Wealth Architect Podcast

What if you could scale your real estate business without ever relying on a bank?

In this episode of the Wealth Architect Podcast, Jay Conner, known as “The Private Money Authority,” breaks down how investors raise private money to fund deals, build relationships with lenders, and scale faster without traditional financing.

In the second segment, Jeff Swiderski, Branch Manager at Annie Mac Home Mortgage, dives into the good debt vs bad debt debate — and how smart borrowers use leverage to build wealth instead of holding themselves back.

If you want to unlock new ways to fund deals and rethink how debt works in your favor, this episode delivers powerful strategies.

Episode Sponsors:

Annie Mac Mortgage
 annie-mac.com
 @anniemac_home_mortgage

Melissa D’Ellena — D’Ellena Law
 dellenalaw.com
 @dellenalaw

Patriot Home Inspections — Mike Auger
 https://homeinspectorri.com/

Guest: Jay Conner

🔗 https://www.jayconner.com/

Guest: Jeff Swiderski

🔗 https://annie-mac.com/lo/jeffswiderski/

What’s the one mistake that can shape your entire career — and how do you know who to trust when building wealth?

In this episode of the Wealth Architect Podcast, John McNellis, Partner at McNellis Partners and author of Making It in Real Estate: Thriving as a Developer, shares hard-earned lessons from some of his biggest mistakes in real estate — and how those failures became the foundation for long-term success.

In the second segment, Kevin Ranker, Partner at Compass San Juan Islands, breaks down how to evaluate and trust your financial and real estate advisors. We discuss the red flags, the right questions to ask, and how to build a team you can rely on when making major investment decisions.

If you want to avoid costly mistakes and make smarter partnerships, this episode delivers real-world insight.

Guest: John McNellis
Partner, McNellis Partners
 https://www.johnmcnellis.com/

Guest: Kevin Ranker
Partner, Compass San Juan Islands
 https://www.compass.com/agents/Kevin-Ranker/

Episode Sponsors:

Annie Mac Mortgage

 annie-mac.com
 @anniemac_home_mortgage

Patriot Home Inspections — Mike Auger
 https://homeinspectorri.com/

Ted Topouzis — Attorney at Law
 taclosinglaw.com

What does it take to scale from single deals to managing millions — and what happens after you acquire high-end properties?

In this episode of the Wealth Architect Podcast, August Biniaz, Co-Founder and CIO of CPI Capital, breaks down how to build a real estate private equity firm from the ground up. We cover syndications, raising capital from high-net-worth investors, and understanding real estate cycles through the multifamily clock — giving you a clear roadmap to scale in today’s market.

In the second segment, Shane Pina shares the world behind luxury home management. From handling emergencies to building strong vendor relationships, he explains why managing high-end properties is a business most investors overlook — but shouldn’t.

If you want to understand both how to scale into larger deals and how to protect high-value assets, this episode delivers.

Guest: August Biniaz, Co-Founder & CIO, CPI Capital

https://cpicapital.ca/

Guest: Shane Pina, Senior Manager, New Era Property Services

🔗 https://nepsne.com/

💼 Episode Sponsors:

Annie Mac Mortgage🌐 annie-mac.com📸 @anniemac_home_mortgage

Patriot Home Inspections — Mike Auger🌐 https://homeinspectorri.com/

Melissa D’Ellena — D’Ellena Law🌐 dellenalaw.com📸 @dellenalaw

What if you didn’t compete in a market — but created your own?

In this episode of the Wealth Architect Podcast, Frank McKinney, known as a “real estate artist,” shares how he builds ultra-luxury homes in markets that didn’t exist — and sells them by creating vision, emotion, and demand.

We dive into how he identifies opportunity where others see risk, how he crafts a story around every property, and why his deeper purpose goes far beyond real estate.If you want to think bigger, build differently, and separate yourself from the competition, this episode will change your perspective.

Guest:Frank McKinney🔗 Website: www.frank-mckinney.com

💼 Episode Sponsors:

Annie Mac Mortgage

🌐 annie-mac.com

📸 @anniemac_home_mortgage

Patriot Home Inspections — Mike Auger

🌐 https://homeinspectorri.com/

Melissa D’Ellena — D’Ellena Law

🌐 dellenalaw.com

📸 @dellenalaw

Hal Elrod has faced death more than once — and turned adversity into a global movement.

Author of The Miracle Morning, Hal shares the simple 6-minute routine that has helped millions take control of their mindset, habits, and future.

If you want to change your life, start with how you start your day.

💼 Episode Sponsors

Annie Mac Mortgage🌐 annie-mac.com📸 @anniemac_home_mortgage

Melissa D’Ellena — D’Ellena Law🌐 dellenalaw.com📸 @dellenalaw

Matt Bates — Movement Mortgage🌐 therimortgageguy.com

How do tax policies shape the future of a state — and how can homeowners strategically use their real estate to build wealth?

In this episode of the Wealth Architect Podcast, Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz joins us to discuss Rhode Island’s tax environment and why she describes it as “death by a thousand paper cuts.” We compare Rhode Island’s budget and policy landscape with neighboring states like New Hampshire and explore how government decisions impact residents, businesses, and long-term economic growth.

In the second segment, Matt Bates of Movement Mortgage breaks down how homeowners can leverage the equity in their homes as a financial tool. From cash-out refinances and second loans to funding investment properties, future projects, or retirement planning, Matt explains the strategies many homeowners overlook — including how reverse mortgages can reduce monthly expenses and create financial flexibility later in life.

If you want to understand how policy, property, and equity shape wealth-building opportunities, this episode delivers valuable insight.

🎙️ Featured Guests

Sen. Jessica de la Cruz

Senate Minority Leader – Rhode Island Senate

Matt Bates

Loan Officer – Movement Mortgage

🌐 www.theRImortgageGuy.com

💼 Episode Sponsors

Annie Mac Mortgage
🌐 annie-mac.com
📸 @anniemac_home_mortgage

Matt Bates — Movement Mortgage
🌐 therimortgageguy.com
📸 @therimortgageguy

John Lapointe — The Lapointe Insurance Agency
🌐 lapointeins.com

In this episode of the Wealth Architect Podcast, we explore two powerful perspectives shaping the future of real estate and decision-making.

Attorney Ted Sutton from Sutton Law Center joins us to discuss his book Greenback’s Book of Law, which simplifies complex legal principles through storytelling. We explore why understanding basic legal concepts can empower the next generation and why legal awareness matters for entrepreneurs and investors alike.

In the second segment, Lindsey Harn, Realtor with Christie’s International Real Estate and Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert, breaks down today’s evolving luxury real estate landscape. From shifting buyer priorities and scarce coastal inventory to navigating emotionally complex transactions like divorce and relocation, Lindsey shares insights on why experience and strategic thinking are more important than ever in today’s market.

 Featured Guests

Ted Sutton, Esq.

Attorney – Sutton Law Center
Website: sutlaw.com

Lindsey Harn

Realtor | Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert
Website: lindseyharngroup.com

 Episode Sponsors

Annie Mac Mortgage
 annie-mac.com
 @anniemac_home_mortgage

Melissa D’Ellena — D’Ellena Law
 dellenalaw.com
 @dellenalaw

Matt Bates — Movement Mortgage
 therimortgageguy.com

Buying or selling property internationally? The biggest risk might not be the deal — it’s the currency exchange.

In this episode of the Wealth Architect Podcast, Iva Slavtcheva, Senior Business Development Manager at Moneycorp USA, breaks down how global real estate payments really work — and why inefficient currency exchange and international transfers quietly cost investors thousands.

We discuss how to handle foreign exchange strategically, protect transactions from market volatility, and build confidence when moving money across borders. Iva also shares insights from working directly with international buyers, emigrating families, and real estate professionals growing their global footprint.

If you’re operating beyond borders — this episode is essential.

Guest: Iva Slavtcheva

iva_slavtcheva
Senior Business Development Manager, Moneycorp USA

Episode Sponsors

Annie Mac Mortgage
 annie-mac.com
 @anniemac_home_mortgage

Ted Topouzis — Attorney at Law
 taclosinglaw.com

Matt Bates — Movement Mortgage
 therimortgageguy.com

What if building wealth started with changing how you think?

Neuroscientist and Ness Labs founder Anne-Laure Le Cunff explains why uncertainty holds people back — and how tiny, repeatable experiments create mental clarity, confidence, and long-term emotional wealth.

Then, Allison Oster Dessel shares why buyers continue choosing Coastal Rhode Island, where they’re coming from, and what the 2026 real estate market may look like.

From mindset to market strategy — this episode connects psychology and real estate decision-making.

Guest: Anne-Laure Le CunffFounder, Ness Labs | Neuroscientist | Author

🔗 https://nesslabs.com/

Guest: Allison Oster DesselGlobal Real Estate Advisor, Mott & Chace Sotheby’s International Realty

📸 @allisondessel_realestate

 Episode Sponsors

Annie Mac Mortgage
 annie-mac.com
 @anniemac_home_mortgage

Melissa D’Ellena — D’Ellena Law
 dellenalaw.com
 @dellenalaw

Matt Bates — Movement Mortgage
 therimortgageguy.com

Generational wealth isn’t luck — it’s structure, consistency, and the right people in your corner.

In this episode of the Wealth Architect Podcast, Jeff Swiderski, Branch Manager at Annie Mac Home Mortgage, explains why real estate remains one of the most consistent vehicles for building long-term, multi-generational wealth — and why disciplined strategy always outperforms short-term speculation.

Then, David Lieng, Senior Manager, breaks down the role of a strong CPA as a true business partner. We discuss what the accounting industry looks like today, what separates a good CPA from a great one, and why serious wealth builders cannot afford to operate without strategic tax guidance.

If you're building for the next decade — not just the next deal — this episode is essential listening.

Guest:

Jeff SwiderskiBranch Manager, Annie Mac Home Mortgage

🔗 Website: annie-mac.com/lo/jeffswiderski📸 LinkedIn: Jeff Swiderski – Annie Mac Home Mortgage

Guest: David LiengSenior Manager

🔗 https://kahnlitwin.com/people/david-lieng

 Episode Sponsors

• Annie Mac Mortgage
   annie-mac.com
   @anniemac_home_mortgage
• John Lapointe — The Lapointe Insurance Agency
   lapointeins.com
• Ted Topouzis — Attorney at Law
   taclosinglaw.com