Long Story $hort
From Money Management International, this podcast explores the deeply personal side of debt. Each episode features real people sharing their unique financial histories and journeys toward becoming debt-free. The goal is to strip away shame and guilt, replacing the typical money taboo with honest, inspiring conversations. It emphasizes that the road out of debt is individual and personal, yet shared in a way that makes listeners feel less alone.
Episodes
How to Spot Online Scams: 5 Tips from a BBB Executive Director
A staggering 73% of U.S. adults having fallen victim to some form of online fraud. In an age where scams are everywhere, being informed is your best protection. By understanding the types of scams and recognizing the red flags, you can safeguard yourself from falling victim to fraud. Mel Lanning, Executive Director at the Better Business Bureau Institute for Marketplace Trust, reveals that online
Financial Challenges for Veterans: The Role of Soldier On in Veteran Support
Financial challenges can affect anybody and our military men and women are no exception. Half of active duty military report that they're just getting by financially. And HUD data shows that on a single night there are over 32,000 veterans experiencing homelessness in the United States. Financial challenges affecting veterans. David Ramirez, a veteran and representative of Soldier On, joins us
Opportunity Knocks: Empowering Lives Through Financial Edutainment
In today's fast-paced world, many families struggle with financial stress and uncertainty. Jamie Strayer, CEO and creator of the inspiring PBS series Opportunity Knocks, highlights the everyday challenges faced by American families. As a single mother for 17 years, she witnessed her mother’s dedication to helping those in need through her work at a local employment office. This legacy of support i
From Aviation Queen to The Points Guy, Benét Wilson's Journey through Credit Cards and Debt
Many financial experts also have their own struggles with credit cards and debt. 40% of credit card holders have either maxed out or come close to maxing out cards in the past few years.Benét Wilson, an experienced journalist and personal finance writer for ThePointsGuy.com, came to MMI multiple times for help to get her debt under control and improve her credit.In this episode, Benét shares her o
The Enemy of Healthy Money Habits: Dealing with Financial Trauma and Shame
68% of US adults feel financial trauma. Money problems are a root cause of shame, and shame thrives in secrecy.To build a healthier relationship with money requires verbalizing money problems...talking through it with someone. Of course, there's still a problem between income and outgo, but the the emotional impact of money trauma can be reduced when we no longer feel alone in the situation.Ma
3 Steps to Beating Debt Stress: Moving from Despair to Hope
Imagine a life weighed down by $40,000 in debt. Christine Lee felt that crushing burden, living paycheck to paycheck. Being debt-free, for Christine, means an invaluable reduction in stress and a newfound sense of freedom. She highlights how even small purchases now feel liberating, without the constant weight of debt. This freedom extends to her children, who can now witness a less stressed, more
“I Was Relying on My Credit Cards”, but Now She’s in Control!
In a world where debt often feels like an insurmountable burden, Nettie’s story serves as a beacon of hope. Her husband had a bad accident and went on worker's comp, reducing their household income by 34%. Nettie turned to credit cards for groceries and paying bills, but couldn't pay down the balances.However, with the help of a debt management plan with MMI, she significantly reducing her
Free from Domestic Violence and Financial Abuse
Tracy was significantly impacted by legal fees incurred during a severe domestic violence situation, which led to high-interest personal loans due to poor credit. This experience highlighted the reality of financial abuse, a tactic used for power and control. She emphasizes that financial abuse can take many forms, including withholding money or using legal fees as a scare tactic, and that recogni
Budgeting Away Lifestyle Creep (For Good!)
Michelle Williams took on $56,000 in credit card debt from 10 different cards, but paid it off in 4 years with MMI's help!Michelle's debt situation became critical when she experienced a job change that resulted in a substantial pay cut. It caused her to look for outside help, which led her to Money Management International.MMI negotiated with her creditors to arrange lower monthly payment
Living Debt-Free Opens New Doors
Casey's inspiring journey began after complaining about financial struggles to her mother, who had a positive experience with MMI in the past. This led Casey to make a call to MMI, and ultimately paying off $28,000 in debt in four years. She highlights that while a debt management plan is a powerful tool, the process requires personal commitment, sacrifice, and a shift in mindset. She and her
Breaking the Poverty Mindset
Jade accumulated significant credit card debt over 20 years of her career as a licensed massage therapist. Initially, she was paying off old balances with new debt. This situation became particularly challenging during COVID, which impacted her self-employed income. The overwhelming nature of her debt, with statements showing it would take decades to repay, led her to accept it as an unavoidable a
The Superpower of Community in Financial Recovery
Darin, a military veteran, shares the psychological aspects of money and the importance of community support in achieving financial stability. He emphasizes the need for guidance and the positive impact of having someone advocate for you in the debt management process. Our conversation highlights the transformative power of community and the steps taken to achieve financial freedom.Key takeaways:A
Empowering Military Families: Financial Education and Debt Solutions with USAA Educational Foundation
How does debt impact military families differently—and what unique resources are available to help them achieve financial wellness? This episode of Long Story Short explores the mission of the USAA Educational Foundation, unpacking the financial challenges and opportunities that service members and their families face. Mandi Moynihan and Katie Casey Macias, both Certified Financial Planners® and p
AFSA Education Foundation's MoneySKILL: Free, Flexible Financial Education for Diverse Audiences
How do you prepare the next generation for financial success? Learn about the world of financial education with the MoneySKILL program, a dynamic initiative from the AFSA Education Foundation designed to empower consumers of all ages with vital money management skills.You'll hear about how this innovative, online, and free resource equips educators, parents, and learners to understand and navigate
FICO Scores Explained: Essential Information from Elaine Cozart
How does your credit score impact your financial journey? Discover the significance of FICO scores in the lending process and learn valuable tips for managing and potentially improving your credit profile. Elaine Cozart from FICO provides insights that are essential for anyone seeking to understand and leverage their credit score effectively.You'll hear practical advice on the key components of a
Paying Off $100,000 in Four Years: How MMI Helped Ian Achieve His Financial Goals
What does it take to eliminate a six-figure debt in just over four years? From substantial sacrifices to strategic financial planning, Ian reveals how he and his family conquered $100,000 of debt and achieved financial freedom through MMI's debt management plan.You'll hear about Ian's journey through financial adversity, including the loss of his job during the Great Recession, and how
Strategies for Overcoming Debt and Achieving Homeownership from a Housing Counselor
Struggling with debt and worried about housing options? Discover how taking the first step towards financial wellness can change your life, as housing counselor Naomi Peden shares her insights on homeownership.Naomi talks about the impact of unmanageable debt on individuals' lives, emphasizing the emotional toll it can take, and highlights the significant importance of making an initial move, like
From Job Loss to Debt Freedom: Ali shares his Money Management Insights
Ali successfully paid off $17,000 in debt in just five years through Money Management International's (MMI) debt management plan. Ali shared how a job loss led him to accumulate debt across nine credit cards, with the highest balance reaching $7,000. Referred to MMI by one of his credit card companies, Barclays, Ali found solace and clarity through MMI’s debt counseling services.
You will learn a
The Path to Debt-Free Living: Rachel’s Triumph Over $28,000 Debt
When the insurance company refused to pay, Rachel was stuck with $35,000 in unsecured debt.
Rachel's story is not just one of financial recovery but also of dealing with life's unpredictability.
A year after a significant car accident that left her with muscle skeletal issues, Rachel was sideswiped by another car. Thinking the driver's insurance would cover everything, Rachel put all
Pandemic House Woes to Debt-Free Triumph: Steve's $30k Payoff with MMI
In the midst of a pandemic, Steve jumped into homeownership. Then tried to fix it up, and furnish it, then the 30-year old HVAC unit went out.
Thinking it would take 20 years to get out of this new consumer debt, he contacted MMI - and it in just over 2 years!
Listen to Steve's story about:
(00:00) Buying a home during chaotic times and using credit for quick renovations.
(03:43) Becoming overw
Multipreneur Joni's $62K Debt Payoff Triumph
Joni had a six-figure income but was living off her credit cards. With over $62,000 in credit card debt, she was able to pay it off and build savings following MMI's debt management plan.
Listen to her story of avoiding bankruptcy the emotional impact she experienced from her financial freedom journey.
Key moments:
(00:00) Multipreneur Joni shares her Debt Payoff Triumph story
(06:29) She paid
Practical Tips to Pay Off $25K in Debt
What does paying off $25,000 in debt look like?
Jason from Redding, California, outlines his journey from financial strain to achieving significant financial milestones by paying off $25k in debt!
He and his wife initially accumulated debt due to living expenses and attempts to enjoy life, which led him to seek assistance via his union's website. There, he discovered MMI, and with guidance from a
From $32K Debt to Over 800 Credit Score: Jessica's Financial Journey
Jessica shares her inspiring journey of raising her credit score to over 800 and paying off $32,000 in debt!
Jessica recounts her initial struggle with debt and the shame associated with it. She found MMI after a friend suggested seeking help, and her first call with a debt counselor named Sandra was pivotal in setting a clear, manageable plan. The structured payment plan helped Jessica see an en
From Debt Nightmare to Financial Freedom: Nick's $24K Payoff Journey with MMI
Nick, an IT manager from Long Island, shares his experience of paying off over $24,000 in debt through Money Management International (MMI).
He highlights the importance of acknowledging the debt problem, cutting credit cards to control spending, and the relief that comes from having a clear end date for becoming debt-free.
Tara and Nick discuss the benefits of lowered interest rates, streamline
Join us for our next season of Long Story $hort!
Podcasts are great because we can have deep conversations with meaningful impact as we share stories that are common to so many of us.This show from us here at MMI is so important because it's critical that we reduce the stigma around debt.Debt is something that's so very common and so many of us deal with it and yet we don't talk about it, but we really should.And so on this show, that's what we
Season 3 Wrap up with MMI staff Amy, Tara, and Maura
Join us as we wrap up season three of the podcast with MMI staff Maura Attardi, the Director of Financial Wellness; Tara Alderete, the Director of Enterprise Learning; and Amy Lins, the Vice President of Customer Success. Adam and the team from MMI discuss the broad range of MMI clients, the services MMI offers, budgeting trends made popular by social media, and common scams with the financial ind
Everything you need to know about student loans
Today on the show, three professionals join Adam to discuss all things student loans. Amy Lins is a Financial Educator at MMI, Adam Minsky is a Student Loan Attorney, and Zina Kumok is a Personal Finance Writer that specializes in student loans. Our three guests discuss loan repayment and forgiveness, how to apply for repayment initiatives, and the mental impact that student loans can have on the
Being in debt while earning six-figures
Melissa John is an attorney from Salisbury, Massachusetts. In her twenties, she didn’t have a strong grasp on how to responsibly use credit cards. This, mixed with some medical costs and law school tuition left Melissa entering her thirties with $70,000 of debt. When she reached out to a financial advisor, he recommended MMI. Now, in just three years, Melissa has paid off the debt and says that sh
Why you should tackle your debt as soon as possible
When Sarah found herself in $70,000 of credit card debt, she reached out to Money Management International for assistance in paying it all off. She first got into debt when she was in college and didn’t have a strong understanding of how credit cards work. Now debt-free, Sarah is more intentional with her spending and advises people in similar situations to take action as soon as possible when pay
How Michael McKeaney navigated life & debt on a tight budget
Michael McKeaney is no stranger to debt, having gone into it multiple times in his life. However, during his second round of attempting to pay it off, Michael reached out to MMI in hopes of finding an easier way to reach his goal. With the help of MMI, Michael was able to pay off around $40,000 in just under five years and increase his credit score by 120 points. Now, Michael is able to regularly
Navigating debt with an unpredictable income
Kristin Pierre is a freelance singer and model, as well as executive assistant from Weehawken, New Jersey. As a freelancer, Kristin found her income to be unpredictable and she quickly found herself racking up credit card debt from shopping. When she reached her breaking point, Kristin reached out to MMI and was immediately comforted by a MMI counselor. Now, Kristin has paid off $20,000 in five ye
The importance of educating the next generation about debt
Sami Johnson is a realtor and hairstylist from Athens, Georgia. After starting a retail job in her early 20’s, Sami, a self-proclaimed “Shopaholic,” started accruing credit card debt from in-store credit cards. When she reached out to MMI, Sami had roughly 15 credit cards and $25,000 of debt. Now, five years later and with the help of MMI, Sami has paid off the debt and raised her credit score by
How MMI can help negotiate with your creditors
Everett Lacey is a Poet and Photographer living in Columbia, Maryland. After a series of unexpected costs, Everett found himself in $26,000 of debt. With all of this debt quickly piling up, he had no idea what to do to ensure he could still pay his bills. It was at this point that he reached out to MMI. With the help of MMI, Everett was able to pay off the $26,000 and raise his credit score substa
Living within your means to pay off that debt
Edidiong Obot is a graduate student living in Washington, D.C. During her undergrad, Edidiong first went into debt after buying a laptop with an Apple Credit Card. A few credit cards later, Edidiong found herself $30,000 in debt. After being recommended MMI, Edidiong connected with friendly and helpful counselors who helped her pay off that $30,000 in just over three years, while increasing her cr
Falling into debt when building a home
Gabriel Grant is a military veteran from Connecticut. After finding MMI online, Gabriel enrolled in a Debt Management Plan to help pay off the debt he incurred from building a home, all while going back to school and welcoming a child. Now, just three years later, Gabriel has paid off $25,000 and raised his credit score 50 points. Now, Gabriel can enjoy financial freedom in the comfort of his own
Financial freedom means not feeling ashamed anymore
When Katie Sanders first graduated from college, she unknowingly lacked the financial education needed to make wise credit card decisions. After going to the doctor and charging it to her credit card, Katie was only able to make the minimum payments causing the interest to pile up. After connecting with MMI, Katie was able to pay off $30,000 in just three years. Now, Katie enjoys giving her daught
Working with MMI to avoid filing for bankruptcy
Ryan Revell is a mom of three, who after getting married, quickly spiralled into credit card debt. When her and her husband sat down and calculated just how much debt they had, they totalled up $28,000. Wanting to avoid filing for bankruptcy, Ryann and her husband decided to call Money Management International. In just five years, Ryann and her husband paid off their debt in full and now live a ha
Mechanics of a Debt Management Program
The goal of this episode is to provide an overview of what a Debt Management Plan is, who qualifies for one, and how to break down the stigma that often surrounds debt. Utilizing interviews with four subject matter experts, we will weave together a narrative that answers the following questions:
What is a Debt Management Plan?
How is a DMP different from other types of debt repayment programs?
When chasing your dream career means falling into debt
Ericka L. Rutledge first ran into debt issues when she enrolled in grad school on the path to becoming a psychologist. Between the cost of living in New York City and the cost of tuition, practicum, and internship, her debt was building quickly, not to mention additional medical and childcare expenses. After she got in touch with Money Management International, she was able to pay off $33,000 in j
How Behavior Builds Wealth: A Conversation with Leigh Phillips
Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with Leigh Phillips, where she challenges conventional perspectives on saving and debt reduction. Discover how Saverlife, a nonprofit financial tech company, leverages behavioral science to empower individuals in achieving financial goals. Learn about their innovative app that tracks expenses, builds better habits, and provides valuable resources for an
The care and compassion of an MMI Counselor
Marla Puckett has seen it all. Having recently celebrated 20 years as a Credit Counselor, Marla is an expert on helping consumers reach their financial goals. She is dedicated to providing personalized guidance to each client she encounters. Marla and Adam discuss the her experience in the last 20 years, stigma around debt, and “Spending Plans”. Stay tuned to the end because little does she know,
When home repairs leave you in over your head
Ilia Mack thought her finances were under control. She purchased a home and still had savings left over, until it came to fixing up the house. Underestimating the cost of repairs, along with exterminating a squatter raccoon left Ilia with $20,000 worth of debt. Ilia was put in touch with Money Management International to help pay off her growing debt. Three years after meeting with MMI, Ilia has p
How MMI taught Mike to use credit wisely
For Mike Clement, a septic tank was his ‘tipping point.’ After he and his family moved to a larger house on four acres, unexpected repairs started piling up. Mike and his wife used store-sponsored credit cards to cover the costs. When their septic tank needed to be replaced, they took out a home equity loan. Mike knew he needed help. While working with the debt relief counselors at Money Managemen
When Paige was overwhelmed, MMI was her advocate
When Paige Demontigny helped a family member pay for necessary but expensive name-brand prescriptions, she amassed unmanageable credit card debt. Paige's bank suggested contacting MMI for help. The debt relief counselors at Money Management International advocated on Paige's behalf by contacting her creditors and negotiating interest rates. With discipline and MMI's advocacy, Paige pai
How Annette redefined her relationship with money
After a difficult divorce and subsequent relocation, Annette Spychalla accumulated consumer debt that was too big to overcome alone. In this episode, Annette shares how she found the courage to face her problems and get help. With MMI’s help, Annette paid off $20,000 of credit card debt in four years. Now working as a Jay Shetty certified life coach, Annette advises that anyone struggling with the
How credit counselors served as a guiding light
After leaving an unhealthy relationship, Lauren Lazarus wanted a fresh start and rented a new apartment. As Lauren settled into the next chapter of her life, the temptation of furnishing her home with new items resulted in maxed-out credit cards. When Lauren didn’t qualify for a much-needed education loan, she knew she needed help. Her mom suggested that she contact Money Management International.
Making necessary sacrifices to get to her dream life
When Brittney Roberson’s evening side hustles weren’t tackling her credit card debt effectively, her mom suggested she contact Money Management International. Working with the credit counselors at MMI, Brittney made a big sacrifice — moving back home to live with her mom — to decrease her monthly expenses. Those sacrifices paid off, as Brittney was able to eliminate $57,000 of credit card debt in
How Dollar For is helping people crush medical debt
Jared Walker believes that a medical emergency shouldn’t be followed by a financial emergency. After watching his family go through a medical crisis, Jared founded Dollar For, a national nonprofit that crushes medical bills by empowering patients and advocating on their behalf. In this episode, Jared will share more about Dollar For and explain Charity Care, medical debt, and how you can overcome
How MMI helped Jarred tackle unexpected medical debt
Jarred Butler’s finances were stretched thin when unexpected medical expenses started piling up. As a busy dad of four kids, all under the age of 10, Jarred needed help. When he contacted MMI, he was pleasantly surprised by their expertise and encouragement. Since working with the debt relief counselors at Money Management International, Jarred paid off $30,000 in just over one and a half years, i
The Money Taboo
When we started working on this podcast back in April, our team wanted to accomplish a few things.
One, we wanted to share the stories of MMI clients who conquered their debt and achieved financial freedom. Two, we hoped to inspire listeners that yes… they can do this too. And third… and this is kind of the “big one”… we wanted to peel back the layers of stigma, shame, and secrecy when it comes to
Celebrating the Act of Showing Up for Yourself
Johnika Dreher lives in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, which is about 45 minutes east of Washington DC. While working with the debt relief counselors at MMI, she paid off $70,000 in debt. Johnika was recently awarded the Brighter Financial Future Award from the NFCC, or the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. On this episode, Johnika shares her story of finding guidance, getting on the right tra
Making a comeback with MMI’s Military Reconnect Program
Demetrius Thrasher deployed with the Navy in Spain. While stationed in Europe, he became captivated by the luxury brands available at every corner. Thrasher opened several lines of credit, began accumulating debt, and ultimately faced the potential of losing his security clearance. After connecting with MMI, he paid off $90,000 in debt through years of hard work and dedication. Demetrius shares hi
Putting his needs before his wants
Marlon Ibarra started using credit cards as a young college student with a newborn on the way. His relationship with credit has been tenuous, opening new lines of credit to accommodate his growing family and at one point navigating a scammy debt consolidation program. Once Marlon found MMI and began working with the debt relief counselors at Money Management International, he paid off $98,000 in j
Going from “just making it” to “owning it”
When Jackie Upshaw moved from Philadelphia to Las Vegas to help take care of her mom, she brought some credit card debt with her across the country. When Jackie realized she was just making it with her finances, she knew she needed help. After thorough research, Jackie decided to own her debt and started working with the credit counselors at MMI. Since starting her debt payoff journey, she paid of
Remembering you’re not the only one
Juan Pinon learned about MMI through his sister, who had her own debt payoff journey. Though Juan is highly educated, has a great job, and is viewed as the stable and successful one in his family, his spending was getting out of control. Through his hard work with the debt counselors at MMI, Juan paid off $47,000 and has increased his credit score by 129 points. He believes in the work that MMI is
Removing the burden of debt and stress from her life
Deborah Wang was living life as she thought most people did. As a mom raising four kids in Anthem, Arizona, many of her family’s expenses went on a credit card. When that credit card bill snowballed into an unmanageable amount, Deborah turned to MMI for help. Since working with the debt counselors at MMI, she paid off a staggering $30,000 in three years and increased her credit score by 144 points
Freedom from debt? Being able to think about the future
As the daughter of immigrants from South Korea, Joanne Lee was not taught about personal finance at home and talking about debt was taboo. When Joanne was overloaded with credit card debt, a Google search for help led her to MMI. While working with the debt relief counselors at MMI, she paid off $25,000 in three years and increased her credit score by 111 points. Now she serves as a Peer Advocate
Remembering what matters
Melissa Mehaffey is the first to admit that she needs two tries to learn her lesson. She worked with Money Management International twice after she was overwhelmed with credit card payments. Since working with the debt relief counselors at MMI, she has paid off $27,000 in five years, increasing her credit score by 85 points along the way. After her second debt payoff journey, she shares the lesson
Moving from passivity to action in personal finance
Jim Kline funded a lot of his 20s - both college and his early years as a teacher - through credit cards. When he entered his 30s, the combination of credit card payments and student loans overwhelmed him and he knew he needed to make a change. With the help of his partner, family, friends, and the counselors at MMI, Jim worked diligently to create a budget that worked for his lifestyle and educat
How emotional well-being is tied to financial health
Dr. Megan McCoy is a professor of practice in financial planning at Kansas State University and is also a licensed financial therapist, researcher, writer, and speaker. She is fascinated by the intersection of emotional well-being and financial health. Through her work as a professor and therapist, Dr. McCoy works to reduce debt stigma and start conversations about pursuing financial freedom and c
You don’t have to tackle it alone
Jordan Zangara’s debt journey started when he was laid off from his job in New York City. When he later moved to Atlanta for a new career opportunity, Jordan began accumulating credit card debt while funding his arrival in a new city. When the pandemic hit, Jordan realized he needed to make a change in his financial future and contacted Money Management International for help. Since working with t
Long Story $hort Trailer
Coming soon from Money Management International (MMI) - a podcast about debt that will make you feel a little less alone. We’re stripping away the shame and guilt around the debt conversation and replacing it with unique, personal, and inspiring stories from real people. We know the journey out of debt is individual and deeply personal. On each episode, we’ll attempt to make each guest’s financial
Recommended
Learn English A2 with Daily News | Simple English Listening Practice
پلی لیست | PlayList
Conspiracy Files with Paige Carter
Bad Friends
Learn 50 English Phrases While You Sleep | Everyday English Phrases & Vocabulary
This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
Dateline NBC
Back to the 80s Radio
Crime Stories with Nancy Grace
Bible Tea
این نقطه
TED Business
