Faith & Finance with Mildred Dillon, CPA

When money gets tight, most of us stare at the bank balance and see nothing but scarcity. But what if the asset you need most isn't in your account — it's already inside you?

In this episode, I'm sharing the mindset shift that helped me get through one of the hardest financial seasons of my life — and the framework I built from it that's still showing up in everything I do. This one's for every entrepreneur who's been so focused on the gap that they've stopped seeing what they already have.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Survival Mode vs Asset Awareness (video/00:00)

• 01:40 Lessons from a Children's Book Series (video/01:40)

• 03:45 The Four Assets You Already Possess (video/03:45)

• 06:18 Financial Clarity and Mental Peace (video/06:18)

• 07:58 Finding Your Next Opportunity Within (video/07:58)

Resources mentioned:

MoneyRX → moneyrx.yourmoneydr.com

Dreamers → dreamers.yourmoneydr.com

I'm walking and talking on this one — sharing the Money Rx system I built during the 2008 recession when my credit was shot and I had zero savings.

It's how I saved $20,000 in 18 months, and it still works today.

If you've got more month than money, this one's for you.

Timestamps:

0:02 – The recession that rebuilt me

3:32 – Find your TIME for money matters

6:28 – Find a PLACE for money matters

10:50 – Face It At One Time - Your “Date” With Your Money 

12:10 – Got a story of faith? Come on the show

Catch new teachings every Tuesday in July at my YouTube Channel @mdilloncpa

And follow and subscribe at podcast.mdilloncpa.com and @mdilloncpa on Instagram

This Father's Day, we're celebrating the dads who are not just holding it down at home — they're building something on the side, step by step, with faith.

Andre Barracks, founder of Barracks Branding Services, joins Mildred on the Faith & Finance Podcast to share his journey from Brooklyn to Princeton, NC — to brand strategist helping entrepreneurs package what God already placed inside them.

Andre is a husband, father of SEVEN, and a man who's been saying since high school: "I don't want to do a 9-to-5 for 40 years." This episode is his roadmap — and it's for anyone sitting on a dream, a job, or both.

What We Cover:

How Andre and his family relocated from New York to North Carolina by faith with no local support system — and built community through church

What it really looks like to balance a work-from-home government job, seven kids, and a growing business

The origin story of Barracks Branding Services — from artist management to master's degree to LLC

What "context clues" are and how to use your own life experiences to identify your ideal business.

Why there are no bad ideas — some just need tweaking

The Brand Essentials Kit and Pivot Workbook — and who each is for

Why clarity is the key to success and how writing things down is step one

Resources:

🔗 Brand Essentials Kit (not in business yet): courses.barracksbranding.com/bek

🔗 Pivot Lunch & Learn + Workbook (existing biz owners): dreamers.yourmoneydr.com

📞 Free Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/barracksbs

📧 [email protected]

📱 IG: @BarracksBranding | FB: BarracksBS | YouTube: BarracksBranding | TikTok: @DreBarracks

🎙️ The Money Doctor® Money Talk for Modern Entrepreneurs Podcast: podcast.yourmoneydr.com

What happens when your work becomes part of your purpose?

In this episode of Faith & Finance, I sit down with Yanada Essex, licensed clinical social worker, entrepreneur, and newly elected President of the Broad Street Business Association.

What started as casual conversation turned into one of those deep talks about service, purpose, business, and what it really takes to keep going when life throws curveballs.

From building her practice, Brighter Days, to surviving the setbacks of Katrina and rebuilding again, Yanada shares what faith looked like through uncertainty, entrepreneurship, and serving the community she loves.

We also talk about:

✨ How she knew social work was her calling ✨ Why some businesses become part of our ministry or service to the world ✨ The connection between money, stress, and mental health ✨ Entrepreneurship after setbacks (including Katrina & COVID) ✨ What makes a social worker different from a therapist ✨ How to know when it’s time to ask for help ✨ Why faith helps you keep showing up — especially when business gets hard

One of my favorite moments?

Her saying:

“If Jesus was here, He would be in the streets.”

That one stayed with me.

If you’re building something, rebuilding something, or simply trying to hold on to the dream a little longer, this conversation is for you.

- Website: brighterdaysinc.com- Services available virtually in Louisiana & Massachusetts- Follow: Brighter Days Inc. on social media

For money systems, entrepreneurship, and practical financial tools from Yanada, listen to that segment on the Money Doctor Money Talk Podcast. podcast.yourmoneydr.com

Connect with Yanada Essex / Brighter DaysContinue the practical side of the conversation

In this episode, I share what hit me hard after I showed my real February numbers on camera using my fixed spending allowance worksheet: my spending told a story I didn’t want to admit—lots of food, almost no transportation, nothing in recreation or shopping, and zero personal care (no memberships, no massages) even though I’ve been in physical pain from tech fatigue and feeling depressed in this remote season. 

Seeing the numbers motivated me to redirect some food money into personal care and recreation so I can get back in balance and actually live. 

I also give an update on our Dreamers founding cohort (month one of three), explain how the system makes your numbers visible fast, give a preview of what’s coming in months two and three (business + technology), and ask you: what are you sitting on that we can help you bring into the world?

00:00 Faith & Finances Show Intro

02:08 Reality Check for a Dreamer

06:56 Seeing Your Numbers Changes the Game

08:44 Clear Finances Can Shape Direction

11:25 What is it you're trying to birth?

15:11 You're Getting Close That's Why It's Getting Tough

17:18 How to Get to "Next Level"

23:21 Most Affordable COO Coaching Out There

Links Mentioned:

📊 Need Help Getting Clear on The Numbers?Join the Dreamers Cohort: https://dreamers.yourmoneydr.com

🔗 Yanada Essex, Therapist & Dreamers Bonus Presenter

https://www.brighterdaysinc.com/

In this episode of Faith & Finances, Mildred sits down with her cousin and trusted voice of wisdom, Myrtis Fisher, following a Sunday school lesson centered on love in action and stewardship.

During their conversation, they reflect on the greatest commandments from the Gospel of Mark: loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength — and loving your neighbor as yourself.

Together they explore what it means to live out faith beyond church walls, especially in a world that can often feel disconnected and distracted.

From the challenges of modern society to the simple courage it takes to speak to a stranger in an elevator, this conversation reminds us that stewardship isn't just about money — it's about how we show up for people every day.

This episode is also part of Mildred’s personal reflection during Women’s History Month, sharing the influences and relationships that have shaped her life behind the scenes.

The Heart of Stewardship
Stewardship is about recognizing the gifts and opportunities God has given us — even when we don’t fully understand the path ahead.

Love Requires Action
Faith isn’t passive. Loving your neighbor often means stepping forward first, even in small ways.

The Courage to Connect
In a digital world, simple acts like greeting someone or starting a conversation can bring life back into everyday moments.

Faith Outside the Church
Living out God’s word doesn’t require a formal setting. It can happen anywhere — in the workplace, in a doctor’s office, on a plane, or in an elevator.

Mildred shares a moment from her career traveling frequently for work. After noticing how silent and disconnected people were in elevators, she decided to try something simple:

She spoke first.

“How y’all doing?”

Suddenly the entire elevator came to life with conversation.

That moment became a reminder that sometimes leadership in faith begins with a small act of courage.

Mark 12
Jeremiah 17:9

Follow Mildred Dillon, CPA on Instagram@mdilloncpa

If you'd like to join the weekly Sunday school conference call discussed in this episode, send Mildred a message and she will connect you with Myrtis.

If you enjoyed this episode:

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Before there was a business, there was a breaking point.

In this first episode, I share how Hurricane Katrina, financial hardship, and a season of rebuilding reshaped my understanding of stewardship, purpose, and faith — and ultimately led to the birth of the The Money Doctor®, now celebrating 20 years.

If you’ve ever questioned your path…

If you’ve ever pivoted more than once…

If you’ve ever wondered how your faith connects to your finances…

This episode will remind you: 

Nothing in your story is wasted.

Why revisiting your origin story matters

Reflecting on longevity and divine direction

How early exposure shaped financial confidence

Following passion clues and hidden gifts

Connecting purpose, family, and money

Links mentioned

🎧 Listen to the full extended interview on The Convergence Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6rdYguKkMe2SIHboaL5iXC?si=944ee4842ab04120

🎧 Want more standalone episodes and hands-on strategies from this conversation?

Subscribe for updates at The Money Doctor® Money Talk Podcast: https://apple.co/4kLBgty

00:00 – Why This Interview Set the Tone for the Year

02:27 – Trust Your Crazy Ideas - 20 Years of Fixing Finances

05:17 – Growing Up in a Family Business

08:15 – The Pretzel Stand Revelation

11:55 –  Hurricane Katrina Revelations

15:52 – Invitation to Join the Journey

What does faith have to do with money?

In this short introduction, Mildred shares why the journey of building her work required more faith than she ever expected — and how what we believe internally shapes what we do externally.

Faith & Finances is about connecting the inner walk with outward action — because the decisions we make in uncertain seasons affect every area of our lives, including our finances.

Whether you’re building something, rebuilding after hardship, or simply trusting the next step, you’re not alone on the journey.

If this resonates with you, welcome. And please share with someone who needs encouragement today!

In this episode:

For practical tools and money clarity conversations, listen to The Money Doctor®
Money Talk Podcast: https://apple.co/4kLBgty