The Truth About Policy Loans, Dividends, & Inflation (Ep. 328)
Farming Without the Bank Podcast
Most people think policy loans mean “borrowing your own money.” That’s completely wrong, and it’s costing them big. In this episode, Mary Jo breaks down exactly how policy loans work inside Infinite Banking and why understanding the difference can change how you build wealth. 👉 Follow Mary Jo Here: 👉 Get the book: In this deep dive, Mary Jo explains why you’re borrowing the life insurance company’s money, not your own, when using policy loans, and how that lets your cash value keep earning uninterrupted compound interest and dividends. She also addresses common...
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Kyle Busch Lost $8.5M... But It's Not What You Think (Ep. 327)
Farming Without the Bank Podcast
Kyle Busch just sued Pacific Life Insurance for $8.58 million, claiming he was misled by an Indexed Universal Life (IUL) policy. But what if this high-profile case proves everything Infinite Banking practitioners have warned about for years? 👉 Follow Mary Jo Here: 👉 Get the book: In this episode of Without the Bank, Mary Jo breaks down the Kyle Busch life insurance lawsuit, exposing how IULs are often mis-sold and why dividend-paying whole life insurance is still the gold standard for Infinite Banking. She dives into: ◦ Why IULs, VULs, and ULs collapse faster than you...
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Bitcoin vs. Infinite Banking: Why I Still Choose Gold & Silver (Ep. 326)
Farming Without the Bank Podcast
Bitcoin fans say it’s the future. I say: show me how it actually solves real-world money problems. In this episode, I walk through the biggest unanswered questions I still have about Bitcoin: volatility, inheritance keys, “who’s in charge,” government visibility, and why I still prefer AND assets like dividend-paying whole life over OR assets like BTC. 👉 Follow Mary Jo Here: 👉 Get the book: Prompted by a listener (thanks, Todd!), I listened to a Bitcoin proponent debate and wrote down the sticking points I can’t get past. If Bitcoin is limited, why do...
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The Truth About Infinite Banking: What Haters Get Wrong (Ep. 325)
Farming Without the Bank Podcast
Why do so many people say, "Whole life insurance never works"? Let's unpack that. In this episode, Mary Jo takes on online critics who claim infinite banking doesn't work and reveals why most people making these comments haven't even done their homework. 👉 Follow Mary Jo Here: 👉 Get the book: Mary Jo shares personal stories, lessons from Nelson Nash, and her own journey from being labeled "learning disabled" to becoming a teacher who helps thousands understand money in a different way. If you've ever wondered whether the Infinite Banking Concept (IBC) really helps people...
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$100K in Cattle at 20: The Move Dave Ramsey Hated (Ep. 324)
Farming Without the Bank Podcast
When Dave Ramsey told a 20-year-old rancher he made a “huge mistake” buying $100,000 in cattle, we had some thoughts. Spoiler: Dave doesn’t understand agriculture, leverage, or infinite banking. 👉 Follow Mary Jo Here: 👉 Get the book: In this fiery episode #324 of Farming Without the Bank, Mary Jo Irmen and John dive deep into a recent Dave Ramsey clip that went viral — a 20-year-old caller buys $100K in cattle, and Dave loses it. Mary Jo and John break down why the young man’s decision wasn’t reckless at all; it was smart business. They explain how proper use...
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Banks Are Quietly Changing the Rules — Are You Ready? (Ep. 323)
Farming Without the Bank Podcast
Banks are already tightening up on ag lending, and that’s your red alarm. This creates instability as banks pull out of lending due to perceived high risk. Farming Without the Bank – Book & resources: Understanding sound farm management and agricultural finance is now more important than ever to mitigate risk management. Let's navigate the ag lending landscape together. Mary Jo breaks down when (and if) you should use the minimum premium option on policies with Paid-Up Additions (PUA) and why, in most cases, paying the full premium and then borrowing against cash value is the...
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Ep. 322 - Why Liquidity Beats Paying Off Debt
Farming Without the Bank Podcast
Cattle checks look big with the current cattle prices, so why are so many farmers and ranchers still getting squeezed by the bank with farm loans? Because paying everything off kills your liquidity and hands control back to the lender. Let’s fix that. 👉 Follow Mary Jo Here: 👉 Get the book: Here's a look into the complexities of farm finance and why banks often limit farmers to three years of operating debt. Understanding debt management is critical for farmers navigating the current agricultural finance landscape. This video offers insights for farmers seeking to...
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Ep. 321 - Why You Need More Than One Policy
Farming Without the Bank Podcast
💡 Why would anyone need more than one life insurance policy? Having multiple life insurance policies can provide more premiums, earning compound interest and dividends, which in turn lead to greater death benefits. 👉 Follow Mary Jo Here: 👉 Get the book: This insurance strategy enhances financial security and builds generational wealth. Effective financial planning utilizes such strategies for long-term wealth building. In this episode of the Farming Without the Bank Podcast, Mary Jo dives into the real reasons behind starting multiple policies and why it’s not just a...
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Ep. 320 - Life Settlements
Farming Without the Bank Podcast
Are life settlements truly helping seniors, or are they simply enriching companies? In this episode of Farming Without the Bank, Mary Jo exposes the hidden dangers of selling your life insurance policy and why borrowing against your whole life policy is often the smarter move. 👉 Follow Mary Jo Here: 👉 Get the book: Many elderly policyholders are advised to cancel or sell their life insurance without realizing they can access cash through policy loans or riders. Life settlement companies profit, while families lose financial security. Don’t let that happen to your loved ones....
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Ep. 319 - Passion for the Underdog
Farming Without the Bank Podcast
Are you paying tens of thousands for “help” that just sends you back to the bank—without cash flow, without clarity, and without confidence? Mary Jo gets loud (for good reason) to protect the underdog in agriculture. 👉 Follow Mary Jo Here: 👉 Get the book: In this episode, Mary Jo calls out predatory consulting in ag, breaks down why cash flow beats fancy paperwork, and shows how real Infinite Banking is done—ethically, transparently, and with education. From breaking out your enterprises to negotiating with banks and choosing the right rooms for growth, this is a wake-up...
info_outlineToo many farmers are stuck in survival mode, juggling high input costs, debt, and unpredictable markets, without a real plan for control or long-term success.
In this episode, Mary Jo Irmen unpacks the Top 10 Concerns facing today’s farmers and ranchers, from inconsistent cash flow to retirement worries, and shows how five of them can be tackled with the Infinite Banking Concept (IBC). She also shares real stories from client meetings that highlight the importance of knowing your numbers, creating off-farm income, and understanding the financial tools you already have (but may not be using wisely).
This is a wake-up call for anyone still believing the farm will somehow “figure itself out.” If you're serious about taking control of your operation, this episode is a must-listen.
🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS
Most farmers don't have a cash flow problem; they have a utilization problem
IBC solves 5 of the top 10 farming concerns (including retirement and access to capital)
Why “knowing your numbers” isn’t optional, it’s the foundation of smart financial decisions
Custom work, partnerships, and strategic investing can ease cash flow pressure
Too many farmers are funding banks and Wall Street before their operations
⏱️ EPISODE TIMECODES
(00:00) – Intro + Play Share reminder
(00:44) – The top 10 concerns facing farmers in 2025
(01:27) – #1: Cash flow inconsistency and what to do about it
(02:46) – The “How can I?” mindset shift
(03:53) – Off-farm businesses, capital investing, and cash flow strategies
(04:55) – #2: High operating costs
(05:47) – #3: Debt load and the problem with how farmers buy equipment
(07:16) – #4: Land affordability + succession planning
(07:36) – #5: Access to capital without losing control
(07:58) – #6: Price volatility and market uncertainty
(08:06) – #7: Tax liabilities and the truth about year-end spending
(12:02) – #8: Misunderstanding insurance; PNC, crop, and life
(14:53) – #9: Lack of liquidity for emergencies
(15:16) – #10: Retirement is a concern, but no one is preparing for it
(17:19) – Real example: A client overfunding IRAs while borrowing at 7.5%
(18:13) – A real business example: How one farm family runs it like a Fortune 500 company
(21:03) – The problem with diluted shares in LLCs across generations
(23:00) – Why you don’t need to meet with both John and Mary Jo
(23:54) – Final thoughts: 5 problems solved by IBC, are you ready to do something different?
📚 RESOURCES & LINKS
📘 Get your copy of Farming Without the Bank:
👉 https://www.farmingwithoutthebank.com/book
📅 Read The Book? Book a meeting with Mary Jo or John:
👉 https://www.farmingwithoutthebank.com/contact
🎧 Listen to more episodes:
👉 Available on all major podcast platforms
💬 Got questions? Email Mary Jo:
📨 maryjo@withoutthebank.com
👍 Follow on Facebook:
🔗 https://www.facebook.com/FarmingWithoutTheBank
🔥 WANT TO KEEP LEARNING?
Explore past episodes and see how real farmers are transforming their operations with IBC. Whether you're running a small farm or a multi-LLC enterprise, there's a better way to manage money in your operations.