Beyond the Pitch

In our final episode of 2025, Stef Luck and Michael Poucher sit down to talk honestly about what it takes to close the year well and set yourself up for a successful 2026. From deciding which conferences are worth the investment, to cleaning up your pipeline, to balancing performance with rest, this episode is part reflection, part reset with a dash of kickstart. If you’ve ever felt torn between p...

150–180 credit unions merge each year. Only about 4 start. If we do not plant new CUs, the “forest” thins and communities are left with payday lenders and predatory options. In our first guest episode, Shirley Senn (New Orleans Firemen’s FCU, “Shirley on the Street”) joins Stef Luck and Michael Poucher to unpack why de novo credit unions matter, what is blocking them, and how partnerships can keep...

In this episode, Stef Luck and Michael Poucher get real about a question every sales pro faces: is success about nailing the process… or building the human connection? Spoiler: it’s both. From discovery calls that actually feel like conversations to being ready when a “quick chat” turns into a seven-person demo, Stef and Michael unpack how to balance a clear sales framework with the kind of trust...

Episode Notes: Conferences can be a blur — long days, familiar faces, and a pile of business cards that never turn into real connections. But they don’t have to be. In this episode of Beyond the Pitch , hosts Stef Luck and Michael Poucher share how to make conferences count — from prep to follow-up — while also protecting your energy and showing up with the right mindset. You’ll learn how to stop...

Episode Notes: Sales in credit unions isn’t like sales anywhere else. You wear ten hats, balance long deal cycles, and build trust that often matters more than the perfect pitch. That’s why we started Beyond the Pitch . In this very first episode, hosts Stef Luck and Michael Poucher share what this podcast is all about, what makes sales in the credit union space so unique, and what you can expect...