Episodes

  • A Founder’s Journey from Tehran to Web3

    A Founder’s Journey from Tehran to Web3
    Jul 24 2025
    In this episode of Money Memories, Ilona sits down with Bam Azizi, founder of Mesh, to explore how childhood hustle and immigrant resilience shaped his path from a makeshift library in Iran to scaling infrastructure for the future of crypto. Bam shares why user experience—not hype—is the industry’s biggest hurdle, and why staying lean might be a startup’s greatest asset.
    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • A Mother’s Memory: The Pain That Sparked a Mental Health Startup

    A Mother’s Memory: The Pain That Sparked a Mental Health Startup
    Jun 6 2025
    After losing his mom shortly after college, Drew Barvir set out on a journey to understand the complex connection between money, mental health, and meaning. In this episode, he opens up about how childhood arguments over finances shaped his earliest beliefs, how grief became a turning point, and why he built Sonar — a tech platform bringing accessible emotional support to students across the country. It’s a deeply personal story of loss, resilience, and reimagining what it means to feel financially and emotionally secure.
    Show More Show Less
    19 mins
  • From Caja de los Zapatos to Financial Freedom: Alejandra Lozano's Journey with Operation Hope [Archive]

    From Caja de los Zapatos to Financial Freedom: Alejandra Lozano's Journey with Operation Hope [Archive]
    May 15 2025
    Meet Alejandra Lozano, a dedicated Financial Wellbeing Coach for Operation HOPE, located inside Wells Fargo’s HOPE Inside center in South LA. With over seven years of experience in the finance industry, Alejandra is passionate about uplifting Black and Brown communities and empowering their financial journeys. Alejandra shares how her childhood experience with "la caja de los zapatos" (the shoe box) reflects the sentiment that many communities in the U.S. feel about financial institutions. She also shares some of the most powerful stories of transformation that Operation HOPE was able to provide.
    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • Solving the climate puzzle with clean energy, blockchain and bold ideas

    Solving the climate puzzle with clean energy, blockchain and bold ideas
    Apr 16 2025
    What happens when blockchain meets clean energy? In this episode of Money Memories, we explore the intersection of climate tech and Web3 with Adam Silver, founder of VC-backed startup Plural. Learn how decentralized technology can help modernize the power grid, support the energy transition, and drive impact at scale. Whether you are a climate enthusiast, crypto-curious, or love founder stories, this episode will spark new ideas about the future of energy.
    Show More Show Less
    19 mins
  • A Student Loan "Sherpa" Breaks Down What Borrowers Need to Know

    A Student Loan "Sherpa" Breaks Down What Borrowers Need to Know
    Mar 25 2025
    Student loan expert Michael Lux—featured in The Wall Street Journal—has spent years helping borrowers navigate the complexities of repayment and policy changes as the founder of The Student Loan Sherpa. In this episode of Money Memories, we break down the latest in student loans: key policy shifts, smart repayment strategies, and what borrowers need to know now. Want more expert insights? Subscribe to my newsletter for the latest in financial wellness, and exclusive podcast content! Visit https://bearandthebull.beehiiv.com/
    Show More Show Less
    23 mins
  • From Nigeria to Wall Street: A Journey of Resilience and Financial Freedom

    From Nigeria to Wall Street: A Journey of Resilience and Financial Freedom
    Mar 12 2025
    We’re joined by Ehis Akhetuamhen, host and creator of Unmuted Moments, a podcast about finding your voice in work and life. He shares his remarkable journey from growing up in a one-bedroom apartment in Nigeria to building a career in finance in the U.S. After losing his father at 13, he learned that financial success isn’t just about hard work—it’s about where you work. We talk about career choices, financial resilience, and why speaking up is just as important as skill. Plus, how a mailman’s unexpected favor helped change the course of his life.
    Show More Show Less
    16 mins
  • How Even $5 Can Change Your Financial Future

    How Even $5 Can Change Your Financial Future
    Feb 26 2025
    Many of us grew up with a scarcity mindset around money. Tim Flacke, co-founder of Commonwealth, explores how that mindset develops, why savings matter beyond just dollars and cents, and how his organization is working to change financial systems for the better.
    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
  • Generational Wisdom: Financial Lessons from My Grandmother

    Generational Wisdom: Financial Lessons from My Grandmother
    Jan 30 2025
    Ilona sits down with Katrina Robinson, a professional trustee and wealth management expert, whose journey spans Kingston, Jamaica, to leading the multinational estate planning firm Cone Marshall. Katrina shares how her grandmother's wisdom and lessons on saving shaped her approach to planning for the future. Katrina also discusses the importance of financial planning at every stage of life, providing practical tips on building wills and trusts, and creating inventories of assets. Whether you're just starting your financial journey or looking to preserve wealth for future generations, this episode offers timeless insights into planning with purpose.
    Show More Show Less
    16 mins