Joe Knows Better

Think a “full sun” plant can handle any amount of Arizona sunshine? Not necessarily.Hotter days are only part of the challenge. When temperatures stay high well into the night, plants don’t get the relief they once did, which means varieties that historically thrived in full sun may now be more susceptible to scorching.On this week’s Joe Knows Better podcast, Joe Ducey and Michelle Marin sit down with Ben McGonigle, Certified Arborist and Owner of Design Tree Maintenance, to discuss how changing conditions are affecting Arizona landscapes and why choosing the right plants for the right location matters.Before you plant, make sure your landscaping is prepared for today’s desert heat.#ArizonaLandscaping #LandscapingTips #TreeCare #PlantCare #DesertLandscaping #ArizonaHeat #CertifiedArborist #HomeImprovement #BBB #JoeDucey #JoeKnowsBetter #DesignTreeMaintenance

Thinking about going solar? Before you let anyone put panels on your roof, you need to know what you’re getting into. Solar is a major financial investment, and falling for a high-pressure, door-to-door sales pitch is the fastest way to make an expensive mistake.On this week’s episode of Joe Knows Better, hosts Joe Ducey and Michelle Marin sit down with Adrian Keller, Program Director at Solar United Neighbors, to break down everything consumers must know before making a commitment. Together, they walk through how to spot reputable local installers, recognize common red flags, and navigate fine print, warranties, and consumer protections. You'll learn why Adrian recommends the "3-bid rule"—sleeping on a sales pitch, gathering multiple written quotes, and weighing the pros and cons of owning versus leasing your panels before signing anything.Don't sign at the door—do your homework first. Tune in to learn how to ask the right questions, compare your options, and harness the sun with confidence.

Would you RSVP to a neighborhood pool party with no pool? Or a birthday party with no cake?It sounds ridiculous, but fake event invitations are showing up in inboxes right now. One click could lead to stolen information or malware on your device, making these invitations anything but a celebration.On this week’s Joe Knows Better podcast, Joe Ducey and Michelle Marin break down the latest scams hitting consumers, including fake party invitations, travel scams, investment fraud, and more, along with simple ways to protect yourself.#ScamAlert #ConsumerProtection #CyberSafety #OnlineScams #EmailScams#BBB #JoeDucey #JoeKnowsBetter #ScamPrevention #ConsumerTips #StaySafe #FraudAwareness

Need a loan? Be careful who you trust.Scammers know people looking for financial help may be under pressure, which is why fake lenders often promise guaranteed approval, low rates, or no credit checks, only to ask for money upfront.On this week’s Joe Knows Better podcast, Joe Ducey sits down with Gerald Tarling, Senior Business Banking Officer at Desert Financial Credit Union, to discuss how to spot legitimate lenders, what to look for before applying, and how to avoid costly loan scams.Do your homework before you borrow.#LoanScams #PersonalLoans #ConsumerProtection #FinancialTips #LoanFraud#ScamAlert #CreditUnion #BBB #JoeDucey #JoeKnowsBetter #DesertFinancial #MoneyTips

If your customers only find you through Google, you’ve already lost.The goal is to become the business people think of first, not just another search result. Building trust before someone needs your service can make all the difference.On this special Lunch & Learn edition of Joe Knows Better, Joe Ducey sits down with Tyler Kelley, CEO and Co-Founder of SLAM Agency, to discuss how businesses can build brand awareness, earn trust, and market smarter before customers ever start searching.#MarketingTips #SmallBusinessMarketing #BrandAwareness #BusinessGrowth #DigitalMarketing #SocialMediaMarketing #BBB #JoeDucey #JoeKnowsBetter #LunchAndLearn #SLAMAgency #SmallBusinessTips

Moving can be stressful enough. Getting hit with a surprise bill after your belongings are already on the truck is even worse.Some moving companies quote one price, then demand thousands more before delivery. So how can you protect yourself before moving day?On this week’s Joe Knows Better podcast, Joe Ducey sits down with Donavon and Devin Connor from Overall Moving to discuss moving scams, what contracts should include, and how to research a mover before trusting them with everything you own.A little homework now can save you a major headache later.#MovingScam #MovingTips #ConsumerProtection #MovingDay #HireSmart#BBBAccredited #JoeDucey #JoeKnowsBetter #BBBPodcast #ArizonaMoving #MovingAdvice #ConsumerTips

The next scam you see might look completely legitimate.With AI, fake websites, polished emails, and even celebrity endorsement videos can be created in minutes, making scams more convincing than ever before.On this week’s Joe Knows Better podcast, Joe Ducey and Michelle Marin sit down with Julien Brandt, Founder and CEO of Ampra.ai, to break down how AI is changing scams and why consumers need to question everything they see online.A professional looking website does not always mean it’s real.#AIScams #OnlineScams #Deepfake #PhishingScam #FakeWebsite#CyberSafety #ScamAlert #FraudPrevention #BBB #JoeDucey #JoeKnowsBetter

Business kept your money and won’t make it right?Small claims court could be an option. For a relatively small filing fee, you may be able to recover thousands, but preparation matters.On this week’s Joe Knows Better podcast, Joe Ducey and Michelle Marin sit down with Judge Michele Reagan of the Maricopa County Justice Court to break down when small claims court makes sense, how the process works, and what you need to do to build a strong case.Know your options before you give up.#SmallClaimsCourt #ConsumerRights #KnowYourRights #LegalTips #JusticeCourt#BBB #JoeDucey #JoeKnowsBetter #PhoenixPodcast #SmallBusiness #ConsumerProtection

You get a notice your account was charged $400 for something you didn’t order. Now what?Call the number in the message? Or log into your account and check it yourself? The wrong move could hand scammers exactly what they want. On this week’s Joe Knows Better podcast, BBB's Joe Ducey down with BBB’s Michelle Marin to break down the biggest scams we’re seeing and the simple steps that can keep you from losing money.#PhishingScam #AccountAlert #ScamAwareness #OnlineScams #TextScam#EmailScam #FraudPrevention #ScamAlert #TooGoodToBeTrue #BBB #JoeDucey #JoeKnowsBetter