More Than Commas

What does it actually take to hire the right people -- and build a team that makes you better?   In this episode of More Than Commas, Paul sits down with Jaidin McCann -- President of PeopleConnect Staffing, HR executive, and founder who has built six companies and led three successful exits -- to talk about the real game of talent acquisition, executive hiring, and what separates great leaders fr...

We skipped the 3-hour line. And it cost us more than our mortgage payment. Paul Adams just got back from Disneyland with his family - and he's not sorry about what he spent. In this video, he breaks down the one upgrade that turned a chaotic, line-standing, schedule-juggling Disney trip into something his family will talk about for years. But this isn't just a Disney hack video. Because halfway th...

What does it take to beat the odds, reach the NFL, and successfully reinvent yourself when one chapter ends? In this episode of More Than Commas, Paul sits down with former NFL player Jordan Babineaux to discuss resilience, leadership, and navigating life's biggest transitions. Jordan shares his journey from a challenging childhood in Texas to a nine-year NFL career, and the lessons he learned abo...

Is MicroStrategy's new preferred stock STRC really the next big financial product — or just a shiny object designed to harvest your savings?   In this episode of More Than Commas, Paul breaks down STRC, MicroStrategy's preferred stock promising 11% annual returns paid monthly — and why those numbers deserve a much closer look. Using a Coffeezilla analysis as a jumping-off point, Paul unpacks exact...

What does it actually take to build a meaningful career inside some of the world's most demanding organizations?   In this episode of More Than Commas, Paul sits down with Jesse Rhodes Jr. — executive leadership coach, entrepreneur, and former leader at Amazon, Deloitte, Walmart, and Target — to unpack the mindset, leadership principles, and career decisions that shaped his professional journey.  ...

Robert Kiyosaki helped change how millions of people think about money. But what happens when a voice that once educated and empowered starts leaning into fear-based predictions?   In this episode of More Than Commas, Paul takes a closer look at Kiyosaki's evolution—from the impact of Rich Dad, Poor Dad to his repeated market crash warnings—and breaks down what he predicted vs. what actually happe...

Why do financial influencers keep predicting the next big market crash—and why do people keep listening? In this episode of More Than Commas, we break down the real incentive behind repeated crash predictions, how attention drives extreme forecasts, and why being "right once" can be more profitable than being consistently accurate. Then, in a completely unexpected turn, we follow through on a wild...

Many investors worry about the next stock market crash because financial media constantly predicts one.   In this episode of More Than Commas, Paul Adams explains why crash predictions are so common, why most of them never happen, and the real reason investors often underperform the market.   More importantly, he breaks down how disciplined, evidence-based investing helps investors stay focused on...

In this episode, Cory addresses recent market volatility and encourages investors to stay calm and disciplined. Recorded amid geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East and fluctuating oil prices, Cory walks through historical market data, including recovery rates after downturns and the cost of missing the market's best days, to reassure listeners that short-term volatility is normal.   His core...

What if the reason you struggle with time management isn't a lack of discipline, but biology? In this episode, Paul sits down with Dr. Cody Sandzimier, founder and owner of Redmond Spine Center and creator of the Loop Timer, to explore the surprising science behind how humans perceive time. The conversation dives into neuroscience, psychology, productivity, and practical strategies you can use imm...

In this episode of More Than Commas, SFG President Cory Shepherd sits down with CEO of Trail CPA, Trent Trailov, to break down the Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction and how business owners can strategically use it to reduce taxes. If you earn non-W2 income, own a business, or operate as a consultant, financial professional, or service-based business owner, this conversation walks through w...

In this episode, Paul sits down with estate planning attorney Derek Wayne Jensen to demystify what estate planning really involves and why it's far more than drafting a simple will. Derek explains how planning evolves over a lifetime, beginning with young adults choosing beneficiaries, through major life milestones, to complex multi-generational legacy planning. They explore the biggest misconcept...

Scott Adams Excerpt: I Will Rewire Your Brains to Relieve Anxiety https://youtu.be/nWhKDqwgyv8?si=vhTXfZzLTLKLwbFa We're excited to share a special throwback edition of this episode, released as a little Christmas gift to you. To set the stage, Paul explains why this conversation still matters and why we felt it was worth revisiting. This episode originally sparked a lot of thoughtful discussion,...

In this episode of More Than Commas, Cory breaks down one of the biggest questions in investing today: Is AI in a bubble? Using clarity, and a Three Stooges analogy, Cory explores how companies like OpenAI, Nvidia, Oracle, and others have created a tightly interwoven financial ecosystem, one that looks innovative, but also suspiciously like a closed loop of money, growth assumptions, and circular...

In this episode, Paul challenges the traditional approach to planning for the new year, urging listeners to stop setting goals and start setting aims. He explains that most people design their lives backward, focusing on career first and hoping life fits around it. Instead, Paul walks through a practical reframe: define the life you want, then determine the financial aims required to support that...

In this episode of More Than Commas, Paul is joined by the SFG team for a lively roundtable on a Wall Street Journal article about an 80-year-old couple debating a multi-million dollar Roth conversion. The team dives deep into what the article doesn't say, from tax realities to financial leadership within marriages. Paul highlights the importance of both spouses understanding their family finances...

In this episode of More Than Commas, the Sound Financial Group team dive into a headline-grabbing article: "I Asked ChatGPT to Plan My Retirement." The panel unpacks what happens when artificial intelligence is trusted with life-changing financial planning. They discuss missing details like inflation, taxes, and real expenses, and why AI can't yet replace human discernment or accountability. The t...

In this episode, Lance and Paul unpack the viral post from Financial Samurai founder Sam Dogen, who recently admitted he's no longer financially independent after more than a decade in early retirement. Lance and Paul explore what this moment reveals about the FIRE movement, its strengths, blind spots, and the danger of mistaking "passive" for "permanent" income. They discuss the tension between i...

In this episode, Elijah explores why beginning your financial planning journey early can transform not just your bank balance, but your entire life. He breaks down the compounding power of time, showing how consistent habits, even with modest amounts, lead to lasting financial freedom and flexibility. Drawing on real-life stories, Elijah explains how starting early creates margin, reduces stress,...

In this special "Behind the Numbers" edition, Cory takes you deeper into the 529 plan conversation with a full spreadsheet walkthrough. He breaks down every scenario from Part 1: Comparing 529 plans, brokerage accounts, student loan strategies, and new Roth IRA conversion rules, using real S&P return data and clear assumptions. Cory demonstrates how small differences in tax treatment, timing, or r...

In this episode, Cory unpacks the truth behind 529 college savings plans, their benefits, drawbacks, and what families should consider before committing their money. While 529s promise tax-free growth for education, Cory explains how they can also limit flexibility, impact financial aid, and tie up funds that could serve broader family goals. Using real-world comparisons, he explores alternative s...

In this episode of More Than Commas, Paul Adams challenges listeners to consider whether their wealth is a tool or a trophy. Drawing on Dr. Thomas Stanley's The Millionaire Next Door and Stop Acting Rich, Paul explains how wealth flaunted for status can trap us in comparison, distraction, and fragility, while wealth used as a tool creates freedom, impact, and legacy. He highlights the virtue of fr...

In Episode 344 of More Than Commas, Paul uncovers the hidden cost of chasing "more." From bigger homes and cars to the pursuit of higher income, we often find ourselves on a treadmill, running faster without feeling more fulfilled. Drawing on The Millionaire Next Door by Dr. Thomas Stanley, Paul explains how lifestyle creep can erode wealth across generations. He introduces the concept of the hedo...

In this episode of More Than Commas, Cory explores one of the most overlooked roles of a financial advisor: protecting clients from their own instincts. It's not just about picking investments or predicting the market, it's about acting as a guardrail when fear and desire tempt us into costly mistakes. Cory illustrates how emotions drive poor financial decisions, from panic-selling during downturn...

In this episode, Paul is joined by SFG's new advisor Lance Chisum for a candid review of a Dave Ramsey video on housing and post-divorce financial decisions. Together, they unpack the caller's circumstances, substantial home equity, low-rate mortgage, and the possibility of a HELOC, while questioning whether Ramsey's quick advice fully addresses the bigger financial picture. Paul and Lance highlig...