Saturday, November 14, 2026

Money Matters - Debt Increase Survey

 With household debt reaching $19.1 trillion in Q3 2026, the personal-finance company WalletHub today released its rankings of the States With the Largest & Smallest Debt Increases, based on new data from TransUnion and the Federal Reserve, to highlight where people may be in financial danger.

 
Largest Average Household Debt Increase Smallest Average Household Debt Increase
1. Hawaii 41. Indiana
2. California 42. Kansas
3. Utah 43. Ohio
4. Washington 44. Alabama
5. Colorado 45. Kentucky
6. Massachusetts 46. Arkansas
7. Maryland 47. Louisiana
8. Idaho 48. Oklahoma
9. Virginia 49. West Virginia
10. Oregon 50. Mississippi
 
For the full report, please visit: https://wallethub.com/edu/debt-changes-by-state/129889

National Stats
  • Q3 Results: Total household debt increased by $166 billion during Q3 2026 compared to the previous quarter. That is 131% more than the increase in Q3 2025.
     
  • Household Average: The average household owed a total of $157,899 at the end of Q3 2026, which is $15,984 below the all-time high.
     
  • Total Debt-to-Deposits Ratio: The ratio of total household debt to deposits indicates consumers are in good shape, as it's still below pre-Covid levels and roughly 49% lower than its early-2000s peak.
     
  • Total Debt-to-Assets: The ratio between total household debt and assets, at 8.7%, continues to be at a very healthy level.

“A big increase in a state’s average household debt can be a sign that residents are struggling financially. For example, inflation may be pushing people to borrow more just to afford necessities. However, residents of some states may be able to handle an increased debt load well, which is why it’s important to also consider delinquency rates to see whether people have enough income and good enough budgeting skills to keep up with higher loan payments.”

- Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst


More From WalletHub 

Money Makers - Careers in Bloom: Logistics

 How do fresh flowers travel thousands of miles and still arrive looking their best? Stephen Armellini of Armellini Logistics takes us inside floral transportation, where timing, temperature and teamwork keep flowers fresh from farm to florist. A career for problem-solvers who like keeping things moving.

 



ABOUT OUR SPONSORS
Careers In Bloom is made possible by partners who are investing in the next generation of the floral industry. Through scholarships, internships, educational grants, and industry collaboration, these organizations are building a pipeline of skilled, passionate professionals, from growers and logistics experts to designers and retail florists. Their support helps Seed Your Future show students, teachers, and parents that floriculture offers real, rewarding careers, and that the industry is ready to welcome them.

Thank you to the following sponsors:
American Floral Endowment
American Floral Alliance
The Bloom Together Initiative
AIFD Foundation

Thinking about a career in flowers? Whether you're a student exploring your options or considering a career change, the Society of American Florists offers free New Industry Entrant Resources, including an introduction to the floral industry, flower care basics, and small business tools, to help you get started. Society of American Florists: New Industry Entrant Resources


Money Matters - Rich Dad Poor Dad Interview

Bestselling author of “Rich Dad Poor Dad” Robert Kiyosaki shares about the release of the first book in his new kid’s series of books, “Camp Money: Unlocking the Secrets to a Rich Life.”

1. Why launch a children's book series now? Why is financial education for kids so important?

I have spent decades talking to adults about money, and one thing has become clear to me: many people reach adulthood without ever learning how money actually works. They may be excellent students, but nobody has taught them about cash flow, assets, liabilities, or how to make informed financial decisions.

I believe we need to start these conversations much earlier. Children are naturally curious, imaginative, and eager to learn. If we can introduce financial concepts while they are young, we can help them develop the confidence to ask questions, think independently, and make better decisions as they grow up.

My goal with this series is simple: help the next generation understand money before the real-world consequences of financial illiteracy begin.

2. What makes “Camp Money” different from a traditional children's book about money?

I didn't want to create a textbook disguised as a children's book. Kids don't learn best by memorizing financial terminology. They learn by exploring, asking questions, solving problems, and discovering things for themselves.

“Camp Money” brings financial concepts into a story-driven experience. Young readers encounter challenges and ideas that introduce earning, saving, investing, entrepreneurship, and thoughtful decision-making in a way in which they can relate.

The idea is to make money less intimidating and more interesting. I want kids to finish the book feeling curious about what they've learned and excited to apply those lessons in their own lives.

3. What do you hope children will take away from the series?

I hope they come away with three things: curiosity, confidence, and a different way of thinking about money.

First, I want them to understand that money is something they can learn about, not something they need to fear or avoid discussing. Second, I want them to recognize that their choices matter. Finally, I want them to begin thinking creatively about opportunities, solving problems, and creating value for other people.

Financial education isn't simply about becoming wealthy. It's about having the knowledge to make choices and take greater responsibility for your future.

4. Many parents feel uncomfortable talking about money with their children. Where should they begin?

Start with everyday life. You don't need to be a financial expert, and you certainly don't need to have all the answers.

When you go shopping, talk about needs versus wants. Talk about price versus value. When your child receives an allowance or birthday money, discuss what they might do with it. If they want to buy something expensive, help them think through how they could save for it or earn the money themselves.

Most importantly, make money a normal family conversation rather than a source of stress or secrecy. Parents don't have to lecture their children. They can learn alongside them, ask questions together, and use books like “Camp Money” or the CASHFLOW game to start conversations that might not otherwise happen.

5. Should financial literacy be taught in schools, or is it primarily a parent's responsibility?

I think both have an important role to play. Schools can provide children with foundational knowledge, while parents can help connect that knowledge to everyday decisions at home.

Reading, writing, and mathematics are essential, but children also need opportunities to understand money, budgets, saving, entrepreneurship, investing, and financial decision-making. These skills are life skills and affect nearly every stage of adult life.

We shouldn't expect parents to carry the entire responsibility either. Not every parent has received a strong financial education themselves. That's one reason accessible books and practical learning resources are so valuable. They give families and educators a starting point.

6. You often talk about entrepreneurship. Why introduce that idea to children?

Entrepreneurship teaches children to look for solutions instead of waiting for someone else to solve every problem.

A child who organizes a neighborhood project, makes something useful, or finds a way to help someone is already beginning to understand the entrepreneurial mindset. They're learning to recognize needs, use their imagination, communicate, and create value.

Of course, children don't need to start businesses to benefit from these lessons. The larger point is to encourage initiative, creativity, and resourcefulness. Those qualities can serve them in school, in their careers, and in whatever paths they choose later in life.

7. What would you say to parents who believe children are too young to learn about investing and financial responsibility?

I would say that learning about money doesn't mean asking children to take financial risks or making them worry about adult responsibilities. It means introducing age-appropriate ideas that help them understand the world around them.

Children can learn the difference between earning and spending. Older children can explore saving toward a goal, comparing prices, or understanding how a small business works. As they mature, they can begin learning what assets and liabilities mean and how investing involves both potential rewards and risks.

The objective isn't to rush children into adulthood. It's to build understanding gradually, in ways that make sense for each child's age and experience.

8. What role do you hope this series will play in the legacy of “Rich Dad Poor Dad?”

When I wrote “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” I wanted people to question what they had been taught about money and recognize the importance of financial education. I wanted people to have an open mind when it came to money and the role it plays in our lives... to be open to all points of view.

The Rich Dad Kids series extends that mission to a younger audience. Many adults who discovered my work years ago are now raising children of their own. They have an opportunity to start conversations about money with their families that perhaps they never had growing up.

I hope these books help make financial education a shared family experience. If children can develop healthy curiosity about money early in life, they will have more opportunities to build on that knowledge as they grow.

9. What is your message to a child who reads “Camp Money” and wants to become an entrepreneur or investor someday?

Stay curious. Ask questions. Learn how things work. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, because mistakes can teach you lessons that success sometimes doesn't.

You don't have to know everything today, and you don't have to become rich overnight. Start by learning how to manage what you have, understand the value you can offer others, and make thoughtful decisions. And remember: the world is changing so fast... and so is the world of money. That’s why becoming smarter with our money is so important.

Your education doesn't end when school lets out. Keep learning, keep experimenting, and keep looking for ways to solve problems. Those habits can serve you for the rest of your life.

10. If families remember just one thing from this kid’s series of books, what would you want it to be?

I would want them to remember that financial education is a journey, and it's never too early to begin. And that learning about money can be fun!

Money will be part of a child's life whether anyone teaches them how it works. We have a choice: leave them to figure everything out on their own, or give them opportunities to learn, ask questions, and develop confidence before they face bigger financial decisions.

My hope is that these books encourage parents and children to sit down together, open a conversation, and begin learning. That first conversation may be one of the most valuable investments a family can make in a child's future.

“Camp Money: Unlocking the Secrets to a Rich Life” is the beginning of a new chapter in bringing the principles of financial literacy to young readers. My hope is that the series will inspire children to think creatively, ask better questions, and begin building a stronger understanding of money—one lesson, one conversation, and one decision at a time.

Book: “Camp Money: Unlocking the Secrets to a Rich Life”
Author: Rich Dad Team
Audience: Children ages 8–12, parents, grandparents, and educators
Publication date: November 10, 2026

“Camp Money” is available now through major booksellers and online retailers.

 

About the Rich Dad Kids Books

Created from concepts and lessons in “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” Rich Dad Kids books are a collection of children's books that bring the trusted financial education philosophy of the Rich Dad brand to young readers through imaginative storytelling and memorable characters. The series is designed to help children develop healthy money habits, entrepreneurial thinking and financial confidence while encouraging family conversations about wealth, responsibility and opportunity. Initial Rich Dad Kids books include: “Camp Money,” “Camp Money Activity Book” and, in 2027, a picture book titled “A Is for Asset.” For more information, visit https://richdad.com/kids/

Travel Tidbits - Wine Region Dupes

You've done Napa, tasted your way through Tuscany and sipped your way through Bordeaux. So what's next?

Wine dupes: destinations that deliver the same magic as the famous regions, with fewer crowds, better value and stories your clients have never heard. Here's your quick swap sheet!

TRADE TUSCANY FOR ALBANIA- Rolling hills, family run wineries and indigenous grapes like Kallmet that almost no one outside Albania has tasted. Pair cellar visits with the Ottoman town of Berat and the Albanian Riviera.

TRADE PROVENCE FOR MOROCCO- Yes, Morocco makes wine. Around Meknès, vineyards stretch toward Roman ruins, and the country is known for its pale, elegant vin gris. Add riads, souks and a Sahara night for a wine trip like no other.

TRADE SICILY FOR MALTA- Taste native grapes like Girgentina and Ä ellewza on Malta and Gozo, then pair them with 7,000 years of history, island seafood and Mediterranean sunsets. Our Malta partners can open doors most visitors never see.

TRADE BORDEAUX FOR CHILE- Chile is home to Carménère, an old Bordeaux grape long thought lost, rediscovered growing in Chilean vineyards in the 1990s. Colchagua and Casablanca offer world-class tastings with the Andes and the Pacific as backdrops.

TRADE NAPA FOR MENDOZA- Malbec at the foot of the Andes, high altitude vineyards and long lunches among the vines. For an intimate stay, La María is a seven room boutique hideaway minutes from the best wineries in Luján de Cuyo.

TRADE SONOMA FOR CROATIA- Zinfandel has a secret- its roots are in Croatia. Steep vineyards on the Pelješac Peninsula produce bold Plavac Mali right above the Adriatic, while Istria pairs crisp Malvazija with truffle hunting and hilltop villages. Wine tasting with sea views, island hopping and some of the best seafood in Europe. California never looked so good.

TRADE BURGUNDY FOR SOUTH MORAVIA- The Czech Republic's secret wine country, with Pinot Noir from the Blue Mountains, the nation's top 100 wines tasted in cellars beneath a chateau and fairytale castles at every turn.

TRADE CHAMPAGNE FOR ENGLAND- The chalky soils of southern England have sparkled into some of the world's most exciting bubbly. Sussex and Kent vineyards make a perfect add on to a London stay.

TRADE SANTORINI FOR LANZAROTE- In the Canary Islands, vines grow in black volcanic ash pits sheltered by curved stone walls. La Geria looks like nowhere else on Earth.

THE ULTIMATE GAMECHANGER: GEORGIA- The birthplace of wine, with 8,000 years of history. Here, wine is fermented in clay qvevri vessels buried underground. Add the warmest hospitality imaginable and legendary feasts known as supra.



Book Nook - Legacy Lights: Helping Girls Picture Themselves Leading


When children imagine who they might become, the stories we share help shape what feels possible.

For author, illustrator, and Air Force veteran Bree Sprual, that idea became personal when she began creating books inspired by her daughter, Ariyah.

Her children’s book, Legacy Lights, introduces young readers to trailblazing women in civics and politics, with military leadership also represented. Through Ariyah’s journey, children meet women who challenged barriers and helped shape the world they are growing up in.

With a main character inspired by Sprual’s own daughter, the story brings those possibilities closer to home. It invites families to talk about whose voices get heard, how people create change, and how children can make a difference in their own communities.

Legacy Lights is part of Ariyah’s Dreamland, Sprual’s storytelling brand rooted in girlhood, imagination, and empowerment. For parents raising girls with big questions and even bigger dreams, it offers a starting point for conversations about courage, leadership, and belonging.

Explore the books and accompanying resources at ariyahsdreamland.com.



Book Nook - Don't just give a child a book. Give them a reason to love it.

 Forget what you think children should be reading. This holiday season, one Pittsburgh literacy expert has a different suggestion for parents and grandparents: Give kids the books they actually want to read.

And the list might surprise you.



Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man series is the runaway favorite. Pokémon, Miles Morales, Ada Twist, and Bluey are big hits. Books about adorable animals remain irresistible. Graphic novels and Japanese manga are increasingly popular, too.

While some adults may dismiss these choices as less serious reading, Kyle Fahsel, a former reading teacher who now directs partnerships and mentorship programs at Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) Pittsburgh, says that's missing the point.

The best book for a child may be the one they can't wait to open. And sometimes, it's the story behind the gift that makes a book unforgettable.

Fahsel recalls two particularly meaningful examples from RIF Pittsburgh's Everybody Wins! mentorship program, which pairs children with their own volunteer adult Reading Buddies for weekly sessions. "Once a year, mentors have the opportunity to give their young Reading Buddies a book of their own. One mentor, whose mother had passed away and had loved The Wizard of Oz, honored her memory by anonymously giving her mentee’s school a classroom set of the beloved classic. It was a gift that connected generations through a story that held special meaning for one family."

Another pair of mentors created a one-of-a-kind pirate adventure activity book for their Reading Buddies, complete with secret messages written in invisible ink for students to discover. The handmade gift transformed reading into an adventure, making the child an active participant in the story.

For Fahsel, both examples illustrate something important about giving books: It's not about how much you spend. It's about knowing the child, sparking curiosity, and making reading personal.

He has a unique window into children's reading preferences. Last year, RIF Pittsburgh provided nearly 84,000 books to approximately 15,000 children across six Pittsburgh neighborhoods and Wilkinsburg. The organization's Everybody Wins! mentorship program has more than tripled over the past 3 years to include 275 adult-child reading partnerships, many of which continue for years.

Fahsel also emphasizes the importance of offering children books by diverse authors and about a wide range of people, cultures, experiences, and interests. RIF Pittsburgh intentionally provides books like the popular graphic novel series Curlfriends by Sharee Miller and New Kid by Jerry Craft, highly relatable coming-of-age stories that show young readers the importance of celebrating their cultural backgrounds. When children see their own families, communities, and identities reflected in stories, reading becomes more personal and meaningful. Just as importantly, books introduce them to people and perspectives beyond their own experiences, building curiosity, understanding, and empathy. 

In Everybody Wins!, students choose a book to keep for their personal libraries each month.Thanks to a grant from The Grable Foundation — awarded as part of the regional "Won’t You Be a Reader?” literacy campaign — participating children now have access to an expanded selection of books to pick from. It’s based on the premise that when kids choose their own books based on their own interests, their love for reading grows. 

"Every child deserves to find a book that feels like it was written just for them — and another that opens their eyes to a world they've never imagined,” said Gregg Behr, Executive Director of The Grable Foundation. 

Those choices offer valuable lessons for holiday shoppers. Fahsel explains that books inspired by television shows, video games and familiar characters can provide an important bridge between children's existing interests and a love of reading. Graphic novels and illustrated stories aren't shortcuts; they can help children build confidence, reading stamina and the desire to explore more complex stories.

    At a time when families are looking for meaningful gifts that don't require batteries, subscriptions or more screen time, Fahsel and Behr offer a refreshing reminder: The best book gift isn't necessarily the most impressive one. It's the one that makes a child feel seen, sparks their imagination, or becomes a memory shared with someone they love.

    Music Minute - 2026 CMA Records That Could Be Broken

    Ahead of the 60th Annual Country Music Association Awards, ActionNetwork.com has collected a list of 25 records that could be broken at the 2026 ceremony. To highlight a few of the records that could be broken, Ella Langley has a chance to become the first woman to ever win all the top 5 major awards at the CMAs in a single ceremony, Ella Langley, Kacey Musgraves or Miranda Lambert could potentially tie or break the record for the most CMAs won in one night (current record: 5 wins), Brooks & Dunn could extend their record as the most-awarded artists in the history of the CMAs (current record: 20 wins), however, Chris Stapleton has a chance to either tie or pass Brooks & Dunn’s record as the most-awarded artists in the history of the CMAs. Additionally,  Miranda Lambert could extend her record as the most-awarded female artist in the history of the CMAs, Lainey Wilson could become the first female artist to ever win Entertainer Of The Year 3 times, while Chris Stapleton could extend his record as the most awarded artist in the Male Vocalist Of The Year category. Lastly, Ella Langley could become the first artist to ever win both Single & Song Of The Year at the CMAs in two consecutive years and her song “Choosin’ Texas” could become only the 6th song in history (and only the second one by a female artist and a first song in more than 20 years) to win Single & Song Of The Year at both the ACM Awards and the CMA Awards.

    Check out all the 25 records that could be broken at the 2026 CMA Awards in detail (listed by categories and also by artists’ names).

    Post courtesy ActionNetwork.com 

    Enriching Education - 7 Outdoor Learning Activities Preschoolers Can Try Close to Home

    As fall brings cooler temperatures and changing leaves to Greenville, families have a chance to take preschool learning outside. A neighborhood walk, backyard, or nearby park can give children plenty to notice and discuss while encouraging them to count, compare, and ask questions. Tami Nix, president of Archway Academy, has worked in early childhood education since 1985 and views outdoor learning as an extension of the classroom, where hands-on exploration becomes part of the learning process.

    Archway Academy’s Greenville campus features approximately 4.5 acres of outdoor space, including age-specific play areas and a covered outdoor classroom for nature exploration and other activities. That emphasis aligns with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, which recommends two to three opportunities for outdoor active play each day, weather permitting, and 90 to 120 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during an eight-hour day in early care. Families can use the season in the same way. “Outdoor time can be as simple as giving children a reason to look more closely at what is around them,” Nix said. “That is often enough to start a conversation or a new question.”

    Archway Academy educators recommend trying these seven activities:

    1. Turn the walk into a nature hunt. Choose a few things to look for, such as a yellow leaf, something rough, or something shaped like a circle. Naming what children see gives them opportunities to practice descriptive language.
    2. Stop for a sound check. Pause and ask children what they can hear before identifying the sounds together. Birds, wind, footsteps, traffic, or leaves can become starting points for conversation.
    3. Sort or make patterns with safe finds. Fallen leaves, pinecones, sticks, or other safe natural objects can be grouped by size, color, or shape. Children can also arrange them into a simple repeating pattern and explain how they decided what came next.
    4. Count and compare along the way. Count steps between two landmarks, compare which stick is longer, or see which tree has more leaves beneath it. Simple questions can bring early math into the walk.
    5. Create a movement trail. Pick safe landmarks and ask children to hop to one, walk around another, balance along a path, or move quickly and slowly between two points. Outdoor space gives children room to practice movement patterns that are harder to explore indoors.
    6. Ask one “I wonder” question. A changing leaf, seed, insect, cloud, or unusual sound can open a simple conversation: “I wonder where that came from?” or “What do you think will happen next?” The goal is to encourage children to make observations, share ideas, and explore possible explanations.
    7. Make a story from one discovery. Use something from the walk, such as a fallen pinecone or an animal, and ask the child to build a story around it. They might imagine where it came from, what happened before they found it, or where it could go next.

    “One walk can involve many activities at once,” Nix said. “A child may be counting something one minute and telling a story about what they found the next.” A review of 66 studies published in Educational Research Review found that nature-based learning in early childhood was linked to benefits in areas such as thinking skills and social-emotional development. Most of the research focused on children ages 3 to 6 and included activities built around play, movement, and interaction with others.

    A short walk can be enough to spark a child’s curiosity. Allowing children to lead part of an outdoor activity can help parents discover what captures their attention, from a changing leaf to an unfamiliar sound. Returning to the same places throughout the season can give children a chance to notice what has changed since their last visit. “When children are outside, the environment keeps giving them something new to respond to,” Nix said. “Fall gives families so many options to let children experience change firsthand.”

    About Archway Academy

    When Tami Nix had the opportunity to acquire a small childcare business in 1985, she saw the foundation for something more than traditional daycare. More than 40 years later, Archway Academy has grown into a multi-site South Carolina early childhood education organization serving children from infancy through four-year-old kindergarten (4K), along with after-school and summer programs. Archway Academy’s approach focuses on preparing the whole child through hands-on learning, trained teachers, parent involvement, and age-appropriate experiences that support children socially, emotionally, physically, and academically. Its newest campus in Greenville extends that approach across approximately 4.5 acres of park-like outdoor space. For more information, visit Archway Academy.

    References

    Caring Connections - End-of-Life Care Conversations

    The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), the nation’s leading organization representing nonprofit, community-based hospice and advanced illness care providers, is encouraging Americans to focus on something that brings families together this holiday season: caring for the people they love.

    The call comes during National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, as NPHI highlights its “Care You Can Trust” campaign to raise awareness of the importance of hospice and palliative care services and encourages families to have meaningful conversations about their healthcare wishes before a crisis occurs.

    With Thanksgiving approaching, NPHI is urging families to use their time together to discuss how they want to age, what matters most to them, and the kind of care they would want if faced with serious illness. America is growing older, and the way people want to experience aging is changing. Older adults want a greater say in how they receive healthcare, including the ability to remain independent and receive care in the place they call home.

    Much of the healthcare system has historically been built around hospitals and institutional settings, even as Americans consistently express a preference for aging in their own homes and communities. As healthcare delivery increasingly moves into the home, the experiences of hospice and palliative care providers offer important lessons. For decades, these providers have helped people facing serious illness receive specialized care in familiar surroundings, with treatment guided by their individual wishes and goals.

    But aging on one's own terms begins long before care is needed. It requires conversations about what independence means, how someone would want to live if their health changed, and which decisions they would want their loved ones to make on their behalf.

    As people gather with loved ones over the holidays, NPHI encourages everyone to ask a few simple questions: What matters most to you as you grow older? If you became seriously ill, where would you prefer to receive care? Who would you trust to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you were unable to speak for yourself? Have you shared your wishes with the people who may one day need to help make those decisions?

    These conversations do not have to happen all at once. Even a few minutes of honest discussion can help us better understand one another and begin planning for the future.

    To help Americans get started, NPHI offers its free 5-Point Guide to Advance Care Planning, with practical steps for discussing healthcare wishes and documenting personal preferences.

    Families can also use NPHI’s Find Care locator to identify hospice and palliative care providers in their communities.

    Knowing what a loved one wants is an important first step. Equally important is knowing that when care is needed, there are healthcare providers who will listen to those wishes and respect the decisions families have made together. At a time when public trust in healthcare is under strain, that confidence matters. Families should be able to trust that their loved ones will receive care that reflects their values, particularly as they grow older or face serious illness.

    This November, NPHI’s "Care You Can Trust" campaign, held in recognition of National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, is encouraging Americans to think ahead about the care they would want and the providers they would turn to when the need arises.

    Hospice and palliative care providers have an important role in helping people receive care that aligns with their wishes, often in the comfort of their own homes. Understanding these services before they are needed can help families make informed decisions and avoid the uncertainty that comes with navigating a serious illness without a plan.

    About the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI)

    The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) is the leading organization representing nonprofit, community-based hospice and advanced illness care providers. Committed to excellence, NPHI’s members ensure patients and families receive compassionate, high-quality care that respects their goals, values, and dignity. NPHI helps nonprofit providers thrive in an increasingly profit-driven healthcare landscape by advancing innovative, person-centered models and strengthening collaboration with leaders, policymakers, and healthcare partners nationwide.

    Music Minute - Branson Announces Inaugural Songwriters Festival April 15-17, 2027


    Explore Branson is pleased to announce the inaugural Branson Songwriters Festival April 15-17, 2027. This event will bring some of Nashville’s most celebrated hit songwriters to stages throughout Branson and neighboring areas.

    Over the course of three days, visitors will be treated to the magic of hearing songs they know and love performed live by the talented writers who penned them. From chart-topping hits to timeless country classics, these incredible songwriters will share their music and the fascinating stories behind the songs that became the soundtracks to live by.

    The festival will feature an extraordinary lineup of award-winning songwriters, including Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees, Grammy winners and nominees, and the creative minds behind countless country music hits.

    Guests will enjoy live performances in intimate listening venues throughout Branson and neighboring areas for an up-close and personal experience.

    Visitors are encouraged to explore the website and check back often for updates and announcements; more songwriters being added to the list, venue locations, and preferred lodging partners: www.bransonsongwriters.com.