Money Memories

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.

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.

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/

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.

Ximena Aleman, CEO and co-founder of Prometeo, shares her incredible journey from growing up in Montevideo, Uruguay, to leading a fintech infrastructure company in Latin America. She discusses the financial challenges of her childhood, and how she navigated a transition from a career in journalism to tech. Ximena provides insights into Prometeo's work in revolutionizing financial services through open banking and API technology, and elaborates on the importance of financial inclusion in LATAM markets. She also touches on the future of fintech innovation and the impact of education and emotional skills.

Hans Koch is the CEO of the augmented reality platform MyXR. Hans shares poignant memories of growing up in Southwestern Michigan, reflecting on his early money lessons and the influence of his father’s entrepreneurial spirit. He delves into the impact of his father's battle with ALS, which in turn shaped his outlook on life and business. Hans recounts his first ventures into real estate and technology, the founding of Owners.com, and his current role at MyXR. The discussion spans topics from early entrepreneurial inspirations to the latest tech innovations. Hans offers insights on mistakes made along the way and lessons learned, emphasizing the importance of efficient scaling and strategic financial planning.

In this episode, guest John Hill reflects on his childhood lessons in saving and the importance of compound interest instilled by his family in Western Pennsylvania. Transitioning to a career in asset management, John shares insights into founding Quorus, a technology-enabled asset manager aimed at personalizing investment portfolios. John also offers beginner tips for financial wellness, and when it's OK to reach out to a professional for financial planning help.