Wealth Architect Podcast

Success in real estate is rarely built without setbacks. In this episode of the  Wealth Architect Podcast ,  Luis Belmonte , Principal and Owner of  Seven Hills Properties , shares the hard-earned lessons behind more than 30 years of commercial, residential, and affordable housing development. From reputationally challenged projects to navigating politics, regulations, and costly mistakes, Luis ex...

Why are affluent families around the world creating backup plans beyond borders — and what does success at home really look like? In this episode of the  Wealth Architect Podcast ,  Simon Gabbay , Director of Private Clients and Team Head at  Henley & Partners , breaks down the rise of the global citizen and why more wealthy families are pursuing second residency and citizenship options as par...

What happens when life gives you a challenge bigger than football? In this powerful episode of the Wealth Architect Podcast , we sit down with Joe Andruzzi , former 3× Super Bowl Champion and Chief Engagement Officer of the Joe Andruzzi Foundation . Joe shares his story beyond football — from championships and adversity to creating an organization dedicated to helping cancer patients and their fam...

In Season 3 Episode 17 of the Wealth Architect Podcast, we explore two powerful conversations shaping the future of real estate, wealth, and global opportunity. First, Isabel Quintero, Managing Director at Henley & Partners USA, joins us to discuss private wealth migration trends and why more U.S. citizens are pursuing alternative residency and citizenship opportunities around the world. From...

What happens when you learn success directly from the people who’ve already achieved it? In this episode of the Wealth Architect Podcast, Julius Pieranunzi, founder of WildWhy Media, shares the powerful lessons he’s learned from interviewing some of the world’s most successful individuals — all before most people even start their careers. We break down the common traits, habits, and mindsets that...

Success isn’t built alone — but we rarely talk about the person behind it. In this special episode of the Wealth Architect Podcast , guest host Walt Buteau steps in for Emilio DiSpirito and sits down with Kate Benson , Luxury Travel Editor and author of Second Fiddle . Kate shares what it truly means to play the “second fiddle” role in a high-performance partnership — the sacrifices, the identity...

What if you could scale your real estate business without ever relying on a bank? In this episode of the  Wealth Architect Podcast ,  Jay Conner , known as “The Private Money Authority,” breaks down how investors raise private money to fund deals, build relationships with lenders, and scale faster without traditional financing. In the second segment,  Jeff Swiderski , Branch Manager at Annie Mac H...

What’s the one mistake that can shape your entire career — and how do you know who to trust when building wealth? In this episode of the  Wealth Architect Podcast ,  John McNellis , Partner at McNellis Partners and author of  Making It in Real Estate: Thriving as a Developer , shares hard-earned lessons from some of his biggest mistakes in real estate — and how those failures became the foundation...

What does it take to scale from single deals to managing millions — and what happens after you acquire high-end properties? In this episode of the Wealth Architect Podcast , August Biniaz , Co-Founder and CIO of CPI Capital, breaks down how to build a real estate private equity firm from the ground up. We cover syndications, raising capital from high-net-worth investors, and understanding real est...

What if you didn’t compete in a market — but created your own? In this episode of the Wealth Architect Podcast, Frank McKinney, known as a “real estate artist,” shares how he builds ultra-luxury homes in markets that didn’t exist — and sells them by creating vision, emotion, and demand. We dive into how he identifies opportunity where others see risk, how he crafts a story around every property, a...

Hal Elrod has faced death more than once — and turned adversity into a global movement. Author of  The Miracle Morning , Hal shares the simple 6-minute routine that has helped millions take control of their mindset, habits, and future. If you want to change your life, start with how you start your day. 💼 Episode Sponsors Annie Mac Mortgage 🌐 annie-mac.com📸 @anniemac_home_mortgage Melissa D’Elle...

How do tax policies shape the future of a state — and how can homeowners strategically use their real estate to build wealth? In this episode of the Wealth Architect Podcast , Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz joins us to discuss Rhode Island’s tax environment and why she describes it as “death by a thousand paper cuts.” We compare Rhode Island’s budget and policy landscape with neighborin...

In this episode of the  Wealth Architect Podcast , we explore two powerful perspectives shaping the future of real estate and decision-making. Attorney  Ted Sutton  from Sutton Law Center joins us to discuss his book  Greenback’s Book of Law , which simplifies complex legal principles through storytelling. We explore why understanding basic legal concepts can empower the next generation and why le...

Buying or selling property internationally? The biggest risk might not be the deal — it’s the currency exchange. In this episode of the Wealth Architect Podcast , Iva Slavtcheva, Senior Business Development Manager at Moneycorp USA, breaks down how global real estate payments really work — and why inefficient currency exchange and international transfers quietly cost investors thousands. We discus...

What if building wealth started with changing how you think? Neuroscientist and Ness Labs founder Anne-Laure Le Cunff explains why uncertainty holds people back — and how tiny, repeatable experiments create mental clarity, confidence, and long-term emotional wealth. Then, Allison Oster Dessel shares why buyers continue choosing Coastal Rhode Island, where they’re coming from, and what the 2026 rea...

Generational wealth isn’t luck — it’s structure, consistency, and the right people in your corner. In this episode of the  Wealth Architect Podcast , Jeff Swiderski, Branch Manager at Annie Mac Home Mortgage, explains why real estate remains one of the most consistent vehicles for building long-term, multi-generational wealth — and why disciplined strategy always outperforms short-term speculation...

Scaling a business isn’t just about growth — it’s about structure. In this episode of the  Wealth Architect Podcast , we break down two critical factors that determine whether a business scales successfully or breaks under pressure. Felicia Emond explains the real differences between  1099 contractors and W-2 employees , the costly mistakes business owners make, and how to stay compliant as your t...

What if the key to long-term success in real estate  isn’t more hustle—but more authority ? In this episode, we sit down with  Loida Velasquez , real estate agent, coach, and content creator, to break down  prospecting mastery  and how agents can build real authority using  YouTube—without big budgets or fancy production . In Segment Two,  Jodie Neville  shares her powerful journey from corporate...

Is house flipping officially dead? In this episode of the Wealth Architect Podcast, Emilio DiSpirito—who flipped over 45 homes in just five years—shares why wholesaling has changed the economics of flipping and why  new construction and condos may be the better long-term strategy . Emilio also delivers his  2026 real estate market outlook , breaking down where opportunity still exists and where in...

Season 3 opens with one of the most raw and inspiring conversations we’ve ever recorded. Mike Cesaroni , Owner of Horizon HVAC , shares his journey from addiction, criminal activity, and rock bottom—to building multiple successful blue-collar businesses grounded in discipline, structure, and purpose. This is not a highlight reel. It’s a real story of accountability, rebuilding, and proving that yo...

This episode tackles two of the most impactful forces in real estate today: policy and people . In Segment One , we’re joined by Shannon Elizabeth Weinstein , Associate Broker & Partner at RentProv Realty , for a direct and data-driven conversation on rent control —and how these policies can unintentionally damage housing supply, affordability, and the long-term health of cities. In Segment Tw...

Most people don’t lose money in real estate because of bad deals—they lose it because of legal mistakes they never saw coming . In this episode of the Wealth Architect Podcast , host Emilio DiSpirito IV sits down with Ted Topouzis , Founder of Topouzis & Associates, P.C. , to break down the areas of real estate law where wealth builders get tripped up the most . From contracts and title issues...

Leadership doesn’t start in Washington—it starts in the community. In this special episode of the Wealth Architect Podcast , host Emilio DiSpirito IV sits down with Robert Sullivan , recently appointed by the Trump Administration as State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Rhode Island . Robert shares his journey from operating a family-owned landscaping business to steppi...

Real estate wealth isn’t built in a vacuum—and life events can dramatically impact your portfolio. In Segment One, host Emilio DiSpirito IV sits down with John Larochelle, Esq., founder of Larochelle Law, to unpack the complex intersection of divorce and real estate. From property division and timing mistakes to protecting assets during high-conflict separations, this segment offers critical legal...

Some conversations are bigger than business. In this deeply personal episode of the Wealth Architect Podcast , host Emilio DiSpirito IV sits down with his father, Emilio DiSpirito III , for an honest and powerful conversation about legacy , values , and the kind of wealth that truly lasts. Together, they explore what it means to leave something behind that goes beyond money—focusing on education ,...