Following our two-part deep dive into finances with Jeremy Bond, we’re shifting gears to get real about credit cards, the good, the bad, and the lessons learned along the way. In this candid conversation, Amy and Cheryl open up about their first experiences with credit, the cultural pull of “cool” store cards, and the pitfalls that come with not understanding interest rates or payment schedules.

This isn’t about shaming past decisions, it’s about learning and growing together. Whether you’ve had credit card wins, made a few missteps, or you’re just curious about building healthier money habits, this episode invites you to reflect and share your own “credit card confessions.”

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Listener’s Challenge

Track every dollar you spend for a time period. Use a notebook, notes app, or even a shoebox for receipts. At the end of that time, total it up and notice patterns. Where is your money really going, and are you okay with it?

Ask Yourself

Key Quotes

“Be aware, not ashamed. Awareness is what leads to change.” – Amy Bond

In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Jeremy Bond, we dig even deeper into real-world money habits,  from splitting raises between “today you” and “future you” to creating simple systems that keep saving automatic. Jeremy shares candid stories from his own financial missteps (hello, Jaguar!) and how those experiences shaped his perspective on debt, lifestyle creep, and building true financial independence.

If you’ve ever wondered how to balance enjoying life now while still planning for later, this episode is packed with practical tips, relatable examples, and a little encouragement to just start where you are.

Guest

Dr. Jeremy Bond - Director of Online Learning, financial literacy advocate, and Amy’s husband

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Listener’s Challenge

Pick one thing you can automate this week, even if it’s tiny. Set up a recurring transfer into savings, bump your retirement contribution by 1%, or redirect any upcoming raise before you even see it in your checking account.

Ask Yourself

Key Quotes

Money talk can feel overwhelming and let’s be honest, most of us didn’t grow up having open conversations about it. In this episode, Amy and Cheryl bring on their first-ever male guest (and Amy’s husband!), Dr. Jeremy Bond, to help break down what personal finance actually looks like in real life.

Jeremy shares how our early experiences shape the way we think about money, why “wealth” isn’t always what it looks like on TV, and practical ways to start saving and investing without feeling intimidated. Whether you’re just starting your first job, somewhere in mid-career, or simply want to feel more confident about money decisions, this episode will meet you right where you are.

Dr. Jeremy Bond - Director of Online Learning, financial literacy advocate, and Amy’s husband

This week, take a look at your own beliefs about money. What messages did you grow up hearing, and how do they shape your financial habits today? Consider one small step you could take, like checking if your employer offers a retirement match, that helps future-you feel more secure.

In this reflective and engaging midyear episode, Amy and Cheryl invite listeners to pause and check in on their intentions, goals, and growth in 2025 so far. Rather than pushing productivity or grinding toward unrealistic timelines, they approach the idea of goal setting with gentleness, curiosity, and joy. Through the lens of their personal “Bingo cards,” they unpack what’s working, what needs to shift, and what can be let go of altogether—with zero guilt.

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Episode Highlights

Listener’s Challenge

Take time this week for a gentle midyear check-in. Revisit any goals, dreams, or intentions you set earlier in the year (or make a new list or Bingo card if you haven’t yet!).

Ask yourself:

You don’t need a full plan—just one intentional step. Share your thoughts with us on social media!

Key Quotes (Direct from Transcript)

“You're not behind. You're right here. You're right where you need to be, and where you get to be to be able to take the next step in whatever beautiful thing is going to be your next step.” – Cheryl Priest

“I didn’t walk away from last weekend thinking, ‘Oh yeah, the weekend happened, and I still had to do all these things.’ It was: I did so much in this weekend that felt intentional and enjoyable and something I got to do.” – Amy Bond

“If we didn't do the thing, or we changed our minds, it's not failure. It's a re-prioritization of our resources.” – Cheryl Priest

“I assumed that there would be some that I’m a different person. I am gonna let that one go… because it's not important to me.” – Amy Bond

“The whole idea isn’t crossing everything off. It’s the process. It’s putting some hopes and dreams and simple wishes down.” – Cheryl Priest

“Sometimes we get to do things just because it feels good for us.” – Amy Bond

In this caring and introspective episode, Amy and Cheryl dive into a conversation about guilt, specifically how it manifests in the lives of women. They explore the internal and external pressures that make women feel like they need to constantly “do more,” and they challenge the cultural norms that glorify busyness while devaluing rest.

The conversation unfolds around themes like:

With personal anecdotes, cultural insight, and genuine reflections, Amy and Cheryl encourage listeners to reframe how they view rest, guilt, and self-care not as luxuries or rewards, but as essential parts of a balanced, joyful life.

Key Takeaways:

Listener Challenge:

Then ask yourself:

Share your moment with us on social using #JoyfulYes or #PreChargePractice—we’d love to hear how you're building rest into your life without waiting to earn it.

“Guilt is stealing from us—it’s taking away our ability to enjoy those moments when they do arrive.” — Cheryl Priest

“Pre-charging is giving yourself permission to fill your battery before it’s empty.” — Amy Bond

“Stop shoulding on yourself. Guilt, you are not welcome here.” — Cheryl Priest

“I don’t think we’re praised for rest, especially as women. We’re praised for being busy, helpful, and doing things without complaint.” — Amy Bond

“Doing nothing isn’t a failure. It’s a full-body yes.” — Cheryl Priest

“What can I say yes to joyfully? Because no one deserves my negativity when I say yes.” — Amy Bond

In this heart-to-heart episode of This Was Supposed to Be Easy, Amy and Cheryl open up about the winding, sometimes bumpy journey of confidence at different stages of life. From the myth that confidence simply comes with age to the surprising moments that can shake it, they explore where confidence shows up, where it wobbles, and how curiosity, courage, and micro-wins help us grow along the way. Whether you’re stepping into something new or cheering on someone else, this conversation offers gentle reminders (and some real-life stories) that encouraging someone else’s confidence isn’t pie — there’s plenty to go around.

This Conversation Touches On

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 Curiosity as a pathway to growth

Episode Highlights

Listener’s Challenge

Where in your life are you feeling extra confident these days? We also love to know where you might be stepping into something new that feels a little shaky? Share with us — we’d love to cheer you on!  Drop a comment on Spotify, message us on socials, or visit our website. Let’s build that contagious confidence together.

Key Quotes

📝 "Confidence doesn’t have to be loud. In fact, often the loudest ones in the room are some of the least confident people there." — Amy

📝 "It’s not about one of us being the most confident. It’s about creating a space where we can all feel confident." — Cheryl

📝 "Don’t shut the door before you ever actually turn the handle." — Cheryl

📝 "Why not me? Why wouldn’t I go after the thing I want?" — Amy

Listen Now

🎧 Find This Was Supposed to Be Easy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you love to listen!

In this uplifting and thoughtful episode, Amy and Cheryl welcome back Dr. Holly Hoffman (Central Michigan University) and introduce Dr. Katie Sloan (Oakland University), both professors of Early Childhood Education and Development in Michigan. Together, they share the story of how a virtual book club brought educators together across the state to explore what it truly means to lead with joy — and why it’s both more challenging and more essential than ever. From practical strategies to personal reflections, this episode invites you to think about joy not as a fleeting feeling, but as a way of being.

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In this episode of This Was Supposed to Be Easy, Amy and Cheryl dive into what it really means to show up for someone chasing a dream—especially when your inner alarm bells are ringing. Through an all-too-relatable scenario involving a handmade candle business, they explore how fear, love, and protection often get tangled up in our responses.

This conversation touches on:

Amy and Cheryl get personal about the times they’ve been on both sides of this moment—and what they’ve learned about showing up with trust instead of fear. Whether you're a dreamer or a well-meaning realist, there’s something in this episode for you.

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Listener Challenge:

This week, notice how you respond when someone shares a big idea or goal with you.

Key Quotes:

“You weren’t trying to control—maybe just trying to prevent heartbreak. But it came across like fear.”

Listen Now:

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.

What happens when life doesn’t go the way you thought it would? In this episode, Amy and Cheryl open up about the twists and turns no one sees coming—when careers shift, roles change, and the road you're walking wasn’t exactly the one you picked.

It all starts with a text about theater tickets… and unfolds into a conversation about detours, disappointments, and the weird in-between spaces where the “what has beens” are no longer on the path forward. There are laughs (of course), but also some real talk about grief, identity, and learning to find yourself again after plans fall apart.

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This week, Amy and Cheryl welcome Ashley Arnett, founder of The Dressing Room at  DressingApproved.com—the only place on the internet bold enough to rate ranch dressings with a five-tier scale and a whole lot of heart. What started as a little joke between friends became a surprisingly thoughtful passion project, and now a deliciously specific corner of the internet.

But this episode isn’t just about ranch. It’s about what happens when a lingering idea finally gets acted on. Ashley opens up about watching past businesses fail, learning to follow through, and what it feels like when something silly becomes something special—especially when other people start to care too.

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