The Scholar Wealth Podcast

Episode 22: Trusts vs Wills, Senior Living REITs, and a Physician Bonus Playbook

September 15th, 2025  |  22 mins 38 secs

backdoor roth, donor-advised fund considerations, emergency fund strategy, estate complexity, estate planning, fee transparency, financial literacy, inheritance planning, liquidity constraints, manager quality assessment, physician finance, physician taxable account, private reit due diligence, probate avoidance, real estate investing, senior living investment, signing bonus allocation, tax planning, taxable investing, trust strategies, will vs trust

A $5 million estate. A private senior living REIT. A physician’s $75,000 signing bonus. In this Q&A episode, Stephan unpacks three listener questions with clear, practical guidance for high-net-worth families.

Episode 21: All in One Bank, Deferred Comp Timing, and a $20-to-Success Journey

September 8th, 2025  |  36 mins 43 secs

asset protection, company solvency risk, compounding interest, concentration risk, deferred compensation, executive compensation, fdic insurance, financial independence, financial literacy, lump sum vs installment payments, sipc insurance, tax bracket management, tax planning

Two practical questions for high-net-worth families: 1) Is keeping all your cash and investments at one institution a smart simplifier or a hidden risk? We unpack FDIC vs. SIPC, custodial risk, and why splitting liquidity across banks and custodians can protect access. 2) How to choose a deferred compensation distribution schedule when the future is uncertain. We walk through the tradeoffs among company solvency, tax brackets, and your real cash needs. Plus, a Money Masters story who arrived in the US with $20 and built wealth through discipline, compounding, and clear values he now passes to his kids.

Episode 20: Learning Capital for Kids, Tax Loss Harvesting with Direct Indexing, and Hiring a Private Chef

September 1st, 2025  |  22 mins 44 secs

charitable giving, concentration risk, crypto investing, dafs, direct indexing, estate planning, financial independence, financial literacy, gifting strategies, inheritance planning, learning capital, market timing, portfolio rebalancing, qsbs, tax planning, trust strategies

In this episode, we answer listener questions about setting boundaries around “learning capital” when a child wants to invest trust assets in crypto, weighing the benefits of direct indexing for tax loss harvesting in a $6 million taxable portfolio, and handling the financial logistics of hiring a private chef for a family-owned summer residence. Plus, our Term of the Day segment breaks down QSBS — Qualified Small Business Stock — and why it can be such a powerful tax planning opportunity for entrepreneurs.

Episode 19: Helping Family, Law Firm Partnership Buy-In, and Using NUA: High-Stakes Money Decisions

August 25th, 2025  |  24 mins 1 sec

advisor red flags, asset protection, career transitions, family finance, financial literacy, high-net-worth strategy, partnership buy-in, retirement decisions, retirement planning, tax efficiency, tax planning

Big financial decisions often carry more risk than they first appear. In this episode of the Scholar Wealth Podcast, Stephan answers three listener questions on high-stakes money moves: helping family with a major purchase, evaluating a $500,000 law firm partnership buy-in, and deciding whether to use the Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) tax strategy in retirement.

Plus, in our Advisor Red Flags segment, we spotlight why “exclusive” alternative investment opportunities aren’t always as good as they sound.

Episode 18: When to Sell, When to Hedge, and When to Start Your Second Act

August 18th, 2025  |  27 mins 32 secs

asset protection, auction commissions, currency diversification, financial independence, financial literacy, foreign currency investing, gold investing, inheritance planning, international bond funds, market timing, retirement planning, second act retirement, selling collectibles, wealth premiums

In this episode, we answer a listener question about selling a $250,000 gold coin collection. Then, we explore whether shifting several million dollars into foreign currencies is a smart hedge against instability in the US banking system. Finally, in our Money Masters segment, Byron shares how he built confidence as a DIY investor, achieved financial independence, and reinvented himself in retirement.

Episode 17: The Art of Balancing: Liquidity Events, Lifestyle Choices, and Financial Freedom

August 11th, 2025  |  24 mins 49 secs

business legacy planning, coast fi, concentration risk, financial independence, lifestyle planning, liquidity event, part-time work transition, private club membership

In this episode, we answer listener questions about reducing concentration risk ahead of a major liquidity event, deciding whether a private club membership fits your financial life, and evaluating the tradeoffs of shifting to part-time work after reaching Coast FI. Plus, our Money in the Headlines segment looks at a WSJ article about why financial advice often fails to reflect individual preferences.

Episode 16: Big Money Moves: Diversifying, Funding Kids’ Futures, and Buying Abroad 

August 4th, 2025  |  18 mins 52 secs

10b5-1 plan, 529 plan funding, charitable remainder trust, company stock diversification, financial literacy, international property purchase, tax planning

In this episode, we answer listener questions about diversifying concentrated company stock with a 10b5-1 plan, avoiding overfunding 529 plans, and the key considerations before buying a second home abroad. Plus, our Term of the Day breaks down Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs) in plain English.

Episode 15: Fractional Jets, Option Exercises, and Estate Fairness: Financial Planning at the Next Level

July 28th, 2025  |  18 mins 44 secs

estate planning, financial literacy, fractional jet ownership, inheritance fairness, inheritance planning, legacy letters, private jet tax rules, stock option exercise

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.

Episode 14: Dividing, Inheriting, and Starting Fresh: Smart Moves After Life’s Turning Points

July 21st, 2025  |  22 mins 17 secs

debt-free milestone, divorce asset division, estate planning, financial literacy, inheritance planning, physician finance, physician financial planning, step-up in basis

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.

Episode 13: Equity, Exit Plans, and Expensive Zip Codes: Wealth Strategy in Real Life

July 14th, 2025  |  22 mins 28 secs

business exit strategy, estate equalization, gifting down payments, gifting strategies, vacation rental, vacation rental investing

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.

Episode 12: LLCs, Interest Rates, and Rebalancing: Smart Moves in a Shifting Market

July 7th, 2025  |  20 mins 13 secs

federal reserve policy, finance app, interest rates, llc formation, portfolio rebalancing, solo consulting, tax planning

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.

Episode 11: Estate Planning in Motion: Trust Strategies, IPO Tax Prep, and Smarter Umbrella Insurance

June 30th, 2025  |  23 mins 3 secs

estate planning, estate tax sunset, family limited partnership, ipo planning, ipo tax planning, irrevocable trust, trust strategies, umbrella insurance

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.