Episodes

What if one of the most powerful wealth-building tools in America is still being overlooked? In this episode, Ashley Tison, founder of OZPros, unpacks how Opportunity Zones are transforming the way investors, business owners, and families think about taxes, real estate, and long-term wealth creation. Listen in to learn how Opportunity Zones work, why they’ve gained bipartisan support, and how investors can use them to defer—and potentially eliminate—capital gains taxes while building generatio...

What happens when a traditional financial system collides with a new era of digital assets and investors are still trying to figure out where they fit? In this episode, we are joined by Jake Claver, Principal of Digital Ascension Group, to unpack how digital assets are reshaping investing, financial infrastructure, and long-term wealth strategy. Jake breaks down how crypto evolved from a speculative idea into an emerging institutional asset class, and why the real shift isn’t just about coins ...

Markets aren’t just about stocks and bonds anymore; they’re about access, structure, and who you’re investing alongside. In this episode, Michael Parise sits down with Jeff Coury II and Tom Deutsch of The Coury Firm to unpack how high-net-worth families are navigating public and private markets, and why traditional portfolio strategies may no longer be enough. They share how their multi-family office approach evolved from business advisory into full-scale asset management, as well as why alter...

Markets are moving on more than just fundamentals. Michael Parise sits down with Eric Fuhrman of City National Rochdale to talk about investing in a world driven by tariffs, tax law changes, and shifting Fed policy. Eric shares how CNR’s high-net-worth clients benefit from customized, multi-asset strategies that adjust for both long-term goals and short-term volatility. You’ll learn why they’re staying market-neutral for now, what sectors look resilient, and how demographic trends and global pol...

What if your portfolio could evolve with you, like a financial blueprint that updates in real time? Michael Parise sits down with Ben Ludwig of City National Rochdale to unpack what truly personalized investing means for high-net-worth families, and why it matters more than ever. From shifting risk tolerance to multi-generational planning, Ben breaks down how CNR collaborates with financial advisors to design tax-sensitive, goal-aligned portfolios that flex with each client’s life and legacy. Th...

What if launching your company at the brink of the 2008 financial crisis turned out to be the smartest move you ever made? That’s exactly what happened to Greg Friedman, CEO of Peachtree Group, who joins Michael Parise on The Truth About Wealth to share how timing, adaptability, and a deep understanding of risk helped shape his firm’s rise to a national powerhouse. Greg explains how Peachtree Group invests across private credit, commercial real estate, and even film financing—always with an eye ...

https://youtu.be/IFnSx8u2xVY Copper Beech has coined something they like to call a “family investment club”. It’s a new way to manage generational wealth. How can you implement it in your family? John and Michael Parise are exploring how these can be a unique way to unite family members across generations, enhancing financial education and responsibilities while managing family wealth creatively and inclusively. John and Michael discuss: The basics of a Family Investment Club [00:02:44] The im...

Vincent Tassone of Causeway Securities, one of the world’s largest independent structured note distributors, joins John and Michael Parise to demystify structured notes and their expanding role in today’s investment portfolios. Listen as he breaks down what structured notes are; hybrid financial instruments combining a bond with a derivatives package, and explains how they offer customizable risk-return profiles tailored to an investor’s specific goals. Often considered complex or “exotic,” stru...

What happens when a business suddenly loses a key player or faces a supply chain disruption? That’s where Madison Insurance Group’s unique strategies come into play, offering peace of mind and financial protection for unforeseen business challenges. Join John and Michael Parise as they chat with Mark Sims and Aaron Quinn from Madison Insurance Group to discuss how their partnership, spanning over 15 years, has provided invaluable enterprise risk coverage solutions. You’ll learn how Madison’s inn...

What does it mean to treat all family members fairly in terms of wealth distribution? John and Michael Parise dive into the complexities of estate equalization within family businesses. In this episode, they unravel a recent case study highlighting the challenges faced when generational wealth intersects with family dynamics. Listeners are in for a detailed exploration of best practices for ensuring fair treatment, asset protection strategies, and the nuances of managing family businesses across...

How can you create a legacy that spans generations? Join financial experts John and Michael Parise of Copper Beech Financial Group as they delve into the concept of leveraging assets to build and sustain generational wealth. This episode explores the strategic use of financial instruments like IRA accounts and life insurance to enhance family wealth and legacy planning. Discover how asset leverage can support tax-efficient growth and provide long-term benefits for your family’s financial future....

What’s the secret to leaving a lasting legacy through philanthropy? Join John and Michael Parise as they sit down with Marlene Olshan and Ann Figueredo from Momentem Consulting Group. Together, they explore how families can define and achieve meaningful philanthropic goals. Marlene and Ann share their journeys and discuss Momentem’s mission to help both non-profits and high-net-worth individuals make purposeful impacts. From establishing a ‘Purpose Framework’ to unifying family values through ph...

Are you aware of the tax savings opportunities you’re missing by not employing cost segregation in your real estate investments? Get ready to uncover the untapped potential of tax method changes that could revolutionize your approach to wealth management! This week, Michael Parise and guest Vanessa Wallace Clunies from Tax Method Experts guide you through the complexities of cost segregation and tangible property regulations. Tune in and discover how these can not only save you taxes but also en...

Are you ready for the next energy revolution? John and Michael Parise from Copper Beech Financial Group explore this critical topic with Mitch Kerr, Senior Portfolio Manager at Ategenos Capital. John, Michael, and Mitch examine the forces shaping global energy markets, from record-breaking oil production to the innovative potential of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). Mitch unpacks the complexities of LNG exports, the challenges renewables face in scaling, and how nuclear innovations are changing t...

What happens when gold outpaces all expectations in a world where currency devalues? In this episode, John and Michael Parise from Copper Beech Financial Group delve into this intriguing question with Andy Schectman from Miles Franklin. John and Michael take you on an exploration of gold and silver markets, challenging the notion of free markets as Andy unravels the complexities of managed markets and manipulated perceptions. So, tune in as they discuss the intriguing dynamics behind currency de...

Have you reviewed your beneficiary designations lately? The impact could be more significant than you think. Ensuring your assets are inherited as you intend starts with one critical step: understanding the importance of asset succession and beneficiary designations. Today on The Truth About Wealth, John and Michael Parise of Copper Beech Financial Group explore the complexities of asset succession in estate planning. From the nuances of beneficiary designations to the effects of the Secure Act,...

Take advantage of the full potential of your estate planning strategy by learning about purpose trusts. This episode, featuring David Warren from Bridgeford Trust, dives deep into innovative ways to protect your wealth for generations. John and Michael Parise bring back David, co-founder and chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company, to explore the innovative concept of a purpose trust – an underutilized yet powerful tool for estate planning that can provide asset protection, perpetuate family values...

Are you certain your family’s financial future is secure for generations to come? Understanding the true value of your wealth goes beyond numbers; it’s about creating a lasting legacy. Today on The Truth About Wealth, John and Michael Parise revisit the foundation of Copper Beech Financial Group, explore the unique concept of a family CFO, and discuss strategies to effectively preserve and transfer wealth from the first to the third generation for 100-year families. Tune in and gain insights int...

Do you need help to hire and retain top talent for your business? In this episode, John and Michael Parise are joined by Max Hansen, CEO and co-founder of Y Scouts, the first-ever purpose-based leadership search firm. Together, they dive into the importance of hiring with purpose and discuss strategies for recruiting and retaining top talent to accelerate business growth and success. From aligning values to developing key leaders, they also share valuable insights on how businesses can unlock th...

How do the changing tax provisions impact your financial planning? Today on The Truth About Wealth, John and Michael Parise discuss the implications of the expiring tax provisions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. They underscore the necessity of proactive tax planning and the importance of consulting with advisors to maximize benefits before these provisions lapse. Their conversation spans estate planning, business tax laws, individual tax brackets, and charitable planning, highlighting the urgen...

How can Management Services Organizations (MSOs) enhance tax efficiency and asset protection for businesses? Today on The Truth About Wealth, John and Michael Parise welcome back Doug Dickey, CPA, CEPA, Manager, and Shareholder at DRDA, PLLC, for a conversation about the intricacies of management services organizations (MSOs). Doug provides a comprehensive explanation of MSOs, detailing their origins in asset protection and their evolution to include tax efficiency and increased purchasing power...

Is becoming a C Corporation the best tax strategy for your business? Today on The Truth About Wealth, John and Michael Parise speak with Doug Dickey, CPA, CEPA, Manager, and Shareholder at DRDA, PLLC, about the benefits and tax implications of using C corporations for business structures post Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. They explore the flat 21% tax rate for C corporations, the potential tax savings compared to flow-through entities, and strategies for managing double taxation on dividends. So, tune ...

How can generational planning help secure your family’s wealth for the future? Today on The Truth About Wealth, John and Michael Parise get together for a follow-up from the previous episode about upline generational planning. This week, they explore two case studies: the first concerning a family business owner with asset protection needs due to the father’s illness and estate tax exposure, and the second involving a family’s desire to establish a philanthropic foundation. The discussion covers...

Why is generational planning crucial for protecting your family’s wealth? Today, John and Michael Parise discuss upline planning with a focus on the importance of generational planning and asset protection. They highlight the potential conflicts within families during asset distribution and the value of trusts. John and Michael also explore a strategy to maximize income tax basis and estate planning objectives for families. They emphasize the need for open conversations between generations and t...