Collective Conversations

Inspired by The Everygirl article "'Bag Lady Syndrome' Is Affecting More Women Than Ever",  we're diving into this financial fear and the steps you might take to reduce your financial anxiety.

Join us we sit down with Money Women Collective co-founder, Becca Shaddox, to discuss this community initiative designed to create intentional spaces for women to learn, ask better questions, and build financial confidence together. The 2026 annual conference will take place November 4 at Hotel VIN in Rogers so we're looking back at how MWC began, how it's evolved and what we've learned through by bringing women together to talk about money. 

Trust is one of the most valuable assets a leader can earn, and according to recent research, employees trust their direct leaders more than government, the media, or many other institutions. What does that mean for small business owners? In this episode, join us as we unpack the June 2, 2026 Axios article and discuss why transparency builds stronger workplaces, how honest communication creates trust (even during uncertainty), and why small business owners play a vital role in strengthening their local communities.

After first connecting through the Money Women Collective Conference, we knew we wanted to bring Fidelma Farinas Cobas onto the podcast. In this conversation, Fidelma shares her professional journey, insights from decades in financial services, and practical advice for women and entrepreneurs who want to build wealth with confidence. Her message is clear: you don't have to do it alone, but you do need to stay engaged.

The U.S. Department of Education has removed accounting from its list of professional degree programs, dramatically reducing the amount of federal student loan funding available to graduate accounting students. What does that mean for students, educators, employers, and the future of the profession? Along with Dr. Barry Bryan, accounting professor and CPA Exam Advisor for the University of Arkansas, we discuss the implications and solutions for maintaining a strong and accessible pathway into accounting.

Just because you can automate your finances, should you? We're back to unpack the real pros and cons of autopay and AI powered money tools. From reducing mental load to subscription creep, we'll talk through the “Automate + Audit” rule to help you stay efficient and informed.

Now that we're in the thick of tax season, we're breaking down two powerful IRS tools that many taxpayers overlook: your IRS online account and the Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN). Learn how to monitor your tax information, safely authorize your accountant with Power of Attorney, and protect yourself from fraudulent filings. 

We're glad to welcome back Jackie Rogers to dive into the investment mistakes many of us make but rarely talk about. From staying stuck in cash to exiting the market too soon, we explore how to learn from these moments and use tools like rebalancing to stay aligned with your goals.

The 2025 Money Women Collective Conference brought together hundreds of women ready to learn, lead, and level up their financial confidence. Join us as we reflect on the highlights, favorite sessions, and aha moments—and get ready for what’s next! We’ll share details on our February networking event designed to keep building the relationships, ideas, and momentum sparked at the conference.

We first heard Laura speak at Money Women Collective and knew she needed to join us for a deeper conversation. She talks us through AACF’s impact, why upstream, systemic work is essential for improving outcomes for kids and communities, and simple, accessible ways individuals can engage with policy work.