The Next Us

Judy Pearring and Dave Gardner
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Join Dave and Judy as they look under rocks for wisdom about life in this crazy world. Guests often join them as they discuss people and current events globally, nationally and locally.   Your hosts: Judy Pearring is an Aspiring Inquisitor as the Creativity Curator of The Next Us, a professional collaborative workspace in downtown Colorado Springs. Dave Gardner manages a collective of Colorado Springs podcasts and is executive director of GrowthBusters, a nonprofit dedicated to public awareness and education about limits to growth.   The Next Us podcast is recorded in the Studio 809 Community Podcast Studio at The Next Us, a professional cooperative environment for small businesses in downtown Colorado Springs.

  1. The IRS Isn’t Waiting—Why Taking Action Today Matters More Than You Think

    28 JAN · BONUS

    The IRS Isn’t Waiting—Why Taking Action Today Matters More Than You Think

    Most business owners don’t lose sleep because they hate numbers. They lose sleep because they are terrified of what those numbers might reveal if the IRS ever comes knocking. Behind the unfiled returns, unopened IRS letters, and messy books is a constant, exhausting fear: “What if I’m in trouble and I don’t even know it yet?”​ In this episode of the Tax Answers Advisor, Enrolled Agent and Certified Tax Representation Consultant Marcelino Dodge sits down with CPA Laura Zarate of Athena CPAs to talk about a different way forward: building clean systems and proactive tax strategies so you can stop looking over your shoulder and finally look ahead. Together they show how “boring” consistent accounting, intentional decisions, and year‑round planning can turn chaos into clarity and fear into confidence.​ You’ll hear how reactive habits—ignoring IRS notices, mixing business and personal money, relying on shoebox receipts, waiting until April to think about taxes—quietly build penalties, interest, and anxiety, even when no one is sending you letters yet. You’ll also discover what a truly clean system looks like, why documentation matters so much in an audit, and how separating your business and personal finances protects not just your deductions but your entire entity.​ Marcelino and Laura walk through real‑life scenarios: missed S corporation elections, owners who never took reasonable payroll, people who bought expensive vehicles “for the write‑off” and ended up with a cash problem instead of a tax solution. They unpack how simple timing and structure decisions—like how you sell a business, when you take income, and how you compensate yourself—can save thousands when you plan ahead instead of cleaning up after the fact.​ Most importantly, this conversation speaks to the business owner who feels ashamed, behind, or afraid to reach out because “it’s already such a mess.” You’ll hear why it is absolutely possible to clean up the past and build better systems for the future at the same time, and how showing real change can make the IRS or state far more willing to work with you.​ The problem this show solves This show exists for the business owner who: Has unfiled tax returns, IRS or state letters, or a tax bill they don’t understand.​Is trying to DIY their books and taxes while running a company, and feels constantly unsure if anything is actually right.​Has grown from “side hustle” money to real revenue but never adjusted their entity, payroll, or planning.​Lies awake wondering, “What if I get audited? What if I can’t fix this?”​ Through this podcast, Marcelino helps you: Move from fear, avoidance, and reaction into proactive planning, clear systems, and predictable tax outcomes.​Replace shame with informed action by explaining what went wrong, what can still be fixed, and what to do next.​Keep more of what you earn legally, while getting compliant and protecting your business and family.​ If today’s episode hits a nerve—if you see your own situation in these stories—it’s a signal, not a sentence. You don’t have to fight the IRS or face your books alone.​ Take the next step When you’re ready to stop letting the IRS dictate your future, visit taxreliefcall.com to schedule a confidential conversation with Marcelino. As an Enrolled Agent...

    35 min
  2. From Panic to Peace: How to Cure Your Financial PTSD - Tax Answers Advisor

    22/12/2025 · BONUS

    From Panic to Peace: How to Cure Your Financial PTSD - Tax Answers Advisor

    Does the thought of opening your mailbox send you into a panic? Do you feel paralyzed by unfiled tax returns or mounting IRS debt? You are not alone. In this unique crossover episode of The Tax Answers Advisor, host Marcelino Dodge sits down with family therapy expert Lydia Schneider to explore the deep emotional impact of financial stress. We discuss why "Tax Trauma" is real and how the shame of IRS issues can mimic the symptoms of PTSD. Marcelino and Lydia break down how therapy techniques—like building safety, reframing anxiety, and even EMDR—can help you get "unstuck" and finally take the first steps toward resolution. Whether you are dealing with a defiant child or a defiant tax debt, the path to healing starts with finding a safe guide. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: The Hidden Link: Why tax problems often manifest as physical anxiety, sleeplessness, and emotional isolation.What is "Tax Trauma"? Understanding why you feel unsafe and how to regain a sense of control over your life (and your finances).Lessons from Child Therapy: How the concepts of "returning responsibility" and "empowerment" can help adults finally face their tax issues.Breaking the Cycle of Shame: Why hiding the problem from your spouse or family only makes the anxiety worse—and how to start the conversation.EMDR Explained: A look at how Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing can help clear mental blocks and "stuck" trauma. Key Quotes: "Whether it’s a child struggling with anxiety or a taxpayer feeling exposed and vulnerable... the solution starts with finding a safe path forward." – Marcelino Dodge"Financial stress is the highest stress for my adults. They don’t feel safe in the world, and they don’t feel safe in themselves." – Lydia Schneider"I empower them to feel in control of their life... You have everything in you that’s already there." – Lydia Schneider Resources Mentioned: Book: The Anxious Generation (Recommended by Lydia)Therapy Concept: Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) & EMDRGuest Info: Lydia Schneider, Family Therapy Expert Connect with Marcelino Dodge: Are you ready to eliminate the worry of liens, levies, and future IRS surprises? Don't face the government alone. Website: TaxReliefCall.comCompany: Panther Tax Resolution / Cash Tracks FinancialEmail: success@cashtracksfinancial.com Subscribe & Review: If you found value in this episode, please leave us a 5-star review! It helps us reach more people who need to hear that there is life after tax debt.

    53 min
  3. Attorney Accounting Mistakes That Trigger IRS Audits: Trust Accounts, Retainers, Cash vs. Accrual, and Bar Compliance

    02/12/2025 · BONUS

    Attorney Accounting Mistakes That Trigger IRS Audits: Trust Accounts, Retainers, Cash vs. Accrual, and Bar Compliance

    If you’re an attorney, law firm owner, family lawyer, or legal professional trying to balance client work with financial responsibilities, this episode is a must-listen. Host Marcelino Dodge, EA, CTRC, sits down with Merry Stewart of Quick Win Bookkeeping to reveal the bookkeeping, tax, and compliance mistakes attorneys make every single day — many of which can lead to IRS audits, bar investigations, retained earnings problems, and trust account violations. In clear, non-technical language, they break down how proper accounting systems can: Protect your law licensePrevent IRS surprisesReduce client disputes over retainers and feesBuild stronger cases with clean financial recordsEmpower better decision-making and cash flow planning This conversation offers real insight you won’t hear from typical bookkeeping or tax professionals, because it comes directly from two specialists working with attorneys nationwide. 📞 Connect With Today’s GuestMerry Stewart — QuickWin Bookkeeping 📌 Nationwide virtual services for attorneys 🌐 Website: quickwinbookkeeping.com 📧 Email: info@quickwinbookkeeping.com 📍 Connect With The HostMarcelino Dodge, EA, CTRC Tax Resolution Specialist | IRS Representation | Offer in Compromise 🌐 Schedule a confidential consultation: taxreliefcall.com 🎧 Listen to more episodes of Tax Answers Advisor 👍 Like this episode 💬 Comment: What legal bookkeeping questions do you have? 📌 Subscribe so you never miss an episode 🔔 Turn on notifications for new tax relief content Attorneys: Don’t wait for the IRS or the bar to write the next chapter of your practice. Get proactive guidance today.

    42 min
  4. The Path to Peace: When Emotional Wellness Meets Financial Relief

    18/11/2025 · BONUS

    The Path to Peace: When Emotional Wellness Meets Financial Relief

    In this emotional and inspiring episode of The Tax Answers Advisor, we explore how two seemingly different professions — a Licensed Esthetician and a Tax Resolution Specialist — actually work toward the same mission: ➡️ Restoring confidence ➡️ Reducing stress ➡️ Helping people feel whole again Together, we dig into how caring for your skin and caring for your finances are both essential forms of self-care. You’ll hear how: Both fields help clients move from fear, shame, or embarrassment into hope and empowermentTrusted professionals create safe spaces where clients can share their strugglesTransformation — whether physical or financial — often starts with the courage to ask for helpConfidence grows when people feel supported, understood, and given a path forward Listeners will discover how emotional well-being, financial clarity, and healthy habits create a foundation for peace of mind “inside and out.” This uplifting episode is designed for anyone seeking relief — and for professionals wanting to build stronger, more supportive collaborations. If you’re ready to feel confident again — financially, personally, or both — don’t wait. You deserve peace of mind, clarity, and a fresh start. Visit www.taxreliefcall.com or call (719) 359-8789 today to schedule your confidential consultation. Your transformation begins with one simple step. Reach out now — your confidence and freedom are waiting.

    33 min
  5. From Shame to Relief: Confronting America’s Dirty Little Secret—Tax Debt & True Freedom

    20/10/2025 · BONUS

    From Shame to Relief: Confronting America’s Dirty Little Secret—Tax Debt & True Freedom

    If you’ve ever opened an IRS or California Franchise Tax Board letter and felt your stomach drop, you’re not alone. In this powerful episode of The Tax Answers Advisor, host Marcelino Dodge, EA, is joined by Leighanne LaFrenz Nickel, CPA, to reveal “America’s Dirty Little Secret” — the emotional and financial burden of unresolved tax debt. Together, they explore: The key differences between the IRS and California Franchise Tax Board.Why state tax agencies can be more aggressive than the IRS.Common mistakes taxpayers make — and how to avoid penalties, garnishments, and audits.The emotional journey from tax shame and anxiety to calm and confidence. This episode offers not just practical strategies for resolving tax debt, but also encouragement to rebuild your peace of mind. Whether you’re dealing with back taxes, unfiled returns, or mounting penalties, this conversation will help you see that there’s always a way forward. Ready to let go of the fear and get your peace of mind back? Visit www.taxreliefcall.com for compassionate, expert help. Your path to financial healing starts here.

    47 min
  6. Layer by Layer: Peeling Back Stress in Your Finances and Your Body

    13/10/2025 · BONUS

    Layer by Layer: Peeling Back Stress in Your Finances and Your Body

    Feeling overwhelmed by IRS tax debt, unfiled returns, or surprise tax bills? In this unique episode of The Tax Answer Advisor, Marcelino Dodge, EA and CTRC, sits down with Courtney Cullen of Hippy Hands Massage LLC to explore how tax relief and massage therapy work hand-in-hand to reduce financial stress and help you sleep better at night. Discover why both tax resolution and massage therapy require expert guidance, patience, and ongoing self-care. Marcelino breaks down the step-by-step process for resolving overdue taxes, eliminating IRS anxiety, and protecting your financial future, while Courtney shares how addressing physical stress and chronic pain can support a healthier mindset for facing tax challenges. Key highlights: How to “peel back the layers” of both muscle knots and financial knotsThe emotional effects of unresolved tax issues—and why shame, anxiety, or even embarrassment are common, but solvableThe importance of working with licensed, experienced professionals (in both tax and massage industries!)Practical self-care tips to ease stress, anxiety, and chronic painWhy ongoing support and clear communication are essential to getting—and staying—on track with your body and your taxes If IRS penalties or painful muscle tension are keeping you up at night, this down-to-earth conversation offers actionable steps and the encouragement you need to reclaim your peace of mind. Whether you're years behind on returns or struggling with a tax problem caused by someone else, you're not alone—and you don't have to face it without support. Take the next step today: Book your introductory session at taxreliefcall.com or reach out to Courtney for expert massage therapy and holistic self-care. Find Courtney Cohen: Hippy Hands Massage LLC – Available on Gloss Genius, Google, Facebook, Instagram, and Nextdoor. Listen now to start your journey toward financial relief and true relaxation!

    38 min
  7. IRS Payroll Tax Debt Explained: What to Do Before the IRS Knocks

    09/09/2025 · BONUS

    IRS Payroll Tax Debt Explained: What to Do Before the IRS Knocks

    If you’ve ever felt the weight of payroll tax problems pulling your business under, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to face the IRS alone either. In this episode of The Tax Answers Advisor, Marcelino Dodge sits down with David Ramirez, an Enrolled Agent, former IRS agent, and U.S. Tax Court Practitioner based in Hawaii, to uncover the truth about payroll tax debt and the dangerous trap of trust fund penalties. Together, they explain why so many small business owners fall behind, how quickly the IRS can act when payroll taxes aren’t paid, and what it really means when you or even your office manager could be held personally liable. From urgent warnings to practical solutions, this conversation delivers real strategies to protect your finances, your business, and your peace of mind. You’ll hear about common mistakes that turn small payroll tax issues into massive debts, options like installment agreements and offers in compromise, and a real success story where timely guidance prevented a financial disaster. Whether you’re already facing IRS action or just want to avoid the nightmare of payroll tax penalties, this episode will empower you with the knowledge and steps you need to move forward with confidence. Don’t wait for the IRS to knock on your door—listen now, take back control, and click here to start your path to relief.

    28 min
  8. IRS Aggression Is Rising: Why Waiting Could Cost You Everything

    29/08/2025 · BONUS

    IRS Aggression Is Rising: Why Waiting Could Cost You Everything

    Are overdue tax bills, unfiled returns, or surprise IRS collections stealing your peace of mind? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to stay stuck in fear. In this powerful episode of The Tax Answers Advisor, Marcelino Dodge sits down with tax attorney Eric Green to uncover the real strategies that help taxpayers escape the grip of overwhelming IRS debt. Together, they reveal why the IRS is more aggressive than ever, the costly mistakes people make when trying to go it alone, and the clear, practical steps you can take today to start regaining control. The weight of tax debt doesn’t have to keep you up at night. With the right guidance, you can move from fear and uncertainty to confidence and relief. Listen now to discover proven solutions and take that first step toward freedom. Don’t wait until the IRS strikes—visit www.taxreliefcall.com today to schedule your introductory session and begin your journey to peace of mind.

    31 min
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About

Join Dave and Judy as they look under rocks for wisdom about life in this crazy world. Guests often join them as they discuss people and current events globally, nationally and locally.   Your hosts: Judy Pearring is an Aspiring Inquisitor as the Creativity Curator of The Next Us, a professional collaborative workspace in downtown Colorado Springs. Dave Gardner manages a collective of Colorado Springs podcasts and is executive director of GrowthBusters, a nonprofit dedicated to public awareness and education about limits to growth.   The Next Us podcast is recorded in the Studio 809 Community Podcast Studio at The Next Us, a professional cooperative environment for small businesses in downtown Colorado Springs.

Information

  • Creator
    Judy Pearring and Dave Gardner
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Judy Pearring and Dave Gardner
  • Show Website
    The Next Us