The Scholar Wealth Podcast

Episode 10: Planning When Plans Shift: Inflation, Impact Investing, and Helping Others Catch Up

June 23rd, 2025  |  20 mins 9 secs

financial literacy, helping others retire, impact investing, inflation planning, personal finance conference

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.

Episode 9: Beyond the Paycheck: Vacation Rental ROI, State Taxes, and Deferred Comp Decisions

June 16th, 2025  |  18 mins 43 secs

deferred compensation, financial literacy, no-income-tax state move, residency rules, vacation rental, vacation rental roi

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?

Episode 8: Three Physicians, Three Big Questions: Planning for Flexibility, Savings, and Sanity

June 9th, 2025  |  19 mins 24 secs

financial independence, financial literacy, locum tenens retirement accounts, physician burnout, physician finance, retirement planning, variable income planning

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.

Episode 7: Wealth Concentration to Weekend Plans: Retirement Prep and Financial Literacy for Heirs

June 2nd, 2025  |  28 mins 15 secs

concentration risk, family business, financial literacy, gifting strategies, incentive trusts, over-contribution correction, retirement transition

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.

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.

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.