Welcome to "Ahead in the Count," presented by BIP Wealth. Our Baseball Division combines their collegiate and professional baseball playing experience with financial acumen to provide expertise in life on and off the field. We aim to give ballplayers and their families a better understanding about their unique lifestyle, the opportunities that come from playing this game, and insight into the complex financial world. This is "Ahead in the Count," hosted by Nolan Alexander, from BIP Wealth.

Mark Milam returns to discuss the state of the mortgage and housing market, exploring how recent Fed rate decisions are impacting borrowers, what's on the horizon for 2026-2027, and practical strategies for homebuyers and those considering refinancing.

Please like, subscribe, and rate this podcast episode of Ahead in the Count!

To contact the hosts, send an email to jhester@bipwealth.com, kschmidt@bipwealth.com, cmurray@bipwealth.com,

Welcome to "Ahead in the Count," presented by BIP Wealth. Our Baseball Division combines their collegiate and professional baseball playing experience with financial acumen to provide expertise in life on and off the field. We aim to give ballplayers and their families a better understanding about their unique lifestyle, the opportunities that come from playing this game, and insight into the complex financial world. This is "Ahead in the Count," hosted by Nolan Alexander, from BIP Wealth.

In this episode, BIP Wealth Chief Investment Officer Eric Cramer gives an overview and insight into his quarterly market report.

Cramer highlights how revised economic data has shifted how he and others view the markets. Large changes in employment data now provide different signals than before, and how do these changes affect his outlook on the next quarter? Find out on this episode.

Please like, subscribe, and rate this podcast episode of Ahead in the Count!

To contact the hosts, send an email to jhester@bipwealth.com, kschmidt@bipwealth.com, cmurray@bipwealth.com, or jhermida@bipwealth.com

Welcome to "Ahead in the Count," presented by BIP Wealth. Our Baseball Division combines their collegiate and professional baseball playing experience with financial acumen to provide expertise in life on and off the field. We aim to give ballplayers and their families a better understanding about their unique lifestyle, the opportunities that come from playing this game, and insight into the complex financial world. This is "Ahead in the Count," hosted by Nolan Alexander, from BIP Wealth.

In this episode, get to know the newest member of BIP Wealth! Danny Hall joined as Vice President of Strategic Growth.

Hall has long been connected to BIP Wealth, first through Randy Carroll, BIP's Chairman, and has coached a total of 5 current BIP team members over the years who played baseball at Georgia Tech (Michael Sorrow, Kyle Schmidt, Chase Murray, Drew Byers, and John Giesler). Hall and his family have been clients of BIP's Baseball Division since 2007 and had the privilege of having Jim Poole as their Personal Wealth Advisor before he succumbed to ALS in 2023.

During his career, Hall racked up 1,452 wins across 38 seasons as a head coach of which 32 seasons were spent at Georgia Tech. He ranked 10th in NCAA Division I history in career wins before deciding to step away from coaching after the 2025 season. While at Georgia Tech, Hall guided the team to 7 ACC regular-season championships, 5 ACC Tournament titles, 24 NCAA Tournament berths and 3 College World Series. Across 32 seasons, Hall saw 146 players selected in the Major League Draft, with 41 going on to play in the major leagues.

Please like, subscribe, and rate this podcast episode of Ahead in the Count!

To contact the hosts, send an email to jhester@bipwealth.com, kschmidt@bipwealth.com, cmurray@bipwealth.com, or jhermida@bipwealth.com

Welcome to "Ahead in the Count," presented by BIP Wealth. Our Baseball Division combines their collegiate and professional baseball playing experience with financial acumen to provide expertise in life on and off the field. We aim to give ballplayers and their families a better understanding about their unique lifestyle, the opportunities that come from playing this game, and insight into the complex financial world. This is "Ahead in the Count," hosted by Nolan Alexander, from BIP Wealth.

In this episode, discover what makes the AFL a premier opportunity for baseball's rising stars. Learn how the league brings together the best prospects from all 30 MLB organizations to compete in a unique six-week showcase that runs from early October through November.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How the Arizona Fall League works and which prospects get selected
• The logistics of AFL participation: housing, pay, and travel arrangements
• Why scouts from every MLB organization attend these games
• The laid-back yet competitive atmosphere that makes AFL special
• Behind-the-scenes stories from John Hester's AFL experience playing alongside future stars like Max Scherzer
• How the league has evolved to include more international prospects
• What the AFL means for player development and trade opportunities

Please like, subscribe, and rate this podcast episode of Ahead in the Count!

To contact the hosts, send an email to jhester@bipwealth.com, kschmidt@bipwealth.com, cmurray@bipwealth.com, or jhermida@bipwealth.com

Welcome to "Ahead in the Count," presented by BIP Wealth. Our Baseball Division combines their collegiate and professional baseball playing experience with financial acumen to provide expertise in life on and off the field. We aim to give ballplayers and their families a better understanding about their unique lifestyle, the opportunities that come from playing this game, and insight into the complex financial world. This is "Ahead in the Count," hosted by Nolan Alexander, from BIP Wealth.

In this episode, Mark Flickinger returns to discuss why the fall of 2025 presents a unique opportunity for investing in private markets. The conversation covers current market dynamics, the importance of manager selection, and new accessibility options for private market investments.

• Valuation opportunities
• Buy low strategy
• Market fundamentals

• Capital constraints
• Opportunity zone
• Consolidation potential

• Market correction: Approximately 50% fewer venture funds active compared to recent peak years
• Discipline matters
• Long-term perspective: Removing the COVID-era bubble reveals a consistent growth trajectory from 2017-forward

• Evergreen funds and BDCs
• 401(k) developments
• IRA options: Self-directed IRAs already enabling private market participation with tax advantages

• Manager selection is critical: Not all private equity returns are equal - performance varies significantly by manager
• Portfolio fit: Best investment available isn't always the right one for individual circumstances
• Professional guidance: Importance of working with experienced managers who evaluate deals daily
• Tax efficiency: Private credit investments work well in tax-advantaged accounts

Please like, subscribe, and rate this podcast episode of Ahead in the Count!

To contact the hosts, send an email to jhester@bipwealth.com, kschmidt@bipwealth.com, cmurray@bipwealth.com, or jhermida@bipwealth.com

Welcome to "Ahead in the Count," presented by BIP Wealth. Our Baseball Division combines their collegiate and professional baseball playing experience with financial acumen to provide expertise in life on and off the field. We aim to give ballplayers and their families a better understanding about their unique lifestyle, the opportunities that come from playing this game, and insight into the complex financial world. This is "Ahead in the Count," hosted by Nolan Alexander, from BIP Wealth.

This episode features a comprehensive discussion about Major League Baseball's potential realignment and expansion plans, featuring insights from former professional players Kyle Schmidt and Jeremy Hermida.

• Commissioner Rob Manfred has been discussing realignment for approximately a decade
• Plans potentially tied to the upcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) expiration in December 2026
• Balancing tradition and history with modernization needs
• Recent rule changes (pitch clock, bigger bases) have been well-received, suggesting fans can adapt to changes

• Potential new cities mentioned:
  • Nashville (most frequently discussed)
  • Salt Lake City
  • Raleigh
  • Montreal (return)
• Two additional teams would create 50 new roster spots
• New teams would require complete farm system development

• Current 162-game schedule creates significant wear and tear
• Cross-country flights after late games (finishing at 10:30-11:00 PM) followed by 2:00 AM departures
• Potential schedule reduction to 156 games being considered
• Geographic realignment could reduce travel burdens

• Realignment may be a negotiating tool for owners ahead of 2026 CBA talks
• Salary cap discussions:
  • Players' opinions
  • Would potentially hurt middle-tier players most
  • Baseball's historically strong players union
  • Revenue sharing and competitive balance

• Players taxed based on where games are played (prorated basis)
• Realignment could significantly impact players' take-home pay

• Franchise valuations at all-time highs
• Revenue sharing already addresses some competitive imbalance
• Tax implications could influence free agent decisions
• Middle-tier players most vulnerable under potential salary cap

Please like, subscribe, and rate this podcast episode of Ahead in the Count!

To contact the hosts, send an email to jhester@bipwealth.com, kschmidt@bipwealth.com, cmurray@bipwealth.com, or jhermida@bipwealth.com

Welcome to "Ahead in the Count," presented by BIP Wealth. Our Baseball Division combines their collegiate and professional baseball playing experience with financial acumen to provide expertise in life on and off the field. We aim to give ballplayers and their families a better understanding about their unique lifestyle, the opportunities that come from playing this game, and insight into the complex financial world. This is "Ahead in the Count," hosted by Nolan Alexander, from BIP Wealth.

Former MLB pros Chase Murray and Jeremy Hermida share their firsthand experiences of what it's like to navigate the final stretch of a 162-game season.

"Angry August" Phenomenon

• The term that perfectly captures the late-season clubhouse dynamics
• Strategies to maintain professionalism and team chemistry when tensions run high

Three Different Season Scenarios:

• Teams in playoff contention and the excitement of the hunt
• Clubs fighting for wild card spots and monitoring scoreboard watching
• Organizations out of contention

Mental Approaches to Season's End:

• The challenge of maintaining focus when some players are "raking" and others are struggling
• How playoff-bound teams shift from individual stats to team-first mentality
• The psychological boost that comes with a "fresh start" mentality in October

Off-Season Preparation:

• Financial planning and budgeting for the months ahead
• Mapping out training, living arrangements, and social commitments
• The importance of evaluating what worked and didn't work during the season
• Navigating wedding season and family time during the off-season

Please like, subscribe, and rate this podcast episode of Ahead in the Count!

To contact the hosts, send an email to jhester@bipwealth.com, kschmidt@bipwealth.com, cmurray@bipwealth.com, or jhermida@bipwealth.com

Welcome to "Ahead in the Count," presented by BIP Wealth. Our Baseball Division combines their collegiate and professional baseball playing experience with financial acumen to provide expertise in life on and off the field. We aim to give ballplayers and their families a better understanding about their unique lifestyle, the opportunities that come from playing this game, and insight into the complex financial world. This is "Ahead in the Count," hosted by Nolan Alexander, from BIP Wealth.

Economic Update & Market Analysis

• Recent employment data revisions and their economic implications
• Federal Reserve interest rate policy and anticipated cuts in September
• Impact of tariff policies on inflation and market performance
• Strong second-quarter market performance across global markets

Financial Planning for Athletes

• Unique challenges facing young baseball players with significant early-career earnings
• Why traditional financial planning timelines are accelerated for professional athletes
• The importance of maintaining long-term investment strategies despite market volatility
• Risk tolerance assessment for younger, high-income earners

Advanced Tax Strategies: 529 Plans Deep Dive

• Expanded uses beyond college tuition (K-12, vocational training, professional credentials)
• Strategic funding techniques, including the 5-year gifting rule
• Multi-generational wealth transfer strategies using 529 plans
• Converting 529 assets to Roth IRAs for additional flexibility
• Real-world examples of tax-free compounding over multiple decades

Estate Planning Updates

• New higher estate tax exemption limits
• Long-term wealth preservation strategies for high earners
• Multi-generational investment planning considerations

Please like, subscribe, and rate this podcast episode of Ahead in the Count!

To contact the hosts, send an email to jhester@bipwealth.com, kschmidt@bipwealth.com, cmurray@bipwealth.com, or jhermida@bipwealth.com