Watching Trees Grow
Feb. 1, 2022

A Post-Grad Perspective on Student Loans

You took out the student loans. Got the degree. What now? Gene and Rachel sit down to continue the conversation about student loans, this time from a “post-grad” perspective. “I got three or four different options, but it turned out that income based repayment was the best for me.” Rachel…

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Jan. 28, 2022

What is a financial plan?

Gene Natali has taught Collegiate Personal Finance for 7-years. Join us each week as he brings the classroom to the Troutwood community. Week 1 Office Hours: What is a financial plan? In this episode of office hours you will learn what a financial plan is and and why it is…

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Jan. 25, 2022

Getting Real About Student Loans

Student loans can be daunting when you’re in college. How do you know you’re not making any student loan mistakes? Will you encounter issues with your student loans? Rachel and Gene have a candid discussion about the fears and apprehension of making student loan mistakes. Rachel shares her personal experience…

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Jan. 19, 2022

Behind the Scenes of Charitable Giving with Goodwill

In this episode, Gene has a conversation with special guest Andrew Marano, Vice President of Retail at Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania. Andrew’s passion grew with his experiences and led him to a place of leadership within the local non-profit sector. He tells us first-hand how impactful it is to receive…

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Jan. 11, 2022

The Story of My First Financial Plan

On this episode of the Troutwood Mailbag Series, Gene and Maggie discuss Maggie's first financial plan. How did she do it? How much time did it take? Building a financial plan can be daunting. You can make one today! Listen to find out how Maggie got started. Start your own…

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Dec. 17, 2021

Nervous About Student Loans? You're Not Alone

Are you nervous about student loans? Unsure what questions to ask, where to ask them and who to ask? In this episode, Gene chats with Sarah Cullen, Director of Panthers Forward and Maggie Mayer, Panthers Forward alum. They discuss: • Common questions about debt • The importance of having a…

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Dec. 14, 2021

The Tax Benefits of Charitable Giving

Is it better to give your time or your money when it comes to charitable giving? In this episode of the Troutwood Mailbag Series, Simone Quinerly, Troutwood CFO joins the podcast to talk taxes and philanthropy with Gene. Members of the Troutwood team are fact checking and asking questions behind…

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Dec. 7, 2021

Charitable Giving: Time vs. Money

As a student or young professional, how can you best support the organizations and social causes you care most about? While there is no right or wrong answer, when you are young, it is typically easier to give time than money - and doing so can be extremely helpful to…

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Nov. 30, 2021

Credit Cards Part 5: Learning From Our Mistakes

What are the long-term affects of using your credit card the WRONG way? In this episode, Gene is joined by Christen Malone, Troutwood Brand and Marketing Officer. Christen DID NOT have a personal finance course in high school or college. Like many of us, she learned about Credit Cards the…

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Nov. 23, 2021

Credit Cards Part 4: What Happens After You Apply?

Have you ever considered what happens behind the scenes AFTER you apply for a credit card? Troutwood Co-founder & Chief Strategist, Jeff Davidek joins the podcast to share the difference between a hard and soft credit inquiry. Listen in, this conversation isn't just for first time applicants! Members of the…

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Nov. 16, 2021

Credit Cards Part 3: Will You Get Approved?

We left off with Maggie & Aruj applying for their first Credit Card. Listen in as both share results from their recent Credit applications. Will they be approved? Do either Maggie or Aruj NOW have their first credit card? What factors determine Credit eligibility? Join Aruj and Maggie on a…

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Nov. 9, 2021

Credit Cards Part 2: Opening Your First

Troutwood Mailbag Series - Credit Cards Part 2 Ready for your first Credit Card! Where do you start? Two Troutwood team members join Gene for a multi part series. Join Aruj and Maggie as they embark on the research and application process of “getting” their first credit card. Will both…

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Nov. 2, 2021

Credit Cards Part 1: Questions from a College Student

Are you nervous about credit cards? If yes, you aren’t alone! Troutwood intern, Aruj Bhargava, a college junior majoring in Finance and Accounting, joins the podcast. Aruj has a self-professed knowledge about credit cards of 2, with 10 being most knowledgeable. Listen and learn from Aruj’s questions and join us…

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Oct. 26, 2021

Opportunity Cost: $10,000 car vs. $13,000 car

For an 18-year old high school senior, what is the opportunity cost of buying a $13,000 car instead of a $10,000 car? In this episode, Gene and Rachel discuss that first big money purchase many of us make - our first car. What happens if that senior chooses to buy…

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Oct. 25, 2021

Why Troutwood?

Troutwood was established with a dream to bring financial independence to all those willing to work for it. Founded out of Carnegie Mellon University’s Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship, the company designs and develops financial applications and educational tools. The company’s founders have presented and key-noted investment and education conferences across…

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July 20, 2021

The Importance of Investing for Life

Watching Trees Grow Podcast Host: Gene Natali, Troutwood CEO Guest: Craig Slaughter, Executive Director of the West Virginia Investment Management Board Topic: In this episode of Watching Trees Grow, Gene sits down with Mr. Craig Slaughter, CFA, CIMC, and Executive Director of the WVIMB, a pension fund with over $24…

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July 8, 2021

The Journey to Financial Freedom

Troutwood Speaker Series Host: Gene Natali, Troutwood CEO Guest: Jackie Cummings Koski, FIRE expert Topic: The Journey to Financial Freedom Troutwood sits down with nationally recognized FIRE expert, Jackie Cummings Koski, to learn about her journey to financial freedom. Jackie came from an underprivileged single parent household in rural South…

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May 28, 2021

Finance University's Impact on Students

Troutwood Speaker Series Host: Gene Natali, Troutwood CEO Guest: Naomi Boyd, Ph.D. Company: West Virginia University Topic: Finance University's Impact on Students Dr. Naomi Boyd is the Fred T. Tattersall Chair of Finance and the Associate Dean for Innovation, Outreach, and Engagement at the West Virginia University John Chambers College…

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May 26, 2021

What Aspiring Leaders Need to Know About Personal Finance

Troutwood Speaker Series Host: Gene Natali, Troutwood CEO Guest: Gregory A. Furer, CFP®, CRPC®, Chief Executive Officer of Beratung Advisors Topic: What Aspiring Leaders Need to Know About Personal Finance In this episode of Troutwood's Speaker Series, Gene sits down with Mr. Gregory A. Furer, CFP®, CRPC®, Chief Executive Officer…

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May 6, 2021

A Trustee's Perspective on Financial Literacy

Troutwood Speaker Series Host: Gene Natali, Troutwood CEO Guest: Vince Barfield, Chairman of the nearly $20 billion Hawaii ERS, Investment Committee Topic: What It Means to Be a Trustee Have you ever wondered how institutions manage billions of dollars? What type of approach they use and the philosophy that they…

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April 15, 2021

The Path to Mission 2030 with Tim Ranzetta, Co-Founder of NGPF

Troutwood Speaker Series Host: Gene Natali, Troutwood CEO Guest: Tim Ranzetta, NGPF Co-Founder Company: Next Gen Personal Finance Topic: The Path to Mission 2030 Tim Ranzetta is the co-founder of Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF), an organization that is revolutionizing financial literacy education across the United States. Learn more about…

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March 31, 2021

Your career is a journey

Troutwood Live Host: Gene Natali Guest: Bruce Gray Company: Bank of America Topic: Your Career is a Journey Bruce Gray, a retired Senior Vice President from Bank of America, shares his career journey. Bruce graduated from college into the double dip economic recession from the early 80s. He emphasizes the…

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March 25, 2021

Diversity and Inclusion

Troutwood Live Host: Gene Natali, Troutwood CEO Guest: Nishan Williams, Director of Strategy Planning - Cisco Company: Cisco Systems Inc. Topic: Diversity and Inclusion Nishan Williams joins Troutwood Live to talk about his career at Cisco Systems Inc., an American multinational technology conglomerate headquartered in San Jose, California. Cisco develops,…

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March 16, 2021

The ABCs of Investment Consulting

Troutwood Live: Speaker Series Host: Gene Natali, Guest: Kweku Obed, CFA, CAIA, Managing Director Organization: Marquette Associates Title: The ABC’s of Investment Consulting Gene and Kweku discuss the ABC’s of investment Consulting, and share lessons that individual investors can learn from investment consultants. Marquette Associates is an investment consultant based…

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