Why do so many people avoid financial planning, even when they know it matters?
In this episode of The Fin.Ed Show, Kaeleen and Katherine unpack the psychology behind money decisions—from procrastination and anxiety to the behavioral biases that keep people stuck. You’ll hear why financial education is one of the most powerful tools advisors can use to help people overcome fear and take meaningful action.
They also explore the role of empathy, structure, and storytelling in the classroom, and share practical ways advisors can use behavioral insights to better connect with their communities.
If you’re a financial educator or advisor looking to turn curiosity into confidence and information into impact—this one’s for you.
In this episode:
✅ Why 63% of Americans feel anxious about finances
✅ What “loss aversion” and “present bias” look like in real life
✅ How empathy + structure create real change
✅ Tips for teaching with stories, visuals, and permission
✅ Why financial education isn’t just informative—it’s transformational
🔗 Brought to you by AFEA + FFE
📣 Share this episode with a fellow advisor or instructor who's ready to lead with education.
YouTube/Podcast Post Description:
🌟 Episode 14: Unlocking the Power of Educational Workshops with Rhonda Wise 🌟
In this episode of The Fin Ed Show, we sit down with Rhonda Wise, a financial professional with over 20 years of experience and a family-run business, to discuss how educational workshops can transform your practice.
🔎 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ How Rhonda uses Medicare classes to funnel attendees into Social Security, taxes, and retirement planning workshops.
✅ The secret to building trust and long-term relationships through education.
✅ Preparing for upcoming Medicare changes and why advisors shouldn’t be afraid of them.
✅ Practical strategies for hosting workshops that fill your pipeline with qualified clients.
✅ Why creating a "well-rounded client experience" is key to retaining and growing your business.
🎯 Rhonda shares how her team strategically structures their workshops, builds rapport with attendees, and creates a consistent stream of residual income through Medicare services.
If you're looking to attract more clients, host impactful educational events, or gain insights into the evolving Medicare landscape, this episode is packed with actionable advice you won’t want to miss!
Katherine leads a compelling discussion with Cayla Dee Porter and Aleen Swofford, both Fin.Ed members, on the importance of financial education taught by women in a male-dominated space. They share their teaching experiences through programs like FFE and AFEA, emphasizing the need for personalized communication and impactful educational content. The speakers highlight the critical role of client engagement and trust-building in financial advising, stressing the value of understanding diverse age groups for a holistic approach.
Join Katherine, Kaeleen, and Sami as they delve into the pivotal role of financial education in corporate environments. Explore the benefits of leveraging financial education for businesses and employees alike, from enhancing employee morale to attracting top talent and improving overall well-being. Discover practical strategies for engaging with businesses and customizing financial wellness programs for employees. Gain insights into networking, engaging with HR departments, and customizing educational content to meet diverse employee needs. Tune in to unlock the power of financial education in the corporate world and discover how it can open doors to success, whether you're a seasoned advisor or just starting out.
Explore the pivotal journey from student to client. Dan, a successful retiree courtesy of decade-long AFEA member, Jeff Gibbens, shares his transformation and insights into our non-profit classes. Unveil the significance of a personal approach and one-on-one support, as we delve into the stories that make financial education a life-changing experience. Join us in deciphering the power of personal connections and the pathway from classroom wisdom to tangible financial guidance.
Dive into an engaging discussion on organizational growth, personal struggles, and finding equilibrium. Join The Fin.Ed Group as we chat with a special guest, unveiling the importance of trusting the process in business development and work-life harmony.
Jason L Smith, CEP, BPC
Jason L Smith, is a nationally acclaimed speaker, financial planner, best-selling author, coach, and entrepreneur. He is the Founder and CEO of JL Smith Wealth & Tax Planning. To better fulfill this mission, he founded Clarity 2 Prosperity Enterprises, a professional network for financial advisors nationwide, Prosperity Capital Advisors, an SEC-registered investment advisory firm, and Clarity Insurance Marketing, a fiduciary friend insurance organization.
Additional Resources:
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Autumn's Edge
Holly, Teri, Kaeleen, and Katherine delve into the many advantages of conducting financial workshops in the fall season. Discover why this period offers unique benefits for both our members and eager participants.
Medicare Mastery
Katherine and Kaeleen engage in a compelling conversation with Roger Luchene, a seasoned member and instructor of our organization. Roger shares his remarkable journey in mastering educational workshops, particularly in the realm of Medicare, offering invaluable insights into his workshop success story.
Justin Jenkins
Louisville & Elizabethtown, KY
Member since 2016 (7 years)
Taught 166 classes
Don Chamberlin
St. Louis, MO
Member Since 2015 (8 years)
Team of 5
Taught 450 classes
Jeff Gibbens
Erie, PA
Member Since 2013 (10 years)
Taught 187 classes
Mike Ballard
2 Chapters: Birmingham & Huntsville, AL
Member Since 2018 (5 years)
Taught 131 classes
Announcements!
Welcome back to Season 2 of the Fin.Ed Show. Katherine and Kaeleen have some exciting announcements to start the season off strong.
One Question
Pablo Troncoso and Alex Abuyuan from Estate Plan Documents join Katherine and Holly to discuss Estate Planning and how they can help advisors integrate Estate Planning into their practice with ease.
Niche or Niche
Have you considered teaching something other than classes like Social Security? Kaeleen and Teri share their secrets for successfully expanding your class offerings, and including more niche classes like Estate Planning.
Sweet Summertime
Kaeleen and Katherine discuss a standard myth in the financial education, event-based marketing industry… That you shouldn’t teach in summertime. Hear our take on it, and the data we use to back it up.
Comeback Kid
David Schlossberg, returning member, discusses why he left AFEA in the first place, why he’s come back, and what class title he likes to focus on and why.
Warm Meals, Cold Leads
Holly Taylor, Director of Chapter Development at AFEA, unpacks an old blog post of hers and compares dinner seminars to financial education classes. Don’t let the title throw you off, we have some nice things to say about dinner seminars too, and discuss how to use both methods simultaneously for the best results!
Additional Resources:
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A Shared Vision
Joe Elsasser, Founder and President of Covisum, a financial tech company that provides a suite of retirement planning softwares, understands that being a financial advisor is hard, so he and his team are here to make it easier. Learn more about how to use AFEA and Covisum to “connect your marketing to your fulfillment”
Get Some Help
In this segment, Kaeleen and Katherine discuss the importance of using an assistant before, during, and after your classes. We dive deep into the roles this person can play and how they can help you maximize your opportunities.
Additional Resources:
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Covisum Discount Codes
covisum.com
CODE: afea
Education for Educators
Marc Kiner, Founder and CEO of Premier Social Security Consulting and the NSSA Certificate Program, meets with Katherine and Kaeleen to discuss the importance of being fluent in Social Security and how this can enhance your appointments with Baby Boomers. Learn how and why this certification works so well in conjunction with AFEA and how to obtain your discounted rate for the program.
Mastering Marketing
Teri Carano, Director of Academic Operations at AFEA, joins Kaeleen to discuss the similarities, differences, pro and cons of mail and digital marketing. Learn from them how to distinguish which one is right for you and when!
Our Leading Partnership
Ryan VanSickle, Director of Advisor Development at Leading Response, joins Kaeleen and Katherine to talk about the importance of the partnership they have developed with AFEA, how they work together, and his experience in the finance and marketing fields, making him expert he is today.
Hi, My Name is
Katherine and Kaeleen discuss how to introduce yourself as both a non-profit financial educator AND a qualified and trusted financial advisor. Learn how to deliver an effective, but non-threatening introduction to your students!
Additional Resources:
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NSSA Discount Codes
$200 off Live in person – afea
$100 off Live webinar – afeaw
$100 Ondemand - afea
A Perfect Fit
Holly and Katherine discuss the qualities of a great instructor, and the 3 key elements of success when using AFEA.
Chasing Mail
Katherine and Holly welcome AFEA Chapter President and Instructor, Ted Thatcher as he shares his experience with a new marketing
concept we've been testing. Hear him speak on this specifically, as well as some other parts of his experience teaching financial
education.
Be Fiduciary
Rick McClanahan, Founder and CEO of the NACFF (National Association of Certified Financial Fiduciaries) as well as the CFF (Certified
Financial Fiduciary) designation, which has just been picked up by the American College, joins us to discuss the power of using the CFF
designation paired with an AFEA membership.
Additional Resources:
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NACFF Discount Link & Code: CLICK HERE and use code AFEA1000 at checkout
When Webinars Work
Katherine and Kaeleen discuss webinars and when they may be a great tool, but also why they don't recommend offering webinars alone.
Reporting on Reports
Executive Directors at AFEA, Holly Taylor and Teri Carano take a deep dive into why you should be offering free reports to your students, how to be sure they aren't setting an appointment with you JUST for that free report, and which ones we recommend!
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Recommended Reports:
1. Social Security Timing Report
2. Tax Forecast
3. Retirement Ready or Not
4. True Asset Allocation Report
5. Risk Only Report
Pardon the Interruption
Katherine and Kaeleen, the Fin.Ed.Grls, cover their background, experience, and a little more about what you can expect to hear on future episodes.
A Substantial Start
Tony Abrams of Abrams Financial, and Chapter President of AFEA's Upper Marlboro, MD Chapter joins us to review his financial education experience (a 50% increase in business) only 8 months and 4 campaigns in.
Chef's Kiss
David Ortiz, the Financial Chef, and Chapter President of AFEA's Lakewood Ranch, FL Chapter discusses his unique approach to engaging his students during his classes, more about the students he's meeting, as well as his plans for the future.
Consistency is Key
Teri Carano, Executive Director of Chapter Development at AFEA, and most experienced Academic Coordinator covers the importance of staying consistent with your classes.
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Tony's Class Registration Numbers
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