Welcome to Episode 145 of The Liquidity Event! This week, AJ and Shane tackle some big topics: Are individual investors smarter than the "smart money" hedge funds? Why are CEOs really heading for the exits at record rates (and what's the deal with that vasectomy shirt story)? Plus, we unravel the frustrating Catch-22 of credit card fees for businesses and consumers.

Tune in for our signature blend of financial insights and (mostly) educational humor!

Key Timestamps:

• 0:00 - Intro & Shane's Renovation Woes
• 1:39 - Market Update: Pros Sold, Individuals Pounced – Who Was Right?
• 6:30 - Hedge Fund Reality Check: S&P 500 vs. "Expert" Performance
• 9:00 - The "Tiger in the Grass": Why We're Biased Towards Action in Markets
• 14:50 - AJ's Big News: Announcing Her Book "Creative Money"!
• 17:10 - Tipping Fatigue: Are We All Fed Up?
• 21:40 - The Real Reasons Tipping Culture is Out of Control
• 24:45 - The Great Credit Card Rip-Off: Fees, Oligopolies & The Catch-22 for Businesses
• 28:20 - CEO Exodus: Why Leaders Are Quitting in Droves
• 29:05 - Peak Ambiguity: AI, DEI & The Hilarious "Vasectomy Shirt" Anecdote
• 30:00 - Burnout is the New Black: The Serious Side of CEO Turnover

Connect with us:

Email your financial problems or questions: [email protected]

Leave us a voicemail (we might play it on the air!): memo.fm/liquidityevent

Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and leave us a REVIEW if you enjoy the show! Your support helps us expose more financial nonsense.

#FinancialPodcast #InvestingMyths #CEOBurnout #CreditCardFees #SmallBusinessFinance #MarketAnalysis #StockMarket #Leadership #BKFi #LiquidityEvent

Hear your host, AJ Ayers, share her expertise on equity compensation as a special guest on Peter Lazaroff’s podcast, The Long-Term Investor!

In this focused conversation, AJ shares insights on critical year-end tax planning, developing multiyear strategies for stock options and RSUs, managing risk, preserving gains, and simplifying selling strategies.

For the video recording, check out the Long Term Investor podcast on YouTube.

Key Moments:

00:37 - Year-End Tax Planning for Equity Comp 03:54 - Long-Term Equity Strategy & Diversification 09:24 - Exercising Private Company Stock Options 14:10 - Managing Equity Compensation Risk 22:27 - Advanced Tactics for Mixed Equity Packages 25:38 - Strategies to Minimize Taxes on Gains 32:49 - Automated Selling with 10b5-1 Plans 34:56 - Final Tips & Takeaways

In this episode of The Liquidity Event, AJ and Shane talk non-qualified stock options (NSOs), explaining the common mistakes people make, tax implications, and strategic approaches to maximize your equity compensation.

Key Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro and a few laughs 3:45 - The biggest mistake with NQSOs 6:45 - How taxation works upon exercise 10:15 - NQSOs and Alternative Minimum Tax 15:45 - Multiple grant strategies: the Goldilocks approach 19:45 - When to exercise and hold vs. wait 23:30 - The "least regret" strategy 26:15 - Overconfidence and substantial risk of forfeiture 28:45 - Real-world Reddit question about forgotten options

Connect with us: Email: [email protected] Ask us financial questions via voicemail: memo.fm/liquidityevent

Don't forget: please like, subscribe, and leave a review!

#EquityCompensation #StockOptions #NQSOs #FinancialPlanning #TaxStrategy

Happy 7th Anniversary to Brooklyn Fi! 🎉 In this special episode of The Liquidity Event, Shane Mason & AJ Ayers reflect on the seven biggest lessons they've learned running a financial planning firm for seven years (though they might have come up with more than seven!).

From the surprising rewards (and demands) of entrepreneurship to navigating hiring challenges, managing relationships, and the power of 'disagree and commit,' they share candid insights for anyone running or thinking about starting a business.

Plus, they tackle a listener's question about handling an unexpected, large tax bill when income is lumpy – learn about IRS installment plans and other options.

⏱️ Timestamps: 

00:00:00 - Intro, Happy Tax Day & Shane's Stained Shirt 00:02:48 - Listener Voicemail: Handling a Surprise Tax Bill 00:05:11 - Brooklyn FI's 7th Anniversary: Intro to 7 Lessons in 7 Years 00:07:37 - Lesson: The Uncapped Reward of Entrepreneurial Hard Work (Shane) 00:11:28 - Lesson: Burn the Candle in Your 20s (Shane) 00:17:26 - Lesson: Entrepreneurship as a Creative Act (Shane) 00:20:03 - Lesson: Work on Relationships (Coworkers, Employees, Vendors) (Shane) 00:21:19 - Lesson: Why Hiring Your First Employees is So Hard (AJ) 00:23:05 - Lesson: The Power of 'Disagree and Commit' (AJ) 00:24:42 - Lesson: Steal Like an Artist (Borrowing Ideas) (Shane) 00:28:45 - Final Thoughts & Would They Do It Again?

🔔 Subscribe to The Liquidity Event on YouTube: YouTube Channel 🌐 Learn more about Brooklyn FI financial planning: brooklynfi.com ✍️ Leave us a voicemail question for a future episode:memo.fm/theliquidityevent 📱 Follow Brooklyn FI: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brooklyn-fi/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brooklyn_f.i/

Market shocks, crypto moves, windfalls, and punk rock?

Shane Mason & AJ Ayers unpack the latest financial news and listener questions in this episode of The Liquidity Event.

🚨 IMPORTANT NOTE: This episode was recorded on April 8th, 2025, before the April 9th pause on most newly proposed U.S. tariffs (excluding China). While our specific tariff critique reflects the situation known at that moment, the policy landscape remains dynamic and could change again. 

Therefore, our discussion on the history of U.S. tariffs and the fundamental pros and cons of using them in economic policy offers valuable context for understanding potential future shifts.

In this episode, hear AJ's sharp critique of the initial approach to the widespread tariff proposal and the market uncertainty it created. We also break down the Circle (USDC) stablecoin IPO filing – what does it mean for crypto and digital dollars? 

Plus, practical advice for tackling angel investing after an inheritance, and the story of how Henry Rollins got a Brooklyn FI Roth IRA t-shirt!

⏱️ Timestamps:

  (0:00) Intro & Catching Up (Mexico, California, Remembering Grandpa)

(3:09) The Roth IRA / Henry Rollins T-Shirt Story

(6:45) Tariff Turmoil: Discussing the Initial Broad Proposal (Recorded BEFORE Pause News)

(8:15) Historical Tariffs & Manufacturing Job Trends

(10:40) Critiquing the Abrupt Policy Rollout Strategy

(13:50) Context: Existing China Trade Friction & Why Tariffs Elsewhere?

(16:40) Potential Business & Personal Impacts of Widespread Tariffs

(18:05) Circle (USDC) Stablecoin IPO Filing: What You Need to Know

(19:40) Explainer: How Stablecoins Like USDC Work & Generate Revenue

(21:15) The International Use Case for Digital Dollars vs. Traditional Banking

(24:30) Reddit Q&A: Angel Investing an 8-Figure Inheritance?

(25:40) Key Advice for Aspiring (or Accidental) Angel Investors

(27:10) Alternatives: Angel Investing ETFs & Pre-IPO Funds

(28:15) Outro & How to Connect

🔔 Subscribe to The Liquidity Event on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brooklynfi/?sub_confirmation=1🌐 Learn more about Brooklyn FI financial planning: brooklynfi.com ✍️ Leave us a voicemail question for a future episode:memo.fm/theliquidityevent 📱 Follow Brooklyn FI: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brooklyn-fi/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brooklyn_f.i/

#LiquidityEvent #BrooklynFI #PersonalFinance #Investing #Economics #Tariffs #TradePolicy #MarketVolatility #Crypto #Stablecoin #USDC #IPO #AngelInvesting #WealthManagement #Fintech #Podcast #FinancialPlanning

In this episode of The Liquidity Event, AJ and Shane dive into tech drama, AI disruption, and financial advice with a little spice. 

Key Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro & Japan Travel Reflections 3:00 - Corporate Espionage: Rippling vs Deel 13:06 - Student Uses AI to Beat Amazon Interview 18:00 - Hinge Health: Revolutionizing Physical Therapy? 23:24 - Listener Question: Best Retirement Account for Musicians 28:00 - Reddit Question: 26-Year-Old Making $400K From Business

Like us? Have financial questions? Connect with us. Email: [email protected] Leave a voicemail: memo.fm/liquidityevent

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review! New episodes every Friday.

#FinancialAdvice #CorporateEspionage #AIEthics #RetirementPlanning #Entrepreneurship

In this episode of The Liquidity Event, BKFi’s AJ Ayers and Eduard Zolotarev tackle market volatility head-on, explore the recent Taco Bell product launch event, and share honest thoughts on Dave Ramsey's controversial rental property comments.

Key Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro & Episode Overview 0:34 - Meet Ed & An All Important Update on Taco Bell 3:33 - Market Volatility & Recent Corrections (We aren’t scared) 8:49 - Long-Term Market Performance Charts 13:05 - Why Timing the Market Is So Hard (and pointless) 17:20 - Lessons from Those Who Left the Market in 2008 21:43 - Global Investment Beyond US Markets 23:23 - Dave Ramsey's Controversial Comments 29:19 - The Value of Having a Financial Advisor

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review! New episodes every Friday. If you have anything to add, comment below! We value thoughtful & intelligent perspectives. Connect with us: Email: [email protected] Leave a voicemail: memo.fm/liquidityevent

#FinancialAdvice #IPO #StartupTips #AIInfrastructure #TacoBell

In this special episode of The Liquidity Event, BKFi leaders John and AJ interview tax attorney Christopher Karachale about Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) - a powerful tax benefit allowing founders to exclude up to $10 million (or more) from capital gains taxes when selling shares. Key Timestamps:

1:50 - What is QSBS? The $10 million exclusion explained 3:16 - History of QSBS: From 1992 to today's 100% exclusion 8:15 - Qualification requirements: Company & shareholder criteria 11:13 - "Qualified trade or business" explained 12:18 - Prohibited business categories 14:14 - Tips for founders to qualify for QSBS 18:30 - LLC conversion strategies for QSBS 20:45 - Fixing past entity mistakes to qualify 22:54 - LLC to C-Corp conversion: FMV basis benefit 26:15 - 1045 rollovers: Strategy for selling before 5 years 29:04 - QSBS stacking: Advanced strategies with trusts 35:38 - Practical advice for early-stage founders Connect with us: Email: [email protected] Leave a voicemail: memo.fm/liquidityevent

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review! New episodes every Friday.

#FinancialAdvice #IPO #StartupTips #AIInfrastructure #Entrepreneurship

In this episode of The Liquidity Event, AJ and Shane analyze CoreWeave's transformative journey from crypto trading platform to AI infrastructure powerhouse & share highly anticipated Initial Public Offering (IPO) tips, plus unfiltered advice on what it really takes to start a business (from two people who actually did it).

Key Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro & Market Updates 2:51 - The IPO Market Landscape 2020-2025 8:49 - What Does CoreWeave Actually Do? 10:37 - CoreWeave's Explosive Revenue Growth 11:56 - Risk Factors: Microsoft Concentration 14:53 - Founders' $150M Pre-IPO Cash Out 19:23 - GPU Infrastructure & Market Position 21:33 - Starting a Business Reality Check 24:00 - The Truth About Side Hustles 25:42 - Why "Setting Your Own Hours" is a Myth 29:00 - Basic Excel Skills: Non-Negotiable 31:35 - Software vs Revenue: What to Prioritize 32:20 - Do You Really Need an LLC? 34:15 - The Truth About Business "Write-offs" 37:22 - Business Plans: Necessary or MBA Fluff? 40:16 - Final Thoughts on Entrepreneurship

Connect with us: Email: [email protected] Leave a voicemail: memo.fm/liquidityevent

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review! New episodes every Friday.

#FinancialAdvice #IPO #StartupTips #AIInfrastructure #Entrepreneurship

In this episode of The Liquidity Event: Money & Finance with AJ and Shane, we explore how demographics shape friendship networks, examine Elon Musk's exaggerated claims about DOGE savings, and answer a retirement planning question from a business owner. 

Key Timestamps: 

0:34 - Introduction and episode topics 1:55 - Mexico City update and lifestyle chat 3:17 - Billionaire Brian Johnson's extreme anti-aging efforts 6:18 - AJ's Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designation 9:04 - Hedonic vs. eudaimonic happiness discussion 12:21 - How demographics and education affect friendship patterns 16:18 - Analysis of gathering spaces and COVID's impact on socializing 21:22 - DOGE's questionable $55 billion savings claims 24:24 - Concerns about public lands and national parks 25:24 - Reddit Q&A: Should you contribute to self-employed 401k or Roth 401k?