Money Isn't Everything

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 worke...

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...

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: All...

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...

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: Attun...

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 her...

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 consu...

“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 Credit Insights from Finovate 2024 Credit Score Management:...

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:   http...

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 &a...

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...

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...

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 Cha...

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 coul...

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 wh...

Sophia Goldberg, CEO and co-founder of Ansa and author of " The Field Guide to Global Payments ," views Girl Math as a joyful expression. Sophia explores the social media trend with Mary and shares her view on why it matters to all brands. They also discuss what’s broken with gift cards and opine on reward programs that resonate with people. Subscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcas...

Mary chats with Keith Armstrong, chief operating and compliance officer at Stretch, a startup that began as a neobank for people who were returning home from incarceration but has since made a notable pivot. Keith shares the early lessons from building a product for a misunderstood audience, the limits of academic research and how buying sneakers can carry deep meaning. Plus: They explore Stretch’...

On the show today, Mary talks to Elizabeth Osborne – COO at Great Lakes Credit Union – about preparing for open banking regardless of what happens to the rules. As she says: “Whether it's a credit union or a bank, we should treat it as a threat. And if it doesn't become a threat, that's great. You're prepared.” They also explore how the credit union’s bet on bilingual chatbot O...

On the show today: Mary chats with Amy Loh, head of marketing at Pipe and former Square veteran, about how fintech is shaking up small business finance. Amy shares how Pipe approaches granting small businesses, like nail and hair salons, capital through their software partners at a time when some Pipe customers are seeking more money to prepare for tariff shocks. Amy also talks about Pipe’s recent...

Designing for death might not be the usual founder journey—but it’s exactly what Ben Hopf is doing. On today’s show, Mary talks with Ben, the founder and CEO of Atticus, about building tech that helps families navigate the financial chaos that follows a death. They chat about: How to design for grief without adding friction How inheritance stands to change as Gen Z comes of age And yes… funeral pl...

Sure, some auto tariffs are softening. But the cost of car ownership is on the rise. On the show today, Mary sits down with Jacob Zachs, founder and CEO of Fasten, to talk about how his startup wants to reward consumers for one of their biggest discretionary expenses – their cars. The new product, called Fasten Rewards, gives consumers rewards for their auto loans and leases, maintenance, gas and...

Today on the show, Mary talks to Shreenath Regunathan about a fresh way credit unions can prove their value to members: unlocking government benefits. Shree is a co-founder of Starlight, an early-stage fintech company that partners with credit unions. He talks to Mary about the shrinking middle class, misconceptions around financial health and how to make government benefits sound more approachabl...

Today on the show: Dr. Leda Glyptis, author, advisor, keynote speaker and former banker, talks about her newer book, "Beyond Resilience" with Mary. One spoiler? Her interviews with entrepreneurs for the book were weary of being labeled as successful. As Leda says on the show: "Most people are like, 'I'm not done yet.'" She talks to Mary about the uglier realities...

On the show today, Mary talks to Sam Miller, co-founder and CEO of Kasheesh, about what he believes is a dangerous pattern with consumers payments: buy now, pay later. They also explore what he’s building at Kasheesh, how to create a brand where customers don’t feel shame over their money patterns and how his company pursues talent in an AI era. As he says: “Talent is forever shifting. Now, obviou...

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies are under all kinds of political and regulatory scrutiny right now. On the show today: Mary chats with Elizabeth McCluskey, a managing director of TruStage Ventures' Discovery Fund, which is a fund geared at underrepresented founders who are building products and services to expand financial access. They chat about the business case for investing...