Accredited Investor Edge

What really happens behind the scenes when sponsors raise capital? Lauren Brychell , founder of Equity Elevated Consulting , has raised over $75M and now helps general partners communicate better with investors. In this episode, she explains what investors should pay attention to — from communication patterns and transparent fee structures to red flags like outsized returns and “deals for fees.” W...

Private investing rewards discipline—but only if investors know what to look for. In this episode, Jared talks with Kristine Cranley about underwriting, risk, and why patience is often the most underrated investment strategy. Kristine shares lessons from multiple market cycles, explains how weak assumptions show up when markets shift, and offers a grounded framework for evaluating private deals wi...

What happens when you take a cash-flow-first mindset from single-family to multifamily—and then into neighborhood retail ? Brian Ferguson (Furgmar Capital) walks through two decades of cycles: why SFR stopped penciling, how he approached multifamily, and why retail centers with the right tenant mix can produce durable income if you plan for TI dollars, leasing commissions, and lease conversions to...

Most investors stay in their lane — stocks, multifamily, maybe a little private credit. But in this episode, Jared sits down with Chihiro Kurokawa to explore two categories most people never think about: freestanding emergency rooms and franchise auto dealerships . Chihiro shares how he went from corporate analytics to syndicating nearly 600 multifamily units, and why he ultimately transitioned in...

Can you really reduce your taxes without owning a business? Adam Penn , founder of Bidwell Capital, explains how high-income earners can legally and effectively cut their tax bills using real estate and oil & gas investments. We talk about the short-term rental tax rules, oil and gas deductions, and red flags to avoid in private placement deals. Adam also shares his path from software engineer...

Most “passive” investors don’t need more hype—they need a checklist and a stance. In this conversation, Shawn Griffith (Craft Capital Investments) lays out how to think like a limited partner who actually protects their capital. We cover the fee ranges that make sense (and when they don’t), how to use a PPM without getting overwhelmed, what questions to ask a GP about debt and downside, and simple...

Marinas can look complicated—multiple business lines, seasonality, moving parts. New Haven Marinas argues that’s the opportunity. Dallas Hayden (ex-Bear Stearns, PE) and Josh Conley (Amazon, oil & gas) walk through buying mom-and-pop marinas in destination lakes with full occupancy, waitlists, and limited new supply . We get into buying at wider cap rates than apartments, adding slips to meet...

How do you vet a sponsor when everyone’s marketing looks the same? Pat Zingarella , CEO of Invest Clearly , explains how verified LP reviews and public GP responses can help investors see what really happens between acquisition and exit. We talk about why communication is the most common complaint, how Invest Clearly verifies reviewers and adds just enough friction to filter noise, and how GPs ben...

What’s it really like to invest in multifamily right now? In this episode, I sit down with Dustin Miles , co-founder of Momentum Multifamily, to talk through the lessons he’s learned after more than a decade in the business. Dustin shares how he started as a passive investor, what it was like to buy deals with huge spreads between debt and cap rates, and how the recent market shift has forced oper...

Ever wondered what a former IRS auditor thinks about your tax strategy? In this episode, I sit down with Gabe Hogan, a tax attorney who spent years inside the IRS before moving to the private side. Gabe shares hard earned insights on where most high earners miss opportunities and how to legally cut your tax bill without crossing the line. We cover everything from the Augusta Rule and paying your k...

Dave Kotter explains how he combines the security of debt with the upside of equity in his hybrid loan strategy. By securing a first-position lien, he ensures strong downside protection. By adding equity participation, he captures growth potential. We cover how he chooses deals, vets operators, and negotiates terms that work for both sides. If you’ve been looking for an investment approach that de...

Steve Blackwell isn’t just raising capital—he’s building communities of passive investors who want better access, better deals, and better alignment. In this episode, we talk through how he evaluates operators, the red flags investors should look out for, and how he structures investments to protect downside while leaving room for upside. We also cover tax strategies in oil and gas, the difference...

Zane Schartz has built a 500+ unit real estate portfolio—and he did it without chasing flashy returns or taking wild risks. In this episode, we dig into how Zane approaches investor relations, evaluates sponsors, and chooses solid, long-term deals over hype. We also get real about the friction that exists between GPs and LPs, how to avoid getting burned in private placements, and why Zane believes...

What happens when a high-income CPA sells his firm and goes deep into alternative investments? Keith Blackborg did just that, and in this episode, he joins Jared to unpack the strategies that helped him reach financial freedom by age 33. You’ll hear how Keith helps other high-net-worth investors navigate the maze of private placements, passive income, and tax planning. The conversation covers the...

Welcome to Accredited Investor Edge — the show that cuts through the noise. If you’re a high-income earner or accredited investor looking for smarter ways to grow your wealth without the sales pitches, this is the podcast for you. I’m Jared Benson, real estate broker, fund manager, and investor, and I launched this show to help you make better investment decisions by pulling back the curtain on ho...