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Money conversations are emotional for any family—but in blended families, they often come with added layers of loss, loyalty, and complexity. In this episode of Real Money, Real Experts, Dr. Brandy Baxter and Rachael DeLeon are joined by Mikel Van Cleve, CFP®, PhD candidate at Texas Tech University and U.S. Coast Guard veteran, to unpack the unique financial and emotional dynamics of blended families. Drawing from both research and lived experience—what Michael calls “me-search”—the conversation explores why traditional financial advice doesn’t always work for blended families, common emotional landmines around money, and how assumptions about “joint finances” can unintentionally create conflict. Mikel shares practical tools financial professionals can use, including the three-bucket money approach, genograms, money dates, and role-playing exercises, to foster communication, transparency, and trust. Whether you’re a financial practitioner working with blended families or someone navigating one yourself, this episode offers actionable insights, empathy-driven strategies, and a powerful reminder: blended families aren’t broken or abnormal—they’re simply different, and they deserve planning approaches that reflect that reality. Show Notes: 01:26 – Meet Mikel Van Cleve, CFP® 03:05 – How Mikel’s lived experience shaped his research 05:18 – Why blended families are often overlooked in financial planning 07:52 – Emotional and financial landmines blended families face 11:48 – Rethinking joint finances in blended families 13:02 – The three-bucket money approach explained 18:44 – Why practitioner bias matters when working with blended families 23:36 – Tools for navigating emotionally charged money conversations 26:08 – Mikel’s 2 Cents Show Note Links: Learn more about Mikel's work Read Mikel's work!  Connect with Mikel!  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.

Is artificial intelligence here to help financial professionals—or replace them? In this special episode of Real Money, Real Experts, hosts Dr. Brandy Baxter and Rachael DeLeon kick off the new season with their very first video podcast recording and welcome back fan-favorite guest Dr. Jessica Limbrick, professor, researcher, AFCPE Board Member, and 2026 Treasurer. Fresh off her highly rated AFCPE Symposium session, “Will AI Take My Job?”, Dr. Limbrick joins the show to unpack what AI really means for financial counselors, coaches, planners, and educators. Together, they explore how AI can be used as a powerful assistant—from budgeting and lesson planning to brainstorming client strategies—while also discussing its limitations, risks, and ethical considerations. This episode dives into: How financial professionals can use AI without over-relying on itWhy fact-checking and asking better questions matters more than everEquity, bias, and access concerns in AI-driven financial adviceEnvironmental and ethical implications of emerging technologiesWhether AI will actually replace financial counselors—or simply reshape the professionWhether you’re AI-curious, AI-cautious, or already experimenting with new tools, this conversation offers a grounded, human-centered perspective on how technology and financial counseling can—and should—coexist. Now available on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. Show Notes: 01:30 – Introducing Dr. Jessica Limbrick 03:00 – How Jessica Got Interested in AI 06:00 – Using AI as an Assistant, Not an Authority 09:30 – AI in Financial Counseling: Opportunities & Risks 13:30 – Ethical Considerations & Bias in AI 17:30 – The Future of the Financial Profession 20:45 – Will AI Take My Job? 22:45 – Jessica's 2 Cents Show Note Links: Connect with Jessica on Instagram! Connect with Jessica 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.

2025 was full of insightful conversations, and in this special episode, Rachael DeLeon and Dr. Brandy Baxter revisit some of the most impactful moments from the year. From defining true wealth to building trust with clients, our guests share nuggets of wisdom that inspire both financial professionals and everyday money managers alike. Join us as we highlight key takeaways from Justin Chastain, John Ackerman, Ericka Young, Joanne Danganan, and Colleen Salchow. You'll hear about building self-worth, the power of journaling, military family money lessons, and the importance of compound interest.  This is a celebration of learning, growth, and actionable advice to help you and your clients thrive in 2026. Tune in to leave with your own “two cents” for the year ahead! Shownotes: 00:04 Welcome to our 2025 round up 01:09 Justin Chastain: Wealth vs. Brand 04:57 Jon Ackerman: Helping the Underserved 08:31 Ericka Young: Financial Coaching & Building Trust 11:42 Joanne Danganan: Journaling & Money Conversations 15:47Colleen Salchow: Military Family Money Lessons 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 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: How different parts of ourselves — the saver, the spender, the worrier, the giver — all try to protect us in their own waysWhat it means to lead from our Self in financial decision-makingHow to bring compassion, cultural humility, and mindfulness into client workWhy continuous learning, reflection, and safe community spaces like the AFCPE Symposium are vital for financial professionalsWhether 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! 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: Why pivots—both planned and unexpected—are essential to personal and professional growth.How AFCs can prepare clients for an ever-changing workforce.The importance of leaning into community, mentorship, and side hustles.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.

In this episode of Real Money, Real Experts, we’re joined by Derek Brainard, Director of Financial Education at AccessLex Institute, who shares how his background as a Navy trumpet player shaped his unique, down-to-earth approach to personal finance. From managing student loans to navigating economic uncertainty and the rise of AI, Derek offers insights for financial professionals looking to better support clients in a rapidly changing world. Tune in as we explore the importance of breaking down complexity into bite-sized steps, centering life goals in financial conversations, and staying curious as lifelong learners. Whether you're a seasoned AFC or just starting out, this episode is packed with practical wisdom — and a whole lot of #MoneyNerd energy. Show Notes:  01:30 Derek’s Journey: From Navy Musician to Financial Educator 05:00 Learning Through Struggle: Debt, Discovery, and AFCPE 08:30 Financial Fulfillment and Why Language Matters 12:00 Helping Clients Get Unstuck Through Bite-Sized Wins 15:00 The Coach Mindset: Listening, Not Just Advising 18:30 AI, Technology, and the Human Advantage 22:00 Student Loans and Economic Uncertainty: Meeting the Moment 26:00 Building the Toolkit: How Financial Pros Can Keep Growing 30:00 Derek's 2 Cents Show Note Links:  Connect with Derek on Linkedin!  Free 30-minute financial coaching service!   Check out AccessLex Tools & Resources!  Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results by James Clear  Home | Federal Student Aid  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. Jessica Limbrick, an Accredited Financial Counselor®, researcher, and Assistant Professor at Nevada State University — and yes, she’s also the woman who throws full-blown birthday parties for 59½. Jessica shares how her early fascination with personal finance, her own lived experiences, and a pivotal poverty simulation shaped her teaching philosophy. She talks about using metaphors, milestones, and empathy to bring financial concepts to life for her students — many of whom are working full-time or caring for families while attending college. We explore her research on college students' shifting views on poverty, the intersection of wealth and perceived intelligence, and how educators and counselors alike can better serve clients across income levels. Plus, we talk AI, crypto, and why she believes everyone should embrace their own “experiment number” à la Lilo & Stitch. This conversation will leave you thinking differently about the role of educators, the weight of financial systems, and the power of meeting people where they are — whether they’re clients, students, or simply fellow humans navigating life. Show Notes:  00:51 How personal finance shaped Jessica's path  05:41 Jessica's why  08:03 Why educators need to utilize creativity with financial education 13:43 The future of AI & crypto in financial planning 17:20 Poverty simulation & impact on her research 30:08 Jessica's 2 cents Show Note Links:  Connect with Jessica on Instagram! Connect with Jessica on Linkedin! *The link below will ask for a donation. Please note this site is not affiliated with AFCPE.  https://playspent.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.