Blog

XY Planning Network exhibited at the 2023 AFCPE Symposium. Learn more about exhibiting → When I was a kid, I had a friend named John. John and I were as close as could be—and what unified our friendship was the love of strategy-based video games. We played them all—particularly the 90’s...

December 27, 2023

"At heart, I’m an educator. If I can help anyone rethink their approach to money and lifestyle choices, which sets them up for success, that is a plus.” One of our Personal Financial Counselors, Michael Snowdon, recently described what he likes about working with military families as a Magellan Federal...

December 21, 2023

Episode 91: From the Vault: Michael Thomas on EmpathyDownload the transcript!Every December, Real Money, Real Experts takes a break to prepare for the year ahead. As we head into the busy holiday season, we're happy to re-share a fan favorite - our episode on empathy and the art of listening...

December 19, 2023

Special YouTube Live Episode:Symposium Recap: Find Your People with Andi Wrenn, AFC®This week, Real Money, Real Experts, was live on YouTube with AFCPE Board President, Andi Wrenn. Andi, Mary, and Rachael recap all things 2023 AFCPE Symposium. If you joined us for Symposium this year, come reminisce with us. If you...

December 08, 2023

Episode 90: Building a Collaborative Practice Model with Nathan AstleDownload the transcript!This week we welcome financial therapist, Nathan Astle, to the show. Nate is the founder of the Financial Therapy Clinical Institute, which is a collaborative practice that includes financial counselors, therapists, and planners working together to meet the needs...

November 21, 2023

Episode 89: Recognizing the Value of Cultural Competency with Lazetta BraxtonDownload the transcript!Lazetta Braxton, MBA, CFP® is on a mission to create wealth for the common good. She believes in fighting for voices that have not been heard, and has built her career around making room for underserved and overlooked...

November 07, 2023

Episode 88: Facets of Consumer Protection with John McNamara, CFPB Download the transcript! Today’s guest is John McNamara, Principal Assistant Director of Consumer Credit, Payments, and Deposits Markets at the CFPB. In this episode, John shares his professional journey from debt collection to his current role at the CFPB. He...

October 24, 2023

Episode 87: The Art of Storytelling and Story Listening with Dr. Preston CherryDownload the transcript!Dr. Preston Cherry, AFC®, CFP®, CFT-1 is the Founder & President of Concurrent Financial Planning, the Head of the University of Wisconsin Green Bay Financial Planning Program, and also a keynote speaker at this year's AFCPE...

October 10, 2023

Episode 86: Financial Trauma with Rahkim SabreeDownload the transcript!On today's episode we talk to AFC candidate, Rahkim Sabree, a financial coach, entrepreneur, and thought leader on the topic of financial trauma. We discuss how personal background, cultural experiences, and mental health all play a role in personal finance, and how...

September 26, 2023

Episode 85: Building Accessible Financial Education with Penny ForwardDownload the transcript!“Whether someone wants to be independent with their finances is their absolute decision…but what I don’t want that decision to be based around is the fact that someone cannot see anymore…I want to help [people] realize that there are options.”...

September 12, 2023

Episode 84: Student Loan Repayment: What you need to know with Ryan Law, AFC®,CFP®Download the transcript!With the student loan pause coming to an end and a new repayment plan announced, we wanted to answer your questions. And who better to help us break down the new Student Loan SAVE plan...

August 29, 2023

Episode 83: Changing the Face of Financial Education with Sarah NewcombDownload the transcript!Sarah Newcomb is an applied scientist, behavioral economist, and the Founder of the Thrive Financial Empowerment Center. Her work bridges the gap between research and practice, adapting the findings of academic research for practical use in personal financial...

August 14, 2023