Category: Money
Are We Already in World War III? Insights with Geopolitical Professional Semaj McDowell (Ep. 96)

Are We Already in World War III? Insights with Geopolitical Professional Semaj McDowell (Ep. 96)

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Are we on the brink of World War III, or are we already in it? 

Many believe that a modern world conflict would heavily mimic those of the past, yet today’s global dynamics suggest a much more intricate design. Brent Mekosh and Semaj McDowell are here to clarify why the landscape is dramatically different this time around.

With a focus on the volatile situations in regions like the Middle East, Asia, and Eastern Europe, this conversation highlights how various alliances and strategic movements could shape the future, providing listeners with a clearer understanding of current geopolitical dynamics and potential outcomes. 

Key discussions include: 

  • Understanding the dynamics of global alliances and tensions amid escalating conflicts
  • The complex relationship and strategic positioning of major world powers like Russia, China, and NATO
  • Insights on the broader implications of international decisions and their potential impacts on global stability
  • The role of geopolitical strategies in shaping future peace or conflict scenarios on the global stage
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect With Semaj McDowell:

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

About Our Guest:

Geopolitical Enthusiast – National Security, Defense, Foreign Policy, and International Politics. 

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Semaj McDowell has been interested in politics since a young age. While growing up, he witnessed events both in his community and around the world that informed his views on equity and justice.

Semaj firmly believes leadership is crafted through service and empowering others to succeed.

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Harvesting Returns: The Business Case for Regenerative Agriculture with Craig Wichner (Ep. 95)

Harvesting Returns: The Business Case for Regenerative Agriculture with Craig Wichner (Ep. 95)

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Can regenerative agriculture save the planet and your portfolio? 

This week on Smart. Money. Simplified, Craig Wichner, Founder & Managing Partner of Farmland LP, reveals how transitioning from conventional farming to organic and regenerative practices is reshaping agriculture and creating stable, high-return investment opportunities.

Craig conveys why healthier soil leads to healthier ecosystems—and stronger portfolios. He also explains how regenerative farming drives environmental progress while offering compelling returns through innovative strategies like carbon credits and partnerships with top-tier buyers.

Curious about how Farmland LP could work for your portfolio?

Craig outlines accessible opportunities for investors to align profit with purpose, paving the way for a sustainable future!

Key Highlights:

  • Restoring the Land: Regenerative agriculture revitalizes soil through crop rotation, livestock integration, and reduced chemical dependency, creating healthier ecosystems
  • Superior Returns: Organic farmland can generate up to five times more revenue per acre than conventional farming
  • A Stable Asset Class: Farmland LP delivers consistent 11% annual returns with low volatility, offering a safe, reliable investment
  • New Revenue Streams: Carbon credits and partnerships with top buyers like Driscoll’s add unique value to farmland investments
  • Scaling Sustainability: Farmland LP’s large-scale transition to organic farming is set to expand its portfolio to $3 billion, creating measurable environmental and social impact
  • And much more!

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

Connect with Craig Wichner:

About Our Guest:

Craig Wichner is responsible for day-to-day management, business strategy, and all investment activity. An experienced technology and real estate investor, Craig has helped build numerous companies over the past 30 years. But it was his work on California farms as a teenager that ultimately inspired him to start Farmland LP. Craig’s mission has not changed since day one – prove that regenerative farming is more profitable and maximizes returns for investors.

Craig strives to ensure that investors and consumers can look beyond misleading labels and support beneficial farming practices. His efforts were recognized in 2021 when Farmland LP achieved the highest sustainability rating among 10,000+ global corporations reviewed by HIP (Human Impact +Profit) Investor. Craig has a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, with a minor in Economics, from the University of California, San Diego.

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Digital Networks to Power Grids: Investing in Modern Infrastructure with Steve Pointer (Ep. 94)

Digital Networks to Power Grids: Investing in Modern Infrastructure with Steve Pointer (Ep. 94)

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Infrastructure investments might be the stability boost your portfolio needs—are you ready?

This week on Smart. Money. Simplified, Steve Pointer, Regional Director at Cantor Fitzgerald, explains why assets like power grids, water systems, and digital networks are redefining essential investments for today’s markets.

Steve shares three key trends reshaping the landscape:

  • Digital Transformation: Skyrocketing demand for data infrastructure
  • Energy Shift: Renewables and nuclear are paving the way forward
  • Modernizing Aging Systems: Revitalizing U.S. infrastructure with significant investments

Want to make these resilient assets work for you? 

Steve explains accessible fund options and tax strategies for diversifying and deferring capital gains, no matter the market conditions.

Key Highlights:

  • The New Era of Infrastructure: Insights on expanding infrastructure to include digital networks, water systems, and beyond, opening up a wider range of investment opportunities
  • Stabilizing Through Diversification: How infrastructure and real estate investments provide non-correlated returns, adding stability to portfolios in volatile markets
  • Reliable Returns with Government Support: Infrastructure investments benefit from stable, long-term government-backed contracts, making them a dependable choice
  • Greater Access for Investors: Cantor Fitzgerald’s interval funds allow both average and high-net-worth investors to participate in these resilient asset classes
  • Tax-Efficient Real Estate Strategies: How Section 721 exchanges and Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs) enable investors to defer capital gains, diversify portfolios, and potentially achieve tax-free growth
  • And much more!

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

Connect with Steve Pointer:

About Our Guest:

Steve Pointer is a Senior Vice President and Regional Director at Cantor Fitzgerald Asset Management, a global financial services and wholesale distribution firm. Steve brings over 15 years of experience in working with wealth management, accounting, tax, and legal professionals on the education and implementation of sophisticated private and public market solutions, including Real Estate, Infrastructure, 1031 Tax Deferred Exchanges, Qualified Opportunity Zone Funds, Mutual Funds, Exchange Traded Funds, and Separately Managed Accounts.

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Raising Resilient Kids: Parenting Strategies for Today’s Mental Health Crisis with Dr. Andrea Mata (Ep. 93)

Raising Resilient Kids: Parenting Strategies for Today’s Mental Health Crisis with Dr. Andrea Mata (Ep. 93)

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This week on Smart. Money. Simplified, Dr. Andrea Mata, clinical child psychologist and founder of BrightSpot Families, joins Brent Mekosh to unpack the teen mental health crisis while sharing practical strategies to help parents raise resilient, adaptable children.

Dr. Mata highlights three critical areas reshaping parenting today:

  • The Alarming Trends: Half of all lifetime mental illnesses begin by age 14; 42% of teens experience persistent sadness; 22% have seriously considered suicide
  • Parenting in Crisis Mode: How overprotective parenting styles are hindering kids’ problem-solving skills and resilience
  • Building Resilience: Simple yet impactful strategies like letting kids tackle small challenges, setting high expectations, and fostering warmth and consistency
  • And much more!

(Don’t miss out — stream the entire conversation now and discover how you can get your hands on Dr. Mata’s insightful book!)

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

Connect with Dr. Andrea Mata, Ph.D.:

About Our Guest:

Dr. Andrea Mata, statistically, should not be as successful as she is. The daughter of a Mexican immigrant, she grew up in a gang-infested nine-block unincorporated neighborhood on the south side of Chicago. Dr. Mata learned the value of having a strong and loving family early and attributes much of her success to her close-knit and sarcastic family.

Dr. Mata graduated summa cum laude with her Bachelor of Science degree from Valparaiso University. While there, she majored in Psychology and minored in Criminology and Urban Studies. Dr. Mata completed her Doctorate in Clinical Child Psychology at Kent State University. She had the fortunate experience of interning at Boys Town in Omaha, Nebraska, where the mission is to save children and heal families.   

Dr. Mata was a college professor at the University of Findlay for 9 years until she realized she needed to fulfill her mission of fortifying the family. She joined the Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Toledo and founded BrightSpot Families. 

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Peptides, Wellness, and the Fight Against America’s Health Crisis with Shiran Romero (Ep. 92)

Peptides, Wellness, and the Fight Against America’s Health Crisis with Shiran Romero (Ep. 92)

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Ultra-processed foods. 

Skyrocketing obesity rates. 

A growing health crisis. 

It’s time to ask: What can you do to fight back?

This week on Smart. Money. Simplified, Brent Mekosh is joined by wellness professional Shiran Romero, who unveils powerful, science-backed strategies to transform your health. 

Brent also opens up about his remarkable health journey, sharing how cutting-edge peptide therapies like Tirzepatide and Semaglutide helped him regain energy, normalize his bloodwork, and return to his Ironman weight.

If you’re ready to ditch fad diets and discover practical, life-changing solutions, this episode is your ultimate guide to taking charge of your health and thriving!

Key Highlights:

  • A Nation in Crisis: How rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease are reshaping the conversation around health
  • Peptides to the Rescue: Discover how GLP-1 agonists are empowering patients to lose weight, reduce inflammation, and feel their best
  • The Food Connection: Why America’s processed food culture is at the root of the problem—and how peptides could help you break free
  • A Personal Victory: Brent’s journey back to health, featuring normalized blood sugar, improved cholesterol, and renewed vitality
  • Expert Tips for Quality Care: The importance of choosing trusted compounding pharmacies like Red Rock Pharmacy for affordable, high-quality peptide therapy
  • Wellness Beyond Peptides: Explore innovative treatments like IV therapy, microneedling, and personalized wellness plans with expert Shiran Romero
  • And much more!

Resources:

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

Connect with Shiran Romero:

About Our Guest:

Shiran Romero is a wellness expert specializing in anti-aging and metabolic health. With a focus on personalized care, she provides advanced treatments such as peptide therapy, IV nutrient therapy, and radiofrequency microneedling. Shiran is passionate about empowering individuals to achieve optimal health through tailored fitness, dietary guidance, and cutting-edge therapies designed to enhance vitality, reduce inflammation, and support overall well-being.

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How Global Tensions and National Debt May Shape Your Financial Future (Ep. 91)

How Global Tensions and National Debt May Shape Your Financial Future (Ep. 91)

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Global tensions may be more relevant to you than you realize—are you prepared?

This week on Smart. Money. Simplified, Brent Mekosh shares some eye-opening takeaways from his recent trip to South Korea, where he saw the country’s booming economy, high-tech ports, and welcoming culture firsthand. 

(A visit to the DMZ was a stark reminder of global tensions we often overlook!)

Back in the U.S., Brent breaks down pressing issues like the national debt and what the upcoming election could mean for markets. 

His take? 

In unpredictable times, a balanced, diversified approach is still your best bet for financial well-being. Brent shares practical tips for staying resilient—no matter what’s going on around us.

Key Highlights:

  • South Korea’s Economic & Technological Prowess: Firsthand insights from Seoul and Busan’s automated ports and South Korea’s stronghold in global trade
  • Tensions on the Korean Peninsula: Vivid reflections from the DMZ and symbolic stories highlighting Korea’s divide
  • Global Tensions & Economic Ripple Effects: How conflicts like Taiwan-China and Russia-Ukraine impact markets worldwide
  • Election Cycles & Market Behavior: Historical market stability across administrations, emphasizing the power of a balanced approach
  • National Debt & Fiscal Policy: Tackling the $35 trillion debt through efficient, innovation-driven strategies
  • Investment Moves for Uncertain Times: Proven tactics to keep your financial strategy resilient amid volatility
  • And much more!

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

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The AI Revolution and the Future of Wealth Management (Ep. 90)

The AI Revolution and the Future of Wealth Management (Ep. 90)

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The financial industry is transforming at breakneck speed—are you ready for what’s next?

Fresh from the Future Proof Conference in Huntington Beach, where over 4,500 professionals converged to discuss the future of finance and technology, in this episode of Smart. Money. Simplified, Brent Mekosh explores the most important insights shaping the industry. Discover how AI is revolutionizing financial services, creating new efficiencies, and changing the way advisors serve their clients. 

Brent explores the practical steps advisors can take to leverage AI for stronger client relationships, why organic growth still outshines acquisitions, and how to prepare for the Great Wealth Transfer that will redefine wealth management.

Key Highlights:

  • How AI is revolutionizing the financial services industry — and what it means for your business
  • Practical ways to use AI to enhance client relationships and maximize efficiency
  • Why organic growth still matters more than acquisitions in the financial industry
  • Preparing your firm for the Great Wealth Transfer and its ripple effect on financial services
  • The importance of balancing work and family while building a client-centered business
  • Actionable strategies to prepare your firm for the future of finance
  • And more!

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

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Leadership Lessons with Coach Matthew Mitchell (Ep. 89)

Leadership Lessons with Coach Matthew Mitchell (Ep. 89)

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Leadership isn’t just about giving orders. It’s about inspiring, guiding, and sometimes, learning from everyone around you. 

Are you ready to elevate your leadership game and drive your team to new heights? 

This week on Smart. Money. Simplified, Brent Mekosh welcomes Matthew Mitchell, the winningest coach in the history of the University of Kentucky Women’s Basketball Program. Matthew shares his incredible journey from high school coaching to becoming a top college coach, his principles of leadership, and how he applies these lessons to the corporate world today. 

Episode talking points include: 

  • His transition from high school to college coaching
  • What role did the ‘winning tools’ – honesty, hard work, and discipline – play in the team’s development and success
  • How was a bottom-ranked team transformed into champions through process-driven leadership
  • What challenges arose when transitioning from sports coaching to corporate leadership consulting
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Matthew Mitchell:

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

About Our Guest:

Matthew Mitchell is a Wall Street Journal best-selling author, speaker, three-time SEC Coach of the Year, and the winningest head coach in the history of the University of Kentucky women’s basketball program. The foundation for his teams’ achievements is the Winning Tools principles – honesty, hard work, and discipline. Through Mitchell’s focus on the fundamentals, he led the program to new heights―seven 25-plus winning seasons and the UK’s first SEC Championship in 30 years. Mitchell now leads the Winning Tools leadership platform, sharing the proven value of these principles with executive teams across the country.

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Revolutionizing Finance: How AI is Shaping Investment Strategies with Ravi Koka (Ep. 88)

Revolutionizing Finance: How AI is Shaping Investment Strategies with Ravi Koka (Ep. 88)

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AI has exploded into our lives, moving from theoretical to practical applications in record time. 

Remember the days when Siri was clunky and unreliable? Now, AI tools like ChatGPT are seamlessly integrated into our workflows, offering unprecedented capabilities.

This week on Smart. Money. Simplified, Brent Mekosh dives into the world of artificial intelligence with serial entrepreneur Ravi Koka, founder and CEO of Stocksnips. Together, they explore the seismic shifts AI is causing in finance and beyond, including its role in revolutionizing investment strategies and market behaviors. 

Talking points include:

  • The history and resurgence of AI and the exponential growth in computing power
  • The practical applications of AI in natural language processing and investment strategies
  • The creation and success of the Stocksnips ETF and its reliance on AI-generated investor sentiment
  • The potential risks and ethical considerations surrounding AI technologies
  • And more!

Connect with Ravi Koka:

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

About Our Guest:

Over the last 20 years, Ravi Koka has focused his research on simplifying the building and maintenance of enterprise applications. During this time, he played a key role in leading the research and development of various tools and methods for the incremental transformation of legacy systems. More recently, Ravi has led research on implementing Service-Oriented Business Applications and collaborated with several large Fortune 1000 enterprises to implement applications at significantly lower costs than traditional methods. His current research areas include digital transformation, microservices design, and AI applications.

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Avoiding Regret: How to Plan Your Business Exit with Geoff Eliason (Ep. 87)

Avoiding Regret: How to Plan Your Business Exit with Geoff Eliason (Ep. 87)

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Did you know that over 70% of business succession efforts fail, and even successful entrepreneurs often regret their decisions a year later?

This week on Smart. Money. Simplified, Brent Mekosh sits down with Geoff Eliason from SDR Ventures to delve into the critical aspects of business succession planning, the importance of having a coordinated team, and how to prepare for a successful exit strategy. 

Geoff’s extensive experience in investment banking and understanding of the entrepreneurial landscape provide invaluable insights into preparing business owners for the most significant financial decisions of their lives.

Episode talking points include: 

  • The importance of a holistic succession plan for business owners
  • Key reasons behind the regret and dissatisfaction post-business sale
  • The role of financial advisors in successful business transitions
  • How to assemble a supportive team for a seamless succession process
  • And more!

Connect with Geoff Eliason:

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

About Our Guest:

Geoff Eliason joined the SDR Ventures team in 2021. In his role as Principal, Geoff brings 16 years of industry experience to the organization and its clients. His primary responsibilities are building and sustaining operational efficiencies across the firm and maximizing the client service model. Geoff is dedicated to providing strategic solutions specific to the complexities of the M&A process. Embracing SDR Ventures’ firm-wide commitment to serving its clients, Geoff channels his years of experience and strategic relationships towards enhancing business valuations and providing thought leadership to the entrepreneurial community. Geoff holds his Series 79, 24, and 63 securities licenses and serves as SDR Capital Markets Chief Compliance Officer. Geoff is passionate about teamwork, given his commitment to both education and athletics.

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