North Carolina State Treasurer Brad Briner is warning that Atrium Health's new affordability program could accelerate financial problems for the State Health Plan by shifting additional costs onto taxpayers and plan members Atrium maintains its program will help reduce out-of-pocket expenses for patients Meanwhile new data shows teacher vacancies across North Carolina declined even before recently approved pay raises took effect Andy Jackson of the John Locke Foundation joins the program with the latest mail-voting numbers showing turnout running nearly below the same point in the midterm election Plus the U S Supreme Court has temporarily blocked a Fourth Circuit [... more]

North Carolina lawmakers have approved a temporary suspension of the state's -cent-per-gallon motor fuel tax through Nov passing the measure - in the House and - in the Senate during Wednesday's special session The program features audio from the General Assembly as lawmakers debate the measure and its impact on drivers and transportation funding Meanwhile the Department of Public Instruction is asking the state for recurring funding to replace aging student laptops with more than half of public school units reporting they lack sufficient replacement funding Mitch Kokai of the John Locke Foundation joins the program to discuss a th [... more]

Discover why Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuities MYGAs are becoming an increasingly popular option for retirees and conservative investors looking for stability in an uncertain financial landscape In this episode of Finishing Well certified financial planner Hans Scheil and host Robby Dilmore explain how MYGAs work how they compare to traditional bank CDs and why they may offer an attractive combination of guaranteed interest rates tax-deferred growth and financial security when used as part of a well-rounded retirement plan Hans and the team discuss the importance of choosing highly rated insurance companies the advantages of creating a MYGA ladder options for generating [... more]

On this episode of Our American Stories The Founders knew firsthand that a postal system could be used as a tool of government surveillance Before the Revolution British officials had opened and inspected colonial mail giving Americans good reason to distrust putting their letters in government hands But the new nation faced a different problem Its people were scattered across vast distances and a republic could hardly function if they couldn't remain connected Daniel Piazza of the Smithsonian's National Postal Museum shares how the American postal system helped solve that problem allowing Americans to truly settle their new nation Support [... more]

Republicans are mounting a massive campaign to stop David Hatley from pulling off what could be one of the most explosive upsets in modern Tennessee politics Hatley is running as a self-funded Independent He joins KWAM in studio today See omnystudio com listener for privacy information [... more]

The National Republican Congressional Committee has added Jennifer Balkcom in North Carolina's th Congressional District to its MAGA Majority program as Republicans look to hold the western North Carolina seat Andrew Pomeranz of Carolina Journal joins the program to discuss California Gov Gavin Newsom's visit to rally North Carolina Democrats where he urged the party to focus on the midterms rather than the presidential race Mitch Kokai of the John Locke Foundation breaks down the U S Supreme Court's decision blocking a lower court ruling that favored Roy Cooper and Democrats in a dispute over broadcast advertising rates Plus North [... more]

Where you bank may seem like a purely practical decision We often compare interest rates fees convenience and technology and those things matter But for Christians banking can also be viewed through the larger lens of stewardship Every financial decision gives us an opportunity to consider how faithfully we are managing the resources God has entrusted to us Aaron Caid Chief Marketing Officer at AdelFi Christian Banking joined the show today to discuss financial discipleship the role of Christian financial institutions and how everyday banking decisions can support work that advances the gospel Banking as an Act of Stewardship Biblical [... more]

Most people focus on reducing this year's tax bill but what if you could create a strategy that reduces taxes over your entire lifetime while leaving more for the people you love In this episode of Finishing Well Certified Financial Planner Hans Scheil and host Robby Dilmore explore eight practical biblically-minded strategies designed to help you become a wiser steward of the resources God has entrusted to you From Roth conversions and Required Minimum Distributions RMDs to charitable giving Medicare IRMAA planning and preparing for the widow's penalty you'll discover why thoughtful planning today can make a lasting impact on [... more]

Sometimes one glimpse can change everything For a woman facing an unexpected pregnancy fear and uncertainty can make it difficult to know what comes next But seeing her baby through an ultrasound can bring a moment of clarity and open the door to compassionate care practical support and hope Dan Steiner Founder and President of PreBorn joined the show today to explain how the ministry partners with pregnancy clinics across the country to reach women facing unexpected pregnancies PreBorn provides ultrasound machines training financial support and other resources to help local clinics serve women at a critical moment The Power [... more]

Reverse mortgages have carried a negative reputation for years especially among Christians who are cautious about debt But as with any financial tool faithful stewardship calls us to understand how it works before deciding whether it belongs in a financial plan Harlan Accola leads the reverse mortgage team at Movement Mortgage a FaithFi underwriter He joined the show today to explain why reverse mortgages remain controversial how today's Home Equity Conversion Mortgage HECM differs from older products and when it might play a useful role in retirement planning Why Are Christians Hesitant About Reverse Mortgages For many believers the hesitation [... more]

Washington Examiner economics columnist Tiana Lowe Doescher joins Brian Kilmeade to break down the staggering trillion U S national debt crisis Doescher explains why tax cuts aren't to blame how non-discretionary entitlement spending is driving the deficit and why Federal Reserve rate cuts won't instantly fix soaring mortgage rates Plus a look at the economic impacts of AI data centers and why single-payer healthcare models fail Learn more about your ad choices Visit podcastchoices com adchoices [... more]

Risk is unavoidable in investing and in life But not all risks deserve equal attention It is easy to focus primarily on the probability that something will happen If an investment career move or financial strategy has a high likelihood of succeeding we may assume it is a good decision But Mark Biller Executive Editor at Sound Mind Investing suggests another question may be even more important If things go wrong how wrong could they go That shift from focusing on probabilities to considering consequences can help us make wiser financial decisions and protect ourselves from risks that could permanently [... more]

Rest and margin are essential for living wisely and well, as they allow us to recharge and make intentional financial decisions. God's idea of rest is not just a luxury, but a necessary part of living faithfully, and it's essential to balance work and rest to avoid burnout and maintain healthy relationships. [... more]

Financial burdens can weigh heavily on individuals, affecting not only their bank accounts but also their relationships, health, and sense of peace. Seeking help from certified credit counselors can provide clarity and a path forward, helping to alleviate the emotional weight of debt and promote financial freedom. Biblical wisdom emphasizes the importance of living within one's means, being content with what one has, and being generous with resources. Effective financial planning and stewardship involve considering factors such as retirement planning, Social Security, and Medicare, to ensure a secure future for oneself and one's loved ones. [... more]

North Carolina's 11th congressional district is set to choose a new Republican candidate after Congressman Chuck Edwards dropped out of the race due to a House Ethics Committee report. The district's executive committee will meet Monday to select a replacement nominee. Meanwhile, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction marked the first anniversary of Superintendent Mo Green's five-year strategic plan, launching a public dashboard and pointing to four record results as evidence of progress. The plan aims to make North Carolina's public education system the best in the nation by 2030. In other news, the North Carolina General Assembly has taken action on two pieces of legislation, House Bill 958 and House Bill 834, dealing with elections across the state. The bills have undergone significant changes, with some provisions being moved from one bill to the other. Dr. Andy Jackson from the John Locke Foundation joins the Carolina Journal News Hour to discuss the latest developments. Additionally, new data from the 2025 North Carolina High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows that North Carolina has returned to and exceeded pre-pandemic levels across nearly all reported measures, with encouraging percentage drops in student safety, risk behaviors, and mental health. [... more]

Harlan Akola explains how a reverse mortgage can be a tax-efficient way to manage retirement income, while Rob West discusses strategies for building credit and managing debt, emphasizing the importance of God's wisdom in financial decisions. [... more]

A potential ICE detention center in North Carolina's northeastern part of the state has sparked debate over immigration enforcement and local cooperation. Meanwhile, a major elections overhaul bill is set to see significant movement in the North Carolina General Assembly. Electricity rates across the state are also under scrutiny, with Duke Energy proposing a 9.5% rate increase over the next two years. As North Carolina aims for a carbon-neutral future, the cost of achieving this goal is being felt by consumers. [... more]

A loving God sees women in crisis pregnancy and His people are ready to surround them with care. Through a national network of pregnancy centers, Pre-Born provides free ultrasounds to abortion-vulnerable women, changing everything for them and their babies. [... more]

A discussion on the intersection of faith and culture, exploring topics such as the 4th of July celebrations, religious freedom in education, and the importance of community and meaning in addressing social issues like suicide and mental health. The conversation also touches on the role of palliative care and death doulas in end-of-life care, and the implications of AI on human nature. [... more]

Many families are struggling with credit card debt and financial pressure due to rising costs and stagnant wages. Credit counseling can help break the cycle of high interest payments and provide a structured debt management plan to pay off debt responsibly. Financial literacy is growing, and online resources are helping consumers learn responsible ways to pay off debt and understand the risks of debt settlement programs. A certified credit counselor can review your specific situation and help you create a plan to achieve financial freedom. [... more]