Give Me Credit

In this episode, we sit down with divorce attorney David Cox to unpack one of the most misunderstood financial traps in divorce. Here is the hard truth. A divorce decree may assign a debt to one spouse, but it does not rewrite the original contract with the creditor. If your name is on that loan, you are still on the hook. Period. We walk through what really happens when an ex-spouse misses paymen...

Most people don’t understand how debt collection works until they’re already in it. In GMC 33, I sit down with John Mackey to walk through his new course,  Debt Collections: Lies, Damn Lies and Deceit . We go module by module, breaking down what he teaches and why it matters if you’ve ever dealt with a collector. This episode isn’t the course. It’s your preview of what you’ve probably never been t...

In Part 1, we pulled back the curtain on a hard truth. Most people believe someone is actually reading their credit dispute letter. That’s not entirely accurate. In Part 2, we take you inside the system. And once you understand what really happens, you won’t look at a dispute the same way again. J.S. Whaldo and John Mackey walk through what happens after you hit send. Your story, your details, you...

Most people believe that when they dispute something on their credit report, they are starting a conversation. They imagine that someone, somewhere, will read their explanation, review the evidence, and decide whether the information should be corrected. It feels personal—like a chance to explain what happened and set the record straight. But the modern dispute process doesn’t really work that way...

We spend twelve years in school learning history, math, and science. Yet many students graduate without ever learning how a checking account works, what an overdraft fee is, or why a missed payment can follow them for years. That gap is finally starting to get attention. In this episode of Give Me Credit , John Mackey and I discuss a new Minnesota law requiring high school students to complete a p...

Today’s episode goes deeper. In Part 1, we questioned whether Credit Karma functions as financial education or referral marketing. In Part 2, we examine the structure itself. One polished credit score. Frequent alerts. Pre-approval offers one click away. It feels empowering. But most users are seeing a VantageScore, while many lenders, especially in mortgage underwriting, rely on FICO scoring mode...

This week on Give Me Credit, we sit down with FCRA attorney Jacob Hippensteel, owner of Hippensteel Law Firm to talk about one of the most powerful and misunderstood consumer protection laws in America, the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Your credit report is not just a score generator. It is a federally regulated legal document. And you have enforceable rights under the FCRA. Jacob breaks down what t...

Give Me Credit #27: Credit Karma, VantageScore vs FICO, and the Marketing Machine Behind “Free” Credit Scores In this episode, credit expert John Mackey and mortgage underwriter J.S. Whaldo examine the Credit Karma business model and its impact on consumers. Topics covered: • How Credit Karma makes money through affiliate commissions and lead generation• Why free credit scores are part of a data-d...

If you think you already understand credit, this episode is your reminder that the rules are changing and not always in your favor. In this rerun of Give Me Credit Podcast Episode 10, credit expert John Mackey and mortgage underwriter JS Whaldo go back to the foundation of consumer credit protection: the Fair Credit Reporting Act. We talk about why it exists, what rights it gives you, and why so m...

We’ve never done this before, but some episodes are too good to let pass by. Due to John taking a short break, we’re re-running GMC #16, one of our highest-rated episodes. Packed with insights, expert guidance, and moments that had our listeners talking, this episode is a must-hear whether you missed it the first time or want to relive the highlights. Don’t miss out. Tune in now and discover why G...

Most people think debt collection is about repayment. It’s not. It’s about leverage, data, and getting you to say or do just enough to build a legal case against yourself. In today’s podcast episode, credit expert John Mackey pulls back the curtain on the modern debt collection industry and introduces his course, Debt Collections: Lies, Damn Lies, and Deceit . We talk candidly about how consumers...

Episode 23: Inside the Debt Collection System and the Course Teaching Consumers How to Navigate It In this episode of the Give Me Credit podcast, mortgage expert J.S. Whaldo interviews credit authority John Mackey about the debt collection industry, the surge in consumer debt lawsuits, and why most people lose simply because they do not understand the legal process. Mackey explains that debt colle...

In Give Me Credit Podcast Episode #22, we do something a little different and a lot important. We analyze a real debt collection call that checks every box for unethical behavior. No hypotheticals. No reenactments. This actually happened. The debt in question dates back to 1995. The collection attempt happened in 2013. That means the statute of limitations was long gone, but the collector tried an...

In Part Two of this two-part conversation, John Mackey and J.S. Whaldo continue their discussion with financial expert Gerry Weston , shifting from warning signs to real solutions. Weston explains why speaking directly with your lender is often the most effective step when facing financial hardship. He outlines the tools many credit unions and community banks already offer, including payment skips...

In Part One of this two-part conversation, John Mackey and J.S. Whaldo sit down with financial expert Gerry Weston to unpack the hidden risks of for-profit debt relief companies. Through a real-world case study, Weston explains how these third-party services often fail to negotiate as promised, triggering legal action, asset garnishment, and long-term credit damage. This episode challenges the fea...

This week’s Give Me Credit episode is our Christmas and Holiday Edition, and it’s a little different by design. We start with a brief introduction to John Mackey’s upcoming Debt Collection course launching in January, including why debt collection is one of the most misunderstood and consequential parts of the credit system, and why education works better than fear. Then the conversation shifts. J...

When love gets financed, and stability gets sacrificed. The holiday season is supposed to be about connection, generosity, and love. Yet for manyfamilies, it has quietly becomesomething else entirely—a financial test, an emotionalperformance, and a source of long-term stress that lingers long after the decorations comedown. Every year, powerful marketing, social pressure, and comparison culture pu...

The holiday shopping rush is here, and that means one thing. Buy Now Pay Later offers are everywhere. They pop up on every checkout screen and promise interest-free convenience. It all feels harmless until it is not. In this week’s podcast, credit expert John Mackey and mortgage underwriter JS Whaldo dig into the real story behind the BNPL boom. This is a timely conversation because delinquency ra...

Today, we are sharing a real debt collection call that John recorded on his business line, and it is a ride. This collector barrels in with confidence, armed with the wrong Social Security number, the wrong address, and a lawsuit threat set in Honolulu… while John is sitting in Minneapolis. From the first minute, you hear classic debt collection red flags, legal misrepresentations, and pressure ta...

This week, John and I tackle the annual holiday pressure cooker. You know the one: twinkly lights, emotional shopping, and retailers who swoop in like sugar-coated vultures offering store cards and Buy Now Pay Later plans that look helpful but pack a financial punch. We break down why these “special” holiday deals are anything but. Store-branded credit cards often come with sky-high APRs that can...

Welcome to Episode 14 of Give Me Credit , the podcast where Credit Genius John Mackey and mortgage-underwriting veteran J.S. Whaldo turn the tangled world of debt collection and credit reporting into something clear, usable, and—believe it or not—empowering. Give Me Credit is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. In t...

In this episode of Give Me Credit, John Mackey and J.S. Whaldo break down how the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)—and its modern update, Regulation F—protects you in the digital age. From the 7-in-7 rule limiting call frequency to new rules for texts, voicemails, and social media, they explain how collectors must now play by the same rules online as they do by phone. You’ll learn what a...

This week, John and I dig into the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the federal law that protects consumers from abusive collection practices. We explain what the FDCPA covers, who it applies to, and how the 2021 update changed the rules for texts and social media. If you’ve ever wondered what collectors can and can’t do—or how to protect yourself when they call—this episode is a must-listen. U...

Student loans don’t automatically block homeownership—but they do play a big role in your debt-to-income ratio. In this episode, JS Whaldo and John Mackey break down how VA, FHA, USDA, and Conventional loans treat student debt differently, especially if your loans are deferred or on an income-driven repayment plan. Learn why accurate documentation and asking the right questions of your loan office...

In this episode, John Mackey and JS Whaldo take a deep dive into the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and why understanding your credit rights matters more than ever. We review core principles we’ve covered in previous episodes and explore what’s coming next: Buy Now, Pay Later reporting, FICO 10T’s trended data, and how these changes could affect your credit scores. Whether you’re tackling debt,...