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!

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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!

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• Become a Member
• Sign up for an Essentials Course
• Get AFC Certified today!

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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®?
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• Become a Member
• Sign up for an Essentials Course
• Get AFC Certified today!

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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 

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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!  

*This link will ask for a donation. Please note this site is not affiliated with AFCPE.

https://playspent.org/ 

Want to get involved with AFCPE®?
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• Sign up for an Essentials Course
• Get AFC Certified today!

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In this episode of Real Money, Real Experts, we’re joined by Dr. Brandon Shurn, AFC®️—a mental health counselor, counselor educator, accredited financial counselor, and certified personal trainer—who brings a truly holistic perspective to financial wellness.

Dr. Shurn walks us through his journey from traditional mental health counseling to founding his private practice, Empower Me Holistic Counseling. He shares how financial health, physical health, and mental well-being are deeply interconnected—and how professionals can support clients by addressing the full picture.

We discuss how to help clients break free from generational money scripts, how to define your ideal client in private practice, and why time is one of our most powerful yet underutilized resources.

Show Notes: 

03:25 Brandon’s journey into financial wellness

08:37 How money scripts shape behavior—and how to reframe them

12:55 Breaking generational cycles through financial empowerment

18:32 Why your ideal client matters 

21:29 Knowing your audience = more effective client attraction 

23:40 Why time is a tool, not a barrier 

25:32 Brandon’s 2 cents

Show Note Links:

Connect with Brandon on Linkedin!

Learn more about Empower Me Holistic Counseling!

Want to get involved with AFCPE®?
Here are a few places to start:

• Become a Member
• Sign up for an Essentials Course
• Get AFC Certified today!

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What if we trained financial planners by starting with the client — not the textbook?

Hannah Moore, CFP®️, has spent her entire career asking that question and building a better answer. As the founder of Amplified Planning and the visionary behind The Externship — an immersive, 8-week program for aspiring planners — Hannah is on a mission to reshape how financial professionals are trained. Instead of focusing solely on technical knowledge, she’s created an approach rooted in empathy, lived experiences, and real-world client interactions.

In this episode, Hannah shares how she’s flipping the script on financial education by leading with humanity. We dive into why it’s so important to see clients as people, not just portfolios, and what it really takes to prepare planners to show up with both confidence and compassion. She opens up about building a business that’s changing the industry, raising three young kids, and why letting go of perfection has become a powerful part of her leadership journey. If you’re ready to rethink the future of financial planning, this conversation is a must.

Show Notes:

02:49 Hannah’s Journey Into the Financial Planning World

05:35 Exploring The Externship: Purpose and Impact

11:25 The Power of Collaboration: AFC® and CFP® Working Together

15:04 Leading with Empathy: The Human Side of Financial Planning

25:21 Real-Life Reflections: Navigating Motherhood and Community Support

30:07 Hannah’s 2 Cents

Show Note Links:

Connect with Hannah on Linkedin! 

Connect with Amplified Planning on Linkedin! 

Learn more about the Externship!  

Subscribe to Amplified Planning!  

Want to get involved with AFCPE®?
Here are a few places to start:

• Become a Member
• Sign up for an Essentials Course
• 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’re joined by Glen Cone, AFC®, a seasoned financial counselor with more than 15 years of experience serving individuals in estate and end-of-life planning. Glen shares insights from his personal and professional journey—including his work as a counselor for the VBBP program and Magellan Health—and invites us to explore the concept of Generation Preservation: the intentional act of documenting and preserving personal and financial legacies for future generations.

From demystifying estate transitions to understanding the emotional weight clients carry as they age, Glen provides practical guidance for AFC® professionals supporting clients through some of life’s most complex financial and personal decisions. He also reflects on the importance of storytelling, values, and why preserving what matters most goes far beyond financial assets.

Whether you’re working with aging populations, military families, or multigenerational households, this episode offers a compelling reminder: financial counseling isn’t just about preparing the numbers—it’s about preparing people.

Show Notes: 

02:36 Glen’s journey into the personal finance field

05:15 The “why” behind Glen’s work with the seasoned generation 

07:47 What is “Generation Preservation” 

15:02 Your guide to “Generation Preservation” as a financial professional 

18:04 Why money is personal 

20:10 Glen’s 2 cents

Show Note Links:

Print out your copy of “Generation Preservation”!

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Here are a few places to start:

• Become a Member
• Sign up for an Essentials Course
• 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 week’s episode, we sit down with Colleen Salchow—Marine Corps spouse, Accredited Financial Counselor, and former special education teacher—who is passionate about helping teens, young adults, and military families take control of their financial futures. With a background in counseling and education, Colleen brings a compassionate, real-world approach to financial literacy.

From teaching teens the value of budgeting through real-life consequences (like trading Nike money for a new phone) to showing families how to look beyond college tuition and understand the true cost of higher education, Colleen shares stories and strategies that make money management feel less intimidating and more empowering. She also opens up about the financial lessons she’s learned through frequent military moves and why having a fully funded emergency fund is essential for any military family.

Whether you’re a parent, a caregiver, or someone navigating your own financial journey, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and relatable advice you won’t want to miss.

Show Notes: 

02:36 Colleen’s financial lessons

06:31 From teaching to personal finance: Colleen’s “why” 

10:49 How the AFC impacted Colleen’s solopreneur journey 

15:28 Student loan planning 101

25:53 The balance between guiding your children financially & allowing them to make their own mistakes

29:47 Colleen’s 2 Cents

Show Note Links:

Connect with Colleen on Linkedin! 

Learn more about the National Center of Education!

Click here for more resources from the National Center of Education!

Listen to Smart College Buyer Podcast!

Want to get involved with AFCPE®?
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This week, our co-hosts sit down with Adrienne Taylor—entrepreneur, speaker, and founder of Tailored WealthSaver®—to explore how building wealth is about more than just the numbers. Adrienne shares her journey from pharmacy to finance, her passion for helping millennials achieve financial freedom, and the lessons she learned expanding her business through a strategic partnership.

Together, we reflect on the real challenges entrepreneurs face behind the scenes, including navigating personal transitions like divorce, and why giving yourself grace is essential to long-term success. Adrienne reminds us that financial wellness and business growth go hand-in-hand—and that with the right support, what once felt unimaginable can become reality.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, working toward financial stability, or redefining what success looks like in your own life, this episode offers powerful insights on resilience, reinvention, and the beauty of betting on yourself.

Show Notes:

02:27 From pharmacy to finance: Adrienne’s personal journey

07:12 The millennial personal finance secret strategy

09:42 How business expansion can be your biggest gain rather than loss

11:54 The blessings & burdens of being an entrepreneur 

19:40 What’s to come for Tailored Wealth Saver

Show Note Links:

Connect with Adrienne on LinkedIn!

Connect with Adrienne on Instagram!

Read Best bank accounts for bad credit from CNN here!

Want to get involved with AFCPE®?
Here are a few places to start:

• Become a Member
• Sign up for an Essentials Course
• Get AFC Certified today!

Want to support the podcast? We love partnering with organizations that share our mission and values. Download our media kit. 

This week our co-hosts Rachael DeLeon and Dr. Brandy Baxter sit down with Joanne Danganan—founder of Financial Healing and California Market Manager for Financial Beginnings—to explore how healing our relationship with money begins with finding safe spaces. Joanne shares her personal story as the daughter of Filipino immigrants, her journey into financial education, and why access to this knowledge is a justice issue.

Together, we unpack the cultural shame often tied to money, and the courage it takes to simply start the conversation. From choosing the right people to confide in, to redefining what financial well-being looks like, Joanne reminds us that vulnerability is a strength—and that financial education must be rooted in empathy and inclusion.

Whether you’re navigating your own financial healing or creating spaces for others to do the same, this episode is a heartfelt reminder: you deserve to talk about money without fear, shame, or judgment.

Show Notes:

02:35 Joanne’s journey into the personal finance field 

07:03 Financial education resources for teachers 

08:26 The “why” behind Financial Healing 

11:24 How to ease financial anxiety

15:06 The Five Money Languages 

21:15 Why fear is the secret weapon to financial freedom

23:47 How to start about money with no shame

25:20 Joanne’s 2 cents

Show Note Links:

Instagram: @financialhealing 

Connect with Financial Healing on Linkedin!

Learn more about Financial Healing with Joanne!

Learn more about Financial Beginnings!

Want to get involved with AFCPE®?
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• Sign up for an Essentials Course
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After years of navigating the fast-paced world of actuarial consulting in New York City, Jon Akerman found himself burnt out and unsure of his next step. Instead of staying stuck, Jon embraced uncertainty — relocating to a new state, joining the Florida Army National Guard, and discovering his passion for financial coaching. Now, as a coach with MyBudgetCoach, Jon empowers people to break free from living paycheck to paycheck and take control of their financial futures. In this episode, Jon shares his powerful journey of transformation, his insights on making meaningful financial decisions, and his mission to guide underserved communities toward financial stability. Plus, he reveals why listening — really listening — can be a game-changer in both life and money.

Show Notes:

02:33 Jon’s financial counseling and coaching journey

06:49 What led Jon to the AFC

11:36 Bad money management does not discriminate

13:58 How to make meaningful change in your financial decisions

16:52 Jon’s “why” behind joining MyBudgetCoach

19:50 Jon’s 2 Cents

Show Note Links:

Meet Your Budget Coach: Jon Akerman 

Explore Jon’s Website!

Want to get involved with AFCPE®?
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• Become a Member
• Sign up for an Essentials Course
• Get AFC Certified today!

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