Money Isn't Everything

Cornerstone Advisors
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  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Who says banking must only be about the bucks? Money isn’t Everything, a show published two Thursdays each month, focuses on the broader view of how banking integrates with and influences the lives of consumers and businesses. From financial health to the many unexpected places traditional banking is appearing, the show explores the fringes of change in the industry with early-stage startups, academics, journalists and creative fintech thinkers. It's hosted by Mary Wisniewski, Cornerstone's editor-at-large and long-time fintech reporter.

  1. 12/04/2025

    The Case for Friction: Rethinking Speed in Banking

    Slowing down payments could be a selling point. On the show, Mary talks with Erik Beguin, CEO of Austin Capital Bank, about why friction can be a feature, not a flaw. Plus, they unpack the rising wave of fraud, how security and convenience clash and why it’s time to measure success by protection, not just profits. Show notes - Austin Capital Bank Subscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcast here: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everything  Chapters: [00:00] Fraud Is Exploding [02:10] Why Fraud Numbers Are All Underreported [04:45] The Emotional Trap: Denial & Embarrassment [07:20] Seniors and the Bitcoin ATM Scam Surge [10:15] Why “Education” Isn’t Stopping Fraud [14:00] Pig Butchering: The Scam You Don’t See Coming [18:30] Why Victims Stay Silent [22:40] How Fraudsters Stay Ahead of Banks [26:50] What Consumers Actually Need to Stay Safe [30:30] Erik Beguin’s Call to Action Send us a text

    33 min

  2. 11/20/2025

    The Fairness Playbook: How Fintech Can Earn Consumers’ Trust

    Consumer Reports has a new playbook for fairness in digital finance and fintech app developers might want to take notes. Mary sits down with Delicia Hand, senior director, digital marketplace at Consumer Reports, to talk about building apps that are transparent, inclusive and designed for real financial well-being. Plus, they get into AI’s role in scams and why now is the moment for stronger consumer protections (not fewer). Show notes - Fairness by Design Playbook Subscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcast here: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everything  Chapters: [00:00] – Intro: What the Fairness & Design Playbook Is [01:00] – Why Consumer Reports Built a Fintech Playbook [03:00] – Filling the CFPB Gap in Consumer Protection [06:00] – AI Scams and Voice Cloning Threats [08:30] – Building with Consumers, Not for Them [11:00] – How Financial Apps Can Be Designed Responsibly [16:30] – What “Financial Well-Being” KPIs Should Look Like [22:00] – Making Financial Health Part of Product Success [26:30] – Designing for Inclusivity and Accessibility [29:40] – Advice for Fintech Developers + What’s Next from CR Send us a text

    35 min

  3. 11/06/2025

    Can We Make Checking Accounts Interesting Again?

    “The checking account hasn't had meaningful innovation in a decade,” says Christian Widhalm, CEO of Bloom Credit.  In today’s show, Mary talks to Christian about what it takes to make the product stand out, the open banking pricing debate and the case for why it’s time for BNPL payments to show up on credit reports.  Show notes Bloom CreditInsights from Finovate 2024Credit Score Management: The $110 Billion Deposit and Payments Magnet Subscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcast here: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everything  Chapters:  [0:00] Welcome & Intro to Bloom Credit  [1:10] Reinventing Credit Reporting  [4:00] Turning Checking Accounts Into Credit Builders  [6:30] Why Gen Z and Millennials Want This  [9:50] The 64 Million “Thin File” Problem  [13:00] How Credit Karma Changed the Game  [18:40] Doing Good and Doing Well in Banking  [20:50] The Data Access Debate: Plaid vs. Banks  [26:30] Should “Buy Now, Pay Later” Count Toward Credit?  [29:40] What’s Next for Fintech & Credit Innovation Send us a text

    34 min

  4. 10/23/2025

    “Why Do We Make It Adversarial?” Rethinking Debt Collection

    Debt collection doesn’t have to mean fear and shame. Gwyneth Borden, Remynt’s founder and CEO, joins Mary to explore a friendlier way for financial institutions to collect debt. Among the newer approaches: offering financial therapy, building credit while paying down debt and turning delinquency into long-term loyalty. Show notes: Remynt Subscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcast here:  https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everything  Chapters: [0:00] Intro – Meet Gwyneth Borden of Remynt [0:31] The Mission to Rethink Debt Collection [2:05] Why Fear and Shame Don’t Work [5:30] Gwyneth’s Personal Debt Story [7:19] Why Debt Collection Is Stuck in the Past [9:42] Building Credit While Paying Off Debt [14:00] The Psychology of Money & Financial Therapy [22:15] How the Industry Mislabels People in Debt [27:55] Gen Z and the Debt Crisis [30:18] The Future of Credit Recovery Send us a text

    35 min

  5. 10/02/2025

    Responsible Gambling, Open Banking and the Future of Money. Oh My!

    Financial health checks on transactions? It’s happening. James Neville, the CEO of Yaspa, chats with Mary about how open banking enables greater transparency and control to the high-risk sector of gambling. They also talk about where AI hits its limits and why Yaspa recently set up shop in Atlanta. Show notes: - Yaspa Chapters: [0:00] Intro – Meet James Neville [0:54] Fintech’s Role in Gambling & Overspending [5:55] Why Europe Leads on Responsible Payments [9:51] Moving Operations to Atlanta [11:41] Open Banking Under Pressure in the U.S. [16:01] Can Fintechs Survive New Data Fees? [17:12] Startup Life vs. Corporate Life [19:06] AI in Banking – Missing the Personal Touch [23:10] Stablecoins: Hype or Game-Changer? [26:55] Final Thoughts & Lock Screen Surprise Subscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcast here: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everything  Send us a text

    28 min

  6. 09/18/2025

    The Neobank Founder Using TikTok to Fight Scams

    Banking for older Americans doesn’t exactly scream TikTok. But Kevin Nazemi, co-founder and CEO of Charlie, discovered short videos about scams are resonating with people and their families. On today’s show: Why fraud thrives on urgency, how slowing down payments can help and why Kevin thinks friction in banking might actually be a good thing. Show notes: Charlie Chapters: [0:00] Meet Kevin Nazemi, CEO of Charlie [1:29] Why a Neobank Turned to TikTok [3:15] How Fraud Content Goes Viral [6:05] Scam Tactics That Actually Work [10:24] The Psychology Behind Scams [16:10] AI & The Future of Fraud [20:26] Introducing “Speedbump” for Payments [32:18] Why Launching a Startup Is Always Nerve-Wracking [35:00] Interviewing President Clinton at Age 11 [39:19] Where to Find Kevin & Charlie Subscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcast here:  https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everything  Send us a text

    41 min

  7. 09/04/2025

    U.S. Zip CEO: Stop Judging Buy Now, Pay Later

    The U.S. CEO of Zip has heard all kinds of knocks against Buy Now, Pay Later. In a wide-ranging conversation, Joe Heck tells Mary why the critics are wrong and why judgment has no place in personal finance. Loans through Zip are originated by WebBank. Show notes: Zip Chapters: [0:00] Welcome & Intro to Joe Heck, CEO of Zip [1:01] Defending BNPL Against the Skeptics [2:39] From Flint to Fintech: Joe’s Early Money Views [5:07] Why Budgeting Tools Fail Like Fad Diets [7:44] The Role of AI in Personal Finance [10:17] Happy vs. Sad Spending: Making Money Simple [14:11] BNPL for Groceries & Small Purchases [18:05] Loan Stacking, Credit Scores & Myths [26:08] Zip’s Global Roots & BNPL Adoption [29:38] Final Thoughts & How to Reach Joe Subscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcast here:  https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everything  Send us a text

    33 min

  8. 08/21/2025

    When You Need More Than a Money App

    There’s plenty of buzz about “self-driving money.” But what about those moments when people want more than an algorithm? Mary talks with Sam Lewis, CEO of Fruitful, a fintech firm betting on both humans and AI. Sam shares what’s broken in the traditional advisor model, how Fruitful’s subscription approach works, and why TikTok isn’t the place for personal finance advice.  Show notes: Fruitful Chapters: [00:00] Welcome & Guest Intro – Sam Lewis, CEO of Fruitful [00:30] Blending Human Guidance with AI in Finance [03:20] Building Trust & Transparency in Financial Services [06:50] Why Personal Connection Matters for Financial Advice [09:30] Business Model: $48/Month Membership Explained [12:00] Data Aggregation, Open Banking & Payment Rails [15:20] Coffee vs. Big Expenses: Rethinking Money Habits [19:30] Self-Driving Money & AI’s Role in Personal Finance [23:00] Overcoming Inertia: Making Finances Effortless [27:50] TikTok Finance Advice & Final Thoughts Subscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcast here:  https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everything  Send us a text

    33 min
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5
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6 Ratings

About

Who says banking must only be about the bucks? Money isn’t Everything, a show published two Thursdays each month, focuses on the broader view of how banking integrates with and influences the lives of consumers and businesses. From financial health to the many unexpected places traditional banking is appearing, the show explores the fringes of change in the industry with early-stage startups, academics, journalists and creative fintech thinkers. It's hosted by Mary Wisniewski, Cornerstone's editor-at-large and long-time fintech reporter.

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