Ep. 311 - Farm Progress: Nebraska Farmer Got it WRONG
Farming Without the Bank Podcast
Release Date: 07/18/2025
Ep. 319 - Passion for the Underdog
Farming Without the Bank Podcast
In this passionate episode, Mary Jo delves into the ethical issues within the agricultural finance industry, sharing her frustrations with financial consultants who exploit struggling farmers by charging exorbitant fees. She contrasts her own approach, which prioritizes genuine aid and financial education over profit. Mary Jo discusses her deep-rooted drive to protect and empower vulnerable people in the agricultural industry, and her commitment to providing high-quality support to all clients regardless of their financial status. Audio Production by Podsworth Media -
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Ep. 318 - Get Out of Your County (and Your Own Way)
Farming Without the Bank Podcast
If you're still judging what works based on what your neighbor did (or didn't do), this episode is for you. Mary Jo calls out the small-town mindset that keeps farmers stuck—from refusing to leave the county, to writing off ideas without understanding them. She dives into why it's dangerous to assume something "doesn't work" when you've never asked the right questions, never left your operation, and never learned what others across the country are doing differently. Whether it's grazing practices, estate planning, or Infinite Banking—it's time to stop sitting at the coffee shop and start...
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Ep. 317 - Goals and Mission Statements Are a Waste of Time
Farming Without the Bank Podcast
In this episode, Mary Jo shares her candid thoughts on the inefficiency of writing out goals and drafting mission statements, advocating instead for actionable steps and a positive mindset to achieve business success. Through a detailed client case study, she discusses leveraging resources and strategic thinking to maximize returns in farming and ranching. Mary Jo challenges conventional wisdom and encourages listeners to focus on solutions rather than getting bogged down by goals and mission statements. Audio Production by Podsworth Media -
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Ep. 316 - Reimagining Agricultural Finance
Farming Without the Bank Podcast
In this episode, Mary Jo explores the significant impacts of bank control on farming operations and presents the Infinite Banking Concept as a solution. By controlling their own finances, farmers could make strategic decisions without bank-imposed selling deadlines, increasing profits and reducing stress. The discussion also touches upon the broader implications of financial control, such as influencing market prices, promoting generational wealth, and even addressing serious issues like farmer suicide. Audio Production by Podsworth Media -
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Ep. 315 - The True Value of Money
Farming Without the Bank Podcast
In this episode, Mary Jo and John continue their study through Nelson Nash's Becoming Your Own Banker book. They address common misconceptions about money, interest, and banking systems, emphasizing the importance of viewing money as valuable and leveraging whole life insurance to become your own banker. The discussion includes the biblical basis for earning interest, the mechanics of banking, and the critical aspects of creating a personal banking system. Audio Production by Podsworth Media -
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Ep. 314 - What Impacts Your Operation the Most, with Tracy Brunet
Farming Without the Bank Podcast
Are you a farmer worried about losing your family farm to banks, bad estate planning, or expensive buyouts? Mary Jo Irmen joins Tracy Brunet on the Impact Farming Show to reveal how Infinite Banking for farmers can protect your farm, simplify farm succession planning, and keep your operation in the family for generations. In addition to providing an overview of the Infinite Banking Concept, they discuss specifically how it is instrumental in making transition planning work, how it helps in "fair and equal" situations with off-farm children, and how it factors into old-age care for the farm...
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Ep. 313 - Avoiding the Bank Doesn't Mean Debt-Free or Using Cash
Farming Without the Bank Podcast
Too many farmers assume “Farming Without the Bank” means living cash-only and staying debt-free. In this episode, Mary Jo Irmen sets the record straight. She breaks down why using cash only could be costing you thousands in lost opportunity, why paying interest isn’t the enemy, and how uninterrupted compound interest is the secret sauce behind the Infinite Banking Concept (IBC). Whether you’ve read the book or you’re hearing this for the first time, this episode will completely shift how you think about using cash, debt, and life insurance in your farming operation. 🔑 KEY...
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Ep. 312 - Seed or Harvest?
Farming Without the Bank Podcast
🌱 Seed vs. Harvest: What Are You REALLY Paying Taxes On? Most farmers and business owners are unknowingly planning for a tax-heavy retirement, and it’s costing them big time. In this episode, Mary Jo Irmen uses a simple corn jar visual to unpack the powerful financial truth behind “seed vs. harvest” taxation. She explains why paying taxes today (on the seed) is often smarter than paying them later (on the harvest), and how whole life insurance and the Infinite Banking Concept (IBC) let you grow wealth without giving Uncle Sam a bigger cut later. If you’re putting money into IRAs,...
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Ep. 311 - Farm Progress: Nebraska Farmer Got it WRONG
Farming Without the Bank Podcast
📣 Farm Progress Got It WRONG About Infinite Banking In this no-holds-barred episode, Mary Jo Irmen breaks down a misinformed article published by Nebraska Farmer on the Infinite Banking Concept (IBC). She exposes the inaccuracies line by line, from calling IBC an “investment” to lumping it in with universal life insurance. Mary Jo calls out the authors' lack of research, clarifies key IBC principles, and explains why misleading articles like this one harm farm families looking for genuine financial solutions. If you're tired of financial "experts" getting it wrong and want the truth...
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Ep. 310 - Arrival Syndrome at its Finest
Farming Without the Bank Podcast
🎙️ EP. 310 – Arrival Syndrome at Its Finest Why is it so hard to get others to understand Infinite Banking, even when you’ve done the work and read the book? In this episode, Mary Jo Irmen breaks down one of the biggest barriers to spreading the truth about IBC: arrival syndrome—the belief that someone "already knows" and doesn’t need to learn more. From dismissive family members to skeptics crying “scam,” Mary Jo addresses the frustrating (and sometimes ridiculous) excuses people give when they refuse to do their due diligence. If you’ve ever felt like you’re banging your...
info_outline📣 Farm Progress Got It WRONG About Infinite Banking
In this no-holds-barred episode, Mary Jo Irmen breaks down a misinformed article published by Nebraska Farmer on the Infinite Banking Concept (IBC). She exposes the inaccuracies line by line, from calling IBC an “investment” to lumping it in with universal life insurance.
Mary Jo calls out the authors' lack of research, clarifies key IBC principles, and explains why misleading articles like this one harm farm families looking for genuine financial solutions. If you're tired of financial "experts" getting it wrong and want the truth about how Infinite Banking can help farmers build generational wealth, this episode is a must-listen.
🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS
The real definition of Infinite Banking (hint: it’s not an investment)
Why universal, variable, and indexed life insurance have no place in IBC
How misinformation spreads when financial “experts” skip the book
The truth about cash value, death benefit, and tax implications
Why the “rate of return vs. loan interest” argument misses the point
The #1 risk that no one is talking about (and it’s not what you think)
Why Mary Jo insists you read the book before talking to her
⏱️ EPISODE TIMECODES
(00:00) – The problem with IBC misinformation in mainstream ag media
(01:27) – The article that sparked this episode: Who wrote it and what they got wrong
(03:06) – Misinformation starts early: Calling IBC “universal life”
(06:10) – Is cash value an investment? No—and here’s why
(08:18) – What cash value really is (in plain English)
(09:52) – “This rarely works”? Mary Jo responds with real client examples
(11:02) – Yes, you must pay premiums, just like every other type of insurance
(14:26) – Do early premiums go mostly to the death benefit? Not if you do it right
(16:30) – Fearmongering about MECs and taxes
(18:59) – The truth about interest: It’s not free money
(22:12) – Long-term thinking and uninterrupted compound interest
(23:02) – Why you must vet both the company and your agent
(28:00) – What the article didn’t say (and why it matters)
(30:46) – How industry gatekeeping blocks real financial solutions
(33:28) – Mary Jo’s call to action: Don’t let misinformation win
(35:36) – Final thoughts and how to take the next step
📚 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
📬 Got questions? Email Mary Jo
📨 [email protected]
👍 Follow on Facebook for more myth-busting content
🔗 https://www.facebook.com/FarmingWithoutTheBank
🎧 Listen to past episodes of the Farming Without the Bank Podcast
👉 Available on Apple, Spotify, and all major platforms
🔥 WANT THE TRUTH ABOUT IBC?
Start by reading the book. Then come back and re-listen. You’ll hear everything differently. This is your path to control, liquidity, and generational wealth—on your terms.