Dreaming of homeownership but unsure where to start? It may be more achievable than you think. Discover how the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) can help make your dream home affordable through down payment assistance, closing cost support, and expert financial counseling. Join us as Ralph Perrey, THDA's Executive Director, explains how his agency is helping first-time buyers turn their homeownership dreams into reality. Highlights 01:00 - How did you get involved in the housing indus...
Jul 01, 2025•23 min•Season 3Ep. 61
Have you heard about the latest fundraiser coming to West Tennessee? On this episode of Pocket Change Podcast, Leaders Education Foundation President, Leigh Anne Bentley, introduces us to EmpowerEd: An Evening with Dr. John Delony. This event is a way to hear an inspiring talk from our keynote speaker and an opportunity to celebrate five outstanding educators. Listen to the full episode to hear about the Foundation's impact in the lives of educators and students in our community! Highlights 1:08...
Jun 18, 2025•15 min•Season 3Ep. 60
Why is it important to impact students, develop leaders, and give back to small businesses in our community? Lauren Saliba, Vice President of Education and Leadership Development at the Greater Jackson Chamber, joins Carrie and Shea on the Pocket Change Podcast. She shares about the leadership opportunities the Chamber offers, how they have grown over the years, and how they plan to enrich the lives of people not only in Madison County but across West Tennessee. Highlights 1:33 - Tell us about y...
Jun 03, 2025•21 min•Season 3Ep. 59
Why is it important to be financially prepared for your child's future? In the newest episode of the Pocket Change Podcast, Financial Champion Lindsey Jackson shares how she and her husband have prioritized their children's financial well-being through saving. Listen to the full podcast to hear her tips and tricks for how to stick with your savings goals and how saving can intentionally make a meaningful difference in your children's lives. Highlights 1:12 - Where did you get your passion for he...
May 20, 2025•14 min•Season 3Ep. 59
How does the YMCA of Memphis and the Mid-South make a difference for families in our community? Representatives from the Y, Dave Bratcher and Rachel Ryan, share the organization's story and highlight their new Dancing with the Stars Memphis event on the Pocket Change Podcast. Be sure to listen to the full podcast to learn the YMCA's history, how it has grown, and who will be taking the floor at their upcoming event. Highlights 1:08 - Could you tell us about what you do with the YMCA and the Mid-...
May 06, 2025•18 min•Season 3Ep. 57
Do you have a passion for starting your own business? Lee and Beth Wilson are local entrepreneurs with extensive experience starting businesses from the ground up. From an escape room, running from the law on a reality tv show, and making candles, they share their story of entrepreneurship on the newest episode of the Pocket Change Podcast. Highlights 1:15 - Can you share about your journey to entrepreneurship? 2:23 - What led you to open escape rooms? 9:24 - How did Lee end up being on the CBS ...
Apr 15, 2025•42 min•Season 3Ep. 56
How does Leaders help members through financial hardships? In this episode of the Pocket Change Podcast, Member Solutions Representative Vanessa Rogers shares how her department assists members with any questions or roadblocks they may encounter along their financial journeys. Also, discover how Leaders has evolved over the years and how being community-focused can make an impact. Highlights 1:26 - Can you tell us about your journey to Leaders? 1:52 - Where did you start at Leaders when you arri...
Apr 01, 2025•12 min•Season 3Ep. 55
What exciting things are happening in Madison County, Tennessee? From growth in population to new local businesses and schools, Madison County Mayor AJ Massey joins the Pocket Change Podcast to discuss how his administration has been making an impact. Mayor Massey shares how his former career in banking prepared him for public office. Be sure to listen to the full episode to learn all the developments unfolding in our community. Highlights 1:21 - Could you tell us about your journey into politic...
Mar 18, 2025•21 min•Season 3Ep. 54
Did you know the generation you come from might influence how you handle money? On this episode of Pocket Change, Carrie and Shea sit down with Adam Clarke, AVP of Sales Development at Leaders Credit Union, to discuss the different generations and their preferences. Whether you are a Gen-Xer or Boomer, Clarke shares how his team sees members interact differently with their banking needs and communication depending on their generation. Learn more about these generational differences and how Leade...
Mar 04, 2025•10 min•Season 3Ep. 53
What exciting things are in store for the City of Jackson? From revitalizing downtown to developing a Great Wolf Lodge, hear what the city has to look forward to from the City of Jackson's Mayor, Scott Conger, on the newest episode of the Pocket Change Podcast. Also, listen in to hear about his journey into politics, what challenges he's faced in his role as mayor, and his best financial advice. Highlights 1:17 - Can you tell us about your journey into politics? 3:33 - What are you most proud of...
Feb 19, 2025•17 min•Season 3Ep. 52
Did you know that Leaders opened a new branch in Arlington, TN? As the second branch in the Greater Memphis area, the Financial Champions at Leaders are excited to help the Arlington Community with its financial needs. Brittany Boone, AVP of Branch Operations at the Arlington Branch, shares what drew her to Leaders and how her team can help people excel in their financial journeys. "It is important for us to pour into these communities," said Boone. "It is important to me, not just professionall...
Feb 04, 2025•10 min•Season 3Ep. 51
How do healthcare providers shape the culture of a community? Hear the story of West Tennessee Healthcare from its President and CEO, Tina Prescott, as she shares the impact the organization has made for 75 years serving families in West Tennessee. Also, learn how they are expanding to provide specialized care and to reach patients in rural communities. "We stand on the shoulders of so many leaders and so many wonderful leaders that have really built that for 75 years, " said Prescott. "...We st...
Jan 22, 2025•18 min•Season 3Ep. 50
Did you know that 80% of gym memberships purchased in January go unused by February? Financial resolutions often face a similar fate – but they don't have to. In the latest episode of Pocket Change podcast, hosts Shea and Carrie celebrate the show's second anniversary by diving into practical ways to make your money goals stick in 2025. The episode kicks off with a candid discussion about the top five New Year's resolutions people commonly abandon: fitness goals, quitting bad habits, learning ne...
Jan 07, 2025•19 min•Season 3Ep. 49
How is the Dream Center making a difference for women and families across West Tennessee? In our newest Pocket Change Podcast, the Dream Center's executive director, Gail Gustafson, shares how the Center has grown, its mission as an organization, and the visions her team has for the future. Also, hear about their upcoming event featuring country music singer Sara Evans. Highlights 1:09 - What does the Dream Center provide to the community? 1:36 - How did the Dream Center begin? 2:43 - Tell us ab...
Dec 18, 2024•14 min•Season 2Ep. 48
How is Leaders Credit Union making an impact in our communities this holiday season? Join Carrie and Shea as they talk with Todd Swims, the President and CEO of Leaders. Todd shares about the Leaders with Love initiative, reflects on 2024 and the growth of the credit union, and what he's looking forward to in the year ahead. Be sure to listen to the entire episode to hear some exciting news! Highlights 1:42 - What makes Leaders Credit Union unique? 2:21 - What is something you were most proud of...
Dec 03, 2024•14 min•Season 2Ep. 47
How is sports the driving force of passion in the Memphis community? ESPN Radio hosts, Jason Smith and John Martin, join the Pocket Change Podcast to share their experiences with talk radio, the history of sports in Memphis, and what they love about the people there. Highlights 1:31 - Could you share about how you got into radio? 5:34 - What do you love most about covering Memphis sports? 8:38 - What do you love about the city of Memphis? 11:52 - What has the sponsorship through Leaders brought ...
Nov 19, 2024•22 min•Season 2Ep. 46
Do you know how to protect yourself from financial fraud? Find out in our latest podcast episode with Rebecca Scheidecker, Risk Management Specialist at Leaders Credit Union. Rebecca shares the many ways fraudsters try to steal your money and identity and what signs you need to look out for to protect yourself. Highlights 1:07 - What is the number one way fraudsters take our money? 2:53 - What is an example of a text a person could get that is actually fraudulent? 6:11 - What advice would you gi...
Nov 05, 2024•17 min•Season 2Ep. 45
What happens when you need financial services away from home? Learn about what shared branching is and how it can benefit you from Bernardo Ferreira, AVP of Branch Operations at Leaders in Bartlett, TN. Bernardo shares his story of coming to America from Portugal and how this journey led him to become a Financial Champion at Leaders. Si hablas español, descubre qué servicios te puede ofrecer Leaders Credit Union. Highlights 1:15 - Can you tell us about your journey to becoming a Financial Champi...
Oct 16, 2024•9 min•Season 2Ep. 44
What is the STAR Center, and how is it making a difference for families? Discover how the STAR Center is paving the way for individuals with special needs to succeed through our newest podcast with Dr. Jennifer Graves, President of the STAR Center. Dr. Graves shares how assistive technology is helping those with disabilities, how their team provides reading and speech therapy for students and home care, as well as what to look forward to in their upcoming event, Dancing with the STARs. Highlight...
Oct 01, 2024•16 min•Season 2Ep. 43
What financial concerns are keeping you from moving forward towards your goals? Join Carrie and Shea as they hear from Matt Emison, AVP of Branch Operations at the Dyersburg Branch, who shares how Leaders Dyersburg meets people where they are on their financial journey. Be sure to listen to the full episode to learn what services the branch offers, the growth in their market, and why Matt believes the team at Leaders is unique. Highlights 1:15 - How did you become a financial champion at Leaders...
Sep 17, 2024•11 min•Season 2Ep. 42
Are you curious about other cultures in your community? The Jackson International Food and Art Festival provides a unique opportunity to learn about our community's many countries and cultures. Listen to our newest podcast episode with the Festival's co-founder, Dr. Sandra Dee, who shares how the Festival started, what to expect this year, and why cultural sensitivity is vital for connecting with others. Highlights 1:06 - How did the Jackson International Food & Arts Festival start? 3:03 - W...
Sep 03, 2024•12 min•Season 2Ep. 41
How do we engage our local community to be interested in financial literacy? Having financial literacy is the key to achieving financial freedom. Unfortunately, many communities struggle to reach that goal because they lack a basic understanding of managing their money or access to financial wellness resources. Discover how financial education is making a difference in Memphis, TN, with Chris Thomas, Community Engagement Specialist at Leaders Credit Union. Highlights 1:39 - How did you get into ...
Aug 20, 2024•10 min•Season 2Ep. 40
How are community colleges helping students fast-track into the middle class? While people may think community colleges are limiting, they actually provide students with freedom from significant debt from student loans and opportunities for career advancement. In our latest podcast episode, Dr. Rothstein, President of Jackson State Community College, explains how community colleges benefit students in West Tennessee and nationwide. Highlights 1:09 - How did you become a college president? 5:47 -...
Aug 06, 2024•15 min•Season 2Ep. 39
Do you feel that your financial needs and goals are met by your financial institution? When you're looking for a solution to your unique needs, you don't want to be sold to, but rather guided, on your financial journey. If you think about sales, you might not be fond of the image that comes to mind, such as a cars salesman who is trying to push a deal. When it comes to your financial institution, it is important that you are given full transparency about how to move forward in your financial jou...
Jul 16, 2024•14 min•Season 2Ep. 38
How is racecar driving making a difference for the economy in West Tennessee? Join in the conversation with Kel Kearns, Ford Mustang Challenge Series Competitor, as he shares about how professional racing can play a key role in the growth of our community. Be sure to listen to full episode to learn more about the Mustang Challenge, Kel’s racecar, and his experiences working with Ford. Highlights 1:23 - How did you get started in the Mustang Challenge? 3:16 - Have you always been interested in ra...
Jul 02, 2024•12 min•Season 2Ep. 37
Are you interested to learn tips for interviewing, resumes, and job applications? Listen to our podcast to learn from the VP of Human Resources at Leaders Credit Union, Erin Mitchell, as she shares her advice on how to be prepared for your job search. If you’re interested in working at Leaders, check out the full episode to find out what it means to be a financial champion and what opportunities they offer for their employees. Highlights 1:10 - What is your background in HR? 1:37 - What is the b...
Jun 18, 2024•9 min•Season 2Ep. 36
Why is having a local sports team important to our community? Find out in this episode featuring Dennis Bastien, President and CEO of the Jackson Rockabillys. Having worked with multiple baseball teams across the South and Midwest over the years, Dennis saw potential in our area and the team. Discover how the Rockabillys are and will continue to support our community with their games and events. Highlights 1:31: How did you get started in baseball? 3:07: What keeps you coming back year after yea...
Jun 04, 2024•14 min•Season 2Ep. 35
Why is journalism and storytelling so important? Join our hosts, Carrie and Shea, as they learn about the future of journalism from Ted Kluck, Associate Professor of Communication Arts at Union University. Along with overseeing Union’s journalism program, Kluck has years of professional writing and podcasting experience. Discover why storytelling and the arts are so impactful by checking out this new episode. Highlights 2:45: How did you get involved with podcasts? 4:44: How do you think journal...
May 21, 2024•17 min•Season 2Ep. 34
Why is financial education so important for our community? Join our hosts, Shea Brown and Carrie Cantrell, as they explore how the Community Engagement team serves the community. Evan Flora, Community Engagement Specialist for Leaders, shares how they provide financial education to employers, employees, and students across West Tennessee. Highlights 1:15: Tell us about yourself and your background at Leaders. 2:36: Tell us about what the Community Engagement team does at Leaders. 3:46: What does...
May 07, 2024•12 min•Season 2Ep. 33
You’ve likely heard about the various new companies, businesses, and manufacturing plants that are coming to West Tennessee, but what do these new workforce developments mean for you? One of these new plants is Dixie, which manufactures household paper products. Hear firsthand from Dixie’s Plant Director, Mike Cook, as he shares about the employment culture and community impact Dixie is planning to bring to Jackson and surrounding communities. Highlights 1:04: What do you do at Dixie? 2:16: What...
Apr 16, 2024•13 min•Season 2Ep. 32
