Episodes

Company benefits come in many shapes and sizes. One major way some employees are being compensated today is through equity awards. This is a benefit that is bigger than it appears and is one business owners and employees should take note of. In this episode, Iván Watanabe welcomes Alejandro Azuaje, an investment specialist with OPUS Private Client. Alejandro dives into the world of equity awards, explaining what they are, how they work, and how you can make the most out of your equity awards. Al...

Moving for work or a new venture can be exciting. But new taxes you may be paying less so. In this episode, the chairman and partner of Hodgson Russ LLP, Mark Klein, joins Iván Watanabe and Russ Carpentieri to discuss the true cost of moving states. Mark explains taxes and auditors when moving, and answers frequently asked moving questions while dispelling myths on how to avoid taxation. Mark discusses: The 183 day rule How auditors determine your main residence How the pandemic will impact tho...

Over the past eighteen months, our understanding of work as employers and employees has changed dramatically. But that doesn’t mean you can’t build the career you’ve been looking for. In this episode, Julie Harnik, a leadership coach focused on helping individuals and teams maximize their potential, joins Iván Watanabe. Julie discusses how the pandemic has shifted our perspective of what the work environment should look like and reveals the career questions you should be asking yourself, no matt...

There’s nothing like the peace of mind that comes with having a strategic and comprehensive plan for your future. This is especially true when it comes to your estate plan. In this episode, Canarick & Canarick’s founder and estate planning attorney, Michael Canarick, sits down with Iván Watanabe to discuss the value of having an estate plan. He explains the current estate planning and tax environment and other considerations to help you plan your estate strategically and specifically. Michael di...

When Platinum Premier Global Equity looks to invest, it looks for ways it can help improve its local communities. In this episode, Platinum Premier’s Zameer Upadhya and Chris Chambers join Iván Watanabe to share how the company is working to help people across the United States (and the world) invest in commercial real estate. They highlight how the organization’s investments and high-quality real estate improvements can provide stable returns for investors and secure economic assets for communi...

New Jersey financial consulting firm Tomoro LLC possesses a distinct ability to manage business owners’ financial choices in a way that will help them reach their desired long-term wealth goals. How do they do it? Find out in this episode, as the firm’s managing partner and director of financial planning, Jeremy Suarez, introduces Tomoro’s role in helping small, privately-owned businesses successfully plan their business exit. Plus, he shares must-know considerations every business owner should ...

With summer just around the corner and vaccination rollouts ramping up, some countries are starting to lift their restrictions, and slowly but surely, the travel world is beginning to return. In this episode, MilesAhead’s CEO and founder, Rob Karp, sits down with Iván Watanabe to explain his travel agency’s approach to travel resumption and to highlight must-know considerations for when you book your next trip. You will learn: Rob’s thoughts on the current travel landscape Three best practices ...

Bajraktari Realty Management is a multifaceted company that owns and operates over 70 buildings throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Yonkers area. After spending over 25 years servicing the New York real estate market, they have learned a thing or two about residential and commercial real estate. Today, Bajraktari Realty’s Florim and Gani Bajraktari join Iván Watanabe and George Papanicolaou to discuss their roles at the firm. Plus, they offer their latest updates on New York’s residential and c...

Getting a mortgage for your new home shouldn’t drain the joy out of accomplishing a lifelong goal. That’s why Cardinal Financial Company works to create a better mortgage experience so that your home buying process is simple and easy to navigate. Today, Iván Watanabe sits down with the firm’s loan originator, Pat Tobin. Pat breaks down Cardinal Financial’s transparent and simple approach when providing clients with the home loans they need and provides tips for securing your next mortgage. In th...

It’s never too early to start planning for your Medicare coverage. If you’re ready to start thinking about your coverage, join Iván Watanabe in this informative episode as he sits down with Opus PC’s resident Medicare expert, Jim Ryan. They break down everything you need to know to understand the many parts of Medicare, including its different parts, its enrollment periods, and common Medicare mistakes. Plus, Jim reviews different considerations around Medicare that will help you achieve clarity...

Kaplan Mobray is not only a best-selling author, but is also one of the world’s most dynamic and inspirational business speakers. Now, you have the chance to learn some of Kaplan’s expert insight around designing your next phase of life! In this episode, join Kaplan and Iván Watanabe as they discuss how Kaplan transforms lives with innovative and insightful strategies for finding purpose in retirement so that you can maximize your next phase of life. In this episode, you will learn: How Kaplan ...

Are you someone who has applied, or is planning to apply, for a student loan? Then this is an episode you won’t want to miss! To bring you greater clarity around student loans, Iván Watanabe sits down with GradFin’s senior business development associate Joe McGrath for today’s episode. Joe explains GradFin’s role around applying, refinancing, and forgiving student loans and shares some must-know insight about this type of loan. In this episode, you will learn: How GradFin helps clients with the...

How can you plan for the retirement you desire when there are many uncertainties that could impact it, like new economic and legislative changes? Find out in this episode, as Iván Watanabe joins Rob Pruett to explore a fifth and final retirement threat, legislative and economic changes. Rob discusses how proactive planning can help address the risk economic and legislative changes can bring to your retirement so that you can enjoy this life phase regardless of where the market, taxes, interest r...

Our lifestyle plays a major role in defining our standard of living. It also impacts how we envision our retirements. That’s why, along with the financial, it’s important to consider lifestyle planning as part of your retirement planning process. In this episode, Iván Watanabe chats with Russell Carpentieri about the lifestyle component of retirement planning. Russell gives valuable advice around lifestyle planning for retirement and highlights the importance of advanced planning and having a di...

Technology is constantly evolving. While technological improvements enhance our lives in many ways, its progress could also present threats to your retirement. How? Discover the answer in this episode, as Iván Watanabe sits down with George Papanicolaou to explore technology as a retirement threat. George reveals must-know cybersecurity and technology tips and tricks for retirees and pre-retirees and shares ways you can protect your retirement from this type of risk. In this episode, you will le...

While most people know that the market can impact the value of their portfolio, not everybody realizes that other elements, like the sequence in which you withdraw from your investments, can also impact your portfolio’s value. In part 2 of our retirement threats mini-series, Iván Watanabe chats with Adam Rolewicz about the sequence of returns risk and how it can affect your retirement. Adam defines this type of risk and its effects and shares ways you can plan ahead for this type of risk. In thi...

What concerns you most when it comes to your retirement? Today, we launch a new five-part mini-series on retirement threats and how Opus Private Client helps clients avoid them through our WealthStyle planning process. In part one, join Iván Watanabe and Lou Mohn as they explore health, lifestyle, and financial planning as areas of concern for pre-retirees — and how forward-thinking planning can help you address these concerns. In this episode, you will learn: What retirement means to Lou Lou’s...

While we work hard to provide financial security for our children, it’s still important that we set them up for success by guiding them towards the right financial mindsets and behaviors. In this episode, Iván Watanabe and Lou Mohn explore ways we can teach our kids crucial financial lessons — even when they’re raised in a financially secure environment. Lou shares his personal insight and tips for parenting around finances and reveals the financial lessons he’s taught his sons along the way. In...

Are you ready to drive your golf game to the next level? If so, tee up this episode of the WealthStyle Podcast and get ready to learn from Tom Patri himself! As one of the top 100 golf teachers in America, Tom joins Russ Carpentieri to share actionable tips that amateur golfers can use to improve their game and reveals the ways golf has impacted our psychology and technology. In this episode, you will learn: Why you need quality golf equipment Tom’s virtual golf teaching approach The importance...

Are you a wine lover? Or, do you not know much about wine, but want to discover more about it? If so, then this episode is for you! Today, Iván Watanabe joins wine expert and certified sommelier, Sarah Tracey. To help you learn everything you need to know about wine, Sarah shares everything from her wine secrets to her tips and tricks for learning about your favourite type of wine. In this episode, you will learn: About the rise of virtual wine tastings The difference between old world wine and...

Over the past several months, COVID-19 has left more people than ever questioning how they can protect their income. To help you better understand your options, Iván Watanabe explores the value of disability insurance in today’s episode. In this information-packed episode, Iván dives into the value of this type of insurance and what you need to know about the ways it can protect you. In this episode, you will learn: Why you need to understand the definition of “disability” The different types o...

As a new physician, how can you ensure that you’re protected as an employee? This is something Stephanie Rodin and the Rodin Legal team help physicians with each and every day. In this episode, Stephanie joins Iván Watanabe to break down the special considerations healthcare practitioners should keep in mind with their contracts. Stephanie reveals essential things to look out for when it comes to key areas like compensation, benefits, and malpractice coverage. In this episode, you will learn: H...

As an Opus Private Client planner and partner, Lou Mohn provides clients with personalized comprehensive financial planning by drawing not only on his knowledge and expertise, but also on his first-hand experience in working with Opus PC as a client himself. Today, Lou joins Iván Watanabe to share his experience of working with Opus PC as a client, and why it inspired him to pursue a career as an advisor so he, too, could provide clients with the wealth, lifestyle, and purpose they seek. In this...

With the presidential election just around the corner and the COVID-19 crisis continuing on, 2020 has brought a time of uncertainty for many investors. To explore our current environment and the investment planning that should go along with it, Iván Watanabe joins Robert Pruett in today’s episode. Robert shares what has been happening as a result of the global pandemic, both in the market and for clients. He also reveals how some of OPUS’ planning ideals have helped clients weather the short-ter...