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Ep. 312 - Seed or Harvest?

Farming Without the Bank Podcast

Release Date: 07/25/2025

The Truth About Policy Loans, Dividends, & Inflation (Ep. 328) show art 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) show art 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) show art 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) show art 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) show art $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) show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 show art 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...

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More Episodes

🌱 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, 401(k)s, or even Roths without understanding the harvest tax implications, this episode is a must-listen.


🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS

Why "tax deferral" often leads to bigger tax bills in retirement

The danger of maxing out your 401(k) or IRA without a tax exit strategy

What the government doesn’t want you to know about Roth IRAs

How whole life insurance gives you tax control both now and later

Why borrowing from your policy is income tax-free, and how to do it right

What wealthy people do differently when planning for retirement

How Infinite Banking changes your mindset about taxes, income, and control


⏱️ EPISODE TIMECODES

(00:00) – Are you paying tax on the seed or the harvest?

(01:15) – Why life insurance premiums shouldn’t be deducted

(02:30) – Capital gains and the step-up in basis strategy

(03:35) – IRAs, 401(k)s, and tax-deferred regrets

(04:30) – Roth IRAs: The government’s least favorite tool

(06:00) – The farm analogy for retirement accounts

(06:48) – Why whole life insurance creates tax-free retirement cash flow

(08:00) – Taxes in retirement: The hidden trap

(09:50) – Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) and government control

(11:03) – Using whole life insurance for smarter cash flow

(12:00) – How wealthy people avoid taxes (legally)

(13:06) – Why Infinite Banking is all about tax positioning

(14:00) – Accountants vs. Financial Advisors: Who’s planning long term?

(15:07) – Retirement income vs. forced distributions

(16:00) – FAQs: Premium deductions, access to cash value, and more

(18:00) – Why the case studies in the book actually matter

(19:45) – Company differences in access to policy cash

(20:00) – Wrap-up and where to get started


📚 RESOURCES & LINKS

📘 Grab your copy of Farming Without the Bank:
👉 https://www.farmingwithoutthebank.com/book/

📅 Already read the book? Book a meeting with Mary Jo:
👉 https://www.farmingwithoutthebank.com/contact

📧 Questions? Reach out:
📨 maryjo@withoutthebank.com

👍 Follow on Facebook:
🔗 https://www.facebook.com/FarmingWithoutTheBank

🎧 More episodes: Farming Without the Bank Podcast is available on all podcast platforms.


🔥 WANT TO KEEP LEARNING?
Binge past episodes to hear how real people are using IBC to take back control of their finances. Start with the case studies,  and never look at retirement planning the same way again.