Building Financial Literacy for Vulnerable Communities - Episode 481
Release Date: 09/18/2025
Building Financial Literacy for Vulnerable Communities - Episode 481
Crushing Debt Podcast
What is the Big Beautiful Bill, and why is it such a pivotal moment for financially vulnerable communities? What are the biggest gaps you see between how legislation is written and how it actually plays out in people’s day-to-day lives? What are the five simple steps anyone can take today to protect themselves financially in light of this legislation? What role does mindset play in becoming financially literate, and how can we help people make that shift? In this week's episode, Shawn interviews Michelle Campbell, the author of Bluebird, a memoir that candidly explores themes of trauma,...
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No, You're Not Selling Grandma's House - Episode 480
Crushing Debt Podcast
With a reverse mortgage, can you retain title to your home? Are reverse mortgages insured or guaranteed? Do reverse mortgagaes have a maturity date? This week's guest on the Crushing Debt Podcast is Gary Guarino, Vice President with Senior Lending, focusing on the HECM (Home Equity Conversion Mortgage), better known as a reverse mortgage. Gary has been a VP of Senior Lending for the last 26 years and is a Home Equity Retirement Specialist. He is regarded as a leading expert on every aspect of the FHA-Insured HECM Credit Line as well as the proprietary Jumbo Reverse Credit Line. You can...
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From Taxes To Treasure - Episode 479
Crushing Debt Podcast
What is the difference between a Tax Certificate and a Tax Deed? What is the investment opportunty in Tax Certificates and Tax Deeds? How do you get started? On this week's episode of The Crushing Debt Podcast, Shawn & George talk to Brian Seidensticker, managing partner and founder of Last Best Partners as well as the founder and CEO of Tax Sale Resources. With a strong background in systems engineering and an advanced understanding of the tax sale industry, Brian has been instrumental in transforming the way investors access tax lien and tax deed information. His...
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From Allowance to Assets! - Episode 478
Crushing Debt Podcast
Do your kids have a paper route, or sell lemonade, or sell crafts they've made themselves? Did you? How can you help foster an entreprenurial mindset in your kids? How can your kids learn about the basics of business - planning, branding, marketing, sales, goals, operations, inventory, cash flow, profits & losses? On this week's episode of the Crushing Debt Podcast, Shawn & George talk to Kelly Gersonde, Co-Owner of Kids Market, designed to provide kids with the opportunity to develop real-world business skills by creating and selling their own products and services in a...
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Are You Too Nice With Money? - Episode 477
Crushing Debt Podcast
Would you give money to friends and family members? Would you loan money to them? Are you "too nice" with your money? What happens when you're out to dinner with a group of friends and the bill comes, but most of them were drinking and you were not? Or you had the steak and one of your friends had chicken. Or you ordered dessert with your dinner and no one else did? How do you split the bill, or do you? What about tipping? On this week's episode of the Crushing Debt Podcast, Shawn & George talk about whether you are too nice with your money and how you can set...
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Helping People Get Debt Free! - Episode 476
Crushing Debt Podcast
"Two bankruptcy attorneys go on a podcast to talk about debt!" Sounds like a set up to a bad joke. On this week's episode of the Crushing Debt Podcast, Shawn & George talk to bankruptcy attorney Barry Levine, a graduate of New England Law | Boston (formerly the New England School of Law). Mr. Levine has acted as outside counsel to a number of small businesses in a variety of endeavors along with individuals experiencing financial difficulties. He is experienced in corporate work, the drafting of legal agreements and real estate transactions. Over the course of his legal career, Mr. Levine...
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The Psychology of Debt - Episode 475
Crushing Debt Podcast
How do you talk to your kids about stress? How do you talk to your kids about debt? In today's episode of the Crushing Debt Podcast, Shawn & George talk to Iuri Melo, the co-founder of School Pulse, a company dedicated to helping students and parents tackle real challenges - financial, emotional and beyond. Building on last week's episode, we focus on: Stress prevention and proactive prevention Protective factors Positive and growth mindsets Stress growth and reduction Financial stress Iuri has been a licensed Therapist for over 20 years and is a published author of two books - Mind Over...
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Do Kids Have It Easier (Or Harder) Today Financially? - Episode 474
Crushing Debt Podcast
Are kids today financially soft? Or are they navigating a nightmare economy with style? In today's episode, in addition to yelling "Get Off My Lawn!" Shawn & George talk about who had it tougher - their generation, previous generations, or the younger generations. Boomers vs. Zoomers: Who Had It Tougher? Social Media Pressure and Lifestyle Creep Financial Education: Still Optional, Still a Problem Side Hustle Culture: Modern Solution or Masking a Broken System? Debt: Old Struggles, New Packaging Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends! Or, you...
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Happy Birthday George - Episode 473
Crushing Debt Podcast
Why did George become a financial coach? What is his "Why?" What lessons has George learned in his 48 years on Planet Earth? Revenge is sweet! Episode 351 was George interviewing Shawn about his birthday, what he's learned in his years, why he became an attorney and how he formed Yesner Law. Today's episode is Shawn's revenge on George's birthday (July 20, 1977). Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends! Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at or follow his Tiktok...
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Revenge Saving - Episode 472
Crushing Debt Podcast
What is Revenge Saving? What is Revenge Spending? Why is any of this important and how do you use it to your advantage? In this week's episode Shawn & George define Revenge Saving - basically a mindset to save regardless of your personal financial condition. Instead of spending without regard to your budget (Revense Spending), you save without regard to your budget. How do you know if you're Revenge Saving? Take Your Money Temperature Use Reverse Budgeting Create Separate Accounts for Different Savings Goals or Anticipated Expenses Adjust Your Savings Rate. If you want...
info_outlineWhat is the Big Beautiful Bill, and why is it such a pivotal moment for financially vulnerable communities?
What are the biggest gaps you see between how legislation is written and how it actually plays out in people’s day-to-day lives?
What are the five simple steps anyone can take today to protect themselves financially in light of this legislation?
What role does mindset play in becoming financially literate, and how can we help people make that shift?
In this week's episode, Shawn interviews Michelle Campbell, the author of Bluebird, a memoir that candidly explores themes of trauma, heartbreak, and the resilience found in life’s struggles. She is also the founder of a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals through financial literacy and fostering economic stability.
Michelle was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, and began her educational journey in South Dakota before relocating to Atlanta, Georgia, to continue her studies. During her academic pursuits, she launched a real estate investment firm, marking the beginning of her entrepreneurial path. Over the years, Michelle expanded her ventures into various industries, including horticulture, where she founded an interiorscape company, and logistics, where she established a commercial trucking business. Drawing on the insights and expertise gained across these diverse fields, she transitioned into a career in the financial services industry.
You can connect with Michelle at:
We missed George this week, but he'll be back next week!
Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends!
Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/crushingDebt
To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at [email protected] or follow his Tiktok channel - https://www.tiktok.com/@curbelofinancialcoach
To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at [email protected] or visit www.YesnerLaw.com.