Gooding is a dynamic force not just as an artist who has built an impressive career navigating the music industry, but also as a change agent seeking to uplift the next generation of creatives. He is a financial literacy advocate and educator who founded the non-profit, Funding the Future, which aims to make financial literacy a requirement in every school so that young people can have a solid foundation for creating a successful life. Since its inception 10 years ago, they've reached 300,000 students across 38 states and raised nearly $4 million dollars for financial literacy.

Gooding talks with us a bit about his early music interests, including seeing his first Kiss show at age 4, as well as his early days as a working musician in Wichita. He speaks about how his upbringing by his single mom motivated him in later years to help others understand the basics of money and making smart financial decisions. He gives practical advice for musicians just starting out, as well as how to play the long game, as he talks about his own journey working his way to success in a rapidly changing industry. He talks about many of the societal and structural barriers that make it challenging for musicians to make smart financial decisions and offers resources for how to better manage money. He also speaks a bit about the documentary he's working on with the Wichita-based company Digital Brand that explores these topics in depth. Woven though the conversation is the importance of understanding how to balance authentic creative pursuits with the practical needs of life that require resources. Gooding's rich storytelling and talent for weaving personal narrative into larger issues are on full display in this episode, making this a fun and engaging must-listen!

Resources:

Gooding Music https://www.goodingmusic.com/

Funding the Future https://www.fundingthefuturelive.org

John Hope Bryant "Financial Literacy for All" (recommended reading)

Scott Gallaway "The Algebra of Wealth" (recommended reading)

Host: Marrque Nunley

Videographer: Austin Engler

Audio: Drew Mullen