From the dedicated Wisconsin advocates' journey to embed financial literacy into their high school curriculum to Sonia Castelan’s remarkable transition from a corporate job to running her own tax business, this month’s podcast episodes delve into impactful stories of advocacy and personal growth in financial education.

Wisconsin Advocates on Advocating for Personal Finance

This week’s podcast delves into the compelling story of a determined group of advocates from Wisconsin. This diverse group, including four teachers, one administrator, and a proactive student, share their multi-year efforts to embed financial literacy in the high school curriculum. Their story not only showcases the power of persistent advocacy and community engagement but also sets a model for similar educational reforms in other states. The episode offers insights into the strategies and personal commitments that drove this significant change.

• Apple Podcast
• Spotify

Daniella Cardona, Vice President at the Royal Bank of Canada

Daniella Cardona, an undocumented high school student turned Vice President at the Royal Bank of Canada, shares an inspiring journey marked by resilience and an insightful dive into financial literacy. Daniela, who moved from Colombia to the U.S. at a young age, discusses her formative experiences with money, highlighting how early challenges shaped her savvy financial instincts and career trajectory. As the conversation unfolds, Daniela reflects on her path from being a lifeguard to breaking into the competitive world of investment banking, illustrating the significant role mentors played in her development. This episode not only explores Daniela's personal story and professional ascent but also serves as a beacon of motivation for educators and students navigating the complexities of financial education and career exploration.

• Apple Podcast
• Spotify

Rishi Vamdatt, Founder of Easy Peasy Finance

Rishi, Founder of East Peasy Finance, recounts his early fascination with finance at six years old, and how it led to the creation of Easy Peasy Finance. This platform, where Rishi has produced over 700 videos, aims to demystify finance for kids and beginners through engaging and simplified content. He shares his content creation process, emphasizing the importance of making finance accessible and interesting. Rishi also touches on his entrepreneurial journey, the use of AI in financial education, his published books, and his aspiration to further financial literacy among youth. His dedication to finance, driven by passion rather than the pursuit of virality, showcases the importance of early financial education and the impact of following one's interests with commitment.

• Apple Podcast
• Spotify

Sonia Castelan, a Tax Professional

Sonia Castelan, a tax professional shares her journey from struggling with personal finances to becoming an expert in tax planning and preparation. Sonia details her transition from a corporate job to running her own tax business, emphasizing the importance of tax planning for entrepreneurs and individuals alike. She offers insights into common tax misconceptions, particularly around tax refunds and business expenses, and stresses the importance of education in navigating the tax system. Sonia's story of leveraging social media to educate and engage with her community, especially the Latino community, highlights her innovative approach to making tax information accessible and understandable. The conversation also touches on the impact of studying sociology on her career, her experiences with prestigious programs like the Cornell Women's Entrepreneurship Program, and the importance of work-life balance. This episode is a rich resource for educators looking to integrate tax education into their curriculum, providing practical insights and strategies for understanding and teaching about taxes.

• Apple Podcast
• Spotify

About the Author

Ren Makino

Ren started interning at NGPF in 2014, and worked part-time through high school and college. With his knowledge growing alongside NGPF, he joined the team to work full-time after graduating from college in 2020. He is also the producer of the NGPF podcast. During his free time, he likes to try out coffees from different roasters across the world.