning from incarceration.

Holly discusses how shame, stigma, and lack of confidence can create barriers to financial well-being, and why financial professionals need to move beyond the “ivory tower” approach. She shares practical strategies for building trust, creating participant-centered financial education programs, using activities to make financial topics engaging, and measuring success through meaningful behavior change.

Holly also breaks down her Building Your Financial House program, including why she takes a long-term approach to financial education, addresses topics beyond budgeting and credit, and helps participants build confidence in their financial decisions.

Learn more about AFCPE® and AFC Certification. 

🎧 Tune in to Real Money, Real Experts for practical insights on creating financial education programs that meet people where they are.

Like, subscribe, and follow the show so you never miss a conversation with financial professionals making an impact in their communities.

Show Notes:

00:00 – Meet Holly Zugray: From Chemistry to Financial Education

02:00 – From Financial Planning to Community-Based Financial Education

04:00 – Breaking Down the Shame and Stigma Around Money

06:00 – Making Financial Education Participant-Centered

08:30 – Building Trust Through Vulnerability and Shared Experiences

11:00 – Creating a Safe Space for Financial Conversations

13:00 – How Communication Can Create Barriers for Clients

15:00 – Building Your Financial House: A Holistic Approach to Financial Wellness

20:00 – Why Financial Education Should Go Beyond Budgeting and Credit

25:00 – Designing Engaging Financial Education Programs

28:00 – Measuring Success Through Behavior Change

31:00 – What Financial Professionals Can Learn From Their Communities

34:00 – Walking in Your Clients’ Shoes Through Simulations

36:00 – Holly’s Advice: Slow and Steady Wins the Race

37:00 – Final Takeaways & How to Connect With Holly

Connect With Our Guest 

• Visit her website to learn more: PA Housing Financial Agency 
• Reach out directly via email: [email protected]
• Connect on social media: Holly Zugay on Linkedin
• Resource mentioned: A Framework for Understanding Poverty (Ruby Payne, PhD.) 

Listen on Your Favorite Platform 

• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: Real Money, Real Experts on Apple Podcasts 
• Listen on Spotify: Real Money, Real Experts on Spotify
• Listen on Amazon Music: Real Money, Real Experts on Amazon Music 
• Listen on Cast Box: Real Money, Real Experts on Castbox

About the Real Money, Real Experts Podcast 

Brought to you by AFCPE®, this podcast supports, educates, and connects financial professionals with actionable insights to advance their careers and better serve their communities. 

#AFCPodcast #FinancialCounseling #FinancialTherapy #NeurodiversityInFinance #ADHDMoneyTips #InclusivePractice 

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’re joined by Simi Mandelbaum, a certified financial therapist, accredited financial counselor, certified financial behavior specialist, and founder and CEO of Prosper Financial Wellness. Simi shares how combining financial counseling, behavioral finance, and financial therapy can help clients transform not only their finances, but their relationship with money.

Together, we explore how neurodivergence and different learning styles can impact financial behaviors, why traditional financial advice doesn’t work for everyone, and how financial professionals can create more inclusive and engaging experiences for their clients. Simi also shares practical strategies—from visual and tactile tools to gamifying financial goals—that can help clients better understand their money and build lasting financial confidence.

Plus, Simi shares her “three cents” of advice, including how to create intentional space between wanting and buying, why every “yes” is also a “no,” and the importance of practicing compassion with ourselves and our clients.

Show Notes:

00:00 Welcome Simi Mandelbaum

02:25 The “Financial Stew” Approach to Financial Wellness

03:35 Neurodivergence and Money Management

04:44 Supporting Neurodivergent Clients

08:03 Making Financial Education Tactile & Experiential

10:30 Why One-Size-Fits-All Financial Advice Doesn’t Work

13:08 How Emotions & Past Experiences Shape Financial Decisions

15:15 Creating a More Inclusive Financial Practice

18:40 The Power of Visual Reminders

19:33 From Financial Overwhelm to Financial Confidence

21:01 Supporting Different Learning Styles in Financial Services

22:12 Simi’s 3 Cents

Show Note Links:

Connect with Simi 

ADD is awesome by Penn Holderness

Do you have Financial Anxiety quiz

Qubemoney 

 Amazon Fridge Thermometer 

Ally Bank

 Vertex Debt Reduction Calculator

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.

Financial challenges are rarely just about numbers—they're about life, transitions, and the support people need along the way.

In this episode of Real Money, Real Experts, hosts Rachael DeLeon and Dr. Brandy Baxter sit down with AFC®, CFP® Dedrick Curtis to discuss the unique financial realities facing veterans, military families, and caregivers. As Program Manager for the Veterans Benefits Banking Program and founder of Penny Earned Financial, Dedrick shares how behavioral finance, financial counseling, and financial planning work together to help people navigate everything from financial crises to long-term wealth building.

Together, they explore the difference between financial counseling and financial planning, why collaboration among financial professionals leads to better client outcomes, and how empathy, trust, and financial education can empower individuals through every stage of their financial journey.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome & Guest Introduction

02:26 – What Is the Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP)?

04:53 – The Biggest Financial Challenges Veterans Face Today

06:37 – Why Personal Finance Is More Personal Than Finance

08:25 – Financial Counseling vs. Financial Planning: What's the Difference?

11:50 – Financial Journeys Aren't Always Linear

12:18 – How Financial Counselors and Planners Can Better Collaborate

15:56 – Building Trust with Clients During Financial Stress

19:08 – Serving Veterans Through Specialized Financial Guidance

22:14 – How the Financial Industry Can Better Support Military Families

24:41 – Dedrick's Two Cents: Why More People Should Become Financial Counselors

26:24 – Where to Connect with Dedrick Curtis

27:59 – Key Takeaways: Meeting Clients Where They Are

30:31 – Closing Remarks

Shownotes:

Learn more about Veterans Banking!

Military Financial Advisors

Learn more about Penny Earned Financial!

Connect with Dedrick! 

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.

Career-defining opportunities often begin with a single "yes."

In this episode, Jarod Taylor, AFC®, Director of Education and Community Engagement at AFCPE, reflects on his unexpected journey into the financial well-being profession, beginning during the 2008 housing crisis and evolving into a career dedicated to advancing financial education and supporting the next generation of Accredited Financial Counselors®.

Jarod discusses the power of community within the profession, the evolving role of financial counselors in an AI-driven landscape, and why human-centered guidance remains essential to achieving lasting financial well-being. He also shares insights for those considering a career in financial counseling and offers a timely reminder that meaningful progress starts with taking the first step.

Whether you're an aspiring financial counselor, an established practitioner, or simply passionate about expanding access to financial well-being, this conversation offers thoughtful insights on leadership, lifelong learning, and the impact of saying "yes" to new opportunities.

Show Notes:

00:00 Meet Jarod Taylor, AFC®

02:34 Embracing a "Year of Yes" and trying new experiences

03:39 How the 2008 housing crisis launched Jarod's career

05:57 Personal finance lessons that shaped his professional journey

08:59 Eight years supporting AFC candidates and life-changing career stories

11:41 Stepping into the role of Director of Education & Community Engagement

14:45 AI, financial technology, and why human-centered counseling matters

18:53 The growing demand for financial counselors and career opportunities

19:46 Advice for those considering a career in financial counseling

21:10 What a bonsai class taught Jarod about personal finance

23:21 Jarod's 2 Cents

Show Note Links:

Connect with Jarod!

We're celebrating one year of the AFC Learning System and the revamped Money Management Essentials with a special offer!

Save 15% on either program with promo code ONEDERFUL15

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 if the best financial advice starts by asking one simple question: Why?

In this episode of Real Money, Real Experts, hosts Rachael DeLeon and Dr. Brandy Baxter sit down with newly accredited AFC® Cynthia Hudson. Cynthia shares how her unconventional journey—from manufacturing floors to financial counseling—shaped her belief that lasting financial change happens when we address root causes instead of surface-level symptoms.

Cynthia explores how disability, trauma, and lived experiences influence financial decision-making, and why creating accessible financial guidance doesn't just benefit people with disabilities—it creates better outcomes for everyone. Through powerful personal stories, she discusses navigating public benefit systems, overcoming self-doubt, and learning that curiosity and compassion are just as important as financial expertise.

Whether you're a financial professional, educator, or coach, you'll walk away with practical strategies for meeting clients where they are, asking better questions, and building more inclusive financial conversations.

In this episode, you'll learn:

1. Why accessibility benefits every client—not just those with disabilities
2. How to uncover the root causes behind financial challenges
3. The role trauma and lived experiences play in financial decision-making
4. Common pitfalls when advising clients receiving public benefits
5. How curiosity can strengthen trust and improve client outcomes
6. Why Cynthia's personal motto is simple: Do it scared.

Show Notes:

00:00 Welcome Cynthia Hudson, AFC®

02:00 From banking and manufacturing to financial counseling

05:00 Why solving the root cause matters more than treating financial symptoms

09:00 Disability, accessibility, and creating better financial outcomes

12:00 When good financial advice can unintentionally cause harm

13:00 Cynthia's personal experience navigating poverty and healthcare benefits

16:00 Practical ways financial professionals can make their services more accessible

19:00 Earning the AFC® without a traditional college path

22:00 Stepping outside your comfort zone and learning to "do it scared"

24:00 Bringing financial education into the workplace

27:00 Cynthia's 2 Cents

Show Note Links:

Connect with Cynthia on Linkedin!

Read about "The Financial Health of People With Disabilities Key Obstacles and Opportunities" from NDI!

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.

Editor's note: Real Money, Real Experts is on a mid-summer break. Please enjoy this episode re-run. We will be back with new episodes in July!

What does it mean to build true wealth? In this episode of Real Money, Real Experts, we sit down with financial planner Justin Chastain, AFC®️ to explore the connection between self-worth and financial success, the emotional impact of money, and the power of authenticity in both personal and professional growth.

Justin shares his personal experiences with grief and how it has shaped his financial philosophy, explaining why wealth is about more than just numbers—it’s about how money influences your life and the lives of those you care about. He also breaks down why patience is essential in building financial security and how leaning into your uniqueness can set you apart in any industry.

Whether you're a business owner, an aspiring entrepreneur, or someone looking to improve your financial mindset, this episode is filled with powerful insights on achieving financial freedom and peace of mind. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on redefining wealth, investing in yourself, and staying true to who you are.

Show Notes:

01:24 Justin's journey into the financial planning space

04:38 The AFC is they key to lifelong learning

07:33 How creating buckets of value influence our financial decisions

14:21 Why leaning into your uniqueness is your superpower

 22:22 The secret behind building wealth for a business 

27:41 What to look for in mentors & coaches

32:24 Justin's 2 cents

Show Note Links:

Connect with Justin on Linkedin!

Connect with Justin 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 Brandy Baxter sit down with Jack Howard, Head of Money Wellness at Ally, to discuss the evolving landscape of financial wellness and the critical role that mindset, values, and personal experiences play in shaping financial behaviors.

Drawing from both her personal and professional journey, Jack shares how her passion for financial education led her to develop innovative approaches that go beyond traditional financial literacy. The conversation explores the concept of "money roots"—the beliefs, experiences, and narratives that influence our financial decisions—as well as the impact of financial trauma, scarcity, and anxiety on long-term financial well-being.

Listeners will gain insight into how understanding their money story, aligning financial decisions with personal values, and approaching money with greater self-awareness can lead to healthier financial habits and a more fulfilling relationship with money. The episode also examines how financial institutions and financial professionals are increasingly embracing a more human-centered approach to financial education and counseling.

Show Notes:

02:27 Jack Howard's personal finance journey: From student debt to money wellness leadership

05:11 A day in the life of Ally's Head of Money Wellness

06:40 Why financial success is about more than financial skills

08:54 Overview of Ally's Money Roots program

10:56 Understanding money mindset, money stories, and personal values

12:33 How a trauma-informed approach changes financial conversations

14:14 Addressing shame, judgment, and fear around money

15:07 Common money mindset challenges: scarcity, anxiety, and avoidance

18:13 Breaking down barriers: How financial professionals can build trust

19:06 The power of vulnerability in financial education and counseling

20:22 The future of financial wellness and human-centered banking

21:51 Jack's 2 Cents

Show Note Links:

Connect with Jack on Instagram!

Connect with Ally Bank on Instagram!

Connect with Ally Bank on X!

Connect with Ally Bank 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.

In this episode of Real Money, Real Experts, hosts Dr. Brandy Baxter and Rachael DeLeon sit down with Lisa Whitley, accredited financial counselor, and founder of MoneyByLisa LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor domiciled in the District of Columbia.

 Lisa shares her unique journey as a Foreign Service Officer with the United States Agency for International Development into financial counseling and advocacy work. Together, they explore how financial professionals can use their firsthand client experiences to influence policy, support financial wellness initiatives, and create meaningful change at the local, state, and federal levels.

From affordability challenges and utility assistance programs to consumer protection and community advocacy, this conversation breaks down how advocacy doesn’t have to feel overwhelming — and why even one small step can make a lasting impact.

Whether you’re passionate about policy or simply looking for ways to better support your clients, this episode is a reminder that your voice matters.

Show Notes:

00:00 – Welcome back to Real Money, Real Experts

00:38 – Introducing guest Lisa Kirchenbauer

01:57 – Lisa’s journey into government relations and advocacy

03:15 – From Wall Street and United States Agency for International Development to financial counseling

04:40 – Why Lisa started her own firm, Money by Lisa

05:49 – What advocacy looks like in financial wellness

06:53 – Why advocacy can feel overwhelming — and how to simplify it

08:28 – Starting local: state and community-level advocacy

08:48 – The Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education Advocacy Toolkit and practical resources

10:46 – Learning from other states and sharing solutions

11:35 – Why AFCs are subject matter experts in financial wellness

13:44 – Key policy issues impacting clients right now

16:08 – Practical first steps for getting involved in advocacy

17:48 – A real-world example of community advocacy creating policy change

19:49 – Lisa’s 2 Cents

20:59 – How the Government Relations Task Force supports the AFCPE community

Show Note Links:

Check out our Government Relations Advocacy Toolkit!  

Follow MoneyByLisa on Facebook!

Connect with Lisa on Linkedin!

Learn more about MoneyByLisa!

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.