What 8,000 Interviews Taught Mike Lawson About Credit Union Success

The Eltropy Exchange Podcast

In this special episode of The Eltropy Exchange, host Michael Pupil interviews a familiar face from the other side of the microphone: Mike Lawson, founder and host of CUbroadcast, the credit union industry’s longest-running and most beloved video interview series.

With more than 8,000 interviews under his belt, Mike reflects on his journey from journalist to fintech marketer to industry storyteller. He shares how a mix of curiosity, collaboration, and a “let’s see if this works” mindset led him to launch CUbroadcast in 2010, well before video interviews were the norm. What began with sketchy bandwidth and skeptical guests has grown into one of the most valuable storytelling platforms in the credit union world.

Mike and Michael dive into topics including how stories make the industry stronger, why capturing personality builds trust, and how the best ideas often come from other credit unions, not boardrooms. They also explore the role of vendors in the storytelling equation, the need for a “member succession plan,” and how AI and automation can enhance rather than replace the human side of service.

It’s an episode packed with reflection, inspiration, and practical insight from one of the industry’s most trusted voices.

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