Sonia Castelan, Tax Professional

Sonia Castelan, Tax Professional

Author: Next Gen Personal Finance March 27, 2024 Duration: 45:36

Sonia Castelan, a tax professional shares her journey from struggling with personal finances to becoming an expert in tax planning and preparation. Sonia details her transition from a corporate job to running her own tax business, emphasizing the importance of tax planning for entrepreneurs and individuals alike. She offers insights into common tax misconceptions, particularly around tax refunds and business expenses, and stresses the importance of education in navigating the tax system. Sonia's story of leveraging social media to educate and engage with her community, especially the Latino community, highlights her innovative approach to making tax information accessible and understandable. The conversation also touches on the impact of studying sociology on her career, her experiences with prestigious programs like the Cornell Women's Entrepreneurship Program, and the importance of work-life balance. This episode is a rich resource for educators looking to integrate tax education into their curriculum, providing practical insights and strategies for understanding and teaching about taxes.


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
Teenage Tax Slayers and the VITA Program with Chris Van Duin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:59
In this NGPF Podcast episode, Tim speaks with Chris Van Duin, a high school teacher who has integrated the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program into his accounting and personal finance classes. Chris discusses…
Don Berkman, Dun & Bradstreet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:55
In this NGPF Podcast episode, Yanely speaks with Don Berkman, who spent 32 years at Dun & Bradstreet helping small business owners thrive. Don shares his journey from growing up in a middle-class family to becoming a fin…
Personal Finance Teachers and Their Side Hustles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:12
In this NGPF Podcast episode, Tim welcomes Erin and David, two teachers with thriving side hustles. Erin works as a travel agent specializing in Disney and Royal Caribbean vacations, while David serves as a guest service…
Professor Harold Pollack, UChicago [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:14
In this NGPF Podcast episode, Yanely welcomes Professor Harold Pollack, author of The Index Card: Why Personal Finance Doesn't Have to Be Complicated. Professor Pollack discusses his journey from public health to persona…
Andrew Jack, Global Education Editor for the Financial Times [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:44
In this NGPF Podcast episode, Tim speaks with Andrew Jack, a reporter at The Financial Times, about his career in journalism and the paper's efforts to support financial literacy education. Andrew shares how The Financia…
Teng Yang, Assistant Director of College Access and Success [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:12
In this NGPF Podcast episode, Yanely talks to Teng Yang, Assistant Director of College Access and Success at Democracy Prep Public Schools, about his journey from a refugee camp in Thailand to becoming a leader in colleg…
Ram Palaniappan, Founder of EarnIn [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:06
In this NGPF Podcast episode, Tim Ranzetta talks with Ram Palaniappan, founder of EarnIn, a platform that advances earned wages to help users avoid overdraft fees. Ram shares the story of EarnIn's origin, its role in emp…
Stephen Chen, Founder of Boldin (formerly NewRetirement) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:56
In this NGPF Podcast episode, Tim talks with Stephen Chen, founder of Boldin, formerly NewRetirement. They discuss Steve's entrepreneurial journey in financial planning, highlighting the transformation from NewRetirement…
Diana Curtaz, Head of Implementation Services at Wayfinder [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:14
In this NGPF Podcast episode, host Christian Sherrill talks with Diana Curtaz from Wayfinder about the impact of social emotional learning (SEL) on education. Diana discusses how Wayfinder's curriculum prepares students…