EP 31. From Bankruptcy to Millions: How One Man Turned Financial Ruin Into Hope for Homeowners
Fri Apr 25 2025
🎧 Episode Summary
Can you really bounce back from total financial collapse? In this jaw-dropping episode, we uncover the raw truth about bankruptcy, foreclosures, and the housing crisis—straight from someone who lived it all and turned it into a mission to help others.
Our guest, Mike Russell, went from real estate royalty to losing everything—his marriage, his money, his credit, and nearly his sanity. But his comeback story is nothing short of miraculous. Now the President of Century 21 Signature Properties and founder of the nonprofit Hope for Hardship, Mike is on a mission to help struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure, protect their credit, and reclaim their lives.
We pull back the curtain on how banks really operate, why foreclosure is not inevitable, and what options homeowners have—even when they think it’s too late. Mike also breaks down the truth about “luxury” apartment scams, generational home loss, the insurance crisis, and how economic survival is changing the way we date, marry, and cohabitate.
This is more than a real estate episode—it’s a masterclass on resilience, redemption, and the power of paying it forward. If you’re facing financial hardship or just want to protect yourself in a volatile economy—this episode is your lifeline.
💡💸 📌 Episode Breakdown & Time Stamps:
00:00 Welcome to The WealthWoman Podcast with Athena Gardner, CPA
01:20 Meet Mike Russell: From real estate success to financial rock bottom
05:10 What entitlement, ego, and instant gratification really cost Mike
10:45 The emotional toll of bankruptcy—and why the real pain is invisible
15:38 The turning point: Sobriety, service, and redefining success
21:05 How Hope for Hardship helps people avoid foreclosure & navigate banks
28:30 The housing market TRUTH: Inventory issues, zoning nightmares & rate traps
35:00 Why your 2.5% mortgage is gold, and how banks actually want to help
40:12 LA fires, insurance hikes & the real reason rent is skyrocketing
46:00 “Luxury apartments” are a scam—here’s how they’re exploiting renters
50:12 Are people staying in bad marriages because of the housing market?
54:30 Final thoughts from Mike + how to contact him directly for support
🌐 Resources & Links:
🛡️ Hope for Hardship – hope4hardship.org/
📞 Call Mike Directly: 508-501-9214
📲 Instagram: @wewealthwomen
📧 Wealth Notes Newsletter: http://join.wewealthwomen.com
📍 Join the Waitlist: http://waitlist.wewealthwomen.com
🔗 All links: https://bio.site/wewealthwomen
💬 Loved this episode? Share it with someone facing financial hardship, or a friend who needs to know they’re not alone. Follow @WeWealthWomen on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube & Facebook for more wisdom, wealth-building, and womanhood empowerment.
Follow Athena and WeWealth Women on social media
@WeWealthWomen, and visit http://wewealthwomen.com for resources and upcoming events to help women build wealth and confidence.
Links to everything:
https://bio.site/wewealthwomen
Don't miss out, join the waitlist: https://waitlist.wewealthwomen.com
Access the Wealth Notes Newsletter: http://go.wewealthwomen.com
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@wewealthwomen
Instagram: https://instagram.com/wewealthwomen
ikTok: https://tiktok.com/@wewealthwomen
About Wewealth Women:
WeWealth Women is a dynamic community created by a woman, for women, with one powerful mission: to help women elevate in wealth, wisdom, and womanhood. Founded by Athena Gardner, CPA and wealth coach, WeWealth Women was born from the understanding that true financial empowerment goes beyond numbers. It’s about tapping into the goddess within to transform your mindset, build confidence, and take control of your financial destiny. We offer resources, tools, and support to guide women in creating lasting wealth while embracing their unique power.
At WeWealth Women, we believe that financial education is only part of the journey. Our community addresses the often-overlooked emotional, psychological, and mental barriers that prevent women from achieving financial freedom. When women embrace their inner wisdom and fully step into their womanhood, they can not only elevate themselves but also uplift their families and communities. Through education, encouragement, and empowerment, WeWealth Women equips you to make confident financial decisions and design a life of abundance, prosperity, and purpose. Together, we are rewriting the narrative around women and wealth.
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🎧 Episode Summary Can you really bounce back from total financial collapse? In this jaw-dropping episode, we uncover the raw truth about bankruptcy, foreclosures, and the housing crisis—straight from someone who lived it all and turned it into a mission to help others. Our guest, Mike Russell, went from real estate royalty to losing everything—his marriage, his money, his credit, and nearly his sanity. But his comeback story is nothing short of miraculous. Now the President of Century 21 Signature Properties and founder of the nonprofit Hope for Hardship, Mike is on a mission to help struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure, protect their credit, and reclaim their lives. We pull back the curtain on how banks really operate, why foreclosure is not inevitable, and what options homeowners have—even when they think it’s too late. Mike also breaks down the truth about “luxury” apartment scams, generational home loss, the insurance crisis, and how economic survival is changing the way we date, marry, and cohabitate. This is more than a real estate episode—it’s a masterclass on resilience, redemption, and the power of paying it forward. If you’re facing financial hardship or just want to protect yourself in a volatile economy—this episode is your lifeline. 💡💸 📌 Episode Breakdown & Time Stamps: 00:00 Welcome to The WealthWoman Podcast with Athena Gardner, CPA 01:20 Meet Mike Russell: From real estate success to financial rock bottom 05:10 What entitlement, ego, and instant gratification really cost Mike 10:45 The emotional toll of bankruptcy—and why the real pain is invisible 15:38 The turning point: Sobriety, service, and redefining success 21:05 How Hope for Hardship helps people avoid foreclosure & navigate banks 28:30 The housing market TRUTH: Inventory issues, zoning nightmares & rate traps 35:00 Why your 2.5% mortgage is gold, and how banks actually want to help 40:12 LA fires, insurance hikes & the real reason rent is skyrocketing 46:00 “Luxury apartments” are a scam—here’s how they’re exploiting renters 50:12 Are people staying in bad marriages because of the housing market? 54:30 Final thoughts from Mike + how to contact him directly for support 🌐 Resources & Links: 🛡️ Hope for Hardship – hope4hardship.org/ 📞 Call Mike Directly: 508-501-9214 📲 Instagram: @wewealthwomen 📧 Wealth Notes Newsletter: http://join.wewealthwomen.com 📍 Join the Waitlist: http://waitlist.wewealthwomen.com 🔗 All links: https://bio.site/wewealthwomen 💬 Loved this episode? Share it with someone facing financial hardship, or a friend who needs to know they’re not alone. Follow @WeWealthWomen on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube & Facebook for more wisdom, wealth-building, and womanhood empowerment. Follow Athena and WeWealth Women on social media @WeWealthWomen, and visit http://wewealthwomen.com for resources and upcoming events to help women build wealth and confidence. Links to everything: https://bio.site/wewealthwomen Don't miss out, join the waitlist: https://waitlist.wewealthwomen.com Access the Wealth Notes Newsletter: http://go.wewealthwomen.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/@wewealthwomen Instagram: https://instagram.com/wewealthwomen ikTok: https://tiktok.com/@wewealthwomen About Wewealth Women: WeWealth Women is a dynamic community created by a woman, for women, with one powerful mission: to help women elevate in wealth, wisdom, and womanhood. Founded by Athena Gardner, CPA and wealth coach, WeWealth Women was born from the understanding that true financial empowerment goes beyond numbers. It’s about tapping into the goddess within to transform your mindset, build confidence, and take control of your financial destiny. We offer resources, tools, and support to guide women in creating lasting wealth while embracing their unique power. At WeWealth Women, we believe that financial education is only part of the journey. Our community addresses the often-overlooked emotional, psychological, and mental barriers that prevent women from achieving financial freedom. When women embrace their inner wisdom and fully step into their womanhood, they can not only elevate themselves but also uplift their families and communities. Through education, encouragement, and empowerment, WeWealth Women equips you to make confident financial decisions and design a life of abundance, prosperity, and purpose. Together, we are rewriting the narrative around women and wealth.