iWealth Podcast

In this episode of the iWealth Podcast, Brad Connors and "Mega" Matt flip the script by diving into a real-world question posed by a newlywed couple: Should we travel now or wait until we’re closer to retirement? It’s a classic debate—do you hustle and grind while you're young, saving every penny for the future? Or should you take time now to create experiences and make memories, even if it means pulling back slightly on your financial ambitions?

Brad shares the original question he received from a young husband who wanted to focus on working hard, saving, and delaying gratification. Meanwhile, his new wife believed in traveling and creating shared experiences early on in their marriage. Brad’s advice? You’re both right. There’s value in hard work and building a strong financial foundation—but also in taking the time to live your life and create meaningful memories while you're young and healthy.

Matt shares a personal look into how he approached this very challenge. Before having children, he went full-throttle into his career—grinding, saving, and building. Once his daughter Grace was born and began forming lasting memories, his approach shifted. Now, he’s intentional about taking time away from work to be present with his family. Whether it's road-tripping in a camper van or relaxing by a river, those memory-making experiences have become a vital part of his life rhythm.

Together, Brad and Matt explore the idea of balance—not necessarily in the day-to-day sense, but over a lifetime. Brad offers a helpful visual: three types of people. First, there’s the saver who works their whole life, only to pass away before retirement. Then there’s the spender who lives only for today and has nothing saved when it counts. But in the middle is the person who does both: saves consistently and still takes time to live.

They encourage young couples to start with goals like saving 10% of their income, building their emergency fund, and budgeting with purpose. But they also remind us that travel and time off aren’t just luxuries—they’re investments in joy, connection, and long-term well-being.

Matt even introduces the concept of living and working in sprints. Work hard for a set period, then unplug and recharge. It’s a mindset that allows for progress without burnout—and creates space for relationships to thrive alongside your finances.

Brad closes with a powerful reminder: no one remembers how nice your kitchen backsplash was, but they do remember the road trips, the laughter, and the time spent together. Whether you’re newly married or well into your career, the takeaway is simple—don’t delay life until retirement. Live intentionally now, plan smartly for the future, and make memories along the way.

#iWealthPodcast #BradConnors #MoneyAndMarriage #Newlyweds #FinancialPlanning #LiveNowSaveLater #Balance #IntentionalLiving #MakeMemories #WealthMindset

In this episode of the iWealth Podcast, Brad Connors and Matt dive into an engaging conversation about one of Brad’s favorite financial tools: the speedometer. But we're not talking about your car—we're talking about a powerful visual tool that simplifies complex economic and market indicators into something anyone can understand.

Brad explains how he uses these investment “speedometers,” provided by City National Rochdale, to guide both clients and advisors through ever-changing market conditions. These visuals use a color-coded system—red, yellow, and green—to indicate risk levels and economic trends in areas like consumer confidence, inflation, housing starts, unemployment, and even global geopolitical tensions. Red means caution, yellow is neutral, and green indicates favorable conditions.

Why does this matter? Because investing and financial decision-making can feel overwhelming, especially when you're bombarded with conflicting headlines and market noise. These speedometers help cut through the chaos. In one simple screen, investors can view 20 or more key indicators and get a quick but meaningful understanding of where we are and where things might be headed.

Matt shares his own takeaways from a recent meeting where Brad presented these visuals to a group of advisors. What stood out? Context. When you compare speedometer data across three years—seeing the shift from red to yellow to green—it creates a story. That story brings clarity. You’re no longer reacting to isolated data points. Instead, you're seeing how the full picture fits together.

Brad emphasizes that while not all speedometers carry equal weight (for example, geopolitical risk might always show red but doesn’t necessarily derail a portfolio), the trend lines matter. Seeing improvement or decline in several areas over time can help guide financial decisions—especially when it comes to questions like, “Is now the right time to invest?”

This is particularly helpful for clients who may inherit a large sum, experience a business windfall, or are simply wondering if they should stay the course or pivot. Brad reminds listeners that while the speedometers offer a valuable overview, the real strategy comes from working with an expert to turn that information into a smart, risk-managed investment portfolio tailored to your goals.

Whether you're a financial pro or just trying to understand today’s economy in a way that actually makes sense, this episode is a masterclass in making the complex simple. Brad's system doesn’t just track what’s happening—it brings your entire financial picture into focus, allowing you to make more confident decisions with the help of your advisor.

Hashtags: #iWealthPodcast #BradConnors #FinancialPlanning #InvestingMadeSimple #MarketIndicators #EconomicOutlook #Speedometers #SmartInvesting #FinancialTools #VisualFinance

In this episode of the iWealth Podcast, Brad Connors introduces an innovative and highly personalized offering called the Family Guided Office—a concierge-style network of trusted professionals curated over the past 15 years to help entrepreneurial families and high-capacity individuals navigate life's unique challenges.

It all started when Matt got a call from a friend looking to bring on a C-level team member. Not knowing where to turn, Matt immediately thought of Brad—because iWealth isn’t just about traditional financial advising. Brad shares how he and his team have built a Rolodex-style network that extends far beyond investments and retirement planning.

This Family Guided Office isn’t a formalized, high-overhead family office model reserved for ultra-high-net-worth families with $150 million+ in assets. Instead, it serves as a flexible, guided advisory framework for people who need more than financial advice—they need trusted "whos."

So, what does that look like? Brad explains how iWealth sits at the center of the wheel, and each spoke represents a vetted professional resource—handpicked for their excellence in their field and their ability to serve iWealth clients with integrity. From legal experts and tax consultants to business hiring firms, executive coaches, travel agents, cybersecurity specialists, and even private aviation companies—this curated team provides value at every stage of life and business.

The goal? Simplify decision-making and solve complex problems faster.

Brad shares specific examples, like the business owner who didn’t know how to offer phantom equity to his leadership team, or the client stranded in California during COVID who needed a private jet arranged in 24 hours. In each case, iWealth was able to quickly connect them with a trusted resource, saving time, money, and stress.

What makes this model so powerful is freedom of choice. iWealth never takes a revenue share or commission from these referrals—it’s not a sales tactic, it’s a service enhancement. Clients get access to three curated options for any given need, allowing them to interview and choose who’s the best fit for their situation. Or, they can go another route. Either way, they’re not left Googling in the dark or navigating unfamiliar industries on their own.

Matt points out how powerful it is to have someone in your corner who’s been there, done that, and knows the best people in the room. Brad agrees: whether it’s private travel, leadership hiring, estate law, or just someone to handle a tricky tax issue, the right connection can change everything.

This episode is a reminder that financial advising isn’t just about dollars and cents—it’s about orchestrating the right team around your life. And for Brad and the iWealth team, success means giving clients a shortcut to confidence, clarity, and action.

#iWealthPodcast #FamilyGuidedOffice #BradConnors #EntrepreneurSupport #WealthPlanning #FiduciaryAdvisor #FinancialLeadership #BusinessResources #TrustedNetwork #TheRightWho

In this episode of the iWealth Podcast, Brad Connors and Matt dive into the story behind Brad’s book, Fish Don’t Clap, and explore what makes it such a powerful tool—not just for clients, but for financial advisors, too.

Brad opens up about his inspiration for writing the book, emphasizing that it’s not a self-congratulatory memoir or an ego-driven project. In fact, Fish Don’t Clap is all about helping people live with intention and purpose, especially in retirement. After decades of walking alongside clients as they approach and enter retirement, Brad noticed a troubling pattern: many people had enough financial resources, but lacked direction and meaning in their post-career life.

The book tackles that issue head-on, using the fictional character “Hal” to guide readers through a practical, step-by-step journey of finding clarity, setting priorities, and aligning money decisions with personal purpose. It also includes worksheets, exercises, and a workbook to help readers actively engage in their own planning process.

What’s especially unique is Brad’s willingness to give it all away—literally. He shares that the entire process used at iWealth is laid out in the book. A financial advisor could pick it up, study the methodology, and begin applying it in their own practice. But as Brad explains, he’s not concerned about competition or being “copied.” He operates with an abundance mindset and believes that there’s more than enough opportunity to go around.

From the client's perspective, Brad emphasizes the importance of an accountability partner—someone who helps you take your great intentions and turn them into long-term results. He compares it to professional athletes having coaches. Even Tiger Woods had someone watching his swing. In that same spirit, Brad and his team act as financial coaches who help people stay on track year after year.

Matt adds his own perspective, comparing the book to a car getting into first gear. Reading Fish Don’t Clap can help someone get moving in the right direction—but shifting into second, third, and fourth gear takes something more: consistent guidance, real implementation, and help navigating life’s unexpected turns. The analogy perfectly captures the difference between knowing what to do and actually doing it well over time.

This episode is a compelling invitation to readers, listeners, and aspiring financial professionals alike. It’s a reminder that great ideas are meant to be shared—and that the real power of a plan lies in what you do with it after page one.

Hashtags: #iWealthPodcast #FishDontClap #FinancialPurpose #BradConnors #RetirementPlanning #LifeWithPurpose #MoneyAndMeaning #FinancialCoach #AbundanceMindset

In this episode of the iWealth Podcast, Brad Connors and Mega Matt dive into the long-term fallout of the GameStop frenzy—and the timeless investing lessons it revealed.

They break down why emotions lead to bad decisions, how easy it is to get OUT of the market (and why it’s much harder to know when to get back IN), and why calm, steady strategy wins every time.

💬 The good and bad of the GameStop wave 💬 Why emotional decisions destroy long-term success 💬 How margin, options, and quick trades burn more investors than they bless 💬 Why patience—and perspective—still matter most

The market rewards discipline, not panic. Learn from the past, build for the future.

#iWealthPodcast #GameStopLessons #InvestingWisely #FinancialFreedom #LongTermInvesting #InvestSmart #BradConnors #MegaMatt

In this episode of the iWealth Podcast, Brad Connors shares a behind-the-scenes look at how he describes what he does when someone randomly asks him on the street, “So, what do you do?” Rather than using the common title "financial advisor," Brad introduces a more meaningful term: fiduciary financial quarterback.

What exactly does that mean? Brad breaks it down with a relatable analogy—he views himself as the quarterback of your financial team, and you’re the owner. As the quarterback, Brad calls the plays, brings in the right specialists (like CPAs, attorneys, and insurance professionals), and helps you manage the many moving parts of your financial life. The goal isn’t just to invest money, but to coordinate every aspect of your financial strategy—from Social Security and long-term care to estate planning, taxes, and Roth conversions.

What sets Brad’s approach apart is his fiduciary responsibility. As he explains, being a fiduciary means he’s legally and ethically obligated to put your needs ahead of his own. This distinction is crucial in a world filled with advisors who may not always operate under that same standard. It’s why he’s proud to emphasize the "fiduciary" piece of his title when speaking with new people.

Brad and Matt also touch on how the term “financial advisor” can sometimes be too vague—or even turn people off. Everyone seems to know a financial advisor, and the phrase doesn’t always inspire trust or clarity. But when Brad uses “financial quarterback,” it sparks curiosity and conversation. People naturally ask, “What does that mean?”—which opens the door to a more engaging and educational discussion.

Brad points out that many people assume working with a financial advisor is just about picking stocks or managing an IRA. But as a fiduciary financial quarterback, he helps clients develop holistic, long-term strategies aligned with what really matters to them—their goals, their families, and their futures.

He wraps up by sharing the firm’s mission: “Your dreams become our goals.” That simple phrase reflects iWealth’s client-first philosophy. It’s not about selling products. It’s about crafting a personalized financial playbook to help people move toward a life of freedom, purpose, and clarity—on their own terms.

Whether you're curious about financial planning, or just looking for the right person to help navigate your financial future, this episode gives a great introduction to what it means to have a trusted quarterback on your team.

In this episode of the iWealth Podcast, Brad Connors chats with Kristin Gunsolus from Jones Law to break down the fears and misconceptions about estate planning. They discuss the importance of sitting down with an attorney, common mistakes people make (like DIY planning), and how proper planning can provide peace of mind for your future. If you’ve been putting off estate planning because it feels overwhelming, this episode is for you. Learn how to take the first step today!

#EstatePlanning #FinancialPlanning #WillsAndTrusts #JonesLaw #iWealthPodcast #WealthManagement #PlanYourFuture

In this iWealth Podcast episode, host Brad Connors chats with Kristin Gunsolus from Jones Law about the importance of estate planning and the mistakes to avoid. They discuss why everyone, regardless of wealth, needs a plan, the pitfalls of DIY estate planning, and how tools like wills and trusts can protect your family. If you’ve been putting off estate planning, this conversation is a must-watch to learn how to secure your legacy.

#EstatePlanning #FinancialPlanning #WealthManagement #JonesLaw #WillsAndTrusts #Probate #iWealthPodcast