Financial Coaches Network - The Podcast: Build your Financial Coaching Business

In this episode, Joshua Escalante Troesh CFP® and Amelie Riendl AFC® break down why most first-time budgets fail and offers a simple, realistic roadmap for building a budget you can actually stick with. Top takeaways: Budgets fail when they’re too complex, too time‑consuming, or overly restrictive. Start with a simple budget: Use reliable monthly income as your baseline—especially if your income v...

In this episode, Joshua Escalante Troesh CFP® and Amelie Riendl AFC® continue their discussion into what makes a website truly effective. The conversation explores how to build trust, structure your site, avoid common design pitfalls, and ensure your website actually supports your business goals.   Top takeaways: Build trust on your website through signals, such as credentials, media men...

In this first episode of a two part series, Joshua Escalante Troesh CFP® and Amelie Riendl AFC® discuss what makes a website convert, starting with defining your site’s primary purpose and truly understanding your niche.  Top takeaways: Start by identifying your website’s primary goal, even if it will support many functions Don’t copy websites you like, instead focus on what your audience wou...

In this episode, Joshua Escalante Troesh CFP® and Amelie Riendl AFC® break down each section of a paycheck—what the numbers mean, why they matter, and how understanding them can help you avoid surprises and make smarter financial decisions. They explore required and optional deductions, tax withholdings, employer‑provided benefits, PTO tracking, and common paycheck misconceptions. The conversation...

In this episode, Josh and Amelie tackle the tricky situation of past clients reaching out for “quick” free advice and how financial coaches can respond professionally, ethically, and without resentment. The hosts explore liability concerns, time boundaries, client expectations, and the importance of avoiding assumptions about a client’s motivations. They also share practical scripts and strategies...

This episode with Josh and Amelie explores the difference between guilt and shame around money, why so many people internalize financial mistakes, and how those emotions can either motivate change or shut it down. The hosts break down how societal pressure, financial pundits, and even well‑meaning professionals can unintentionally fuel shame — and what it takes to separate your identity from your...

Amelie discusses FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship Program, a path to AFC Certification for mil spouses! She is joined by Valerie Richards from AFCPE® and Cherie Stueve, a frequent FINRA Fellowship Instructor to discuss the process! Top takeaways: The FINRA Fellowship process is a great networking and community building opportunity. The AFCPE Symposium is a huge networking and community...

Joshua and Amelie break down what an estate really is, why everyone already has an estate plan (even if they never created one), and why the Last Will and Testament is often the least powerful document in the entire process. The conversation explores essential documents like advance medical directives and powers of attorney, clears up common misconceptions, and highlights the one crucial role a wi...

Joshua and Amelie explore how financial coaches can confidently create content that truly resonates with their niche—whether for speaking engagements, freebies, or prospecting. They break down why generic financial topics fall flat, how to anchor your message based on real pain points, and why saying “yes” to opportunities (even before you feel ready) is the key to growth.  Top takeaways: Sta...

Joshua and Amelie break down the basics of tax deductions and tax credits, offering a simple, high‑level overview to help listeners understand how these tools may reduce their tax bill.  Top takeaways: Tax deductions and tax credits both help you pay less in taxes, but they work differently Tax credits offer a dollar‑for‑dollar reduction in your taxes owed— the government treats you as if you...

Joshua and Amelie share their thoughts on what should go into a business emergency plan. As a section in your business plan, the emergency plan is there to guide you whenever there is any kind of action that causes a disruption to your normal business operations, from natural disasters that displace you for weeks or months to power outages that last just a few hours. Top takeaways: A written emerg...

In this episode, Josh and Amelie discuss the confusing world of financial advisors and give listeners ideas for evaluating a potential advisor. The hosts explain why job titles are meaningless and certifications vary widely in rigor, with the Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) standing out as the gold standard. They clarify how the fiduciary standard works, including why just the Series 65–only a...

 Join Josh and Amelie to discuss everyone’s favorite…taxes! What are your obligations in sending 1099s to someone? Did you know that there may be requirements for you to send 1099s to someone?! Top takeaways: If you receive over $600 income through a third party (AdvicePay/Stripe/Paypal etc.), that third party will issue you a 1099 (though this has and will continue to change a lot). Double c...

Joshua and Amelie dive into the newly introduced 50-year mortgage option (as of 2025), exploring its potential benefits and drawbacks. They highlight the importance of understanding how any mortgage fits into an individual or family’s financial plan, and why consulting with a trusted financial advisor could help consumers evaluate whether this loan structure may make sense for them.  Topics D...

What are the Most Effective Marketing Strategies to Get Clients? 2:15   - The Reality: There's NO Silver Bullet 2:59    - Not All of Your Clients are Active on Facebook 6:33  - Do Your Research and Understand Your Niche 7:57   - Finding Alignment With What You Do and Match It With a Potential Medium 9:16  - You Have to Start With Who is Your Audience 12:11  - Not...

In this podcast episode, Joshua and Amelie discuss lead magnets for financial coaches, focusing on how to create valuable content that attracts your specific niche. They emphasize the importance of understanding your niche, conducting in-depth research, and creating specialized content that appeals to your niche rather than generic material that’s available through a simple internet search. The co...

In this episode, we dive into the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in financial coaching and counseling. From boosting productivity to streamlining client support, AI offers exciting possibilities—but it also comes with important caveats. We unpack where AI can enhance your practice, what to watch out for, and how to get the most out of these tools without compromising quality or ethi...

In this podcast, we talk to Executive Director of AFCPE Rachael DeLeon about the upcoming AFCPE Symposium, its purpose and why you should attend!  Top takeaways: The AFCPE is a national nonprofit that certifies, educates and supports financial coaches, counselors, and educators. The AFCPE Symposium brings together financial professionals from all different professions, who work with clients i...

We wrap up our series about analyzing the gurus by talking about endorsements!  Top takeaways: All the “gurus” endorse a product Be aware of the conflicts of interest with any guru’s recommendations Anyone who endorses their own product has a conflict of interest Public gurus or “entertainers” have no obligation to make recommendations based on what’s in your best interest Endorsed products m...

We continue our series about analyzing the gurus! We’ll be spending time discussing several big personal finance names, their recommendations, and why we do or do not agree with those. Josh and Amelie discuss the Money Guy Show, their "Financial Order of Operations" framework, and their philosophy on goals and saving for retirement.  Top takeaways: A set of financial “rules” supposedly for ev...

We continue our series about analyzing the gurus! We’ll be spending time discussing several big personal finance names, their recommendations, and why we do or do not agree with those. Josh and Amelie discuss Clark Howard, his philosophy on saving and spending.   Top takeaways: Saving small amounts of money may not be worth the time or effort involved. DIY may not be the best approach for you...

We continue our series about analyzing the gurus! We’ll be spending time discussing several big personal finance names, their recommendations, and why we do or do not agree with those. Josh and Amelie discuss Robert Kiyosaki, his philosophy of creating assets to generate money, leverage debt to create these assets, and his beliefs about formal education and savings.  Top takeaways: With any f...

This week we’re making an announcement – Emily will be moving on to new opportunities. She’s been spending time marketing her business this year and it paid off! Learn more about what she did to grow her business. Though she is no longer part of FCN, you will still see her in the Financial Coaches Community Facebook group!   Top takeaways: Emily’s financial coaching business has grown re...

We began a new series about analyzing the gurus! We’ll be spending time discussing several big personal finance names, their recommendations, and why we do or do not agree with those. Josh and Emily discuss Tori Dunlap, her philosophy of capitalism, financial feminism, and her steps for getting control of your finances. Top takeaways: Not participating in a system you don’t like (e.g., capitalism)...

We began a new series about analyzing the gurus! We’ll be spending time discussing several big personal finance names, their recommendations, and why we do or do not agree with those. Josh and Amelie discuss Suze Orman’s philosophy of debt, preparing for retirement, and investing. Top takeaways: Overly simplistic advice (supposedly for everyone), doesn’t actually work for anyone. People generally...