Ep. 307 - Fixing Farm Finance, with Damian Mason
Farming Without the Bank Podcast
Release Date: 06/20/2025
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
$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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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....
info_outline
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_outlineMany farmers take pride in being debt-free, but is that pride holding them back?
In this episode, Mary Jo Irmen joins Damien Mason on the Business of Agriculture podcast to challenge the status quo of farm finance.
They tackle the misconceptions around debt, why Infinite Banking isn’t just about operating expenses, and how to use whole life insurance as a financial tool to build liquidity, flexibility, and generational wealth.
Mary Jo shares real examples, powerful insights, and blunt truths about what’s broken in today’s ag financial mindset—and how to fix it using the Infinite Banking Concept (IBC).
Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been farming for decades, this conversation will shift how you think about money, succession planning, and the real cost of being “debt-free.”
🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS
Cash isn’t king—cash flow is
Debt isn’t the enemy when it creates opportunity
Farms fail financially because of poor planning, not poor production
Whole life insurance is the key to uninterrupted compound interest
Generational wealth starts with being intentional, not just working hard
⏱️ EPISODE TIMECODES
(00:00) – Why being “debt-free” might be hurting farmers
(00:28) – Intro to Mary Jo Irmen and how she discovered IBC
(02:04) – What the Infinite Banking Concept actually is
(04:09) – How IBC helps farmers become their own banker
(06:04) – Why Mary Jo won’t meet with you unless you read the book
(08:47) – Real talk: a million-dollar loan and what happens next
(10:46) – When to borrow from a policy vs. from a bank
(12:00) – How whole life policies preserve liquidity and control
(13:48) – Why most policies are sold wrong (and what to avoid)
(15:00) – The truth about “cheap” policies and long-term success
(16:22) – Using IBC for more than just operating expenses
(19:07) – Misguided fear of debt and the myth of the humble, broke farmer
(23:08) – The biggest financial mistake farmers make today
(25:27) – Why life insurance is critical for estate transfer
(29:01) – How to use life insurance in a contract for deed
(30:35) – Discounted dollars explained: 18¢ for every $1 passed down
(33:02) – Where to connect with Mary Jo and learn more
📚 RESOURCES & LINKS
📘 Grab your copy of Farming Without the Bank:
👉 https://www.farmingwithoutthebank.com/book
📅 Ready to talk? Book a meeting after reading the book:
👉 https://www.farmingwithoutthebank.com/contact
🎧 Listen to more episodes of the Farming Without the Bank podcast:
👉 Available on all major platforms
📨 Questions? Email Mary Jo:
📬 maryjo@withoutthebank.com
👍 Follow Mary Jo on Facebook:
🔗 https://www.facebook.com/FarmingWithoutTheBank
🎥 YouTube Channel (Mary Jo Irmen):
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/@MaryJoIrmen
🔥 KEEP LEARNING
Explore past episodes and see how real farmers are using IBC to grow their operations, protect their legacy, and make smarter money decisions.