Banking for older Americans doesn’t exactly scream TikTok. But Kevin Nazemi, co-founder and CEO of Charlie, discovered short videos about scams are resonating with people and their families.

On today’s show: Why fraud thrives on urgency, how slowing down payments can help and why Kevin thinks friction in banking might actually be a good thing.

Show notes:

• Charlie

Chapters:
[0:00] Meet Kevin Nazemi, CEO of Charlie

[1:29] Why a Neobank Turned to TikTok

[3:15] How Fraud Content Goes Viral

[6:05] Scam Tactics That Actually Work

[10:24] The Psychology Behind Scams

[16:10] AI & The Future of Fraud

[20:26] Introducing “Speedbump” for Payments

[32:18] Why Launching a Startup Is Always Nerve-Wracking

[35:00] Interviewing President Clinton at Age 11

[39:19] Where to Find Kevin & Charlie

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The U.S. CEO of Zip has heard all kinds of knocks against Buy Now, Pay Later. In a wide-ranging conversation, Joe Heck tells Mary why the critics are wrong and why judgment has no place in personal finance.

Loans through Zip are originated by WebBank.

Show notes:

• Zip

Chapters:
[0:00] Welcome & Intro to Joe Heck, CEO of Zip

[1:01] Defending BNPL Against the Skeptics

[2:39] From Flint to Fintech: Joe’s Early Money Views

[5:07] Why Budgeting Tools Fail Like Fad Diets

[7:44] The Role of AI in Personal Finance

[10:17] Happy vs. Sad Spending: Making Money Simple

[14:11] BNPL for Groceries & Small Purchases

[18:05] Loan Stacking, Credit Scores & Myths

[26:08] Zip’s Global Roots & BNPL Adoption

[29:38] Final Thoughts & How to Reach Joe

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There’s plenty of buzz about “self-driving money.” But what about those moments when people want more than an algorithm? Mary talks with Sam Lewis, CEO of Fruitful, a fintech firm betting on both humans and AI. Sam shares what’s broken in the traditional advisor model, how Fruitful’s subscription approach works, and why TikTok isn’t the place for personal finance advice.

Show notes:

• Fruitful

Chapters:
[00:00] Welcome & Guest Intro – Sam Lewis, CEO of Fruitful

[00:30] Blending Human Guidance with AI in Finance

[03:20] Building Trust & Transparency in Financial Services

[06:50] Why Personal Connection Matters for Financial Advice

[09:30] Business Model: $48/Month Membership Explained

[12:00] Data Aggregation, Open Banking & Payment Rails

[15:20] Coffee vs. Big Expenses: Rethinking Money Habits

[19:30] Self-Driving Money & AI’s Role in Personal Finance

[23:00] Overcoming Inertia: Making Finances Effortless

[27:50] TikTok Finance Advice & Final Thoughts

Subscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcast here:

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