GreenPath Real Stories

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300

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

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Journeys of Financial Wellness

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60 recent

June 15, 2026Episode 7645 min

Real $tories Episode 76: Amanda

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 caregiving, relationships, and the demands of everyday life. Over time, Amanda built more stability for herself and her family. Through persistence and self-advocacy, she improved her credit, purchased a home, and moved forward in her career—steps that reflect both financial progress and growing confidence. Even through setbacks, including job loss, Amanda continued to adapt and redefine her relationship with money. Her story is one of resilience, resourcefulness, and building a life on her own terms while staying connected to what matters most. Key Moments 2:49 Amanda reflects on her positive early experiences with money.  4:32 With money tight in college, she learned how to juggle competing priorities.  7:48 Amanda shares how taking out a private student loan with her father became a long-term financial burden.  13:12 She speaks candidly about navigating money as a new parent.  16:25 She shares practical strategies for stretching her budget with a young family.  19:35 Amanda reflects on the financial impact of being in an abusive relationship.  21:52 She recounts her journey to homeownership.  24:21 Amanda shares how she took steps to substantially increase her salary.  27:02 After being laid off, she relied on her PTO payout to help weather the financial uncertainty.  30:30 After co-signing a loan to help a family member buy furniture, Amanda learned a lasting financial lesson.  33:13 As an indie filmmaker, she has found passion in her work while continuing to navigate the challenge of funding a sustainable lifestyle.  37:30 She shares some of her favorite budgeting advice.  41:25 Our co-hosts reflect on the key themes that emerge from Amanda’s story.  GreenPath Financial Service GreenPath, A Financial Resource If you’re interested in building healthy financial habits, paying down debt, or saving for what matters most, take a look at these free financial tools. Free Resources Free Resources

May 15, 2026Episode 7538 min

Real $tories Episode 75: LeAnne

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 she still has work ahead of her to tackle her student debt and replenish her retirement savings, LeAnne is proud of what she has accomplished so far and eager to continue climbing towards a brighter financial future. Key Moments 2:29  LeAnne talks about her experience with money growing up.  3:49  She talks about debt accumulation after she decided to attend school for graphic design and subsequently lost her job.  10:38  She speaks to the effect that her debt had on her mental and physical health.  11:49  She considers options for addressing her debt and eventually finds GreenPath.  13:25  She discusses her experience talking to GreenPath.  17:57  LeAnne reflects on the changes she made to her spending plan to ensure she could pay off her debt.  21:12  She celebrates the completion of her program.  21:59  Her student loans are still a source of stress.  24:40  She shares her inspiration for sharing her story.  32:16  Our cohosts reflect on the themes from LeAnne’s story.  GreenPath Financial Service GreenPath, A Financial Resource If you’re interested in building healthy financial habits, paying down debt, or saving for what matters most, take a look at these free financial tools. Free Resources Free Resources

April 15, 2026Episode 741 hr 6 min

Real $tories Episode 74: Rahkim Sabree

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’s teachings may be unconventional, but they are deeply inclusive and culturally relevant—grounded in the real-life impact of financial trauma. For him, trauma isn’t just an abstract concept; it’s something he has lived through firsthand, including the loss he experienced after a recent house fire. Listen to Rahkim’s story and learn from his wisdom, resilience, and lived experience. Key Moments 2:44  Rahkim reflects on how his upbringing influenced his approach to money as an adult  6:44  Financial hardship shapes his college experience, including several cross-country moves  14:29  His career in banking exposes him to important financial lessons  19:34  A family eviction becomes a defining moment later in life  25:28  Rahkim shares how his passion for financial education developed  30:27  After resigning from his job, he faces early challenges on his entrepreneurial path  41:02  He shares some unconventional money wisdom  46:57  Rahkim connects his personal experiences to his teachings on financial trauma  51:29  He describes the impact of a recent house fire  56:01  He reflects on what safety and stability really mean  1:02:00  The cohosts reflect on key themes from Rahkim’s story  GreenPath Financial Service GreenPath, A Financial Resource If you’re interested in building healthy financial habits, paying down debt, or saving for what matters most, take a look at these free financial tools. Free Resources Free Resources

March 16, 2026Episode 7337 min

Real $tories Episode 73: Sylvia

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 again—and this time, she decided to take a different approach. With support from GreenPath, Sylvia created a plan to tackle her debt and slowly rebuild her financial stability. Along the way, she faced another challenge: opening up about her finances with her husband. When she finally did, it strengthened their relationship and helped them start planning for the future together. Today, Sylvia is debt free and focused on the possibilities ahead. Her story is a reminder that financial setbacks don’t define your future—and that it’s never too late to start building a new path. Key Moments 2:19 Sylvia reflects on the financial struggles she experienced growing up.  4:26 She describes the financial and personal challenges during her first marriage.  7:54 Watching her parents rely on others reinforces her desire for independence.  9:41 Her debt grows to a point that feels overwhelming.  11:44 Sylvia files for bankruptcy and loses her home but doesn’t feel like she learned lasting lessons at the time.  13:28 After falling into debt again, she begins exploring solutions—including GreenPath.  16:47 With support and a structured plan, she starts paying down debt while also building savings.  20:06 Sylvia struggles with whether to share her financial situation with her husband, but eventually opens up.  27:22 She becomes debt free and reflects on the lessons she’s learned along the way.  33:11 The cohosts reflect on the key themes from Sylvia’s story.  GreenPath Financial Service GreenPath, A Financial Resource If you’re interested in building healthy financial habits, paying down debt, or saving for what matters most, take a look at these free financial tools. Free Resources Free Resources

February 16, 2026Episode 7250 min

Real $tories Episode 72: Pedro & Elizabeth

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 sacrifices. Today, their finances have taken a positive turn. The challenges they faced not only reshaped their money habits but also strengthened their communication and set them up for long-term success.  Key Moments 2:45 Elizabeth and Pedro reflect on their different money experiences growing up.  6:25 As a newly married couple, their financial cushion enables them to pay less attention to the day-to-day of their finances.  11:07 After losing their rental income, their budget starts to get tighter.  16:11 They find out they’re going to have another child, but this has implications for their finances.  19:17 They work to gain more awareness of their finances so they can explore solutions.  23:58 Pedro and Elizabeth make some major sacrifices to help balance their budget.  27:01 They accept help from their community, including receiving food from local food banks.  31:51 They utilize a credit union to restructure their credit card and auto loan debt.   37:53 They consider their future goals and dreams.  45:11 Our cohosts reflect on the themes from Pedro and Elizabeth’s story.  GreenPath Financial Service GreenPath, A Financial Resource If you’re interested in building healthy financial habits, paying down debt, or saving for what matters most, take a look at these free financial tools. Free Resources Free Resources

January 15, 2026Episode 7142 min

Real $tories Episode 71: Jamara

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 in financial education for her community, she launched a groundbreaking financial literacy program. Today, she’s focused on building generational wealth and opening doors for others to do the same. Her story shows how financial knowledge, paired with lived experience, can create real momentum for change. Key Moments 2:41   Jamara reflects on her family’s relationship with money growing up and how this affected her.  5:53   She shares her struggle surviving a domestically violent relationship and its impact on many aspects of her life, including her finances.  8:54   As a newly single parent, she navigates a difficult transition.  11:46   She starts to unpack her financial trauma as she works at a job that helps others with their personal finance.  15:43   She launches a financial literacy program in her community based on the needs of those that she serves.  23:10   Jamara discusses her goals around generational wealth.  26:11   She shares some of her favorite money tips.  36:30   Our cohosts reflect on the themes from Jamara’s story.  GreenPath Financial Service GreenPath, A Financial Resource If you’re interested in building healthy financial habits, paying down debt, or saving for what matters most, take a look at these free financial tools. Free Resources Free Resources

December 15, 2025Episode 7038 min

Real $tories Episode 70: Connie Smith

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 income opportunities, which has helped her achieve her financial goals. Today, she’s not only building a stable financial future for herself and her children; she’s also paying it forward as a foster parent, offering the kind of support she once needed. Her story is a powerful reminder: with knowledge, determination, and heart, financial wellness is possible—no matter where you start. Key Moments 2:28 Connie reflects on how growing up in foster care affected her relationship with money.  4:02 She buys her first home as a 19-year-old and winds up in an adjustable-rate mortgage.  6:43 Becoming a young mom gives her a new perspective on life and money.  8:34 She feels defeated after her credit card debt starts to mount but eventually uses a credit counseling agency to address her debt.  13:53 Connie approaches things differently the next time she buys a home.  16:16 She speaks to the side hustles that have helped bridge the gaps in her budget.  17:57 She offers advice to other entrepreneurs.  22:35 She talks about how she plans to set herself up for her financial future, including the importance of a financial cushion in retirement.  26:36 She gives some financial tips to parents.  34:31 Our cohosts reflect on the themes from Connie’s story.  GreenPath Financial Service GreenPath, A Financial Resource If you’re interested in building healthy financial habits, paying down debt, or saving for what matters most, take a look at these free financial tools. Free Resources Free Resources

November 17, 2025Episode 6941 min

Real $tories Episode 69: Khiara Cureton

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 build stability and create the kind of future she’d always envisioned. Today, Khiara is taking charge of her finances—tackling her student loans head-on and making steady progress toward a bright financial future for both of them. Key Moments 2:50 Khiara learns about the value of financial independence growing up.  6:48 Khiara wrestles with big decisions—what to study and where to build her future.  9:24 She accumulates over 100K in student loan debt, but frames this as a problem to be solved in the future.  12:45 She starts a wedding planning business to bring in extra income.  16:40 After her business closes, she launches two new ventures.  19:24 Khiara shares her thoughts on the flow of money in the African-American community.  21:14 She balances her own financial goals with those related to her son.  23:23 She discusses her approach tackling her student loans.  29:13 She speaks to her financial goals to save for travel experiences and philanthropy work.  36:57 Our cohosts reflect on the themes from Khiara’s story.  GreenPath Financial Service GreenPath, A Financial Resource If you’re interested in building healthy financial habits, paying down debt, or saving for what matters most, take a look at these free financial tools. Free Resources Free Resources

October 15, 2025Episode 6827 min

Real $tories Episode 68: Lorrena Black

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 direction, the lessons she learned about budgeting, saving, and planning for the future finally began to click. Today, Lorrena channels that hard-won wisdom into mentoring and leadership development, with a focus on serving veterans. She’s passionate about helping others unlock their potential — financially, personally, and professionally. Key Moments 2:25 Lorrena’s upbringing influences her work ethic. 5:01 When she joins the military, she ends up spending all the money she makes. 7:58 She incurs some credit card debt in her 20s but eventually leverages her budget to pay it down. 12:01 She starts a career as a financial advisor and applies the teachings to her own life. 14:54 Lorrena retires from the army and loses some of her financial focus initially. 17:46 She launches a small business. 21:19 She strives to develop leaders, with a focus on veterans. 22:32 She talks about her goals related to her business, retirement and giving. 23:20 She shares her favorite money tip: pay yourself first. GreenPath Financial Service GreenPath, A Financial Resource If you’re interested in building healthy financial habits, paying down debt, or saving for what matters most, take a look at these free financial tools. Free Resources Free Resources

September 15, 2025Episode 6742 min

Real $tories Episode 67: Jess Jackson

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 lessons fueled her growth into a successful business built around real estate investment.  As her career has evolved, Jess has had to reinvent herself more than once. The path hasn’t been easy, but her persistence and resilience continue to drive her forward—and inspire her to create a better world for those around her.  Key Moments 2:40 Jess reflects on how being around people of different financial means influenced her.  7:09 When she attends the University of Michigan, she feels pressure to keep up with the Joneses.  11:42 Her credit score prevents her from getting approved for housing while in a teaching program.  12:56 She optimizes available resources as she gets her MBA.  14:52 Jess buys her first house and learns a lot along the way.  19:26 She learns a financial lesson related to her business and taxes.  20:43 She balances her savings goals and student loan repayment goals.  23:09 She discusses shame and ego and how this contributed to her stress.  24:58 She experiences job loss and a subsequent mental breakdown but emerges in a better place.  28:58 Jess shares some practical money tips.  35:18 Our co-hosts reflect on the themes from Jess’ story.   GreenPath Financial Service Debt Management Program GreenPath is a 60-year trusted national nonprofit, learn how GreenPath’s Debt Management Program can help you pay off your debt in 3-5 years, while helping you develop sound financial literacy. Learn More Learn More