Ep. 311 - Farm Progress: Nebraska Farmer Got it WRONG
Farming Without the Bank Podcast
Release Date: 07/18/2025
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...
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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_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
📨 maryjo@withoutthebank.com
👍 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.