Farming Without the Bank Podcast

Banks are already tightening up on ag lending, and that’s your red alarm. This creates instability as banks pull out of lending due to perceived high risk.

In this episode, Mary Jo dives into one of the biggest mistakes she sees farmers and ranchers making—rushing to pay off debt at the expense of cash flow. She explains why keeping money liquid provides flexibility, freedom from the bank’s control, and better long-term planning. Through real client stories, she shows how choosing liquidity over debt payoff can mean the difference between staying in business and being forced back to t...

In this episode, Mary Jo breaks down why multiple policies aren’t just a nice-to-have—they’re necessary if you want to grow real wealth, keep taxes off your back, and take back control from the banking system. From MEC limits to managing premiums, she lays out the blunt truth about when and how to start extra policies, what pitfalls to avoid, and why building your own banking system looks a lot like how the banks operate—with more ...

In this episode, Mary Jo tackles the hidden dangers of life settlements and why they often hurt elderly policyholders more than help them. She explains how companies profit by preying on the uninformed—while simple solutions like borrowing against a whole life policy are overlooked. Mary Jo calls on listeners to share this knowledge with parents, grandparents, and neighbors to protect them from costly mistakes.

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In this passionate episode, Mary Jo delves into the ethical issues within the agricultural finance industry, sharing her frustrations with financial consultants who exploit struggling farmers by charging exorbitant fees. She contrasts her own approach, which prioritizes genuine aid and financial education over profit. Mary Jo discusses her deep-rooted drive to protect and empower vulnerable people in the agricultural industry, and ...

If you're still judging what works based on what your neighbor did (or didn't do), this episode is for you. Mary Jo calls out the small-town mindset that keeps farmers stuck—from refusing to leave the county, to writing off ideas without understanding them. She dives into why it's dangerous to assume something "doesn't work" when you've never asked the right questions, never left your operation, and never learned what others across...

In this episode, Mary Jo shares her candid thoughts on the inefficiency of writing out goals and drafting mission statements, advocating instead for actionable steps and a positive mindset to achieve business success. Through a detailed client case study, she discusses leveraging resources and strategic thinking to maximize returns in farming and ranching. Mary Jo challenges conventional wisdom and encourages listeners to focus on ...

In this episode, Mary Jo explores the significant impacts of bank control on farming operations and presents the Infinite Banking Concept as a solution. By controlling their own finances, farmers could make strategic decisions without bank-imposed selling deadlines, increasing profits and reducing stress. The discussion also touches upon the broader implications of financial control, such as influencing market prices, promoting gen...

In this episode, Mary Jo and John continue their study through Nelson Nash's Becoming Your Own Banker book. They address common misconceptions about money, interest, and banking systems, emphasizing the importance of viewing money as valuable and leveraging whole life insurance to become your own banker. The discussion includes the biblical basis for earning interest, the mechanics of banking, and the critical aspects of creating a...

Are you a farmer worried about losing your family farm to banks, bad estate planning, or expensive buyouts?

Mary Jo Irmen joins Tracy Brunet on the Impact Farming Show to reveal how Infinite Banking for farmers can protect your farm, simplify farm succession planning, and keep your operation in the family for generations.

In addition to providing an overview of the Infinite Banking Concept, they discuss specifically how it is instr...

Too many farmers assume “Farming Without the Bank” means living cash-only and staying debt-free.

In this episode, Mary Jo Irmen sets the record straight. She breaks down why using cash only could be costing you thousands in lost opportunity, why paying interest isn’t the enemy, and how uninterrupted compound interest is t...

🌱 Seed vs. Harvest: What Are You REALLY Paying Taxes On?

Most farmers and business owners are unknowingly planning for a tax-heavy retirement, and it’s costing them big time.

In this episode, Mary Jo Irmen uses a simple corn jar visual to unpack the po...

📣 Farm Progress Got It WRONG About Infinite Banking

In this no-holds-barred episode, Mary Jo Irmen breaks down a misinformed article published by Nebraska Farmer on the Infinite Banking Concept (IBC). She exposes the inaccuracies line by line, from calling IBC an “investment” to lumping ...

🎙️ EP. 310 – Arrival Syndrome at Its Finest

Why is it so hard to get others to understand Infinite Banking, even when you’ve done the work and read the book?

In this episode, Mary Jo Irmen breaks down one of the biggest barriers to spreading the truth about IBC:

Starting a Bank vs. Starting a Policy (w/ John Hasche)

Most farmers don’t question putting capital into their land, cattle, or equipment. But when it comes to life insurance policies, suddenly they hesitate. Why is that?

In this episode, Mary Jo Irmen and John Hasche dig into Nelson Nash’s...

Too many farmers claim they “can’t afford” life insurance premiums—but turn around and spend thousands on tractors, trailers, and toys.

In this episode, Mary Jo Irmen challenges that mindset head-on. She walks through why premiums should be treated like any other farm expense, how to rewire your thinking around affordability, and why putting off Infinite Banking ...

Many farmers take pride in being debt-free, but is that pride holding them back?

In this episode, Mary Jo Irmen joins Damien Mason on the Business of Agriculture podcast to challenge the status quo of farm finance.

They tackle the misconceptions around debt, why Infinite Banking isn’t just abo...

Too many farmers are stuck in survival mode, juggling high input costs, debt, and unpredictable markets, without a real plan for control or long-term success.

In this episode, Mary Jo Irmen unpacks the Top 10 Concerns facing today’s farmers and ranchers, from inconsistent cash flow to retirement worries, and shows how five of t...

Some folks think Mary Jo Irmen doesn’t understand farming. Spoiler alert: she does.

In this episode, Mary Jo sets the record straight about her deep roots in agriculture, from growing up on a cattle ranch in North Dakota to working with thousands of farmers across the country. 

She shares h...