Episodes

This episode kicks off a new educational series built around a simple idea: personal finance shouldn’t feel so complicated. We’ll break down common money topics and explore ways to make managing your money feel a little more approachable. Today, we’re taking a closer look at debt settlement. For anyone struggling with credit card debt, the available options can sound confusingly similar. When money is already a source of stress, it can be difficult to tell which options may help, which carry s...

Simon Komlos’ life has followed a winding road that began in a Hungarian orphanage. At six years old, he told his parents he would become a millionaire one day. When they laughed it off, their reaction only fueled his determination. Against the odds, he achieved that dream before turning 30—but reaching the top wasn’t what he expected, and the experience inspired his next chapter. That next chapter reflects Simon’s passion for financial literacy. He co-founded a popular financial education app ...

Emily grew up in a household where money was tight, shaping her mindset around finances as she entered adulthood. Eager to embrace life and support loved ones, she often found it hard to say no—leading to experiences she cherishes, but also to mounting debt she came to regret. After her boss suggested she reach out to GreenPath, Emily made the call—and felt immediate relief after speaking with a caring financial expert. With GreenPath’s support, she transformed her approach to money and steadi...

Basiliso’s relationship with money was shaped early as he grew up in a household navigating public assistance and the realities of financial instability. After facing significant personal hardship during and after a marriage, including debt, a declining credit score, and the challenge of starting over, Basiliso began the difficult process of rebuilding. Moving back in with family became a turning point, giving him the space to stabilize, save, and regain control of his financial future. The de...

Amanda’s financial journey began in college, where unexpected expenses pushed her to balance multiple responsibilities while managing student loan debt. Early on, she learned how quickly financial decisions can shape the future (and how little room there can be for missteps when money is tight). As a working parent, she navigated tight finances, high childcare costs, and the strain of an unsupportive partner. Her story highlights how money challenges are often shaped by the realities of caregiv...

LeAnne’s financial journey once felt steady: minimal debt and retirement savings on track. But a decision to return to school, combined with unexpected job loss, quickly shifted her footing. Retirement savings were depleted, and credit card and student loan balances began to climb, bringing mounting stress that affected both her mental and physical health. Undeterred, she explored resources and eventually found her way to GreenPath. Five years later, she eliminated her credit card debt. While s...

Rahkim’s experiences growing up profoundly shaped his relationship with money. From his family’s eviction to multiple cross-country moves during his college years, financial instability played a central role in his story. After launching a successful career in banking, Rahkim turned his passion for financial education into what eventually became a full-time small business. While the transition came with a rocky start, today his work is making a meaningful impact on the people he serves. Rahkim...

For Sylvia, financial struggle was something she grew up with. Money was often tight, and the adults around her frequently relied on others to get by—an experience that shaped how she viewed independence and security. As an adult, those early patterns followed her. After a difficult first marriage and mounting debt, Sylvia filed for bankruptcy and lost her home. But at the time, she didn’t feel like the experience changed her relationship with money. Years later, she found herself in debt agai...

Pedro and Elizabeth had different upbringings when it came to money. Despite these differences, their financial future was looking bright for them and their young daughter. But life threw them a curveball. They suddenly lost their rental income they depended on and found out they were expecting a second child; a revelation that came several months into the pregnancy. With their budget stretched thin and debt piling up, they knew they needed a new approach—one that required some tough sacrifice...

As a child, Jamara’s family struggled with finances. While the adults in her life shielded her from the daily reality of this, it still shaped her relationship with money. As an adult, she faced a different kind of challenge: a violent relationship that threatened her safety and her future. Leaving it required resolve, planning, and determination to create stability for herself and her daughter. In unpacking her financial trauma, Jamara learned a great deal about money at her job. Seeing gaps ...

Connie Smith’s journey with money began long before her first paycheck. Growing up in foster care, she didn’t have a built-in financial playbook—so when she bought her first home before age 20, rising mortgage rates quickly created challenges she wasn’t prepared for. Instead of giving up, Connie got curious. Determined to do things differently, she learned everything she could about personal finances and put this newfound knowledge into practice. Connie has always hustled when it comes to inco...

Khiara Cureton once dreamed of becoming a doctor—but life had other plans. After realizing medicine wasn’t her true calling, she pivoted toward a master’s program that opened the door to a rewarding career in healthcare—and $120,000 in student loan debt. But how to navigate her student debt was a problem for her future self. “Someday” came sooner than expected. While building a thriving wedding planning business on the side, Khiara became a single mom. Her son quickly became her motivation to b...

For Lorrena Black, saving money when she was young didn’t come naturally. Raised by a hard-working single mother, she modeled a deep work ethic but struggled to save. When she joined the Army, her discipline and sense of duty grew — but her spending habits stayed the same. Her real turning point came years later, during a short-lived career as a financial advisor. Helping others with their finances forced her to take a closer look at her own. Though she eventually pivoted her career in a new di...

Jess Jackson grew up believing she was solidly middle class. But once she arrived at college, she realized many of her peers came from far wealthier backgrounds. Determined to keep up, she borrowed more than she should have—decisions that later became a heavy financial burden. Her journey has been one of jumping into new opportunities and learning through trial and error. She bought her first home at a young age, navigating plenty of financial growing pains along the way. Over time, those lesso...

As Evelyn grew up in an immigrant Cuban-American household, money was seldom discussed. Faced with mounting debt after a job loss and family medical expenses, she didn’t know where to turn. The debt piled up quickly, and bankruptcy started to feel like her only option. Looking for connection and answers, Evelyn shared her situation on social media. The support she received encouraged her to explore other solutions. That’s when she found GreenPath. With a customized plan and ongoing support, Ev...

Emily grew up in a household where money was tight, shaping her mindset around finances as she entered adulthood. Eager to embrace life and support loved ones, she often found it hard to say no—leading to experiences she cherishes, but also to mounting debt she came to regret. After her boss suggested she reach out to GreenPath, Emily made the call—and felt immediate relief after speaking with a caring financial expert. With GreenPath’s support, she transformed her approach to money and steadi...

Gail Perry-Mason is truly a legend in the financial literacy world, having inspired youth and countless others for nearly three decades. Her story is one of resilience and strength. Abandoned by her birth parents, Gail found the power of love and stability through her adopted family. She faced and overcame numerous challenges while navigating college and building a career in an industry that was often unwelcoming to a Black woman. Gail went on to found a financial literacy camp for teens and c...

CM didn’t grow up worrying about money, but adulthood brought new financial realities. Grad school meant taking on student loans, and launching a small business after moving across the country meant relying on credit cards to get by. Eventually, she returned to New York—and found her footing again. The steady presence of family and close friends played a role in helping her rebuild. Their support not only gave her a sense of stability but also reshaped the way she thought about money: not just ...

Today, we revisit two former guests, Regina and Renita. Regina first spoke to us in episode 27episode 27. At the time, she was in the middle of her Debt Management Program and several years away from being debt-free. Today, with her program complete, she reflects on her accomplishment and shares her vision of the new financial future she’s created for herself. We also catch up with Renita. Back in episode 44episode 44, she had recently completed her debt repayment plan and had just shared the d...

Maria is the embodiment of tenacity. When she applied for college, she was informed of her ineligibility due to her immigration status at the time. Refusing to take “no” for an answer, she became one of the first two people in her home state to get accepted with her status. However, she still faced the challenge of paying her way through college without financial aid. In surpassing this hurdle, she empowered others in similar circumstances. Maria became the first person in her family to own a h...

Kelly’s financial story is a testament to resilience and relatable to many of us. Initially burdened by student loans and credit card debt, she struggled to keep pace with her peers who unintentionally created pressure to overspend. Life’s unexpected challenges, like a recent car accident requiring a new auto loan, added to her financial woes. For Kelly, a scarcity mindset still lingers from when her financial struggles were greater. Despite these setbacks, Kelly has begun to shift her mindset ...

As a young woman, Dr. Darla Bishop had her heart set on attending her dream college, the University of Michigan. But there was one major obstacle: how would she afford it? Just days before the semester began, an unexpected envelope arrived, changing her life forever. Throughout her college years, Darla developed a voracious appetite for financial knowledge. She discovered that she was just as capable as her wealthier peers. Empowering herself with financial literacy became her game changer. No...

Debt can accumulate for many reasons. For Tyjai, it was a mix of factors. In his early 20s, he didn’t have a spending plan. Rising inflation drove up the cost of major expenses like rent and auto insurance. Meanwhile, the growing interest rates on his credit cards quietly added to the pressure, leaving him feeling stuck. He became numb to the increasing interest rates on his credit cards. While working at a credit union that offered financial coaching, Tyjai gained the skills to support others ...

Today’s guest is Crystal L. Gunn, a financial strategist with a mission to empower people to transform their relationship with money. Crystal helps clients shift their mindset, heal financial traumas, and set new expectations and standards for their financial lives. In this conversation, GreenPath guest host Dai-Jaya interviews her mentor Crystal, who opens up about her own financial struggles and the insights she gained along the way—knowledge she now uses to guide and uplift others. To learn...