SMART MONEY. SIMPLIFIED.

What’s the future of ETFs in a transforming global economy? Join Brent Mekosh as he welcomes Vince Lorusso, the president and CEO of Clough Capital Partners, to explore the shifting landscapes of ETFs and financial markets. Delve into Vince’s personal industry journey, the evolution of Clough Capital, and his insights on dynamic market changes. Unravel the complexities of ETF managemen...

Are traditional investment strategies enough to secure a future? Join Brent Mekosh as he sits down with Eric Knauss, Chief Investment Officer at Proteus, a seasoned advisor with over 40 years of experience in major firms like Merrill Lynch and T. Rowe Price. They delve into the nuances of private equity, real estate, and hedge funds, emphasizing their potential to enhance and stabilize financial p...

How can venture capital strategies transform the nonprofit world? Brent Mekosh sits down with Amy Armstrong, CEO of Social Venture Partners Arizona, to explore the synergy between business acumen and charitable initiatives. They discuss the significance of multi-year giving and trust-based philanthropy, emphasizing the profound impact these approaches can have on supporting charitable endeavors. T...

What makes private aviation more accessible and appealing today than ever before?   Join host Brent Mekosh and special guest Brent Wouters, CEO of JetLinx, as they navigate the skies of private aviation in this episode of Smart Money Simplified. They dive deep into the world of private jets, exploring everything from the unmatched convenience of bypassing TSA lines to the strategic benefits of fra...

What does it take to build a successful financial advisory career from the ground up while navigating life’s unpredictabilities and decisions? Join Brent Mekosh as he sits down with Ryan Reming, an elite advisor and associate partner at The Wealth Stewards. Ryan shares his journey from his early economics studies through the volatility post-financial crisis, to becoming a key player at The W...

How is Canada’s approach to tariffs shaping its economic landscape? Join Brent Mekosh on Smart Money Simplified as he unpacks the complexities of tariffs and trade between the US and Canada with renowned Canadian tax expert Kim Moody, founder of Moody’s Private Client . Dive into a conversation brimming with insights, from the chaotic effects of tariff policies to political shifts in Canada...

What makes some financial advisors stand out from the pack? It’s time to discover a unique approach to investment management and portfolio construction. Join Brent Mekosh as he teams up with Joe Cortese from Fiducient Advisors to discuss mastering risk management and improving investment strategies. They share lessons learned, how to incorporate AI in financial advising, forward-thinking insights,...

What does it truly mean to pursue wholeness as a leader?  This week, Brent Mekosh chats with Andy Maurer, a leadership dynamics and emotional well-being professional. Discover how reconciling high performance with emotional connection can transform leadership and personal fulfillment. Brent and Andy also unravel the complexities of leadership isolation and the importance of emotional maturity. The...

What does the future of investing look like in 2025? Brent Mekosh sits down with Bill Tucker on Smart Money Simplified to tackle the pressing issues shaping today’s financial landscape. From the growing risks of market concentration to innovative asset diversification strategies, this episode delivers key insights for investors navigating an uncertain economy. Brent and Bill discuss: The fragility...

What’s sparking the Arizona real estate market despite rising interest rates?  In this episode, Brent Mekosh sits down with Caroline Van Arsdale, a seasoned realtor from Silverleaf Realty, to unravel the dynamics of Arizona’s luxury real estate scene. From understanding the cash-rich high-end market to analyzing the motivations behind homeowners’ shifts due to economic and enviro...

How can the right processes transform your investment strategy and elevate client relationships? In this landmark 100th episode of Smart Money Simplified, Brent Mekosh explores this topic with special guest Eddy Augsten from Concurrent. Together, they delve into crafting cohesive investment frameworks and integrating institutional processes into wealth advisory practices. Tune in and gain an insid...

What’s driving the spirit of community and kindness in your neighborhood?  Brent Mekosh has an enlightening conversation with Ryan Corry, the Chief Philanthropy Officer at St. Vincent de Paul. Ryan shares insights from his journey into philanthropy, illustrating how early volunteering led him to a lifelong commitment to service. Together, Brent and Ryan discuss the organization’s missi...

What makes alternative assets so valuable? Let’s find out with our latest guest! Brent Mekosh dives into an enlightening conversation with John Hampton, Executive Director at Campbell Corp, to uncover the fascinating world of alternative asset classes.  With 2022 and 2024 bringing unexpected market correlations and disruptions, Brent and John explore why diversifying beyond traditional stocks and...

What does it truly mean to listen, and how can it transform your personal and professional relationships? Brent Mekosh sits down with Matt Halloran, co-founder of ProudMouth, the company producing this very podcast, and a long-time advocate for effective communication. Their conversation weaves through the art of listening with depth—and how it can address the epidemic of loneliness prevalent toda...

Are we on the brink of World War III, or are we already in it?  Many believe that a modern world conflict would heavily mimic those of the past, yet today’s global dynamics suggest a much more intricate design. Brent Mekosh and Semaj McDowell are here to clarify why the landscape is dramatically different this time around. With a focus on the volatile situations in regions like the Middle East, As...

Can regenerative agriculture save the planet and your portfolio?  This week on Smart. Money. Simplified, Craig Wichner, Founder & Managing Partner of Farmland LP, reveals how transitioning from conventional farming to organic and regenerative practices is reshaping agriculture and creating stable, high-return investment opportunities. Craig conveys why healthier soil leads to healthier ecosyst...

Infrastructure investments might be the stability boost your portfolio needs—are you ready? This week on Smart. Money. Simplified, Steve Pointer, Regional Director at Cantor Fitzgerald, explains why assets like power grids, water systems, and digital networks are redefining essential investments for today’s markets. Steve shares three key trends reshaping the landscape: Digital Transformation: Sky...

This week on Smart. Money. Simplified, Dr. Andrea Mata, clinical child psychologist and founder of BrightSpot Families, joins Brent Mekosh to unpack the teen mental health crisis while sharing practical strategies to help parents raise resilient, adaptable children. Dr. Mata highlights three critical areas reshaping parenting today: The Alarming Trends: Half of all lifetime mental illnesses begin...

Ultra-processed foods.  Skyrocketing obesity rates.  A growing health crisis.  It’s time to ask: What can you do to fight back? This week on Smart. Money. Simplified, Brent Mekosh is joined by wellness professional Shiran Romero, who unveils powerful, science-backed strategies to transform your health.  Brent also opens up about his remarkable health journey, sharing how cutting-edge peptide thera...

Global tensions may be more relevant to you than you realize—are you prepared? This week on Smart. Money. Simplified, Brent Mekosh shares some eye-opening takeaways from his recent trip to South Korea, where he saw the country’s booming economy, high-tech ports, and welcoming culture firsthand.  (A visit to the DMZ was a stark reminder of global tensions we often overlook!) Back in the U.S., Brent...

The financial industry is transforming at breakneck speed—are you ready for what’s next? Fresh from the Future Proof Conference in Huntington Beach, where over 4,500 professionals converged to discuss the future of finance and technology, in this episode of Smart. Money. Simplified, Brent Mekosh explores the most important insights shaping the industry. Discover how AI is revolutionizing financial...

Leadership isn’t just about giving orders. It’s about inspiring, guiding, and sometimes, learning from everyone around you.  Are you ready to elevate your leadership game and drive your team to new heights?  This week on Smart. Money. Simplified, Brent Mekosh welcomes Matthew Mitchell, the winningest coach in the history of the University of Kentucky Women’s Basketball Program. M...

AI has exploded into our lives, moving from theoretical to practical applications in record time.  Remember the days when Siri was clunky and unreliable? Now, AI tools like ChatGPT are seamlessly integrated into our workflows, offering unprecedented capabilities. This week on Smart. Money. Simplified, Brent Mekosh dives into the world of artificial intelligence with serial entrepreneur Ravi Koka,...

Did you know that over 70% of business succession efforts fail, and even successful entrepreneurs often regret their decisions a year later? This week on Smart. Money. Simplified, Brent Mekosh sits down with Geoff Eliason from SDR Ventures to delve into the critical aspects of business succession planning, the importance of having a coordinated team, and how to prepare for a successful exit strate...

Are you part of the 70% of business owners who struggle with ensuring the long-term growth and sustainability of their company? This week, Brent Mekosh and David Yap explore David’s transformative journey from almost becoming a Catholic priest to leading as the Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer at TRIUNE Health Group.   Tune in as David shares his 13-year stint in the seminary, his thoughts...