Pocket Change Podcast

Leaders Credit Union
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Welcome to the Pocket Change Podcast where you'll learn better ways to spend, save and invest and take control of your financial journey. Each episode will provide smart money tips and strategies to help you become financially fit. We will also introduce you to community champions making a difference in the lives of others. Join us and our guests as we will help you become the champion of your finances. Pocket Change Podcast is presented by Leaders Credit Union where we power your passion and make lives better.

  1. 4H AGO

    Entrepreneurship, Creativity, & Big Bad Brands (#76)

    How does cultivating an environment for creativity inspire local businesses and the community? In this episode, entrepreneur and creative Stephanie Riley shares how her years of experience led her to found B3 Creative Agency. Stephanie discusses the diverse clients her agency serves, her approach to building a strong company culture, her involvement in the vibrant music scene of West Tennessee, and serving the community through the Leaders Education Foundation.   01:19 – Tell us about yourself and how you became a business owner. 02:15 – What does B3 stand for? 02:43 – Have you always been creative and entrepreneurial? 04:29 – Where do you find your inspiration for your unique style & brand? 05:49 – Why is company culture so important to you? 06:29 – What do you look for when you're hiring someone? 08:32 – What advice would you give someone who is looking to reestablish their culture & brand? 11:21 – How did you get involved in the tourism & music industries? 14:13 – How has working with local brands changed how you see West Tennessee? 15:10 – What's coming up for Jackson Hidden Tracks? 17:37 – What has working with agriculture meant for you and your brand? 21:35 – As a member of the Leaders Education Foundation board, why do you choose to give back by serving in that role? 23:06 – What is the best financial advice you've ever been given? 24:57 – If you found some extra change in your pocket, what would you spend it on?   To learn more about B3 Creative Agency, visit b3creativeagency.com. Dive into the music scene in Jackson through Jackson Hidden Tracks at jacksonhiddentracks.com or get tickets to the Blue Suede Rockabilly Weekend at bluesuedeweekend.com.   The Pocket Change Podcast is presented by Leaders Credit Union. To learn more about Leaders, visit leaderscu.com.   #Money #Podcast #Entrepreneurship #Creative

    26 min

  2. FEB 12

    Smart Ways to Use Debt Without Getting Into Trouble (#75)

    Are there ways to use debt to help your financial well-being? Find out by hearing from Keagan van Wijk, Director of Consumer Lending at Leaders Credit Union. Wijk shares different ways you can use debt to your advantage, not your detriment, through HELOCs, cash-out financing, and balance transfers on credit cards. Also, tune in to hear Keagan's journey to the United States from England and South Africa.   Highlights: 01:18 – Tell us about yourself and your role here at Leaders. 02:26 – Can you share some of the cultural differences you've experienced in the USA, England, and South Africa? 03:48 – What was it like to transition from law to lending? 05:14 – What are good reasons to take out a loan? 07:23 – What solutions do we offer here at Leaders for our members to pay off debt? 07:51 – What is a HELOC? 09:11 – How does cash-out refinancing work and how can it be helpful? 10:07 – How can credit cards be beneficial? 11:58 – What have you found to be most helpful for our members? 13:58 – What's the best financial advice you've ever been given? 15:27 – If you found some extra change in your pocket, what would you spend it on? 16:18 – If you could have anyone on the podcast, who would it be and why? 17:10 – What drives you to come in and help our members every day?   If you're interested in how any of these loan products can benefit you on your financial journey, please visit the links below:   Auto/Vehicle Loans Personal Loans HELOC   *For full details and disclosures regarding our cash back offer, visit our Compass Black page.   The Pocket Change Podcast is presented by Leaders Credit Union. To learn more about Leaders, visit leaderscu.com.

    19 min

  3. JAN 20

    Skilled Trades, Real Opportunities: A Conversation with TCAT Jackson (#74)

    Why is technical education essential for people entering the workforce? In this episode, you'll meet Dr. JacQuene Rainey, President of TCAT Jackson. She draws on her background in manufacturing to advocate for students and share how her experience led her to TCAT. You'll learn about TCAT's programs, ways for high school students to get connected, and opportunities available to students.   Highlights: 01:03 – Can you tell us about yourself and your early career path? 02:37 – How has your manufacturing background impacted how you lead today in education? 04:06 – What programs & opportunities does TCAT Jackson offer? 06:13 – How does TCAT Jackson's new Stanton campus tie into Blue Oval and the developing industry in that area? 08:00 – Is there a student success story you can share with us? 09:00 – What makes skilled trades so necessary and why are they such a hot topic right now? 10:45 – How can highschoolers interested in TCAT prepare for technical school? 12:51 – What are your typical student ages? 14:50 – What common barriers have you noticed that make pursing education difficult for students? 16:46 – How has the Leaders Education Foundation's workforce readiness scholarships assisted TCAT students? 18:21 – What encouragement would you give students investing time & money in their education? 19:11 – How can students find out more about TCAT? 19:56 – What is the best financial advice you've ever been given? 20:55 – If you found some extra change in your pocket, what would you spend it on?   To learn more about TCAT Jackson's programs or to set up a tour, visit tcatjackson.edu. For more information about applying for a workforce readiness scholarship, visit leadersgives.org/workforce-scholarships.    The Pocket Change Podcast is presented by Leaders Credit Union. To learn more about Leaders, visit leaderscu.com.

    22 min

  4. JAN 6

    Credit, College, & Cutting the Chaos: 2026 Money Goals from a Career Banker (#73)

    What financial goals do you have for 2026? Join Karen Freeman, Chief Operations Officer at Leaders Credit Union, as she shares advice on how you can make wiser money decisions this year. Tune into our newest episode of Pocket Change to learn how you can become more observant of your spending, what common financial challenges people are facing, and practical ways to establish credit.   01:19 – Can you tell us about yourself and what you do here at Leaders? 02:44 – What has your journey in banking looked like? 04:06 – Do you have any smart money advice for 2026? 05:26 – What are your personal financial goals for 2026? 06:40 – What financial challenges are our members facing this year and how would you encourage them? 07:43 – What are some practical tips for someone wanting to build or establish credit in 2026? 09:10 – What financial advice would you give college students and young adults? 11:11 – What makes a credit union different from a bank? 12:19 – What are you most excited about for Leaders in 2026? 13:09 – What is the best financial advice you've ever been given? 13:54 – If you found some extra change in your pocket, what would you spend it on?   If you need help achieving your financial goals, get help from one of our Financial Champions by calling 731-664-1784 or visit one of our branches.   The Pocket Change Podcast is presented by Leaders Credit Union. To learn more about Leaders, visit leaderscu.com.

    15 min

  5. 12/16/2025

    2025 Wrapped: A Conversation with CEO Todd Swims (#72)

    What keeps you coming back to the same career for 35 years? President & CEO of Leaders Credit Union, Todd Swims, joins us on the Pocket Change Podcast to reflect on his time at Leaders, the differences between credit unions and banks, and what he's looking forward to in 2026.    01:01 – What has 35 years at Leaders been like and what keeps you coming back every day? 02:10 – What would you say to someone who is hesitant to choose a credit union? 03:28 – Do you have any special stories from 35 years with Leaders? 05:36 – What would you like to say concerning our technology upgrade this year? 06:41 – What would you like to say to our members about what's next for Leaders? 07:56 – Can you tell us about the growth at Leaders over the last 35 years? 09:49 – Why is it important to give back to the community? 11:22 – What are you most looking forward to in 2026? 13:26 – What is some of the best financial advice you've ever been given? 14:40 – If you found some extra change in your pocket, what would you spend it on?   The Pocket Change Podcast is presented by Leaders Credit Union. To learn more about Leaders, visit leaderscu.com. #Podcast #Money #Finance #Banking #2025

    16 min

  6. 12/02/2025

    Living on a Mission: Faith, Finances, & Family Overseas (#71)

    What does it mean to give? For Russell and Melinda Kyzar, it meant decades of crossing borders, learning new languages, and embracing unfamiliar cultures to serve communities around the world. Today, their mission continues in Jackson, Tennessee, where they volunteer as ESL instructors – helping newcomers find their voice and their place in our community. In this episode of the Pocket Change Podcast, they share the profound lessons they've learned about faith, family, finances, and the transformative power of giving.   01:05 – What led you to missionary work? 02:32 – Where have you lived, and what were the highlights of those different countries? 04:46 – What was it like to learn so many different languages? 05:44 – What was it like to raise a family in so many different countries? 08:10 – How did you manage your finances amid so many international moves? 11:30 – What did community look like for you in these different countries? 13:27 – What does teaching English as a Second Language look like? 16:28 – How does teaching English impact our community? 19:05 - Out of all the countries you lived in, which had your favorite food? 20:06 – What do you feel giving is important? 21:41 – What advice would you give someone new to giving? 24:44 – What is the best financial advice you've ever been given? 26:26 – If you found some extra change in your pocket, what would you spend it on? The Pocket Change Podcast is presented by Leaders Credit Union. To learn more about Leaders, visit leaderscu.com.   #Podcast #Money #LanguageLearning #Culture #GivingTuesday

    29 min

  7. 11/18/2025

    Budgeting, Big Moves, & Beauty School: A Couple's Financial Journey (#70)

    How do you support your spouse through different seasons of life? In this episode of the Pocket Change Podcast, Financial Champion Caroline Brown sits down with Shea and Carrie to share what she and her husband have learned through navigating multiple career shifts and cross-country moves over 11 years of marriage.   01:22 – How did you and your husband meet and what were the early years of marriage like? 02:38 – What does it mean to support your spouse well? 05:18 – How do you make big decisions as a couple? 07:18 – How have you managed budgeting as a couple when life circumstances have changed? 08:25 – How do you balance being content in the now while also being hopeful for the future? 10:10 – What would you say to couples in seasons of financial uncertainty? 11:44 – What is the best piece of financial advice you've ever been given? 12:31 – If you found some extra change in your pocket, what would you spend it on?   The Pocket Change Podcast is presented by Leaders Credit Union. To learn more about Leaders, visit leaderscu.com.   #Podcast #Money #Marriage #Family #Finance

    14 min

  8. 11/04/2025

    Embracing Conflict with Merry Brown (#69)

    How do you see conflict in your workplace or personal life? While nobody enjoys conflict, it's a constant issue throughout our lives. Merry Brown, author of How to Be Unprofessional at Work and host of the podcast, Conflict Managed, shares how you can use conflict to your advantage by knowing how to handle it well. Tune in to the Pocket Change Podcast to learn how to begin looking at conflict in a new way.   01:11 – What led you into mediation and workplace conflict resolution? 02:13 – What are the biggest misconceptions about conflict? 03:02 – Do you think workplace conflict is more common now or do you think we're just more aware of it? 04:20 – What are your top tips for employers who want to mediate conflict in their workplaces? 05:32 – What advice would you give managers to help their employees improve? 07:16 – What advice would you give to a person who feels ignored by their supervisor? 08:32 – What is your advice for building strong culture in a tough environment? 09:46 – Can you tell us about your podcast and how you got started podcasting? 11:45 – What projects are you currently working on? 12:33 – Can you share some highlights of your most recent book? 13:50 – What generational shifts have you seen in the workplace? 15:48 – What is the best financial advice you've ever been given? 17:08 – If you found some extra change in your pocket, what would you spend it on?   To learn more about Merry Brown's books or Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services, visit 3pconflictrestoration.com.   The Pocket Change Podcast is presented by Leaders Credit Union. To learn more about Leaders, visit leaderscu.com.

    19 min
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About

Welcome to the Pocket Change Podcast where you'll learn better ways to spend, save and invest and take control of your financial journey. Each episode will provide smart money tips and strategies to help you become financially fit. We will also introduce you to community champions making a difference in the lives of others. Join us and our guests as we will help you become the champion of your finances. Pocket Change Podcast is presented by Leaders Credit Union where we power your passion and make lives better.

Information

  • Creator
    Leaders Credit Union
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    77
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2022
  • Show Website
    Pocket Change Podcast