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SASFAA's Swoonpies and Money: Daily Summaries Delivered
by SASFAA
A podcast for members by members, where financial aid, community, and a little Southern flavor come together.
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- 5 days ago51 min
S3:E13 Day One in the Sun and an Awesome Listener Contest
We're kicking off our two-part coverage of the 2026 FASFAA Conference from Daytona Beach! There was simply too much great content to fit into a single episode, so we're bringing you the highlights from FASFAA’s annual celebration across two shows.On Day One, you'll hear from Lindsay Elliott of Family Renew Community, this year's conference charity partner, along with two outstanding presenters: Dr. Karemah Campbell Manselle, Director of Student Financial Assistance at the University of Central Florida, and Dave Sobush, Director of Research and Policy for the Florida College Access Network (FCAN).You'll also hear from our awesome Health and Wellness correspondent, Samantha Dunman—better known to listeners as Dr. Happy. For the first time, we took her out of the comfort of her Embry-Riddle studio and sent her into the wild armed with a fuzzy microphone. The results were entertaining, insightful, and—if you've listened to Dr. Happy before—not surprisingly, awesome.By now, you've probably noticed a theme.That's because we're turning Dr. Happy's awesomes into a contest. As you listen, count how many times she says "awesome" during her interviews. The first listener to email the correct total to sassapodcast@gmail.com will win an awesome prize package, including a personalized voicemail greeting recorded by Dr. Happy herself, an autographed t-shirt (most likely an old t-shirt from her home) and a complimentary SASFAA membership, and a few other surprises.So, grab your headphones, start counting those awesomes, and enjoy Day One of our FASFAA Conference coverage. And don't miss Day Two, dropping in just a few days, featuring Jody Walker and Pam Gordon discussing the LEAP Program, the always delightful Lou Murray and Tim Young from Earnest, incoming FASFAA President Armenta Johnson's closing remarks, and the conclusion of the Dr. Happy Awesome Challenge.Family Renew Community donation link:https://www.familyrenew.org/our-program/
- 2 weeks ago1h 7m
S3:E12: Breaking News, final NPRM...kind of
While waiting for final regulations, we decided to create a few of our own. In today's episode, we're putting our own spin on NPRM. No, it's not the final regulations; it's the Swoonpie version: Notice, Pause, Reset, Move.Join Swoonie colleagues Sam Dunman (Dr. Happy) and Lou Murray as they explore a mindful and practical approach to navigating the challenges we face in financial aid and beyond. Together, they share a stress survival guide designed to help listeners recognize pressure, create space for reflection, reset their mindset, and move forward with intention when feeling overwhelmed by the constant demands of the profession.Plus, in another installment of What Keeps You Up at Night?, Sam Hicks sits down with Egan Hanson, current president of FASFAA, for a thoughtful conversation about LinkedIn and its role in professional engagement, networking, and building meaningful connections within the financial aid community.Whether you're looking for strategies to manage stress or insights on strengthening your professional network, this episode offers practical takeaways to help you thrive.
- 3 weeks ago33 min
S3:E11: State Heavyweights, Hope, and Pablo EscoBEAR
Welcome back to the podcast! Spring conference season is buzzing louder than a ballroom before the opening session, and today we’ve got two SASFAA state heavyweights.First, you’ll hear from Nadine Bailey, Conference Co-Chair for the upcoming FASFAA Conference. Nadine shares the story behind this year’s conference charity partner, Family Renew Community. It is a lifeline for families with children in Volusia and Flagler Counties, helping them move from homelessness to stability and hope. Beginning next week, and centered around the conference theme “Welcome Aboard,” the entire FASFAA membership, including those not attending the conference, is coming together to support this incredible cause.Then, Swoonpie producer Spencer Morris takes us inside an experience that could only happen in Tennessee: TASFAA Bingo. Somehow, a game once thought to be reserved for geriatrics has evolved into one of the most legendary and memorable nights on the association calendar. At the center of the chaos and camaraderie is none other than the legendary Pablo EscoBEAR. He is pictured below.Created from the imagination of founding member Charles Harper, Pablo has become the official mascot of the Kings of Bingo and Queen of Cards. Each year, Pablo is auctioned off during TASFAA Bingo to benefit the President’s Charity. The winning school gets to have Pablo for the year and incorporates him into financial aid office events. This year, Tennessee State University won and has the honor of hosting him until next spring.Finally, TASFAA member David Haggard shares his vision and journey in creating Blazing Hope Ranch, this year’s conference charity. Blazing Hope Ranch provides a safe, healing space for survivors of human trafficking and works to combat trafficking through education and community outreach efforts.
- May 15, 202638 min
S3:E10: Healing and Sobriety
Welcome to a special weekend edition of Swoonpies and Money. This episode is devoted entirely to a powerful message: sobriety is not a weakness or a sacrifice; it is a bold, life-affirming choice that requires courage, honesty, and daily commitment.Host Sam Dunman sits down with guest Christine Harvey for a candid and reflective conversation on healing, and the importance of having a strong community—one that holds you accountable, supports you through challenges, and reminds you that you’re never navigating the journey alone. Together, they explore how even simple practices like intentional breathing can ground you in difficult moments and help you regain control. In this light, sobriety becomes more than an individual’s path; it’s a journey strengthened by connection, self-awareness, and small, powerful tools that make lasting change possible.
- May 11, 202658 min
S3:E9: Politics or Dungeon Crawler Carl. Can you tell the difference?
To open the show, we’re joined by Emily Baldwin, who’s here to preview the upcoming New Aid Officer’s Workshop, SASFAA’s annual training opportunity designed to help new financial aid professionals build their knowledge, confidence, and sense of community.Emily also highlights GASFAA’s featured conference charity, Open Paws Food Pantry. It is dedicated to supportingstudents at Augusta University facing food insecurity, Open Paws is working to ensure no student has to choose between their education and their next meal. You’ll find links to support the Food Pantry below.Then, we dive into a conversation with Will Shaffner, who shares what he’s hearing inside the Beltway and what may lie ahead for higher education policy and shifting institutional trends.And just when you think you’ve deciphered Will's news, Sam Hicks and her merry band of sci-fi aficionados take things in acompletely different direction, keeping you up at night with a lively discussion of Dungeon Crawler Carl.Two ways to support Open Paws Food Pantry: Open Paws Pantry: https://www.augusta.edu/student-affairs/open-paws.php Also, an Amazon Wishlist to donate: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/39DXVQ4L6Q1LY?ref_=wl_share
- May 5, 20261h 2m
S3:E8: FSA's Aaron Lemon-Strauss on Fraud, Michelle is back and we're on social media!
In today’s episode, Bill is thrilled (and maybe a little relieved!) to welcome back co-host Michelle Gunnin, formerly Michelle Hemmer, returning from leave after welcoming baby Hana into the world in February. We’re so glad to have her back.Our featured segment is last week’s conversation with Aaron Lemon-Strauss, Executive Director of the FAFSA program, recorded live on the SASFAA YouTube channel. If you missed it, we’ve got the full audio here, covering the critical topic of fraud mitigation in financial aid, as well as other breakthroughinitiatives from our FSA colleagues.You’ll also hear a couple of quick announcements: a reminder that SASFAA’s New Aid Officers Workshop rate increases soon, and for our Georgia friends, a call to submit your charity auction items for the upcoming GASFAA conference.And finally, the really cool big news, we’re now on social media! The Swoonies are late to the party, but we brought snacks. Let's party like it's 2011!Now on Facebook & Instagram! Follow Swoonpies & Money and engage with your SASFAA colleagues while listening to the podcast, because the best conversations don’t end when the episode does.https://www.instagram.com/sasfaapodcast https://www.facebook.com/swoonpiesandmoney
- Apr 30, 20261h 19m
S3: E7: The Resilience Playbook: VASFAA, Escape Room, and D&D
In this episode, we take you inside the recent Virginia Association conference held in Norfolk, highlighting the shared experiences that connect members across the SASFAA region. Even if you’re from Florida, South Carolina, or Tennessee, no matter where you are, the challenges are basically the same. Different states but same OB3, same deadlines, and same whiplash announcements.This conference had a little bit of everything. An escape room (because nothing says, “professional development” like "get me out of here!"), leadership lessons from behind the Dungeons & Dragons dungeon master screen, and plenty of creative ways people manage stress—think Scottish country dancing, baking side gigs, and concert-hopping road trips.Most importantly, we hear from VASFAA President Loretta Jones, who shares insights about the association’s charitable efforts supporting Bobby’s Pit Bull Rescue and Sanctuary in Spotsylvania County. Also, Loretta honors several VASFAA members whose hard work and dedication have made a lasting impact on the association. This episode is a reminder that while the work we do can be challenging, the people in SASFAA bring creativity, resilience, and a strong sense of community to everything they do.
- Apr 22, 20261h 9m
S3:E6: From Huntsville with Heart: The AASFAA Community
Today’s episode is all about community, connection, and the energy that makes this profession so special. We’re taking you inside the recent Alabama Financial Aid Association Conference, held just a couple of weeks ago in Huntsville. AASFAA may be small, but it punches well above its weight; you can feel it in the leadership, hear it in the conversations, and see it in the camaraderie that carries throughout their annual conference.We’ll kick things off with a meaningful conversation around the association’s charitable work with the Alzheimer’s Association. Then, we’ll take you around the room, checking in with attendees and sponsors to capture the pulse of the conference, before wrapping up with AASFAA President Jamie Burt from the University of Alabama.In addition, today we give you a quick look at what’s coming up on Swoonpies and Money: this week, Daniel Barkowitz sits down with FAFSA Program Executive Director Aaron Lemon-Strauss to break down new fraud-detection strategies and identity verification updates from the Department of Education. In the coming weeks, we’ve got more conference coverage from Virginia, a conversation with Dr. Happy focusing on mindset and holistic recovery, then Sam Hicks and friends continue to explore the question “What keeps you up at night?” with a deep dive into Dungeon Crawler Carl.
About SASFAA's Swoonpies and Money
A podcast for members by members, where financial aid, community, and a little Southern flavor come together.
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