S3:E10: Healing and Sobriety

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/ [https://www.familyrenew.org/our-program/]

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.

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.

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.

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 [https://checkpoint.url-protection.com/v1/r02/url?o=https%3A//www.augusta.edu/student-affairs/open-paws.php&g=ZDc5YTVkYWI2Zjc0NWM3Yg==&h=NzA5ZDAyNDNmM2NiYzlkMjhiZjMzNTgyMDNlNzA0ZWFiNjM5M2FhMzA5NTk3Y2JkYzdmOWRkMzUzNDJiNDg1OQ==&p=YzJlOmNvbGxlZ2VhdmVzdHVkZW50bG9hbnM6YzpvOjY4M2FiNGY3OTA3ZDk3MmJhMzgyMGNhMzBjY2ZlZmIxOjc6aDpU]   Also, an Amazon Wishlist to donate: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/39DXVQ4L6Q1LY?ref_=wl_share [https://checkpoint.url-protection.com/v1/r02/url?o=https%3A//www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/39DXVQ4L6Q1LY%3Fref_%3Dwl_share&g=NmViOTI1OTNkYmVmYWJkZA==&h=ZjgwYWVkMjMwYTA1MmI0MmZjNjFmMzYyZmYzZjZiMTVkNTM2ZTk0ZTUxODE3NDc3YTNjMjFkNDFhOGE0MDNhNQ==&p=YzJlOmNvbGxlZ2VhdmVzdHVkZW50bG9hbnM6YzpvOjY4M2FiNGY3OTA3ZDk3MmJhMzgyMGNhMzBjY2ZlZmIxOjc6aDpU]