Episode 041: Many investors ask the same question: Is there a way to participate in the stock market's growth without taking on all of the downside risk?

In this episode, I sit down with Matt Kaufman, Senior Vice President and Head of ETFs at Calamos Investments, to explore one of the fastest-growing areas of investing: buffered ETFs.

Matt has spent more than two decades in the financial industry and has helped design and build hundreds of investment products. He does a fantastic job breaking down a topic that can sound complex and making it easy to understand.

We start with the basics by discussing what ETFs are and why they've become so popular with investors. From there, Matt explains how buffered ETFs work, how they seek to provide downside protection, and what investors give up in exchange for that protection. We also discuss who these strategies may be appropriate for, how they can fit within a portfolio, and some of the common misconceptions investors have about them.

Whether you're a seasoned investor or simply looking for ways to navigate today's uncertain markets, this conversation will help you better understand the tradeoffs between risk, reward, and protection.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What an ETF is and why they've become so popular
 • How buffered ETFs seek to limit downside risk
 • The tradeoffs investors should understand before investing
 • Who may benefit most from buffered ETF strategies
 • How buffered ETFs can fit into a broader portfolio
 • What the future may hold for risk-managed investing

If you've ever wondered whether there is a middle ground between being fully invested and sitting on the sidelines, this episode is for you.

Episode 040: Success isn't always measured by points scored, shots made, or individual accolades. Some of the most valuable players are the ones who do the little things that help teams win.

In this episode, I sit down with Gonzaga guard Jalen Warley to discuss the mindset, habits, and work ethic that have helped him become one of the most versatile players in college basketball.

What I've always admired about Jalen is his willingness to do whatever the team needs. Whether it's defending multiple positions, crashing the boards, creating opportunities for teammates, or sacrificing personal statistics for the good of the program, he's built his game around winning.

In our conversation, Jalen shares how he approaches defense, what goes into becoming an elite rebounder as a guard, and the mindset required to impact the game in ways that don't always show up in the box score. We also discuss leadership, preparation, and how he developed the versatility to play multiple positions at a high level.

As Jalen prepares for the NBA Draft, we dive into his pre-draft workouts, what NBA teams are looking for, and the mental approach required to compete at the highest level of the game.

One of my biggest takeaways from this conversation is that success often comes from consistently doing the small things well. The habits, discipline, and sacrifices that nobody sees have a way of compounding into opportunities, trust, and long-term success.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How Jalen developed his defensive mindset
 • What makes a great rebounder, regardless of position
 • The advantages of being a versatile, positionless player
 • Why team success often requires individual sacrifice
 • How Jalen approaches leadership and being a great teammate
 • What NBA pre-draft workouts are really like
 • The mindset required to compete at the highest level
 • How small daily habits compound into long-term success

Whether you're an athlete, coach, parent, or simply someone interested in personal growth, this conversation is packed with lessons about discipline, teamwork, leadership, and the power of doing the little things right.

Go Zags!

Episode 039:  In Part 3 of The Athlete’s Guide to Investing, I shift the conversation from building wealth to protecting it.

Because making money is only part of the equation.
 Learning how to keep it, manage risk, and build resilient systems matters just as much.

In this episode, I break down some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned studying Ray Dalio and diversification, including:

 • The importance of uncorrelated assets
 • Why diversification is really about protection and flexibility
 • How to think about risk and volatility
 • The difference between liquidity, income, volatility, and expected return
 • Why every investment involves tradeoffs
 • How to build a system that can survive uncertainty over time

I also share some of my own experiences with real estate, investing, and learning how to think more long term about financial decision making.

My goal with this series has never been to overcomplicate investing.

It’s to help athletes build simple systems, think long term, and create more freedom and flexibility over time.

Because wealth is not built through hype.

It’s built through discipline, patience, and consistency.

Keep compounding.

Episode 038: In Episode 2 of The Athlete’s Guide to Investing, I talk about one of the biggest mindset shifts that changed the way I think about investing:

Stop thinking like a gambler.
 Start thinking like an owner.

After studying Warren Buffett for years, I realized that investing is not about chasing stock tips or trying to predict the next hot company. It’s about understanding businesses, ownership, and long-term value.

In this episode, I break down:

 • Why price and value are not the same thing
 • How Warren Buffett evaluates investments
 • The basics of P&L statements and balance sheets
 • The 4 M’s of investing
 • Why index funds simplify investing for most people
 • How athletes can apply discipline and long-term thinking to building wealth

I also share some of my own experiences investing in real estate and how those lessons helped me better understand business and investing over time.

My goal with this series is to help athletes feel more confident around money and investing — not by overcomplicating things, but by building simple systems and long-term habits.

Because investing is not about hype.

It’s about ownership.

Keep compounding.

Episode 037: In Episode 1 of The Athlete’s Guide to Investing, I introduce a simple idea that changed the way I think about money:

Many of the same habits that help athletes succeed in sports — discipline, consistency, patience, and repetition — can also apply to building long-term wealth.

In this episode, I break down:

 • The power of compounding
 • Why starting early matters
 • The importance of paying yourself first
 • The 3 Buckets System for managing money
 • How lifestyle creep can quietly destroy wealth
 • Why automation and consistency matter more than perfection

My goal with this series is to help athletes think differently about money — not just how to earn it, but how to build long-term freedom and ownership over time.

Because you are not just an athlete.

You are an investor.

Keep compounding.

Episode 036: In this episode, I sit down with Ben Klundt, a Certified Financial Planner and certified exit planning advisor at TEN Capital, to talk about something that doesn’t get enough attention until it’s too late—liquidity events. Whether it’s selling a business, offloading real estate, or stepping into retirement, Ben walks through what a liquidity event really is and why planning ahead can make all the difference.

We spend time unpacking why the most successful exits often start three to five years before the actual transaction. Ben shares what he’s seen from business owners who waited too long—and the opportunities they leave on the table because of it. From avoidable tax hits to poorly structured deals, we highlight some of the most common mistakes and how to steer clear of them.

We also get into the strategies that can help maximize value, including thoughtful tax planning and deal structuring. But what stood out most to me was the conversation around the emotional side of selling a business. For many owners, this isn’t just a financial transaction—it’s walking away from something they’ve built their entire life around. Ben offers a really grounded perspective on how to prepare not just financially, but mentally, for that transition.

If you’re a business owner, investor, or someone thinking about a major financial transition down the line, this conversation is a great reminder that the earlier you start preparing, the more options you have—and the better your outcome may be.

Episode 035: In this episode, I sit down with Spencer Ansett, Executive Search Consultant at the Mullings Group, a nationwide MedTech search firm. Spencer has placed over 450 professionals across sales, marketing, finance, market access, and regulatory affairs—and has a front-row seat to what it really takes to make a successful career move.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, unfulfilled, or simply curious about what’s next, this conversation will give you a practical and refreshing perspective on career change. Spencer shares what he’s learned from helping hundreds of professionals navigate transitions, including how to position yourself, what companies are really looking for, and the mindset shifts that separate those who thrive from those who stay stuck.

At the core of Spencer’s work is a simple but powerful goal: helping people and companies flourish—growing in a way that’s healthy, intentional, and attracts the right opportunities.

This episode isn’t just about changing jobs… it’s about becoming the person your next opportunity is looking for.

Episode 34: What if your portfolio could generate income in any market?

In this episode, I sit down with Matt Mierzejewski of Goldman Sachs to break down one of the most talked‑about options strategies: covered calls. We start by talking about Matt path from being a college golfer to working in finance, and how that competitive mindset helped shape his approach to the markets.

We then get into the basics of how options actually work, why covered calls can be a useful tool in certain market environments, and some of the most common mistakes investors make when they first explore options. Matt also explains options‑based ETFs, what investors should understand before using them, and how market volatility and conditions can affect outcomes when using a covered call strategy.

If you’ve ever wondered how investors aim to generate income while staying invested — or whether covered calls might fit into a broader portfolio approach — this conversation will help simplify a complex topic and give you a clearer framework to think about options.

Matt Mierezejewski is a vice-president at Goldman Sachs Asset Management where he works as a trusted partner to advisors - helping to create better systems for enhanced productivity, capital market research and investment analytics.  

Episode 033: In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Sawyer, a mental strength coach who shares his powerful journey from battling depression to helping others build resilience, clarity, and confidence under pressure. Ryan opens up about how his own struggles shaped his identity—and how that same work can help athletes, families, and organizations grow with intention.

Ryan is a former national champion college football coach who went on to coach at Central Washington University and Eastern Washington University before founding the Heart First Mental Strength Academy. Today, he works with athletes, leaders, and high performers to build mental strength and high‑performance cultures using his Integrated Mindset and Competitive Edge frameworks.

We talk a lot about identity and clarity—why knowing who you are and what you stand for matters more than motivation alone. Ryan also breaks down how shared vision and clear standards can completely change the environment of a team, an organization, or even a household. We dig into the role curiosity, consistency, and longevity play in real transformation, and Ryan shares practical ways to apply mental strength principles in everyday life.

If you’re looking to perform better when it matters most and build environments that actually support growth, this conversation will give you plenty to think about—and put into action.

Episode 032: In this episode, I sit down with behavioral finance author Brian Portnoy to explore what wealth really means beyond numbers on a balance sheet. We talk about the idea of funded contentment and how aligning your money with purpose, priorities, and decisions can lead to a more meaningful life. Brian also breaks down his “geometry of wealth” framework and the four C’s of contentment—connection, control, competence, and context.

We dive into the psychology of money, including how childhood experiences shape our financial beliefs and why we’re wired to constantly want more, even when “enough” might already be within reach. This conversation is a powerful reminder that financial planning isn’t just about returns—it’s about purpose, meaning, and minimizing regret along the way.

Brian Portnoy, PhD, CFA is the Founder and CEO of Shaping Wealth and a global leader on the psychology of money. He is the author of three behavioral finance books published in 15 languages, including the bestseller The Geometry of Wealth. Brian spent more than 20 years in the hedge fund and mutual fund industries and earned his PhD from the University of Chicago.