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College costs continue to rise, and for families dealing with divorce, remarriage, or complex finances, planning can feel overwhelming. In this episode of the Modern Arizona Podcast, Billie Tarascio sits down with a college funding expert to break down how financial aid really works and what parents need to understand before costly mistakes are made.

Brad Baldridge is a College Funding Specialist and the founder of Taming the High Cost of College. With nearly 20 years of experience, Brad has helped thousands of families plan and pay for college without derailing their finances or retirement. As a financial expert, consultant, and podcast host, he teaches parents how to choose the right school, maximize financial aid and scholarships, and reduce reliance on student loans through smart, proven strategies.

Topics discussed in this episode include:

✔️ How divorce affects FAFSA and college financial aid eligibility

✔️ The difference between FAFSA and the CSS Profile

✔️ How income, assets, and remarriage impact aid calculations

✔️ When families qualify for need-based aid and Pell Grants

✔️ College planning strategies for divorced and blended families

✔️ Why early planning matters more than most parents realize

Learn more and connect with Brad Baldridge:

Website: https://www.tamingthehighcostofcollege.com

If you found this episode helpful, like, subscribe, and share it with someone planning for college.

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In this Modern Arizona Podcast episode, attorney Billie Tarascio sits down with Melissa Leon to unpack the rising safety concerns surrounding e-bikes, scooters, and youth street behavior in master-planned Arizona communities. They explore why accidents are increasing, how misinformation fuels risky habits, and what families, drivers, and neighborhoods can realistically do to protect kids while still giving them freedom and independence.

Melissa Leon is a small business CFO, the owner of Two Sense Consulting, a published author of Efficiency Bitch, an Arizona native, a mother of three, and the founder of Eastmark Safe Streets, a fast-growing community initiative focused on youth street safety. She brings firsthand experience, real data, and practical insight from working with Mesa law enforcement, transportation boards, and thousands of local residents.

Key topics covered in this episode:

✔ E-bike safety laws in Arizona and what parents must know
✔ The rise of teen “ride-outs” and social-media-driven bike groups
✔ Why Mesa is seeing a spike in e-bike and pedestrian accidents
✔ How Eastmark Safe Streets was built and why community groups matter
✔ Legal consequences for parents when minors ride e-bikes illegally
✔ The role of city infrastructure, enforcement, and community behavior
✔ Retailer responsibility and gaps in e-bike education
✔ How to prepare kids for emergencies, collisions, and high-risk situations
✔ How parents can balance independence, safety, and real-world learning
✔ Practical steps to start safety conversations in your own neighborhood

To learn more about Melissa, connect with her work, or reach out directly
Visit: https://twosenseconsulting.com

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In this episode of the Modern Arizona Podcast, attorney Billie Tarascio sits down with Legal Paraprofessional Sandy Bauer of Modern Law to explore her journey, her work, and the heart behind family law practice.

Sandy has spent more than 22 years in the legal field, including over a decade as a senior paralegal before earning her LP license in 2024. Today, she helps clients through divorces, parenting time issues, child support matters, and major family transitions with a calm, empathetic, and highly experienced approach. Outside of work, Sandy enjoys gardening, bird-watching, travel, audiobooks, and her family’s own book club.

Topics discussed in this episode include:
• Sandy’s transition from paralegal to licensed practitioner
• Why LPs are important for access to justice in Arizona
• Lessons learned from 20+ years of family law experience
• Navigating court, mediation, and modern family law changes
• Real-world cases involving parenting time, paternity, and complex family dynamics

Where to find Sandy:
Email: sandy.bauer@mymodernlaw.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandy-bauer-/
Modern Law: https://mymodernlaw.com/our-team/sandra-l-bauer/