At one time, there were over 9,000 Blockbuster Video stores. Today, just one remains. It happens to be in my home state of Oregon, just a few hours away.

If you were born in the 2000s, you might not remember the days when we had to physically transport ourselves to a video rental store if we wanted to watch a movie at home, nor is the name Blockbuster Video likely to mean much to you. But the rest of us associate the name with both astounding success and spectacular failure. Blockbuster was a Fortune 500 company in 2007 and declared bankruptcy in 2010.

So what does all this have to do with crypto and credit unions? Kyle Hauptman, Vice Chairman of the NCUA, joins us on The Remarkable Credit Union podcast to address this month's BIG Question:

How can credit unions be the Netflix, not the Blockbuster Video, of crypto, and what actions is the NCUA taking to encourage innovation in the space?

We talk about how regulators are encouraging innovation in cryptocurrency and blockchain, why credit unions have a head start over banks, and what three areas he would focus on if he were a credit union CEO.

They say that this past summer is one for the record books when it comes to climate-related disasters. Amidst the doom and gloom, however, the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) represents a significant commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions over the next few decades.

But what does this all have to do with credit unions? Quite a lot, actually. Neda Arabshahi, Vice President of the Inclusiv Center for Resiliency and Clean Energy, joins us to talk about the climate finance revolution, which she sees as both a responsibility and an opportunity for credit unions. We discuss the key obstacles to setting up a climate finance initiative, how to make it successful, and what's entailed in designing and scaling climate-friendly financing solutions that promote affordable and sustainable energy for all people.

This month's BIG question: Considering the recent passage of the United States’ most aggressive climate bill to date, what role can credit unions play to help maximize the impact of this new legislation? 

Take a look around your community and ask questions. Be humble, be courageous, and take a leap.

These are guiding philosophies for Katie Fairbairn, Chief Experience Officer for Santa Cruz Community Credit Union (SCCCU), and Kerry Fulton, President & Owner of Southwest Strategic Marketing. They join The Remarkable Credit Union to talk about their mission of economic justice and financial freedom for all, how that guides everything they do, what makes their award-winning “Return the Favor” campaign distinct from other community giving campaigns, and how to balance mission and margin.

This month's BIG Question: What does economic justice look like in practice and how can a credit union work toward achieving it in their community?

Can a credit union with nearly 500,000 members and $9 billion in assets still authentically serve its local community? As consolidation trends continue and asset size is increasingly seen as a key indicator of success, it's important to reflect on how these evolving trends impact the cooperative principles and the credit union difference.

Liz Martin, Vice President of Marketing at OnPoint Community Credit Union (a PixelSpoke client), believes that when growth is rooted in a clear WHY, it can exist in tandem with a strong community focus. She joins us to talk about how OnPoint has grown while still honoring its history as a cooperative founded for teachers, why “branch deserts” motivated them to dramatically expand their branch footprint in 2021, and how to create a personalized and hyper-local experience across digital and in-person channels.

This month’s BIG Question: How can credit unions grow in a sustainable and intentional way while still staying true to their local roots?

If you’re like most of us, you find cryptocurrency a bit… well, cryptic. While most of us are intrigued, we’re also uncertain—and even moreso after last month's crypto crash.

Credit unions have been watching from the sidelines, knowing that the financial sector will, and already has, been impacted, but not necessarily eager to dive into the fray.

This month, Lou Grilli, Senior Innovation Strategist for PSCU and an expert in cryptocurrency for credit unions, joins us to talk about why your members are buying cryptocurrencies, how they might be scammed, and five initial steps to help you get started with crypto at your credit union.

The BIG question:

What are the implications of cryptocurrency for the credit union industry, and what opportunities and challenges does it present?

We often associate "innovation" with paradigm-shifting breakthroughs that disrupt entire industries. But most of the time, innovation is incremental. Or as Ben Maxim, VP of Digital Strategy & Innovation at MSUFCU, puts it, innovation consists of changes made "day by day, making things just a little bit better."

Ben joins our Remarkable Credit Union podcast to talk about talk about MSUFCU's bold decision to build an innovation lab in 2020, their biggest victories and setbacks to date, and his five principles for success.

This month’s BIG question:

Why does innovation matter for credit unions, why is it so hard, and how can credit unions work to create a true culture of innovation?

What do credit union marketers have to do with employee retention and engagement? A lot, according to Teshia Davis, VP of People at SECU.

Teshia joins our Remarkable Credit Union podcast to talk about how SECU has navigated the Great Resignation by creating surprise and delight for their employees, centralizing DEI as part of their guiding credit union strategy, and closely aligning HR with the marketing team.

This month's BIG question:

As American workers are leaving their jobs in droves, how can credit unions retain employees and keep up team morale?

Is challenging the status quo the new status quo? Chad Helminak, Director of Programs and Impact at the National Credit Union Foundation, certainly thinks so.

He joins The Remarkable Credit Union podcast to talk about how The Foundations' Credit Union Development Education (DE) program has evolved to incorporate sustainability and DEI principles, how the people who lead and work at credit unions are the key to fulfilling the movement's potential, and why creating a culture steeped in purpose matters now more than ever.

This month's BIG question:

What does it mean to be connected to and passionate about the credit union movement in 2022… and why should members care?

We’ve all seen the “Big Check” photos. Credit unions commonly post them to their websites and social media accounts to demonstrate their commitment to the community. While these photos are a nice way to show your members that you’re supporting great causes and local nonprofits, are there more engaging and creative ways to highlight your community partnerships?

Ashira Quabili, Marketing Communications & PR Coordinator for Freedom FCU, joins us to talk about their award-winning #FreedomToHelpChallenge that lifts up local nonprofits, actively engages current Freedom FCU members, and helps them bring new members into the fold.

It's hard to say if credit unions are "winning" when it comes to financial coaching and education. There are certainly a lot of great resources out there, but are they inspiring behavior change? Are members proactively meeting with financial counselors? Are credit unions tracking not just the products their members are consuming, but also progress toward their financial goals?

For most credit unions, the answers to these questions are not a resounding yes. Evan Siegel, VP of Financial Services AI at eGain, joins us to talk about how credit unions can reimagine their financial education efforts, drawing from what he learned building a financial coaching practice of 200+ bankers at Wells Fargo. Evan shares how AI can support human AND digital financial education, and why the future of credit unions hinges on coaching, guidance, and advice.

In June of 2020, Netflix announced a $10 million deposit in Hope Credit Union to build economic opportunity in the Black communities that Hope serves. The deposit marked the launch of Hope's Transformational Deposit program, which aims to import $100 million in deposits, allowing both individuals and businesses outside the region to indirectly support a historically underserved population.

Today we're joined by Kathy Saloy, Senior Vice President of Community & Economic Development of Hope Credit Union, and Rashida Ferdinand, Founder and Executive Director of the Sankofa Community Development Corporation (CDC), to learn more about how they are working to transforming communities by focusing on small businesses, listening to their neighbors, and forging innovative partnerships.

Talk of how to engage Gen Z and Millenials is widespread in the credit union movement, but when it comes to climate change, many credit unions don’t seem to be speaking up. As we hear more and more about divestment from big banks as a strategy for pursuing climate justice, it seems that credit unions could be capitalizing on a significant opportunity.

Andrew Bogrand, Communications Director for Divest Oregon, believes that our collective future hinges on stakeholders, not shareholders. Given that credit unions have long been champions of stakeholder engagement, can they serve as a convening body for investing in a fossil-free future?

If credit unions ever "go down," it won't be on Denise Wymore's watch. As a speaker, consultant, and current marketing manager of QCash, Denise is a fierce advocate for the credit union movement. But like many advocates, she thinks credit unions could be doing more.

Denise joins us to address this month's BIG question: What does a “just recovery” look like, and how can credit unions help the communities most impacted by COVID to not only get back on track, but to thrive?

Denise shares her stories about how cooperatives can win together, why FICO might be the enemy of relationships with our members, and what EMTs can teach us about member service.

Last year, credit union members needed more help than ever. Whether they needed help navigating online banking, making a loan payment,  accessing a stimulus check, or applying for a PPP Loan, members were overwhelming call centers and online contact forms in search of guidance and support.

While credit unions have long prided themselves on building relationships that value people over products, COVID upped the ante for prioritizing member service. Sue Woodard, Chief Customer Officer at Total Expert, joins our podcast this month to tackle this month's BIG question:

How has COVID impacted member engagement and communication efforts and what new strategies will stick as we return to “normal?”

Sue shares how to create member journeys that drive engagement, human connection, and a personalized experience... even for indirect members!

Should credit unions care about medical debt? Can they help alleviate it?

George Hofheimer, former EVP of Filene, would answer both questions with a resounding YES. He joins us to talk about why medical debt is such a serious threat to credit union members' financial wellness, where the opportunity lies for credit unions, and what he’s learned by bicycling across America to raise awareness around this vital issue.  

Five years ago, Alabama ONE was not in a "fun place," to say the least. The credit union had been placed into conservatorship, which can sometimes signal the beginning of a slow demise. But this particular story has a happy ending.

Marketing Manager Dantrel Robinson joins The Remarkable Credit Union podcast to talk about how Alabama ONE was able to not only survive, but flourish, rebuilding its brand and regaining community trust. 

This month, we tackle the BIG question: What can we learn from a thriving credit union that was in conservatorship less than five years ago?

Is your website environmentally sustainable? Are there gender or racial biases in your AI algorithm that impact your relationship with potential loan applicants or prospective employees? Do you involve all stakeholders in your technology initiatives?

If you're not sure about the answers to any or all these questions, you're not alone. Tim Frick, CEO, author, and expert on digital ethics, joins us to talk about why we should start talking about on the emerging concept of digital responsibility, what areas your credit union needs to focus on to be digitally responsible, and how we can stop tweeting our way to a warmer planet.

Tune in for this month's BIG question: What is digital responsibility and how can your credit union do better?

Amber Fielder, VP of Marketing at USE Credit Union and past Board Chair of the Marketing Association of Credit Unions (MAC), joins us to address this month's BIG question:

Where should credit union marketers be focusing their efforts in 2021?

Amber talks about how the events of the last year have driven more innovation in the loan product space; why product innovation should be everyone’s lane (and why we should all be driving in it); how to create meaningful, long-term results even amidst uncertainty; and why Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is a critical core competency for credit unions.

How can credit union leaders help their teams thrive in 2021? Jimese Harkley, VP of Membership at CUES, joins us to talk about the three key skills that rise to the top in our new unpredictable normal.

Of course, most every team member wants to be successful in their job, but team needs go far beyond work hours. How can credit union leaders support women, who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, and where do female credit union leaders turn to for support? How can leaders make Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion a priority and create space for awkward but necessary conversations about race and politics? 

Tune into our first podcast of 2021 to learn more.

Want to make a difference in your community? Start with your employees. As Judah Musick, former Chief Innovation Officer at Red Rocks Credit Union, has learned firsthand, employers are key to scalable and sustainable community impact.

Musick joins us to address this month's BIG question: How can credit unions better align their product strategy and impact strategy, and might employee benefits be one piece of the puzzle? 

It’s safe to say that this year almost nothing has gone according to plan. That’s not to mention that the days are getting shorter, and we’re all confronting the reality of winter in the thick of a pandemic.

So, how are you doing? How are your coworkers doing? Is everyone ok? Chances are, everyone is not ok. While we can’t solve our coworkers’ problems (or some of our own problems, for that matter), we can be a positive force in their lives. PixelSpoke’s very own Joy Team joins our Remarkable Credit Union podcast to answer this month’s BIG question: How can we create a strong, cohesive culture built on mutual trust and support in a mostly-remote environment?

We all have our own money story. Many of our financial habits, as well as the beliefs and emotions we have around money, are inherited from our parents and the communities in which we were raised. Most of us would benefit from both discovering and reshaping our money stories, but will a website of videos and articles truly prompt behavior change?

Georgia Lee Hussey, a sculptor and writer turned wealth management firm CEO, joins us on The Remarkable Credit Union podcast to help us answer today’s Big Question: How can credit unions move from education to actual behavior change when it comes to helping their members be financially empowered?

We could all use a little more kindness right now. In a world that has become increasingly polarized and prone to hysteria, one simple act of kindness can go a long way. On this episode, we're joined by two guests from the Minnesota Credit Union Network, President & CEO Mark Cummins and Director of Engagement Ben Hering, to talk about CU Forward, a statewide day of kindness that is strengthening trust in communities, generating buzzworthy stories, and creating meaningful impact.

In this month's episode, we're excited to explore how your credit union can measure its impact in a meaningful way, and how doing so can help you win over new members and gain more loyalty from existing members.

We recorded this conversation back in early March, about a week before our world as we knew it was turned upside down by COVID-19. While we’ve been focusing on more urgent issues over the last few months, we don't want to lose sight of the importance of measuring impact, particularly as we head into the 2021 planning season.

Between financial hardship, health concerns, racial strife, and a general atmosphere of fear and anxiety, your members and community need you more than ever. There’s great potential ROI for rigorous impact measurement, particularly during a recession when member loyalty and new member growth are all the more critical.

Dan Osusky, the Director of Standards at B Lab and creator of one of the world’s most comprehensive standards for impact, joins us to talk about how measurement illuminates our blind spots, what the business case is for impact, and how to create a roadmap to greater impact.

By now you've probably heard of the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), but if you're not based in California, you may not be paying much attention... yet. Ben Herman, CEO of MadFish Digital, joins us to talk about how the CCPA is setting a precedent for a wave of similar regulations that will keep growing in strength and complexity, much like ADA. He discusses the specific steps credit unions can take to be out in front of this trend, whether or not you're based in California, and the ways in which COVID-19 has only heightened data privacy concerns.