Podcasts about Asset

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3319: Ryan Frederick explores why belonging may matter more than climate, amenities, or cost of living when choosing where to call home. Drawing on social psychology, national research, and cultural insights, he reveals how connection fuels happiness, resilience, and even physical health. This perspective may reshape how you evaluate your next move, and what truly makes a place worth staying. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.here.life/blog/on-belonging Quotes to ponder: "Brené Brown defines belonging “as being accepted for you; fitting in is being accepted for being like everyone else.”" "Scholars deem belonging to be as important as our need for love and as necessary for survival as food and water." "Belonging is complex, but critical to life satisfaction and healthy longevity." Episode references: Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community: https://www.amazon.com/Bowling-Alone-Collapse-American-Community/dp/0743203046 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training AI is either the end of agencies… or the biggest opportunity we've had since the internet. Most agree it's the second one. Agencies that are winning right now are combining SEO, GEO, AEO, and LLM optimization so they show up everywhere decisions are being made. They're using AI to increase leverage, not replace thinking. And they're restructuring their teams around strategy, insight, and proprietary data instead of repetitive task work. Today's featured guest will discuss why SEO isn't dead (it just grew up), the biggest mistake agencies are making with AI, how to 10x output without adding headcount, and why your unique data is the unfair advantage that separates you from every other agency prompting ChatGPT and hoping for magic. Terry Zelen is the founder of Zelen Communications, a 35-year-old agency that pivoted aggressively into AI over the last three years. He's helping clients win visibility across both search engines and large language models (LLMs) and even building AI tools internally to reduce hallucinations and improve accuracy. Terry has a degree in marine biology, so marketing wasn't the master plan. After college, he tried breaking into the creative world with zero portfolio and got laughed out of the room; until one person gave him a shot. He worked for free, proved himself, connected with a freelance rep, and slowly worked his way up through the agency ranks. He eventually transitioned from freelancer to agency owner by acquiring his own accounts and building relationships locally in Tampa. Fast forward three decades and now he's helping clients navigate AI, LLM visibility, and what modern SEO really looks like. In this episode, we'll discuss: Why SEO is more complicated now, but agencies willing to adapt can still win How LLM visibility will win you business AI: The greatest leverage small businesses have ever had Building an AI consensus engine Subscribe Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Sponsors and Resources This episode is brought to you by Wix Studio: If you're leveling up your team and your client experience, your site builder should keep up too. That's why successful agencies use Wix Studio — built to adapt the way your agency does: AI-powered site mapping, responsive design, flexible workflows, and scalable CMS tools so you spend less on plugins and more on growth. Ready to design faster and smarter? Go to wix.com/studio to get started. SEO Is Not Dead. It's Just Way More Complicated There's a lot of noise right now around "SEO is dead" or "zero-click internet." But that's an oversimplification. SEO isn't going away. It's evolving. Today, it's not just SEO. It's: GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) Local SEO EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trust) Search intent In other words, visibility is the game. Not just ranking in Google, but showing up in LLMs like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity. Terry points out that while snippets and AI-generated summaries are increasing, people still want to verify sources. They're not buying a couch because an LLM told them it's the best. They'll still visit sites, compare options, and validate credibility. Backlinks, structured content, schema, quality. It all still matters. What's different is that now you're playing the game with Google and the LLMs. How LLM Visibility Actually Wins Business This isn't theoretical. Terry shared a story of a client who builds modular classroom buildings. A school district searched for "best mobile building producer in Florida" and the client showed up in a snippet. That visibility led directly to a new contract. So you're no longer optimizing just for rankings. You're optimizing to be the referenced authority when AI generates an answer. That means you better have structured content, clear positioning, backlinks, authority signals, and presence on surfaces LLMs scrape (including platforms like Reddit, though that's evolving). The agencies that understand this shift can bolt on new services like AI SEO or GEO and, in some cases, significantly increase revenue. But there's a catch. This space is evolving fast. What works today might not work next quarter. That's why Terry avoids gray-hat tactics and focuses on fundamentals. AI Is the Greatest Leverage Small Agencies Have Ever Had Terry believes this might be the most exciting time ever for small agencies because AI has eliminated barriers that used to require massive budgets. When a small restaurant client wanted a red snapper on a black background for their website, stock photography didn't cut it and real shoot would've required a diver, photographer, cooperative fish and a significant budget. Instead, they used Midjourney to create the image. Then they animated it so the fins and gills subtly moved. The client was blown away. For a small restaurant, this level of visual production used to be impossible. Now it's affordable and scalable. That's the opportunity. Agencies can deliver higher-quality creative, faster, and at lower cost if they know how to use the tools. A Very Real Fear for Future Marketers Terry regularly speaks to marketing students who are worried AI will take their jobs. What he tells them is that AI won't take your job, but someone who knows how to use AI will. The key is not blind reliance. It's intelligent leverage. AI is excellent at: Research Proposal drafting Competitive analysis First drafts of content Summarizing data What used to take weeks can now take hours. That frees your team from repetitive, dreaded tasks and allows them to focus on strategy, creativity, and client impact. But there's a danger in over-reliance. Too many agencies are slapping "AI" on everything without adding original thinking or proprietary data. Your edge isn't that you use AI. Your edge is your data. Every agency has unique client data, performance metrics, positioning, and experience. When you combine that with AI, that's where real leverage happens. Building a Consensus Engine to Reduce AI Hallucinations One of the more advanced things Terry is experimenting with is what he calls a "consensus engine." The problem with LLMs is that they're probabilistic, not deterministic. Ask the same question twice and you'll get two slightly different answers. They also hallucinate. To combat this, Terry built a workflow using N8N (a Zapier-like automation tool) that runs content through multiple LLMs. One writes it. Another critiques it. The final output must pass both systems before it's considered valid. If they disagree, it's sent back through with adjusted parameters. He's also exploring how different LLMs perform best in different roles: Perplexity for real-time research ChatGPT for writing Claude for programming Instead of treating AI as one tool, he's assembling a stack of specialized tools. That mindset shift, thinking like a systems architect instead of a prompt typist, is what separates surface-level AI use from strategic advantage. Do You Want to Transform Your Agency from a Liability to an Asset? Looking to dig deeper into your agency's potential? Check out our Agency Blueprint. Designed for agency owners like you, our Agency Blueprint helps you uncover growth opportunities, tackle obstacles, and craft a customized blueprint for your agency's success.

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3319: Ryan Frederick explores why belonging may matter more than climate, amenities, or cost of living when choosing where to call home. Drawing on social psychology, national research, and cultural insights, he reveals how connection fuels happiness, resilience, and even physical health. This perspective may reshape how you evaluate your next move, and what truly makes a place worth staying. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.here.life/blog/on-belonging Quotes to ponder: "Brené Brown defines belonging “as being accepted for you; fitting in is being accepted for being like everyone else.”" "Scholars deem belonging to be as important as our need for love and as necessary for survival as food and water." "Belonging is complex, but critical to life satisfaction and healthy longevity." Episode references: Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community: https://www.amazon.com/Bowling-Alone-Collapse-American-Community/dp/0743203046 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're approaching retirement and feeling nervous about the stock market, you're not alone. In this episode of the Wise Money Show, we tackle a real question from a soon-to-be retiree who wants growth but is afraid of losing money. The team explains why your investment strategy should start with a retirement plan, not a stock pick, and how your income sources, risk tolerance, and long-term goals all work together. Learn how to determine the right level of risk for your situation and avoid letting fear or FOMO drive your investment decisions. Season 11, Episode 29 Download our FREE 5-Factor Retirement guide: https://wisemoneyguides.com/    Schedule a meeting with one of our CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS™: https://www.korhorn.com/contact-korhorn-financial-advisors/ or call 574-247-5898.   Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/c/WiseMoneyShow Listen on podcast: https://pod.link/1040619718   Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1lTSSMG8_CQ  Submit a question for the show: https://www.korhorn.com/ask-a-question/   Read the Wise Money Blog: https://www.korhorn.com/wise-money-blog/    Connect with us: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/WiseMoneyShow  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wisemoneyshow/    Kevin Korhorn, CFP® offers securities through Silver Oak Securities, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. Kevin offers advisory services through KFG Wealth Management, LLC dba Korhorn Financial Group. KFG Wealth Management, LLC dba Korhorn Financial Group and Silver Oak Securities, Inc. are not affiliated. Mike Bernard, CFP® and Joshua Gregory, CFP® offer advisory services through KFG Wealth Management, LLC dba Korhorn Financial Group. This information is for general financial education and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations. All investing and investment strategies involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Asset allocation & diversification do not ensure a profit or prevent a loss in a declining market. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.

You Are Your BEST Asset! Supersize You Annual Challenge Day 66! Join us every day in 2026 for a quick challenge that is all about you Improving and creating the life you want! https://www.facebook.com/ThrivingSharon Ask your questions and share your wisdom! #supersizeannualchallenge #doonethingeverydaytosupersizeyou #annualchallenge #confidence #supersizeyouannualchallenge #supersizeyouchallenge #financialwellbeing #financialhealth #investinyourself #youareyourbiggestasset #ROI #businesscoaching #lessonslearned #bestinvestment Hey there! Sharon Horne-Ellstrom here on Day 66 of the Supersize You Annual Challenge. Today, we're talking about the importance of investing in yourself first, because you are your own best asset. This challenge is all about your personal growth and fostering a positive mindset. Join us to build your confidence and make self improvement a daily habit!

You Are Your BEST Asset! Invest In Yourself 1st...Supersize Your Business Challenge! Pop here every day for a dose of different business building perspective: https://facebook.com/supersizebusiness #supersizeyourbusiness #supersizechallenge #supersizeyourbusinessannualchallenge #supersizeyourbusinesschallenge #moneymonth #financialhealth #finances #investinyourself #bestROI #improveskills #youareyourbestasset Hi there, Sharon Horne-Ellstrom here. Welcome to Day 66 of our Super Size Your Business Annual Challenge! This segment focuses on improving your "Investment in yourself" and building strong "business skills". We explore how continuous "self investment" is crucial for achieving your "financial goals" and fostering "financial health" for your business and yourself.

#695: The U.S. lost 92,000 jobs in February, pushing unemployment to 4.4 percent.That result contradicts a different report released two days earlier showing 63,000 jobs added, leaving economists trying to square the circle. Many agree that we're in a "low hire, low fire" jobs environment.We walk through several major economic stories using a three-layer framework: the household economy, markets and policy, and long-term forces shaping the future.First, the household layer. Hiring has become uneven across sectors. Health care and education previously drove much of the job growth, but layoffs in those areas now appear in the data.Job openings have also fallen to 6.54 million, the lowest level since the pandemic began. Workers are switching jobs less often, and the pay bump for job-hopping has shrunk.Mortgage rates recently crossed 6 percent, influenced in part by rising Treasury yields and concerns about inflation. Gas prices climbed about 26 cents per gallon in a week, partly due to tensions affecting oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries about one-fifth of global oil supply.The episode also looks at household finances. Six percent of workers in Vanguard plans took hardship withdrawals from their 401(k)s in 2025, up from five percent the year before. That increase suggests some households are leaning on retirement savings to manage financial stress.At the end of the episode, economist Dr. Ben Zweig, CEO of Revelio Labs, joins us to unpack the conflicting employment reports and explain why the labor market may look weaker than expected. He also discusses why health care hiring may be slowing and how economists interpret mixed signals across multiple labor data sources. (0:00) February jobs shock(1:02) Three-layer economy framework(2:03) BLS job losses explained(3:12) ADP vs BLS data gap(4:30) Job openings decline(5:39) Layoffs and AI cuts(7:15) Mortgage rates near 6 percent(8:26) Gas price spike(10:02) Markets react to oil shock(16:00) Record 401k withdrawals(19:30) Asset owners vs nonowners gap(21:22) Supreme Court tariff ruling(23:31) AI costs collapse, usage surge(27:03) Fed reactions to jobs report(33:33) Economist Ben Zweig interview Share this episode with a friend, colleagues, and your job recruiter: https://affordanything.com/episode695 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Attorney Steve Gibbs Puts Whole Life Insurance on trial and Makes "The Case" for utilizing it Your Wealth Building Arsenal. Caleb Guilliams is joined by Steve, the co-founder of Insurance and Estates with a surprise guest, Barry Brooksby, to challenge him on why he calls whole life insurance a "guaranteed investment".Watch the Video on Youtube for Visuals - https://youtu.be/wk210M9jfLsWant a Whole Life Insurance Policy? Go Here: https://bttr.ly/bw-yt-aa-clarityWant Us To Review Your Permanent Life Insurance Policy? Click Here: https://bttr.ly/yt-policy-reviewWant More Free Whole Life Insurance Resources & Education? Go Here: https://bttr.ly/yt-bw-vaultLearn More About BetterWealth: https://betterwealth.comTimestamps:00:00 Intro 01:03 Introducing Steve & Barry 02:50 Barry introduces Insurance and Estates 05:09 Quantifying The Value of Credit Protection 09:56 Asset Protection From Contracts and State Laws12:50 Cash in a Bank vs. Cash Value Life Insurance 15:02 Life Insurance as a Contract and Trust 16:31 Barry Addresses "Guaranteed Investment" Statement 18:07 Defining "Investment" and "Guaranteed Asset"22:21 Contract as an Asset 24:46 How is life insurance considered a trust? 28:36 Steve's "AHA moment" on Life Insurance 33:42 Life Insurance Compared to 401ks 43:21 Steve's Personal Experience with Life Insurance 45:16 Why are people attracted to life insurance? 48:24 Comparing IUL (Indexed Universal Life) to Whole Life Contracts 55:20 Response to "Buy Term and Invest the Difference" 58:08 Legacy and Permanent Life Insurance 1:01:55 100 Years of Bond Yields vs Dividend Interest Rates 1:11:21 Why is Life Insurance so Hated? 1:18:50 Final ThoughtsDISCLAIMER: https://bttr.ly/aapolicy*This video is for entertainment purposes only and is not financial or legal advice. Financial Advice Disclaimer: All content on this channel is for education, discussion, and illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as professional financial advice or recommendation. Should you need such advice, consult a licensed financial or tax advisor. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of the information on this channel. Neither host nor guests can be held responsible for any direct or incidental loss incurred by applying any of the information offered.

In this episode of Cashflow Legendz, the guys dive into a powerful reminder: You Are the Asset. Fresh off their fifth time attending Nelson Nash Think Tank—where they also had the honor of being keynote speakers, they share insights, experiences, and the big ideas that come from surrounding yourself with people who think differently about money, wealth, and opportunity. They break down why shifting the way you think about yourself, your skills, and your financial decisions can completely change the trajectory of your life. Inspired by the legacy of Nelson Nash, this conversation explores how becoming your greatest asset is the key to creating long-term cash flow, control, and financial freedom. From lessons learned at the Think Tank to real conversations with some of the brightest minds in the space, this episode will challenge you to rethink what's possible when you stop relying on traditional financial thinking and start investing in the most important asset you have — yourself. If you're ready to expand your mindset, question the status quo, and see money through a completely different lens, this episode is for you.

In our latest episode of “No Worse Off,” host Emma Gateaud is joined by Mus van Hien, Head of Private Markets Capital Solutions at M&G Investments, and Freshfields partner Andy Heathcote, from our structured finance practice. Together, they explore Asset-Backed Finance and how it is used , as well as how distress and enforcement can play out in such structures. They examine the recent fraud cases of First Brands and Tricolor and also bring their experience of investor protections and talk through enforcement issues in such structures. Stay tuned for more insights into the world of restructuring and thank you for listening to "No Worse Off".  

Probabilmente la guerra non sarà lunga, ma lo scenario di coda di un conflitto che si cronicizza e di una minicrisi energetica inducono, per ora, a non approfittare dei modesti ribassi azionari.

AI hype is colliding with financial reality. Don and Tom examine Elon Musk's suggestion that artificial intelligence could create such abundance that retirement savings might become unnecessary. They unpack the economics behind universal basic income, including the staggering cost—even a modest payment would require trillions in new revenue—and explain why most Americans aren't betting their futures on Silicon Valley promises. The episode also answers listener questions about confusing target-date fund holdings, what to do with an overfunded 529 plan, and how to reduce taxable investment distributions by placing assets in the right accounts. Along the way they revisit lessons from past technological revolutions, discuss the importance of work beyond income, and continue their campaign against the scourge of gas-powered leaf blowers. 0:04 AI panic and Elon Musk's claim that AI could make retirement savings unnecessary. 1:52 Musk's vision of AI-driven abundance and universal income replacing traditional retirement planning. 3:36 The practical question: who actually pays for universal income checks? 5:30 Historical tax rates in the 1960s vs. today's marginal tax structure. 6:21 Survey shows 94% of readers still plan to save despite AI predictions. 7:17 Boston College researchers warn Musk's comments send a dangerous retirement message. 8:23 Why universal basic income would require major government policy and taxes. 8:45 Past technology revolutions didn't distribute wealth evenly. 9:27 Why humans need work for purpose, not just income. 10:33 The math problem: even $1,000/month UBI would require about $3.1 trillion annually. 11:54 Historical comparison to the Luddite era and displaced workers. 13:18 Listener question: What “short-term debt and net other assets” mean in a Fidelity target-date fund. 17:38 Listener question: Overfunding a 529 plan and potential Roth rollover strategies. 20:45 Listener question: Using Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund to reduce taxable distributions. 23:28 Asset location strategy: placing bonds in IRAs and stocks in taxable accounts. 24:49 Where to easily find mutual fund returns using Morningstar. 25:46 Tom's Scottsdale advisory meetings announcement. 26:45 The crusade against gas-powered leaf blowers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your #1 Asset (Most People Waste It) Most people think their biggest asset in acquisitions is money, a great network, or the perfect deal. It isn't. Your #1 asset is your word. And most people waste it by making execution commitments they don't keep. In this 5-minute episode, I break down: • why broken commitments are a trust problem, not a knowledge problem • the difference between outcome goals and execution commitments • why we measure actions, not answers • the one rule that eliminates zero weeks and protects momentum Action step: Write one execution commitment for the next seven days that is external, numeric, and 100% in your control — then honor it. Keep Pushing, Bruce

He appeared out of nowhere: a college dropout suddenly managing money for the world's wealthiest people, with friends in the highest corridors of power. How does that happen? And what does it cost? This week's episode is Jeffrey Epstein: Foreign Intelligence Asset.Click here for this week's show notes.Click here to sign up for our Patreon and receive hundreds of hours of bonus content.Please click here to leave a review and tell us what you think of the show.CRIMEWAVE AT SEA 2027 is happening Feb. 8-12, 2027!Tickets on Sale: Feb. 13, 2026Get $100 off your stateroom and a private meet and greet with us!Go to http://crimewaveatsea.com/SINISTERPlease consider supporting the companies that support us!-Go to QUINCE.com/creepy for free shipping and 365-day returns.

Mary Kissel reports that Beijing watches US munitions depletion and asset movements, potentially using homeland distractions to prepare for future aggression against Taiwan or Philippine territory in Asia. 9.1897 PERSIA

US and Israeli strikes killed Iran's Supreme Leader and initially rattled markets. But does the subsequent market calm reflect genuine resilience or a dangerous underpricing of what comes next? --- Nexo is the premier digital wealth platform. Receive interest on your crypto, borrow against it without selling, and trade a range of assets. Now available in the U.S with 30 days of exclusive privileges. Get started at nexo.com/unchained Bits + Bips is spreading its wings Starting soon, new episodes will only be published on our brand‑new feeds. Here's what you need to do: Click the links below. ⁠YouTube⁠ ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠X⁠ Smash Follow or Subscribe.

Executive producer and creative entrepreneur Diane Strand joins me to unpack a question most operators overlook: What if the arts teach the exact skills leaders need to survive volatility?We talk about discipline, rejection, resilience, visibility, and why creatives may be better prepared for uncertainty than most executives realize. From auditions and rehearsals to launching seven- and eight-figure ventures, Diane makes the case that the arts don't just produce performers—they produce entrepreneurs.Most corporate environments reward stability and caution. The arts reward iteration, discomfort, and persistence. That tension is the heart of this conversation.We explore why artists must become “creativepreneurs,” how passion evolves into purpose—and then into profit—and why the discipline learned on stage often translates directly into leadership, influence, and business growth.This isn't a romanticized view of creativity. It's a pragmatic look at how rehearsal, rejection, and reinvention create durable operators.TL;DR* The arts teach resilience through repetition and rejection.* Rehearsal discipline mirrors business preparation.* Passion without business structure stalls.* Visibility is a skill, not luck.* Start before you're ready. Momentum creates clarity.* There is no real “backup plan”—only commitment.* Creative skills are leadership skills.Memorable Lines* “Start before you're ready.”* “Get comfortable being uncomfortable.”* “Passion becomes purpose. Purpose becomes profit.”* “Leadership doesn't get easier—it becomes more public.”* “If you want something done, find a theater kid.”GuestDiane Strand — Executive Producer, Serial Entrepreneur, Author, and FounderFounder of JDS Studio, video producer, acting coach, nonprofit leader, and advocate for arts-based entrepreneurship.Diane works at the intersection of creativity and commerce—helping artists, executives, and founders become more visible, more disciplined, and more intentional about building sustainable careers.Why This MattersThe modern economy doesn't reward rigidity. It rewards adaptability.Rejection cycles aren't unique to actors. Founders pitch and get rejected. Consultants propose and get ignored. Leaders cast vision and face resistance. The rehearsal process of the arts mirrors the repetition required in business.For founders, operators, and executives rebuilding after setbacks, this episode reframes creativity as operational leverage.The skill is not talent.The skill is disciplined persistence under uncertainty. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.dougutberg.com

Why do some cards stick with you while others fade?It is not the chrome.It is not the serial number.It is not even the grade.It is the story.In this flagship episode, I break down one core thesis. The card is the object. The story is the asset.We talk about:Why narrative shapes attention, memory, and beliefHow peak moments and ending moments drive remembered valueWhy provenance carries a premiumHow viral sales create availability trapsThe difference between meaningful storytelling and manipulationFrom the T206 Wagner to the 1952 Topps Mantle. From the 1989 Upper Deck Griffey to the Jordan and Kobe Logoman. We look at how narrative turns cardboard into cultural artifacts.But this is not hype.This is a call to think.To separate fact from interpretation.To question scarcity claims.To stress test your own stories.If you collect, you are already living inside narrative. The question is whether you control it or it controls you.Tell a damn friend.Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you.Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On HypeStart your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today[Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this linkFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Most agency owners don't fail because they're bad at delivery. They fail because they underprice, overcomplicate, and build businesses that trap them instead of freeing them. Today's featured guest unpacks the type of life he envisioned when he set out to start an agency, it took to scale from charging $2,500 a month to closing $45,000/month retainers, surviving a market collapse, and making the counterintuitive decision to split one agency into two. Eli Rubel is the founder of Matter Made, a B2B SaaS marketing agency, and No Boring Design, a premium design studio serving high-growth tech companies. He entered the agency world in 2019 after burning out on the venture-backed SaaS model, despite a previous exit. What drew him to agencies wasn't prestige or scale; it was a desire to take control over his time, lifestyle, income, and location. Agencies, when built correctly, offered the fastest path to freedom without sacrificing ambition. Over the next few years, Eli scaled MatterMade aggressively, navigated a brutal tech downturn, and rebuilt his business with sharper positioning, stronger pricing, and clearer operational boundaries. In this episode, we discussed: Why hiking prices was the right choice early one How and why he decided to create his second agency The reason that shared services failed fast Subscribe Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Sponsors and Resources E2M Solutions: Today's episode of the Smart Agency Masterclass is sponsored by E2M Solutions, a web design, and development agency that has provided white-label services for the past 10 years to agencies all over the world. Check out e2msolutions.com/smartagency and get 10% off for the first three months of service. Toggl: Agencies could be losing 15–30% of their profit every year without seeing it. The usual suspects are time tracking, messy manual timesheets, scope creep, untracked revisions, and all those "quick" client requests that never get billed. That's why Toggl created the Agency Profit Heist, a fast, interactive way to uncover exactly where your margins are leaking. Start your investigation now at toggl.com/smartagency and use the code SMARTAGENCY10 at checkout for a 10% off annual plans. Why Agencies Beat Venture-Backed SaaS (If You Want Freedom) After years in venture-backed SaaS, chasing growth at all costs, Eli was done with a model he realized was grinding him down. The pressure, the lack of control, and the delayed payoff didn't align with what he actually wanted: family, flexibility, and financial independence. Agencies offered speed to cash and autonomy, which SaaS didn't. Instead of swinging for a hypothetical future exit, Eli chose a business model that paid well now and let him design his life intentionally. It was a shift he made with eyes wide open and clear expectations. The "best" business model depends on what you want your life to look like. For Eli, agencies weren't a step down. They were a strategic upgrade. Hiking His Prices Relying on Capacity and Confidence Eli's agency launched at $2,500 a month, not because that was the "right" price, but because he backed into a simple income goal. Sixteen clients at $2,500 got him to $40,000 a month. On paper, it worked. In reality, it broke fast. As soon as clients started saying "yes" too quickly, Eli knew something was off. The work was heavy, margins were thin, and building a team at that price point wasn't sustainable. Instead of obsessing over competitive pricing, he leaned into price sensitivity testing. Every time the team hit capacity, prices went up. If prospects said no, it didn't matter, they couldn't take on more work anyway. If prospects said yes, it justified hiring and scaling. Over three years, pricing climbed from $2,500 to $45,000 per month. What he learned was that underpricing doesn't just hurt margins. It traps you in constant hiring, delivery stress, and low-leverage work. Raising prices isn't greedy, it's operational discipline. What Actually Changes When You Raise Prices Eli didn't wake up one day and charge $45,000 for the same work he was doing at $2,500. Early on, the offering was vague: "We'll help with demand gen." Strategy was loose, scope was unclear, and the team was tiny. As pricing increased, the delivery model matured into a defined pod structure with paid media, design, strategy, and leadership baked in. However, once his agency hit around $15,000 per month, the services didn't change much after that. What changed was credibility. Case studies stacked up. Results became undeniable. Sales conversations shifted from "this is a great deal" to "this is what it costs to remove risk." Eli was upfront with prospects: MatterMade would be $10,000–$15,000 more per month than competitors, and nothing about the deliverables would look different. The difference was the track record. For buyers who weren't cash-sensitive, that pitch landed hard. They weren't paying for tasks. They were paying for certainty. Why Splitting One Agency into Two Was the Right Move At its peak in 2021, MatterMade was flying high, with $4.2M in EBITDA, tech clients everywhere, and acquisition talks underway. Then the tech market collapsed. Almost overnight, VC-backed clients cut agencies, froze spending, and hunkered down. They went from crushing it to losing nearly $200,000 a month. Eli held on too long, assuming it was temporary, and paid dearly for it. During the restructuring, Eli noticed something interesting: design had become a bottleneck across tech companies. Designers were laid off, but the need for creative work didn't disappear. So he spun up No Boring Design as a separate entity, fast. New brand, new site, launched in a weekend. Within months, it was profitable. Separating the businesses allowed each to have crystal-clear positioning. MatterMade stayed focused on growth marketing. No Boring Design became a premium creative solution for companies stuck in hiring freezes. Trying to keep design tucked inside the marketing agency would have slowed everything down. Separation created speed, clarity, and growth. Why Shared Services Across Agencies Sound Smart and Fail Fast One of Eli's biggest mistakes came after the split. He tried to create a shared management company to handle leadership, recruiting, and operations across multiple agencies. On paper, it looked efficient. In practice, it was chaos. Each agency had subtle but important differences in how it worked. SOPs drifted. Leaders got stretched thin. The "squeaky wheel" agency got attention while others suffered. Eventually, Eli unwound the entire structure. The hard truth: unless your companies operate almost identically, shared services create more friction than savings. Clarity beats efficiency. Do You Want to Transform Your Agency from a Liability to an Asset? Looking to dig deeper into your agency's potential? Check out our Agency Blueprint. Designed for agency owners like you, our Agency Blueprint helps you uncover growth opportunities, tackle obstacles, and craft a customized blueprint for your agency's success.

BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has been a vacuum for BTC. In this episode, we reveal how Larry Fink and the world's largest asset manager have used this "red year" to build a massive position. They aren't just holding; they are positioning for what they call the "Asset of Fear" era.

Hello Booty Gang, and welcome back to another episode of BUTT HONESTLY with Dr. Carlton and Dangilo—where curiosity is encouraged, judgment is canceled, and occasionally we learn something about our bodies we wish we hadn't Googled during lunch.Joining us is Chad O'Connell, founder and CEO of Asset*, the brand behind some of the internet's most talked-about intimate wellness products. Many of you have seen the products online, but here's the real endorsement: we've actually used them. Yes, we believe in research. Dr. Carlton in particular has become something of a fan of their Hole Serum—for purely educational purposes, of course.This week the boys tackle headlines that feels like it came from the Department of “Well… That's New.” There's a sexually transmitted fungal infection making the rounds in Minnesota, and Dr. Carlton breaks down what it is, what it isn't, and why panic is rarely the most effective treatment plan.From there, a Booty Gang member writes in with a question about doxy use within an open relationship—because modern love requires communication, boundaries, and sometimes a very well-timed prescription. The guys unpack how couples navigate prevention, responsibility, and the fine art of staying both adventurous and medically boring.Then we bring back the beloved segment “Ready Set Confess,” where listeners send in their stories, secrets, and occasional moral dilemmas that leave Dr. Carlton blinking slowly and Dangilo asking follow-up questions no one was prepared for.But the real treat this week is our guest. Because every once in a while we invite someone who isn't just talking about culture—they're building it.www.thatasset.com @Thatasset on IG https://www.instagram.com/thatasset Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

How Wealthy People Actually Think About Money (Part 1 of 6) JOIN THE BE WEALTHY MASTERMIND Want to join a room of entrepreneurs who think bigger about money? Email Katelyn@bewealthy.com with the subject line "Be Wealthy Podcast MM" to learn more. Brett and Katelyn kick off a six-part series breaking down how wealthy people actually think about their money. In Part 1, they dig into what it really takes to be rich at every age - net worth, income, passive income, and home values across the median, top 10%, top 1%, and top 0.01%. Brett shares the three levels of problems framework, why Jeff Bezos drove a 1997 Honda Accord while worth $25 billion, and the uncomfortable truth that higher income does not equal higher net worth. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction 3:04 The 40-Hour Question 4:27 Are You Spending Time on Your Money 5:07 The Case for Reading Books 6:16 Three Levels of Problems 12:49 Net Worth by Age 18:15 Top 10% at 30 19:46 Top 1% at 30 21:13 Top 0.01% at 30 24:10 Gary Keller and the Ford Taurus 36:40 Net Worth at 40 38:20 Net Worth at 50 39:18 W-2 Income vs Wealth 47:03 Income by Age 50:09 NFL Players and Financial Distress 52:33 Income Grows Slow Net Worth Grows Fast 55:20 CEO of Coca-Cola Makes $1.6M 56:11 Income Does Not Equal Net Worth 57:14 Passive Income Data 58:04 Shackled in a Prison 58:56 The Meredith Story 1:01:28 Top 1% Passive Income 1:02:36 4% of Households Get 80% of Dividends 1:03:50 Rihanna Built Wealth Outside Music 1:05:19 Home Values by Age 1:05:46 Your Home Is Not an Asset 1:09:32 How Brett Built Wealth in His 20s 1:11:17 Ownership Over Time 1:12:23 Recap and Three Action Items 1:13:36 Action 1: Track Net Worth Monthly 1:14:56 Action 2: Build a $50M Wealth Plan 1:15:59 Action 3: Path of Money Exercise GET CONNECTED Website: www.BeWealthy.com YouTube: youtube.com/@bewealthybrett Instagram: instagram.com/bewealthybrett Facebook: facebook.com/brettbewealthy X/Twitter: x.com/bewealthybrett FREE RESOURCES Free Tools & Downloads: https://www.bewealthybrett.com/resources Cost Segregation Studies & 45L Tax Credit: SingleFamilyCostSeg.com Infinite Banking Education: SaveLikeaBank.com Self-Directed IRA: MaxOutRetirement.com Trust & Entity Structure: SetupMyEstate.com Off-Market Deals & Direct Mail: TheMagicMailers.com 1031 Exchange: Exchange1031Now.com Bookkeeping & Financial Services: BooksOffMyPlate.com PPC & Digital Marketing for RE Investors: ScaleMyDeals.com ABOUT THE SHOW The Be Wealthy Podcast brings entrepreneurs the strategies to grow their business - then teaches them how to think about their money. Because wealth is far more than money - it's freedom. Hosted by Brett Tanner & co-pilot Katelyn Mitchell. Mission: Get Free. DISCLAIMER Be Wealthy and its affiliates do not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be relied on for tax, legal, or accounting decisions. Always consult your own advisors before taking financial action.

Henry talks with Ujamma Place Executive Director Richard Coffey about being a place to help young men develop, why it takes sacrifice to make it work, why he was drawn to it, challenges to working in a non-profit, bringing Chicken Salad Chick to the twin cities and more. For more information on Ujamma Place , visit their website, https://ujamaaplace.org/.

Do you know what the most important asset you have in divorce is? It's not your home or your car or your 401K, it's time. My guest in this episode is Hirsch Serman, a financial divorce coach and divorced dad, and this conversation is so inspiring, you're going to love it!

#335: In this months solo episode I'm kicking off our series for the month of March, The Business of You, by having a very real conversation about what it actually means to be the CEO of your life.I'm getting candid on where I actually am in my business right now — the uncomfortable questions I'm sitting with, the pressure of building something meaningful in a world that only seems to reward numbers, and what it feels like when your vision refuses to fit into a neat little content box. This episode is about identifying your real assets, cutting your liabilities, reclaiming your agency, and making CEO-level decisions for your life. Even when you're still in the messy middle and don't have it all figured out.Let's build the business of you intentionally and strategically.This episode is for you if…You've been building something quietly and you're wondering if it's enough.You feel the tension between staying authentic and doing what “works.”You know you're capable of more, but you've been waiting to be chosen instead of deciding to choose yourself.You're tired of being valuable to everyone else but unclear on how to value yourself.You've been focused on what you don't have instead of learning how to leverage the cards you do have.You want to stop moving like an employee in your own life and start thinking strategically about your assets, your liabilities, and your equity.You're ready to make at least one CEO-level decision this month. One that protects your peace, raises your standards, and moves you closer to your long-term vision.Keep in Touch with Les:Use code LES50 for $50 off of Botox at PeachyReady to apply what you hear? Subscribe to the She's So Lucky Newsletter to get weekly episode guides and journal prompts: https://shessolucky.kit.com/newsletterFollow Les on IG @lesalfredFollow She's So Lucky on IG @shessoluckypodFollow Les on TikTokFollow She's So Lucky on TikTokVisit our website at shessoluckypodcast.comSponsors:Osea: Give your skin a rest with clean, clinically tested skincare from OSEA. Get 10% off your first order site wide with code BBG at OSEAMalibu.com.ButcherBox: As an exclusive offer, new listeners can get their choice between organic ground beef, chicken breast or ground turkey in every box for a year, PLUS $20 off when you go to butcherbox.com/lucky.Rula: This year, make one change you can actually stick with. Visit Rula.com/lucky to get started with mental health care that's actually built to last. #rulapodRW Knudsen: With R.W. Knudsen, krush 100% of your day. Morning, afternoon, evening and all the moments in between — with 100% juice and no added sugar. Pick up a bottle at your local grocery store today.Nuuly: Upgrade your wardrobe by subscribing to Nuuly. Nuuly is an incredible value at $98 for any 6 styles, and right now you can get $28 off your first month when you sign up at nuuly.com and enter code LUCKY at checkout.This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.Produced by Dear Media See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this LP Deal Review, Chris Lopez and LP panelist Christy Burakovsky sit down with Michael Episcope, Co-CEO of Origin Investments, for a deep dive into Origin's Select Asset Fund—an intentionally small, vintage-based multifamily development fund built to deploy in 2026. Michael walks through the macro thesis (supply peaking, concessions stabilizing, and starts slowing), the fund's structure (targeting five shovel-ready ground-up deals, four-year duration, and an option to continue holding for long-term compounding), and the underwriting guardrails designed to protect downside in a still-volatile environment. The panel then presses into the details that matter most to LPs: entitlement risk, leverage and loan structure, how Origin avoids “rescue capital,” how the 2021 vintage fund is performing today, and how Origin's co-invest program works—including potential pathways for group allocations and better terms. Key Takeaways Fund design: $100M, focused on 2026 ground-up multifamily development with a four-year duration and optional continuation for long-term hold Risk mitigation: shovel-ready entitlements, conservative leverage (~65% LTC), and a structure aimed at avoiding cross-collateralization and hidden fund-level risk Co-invest mechanics: $500K+ fund minimum with 1:1 co-invest eligibility (no fee/no carry), and discussion of potential pooled/group pathways Vintage reality check: how Origin's 2021 development fund is performing today (single digits) and what that implies about underwriting discipline in tough vintages Sourcing + operations: Origin's multi-office footprint, repeat development partners, and a highly active asset management playbook to drive performance post-delivery Disclaimer The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only. All host and participant opinions are their own. Investment in any asset, real estate included, involves risk. Nothing here is investment, tax, legal, or financial advice; consult qualified professionals. Past performance is not indicative of future results. This podcast may include paid advertisements or promotional materials and should not be interpreted as a recommendation or endorsement by PassivePockets, LLC or affiliates. Conduct your own due diligence and consider your financial situation before engaging with any offering discussed. PassivePockets, LLC disclaims all liability for any actions taken based on the information presented.

Episode Summary In this episode of Gary's Gulch, Gary Pinkerton shares a candid reflection on the growing misuse of artificial intelligence — and why many current applications may be creating more noise than value. While AI holds enormous potential to eliminate repetitive work and enhance human productivity, Gary argues that it is increasingly being used in ways that waste time, weaken human communication, and replace meaningful thinking with surface-level outputs. He explains why AI should amplify human capability, not replace human judgment, creativity, or emotional intelligence. Through real-world examples — including a client case involving estate planning and AI-generated financial misunderstandings — Gary highlights the risks of relying on AI without expertise or context. The episode then transitions into a preview of a new educational course Gary is developing with lender Aaron Chapman, focused on building generational wealth through the strategic combination of real estate investing, infinite banking, and asset protection. Listeners will walk away with a clearer understanding of where AI helps, where it fails, and how disciplined financial systems — not shortcuts — create lasting wealth. Links & Resources Connect with Gary Pinkerton https://www.paradigmlife.net/  gpinkerton@paradigmlife.net https://garypinkerton.com/  Keywords Artificial Intelligence productivity AI limitations Human creativity vs AI Infinite banking Whole life insurance strategy Wealth building systems Real estate investing Asset protection Financial education Estate planning basics Generational wealth Cash flow investing Financial independence Human decision making AI and business communication Wealth mindset Passive income strategy Capital deployment Financial resilience Economic uncertainty Episode Highlights 00:03–00:40 – Episode overview: AI reflections and upcoming wealth-building course preview 00:40–02:25 – Frustrations with AI-driven communication replacing human interaction 02:25–04:23 – Historical fear cycles around technology and why AI won't replace humans 04:23–05:49 – Emotional decision-making vs AI's intellectual reasoning limits 05:49–07:21 – Creativity and intuition as uniquely human advantages 07:21–08:27 – AI's real strength: eliminating repetitive, data-heavy tasks 07:42–11:27 – Client case study showing AI misunderstanding estate and insurance planning 11:27–12:43 – Why expertise and context matter more than AI-generated answers 12:43–13:24 – "Operationalize the mundane to humanize the exceptional" philosophy 13:24–14:26 – Human creativity as the driver of innovation across history 14:26–15:27 – Transition into wealth-building framework and Gary's personal financial turning point 15:27–16:58 – Reframing whole life insurance as a savings system, not an investment 16:58–18:50 – How infinite banking enables repeated capital deployment 18:50–19:50 – Addressing common criticisms of whole life insurance strategies 19:50–20:17 – Building resilient wealth systems designed to withstand market volatility  

Send a textIn this insightful episode of The Wealth Vibe Show, host Vinki Loomba welcomes Marcella Silva, a certified land banking expert, investor, and regional manager for Velour Real Estate Services. Marcella shares her journey from software engineering to becoming a leading figure in land banking, an often-overlooked wealth-building strategy.Key Takeaways:Marcella's Path to Land Banking: Marcella discusses her transition from a software engineer to a full-time investor..Why Land Banking is a Smart Investment: Learn how land banking offers a unique, low-maintenance alternative to traditional real estate investments.The California Advantage: Marcella explains why she focuses on land in California, emphasizing the state's economic growth.The Power of Holding Land: Marcella shares how owning land in the path of development can lead to substantial returns.How Land Supports Economic Growth: Discover the deep connection between land, infrastructure, and economic expansion.Land as a Safe Investment: Marcella outlines why land is a low-risk investment, especially when compared to traditional real estate.Episode Timestamps:00:00 - 02:00: Introduction to Marcella Silva02:00 - 07:00: Marcella's journey07:00 - 12:00: Why land is a cornerstone asset12:00 - 18:00: The economics of land banking18:00 - 22:00: How land banking works22:00 - 27:00: Understanding the relationship between land, energy, and infrastructure 27:00 - 31:00: The mindset required for successful land banking31:00 - 35:00: Land banking vs. traditional real estate35:00 - 39:00: Final thoughts and how to connect with Marcella 

Finanzielle Freiheit klingt für viele nach einem großen Endpunkt. Kündigung. Sektkorken. Nie wieder Wecker. Doch in Folge 272 des Finanzrocker Podcast spreche ich mit Marcel von Freiheitsmaschine über eine deutlich realistischere Perspektive: Freiheit ist kein Ziel – sie ist ein Prozess.Marcel war bereits vor sechs Jahren im Podcast zu Gast. Damals noch Ingenieur mit klarem Plan zur finanziellen Unabhängigkeit. Heute ist er Anfang 50, nicht mehr angestellt und lebt von seinem Vermögen. Doch statt einer klassischen „Ich habe es geschafft“-Story erwartet dich ein ehrliches Update: Wie fühlt sich der Ausstieg wirklich an? Was hat sich strategisch verändert? Und was bedeutet finanzielle Freiheit im Alltag?Im Mittelpunkt steht seine Investmentstrategie, die sich über die Jahre weiterentwickelt hat. Marcel setzt auf eine Art Barbell-Ansatz: Ein stabiler Kern aus global diversifizierten ETFs sorgt für Verlässlichkeit, während ein kleinerer Teil bewusst für opportunistische Investments genutzt wird. Besonders spannend ist sein offener Einblick in seinen 20-Prozent-Bitcoin-Anteil – inklusive kompletter Zyklus-Erfahrung zwischen massiven Kursanstiegen, heftigen Rücksetzern und der psychologischen Herausforderung, Gewinne wieder einzufangen.Darüber hinaus sprechen wir über ETF-Diversifikation jenseits der starken US-Gewichtung, zyklisches Denken bei Regionen und Assetklassen sowie die Frage, ob „All World“ automatisch ausreichend Streuung bedeutet. Marcel erklärt, warum Bewertungsniveaus für ihn eine größere Rolle spielen als einfache Index-Logik – und weshalb Vermögensschutz mit wachsendem Depot immer wichtiger wird.Ein weiterer Schwerpunkt ist das Thema Absicherung: Wegzugsteuer, politische Risiken, Kapitalverkehrskontrollen und die Überlegung, Vermögen nicht nur über Assetklassen, sondern auch über Wirtschaftsräume zu streuen. Außerdem gibt Marcel Einblicke in seinen strukturierten Ausstieg mithilfe eines Geldwertkontos und der Übertragung an die Deutsche Rentenversicherung – inklusive steuerlicher und sozialversicherungsrechtlicher Überlegungen.Zum Schluss wird es fast philosophisch. Wie strukturiert man sein Leben, wenn das finanzielle Müssen wegfällt? Warum braucht Freiheit klare Routinen? Und weshalb ist Zeit am Ende das wertvollste Asset im gesamten Portfolio?

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Send a textTune in to listen to the full podcast!Support the showFollow us @https://twitter.com/loombainvesthttps://www.instagram.com/loombainvesthttps://www.facebook.com/Loombainvesthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/vinkiloomba#realestate #realstateinvesting #multifamilyinvesting #passiveinvesting

Ep 217: Your Knowledge Is an Asset: Turn What You Know Into 24/7 IncomeSpecial Guest: Justin Allan Montgomery

After you listen: Find more resources about 401(k) accounts and how they fit into your retirement plan. Read the article "Tracking Down a Lost 401(k)." On this episode, Mark is joined by Lee McAdoo, head of Retirement Plan Services, to cover the fundamentals of a how 401(k) supports long-term retirement saving and investing. They explain why 401(k)s can be so effective, including the role of tax benefits, employer contributions, and automated saving habits. The conversation also highlights how smart choices around contribution rates, investment approach, and staying disciplined during market swings can shape outcomes over time. Finally, they discuss common decision points that come up as life changes, so listeners can feel confident using a 401(k) as a core part of a retirement plan. Articles mentioned in the episode: "Why a 401(k) Is a Smart Move – Not a Scam" "How the 401(k) Student Loan Match Works" "What to Know About Catch-Up Contributions" Financial Decoder is an original podcast from Charles Schwab. For more on the series, visit schwab.com/FinancialDecoder.  If you enjoy the show, please leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts. Reach out to Mark on X @MarkRiepe with your thoughts on the show. Follow Financial Decoder on Spotify to comment on episodes. Important Disclosures Investors in mutual funds and/or ETFs should consider carefully information contained in the prospectus, or if available, the summary prospectus, including investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. You can request a prospectus via Schwab. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. This material is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned are not suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decisions. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market, economic or political conditions. Earnings on Roth 401(k) contributions are eligible for tax-free treatment as long as the distribution occurs at least five years after the year you made your first Roth 401(k) contribution and you have reached age 59½, have become disabled, or have died. A rollover of retirement plan assets to an IRA is not your only option. Carefully consider all of your available options, which may include but not be limited to keeping your assets in your former employer's plan; rolling over assets to a new employer's plan; or taking a cash distribution (taxes and possible withdrawal penalties may apply). Prior to a decision, be sure to understand the benefits and limitations of your available options and consider factors such as differences in investment-related expenses, plan or account fees, available investment options, distribution options, legal and creditor protections, the availability of loan provisions, tax treatment, and other concerns specific to your individual circumstances. Target date funds and target date trusts (collectively “target date funds”) are built for investors who expect to start gradual withdrawals of  assets on the target date to begin covering expenses in retirement. The values of the target date fund will fluctuate up to and after the target date. There is no guarantee the funds will provide adequate income at or through retirement. Asset allocation strategies do not ensure a profit and cannot protect against losses in a declining market Schwab Retirement Plan Services, Inc. provides recordkeeping and related services with respect to retirement plans[. and has provided this communication to you as part of the recordkeeping services it provides to the ] Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. ​Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The Schwab Center for Financial Research is a division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. 0326-J7AH Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jeff Booth is an entrepreneur and thought leader who is known for his insights on Bitcoin, technology, economics, and the future of deflation.› https://x.com/jeffboothPARTNERS

Liza Mundy describes Heidi August's transition from clerk to case officer, her recruitment of a foreign asset in Geneva, and her appointment as a station chief. 3.GAR

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training "How many people can this replace?" is the wrong question to ask about AI. The better question is, "What could my team do if all the busywork disappeared?" Today's featured guest unpacks how he's embedded AI across a 12-year-old agency, why it's increased hiring instead of reducing it, and what it actually takes to make AI stick culturally, not just technically. Gilad Bechar is the founder and CEO of Moburst, a global digital transformation agency that started as a mobile marketing shop and evolved into a full-service growth partner for some of the biggest brands in the world, Google, Microsoft, Uber, Samsung, and more. Over the past 12 years, Moburst has completed five acquisitions and continues to acquire two to three companies per year, intentionally expanding capabilities to become a true one-stop growth shop. In our previous conversation, we talked about acquisitions and scale. This time, we focused on what Gilad calls the next major accelerator: AI. In this episode, we'll discuss: AI is NOT a side project. AI adoption could result in more hiring, not less How your agency team could see AI as a career transformation Subscribe Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Sponsors and Resources This episode is brought to you by Wix Studio: If you're leveling up your team and your client experience, your site builder should keep up too. That's why successful agencies use Wix Studio — built to adapt the way your agency does: AI-powered site mapping, responsive design, flexible workflows, and scalable CMS tools so you spend less on plugins and more on growth. Ready to design faster and smarter? Go to wix.com/studio to get started. Treating AI as a Strategic Priority, Not a Side Project One of the biggest mistakes agencies make with AI is delegating it too low in the organization. Gilad knew early on that AI wasn't a trend; it was an operational shift. Instead of hiring a junior "AI manager" or tasking a developer with experiments, he hired a VP of AI and gave that role real authority. The mandate was simple but uncomfortable: if you're doing things in 2026 the same way you did them in 2024, you're already behind. That level of change creates friction, especially in senior teams with decades of experience. Gilad was clear that AI adoption couldn't be optional or political. A manager shouldn't have to "fight" a director or VP to change how work gets done. By putting AI leadership at the VP level, Moburst removed that bottleneck entirely. AI wasn't framed as "your work is wrong." It was framed as "your work could be 10x more effective if we rethink the process." They backed this up structurally. Every team has an AI Champion, someone who spends 20–30% of their time driving AI adoption within their department while still doing real client work. On top of that, there's a central AI team building protocols, agents, workflows, and even new products. The result: AI becomes part of how the agency operates, not something people dabble in when they have extra time (which no one ever has). Why AI Led to More Hiring, Not Less There's a persistent fear among agency teams that AI equals layoffs. Gilad's experience has been the opposite. The original internal goal was to increase billable capacity per employee by 50%. On paper, that could mean doing the same revenue with fewer people. In reality, what happened was far more interesting: revenue per employee increased and demand exploded. When Moburst started showing clients what was possible, new automations, new AI-powered offerings, faster insights, smarter execution, it unlocked more budget. Clients didn't just buy services; they bought innovation. They talked about it internally. They shared it with peers. And that momentum brought in larger, more sophisticated opportunities. Gilad shared an example where Moburst won two Fortune 10 companies in Q4, one of which came in looking for a media agency. Media alone would've won the pitch. But what sealed the deal was showing how the brand could improve visibility and positioning across AI-driven discovery platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude. This is the key shift: AI freed up time and raised the ceiling on value. Instead of spending hours exporting spreadsheets, building decks, or manually stitching reports together, teams could focus on thinking, collaborating, and creating new growth levers for clients. That's not a cost-cutting story. That's a growth story. Using AI to Upgrade People, Not Replace Them Another overlooked benefit of AI is internal career transformation. Gilad talked openly about roles that are likely to disappear as platforms automate more of the execution. Media buying is a great example. When Google and Meta are telling the market that campaigns will soon require little more than a credit card and a website, the writing is on the wall. Instead of pretending that isn't happening, he decided to lean into it. Media managers, content managers, and BI specialists were given the opportunity to reskill, moving into AI-focused roles where their domain knowledge still mattered, but their output multiplied. A content manager could become an AI workflow designer. A media buyer could evolve into someone who builds and manages intelligent systems instead of manually tweaking campaigns. This reframes AI from a threat into leverage. Employees aren't stuck defending outdated tasks; they're learning future-proof skills. That mindset shift alone changes morale, retention, and performance. Building a Culture of AI Sharing and Experimentation At his agency, Gilad made sharing AI knowledge non-optional. Every week, AI Champions review what's new in the AI world and translate it into what this means for our teams right now. Monthly hackathons focus the entire team on eliminating one manual process at a time. And then there's AI Week—a multi-day internal event where every team presents what they built, what worked, and what failed. The presentations aren't dry. Teams tell stories. They demo workflows. They show where things broke and how they pivoted. Some even use AI-generated video to walk through the narrative. That transparency matters. Failure isn't hidden, it's shared. And that creates trust, speed, and cross-team learning. One team's solution becomes another team's shortcut. Ideas jump departments. People start asking, "How could this apply to my work?" That's when AI stops being a tool and starts becoming a multiplier. The Bigger Takeaway for Agency Owners You don't need a VP of AI tomorrow. You don't need hackathons or AI week or 16 champions. But you do need to take the first step. AI adoption doesn't start with tools. It starts with ownership. Someone has to be accountable for asking, "If we rebuilt this process today, would we still do it this way?" Do You Want to Transform Your Agency from a Liability to an Asset? Looking to dig deeper into your agency's potential? Check out our Agency Blueprint. Designed for agency owners like you, our Agency Blueprint helps you uncover growth opportunities, tackle obstacles, and craft a customized blueprint for your agency's success.

We'd love to hear from you. What are your thoughts and questions?In this conversation, M.C. Laubscher discusses the importance of liquidity in wealth building and preservation. He shares his journey as an investor, the lessons learned about cash flow, and the misconceptions surrounding liquidity. The discussion emphasizes that true wealth is not just about accumulation but about strategic freedom, resilience, and stewardship across generations.Main Points:Wealth is about sovereignty, resilience, and long-term optionality.Lack of liquidity can lead to a loss of freedom and identity as an investor.Investors often misunderstand liquidity as idle capital.Liquidity is essential for managing seasonal business fluctuations.Having access to cash can prevent forced asset sales during downturns.The concept of JOMO (joy of missing out) can help investors avoid FOMO.Liquidity allows for better risk management and control over investments.Selling assets can trigger taxable events, making liquidity planning crucial.Multi-generational wealth requires careful liquidity planning to avoid financial strain.Family banks can provide liquidity and support for future generations.download a free e-book and audiobook at www.getwealthyforsure.comConnect with M.C. Laubscher:mc@producerswealth.comproducerswealth.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mclaubscher/https://www.facebook.com/producerswealth/https://www.instagram.com/producerswealthhttps://x.com/mclaubscherhttps://www.youtube.com/@cashflowninjahttp://tiktok.com/@mclaubscher

Is your career stuck because of a skills gap—or a character gap? In 2026, when everyone is using the same AI tools, the only way to stand out is through your humanity. Today, we're joined by Jim Carlough, the Leadership Identity Architect. Mentored under the legendary Ross Perot, Jim has spent 30 years learning that true success isn't about power—it's about the 6 Pillars of Character. Jim shares how to navigate the shift from "just an employee" to an indispensable leader who leads with care, integrity, and humor. This episode is a masterclass in reinventing your professional identity by focusing on the qualities that machines can never replicate. Inside the Episode: ✅ The Identity Shift: Why you must see yourself as the authority before anyone else will. ✅ The 6 Pillars: Cultivating the human qualities—like Integrity and Stability—that make you unreplaceable. ✅ The Perot Standard: Real-world stories of grit and the courage to show up for your people. ✅ The Cure for Burnout: Why a character-driven life is the secret to staying energized in a draining world.   Want to learn more? Check out Jim's book here with my affiliate link: https://amzn.to/45piuBF    The title is: The Six Pillars Of Effective Leadership: A Roadmap to Success   Topics covered: leadership identity architecture, Ross Perot business lessons, how to be a leader in 2026, 6 Pillars of Leadership, management vs leadership, career advancement for professionals, overcoming imposter syndrome, high-stakes decision making, AI-proof career skills, burnout, high turnover, how to lead, human qualities to develop, Jim Carlough, leadership character, 6 pillars of success, how to be indispensable at work, career reinvention 2026, professional identity gap, human skills for job seekers, leading with integrity.   Find Jim here: https://www.jimcarlough.com Watch the interview here: https://youtu.be/Wh4e0tXqRXw  

In this month's Deals Deals Deals episode of The Blueprint Podcast, we're joined by Chris Dornan, a Property Entrepreneur Board Member, family man, and experienced property entrepreneur based near Edinburgh.   Chris works closely with his business partner Tsen Wharton across several ventures, including their Emergency Accommodation business, their coaching brand Devenir Plus, and as a Property Entrepreneur Host assisting with the monthly events.   Chris joined Property Entrepreneur with Tsen in 2022, and after 2 years on Adam Goff's Mastermind group, has just joined the Property Entrepreneur Board and Chris shares how this has helped their business.    In this episode, Chris breaks down a mixed commercial deal with a restaurant on the ground floor and 5 flats with 11 bedrooms. The property was initially leased for 5 years for their Serviced Accommodation business providing accommodation for contractors before transitioning to working with the council for emergency housing.  With an initial investment of just £21,000, Chris controlled the property before later agreeing to buy it off market, using the rental profits for their deposit.   This is a powerful example of how commercial principles applied to residential assets can dramatically change the outcome of a deal — and how this approach fits into a wider Financial Fortress strategy.   What you'll learn in this episode: How B2B council leases for emergency housing work in practice Why block-of-flats deals can outperform single-let and standard HMOs How rental income was used to fund the deposit How stamp duty strategy can save six figures Why this type of deal is ideal for long-term, low-friction wealth building   The Deal Numbers   Initial Investment: £21,000   Purchase & Valuation: Purchase price: £1.06m Valuation: £1.17m   Income & Cashflow (Monthly) Rental Income Flats: £18,146 Restaurant: £1,916 Total Monthly Income: £20,062   Operating costs (including mortgage): £12,635   Net Monthly Income: £7,461   Structuring & Tax Strategy Used rental income to form the deposit Generated £5k+ immediate profit on the flats Claimed £200,000 in capital allowances Added 3 flats to the sale to qualify as a commercial transaction Residential stamp duty of £117k reduced to £18k commercial SDLT Success and failure are both very predictable.   I hope you enjoy. Want to contact Mark or his guests?   www.theHMOagent.com mark@theHMOagent.com 07970 079700   Chris Dornan FB: chris.Dornan.127 Insta: chrisdornan82 www.devenirplus.co.uk Success and failure are both very predictable. Get the Blueprint that shows you what to do next. 19–21 May 2026 | See what's included: https://theblueprintretreat.co.uk/ Want to learn more?

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HEREAre you a law firm owner who is struggling with working in a healthy way? In this solo episode of Maximum Lawyer Live, host Tyson Mutrux explores why health is essential for lawyers, not just as a personal goal but as the foundation for professional success, sound decision-making, and balanced family life. Drawing on personal experiences and recent conversations, Tyson discusses the impact of sleep, stress, and daily habits on leadership and productivity. Tyson shares how leadership under stress can really impact the success of a firm, but provides some insights on how to overcome it. Under stress, most people are not thinking clearly and will make decisions that are rash and uncharacteristic. If this happens, the overall environment of a firm can suffer, leading to unhappy employees and clients. In order to move away from this, there are some things you can implement. One way is to figure out how you work best so you are not overwhelmed. Think about stacking meetings during the hours you are most productive, so you can spend other parts of the day focusing on different priorities.Tyson delves into the idea of using health as a competitive advantage. If you are marketing yourself or your firm, you need to present yourself in a healthy way. You need to think clearly, have emotional regulation and strategic thinking in order to attract clients. For some people, your appearance on camera is the first point of contact. If you show potential clients that you are well regulated and communicate clearly, you will look healthy. This can be a big differentiator when clients are making decisions on choosing a lawyer.Listen in to learn more!2:28 Quality of Thoughts and Health5:40 Leadership Under Stress13:09 Exhaustion, Rework, and Profitability20:54 Health as a Competitive Advantage28:48 Health as InfrastructureTune in to today's episode and checkout the full show notes here. 

Are your finances truly working together, or are you unknowingly creating tradeoffs? In this episode of Wise Money, we break down the six areas of your financial life and the warning signs that they may not be integrated. From tax supplies and investment missteps to outdated insurance and estate plan gaps, we show you how small disconnects can create big problems for your financial plan.  Season 11, Episode 28 Download our FREE 5-Factor Retirement guide: https://wisemoneyguides.com/    Schedule a meeting with one of our CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS™: https://www.korhorn.com/contact-korhorn-financial-advisors/ or call 574-247-5898.   Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/c/WiseMoneyShow Listen on podcast: https://pod.link/1040619718   Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KxMiok3yP9A  Submit a question for the show: https://www.korhorn.com/ask-a-question/   Read the Wise Money Blog: https://www.korhorn.com/wise-money-blog/    Connect with us: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/WiseMoneyShow  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wisemoneyshow/    Kevin Korhorn, CFP® offers securities through Silver Oak Securities, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. Kevin offers advisory services through KFG Wealth Management, LLC dba Korhorn Financial Group. KFG Wealth Management, LLC dba Korhorn Financial Group and Silver Oak Securities, Inc. are not affiliated. Mike Bernard, CFP® and Joshua Gregory, CFP® offer advisory services through KFG Wealth Management, LLC dba Korhorn Financial Group. This information is for general financial education and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations. All investing and investment strategies involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Asset allocation & diversification do not ensure a profit or prevent a loss in a declining market. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.

  In this weekend edition, we bring you live insights from the floor of the Las Vegas MoneyShow followed by an in-depth energy sector deep...

You downloaded the PLR. Now what?AI Video Boss: https://bit.ly/AIVideoBossIn this video, Creative & Marketing Director, Abby Ascencio, will walk you step by step through how to turn Private Label Rights content into a real asset inside your business. She'll cover how to quickly rebrand it so it matches your voice and visual identity, how to position it strategically, and what to do when most people get stuck. You'll see how this fits into a bigger marketing ecosystem instead of just sitting on your hard drive.If you've ever downloaded PLR and felt unsure about the next step, this video will give you clarity and direction. Join The Vault & Get Instant Access to 75+ Courses, Monthly Zoom Sessions, Curated Curriculum to fit your biz needs, New Courses add Each Month, and so much more!https://bit.ly/TheOfficialVault Grab your FREE copy of my book, ‘Boss It Up Babe!'https://bit.ly/BOSSItUpBabeBookHost Bio:Kimberly Olson is a self-made multi-millionaire and the creator of The Goal Digger Girl, where she serves female entrepreneurs by teaching them simple systems and online strategies in sales and marketing. Through the power of social media, they are equipped to explode their online presence and get real results in their business, genuinely and authentically. She has two PhDs in Natural Health and Holistic Nutrition, has recently been recognized as the #2 recruiter in her current network marketing company globally, is the author of four books including best-sellers, The Goal Digger and Balance is B.S., has a top 25 rated podcast in marketing and travels nationally public speaking. She is a mom of two and teaches others how to follow their dreams, crush their goals and create the life they've always wanted.Website: www.thegoaldiggergirl.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/thegoaldiggergirlFacebook: www.facebook.com/thegoaldiggergirlYoutube: www.youtube.com/c/thegoaldiggergirlGrab The Goal Digger Girl Journal: https://amzn.to/3BeCMMZCheck out my Facebook groups for those that want to build their business online through social media, in a genuine and authentic way:Goal Digging Boss Babes: http://bit.ly/GoalDiggingBossBabesFempreneurs:  https://bit.ly/FempreneursCashFlowQueensLeave a review here: Write a review for The Goal Digger Girl Podcast.Subscribing to The Podcast:If you would like to get updates of new episodes, you can give me a follow on your favorite podcast app.

In this episode we discuss how AI-scare trades can take on meme characteristics—media amplification and market mechanics can fuel fear and volatility. We share a simple framework to separate fundamental disruption from temporary panic and stay disciplined on process.#AI #Investing #Markets #RiskManagement To read this week's Sight|Lines, click here. The views expressed in this podcast may not necessarily reflect the views of Stifel Financial Corp. or its affiliates (collectively, Stifel). This communication is provided for information purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Asset allocation and diversification do not ensure a profit or protect against loss. © Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated | Member SIPC & NYSE | www.stifel.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eric Richins suspected his wife was trying to kill him. He reportedly told friends. He told family. He consulted divorce lawyers and estate planners. He removed Kouri from his life insurance policy. He transferred business assets to a trust controlled by his sister.He took precautions. He didn't take the final step. He stayed.Psychotherapist Shavaun Scott joins True Crime Today to analyze the psychology that keeps victims in dangerous relationships. This isn't about blaming Eric—it's about understanding forces most people never encounter.Suspecting your spouse wants you dead isn't comparable to other marital suspicions. It's existential. It requires accepting that the person you share a bed with, the parent of your children, could end your life. The human mind fights that conclusion with everything it has.We examine the protective measures Eric reportedly took while staying married. Legal consultations. Insurance changes. Asset transfers. He wasn't ignoring the threat—he was preparing for it. But defensive measures without leaving meant staying within reach.We analyze the isolation of an unbelievable suspicion. "I think my wife is poisoning me" sounds like paranoia to outsiders. How do you get help when your truth sounds like delusion?We discuss how children factor in. Eric and Kouri had three kids together. Does that keep victims close? Make leaving harder? Create a need to monitor the threat?And we identify warning signs others should recognize. What behaviors suggest someone you know might be in real danger from a partner? What should you do?Part 2 of a two-part series. Essential for anyone who might see themselves in Eric's situation.Join Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8-vxmbhTxxG10sO1izODJg?sub_confirmation=1Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/TrueCrimePodThis publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.#EricRichins #KouriRichins #KouriRichinsTrial #TrueCrimeToday #VictimPsychology #WhyVictimsStay #ShavaunScott #DomesticViolence #PoisoningVictim #PartnerAbuse

We discuss the latest AI productivity disruptions, market reactions to the Citrini piece, NVIDIA earnings, and why capital keeps rotating away from software toward real assets, energy, and commodities. We also explore volatility, policy distortions, and signs of economic reacceleration. Enjoy! — Follow Tyler: https://x.com/Tyler_Neville_ Follow Quinn: https://x.com/qthomp Follow Felix: https://x.com/fejau_inc Follow Forward Guidance: https://x.com/ForwardGuidance Follow Blockworks: https://x.com/Blockworks_ Forward Guidance Telegram: https://t.me/+CAoZQpC-i6BjYTEx Join us at Digital Asset Summit 2026 in NYC March 24-26th! Use code FORWARD200 for $200 OFF! https://blockworks.co/event/digital-asset-summit-nyc-2026 __ Weekly Roundup Charts: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QhmyPwzHfE0pzkjIWOxHtvUolJptQPUr/view?usp=sharing — Coinbase crypto-backed loans, powered by Morpho, enable you to take out loans at competitive rates using crypto as collateral. Rates are typically 4% to 8%. Borrow up to $5M using BTC as collateral and up to $1M using ETH as collateral. Manage crypto-backed loans directly in the Coinbase app with ease. Learn more here: https://www.coinbase.com/onchain/borrow/get-started?utm_campaign=0126_defi-borrow_blockworks_FG&marketId=0x9103c3b4e834476c9a62ea009ba2c884ee42e94e6e314a26f04d312434191836&utm_source=FG Arkham is a crypto exchange and a blockchain analytics platform. Arkham allows crypto traders and investors to look inside the wallets of the best traders, largest funds and most influential players in crypto, and then act on that information. Sign up to Arkham: https://auth.arkm.com/register?ref=blockworks Eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Users residing in certain jurisdictions will be excluded from onboarding. — Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (03:29) AI Boom or Apocalypse (11:10) NVDA Earnings & Dutch Disease (15:30) Software's Rerating & CapEx Winners/Losers (26:06) Are We the Horses? (29:44) Ads (Coinbase, Arkham) (31:25) Signs of Economic Reacceleration (40:36) Currencies & Vol Control (45:12) Gold, AI, Space, Hockey (48:33) Housing Market & Homebuilders (52:49) Boomer Roasting — Disclaimer: Nothing said on Forward Guidance is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, sed by anyone on the show are opinions, not financial advice. Hosts and guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed. #macro #investing #markets #stocks #stockmarket

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Most agency owners start out chasing freedom and then wake up one day realizing they've built a job they can't escape. Today's featured guest will unpack what it actually looks like to build a lifestyle-first agency that protects your time, adapts to AI, and still pays the bills without burning you out. She has run a small profitable agency for over a decade without a bloated team, nonstop chaos, or ego-driven "scale at all costs" thinking, and she breaks down how designing your agency backward from your life (not an exit slide) changes everything. Marissa Rosen is the founder of Climate Social, a 10-year-old micro-agency built around flexibility, partnerships, and human-first marketing. She's proof you don't need a bloated team, or chaos to run a sustainable, profitable agency. In this episode, we'll discuss: Deciding to build a lifestyle business Setting clear boundaries that clients learn to respect Adapting roles instead of fighting change Subscribe Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Sponsors and Resources E2M Solutions: Today's episode of the Smart Agency Masterclass is sponsored by E2M Solutions, a web design, and development agency that has provided white-label services for the past 10 years to agencies all over the world. Check out e2msolutions.com/smartagency and get 10% off for the first three months of service. The Lifestyle Agency Lie and How to Actually Do It Right Marissa didn't start Climate Social with a master plan to sell it for a giant payday. She knew she cared about climate action, storytelling, and social media, and she wanted a business that fit her life. Ten years later, that intention has paid off in a very real way. Her agency operates as a true lifestyle agency. Marissa works from home, sets her own hours, chooses her clients, and stays deeply involved in the work she enjoys most. The agency provides stability, fulfillment, and income, without requiring her to sacrifice time with her kids or burn herself out chasing scale for scale's sake. While many agency owners seek to build an agency to sell, it's not the plan for everyone, and it's a path that usually comes with years of sacrifice. A lifestyle agency, on the other hand, is available to far more owners if they design intentionally. The key isn't size. It's clarity around what kind of life the agency is meant to support. Setting Rules So Clients Don't Run Your Life One of the biggest traps agency owners fall into is mistaking flexibility for chaos. They start an agency for freedom, then say yes to everything, and suddenly the business owns them. You can avoid this by setting clear, non-negotiable rules. For example, Marissa doesn't take meetings after 3 p.m. Eastern. That's when her kids come home, and her role shifts from founder to mom. Clients know this upfront, and they respect it. Whoever sets the rules first wins. If you don't define boundaries, your clients will do it for you. And once expectations are set early, they're much easier to maintain. From Solo Operator to Partner-Led Agency A major shift in Marissa's business came when she stopped trying to do everything herself. Early on, it was essentially a solo operation. Over time, she transitioned into a partner-based model, bringing in trusted specialists for branding, web development, PR, and other services. This shift removed a massive amount of pressure. Instead of being responsible for sales and delivery and execution, Marissa focuses on strategy, relationships, and assembling the right team for each engagement. Clients get better outcomes, and she gets her time back. This is a critical lesson for agency owners feeling stuck in the weeds. You don't need a huge team to scale intelligently, but you do need to stop being the bottleneck. Leveraging partners is often the fastest way to reclaim bandwidth without blowing up overhead. Adapting Roles Instead of Fighting Change We all know AI has dramatically changed certain services, especially in areas like video production and content creation. Tasks that once took days can now be done faster and cheaper, which has forced agencies to rethink pricing and positioning. But here's the important part: AI hasn't replaced strategy, relationships, or judgment. Clients still need someone to guide them, ask the right questions, and make sure the output actually connects with the right audience. AI is a tool, not a replacement for thinking. In some agencies, traditional media buying roles are being replaced, not eliminated by AI manager roles. Teams aren't shrinking; they're shifting. The agencies winning right now aren't asking, "How do we avoid AI?" They're asking, "How do we use AI to save time and deliver better results?" That mindset opens up new service offerings, new efficiencies, and new value for clients. Your role as an owner shifts from "doing" to directing. For Marissa, marketing is H2H — human to human. Whether it's B2B or B2C doesn't matter as much as people think. At the end of the day, buyers want to know who they're working with, what they stand for, and whether they can trust them. That's why Marissa spends so much time helping founders and executives show up authentically on social media—not just hiding behind a brand logo. AI can help with efficiency. Automation can help with scale. But relationships are still the differentiator. Do You Want to Transform Your Agency from a Liability to an Asset? Looking to dig deeper into your agency's potential? Check out our Agency Blueprint. Designed for agency owners like you, our Agency Blueprint helps you uncover growth opportunities, tackle obstacles, and craft a customized blueprint for your agency's success.

Episode Summary Free markets only work when signals are honest. Today's money signals are distorted so people work harder, earn more, and still feel stuck. In this episode, Curtis exposes the myth of free markets, explains why money friction is engineered into the system, and reveals the three silent wealth leaks draining households and business owners every day. What you'll learn Why distorted money signals break personal decision-making How locked money forces debt as default liquidity The real reason people feel behind even with good incomes The three wealth leaks most people never measure: -Interest -Taxes -Opportunity cost -Why budgeting fails when the system itself is broken Most people don't overspend they're oversiloed. Their money exists, but it's trapped when life happens. Want help identifying your leaks and rebuilding cash flow control? Go to practicalwealth.net and book a Clarity Call. We'll map your cash flow, find the leaks, and outline your first corrective moves.   Episode Resources Take the Next Step with Curtis May: Business Owners: Assess Your Challenges with Cash Flow → https://curtis-73no5r8j.scoreapp.com Private Banking Readiness Assessment → https://curtis-qljorw8q.scoreapp.com How Ready Are You to Be Your Own Bank? → https://curtis-hzw1jezd.scoreapp.com The Practical Wealth Show with Curtis May Keywords Myth of free markets Debt paradigm Cash flow control Money signals Liquidity and control Opportunity cost Household capitalism Private reserve Infinite banking Personal economy Cash flow mapping Financial systems Episode Highlights 00:00–00:31 - The myth of free markets and distorted money signals 00:31–01:24 - The debt paradigm and why institutions don't play by the same rules 01:24–02:08 - Asset-rich, cash-poor: why high earners still feel broke 02:08–02:58 - The leaky bucket: interest, taxes, and opportunity cost 02:58–03:26 - What if you could use money and still keep it growing? 03:26–04:26 - Real-world example: business owners saving, borrowing, and leaking simultaneously 04:26–05:22 - Wealth leaks beyond interest: mortgages, retirement, education 05:22–06:16 - Institutional incentives and why people play a rigged game 06:16–06:55 - Why budgeting isn't the solution—structure is 06:55–08:04 - Cashflow mapping vs reactive money management 08:04–08:44 - Parkinson's Law and why money disappears without systems 08:44–09:38 - Separating accounts and creating cash flow clarity 09:38–10:47 - Cash flow stress, revenue targets, and business discipline 10:47–11:43 - The "red pill" moment of understanding money systems 11:43–12:55 - Control, liquidity, and why structure reduces stress 12:55–14:04 - Earning more by creating more value 14:04–15:27 - Stewardship, leadership, and becoming the bank 15:27–15:49 - Final call to action and next steps  

One of the richest men in the world quietly became the largest private owner of farmland in America. Why? Is Bill Gates retreating from technology? Or is he making the most important AI bet of all? In this episode, Cal reads from an article that reframes everything. Gates' farmland strategy isn't nostalgia. It's a blueprint for the next economy. AI will build the digital world for free. But every digital system still depends on something finite. Land. If you want to understand where the 21st-century fortunes will be made — and what that means for your future — this episode is for you.