MyFSB Book Club: Audacious by Mark Schaefer
Be honest. When was the last time a piece of marketing actually stopped you in your tracks? If you can't remember, that's exactly the problem Mark Schaefer tackles in Audacious, and it's exactly why we picked it for our June Book Club. In this episode, we dig into why playing it safe is the riskiest move a brand can make, how the flood of AI-generated content is making "fine" completely forgettable, and what it really takes to create marketing people talk about. We share the ideas that hit home for us, the parts that made us squirm a little, and how we're thinking about being bolder with our own brand right here in Southern Illinois. Whether you're a business owner, a marketer, or just someone who loves a good book with big ideas, this conversation will challenge you to stop blending in. Grab a copy, hit play, and read along with us.
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Decode Your Pay Stub
Your pay stub is basically speaking a foreign language, and you've been nodding along for years. FIT, FICA, GTL, HSA, it all sounds like alphabet soup until someone actually explains it. In this episode, we crack the code, line by line, and let you in on a few sneaky money moves hiding in plain sight on that piece of paper you've never actually read. Come for the decoding, stay for the "wait, I can do that?" moments.
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4 Signs You Have a Healthy Relationship with Money
Here is something nobody tells you: you can have a great income and still have a terrible relationship with money. And you can have very little and still be doing everything right. This week Jill and Ashley are talking about what a healthy financial relationship actually looks like, the signs you are there, the signs you are not, and the small steps you can take today to start getting there. This episode is for anyone who has ever felt shame, stress, or straight-up dread around their finances. So basically, all of us. Tune in!
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Federal Student Loans Just Changed. Here's What You Need to Know Before July 1st.
If you have a student loan, are paying one back, took one out for your kid, or are about to head to grad school, this episode is not one to skip. Jill and Ashley break down the biggest student loan overhaul in decades, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, in plain English. No jargon, no lecture, just two people who dug into the research so you don't have to. There are real deadlines coming up fast, and missing them could cost you. Press play before July 1st.
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Everything Nobody Told You About Buying a Home for the First Time
Buying your first home is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. In this blog, Mortgage Loan Originator Taylor Shanks breaks down everything first-time buyers need to know before starting the mortgage process, from credit scores and down payments to closing costs, property taxes, insurance, and pre-approvals. Whether you're just beginning to think about homeownership or actively shopping for a house, this guide will help you avoid common mistakes and feel more confident every step of the way.
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