Next Gen Personal Finance

In this episode of the NGPF podcast, investment expert Patrick Geddes pulls back the curtain on the investment industry, breaking down the difference between asset managers and wealth managers and explaining how each gets paid. Geddes walks listeners through the most important questions to ask a financial advisor, including how to identify hidden fees, understand fiduciary standards, and evaluate professional designations like CFP and CFA. He makes a compelling case for low-cost index fund investing, explaining how even a fee under 1% can cost an investor hundreds of thousands of dollars over time due to the power of compounding. The episode closes with an honest framework for deciding whether to hire an advisor or go the do-it-yourself route, empowering listeners to think of themselves first as consumers — not just investors.

In this episode of the NGPF podcast, investment professional Patrick Geddes walks listeners through the fundamentals of turning financial goals into actionable plans, covering topics like retirement planning, asset allocation, and how time horizons should shape investment decisions. He explains practical tools like the 4% withdrawal rule, walks through a concrete example of calculating how much a retiree will need in their portfolio, and discusses the pros and cons of target date funds. Patrick makes a strong case for low-cost, cap-weighted index funds over active management, arguing that the evidence in favor of indexing is overwhelming, and covers how to think about stock and bond selection across both taxable and tax-advantaged accounts. He also tackles the often-overlooked complexity of viewing your total portfolio across all accounts simultaneously, including a case study where listeners calculate a sample investor's true asset allocation. The episode wraps up with practical guidance on rebalancing, how often to check your accounts, and the importance of accounting for taxes when evaluating the real value of different account types.

In this episode of the NGPF podcast, investment expert Patrick Geddes breaks down two of the most fundamental concepts in personal finance, asset classes and asset allocation, in a way that's clear, engaging, and immediately usable in the classroom. Patrick argues that asset allocation is the single most important decision any investor makes, and walks listeners through the trade-offs between safer assets like cash and bonds and riskier ones like stocks and real estate, using relatable analogies that your students will actually remember. He dives deep into the tension between market risk and inflation risk, showing decades of real return data that make a compelling case for why long-term investors should embrace — not fear the stock market. The episode also tackles the active versus passive investing debate head-on, presenting overwhelming evidence that index funds outperform actively managed funds over time, and explaining the psychological biases that lead so many investors to make costly mistakes anyway. Whether you're introducing students to investing for the first time or helping them think more critically about financial decision-making, this episode gives you the data, the language, and the real-world examples to bring these concepts to life.

Investment expert Patrick Geddes cuts through the intimidation and jargon of investing to reveal what truly matters, and what you can safely ignore. Patrick makes the case that good habits, not brilliance, are the real secret to building wealth, using compelling stories like Grace Groner, who turned $180 into $7.2 million simply by buying and holding. He covers why starting early, staying invested through market downturns, and keeping fees low are far more powerful than trying to pick winning stocks or time the market. Patrick also challenges common myths, like the idea that good investing must be complicated, and he explains why boring index funds beat the vast majority of actively managed funds over the long run. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just getting started, this session offers a refreshingly honest, research-backed perspective that'll leave you feeling less intimidated about long-term investing!

In this episode, Tim interviews David Gardner, co-founder of The Motley Fool, about how to make investing approachable for younger learners. David shares the scrappy origin story behind The Motley Fool, two classroom-ready stories to hook teens on stock market basics, and practical ways that you can help your own students distinguish between investing behaviors and gambling behaviors. You'll also hear why investing is often under-taught, how teachers can build confidence to teach it, and you'll get a preview of the new interactive "Freedometer" tool being piloted with NGPF to strengthen stock market and investing instruction across the nation!

Yanely talks to Chad Mallo, a former loan officer turned award-winning educator, to unpack how early money memories, and a family's bill-paying routines, can shape lifelong financial habits. Chad shares what it really took to leave a two-decade banking career for the classroom, including the mindset shifts, sacrifices, and "am I truly helping people?" moment that changed everything. Together, they explore how teachers can build trust, make personal finance feel relevant in a cashless, app-driven world, and learn alongside students without "faking it." You'll hear practical strategies for creating a safe classroom culture, addressing the digital divide, and helping students talk about money even when it's taboo at home. Chad also highlights powerful success stories from student entrepreneurship competitions and a memorable example of differentiated assessment that helped a reluctant student demonstrate mastery.

Yanely chats with CFP and financial journalist Hanna Horvath to unpack why money struggles persist even when information is everywhere, and why the real missing piece is often psychology! Together, they explore "money scripts," financial anxiety, and the emotional triggers behind impulse spending and avoidance, offering educators a fresh lens for teaching personal finance beyond tactics and terminology. Hanna breaks down the generational pressures fueling stress for Millennials and Gen Z, from housing unaffordability to comparison culture and algorithm-driven status signaling. The conversation also digs into how fintech and AI can both support healthy habits and amplify predatory design, with practical red flags teachers can share to help students evaluate financial content on social media. You'll hear candid takes on buy now, pay later, the "casino economy," and the ways modern products make spending frictionless, and why values-based decision-making is a critical antidote. If you're looking for classroom-ready insights that connect behavioral science, media literacy, and real-world money challenges, this episode delivers plenty to discuss with your students.

Tim welcomes Ted Daniels, whose work has helped empower thousands of students through HBCUs and peer-to-peer, student ambassador programs. Ted shares the personal moments that sparked his mission, from balancing a family checkbook in high school to advising federal coworkers who didn't understand basic investing. Together, they dig into the topics students most want: value-based budgeting, improving credit, and learning how to invest without falling for get-rich-quick schemes. The conversation also tackles modern challenges like gambling, cryptocurrency hype, and how AI is shaping money management—while emphasizing that foundational financial knowledge is still essential. You'll hear practical strategies for teaching investing patiently, building wealth over time, and making smart financial habits easier by designing the right environment. The chat ends with inspiring outcomes, including evidence of measurable impact, real career success stories, and Daniels' award-winning children's book that helps families start money conversations early!

Tom Proulx shares the story of how he co-founded Intuit and created Quicken in his Stanford dorm room in 1983 after a chance meeting with Scott Cook outside the engineering library. Proulx explains how they revolutionized personal finance software by focusing on what customers actually wanted: to save time on tedious tasks like bill paying and check register maintenance, rather than adding complex features most people didn't use. The conversation offers valuable lessons for financial education teachers, particularly around entrepreneurship, where Proulx emphasizes that perseverance is the #1 trait for success and stresses the importance of deeply understanding your customer rather than building what you personally want. Proulx also discusses how Quicken evolved based on user research (discovering half their users ran small businesses led to QuickBooks), the 1993 IPO and TurboTax acquisition, and his vision for AI-powered financial tools that could help people automate finances and tackle credit card debt more effectively.

In this NGPF Speaker Series conversation, former New England Patriots COO Andy Wasynczuk shares how a chance connection led to a surprising career pivot into pro sports leadership. He connects early money lessons from his immigrant upbringing to real-world decisions behind running a team, from stadium financing to revenue strategy. Financial literacy educators will love the clear, classroom-ready explanation of salary cap management, contract structure, and how analytics helped drive a long-term turnaround. The discussion also tackles timely topics like NIL and the transfer portal, plus what agents do well and where players still face financial risks. He closes with thoughtful reflections on how AI can inform decisions while human judgment, trust, and accountability remain essential.

In this NGPF Speaker Series episode, Tim Ranzetta interviews high school junior Sid Tripathi, founder of the Dollar Investigators, a youth-led initiative teaching elementary students foundational money skills. Sid shares how family conversations about finances and early entrepreneurship shaped his "long game" mindset around saving, investing, and avoiding get-rich-quick thinking. He explains how his team brings concepts like needs versus wants, budgeting, banking, debt, and compound interest to younger learners through hands-on activities and roleplay. Tim and Sid also discuss what motivates students, how to make financial topics immediately relevant, and what Sid has observed about teen investing apps, sports betting, and crypto hype. The conversation highlights how student-led teaching can normalize money talk, build confidence, and plant early "seeds" of financial decision-making. Educators will leave with practical ideas for engaging lessons, inspiring youth leadership, and ways to scale financial literacy impact beyond a single classroom.

*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:029fa314-d350-47ec-9406-0383fce9b650-4" data-testid= "conversation-turn-10" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> In this episode of the NGPF Speaker Series, former teacher Kathy Cuevas shares her career journey into education and the real-life experiences that shaped her approach to teaching—especially serving students with disabilities and students from low-income communities. She offers practical, classroom-tested advice for educators who are new to teaching personal finance, including how to get creative when resources are limited and how to seek support beyond your own school building. Kathy also walks listeners through hard-earned lessons from her own financial life. She talks about the mistakes, setbacks, and turning points that ultimately helped her retire with confidence. The conversation dives into teacher-specific retirement topics like 403(b) plans, real estate, and why building multiple streams of income can create flexibility in retirement. They also break down advanced strategies in accessible language, including Roth conversions, required minimum distributions, and how to think about risk over the long term. Overall, it's a candid, motivating conversation that encourages teachers to start planning early, keep learning, and build a retirement roadmap they can actually feel good about.

*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:0283a0f4-92ff-4d06-8cc7-21a2b5795b14-4" data-testid= "conversation-turn-10" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> This episode of the NGPF podcast features Walter Green, founder of the Say It Now movement, who shares how expressing specific, heartfelt gratitude to people who have impacted our lives can strengthen relationships and create lasting meaning. Walter describes his personal "gratitude journey," including traveling to thank 44 people in person, and explains how that experience inspired a global initiative now reaching tens of thousands of schools worldwide. Yanely and Walter discuss why students and educators often get stuck in short-term stressors, and how intentional reflection and gratitude can help shift mindset, build connection, and support well-being. The conversation offers simple, classroom-friendly ways to bring the practice to students, such as writing letters, recording short messages, or making gratitude more routine without needing a special holiday. They also connect gratitude to life readiness, emphasizing that relationship-building is a key skill that supports long-term success, including financial and professional opportunities. Prospective listeners will leave with practical ideas and inspiring stories that can help students, and teachers, feel more connected, valued, and motivated.

*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:521a5cdd-c237-4ea8-9234-66c315df496f-4" data-testid= "conversation-turn-10" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> In this episode, Yanely sits down with Certified Financial Planner Gloria Garcia Cisneros to break down what it really means to work with a fiduciary and how teachers can protect themselves from high-fee, commission-driven products often pushed in the 403(b) space. Gloria explains the key differences between independent advisory firms and broker-dealers, why "free" advice can still come with hidden costs, and the questions educators should ask about fees, incentives, and what is actually inside their retirement accounts. They also unpack how insurance products like annuities and permanent life insurance are sometimes marketed as "investments," why that can be risky, and how to spot red flags like guaranteed returns and salesy, one-size-fits-all pitches. Gloria shares her journey from first-generation immigrant to CFP and highlights why holistic financial planning goes beyond investments to include taxes, insurance, benefits, and long-term goals. The conversation ends with mindset shifts, like remembering that wealth is often what you don't see, and encouragement for teachers to build confidence, ask better questions, and stay on a steady path toward financial security.

In this NGPF Speaker Series episode, Tim interviews Keon Haley of FICO to unpack how credit scores work and how to teach them effectively. Keon shares his personal journey from limited financial conversations at home to discovering financial education's impact while working at a college Small Business Development Center, a passion that now drives his work at FICO's consumer credit education initiatives. They explore the 5 components of a FICO Score: payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, new credit, and credit mix. Keon dispels myths about checking credit, joint scores, and rate shopping. They also discuss how credit reports influence more than borrowing, affecting rentals, insurance, and jobs. The episode concludes with audience Q&A on topics like buy now, pay later reporting, aging mortgages, and medical debt, with Keon highlighting FICO's free Score A Better Future tools and classroom-ready resources.

In this episode, Yanely Espinal sits down with Philip Olson and Julia Lorenz-Olson, the creators and hosts of PBS's 2 Cents, to talk about what it takes to make personal finance education engaging, relevant, and truly useful for students. Philip and Julia share how their unconventional path—from theater backgrounds and early adulthood money lessons to launching their own financial planning firm—informs the way they approach financial storytelling on YouTube. They discuss how 2 Cents episodes are developed, from choosing timely "news and systems" topics versus practical "kitchen table" topics, to researching, scripting, and filming content designed to be accessible without oversimplifying. They close by reflecting on the changing landscape of public media funding, the role of AI in financial education and planning, and practical ways teachers can better capture student attention by giving them more voice in what they learn.

In this NGPF Podcast episode, Yanely interviews Jonathan Cohen about sports gambling in America. Jonathan unpacks how legalized sports betting exploded after the 2018 Supreme Court decision, and what that rapid expansion is doing to Americans' financial lives, mental health, and culture. He shares his research about why young men are disproportionately drawn in, how betting companies market to vulnerable audiences, and why gambling is uniquely recognized as a behavioral addiction. He also breaks down the jaw-dropping scale of legal sports wagering, explains where the money goes (and why states are so motivated to legalize it), and explores emerging threats like prediction markets and "gamified" investing apps that make betting even more accessible. The episode closes with practical, classroom-ready takeaways for educators, focused on harm reduction, teaching expected value, and adding "friction" to interrupt the cycle that keeps the house winning!

Tim Ranzetta interviews NerdWallet writer and personal finance expert Kate Ashford about entrepreneurship, financial education, and lessons from her career in journalism and freelancing. Kate shares early money memories, key insights she's gained from covering a wide range of personal finance topics, and practical advice for young entrepreneurs. From identifying a problem worth solving to funding a startup on a shoestring budget, the discussion explores business planning essentials. They discuss the evolving impact of AI, the importance of curiosity and communication skills, and why early jobs (even tough ones) can teach invaluable lessons. Kate offers guidance on mentorship, business structures, estate planning basics, and cultivating traits like perseverance, adaptability, and the "squeaky wheel" mindset. Packed with practical wisdom for educators and students alike, this conversation highlights what it really takes to build skills, start small, and stay flexible in a changing world.

In this episode, Yanely Espinal talks to Mellody Hobson, Co-CEO and President of Ariel Investments and New York Times bestselling author of Priceless Facts About Money. Melody shares the inspiration behind her new children's book, which she intentionally crafted as a "gateway" book that teaches adults through kids by making financial concepts fun, accessible, and rooted in real facts. She discusses her long-standing concern about America's financial literacy gap and explains how the pandemic finally gave her time to write the book. Drawing on examples like money slang, everyday decision-making, and historical origins of currency, Melody emphasizes that children are far more capable of learning complex financial ideas than adults often assume. She also highlights the importance of early exposure by describing the Ariel Community Academy model, where first graders receive real dollars to invest and learn financial concepts progressively through graduation. The conversation explores Melody's personal journey and how those experiences inform her mission to help the next generation build confidence and knowledge.

Tim Ranzetta talks to Lucretia Ryan, the founder of FinancialFreedomforwomen.org. She is a financial educator and writer focused on helping women make informed retirement and investment decisions without fees or commissions. Lucretia explains key Social Security concepts such as how benefits are earned based on contributions, the importance of choosing the optimal age to claim benefits, and dispels myths about Social Security running out. She covers the impact of laws like the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Social Security Fairness Act, especially for teachers in certain states. The podcast also clarifies spousal, divorced spouse, and survivor benefits, emphasizing maximizing payout by delaying claims until age 70 when possible. Throughout, Lucretia answers listener questions with clear examples to help listeners make educated decisions about Social Security.