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Gig workers make up a major share of the U.S. workforce—but many still face volatile income, constant cash-flow pressure, and financial systems that weren’t built for them. Jay Millard, chief revenue officer at Ualett, joins Mary to discuss what banks and credit unions can learn from “some of the hardest-working people you will ever meet.” They also cover rising gas prices, the strain on gig workers, and where traditional underwriting falls short.   Show notes: Ualett Subscribe to the Money Isn't Everything podcast here: https://qrco.de/bgfV82 Chapters [00:00] Intro + Final episode announcement [01:07] Meet Jay Millard (Ualett) [02:00] Gig workers feeling the financial pressure [03:00] Stress, uncertainty & working more hours [04:30] How gig workers find income opportunities [06:00] Why fintech is missing the mark [07:30] The size of the gig economy [09:00] Building for underserved workers [12:00] The reality of gig work today [14:00] The banking system’s blind spot [18:00] Rewards, cash flow & new solutions [33:30] AI, tech, and the future of gig work Send us Fan Mail

Financial advice hasn’t changed too much, but how people learn and build wealth has. Ronnie Green, CEO and co-founder of AlgoPear, talks about what’s different now in engaging younger consumers, how agentic AI is reshaping the space and where credit unions may be falling behind. Show notes: AlgoPear   Subscribe to the Money Isn't Everything podcast here: https://qrco.de/bgfV82   Chapters [00:00] Intro [00:35] From Living in His Car to Starting Over [01:30] Learning How to Invest From Scratch [03:47] Turning $5K Into $100K [05:07] The Mindset That Changed Everything [07:18] Why Saving Isn’t Enough [10:01] Fixing Financial Education for Gen Z [11:30] How AlgoPear Engages Young Users [13:25] AI in Finance: Hype vs Reality [16:13] Why Messy Data Kills Innovation [20:17] Building Faster With AI [31:33] TikTok & The Future of Learning Send us Fan Mail

Banks and fintech brands are missing opportunities to build real connections largely because of how they communicate. On the show today: Mary chats with Allison Netzer about the second edition of her book, “Think Like a Brand, Not a Bank." They explore what it takes for a brand to pop in a commoditized industry. Hint: jargon, complexity, and “busy” messaging aren’t the answer. Show Notes: Allison's Book: Think Like a Brand, Not a Bank 🔗 https://brandthnk.co/book/ Subscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcast here: 🔗  https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everything Connect with Mary on LinkedIn:  🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-wisniewski-3a7578b/ Connect with Allison on LinkedIn: 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonnetzer/ Send us Fan Mail

People with disabilities are often treated as a niche. In reality, more than 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. live with some kind of a disability. Today on the show, Mary chats with father-son founders Amit and Angad Sahgal of LetMeDoIt about why financial services miss this market and how their startup is using technology to support independence and design financial tools that work for more people. Show notes: LetMeDoITPeople With Disabilities: An Underserved And Untapped Market For Banks Subscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcast here:  https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everything    Chapters [00:00] Meet the Father–Son Founders of LetMeDoIt [01:03] “Disability Is Not a Niche” — The 62–70 Million Market [04:01] The School Story That Sparked the Idea [06:09] What Is Supported Decision-Making? [08:36] Where Financial Services Gets Disability Wrong [11:13] Support vs. Supervision: Why Autonomy Matters [13:05] Why Credit Unions Are Key to Financial Inclusion [18:11] From Financial Education to Real Access [22:29] The Caregiver Perspective & Financial Safety Nets [27:06] What’s Next for LetMeDoIt? Send us Fan Mail

It’s January, and people are thinking about their money habits again. Mary talks with Andy Bandyopadhyay, PhD, founder and CEO at Attune Insights, about why financial institutions ought to seize the moment and encourage consumers to make financial health appointments at their branches. They chat about how financial health isn’t a tool or a tab and why PFM rarely changes behavior. Show notes: Attune Insights  Subscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcast here:  https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everything Chapters: [00:00] Welcome to Money Isn’t Everything + Introducing Andy Bandyopadhyay [01:05] New Year, New You: Why Financial Health Starts With Looking [03:23] Financial Health Appointments & Using the Branch Differently [05:32] How Credit Unions Can Pilot Financial Health Centers [07:17] Why Personal Financial Management (PFM) Tools Failed [10:57] Knowing vs Doing: Why Information Alone Doesn’t Change Behavior [12:31] Access Barriers: When Financial Help Is Hard to Reach [16:05] Measuring Outcomes, Not Just Engagement Metrics [22:50] The Myth: Finance Employees Are “Fine” Financially [31:49] The Future of Financial Health, Trust & AI Send us Fan Mail

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 Fan Mail

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 Fan Mail

“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 Fan Mail

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 Fan Mail

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 Fan Mail

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 Fan Mail

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 Fan Mail

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 Fan Mail

JPMorgan Chase lit a fire under the fintech world. The biggest U.S. bank says it wants to start charging aggregators for access to data through the bank's API.  Some call it a smart business move. Others say it’s a threat to open banking. So, who’s right? Today on the show: Mary talks with Huw Davies, co-founder and chief executive at open finance company Ozone API, about what this shift could mean for banks, fintech firms and the rest of the industry. From pricing models to global lessons, Huw weighs into the money, the timing and the soap opera of U.S. banking regulation. Plus, they explore what many are not talking about right now: how banks are some of the biggest users of the technology. Show notes: Ozone API Chapters: [00:00] Welcome & API Soap Opera Setup   [00:41] Meet Huw Davies: Ozone API & Global Banking Lens   [01:27] JP Morgan’s Bold Move to Charge Aggregators   [03:06] Who Owns the Data? Industry Reactions & Murky Debates   [05:02] API Monetization: A Bank’s Right or Overreach?   [08:06] Pricing Models & Global Regulatory Lessons   [13:13] Open Banking Blueprints: UK, UAE, and India Compared   [19:47] Monetization Use Cases: Identity, Payments, Embedded Lending   [24:00] What Should U.S. Banks Do Now? Strategic Advice Amid Confusion   [28:15] Wrap-Up: Contact Huw & Lock Screen Fun Subscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcast here:  https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everything  Send us Fan Mail

The federal government is phasing out a range of paper checks in favor of digital payments. On the show: Mary speaks to Lurein Perera, CEO and co-founder of GiveCard, a fintech company that helps nonprofits and government agencies issue and manage prepaid debit cards for direct cash assistance programs. They chat about the slow disappearance of checks, the importance of financial inclusion, and why money apps need to understand a variety of languages to help build trust. Show notes: •GiveCard Chapters: 00:00 – Intro & The Origin of GiveCard 04:30 – Fixing Broken Systems: How GiveCard Works 07:00 – Disaster Relief in Action: LA Fires & Emergency Aid 12:00 – The Power of Cash: Real-Life Impact Stories 18:00 – Just Give People Money: Lessons from the Pandemic 25:00 – Branding with Purpose: Welcome to Giftopia 30:00 – Building for Trust & Dignity 35:00 – Founder Advice & Wrap-Up Subscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcast here: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everything  Send us Fan Mail