The Agent of Wealth

From the price of a cup of coffee to major financial decisions, subtle psychological forces influence how we think, spend, and make choices. Understanding them can help us make better decisions. In this episode, the Bautis Financial Team discusses Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions by Dan Ariely as part of the Bautis Financial Book Club . The team explores how psych...

Bankruptcy doesn't necessarily mean the end of your financial story. For some people, it can be an opportunity to reset, address overwhelming debt, and begin rebuilding. In this episode, host Marc Bautis is joined by Barry Levine , a bankruptcy attorney with nearly 46 years of experience working with individuals and small business owners facing financial challenges. Drawing on his experience,...

Taxes can have a significant impact on long-term wealth, especially as income and financial complexity increase. Proactive planning can help identify opportunities to preserve more of what you earn. In this episode of The Agent of Wealth Podcast , co-host John Williams is joined by Chris Miller, Founder and CEO of One Atlanta Tax Solutions , to discuss the difference between reactive tax preparati...

A life insurance policy is supposed to provide financial protection when a loved one dies. But what happens when the insurance company delays, denies, or disputes the claim? In this episode of The Agent of Wealth , co-host John Williams is joined by Stephanie Prestridge, an attorney at Life Claim who focuses on helping families navigate life insurance claims that have been denied, delayed, or disp...

In this episode of The Agent of Wealth Podcast , host Marc Bautis is joined by Ryan George, founder of Part ABC , a national Medicare brokerage. Ryan shares why he believes Medicare should be taught, not sold, and breaks down some of the most important decisions individuals face as they approach age 65.  From understanding enrollment timelines and comparing Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans to...

In this episode of The Agent of Wealth Podcast , host Marc Bautis is joined by Michael Maloney, is joined by Michael Maloney, Founder and Chief Creative of Brand Force 5 , to explore why branding is about much more than a logo — and how the details many business owners overlook can shape customer trust, perception and ultimately, growth. From the quality of a postcard to the appearance of a servic...

In this episode of The Agent of Wealth , co-host John Williams speaks with Phoenix Hafen, Partnerships Manager at UI Charitable , about the growing world of crypto philanthropy and the broader strategies that can make charitable giving more tax-efficient. Phoenix explains why appreciated assets — including Bitcoin, publicly traded securities, private business interests and real estate — can someti...

Whether you’re negotiating a business deal, discussing finances, or navigating everyday disagreements, the ability to communicate effectively can change the outcome. In this episode of The Agent of Wealth , the Bautis Financial team discusses another book in their Book Club series : Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It–Unlock Your Persuasion Potential in Professio...

Money is one of the most powerful tools in a relationship — but when it's used to control instead of support, the consequences can be devastating. In this episode of The Agent of Wealth , host Marc Bautis is joined by Amanda J. Scott, author of Finding My Way Back to Me . After enduring 17 years of emotional and financial abuse, Amanda now helps survivors recognize the warning signs of abuse,...

Is AI increasing your company's value—or putting it at risk of falling behind? In this episode of The Agent of Wealth Podcast , co-host John Williams is joined by Ted Wolf, CEO and Founder of Guidewise.ai and author of The Intelligent Business Equation . Ted shares why artificial intelligence is becoming a key driver of private company value, how business owners should approach AI implementat...

Could your cryptocurrency disappear overnight — and if it did, would anyone be responsible? As digital assets become more mainstream, so do the scams, security failures, and legal questions surrounding them…  In this episode of The Agent of Wealth Podcast , host Marc Bautis is joined by Courtney M. Werning, Principal at Meyer Wilson Werning and leader of the firm's cryptocurrency litigation p...

Before you hire your first employee, file your first patent or bring on a co-founder, there are a few legal decisions that can determine whether your startup succeeds—or struggles. In this episode of The Agent of Wealth Podcast , host Marc Bautis is joined by Philip Crowley, startup advisor, attorney, founder of Crowley Law LLC and author of Avoid Startup Failure . Drawing on decades of experience...

What's the biggest threat to your retirement? It might not be inflation or market volatility. It could be losing your strength, mobility, and independence. In this episode of The Agent of Wealth Podcast , co-host John Williams is joined by Susan Brady , a physical therapist, integrative health practitioner, and bone health expert with more than 30 years of experience. Susan shares why buildin...

Your condo or co-op may be your biggest investment—but is poor board governance quietly reducing its value? In this episode of The Agent of Wealth Podcast , co-host John Williams is joined by Tina Larsson, Co-Founder of The Folson Group , New York's premier co-op and condo consulting firm. After uncovering $340,000 in unnecessary expenses in her own building, Tina left a successful Wall Stree...

What if a single form you filled out decades ago could override your will and completely change where your assets end up?  For millions of Americans, outdated beneficiary designations create costly estate planning mistakes that can leave loved ones fighting legal battles, paying unnecessary fees, or losing inheritances altogether. In this episode of The Agent of Wealth Podcast , host Marc Bautis e...

SpaceX is poised to become one of the world's most valuable public companies overnight. The question is: does the opportunity justify the risk? In this episode of The Agent of Wealth Podcast , host Marc Bautis takes a deep dive into the highly anticipated SpaceX IPO. Rather than offering a simple buy-or-sell recommendation, Marc breaks down the company's S-1 filing, explores the business...

You've spent years building equity in your home — but when does it make sense to actually put that equity to work? In this episode of The Agent of Wealth Podcast , co-host John Williams breaks down the three most common ways homeowners access their home equity: Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs), Home Equity Loans, and Cash-Out Refinancing. He explains how each strategy works, where each on...

The easy 5% returns on cash may be disappearing — but that doesn’t mean your money has to stop working hard. In this episode of The Agent of Wealth Podcast , host Marc Bautis breaks down one of the biggest shifts happening in personal finance right now: the decline of high-yield cash account rates. After two years of earning 5%+ in savings accounts and money markets, many investors are wondering w...

What if success has less to do with talent — and more to do with how we learn, adapt, and grow over time? In this episode of The Agent of Wealth Podcast , the Bautis Financial team discusses another book in their Book Club series : Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things by Adam Grant. In Hidden Potential , Adam Grant argues that achievement isn’t reserved for naturally gifted pe...

A heartbreaking story. A growing threat. And a practical framework every family should know before it’s too late. In this episode of The Agent of Wealth Podcast , host Marc Bautis explores the rise of modern financial scams — from romance fraud and investment schemes to AI-generated deepfakes that can mimic the voices and faces of loved ones. Through the real-life story of a woman manipulated out...

What if one investment could potentially reduce your tax bill today and generate income tomorrow? Oil and gas investing might not be as out-of-reach — or as risky-as-you-think. In this episode of The Agent of Wealth Podcast , co-host John Williams is joined by Courtney Moeller , an oil and gas investor, entrepreneur, and Navy veteran who helps high-income earners reduce their tax burden and build...

Most business owners think the path to growth is doing more — but what if that mindset is actually holding you back? In this episode of The Agent of Wealth Podcast , co-host John Williams is joined by David McGhee , a Business Performance Coach with over 20 years of experience helping six-figure business owners scale to seven figures — without burning out. David shares why focusing less on growth...

After discovering a community of 470,000 single parents, one expert realized something surprising: no one was teaching the practical side of doing it alone. In this episode of The Agent of Wealth Podcast , host Marc Bautis is joined by Pat Hankin, business professional, parenting expert, and author of The Field Guide for Single Parents — a practical, no-fluff resource designed to help solo parents...

Most renters accept the listed price — but what if that’s your biggest mistake? In this episode of The Agent of Wealth Podcast , co-host John Williams is joined by Justin Pogue, founder of Rental Secrets , to uncover how renters can better understand landlord psychology — and use it to their advantage. In this episode, you will learn: Why landlords are highly motivated to fill vacancies — and how...

America’s aging population is creating one of the most powerful demographic trends of the next two decades — and it’s reshaping opportunities in real estate. But senior living is far more complex than traditional multifamily investing. From staffing challenges to operational improvements and investor structures, understanding the sector requires a unique blend of healthcare expertise and real esta...