The Financial Griot

 We are reporting Live from Lisbon, Portugal!  Well, our co-host Lovely is. Lol. In this special episode, Lovely joins us from the enchanting city of Lisbon. Sharing her firsthand travel experience, Lovely takes listeners on a captivating journey through Lisbon's vibrant streets and rich cultural heritage.   Wait, what's a Financial Griot? The Financial Griot is a play on two words (Finance + Grio...

1/2  crew is back. Alainta and Lawrence catch up and dive into current events, offering a unique take on various topics shaping our finances and the world today.    Wait, what's a Financial Griot? The Financial Griot is a play on two words (Finance + Griot) that hold significance in closing the wealth gap while embracing our differences. Alainta Alcin, Lovely Merdelus, and Lawrence Delva-Gonzalez...

TFG welcomes back second-time guest Mekey Gabriel, Financial Strategies and founder of Wealth Financial Flowers, LLC. We discuss the drama, anger, and toxicity of social media apps specifically, Club House. There are many angry people and even more misinformed regarding financial literacy and wealth building.   How can a community move forward when people are still stuck on gender wars, relationsh...

The crew discusses the Bankrate article featuring Lawrence Delva-Gonzalez. Can Black families build generation wealth during a period of higher-than-average inflation, higher costs, and mounting uncertainty? Lawrence's answer is always YES!   Americans are struggling with the long-term effects of trading time with hyper-consumer spending. As such, the easiest thing to do now is to pivot towards a...

Today, the crew is with guest Mekey Gabriel. Mekey is a financial educator and online contributor who demystifies inaccurate financial information with her platform, Wealth Financial Flowers. Lovely Merdelus interviews Mekey and dives deep into her past, her philosophy on wealth building, and the future.   Wait, what's a Financial Griot? The Financial Griot is a play on two words (Finance + Griot)...

Staycations, Vacations and Finances The  TFG crew discusses summer travel plans and the importance of creating small joys.  Around a third of Americans enjoy two to three vacations per year. Meanwhile, just over a quarter have not traveled for non-business-related trips in the past 12 months, and around a fifth of respondents have traveled once (Statista). According to the global tourism body's 20...

TFG crew is together again, discussing artisanal coffee spots... Nah, we are talking about gentrification, the loss of the third place, and your current buying opportunity. Since change is a universal constant, why not get in on the front end and enjoy?   Can gentrification be a good thing? First, let's define it. Gentrification is a housing, economic, and health issue that affects a community's h...

The TFG crew discusses the generation of immigrants, the changing faces and challenges in America. Additionally, we tackle how mandatory investing has become. America is changing. There is a policy that could stop it. Wealth will either, materialize for your family through financial strategy or migrate further away.   Wait , what's a Financial Griot? The Financial Griot  is a play on two words (Fi...

The Financial Griot Podcast team is cooking today. We share the top three TFG episodes of all-time and a story about 'bloody chicken.' Growing up was rough but at least we didn't catch food poisoning along the way.  PSA - please learn to cook. This applies to men and women.   Wait what's a Financial Griot? The Financial Griot is a play on two words (Finance + Griot) that hold significance in closi...

Episode Notes The TFG crew discusses Diddy's fallout and raid, the collapse of the Baltimore Bridge, and more. The world is changing and so are the power dynamics. And that's not a bad thing. When society is unequal few people win while providing misinformation to others. However change is never simple, Some people will go to jail or prison in the end.   Be careful of the company you keep and try...

The Financial Griot podcast panel discusses how we are all trying our best to reengage with the world. 2019 was five years ago and it almost feels ancient. We are all getting older and steadily slowing down. For some, getting outside is out of necessity. For others, it's an opportunity to help others. Either way, we are outside again.   Will it be for the better this time?   Wait what's a Financia...

The Financial Griot team is back to discuss the modern dating landscape and the myriad of failed relationships. There is nothing worse than the dreaded question, "What do you bring to the table?".   Check, please. The modern dating scene is characterized by an abundance of choices, with online platforms and dating apps providing a seemingly endless pool of potential matches. With the cost of dinne...

Did you tune into the 2024 State of the Union? We did so you don't have to. What's the takeaways? Classic chest-pumping Americana with a load of promises that may or may not come true. Likely not but we can dream. Biden v Trump 2024 is shaping up. According to CNN —  President Joe Biden delivered a raucous third State of the Union address, one that could be among the most important speeches he giv...

Today, the Financial Griot Podcast is joined by Ecclesiaste Guerrier, who discusses how global finances play a pivotal part in geopolitics. We discuss significant events since 2020, which include the global supply chain shock, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Gaza Strip, Biden v Trump 2024, and what it all means for you at the grocery store.   It's complicated. You need to tune into this one.   W...

The crew discusses cultural norms and beauty standards. Research shows that physically attractive workers earn up to 15% more than those considered less or unattractive. Even more surprising, the beauty pay gap is larger for men than women.  Check out the following: According to financialpoise.com, beauty bias can affect your financial future, with attractive people earning 4% more than the averag...

Today, Lawrence and Alainta catch up on life and share the realities of how imperfectly flawed people we are.  We must remember to extend grace.  In the end, we are all growing physically, emotionally, financially, and spiritually.  To quote fame comedian Dave Chappelle, "we are all living a very real and vivid human experience." As we collide with each other, just remember that you weren't always...

Today, the crew is together and Alainta shares great news about finding her missing cat Bruno, and the financial cost of getting his health back on track. Wait what's a Financial Griot? The Financial Griot  is a play on two words (Finance + Griot) that hold significance in closing the wealth gap while embracing our differences. We tell the stories that others don't. Stories about growth, opportuni...

Wait what's a Financial Griot? The Financial Griot  is a play on two words (Finance + Griot) that hold significance in closing the wealth gap while embracing our differences. We tell the stories that others don't. Stories about growth, opportunity, and even Wars. Beyond that, we tie it back to how it reflects on your finances. Specifically, we are teaching you how to become financially literate, i...

Wait what's a Financial Griot? The Financial Griot  is a play on two words (Finance + Griot) that hold significance in closing the wealth gap while embracing our differences. We tell the stories that others don't. Stories about growth, opportunity, and even Wars. Beyond that, we tie it back to how it reflects on your finances. Specifically, we are teaching you how to become financially literate, i...

Wait what's a Financial Griot? The Financial Griot  is a play on two words (Finance + Griot) that hold significance in closing the wealth gap while embracing our differences. We tell the stories that others don't. Stories about growth, opportunity, and even Wars. Beyond that, we tie it back to how it reflects on your finances. Specifically, we are teaching you how to become financially literate, i...

Today the crew discusses the Navy Federal Credit Union (Navy Fed) class action lawsuit concerning home loans.   According to a CNN report (December 14, 2023), the Navy Fed, the largest credit union in the US, allegedly denied more than 50% of Black applicants for new conventional home mortgages in 2022, even as it had an approval rate greater than 75% for white applicants seeking the same product....

Today Alainta and Lawrence discuss their consumer debt and how they are managing them. Tune in for tips so you can talk about debt and strategically tackle it.   American households carry a total of $17.29 trillion in debt as of the third quarter of 2023, and the average household debt is $103,358 as of the second quarter of 2023. Wait what's a Financial Griot? The Financial Griot  is a play on tw...

Research shows an increase in Black Americans who identify as spiritual rather than religious. Instead of following a specific set of organized beliefs and practices, they prefer a more individualized approach to faith. Alainta and Lawrence share their thoughts on the matter.   Wait what's a Financial Griot? The Financial Griot  is a play on two words (Finance + Griot) that hold significance in cl...

The Financial Griot Podcast crew is back from vacation. Time to discuss how travel provides meaningful challenges and perspectives. Alainta is coming back from a work trip in the country of Gold, Colombia. While Lawrence and his wife just touchdown from their annual trip. This time, they headed to South America going through the Land of Tango (Argentina) and the Land of Joy (Brazil). Tune in for t...

According to  Investopedia, the American Dream costs $3.4 million, is it still possible to attain the DREAM? Today, we’re excited to talk about how to build wealth for your family.  Our guest today, Anne-Lyse Wealth, is here to tell us more about Generational Wealth and how we can all pursue it for our families. Along with the sacrifices and hard work of her mother and father, she is now paving th...