In this episode, we sit down with Donna Cirillo, founder of Smart Money Changes Everything, to explore how she built a purpose-driven career in financial education that serves everyone from teens in libraries to adults rebuilding after major life transitions. Donna shares how her journey began in a high-pressure bank call center, where overwhelmed staff and frustrated customers pushed her to create her first informal financial training. That experience sparked a lifelong mission to teach money skills in practical, compassionate, and genuinely transformative ways.

We unpack how Donna uses a clear program-implementation framework to tailor education for very different audiences. She explains how she identifies learner pain points, designs outcome-focused sessions, and documents results through assessments and storytelling - positioning herself as a trusted partner for organizations seeking more than a basic budgeting talk.

Whether you're new to financial education or working to deepen your impact, Donna’s story demonstrates what becomes possible when empathy, curiosity, and professional standards come together. Her message is simple and powerful: with the right approach, smart money truly can change everything - for learners, families, and entire communities.

Main Website https://smartmoneychangeseverything.com

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-miano-cirillo/

Case Study Video https://smartmoneychangeseverything.com/case

In this episode, we’re joined by Susan Doty, Executive Director of the Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy at the University of Texas at Tyler. With a career spanning over three decades, Susan brings a deep commitment to student outcomes and lasting systemic change.

We explore her innovative First Responder Finance initiative—a three-tiered program offering for-credit certification to undergraduates, professional development for working adults, and community outreach through events like family nights and Girl Scout workshops. Susan shares how she built the program from scratch, highlighting the importance of stakeholder support, needs assessments, and strategic grant funding.

What sets Susan apart is her use of economics as the foundation for teaching personal finance. Through her signature “Doty Mantra,” she frames financial decisions around opportunity cost and behavior change, helping learners build long-term financial wellness.

The conversation also covers her efforts to influence legislation, strengthen teacher training, and support workforce development across fields like education, social work, law enforcement, and healthcare. Her goal: to embed personal finance into professional training nationwide.

Whether you’re an educator, policymaker, or advocate, this episode delivers real-world strategies and inspiration. Susan’s message is powerful: “Education is the ultimate economic multiplier.” And she’s equipping a new generation to carry that mission forward.

https://www.uttyler.edu/research/centers/economic-education-financial-literacy/

https://www.uttyler.edu/research/centers/economic-education-financial-literacy/about-the-director/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-doty-947768125/

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Rachael Hanible—author, speaker, Certified Financial Education Instructor, and recipient of the NFEC’s Financial Education Instructor of the Year Award. What began as informal kitchen table conversations with friends’ parents has grown into a national movement to empower individuals—from age 3 to 73—with financial knowledge and confidence.

Motivated by the lack of financial education in her childhood community, Rachael taught herself about money and spent two years offering free coaching to families. Over the past 12 years, she has educated thousands through her company, Missing Peace Financial Group, and launched Millionaires in Training, a program and curriculum designed to teach kids about budgeting, banking, credit, investing, and entrepreneurship.

Rachael shares how she built trust in underserved communities, scaled from one-on-one coaching to leading sessions in over 140 schools and nonprofits, and authored the bestselling children’s book Amber’s Magical Savings Box, which led to a sold-out Barnes & Noble tour.

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to expand your impact, Rachael’s journey offers real-world lessons, inspiration, and powerful takeaways.

https://www.rachaelhanible.com/

https://www.instagram.com/peptalks_/?hl=en

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-hanible-a43115192/