In the second bonus episode of this ‘Good with Money’ season, Stew Denholm, Relationship Manager at Bank of Scotland, speaks in a personal capacity about banks, their role in our lives and the ethical principles that underpin best banking practice.

Some key points of interest covered in this episode include the following:

1. Stew introduces himself and talks about his Christian upbringing. [01:13]
2. Stew then goes on to describe how he became involved in the banking sector. [03:43]
3. In response to a question from Simon, Stew explains the nature of his role, working on financial projects with healthcare professionals. [06:19]
4. Simon’s follow-up question is about the requirement for a bank to make a profit, prompting Stew to explain how a strong ethical approach can be entirely consistent with that goal. [08:26]
5. Stew then provides some comments, in response to a question from Bex, outlining some steps to take in order to ensure that any loan undertaken is appropriate and manageable. [10:35]
6. When asked about the attitudes displayed by those requesting loans, Stew highlights the benefits of deliberately seeking out advice rather than assuming that current knowledge will be sufficient. [12:37]
7. As far as expressing his faith in the workplace is concerned, Stew emphasises the importance of consistently demonstrating integrity and honesty, especially when the awkward moments and difficult conversations come along. [14:29]
8. Stew acknowledges that there has been a stereotypical image of banks dealing very formally with customers, but his experience and practice is that banks now make it their top priority to be client focused and to deliver really high quality services. [16:09]
9. When given the opportunity to share some final thoughts, Stew talks passionately about stewardship and generosity being two key principles that are the hallmarks of how he aspires to use the money with which he has been entrusted by the Lord. [17:56]
10. The focus of Season 12 of the podcast will be on financial issues around ‘family matters’, with the first episode dropping on 28 January 2026. [21:09]

Suggestions or feedback arising from this episode can be sent via email to whereyourtreasureis@freerangepodcasting.co.uk while messages via Instagram should be directed to @whereyourtreasureispodcast.

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In the first bonus episode of this ‘Good with Money’ season, Caralyn Nolan, a former Insolvency Accountant, shares thoughts about the issues created by out of control debts and some ways of dealing with the difficult situations that they create.

Some key points of interest covered in this episode include the following:

• Caralyn introduces herself, speaks about how she became a Christian and explains how her involvement in the insolvency profession came about. [01:19]
• Next, Carolyn describes the nature of the role that she fulfilled and the importance of being thorough but also sensitive when carrying out required tasks. [04:19]
• When asked about the factors that can lead to people finding themselves in significant debt, Caralyn explains that these can be wide-ranging and that situations can spiral downwards very quickly if they are not addressed directly. [07:13]
• Caralyn talks about the impact on individuals and those around them of a formal debt-related process, highlighting that the consequences can often be particularly unexpected and distressing for family members and employees. [11:20]
• In response to a question from Simon, Caralyn explains the circumstances under which bankruptcy might be viewed as an expedient, or even an appropriate and helpful, course of action. [13:36]
• Caralyn emphasises the importance of honestly acknowledging debt problems when they arise and of communicating promptly and well when seeking assistance to deal with them. [15:43]
• Certainly, the earlier that formal debt support activities, from the likes of Christians Against Poverty (CAP), can be triggered the better. [17:51]
• When asked about approaches that can lead to faith and finance interacting well, Caralyn referred to 2 Peter 1.5-8: “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The development of such qualities, Caralyn suggests, will result in a greatly increased likelihood of managing our money well and responsibly. [18:23]
• Jesus' parable of the tower builder in Luke 14.28-30 is also helpfully pragmatic in the context of taking on risk, and business risk in particular. [19:41]
• When asked for her thoughts on living lives characterised by integrity, Caralyn suggests that intimacy with Jesus is a key element, mentioning John Mark Comer’s ‘Practicing the Way’ as a resource that she has found very helpful. [20:52]
• When drawing her comments to a close, and prompted by some reflections that had featured in Lectio365 that morning, Caralyn quoted from Isaiah 35.3-4: “Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, Be strong, do not fear; your God will come”. It is not easy to take advice, but having the courage to step up and be open about issues will go a long way to addressing any difficult situation in which we find ourselves. [22:40]
• For anyone concerned about debt problems, Christians against Poverty and Citizens Advice provide really helpful free advice. [24:02]
• A further bonus episode with a special guest will be published on 14 January 2026. [25:16]

Suggestions or feedback arising from this

In the final episode of this ‘Good with Money’ season, Simon and Bex discuss how we can ‘be good with money’ and ‘do good with money’ when dealing with various family-related financial topics.

Some key points of interest covered in this episode include the following:

• Bex and Simon explain that their aim in this episode is to provide an overview of family-related matters which can pose challenges for us as we endeavour to use our money wisely and responsibly in such contexts. Because so many such situations of this nature have been identified, this theme will form the basis of the next season (Season 12) of the podcast. [00:33]
• The first topic to be mentioned is the challenge for single people of working out individually how to develop relevant and appropriate money management habits. [01:52]
• Those who are on the point of getting married / committing themselves to a future with another person have particular points to consider, including how best to share and combine finances. [02:58]
• The importance of money for those who do get married is highlighted by the fact that statistics suggest that finances are a major factor in most marriages that break down. [03:58]
• Having children inevitably has many money-related consequences which, ideally, would be discussed in advance. [05:01]
• Being a positive role model for our children in the way that we view money and use it is another important challenge to take on. [05:53]
• Another major area of focus is likely to be the relationship that we have with our parents and how finances feature within that, not least because levels of dependency can change so significantly over time. [06:49]
• Caring for others within a family context can often have significant implications on the resources that we have, including our time and money. [09:26]
• In some contexts, intergenerational family planning can be very worthwhile but it needs to be handled carefully and appropriately. [12:56]
• While acknowledging that it can be a difficult topic to address, Simon highlights the benefits of making appropriate and detailed end of life arrangements to cover personal, practical and financial matters. [15:31]
• In response to a question from Bex, Simon talks about the financial elements that can arise in connection with divorce or separation. One option that aims to create a constructive environment for decision-making in such circumstances is the possibility of involving collaborative lawyers, who will endeavour to find outcomes that are acceptable to both parties. There are also collaborative financial planners who can support that type of process as well. [18:00]
• Simon and Bex warmly invite listeners to send in comments, thoughts and questions that will help to frame our next season, during which the topics touched upon in this episode will be discussed further. [22:05]
• A couple of bonus episodes will be published over the next few weeks, and then Season 12 will launch at the end of January. [22:41]

Suggestions or feedback arising from this episode can be sent via email to whereyourtreasureis@freerangepodcasting.co.uk while messages via Instagram should be directed to @whereyourtreasureispodcast.

Our Instagram page will also provide you with additional content and features.

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