Level Up - Episode 12: Rep. Karen Alzate Recaps Her Legislative Victory Against Predatory Lending in Rhode Island

Level Up - Episode 15: Ken Mohammed of American Consumer Credit Counseling discusses how mindset and community can turn life’s toughest challenges into success

In this powerful episode of Level Up, host Desmond Stinnie sat down with Ken Mohammed, from American Consumer Credit Counseling for a heartfelt conversation about his journey helping people navigate life’s toughest seasons to building lasting stability. Ken shares how mindset and community shaped his passion for helping others.

Level Up - Episode 13: Jack Corlis & Michelle Joyce Lead Towson University's Innovative Trades Program

In this episode of Level Up, we explore how Towson University is pioneering a new model of learning that blends skills, academic opportunity, and future-proof careers. TU is redefining what education can look like. The Trades Development Program gives hands-on training across multiple skilled disciplines — from HVAC to carpentry to electrical — while creating a path to both the workforce and college completion.

Level Up - Episode 14: Welcoming Sean Lenderink & Smart Loan Aid to the Community

Student loan debt is one of the most pressing financial challenges facing millions of Americans today. For many, the rules, repayment options, and forgiveness programs feel overwhelming and confusing. In this episode of Level Up, we welcome Sean Lenderink, founder of Smart Loan Aid, who has dedicated his work to bringing clarity and relief to borrowers navigating this maze. Sean shares the story behind Smart Loan Aid, the common misconceptions he sees every day, and how personalized guidance can turn anxiety into confidence. As part of this conversation, we also celebrate Smart Loan Aid’s new social group inside the DWD platform, where members can get answers to their toughest student loan questions in a supportive, community-driven space. Whether you’re buried in debt or simply want to understand the system better, this episode introduces a new resource—and a new voice—committed to helping the DWD community take control of their financial futures.

Level Up - Episode 12: Rep. Karen Alzate Recaps Her Legislative Victory Against Predatory Lending in Rhode Island

In this episode, we sit down with Rep. Karen Alzate to discuss her newly passed bill regulating payday lending in Rhode Island. She breaks down how the legislation closes loopholes, protects borrowers, and marks a major step toward ending predatory lending. This is the inside story of this victory and what it means for Rhode Islanders.

Level Up - Episode 11: A Conversation with Jonas Sheckler, Asst Dir of Financial Wellbeing at Towson University

At the moment, you won't find many universities with dedicated resources for helping students with financial literacy. That makes Jonas C. Sheckler, Assistant Director of Financial Well-Being at Towson University, one of the handful of professionals in higher education focused on guiding students through money management and real-world financial decisions. His position represents a rare but growing recognition that students need more than academic knowledge to succeed after graduation. In this conversation, Jonas makes the case that financial literacy should be treated as a core part of the college curriculum—and that there is a real upside for universities to adopt this philosophy. Sheckler digs into the details of Towson’s recent launch of its financial well-being initiatives, the challenges of building student buy-in, and why preparing young adults to navigate money is one of the most urgent responsibilities of higher education today.