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Farming Without the Bank Podcast

by Mary Jo Irmen

Business

Welcome to the Farming Without the Bank podcast, the show with a no-B.S. approach to money, hosted by a farm strategy expert and authorized IBC practitioner.Join us as we get real and expose the flaws of traditional financial institutions in order to help farmers take control of their finances, create peace of mind, grow their wealth, and leave a legacy.https://www.farmingwithoutthebank.com/

From the show's RSS feed, refreshed Oct 30, 2026. Source feed.

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Episodes

  1. What If the Cattle Market Collapses? Why Debt-Free Isn't Enough (Ep. 378)

    Your CPA isn't being difficult — they've just never been taught how this works. In Ep. 378, Mary Jo Irmen answers the question she gets more than any other: how does money actually flow through a whole life policy? She walks the full loop out loud: income comes in, you pay your premium, your cash...

  2. 5 Things Successful Farmers Do Differently (And 1 Bonus) (Ep. 377)

    They weren't given the farm. They just think differently. In Episode 377 of the Farming Without the Bank podcast, Mary Jo Irmen breaks down the 5 things she sees over and over in her most successful farm and ranch clients — the things that separate the top 3% from the other 97%, no matter the...

  3. Farmers Are Going Broke Trying to Avoid Taxes (Ep. 376)

    It's that time of year — everything's on sale for tax purposes. But is buying that $300,000 piece of equipment to save $36,000 actually keeping you broke? Mary Jo breaks down why avoiding taxes is the #1 reason farmers struggle with cash flow, how tiered taxes really work, and what to do instead...

  4. Local Agent vs Expert: Why Face-to-Face is Costing Farmers Money (Ep. 375)

    Is it really THAT easy to borrow against life insurance? Yes — and Mary Jo Irmen proves it in this Farming Without the Bank Q&A. Mary Jo answers the comments from her Farming for Profit clip, breaks down exactly how a policy loan works when structured correctly for infinite banking (pay premium,...

  5. What Real Client Meetings Can Teach Us About Farm Estate Planning (Ep. 374)

    Real meetings, real numbers, real lessons. Mary Jo recaps recent client meetings — from a 64 and 65-year-old couple buying land for their boys, to a 22-year-old starting with a $4,000 policy, to $100,000+ policies. You'll hear why leaving land without a plan leaves debt + operating expenses to…

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  6. When It Actually Makes Sense to MEC Your Life Insurance (Ep. 373)

    Is a MEC really as bad as everyone in infinite banking says? In Farming Without the Bank Episode 373, Mary Jo Irmen and John Hasche break down when a Modified Endowment Contract actually makes sense. Most life insurance agents will tell you: never MEC, never MEC, never MEC. But what if you just...

  7. Why the Generational Bickering in Farming Has to Stop (Ep. 372)

    Are boomer farmers actually greedy? Or are younger farmers stuck in victim mentality? In Episode 372 of Farming Without the Bank, Mary Jo Irmen tackles the generational war in agriculture head-on — silent generation, boomers, Gen-X, millennials, and Gen Z. Young farmers say boomers are greedy for...

  8. Trolls vs. Productive People: Who Wins? (Ep. 371)

    It's TROLL DAY on Farming Without the Bank Ep 371 with Mary Jo Irmen — and the trolls brought their best hate comments. Mary Jo reads them all and answers back: charging her own son 9% interest (vs 11% at the bank), helping a client farm 6,000 acres from scratch, why dividend-paying whole life...

  9. Stop Lending to Your Kids From ONE Policy (Do This Instead) (Ep. 370)

    Lending money to your kids from ONE policy is a recipe for a family fight. In this episode, Mary Jo Irmen shares 2 creative strategies she used this week to solve real client problems around kids, money, and fairness. If you have 3 kids and help one start a business and another go to college —…

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  10. Why Farmers Stay Broke & How to Actually Keep More of Your Money (Ep. 369)

    Mary Jo's back with three money topics every farmer and rancher needs to hear. The thread running through all of them: it's not how much money you make — it's how you USE it. In this episode: the private equity news making headlines in the life insurance world (and why Mary Jo's clients don't…

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  11. Why You Need to Plan for Long-Term Care Before the Crisis Hits (Ep. 368)

    The biggest threat to your farm's legacy isn't the bank — it's an unplanned long-term care event. In this episode, Mary Jo Irmen sits down with long-term care expert Michelle Prather, author of Who's Wiping Your Assets?, to unpack why modern long-term care insurance is nothing like the outdated...

  12. 5 Things to Watch for When Buying a Policy (Ep. 367)

    Buying a whole life insurance policy for infinite banking? Many agents have no idea what they're actually selling you — and it could cost you decades of compound growth. In this episode, Mary Jo breaks down the 5 things you MUST check before you sign anything, based on a real client who bought…

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  13. Your $6,000 Annual Premium Grows to $843,000? Here's How (Ep. 366)

    Mary Jo Irmen walks through a real whole life insurance policy illustration for a 27-year-old client paying just $6,000 a year — and the numbers might surprise you. In this episode, Mary Jo breaks down what the cash value growth actually looks like year by year, what happens when you add extra...

  14. You Don't Need $100,000 to Start Infinite Banking - Here's Why (Ep. 365)

    Are you waiting until you have more money before starting infinite banking? Mary Jo Irmen explains why you may not need $100,000—or even a large amount of money—to begin. In this episode of Farming Without the Bank, Mary Jo discusses why people often delay after reading the book, how to identify…

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  15. Who's Really Calling About Infinite Banking? Real Meetings, Real People (Ep. 364)

    What does infinite banking look like in the real world? From bankers and veterans to city kids buying their first ranch — here's a glimpse into the conversations happening behind closed doors. In Episode 364 of the Farming Without the Bank podcast, Mary Jo Irmen shares a candid recap of recent...

  16. Farmland Was Paid Off Until This 'Strategy' Created $38 Million in Debt (Ep. 363)

    An Iowa widow is suing her financial advisor and two life insurance companies after a premium-financed IUL strategy left her family farm buried in $38 million of debt. Mary Jo has been warning about this exact scheme for years — now there's a real lawsuit to prove it. In Episode 363 of Farming...

  17. Fake Bids, Hidden Fees & Shady Auctioneers: Land Auctions Exposed (Ep. 362)

    One wrong auction company can cost you the true value of your land — and you'd never know it. 👉 Find more Farming Without the Bank here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXYvzroUouEMsTGKFw5nJHQ 👉 Get the book: https://www.farmingwithoutthebank.com/book Amber Haugland of Haugland's Action…

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  18. We Paid Into This Policy for Decades and Got Nothing | Real Numbers Every Farmer Needs to See (Ep. 361)

    Are you wondering if your life insurance policy will actually be there when your family needs it? Mary Jo Irmen walks through multiple real-life life insurance policy review illustrations showing exactly how flexible premium universal life, variable universal life (VUL), and adjustable universal...

  19. We Tried Virtual Fence on Goats & Sheep (Real Farm Results) (Ep. 360)

    What if you could finally have goats and sheep — without building miles of netting or chasing escapes? That's exactly what virtual collars made possible for Meg Greske, and she breaks down EVERYTHING in this episode. 👉 Follow Mary Jo Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXYvzroUouEMsTGKFw5nJHQ...

  20. Will No-Fence Collars Save You Money? (Ep. 359)

    What does it actually cost to run No Fence virtual fencing on a real cattle farming operation — and can you finance it without losing compound interest? Idaho rancher Tyson Coles has run the system for 4 full seasons and shares the real numbers. 👉 Follow Mary Jo Here:...

  21. I Was Wrong About Diversification | Mistake Many Farmers & Ranchers Make (Ep. 358)

    Is diversifying your farm or ranch actually costing you money? In this episode of Farming Without the Bank, Mary Jo digs into a question that came up four times in one week: should you take your farm profits and diversify into real estate, rentals, or another business — or double down on what you...

  22. Doug Ferguson: Don't Ignore This Hidden Cattle Market Signal! (Ep. 357)

    Doug Ferguson reveals his Sell/Buy Marketing cattle system — profit in any market without the bank. 👉 Follow Mary Jo Here: https://www.youtube.com/@MaryJoIrmen?sub_confirmation=1 Doug Ferguson, owner of Mr CattleMaster, joins Mary Jo to break down his Sell/Buy Marketing system — the real-time...

  23. Only 1% of Farmers Will Take This Action Financially (Ep. 356)

    Most farmers will never take this financial step — and it's costing them generational wealth. Here's what the 1% do differently. 👉 Follow Mary Jo Here: https://www.youtube.com/@MaryJoIrmen?sub_confirmation=1 Today, we break down the single most important financial action farmers can take to…

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  24. He Never Missed a Payment — The Bank Still Cut Him Off (Ep. 355)

    Banks are pulling credit from good borrowers — here's how to protect your farm's financial future. 👉 Follow Mary Jo Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXYvzroUouEMsTGKFw5nJHQ 👉 Get the book: https://www.farmingwithoutthebank.com/book What happens when you play by the bank's rules and they...

  25. Farm Families Are Breaking (Ep. 354)

    A therapist reveals why farm families are breaking — and what it takes for rural America to heal. 👉 Follow Mary Jo Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXYvzroUouEMsTGKFw5nJHQ Rural America is quietly struggling with a mental health crisis most people never talk about. Therapist Amber Ferguson...

  26. The Tax-Free Money Secret (Ep. 353)

    Life insurance isn't just protection — it's a tax-free wealth tool your CPA probably missed. 👉 Follow Mary Jo Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXYvzroUouEMsTGKFw5nJHQ 👉 Get the book: https://www.farmingwithoutthebank.com/book What if the money you've been putting into your 401k is quietly...

  27. Your Family Can't Access Your Phone When You Die (Ep. 352)

    Your family needs your phone when you're gone — most of them can't get in. Here's the fix. 👉 Follow Mary Jo Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXYvzroUouEMsTGKFw5nJHQ Your loved ones WILL need access to your phone when you're gone — for banking, insurance, business contacts, and more. Most...

  28. Farming Without the Bank in Canada: What's Different (And What Could Cost You) (Ep. 351)

    Canadian IBC warning! Policy loans can trigger taxes—know ACB before it costs you. 👉 Follow Mary Jo Here: https://www.youtube.com/@MaryJoIrmen?sub_confirmation=1 In Canada, borrowing from your whole life policy could become taxable income if you're not careful. Most farmers and ranchers north of...

  29. Russian Roulette With Your Life Insurance - What They Never Told You (Ep. 350)

    Real clients. Real collapsed policies. Why Universal Life might be quietly robbing your family. 👉 Follow Mary Jo Here: https://www.youtube.com/@MaryJoIrmen?sub_confirmation=1 What if the "permanent" life insurance you've been faithfully paying into for decades isn't actually permanent? Mary Jo...

  30. Nebraska Fires, Cattle Market Chaos & What Farmers NEED to Know Right Now (Ep. 349)

    Close to a million acres burned. Cattle being relocated across state lines. Fertilizer prices spiking. And the cattle market could flip without warning. If you farm or ranch for a living, this episode is not optional. 👉 Follow Mary Jo Here: https://www.youtube.com/@MaryJoIrmen?sub_confirmation=1...

  31. Long-Term Care Planning Most Advisors Miss (And Why It Matters) (Ep. 348)

    Most financial plans ignore long-term care—and it can cost you everything you built. 👉 Follow Mary Jo Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXYvzroUouEMsTGKFw5nJHQ 👉 Get the book: https://www.farmingwithoutthebank.com/book Long-term care is one of the biggest financial risks facing farmers,...

  32. Why Long-Term Care Destroys Wealth Without a Plan (Ep. 347)

    The real cost of long-term care isn't money—it's what it does to families. 👉 Follow Mary Jo Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXYvzroUouEMsTGKFw5nJHQ 👉 Get the book: https://www.farmingwithoutthebank.com/book Most people think long-term care is a "later" problem—or something that only ends...

  33. What Farmers Must Know About Nursing Homes (Ep. 346)

    Most families assume Medicaid will cover long-term care—until it forces them to sell assets. Long-term care is one of the biggest financial threats to family farms and generational assets. In this episode of Farming Without the Bank, Mary Jo and her guest, long-term care expert Michelle Prather,...

  34. Long-Term Care: The Hidden Threat to Your Farm (Ep. 345)

    Most families think long-term care is a nursing home problem.In reality, it's a financial problem that can slowly drain retirement accounts, investments, and even force the sale of family farmland. In this episode of the Farming Without the Bank Podcast, Mary Jo sits down with long-term care…

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  35. The Bank Said No; His Life Insurance Said Yes (Ep. 344)

    The bank refused the loan — but 40 years of whole life insurance quietly said yes. In this episode, Mary Jo shares one of the most powerful real-life examples she's ever seen of what traditional whole life insurance can become over time — even when it's not structured for Infinite Banking. This...

  36. Internet Trolls Think They Can Say Anything; Here's Why They're Wrong (Ep. 343)

    Do people really think they have the right to be rude online? This episode is a raw, unfiltered look at what content creators actually deal with behind the scenes—and why sometimes, blocking is the only option. Follow Mary Jo Here: https://www.youtube.com/@MaryJoIrmen... Get the book:...

  37. The Liquidity Problem with Annuities Nobody Warns You About (Ep. 342)

    Are annuities a smart retirement strategy… or a costly mistake? There are people who swear by annuities. Others avoid them completely. In this episode of Farming Without the Bank, we break down the real pros and cons of annuities—especially compared to dividend-paying whole life insurance and the...

  38. Universal Life Policies Are Collapsing | Here's Why (Ep. 341)

    🚨 Universal Life Insurance EXPOSED 🚨 Is Universal Life, Indexed Universal Life, or Variable Universal Life really the powerful wealth tool it's marketed to be? In this episode of the Farming Without the Bank podcast, Mary Jo dives deep into why universal life policies often fail, drawing…

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  39. Insurance Premiums Are Destroying Farms—Here's What Actually Works (Ep. 340 )

    Insurance premiums doubling… tripling… and companies still denying claims. Should you just self-insure and be done with it—or will that decision wreck your finances when disaster hits? In this episode of Farming Without the Bank, we dig into Chapter 8: Building Your Warehouse of Wealth and talk...

  40. Nobody's Coming to Save You Financially (Ep. 339)

    What happens when everyone expects someone else to pick up the bill? From a nightmare condo sale to health insurance chaos, this episode is a raw, unfiltered wake-up call on personal responsibility, money, and self-reliance. In this episode, Mary Jo shares a months-long real estate saga that...

  41. Windfall Alert: What Farmers Miss Every Single Year (Ep. 338)

    Is life insurance a luxury—or a necessity? In this episode of Farming Without The Bank (FWTB Ep. 338), Mary Jo breaks down Chapter 7 of Nelson Nash's Warehouse of Wealth and explains how Parkinson's Law silently destroys financial progress, especially when people experience windfalls of money.…

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  42. Corporations Don't Pay Taxes — You Do. Here's How. (Ep. 337)

    You've been told corporations pay taxes, but what if that's the biggest lie in the system? In this episode, Mary Jo breaks down who really pays for taxes, benefits, tariffs, and government programs—and why the consumer always ends up holding the bag. In Episode 337 of Farming Without the Bank…

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  43. Your Biggest Problem Isn't What You Think It Is (Ep. 336)

    Everyone says farming and ranching are hard—but what if the real problem isn't expenses… it's how money is being used? In this episode, Mary Jo tackles the backlash around "excess money," breaks down why being debt-free isn't the same as being financially secure, and explains why cash flow—not...

  44. Commodity Prices Trap Farmers In Debt (Ep. 335)

    Most farmers still buy equipment the old way—cash or bank loans—losing years of compound growth. What if the problem isn't your policy… It's when the money runs through it? 👉 Follow Mary Jo Here: https://www.youtube.com/@MaryJoIrmen?sub_confirmation=1 👉 Get the book:...

  45. Banks Don't Want You Knowing This About Investments (Ep. 334)

    Most people believe they're doing the right thing by maxing out their 401(k) or IRA. But what if the entire system is designed to trap you later with higher taxes, forced withdrawals, and lost control? Follow Mary Jo Here: https://www.youtube.com/@MaryJoIrmen?sub_confirmation=1 Get the book:...

  46. Tiny Town, Huge Risk: What Buying a 60-Year-Old Business Really Takes (Ep. 333)

    Be open-minded, ditch the negativity, and yes, you can buy that small-town business and make it work. In this episode, Mary Jo sits down with client and Iowa rancher/feed-store owner Erica Lantz, who walked away from a 14-year corporate food job to buy a 60-year-old feed store in a town of 1,000...

  47. Parents Need to Teach This—Not Schools (Ep. 332)

    Is your 401(k) really a "benefit"… or did you just get dropped into the government's boiling pot without noticing? 👉 Follow Mary Jo Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXYvzroUouEMsTGKFw5nJHQ 👉 Get the book: https://www.farmingwithoutthebank.com/book In this episode, Mary Jo continues…

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  48. Change Your Financial Future Now! (Ep. 331)

    Controlling the Banking Function in Your Life to Change Your Finacial Future! You might be saving 10% of your income… but quietly sending 34.5% of every disposable dollar to banks in interest. In this episode, Mary Jo breaks down Chapter 3 of Building Your Warehouse of Wealth and shows why how...

  49. Why Life Insurance Might Be Your Secret Asset! (Ep. 330)

    Banks classify your life insurance as an asset, so why do so many people treat it like an expense? In this episode, we break down how dividend-paying whole life can be your warehouse of wealth without feeding inflation like the banking system does. 👉 Follow Mary Jo Here:...

  50. Stop Waiting for Inheritance; Start Farming Now (Ep. 329)

    Are you waiting on an inheritance, a government program, or the bank to finally let you farm "for real"? In this episode, Mary Jo shows how that thinking is exactly what's holding you back, and how Nelson Nash warned us about it years ago. 👉 Follow Mary Jo Here:...

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Topics in this show

Agricultural Entrepreneurship Bank Critique Farm Finance Farmers Money Management IBC Practitioner Independent Banking Profit Optimization

Click any topic to search every transcript on PodParley for moments someone mentioned it.

About this show

Welcome to the Farming Without the Bank podcast, the show with a no-B.S. approach to money, hosted by a farm strategy expert and authorized IBC practitioner.Join us as we get real and expose the flaws of traditional financial institutions in order to help farmers take control of their finances, create peace of mind, grow their wealth, and leave a legacy.https://www.farmingwithoutthebank.com/

Hosted by

Mary Jo Irmen

Categories

Business Investing

Frequently asked questions

How many episodes does Farming Without the Bank Podcast have?

Farming Without the Bank Podcast has 378 episodes on PodParley. The most recent episode was published on October 30, 2026.

What is Farming Without the Bank Podcast about?

Welcome to the Farming Without the Bank podcast, the show with a no-B.S. approach to money, hosted by a farm strategy expert and authorized IBC practitioner.Join us as we get real and expose the flaws of traditional financial institutions in order to help farmers take control of their finances,...

How often does Farming Without the Bank Podcast release new episodes?

Farming Without the Bank Podcast publishes weekly, based on its 378 episodes since May 2019.

Who hosts Farming Without the Bank Podcast?

Farming Without the Bank Podcast is created and hosted by Mary Jo Irmen.
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