Mat Sorensen sits down with Troy Eckard, founder and chairman of the board at Eckard Enterprises, for a clear look at how investors use self directed IRAs to buy mineral rights and participate in oil and gas cash flow. They break down the three lanes in this asset class, minerals, drilling, and midstream, and explain where each fits in a smart portfolio. You will hear why many IRA owners favor minerals for steady income and lower risk, when drilling can make sense with taxable dollars, and how to evaluate operators with real world due diligence that protects you from bad deals.

Troy shares how technology and data have changed the game, what realistic returns look like, how depletion and cash flow work over time, and the red flags that signal inflated pricing or weak sponsors. The conversation also hits current market forces, service costs, and why discipline matters more than shiny tax write offs. 

This episode is perfect for IRA owners, high income professionals, and anyone exploring real assets beyond public energy stocks who want income, control, and clear rules of the road.

Chapters: 
0:06 - Meet Troy Eckert And The Goal
0:34 - What Mineral Rights Actually Are
2:14 - Three Ways To Invest In Oil And Gas
4:18 - Risk Then And Now In Drilling
5:25 - Taxes, Depletion, And IDC Basics
7:41 - Why IRAs Fit Mineral Rights Best
10:25 - How Eckerd Structures Direct Ownership
12:06 - Diversification Across Operators And Units
13:53 - Spotting Fraud And Overpricing
16:08 - Don’t Chase Deductions Over Deals
18:03 - Market Reality: Drill Baby Drill
20:45 - DUCs, Service Costs, And Timing
23:00 - Who Should Invest Directly And When
25:01 - Dollar Dynamics, Rates, And Liquidity
27:20 - Due Diligence, Education, And Next Steps
41:56 - Closing Notes And Disclaimers

Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/

Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA

Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/

Other:
Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen
KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.com
Main Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

In this episode, Mat Sorensen and Mark J. Kohler dive into one of the most underrated wealth-building tools out there: the Health Savings Account (HSA). With open enrollment around the corner, it’s the perfect time to rethink your healthcare strategy and unlock the triple-tax advantages of this incredible account.

Mat and Mark break down how an HSA can save you thousands in taxes, how to qualify for one, and how to self-direct your HSA into assets you actually believe in. From real estate and crypto to precious metals and private businesses, they share real examples, walk through contribution rules, and reveal how to make your HSA a long term investment vehicle that can cover everything from braces to retirement healthcare costs, completely tax free.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or just someone tired of overpaying for insurance, this episode will open your eyes to the power of the HSA and why it should be part of your wealth strategy today.

Chapters: 
0:06 - Why HSAs Matter Now
0:25 - High Deductibles And Real Costs
0:55 - Self-Directing Your HSA
1:17 - The Triple Tax Advantage Explained
2:46 - Real-World Growth Examples
4:06 - Level One Vs Level Two HSA
6:10 - Contribution Limits And Deadlines
8:16 - Contribute Early For More Growth 
9:12 - Getting HSA-Eligible Insurance
11:14 - Last Month Rule And Plan Changes
12:17 - Catch-Up Contributions After 55
13:22 - Choosing The Right HSA Provider
14:47 - Steps To Set Up And Fund
16:33 - What You Can Invest In
18:21 - Reimbursements And Qualified Expenses
20:11 - Wrap-Up, Resources, And Disclaimers

Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/

Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA

Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/

Other:
Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen
KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.com
Main Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

Gold is breaking records again—and smart investors are taking notice. In this episode of the Directed IRA Podcast, Mat Sorensen and Mark Kohler explain how to buy physical gold, silver, and other precious metals inside your IRA, the right way.

They walk through which metals qualify, how purity standards and approved coins work, and what IRS rules you need to follow for storage and compliance. You’ll also learn how a self-directed IRA opens the door to these alternative investments, so you can diversify your retirement beyond stocks and mutual funds.

If you’ve ever thought about owning real gold bars (not just ETFs or paper gold) inside your IRA, this episode breaks it all down step by step—no myths, no confusion, just clear guidance from the experts at Directed IRA.

Chapters: 

00:00:06 - Why Precious Metals In IRAs

00:24 - What You Can And Cannot Buy

02:52 - Purity Standards And Qualifying Coins

05:47 - Self-Directed IRA Setup And Funding

08:42 - Storage Rules And IRS Compliance

11:24 - Costs, Dealers, And Next Steps

13:18 - Education, Disclaimers, And Wrap-Up

Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/

Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA

Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/

Other:
Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen
KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.com
Main Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

In this episode of The Directed IRA Podcast, tax attorneys Matt Sorensen and Mark J. Kohler reveal one of the most powerful strategies for crypto investors, how to grow and withdraw your crypto profits completely tax free using a Crypto Roth IRA.

They break down three key scenarios every crypto holder needs to understand:

Getting started, how to buy crypto in a Roth IRA even if you are new to retirement accounts.

Converting existing IRAs or 401(k)s, how to roll over or convert funds into Roth dollars to start investing in crypto.

High net worth or business owners, how to use Roth Solo 401(k)s, HSAs, and Coverdells to expand your tax free crypto empire.

You will also learn the “No More Taxes on My Crypto Pledge,” why it is never too late to start, and how strategic planning can protect your wealth while maximizing long term gains.

Matt and Mark share real examples from clients, explain the difference between traditional and Roth accounts, and highlight the unique advantages Directed IRA offers for crypto investors, including low fees, easy app based trading, and full IRS compliance.

If you believe in the future of crypto and want to keep every penny of your gains, this episode is your roadmap to doing it the smart, legal, and tax free way.

Chapters: 

00:06 - Why a Crypto Roth Exists

02:50 - Three Paths to a Crypto Roth

05:00 - Rolling Over Old IRAs and 401(k)s

07:20 - Converting Traditional to Roth Strategically

08:56 - Solo 401k Power for Business Owners

10:53 - The “No More Taxes” Pledge for New Buys

13:13 - Using Family, HSA, and Coverdell Buckets

16:01 - Costs, Providers, and Getting Help

19:35 - Disclaimers and Final Takeaways

Take the pledge. Stop paying taxes on your crypto. Start building your future tax free with Directed IRA.

Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/

Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA

Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/

Other:
Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen
KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.com
Main Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

Unlock one of the most powerful tax and wealth-building strategies available today: the Mega Backdoor Roth. In this episode, Mat Sorensen breaks down how you can contribute up to $70,000 each year into Roth accounts, creating massive tax-free growth for retirement. Originally filmed for the Mat Sorensen YouTube channel, this special episode is now available on the Directed IRA Podcast.

Mat explains step by step:

• Why the Mega Backdoor Roth is so effective for high-income earners
• How to use a 401(k) or Solo 401(k) to maximize Roth contributions
• The role of after-tax contributions and how to convert them
• Key rules, qualifications, and pitfalls to avoid
• Why rolling funds to a Roth IRA can provide greater investment flexibility and lower fees

Whether you’re a high earner with a workplace 401(k) or a self-employed professional with a Solo 401(k), this strategy can help you supercharge your retirement savings and build wealth tax free.

Chapters: 

00:00 - Introduction to Mega Backdoor Roth

01:15 - Breaking Down the $70K Strategy

02:12 - After-Tax Contributions Explained

05:17 - Converting to Roth: Two Options

08:19 - Potential Snags and Limitations

10:17 - Disclaimer and Closing

Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/

Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA

Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/

Other:
Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen
KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.com
Main Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

Visit altassetsummit.com to learn how to invest in Alternative Assets.

(More links down below.) 

In this episode of the Directed IRA Podcast, attorneys Mat Sorensen and Mark J. Kohler dive into five creative ways to buy real estate with your self-directed IRA. Beyond the traditional “pay cash” approach, they explore strategies like seller financing, non-recourse bank loans, subject-to deals, wholesaling, private lending, and even the Roth Dream Home Takeover (a little-known method to lock down your future retirement home tax-free).

They share real client examples, key compliance rules (like avoiding personal guarantees), and why pairing these strategies with a Roth IRA can supercharge compounding and keep more returns in your pocket. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just discovering the power of self-directing, this episode will open your eyes to opportunities you may not have known existed.

Chapters: 

00:00 - Introduction to IRA Real Estate Strategies

03:16 - Creative Financing Through Self-Directed IRAs

06:53 - Wholesaling Properties With Your IRA

09:25 - Becoming the Lender With Your IRA

13:00 - The Roth Dream Home Takeover

18:54 - Partnering Strategies and Tax Liens

23:48 - Alt Asset Summit Invitation

Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/

Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA

Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/

Other:
Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen
KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.com
Main Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

In this episode of the Directed IRA Podcast, attorney and CEO Mat Sorensen sits down with Ahmed Ahmed, Head of Funds at WeFunder, to discuss how investors can use a self-directed IRA to invest in startups and venture capital—an asset class once limited to Silicon Valley insiders and institutional funds.

The conversation explores how WeFunder democratizes early-stage investing through Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) and Regulation D (Reg D) offerings, giving both accredited and non-accredited investors access to vetted startup deals, diversified venture funds, and even pre-IPO companies.

Mat and Ahmed explain:

• How to invest in startups using your self-directed IRA or solo 401(k)
• The difference between Reg CF and Reg D offerings on WeFunder
• What the Orange Funds are and how they track Y Combinator companies
• Real examples of early-stage companies that scaled (e.g. Eight Sleep, Replit)
• Why diversification is critical in venture investing
• How to evaluate startup founders and what signals matter most
• What to expect in terms of risk, timelines, and exit strategies

This episode is essential listening for self-directed investors interested in private markets and early-stage innovation—and how to access it within a tax-advantaged retirement account structure.

Chapters: 

00:00 – Introduction to WeFunder and Startup Investing
 01:30 – What Is Reg CF and Who Can Invest
 03:16 – Inside the Orange Funds and Y Combinator Strategy
 07:40 – Risk, Return, and Realities of Startup Investing
 11:50 – Using a Fund Model to Diversify Your Startup Portfolio
 19:22 – How to Evaluate Founders, Traction, and Deal Flow
 24:27 – Getting Started with Startup Investing Through Your IRA

WeFunder Homepage: https://wefunder.com/

Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/

Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA

Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/

Other:
Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen
KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.com
Main Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

Visit altassetsummit.com to learn how to invest in Alternative Assets.

(More links down below.) 

You don’t need $100K to self-direct your retirement. In this episode, Mat Sorensen and Mark Kohler outline 15+ real-world strategies for investing $25,000 or less using your Roth IRA, Traditional IRA, Solo 401(k), or HSA. From real estate deals and startup investments to crypto mining, mobile homes, equipment leasing, and even cattle, Mat and Mark break down the opportunities that everyday investors are already using to grow their retirement accounts.

Whether you're just starting with $5,000 in a Roth IRA or rolling over an old 401(k), this episode reveals how to make smart, creative investments in alternative assets—without needing a six-figure balance. You’ll also learn how to structure these deals legally with IRA/LLCs, avoid prohibited transactions, and understand the compliance rules that protect your tax-advantaged account.

Chapters: 

00:00 - Introduction to Small-Budget Self-Directing

02:10 - Cryptocurrency and Crypto Mining Options

06:20 - Creative Real Estate and Partnerships

10:00 - Mobile Homes and Startup Investments

13:45 - Turo, Oil & Gas, and Livestock

22:45 - Equipment Leasing and Final Opportunities

32:16 - The Power of Roth IRAs

Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/

Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA

Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/

Other:
Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen
KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.com
Main Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

Visit altassetsummit.com to learn how to invest in Alternative Assets.

(More links down below.) 

In this episode of the Directed IRA Podcast, Mark Kohler and Mat Sorensen break down a groundbreaking new executive order from President Donald Trump that could reshape the future of 401(k) investing—by opening the door to alternative assets.

For decades, Wall Street and Washington have kept most retirement savers locked into a narrow menu of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs. This executive order flips the script, setting a national policy that every American preparing for retirement should have the option to invest in alternatives—just like the wealthiest institutions do.

Mat and Mark explain what “alternative assets” really mean in this context, from real estate and crypto to private equity, commodities, and infrastructure investments. They walk through the specific investments cited in the order, why these options have been off-limits for most 401(k) participants, and how this policy could shift the $8 trillion 401(k) industry toward more choice and freedom for everyday investors.

They also unpack the political dynamics, regulatory hurdles, and 180-day timeline for the Department of Labor and SEC to develop new guidance—while emphasizing what you can do right now. If you have an IRA or old 401(k), you can already invest in alternatives today using a self-directed account, bypassing the “check-the-box” limitations of traditional plans.

Whether you’re a corporate employee stuck with cookie-cutter 401(k) options or a self-directed investor ready to take the reins, this episode will help you understand the stakes, the timeline, and the opportunities in this unprecedented policy shift.

Chapters:

00:08 - Trump's Executive Order on Alternative Assets

02:19 - Defining Alternative Assets

02:30 - Learn How to Invest in Alternative Assets

(https://altassetsummit.com/)

02:48 - List of Alternative Assets - From Trump

04:19 - How the Executive Order Could Impact You

05:20 - Timeline and Political Landscape

09:07 - The Power of Self-Directed Investing

12:02 - IRAs: Invest in Alternatives Today

Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/

Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA

Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/

Other:
Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen
KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.com
Main Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/

Alternative Asset Summit Tickets: https://altassetsummit.com/#ticket

In this episode of the Directed IRA Podcast, Mat Sorensen and Mark Kohler unpack one of the most overlooked yet powerful tax-advantaged accounts available—the Health Savings Account (HSA). Often dismissed as a simple medical savings tool, the HSA actually offers a triple tax benefit: tax deductions for contributions, tax-free growth, and tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses—at any age.

Mat and Mark explain how to qualify for and fund an HSA, the contribution limits for 2025 (including catch-up contributions), and why they rank the HSA alongside the Roth IRA as a top wealth-building priority. They also reveal how you can invest your HSA beyond savings accounts and mutual funds, using a self-directed HSA to buy assets like real estate, crypto, livestock, and private investments—keeping all gains in the account tax-free.

Through real-life examples, including ranch cattle investments and rental properties, they illustrate how creative investors are compounding returns inside their HSAs for future medical costs. They also discuss strategic withdrawal planning—why delaying reimbursements can supercharge your tax-free compounding—and review what qualifies as a medical expense under IRS rules, from dental work and prescription drugs to service animals and long-term care premiums.

If you’ve ever thought an HSA was just for paying your doctor bills, this episode will change your perspective and show you how to turn it into a dynamic, tax-free wealth-building vehicle.

Chapters

• 00:00 - Introduction to HSA Triple Tax Benefit
• 02:09 - HSA Eligibility and Contribution Limits
• 10:30 - Self-Directing Your HSA Investments
• 16:14 - Livestock and Creative HSA Investments
• 20:56 - Reimbursing Medical Expenses Strategically
• 25:30 - Qualifying Medical Expenses and Planning
• 30:15 - Final Tips and AltAsset Summit

Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/

Directed IRA Explore (Linktree):

Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/

Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA

Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/

Other:
Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen
KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.com
Main Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com