The Scholar Advising Podcast
Episode Archive
Episode Archive
11 episodes of The Scholar Advising Podcast since the first episode, which aired on May 19th, 2025.
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Episode 15: Fractional Jets, Option Exercises, and Estate Fairness: Financial Planning at the Next Level
July 28th, 2025 | 18 mins 44 secs
A private jet decision. A multimillion-dollar option grant. An uneven inheritance. In this Q&A episode, Stephan unpacks three dilemmas that high-net-worth families face—and offers clear, strategic guidance for navigating them with confidence.
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Episode 14: Dividing, Inheriting, and Starting Fresh: Smart Moves After Life’s Turning Points
July 21st, 2025 | 22 mins 17 secs
From divorce settlements to post-inheritance decisions to finally being debt-free—life’s transitions come with big financial questions. In this episode, we answer listener questions about dividing marital assets, what to do after inheriting a $1.2M brokerage account, and how two physicians can reset their financial plan after paying off student loans. Plus, in Myth or Money, we bust the idea that you're ever too young to plan for retirement.
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Episode 13: Equity, Exit Plans, and Expensive Zip Codes: Wealth Strategy in Real Life
July 14th, 2025 | 22 mins 28 secs
Is it still worth buying a vacation rental? What’s the best way to gift down payments to kids in wildly different housing markets? And how do you start preparing—personally—for a business sale that’s still a few years out? In this episode, we tackle three listener questions around real estate, family gifting strategy, and long-term exit planning. Plus, in this week’s Money in the Headlines, we explore whether wealth really leads to longer life.
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Episode 12: LLCs, Interest Rates, and Rebalancing: Smart Moves in a Shifting Market
July 7th, 2025 | 20 mins 13 secs
Starting a consulting business? Wondering if an LLC is worth it? In this episode, we tackle entity selection for solo entrepreneurs, how to think through tax treatment, and what structure gives you the best retirement plan options. We also dig into why the Fed hasn’t lowered interest rates yet—and what that means for investors navigating today’s uncertain landscape. Finally, we answer a common question: how often should you rebalance your portfolio in a market like this? Plus, in this week’s Tool Spotlight, we highlight Kubera, a powerful net worth tracking tool for clients with complex assets.
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Episode 11: Estate Planning in Motion: Trust Strategies, IPO Tax Prep, and Smarter Umbrella Insurance
June 30th, 2025 | 23 mins 3 secs
This week, we’re answering client questions about big-picture estate planning, preparing for future tax exposure, and protecting family wealth. We’ll cover trust strategies ahead of the 2026 estate tax sunset, key tax considerations for pre-IPO stockholders, and what to expect when shopping for umbrella insurance coverage.
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Episode 10: Planning When Plans Shift: Inflation, Impact Investing, and Helping Others Catch Up
June 23rd, 2025 | 20 mins 9 secs
personal finance, wealth strategy
What should you do if inflation stays higher than expected? How can you help a friend who hasn’t saved for retirement? And what should you consider when thinking about impact investing in today’s shifting landscape? In this episode, we tackle these questions and share insights from our annual personal finance conference.
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Episode 9: Beyond the Paycheck: Vacation Rental ROI, State Taxes, and Deferred Comp Decisions
June 16th, 2025 | 18 mins 43 secs
This week, we’re digging into real-world financial decisions with long-term impact. What’s the right way to measure ROI on a vacation rental—and how do you account for taxes, maintenance, and future resale? Thinking of relocating to a no-income-tax state? We explain what to evaluate beyond just taxes, including legal residency rules and estate implications. If you’ve been offered deferred compensation, we’ll walk through how to weigh the benefits, risks, and coordination with other retirement strategies.
Then in Money in the Headlines, Stephan reacts to a new survey showing 77% of Americans are changing their financial behavior due to recession fears. Is that smart strategy—or emotional overreaction?
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Episode 8: Three Physicians, Three Big Questions: Planning for Flexibility, Savings, and Sanity
June 9th, 2025 | 19 mins 24 secs
Feeling burned out but unsure if you can afford to cut back? We answer physician finance questions about retirement accounts, variable income planning, and what financial independence looks like when you’re ready for a slower pace.
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Episode 7: Wealth Concentration to Weekend Plans: Retirement Prep and Financial Literacy for Heirs
June 2nd, 2025 | 28 mins 15 secs
Holding most of your wealth in a family business? We cover how to reduce concentration risk when wealth is tied to a family business, how to prepare for the emotional and financial transition into retirement, and how to structure gifts to children with financial literacy in mind. Plus, a bonus question on managing over-contributions after a large bonus payout.
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Episode 6: Corporate Cash, Market Timing, and Private Equity: Diversification Strategies for High Earners
May 26th, 2025 | 24 mins 39 secs
finance, investing, wealth
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
finance, investing, wealth
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.