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.

In today's episode, Rachael and Brandy sit down with Dr. Sonya Lutter to explore the powerful connection between psychology, relationships, and financial decision-making. From financial stress and emotional spending to couples’ communication and the growing field of financial therapy, this conversation dives into the human side of money.

Dr. Lutter shares how stress impacts our ability to make financial decisions, why money arguments carry so much emotional weight in relationships, and how financial professionals can better support clients through observation, communication, and empathy. The discussion also explores the differences between financial psychology, financial counseling, and financial therapy — and why understanding those distinctions matters in practice.

Whether you’re a financial professional or simply curious about the emotional side of money, this episode offers valuable insights into how our thoughts, behaviors, and relationships shape financial wellness.

Show Notes:

00:31 Meet Dr. Sonya Lutter

02:05 How Dr. Lutter Combined Psychology & Financial Planning

04:57 Financial Psychology vs. Financial Therapy Explained

10:30 Where Financial Professionals Draw the Line with Clients

11:12 The Importance of Family Systems & Financial Conversations

12:08 Katrina’s Story: Grief, Money & Emotional Decision-Making

16:18 How Financial Stress Impacts Decision-Making

17:14 Fight-or-Flight Responses During Money Conversations

19:28 Why Stressed Clients Struggle to Retain Financial Information

20:43 How Financial Professionals Can Better Support Stressed Clients

23:29 Why Money Carries Emotional Weight in Relationships

24:15 Why Couples Argue About Money More Than Anything Else

26:21 The Importance of Financial Communication in Marriage

27:52 Research on Joint Bank Accounts & Relationship Satisfaction

30:23 Cohabitation, Shared Finances & Wealth Building

31:44 Dr. Lutter’s “Two Cents” Advice for Couples & Financial Planning

34:02 Where to Connect with Dr. Sonya Lutter

34:12 Key Takeaways from the Conversation

36:45 Closing Thoughts & Outro

Show Note Links:

Become an ASFP

Discover financial therapy certificate programs at Texas Tech 

Meet Dr. Sonya Lutter

Connect with Dr. Sonya Lutter 

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, we welcome Jessica Perrone, Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®) and founder of HerFinIQ, to discuss how financial professionals can help clients confidently navigate the world of investing.

With over 16 years of experience on Wall Street, Jessica shares her unconventional journey into finance and how it shaped her mission to make investing more accessible—particularly for women and underserved communities. She emphasizes the importance of education over advice, and how simplifying complex financial concepts can empower clients to take action.

Jessica introduces practical frameworks, including her “financial ducks” approach—ensuring budgeting, saving, emergency funds, credit, and debt management are addressed before investing—and her “cereal box” analogy to help clients better understand investment accounts and assets.

Throughout the conversation, we explore:

1. Common misconceptions about investing, including the belief that you need significant capital to get started
2. The importance of helping clients develop an “investor identity”
3. How AFC® professionals can provide investment education without crossing into advice
4. Strategies for explaining risk and investment options in an approachable way
5. The role of confidence and behavior in financial decision-making

Jessica also highlights the growing need for accessible, accurate financial education in a landscape where misinformation is common.

This episode reinforces the critical role AFC® professionals play in bridging knowledge gaps, building client confidence, and supporting informed financial decision-making.

Show Notes:

01:10 Meet Jessica Perrone & HerFinIQ

03:40 Key money lessons: frugality, budgeting, resourcefulness & compassion

04:00 Breaking into Wall Street without a finance background

07:00 Why Jessica created HerFinIQ

10:30 Identity as an investor & why it matters

14:30 Why financial basics must come before investing (“financial ducks”)

16:15 Common misconceptions about investing

18:30 Barriers to entry & access to financial advisors

23:30 Building client confidence & asking the right questions

24:20 The role of confidence in financial decision-making

27:30 Understanding risk: stocks, ETFs & diversification

29:45 Jessica’s 2 Cents

Show Note Links:

https://www.herfiniq.com/

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

https://www.facebook.com/HerFinIQ/ 

https://www.instagram.com/herfiniq 

https://www.youtube.com/@herfiniq 

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.

Divorce isn’t just a legal process—it’s a high-stakes financial restructuring, often driven by emotion. In this powerful episode, Gabriella Martinelli, founder of Ever After Wealth, breaks down what really happens when money, identity, and life as you know it are all on the line.

With over two decades of experience across both legal and financial spaces, Gabriella shares why traditional approaches fall short—and how financial professionals can better support clients during one of the most emotionally charged times in their lives.

From uncovering the real reason behind financial decisions (hint: it’s not always about the numbers) to understanding how fear, urgency, and loss of control shape outcomes, this conversation challenges everything you think you know about divorce planning.

You’ll walk away with a new perspective on:

1. Why divorce is more than a legal event—it’s a complete financial reset
2. How emotions directly impact financial decision-making
3. The power clients actually have (even when they feel powerless)
4. Why asking better questions can change everything

Whether you’re a financial professional or someone navigating a major life transition, this episode is your reminder: the numbers matter—but the why behind them matters even more.

Show Notes:

00:00 –Meet Gabriella Martinelli

02:30 – From legal career to divorce financial strategist

06:15 – Why she left wealth management to remain conflict-free

10:20 – Divorce as a “financial restructuring” (not just legal)

14:45 – The role of emotions in financial decision-making

19:30 – Advice for financial professionals working with divorce clients

24:10 – The “house story” & uncovering the real emotional driver

32:00 – How to ask better questions and reduce client overwhelm

36:45 – Navigating pressure, deadlines, and court timelines

43:20 – Where clients actually have power in the process

49:10 – Common emotional traps: “I want it all” vs. “I want nothing”

53:40 – Final takeaways for financial professionals

56:00 – How to connect with Gabriella + closing reflections

Show Note Links:

Listen to the Divorce and Money Podcast!

Look into the Ever After Blog!

Connect with Ever After on Instagram!

Connect with Divorce and Money on Instagram!

Connect with Gabriella 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, co-hosts Rachael DeLeon and Dr. Brandy Baxter are joined by Whitney Ramirez, founder of Diapers to Deposits and Financial Field Trips, to discuss innovative approaches to financial education that move beyond traditional instruction.

Whitney shares how her experiential learning model—“financial field trips”—helps learners apply financial concepts in real-world settings, from visiting banks and apartment complexes to exploring car dealerships. By meeting individuals where they are and building on their existing knowledge, her approach fosters deeper understanding, confidence, and long-term behavior change.

We explore key concepts including the financial literacy vortex, the importance of application-based learning, and how educators, counselors, and financial professionals can better engage both youth and adult learners.

This conversation offers practical insights for anyone looking to make financial education more impactful, relevant, and sustainable.

Show Notes:

03:19 The Story Behind the LED Backpack & Standing Out

04:20 How Financial Field Trips Began

05:28 The FAST Framework Explained

07:01 Applying Financial Education in Real Life

11:13 How Behavior Change Happens

13:24 Why Financial Field Trips Work

15:25 Applying These Strategies with Adult Clients

18:03 Teaching Through Storytelling: The “Loan Shark” Lesson

20:23 Planting Seeds Early in Financial Education

21:08 Whitney’s 2 Cents

Show Note Links:

Learn more about D2D Youth Money Hub! 

Connect with Whitney! 

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.

Hosts Dr. Brandy Baxter and Rachael DeLeon welcome longtime AFCPE member Dr. Barbara O’Neill to discuss changes in financial planning over 40 years, including increased automation and the uncertain readiness of AI, alongside AFCPE’s growing membership diversity.

 O’Neill defines tax-smart charitable giving as aligning donations with income-tax benefits and highlights additional psychological benefits of philanthropy.

She shares strategies including qualified charitable distributions from traditional IRAs, bunching deductions to exceed the standard deduction, donor-advised funds, and new 2026 charitable deductions for non-itemizers, while noting shifting tax rules for itemizers. 

The conversation also covers older adults’ needs—lower risk, lower taxes, simplicity, reliable income, and “fun money”—popular later-life class topics, solopreneur advice, and the importance of making financial education simple and actionable. 

Show Notes:

00:00 Meet our guest, Barbara O'Neill

02:16 How Finance Has Changed

03:08 AI and the Human Touch

05:48 Tax Smart Giving Basics

14:41 Keeping Up With Tax Law

15:37 Giving Tips for Young Adults

17:57 Older Adults Money Needs

27:10 Late Life Entrepreneurship

33:01 Barbara's Two Cents

Show Note Links:

Check out MoneyTalk!

Connect with MoneyTalk on Twitter!

Explore the MoneyTalk blog!

Grab your copy of Barbara's book!  

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, Dr. Brandy Baxter sits down with financial counselors Alicia Lawrence and Jayne Larson to explore why real financial change goes beyond the numbers.

They discuss the power of motivational interviewing, empathy, and curiosity in helping clients uncover the “why” behind their money habits. From overcoming the fear of opening bills to negotiating more than 20 credit card accounts, this conversation highlights how mindset shifts—not just budgets—drive lasting progress.

For financial professionals ready to focus less on spreadsheets and more on behavior, this episode offers practical insight into creating meaningful, sustainable change.

Show Notes:

02:00 – Meet the guests: Alicia Lawrence & Jayne Larson

03:00 – Shifting from “what to do” to understanding the why behind money behaviors

05:00 – Motivational interviewing and the stages of change

08:00 – Emotional triggers, stress spending, and building client trust

09:30 – Measuring progress beyond the numbers (confidence, opening mail, mindset shifts)

11:00 – Client story: From avoiding bills to negotiating 20+ credit cards

14:00 – What sparked the mindset shift?

15:20 – Advice for financial professionals: leading with curiosity and empathy

19:00 – Reflection questions that spark behavior change

20:50 – Two Cents segment: Discomfort, flexibility, and sustainable planning

22:30 – How to connect + episode wrap-up

Show Note Links:

Learn more here!

Learn more about the wages & inflation here!

Learn more about the US Inflation Rates!

Learn more about Jayne & Alicia's work here!

Check out this resource!  

Connect with Alicia! 

Connect with Your Money Line on Instagram!

Connect with Your Money Line 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, we welcome back fan favorite Ryan Law, award-winning educator, author, and financial counselor, to share something a little different: his groundbreaking ReWired Framework.

Ryan walks us through his seven-step process for identifying and transforming limiting beliefs—the inner work that often determines whether we achieve lasting success. From recognizing the beliefs that hold us back to experimenting with small, actionable steps, Ryan shows how rewiring our mindset can create real, sustainable change—not just in finances, but in all areas of life.

Whether you’re a financial professional helping clients reach their goals or someone striving to make positive changes in your own life, this episode provides practical insights and strategies to start rewiring your brain for success.

Show Notes:

02:09 Introduction to the ReWired Framework

04:59 Why knowledge and motivation alone aren’t enough for lasting chang

08:20 How beliefs drive behavior and why focusing on inner work is key

10:51 Step-by-step breakdown of the ReWired Framework (R–E–W–I–R–E–D)

18:25 The power of small, consistent steps to reinforce new beliefs

21:09 Documenting and reflecting for sustainable growth

24:03 How rewiring your brain applies to clients and your own life

25:26 Ryan’s 2 Cents

Show Note Links:

Connect with Ryan on Linkedin!

Learn more about Sarah Newcomb!

Check out Erika Wasserman!

Learn more about Money Habitudes!

Check out Klontz Money Script Inventory (KMSI)!

Read Atomic Habits!

Read Tiny Habits!

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.