Financially Intentional

Latest Episodes:

Actionable Steps to Tackle Student Loans Today - Episode 105 Dec 26, 2024

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In today's episode, I chat with Lauryn Williams, a financial expert and Olympian, about creating a plan to manage your student loans and take control of your money. Student loans can feel overwhelming, but they don't have to hold you back. Lauryn shares insights into federal repayment options, the importance of building a comprehensive financial plan, and why shame shouldn’t stop you from taking action. Together, we discuss strategies that can save you thousands and put you on the path to financial freedom. Let’s get your money right, starting today!
About our guest:
Lauryn Williams, a University of Miami alum, is a thought leader, speaker, and accomplished businesswoman bridging the gap between sports and finance. A 4x Olympian and 3x Olympic medalist, she made history as the first American woman to earn medals in both the Summer and Winter Olympics, winning silver in the 100m Dash in 2004, gold in the 4x100m relay in 2012, and silver in the two-woman bobsled in 2014. After retiring from sports, Lauryn founded Worth Winning, a virtual fee-only financial planning firm dedicated to helping millennials and professional athletes navigate their finances. She authored The Oval Office: A Four-Time Olympian's Guide to Professional Track and Field, combining her expertise in sports and finance, and hosts the biweekly financial literacy podcast Worth Listening. As a member of the CNBC Advisor Council and a regular contributor to news outlets, Lauryn has been named one of Investopedia's Top 100 Advisors multiple times and is now making strides in venture capital. Despite her many roles, Lauryn prioritizes giving back by volunteering with USA Track and Field junior athletes and serving on the World Anti-Doping Agency finance committee. Currently residing in Medellín, Colombia, she is driven by a mission to positively impact as many lives as possible.
Student Loan Planner
More about Lauryn Williams
Retreats at Worth Winning

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Rebuilding Life After Financial Devastation - Episode 104 Dec 19, 2024

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In today's episode, we talk to Michael Russell, who turned financial failure into a story of hope and resilience. Michael shares how he lost everything—his properties, business, and even his personal relationships—during the financial crisis. But that wasn’t the end of his story. Today, Michael runs a nonprofit that helps people avoid foreclosure and navigate financial hardship.
About our guest:
Michael Russell is the founder of Hope 4 Hardship and the President of Century 21 Signature Properties, one of the original CENTURY 21 franchises in the U.S. Once at the helm of a successful family real estate business, Michael’s excessive lifestyle led to financial ruin, including bankruptcies, foreclosures, and personal struggles. After nearly a decade of rebuilding, he transformed his life, achieving a near-perfect credit rating, redefining his career in real estate sales and consulting, and mending strained relationships. Today, Michael uses his hard-earned wisdom to help others navigate financial distress, avoid foreclosure, and remain in their homes.
Through his nonprofit, Michael offers guidance to individuals facing similar challenges, with a mission to provide solutions without financial gain, relying solely on trust and a handshake. His expertise as a Certified Distressed Property Expert and Certified Short Sales and Foreclosures Resource has enabled him to support countless families in avoiding foreclosure or selling properties when necessary. With a focus on accountability and action, Michael has made it his purpose to pay it forward, turning his past struggles into a source of hope and change for others.
Hope 4 Hardship Site

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Grab your spot in my free Financial CPR class and learn the simple steps I used to go from paycheck to paycheck to my first million.

Please join me here, and follow me on social media, Instagram, and Facebook.
Need help getting started on your path to financial freedom? Start Here

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Discovering Business Acquisitions for Financial Freedom - Episode 103 Dec 12, 2024

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In today's episode, I talk to Sesealy Owens, a mom, entrepreneur, and trailblazer who turned a tough pandemic experience into an amazing success story. Sesealy shares how she and her husband learned to buy existing businesses instead of starting from scratch, giving them cash flow and stability right away. She explains what it takes to buy a business, why now is the best time to look into this space, and how you can make it happen too.
About our guest
Sesealy Owens is the Owner and Co-CEO of Decatur Montessori School, an AMI-certified school serving children from six weeks to six years old. With a background in sales and marketing and a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Talladega College, Sesealy brings over eight years of business expertise to her role. She oversees key operations, including client satisfaction, business growth, management, and financial planning.
Inspired by her family’s legacy in education—particularly her grandmother’s impactful teaching career—Sesealy found her passion in creating opportunities for young minds to thrive. In a bold move, she became the first Black owner of the Montessori school in over 30 years, seamlessly blending her love for education with her business acumen.
Sesealy’s entrepreneurial spirit doesn’t stop there; she also owns several other businesses, showcasing her dedication to building generational impact and inspiring others to pursue their dreams. Guided by the belief that "if your dreams don’t scare you, they’re not big enough," she continues to make strides in both education and business.

https://www.instagram.com/sesealyowens/

Support the show

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Grab your spot in my free Financial CPR class and learn the simple steps I used to go from paycheck to paycheck to my first million.

Please join me here, and follow me on social media, Instagram, and Facebook.
Need help getting started on your path to financial freedom? Start Here

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Do This Immediately If You Have Student Loans And A Wake Up Call For Black Women - Episode 102 Dec 05, 2024

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In today's episode, I sit down with Dr. Sonia Lewis, the powerhouse behind The Student Loan Doctor. Dr. Sonia brings her expertise and passion to help us make sense of the ever-changing student loan landscape. We dive into everything from loan forgiveness programs to practical steps you can take today to reclaim your financial future. Sonia’s no-nonsense approach and her deep understanding of how student debt impacts Black women are both empowering and inspiring. Whether you’re overwhelmed by your loans or just need a nudge to take action, this conversation will give you the clarity and motivation to make real progress.
About our guest
Dr. Sonia Lewis is the CEO of The Student Loan Doctor LLC, founded in 2016 as the first African American and woman-owned student loan repayment company in the U.S. With over 14 years of experience in higher education and financial aid, she is considered the people's expert on student loan debt repayment. Her award-winning business has received two citations from the City of Philadelphia for its community impact, educating borrowers and assisting them in creating tangible repayment plans to promote social mobility and wealth building. An expert speaker for audiences of all ages, Dr. Lewis has shared her expertise across various media platforms, including appearances on CNN, RT America, Fox 29, and The BET Network; contributions to Essence Magazine, Money Magazine, Forbes, Black Enterprise, and SALON Magazine; participation in The White House Briefing on Advancing Equity for Women and Girls of Color; features on KYW News Radio 1060 AM; and speaking at Investfest (Earn Your Leisure). A three-time self-published author, she continues to influence and empower communities nationwide through her work.

Support the show

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Grab your spot in my free Financial CPR class and learn the simple steps I used to go from paycheck to paycheck to my first million.

Please join me here, and follow me on social media, Instagram, and Facebook.
Need help getting started on your path to financial freedom? Start Here

Join the Financially Intentional Community

Oh and please subscribe and leave a review on whatever app you're using to stream this podcast.

Get my book Smart Money

How Being Child Free Changes Financial Planning - Episode 101 Nov 28, 2024

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In today's episode, I had an amazing conversation with Dr. Jay Zigmont, a financial planner and author, all about being child free and what it means for your finances and life. Jay shared his thoughts on breaking away from societal norms, planning for a life you truly want, and simplifying money management to focus on what makes you happy. We also discussed his new book, which is full of tips to help you build a life and financial plan that fits your unique goals.
About our guest
Jay Zigmont, PhD, MBA, CFP® is the Founder and CEO of Childfree Wealth®, a life and financial planning firm dedicated to helping Childfree and Permanently Childless people. Childfree Wealth is the first firm dedicated to serving Childfree people.
Dr. Jay is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Childfree Wealth Specialist, and author of the book “Portraits of Childfree Wealth” and the upcoming book “The Childfree Guide to Life and Money.” Dr Jay is the co-host of the Childfree Wealth podcast. His Ph.D. is in Adult Learning from the University of Connecticut.
He has been featured in Fortune, Forbes, MarketWatch, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Business Insider, CNBC, and many other publications. In 2023, he was named a “Rising Star” by Financial Planning.

Support the show

---

Grab your spot in my free Financial CPR class and learn the simple steps I used to go from paycheck to paycheck to my first million.

Please join me here, and follow me on social media, Instagram, and Facebook.
Need help getting started on your path to financial freedom? Start Here

Join the Financially Intentional Community

Oh and please subscribe and leave a review on whatever app you're using to stream this podcast.

Get my book Smart Money

Learn and Grow Financially with Arro’s Tools - Episode 100 Nov 21, 2024

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In today's episode, I’m chatting with Ryan Duitch, the CEO of Arro, a fintech company dedicated to creating fair credit solutions. Ryan shares how Arro helps people build credit responsibly with low limits and step-by-step guidance. We dive into the challenges of the traditional credit system, why financial literacy matters, and how Arro uses tech to teach and empower users to make smarter financial choices.
About our guest
Ryan Duitch is the Founder and CEO of Arro since May 2021. Prior to that, he was a Co-Founder at Field Day, a VC-Backed start-up, from May 2017 to May 2021.
Check Arro here
Download the Arro App-

Support the show

---

Grab your spot in my free Financial CPR class and learn the simple steps I used to go from paycheck to paycheck to my first million.

Please join me here, and follow me on social media, Instagram, and Facebook.
Need help getting started on your path to financial freedom? Start Here

Join the Financially Intentional Community

Oh and please subscribe and leave a review on whatever app you're using to stream this podcast.

Get my book Smart Money

How Real Bricks Makes Real Estate Investment Simple and Accessible - Episode 99 Nov 14, 2024

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In today's episode, I talk with Chris Gerardi, the founder of Real Bricks. Chris created Real Bricks to make real estate investing easy for everyone, even if you don’t have tons of money to start with. We chat about how you can own part of a property with just $100 and earn money from renting it out—without all the work of being a landlord. Chris explains how Real Bricks is different from other real estate deals and why it's perfect for beginners who want to start investing. If you’ve ever wanted to get into real estate but didn’t know where to start, this episode is for you!
About our guest
Chris Gerardi is an entrepreneur and the visionary founder of Realbricks, an innovative platform designed to make real estate investing accessible to everyone. With 17 years of operational experience at multiple public companies, Chris has honed his expertise in building teams and executing high-level operations.
His mission with Realbricks stems from a desire to empower individuals, especially young adults, to overcome traditional barriers to real estate investment. By championing fractional ownership, Chris aims to equip aspiring investors with the tools they need to navigate the evolving landscape of personal finance, unlocking their potential to build lasting wealth.
Real Bricks
Download on the App Store
Get it on Google Play

Support the show

---

Grab your spot in my free Financial CPR class and learn the simple steps I used to go from paycheck to paycheck to my first million.

Please join me here, and follow me on social media, Instagram, and Facebook.
Need help getting started on your path to financial freedom? Start Here

Join the Financially Intentional Community

Oh and please subscribe and leave a review on whatever app you're using to stream this podcast.

Get my book Smart Money

How April Built Financial Freedom on a 9 to 5 Income - Episode 98 Nov 07, 2024

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In today's episode, I talk to April Stewart, a personal finance coach who became a millionaire without starting a side hustle or business. April shares her journey of transforming her corporate salary into long-term wealth. After a tough job loss, she got serious about saving and investing, building a strong financial foundation and becoming debt-free. We discuss the importance of budgeting, why building wealth doesn’t have to mean extreme sacrifices, and the impact of mindset on financial success.
About our guest
There’s a common misconception that only stock traders, real estate investors, and business owners can become millionaires. April Stewart defies this belief by sharing her story of using a corporate salary to achieve a million-dollar net worth.
After experiencing a job loss, April transformed her 6-figure salary into a $1M net worth. Now, she empowers women to build wealth through personalized coaching, speaking engagements, and workshops.
April’s expertise has been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, Black Enterprise, Success Magazine, and AfroTech.
April's free Millionaire Money Checklist:
https://april-stewart.mykajabi.com/millionaire-money-checklist

Support the show

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Grab your spot in my free Financial CPR class and learn the simple steps I used to go from paycheck to paycheck to my first million.

Please join me here, and follow me on social media, Instagram, and Facebook.
Need help getting started on your path to financial freedom? Start Here

Join the Financially Intentional Community

Oh and please subscribe and leave a review on whatever app you're using to stream this podcast.

Get my book Smart Money

How to Protect Yourself from Scams and Rip-offs - Episode 97 Oct 31, 2024

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Join me today as I talk with R Persichitte, a money expert who helps people avoid scams. We chat about what fraud is, how it is different from rip-offs, and ways you can keep your money safe. R shares real stories about people who lost their savings and gives easy tips to protect yourself. Listen in to learn how to keep your money where it belongs.
About our guest
R Persichitte, CPA/PFS, CFP®, CFE, guides business leaders and individuals with tax and investment decisions. He is an accountant at heart and an award-winning analyst known for using data to make sound decisions. He is driven to help clients invest wisely by avoiding scams and other pitfalls of investing and personal finance. He’s been an auditor for 10 years and now works as an auditor on your side.
Delagify Financial is a company dedicated to helping consumers keep their money. They help clients avoid and recover from financial pitfalls. They offer tax, accounting, and financial planning services.
https://secondlook.delagify.com/
Save $100 with coupon code: podcast
https://delagify.com

Support the show

---

Grab your spot in my free Financial CPR class and learn the simple steps I used to go from paycheck to paycheck to my first million.

Please join me here, and follow me on social media, Instagram, and Facebook.
Need help getting started on your path to financial freedom? Start Here

Join the Financially Intentional Community

Oh and please subscribe and leave a review on whatever app you're using to stream this podcast.

Get my book Smart Money

What Every Homebuyer Needs to Know Before Getting A Mortgage - Episode 96 Oct 24, 2024

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In today's episode, I sit down with Jennifer Beeston, a top mortgage expert, to talk about what you need to know before getting a home loan. We discuss why it’s so important to shop around for rates, how to avoid being ripped off by lenders, and the hidden costs that come with buying a home. Jennifer shares practical tips on how to make the best financial decisions, whether you're buying your first home or are a seasoned investor.
About our guest
Jennifer Beeston is a nationally recognized mortgage and real estate expert, known for her dedication to financial literacy and consumer advocacy. As the #1 VA loan officer in America and a top 1% mortgage lender, she provides clear, practical advice on home financing for first-time buyers and seasoned investors alike. With over a decade of experience, Jennifer has been featured in major media outlets like US News, Business Insider, Time, and NBC News, and shares her insights through her popular YouTube channel, making homebuying strategies and mortgage planning accessible to all. She is a passionate advocate for transparency and financial education, empowering individuals to take control of their financial futures.

Support the show

---

Grab your spot in my free Financial CPR class and learn the simple steps I used to go from paycheck to paycheck to my first million.

Please join me here, and follow me on social media, Instagram, and Facebook.
Need help getting started on your path to financial freedom? Start Here

Join the Financially Intentional Community

Oh and please subscribe and leave a review on whatever app you're using to stream this podcast.

Get my book Smart Money