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Real Money, Real Experts is a personal finance podcast written and produced by AFCPE®. With an audience of financial professionals, we strive to educate and entertain with a combination of expert tips, engaging interviews, and real-life storytelling.
AFCPE® ensures the highest integrity of the financial counseling profession by certifying, connecting, and supporting diverse professionals. Our comprehensive program, the AFC® (Accredited Financial Counselor®), represent the gold standard of financial counseling certifications. And our membership community offers a place to share best practices, solve similar struggles, and access tools and resources that advance your career and enable you to better serve your clients.
136 Episodes
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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...
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 clie...
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—bo...
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 actiona...
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...
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 d...
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 co...
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 interconn...
1What 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 ex...
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 demyst...
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 pho...
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 tr...
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...
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 s...
Achieving financial independence doesn’t require a six-figure salary — just ask Jackie Koski. In this episode of Real Money, Real Experts, we sit down with Jackie Koski, an Accredited Financial Counselor and Certified Financial Planner who achieved financial independence in her 40s — all while earning less than six figures. Jackie shares her inspiring journey of overcoming poverty, divorce, and single motherhood to reach F.I.R.E. (Financial Independence, Retire Early). She breaks down her pro...
In this episode of Real Money, Real Experts, we sit down with financial coach, author, and educator Ericka Young, AFC, who shares her personal journey of paying off $90,000 in debt and building a career helping families achieve financial freedom. Ericka discusses the importance of open and honest money conversations, both in relationships and in financial institutions, explaining how trust plays a crucial role in financial success. She also dives into practical strategies for raising financia...
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 infl...
In this episode of Real Money, Real Experts, we’re joined by Jessica Moorhouse, a leading financial educator, podcast host, and founder of MoorMoney Media Inc. Jessica’s passion for financial literacy started early—she worked her way through university and mastered frugality. But after stepping into the professional world, she realized that budgeting alone wasn’t enough to achieve the life she dreamed of. Determined to learn more, she became an expert in financial planning and building wealth...
In the Season 6 premiere of Real Money, Real Experts, we’re joined by 2025 Board President and our new co-host Dr. Brandy Baxter, AFC®️, the powerhouse behind Living Abundantly and Envision 30. As an Accredited Financial Counselor®️, financial coach, and strategic leader, Brandy helps individuals and organizations think from the future to achieve financial success. With a wealth of experience—including her service in the U.S. Air Force, leadership in financial education, and dedication to com...
In this special season finale, Rachael and Mary bring you voices of #ExperienceAFCPE2024 attendees directly from the symposium floor. Attendees share their experiences, key takeaways, and advice for financial educators and those entering the field. This compilation of mini-interviews offers unique insights into the world of financial education and the power of shared learning. This episode is also Mary’s final episode as podcast co-host. After 5 years, Mary is passing the baton to a new co-h...
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