The Money Jar

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Welcome to The Money JAR, a podcast for youth leaders about money, careers and innovation. Co-hosts Mindy Lockard and Rishika Vinnakota pair their unique perspectives with a mild dose of humor as they attempt to demystify the common challenges that Gen Z and all families face while trying to learn about the economics of life. The Money JAR serves as a resource for young people who are curious about steps they can take to plan for their future success. Invest in your future!

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    • Apr 16, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 23m AVG DURATION
    • 217 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Money Jar

    Rerun #210: Educator Abby Norris, Certificates of Deposit, Paper Towel Sniffer

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025 22:46


    Revisit Episode #210 and learn about Cerificates of Deposit; hear from Abby Norris, a middle school Social Studies teacher, about her first year of teaching; and have you ever heard of the job of a Professional Paper Towel Sniffer?

    #216: Graphic Designer, Kendra Pelofske; Learn About Oprah; Pet Psychologists

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2025 15:27


    In this episode, we'll learn about Oprah Winfrey, entrepreneur extraordinaire; we talk with Kendra Pelofske, Lead Graphic Designer at Ferguson Wellman Capital Managment, about her career in graphic design and marketing; and how would you like to be a pet psychologist?

    Rerun #205: TEDx Portland, Job Hunting Advice, and Phishing Scams

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2025 39:27


    Revisit Episode #205 with us where we learned about phishing scams, got job hunting advice from Steve Gray, Senior Vice President, Private Client Advisor with Bank of America, and we talked with David Paull and Dustin Fernandes, two of the people behind the wildly popular TEDx Portland, plus...being a panda nanny might be the best job in the world.

    #215: Screenwriter and Director, Lori Evans Taylor; Muriel Siebert; the Job of a Crop Duster

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2025 27:31


    In this episode, we'll learn about the First Woman of Finance, Muriel Siebert; hear from Lori Evans Taylor about her life as a screenwriter in Hollywood, and how would you like to be a crop duster?

    Rerun #201: 401(k)s, Credit Card Smarts, Sound Designer & Mixer Jeremy Peirson, Pet Food Taste Tester

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2025 39:10


    Revisit Episode #201 with us! We learn about 401(k)s, get smart credit card usage tips from Jason Norris of Ferguson Wellman Capital Management, we talk with Jeremy Perison, a sound designer and recording mixer with an impressive film and TV show resume, and how would you like to be a Pet Food Taste Tester?

    #214: Job Hunting, Resume, and Interviewing Tips, Managing Debt, and Paranormal Investigators

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2025 28:55


    In this episode, we'll hear from OnPoint Community Credit Union's Rachel Hanson with tips for job hunting, putting together a resume, and how to prepare for interviews; we'll talk with Amber Kelly, also of OnPoint, about how to manage debt and improve credit scores, and have you ever thought about being a paranormal investigator?

    Rerun #165: Time, Money, and Happiness

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2024 23:35


    Does money buy happiness? We revisit this episode from 2020 to find out what Dr. Ashley Whillans had to say on the subject. "Money can't buy happiness" is a common idiom, but how true is it? Todd and Mindy spoke with behavioral scientist Dr. Ashley Whillans about her understanding of what can bring people happiness, especially during a time when social distancing is the norm. She shares her thoughts on finding happiness and fulfillment, and on the value of money and time. Ashley discusses the importance of prioritizing connections and how the pandemic has led people to a deeper understanding of what really matters in life.

    #213: Johanna Redmond of SE Works, Robo-Advisors, Line Queuers

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2024 18:28


    In this episode, we'll learn what a robo-advisor is, we'll talk with Johanna Redmond of SE Works about how they are helping people get started in banking or medical administration, and have you ever thought about being a professional queuer?

    Rerun #170: Intro to Stocks and Investing as a Teen

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2024 20:15


    The stock market is often in the news, but what does it mean when it's up or it's down? What does it mean to invest? Can you invest when you're under 18? Should you invest young? Rishika and Mindy came to stock analyst Jason Moser with a lot of questions about how to understand the stock market and investments when you're a young person, and he had great answers about taking charge of your financial future and feeling a sense of ownership about the businesses you shop or eat at in your own life. Jason also explains some key stock market and investment terms and shares pathways to investing young.

    #212: Gonzaga Student Will McNaughton, Chemist Callie Sendek, Iceberg Movers

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2024 34:10


    In this episode, we talk with Gonzaga University student Will McNaughton about the application process, student life, and, of course, the basketball team; we revisit a previous conversation with chemist Callie Sendek; and we learn all about being an iceberg mover.

    #211: Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read, 529 Accounts, Submarine Chef

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2024 33:17


    In this episode, we learn about 529 savings plans, we talk with Oregon State Treasurer Tobis Read, and how would you like to be a submarine chef?

    #210: Educator Abby Norris, Certificates of Deposit, Paper Towel Sniffer

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2024 22:46


    In this episode, we learn about Certificates of Deposit; we talk with Abby Norris, a middle school social studies teacher who just completed her first year of teaching, and have you ever considered the job of a Professional Paper Towel Sniffer?

    #209: Mayor Steve Callaway, Assets & Liabilities, Netflix Tagger

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2024 21:25


    In this episode, we'll learn the difference between assets and liabilities, hear from Mayor Steve Callaway of Hillsboro, Oregon about what it's like being a mayor, and we'll find out what a Netflix Tagger is and what it takes to be one.

    #208: Learn about Warren Buffett; Dialysis Technician Jameson Futter

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2024 22:33


    In this episode, we'll learn about Warren Buffett, one of the most successful investors in history; we'll talk with Jameson Futter about his career as a dialysis technician; and we'll find out what a white hat hacker is. 

    #207: Apartment Renting, 401(k) w/ BofA VP Steve Gray

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2024 16:01


    In this episode, we'll hear what you need to know about renting your first apartment, we'll learn more about 401(k)'s from Steve Gray at Bank of America, and we'll find out what a Chief Pools Officer is.

    #206: Active & Passive Income, Lewis & Clark College, Gabriella Hartlaub, Intern at the Raleigh News & Observer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2024 31:16


    In this episode, we'll learn the difference between active and passive income, find out about Lewis & Clark college and what it takes to get in, and we talk with Gabriella Hartlaub, a junior at the University of Wisconsin and an intern at the News & Observer newspaper in Raleigh, North Carolina about internships, her career aspirations, and whether she's a DC or Marvel girl.

    #205: TEDx Portland, Job Hunting Advice, and Phishing Scams

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2024 39:27


    In this episode, we learn about phishing scams, get job hunting advice from Steve Gray, Senior Vice President, Private Client Advisor with Bank of America, and we'll talk with David Paull and Dustin Fernandes, two of the people behind the wildly popular TEDx Portland, plus...being a panda nanny might be the best job in the world. 

    #204: Skilled Trades, Payroll Deductions, and Chris Salchenberg, GM of Benge Industries

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2024 30:27


    In this episode, we will hear why a career in skilled trades is a great option if a four year college isn't for you, learn about all those deductions from your paycheck, and we talk with Chris Salchenberg, General Manager for Benge Industries, about his career in construction and what he's learned along the way...plus bring your wet suit if you want to be a golf ball diver! 

    #203: The Importance of Saving Early, Types of Insurance, and David Lucas, Entrepreneur & Founder of the Maurice Lucas Foundation

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2024 35:45


    In this episode, we will hear why saving early is so important and how you can get started, learn about the different types of insurance, and we'll talk with David Lucas about the Maurice Lucas Foundation and his advice for becoming a successful entrepreneur.

    #202: Creating A Budget, What It Takes to Get into UC Berkeley, and What to Know About Careers in Fire Science

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2024 34:02


    In this episode, we will learn about the steps to creating a budget, hear what it takes to get into UC Berkeley, and we talk with Jeff Gurske, a Deputy Fire Chief for Hillsboro Fire & Rescue in Hillsboro, Oregon and Rhea Duncan, the Liberty Fire Science Instructor for the Hillsboro School District about why you should consider the field of fire science when choosing a career path.

    #201: What is a 401(k), Credit Card Smarts, and Sound Designer & Re-Recording Mixer Jeremy Peirson

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2024 39:10


    In this episode, we learn what a 401(k) is, hear from Jason Norris of Ferguson Wellman Capital Management about being smart with credit cards, and talk to Jeremy Peirson - a sound designer and re-recording mixer with some pretty impressive films and TV shows on his resume - about his life in the business and how you can get started, too.

    #200: Investing Options, Your First Auto Loan, and Portland DJ Gregory Caruci

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2024 35:08


    In this episode, we share investing ideas for young adults, hear from Michael Gonsalves of First Tech Federal Credit Union about what you need to know when getting your first auto loan, and talk with popular Portland DJ Gregory Caruci about life, music, and following your dreams. Plus, do you know what a snake milker is?    

    #188: Investing in Your Own Ideas

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2022 26:09


    Rishika caught up with a young entrepreneur and brand advisor who started her own business during the COVID pandemic, right as she graduated high school. Bailey Rose Campbell launched her first business in podcast editing, website design, and brand advising. She's built up her business via social media and network connections, and talks about investing in her work and the struggles she faced with isolation during the pandemic. She also shares her unofficial role as a hypewoman for women working to build their dreams!

    #187: Financial Literacy for the Next Generation

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2022 25:34


    The Money JAR is always excited to share information and empower our listeners to take charge of their finances, and Mindy and Rishika interview someone who has dedicated his career to building financial literacy solutions! CJ MacDonald is a tech entrepreneur whose current project, Step, gives young people under 18 the opportunity to explore their personal finances in a practical setting. Families are encouraged to have finance conversations and explore saving, building credit, and investing through the Step platform. CJ shares some the valuable experiences that Step Mobile offers, saying, "We look for these teaching moments on our platform, where we can guide you, remind you, educate you on different opportunities to grow or learn."

    #186: Getting Started in Cryptocurrency

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2022 24:57


    The Money JAR has spoken with experts on cryptocurrency and the blockchain, and they have described some amazing views of the future of this technology. We're getting down to the basics in this episode with a college student who is exploring the world of cryptocurrency and is here to share his experiences and suggest some paths that young people might take if they want to get started in crypto. Rishika and Mindy interview Ian Herdegen, a college senior and entrepreneur, about how he began his journey into crypto. 

    #185: Cool Careers - Chemist

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2022 22:25


    As part of The Money JAR's ongoing series highlighting cool careers, Mindy and Rishika spoke with a chemist! Callie Sendek is a Method Development Chemist at Church & Dwight, a major American manufacturer of household products. In this episode, Callie offers advice on how to explore STEM careers. She emphasizes how personal passions and hobbies don't have to take a back seat to a career in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. There are many important skills that contribute to a workplace, from activism to art, and people can find creative ways to work their interests into their careers.

    #184: The Future of Cryptocurrency

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2022 30:00


    It can feel overwhelming to think about all of the ways that technology is developing, and how our world is starting to change as a result. FinTech and cryptocurrencies are some key examples of how software and the increasing importance of the digital world are affecting the economy. In this episode of The Money JAR, Mindy and Money JAR producer Hannah interviewed Dr. Stephen McKeon, a finance expert from the University of Oregon, about the value of certain cryptocurrencies and where he sees the future of digital currency going.

    #183: The Future of the Blockchain

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2022 25:57


    Today's episode of The Money JAR may be your first introduction to some new terms, but our guest is confident that the world of cryptocurrency, blockchain, and even digital land is going to keep growing! Mindy and Rishika spoke with Dr. Justin Goldston, an expert in emerging technologies. Justin discusses how the blockchain has developed and what it is used for, as well as how it intersects with finance and cryptocurrency. He also touches on the growing market for digital lands, or virtual property sold in the emerging 'metaverse' world that is growing with the intersection of virtual reality, augmented reality, and video. Justin sees great potential for Gen Z to profit in this emerging digital world.

    #182: A Spirit of Giving

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2021 24:42


    It's the holiday season, and Mindy and Money JAR producer Hannah are here to talk about this season of light and giving! There are a lot of social and familial pressures around giving gifts, and budgeting is very important this time of year, but we at the Money JAR invite you to listen to this episode and think about intention, reflection, and the care that goes into reaching out to loved ones and impacting your community as 2021 draws to a close. 

    #181: What Do Colleges Look At?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2021 28:13


    The college admissions process can look daunting, but The Money JAR is here to help! Rishika and Mindy have both successfully navigated the many steps of applying to colleges, both as a student in the COVID-19 pandemic and as a parent. They speak with college admissions coach Jen Namba about what students can do to plan for a successful college application process. Jen is clear that "Students do not need a college admissions coach to get into school. This process is designed and meant for seventeen-year-olds to do on their own. It is a little bit murkey, though." She brings some of her industry knowledge to The Money JAR, including the statistics of getting into certain colleges, how colleges look at GPA and test scores when deciding who to admit, and advice on visiting college campuses. 

    #180: Back to School and Starting College

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2021 14:10


    Rerun #144: Your Brain and The Future of Work

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2021 30:05


    The changing workforce and technology will alter what skills young people will need in their careers. In this rerun episode, Todd and Evan discuss how both technical and creative thinking skills, using left and right brain, are critical in career success. They talk with guest Matt Sigelman, a leading labor market expert, about hybrid jobs, specialization, and critical skills for the future of work.

    Rerun #118: Lessons Learned from a Teenage Entrepreneur

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2021 16:20


    In this rerun episode of The Money JAR, teen entrepreneur and Junior Achievement alumni Kurien Thomas discusses the highs and lows of starting and running a business. He highlights his work on the mental health kit business "Pick-Me-Up" through the JA Company Program, which helped him gain entrepreneurial skills and business experience. Kurien shares his personal purpose and tips for others who want to start their own company.

    Rerun #47: Tales from the Shark Tank

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2021 24:48


    Today's rerun episode of The Money JAR may have you headed to the nearest grocery store! This week, Todd and Evan interview entrepreneurs Erika Welsh and Keeley Tillotson. Erika and Keeley reminisce about their transformation from college students into contestants on ABC's Shark Tank, recounting their ascent into successful entrepreneurship. With all of the twists and turns along the way, these two good friends share what they've learned and how a few obstacles in the road turned out to be blessings in disguise.

    Rerun #148: Entrepreneurial Advice from the Tech World

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2021 29:59


    If you have dreams of starting a company, how do you do it? In this rerun episode of The Money JAR, Todd and Evan interview the co-founder of Hearsay Social, Steve Garrity, who started his own social media company. Steve offers advice for anyone interested in tech entrepreneurship and discusses what personality traits are ideal for an entrepreneur to have.

    Rerun #83: Climb Every Mountain

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2021 22:39


    Todd and Evan speak with motivational speaker and adventurer Colin O'Brady, who battled life-threatening injuries to become a professional endurance athlete. Incredibly, he shattered the world record for scaling the tallest mountain on each continent and skiing to the North and South Poles. Discover what motivates Colin and hear his message to all people as they pursue their dreams on this rerun episode of The Money JAR. 

    Rerun #145: Mental Health and Athletics

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2021 26:28


    In this rerun episode of the Money JAR, co-hosts Todd Yuzuriha and Evan Wilson speak with two Oregon State University student athletes: Taylor Ricci, a gymnast, and Nathan Braaten, a soccer player. These athletes are using sports as a platform for promoting mental health awareness. Taylor and Nathan share their backgrounds, struggles and entrepreneurial experiences. They discuss their campus-wide campaign, Dam Worth It, which has helped reduce stigmas around mental health issues and bring hope and inspiration to students. This episode addresses topics of suicide, death and grief.

    Summer Break for the Money JAR

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2021 0:51


    The Money JAR is taking a summer break until October! Keep tuning in every other Monday to hear rerun episodes, and we will be back soon. Follow us on Twitter (@moneyjarpodcast) and Instagram (@moneyjarpodcast) for more information about the podcast and our topics of financial literacy, careers, innovative ideas, entrepreneurship and preparing for the future.

    #179: Credit Scores and FinTok

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2021 21:45


    In this week's episode, Mindy spoke with credit advisor Keyla Katz about her experience delivering personal finance advice on the short video platform TikTok. Keyla also dives into her specialty--tips for improving your credit score and making sure it stays high. She speaks on FinTok  (the financial side of TikTok) from her personal financial experience, and her hundreds of thousands of followers appreciate her advice. We know you will, too!

    #178: Cool Careers in the Trades - Construction Worker

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2021 28:19


    Everyone who is interested in exploring a career in the trades can find a place! Anjanet Banuelos Bolanos is a member of the Laborers' International Union of North America (LiUNA) and started her career as a construction worker and laborer when she was in her early 30s, as a single mother of three children. There are over 100 different specialties as a laborer, and Anjanet explains the pros and cons of working in the trades to Mindy and Rishika. Anjanet encourages students interested in the trades to explore these opportunities and consider joining a union.

    trades laborers international union construction workers laborers' international union cool careers
    #177: Cool Careers in the Trades - Sheet Metal Worker

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2021 26:56


    There are plenty of careers out there for students who are interested in working with their hands and learning on the job rather than looking into colleges and getting a higher degree. Mindy and Rishika spoke with John Tillotson, an instructor with Oregon Sheet Metal Institute, about his personal career path in the trades. He talks about his experiences in carpentry and sheet metal, and encourages students interested in learning more about the trades to reach out to local trade unions and training centers to learn more.

    #176: College Tips - How to Pay for Your Degree

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2021 33:55


    College is just one path that a person can take in their life, but it's an expensive option. Fortunately, there are many ways to pay for college! Mindy and Rishika spoke with The College Investor expert, Robert Farrington, about what options are out there when students consider how to pay for college. There are tons of ways to make it through college without sacrificing your future financial security, and we encourage students considering college to talk with your parents and think through your financial options after you listen to Robert's excellent tips on how to pay for your degree! 

    #175: College Tips - Application Experiences

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2021 23:44


    In high school, or even middle school, students may start to think about their higher education plans. College is a great option for people interested in expanding their theoretical knowledge, exploring specific subjects, and training or preparing for specialized, technical or academic careers. Rishika and Mindy have both gone through the process of applying to college in 2020. Rishika applied to many colleges and will be attending her first choice, the University of Michigan, which is outside of her home state of California. Mindy helped her daughter through the application process, and Elle will be attending the University of Oregon, which is in her home state. Rishika and Mindy talk about what the process of applying for college was like, sharing their perspectives as a student applicant and as the parent of a student who is exploring and applying to colleges. Listen to hear what tips they have for preparing to apply for college!

    #174: Summer Jobs - Internship Stories from Students

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2021 29:11


    The Money JAR has spoken with experts on how to get a summer job, but we are also sharing the perspective of two high school students who worked at summer internships and gained industry experience. Mindy spoke to twin sisters with wide-ranging interests about their internship experiences during the summer of 2020. Lily and Phoebe Garrett discuss the processes they went through when applying for an internship (both a formal process and an informal query), what a typical day looked like in sports engineering for Nike and product testing for a tech start-up, and what lessons both of these young women learned at their internships that they will carry on into their future careers.

    #173: Summer Jobs - Resumes and Interview Prep

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2021 21:29


    Last week, we encouraged students to start their search for a summer job or internship. This week, we have tips for how to show off your best self to potential employers on paper and in an interview. Mindy and Rishika spoke with career counseling expert Linda Favero about crafting a resume that highlights how awesome, unique, and valuable you are. Linda also talks about how to prepare for an interview, from doing your research ahead of time to sending a follow up afterward.

    #172: Summer Jobs - Finding What You Want

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2021 16:28


    Summer is right around the corner, and for many folks who are in high school, this is a great time to start thinking about a summer job or internship! The process of getting a summer job can seem daunting, especially if it's your first job, but we found some great experts to give advice on each step in the hiring process. This week, Mindy and Rishika spoke with the President of Junior Achievement of Northern California, Cristene Burr, who is one of Rishika's mentors! Cristene discusses how to find the kind of summer job you will want to do, and how to build or share your relevant experience. She shares networking tips as well as job search suggestions for teens to try.

    #171: Intro to FinTech as a Teen

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2021 14:36


    Financial technology, or fintech, is a growing market for delivering financial services in an increasingly digital-focused age. Rishika and Mindy are excited to learn about what possibilities fintech holds for young people who want to gain greater financial literacy. Hear from UX designer and financial advisor LaToya Westbrooks about her path to working in the fintech world and how to explore fintech, personal finance, and investing safely.

    #170: Intro to Stocks and Investing as a Teen

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2021 20:15


    The stock market is often in the news, but what does it mean when it's up or it's down? What does it mean to invest? Can you invest when you're under 18? Should you invest young? Rishika and Mindy came to stock analyst Jason Moser with a lot of questions about how to understand the stock market and investments when you're a young person, and he had great answers about taking charge of your financial future and feeling a sense of ownership about the businesses you shop or eat at in your own life. Jason also explains some key stock market and investment terms and shares pathways to investing young.

    #169: Handling Conflicts and Arguments

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2021 25:02


    Disagreements, arguments, and conflict are a part of the human experience. There are ways to disagree productively, though, and it shouldn't have to be a source of anxiety to bring up a problem in the workplace or at home. Rishika and Mindy speak with negotiation and conflict resolution specialist Dr. Joshua Weiss about how to have a constructive argument with people who have different views from your own, whether it's your parents or your supervisor.

    #168: Welcome Rishika!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2021 11:14


    The Money JAR is taking a new direction! We're still going to be a resource for conversations about money, work, education, and personal life planning, but we want to get a new perspective on the world. The Money JAR is excited to welcome our new student co-host, Rishika Vinnakota! Rishika will bring questions that Gen Z has right now as they prepare for their futures. Get to know a bit more about her and what she's looking forward to talking about with Mindy, what interests her, and what kind of guest experts she's looking forward to speaking with in future episodes.

    Money JAR Co-Host Announcement Next Week!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2021 0:19


    The Money JAR has our new student co-host! Tune in next week on Monday, March 1st, to hear from the high schooler who will join Mindy to bring the Gen Z perspective on important financial, career, and life-planning topics that affect adults and teens alike.

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