SASFAA's Swoonpies and Money

For your listening enlightenment this weekend we welcome back Dr. Happy with another inspiring conversation:

Jasmine Estevez presents "From 9–5 to Aligned Living: Yoga, Veganism & Holistic Motherhood." Explore the journey toward intentional living, personal wellness, and creating a life aligned with your values.

After leaving her nine-to-five job, Jasmine completely transformed her life through yoga, plant-based living, intentional movement, and conscious motherhood. In today's episode, we're diving into how yoga sparked her personal growth, her powerful decision to go vegan, and the physical, emotional, and spiritual changes that followed.

We'll explore how small, intentional shifts evolved into a complete lifestyle transformation, changing the way she approaches her health, daily habits, and overall well-being.

Jasmine's journey is such a beautiful example of what's possible when you choose to live with purpose.

Let's downward dog right in!

Fall is heating up across SASFAA, and Teaser Tuesday is back with another round of exciting announcements, upcoming events, and a sneak peek at what's ahead on Swoonpies and Money!

In today’s episode we spotlight two state association events and some exciting new additions to the podcast.

⌚ Florida's Clock Hour Workshop with Danielle Browning

Learn what makes the Florida Association's Clock Hour Workshop such a valuable and unique professional development opportunity, and why financial aid professionals from states beyond Florida register to attend.

SCASFAA Conference Preview with Destra Capers

The SCASFAA Conference is just weeks away! Destra shares a preview of what's planned and why you won't want to miss this upcoming gathering.

Swoonpies and Money Season Four Updates & New Segments

We're now bringing you two episodes every week! Catch up on our latest original segments:

• The Secret Lives of SASFAA Members — Discover the fascinating lives and interests of your SASFAA colleagues beyond financial aid.
• SASFAA Gothic — Explore the legends, folklore, and mysteries surrounding campuses across the SASFAA region.
• Coming Soon! Our brand-new music themed segment entitled Zero Skips. Be on the lookout for more details. Hint: the premiere episode features Dolly Parton and a couple of SASFAA rock stars. We'll leave the rest to your imagination!

Coming Up This Weekend

Don't miss the return of Dr. Happy, bringing another inspiring conversation:

"From 9–5 to Aligned Living: Yoga, Veganism & Holistic Motherhood". Explore the journey toward intentional living, personal wellness, and creating a life aligned with your values.

Have an Idea for the Podcast?

We love hearing from our listeners! Whether you have an idea for a new segment, a special guest, or a one-time episode, send it our way.

📧 sasfapodcast@gmail.com

As we like to say, "We've never said no to a podcast suggestion from a SASFAA member!"

It's a frightfully fun Weekend Edition of Swoonpies and Money! Just in time for Halloween, we're premiering SASFAA Gothic, a journey across the SASFAA region exploring the fascinating folklore, myths, customs, and traditions that make our college campuses so intriguing. Celena Tulloss and Kari Dedwylder kick things off at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where special guest April Wolford helps uncover some of the campus's spookiest, darkest, and most mysterious stories. And here's a treat: Contact April for your very own Body Farm keychain!

But wait, there's more Halloween fun! Keeping with our UTK Body Farm theme, Sam Hicks and JM Schott dive into Buying the Farm by Chad Darnell. Set in the Deep South, this darkly humorous novel follows four women (think The Golden Girls) who somehow find themselves in the business of selling dead body parts on the black market. It's a deliciously twisted tale of desperation, small-town mischief, mystery, and some very questionable career choices!

Because apparently OB3 isn't frightening enough, we're throwing in a few ghost stories and a dark comedy for good measure!

Happy Halloween, Swoonies!

An hour-and-forty-five-minute episode? Seriously? Before you panic, remember the beauty of a podcast: you can stop, start, take a break, and pick it up tomorrow or next week. We're not going anywhere!

This is one episode you'll want to stick with! We're bringing you an abridged version of last week's SASFAA Management Institute in Lexington, Kentucky, taking you through the agenda speaker by speaker, topic by topic. From affordability and OB3 to leadership, communication, private student loans, and fraud prevention, we're sharing the insights, conversations, and practical takeaways from an extraordinary gathering of financial aid professionals.

Your listening guide: Want to jump to a particular speaker or topic? Use these timestamps to navigate the episode.

7:10 — Rachelle Feldman: Affordability Under Pressure: What Institutions Can Do Now

23:15 — Nancy Ferguson and Sarah Baumhoff: OB3: From Federal Requirement to Campus Reality

33:55 — Celena Tulloss: Communicating Change When the Answers Are Still Moving

44:05 — Leigh Ann Hussey: Route Planning Lab: Leading From Where You Are

53:25 — Bryan Erslan: Leadership Without a Perfect Map

1:02:15 — Tori Watson: Beyond the Lender List: Supporting Students in Today's Private Student Loan Marketplace

1:11:47 — Bill Ayers: Fraud in the New Landscape: Patterns, Pressure Points, and Preparedness

1:26:00 — Mark Messingschlager: The Federal Landscape: What Is Changing and What Leadership Requires Now

Remember: You don't have to listen to it all in one sitting, but you won't want to miss what these colleagues have to share!

Bonus: Below is a family photo Mark used to set the mood for managing change while navigating the federal landscape, and it certainly provoked plenty of questions! That's little Mark in the Virginia T-shirt.

And if that's not enough to keep your attention, just wait until Friday! For our Weekend Edition, we're premiering SASFAA Gothic, a journey across the SASFAA region exploring the intriguing folklore, myths, customs, and traditions that make our college campuses so fascinating. Just in time to get you into the Halloween spirit, Celena Tulloss and Kari Dedwylder take us deep into the spooky and chilling history of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where they're joined by special guest April Wolford to uncover some of the campus's darker and more mysterious stories.

But wait, there's more Halloween fun! Sam Hicks and JM Schott discuss the darkly humorous novel Buying the Farm, exploring themes of desperation, small-town life, and mystery. Because apparently, OB3 isn't quite frightening enough, so we're throwing in a few ghost stories and a dark comedy for good measure!

It's the Weekend Edition of Swoonpies and Money, and this week, we're trading financial aid stress for a little sweat, science, and splat points! Dr. Happy, Samantha Dunman, welcomes one of her favorite Orangetheory coaches, Jeremiah Monaghan, for a conversation about fitness, motivation, and the power of showing up for yourself.

With members ranging from age 15 to 84, Jeremiah explains how Orangetheory meets people where they are, regardless of age, fitness level, body type, or goals. His message? Fitness isn't about keeping up with someone else. It's about challenging yourself, building confidence, improving your physical and mental well-being, and discovering what you're capable of. He also shares a powerful member transformation story that reminds us the most meaningful changes aren't always measured on a scale.

And think about this: What if you could find a community as close-knit and supportive as our financial aid family, while challenging yourself physically and mentally at the same time? That's the magic of finding your people. Whether it's financial aid or fitness, community makes us stronger.

So, Swoonies, eliminate that OB3 stress with some Splat Points! Enjoy the episode and your weekend.

Today is our Teaser Tuesday edition, even though you may not be listening on Tuesday. We've got a lot packed into today's episode!

First up is Audrey Price, president of KASFAA, the KentuckyAssociation. There's a lot happening in Kentucky over the next couple of weeks, and Audrey gives us a preview of what's coming up, along with some of the exciting things KASFAA has planned for the year ahead.

Next, we'll hear from Mayra Vasquez from VASFAA, the Virginia Association, who joins us for a recap of their recent Fall Workshop. We're calling it Teaser Tuesday, but apparently we're not above looking backward!

And finally, we're replaying last week's conversation withNick Prewett from EASFAA and Brad Barnett, previewing the upcoming SASFAA webinar on October 20th, OB3 Legacy Deep Dive. If you missed it last week, here's another opportunity to hear what's coming.

And here's a preview of what's coming this weekend!

It's the Weekend Edition of Swoonpies and Money, and Dr.Happy is bringing the energy! Samantha Dunman welcomes one of her favorite Orangetheory coaches, Jeremiah Monahan, to explain the science behind the sweat.

And as a little bonus, we're including a link to the beer,bacon, and chocolate chili recipe that Sam Hicks featured last week, along with links to the local Kentucky TV coverage Audrey Price mentioned.

A little something for your appetite and your curiosity!

https://www.vickibensinger.com/beer-bacon-chocolate-chili-yum/

https://ket.org/program/education-matters/

Have a great week, everyone! We'll be back this weekendwith our entertainment edition of Swoonpies and Money.

What do true crime, chocolate chili, and financial aid professionals have in common? Absolutely nothing. Which makes them perfect topics for this week's What Keeps You Up at Night? with Sam Hicks!

First, Carrie Short from Baldwin Wallace University joins Sam to dissect Netflix's The Crash, exploring a tragic Ohio car crash, the justice system, social media, and why everyone with a Netflix subscription suddenly thinks they're a criminal investigator.

Then, it's crime scenes to cuisine as Brian Beighley from the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg reveals the secrets behind his award-winning beer, bacon, and chocolate chili. Yes, chocolate! Find out how he won the coveted Golden Spoon Award and retired undefeated. Two wildly different conversations and a welcome distraction from OB3. Frankly, we'll take whatever relief we can get!

Season Four is rolling with another guest-loaded week of Swoonpies and Money.

For our Teaser Tuesday, we preview the October 20 SASFAA webinar, “OB3 Legacy Deep Dive,” with Brad Barnett and Nick Prewett from EASFAA. Then Emily Baldwin returns with How I Got Here, featuring Emily Mitchell and Emma Stitch from Mercer University.

And on this Friday’s Weekend Edition, Sam Hicks is back with What Keeps You Up at Night? and her review of The Crash, followed by a game-day recipe for Beer, Bacon & Chocolate Chili.

Plus, listen for our new Weekend Edition musical intro, created by the fabulous Lou Murray, Mission Upbeat, LLC.

OB3, career stories, Netflix, and chili. That’s a pretty full week.

As a reminder, we won’t send another announcement through the SASFAA listserv on Fridays; we figure your inboxes already have enough to keep them busy. Besides, if you’re following Swoonpies and Money, you already know where to find us.

Welcome to the first Weekend Edition of Swoonpies and Money. In this Swoonpies Health & Wellness segment, our own Samantha Dunman aka Dr. Happy, speaks with fellow yogi, licensed massage therapist, and breast cancer survivor Dawn Coury for an uplifting and deeply personal conversation about healing, resilience, and learning to listen to your body.

Dawn shares how her cancer journey reshaped her approach to wellness and led her to explore the connection between physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Together, Samantha and Dawn discuss massage therapy, mindfulness, holistic practices, and the importance of slowing down and paying attention to what your body may be telling you.

The main takeaway: healing is deeply personal, and taking an active, mindful role in your own well-being can help you feel more connected, grounded, and supported along the way.

Today, with the premiere of Season Four, we are announcing a momentous change to Swoonpies and Money.

Starting this week, we’re moving to a twice-a-week schedule—with our regular professional edition earlier in the week and a new Entertainment Edition every Friday.

Earlier in the week, we’ll get down to business—SASFAA news and Association highlights, government and legislative developments, professional topics affecting financial aid, conference and training updates, and a look at what’s happening with the states in the region.

Then on Fridays, we’ll loosen the seatbelt a little. The Entertainment Edition will focus on the personal, entertaining, and sometimes unexpected side of Swoonpies, including Dr. Happy’s health and wellness series, Sam Hicks’ What Keeps You Up at Night?, and other stories and segments that help us get to know SASFAA members beyond their day jobs.

In this premiere episode, longtime Swoonpies contributors Samantha Hicks and Samantha Dunman look back on their contributions over the past three seasons and give us a preview of what they have planned for the season ahead.

And we’re also adding some new ways to have fun. This episode introduces one of our newest segments: The Secret Lives of SASFAA.

Under our longtime banner of “for members, by members,” Secret Lives gives us an opportunity to discover what SASFAA members do when the workday ends—their hobbies, passions, talents, causes, side projects, and the communities that matter to them.

If anyone has a “secret life” your SASFAA colleagues should know about, send us a message at sasfaapodcast@gmail.com. We may just invite you onto the show to tell us about life after five o’clock.

Below are the links to today’s Season Four premiere.

And this Friday, our first Weekend Edition, S4:E2 will be available on Spotify and Apple.

The episode is Surviving Cancer: Healing from the Inside Out. One woman's deeply personal and powerful healing journey. You'll hear her own experience with cancer exploring both conventional and holistic healing approaches.

We won’t send another announcement through the SASFAA listserv on Fridays; we figure your inboxes already have enough to keep them busy. Besides, if you’re following Swoonpies and Money, you already know where to find us.

Welcome to fall. Welcome to Season Four. And welcome back to Swoonpies and Money.

As Season 3 of Swoonpies and Money comes to a close, we’re cleaning out the virtual podcast studio and sharing a few summer moments we left behind. One last look back at summer, and I think it’s safe to say, we’re all pretty happy to put this one in the rearview mirror.

First, we roll out the velvet rope and revisit the fabulously over-the-top NASFAA 60th Anniversary red carpet, where some of the brightest personalities in financial aid arrived in full gala mode, dressed to impress and ready to answer the only question that really matters on a night like that: Who are you wearing?”

For video of the red carpet gala, check out our Facebook Page.

Then, Bill sits down with Wendy Owens from the University of Miami for a thoughtful conversation about NASFAA’s first-time attendee experience, getting involved, and the value of connection within our profession.

Today, we’re joined by two SASFAA leaders that we're especially excited to hear from: Helen Faith from the University of Virginia and Jackie Copeland from UNC Chapel Hill.

And this time, Sam Hicks is taking a little break from asking What’s Keeps You Up At Night to turn the conversation in a more professional direction.

Sam sits down with Helen and Jackie to talk about a very timely theme that Kitty Conrad has set for SASFAA this year: Finding Your Why.

For so many of us, financial aid is much more than a job. It’s a profession built around helping students, supporting families, mentoring colleagues, and trying to make a real difference, often during some pretty challenging moments. But when the days get busy and the work gets complicated, it can be easy to lose sight of what brought us here in the first place.

So today, Sam asks Helen and Jackie to reflect on what continues to inspire them, what gives their work meaning, and what keeps them connected to this profession after so many years.

For just a little while, forget about what’s keeping you up at night; instead, think about what gets you up in the morning.

Here’s Sam with Helen Faith and Jackie Copeland.

Why compare OB3 to a hurricane? Because after months of preparation, anticipation, and the intensity of the first year of implementation, it feels as though we’ve withstood the fury of the storm’s first wall and may now be sitting in the eye. It’s a chance to assess what happened and what we’ve learned, while knowing the next wall of the storm is still to come.

In this episode of Swoonpies and Money, we look back at what institutions learned during year one of OB3 and ask what the next “eyewall” could bring for students, families, enrollment, borrowing, institutional strategy, and the financial aid profession.

Michelle talks with Nancy Ferguson and Caitlin Lambert about an upcoming SASFAA webinar featuring professionals sharing their perspectives on the impact of OB3.

Then Bill is joined by Katie Conrad (of Georgia Tech), Heidi Kovalick (of Rowan University), and Daniel Barkowitz (of... well we'll get to that) for a candid conversation about where we started, where we are today, what surprised us, and what challenges still remain.

Speaking of Daniel, September 8 marked his first day at Penn State. Yes, we know Penn State is outside the SASFAA region, but Daniel remains a SASFAA Hall of Famer, lifetime Swoonie, and podcast contributor.

If you head over to our Facebook page, you’ll see the picture the Barkowitz family shared with us. There’s little Daniel, ready for his big day at school, backpack and lunchbox in hand, standing outside the house and headed to the bus stop.

The initial wave of OB3 is behind us, but the storm isn't. What does the next eyewall bring?

Some milestones deserve balloons, cake, confetti, and maybe even a little fanfare. Our 50th episode probably deserved all of that.

Unfortunately, we forgot.

In this episode of SASFAA’s Swoonpies and Money, Bill reflects on the podcast’s recently passed 50-episode milestone and looks ahead to the close of Season Three and the upcoming launch of Season Four.

There’s plenty ahead. The podcast is expanding with new segments, new contributors, and more voices from across the SASFAA region, and beyond, while continuing to deliver the mix of insight, information, storytelling, and entertainment our listeners have come to expect.

This episode features Michelle's interview with SASFAA President, Katie Conrad and her perspective on leadership in these challenging times. We also try to figure out what all that cheering in Miami and National Harbor were about back in July. You’ll have to listen and then head over to our Facebook page for the video evidence.

Today’s episode features Emily Baldwin’s "How I Got Here" segment, highlighting the mentor-mentee relationship between Alison Rabil and Jonathan Ibarra of Appalachian State University. They share their perspectives on mentorship, professional growth, and the relationships that help shape a career in financial aid.

Also, in her role as co-chair of the SASFAA Webinar Series alongside Brad Barnett, Emily provides an overview of this year’s webinar schedule, previews some of the topics ahead, and shares why you’ll want to mark your calendars.

Did you miss us?

The Swoonies took a well-deserved break in July. We’ve all been working hard, and candidly, several of us needed time to focus on important matters back in our respective offices.

Today’s episode is all about NOAW. To set the stage, we’re kicking things off with a clip from one of the workshop instructors that perfectly captures the energy and joie de vivre of the entire week.

If you’ve attended one of these workshops before, you already know there’s something special about them. Just as important as what you learn are the conversations, the connections, and the chance to spend time with people who truly understand this work.

If you’ve never attended a workshop, I hope today’s episode gives you a real sense of the experience — and maybe even inspires you to join us at the workshop next spring.

Two quick programming notes before we dive in.

First, today’s episode is nearly an hour and a half, which is fairly long for a Swoonpies and Money episode. But there was so much wonderful content, and so many great personalities to share, that we didn’t want you to miss a minute. So if the episode feels a little long, break it up. Listen on your way to work, pick it back up on the drive home, or enjoy it whenever it’s convenient.

Second, Season 4 of Swoonpies and Money officially launches in September. We have several new segments to share and some new Swoonies joining our merry band.

Today we're bringing you Day Two of our Florida Association Conference coverage. The conference was held last month in beautiful Daytona Beach, Florida, and we're picking up right where we left off in our previous episode covering the first half of the conference.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Jody Walker and Kim Gordon discussing the LEAP Program
• Lou Murray and Tim Young sharing their love for LEGO
• Arminta Johnson's closing remarks, wrapping up another successful conference

The Doctor Happy Contest Continues!

Today's show is the conclusion of our Doctor Happy (aka Samantha Dunman) Contest. If you missed the last episode, here's the challenge:

Doctor Happy conducted five brief interviews with conference attendees. Your mission is to count how many times Doctor Happy says the word "Awesome" throughout those interviews.

Think you've got the answer?

Email your total to sastapodcast@gmail.com for a chance to win an amazing gift package. The first listener to submit the correct number of "Awesomes" wins.

So, listen carefully, and if necessary, revisit our Day One conference episode (S3:E13) to double-check your count. Start tallying those Awesomes and enjoy Day Two of the FASFAA Conference.

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/

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.

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.