Real Money, Real Experts

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Ann Lentell, CFA, AFC®️, CFP®️ — a financial professional whose career bridges equity research, nonprofit leadership, and deeply human financial coaching.

Ann shares how a childhood curiosity about markets led to a lifelong passion for personal finance, and how a transformative college class sparked her commitment to helping families build savings and stability.

We dive into her decade at Compass Working Capital, where she scaled financial coaching programs for families in federally subsidized housing, and explore how culturally competent, client-centered coaching can shift lives.

Ann also reflects on her journey to the AFC®️, what drew her to AFCPE’s mission, and how raising the bar for financial education brings greater access and equity to communities nationwide. Plus, she gives us a look ahead at her vision as AFCPE’s incoming Board President.

This episode is filled with heart, strategy, and a powerful reminder that every financial story deserves dignity and high-quality guidance.

Show Notes:

03:31 – Get to know AFCPE's 2026 Board President, Ann Lentell

07:26 – What drew Ann to AFCPE

12:39 – Brandy reflects on Ann’s impact on the AFCPE board

12:58 – How nonprofits can raise financial education standards

13:37 – The role of credentials and combating misinformation online

17:11 – Why the AFC pathway matters

17:58 – Ann's 2 Cents

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.

Join hosts Rachael DeLeon and Dr. Brandy Baxter live from the AFCPE Symposium for a special episode capturing the energy, insights, and inspiration of this year’s event.

In this unique format, you’ll hear directly from attendees—from financial coaches to educators to organizational leaders—as they share what the Symposium means to them, the moments that moved them, and the lessons they’re taking home.

You’ll hear powerful “made for this moment” reflections from:

• Kelsea Dickey (Financial Coach Academy)
• Christine Richardson (Financial Planning Association)
• Debra Barker (Magellan Federal)
• Sean Brigham (Texas Tech University)
• Kimberly Rand (Project Equity)
• Young Mao and Tanya Brinston (University of Minnesota)

Whether you attended in person, joined virtually, or are listening from afar, this episode captures the heart of the AFCPE community—connection, learning, and purpose.

Show Notes:

00:42 Why We Were Made For This Moment

02:05 Rachael’s Symposium Highlights

03:10 Brandy’s Symposium Highlights

08:10 Interview: Kelsea Dickey

11:20 Interview: Christine Richardson

13:30 Interview: Debra Barker

18:00 Interview: Sean Brigham

20:30 Interview: Kimberly Rand

23:13 Interview: Young Mao and Tanya Brinston
 

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 Dr. Brandy Baxter sit down with the iconic Saundra Davis — master certified coach, financial well-being expert, and founder of Sage Financial Solutions — to explore the deeper layers of money, mindset, and human behavior.

Sandra shares her powerful journey from financial planning to financial coaching, unpacking why knowledge alone isn’t enough to create change — and how understanding our “money parts” through the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model can transform both our personal and professional relationships with money.

Together, they dive into:

1. How different parts of ourselves — the saver, the spender, the worrier, the giver — all try to protect us in their own ways
2. What it means to lead from our Self in financial decision-making
3. How to bring compassion, cultural humility, and mindfulness into client work
4. Why continuous learning, reflection, and safe community spaces like the AFCPE Symposium are vital for financial professionals

Whether you’re a coach, counselor, planner, or simply someone striving to make peace with money, this episode will leave you inspired to meet every “part” of yourself — and your clients — with grace, curiosity, and compassion.

Show Notes: 

03:24 Saundra’s Journey into Financial Coaching

06:18 The Framework of IFS (Internal Family Systems)

11:57 How to Heal Your Money Parts

28:37 A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Saundra’s Pre-Conference Session

36:37 Saundra’s Two Cents

Show Notes Links:

Listening When Parts Speak by Tamala Floyd

No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz 

Explore Sage Financial Solutions!

Connect with Saundra on Linkedin!

Connect with Saundra on Facebook!

Connect with Sage Financial Solutions on Instagram!

Explore Saundra Substack!

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 Dr. Brandy Baxter sit down with Erika Wasserman, Certified Financial Therapist and author of Conversations with Your Financial Therapist: Stories and Scripts to Grow Your Financial Mindset. Erika shares how her personal journey—spanning a corporate career, global travel, motherhood, and personal transformation—shaped her holistic approach to financial well-being.

Together, they unpack the emotional side of money—how values, relationships, and even shame influence the way we spend, save, and talk about finances. Erika offers practical tools for breaking money taboos, building confidence, and creating space for empathy in financial conversations.

Whether you work directly with clients or are exploring your own relationship with money, this episode will inspire you to say yes to compassion and start the conversations that lead to financial clarity and confidence.

Show Notes: 

00:00 Welcome to Real Money, Real Experts

03:13 Erika’s Journey to Financial Therapy

05:08 Why Money Fights Aren’t About Money

06:58 Breaking the Cycle of Money Shame

09:24 The Power of Compassion in Financial Conversations

10:52 How to Start Difficult Money Conversations

13:36 Inside the Growing Field of Financial Therapy

15:40 Why Professionals Must Know Their Own Money Story

18:59 Erika’s Two Cents

Show Note Links:

Grab your copy of Erika's book!

Connect with Erika on LinkedIn!

Follow 'Your Financial Therapist' on Instagram

Explore 'Your Financial Therapist' on Amazon!

Check out 'Your Financial Therapist' website! 

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 financial health really look like in America today — and how can we help households thrive in an increasingly complex financial world? In this episode of Real Money, Real Experts, hosts Rachael DeLeon and Dr. Brandy Baxter sit down with Lisa Berdie from the Financial Health Network and Dr. Gary Mottola from the Financial Investor Education Foundation (FINRA) to uncover the latest research on financial capability, resilience, and well-being. From the Financial Health Pulse to the National Financial Capability Study, they explore what drives financial health, how major life events like job loss or medical emergencies impact households, and what behaviors can help families build stability. Lisa and Gary also discuss systemic and structural barriers, trends in credit use, and practical steps financial counselors and educators can take to empower clients. Tune in for a deep dive into data, insights, and real-world strategies to help Americans navigate their financial lives with confidence and control.

Show Notes: 

02:46 Get To Know Lisa & Gary

06:49 The Importance of Collaboration in Financial Research

08:34 Surprising Findings from the 2024 National Financial Capability Study

09:28 What’s Driving Household Financial Health?

16:13 Can Households Keep Up with Financial Complexity?

20:00 Practical Steps to Strengthen Financial Health

27:28 Lisa & Gary's 2 Cents

Show Note Links:

Connect with Gary on Linkedin!

Explore Gary's research on FINRA!

Look into Financial Health Pulse 2025 U.S. Trends Report!

Connect with Lisa 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.

What do financial counseling, professional wrestling, and Hugh Jackman all have in common? 

Human connection. 

In this episode of Real Money, Real Experts, we sit down with international keynote speaker, author, and broadcaster Riaz Meghji to talk about why every conversation counts. With over 10,000 interviews under his belt—from celebrities to changemakers—Riaz has seen firsthand the power of meaningful dialogue. He shares how valuable vulnerability, curiosity over correction, and a beginner’s mindset can strengthen relationships and transform the way we connect with clients. We also explore the role of storytelling in financial counseling, why human connection matters more than ever in an age of polarization, and how financial professionals can make every conversation extraordinary.

Show Notes: 

02:00 The Fun Fact That Started It All

05:26 From Finance to Human Connection

08:12 Embracing the Beginner’s Mindset

10:21 The Power of Co-Creation

14:21 Value-Added Vulnerability

23:25 Vulnerability vs. Oversharing

24:14 Riaz's 2 Cents

Show Note Links:

Connect with Riaz on Linkedin!

Connect with Riaz 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 Dr. Brandy Baxter sit down with financial therapist, author, and AFC®, Rahkim Sabree, to explore the complex and deeply human realities of financial trauma.

Rahkim breaks down the six sources of financial trauma, from generational cycles and workplace dynamics to systemic barriers and societal expectations. He shares how financial professionals can adopt a trauma-informed lens, why empathy and language are essential in client interactions, and the importance of shifting from shame-based approaches to healing-centered ones.

The conversation also gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look into Rahkim’s upcoming book Overcoming Financial Trauma (Wiley, 2025). He reflects on how writing the book transformed his own money story, the healing he’s found in revisiting his past, and why the theme of healing will anchor his keynote at the AFCPE 2025 Symposium.

Whether you’re a financial professional, a community leader, or someone working to redefine your own relationship with money, this episode will leave you with tools, language, and hope to build a healthier, more compassionate approach to financial wellness.

Show Notes: 

01:56 Get To Know Rahkim 

02:25 Defining financial trauma

06:29 Who is impacted by financial trauma? 

10:11 Becoming trauma-informed vs. trauma-responsive

24:10 The power of personal stories in healing

34:42 Empathy, bias, and client relationships

35:38 Looking ahead to Rahkim’s keynote at AFCPE Symposium

37:14 Rahkim's 2 Cents

Show Note Links:

Read Rahkim's Forbes Article!

Connect with Rahkim on Linkedin! 

Connect with Rahkim on Instagram! 

Connect with Rahkim on Twitter! 

Visit Rahkim's website! 

Explore Rahkim's substack! 

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, Rachael DeLeon and Dr. Brandy Baxter sit down with Dr. Jacquie Carroll—educator, researcher, speaker, and Accredited Financial Counselor®—to talk about the power of the pivot.

Jacquie shares her non-linear career journey, from higher education and HR to financial counseling and now launching her own legacy project, GameKraft, a financial education game designed to help people learn in engaging, accessible ways.

Together, they explore:

1. Why pivots—both planned and unexpected—are essential to personal and professional growth.
2. How AFCs can prepare clients for an ever-changing workforce.
3. The importance of leaning into community, mentorship, and side hustles.
4. Why success isn’t about a straight path, but about being ready when preparation meets opportunity.

Whether you’re considering a career change, supporting clients through transitions, or just need inspiration to embrace the unexpected, this conversation is full of wisdom, encouragement, and practical takeaways.

Show Notes: 

2:15 Jacquie’s Early Career

6:40 Discovering Financial Counseling 

12:05 Embracing Career Pivots 

18:20 Building Community & Connection 

24:45 The Birth of GameKraft 

32:10 Legacy & Impact 

38:00 Jacquie's 2 Cents

Show Note Links:

Learn more about Jacquie's journey!

Connect with Jacquie on Linkedin!

Learn about GameKraft!

Jacquie's favorite resources!

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 Michelle Smoley, AFC®, a seasoned financial counselor with over two decades of experience guiding families through the higher education journey. Michelle shares her expertise in helping clients navigate student loans, financial aid, and the often-complex decision-making process around college financing.

From strategies for saving and borrowing wisely to addressing common misconceptions about financial aid, Michelle provides actionable insights for financial counselors and planners working with clients of all ages.

Whether you’re counseling parents, students, or young adults preparing for college, this episode equips financial professionals with the knowledge and tools to provide informed, practical guidance. 

Show Notes: 

00:00 Welcome to Real Money, Real Experts

06:31 Michelle’s Journey into Financial Counseling

13:01 Key Trends in College Financing

23:01 Common Misconceptions About College Costs

30:01 Early Financial Education for Young Adults

53:31 Michelle’s 2 Cents

Show Note Links:

T. Rowe Price’s 12th Annual Parents, Kids, & Money Survey

Michelle's favorite Private Lendor platform

Find an AFC 

Connect with Michelle 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 inspiring episode, Rachael and Brandy sit down with Weslia Echols and Willa Williams—better known as your favorite financial aunties. As co-founders of Trinity Financial Coaching and co-hosts of Wealth and Wisdom Together, they guide Christian professional women toward financial fulfillment through their signature Five Milestones framework. Wes and Willa share how their friendship blossomed into a thriving business, the importance of aligning money with values, and why meeting clients with empathy and without judgment is essential for lasting change.

Show Notes: 

00:00 Meet Weslia & Willa, your “financial aunties”

02:54 How they met and the five-year goal that came true

05:11 From student to business partner

07:26 The Five Milestones of Financial Fulfillment explained

09:53 What it’s like to run a business with your best friend

15:22 Becoming AFCs and the value of community

16:52 Navigating the intersection of faith and finances

20:43 Weslia & Willa’s 2 cents

Show Note Links:

Learn more about Trinity Financial Coaching!

Connect with Weslia & Willa on Instagram! 

Connect with Weslia & Willa on Youtube!

Connect with Weslia & Willa on Facebook!

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.