Dollars & Sense

When technology sounds human, it’s hard to know what’s real.

In this episode of Dollars and Sense, we sit down with Eli and Sarah, a couple who lived through one of the most shocking examples of AI-powered fraud we’ve ever heard. A single phone call that sounded exactly like Eli’s mother sent their entire family into panic. What unfolded over the next two hours felt like a movie, but it was all real.

This story exposes the emotional side of AI scams, the fear, confusion, and heartbreak that logic can’t overcome, and what we can all learn from it.

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube: @DollarsAndSense.Podcast
📲 Follow us on Instagram: @hapoccu | @dollarsandsense.podcast

Hackers don’t just steal — they operate like businesses.
In this episode, we sat down with Jeremy Karmy, founder of DevFusion, a managed IT and cybersecurity company that protects organizations across 13 states — from small businesses to major enterprises. With years of experience helping clients recover from real ransomware attacks, Jeremy has seen firsthand how today’s cybercriminals think, plan, and profit.

He reveals the shocking truth about how modern hackers operate — the money, the psychology, and the dark economy built around digital extortion. From fake CEO emails and AI-generated scams to ransomware negotiations that feel more like customer service calls, this conversation exposes just how organized cybercrime has become.

Whether you’re a business owner, a tech professional, or someone who just wants to stay safe online, this episode will change the way you think about cybersecurity.

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube: @DollarsAndSense.Podcast
📲 Follow us on Instagram: @hapoccu | @dollarsandsense.podcast

🎮 Think gaming is just fun and games? Think again.

In this episode of Dollars and Sense, we explore how the gaming industry became a $250 billion machine by mastering one thing: human behavior. From paying to skip ads, to spending real money on digital outfits, to buying power and progression — games have perfected how to turn your attention, emotion, and identity into revenue.

Whether you're a gamer, a parent, or just curious about how the economy of entertainment works today, this episode unpacks the psychology behind why we spend and how the business of gaming got so good at asking us to.

🧠 Topics we cover:

• How gaming outgrew Hollywood and music
• The rise of “pay to play” and microtransactions
• Why cosmetics and skins are so profitable
• The behavioral economics behind modern game design

🎧 Tune in and see how a controller became one of the most powerful tools in business.

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube: @DollarsAndSense.Podcast
📲 Follow us on Instagram: @hapoccu | @dollarsandsense.podcast

In this episode of Dollars and Sense, we’re joined by Max Lucas, a loan officer at HAPO, and Connor MacDougall, a local real estate agent, to talk about how homeownership reshapes your relationship with money.

It’s not just about mortgages and maintenance — it’s about the mindset shift that happens when you go from renting to owning. From unexpected costs to long-term planning, this is a real-world look at the growth that comes with buying a home.

In this episode:
• How homeownership builds discipline
• What surprises new buyers the most
• Why it’s more than just a mortgage payment
• Lessons from two real estate pros who see it every day

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube: @DollarsAndSense.Podcast
📲 Follow us on Instagram: @hapoccu | @dollarsandsense.podcast

💸 Think you need thousands to start investing? Think again.

In this episode of Dollars and Sense, we sit down with Nick Haberling and Tyler Pearson, both financial advisors from HFG Trust, to break down the biggest myth that keeps people from building wealth: the idea that you need to be rich to get started. With just a few dollars and the right mindset, you can build a portfolio that grows over time — no stock market expertise or fancy financial degree required.

Whether you're just starting out or still sitting on the sidelines, this conversation is for you.

🎯 Topics we cover:

The biggest misconception about investing.                                                              Why time matters more than money
How to start with $100 or less
What to do before you invest your first dollar

This is the episode you share with the friend who keeps saying, “I’ll invest when I have more money.

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube: @DollarsAndSense.Podcast
📲 Follow us on Instagram: @hapoccu | @dollarsandsense.podcast
💡 Don’t forget to follow the show for real stories and smart money talk.

What does it take to build a thriving business and who can you actually trust to back you?

In this episode, we sit down with Bobby and Matt from HAPO’s Commercial Services team to talk about what truly makes business banking personal. From real estate loans to small business support, they share how HAPO is changing the game with local lending decisions, deep relationships, and a commitment to helping businesses grow the right way.

Whether you’re launching your first venture or expanding your empire, this episode will give you a behind the scenes look at how HAPO is keeping local business banking alive and why that still matters.

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube: @DollarsAndSense.Podcast
📲 Follow us on Instagram: @hapoccu | @dollarsandsense.podcast
💡 Don’t forget to follow the show for real stories and smart money talk.

What does it take to build a thriving business and who can you actually trust to back you?

In this episode, we sit down with Bobby and Matt from HAPO’s Commercial Services team to talk about what truly makes business banking personal. From real estate loans to small business support, they share how HAPO is changing the game with local lending decisions, deep relationships, and a commitment to helping businesses grow the right way.

Whether you’re launching your first venture or expanding your empire, this episode will give you a behind the scenes look at how HAPO is keeping local business banking alive and why that still matters.

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube: @DollarsAndSense.Podcast
📲 Follow us on Instagram: @hapoccu | @dollarsandsense.podcast
💡 Don’t forget to follow the show for real stories and smart money talk.

HAPO recently acquired Community First Bank, and in this episode, we break down the why. CEO Scott Mitchell and CBO Eric Pearson join us to explain what this shift means for our community, how it all came together, and what the future of banking looks like. From local control to national trends — this one’s big.

🎧 Whether you're a longtime member or just curious about the banking landscape, this episode gives you the inside scoop.

🎥 Watch the full-length episode on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/@DollarsAndSense.Podcast
📲 Follow us on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/hapoccu https://instagram.com/dollarsandsense.podcast

Pickleball, concerts, economic growth—there’s a bold new vision unfolding at the HAPO Event Center. In this episode, we sit down with General Manager Mike McCall and Director of Sales Joanna Ruiz to explore what’s next for one of the Tri-Cities' most iconic venues.

With decades of combined experience in pro sports, international business, and event operations, Mike and Joanna bring big-league energy to a local space. From revitalizing the building to reimagining what it can offer the community, this episode dives into how leadership, vision, and teamwork are transforming the future of events in our region.

We talk about:

• The difference between HAPO the credit union and the HAPO Event Center
• Facility upgrades, including A/C installations, new screens, and modern finishes
• Why pickleball is more than a trend—and what it could mean for the Tri-Cities economy
• Hosting everything from small private events to national tournaments
• The vision for creating a welcoming space for locals and visitors alike

Whether you’re into concerts, community events, or just curious about how big ideas get off the ground, this episode has something for you.

🎥 Watch the full-length episode on YouTube: @DollarsAndSense.Podcast
📲 Follow us on Instagram: @hapoccu | @dollarsandsense.podcast
💡 Don’t forget to follow the show for more real stories and smart money talk.

IVF can cost tens of thousands of dollars, and that’s before it works. In this episode, we follow one woman’s emotional and financial journey through infertility, treatment, and the true cost of hope.

Alissa, a young mom and HAPO employee, shares her raw experience with navigating infertility, including the medical system, hundreds of self-administered hormone shots, unexpected financial obstacles, and how her family made it all work.

We talk about:

• What IVF really costs (including what’s not on the brochure)
• Why most insurance plans don’t fully cover fertility treatments
• The emotional weight and physical toll of the process
• Strategies and resources to afford treatment, including grants, loans, and support

Whether you’re going through IVF, supporting someone who is, or just want to understand the financial side of family planning, this is a story you don’t want to miss.

🎥 Watch the full-length episode on YouTube: @DollarsAndSense.Podcast
📲 Follow us on Instagram: @hapoccu | @dollarsandsense.podcast
💡 Don’t forget to follow the show for more real stories and smart money talk.