Pocket Change Podcast

Why are the arts important for the West Tennessee community? Join Sherry Freeman, Executive Director of The Jackson Symphony, as she shares the impact The Symphony has made throughout West Tennessee, the way it has grown, and how the arts bring people together. Sherry also shares about the upcoming 2026-2027 season!   01:10 – Can you share how you got involved with The Jackson Symphony? 03:03 – Ha...

Why is building relationships essential for trust with banking? Hear from Financial Champion Graci Miller as she shares tips about the car-buying process, explains getting pre-approved for an auto loan, and what you should do if you're trying to build your credit.   Highlights: 01:09 – Can you tell us about yourself and how you got to Leaders? 01:40 – What does a day in the life of helping members...

What do good leadership and good chicken have in common? In this episode, Chick-fil-A owner/operator and Army veteran, Allen Arant, shares what he has learned about leadership, teamwork, and perseverance through years of serving and leading others. Plus, he's got a Chick-fil-A menu hack or two to share!   Find Allen's Chick-fil-A restaurants at Bartlett – The Shoppes at Bartlett | Chick-fil-A and...

How can ordinary people make an extraordinary impact for the underdogs in their community? In our newest episode, football coach and Memphis native Bill Courtney shares his journey from underdog to mentor, serving students as a coach and inspiring others— leading to the Oscar-winning documentary Undefeated .    Bill is the host of An Army of Normal Folks podcast, where he interviews everyday peopl...

Why is having honest money conversations so important for newlyweds? In this episode, Jackson and Amy Glas reflect on their first year of marriage, share real-life stories, and offer practical tips for saving money, building trust, and keeping your relationship with each other and your money transparent.   01:26 – Tell us about your story. How did you two meet? 03:28 – In many relationships, someo...

Do you own a business and are looking for someone to champion you along the way? Hear from our Business Champion, Tanner Spencer, as he shares how Leaders Business Services supports businesses of all sizes — from side-gigs to local businesses. Listen to the full episode to discover how Business Services could help you, how to get connected, and what characteristics build a great team.   Highlights...

Discover Memphis' most beautiful secret on the Pocket Change Podcast as the Dixon Gallery & Gardens celebrates their 50th anniversary! Join us on our latest episode to hear from Dale Skaggs, Director of Horticulture at Dixon Gallery and Gardens, as he shares his love for plants and the history behind the Dixon.   00:58 – Tell us about yourself and how you got to the Dixon. 02:31 – Can you share th...

Did you know that without Rockabilly, there would be no Beatles? Discover the roots of Rockabilly and its impact on West Tennessee culture on this episode of the Pocket Change Podcast with Beth Bolton from Visit Jackson and Dr. Jeremy Tubbs, Music Professor from the University of Memphis Lambuth. Listen to the full episode to learn Jackson's connection to rockabilly through Carl Perkins, how you c...

Did you know that having strong relationships is essential for your financial journey? Hear from Bruce Greenway, Financial Champion at Leaders Credit Union, as he shares how his background as a teacher prepared him to be an advocate for the members he serves to empower their passions and build relationships with them. Listen to the full podcast to hear his advice on which financial products and to...

How does cultivating an environment for creativity inspire local businesses and the community? In this episode, entrepreneur and creative Stephanie Riley shares how her years of experience led her to found B3 Creative Agency. Stephanie discusses the diverse clients her agency serves, her approach to building a strong company culture, her involvement in the vibrant music scene of West Tennessee, an...

Are there ways to use debt to help your financial well-being? Find out by hearing from Keagan van Wijk, Director of Consumer Lending at Leaders Credit Union. Wijk shares different ways you can use debt to your advantage, not your detriment, through HELOCs, cash-out financing, and balance transfers on credit cards. Also, tune in to hear Keagan's journey to the United States from England and South A...

Why is technical education essential for people entering the workforce? In this episode, you'll meet Dr. JacQuene Rainey, President of TCAT Jackson. She draws on her background in manufacturing to advocate for students and share how her experience led her to TCAT. You'll learn about TCAT's programs, ways for high school students to get connected, and opportunities available to students.   Highligh...

What financial goals do you have for 2026? Join Karen Freeman, Chief Operations Officer at Leaders Credit Union, as she shares advice on how you can make wiser money decisions this year. Tune into our newest episode of Pocket Change to learn how you can become more observant of your spending, what common financial challenges people are facing, and practical ways to establish credit.   01:19 – Can...

What keeps you coming back to the same career for 35 years? President & CEO of Leaders Credit Union, Todd Swims, joins us on the Pocket Change Podcast to reflect on his time at Leaders, the differences between credit unions and banks, and what he's looking forward to in 2026.    01:01 – What has 35 years at Leaders been like and what keeps you coming back every day? 02:10 – What would you say to s...

What does it mean to give? For Russell and Melinda Kyzar, it meant decades of crossing borders, learning new languages, and embracing unfamiliar cultures to serve communities around the world. Today, their mission continues in Jackson, Tennessee, where they volunteer as ESL instructors – helping newcomers find their voice and their place in our community. In this episode of the Pocket Change Podca...

How do you support your spouse through different seasons of life? In this episode of the Pocket Change Podcast, Financial Champion Caroline Brown sits down with Shea and Carrie to share what she and her husband have learned through navigating multiple career shifts and cross-country moves over 11 years of marriage.   01:22 – How did you and your husband meet and what were the early years of marria...

How do you see conflict in your workplace or personal life? While nobody enjoys conflict, it's a constant issue throughout our lives. Merry Brown, author of  How to Be Unprofessional at Work and host of the podcast, Conflict Managed , shares how you can use conflict to your advantage by knowing how to handle it well. Tune in to the Pocket Change Podcast to learn how to begin looking at conflict in...

How can working three jobs in college teach you about finance? Financial Champion Aleah Sidwell shares how balancing multiple jobs during school—and later working as a college admissions counselor—taught her the value of financial education. Listen to our full podcast episode to hear her story and the practical steps behind building financial responsibility through hard work and determination.   0...

How do community partnerships make an impact in public schools and the overall community? Find out by listening to our newest episode with Jason Sykes, leader at Bartlett City Schools. Sykes shares about his journey into advocating for education, his love for the Bartlett community, and his favorite restaurants spots.   01:15 – Can you tell us about yourself and your role with Bartlett City School...

We understand the homebuying journey can be overwhelming. If you have questions about the mortgage process, this is the episode for you! Join Leaders Mortgage Champion Kelly Jaunet Jones as she shares her passion for educating people before they make a decision to buy a home and building relationships with the homebuyers she helps. "When people feel educated, they feel empowered," said Jones.   00...

Have you heard the buzz about Dancing with the Stars in Jackson?   Tune in to the latest episode of the Pocket Change Podcast featuring Keisha Norwood, Director of Events & Engagement at the STAR Center, and Kyle Barron, a returning dancer. Get an inside look at this exciting community event and learn how it supports the incredible mission of the STAR Center!    00:58 – Keisha, how did your profes...

Feeling overwhelmed by your finances—from sticking to a budget to boosting your credit?  You don't have to tackle it alone. Tune in to the Pocket Change Podcast to hear advice and practical strategies from Kevin Morgan, AVP of Branch Operations at the North Highland Branch of Leaders Credit Union?   01:03 – Can you share how you came to Leaders? 03:04 – What is your role at Leaders? 03:15 – How di...

From chasing severe storms to a close encounter with an alligator, WBBJ News Director Stan Sanders has seen it all. In the newest episode of the Pocket Change Podcast, Sanders shares captivating stories from his years in journalism—revealing how he navigates both breaking news and heartwarming community stories, what keeps him passionate about the industry, and why he believes education is vital t...

Struggling to manage your money? You're not alone — and help is here. Financial Champion Riley Deakins shares practical tips to take control of your finances, from boosting your credit score to cutting unnecessary expenses. Whether you're just getting started or looking to sharpen your money skills, this episode has something for you. Tune in to the Pocket Change Podcast and build a stronger finan...

Dreaming of homeownership but unsure where to start? It may be more achievable than you think. Discover how the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) can help make your dream home affordable through down payment assistance, closing cost support, and expert financial counseling. Join us as Ralph Perrey, THDA's Executive Director, explains how his agency is helping first-time buyers turn their...