Part 2/4: Set It and Stick with It by Patrick Geddes

Part 2/4: Set It and Stick with It by Patrick Geddes

Author: Next Gen Personal Finance March 12, 2026 Duration: 50:41

In this episode of the NGPF podcast, investment expert Patrick Geddes breaks down two of the most fundamental concepts in personal finance, asset classes and asset allocation, in a way that's clear, engaging, and immediately usable in the classroom. Patrick argues that asset allocation is the single most important decision any investor makes, and walks listeners through the trade-offs between safer assets like cash and bonds and riskier ones like stocks and real estate, using relatable analogies that your students will actually remember. He dives deep into the tension between market risk and inflation risk, showing decades of real return data that make a compelling case for why long-term investors should embrace — not fear the stock market. The episode also tackles the active versus passive investing debate head-on, presenting overwhelming evidence that index funds outperform actively managed funds over time, and explaining the psychological biases that lead so many investors to make costly mistakes anyway. Whether you're introducing students to investing for the first time or helping them think more critically about financial decision-making, this episode gives you the data, the language, and the real-world examples to bring these concepts to life.


Behind the mission of Next Gen Personal Finance-a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring every U.S. high school student takes a personal finance class-is a vibrant community of educators constantly refining their craft. The NGPF Podcast sits at the heart of that conversation. It’s a space where teachers, curriculum specialists, and sometimes even students share their real-world experiences and challenges in bringing financial literacy to life. You’ll hear practical discussions about what actually works in the classroom, from innovative lesson plans to navigating tricky topics like investing, credit, and behavioral economics. The episodes, often born from the organization's deep investment in teacher professional development, feel less like formal lectures and more like insightful coffee-break chats with colleagues who are just as passionate about empowering the next generation. Tuning into this podcast offers a direct line to the strategies and stories that are shaping financially capable young adults, all grounded in the high-quality resources NGPF is known for. It’s an essential listen for anyone invested in the practical side of financial education, whether you're in a classroom or simply believe in the critical importance of these skills for the future.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

NGPF Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Investing Smarter with Nerd Wallet's Lead Writer, Sam Taube [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:24
Want your students to get excited about investing without chasing the riskiest trends? In this episode, NerdWallet's Sam Taube joins NGPF's Tim Ranzetta to share simple strategies for teaching investing with confidence.…
Ryan Duitch, Co-founder and CEO of Arro Finance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:21
The team behind Arro is reimagining how young adults build credit, offering a modern alternative to traditional credit cards. Learn how their mission aligns with financial education by helping students establish healthy…
Jeff Desjardins, founder of Visual Capitalist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:13
This episode features Jeff Desjardins, founder of Visual Capitalist, which unpacks powerful data storytelling and key mega trends shaping our economy. From the impact of aging societies to the rapid rise of AI, Jeff shar…
Bill Bynum, CEO of Hope Credit Union and the Hope Policy Institute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:31
In this NGPF Podcast episode, Tim Ranzetta sits down with Bill Bynum, CEO of Hope Credit Union, to explore how innovative banking solutions are transforming lives across the Deep South. Educators will hear firsthand stor…
Shang Saavedra, Author of Wealth is a Mindset [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:50
In this NGPF Podcast episode, Yanely welcomes Shang Saavedra, author of Wealth is a Mindset: Change Your Mind, Change Your Money, for an inspiring and candid conversation about her personal finance journey, the emotional…
Imani Moise, Wall Street Journal Reporter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:47
In this NGPF Podcast episode, Wall Street Journal reporter Imani Moise breaks down the myths and realities of credit scores. She shares the story of Steve Michel, who spent five years mastering the credit score system to…
Professor Madelaine L'Esperance, University of Alabama [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:01
In this NGPF Podcast episode, Christian is joined by Professor Madelaine L'Esperance from the University of Alabama, who shares her team's research on the state of financial education in U.S. high schools. She discusses…
Hosting Parent Empowerment Workshops with Kerry Woodward [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:48
In this NGPF Podcast episode, Yanely is joined by Kerry Woodward, an Executive Director at Philadelphia Financial Scholars. Kerry shares her unique journey from a successful career in finance to her work in urban educati…