Episodes

How could alternative therapies like ketamine shape the future of medical treatments, especially mental health care? The word psychedelics may have brought a different image to mind a few years ago, but what could it do for the future? This week on SMART MONEY. SIMPLIFIED, Brent Mekosh and Dr. Quinn Snyder, Chief Medical Officer at Daytryp Health, explore the promising role of psychedelics in medicine, specifically focusing on ketamine therapy. Listen in as they cover the shortcomings of traditi...

You only have one chance to make a good first impression on your clients. How can upping your personal style create a better image of yourself? In this episode, Brent Mekosh explores the importance of personal style and presentation in professional settings with Omor Okagbare, a personal stylist at Nordstrom’s Fashion Square in Scottsdale. Tune in as Omor shares his journey from starting at Nordstrom in 1998 to becoming a personal stylist, touching on how different professions impact the style n...

The approach you take when raising your children may vary based on their unique personalities and traits, but how can you be sure you’re raising them according to their needs? Let’s discover how Tyler Graham’s Burn Untamed framework is helping fathers find the answer. In this episode, Tyler joins Brent Mekosh to explore the challenges and rewards of fatherhood. They emphasize the importance of having a clear vision for fatherhood while highlighting the value of being emotionally available and sp...

What are the financial implications of cognitive decline, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia? What proactive steps can you take to safeguard your longevity and cognitive well-being? Join Brent Mekosh and guest Bill McManus from Hartford Funds as they discuss the importance of maintaining good health and a positive outlook on aging. Brent and Bill emphasize the importance of brain health and how our lifestyle choices can significantly impact it while highlighting the value of social connectivity an...

How do developments between Africa and Russia influence global politics? What unseen forces drive these geopolitical tensions? How can cautious realism guide us through these intricate global politics and uncertainties? Find out in this week’s episode of SMART MONEY. SIMPLIFIED as Brent Mekosh interviews geopolitical risk practitioner, podcast host, and published author Semaj McDowell. Semaj explains the potential for a continental-based currency and recent developments in Niger. Brent and Semaj...

Ever wondered how shale technology is reshaping oil production? Are you intrigued about the economic impact on oil companies? Get ready to explore this and more in this week’s episode of SMART MONEY. SIMPLIFIED with David Messler, an oil industry veteran with a 38-year career. This week, David covers the current state of the oil industry, focusing on the Permian Basin and the impact of shale technology on oil production. David also shares his insight on the changes within the arena while sheddin...

Even with all the advancements in technology and the knowledge we have gained, we still know little about near-death experiences and the afterlife. In this episode, Brent Mekosh is joined by Paul Perry, best-selling author and founder of Sakkara Productions, and Dr. Raymond Moody, renowned author, professor, public speaker, and creator of the term ‘near-death experience.’ Together, they explore what happens after death, the concept of near-death experiences, and the idea of an afterlife. Dr. Moo...

No matter how clean or nice a company or group looks from the outside, there could be something not-so-good happening on the inside. Whistleblowers looking to do what they think is right can face immense backlash, especially when it comes from someone with a higher authority. In this episode, Brent Mekosh is joined by Peter Forcelli, retired Deputy Director of the U.S. Department of Justice with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and a former police officer and detective. T...

With trust declining in existing institutions, what can corporations do better? At the end of the day, it’s all about slowing down to speed up. Would you agree? In this episode, Brent Mekosh is joined by Geoff Hudson-Searle, Douglas Lines, and Karen Jones to talk about the lack of trust in institutions. Join in as they cover the role of politics and the media and ways we can work together as a society to rebuild trust within corporations. Brent, Geoff, Douglas, and Karen discuss: Reasons trust ...

With an unprecedented rise in cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes, health and wellness are on everyone’s minds. What has led to the increase of these chronic diseases? How to change our lifestyle to improve our health? In this episode, Brent Mekosh is joined by Dr. Robert Lufkin, a physician and medical professor at UCLA and USC, in discussing the role of our metabolism and its connection to chronic diseases, the impact of nutrition on health, and the benefits of a low-carb diet. ...

After 20 months of working with Brent Mekosh as his podcast host, Aric Johnson is passing the torch as he starts the next phase of his life with a not-so-new career path. In this episode, Brent speaks with Aric as he prepares to embark on the next phase of life. Brent and Aric reflect on the joy and sadness of Aric’s departure while navigating the journey that led him to podcasting, including his involvement with Boys Town, an organization that helps at-risk youth and families. Aric and Brent di...

While many people are focused on the cost of homes and residential real estate, many others are focused on commercial properties and office spaces. In this episode, Brent Mekosh is joined by Andrew Cheney from The Coppola Cheney Group at Lee & Associates to explore the ins and outs of commercial properties and how they are driving the market in cities such as Phoenix, Arizona. Listen in and find out how location, construction costs, and vacancy rates play a crucial role in determining the pricin...

What do ancient Rome, the 2008 financial crisis, and geopolitics all have in common? Want to know? In this episode, Brent Mekosh sits down with Daniel Hood, a multifaceted thought leader on civilizational cycles and geopolitics, to explore the cyclic nature of societies and their implications on today’s global landscape. This riveting interview brings together elements of history, psychology, and real-world geopolitics to dissect the state of Western civilization and its far-reaching impact on f...

With immigration constantly being a major topic and new strategies being rolled out, it can be confusing to try and understand everything that is happening. What are the regulations surrounding immigration, and how are the new strategies impacting potential immigrants? In this episode, Brent Mekosh speaks with Todd Bensman, renowned author, investigative journalist, and Texas-based Senior National Security Fellow for the Center for Immigration Studies. Todd dives into the United States border si...

Transitioning from the Navy SEALs to a civilian can be physically and emotionally hard. For some, finding a passion can help bring them a sense of peace and create a path toward their next phase in life. In this episode, Brent Mekosh is joined by Mack Alexander, the founder and CEO of Macks Belts and a retired Navy SEAL. Mack reveals his journey from a Navy SEAL to a business owner while diving into the life lessons he learned as a Navy SEAL, how they translated into his daily life, and how he h...

Organizing large events is already a task, but what about outdoor events? Have you thought about what it looks like to plan them out? From public versus private properties as well as uncontrollable factors such as the weather. These are some of the items outdoor event planners need to be aware of when planning marathons. In this episode, Brent Mekosh is joined by Jamil Coury, the CEO and founder of Aravaipa Running. Jamil dives into the world of trail running and entrepreneurship while revealing...

Estate planning has changed over the years, from writing client information on paper and filing it to sending emails and having meetings online. Artificial intelligence (AI) is looking to take the next step in estate planning and change how the next generation will interact with their estate planners. In this episode, Brent Mekosh speaks with Rilus Dana, an estate planning attorney at Rilus Law, about how AI will be incorporated into digital asset planning and creating estate plans for the next ...

A few years ago, investors wanted to make sure their investments were in companies focused on positive environmental, social, and governmental (ESG) efforts. Today, that term has become politically charged, causing investors to shift their views. In this episode, Brent Mekosh speaks with Matt Cole, the CEO and CIO of Strive, about ESG investing and how it shifted from one of the most important factors to a hot-button issue for investors and individuals. Listen in as Matt explores the difference ...

Everyone has similar questions when it comes to the real estate market: “Should I buy?” “Should I sell?” In this episode, Brent Mekosh is joined by Andrew Beardsley from Silverleaf Realty. Andrew reveals how the real estate market has shifted over the past five years due to a change in homeowner needs. Andrew discusses: How environmental and political factors impact homeowner needs when looking at the housing market How retirement planning influences long-term real estate purchases Why business...

With tax season being over, you know how much your investments cost in terms of tax losses. Thankfully, there are ways to mitigate those losses next year. In this episode, Brent Mekosh speaks with Sirion Skulpone, the managing director at Goldman Sachs Asset Management. Sirion explains everything you need to know about direct indexing, tax management, investment planning, and capital gains. Listen in as Sirion shares the strategies you need to leverage acceptable losses and focus on future gains...

Changing careers after years of hard work can feel like walking away from what you have built. But those experiences can help build a foundation for the next phase of your career. In this episode, Brent Mekosh speaks with Ron Higgs, the founder and owner of Wolf Management Solutions, about his journey from being in the US Navy (as a naval flight officer, aerospace engineer, and technical program manager) to now being a business consultant. Listen in as Ron uncovers the experiences he gained alon...

You are only one part of your business and its growth. Growth starts from the talent you acquire and your employee’s contributions to building and moving your business forward. How to encourage growth within the workplace while balancing professional and personal lives inside and outside the office? Do you know? In this episode, Mark Herbert from New Paradigms, LLC joins Brent Mekosh to talk about tangible leadership skills business leaders can start applying to take their workforce to the next ...

Business owners, it’s no secret that you will exit your business eventually, whether you sell or pass it on. So, how to ensure your company is at peak performance when you plan your exit? In this episode, Brent Mekosh speaks with Jeffrey Feldberg, the co-founder of Deep Wealth. Jeffrey talks about optimizing your business value when building your exit plan and selling your business. Listen in as Jeffrey reveals how building a narrative outside of the standard evaluation can increase the value of...

Most electroencephalogram (EEG) machines require trained technicians and electrodes placed directly on the patients, usually with their heads shaved. The time it takes to prepare, do the test, and understand the results takes time away from the patient’s treatment. But it doesn’t have to be like that anymore. In this episode, Brent Mekosh speaks with Nate Hill, the territory manager at Ceribell, about the innovative EEG technology the firm focuses on and its future within the neurology industry....