My Cash Flow Academy's Investors Corner

Can real estate investing help you retire earlier, build passive income, and create the lifestyle you've always wanted?

In this episode, host Athena Paquette interviews Mike Weatherford, a seasoned real estate investor who shares how he transformed his retirement plans by investing in East Tennessee. After years of living and investing in Southern California, Mike discovered that Knoxville offered the affordability, cash-flow opportunities, and quality of life he had been searching for.

Mike explains how his "Rent-to-Retire" strategy allowed him to purchase investment properties before relocating, creating passive income while preparing for retirement. He also discusses why East Tennessee has become a destination for investors seeking strong rental demand, lower costs, and long-term appreciation.

Whether you're planning for retirement, looking for your first investment property, or exploring ways to generate passive income through real estate, this conversation provides practical strategies and real-world experience.

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why Mike chose Knoxville, Tennessee for investing and retirement
• How the "Rent-to-Retire" strategy works
• Building passive income with rental properties
• What makes East Tennessee attractive for real estate investors
• How affordability impacts long-term wealth building
• Common mistakes new investors should avoid
• Tips for evaluating investment properties
• Why planning years ahead can accelerate retirement goals
• Current opportunities in the Tennessee real estate market
• How to transition from working full-time to financial independence

If you're interested in real estate investing, passive income, retirement planning, cash flow, rental property investing, financial freedom, East Tennessee real estate, or wealth building, this episode is packed with practical advice you can apply today.

Connect with Mike Weatherford

📞 Phone: (865) 233-8609 (Knoxville, Tennesse

[email protected], 310-218-6588

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone interested in real estate investing and creating financial freedom through rental properties.

#RealEstateInvesting #PassiveIncome #RetirementPlanning #FinancialFreedom #RentalProperties #CashFlow #KnoxvilleRealEstate #EastTennessee #RealEstateInvestor #WealthBuilding #RentToRetire #InvestmentProperty #RealEstatePodcast #AthenaPaquette #MikeWeatherford

Disclaimer:

Athena Paquette offers educational information so you can make an informed investment decision. We do not endorse any particular investment, and we do not provide tax, legal, accounting, investment, or other professional advice.

Please know that investing in any assets involves risk and you should therefore consult tax, legal and financial experts before investing as individual results may vary.

How do professional investors create consistent passive income without owning rental properties?

In this episode, host Athena Paquette sits down with Nathan Turner, a nationally recognized expert in mortgage note investing and founder of Earnest Investing, to discuss how buying and selling mortgage notes can generate long-term cash flow while helping homeowners stay in their homes.

Nathan shares his journey from seller financing his own properties to building a business around performing and non-performing mortgage notes. He explains how investors can purchase mortgage debt, collect monthly payments like a bank, reduce many of the headaches associated with rental properties, and build wealth through predictable cash flow.

Whether you're a real estate investor, mortgage professional, financial advisor, or simply looking for alternative investment strategies, this conversation provides practical insights into one of real estate's lesser-known wealth-building opportunities.

In this episode you'll learn:

• What mortgage note investing is and how it works
• The difference between performing and non-performing notes
• Why many investors choose notes instead of rental properties
• How seller financing creates investment opportunities
• Risk management strategies used by experienced note investors
• How note investors can help borrowers while earning attractive returns
• The role of bank statement loans, DSCR loans, and refinancing in the note business
• Why diversification is essential for long-term financial success
• Common misconceptions about note investing
• Current trends and opportunities in today's real estate finance market

Nathan also discusses the importance of education, due diligence, and building systems that create sustainable wealth rather than chasing short-term gains.

If you're interested in passive income, real estate investing, seller financing, mortgage notes, private lending, financial freedom, cash flow investing, or alternative investments, this episode is packed with valuable information you won't want to miss.

Athena Paquette, 310-218-6855, [email protected]

Nathan Turner
312-860-3747
https://earnestinvesting.com/consulta...

EarnestInvesting.com
DiversifiedMortgageExpo.com

👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone interested in building wealth through real estate investing.

Connect with Athena Paquette for more interviews with leading experts in real estate, investing, lending, and financial education.

#MortgageNotes #NoteInvesting #PassiveIncome #RealEstateInvesting #SellerFinancing #CashFlow #PrivateLending #AlternativeInvestments #FinancialFreedom #MortgageInvesting #DSCRLoans #RealEstateFinance #WealthBuilding #InvestmentStrategies #AthenaPaquette #NathanTurner

Disclaimer:

Athena Paquette offers educational information so you can make an informed investment decision. We do not endorse any particular investment, and we do not provide tax, legal, accounting, investment, or other professional advice.

Please know that investing in any assets involves risk and you should therefore consult tax, legal and financial experts before investing as individual results may very.

In this episode of Women in Investing, host Athena Paquette welcomes back author, educator, and financial literacy advocate Dr. Paris Woods to discuss her newest book, The Student’s Guide to Financial Freedom: A Real-World Money Guide to Help Young People Build Wealth, Avoid Traps, and Plan for Freedom.

About Dr. Paris Woods

Dr. Woods shares her inspiring journey from growing up in poverty in St. Louis, Missouri, to becoming a first-generation college graduate. Through academic excellence, determination, and a powerful vision for her future, she earned admission to both Harvard and Yale and ultimately graduated from Harvard without student loan debt. She later earned advanced degrees and dedicated her career to helping others achieve educational and financial success.

Key Themes Discussed

1. The Power of Dreaming and Vision

Dr. Woods emphasizes that financial success begins with having a vision for your life. As a young person growing up with limited resources, she surrounded herself with positive influences, inspirational books, and goals that seemed impossible at the time. She believes that young people must first imagine the life they want before they can create a financial plan to achieve it.

Key takeaway: Money should support your dreams—not become the dream itself.

2. Education as a Pathway to Opportunity

Raised by a mother who stressed the importance of education despite financial hardships, Dr. Woods viewed school as her pathway out of poverty. She discusses how curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to pursue opportunities helped her navigate a challenging educational journey.

She encourages students and parents not to self-eliminate from opportunities based on assumptions about cost, background, or competitiveness.

Key takeaway: Apply for opportunities even when they seem out of reach. You never know what doors may open.

3. The Three Biggest Financial Mistakes Young People Make

Mistake #1: Taking on Too Much Debt

Dr. Woods explains that many young adults accumulate significant debt shortly after turning 18 because borrowing money has become normalized. Student loans, credit cards, and car loans often feel like the default option.

Her advice:

• Pause before signing financial agreements.
• Explore alternatives.
• Research scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and other funding sources.
• Consider whether debt is truly necessary.

Key takeaway: Just because debt is common doesn't mean it's the best choice.

Mistake #2: Making Money the Goal Instead of Life Satisfaction

Many young people choose careers solely based on income potential. Dr. Woods warns that tying self-worth to income can create a never-ending pursuit where success never feels sufficient.

Instead, she encourages people to focus on:

• Personal fulfillment
• Purpose
• Strengths and interests
• Quality of life

Key takeaway: A meaningful life should drive financial decisions—not the other way around.

Mistake #3: Failing to Create a Financial Plan Early

Although not discussed as a formal third point in the early portion of the interview, both Athena and Dr. Woods stress the importance of planning ahead, saving intentionally, and understanding how today's financial decisions affect future freedom.

Key takeaway: Financial freedom comes from thoughtful planning, not impulsive spending.

Discussion on Social Mobility and Opportunity

Dr. Woods reflects on how luck, hard work, supportive mentors, and educational opportunities all contributed to her success. She acknowledges that many talented students never receive the same opportunities and believes society should do more to simplify pathways to success for future generations.

Lessons for Parents and Young Adults

The conversation repeatedly returns to one central idea:

Dr. Woods wrote The Student’s Guide to Financial Freedom to provide practical guidance that many students never receive in school, including:

• Avoiding financial traps
• Understanding debt
• Building wealth early
• Making intentional career decisions
• Creating a vision for the future

Major Takeaways

• Financial freedom starts with a clear vision for your life.
• Education remains one of the most powerful tools for upward mobility.
• Debt should be approached carefully and strategically.
• Don't let money become the sole measure of success.
• Curiosity and persistence often open unexpected opportunities.
• Young adults benefit tremendously from financial education before entering adulthood.
• Building wealth is about creating options and freedom—not simply accumulating money.

Overall Message

Dr. Paris Woods delivers a powerful message of hope, intentionality, and empowerment. Her story demonstrates that background does not determine destiny, and that with education, planning, and the right mindset, young people can build lives of both financial stability and personal fulfillment.

This interview serves as both an inspirational success story and a practical roadmap for students, parents, and anyone seeking long-term financial freedom.

Podcast Summary: 

In this insightful conversation, host Athena Paquette sits down with renowned hypnotherapist, author, and educator Dr. Shelly Stockwell-Nicholas to explore the mental and emotional barriers that prevent people from creating the wealth, abundance, and life they truly desire.

Drawing on decades of experience in hypnosis, psychology, and personal development, Dr. Stockwell-Nicholas explains how many people unknowingly operate from limiting stories rooted in past experiences. These outdated beliefs often become invisible obstacles that affect financial success, relationships, confidence, and personal fulfillment.

Key topics discussed include:

• How subconscious beliefs shape financial outcomes
• The connection between personal identity and abundance
• Why focusing on what you want is more powerful than focusing on what you don't want
• The role of imagination, intention, and sensory perception in creating results
• How to release old narratives that no longer serve your future
• The importance of developing a compelling vision for your life

Dr. Stockwell-Nicholas also shares her remarkable personal journey—from working as a flight attendant to becoming a nationally recognized author, television personality, educator, and leader in the field of hypnosis. Her story serves as a powerful example of how clarity of purpose and belief can transform a dream into reality.

Athena contributes her own experiences with visualization and manifestation, illustrating how intentional focus helped her achieve important goals in her life. Together, they emphasize that abundance is not merely about money—it is about aligning your thoughts, beliefs, and actions with the future you want to create.

This episode offers practical wisdom and inspiration for anyone seeking greater prosperity, personal growth, and a deeper understanding of the mind's role in shaping success.

Guest: Dr. Shelly Stockwell-Nicholas
Host: Athena Paquette

Main Takeaway: The stories you tell yourself become the reality you experience. When you consciously choose a vision of possibility rather than limitation, you create the conditions for abundance to emerge.

https://www.hypnosisfederation.com/  

[email protected]

[email protected]

310-218-6855

A thought-provoking conversation with Rabbi Deborah Schuldenfrei and host Athena Paquette exploring the deeper relationship between money, abundance, and spiritual principles. 

This episode moves beyond spreadsheets and traditional financial advice to examine how beliefs, energy, values, and mindset can shape wealth and financial outcomes. 

They discuss why some high earners struggle financially while others create lasting stability, the role of community and purpose, and how ancient wisdom can still guide modern money decisions. 

A meaningful listen for anyone interested in personal growth, investing, and creating a healthier relationship with money.

Athena Interviews Sean Boatman, owner of Boatman Insurance. Sean discusses how Mortgage Insurance Protection can be used as a powerful financial planning tool.

Sean Boatman can be reached at:

www.boatmanagency.com

I welcome Dafna Kaplan, the CEO of Cassette Systems, a trailblazer in modular home products for multifamily buildings. Dafna will be unveiling an exciting new product, making this a must-listen episode for anyone passionate about housing, affordable living, and scalability. After two years of anticipation, we are delighted to have Dafna joining us for this enriching conversation finally.

Revolutionizing Construction in Affordable Multifamily Housing the Cassette Systems Way

Dafna Kaplan, the CEO of Cassette Systems, joined the Women Making History series to share how her path from social work, consumer product sale, to PR for an architectural firm, to a commercial construction firm led her to her passion for multifamily affordable housing built with a manufactured product that she developed. 

Imagine an apartment building that can be built green, efficiently, economically and quickly. while leaving very little footprint. Her experience in construction and her background in consumer product sales lead her to her ah-ha moment that the process is at fault not the product. She is set to revolutionize the construction industry by changing how things are done in one of the most inefficient big businesses in our economy. She also had a big reveal for a new product her firm Cassette Systems is launching in the fall and yes, she has some show and tell of projects now underway. We'd love to know what your favorite is, so please drop it in the comments.

https://www.cassettesystems.com/    https://mycashflowacademy.com/

#womendevelopers #prefabhousing  #factorybuilthousing #realestateinvestors #ADU

#processequalsprofit #womenininvesting #apartmentbuildings #construction

#affordablehousing

Dr Paris Woods EdD grew up in a single parent low income household and knew from a young age that education was her way out of poverty. What she didn't learn was about how money works.  

Hear her story of getting buried in debt at 18 and  thinking this is normal, to many other poor choices following poor advice, to her sharing her  tips on how she got out of $70k in debt, to living mortgage payment free, to becoming a Doctor while staying debt free and now making a life she chooses to live instead of being trapped in a life she has to live. She believes in the FIRE movement and encourages you to #unshackle yourself from debt and live FREE.  She has a mission and life purpose of showing black women that they too can be FREE. 

Be sure to check out her book A Black Girl's Guide to Financial Freedom

#blackwomen #FIRE #debtfree #househack #womenshistorymonth #unshackled

Create massive cash flow with your home with this new law

Women in Investing Network (WiIN) 

Gloria is a partner in Riechers Engineering. They help homeowners create more housing and more profit through Additional Dwelling Unit, ADU’s and lot splitting to create more affordable housing allowed as part of California Senate Bill #SB9 with 25 lot splits under their belt, they can tell you the pros and cons, and just how it gets done!

Gloria Riechers is the CEO of Riechers Engineering, a unique Civil Engineering firm that has created its own niche in the residential development landscape of California. Gloria and her father started this business in 2021 as soon as California passed a new state law, Senate Bill 9. With this revolutionary new state law, homeowners are now allowed to subdivide their properties, gaining access to incredible opportunities and value that was not accessible before. Gloria has been an entrepreneur for most of her life, previously specializing in the health and wellness industry.

email: [email protected]

#SB9 #gloriariechers #athenapaquette

Eileen Kendall, Esq. and founder of Kendall Law, is a highly experienced California real estate attorney with a proven track record of success. She is the proud owner of a thriving law firm that started with just her in October of 2016. Eileen’s dedication and commitment to her clients are evident in the time and effort she puts into every aspect of their legal needs.

Since being admitted to practice law in California, Eileen has focused her practice on litigation, with an emphasis on real property and business matters. Kendall Law represents a variety of clients ranging from property management companies to individuals, and real estate professionals.

Key Topics We Will Cover

-Avoiding Million Dollar Lawsuits

-Doing It Right

-Top 5 Lawsuit Triggers

https://www.kendalllaw.net/

#realestateinvesting #problemsinrealestate #realestatedisputes #tenantlaw #passiveinvesting #landlords #californiarealestate #larealestate