Best Middle School Math Podcasts (2025)

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Best of 2025: Classroom Routines + Procedures 12:10

Play Pause

23h ago12:10

12:10

Middle and high school math classes benefit from classroom routines and procedures just as much as our elementary counterparts! Do your classroom routines need a reset as we head into the second half of the school year? Enjoy Episode #130- 3 Must-Have Classroom Routines That Actually Work in Secondary Math. ✅ In this episode: Why routines work bett…

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Mohave Middle School Math and Science Academy 17:24

5d ago17:24

17:24

In this episode of the SUSD Spotlight Podcast, we’re joined by Paul Ferrero and Michael Twilling to talk about the Mohave Middle School Math and Science Academy. The program is designed to ignite a passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in our students. This specialized program combines rigorous academics with real-world prob…

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Doug and the Three Ghosts (SB1778) 1:08:23

10h ago1:08:23

1:08:23

One snowy Christmas Eve in Texarkana, Neighbor Doug settled into bed in his snazzy Superman Footie PJs (Amazon affiliate link), still buzzing on Joe’s Mom’s eggnog… Today’s special holiday episode recounts a completely original tale of Doug and the money lessons learned when he’s visited by three ghosts—past, present, and future. Especially when it…

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The Clinician Holiday Reset Series Part I: Rest 32:39

21h ago32:39

32:39

Burnout doesn’t always mean you need more rest. Sometimes it means your nervous system is asking for a different rhythm—or even a different container for your work. In this special three part holiday series of Off the Chair, Dr. Colleen Long dives into the science of nervous system regulation, winter hibernation, and why clinicians feel more deplet…

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The Holiday Kickoff Special: 2025 Lessons, Risky Bets, and an Alaska Surprise (SB1777) 1:31:44

2d ago1:31:44

1:31:44

It's the most wonderful time of the year in the basement, and we're kicking off the holiday season with our biggest, most packed episode yet. Joe Saul-Sehy, OG, and Neighbor Doug welcome Joel Larsgaard and Matt Altmix from the How to Money podcast for a year-end celebration of everything that mattered in money during 2025. Think of this as the holi…

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What 2025 Taught Us About Money (And What Actually Matters for 2026) SB1776 1:07:56

5d ago1:07:56

1:07:56

Before you charge into a new year with fresh goals, shiny spreadsheets, and unrealistic optimism, it's worth doing the one thing most people skip. Looking back honestly at what just happened. Joe Saul-Sehy, OG, Neighbor Doug, Paula Pant (Afford Anything), and Jesse Cramer (Personal Finance for Long Term Investors) gather for an end-of-year roundtab…

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No Money, Still Problems! 19:25

6d ago19:25

19:25

Episode Description: To stop the POGs’ prediction network, Max and Molly realize they need help—and fast. However, they are torn on whether or not they can trust Charlene. To test her honesty, they recreate an experiment with a “lost” wallet stuffed with cash. Will Charlene pass the test? As math, probability, and human behavior collide, the Proble…

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How to Give Back Without Being Rich + Building a Smarter Retirement Plan (SB1775) 1:14:39

7d ago1:14:39

1:14:39

What if "giving back" isn't about writing bigger checks but about using what you're already great at? Most people think philanthropy is reserved for people with their names on buildings. That assumption keeps them from realizing they already have something valuable to give. Joe Saul-Sehy, OG, and Neighbor Doug welcome John Studzinski, managing dire…

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Redefining Success: A Therapist's Path to Peace with Sarah Olson 1:35:08

8d ago1:35:08

1:35:08

Burned out, questioning everything, and wondering if you’re allowed to want something different from your work and your life? This episode is for therapists, group practice owners, and mental health leaders who have hit a wall and know they cannot go back to “business as usual.” In this conversation, Sarah Olson opens up about slamming into burnout…

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Best of 2025: Student Centered Teaching Strategies 14:16

8d ago14:16

14:16

Making the shift from teacher-led to student-centered teaching practices doesn't have to be a struggle. And you don't have to make the change to your instructional strategies alone! Enjoy Episode 132:Student-Centered Teaching in Math Class-- your favorite episode this year on creating a student-centered classroom! You’ll learn: ✅ What student-cente…

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The Fire Safety Steps You're Skipping (Plus: What the World Worries About in Retirement) SB1774 1:08:19

9d ago1:08:19

1:08:19

Some episodes help you protect your money. Some help you protect everything your money makes possible. This episode does both. Joe Saul-Sehy and OG welcome fire safety expert Steve Kerber from UL's Fire Safety Research Institutes, who delivers simple, practical, "do this today" steps that dramatically increase your home's safety. From upgrading out…

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Focusing on Progress Over Mastery with Dr. Derek Briggs 21:08

9d ago21:08

21:08

What if a “wrong” answer tells you more than a correct one? In today's episode, we sit down with Dr. Derek Briggs, professor of educational assessment at the University of Colorado Boulder, to unpack why assessment should go beyond testing, and instead focus on progress over mastery. Derek shows how context and thinking processes matter just as muc…

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2025 State Champion Chaparral Girls Golf 11:25

12d ago11:25

11:25

In this episode of the SUSD Spotlight Podcast, we’re celebrating an incredible accomplishment in our district athletics as we sit down with members of the 2025 State Champion Chaparral High School girls golf team. Joining us are standout players Isabel Helgemoe and Maryn Decreamer, whose performances, leadership, and dedication helped secure the st…

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Does More Money Actually Make Life Easier? (Spoiler: Not Really) SB1773 1:02:59

12d ago1:02:59

1:02:59

Does more money make life easier, or does it just give you more expensive problems to solve? Most people assume that once they start earning more, their financial life will finally calm down and organize itself. Then they get the raise or the promotion or the business success, and somehow things feel just as chaotic as before, just with bigger numb…

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You’ve Been Server-ed! 18:50

13d ago18:50

18:50

Episode Description: During a break while playing Bingo – Max and Molly discover how probability shapes games of chance—right before a mysterious emoji message pulls them back into the hunt for the POGs. A hacked toy, a glitchy wi-fi signal from 1998, and a massive hidden server reveal the POGs’ terrifying “Prediction Calculator.” Now, the only way…

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Magic and Logic: How Lew Frankfort Built Coach (Plus: Don't Make This Retirement Mistake (SB1772) 1:06:35

14d ago1:06:35

1:06:35

Walking away from a secure city government job to eventually run one of the world's most recognizable handbag brands sounds like fiction. For Lew Frankfort, it became his career story, and the path between those two points is exactly what makes this conversation so valuable. Lew joins Joe Saul-Sehy and OG in the basement to break down how a combina…

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Embracing Problem-Based Math Curriculum with Karen Gauthier 14:02

14d ago14:02

14:02

In today's episode, we sit down with STEM Coordinator, and veteran educator, Karen Gauthier to unpack how a problem-based curriculum turns learners into mathematicians who reason, justify, and connect strategies with confidence. Karen traces her 37-year journey from classroom teacher to district leader and explains why shifting to a problem-based m…

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Autopsy of a Practice Part III: Your Not Broken, The Game is Rigged 52:09

15d ago52:09

52:09

Burned out, morally injured, and wondering if you’re the problem? Good news and bad news: it's not you, it's the system. This episode is for clinicians, group practice owners, and mental health leaders who feel trapped between their ethics, insurance demands, and the crushing weight of “doing it all.” In this conversation, we unpack the evolving ch…

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Best of 2025: The Best Student Engagement Strategies 10:23

15d ago10:23

10:23

What does student engagement really look like in a math classroom? Enjoy this replay of Episode 129: Student Engagement Strategies That Actually Work in Math Class-- your favorite episode on boosting student engagement this year! ✅ In this episode: Why boring math isn’t your fault—and why you’re not stuck there What I learned from seeing problem-ba…

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How to Actually Enjoy Holiday Small Talk (And Give Better Gifts for Less) SB1771 1:09:40

16d ago1:09:40

1:09:40

Holiday parties make you want to hide behind the cheese tray. Gift-giving season makes your budget cry. This episode is your survival guide for both. Joe Saul-Sehy, OG, and Neighbor Doug welcome Pulitzer Prize-winning author Charles Duhigg to turn holiday small talk from awkward endurance test into something you might actually enjoy. Whether you're…

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Thriving with Type 1 Diabetes 19:49

19d ago19:49

19:49

In this episode of the SUSD Spotlight Podcast, we’re joined by Cherokee Elementary student Logan Treadwell and her mom, Bobbi, to share a journey that has touched countless lives in our community. Since her Type 1 diabetes diagnosis, Logan has become a passionate advocate, educator, and source of inspiration for everyone affected by the disease. To…

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How to Save Money Without Making Your Life Miserable (SB1770) 1:02:33

19d ago1:02:33

1:02:33

Here's the problem with most frugality advice: it makes you feel like a monk who's taken a vow of joylessness. Joe Saul-Sehy and Neighbor Doug gather the roundtable crew—Paula Pant (Afford Anything), Jesse Cramer (Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors), and Andy Hill (Marriage, Kids, and Money)—to prove that frugality isn't about deprivation. It…

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Toys Will Be Toys! 16:45

20d ago16:45

16:45

Episode Description: While warming up indoors on a snowy day, Max and Molly review their mysterious clues about the POGs—until Max’s Alexa begins acting strangely. Decoding a message leads them to the famous toy store, FAO Schwarz, in 1998, where they overhear a secret meeting of sinister toy avatars plotting chaos across time. To stop them, Max an…

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Morgan Housel: Why You Spend Money (And How to Do It Better) SB1769 58:26

21d ago58:26

58:26

Here's something nobody tells you: knowing how to make money is easy compared to knowing how to spend it well. Morgan Housel, bestselling author and one of the sharpest minds in personal finance, is back in the basement with Joe Saul-Sehy, OG, and Neighbor Doug to tackle the question most financial advice completely ignores: why do we spend the way…

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Trailblazer Series: Transforming Leadership in Group Practices with Julianne Guinasso & Poonam Natha 52:44

22d ago52:44

52:44

In this conversation, the hosts discuss the challenges of leadership in group practices, emphasizing the importance of trauma-informed leadership and building a culture of trust. Dr. Colleen Long introduces Poonam and Julianne from Level Up Leaders, who share their journey from clinicians to leadership consultants. The discussion covers the signifi…

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Best of 2025: Making Math Relevant 15:28

22d ago15:28

15:28

Let's make math class relevant-- and spoiler alert it's more than just adding in a few real-world math problems to your worksheet or doing a once a year hands on math project. Enjoy this replay of Episode 126: What Makes Math Feel Relevant? Isn’t it just Practical Examples of Real World Math? It's your TOP downloaded episode this year all about mak…

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The Tax Basics You Should've Learned Years Ago (But Nobody Taught You) SB1768 1:12:55

23d ago1:12:55

1:12:55

Let's be honest: taxes feel like that thing you're supposed to understand but somehow never learned, and now you're too embarrassed to ask. Joe Saul-Sehy, OG, and Neighbor Doug welcome Hannah Cole—artist-turned-tax-pro and author of the brand-new book Taxes for Humans—to finally explain taxes in language that doesn't require a CPA license to unders…

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Board Games That Make You Smarter With Money (Without Feeling Like School) SB1767 1:15:59

26d ago1:15:59

1:15:59

Here's a secret: some of the best financial education doesn't come from books or podcasts. It comes from a board game box. Joe Saul-Sehy welcomes Kylie Prymus, board game expert and owner of Pittsburgh's award-winning store Games Unlimited, for a conversation about the games that sneak money lessons into brilliant gameplay. These aren't boring "edu…

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Black Friday Tech: What's Worth Buying (And What's Just Hype) SB1766 1:09:10

28d ago1:09:10

1:09:10

Black Friday's coming, your inbox is screaming deals at you, and you're trying to figure out: is this tech actually worth it, or will it be collecting dust by Valentine's Day? Joe Saul-Sehy, guest co-host CFP Anna Allem, and Neighbor Doug bring in Bridget Carey from CNET to cut through the holiday tech chaos. Bridget's spent her career testing gadg…

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144- Low-Prep Math Activities to Survive the Holiday Chaos (Without Losing Rigor 🎄) 17:15

29d ago17:15

17:15

The holidays are hectic—but learning doesn’t have to be. Kristen shares six classroom-tested, low-prep activities that keep math engaging when attention spans are short. You’ll learn how to: ✅ Use real-world data in a Holiday Data Challenge ✅ Turn review into a game with Rapid Review Showdown ✅ Get students moving with a Math Scavenger Hunt ✅ Launc…

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The Smart Person's Guide to Black Friday Deals (SB1765) 1:22:09

1M ago1:22:09

1:22:09

Black Friday is coming, and you've got two choices: get trampled at 3 a.m. for a discount air fryer, or learn how the pros actually save hundreds without the drama. Joe Saul-Sehy and Neighbor Doug kick off Black Friday week with the perfect blend of strategy and sanity. First up: Australian comedian Josh Liston tries to make sense of American Thank…

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Small Group Instruction in the Math Classroom with Natalie Banks 12:34

1M ago12:34

12:34

Today we sit down with third-grade teacher Natalie Banks to unpack a simple, powerful framework: courage to try small-group instruction, clarity to guide learning with posted intentions and success criteria, and connection to build a community where every student’s voice matters. Natalie explains how she restructured her time, used data to form fle…

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How to Actually Use Money Apps the Right Way (According to FinTech Pros) SB1764 1:14:50

1M ago1:14:50

1:14:50

What if you could sit down with the people actually building the future of personal finance and just... ask them everything? That's exactly what happens in this episode. Joe Saul-Sehy gathers three FinTech insiders around the basement table—Peter Polson (founder, Tiller), Aaron Froug (founder, Grifin), and Ryan Ruff (longtime FinTech pro, Array)—fo…

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#20. For Louisiana District, HQIM + Opportunity Culture® Teams Sparks Early Wins 16:02

1M ago16:02

16:02

When Charlie Butler returned to his hometown to become superintendent of the Madison Parish School District in northeastern Louisiana, he was looking for innovative ways to help the persistently low-performing system. With help from a state “instructional coherence cohort,” the district combined the support of Opportunity Culture® teaching teams wi…

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A Mole Lot of Nothing 18:36

1M ago18:36

18:36

Episode Description: Summoned to a High Tribunal – Max and Molly must defend their claim that a Mole has infiltrated The Order of Problem Solvers. After passing a high-pressure test, they argue their case—but nothing goes as planned. But in a twist, they discover that nothing might actually be the answer to their problems – and that perhaps the bes…

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How to Actually Listen (Not Just Wait to Talk) SB1763 1:17:54

1M ago1:17:54

1:17:54

Be honest: When someone's talking to you, are you actually listening—or just waiting for your turn to speak? Joe Saul-Sehy and OG welcome executive coach Katie O'Malley, who's here to expose how terrible most of us are at paying attention—and more importantly, how to fix it. Whether you're trying to connect with your spouse, navigate a tough conver…

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Autopsy of a Practice: How Scarcity Mentality and Fear-Based Decisions Took Down a Seven-Figure Clinic [Part 1] 46:28

1M ago46:28

46:28

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE HERE! This one is personal. In part one of our deepest dive yet, we begin the autopsy of a seven-figure practice that rose fast, broke even faster, and exposed what happens when the realities of a broken mental health system collide with raw human limits. This is not a business teardown. It is a confession, a reckoning,…

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143- Rethinking Assessment: What Finals Prep Can Teach Us About What (and How) We Measure 13:50

1M ago13:50

13:50

Finals week doesn’t have to be a panic button. In this episode, Kristen redefines assessment as feedback, not judgment—and shares five active teaching strategies that make review week engaging, equitable, and meaningful. You’ll learn how to: ✅ Turn review into reasoning with the 3-Round Review ✅ Use an Error Hunt to target misconceptions ✅ Celebrat…

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Should You Actually Use a Catastrophic Health Plan? (& more questions from YOU!) SB1762 1:14:22

1M ago1:14:22

1:14:22

Pop quiz: If your health insurance premiums keep climbing, should you just go catastrophic and pocket the savings? Joe Saul-Sehy, OG, and CFP Anna Allem tackle that exact question, along with a handful of other money decisions that keep Stackers up at night. From navigating healthcare coverage gaps to figuring out when (and how) to withdraw from a …

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Why You Feel Broke Even When You're Doing Everything Right (SB1761) 59:56

1M ago59:56

59:56

Ever feel like you're doing everything "right" with money—but still barely getting ahead? You're budgeting. You're saving what you can. You cut the subscriptions, meal prep on Sundays, and skip the daily latte. So why does it still feel like you're spinning your wheels? In this Greatest Hits episode, Joe Saul-Sehy welcomes Erin Lowry (Broke Millenn…

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Who Solves the Problem Solvers? (Part 2) 20:29

1M ago20:29

20:29

Episode Description: It’s the holidays, and Max and Molly are ready for two weeks of cookie-eating and cocoa-sipping—until a mysterious package arrives down the chimney. When the gift leads them to a riddle-filled party at Problem Solver HQ – fun Math games turn into accusations including Max making a shocking claim – that a Mole might be among the…

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Jonathan Clements: Why Simple Beats Complicated Every Time (SB1760) 1:23:29

1M ago1:23:29

1:23:29

Here's what nobody tells you about building wealth: it's not about finding the perfect investment or timing the market. It's about doing boring things consistently until they're not boring anymore—they're just your life. In this Greatest Hits episode, Joe Saul-Sehy and OG revisit a 2023 conversation with Jonathan Clements, the beloved former Wall S…

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Trailblazer Series - From Burnout to Balance: The Clinician’s Path to Freedom, Impact, & Legacy with Gordon Brewer 42:33

1M ago42:33

42:33

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE HERE! What happens when you finally pause long enough to ask, “Is this really the life I built my practice for?” In this conversation with Gordon Brewer, LMFT, founder of The Practice of Therapy Podcast, Kingsport Counseling Associates, and PsychCraft Network, we explore what it means to move from burnout to balance thr…

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142 My National Board Journey—Redefining What Effective Math Teaching Looks Like 14:55

1M ago14:55

14:55

In this episode, Kristen shares why she decided to pursue National Board Certification now—and how that lens is already reshaping daily teaching moves. You’ll hear concrete strategies you can use this week (with or without NBC): You’ll learn how to… ✅ Plan one “evidence moment” per lesson to capture real mathematical thinking ✅ Orchestrate discussi…

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Rethinking Literacy with Erin Embon 19:03

1M ago19:03

19:03

A hard truth sparked this conversation: too many students were reaching middle school unable to read independently at grade level. Erin Embon has spent 34 years across classrooms and leadership roles, and she walks us through how that pattern pushed her to rebuild reading instruction where it matters most. We unpack the data that challenged assumpt…

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What a 12-Hour Walk Teaches You About Money (And Life) SB1759 59:53

1M ago59:53

59:53

Here's a wild idea: What if the thing holding you back isn't your bank account, your age, or your circumstances—it's just the story you've been telling yourself? Joe Saul-Sehy and OG sit down with Colin O'Brady, four-time world record holder and endurance athlete who's done things most people would call impossible: solo trek across Antarctica, row …

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DMHS Student Shapes New Law 18:25

2M ago18:25

18:25

In this episode of the SUSD Spotlight Podcast, we’re highlighting the substantial impact of Desert Mountain High School junior Siddhanth Gupta. He successfully spearheaded the passage of an ordinance prohibiting the use of electronic cigarettes and vaping devices in public areas. The ordinance was unanimously adopted by the Scottsdale City Council …

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What Retirees Wish They'd Known 10 Years Ago (SB1758) 1:10:58

2M ago1:10:58

1:10:58

Want to know what keeps retirees up at night? It's not what they did—it's what they wish they'd done ten years earlier. Joe Saul-Sehy is joined by Jill Siriani (Frugal Friends), Jesse Cramer (The Best Interest), and Doc G (Earn & Invest), who all pull up chairs in the basement for a powerhouse roundtable on the five regrets that show up again and a…

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Who Solves The Problem Solvers? 17:46

2M ago17:46

17:46

Episode Description: Max and Molly suspect one of their own might be a Mole inside the Problem Solvers. But when their investigation takes them on a mission to ancient Europe to save… cabbage, things spiral out of control—literally. As they battle Trolls, numbers, and paradoxes, they learn some problems can’t be solved in straight lines. Math Conce…

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Financial Literacy for Kids + Are Annuities Actually Safe? SB1757 1:09:14

2M ago1:09:14

1:09:14

Here's a question: If everyone's buying annuities right now, does that mean you should too? Joe Saul-Sehy, OG, and Neighbor Doug tackle that exact question in this week's episode—but first, they're starting with the basics. Because before you can figure out complex financial products, you need to nail the fundamentals. And who better to teach them …