Atlantic Canadian Podcast Aims To Make Money Manageable For Everyone
SAINT JOHN-Your Two Cents: The Podcast, created by Canadian Content Studios and sponsored by Atlantic Credit Unions, aims to shed light on the importance of talking about money and finances while making financial literacy empowering and entertaining.
The podcast began as an online web series in 2019. Its host, Canadian Content Studios co-founder Sylvia Beirnes, says she had been looking at how to evolve the partnership with Atlantic Credit Unions. A podcast seemed like a good medium to push the boundaries of talking about finance.
“There’s a real human element to money that sometimes doesn’t get talked [about]] enough. That’s really what the intention of this entire series is, to explore what’s the human element behind money that we’re too scared to talk about,” explained Beirnes. “We brought the idea to the credit unions, they loved it and we were super excited about it.”
Atlantic Credit Unions representative Casey Spears says young adults across Atlantic Canada are more open to credit unions because they are individually owned businesses, rather than franchises of a financial institution. Credit Unions act as community hubs in their regions, partnering with local organizations to put money back into the community.
“Younger generations, they really look at the corporations and organizations that they support, which leans towards credit unions because of ethical banking, and the honest and fair approach that we take,” said Spears.
She adds that credits unions are often the alternative for people to be able to get funding where a traditional bank might not be able to help them.
Your Two Cents: The Podcast covers a wide range of financial topics, from paying down debt and home renovations to buying vs. leasing a car and hair care on a budget.
Some of the podcast’s guests include actor Jonathan Torrens, fitness coach and entrepreneur Jasmine Parent, body-positive influencer Alicia McCarvell, TikTok and Instagram star Spencer Barbosa, and author Sam Maggs.
“We wanted to eliminate this idea that not knowing about money makes you feel silly. So rather than financial experts talking about money to people, we wanted real people talking about money with each other,” said Beirnes. “It’s just showing we’re all real humans and we’re going to have tough financial situations that come up, and [figuring out] how do we deal with those.”
Your Two Cents: The Podcast is available on all streaming platforms and on its YouTube channel. Its webisode The Whole Package has been nominated this year by the Academy for Canadian Cinema And Television for Best Digital Series and Best Writing.
The podcast released the final episode of its first season February 22, with guest The Birds Papaya discussing wedding thrifting.
Spears says they’ve had terrific feedback from entrepreneurs, in particular female entrepreneurs who decided to open a small business during the pandemic.
Elizabeth MacLeod is a Saint John reporter with Huddle and Acadia Broadcasting radio stations. Send her your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].