Episodes

Retirement income can become harder to manage when inflation, longer lifespans, taxes, and market swings all compete for the same dollars. How can investors think carefully about income without losing sight of risk? In this episode, Robert Curtiss welcomes back Matt Kaufman, Head of ETFs at Calamos Investments, to explore what investors should understand about using auto-callable ETFs and options-based strategies for retirement income, including the potential income, trade-offs, and risks. Matt ...

If you’re sitting on a large capital gain from appreciated stock, real estate, or the sale of a business, deciding what to do next can have tax and investment implications that extend well beyond the year of the sale. Timing, liquidity, investment structure, and your long-term plan all matter. In this episode, Robert Curtiss talks with Nick Rosenthal, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Griffin Capital Company, LLC, about Qualified Opportunity Zones and the 2.0 rules beginning in 2027. They explain th...

Commercial real estate has repriced, but the opportunity isn’t the same across every property type or market. What should investors weigh before adding it to a long-term portfolio? In this episode, Robert Curtiss speaks with Andrew Garten, Alternative Investment Specialist at PGIM, about the case for private commercial real estate after the 2022 to 2024 market reset. They cover where PGIM sees demand across housing, senior living, medical offices, logistics, and necessity-based retail. Andrew ex...

Have you ever wondered why making good financial decisions can feel so difficult, especially when markets become uncertain? Even experienced investors can find emotions influencing their decisions during uncertain markets. In this episode, Robert Curtiss welcomes Devin Ekberg, Senior Vice President and Senior Consultant in Advisor Education at PIMCO, for a thoughtful discussion about behavioral finance and the psychology behind investing. Together, they explain how fear, excitement, cognitive bi...

What happens to your retirement portfolio when the next major market downturn arrives? Markets can spend years moving higher, making it easy to forget how quickly conditions can change. Preparing for uncertainty often starts long before volatility returns. In this episode, Robert Curtiss speaks with James St. Aubin, CFA®, CAIA®, Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager at Ocean Park Asset Management, about protecting portfolios during market declines without relying solely on traditional d...

Private credit has become one of the fastest-growing areas of investing, yet it’s also surrounded by headlines that often create uncertainty. How should long-term investors evaluate the opportunity? When does media attention reflect genuine risks, and when does it distract from the bigger picture? In this episode, Robert Curtiss welcomes back Phil Huber, CFA, CFP®, Managing Director and Head of Portfolio Solutions at Cliffwater, to discuss private credit and its growing role in diversified portf...

What happens when artificial intelligence moves beyond software and into the physical world? As technology continues to evolve, many investors are asking how artificial intelligence could influence businesses, markets, and everyday life in the years ahead. In this special 100th episode of The Millionaire Next Door Podcast, Robert Curtiss welcomes Brendan Ahern, Chief Investment Officer at KraneShares, to explore how AI-powered robotics are already being adopted across Asia and what those develop...

Tax laws change often, but knowing which updates actually affect your finances can be difficult. How do you know which deductions still apply, which strategies are worth considering, and when it’s time to have a planning conversation instead of simply filing a return? In this episode, Robert Curtiss welcomes Nicole Green, Tax Advisor at Robert Hall, to discuss several tax law changes that could affect individuals, retirees, and business owners. They explain how recent updates may influence deduc...

Markets continue reaching new highs, yet many investors remain hesitant to put money to work. With headlines dominated by geopolitical conflict, rising oil prices, and rapid technological change, how do you separate emotion from opportunity? In this episode, Robert Curtiss welcomes back Miles Clark, Senior Analyst at Nasdaq Dorsey Wright, to discuss the forces shaping today’s market environment. They explore momentum investing, relative strength, semiconductor leadership, AI-driven growth, energ...

Many people assume their estate planning is “done” once the documents are signed, but that’s actually only the beginning. This conversation explores what actually happens when financial, tax, and estate planning are all aligned. In this episode, Robert Curtiss sits down with Brad Repinsky to break down how integrating financial planning, estate planning, and tax strategy can help create a more coordinated decision making for families over time. Key takeaways: Why a clear net worth snapshot can ...

Markets shift, headlines create noise, and uncertainty rises, but what actually matters when building a resilient portfolio? How do you separate real risks from exaggerated fears and position yourself for long-term growth? In this episode, Robert Curtiss welcomes back Mark Gatto, Chief Executive Officer at CION Investments, to discuss the growing attention to private credit and the role of diversification in uncertain markets. They explore how AI concerns are shaping investor sentiment, why fund...

You can have the career, the income, and the life that looks perfect on paper, yet still feel something is missing. Why do high achievers feel stuck, overwhelmed, or quietly unhappy despite their accomplishments? In this episode, Robert Curtiss speaks with Stacey Inal, MA, MBA, LMFT, Licensed Psychotherapist and Women’s Career Coach, about the intersection of financial decisions and emotional health. They explore how burnout shows up in high performers, why social media fuels anxiety, and how “g...

Technology is moving fast, and it’s raising big questions about how decisions get made. Can tools replace human judgment, or do they simply change how we think, plan, and act? In this episode, Robert Curtiss welcomes back Michael Cy, advisor consultant, about how artificial intelligence is shaping financial services and what it means for clients. They explore how AI improves efficiency, speeds up research, and enhances communication, while emphasizing the lasting importance of personal advice. T...

Markets can feel calm on the surface while powerful shifts happen underneath. Are recent pullbacks a warning sign, or simply part of a broader rotation? In this episode, Robert Curtiss welcomes back Miles Clark of Nasdaq Dorsey Wright to break down sector rotation, weakening tech leadership, and renewed strength in international equities. They explore how momentum strategies respond to shifting trends, why AI spending faces rising scrutiny, and what participation indicators reveal beneath flat i...

Long-term investing can feel more difficult when headlines are loud and markets seem unpredictable. What happens when investors stop reacting to daily noise and start thinking like institutions that plan decades ahead? In this episode, Robert Curtiss welcomes Chris Schelling, CAIA, Managing Director at Aksia, to explore how private markets have shaped institutional portfolios and why some individual investors may now gain access to approaches like those used by institutions, depending on account...

For investors facing concentrated wealth or future liquidity events, understanding tax-aware planning options matters long before decisions are required. Opportunity Zones are one of the most talked-about and least understood tools in that conversation. In this episode of The Millionaire Next Door Podcast, Robert Curtiss sits down with Michael O’Shea, CFA, Head of Private Wealth at Origin Investments, to unpack one of the most misunderstood and potentially powerful tax planning tools available t...

Markets are entering a year shaped by crosscurrents, shifting signals, and unresolved questions. Economic strength, policy decisions, and investment concentration all point to a period that demands close attention and thoughtful positioning. In this episode, Robert Curtiss speaks with Peter Repetto, Vice President and Investment Strategist at iCapital, about their 2026 economic and market outlook. They explore slowing labor trends alongside strong GDP growth, the role of AI investment, and how f...

Reliable income is harder to find when markets shift, and traditional tools feel less predictable. Many investors are looking for new ways to generate cash flow without stepping away from equity exposure altogether. This week, Robert Curtiss welcomes Matt Kaufman, Head of ETFs at Calamos Investments, to explain how auto-callable strategies work and why they are gaining attention. They break down how equity-linked income differs from bonds, how coupons are generated, and where these tools may fit...

If you own investment property in California, you may have wondered how to handle the built-up gain without losing a significant portion to taxes. Robert sits down with Damian Gallagher, Senior Vice President at Blue Rock, for a grounded, practical walkthrough of 1031 exchanges and DSTs. The conversation opens with the history of 1031 rules, then moves into what actually happens when you sell, how timelines work, and why so many investors struggle with the 45-day identification window. Damian al...

It is not often that an economic moment feels this confusing for everyday people, and Robert Curtiss knows it. That is why he brings economist Bryce Gill, economist and national speaker with First Trust Advisors, into a conversation that puts words to the shifts everyone is sensing but few can explain clearly. Robert approaches the discussion the same way he approaches client conversations. He slows things down, asks the questions people are wrestling with, and pulls out insights that make a com...

When most investors think about private credit, they picture direct lending. But as Tod Trabocco, Head of Private Debt Advisory at StepStone Group, makes clear, it’s much more nuanced than that. With over two decades in the space, Tod walks us through the four silos of private credit, including corporate, asset-based, asset-backed, and risk-sharing strategies, using unforgettable examples like leasing aircraft and monetizing Van Halen’s music catalog. Listeners will learn: Why private credit of...

Why do 90% of heirs walk away from their parents’ advisor? Robert Curtiss welcomes Natasha Kennedy, a former Wall Street professional turned mental health therapist, to explore why the Great Wealth Transfer is at risk of becoming the Great Disconnect. With $124 trillion poised to change hands in the next two decades, this episode tackles the emotional, behavioral, and generational blind spots advisors must navigate to retain relationships across family lines. Expect insights on: Why wealth tran...

Is private equity still worth it, and can everyday investors finally get access without the complexity? Robert Curtiss, CFP,® welcomes back Phil Huber, Managing Director and Head of Portfolio Solutions at Cliffwater, to unpack the rise of evergreen private equity funds, an innovation reshaping the private investing landscape. Phil explains how Cliffwater’s newly launched Evergreen Private Equity Index is giving advisors better visibility into performance, while opening doors for accredited and e...

As markets surge on the backs of the Magnificent Seven, are investors missing what’s happening off the radar? Robert Curtiss, CFP®, is joined by Andrew Hull, CFA, Vice President and ETF Strategist at First Trust, to unpack overlooked investment opportunities that may hold stronger long-term value than today’s most-hyped tech names. Andrew explains how today’s market is historically concentrated and why that creates risk and opportunity. From the reshoring of American industry to massive grid upg...