Month: March 2025

Tariffs, Trade & Trump: Canada vs. the U.S. with Kim GC Moody (Ep.105)

Tariffs, Trade & Trump: Canada vs. the U.S. with Kim GC Moody (Ep.105)

How is Canada’s approach to tariffs shaping its economic landscape?

Join Brent Mekosh on Smart Money Simplified as he unpacks the complexities of tariffs and trade between the US and Canada with renowned Canadian tax expert Kim Moody, founder of Moody’s Private Client. Dive into a conversation brimming with insights, from the chaotic effects of tariff policies to political shifts in Canada and their implications for the future of North American trade. 

Brent and Kim discuss:

  • The impact of US-Canada tariffs on businesses [00:01:45]
  • Canada’s political climate and its effects on international trade [00:05:14]
  • The future of energy policies in Canada [00:16:40]
  • Tax reform possibilities under different political leaderships [00:28:24]
  • Media’s role in shaping public perception [00:41:40]
  • And more

Resources:

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About Our Guest: 

The antithesis of the status quo, Kim is driven to innovate new and better ways to do things for the clients he serves, the advancement of the firm, and other professionals in tax. His relentless obsession with knowing everything in the Tax Act makes him a highly sought-after resource for peers and clients. In March 2020, Kim published his first book, Making Life Less Taxing: Pay Attention To Your Taxes So You Can Pay Less Tax and Build a Strong, Smarter Canada – an Amazon bestseller in a number of categories.

Beyond the Basics: Cutting-Edge Strategies for Portfolio Growth & Risk Control with Joe Cortese. (Ep.104)

Beyond the Basics: Cutting-Edge Strategies for Portfolio Growth & Risk Control with Joe Cortese. (Ep.104)

What makes some financial advisors stand out from the pack? It’s time to discover a unique approach to investment management and portfolio construction.

Join Brent Mekosh as he teams up with Joe Cortese from Fiducient Advisors to discuss mastering risk management and improving investment strategies. They share lessons learned, how to incorporate AI in financial advising, forward-thinking insights, and actionable advice.

Key discussion points include:

  • Risk management strategies and unexpected market downturns [00:01:01]
  • Fiducient’s unique approach to portfolio construction and diversification [00:06:10]
  • The role of active and passive management in today’s financial markets [00:22:16]
  • The rising importance of alternative investments and AI integration [00:28:41]
  • Key differences that separate top financial teams from the rest [00:36:42]
  • And so much more!

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

Connect with Joe Cortese: 

About Our Guest:

Joe Cortese joined Fiducient Advisors in 2008. He provides investment consulting services to other financial advisory firms as one of the leaders of Fiducient Advisors’ Financial Institutions practice. Joe also provides consulting services to family offices, high net worth individuals and nonprofit organizations. He gives advice and expertise on all facets of effective investment program design including establishing investment objectives, asset allocation and portfolio design, investment research and due diligence and overall practice management.

Prior to joining the firm, Joe worked for Morgan Stanley’s Private Wealth Management Office and as a Managing Director for an investment management firm implementing a value-focused, long/short equity strategy based on University of Chicago Booth research. Joe earned his MBA with concentrations in Analytic Finance and Accounting from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BBA with a Certification in Entrepreneurial Management from the University of Iowa. Joe is a former member of UNICEF’s NextGen Junior Board and the University of Iowa’s J.P.E.C. Alumni Board, as well as Co-Founder of the Hawkeye Business Development Group of Chicago. Joe is currently serving as President of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business Alumni Club of Chicago and as an elected member of River Forest School District 90 Board of Education.

Why High Achievers Feel Empty & What They Can Do About It with Andy Maurer (Ep.103)

Why High Achievers Feel Empty & What They Can Do About It with Andy Maurer (Ep.103)

What does it truly mean to pursue wholeness as a leader? 

This week, Brent Mekosh chats with Andy Maurer, a leadership dynamics and emotional well-being professional. Discover how reconciling high performance with emotional connection can transform leadership and personal fulfillment.

Brent and Andy also unravel the complexities of leadership isolation and the importance of emotional maturity. They explore how past trauma can impact present success and why many successful leaders still feel empty. 

Andy Maurer shares insights from his innovative work merging therapy and executive coaching to help leaders achieve true wholeness.

Gain insight as this episode covers:

  • The hidden toll of leadership isolation [00:01:00]
  • Merging therapy with leadership coaching [00:04:30]
  • The paradox of depression and leadership [00:08:00]
  • Identifying and embracing emotional neglect [00:11:00]
  • Breaking free from performance-based identity [00:25:30]
  • Understanding and overcoming self-sabotage [00:29:30]
  • And more!

Previous Episodes of Interest:

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

Connect With Andy Maurer:

About Our Guest:

As a former therapist, Andy has combined cutting-edge neuroscience and performance research with executive coaching to develop the Pursue Whole® Coaching Model. His unique framework offers clarity, relief, and growth to high-pressure leaders facing emotional, relational, and mental challenges. Andy is deeply passionate about helping leaders discover their unique identity and purpose, transforming the way they approach life, leadership, and relationships.

Beyond the Bull Market: Smart Investment Moves for 2025 with Bill Tucker (Ep.102)

Beyond the Bull Market: Smart Investment Moves for 2025 with Bill Tucker (Ep.102)

What does the future of investing look like in 2025?

Brent Mekosh sits down with Bill Tucker on Smart Money Simplified to tackle the pressing issues shaping today’s financial landscape. From the growing risks of market concentration to innovative asset diversification strategies, this episode delivers key insights for investors navigating an uncertain economy.

Brent and Bill discuss:

  • The fragility of stock market concentration and its potential implications for investors [00:02:56]
  • The rising importance of alternative investments in a changing financial environment [00:05:02]
  • Political and economic shifts shaping 2025, including tariffs and fiscal policies [00:06:48]
  • The impact of the Jobs Cut and Tax Act expiration on estate taxes and business planning [00:15:37]
  • Strategic diversification into international markets and small-cap stocks [00:28:48]

Unlock a wave of financial foresight as the episode dives into themes like the ‘Age of Alpha’ and the changing financial tides under the new administration. Perfect for entrepreneurs, seasoned investors, or anyone keen on understanding the evolving economy—this episode promises a wealth of knowledge wrapped in engaging dialogue. Tune in, stay informed, and prepare for a future full of financial possibilities.

🎧 Tune in now!

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