Real Money, Real Experts

AFCPE®
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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.

  1. Innovating Financial Education: The Power of Financial Field Trips with Whitney Ramirez

    3D AGO

    Innovating Financial Education: The Power of Financial Field Trips with Whitney Ramirez

    In this episode of Real Money, Real Experts, co-hosts Rachael DeLeon and Dr. Brandy Baxter are joined by Whitney Ramirez, founder of Diapers to Deposits and Financial Field Trips, to discuss innovative approaches to financial education that move beyond traditional instruction. Whitney shares how her experiential learning model—“financial field trips”—helps learners apply financial concepts in real-world settings, from visiting banks and apartment complexes to exploring car dealerships. By meeting individuals where they are and building on their existing knowledge, her approach fosters deeper understanding, confidence, and long-term behavior change. We explore key concepts including the financial literacy vortex, the importance of application-based learning, and how educators, counselors, and financial professionals can better engage both youth and adult learners. This conversation offers practical insights for anyone looking to make financial education more impactful, relevant, and sustainable. Show Notes: 03:19 The Story Behind the LED Backpack & Standing Out 04:20 How Financial Field Trips Began 05:28 The FAST Framework Explained 07:01 Applying Financial Education in Real Life 11:13 How Behavior Change Happens 13:24 Why Financial Field Trips Work 15:25 Applying These Strategies with Adult Clients 18:03 Teaching Through Storytelling: The “Loan Shark” Lesson 20:23 Planting Seeds Early in Financial Education 21:08 Whitney’s 2 Cents Show Note Links: Learn more about D2D Youth Money Hub!  Connect with Whitney!  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.

    27 min
  2. Tax-Smart Ways to Donate to Charities with Dr. Barbara O’Neill

    MAR 17

    Tax-Smart Ways to Donate to Charities with Dr. Barbara O’Neill

    Hosts Dr. Brandy Baxter and Rachael DeLeon welcome longtime AFCPE member Dr. Barbara O’Neill to discuss changes in financial planning over 40 years, including increased automation and the uncertain readiness of AI, alongside AFCPE’s growing membership diversity.  O’Neill defines tax-smart charitable giving as aligning donations with income-tax benefits and highlights additional psychological benefits of philanthropy. She shares strategies including qualified charitable distributions from traditional IRAs, bunching deductions to exceed the standard deduction, donor-advised funds, and new 2026 charitable deductions for non-itemizers, while noting shifting tax rules for itemizers.  The conversation also covers older adults’ needs—lower risk, lower taxes, simplicity, reliable income, and “fun money”—popular later-life class topics, solopreneur advice, and the importance of making financial education simple and actionable.  Show Notes: 00:00 Meet our guest, Barbara O'Neill 02:16 How Finance Has Changed 03:08 AI and the Human Touch 05:48 Tax Smart Giving Basics 14:41 Keeping Up With Tax Law 15:37 Giving Tips for Young Adults 17:57 Older Adults Money Needs 27:10 Late Life Entrepreneurship 33:01 Barbara's Two Cents Show Note Links: Check out MoneyTalk! Connect with MoneyTalk on Twitter! Explore the MoneyTalk blog! Grab your copy of Barbara's book!   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.

    40 min
  3. Fixing More Than the Numbers: Counseling Strategies When Budgets Don't Do the Trick with Jayne Larson and Alicia Lawrence

    MAR 3

    Fixing More Than the Numbers: Counseling Strategies When Budgets Don't Do the Trick with Jayne Larson and Alicia Lawrence

    In this episode of Real Money, Real Experts, Dr. Brandy Baxter sits down with financial counselors Alicia Lawrence and Jayne Larson to explore why real financial change goes beyond the numbers. They discuss the power of motivational interviewing, empathy, and curiosity in helping clients uncover the “why” behind their money habits. From overcoming the fear of opening bills to negotiating more than 20 credit card accounts, this conversation highlights how mindset shifts—not just budgets—drive lasting progress. For financial professionals ready to focus less on spreadsheets and more on behavior, this episode offers practical insight into creating meaningful, sustainable change. Show Notes: 02:00 – Meet the guests: Alicia Lawrence & Jayne Larson 03:00 – Shifting from “what to do” to understanding the why behind money behaviors 05:00 – Motivational interviewing and the stages of change 08:00 – Emotional triggers, stress spending, and building client trust 09:30 – Measuring progress beyond the numbers (confidence, opening mail, mindset shifts) 11:00 – Client story: From avoiding bills to negotiating 20+ credit cards 14:00 – What sparked the mindset shift? 15:20 – Advice for financial professionals: leading with curiosity and empathy 19:00 – Reflection questions that spark behavior change 20:50 – Two Cents segment: Discomfort, flexibility, and sustainable planning 22:30 – How to connect + episode wrap-up Show Note Links: Learn more here! Learn more about the wages & inflation here! Learn more about the US Inflation Rates! Learn more about Jayne & Alicia's work here! Check out this resource!   Connect with Alicia!  Connect with Your Money Line on Instagram! Connect with Your Money Line 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.

    25 min
  4. Rewired: 7 Steps to Help Clients Transform Their Relationship with Money with Ryan Law AFC®, CFP®

    FEB 17

    Rewired: 7 Steps to Help Clients Transform Their Relationship with Money with Ryan Law AFC®, CFP®

    In this episode of Real Money, Real Experts, we welcome back fan favorite Ryan Law, award-winning educator, author, and financial counselor, to share something a little different: his groundbreaking ReWired Framework. Ryan walks us through his seven-step process for identifying and transforming limiting beliefs—the inner work that often determines whether we achieve lasting success. From recognizing the beliefs that hold us back to experimenting with small, actionable steps, Ryan shows how rewiring our mindset can create real, sustainable change—not just in finances, but in all areas of life. Whether you’re a financial professional helping clients reach their goals or someone striving to make positive changes in your own life, this episode provides practical insights and strategies to start rewiring your brain for success. Show Notes: 02:09 Introduction to the ReWired Framework 04:59 Why knowledge and motivation alone aren’t enough for lasting chang 08:20 How beliefs drive behavior and why focusing on inner work is key 10:51 Step-by-step breakdown of the ReWired Framework (R–E–W–I–R–E–D) 18:25 The power of small, consistent steps to reinforce new beliefs 21:09 Documenting and reflecting for sustainable growth 24:03 How rewiring your brain applies to clients and your own life 25:26 Ryan’s 2 Cents Show Note Links: Connect with Ryan on Linkedin! Learn more about Sarah Newcomb! Check out Erika Wasserman! Learn more about Money Habitudes! Check out Klontz Money Script Inventory (KMSI)! Read Atomic Habits! Read Tiny Habits! 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.

    29 min
  5. Yours, Mine, and Ours: Navigating Money in Blended Families with Mikel Van Cleve, MBA, CFP®, FBS®, CEBS

    FEB 3

    Yours, Mine, and Ours: Navigating Money in Blended Families with Mikel Van Cleve, MBA, CFP®, FBS®, CEBS

    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.

    32 min
  6. Will AI Take My Job? with Dr. Jessica Limbrick

    JAN 20

    Will AI Take My Job? with Dr. Jessica Limbrick

    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.

    27 min
  7. Two Cents Round-up of 2025: Lessons in Wealth, Trust, and Financial Growth

    JAN 6

    Two Cents Round-up of 2025: Lessons in Wealth, Trust, and Financial Growth

    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.

    24 min
  8. Where Finance Meets Humanity: Ann Lentell on Coaching, Community & Change

    12/23/2025

    Where Finance Meets Humanity: Ann Lentell on Coaching, Community & Change

    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.

    33 min
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4.9
out of 5
34 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    AFCPE®
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    148
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Real Money, Real Experts
  • Show Website
    Real Money, Real Experts

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