The Empowered Investor

Geopolitical tension, market volatility, and remarkable investment returns. In this episode, Keith Matthews and Lawrence Greenberg sit down for a mid-year review of the first six months of 2026 — a period packed with geopolitical tension, market volatility, and some truly remarkable investment returns. Keith and Lawrence break down what actually drove markets higher despite a noisy and unsettling...

The Donor Advised Fund Playbook In this episode, Lawrence Greenberg continues the three-part series on charitable giving in Canada with Part Two: Donor Advised Funds . He's joined by special guest Linda Argalgi, tax accountant and philanthropy advisor at the Jewish Community Foundation (JCF). Linda walks through what a donor advised fund (DAF) is, how it compares to a private foundation, and why t...

Donations 101: A Canadian Guide to Tax-Smart Charitable Giving In this episode, Lawrence Greenberg and Jackson Matthews kick off a three-part series on charitable giving in Canada. Lawrence and Jackson break down the different ways to give, how charitable donations affect your taxes, and how to plan strategically around your giving. They cover everything from the basic cash donation to the more po...

In this episode of the Empowered Investor Podcast, Marcelo Taboada sits down with financial journalist and CFP professional Beth Pinsker to discuss one of the most overlooked areas of financial planning: caregiving for aging parents. Beth shares the deeply personal story behind her book My Mother’s Money and explains why financial caregiving is about far more than estate planning. The conversation...

In this episode, Keith Matthews sits down with Shelby Hacala , Co-Founder of BOS360 , to break down how business operating systems can transform the way companies run and grow. They explore why so many entrepreneurs and aspiring business leaders feel stuck or overwhelmed and how implementing the right structure can bring clarity, accountability, and better execution across teams. Shelby shares pra...

In this episode, Lawrence Greenberg and Jackson Matthews break down how young Canadians in their 20's and 30's should approach investing and building a strong financial foundation. They walk through the biggest challenges beginners face, from information overload to the fear of making mistakes, and explain how to simplify the process. The conversation covers the different ways to start investing,...

In this episode, Marcelo Taboada sits down with Nicolas Bérubé to discuss his latest book L’art de multiplier son argent : 17 leçons pour réussir en bourse (The Art of Multiplying Your Money: 17 Lessons for Success in the Stock Market). Together, they break down the key lessons every investor should understand to build long-term success in the stock market. Nicolas brings deep expertise in wealth...

In this episode, Keith Matthews and Jackson Matthews take a step back to help investors make sense of market volatility during periods of geopolitical tension, focusing on the current situation in the Middle East. They walk through what has been happening in the markets so far in 2026, starting with a strong beginning to the year followed by a noticeable pullback as uncertainty increased. They exp...

In this episode of The Empowered Investor Podcast , Keith Matthews and Andrea LeRoyer break down how to approach tax season with clarity and structure. From key deadlines to recent tax changes, they walk through what actually matters when preparing your return. The discussion goes beyond basic compliance, highlighting how organization, awareness of credits, and proactive planning can materially im...

What’s behind the recent surge in gold prices and should you reconsider gold as part of your investment portfolio? Is gold truly a safe haven, or is it riskier than most people think? How does gold stack up against stocks, bonds, and real estate over the long term? These are the questions we answer in today’s episode. Hosts Keith Matthews and Marcelo Taboada break down gold’s true performance, ris...

Entrepreneurship through Acquisition: Buying and Selling Canadian Small Businesses In episode, Keith Matthews welcomes Marc Deegan , founder of R33 Ventures and an expert in business valuations and M&A for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Together, they explore the rapidly growing model of entrepreneurship through acquisition, cover current trends in the Canadian SME marketplace, comm...

Key Financial Trends of 2025 In this episode, Keith Matthews and Lawrence Greenberg reflect on an extraordinary investment year and what it means for disciplined investors heading into 2026. They break down how tariff-driven volatility, sharp drawdowns, and rapid recoveries defined 2025, yet ultimately rewarded those who stayed invested and globally diversified. The conversation explores how Canad...

Why Human Capital Is Your Most Important Investment: In this episode, host Keith Matthews is joined by Mark Halloran , Co-Founder of Career Lion and expert in professional development, to explore how effective career management is key to optimizing your financial journey. Special guest Mark Halloran breaks down a proven five-part framework for career management that applies to every stage, from ea...

What happens if your financial advisor retires? Can you be confident your investments and retirement plan will stay on track? Why do so few advisors plan ahead? What should you be asking now to avoid costly surprises later? These are the questions we answer in today’s episode. Hosts Keith Matthews and Lawrence Greenberg dive into a crucial but often overlooked challenge for Canadian investors: adv...

How much money do you really need for retirement? Is your current plan actually aligned with your future spending habits, or are you at risk of falling short? When should you start planning and what are the biggest financial mistakes people make before and after they stop working? These are the questions we answer in today’s episode. Hosts Keith Matthews and Lawrence Greenberg break down the three...

Join host Keith Matthews and co-host Marcelo Taboada as they take a fascinating deep dive into the origins and rise of index funds, inspired by the documentary “Tune out the Noise.” In this episode Keith and Marcelo explore how index and passive investing has evolved from a radical idea in the 1960s to today’s gold standard for simplified, cost-effective, and evidence-based portfolio management. G...

What global trends are reshaping the way Canadians invest and plan for their financial future? How can you avoid paying unnecessary fees and take advantage of smarter ways to grow your wealth? What changes are coming in investor protection, and how will they impact your bottom line? These are the questions we answer in today’s episode. Join Keith Matthews and co-host Marcelo Taboada as they break...

What does a “comfortable” retirement look like today, and how much do you actually need to fund it? Are you underestimating your spending levels, or overestimating what you can count on from savings & government pensions? Why are so many Canadians feeling less optimistic about retirement than they did 20 years ago? These are the questions we answer in today’s episode. Hosts Keith Matthews and...

Mid-Year Review 2025: Markets Weather Geopolitical Storms: In this episode, Keith Matthews and Marcelo Taboada dive into the first half of 2025, unpacking a period marked by global political turbulence, trade wars, and significant market volatility. They review how markets responded to headline-grabbing events like the U.S. and Canadian elections, dramatic tariff announcements, and ongoing geopoli...

Host Keith Matthews welcomes David Andrew , founder of Capital Partners in Australia, for a discussion on global trends in independent advice and wealth management. Capital Partners is a leading edge independent Australian wealth management firm under David’s stewardship, Capital Partners was named Best Professional Practice in Australia by the Financial Advice Association of Australia in 2017, 20...

What exactly is an RESP and how can it be used to fund your child’s post-secondary education? What are the key rules around contributions, grants, and withdrawals? What should you do if your child doesn’t pursue higher education? In today’s episode, Laurence Greenberg and Jackson Matthews break down everything Canadian parents need to know about RESPs — from contribution limits and government gran...

What role do expectations and consumer culture play in shaping our financial well-being? How can we make smarter, long-term decisions that align with a meaningful life rather than short-term gratification? What lessons can we draw from those who’ve found financial independence through simplicity and intentionality? These are just a few of the powerful questions explored in today’s episode. Marcelo...

What sparked the most dramatic stock market volatility in recent memory? Why did tariffs suddenly become the centerpiece of U.S. economic policy? How should investors respond when uncertainty hits at lightning speed? We explore all of this—and more—in today’s deep dive on market turmoil triggered by Trump’s sweeping tariff announcements. Keith Matthews and Marcelo Taboada break down the global sho...

Are you ready for tax season? Do you know the key deadlines and the essential documents you need to file your 2024 tax return? Have you explored all the deductions and tax relief options available to you? In this episode, Keith Matthews and Andrea LeRoyer guide you through a structured approach to preparing your taxes efficiently. From crucial deadlines to tax-saving opportunities, they cover ever...

Have you ever wondered if moving your portfolio allocations around can lead to better returns? To help answer this question, one just needs to look at how tactical asset allocation (TAA) funds have performed over time. Have these TAA funds really helped investors navigate market uncertainty? In today’s episode, Keith and Marcelo break down a compelling new study from Morningstar that examines the...