Episode 23: SLAT Adjustments, Family Philanthropy, and Spotting Ponzi Schemes

September 22nd, 2025  |  33 mins 57 secs

alternative investment risks, asset protection, balancing family giving priorities, charitable giving, cost-of-living trust adjustments, donor-advised fund strategy, due diligence for private investments, estate planning, family foundation governance, financial literacy, gifting strategies, heirs financial literacy, hems trust provisions, inflation planning, irrevocable trust modification, legacy planning strategies, next-gen philanthropy, ponzi scheme red flags, ponzi schemes, real estate syndication fraud, slat distribution flexibility, spotting investment fraud, trust strategies

Two complex questions for high-net-worth families: 1) How much flexibility should couples build into SLAT distributions as living costs rise? 2) How can families balance decades-long charitable commitments with next-generation priorities? Plus, a From the Field interview with attorney Daniel Gielchinsky, who shares the red flags he’s seen in Ponzi schemes and fraudulent investment pitches.

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 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 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.