Guest Colin Ryan speaks to college-age kids nationwide and shares humorous anecdotes to help them grapple with money. He also encourages parents to see their children as the heroes of their financial stories, understand their kids' unique perspectives and personalize conversations to foster connections. During his podcast appearance, Colin and host John Lanza discuss the idea of “earning by saving,” the role of modeling and technology’s impact on financial well-being. They also chat about personal finance's emotional and psychological facets, finding success and contentment in a consumer-driven society, social media's power, vulnerability's importance and the value of connecting through shared experiences. Colin Ryan is a comedic financial speaker, an author and an award-winning storyteller who has been featured everywhere from NPR and PBS to The Moth Radio Hour and Reader’s Digest. He was named one of the top ten finance presenters in America and has spoken to over one million students and adults. He is also the author of A Comedic Guide to Money and the founder of the Public Speaking for Leaders Podcast. As a speaker’s mentor, Colin is dedicated to helping talented leaders and public figures become fun, memorable and impactful communicators. He now lives in Durham, North Carolina, with his wife, Lindsey, and their dog, Remy.

Self-professed "money disaster" Joe Saul-Sehy shares his experiences with and insights on raising money-smart kids with host John Lanza. Joe recounts his own credit card debacle, which influenced how he approached money with his twins. He shares how he introduced them to money when they were young, his family's allowance system, his "circling back" strategy and how he tackled money conversations. He also discusses money tracking, the difference between saving and investing and responsible debt management. Additionally, Joe and John touch on the loneliness epidemic, the importance of financial coaching, having the freedom to make money mistakes and not making a purchase without a payment plan. Joe Saul-Sehy learned from failure. Destroying his credit immediately after leaving home, he had to gain financial experience the hard way. Ironically, he learned many lessons as a financial advisor. (Yes, he was telling other people how to manage their money!) After 16 years in the industry, he moved to financial media and created Stacking Benjamins, one of the most streamed podcasts in the personal finance sphere. He also co-authored the book Stacked: Your Super-Serious Guide to Modern Money Management. Joe lives in Texarkana with his spouse, Cheryl, and cat, Cooper, and records shows in his mom’s next-door basement.

Host John Lanza speaks with Vince Shorb about the importance of financial education, the need for financial literacy programs in schools and the challenges of scaling these programs. They address the underappreciated role of parents in financial literacy education and the importance of teaching kids to save, earn money and control expenses, while highlighting the power of compounding and the psychology of money. They also discuss similar grandfatherly advice influenced by The Great Depression. Vince shares his early money lessons and how his parents encouraged his entrepreneurial spirit while emphasizing the importance of resilience in making financial decisions. Vince Shorb, CEO of the National Financial Educators Council (NFEC), has helped transform financial education by developing engaging and effective programs that significantly impact diverse communities. The NFEC’s over 2,500 programs help empower community champions to help citizens work toward financial self-sufficiency and security.

Looking for some fresh perspective on your family's money-smart journey? Kevin Kelly's approaches to finances are sure to be conversation starters. Kevin is the Senior Maverick at Wired, an award-winning magazine he co-founded in 1993. He is also the co-chair of The Long Now Foundation, a membership organization that champions long-term thinking, and the founder of the popular Cool Tools website, which has been reviewing tools daily for 20 years. What's more, Kevin has authored multiple best-selling books about the future of technology. His newest one, Excellent Advice for Living, contains 450 modern proverbs for a pretty good life.  Kevin is someone who podcaster and author Tim Ferriss has described as the real-life “most interesting man in the world.” I love his writing and the radical optimism for which he is well known. (If you can't tell, he is one of my intellectual heroes.) I hope you enjoy our wide-ranging discussion, which touches on topics from billionaires and dying broke to protopias and traveling Asia.

How can parents encourage their kids to harness the power of patience on the money-smart journey? My latest Art of Allowance Podcast guest, Will Rainey, offers parents strategies for teaching investing and saving. Will is an award-winning investment consultant who has advised governments, insurance companies and some of the world's largest pension schemes. During his "mini-retirement," he began writing and speaking to help parents teach their children all about money. Will wrote Grandpa's Fortune Fables, a children's book that encourages kids to plant money seeds that will, with patience, sprout into massive money trees. His company, Blue Tree Savings, has also helped thousands of parents begin money conversations with their kids. What's more, Will has been invited to speak at Fortune 500 companies, and his work has appeared in the Financial Times, Forbes, iNews and the National News.

My latest podcast guest, Megan McCoy, offers strategies for partners to address their differences and realign their intentions on a money-smart journey. We also dive into negative financial self-fulfilling prophecies, why financial opposites attract, avoiding financial fights, the power of delayed gratification and the problem with financial education in the classroom. Megan holds a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Science with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy from The University of Georgia. She is currently an Assistant Professor at Kansas State University’s personal financial planning program, where she teaches courses at all levels focused on financial well-being, financial therapy and couple dynamics regarding financial therapy. What's more, Megan is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, an Accredited Financial Counselor® and a Certified Financial Therapist-I™.  Megan's research interests focus on financial therapy, financial well-being and financial communication. She has published over forty articles in top-tier mental health, family science, financial counseling and financial planning journals. Megan has been featured as a financial well-being expert for The Today Show, The New York Times, NPR, BBC, The Wall Street Journal and many other media outlets.

As your tweens start to get curious about money, are you wondering how to have conversations about what it means, what it’s worth, and what it can do for them? In this special episode, I speak with Samantha Paxson. Sam is trying to raise her 11yo son, Finn, to be money-smart. I heard Sam talk about her son's burgeoning interest in investing (yes, at age 11!) when she was on stage at the CU Relevant conference, at which we were both speaking. I immediately thought you'd enjoy it if we turned the tables and let my guest ask me questions. Like we did in episode 59 with Kelly Mindell, Sam Paxson comes today with bunch of questions that will be relevant to parents of tweens and teens who are on their own money-smart journeys. And once again, I've invited my former guest and fellow money-smart movement co-conspirator Robin Taub, a youth money-expert in her own right, to join me as a co-host. Samantha Paxson is Chief Experience Officer for Co-op Solutions. She is the architect of the company’s enterprise change management, go-to-market and experience strategy. An accomplished speaker and thought leader, Paxson founded Co-op THINK, an innovation content platform empowering the evolution of mission-driven financial services. Over her 20-year career, Paxson’s focus has been on the intersection of technology, purpose and experience. Paxson is a graduate of the University of Southern California with a degree in Journalism and Social Sciences, and holds an MBA from USC’s Marshall School of Business. She is also a board leader at  USC Credit Union. In short, Sam knows the financial industry. My co-host today is Robin Taub, a CPA,  keynote speaker and bestselling author. Her latest award-winning book, The Wisest Investment: Teaching Your Kids to Be Responsible, Independent and Money-Smart for Life, gives parents the information, strategies and inspiration they need to teach their kids about money. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (with High Distinction) from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. Robin puts her money where her mouth is and has two (mostly) money-smart young adults, a son and a daughter.

Are you curious about strategies for setting your kids up for financial success from an early age? Chelsea Brennan, founder of Smart Money Mamas, is on a mission to help moms build meaningful wealth without the hustle. As an ex-hedge fund manager turned financial educator, Chelsea now invests in helping thousands of moms heal their money mindset to own their financial power and grow lasting holistic wealth. Her proven strategies positively impact her clients, their families, and their communities by developing the building blocks for a lasting and powerful financial legacy for future generations. Chelsea is a National Financial Education Instructor. She has been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, Yahoo Finance, Scary Mommy, and Boss Mom. When she isn’t working on getting more money into the hands of mamas, Chelsea can be found reading fantasy books, doodling, or going on adventures with her husband and 2 young boys in Connecticut.

Do you feel overwhelmed by the financial burden that comes with sending your kids to college? Ann Garcia has helped thousands of families -- including her own -- save millions of dollars on college. Ann is the managing partner of Independent Progressive Advisors, a fee-only financial advisor, and the author of How to Pay for College. She's a mom to twins who just graduated debt-free from their top-choice colleges.

How can you and your kids overcome emotional ties to learn to use money as a tool? Self-proclaimed “financial cheerleader” Veronica Dangerfield provides you with a pep talk on this episode of The Art of Allowance Podcast. In addition to being an international speaker, a published poet and a professional comedienne, Veronica is an award-winning Financial Educator for Patelco Credit Union. Most notably, she was honored with the 2017 Credit Union Rock Star Award and twice received the national Desjardins Award for her contributions to adult financial literacy. A graduate of Sacramento State University, Veronica has also taught financial literacy for 18 years at the college level as well as at dozens of high schools and nonprofit organizations throughout California. And as a philanthropist, she has supported the Bay Area Crisis Nursery for six years as a producer of and performer in the annual Mother’s Day Comedy Show fundraiser.

How can parents ensure the money conversations they have with their kids actually matter? Guest Tom Henske offers several strategies during his second appearance on The Art of Allowance Podcast. A leader in the financial industry for nearly three decades, Tom began his career in financial planning in 1994 with Cowan Financial Group. Shortly thereafter, he started his own company, Henske Advisors. They were acquired in 2003 by National Financial Partners (merging them into Lenox Advisors), which went public shortly thereafter. Tom remained an equity partner until 2020, when he retired to focus solely on matters of life insurance and building the Total Cents platform.

How do you patiently leverage an allowance system to communicate family values to a young child? As my sister, Kelly Mindell, is learning on her family's money-smart journey, the key is patience. Lots and lots of patience! The tables are turned during this special episode of The Art of Allowance Podcast, as Kelly peppers me with questions regarding her own program. But so this installment doesn't turn into a family reunion (or, more likely, digress to the level of a lively Lanza board game night), my former guest and fellow money-smart movement co-conspirator Robin Taub joins in as co-host. Kelly is the founder and visionary behind Studio DIY, a colorful lifestyle brand that inspires over 700K followers throughout the social media landscape with DIY projects, bold home decor ideas and memorable holiday celebrations. Her projects have been featured in HGTV Magazine, Real Simple and Domino as well as on NBC's Parks & Recreation, Miley Cyrus's Milk tour, NPR, BuzzFeed and The Today Show. Kelly lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Jeff, and son, Arlo. Robin is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA), keynote speaker and bestselling author. Her latest award-winning book, The Wisest Investment: Teaching Your Kids to Be Responsible, Independent and Money-Smart for Life, gives parents the information, strategies and inspiration they need to teach their kids about money. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (with High Distinction) from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. Robin puts her money where her mouth is and has two (mostly) money-smart young adults, a son and a daughter.

Just what does the phrase "The Art of Allowance" really mean? Welcome to another Art of Allowance Podcast short! I've been seeing and hearing a lot of opinions about why an allowance is good or bad out there on the interwebs. So I recorded this brief episode to give you a broader perspective about what an allowance is and why I believe the art of it matters. Please reach out to let me know what you think of these audio nuggets. I hope you enjoy this format, as I plan to produce more shorts that I’ll intersperse amongst the conversations to which you already listen. And as a heads up, I include access to our social accounts and weekly newsletter, “3 Ideas to Share & Save,” in the “Links” section below.

Just what is the metaverse? And how can parents and financial institutions take advantage of it? Brett Wooden joins The Art of Allowance Podcast to answer these all-important questions from the tech realm. Brett is currently the SVP of Innovation at FTSI and previously the Chief Operations Officer at a credit union in the Northwest. He was named the Northwest Credit Union Association’s Young Credit Union Professional of the Year in 2011, Credit Union Times’ 40 and Under Trailblazer and Credit Union Magazine’s 2020 Rock Star. Brett thrives on helping others embrace and utilize new business strategies in today’s changing world. The driving force behind his organization's app development, advancement, digital and market penetration, Brett brings concepts to life by building and advancing software solutions. And while serving in multiple leadership roles at credit unions across the US, he has set a national trend for using mobile applications and digital technology to advance financial institutions.

How can developing an investor mindset in your children prepare them for financial success? Jedidiah Collins, my latest Art of Allowance Podcast guest, gives us a play-by-play description of how we can help our kids learn to act like investors. Jedidiah is a former NFL player who became a Certified Financial Planner®️ (CFP). He is also the author of the book, Your Money Vehicle, the founder of a financial literacy program of the same name and an adjunct professor of personal finance. Jedidiah holds an Accounting Degree from Carson College of Business, Washington State University. He has been featured on Scout.com and ESPN.com. Jedidiah is a seasoned speaker who has delivered keynotes to and facilitated workshops for Amazon, Microsoft, Sotheby’s, GlaskoSmithKline, the NFL, the MLB and numerous universities. It's easy to see why he's often referred to as "the hardest-working man in personal finance."

How can you help your kids' wealth grow not only monetarily but also practically? James Robert Lay offers a framework through his concept of "non-monetary deposits." James Robert is one of the world’s leading digital marketing authors, speakers and advisors for financial brands. Based in Houston, James Robert is the author of Banking on Digital Growth: The Strategic Marketing Manifesto to Transform Financial Brands. He is also the founder and CEO of the Digital Growth Institute, where he has guided more than 520 financial brands on a mission to simplify digital marketing and sales strategies that empower banks and credit unions to generate 10X more loans and deposits. James Robert has been named one of The Financial Brand's "Top Global Financial Services Influencers to Follow," a CUNA "Credit Union Rock Star" and a CU Times "Under 40 Trailblazer." His insights have been featured in outlets including US News and World Report, Quartz, The Financial Brand, American Banker, CU Times and CU Journal, among many others.

Are you worried about the quality of your family's money-smart journey? My latest Art of Allowance Podcast guest, Jessica Willis, is here to push you past your perfectionism paralysis! Jessica founded and currently serves as the CEO of Pocketnest, a financial wellness platform designed by and for Gen Xers and Millennials. A self-proclaimed finance wizard, Jessica has spent 20 years in the investment and finance industries. She is both a Certified Financial Planner (CFPⓇ) and a Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWAⓇ) with lots of client experience, having co-managed portfolios of all shapes and sizes. Jessica also received an MBA from Loyola University Chicago's Quinlan School of Business and an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan.

How do you ensure your kids are "ready for launch" and have some financial "skin in the game?" Let this episode of The Art of Allowance Podcast, featuring financial literacy advocate Bobbi Rebell, serve as your playbook! Bobbi is the author of a new book, Launching Financial Grownups: Live Your Richest Life by Helping Your (Almost) Adult Kids Become Everyday Money Smart. She is also the host of the Money Tips for Financial Grownups Podcast and the founder of GrownupGear.com. Earlier in her career, Bobbi was a global business news anchor and personal finance columnist at Reuters and held various journalist positions at top news outlets including CNBC, CNN, and PBS. She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and received her Certificate in Financial Planning from New York University. A mother and stepmother of three (almost) adult kids, Bobbi calls New York City home.

As with a plane’s flight systems, we need all three major financial socialization systems operating effectively and with sufficient redundancy in order to best ensure our kids grow up money-empowered. Today’s episode is a bit of an experiment. I’ve recorded an audio version of my recent essay, No Single Point of Failure. I hope you enjoy this as I plan to record more short episodes that I’ll intersperse amongst the conversations you already listen to.  In the show notes for this episode, I’ll make sure to include my social links and a registration link for my weekly newsletter, 3 Ideas to Share & Save. Please reach out and let me know what you think of these short audio nuggets. I hope you enjoy this first one.

How can you cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit in your children? Kirk Drake offers tips and tricks for your kids' budding businesses during his appearance on The Art of Allowance Podcast. Kirk is a lifelong entrepreneur, an author, and the founder of CU 2.0 and the Painted Hills Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO). He is a credit union and technology enthusiast who has built ten successful businesses, notably the Ongoing Operations CUSO, CU Wallet, CU 2.0, and Loanify. He also serves as an advisor to many more. Kirk is the author of CU 2.0: A Guide for Credit Unions Competing in the Digital Age. Additionally, as a featured speaker, Kirk helps audiences understand the current state of credit unions, the imminent need to adapt into current digital technologies, and how to regain crucial market share in the banking industry. When Kirk isn’t busy helping credit unions be relevant in today’s digital age, he loves spending time with his beautiful wife Kimberly and their three amazing kids. The family also owns a vineyard and winery called Resistance Wine Company in Southern Oregon.