Real Money, Real Experts

AFCPE®

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. From Trauma to Healing: Redefining Money Stories with Rahkim Sabree, AFC®

    30 СЕНТ.

    From Trauma to Healing: Redefining Money Stories with Rahkim Sabree, AFC®

    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.

    43 мин.
  2. Preparing to Pivot: Career Lessons with Jacquie Carroll, AFC®

    16 СЕНТ.

    Preparing to Pivot: Career Lessons with Jacquie Carroll, AFC®

    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.

    28 мин.
  3. Counseling Families Through College Costs with Michelle Smoley, AFC®

    2 СЕНТ.

    Counseling Families Through College Costs with Michelle Smoley, AFC®

    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.

    37 мин.
  4. Money with Meaning: Aligning Faith, Values, and Financial Fulfillment with Weslia Echols and Willa Williams

    19 АВГ.

    Money with Meaning: Aligning Faith, Values, and Financial Fulfillment with Weslia Echols and Willa Williams

    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.

    24 мин.
  5. Breaking It Down: Turning Financial Complexity into Clarity with Derek Brainard

    5 АВГ.

    Breaking It Down: Turning Financial Complexity into Clarity with Derek Brainard

    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.

    36 мин.
  6. Learning Beyond the Lecture: Teaching Real-Life Financial Lessons with Dr. Jessica Limbrick, AFC®️

    22 ИЮЛ.

    Learning Beyond the Lecture: Teaching Real-Life Financial Lessons with Dr. Jessica Limbrick, AFC®️

    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.

    36 мин.
  7. Whole Self, Whole Wealth: The Power of Holistic Financial Wellness with Dr. Brandon Shurn, AFC®️

    8 ИЮЛ.

    Whole Self, Whole Wealth: The Power of Holistic Financial Wellness with Dr. Brandon Shurn, AFC®️

    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, 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 мин.
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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.

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