In this episode of Thrive and Achieve, Dr. Matt Markel sits down with financial strategist and Money Mastery founder Wade L. Reed, who has spent 20 years helping over 1,000+ families and business owners free up $8.3M+ per year in cashflow.

Wade isn’t your typical “financial guru.”
His approach cuts through the noise, the fear, and the emotional chaos surrounding money—and replaces it with clarity, control, and confidence.

This conversation will change how you think about money, savings, taxes, investing, and your long-term financial strategy.

Wade explains the hidden psychological trap that derails even high-income earners—and why traditional “pay yourself first” advice fails for 90%+ of people.

This alone is worth listening to the episode.
Wade gives a simple shift that can increase your savings rate from 5% to 30% without changing your lifestyle.

(And yes, it’s shockingly simple.)

Wade breaks down his signature four-step system:

• Organize
• Systemize
• Optimize
• Maximize
  You’ll understand exactly how to build wealth even if you’ve felt disorganized for years.

This is the opposite of what most people think—and Wade proves why chasing investment returns is often the exact thing keeping you stuck.

Wade talks about why money fog happens, how it leads to anxiety and bad decisions, and how to instantly increase your sense of control.

Direct deposit → checking account?
Wade explains why this one habit destroys your financial potential—and what to do instead.

Not the salesman version—Wade gives the actual math behind:

• Infinite banking
• High early cash value
• Arbitrage
• Asset protection
• Tax advantages that most people never consider

This is a masterclass, not a sales pitch.

Wade walks through his 4-tier pyramid—what’s safe, what’s risky, what’s appropriate, and why most people are way too top-heavy.

Including the trap inside 401(k)s and IRAs, the misconception about tax deferral, and how taxes can destroy an investment if you don’t plan.

Wade’s career advice is crystal-clear, contrarian, and spot-on for W-2 professionals.

• “Savings is just delayed spending.”
• “The order of cash flow dictates the outcome.”
• “Your money should go to you before it goes to anyone else.”
• “Money is emotional. The more control and clarity you create, the happier you become.”
• “The highest ROI investment you’ll ever make is improving your own skills.”
• “Wealth is not a number—wealth is a life you can love and sustain.”

If you think RTO vs WFH is the real debate, you’re already behind. Listen and find out what really drives culture and performance today!

Travis Griffith has decades of experience in human resources and has been everything from the receptionist to VP of people and operations.  He’s had the inside track to how both successful careers and healthy company cultures are built.

In this conversation, discusses the importance of embracing discomfort in professional growth. He emphasizes that being too comfortable can lead to complacency, which poses risks to career advancement. The dialogue explores how stepping outside of one's comfort zone is essential for personal and professional development.

Key Takeaways:

1. Comfort is the real career killer.

If you’re not stretching, learning, or a little uncomfortable, you’re stagnating — even if it feels safe.

2. Say yes to opportunity — even when it requires risk.

Geographic moves, new roles, uncomfortable jumps… these create exponential trajectory changes.

3. Exposure beats performance.

Doing your job well is expected. What moves you up is visibility, relationships, and ownership.

4. If you want growth, go where the puck is going.

Look ahead. Join projects with future value, not just present comfort.

5. The worst job may give you the most valuable skills.

Difficult roles often produce the most growth — and the most gratitude later.

6. Good attitude > raw talent.

Your mindset changes how people perceive you and how effectively you perform under pressure.

7. Remote work requires intentional culture-building — not avoidance of in-person connection.

Hybrid works, but some problems require the room and spontaneous mentoring moments.

8. Generational differences matter — Gen Z demands clarity, feedback, and meaning.

Leaders must evolve, not complain. Adaptability wins.

9. Companies should talk more about financial wellness.

Financial stress drives absenteeism, distraction, turnover, and health costs. Teaching wealth-building is a strategic advantage.

10. Employees stay where they feel cared for.

Not just compensated — developed, mentored, invested in.
It’s the “above and beyond” that creates loyalty.

David Ellis is a successful executive director at Economic Development Corporations (EDC)- organizations that straddle the line between government and industry. He has also worked as an outplacement consultant - helping recently laid-off employees find new jobs.

In this conversation, David draws on both of these experiences. From his vantage point he shares his approach to framing your accomplishments in ways that resonate to business leaders.

He also discusses the integrity of job interviews, emphasizing that they should be viewed as a mutual exchange of information rather than a one-sided pursuit of a job offer. He critiques traditional advice that prioritizes securing an offer, arguing that it can lead to misalignment between candidates and companies. Ellis advocates for candidates to ask probing questions to better understand company culture and avoid regrettable job choices. 

How did Robert ascend the corporate ladder while still loving his job? Listen and find out!

In this episode of Thrive and Achieve, Dr. Matt Markel interviews Robert Brown, VP of Business Development and Partnerships at Bot Auto, discussing his unique journey from working in a maximum security prison to leading in the autonomous trucking industry. The conversation covers leadership lessons, the importance of networking, financial literacy, and the skills needed to thrive in a fast-paced industry. Robert shares insights on ownership, trust, and the significance of learning from mistakes, while also emphasizing the need for financial education in the workplace. The episode concludes with thoughts on future skills necessary for success in the autonomy sector.

Key Takeaways:

• Robert's journey from a maximum security prison to autonomous trucking is unique and inspiring.
• Networking is crucial; your network can significantly impact your career.
• Learning from losses is more valuable than celebrating wins.
• Ownership and trust are essential qualities in leadership.
• Financial literacy is often overlooked but vital for career success.
• Investing in relationships is as important as investing in assets.
• Embracing AI and technology is necessary for future success.
• It's okay to not follow a traditional career path; find what works for you.
• Cold calling and reaching out can open doors to new opportunities.
• Communicating your career goals to your boss is essential for advancement.

In this episode of Thrive and Achieve, Dr. Matt Markel interviews Carl Pearson, a retirement planner with a diverse background in chiropractic care and financial services. They discuss the importance of financial planning, common mistakes people make as they approach retirement, and strategies for different age groups. Carl emphasizes the need for clarity in financial goals, the significance of income replacement in retirement, and the importance of diversification in investment strategies. The conversation also touches on the differences between Roth IRAs and 401(k)s, the necessity of taking control of one's financial future, and the mindset needed to thrive and achieve financial success.

“The Poor buy Things, the Middle Class buy Liabilities, and the Wealthy buy Assets”- Mike Clark

Mike Clark is a successful business leader turned financial professional, advising multiple high net worth individuals. In this episode he provides a ton of insights and dives deep on the tricks to understanding assets, liabilities, and equity at the household level.

If you don't know where your household stands financially, start here for the play-by-play on how to get started.

In this inaugural episode of Thrive & Achieve, Dr. Matt Markel takes a hard look at the two biggest pain points facing today’s professionals. Despite making up over 93 million workers and powering every great company, professionals often feel stuck in their careers and anxious about their financial futures.

Dr. Matt shares why founders get the spotlight while employees create the real value, and why this overlooked group deserves better. With candid stories and data, he explores how to break free from career stagnation and tackle financial anxiety head-on.