Tag: Financial Planning
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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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:

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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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Exploring the RIA Space with Nate Lenz (Ep. 77)

Exploring the RIA Space with Nate Lenz (Ep. 77)

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Many believe that the transition from a broker-dealer to a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) space is deeply complex and risky, possibly jeopardizing client relationships. 

However, this move can actually open up a world of opportunities for personalized client service, technology advancement, and business model autonomy,

This week, Brent Mekosh is joined by Nate Lenz, the CEO of Concurrent, to explore the significant advantages this change can bring to your financial planning. 

Brent and Nate delve into the intricate world of financial advising, particularly focusing on the transition from broker-dealer models to the RIA framework.

Episode talking points include:

  • The fundamental differences between broker-dealer models and the RIA setup
  • The enhanced opportunities for personalized financial planning and investment options in the RIA space
  • The role of technology in revolutionizing client service and operational efficiency
  • Strategies for business succession and growth in the evolving landscape of financial advisement
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Nate Lenz:

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About Our Guest:

With over a decade of experience in the financial industry, Nate Lenz is a prominent figure for advisors seeking to unlock their potential as entrepreneurs. Currently serving as the CEO and Co-Founder of Concurrent, an OSJ turned RIA valued at $7 billion, the company was honored as an InvestmentNews Best Place to Work in 2023. Nate and his team are dedicated to collaborating with advisors to facilitate the growth of their independent enterprises.

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The Impact of Financial Landscapes on Global Economies with Brad Rutan (Ep. 74)

The Impact of Financial Landscapes on Global Economies with Brad Rutan (Ep. 74)

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How do changing financial landscapes impact global economies and individual investors? How can understanding economic trends lead to better-informed financial decisions?

Listen in as Brent Mekosh speaks with Brad Rutan, Managing Director and Market Strategist at MFS Investment Management. This week, Brad covers the intricacies of bond markets, interest rates, and inflation while unveiling the profound influence these factors have on economic landscapes and investment strategies. 

Brent and Brad discuss:

  • Ways central bank policies influence bond markets and economic stability
  • The opportunities and challenges associated with different types of bond investments
  • How can understanding economic trends enhance the effectiveness of financial decision-making
  • The impact municipal bonds have upon local economies and investment strategies
  • And more!

Connect with Brad Rutan:

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About Our Guest:

Bradford T. Rutan, CFA, is an investment product specialist and managing director leading the retail fixed-income product effort on a global basis at MFS Investment Management.  He works closely with the portfolio management teams and is responsible for communicating the investment philosophy, process, and positioning of MFS fixed-income investment strategies, as well as communicating investment perspectives to financial advisors, institutional clients, and MFS’ sales force and relationship managers.

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The BrEpic Transformation: Embracing Change in Careers and Relationships with Justin & Sarah Breen (Ep. 73)

The BrEpic Transformation: Embracing Change in Careers and Relationships with Justin & Sarah Breen (Ep. 73)

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Have you been considering a career change? Looking to turn your vision of entrepreneurship into a reality? Discover the considerations to take when transitioning to a new career path from someone who has already done it.

Listen in as Brent Mekosh and his guests Justin Breen, founder and CEO of BrEpic, and Sarah Breen, COO of BrEpic, share their backgrounds and how they transitioned from divergent fields to create a powerful network, BrEpic.

 From Justin’s background in journalism and marketing to Sarah’s medical expertise, the couple’s journey is a testament to adaptability and fearlessness in pursuing new opportunities. 

Justin and Sarah discuss:

  • The importance of adaptability when navigating challenges and seizing opportunities
  • How strong family ties and balanced dynamics can impact your professional endeavors
  • Benefits of real human relationships regardless of physical proximity
  • Traditional gender roles and financial dynamics within relationships
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Justin and Sarah Breen:

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About Our Guests:

Justin Breen is the Founder and CEO of BrEpic Communications LLC, a PR firm that works exclusively with visionaries and exceptional businesses around the world. He’s built an international network of extraordinary people because he strongly believes in the power of introductions and the importance of creating relationships through networking.

Justin is the author of Epic Business and Epic Life. He enjoys running, fishing, and watching baseball with his two sons and his wife, Sarah.

Dr. Sarah Breen is a board-certified pediatrician who’s been practicing general pediatrics in the north suburbs of Chicago since 2011. After being fully immersed in the entrepreneur world by her husband (co-founder, Justin Breen), Sarah fell in love with BrEpic Network and became its Chief Operating Officer in 2023.

Sarah enjoys spending time with her two sons, exercising her three doodles, and traveling the world with her husband, Justin.

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Global Events and Growth Mindset: Navigating Uncertainty with Brent Mekosh (Ep. 70)

Global Events and Growth Mindset: Navigating Uncertainty with Brent Mekosh (Ep. 70)

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What are the implications of a royal family member’s health crisis on public discourse and media coverage? 

And when it comes to immigration, what are the challenges we face in creating compassionate and pragmatic policies?

What do all these news articles on challenging times mean for our personal and financial growth?

Consider how news stories such as King Charles’ diagnosis and immigration issues impact our view of the world with Brent Mekosh in this week’s episode of SMART MONEY. SIMPLIFIED.

Listen in as the conversation sheds light on Tony Robbins, a motivational speaker, his views on staying motivated and hungry for personal growth during periods of uncertainty such as 2020 with COVID-19, and the impact of reframing challenges as learning experiences for personal (and financial) growth.

Talking points include:

  • How does news about the Royal Family relate to history and culture
  • The current immigration landscape 
  • How does reframing challenges as learning experiences impact personal growth
  • Why financial plans rely as much on overcoming challenges as it does on money
  • And more!

Resources:

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Retrain Your Brain for Greater Longevity & Quality of Life with Bill McManus (Ep. 59)

Retrain Your Brain for Greater Longevity & Quality of Life with Bill McManus (Ep. 59)

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What are the financial implications of cognitive decline, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia? 

What proactive steps can you take to safeguard your longevity and cognitive well-being?

Join Brent Mekosh and guest Bill McManus from Hartford Funds as they discuss the importance of maintaining good health and a positive outlook on aging.  

Brent and Bill emphasize the importance of brain health and how our lifestyle choices can significantly impact it while highlighting the value of social connectivity and lifestyle when it comes to cognitive decline and overall well-being.

Main talking points include:

  • How does longevity impact financial and lifestyle planning
  • What are the financial costs associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia
  • The lifestyle factors that contribute to cognitive health
  • The value of maintaining good health and energy as we age
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Bill McManus:

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About Our Guest:

With nearly 20 years of experience in financial services, Bill McManus has worked with countless financial professionals and their clients. He’s got a knack for simplifying complex financial planning and investing strategies to engage and educate clients and prospects. He’s also passionate about helping them look toward the future to anticipate and prepare for lifestyle changes that lay ahead.

Among other practice-management strategies, Bill shows financial professionals how they can optimize their prospecting strategies in a tech-driven world.

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Precious Metals & What Makes the Dollar the World’s Reserve Currency with Andy Schectman (Ep.24)

Precious Metals & What Makes the Dollar the World’s Reserve Currency with Andy Schectman (Ep.24)

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Gold has been considered a solid investment option by many, having lasted several centuries and survived market rise and fall. 

But is gold still a solid investment in today’s market?  

In this episode, Brent Mekosh is joined by the President of Miles Franklin Precious Metals Investments, Andy Schectman. Andy explains everything you need to know about precious metals, their role in investment planning, and why they have remained a solid long-term investment. Andy also reveals the current state of gold and silver markets and what that means for the future.

Andy discusses:

  • Why do individuals choose alternative investments
  • Where gold and silver fit within investment planning
  • What makes the dollar the world reserve currency
  • How have world events changed the way gold and silver are valued and traded
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Andy Schectman:

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About Our Guest:

Before starting Miles Franklin, Ltd. in 1989, Andy Schectman became a Licensed Financial Planner specializing in Swiss Franc Investments and alternative investments. At Miles Franklin Ltd., a company that has eclipsed $5 billion in sales, Andy has developed an operation that maintains trust, collaboration, ethical behavior, superior customer service, and satisfaction to better serve its clients. He is responsible for overseeing the firm’s operations and business functions, including strategy and planning, account management, finance, and new business.

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Looking Back To Predict The Future (Ep.17)

Looking Back To Predict The Future (Ep.17)

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Reviewing history reveals consistent trends in why events happen, how long they last, and what starts the upward swing. 

And with this same information, experts can look forward and predict how future events unfold.

In this episode, Brent Mekosh dives into history’s reflection on current events. Brent shares his personal experiences along with some world history to compare our relationship with inflation, money, and the economy.

Brent discusses:

  • How his experience in Zimbabwe changed his perspective on financial markets
  • The limitations of world economies
  • Why certain government solutions have failed to solve inflation 
  • The biggest difference between the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic 
  • And more!

Resources:

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Buying Insurance For A Lifetime of Possibilities with Robyn Haun (Ep.15)

Buying Insurance For A Lifetime of Possibilities with Robyn Haun (Ep.15)

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There are many preconceived notions about what insurance can and should cover.

In this episode, Brent Mekosh is joined by Robertson Ryan and Associates’ Robyn Haun. Robyn explains the details around insurance purchases — focusing on specific scenario coverage you may not have thought about. She also provides examples of insurance coverage while sharing tips for first-time insurance buyers.

Robyn discusses:

  • How your location impacts coverage requirements
  • What you as a homeowner are liable for 
  • Exclusions in personal property coverage
  • The latest insurance for digital and identity theft
  • And more!

Connect with Robyn Haun:

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About Our Guest:

Robyn Haun is a Phoenix native who studied elementary education in college. While attending school full time, she had a part-time job filing paperwork at a local insurance agency in Arizona. Upon graduation, Robyn parlayed her love of education into insurance and has since moved up from filing insurance papers. She now educates affluent clients about their personal insurance protection.

Robyn spent 15 years at the 6th largest agency in the nation and most recently worked at the 3rd largest agency in the nation. She understands the diverse needs of highly successful clients. Throughout her 25 years in the industry, Robyn has built strong relationships with premier insurance companies such as Chubb, AIG, Pure, Safeco, Travelers, and Cincinnati. She has earned her CISR designation and is very close to earning her PRIMA certificate.

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