The Financial Wellness Podcast

In this honest (and slightly hilarious) episode, we share our real-life money confessions—from cringe-worthy mistakes to those, “I knew better but did it anyway” moments. We unpack why money decisions can be so emotional, why shame keeps us silent, and how normal it is to learn the hard way. No judgment—just real talk, good laughs, and a reminder that we all mess up sometimes. 

Money means different things to different people—and culture plays a big role in shaping those beliefs. In this episode, we explore how family traditions, upbringing, and cultural values influence saving, spending, giving, and financial decision-making.

What if the issue isn’t your income, your debt, or your budget—but your willingness to face it? In this episode, we unpack how avoidance, fear, and self-doubt keep us stuck financially—and how courage is often the missing ingredient to real progress. 

Before you can truly support others financially, you need a solid foundation yourself. In this episode, we talk about why “putting on your own oxygen mask first” applies to money, how to build stability, and practical steps to strengthen your financial confidence before stepping in to help others. 

Do you operate from fear or fantasy when thinking about your finances? Money can trigger more than numbers—it can activate fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. In this episode, we explore how those stress responses shape the way we spend, save, avoid, or overextend ourselves. From impulsive decisions to financial avoidance or people-pleasing, understanding your pattern is the first step toward building a plan rooted in clarity instead of emotion. If you’ve ever felt stuck, stressed, or overly optimistic about money, this conversation will help you move forward with confidence.

How can 3Rivers be a good partner on your Financial Wellness journey. Mirza joins the podcast to talk about what it means to provide excellent service.

Financial Wellness takes work, but what do you do when you don't have the energy? This week, we're discussing strategies for navigating difficult times and how saving and preparation can help when you lack the mental energy to focus on your finances.

Mike Sinish joins Ashlee and Austin to talk about doing what's right for 3Rivers members, including how debt consolidation can help you achieve your financial wellness goals. 

This week, we are bringing you a discussion with 3Rivers Mortgage Servicing Manager David Delamarter. Ashlee, Austin, and David talk about whether or not you should pay an escrow shortage at once or over the course of the year, what to do if your mortgage payment goes up, and more!

Ashlee and Austin are joined by Branch Manager Todd Laubhan to discuss strategies for helping your kids learn to manage their money and prioritize financial wellness.

Austin and Ashlee investigate how our beliefs and emotions inform what we do with our money and why it might be time to take another look at some long-term habits.

Don't wait until after the holidays! Get started on your goals for 2026 now. Austin and Ashlee are here with some strategies to get started.

What should you do if you can't pay your bills? How do you get your money back on track? Austin and Ashlee talk with guests Lesley and Simone about how 3Rivers can help.

Austin and Ashlee talk with AVP of Digital, Payment, and Fraud Operations at 3Rivers Jeremy Vance about common tactics fraudsters use and how you can protect yourself and your money. 

Ashlee is joined by Amy Ballard the Assistant Vice President of Member Experience: Branches who shares some of her favorite dream making stories.

This week Ashlee and Austin talk with Dupont Branch Manager Kayla Brummett about real life examples of Dream Making.

Ashlee and Nina talk about how our emotions can impact our financial wellness.

Ashlee and Austin talk to Youth and College Advisor Jordan about student loans and when to refinance them.

Austin and Ashlee chat with Community Solutions Coordinator Carrie Miller about starting a business and how 3Rivers can help.

Austin and Ashlee visited Madison at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum, one of our community partners, to talk about the museum's education and preservation efforts and how buying a car has changed over the years.

Austin is joined by fraud specialists Jeremy and Stephanie to discuss how fraud can negatively impact your financial wellness and what you and 3Rivers can do about it.

Ashlee and Austin are joined by Senior Branch Manager Josh Barnes to dive into the concept of Dream Making and how it relates to financial wellness. This weeks challenge: Identify your dream, set a timeline, and automate your savings.

Ashlee and Austin try to answer the age-old question of why it's not easy to do the things we know we should.

Building good financial habits takes time, and we all have tools we can share with each other to help build them.

Senior Vice President of Financial Strategy, Lyndsey Emerick, stops by to explain what the "Fed" is and how it impacts interest rates and your Financial Wellness.

Ashlee and Austin talk about why stressing about your finances might actually be good for you. 

Austin and Ashlee talk with 3Rivers Projects Process Manager Mary Moore about getting started and building a career in the financial industry.

This week Austin and Ashlee are talking about how to overcome some common and not-so-common roadblocks to financial wellness.

This week we are talking about steps you can take when the debt and bills are piling up. 

How do credit cards fit in Financial Wellness? Austin and Ashlee help you sort it out.

3Rivers President and CEO Don Cates talks with Ashlee and Austin about what it means to be a Dream Maker.

Today we're talking about "What's Next", the pillar of financial wellness that's all about dreaming big while making steady progress on your financial wellness journey.

Today we're talking about how to visualize your financial wellness plan.

Ashlee and Austin discuss the second pillar of Financial Wellness, Give Hope.

Today we're talking about how to "Know Your Now" and the tools you can use to assess your financial wellness.

Ashlee and Austin discuss financial wellness, how to grade your financial health, and steps you can take to achieve your financial goals.