For Episode 5, Kyla reconnects with Vernell—the original host of the Rooted podcast and one of the first students in the $50 Study.
 
They talk candidly about how receiving $50 a week shaped their views on independence, responsibility, and financial literacy. From side hustles like candle-making and T-shirts to real talk about how cash transfers build confidence, this episode explores how money is more than just survival—it’s a tool for growth, self-worth, and future planning.

Whether you’re figuring out how to open your first bank account or thinking big about economic justice, Kyla and Vernell remind us that youth deserve space to learn, grow, and dream—with support that’s rooted in trust.

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📱 Follow us on Instagram: @the50dollarstudy
⭐ Like and subscribe to the Rooted Cash Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode of the Rooted Cash podcast, Be Loud Junior Producer Kyla sits down with Talia Livneh, program director at the Rooted Foundation and leader of the $50 Study — a direct cash transfer program providing $50 a week to high school students across New Orleans.

T
heir conversation explores how the program began during the pandemic as a response to students needing financial support to stay engaged in school, and how it has since grown to serve over 400 youth. Talia shares stories of students using their weekly transfers to cover basic needs, support family, apply to college, and even launch small businesses.

Kyla reflects on her own experience in the program — from buying prom essentials and birthday gifts to learning what financial freedom and responsibility really mean. Together, they push back against the myth that young people can't be trusted with money, offering firsthand stories and real data that show the opposite. 

About the $50 Study:
Led by the Rooted School Foundation, this initiative gives young people $50 a week to explore budgeting, responsibility, and the real impact of financial access. Follow @50dollarstudy on Instagram and visit rootedschoolfoundation.org to learn more about the program and how it’s supporting youth across New Orleans.

In this heartfelt episode, Kyla sits down with her big sister for a powerful, personal conversation about money, boundaries, sacrifice, and sisterhood. Listen in as two sisters connect across generations to talk money, mental health, and what it means to grow up without losing yourself.

Sponsored by the Rooted School Foundation as part of the $50 Study, the episode explores how financial experiences shape each sister’s path—one juggling motherhood, grad school, and teaching, and the other finishing high school and dreaming big.

Together, they reflect on the lessons they’ve learned, the pressure to provide, and the importance of choosing yourself without guilt. It’s a raw, honest, and loving exchange that reminds us how family can be both a mirror and a map.

About the $50 Study:
Led by the Rooted School Foundation, this initiative gives young people $50 a week to explore budgeting, responsibility, and the real impact of financial access. Follow @50dollarstudy on Instagram and visit rootedschoolfoundation.org to learn more about the program and how it’s supporting youth across New Orleans.

Meet Kyla — an 18-year-old senior at New Harmony High School and your host of the Rooted Cash Podcast 🎙️

For episode 2, Kyla shares what it felt like to get $50 a week—no strings attached. 

From sushi runs to her fear of asking for help, she talks money, adulthood, and what it means to grow up without everything you need—and why equity matters now more than ever.

This is all part of the $50 Study, a powerful initiative by the Rooted School Foundation that gives young people weekly cash to explore what financial freedom means to them.

Hosted by the vibrant and insightful Kyla, a senior at New Harmony High, this episode is part of the $50 Study — a direct-cash transfer program by the Rooted School Foundation that puts real money in the hands of young people.

For episode 1, Kyla takes us inside her world — from navigating the highs and lows of high school to chasing her dreams of real estate and creative directing. She shares what it's like to love fashion and TikTok shopping while juggling a strict weekly budget of $50, and opens up about the real fear of financial instability, her hopes for college, and the generational pressure to avoid burnout in a 9-to-5 grind.

Tune in to hear Kyla’s story — and listen to money, youth, and what it means to pursue financial freedom.

About the $50 Study:
The $50 Study provides unconditional cash transfers of $50 per week with wraparound supports for 800 New Orleans high school seniors. They then track its long-term impacts on their academic success, financial capability, and self-perception for four years following high school graduation. It is the first and largest study of its kind.

#RootedCashPodcast #RootedSchoolFoundation #YouthVoices #FinancialLiteracy #GenZMoneyMatters #KylaTellsItLikeItIs

For this final episode, Dj Villian sat down with Kanye, a junior at Rooted School in New Orleans.  They talked about how much Kanye grew over this last year, learning how to better manage his money and use the weekly stipends to help the people around him. This is the last episode of season 2 and we have a big announcement! The $50 Study received a grant from the City of New Orleans to scale this project even bigger next school year. What started out as only 20 initial students will become a city wide project that includes 800 high school seniors from all over New Orleans.  

Big shout out to Rooted School for making this all possible and thanks to YOU for listening to these stories. Remember to follow us on IG @the50dollarstudy to catch up on what happens next.

This episode, DJ Villian interviewed Freddie, an ambitious Senior from Rooted New Orleans who learned everything possible about 3D design and printing. This last year, Freddie used the money from the $50 Study to prototype a top secret design for his own product. With the help of the $50 Dollar Study, he used that prototype to test his idea and continue to develop it over his Senior year. 

Thanks again for listening and don't forget to follow @the50dollarstudy on Instagram

We went to Rooted New Orleans to sit down (in person!) with students about their experience so far with the $50 Study. 

Peyton is a recent graduate at Rooted New Orleans with a passion for environmental justice and journalism. Peyton and Vernell cover a wide range of positive  topics, reflecting on how Peyton has used the $50 to double down on self-care, invest in black-owned businesses, and even save up for her driver's license. Peyton graduated in the spring and it was awesome to reconnect to hear about her big plans for the next year.

Don't forget to follow us @the50dollarstudy on Instagram. There, we will be sharing pictures, videos, and reflections on this study from the Rooted Community.

We went to Rooted New Orleans to sit down (in person!) with students about their experience so far with the $50 Study. Ethan is a senior at Rooted that loves video game design. He talks about how this study has helped him better understand "impulse spending" and how he is learning how to better save to reach his larger goals. 

Don't forget to follow us @the50dollarstudy on Instagram. There, we will be sharing pictures, videos, and reflections on this study from the Rooted Community.

To better understand how the $50 study is impacting the Rooted community in Indianapolis, we interviewed Nyarian. Nyarian is an aspiring pediatricians that loves to work with kids. She shared with how the money helped support her family and pay for her long list of extracurriculars and sports.

Don't forget to follow us @the50dollarstudy on Instagram. There, we will be sharing pictures, videos, and reflections on this study from the Rooted Community.