Ever wonder what happens when a team of mortgage industry professionals willingly subjects themselves to progressively spicier hot sauces while reflecting on their year? The ACUMA team delivers exactly that in their annual mid-year review episode, blending genuine reflection with watery eyes and burning sensations.

The episode kicks off with diving into the team's favorite moments from the first half of the year. 

• Kate, the newest team member, shares how meaningful it was experiencing her first workshop in Savannah and meeting everyone face-to-face. 
• Camryn celebrates her return from maternity leave,
• Others reminisce about baseball games, successful workshops, and surprisingly competitive rock-paper-scissors tournaments that had mortgage professionals channeling their inner playground selves.

Between increasingly fiery hot sauce tastings, the team candidly discusses lessons learned and areas for improvement. 

• Krista opens up about her apprehension regarding their first convention center venue for the annual conference, citing the many uncontrollable variables compared to their usual hotel settings. 
• Justin reflects on transportation challenges from previous events.
• Peter acknowledges that having back-to-back workshops in the Southeast might not have been the optimal geographical strategy.

The conversation takes a delightfully spooky turn when the team shares stories about their stay at a haunted hotel in Savannah, formerly a mortuary, complete with ghost tours, mysterious occurrences, and Kate successfully terrifying Krista on an evening walk. This storytelling reveals the close-knit nature of the team and how they balance professional excellence with genuine camaraderie.

Looking ahead, excitement builds around several initiatives for their annual conference, including 

• "ACUMAx" (a new speaking platform featuring six selected presenters)
• An innovative exhibit hall layout, charity activities, and yes, therapy animals including dogs, possibly bunnies, and maybe even a mini horse (not a pony, as Justin learns through some gentle ribbing).

The episode wraps with increasingly uncomfortable hot sauce reactions and groan-worthy dad jokes, showcasing the team's ability to maintain humor even when their mouths are literally on fire. Whether you're a credit union professional looking for industry insights or simply enjoy witnessing good-natured suffering in the name of content, this episode delivers both substance and entertainment in equal measure.