About the show

The Scholar Wealth Podcast delivers clear, expert insights into the financial decisions that shape the lives of high-net-worth individuals and families. Every Monday morning, our team of PhD financial advisors brings clarity to complex wealth challenges—through listener questions, conversations with subject-matter experts, and real stories of financial journeys.

This isn’t generic guidance or mass-market advice. It’s financial clarity for people with more at stake: physicians navigating equity compensation, entrepreneurs preparing for business exits, and families stewarding multigenerational wealth. Each episode offers trusted guidance, grounded in experience and fiduciary care.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for general informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended to constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice, the opinions. expressed are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any affiliated organizations. Investing in financial markets involves risk, including the potential loss of principle, past performance is not indicative of future results. Before making any investment decisions, you should consult with a qualified financial advisor, who can assess your individual financial situation, objectives and risk tolerance.

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Episodes

  • Episode 6: Corporate Cash, Market Timing, and Private Equity: Diversification Strategies for High Earners

    May 26th, 2025  |  24 mins 39 secs
    corporate cash strategy, market timing, private equity investment, qualified charitable distributions

    Wondering what to do with excess cash in your business or portfolio? We cover diversification benefits, dollar cost averaging, and private equity basics, including how to protect yourself with an LLC vs. LP. Plus, a simple breakdown of Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) and when they make sense.

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    Episode 5: From Startup Exits to Luxury Properties: High-Income Tax Planning and Wealth Strategies for Founders and Medical Pros

    May 19th, 2025  |  22 mins 18 secs
    charitable fund, charitable giving, luxury property decision, mortgage payoff decision, tax planning

    Sold your startup or earning big as a physician? In this episode, we answer questions about high-income tax strategies, smart property investing, and how to prioritize competing financial goals—from retirement to philanthropy.

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    Episode 4: Clarity and Confidence: From Family Finances to Finding the Right Advisor

    May 12th, 2025  |  13 mins 8 secs
    advisor selection, aum structure, family communication, family financial planning, fee-only model, fiduciary standard, financial preparedness, flat-fee planning, ria regulation, spousal involvement, transparency in advising, wealth management basics

    What happens if the person who manages your family’s finances can’t anymore—and how do you know who to trust for professional advice?

    This week on the Scholar Wealth Podcast, Stephan Shipe shares practical guidance for bringing both spouses into the financial conversation and demystifies the terminology around financial advisors. He explains why family awareness is one of the most overlooked parts of wealth planning, and how to navigate the differences between fee-only, fiduciary, flat-fee, and AUM models when searching for guidance.

    Whether you’re the “family CFO” or trying to make sense of the advisory landscape, this episode helps you build clarity, confidence, and continuity in your financial life.

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    Episode 3: Tax Planning, CPAs, and the Final Stretch to Retirement

    May 5th, 2025  |  9 mins 53 secs
    cpa coordination, financial readiness, holistic planning, income modeling, liquidity management, portfolio allocation, pre-retirement strategy, retirement planning, roth conversions, sequence of returns risk, tax efficiency, tax planning

    What’s the difference between tax planning and tax advice—and when should you involve your CPA?
    In this week’s Scholar Wealth Podcast, Stephan Shipe breaks down how financial advisors and accountants work together to optimize tax outcomes, then walks through what it really means to prepare for retirement when you’re just a few years away.

    From Roth conversion timing and income modeling to portfolio structure and cash flow strategy, this episode explores how proactive planning today can make your next major financial transition far smoother.

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    Episode 2: Can You DIY Your Financial Plan with Software? Plus, How Often to Check Your Portfolio

    April 28th, 2025  |  9 mins 50 secs
    financial literacy, market timing, portfolio rebalancing, tax planning

    This week, Stephan answers two common questions from DIY investors. First: can you really just buy the same financial planning software advisors use and run your own plan? Then: how often should you actually be checking your portfolio? Stephan breaks down what separates professional-grade planning tools from consumer versions, when retail software might be enough, and why too much portfolio monitoring can do more harm than good.

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    Episode 1: Launching the Scholar Wealth Podcast

    April 21st, 2025  |  5 mins 45 secs
    asset protection, business exit strategy, charitable giving, concentration risk, corporate cash strategy, deferred compensation, estate planning, executive compensation, family business, family wealth, financial education, financial independence, financial planning, gifting strategies, high net worth, inflation planning, inheritance planning, investment strategy, ipo planning, legacy planning, liquidity event, market timing, philanthropy, physician finance, portfolio rebalancing, private equity investment, real estate investing, retirement planning, stock option exercise, tax planning, trust strategies, vacation rental, wealth management

    In our debut episode, host Stephan Shipe shares the story behind the Scholar Wealth Podcast and what listeners can expect each week. Designed for families with complex wealth, the show goes beyond the basics to deliver expert insights, real stories, and practical answers to your most sophisticated financial questions.