In this episode of Behind the Curtain: Money Made Simple, Julie Beckham speaks with Bob Driscoll, Director of Consumer Real Estate at Rockland Trust, about the myths and realities of buying a home. Bob explains why there is no universally “bad” time to buy, why a 20% down payment isn’t always necessary, and how first-time homebuyer and down payment assistance programs can create opportunities. They also discuss the value of getting pre-approved, understanding your credit, working with a loan off

In this episode of Behind the Curtain: Money Made Simple, Julie Beckham kicks off a new season with a fresh intention: get loud about money. Inspired by the trend of “loud budgeting,” Julie explores what can happen when we openly explain the financial choices we make and start conversations about our goals, priorities, and challenges. From a former student’s well-loved kindergarten backpack to conversations about brunch, home buying, college costs, and retirement, Julie examines how our everyday

In this season finale of Behind the Curtain: Money Made Simple, host Julie Beckham takes a moment to reflect on the podcast’s journey through two seasons of conversations about money, careers, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. Drawing from her own background in theater, Julie shares how persistence, resilience, and the willingness to keep trying have shaped both her professional path and her approach to financial education. She discusses the challenges of pursuing goals, the realities of se

In this episode of Behind the Curtain: Money Made Simple, Julie Beckham sits down with estate planning attorney Suzanne Bunszel to discuss a topic many families overlook when a child turns 18. While parents spend years protecting and advocating for their children, legal authority changes dramatically once a young adult reaches adulthood. Suzanne explains why essential documents such as a healthcare proxy, HIPAA release, and power of attorney can help families avoid costly legal hurdles during me

In this episode of Behind the Curtain: Money Made Simple, Julie Beckham sits down with award-winning journalist and author Cameron Huddleston to address one of the hardest financial conversations families face: talking about money with parents and children. Cameron shares her personal story of losing her father unexpectedly and later helping her mother through Alzheimer’s without knowing the details of her finances—experiences that inspired her book Mom and Dad, We Need to Talk. Together, Julie

In this episode of Behind the Curtain: Money Made Simple, Julie Beckham sits down with Meg Hagan and Erin Gallagher, co-founders of the Children’s Museum of Franklin. The conversation follows how a casual conversation between two moms turned into a fully operational nonprofit serving thousands of families. Meg and Erin share how they built a business plan, formed a board, and leaned on community connections to bring their vision to life. They also explain the financial structure of a 501(c)(3),

In this Financial Literacy Month episode of Behind the Curtain: Money Made Simple, Julie Beckham reunites with former cast members of Ms. Money and the Coins, Carol Smolinski and Mike Charles. They reflect on performing the musical for thousands of students and how those early lessons shaped their lives and careers. Carol shares her path to becoming an accredited financial counselor, while Mike discusses building his own entertainment business. Together, they revisit key concepts like needs vers

In this episode of Behind the Curtain Money Made Simple, Julie Beckham is joined by Jonathan D. Cohen, author of Losing Big: America’s Reckless Bet on Sports Gambling, along with a special guest—her son, Adam. Together, they examine the rapid expansion of sports betting following the 2018 Supreme Court decision and how mobile apps have transformed gambling into an always-accessible activity. The conversation explores how prediction markets, investing platforms, and gambling are increasingly inte

In this episode of Behind the Curtain: Money Made Simple, Julie Beckham speaks with Rita Yeung, Manager of Tax Services at Rockland Trust, about how individuals can approach tax season with more clarity and confidence. Rita shares how her background in accounting led her to a career solving financial puzzles and helping clients understand complex tax rules. The conversation covers key filing deadlines, the difference between standard and itemized deductions, and what gig workers should know abou

In this episode of Behind the Curtain Money Made Simple, Julie revisits the fall season and highlights the 5, 6, 7, 8 takeaways shaped by conversations with guests ranging from educators and entrepreneurs to financial professionals and creators. Julie reflects on the origins of her own career, the importance of mentoring, how AI can help identify meaningful work, the role of hedging in investing, finding and funding joy, building momentum in business, clearing up FAFSA misconceptions, and the si