Join host Brittany Mason as she sits down with Matt Ober of Social Leverage to unpack his path from Bloomberg to hedge funds to VC and explore how AI and fintech are reshaping wealth management. They discuss why wealth tech is still ripe for innovation, the impact of Gen Z/millennial investors, prediction markets, Social Leverage’s investment approach, and the founder traits that drive success. Matt also shares how AI will change financial services and practical advice for aspiring builders and data scientists.

Key takeaways:

• Wealth management tech remains outdated — big opportunity for automation and unified consumer experiences.
• Gen Z and millennial investors will drive platform-led shifts in where wealth is held and how it's managed.
• AI will boost efficiency and personalization in financial services but must be balanced with human judgment.
• Early-stage investing favors founder vision, adaptability, and talent over short-term metrics.

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Connect with us below!

• Matt Ober on LinkedIn
• Social Leverage
• Subscribe to Matt's Newletter: The Roll Up
• Brittany Mason on LinkedIn
• Banríon Capital Management

Join host Brittany Mason as she sits down with renowned wealth advisor and financial therapist, Dr. Preston D. Cherry, author of "Wealth in the Key of Life." Join us as we delve into the concept of financial harmony and discover how Generation X can navigate challenges while aligning their wealth with their life's purpose.

In this episode, Dr. Cherry, a proud member of Generation X, discusses the unique traits and hurdles faced by his generation, often dubbed the "forgotten generation." From growing up as latchkey kids to fostering resilience and skepticism, learn how these experiences influence their financial behaviors and retirement preparation.

Inspired by the harmonies of Stevie Wonder, Dr. Cherry advocates for a holistic view of wealth, emphasizing that money should be seen as a partner in life. The conversation also touches on the power of change. Dr. Cherry shares personal stories of transformation and encourages listeners that it’s never too late to rewrite their financial narrative.

Whether you identify as Gen X or belong to another generation, Dr. Cherry’s insights will inspire you to integrate your financial life with overall well-being.

Key Takeaways:

• Embrace resilience and tailor financial decisions to personal goals.
• View money as an ally in achieving a fulfilling life.
• Understand that life’s journey is non-linear; change is always possible.
• Explore private investments and alternative opportunities to diversify and grow your financial portfolio.

Don’t forget to subscribe for more thought-provoking episodes from "The Alternative Mason"!

Connect with us below!

• Dr. Preston Cherry on LinkedIn
• Concurrent Wealth Management
• Buy Wealth in the Key of Life: Finding Your Financial Harmony 
• Brittany Mason on LinkedIn
• Banríon Capital Management

Join Brittany Mason in this enlightening episode of The Alternative Mason as she interviews Emily Binder, founder of Beetle Moment Marketing and Wealth Voice. They discuss the importance of having an informed point of view for building a strong brand, the evolving role of authenticity in content marketing, and strategies for overcoming a traumatic relationship with money. Emily also shares her journey into finance and marketing, the significance of self-advocacy, and the impact of AI on content creation.

Key Takeaways:

• Developing a clear and informed point of view is crucial for differentiating your brand.
• Authenticity fosters trust and strengthens your connection with your audience.
• Starting investments early builds financial resilience and long-term wealth.
• Understanding and leveraging social media algorithms can boost your marketing efforts.
• Embracing mindfulness, meditation, and managing stress improves energy and productivity.
• Future trends include AI, cryptocurrency, and innovative content strategies.

Connect with us below!

• Emily Binder on LinkedIn
• Beetle Moment Marketing
• Emily Binder's Website
• Brittany Mason on LinkedIn
• Banríon Capital Management

In this episode of The Alternative Mason, Brittany Mason chats with John Davi — founder of Astoria Portfolio Advisors and one of the sharpest minds in the ETF world. John shares how growing up in Queens shaped his hustle, how early stints at Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley fueled his love for markets, and what drove him to launch Astoria back in 2017.

They dive into how Astoria blends macro insights with quantitative research, what it’s really like to build an independent firm from the ground up, and where John sees the next big wave — from alternative investments to the rise of AI in finance.

Key Takeaways:

• Diversification is Crucial: It's the only free lunch in the market. A well-diversified portfolio can protect against market volatility.
• Blend of Macro and Quant: Astoria's approach of marrying macro insights with quantitative research offers a unique edge in financial strategies.
• Embrace Innovation: John Davi emphasizes the role of AI and crypto in modern investment strategies, highlighting their potential to transform portfolios.
• Calculated Risk-Taking: Davi advises taking calculated risks for higher rewards, a strategy that has propelled his success.

Connect with us below!

• John Davi on LinkedIn
•  Astoria Portfolio Advisors
• Brittany Mason on LinkedIn
• Banríon Capital Management

Join Brittany Mason in this engaging episode of 'The Alternative Mason' as she sits down with Dennis Morton, co-founder of Morton Brown Family Wealth and an army veteran with a background in history. Dennis shares his unconventional path into the finance industry, discussing the importance of humanities education, his transition from the military to finance, and the founding and growth of Morton Brown Family Wealth. This discussion serves as an inspiring reminder that the financial industry is not solely about numbers—it's about people, leadership, and the ability to continuously evolve in a rapidly changing world.

Key Takeaways:

• Human connection is paramount in the financial industry; understanding clients leads to meaningful relationships.
• Reinvention and adaptability are crucial for overcoming setbacks and seizing new opportunities.
• Alternative investments, such as private credit, offer valuable diversification and risk management options for clients.
• Foundational beliefs like "Reimagine, Simplify, and Thrive" can guide financial firms in crafting innovative and client-centric experiences.

Connect with us below!

• Dennis Morton on LinkedIn
• Morton Brown Family Wealth
• Brittany Mason on LinkedIn
• Banríon Capital Management

What happens when a banker’s son builds a venture firm in a place most investors overlook? Brad Zapp, Cp-Founder, President and Head of Strategy & Marketing at Connetic Ventures, shares how rejection fueled his pivot into early-stage investing, eventually leading to Wendal, an AI-powered associate that reviews founders 24/7. With this remarkably innovative tool, Brad is reimagining who gets funded and who gets to invest. This episode unpacks how AI, behavioral science, and fund structure innovation are opening venture capital to a much broader audience.

Key takeaways:

• AI can scale deal sourcing and diligence, even from outside traditional VC hubs.
• Psychometric screening helps identify unconventional but high-potential founders.
• Interval funds are breaking down access barriers for everyday investors.

Connect with us below!

• Brad Zapp on LinkedIn
• Connetic Ventures
• Brittany Mason on LinkedIn
• Banríon Capital Management

Greg Friedman has a financial journey that starts in his early childhood, investing his birthday money, and has brought him to launching Peachtree Group in 2007. In this episode, he explains what he calls the Mispriced Risk Business and how he’s overseen $11 billion in real estate investments.

Key takeaways:

• Greg’s first memories and how they shaped his entrepreneurial mindset.
• The difference between happiness and fulfillment.
• Mispriced risk and how to make money out of it.
• The importance of relationships for any business.

Connect with us below!

• Greg Friedman on LinkedIn
• Peachtree Group
• Brittany Mason on LinkedIn
• Banríon Capital Management

What do elite school districts have to do with resilient real estate investing? In this episode, Sean O’Dowd, Managing Partner of Scholastic Capital, shares how his “Scholastic Thesis” turns high-demand education zones into a powerful, defensive investment strategy. With multi-year leases, strict buy-box criteria, and a data-driven mindset, his approach offers stability in uncertain markets. He also unpacks the growing insurance crisis in states like Florida and why it may reshape U.S. real estate for years to come.

Key takeaways:

• Multi-year leases in elite school districts create predictable income and economic stability.
• A disciplined 17-point property selection process limits risk and maximizes tenant satisfaction.
• Skyrocketing insurance costs may spark major demographic shifts in the U.S. real estate market.

Connect with us below!

• Sean O’Dowd on LinkedIn
• Scholastic Capital
• Brittany Mason on LinkedIn
• Banríon Capital Management

Connor Lapean, Investment Research Associate at Banríon Capital Management, opens up about breaking into alternative investments while still in college. From battling imposter syndrome to embracing AI and spotting opportunities in private credit, Connor shares what it really takes to earn trust and grow fast in a high-stakes industry.

With a grounded mindset and a no-excuses attitude, he shows how Gen Z is reshaping finance—one bold move at a time.

Connect with us below!

• Connor Lapean on LinkedIn
• Brittany Mason on LinkedIn
• Banríon Capital Management

This episode features Neil Azous, Founder and CIO at Rareview Capital, and his insights from working at Goldman Sachs and the evolution of investment management towards a more personalized, goals-driven approach.

Neil breaks down:

• His career journey from inspiration to industry expert

• The importance of goals-based investment management

• Emotional decision-making in finance

• Global macro trading

• The perception of risk and the mindset of underdog investors

Connect with us below!

• Neil Azous on LinkedIn
• Rareview Capital
• Brittany Mason on LinkedIn
• Banríon Capital Management