Texarkana, Texas – On November 12, Texas A&M‑Texarkana will open its James C. Morriss BET Building auditorium for a free, live recording of the locally produced personal‑finance podcast The Stacking Benjamins Show. The event, part of the university’s Talon Talks Live series, will feature author and financial‑independence advocate Cody Berman, who left an $80,000 corporate position at age 25 to achieve early retirement.
Berman, whose new book Retire by 30 outlines his journey, will join the podcast hosts for a discussion that highlights his experimentation with 30 different side‑hustles and the strategies he used to replace a four‑hour daily commute with multiple streams of income. Attendees can expect practical advice on building alternative earnings, budgeting, and the mindset required for financial freedom.
Event details
The evening begins with a meet‑and‑greet at 6 p.m., followed by the live recording at 7 p.m. Admission is free, and the university encourages students, local entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in personal finance to attend.
About the podcast and the Talon Talks series
The Stacking Benjamins Show has been produced out of a Texarkana basement since 2012. It has earned the Academy of Podcasters’ Best Business Podcast award and six Plutus Awards, which recognize excellence in personal‑finance media. The Talon Talks Live partnership with Texas A&M‑Texarkana’s RRCU Center for Financial Literacy and Investment brings nationally recognized financial‑education speakers to the campus.
Previous Talon Talks events have featured personal‑finance expert Paula Pant and Olympic medalist Lauryn Williams, the first American woman to win medals in both the Summer and Winter Games.
Why the event matters to the community
Financial literacy remains a top concern for families across East Texas. By providing free, locally focused education on side‑hustles and early‑retirement planning, the university and the podcast aim to empower residents to take control of their economic futures. The event also supports the university’s broader mission to promote financial competence among students and the surrounding community.
Organizers hope the conversation will inspire attendees to explore entrepreneurial opportunities, reduce reliance on long‑commute corporate jobs, and strengthen the region’s small‑business ecosystem.
How to attend
Anyone interested should plan to arrive early for the meet‑and‑greet. No registration is required, but seating is limited, so early arrival is recommended. For more information, visit the Texas A&M‑Texarkana website or contact the RRCU Center for Financial Literacy and Investment.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
