The Intelligent Borrower Podcast
Changing our mindset and understanding of debt, both personal and for business purposes.
An intelligent borrower is someone who sees debt as a tool, not a lifeline.
They borrow with intention—knowing exactly why they’re taking on debt, how they’ll use it to create value, and when and how it will be repaid.
They understand that debt has a cost beyond the interest rate—it impacts cash flow, decision-making, and even emotional wellbeing. They don’t just qualify for financing; they qualify themselves by stress-testing their own numbers, planning for the worst-case, and making sure the upside is worth the risk.
An intelligent borrower reads the fine print and asks hard questions. They see lenders as partners, not rescuers, and they take responsibility for the commitments they make.
Above all, an intelligent borrower knows that access to debt isn’t the same as readiness for debt. They use it to grow, not to survive.
Let’s re-imagine debt in all areas of our life. Borrow Smarter. Build Stronger.
Episodes
7 episodes
Episode 7: Borrower Beware- False Promises
In this episode of The Intelligent Borrower, Todd Stichler dives into one of the most common, and costly, traps borrowers fall into: believing promises that aren’t actually documented. From “starter loans” to verbal guarantees about fu...
Episode 6: Traditional vs. Non-Traditional Lending
In this episode of The Intelligent Borrower, Todd Stichler breaks down the key differences between traditional bank financing and non-traditional lending options. From SBA loans to alternative funding sources, he walks through how smal...
Episode 5: What Is Interest Rate? And What It’s Really Costing You
Everyone asks, “What’s the rate?” But very few people ask the more important question: “What’s the total cost?”In this episode of The Intelligent Borrower, Todd Stichler breaks down the true meaning of interest rate and how it impacts b...
Episode 4: Think Like a Lender
This episode of The Intelligent Borrower breaks down the uncomfortable truths most people never hear about debt, taxes, and lending. We unpack why borrowing doesn’t cause financial problems — it exposes them — and how the system quietl...
Episode 3: Credit Scores- What Are They and Why You Should Care
Episode 3 dives into Credit Scores — what they are, why they matter, and how they directly impact the cost of your borrowing. We break down why people often think their credit is “good” until a lender pulls it, what makes up your score, and why...
Episode 2: The Borrower's Mindset
What Thought Is Driving Your Borrowing Decisions?This episode explores the idea that borrowing isn’t just a financial decision—it’s a psychological one. While most people focus on rates, terms, and monthly payments, this conversat...
Episode 1: Introduction to The Intelligent Borrower
Welcome to The Intelligent Borrower, the show that cuts through the noise, dismantles the stigma around debt, and teaches you how to borrow with purpose—not panic.In every episode, we break down the mechanics of debt in a way th...