The Ramsey Show

Episode Title: If You Want To Do Great Things, You Need To Do Hard Things First
Air Date: October 6, 2025
Hosts: Ken Coleman, Jade Warshaw (with Dave Ramsey cameo)
Podcast Theme: Building wealth, facing financial mistakes, and overcoming obstacles by taking control of your money and life—starting with the hard things.

Episode Overview

In this dynamic episode, Ken Coleman and Jade Warshaw field listener questions on tackling financial challenges, big and small. The recurring theme is crystal clear: True financial transformation requires facing the hard stuff first—whether that’s selling your beloved car, digging out from mountains of debt, or making tough housing decisions after a divorce. Ken and Jade emphasize the power of momentum, the discipline of Ramsey Baby Steps, and the emotional grit it takes to break old habits. Along the way, they provide practical, sometimes tough-love advice on debt payoff, investing, budgeting, and overcoming scarcity mindsets.

Key Topics & Calls

1. Tackling Large Debt and Overwhelm

[01:05–08:40]

Caller Jessica: Nearly $1 million in debt—$210k unsecured, $658k mortgage, two car loans, $259k annual income (down from $300k).
Discussion:
- Jessica’s journey includes business failures and lifestyle inflation (luxury shopping, imposter syndrome).
- Jade normalizes her situation: “Classic mo’ money, mo’ problems… you had a big income, so you could afford to make bigger mistakes.” ([04:21])
- Ken and Jade agree: Make a drastic change for emotional and financial momentum. Sell the upside-down $59k car (worth $35k), pay off the deficit quickly, and embrace humility by driving less flashy cars.
- Jade: “You’re used to making a lot of money. When you get a beater, it’s gonna mess with your ego big time—but it’s gonna be so good for your soul.” ([06:40])

2. Should I Sell My Car or Pay It Off?

[10:35–17:55]

Caller April: Post-divorce, makes $50k/year, $29k debt on her car (worth $23k), $57k cash saved.
Advice: Sell the car, use part of savings to cover the negative equity, buy a $10k used car, and free up her finances for homeownership.
Ken: “The spiritual gift that I have… I can find you a car right now for $10k that is extremely functional—it’s not an absolute piece of crap on wheels.” ([13:41])
Jade: “It’s gonna feel good…getting your own set of wheels.” ([15:39–15:55])

3. Graduating Into Debt: Now What?

[23:01–29:44]

Caller Kevin: Pharmacy grad, $180k in combined student and credit card debt, wife still in grad school, just got a job with variable hours.
Key Points:
- Income is the immediate need: “You’ve got to be more resourceful. That means you’re working at a coffee shop, you’re working two, three, four jobs right now.” (Ken, [25:57])
- Jade gives the marathon analogy: “Half the battle of running a marathon...is just going, ‘Hey, this is what must be true.’” ([28:14])
- Ken: “If you want great things, I promise you, you’re going to have to endure hard things...it’s on the other side of hard things.” ([29:00])

4. Should I Build Savings Before Paying Debt?

[69:47–75:35]

Caller Jane: Was in Baby Step 4, setbacks (child’s illness, job loss), now owes $9k on a line of credit, wants to stockpile a bigger emergency fund instead.
Advice: Don’t pause debt payoff: $9k is manageable—focus and get it gone in a few months. Jade: “Pay that $9,000 off...and then stack up as much money as you want to keep the big bad wolf away from your door.” ([75:18])

5. Divorce and the House: Buyout or Sell?

[44:19–52:32]

Caller Steve: Finalizing divorce, 50/50 split on 401k, needs $100k in cash (in 90 days) for house buyout, plus $150k alimony over 5 years.
Advice: The urgency of $100k in 90 days is a red flag; consider renegotiating or selling the house for a fresh start rather than borrowing against 401k or taking on new debt. “I’d want a clean break if I could do it.” (Ken, [51:10])
Jade: “Begin with the end in mind.” ([52:17])

6. Car Catastrophe: Fix or Ditch?

[86:57–95:33]

Caller Matt: Owes $23k on a truck; engine failure will cost $15k to fix; he has minimal cash and was previously supporting his girlfriend.
Advice: Don’t go further into debt—find a way to fix it with cash or downgrade to a less expensive vehicle. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way. You can come up with $15k pretty quick. No date nights, no nothing—you gotta come up with $15k stat.” (Ken, [92:51])

7. Guilt, Boundaries & Lending Money to Friends

[118:40–126:51]

Caller Jenna: Former friend (silent for 3 years) suddenly asks for $900 to save her storage unit. Jenna feels guilt about saying no.
Advice: Hard no—don’t give out of guilt; only give out of joy. “Guilt and generosity don’t live in the same house...When you give, it should be out of a cheerful heart, not a guilty heart.” (Jade, [123:27])
Ken: “You are not a person who has done anything wrong, thus you should not feel guilt. But you’re such a kind Jenna.” ([125:59])

Notable Quotes & Moments

Jade Warshaw [06:40]:
“You’re used to making a lot of money. When you get a beater, it’s gonna mess with your ego big time…but it’s gonna be so good for your soul because that’s what’s gonna cause you never to do this again.”
Ken Coleman [29:00]:
“If you want great things, I promise you, you’re going to have to endure hard things…Pick any endeavor—physical, emotional, spiritual, financial…It’s on the other side of hard things.”
Jade Warshaw [38:04]:
“You can have a zero credit score and go and buy a home. America needs to know this.”
Ken Coleman [123:14]:
“Guilt and generosity don’t live in the same house.”

Memorable Moments & Banter

The lighthearted banter about “push presents” and “empty nest presents” ([19:00]) and Ken’s penchant for buying used cars with cash—‘the accordion method’ ([42:12])—brings humor and relatability.
Jade describes swallowing your pride and “riding around in a beater” as a badge of honor and a soul-restoring experience, with Ken echoing her lived example of being a “one car family.”
The recurring theme: “Normal is broke—common sense is weird.” (Ken, [00:13]) sets the standard for the show’s tough-love advice.

Advice Highlights, Baby Steps & Ramsey Principles

Momentum is Crucial: Make one big move (sell the expensive car, pay off debt all at once) to create psychological and financial progress.
No Debt is Sustainable: Regardless of how “good” the loan (0% car loan, etc.), if you can pay it off, do it—risk isn’t justified.
Don’t Let Guilt Dictate Giving: Only give out of joy and abundance, never compulsion or manipulation.
Hard Choices Lead to Great Things: Embrace the discomfort—whether it’s changing your lifestyle, working extra jobs, or saying “no” to friends and family.
Follow the Steps in Order: Budget, pay off debt, build your emergency fund, then invest—don’t try to skip ahead or “play financial Twister.”
Manual Underwriting Exists: You don’t need a credit score to get a mortgage; seek lenders (like Churchill Mortgage) who do “manual underwriting.”
Investing Comes After Debt: Focus on using every extra dollar to build momentum and pay off debt before investing.

Key Timestamps

[01:05–08:40]: Jessica’s seven-figure debt & facing shame with action
[10:35–17:55]: April’s “nothingburger” car debt & the freedom to start over
[23:01–29:44]: Kevin’s new life with debt; embracing the marathon analogy
[44:19–52:32]: Divorce dilemmas, house buyout vs. fresh financial start
[69:47–75:35]: Should you save more before paying off debt? (Answer: No)
[86:57–95:33]: $15k engine failure—why not to incur even more debt
[118:40–126:51]: Friend asking for $900—when and why to say “no”

Episode Tone & Style

Practical, Empathetic: Hosts balance actionable businesslike advice with empathy for callers’ backstories.
Candid, At Times Tough-Love: Willingness to call out “stupid tax” and the emotional traps people fall into.
Relatable & Encouraging: Recurrent reminders: No matter the mistakes or shame, “you’re not alone and you can dig out.”

Summary Takeaway

This episode of The Ramsey Show drives home the message: If you want substantial financial results, you must first face the hardest—often emotional—obstacles head-on. That’s how you gain momentum, change habits, and create a life of financial peace. Whether you’re climbing out of massive debt, confronting ego and status, ending old relationships, or starting fresh, the journey is tough but possible—if you do the hard things first.

For more resources, budgeting tools, and to connect with trusted financial coaches, visit ramseysolutions.com.

The Ramsey Show

Episode Overview

Key Topics & Calls

1. Tackling Large Debt and Overwhelm

[01:05–08:40]

Caller Jessica: Nearly $1 million in debt—$210k unsecured, $658k mortgage, two car loans, $259k annual income (down from $300k).
Discussion:
- Jessica’s journey includes business failures and lifestyle inflation (luxury shopping, imposter syndrome).
- Jade normalizes her situation: “Classic mo’ money, mo’ problems… you had a big income, so you could afford to make bigger mistakes.” ([04:21])
- Ken and Jade agree: Make a drastic change for emotional and financial momentum. Sell the upside-down $59k car (worth $35k), pay off the deficit quickly, and embrace humility by driving less flashy cars.
- Jade: “You’re used to making a lot of money. When you get a beater, it’s gonna mess with your ego big time—but it’s gonna be so good for your soul.” ([06:40])

2. Should I Sell My Car or Pay It Off?

[10:35–17:55]

Caller April: Post-divorce, makes $50k/year, $29k debt on her car (worth $23k), $57k cash saved.
Advice: Sell the car, use part of savings to cover the negative equity, buy a $10k used car, and free up her finances for homeownership.
Ken: “The spiritual gift that I have… I can find you a car right now for $10k that is extremely functional—it’s not an absolute piece of crap on wheels.” ([13:41])
Jade: “It’s gonna feel good…getting your own set of wheels.” ([15:39–15:55])

3. Graduating Into Debt: Now What?

[23:01–29:44]

Caller Kevin: Pharmacy grad, $180k in combined student and credit card debt, wife still in grad school, just got a job with variable hours.
Key Points:
- Income is the immediate need: “You’ve got to be more resourceful. That means you’re working at a coffee shop, you’re working two, three, four jobs right now.” (Ken, [25:57])
- Jade gives the marathon analogy: “Half the battle of running a marathon...is just going, ‘Hey, this is what must be true.’” ([28:14])
- Ken: “If you want great things, I promise you, you’re going to have to endure hard things...it’s on the other side of hard things.” ([29:00])

4. Should I Build Savings Before Paying Debt?

[69:47–75:35]

Caller Jane: Was in Baby Step 4, setbacks (child’s illness, job loss), now owes $9k on a line of credit, wants to stockpile a bigger emergency fund instead.
Advice: Don’t pause debt payoff: $9k is manageable—focus and get it gone in a few months. Jade: “Pay that $9,000 off...and then stack up as much money as you want to keep the big bad wolf away from your door.” ([75:18])

5. Divorce and the House: Buyout or Sell?

[44:19–52:32]

Caller Steve: Finalizing divorce, 50/50 split on 401k, needs $100k in cash (in 90 days) for house buyout, plus $150k alimony over 5 years.
Advice: The urgency of $100k in 90 days is a red flag; consider renegotiating or selling the house for a fresh start rather than borrowing against 401k or taking on new debt. “I’d want a clean break if I could do it.” (Ken, [51:10])
Jade: “Begin with the end in mind.” ([52:17])

6. Car Catastrophe: Fix or Ditch?

[86:57–95:33]

Caller Matt: Owes $23k on a truck; engine failure will cost $15k to fix; he has minimal cash and was previously supporting his girlfriend.
Advice: Don’t go further into debt—find a way to fix it with cash or downgrade to a less expensive vehicle. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way. You can come up with $15k pretty quick. No date nights, no nothing—you gotta come up with $15k stat.” (Ken, [92:51])

7. Guilt, Boundaries & Lending Money to Friends

[118:40–126:51]

Caller Jenna: Former friend (silent for 3 years) suddenly asks for $900 to save her storage unit. Jenna feels guilt about saying no.
Advice: Hard no—don’t give out of guilt; only give out of joy. “Guilt and generosity don’t live in the same house...When you give, it should be out of a cheerful heart, not a guilty heart.” (Jade, [123:27])
Ken: “You are not a person who has done anything wrong, thus you should not feel guilt. But you’re such a kind Jenna.” ([125:59])

Notable Quotes & Moments

Jade Warshaw [06:40]:
“You’re used to making a lot of money. When you get a beater, it’s gonna mess with your ego big time…but it’s gonna be so good for your soul because that’s what’s gonna cause you never to do this again.”
Ken Coleman [29:00]:
“If you want great things, I promise you, you’re going to have to endure hard things…Pick any endeavor—physical, emotional, spiritual, financial…It’s on the other side of hard things.”
Jade Warshaw [38:04]:
“You can have a zero credit score and go and buy a home. America needs to know this.”
Ken Coleman [123:14]:
“Guilt and generosity don’t live in the same house.”

Memorable Moments & Banter

The lighthearted banter about “push presents” and “empty nest presents” ([19:00]) and Ken’s penchant for buying used cars with cash—‘the accordion method’ ([42:12])—brings humor and relatability.
Jade describes swallowing your pride and “riding around in a beater” as a badge of honor and a soul-restoring experience, with Ken echoing her lived example of being a “one car family.”
The recurring theme: “Normal is broke—common sense is weird.” (Ken, [00:13]) sets the standard for the show’s tough-love advice.

Advice Highlights, Baby Steps & Ramsey Principles

Momentum is Crucial: Make one big move (sell the expensive car, pay off debt all at once) to create psychological and financial progress.
No Debt is Sustainable: Regardless of how “good” the loan (0% car loan, etc.), if you can pay it off, do it—risk isn’t justified.
Don’t Let Guilt Dictate Giving: Only give out of joy and abundance, never compulsion or manipulation.
Hard Choices Lead to Great Things: Embrace the discomfort—whether it’s changing your lifestyle, working extra jobs, or saying “no” to friends and family.
Follow the Steps in Order: Budget, pay off debt, build your emergency fund, then invest—don’t try to skip ahead or “play financial Twister.”
Manual Underwriting Exists: You don’t need a credit score to get a mortgage; seek lenders (like Churchill Mortgage) who do “manual underwriting.”
Investing Comes After Debt: Focus on using every extra dollar to build momentum and pay off debt before investing.

Key Timestamps

[01:05–08:40]: Jessica’s seven-figure debt & facing shame with action
[10:35–17:55]: April’s “nothingburger” car debt & the freedom to start over
[23:01–29:44]: Kevin’s new life with debt; embracing the marathon analogy
[44:19–52:32]: Divorce dilemmas, house buyout vs. fresh financial start
[69:47–75:35]: Should you save more before paying off debt? (Answer: No)
[86:57–95:33]: $15k engine failure—why not to incur even more debt
[118:40–126:51]: Friend asking for $900—when and why to say “no”

Episode Tone & Style

Practical, Empathetic: Hosts balance actionable businesslike advice with empathy for callers’ backstories.
Candid, At Times Tough-Love: Willingness to call out “stupid tax” and the emotional traps people fall into.
Relatable & Encouraging: Recurrent reminders: No matter the mistakes or shame, “you’re not alone and you can dig out.”

Summary Takeaway

For more resources, budgeting tools, and to connect with trusted financial coaches, visit ramseysolutions.com.

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If You Want To Do Great Things You Need To Do Hard Things First

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Summary

The Ramsey Show

Episode Overview

Key Topics & Calls

1. Tackling Large Debt and Overwhelm

2. Should I Sell My Car or Pay It Off?

3. Graduating Into Debt: Now What?

4. Should I Build Savings Before Paying Debt?

5. Divorce and the House: Buyout or Sell?

6. Car Catastrophe: Fix or Ditch?

7. Guilt, Boundaries & Lending Money to Friends

Notable Quotes & Moments

Memorable Moments & Banter

Advice Highlights, Baby Steps & Ramsey Principles

Key Timestamps

Episode Tone & Style

Summary Takeaway

Summary

The Ramsey Show

Episode Overview

Key Topics & Calls

1. Tackling Large Debt and Overwhelm

2. Should I Sell My Car or Pay It Off?

3. Graduating Into Debt: Now What?

4. Should I Build Savings Before Paying Debt?

5. Divorce and the House: Buyout or Sell?

6. Car Catastrophe: Fix or Ditch?

7. Guilt, Boundaries & Lending Money to Friends

Notable Quotes & Moments

Memorable Moments & Banter

Advice Highlights, Baby Steps & Ramsey Principles

Key Timestamps

Episode Tone & Style

Summary Takeaway