Social Currency, powered by Sunrise Banks, is a podcast that introduces you to some of the most innovative changemakers in finance, technology and social impact, and how they are dismantling barriers and reshaping their industries for a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable future. Here we speak to those at the forefront of positive change through social entrepreneurship to unveil the stories behind the revolution that is propelling us toward a world where everyone has equitable access to opportunities.
Listen to episodes
14 recent
May 26, 202644 min
Banking the Future: AI, Customer Experience & Product-Led Growth
In this episode, Madeline Fredin, Vice President of Partnership Strategy for Alloy Labs, explores how product-led growth is transforming community banking and fintech, and why delivering exceptional customer experiences has become a critical competitive advantage. The conversation dives into how AI is reshaping productivity, operational scale, and innovation across financial services. From emerging fintech strategies to the future of community banking, this episode offers an insightful look at how financial institutions can adapt, grow, and stay relevant in an increasingly AI-driven world.
February 24, 202638 min
Inside the Next Chapter of Payments: Policy, Fintech; and Innovation
In this episode, we’re joined by Brian Tate, President and CEO of the Innovative Payments Association, to discuss where payments policy and innovation are headed next. A graduate of Howard University with experience at the Financial Services Roundtable during the post-crisis reform era shaped by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, Brian draws on decades inside Washington to unpack what’s coming for fintech, prepaid products, and the broader banking ecosystem. From regulatory modernization to emerging technologies, he shares his outlook on the opportunities and challenges that will define the next chapter of the payments revolution.
Brian Tate, CEO, Innovative Payments Association
Brian C. Tate is president and CEO of the Innovative Payment Association.
A native Marylander, Brian is a graduate of the Howard University School of Law and is licensed to practice in the state of Maryland and the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition, Brian has an M.A. in political management from The George Washington University, and a B.A. in political science from King’s College (Pa.). Brian was also a White House intern during the Clinton administration in 1996.
January 27, 202637 min
Wealth Beyond Money: Building Security, Choice, and Control
This episode explores the mission of advancing financial stability and generational wealth for traditionally underserved individuals and families through the lens of  founder and CEO of The Savings Collaborative Barbara Freeman. The conversation highlights her global career in finance, consulting, and development, and how her personal experiences with financial uncertainty and deeply held values around fairness shaped the founding of the Savings Collaborative. Barbara shares how her work bridges systems, education, and economic opportunity to address the everyday financial fragility faced by working families, ultimately reframing wealth not just as money, but as security, choice, and control over one’s life.
Bio:
Dr. Barbara Freeman is the founder and CEO of The Savings Collaborative. She combines her global experience in finance, education, and social impact to help people and communities expand opportunity. She is also a senior consultant to the World Bank, where she focuses on technology and innovation in education.
She was a Visiting Scholar at UC Berkeley and is a certified financial counselor. Barbara created award-winning digital learning tools for English learners and students with special needs, making learning more accessible and engaging for diverse students. Earlier in her career, she helped pioneer one of the first global derivatives portfolios as a currency options dealer with UBS and HSBC, and co-founded KPMG Consulting’s Risk Management practice in Asia, building it into a 400-person team.
July 29, 202541 min
Gamifying Financial Literacy: Preparing the Next Generation for Financial Wellness with Modak
In this episode of Social Currency, hosts Tyler Seydel and Eric Schurr speak with Madhu Yalamarthi co-founder and CEO of Modak — a fintech platform empowering families to teach financial literacy through gamification. Madhu shares how Modak is helping teens build smart money habits using real-world tools like debit cards and paycheck simulations. He also opens up about his personal journey from a small farming village to Stanford and venture capital, and how that shaped his mission to use business and technology for social impact. This conversation dives into why financial literacy is not just about money, but about empowerment, equity, and preparing the next generation for a better future.
June 24, 202527 min
Unapologetic Leadership: Empowering Women and Disrupting the Status Quo
In this empowering episode of Social Currency, Eric Schurr and guest host Maria Wilkison sit down with Kristi Hemmer, and dive deep into real-world solutions for closing gender equity gaps and building confident leaders. Kristi—founder of the Academy for Women’s Empowerment (AWE), author, experienced educator, and certified social entrepreneur—shares a robust toolkit built from 20+ years of classroom experience and a mission to disrupt systems that hold girls and women back.
May 27, 202537 min
Navigating the Shift: Emerging Trends in Digital Payments
In the latest episode of the Social Currency podcast, Tony McGee, Senior Director, FI & Fintech Sales at Onbe, shares his insights on the evolving landscape of digital payments. As consumer expectations shift towards speed, convenience, and choice, digital payment systems are becoming more integral than ever. Tony discusses the current trends he’s observing, including the rise of embedded finance, the expansion of real-time payments, and the growing demand for sustainable and inclusive payment solutions. He also explores how businesses are adapting to these changes and what the future holds for digital transactions. Tune in to understand how these developments are shaping the way we pay and get paid.
April 29, 202538 min
Battling Fraud in Fintech: How Banks and Fintechs can Stay Ahead
Join hosts Tyler Seydel and Eric Schurr as they talk with John Barbella, Founder and President of Neighborli, about preventing fraud in fintech. With over 30 years in financial services, John shares insights on compliance, the evolving fraud landscape, and how banks and fintechs can collaborate to stay ahead. Tune in to learn how Neighborli is bridging the gap between financial institutions and fintechs to create a more secure and innovative digital banking future.
March 11, 202527 min
Closing the Legacy Gap: Transforming Transitions with Paige
In this episode of Social Currency, hosts Tyler Seydel and Eric Schurr sit down with Emily Cisek, co-founder and CEO of Paige (Formerly The Postage®), a platform dedicated to simplifying long-term financial planning and legacy management. Emily shares her journey from startup life to founding Paige, inspired by personal experiences with loss and the challenges of end-of-life planning. They discuss the importance of financial preparedness, overcoming the social friction of these conversations, and how Paige is helping families and small business owners secure their futures. Tune in for insights on financial wellness, social connection, and the evolving role of community banks in supporting generational transitions.
September 24, 202435 min
Mastering Product Leadership: Balancing Strategy, Management, and Humanity
Featuring Colleen Wilson, Fintech Advisor and Product Executive Technology, your customer base, your business—these things are constantly changing, and in order to be a good product manager, understanding each piece of the puzzle is essential. In this episode, Colleen Wilson, Fintech Advisor and Product Executive breaks down how you can be a strong product leader by effectively managing both product management and product strategy to bring humanity back to [product] leadership and grow business.
July 23, 202425 min
Blueprints for Change: Lessening Your Climate Change Impact Through Net Zero Banking
Big banks in U.S. banks allocate up to 30% of their investments to carbon-intensive industries, inadvertently fueling climate change. Many people are unaware that their bank accounts could be significant contributors to carbon emissions. In this episode, we delve into the story of Firefly, a pioneering sustainable apartment building on Grand Avenue in South Minneapolis. Architect Adam Bradley Jonas and developer Jay Rajaratnam share their insights on overcoming unique challenges in creating net zero buildings. They discuss their collaboration with Sunrise Banks and its innovative Net Zero Banking Program. Laura Wildenborg, VP of Strategic Lending at Sunrise Banks, explains how Net Zero Banking can effectively reduce emissions and drive climate action, empowering both organizations and individuals to kickstart sustainability initiatives.
Is this your show?
Claim this listing to keep it up to date, reach guests who want to pitch you, and manage bookings with Guestify.
