Collective Conversations

The U.S. Department of Education has removed accounting from its list of professional degree programs, dramatically reducing the amount of federal student loan funding available to graduate accounting students. What does that mean for students, educators, employers, and the future of the profession? Along with Dr. Barry Bryan, accounting professor and CPA Exam Advisor for the University of Arkansa...

Just because you  can  automate your finances, should you? We're back to unpack the real pros and cons of autopay and AI powered money tools. From reducing mental load to subscription creep, we'll talk through the “Automate + Audit” rule to help you stay efficient  and  informed.

Now that we're in the thick of tax season, we're breaking down two powerful IRS tools that many taxpayers overlook: your IRS online account and the Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN). Learn how to monitor your tax information, safely authorize your accountant with Power of Attorney, and protect yourself from fraudulent filings. 

We're glad to welcome back Jackie Rogers to dive into the investment mistakes many of us make but rarely talk about. From staying stuck in cash to exiting the market too soon, we explore how to learn from these moments and use tools like rebalancing to stay aligned with your goals.

The 2025 Money Women Collective Conference brought together hundreds of women ready to learn, lead, and level up their financial confidence. Join us as we reflect on the highlights, favorite sessions, and aha moments—and get ready for what’s next! We’ll share details on our February networking event designed to keep building the relationships, ideas, and momentum sparked at the conference.

We first heard Laura speak at Money Women Collective and knew she needed to join us for a deeper conversation. She talks us through AACF’s impact, why upstream, systemic work is essential for improving outcomes for kids and communities, and simple, accessible ways individuals can engage with policy work.

The clock is ticking on 2025 tax opportunities, but there’s still time to make meaningful changes. Join us as we break down the strategies you should consider now and the planning habits that will make next year even easier.

HR 1 brings some of the most sweeping tax updates in years. We cover what’s changing, what’s permanent, what’s temporary, and how individuals and small businesses can prepare now for a smoother 2026 and beyond.

This week, we’re joined by Jody Dilday, Philanthropic Advisor with the Arkansas Community Foundation. As we approach the end of the year, we're discussing  year-end giving strategies like donor-advised funds, and QCDs, and how a community foundation can help keep your giving local and maximize your impact. 

Beloved client, Bianca Montoya, is back to share her personal money story and how financial coaching helped her step into her power and finally look at her finances head-on. We discuss how feelings of fear & shame can influence our money decisions but by striving for progress, not perfection, we can make small changes to our habits that add up to big changes.

We're joined by StillPoint Office Manager, Makayla Brazelton, who shares her insight handling sensitive client data, and the common scams and threats she's seen. Learn the common tactics we've seen scammers use to try to get access to your financial data, and our recommendations for how to keep your information safe! 

This week, we're diving into some of the latest AI tools making headlines to explore the tradeoff between convenience and privacy. Can AI really simplify domestic work and become your new personal assistant? Or are the tools not quite there yet to simplify your life?

In a follow-up to our first AI episode, we're continuing to explore the impact artificial intelligence is having on the workforce. As AI tools become more common, the rise of “workslop” and our need for real human connection remind us that accounting (and most work, really) is at its best when there’s a person on the other end.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the job market and entry-level positions may be among the first to go. In this episode, we're joined by Tiffany Benitez, head of Data Governance for Compass USA, Founder and President of Women In Tech NWA, and host of Women In Tech Trailblazers podcast to dig into what the future of work could look like as AI changes how businesses operate and hire. If entr...

Hiring your first employee is a big milestone—but it also comes with new responsibilities. In this episode, we invite in Katie Campbell, attorney at the Friday Firm, to help us explore what small business owners should know about employment law. We cover the basics of when most employment laws kick in (hint: often at 9+ employees), what compliance looks like as your business grows, and common pitf...

Let's get into the psychology of spending! Making a purchase feels good - and the marketers know that! Having awareness of the physical reaction you get from spending, including how different it can feel to use cash vs a card, helps you make intentional choices and gives you control in your spending, allowing money to be a tool to support your goals and vision and not the be-all-end-all of you...

In this episode, we're excited to highlight  Collective Catalyst , our women’s mastermind group designed to spark open, real conversations about money in a laid-back, supportive space. Featuring Catalyst member, Carla Spencer of Across the Creek Farms, we discuss the value of bringing together a group of women to explore their financial journeys and announce our intentions for 2026!

Getting started with investing can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, we're back with Jackie Rogers, wealth advisor and founder of Elevated Wealth to walk through the first steps of how to begin, from choosing between financial advisors, investing apps, or a do-it yourself approach. We’ll weigh the pros and cons of each option and share tips on how to stay on track w...

Jackie Rogers, wealth advisor and founder of Elevated Wealth, is back for part 2 in our investment to discuss one of the most important parts of investing: understanding risk. We’ll talk about how to assess risk in your own financial life, the different types of investments and what they mean for you, and the retirement account options available. Finally, we’ll explore how to match your investment...

We're joined by Jackie Rogers, wealth advisor and founder of Elevated Wealth break down what financial planning really means, how to set meaningful goals, and the importance of building a plan that works for your life. From budgeting and saving strategies to understanding how investing fits into the bigger picture, this conversation is about helping you connect the dots between everyday money...

Laura Ferner, partner with Crouch, Harwell, Fryar & Ferner, PLLC is back to dig into the economic impact of immigrants on Northwest Arkansas, as shared in the Global Talent report released in 2016 by New American Economy, Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation and EngageNWA (link below).  By starting new businesses that create local jobs, supporting the workforce of the region’s key industries, buyin...

Laura Ferner specializes in immigration and nationality law as a partner at Crouch, Harwell, Fryar & Ferner, PLLC and she joins us for a two-part series on immigration. In this episode, we unpack the key terms, processes, and pathways for coming to the United States. We explore the different ways people arrive, how individuals move through the immigration process and discuss the timeframes, co...

Jenna Fogleman Saifi is here to break down how a Like-Kind Exchange can help investors defer capital gains taxes when selling investment property. Together we'll cover the essentials, from what a 1031 exchange is and who qualifies, to what types of property are eligible and the strict timelines investors must meet. Listen in for a deep dive into a widely known but often misunderstood topic.

Strong boards build strong nonprofits. In this episode, Katie Eaves joins us to break down essential governance practices every nonprofit board should follow. Tune in for a practical look at what good governance really means.

Katie Eaves is back to unravel the basics of a nonprofit. We'll break down the different legal entities a nonprofit might structure as, plus what it means to have tax-exempt status. We'll also dive into the role of a board and what makes a strong board member. Jump in as we cover everything you need to know before taking a seat at the board table.