The Liquidity Event | Money and Finance with Shane and Ally Jane

Today we're sharing a special rebroadcast of John Owens's appearance on The Long Term Investor with Peter Lazaroff. In this episode, John breaks down a clear, practical year-end playbook for equity compensation, including RSUs, ISOs/NQSOs, and ESPPs, and highlights the tax traps and planning opportunities clients should keep on their radar. You'll hear John and Peter discuss: How to prioritize equ...

In this episode of The Liquidity Event , AJ and Shane dig into the trillion-dollar AI ecosystem, from NVIDIA's massive market cap to the circular funding loops tying together OpenAI, Microsoft, and the rest of the AI stack. They debate whether today's infrastructure buildout is necessary progress or a replay of past bubbles, and what happens if one key player breaks the chain. The conversation the...

In this episode of The Liquidity Event , AJ and Shane dive into billionaire wealth gaps, UK "rags to riches" stories, and what happens when fast financial success reshapes friendships. They unpack media narratives, economic inequality, and why Business Insider profiles might not tell the full truth. The conversation expands into EU vs. US tech power, streaming-platform consolidation, and the rise...

In this episode of The Liquidity Event , AJ and Shane regroup after a failed recording attempt and dive straight into Thanksgiving chaos, rising ACA premiums, and the political fight over healthcare subsidies. Shane shares his 35% insurance shock while AJ breaks down what subsidy cuts mean for millions of Americans. They also explore the push to privatize federal student loans, Google's plan to ru...

In this episode of The Liquidity Event , AJ and Shane recap Brooklyn FI's estate planning party at Clover Club, complete with notaries, crystal balls, and millennials confronting wills, pets, and chosen family. They also cover the latest economic confusion including layoffs, tariffs, AI fears, the Shrimp Cocktail Index, and California's proposed billionaire tax. Shane breaks down Scaramucci's tari...

In this episode of The Liquidity Event , AJ and Shane cover everything from shattered mirrors to shattered housing markets. AJ shares an update on her book deadline and upcoming Thanksgiving travel while Shane recounts a chaotic morning involving a Roomba and a broken mirror. The duo unpack the hidden tax pitfalls of S-Corps in New York City, debate credit card rewards and travel perks, and react...

In this post–Election Week episode of The Liquidity Event , AJ and Shane dive into New York City's new mayor, former rapper Zohran Mamdani, and what his win could mean for taxes, wages, and city life. AJ shares her marathon weekend adventures and Halloween highlights, while Shane talks about biking through Manhattan gridlock, watching Tame Impala, and catching the World Series. They unpack NASCAR...

In this Halloween-week episode of The Liquidity Event , AJ and Shane gamble their way through Atlantic City stories, poker scandals, and billionaire luck. AJ checks in from self-imposed exile at the Jersey Shore to finish her book (and avoid the casinos), while Shane shares his thoughts on gambling's strange evolution from high stakes to digital dopamine. The duo dives into Governor JB Pritzker's...

In this episode of The Liquidity Event , Shane and guest host Ed Z cover everything from Nobel laureates disappearing into the woods to Italy's flat-tax paradise for the ultra-rich. They unpack why more working-class Americans are turning to the stock market, debate whether democratized investing is empowerment or gambling, and answer a listener question about why companies are staying private lon...

In this episode of  The Liquidity Event , AJ and Shane cover everything from IPOs making a comeback to Hamburger Helper as a recession indicator. They dive into venture-backed companies finally going public, debate whether Hamburger Helper sales say more about wallets or Ozempic, and unpack why America's biggest companies can't quite explain the upside of AI. The duo close out with a lively discus...

In this episode of The Liquidity Event , AJ and Shane return from the Future Proof Wealth Management Festival with stories of Weezer, Bush, and the perils of leaving conferences too early. They dig into a  New York Times  article about using ChatGPT to tackle credit card debt, from spreadsheets to selling watermelons, and debate whether AI is democratizing financial advice or just creating quirky...

In this episode of The Liquidity Event , Shane (aka Delta Juan Enjoyer) joins Ally to unpack Taylor Swift and Travis Kelsey's engagement and why it's a perfect case study in prenups. They explore the promise (and hype) of an AI-powered stethoscope, debate private equity's push into 401(k)s, and tackle a listener question about selling real estate with a $600K tax bill. Along the way, AJ shares a p...

In this episode of The Liquidity Event , AJ and Shane dive into how they're using AI in everyday life, from food tracking to coding help, before tackling bigger questions about money, dating, and the future of work. They unpack OpenAI's bold claim that AGI could make money obsolete, break down the latest IRS updates—including changes to Qualified Small Business Stock—and debate whether it's better...

In this episode of The Liquidity Event , John guest stars alongside AJ to celebrate and mourn the end of AOL dial-up after 30 years, reminiscing about AIM screen names along the way. They dive into AI's role in everyday life, from fixing your Dyson to shaping the hiring and job application process, and explore creative childcare alternatives (Auntie AJ is available for a modest $10k). They also di...

In this episode of The Liquidity Event , Shane and Kurtis dive into the start of Tax Planning Season at BKFi, unpack Figma's billion-dollar breakup, and discuss when employees can finally sell their shares. They explore why Silicon Valley's free perks are disappearing, what the rise of generally intelligent AI could mean for your work, and how new rules are letting you put real estate, crypto, and...

In this episode of  The Liquidity Event , AJ and Shane reflect on their first-ever company retreat where AJ admits to being a sore loser, break down the surprising connection between Toys R Us and crypto, and explain why you should give your parents a secret code word to avoid AI scams. Plus, the latest on UK tax loopholes, how many streaming apps are too many, Iceland's new four-day work week, an...

On this episode of The Liquidity Event , AJ and Shane are finally reunited, and they cover everything from Missouri's wild proposal to eliminate capital gains tax to why the return-to-office push might be hurting women more than expected. Plus, Greece's crumbling infrastructure, sky-high babysitting rates, revoked science grants, and how to track down your long-lost 401(k). Oh… and of course, a li...

What's in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — and how does it impact your taxes, family, equity comp, and retirement? In this episode of The Liquidity Event, AJ Ayers and John Owens break down the OBBB and what it means for high earners, tech professionals, parents, retirees, and everyone in between. We also chat micro-retirements, the new NYC mayor, charitable gifting changes, and yes, beavers with...

John Owens CFP®, EA, ECA, CPWA® and Ed Zolotarev CPA, MST, CFP® fill in for AJ and Shane on this milestone 150th episode of The Liquidity Event. FICO (Fair Isaac Corporation) is finally figuring out what to do about your outstanding Klarna loans. We discuss how "buy now, pay later" services might soon impact your credit score.   TLDR: It probably isn't the best idea to finance your DoorDash order...

Hear your Liquidity Event host, Ally Jane Ayers, share expert insights on budgeting, investing, and managing money on the Hello Prenup Podcast with Julia Rodgers, Esq. AJ discusses how to take control of your personal finances, talking money in a relationship, and why a prenup is an important part of financial wellness. For the video recording, check out the Hello Prenup podcast on YouTube. Key Mo...

While our team is on a quick break, tune in as our co-founder Shane Mason joins the always entertaining Accounting High podcast to talk about the journey of building BKFi.    Shane shares insights on BKFi's team structure and remote work and how we have built a company culture that's ALWAYS focused on how to best serve our clients. He also discusses his and AJ Ayers' new Gemifi software for equity...

In this episode, AJ and Shane break down why every VC-backed IPO in the past 12 months has been a "down round" and what that means for your equity. Then they tackle a juicy Reddit question from a 32-year-old tech worker vesting $400,000 per month (!) who's considering walking away from $5 million in future equity. Key Timestamps: (0:00) Introductions and summer traipsing vs. gallivanting explorati...

In this episode of The Liquidity Event, hosts Shane Mason (reporting from Ireland! ) and AJ Ayers discuss the showdown between President Trump and Harvard and some of the current cash challenges felt by universities, even those with massive endowments. They also talk through the IPO market ecosystem and which factors may be keeping it frozen. Key Takeaways: (0:00) Introductions and AJ's Broadway t...

In this episode of The Liquidity Event, AJ Ayers hosts two Chief Investment Officers, Peter Lazaroff CFA, CFP® from Plancorp and Rubin Miller CFA from Peltoma Capital Partners, for a chat on cash management strategies, investment philosophies, and calling BS on industry trends.   Key Timestamps: (0:00) Introductions and background (2:48) Career paths in investment management (12:43) Cash managemen...

Welcome to Episode 146 of The Liquidity Event!  This week AJ and Shane talk FinTech corporate espionage and then focus on the proposed GOP tax plan. To wrap things up, they address a listener's concern about preparing for a "coming economic storm," offering insights on why fear-based financial decisions are rarely the best approach.  Key Takeaways: (00:00) - Intro & What's Shane doing in AJ's hous...