CU Spotlight

 Recorded live at the 1934 Event during GAC 2026, this episode features Andy Janning, founder of Life Over Debt, and Tom Kazar from Empathy. Andy shares the personal story behind the movement—how a cancer diagnosis in his own family exposed a harsh reality: many financial institutions unintentionally make crises worse. This conversation goes deeper than inspiration. It breaks down the real barriers credit unions face—time, bandwidth, and uncertainty—and challenges leaders to rethink what’s already possible within their existing systems. It also introduces groundbreaking research studying how financial interventions directly impact physical and emotional health.   Key Takeaways 1. The Biggest Barrier Isn’t Money—It’s Mindset Most credit unions aren’t resisting programs like this out of apathy—they’re overwhelmed. The real challenge is shifting thinking from “this is extra work” to “this is already within reach.”  2. There’s a Hidden Crisis Members Aren’t Talking About Members facing cancer often avoid their financial institutions out of fear. That silence creates a dangerous gap—problems escalate because no one is asking the right questions early enough.  3. This Work Is Creating an Entirely New Category Life Over Debt isn’t just a program—it’s becoming a measurable, research-backed model. For the first time, financial interventions are being studied for their impact on physical and emotional health, redefining what financial institutions can do. Shine a light where it matters.

 Recorded live at the 1934 Event during GAC 2026, this episode of CU Spotlight features Ron Smith, CEO of Bright Credit Union, alongside co-host Shirley Senn. The conversation highlights Ron’s journey from teller to CEO and dives into the powerful Life Over Debt initiative—an empathetic program designed to support members facing cancer by pausing loan payments and removing financial stress during treatment. Through real stories and practical insights, the episode explores how credit unions—regardless of size—can lead with compassion, strengthen member loyalty, and live out the true mission of “people helping people.” It’s a compelling reminder that the real return on investment isn’t just financial—it’s human.  Key Takeaways 1. Empathy Is the Ultimate Competitive Advantage Programs like Life Over Debt show that when credit unions prioritize people over profit, they create lifelong loyalty and meaningful impact.  2. You Don’t Need to Be Big to Make a Big Difference Even smaller credit unions can implement powerful programs quickly, proving that purpose—not size—drives innovation and community impact.  3. The Real ROI Is Long-Term Trust and Loyalty While the short-term financial return may be unclear, supporting members in their hardest moments leads to stronger relationships, retention, and powerful word-of-mouth growth. Shine a light where it matters.

At the GAC 2026, 1934 Event, industry leaders, Jackie Taque, Chief Experience Officer from Edwards FCU and Joel Strowzeski, CEO of Holy Family Memorial CU, share powerful, real-world stories about the Life Over Debt program—a transformative initiative helping credit union members battling cancer by pausing loan payments and easing financial stress.The conversation explores how even small institutions can implement the program, the emotional and community impact it creates, and why the return on investment goes far beyond dollars. At its core, this episode highlights the true meaning of the credit union philosophy: people helping people. Three Key Takeaways1. Impact Over Income: ROI Is Measured in Lives, Not Just DollarsThe financial cost of the program is minimal—even for small credit unions—but the emotional and community return is massive. Loyalty, trust, and word-of-mouth growth far outweigh traditional ROI metrics.2. Small Credit Unions Can Drive Big ChangeYou don’t need massive assets to make a difference. Even a $19M credit union successfully implemented the program, proving that leadership and purpose matter more than size.3. Storytelling Is the Missing LinkCredit unions often fail to promote the incredible work they do. Sharing these stories—through podcasts, community events, and member conversations—is essential to expanding impact and awareness.Shine a light where it matters.