What financial goals do you have for 2026? Join Karen Freeman, Chief Operations Officer at Leaders Credit Union, as she shares advice on how you can make wiser money decisions this year. Tune into our newest episode of Pocket Change to learn how you can become more observant of your spending, what common financial challenges people are facing, and practical ways to establish credit.

01:19 – Can you tell us about yourself and what you do here at Leaders?

02:44 – What has your journey in banking looked like?

04:06 – Do you have any smart money advice for 2026?

05:26 – What are your personal financial goals for 2026?

06:40 – What financial challenges are our members facing this year and how would you encourage them?

07:43 – What are some practical tips for someone wanting to build or establish credit in 2026?

09:10 – What financial advice would you give college students and young adults?

11:11 – What makes a credit union different from a bank?

12:19 – What are you most excited about for Leaders in 2026?

13:09 – What is the best financial advice you've ever been given?

13:54 – If you found some extra change in your pocket, what would you spend it on?

If you need help achieving your financial goals, get help from one of our Financial Champions by calling 731-664-1784 or visit one of our branches.

The Pocket Change Podcast is presented by Leaders Credit Union. To learn more about Leaders, visit leaderscu.com.

What keeps you coming back to the same career for 35 years? President & CEO of Leaders Credit Union, Todd Swims, joins us on the Pocket Change Podcast to reflect on his time at Leaders, the differences between credit unions and banks, and what he's looking forward to in 2026.

01:01 – What has 35 years at Leaders been like and what keeps you coming back every day?

02:10 – What would you say to someone who is hesitant to choose a credit union?

03:28 – Do you have any special stories from 35 years with Leaders?

05:36 – What would you like to say concerning our technology upgrade this year?

06:41 – What would you like to say to our members about what's next for Leaders?

07:56 – Can you tell us about the growth at Leaders over the last 35 years?

09:49 – Why is it important to give back to the community?

11:22 – What are you most looking forward to in 2026?

13:26 – What is some of the best financial advice you've ever been given?

14:40 – If you found some extra change in your pocket, what would you spend it on?

The Pocket Change Podcast is presented by Leaders Credit Union. To learn more about Leaders, visit leaderscu.com.

#Podcast #Money #Finance #Banking #2025

What does it mean to give? For Russell and Melinda Kyzar, it meant decades of crossing borders, learning new languages, and embracing unfamiliar cultures to serve communities around the world. Today, their mission continues in Jackson, Tennessee, where they volunteer as ESL instructors – helping newcomers find their voice and their place in our community. In this episode of the Pocket Change Podcast, they share the profound lessons they've learned about faith, family, finances, and the transformative power of giving.

01:05 – What led you to missionary work?

02:32 – Where have you lived, and what were the highlights of those different countries?

04:46 – What was it like to learn so many different languages?

05:44 – What was it like to raise a family in so many different countries?

08:10 – How did you manage your finances amid so many international moves?

11:30 – What did community look like for you in these different countries?

13:27 – What does teaching English as a Second Language look like?

16:28 – How does teaching English impact our community?

19:05 - Out of all the countries you lived in, which had your favorite food?

20:06 – What do you feel giving is important?

21:41 – What advice would you give someone new to giving?

24:44 – What is the best financial advice you've ever been given?

26:26 – If you found some extra change in your pocket, what would you spend it on?

The Pocket Change Podcast is presented by Leaders Credit Union. To learn more about Leaders, visit leaderscu.com.

#Podcast #Money #LanguageLearning #Culture #GivingTuesday