Real Money, Real Experts

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.

Real Money, Real Experts is a business podcast hosted by AFCPE®, with 160 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

AFCPE® hosts Real Money, Real Experts, a business show with 160 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #159

  The State of Financial Coaching: What the Data Tells Us About the Profession

  Sep 29, 202633 minS6

  What does the data tell us about the financial coaching and counseling profession; where is the field headed next? In this episode of Real Money, Real Experts , we’re joined by Joshua Escalante Troesh CFP®️ | MBA and Amelie Riendl AFC®️ | PMP®️ of Financial Coaches Network to unpack findings from the State of Financial Coaching and Counseling Survey. We explore how professionals define themselves, the role of credentials like the AFC, emerging business trends, technology adoption, professional boundaries, and the importance of finding a niche. Josh and Amelie also share what the data reveals about the profession’s growth, where coaches and counselors may need additional education or support, and how financial coaching could increasingly intersect with financial planning and advisory firms. Plus, we discuss why financial coaches don’t need to expand into regulated services to demonstrate their value, and why the foundational work of budgeting, accountability, saving, and debt reduction remains so important. Topics discussed include: How financial coaches and counselors define their roles What the survey reveals about credentials and professional identity Professional boundaries and regulated services Technology and efficiency in coaching practices Niches, revenue, and business growth The current state and future of the profession How financial coaching may fit into financial planning firms The importance of investing in your education, business, and practice If you’re a financial coach, counselor, AFC, educator, or simply interested in the evolution of the profession, this conversation offers a data-driven look at where the field is today and the opportunities ahead. Learn more about AFCPE® and AFC Certification . Tune in to Real Money, Real Experts for practical insights on creating financial education programs that meet people where they are. Like, subscribe, and follow the show so you never miss a conversation with financial professionals making an impact in their communities. Show Notes: 00:00 – Welcome & Introduction 02:15 – Why This Survey Matters 05:00 – Financial Coach vs. Financial Counselor 09:00 – Credentials & Professional Identity 12:00 – Professional Boundaries & Regulatory Risks 16:30 – Financial Coaches & Technology 19:30 – Niches, Revenue & Business Growth 23:30 – The State of the Profession 27:00 – The Future of Financial Coaching 31:00 – Investing in Your Coaching Business 34:00 – The Value of Financial Coaching 37:00 – What’s Next for Financial Coaching? 40:00 – Josh's & Amelie's 2 Cents Connect With Our Guest Reach out directly via email: Info@financialcoachesnetwork.com Connect on social media: FCN on Facebook Participate in the survey today: 2026 State of Financial Coaching Benchmarking Survey Resource Mentioned: https://www.financialcoachesnetwork.com/moneycoachnetwork_career Resource Mentioned: https://www.financialcoachesnetwork.com/moneycoachnetwork Listen on Your Favorite Platform Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: Real Money, Real Experts on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify: Real Money, Real Experts on Spotify Listen on Amazon Music: Real Money, Real Experts on Amazon Music Listen on Cast Box: Real Money, Real Experts on Castbox About the Real Money, Real Experts Podcast Brought to you by AFCPE®, this podcast supports, educates, and connects financial professionals with actionable insights to advance their careers and better serve their communities. 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.

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  Episode #157

  Creating Client-Centered Programs That Empower Communities | Holly Zugay

  Sep 1, 202629 minS6

  What does it take to make financial education truly meaningful and accessible? In this episode of Real Money, Real Experts , Holly Zugay, CFP, AFC, shares her journey from chemistry to financial education and the lessons she’s learned working with diverse communities, including low-income families, veterans, homeowners facing foreclosure, and individuals transitioning from incarceration. Holly discusses how shame, stigma, and lack of confidence can create barriers to financial well-being , and why financial professionals need to move beyond the “ivory tower” approach. She shares practical strategies for building trust, creating participant-centered financial education programs, using activities to make financial topics engaging, and measuring success through meaningful behavior change. Holly also breaks down her Building Your Financial House program, including why she takes a long-term approach to financial education, addresses topics beyond budgeting and credit, and helps participants build confidence in their financial decisions. Learn more about AFCPE® and AFC Certification . Tune in to Real Money, Real Experts for practical insights on creating financial education programs that meet people where they are. Like, subscribe, and follow the show so you never miss a conversation with financial professionals making an impact in their communities. Show Notes: 00:00 – Meet Holly Zugray: From Chemistry to Financial Education 02:00 – From Financial Planning to Community-Based Financial Education 04:00 – Breaking Down the Shame and Stigma Around Money 06:00 – Making Financial Education Participant-Centered 08:30 – Building Trust Through Vulnerability and Shared Experiences 11:00 – Creating a Safe Space for Financial Conversations 13:00 – How Communication Can Create Barriers for Clients 15:00 – Building Your Financial House: A Holistic Approach to Financial Wellness 20:00 – Why Financial Education Should Go Beyond Budgeting and Credit 25:00 – Designing Engaging Financial Education Programs 28:00 – Measuring Success Through Behavior Change 31:00 – What Financial Professionals Can Learn From Their Communities 34:00 – Walking in Your Clients’ Shoes Through Simulations 36:00 – Holly’s Advice: Slow and Steady Wins the Race 37:00 – Final Takeaways & How to Connect With Holly Connect With Our Guest Visit her website to learn more: PA Housing Financial Agency Reach out directly via email: hzugay@phfa.org Connect on social media: Holly Zugay on Linkedin Resource mentioned: A Framework for Understanding Poverty (Ruby Payne, PhD.) Listen on Your Favorite Platform Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: Real Money, Real Experts on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify: Real Money, Real Experts on Spotify Listen on Amazon Music: Real Money, Real Experts on Amazon Music Listen on Cast Box: Real Money, Real Experts on Castbox About the Real Money, Real Experts Podcast Brought to you by AFCPE®, this podcast supports, educates, and connects financial professionals with actionable insights to advance their careers and better serve their communities. #AFCPodcast #FinancialCounseling #FinancialTherapy #NeurodiversityInFinance #ADHDMoneyTips #InclusivePractice 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.

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  Episode #156

  Show Me Your Numbers, I'll Tell You Your Story with Simi Mandelbaum

  Aug 18, 202633 minS6

  In this episode of Real Money, Real Experts , we’re joined by Simi Mandelbaum, a certified financial therapist, accredited financial counselor, certified financial behavior specialist, and founder and CEO of Prosper Financial Wellness. Simi shares how combining financial counseling, behavioral finance, and financial therapy can help clients transform not only their finances, but their relationship with money. Together, we explore how neurodivergence and different learning styles can impact financial behaviors, why traditional financial advice doesn’t work for everyone, and how financial professionals can create more inclusive and engaging experiences for their clients. Simi also shares practical strategies—from visual and tactile tools to gamifying financial goals—that can help clients better understand their money and build lasting financial confidence. Plus, Simi shares her “three cents” of advice, including how to create intentional space between wanting and buying, why every “yes” is also a “no,” and the importance of practicing compassion with ourselves and our clients. Show Notes: 00:00 Welcome Simi Mandelbaum 02:25 The “Financial Stew” Approach to Financial Wellness 03:35 Neurodivergence and Money Management 04:44 Supporting Neurodivergent Clients 08:03 Making Financial Education Tactile & Experiential 10:30 Why One-Size-Fits-All Financial Advice Doesn’t Work 13:08 How Emotions & Past Experiences Shape Financial Decisions 15:15 Creating a More Inclusive Financial Practice 18:40 The Power of Visual Reminders 19:33 From Financial Overwhelm to Financial Confidence 21:01 Supporting Different Learning Styles in Financial Services 22:12 Simi’s 3 Cents Show Note Links: Connect with Simi ADD is awesome by Penn Holderness Do you have Financial Anxiety quiz Qubemoney Amazon Fridge Thermometer Ally Bank Vertex Debt Reduction Calculator 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.

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  Episode #155

  More Personal Than Finance: Helping Veterans Build Financial Resilience with Dedrick Curtis

  Aug 4, 202631 minS6

  Financial challenges are rarely just about numbers—they're about life, transitions, and the support people need along the way. In this episode of Real Money, Real Experts , hosts Rachael DeLeon and Dr. Brandy Baxter sit down with AFC®, CFP® Dedrick Curtis to discuss the unique financial realities facing veterans, military families, and caregivers. As Program Manager for the Veterans Benefits Banking Program and founder of Penny Earned Financial, Dedrick shares how behavioral finance, financial counseling, and financial planning work together to help people navigate everything from financial crises to long-term wealth building. Together, they explore the difference between financial counseling and financial planning, why collaboration among financial professionals leads to better client outcomes, and how empathy, trust, and financial education can empower individuals through every stage of their financial journey. Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome & Guest Introduction 02:26 – What Is the Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP)? 04:53 – The Biggest Financial Challenges Veterans Face Today 06:37 – Why Personal Finance Is More Personal Than Finance 08:25 – Financial Counseling vs. Financial Planning: What's the Difference? 11:50 – Financial Journeys Aren't Always Linear 12:18 – How Financial Counselors and Planners Can Better Collaborate 15:56 – Building Trust with Clients During Financial Stress 19:08 – Serving Veterans Through Specialized Financial Guidance 22:14 – How the Financial Industry Can Better Support Military Families 24:41 – Dedrick's Two Cents: Why More People Should Become Financial Counselors 26:24 – Where to Connect with Dedrick Curtis 27:59 – Key Takeaways: Meeting Clients Where They Are 30:31 – Closing Remarks Shownotes: Learn more about Veterans Banking! Military Financial Advisors Learn more about Penny Earned Financial! Connect with Dedrick! 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.

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  Episode #154

  The Power of Saying Yes: Building a Career in Financial Well-Being with Jarod Taylor

  Jul 21, 202629 minS6

  Career-defining opportunities often begin with a single "yes." In this episode, Jarod Taylor, AFC®, Director of Education and Community Engagement at AFCPE, reflects on his unexpected journey into the financial well-being profession, beginning during the 2008 housing crisis and evolving into a career dedicated to advancing financial education and supporting the next generation of Accredited Financial Counselors®. Jarod discusses the power of community within the profession, the evolving role of financial counselors in an AI-driven landscape, and why human-centered guidance remains essential to achieving lasting financial well-being. He also shares insights for those considering a career in financial counseling and offers a timely reminder that meaningful progress starts with taking the first step. Whether you're an aspiring financial counselor, an established practitioner, or simply passionate about expanding access to financial well-being, this conversation offers thoughtful insights on leadership, lifelong learning, and the impact of saying "yes" to new opportunities. Show Notes: 00:00 Meet Jarod Taylor, AFC® 02:34 Embracing a "Year of Yes" and trying new experiences 03:39 How the 2008 housing crisis launched Jarod's career 05:57 Personal finance lessons that shaped his professional journey 08:59 Eight years supporting AFC candidates and life-changing career stories 11:41 Stepping into the role of Director of Education & Community Engagement 14:45 AI, financial technology, and why human-centered counseling matters 18:53 The growing demand for financial counselors and career opportunities 19:46 Advice for those considering a career in financial counseling 21:10 What a bonsai class taught Jarod about personal finance 23:21 Jarod's 2 Cents Show Note Links: Connect with Jarod! We're celebrating one year of the AFC Learning System and the revamped Money Management Essentials with a special offer! Save 15% on either program with promo code ONEDERFUL15 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.

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