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  • 129 | Stop Adding Fuel to a Broken Engine - How to Finance Growth the Right Way with Brad Poulos

    129 | Stop Adding Fuel to a Broken Engine - How to Finance Growth the Right Way with Brad Poulos
    2026/04/28
    What if the biggest thing holding your business back isn't your market, your competition, or your capital, it's you? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick sits down with seasoned entrepreneur, operator, and professor Brad Poulos to unpack the hard truths about what it actually takes to scale a business and run it well. With 40 years of experience, from growing a wireless company from 4 to 200 employees and taking it public, to teaching entrepreneurship at Toronto Metropolitan University for nearly two decades, Brad brings the kind of battle-tested wisdom that no textbook can replicate. Brad and Patrick dive deep into the real reasons businesses stall, from founders who can't let go, to costly mistakes in how companies are financed and structured. Brad shares why giving employees equity is almost always the wrong move, how to think about debt versus outside investment, what family businesses get catastrophically wrong across generations, and why the best entrepreneurs validate before they ever build. Whether you're running a growing operation and feeling the weight of it, or you're trying to build something that lasts, this conversation is packed with practical insight that will challenge how you think about leadership, money, and growth. Key Takeaways: The #1 scaling problem is a founder's inability to let go - hire A-players and give them real autonomyNot every decision needs to be optimized; learn to "satisfice" the right ones and save your energy for what mattersMost problems solve themselves, resist the urge to intervene before a situation truly demands itFix the business before adding capital , leverage amplifies bad results just as much as good onesDebt is almost always cheaper and smarter than equity; bringing on minority shareholders can create serious long-term riskPhantom share plans are a better tool than real equity for retaining and rewarding key employeesFamily business succession requires early, transparent planning, equal doesn't always mean fairSell before you build, always validate demand with real customers before investing significant time and moneyThe best entrepreneurs are evidence-driven and willing to make uncomfortable decisions when the data demands it Learn More About Brad: Most Problems Solve Themselves by Brad PoulosFrom Pitch to Payoff: A Founder's Guide to Finance by Brad PoulosThe Small Business Operator's Manual by Brad Poulos Official Website: bradpoulos.com Resources: Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast | Tax & Financial Strategies for Entrepreneurs Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/ Credits: Sponsored by Vital Wealth Music by Cephas Art work by Two Tone Creative Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien
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    53 分
  • 128 | The Business Success Trap: Why More Growth Can Costs You Everything with Dr. Travis Parry

    128 | The Business Success Trap: Why More Growth Can Costs You Everything with Dr. Travis Parry
    2026/04/21
    What does it actually cost to build a successful business without balance? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Dr. Travis Parry, PhD, author of Marry and Grow Rich, and a business coach who has worked with thousands of entrepreneurs across all 50 states, to have one of the most honest and practical conversations about what it truly takes to build wealth without losing everything that matters most along the way. Dr. Parry brings a rare and powerful combination of financial expertise, psychological insight, and real world coaching experience to the table, making this a must listen episode for any entrepreneur who has ever felt like their business is winning but their life is not keeping up. In this compelling conversation, host Patrick Lonergan and Dr. Travis Parry unpack the real reason so many high achieving business owners feel stuck, burned out, and disconnected despite their outward success. From the four money scripts silently driving conflict in relationships, to the step by step framework for scaling a business without sacrificing your marriage or your health, this episode delivers the mindset shifts and practical strategies that successful entrepreneurs need to build a life that is just as strong as their balance sheet. Whether you are actively growing your business, navigating a season of transition, or simply searching for more alignment between your personal values and your professional ambitions, this episode will challenge the way you think about wealth, balance, and what it means to truly win in business and in life. Key Takeaways: True balance is not about perfect equilibrium between work and life. It is about making intentional time for the people and priorities that matter mostMost business owners spend less than 25 percent of their day on truly high value tasks and a time audit is the first and most important step to reclaiming your timeThere are four money scripts including avoidance, worship, status, and stewardship and identifying which one you and your partner operate from is the key to ending financial conflict in your relationshipThe mini obituary exercise is one of the most powerful tools for reconnecting with your core values and reshaping how you spend your time and energyEntrepreneurs who achieve the greatest balance are also the ones who learn to scale because they do the inner work to overcome their limiting beliefs firstScaling a business moves through four stages from player on the field to thought leader to owner in the box to business stacker and most entrepreneurs never advance because of subconscious fearCouples who operate from shared overlapping values are measurably happier, psychologically healthier, and more financially successful than those who do notSpousal alignment at every stage of business growth is not optional. It is one of the most critical factors in long term business and relationship success Episode Resources: Marry and Grow Rich by Dr. Travis Parry: MarryandGrowRichBook.comDr. Travis Parry coaching and speaking: BalancedGrowthInc.comVital Wealth Strategies free resource vault: vitalwealth.com/resourcesSubmit a listener question: vitalstrategies.com/questionsRest by Alex Soojung-Kim PangAtomic Habits by James ClearAchieving Balance by Dr. Travis Parry Resources: Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast | Tax & Financial Strategies for Entrepreneurs Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/ Credits: Sponsored by Vital Wealth Music by Cephas Art work by Two Tone Creative Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien
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    52 分
  • 127 | The $100K Mistake Your Accountant Is Letting You Make with Chris Papin

    127 | The $100K Mistake Your Accountant Is Letting You Make with Chris Papin
    2026/04/14
    What if the biggest opportunities to grow your wealth and reduce your taxes aren't found in what you're already doing, but in what you don't even know is possible yet? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Chris Papin, a rare triple-threat advisor who is a licensed attorney, CPA, and insurance producer, to unpack what high-level financial planning actually looks like when you connect the dots between tax strategy, legal structure, and risk management. Chris brings a forward-looking perspective that most business owners never get access to, helping entrepreneurs stop playing defense with their finances and start using the system to their advantage. In this conversation, Patrick and Chris dive deep into why the traditional fragmented advisory model is quietly costing business owners hundreds of thousands of dollars, how to build clean financials that position your business for maximum value whether you plan to sell or not, and how to think about your time as your most valuable and non-renewable resource. Chris also shares the core concept behind his book 168 Hours: A Startup Business Guide That Respects Your Time, a practical framework for aligning how you spend your time with the life and business you actually want to build. If you've ever felt like you're working hard but leaving money, time, and opportunity on the table, this episode will change the way you think about your business. Key Takeaways: Siloed advisors (CPA, attorney, insurance) working independently can create costly tax and legal gaps in your financial strategyAlways start business planning with the end in mind, because knowing your exit strategy shapes every decision you make along the wayClean, real-time financials aren't just for selling your business. They protect you, inform better decisions, and maximize your company's value at every stageDoing your books after the fact is one of the most expensive mistakes a business owner can make, because reactive accounting costs far more than proactive planningInternal financial controls and payroll oversight aren't optional. Small leaks compound quickly and trusted employees are often the ones responsibleEveryone gets the same 168 hours per week, and the difference between struggling and scaling is how intentionally you allocate themLeverage through systems, people, and capital is the only way to grow without simply trading more time for more moneyConscious decision-making around capital can be the difference between building long-term wealth and staying stuck Episode Resources: 📗 168 Hours: A Startup Business Guide That Respects Your Time: papinspeaks.com🌐 Papin CPA Official Website: papincpa.com🎤 Papin Speaks: papinspeaks.com🔗 Chris Papin on LinkedIn: Chris Papin | LinkedIn🛠️ Vital Wealth Resources Vault: vitalwealth.com/resources❓ Submit a Listener Question: vitalstrategies.com/questions Resources: Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast | Tax & Financial Strategies for Entrepreneurs Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/ Credits: Sponsored by Vital Wealth Music by Cephas Art work by Two Tone Creative Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien
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    50 分
  • 126 | You've Optimized Everything… Except This

    126 | You've Optimized Everything… Except This
    2026/04/07

    What if you applied the same data-driven thinking you use to evaluate a business acquisition to the most examined claim in human history? In this solo Easter episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan steps outside the usual conversation on taxes, wealth, and optimization to tackle a question that even the most disciplined high-performers tend to leave unexamined, the historical case for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Patrick isn't asking listeners to take a leap of faith. He's asking them to do what they do best: look at the evidence and follow it wherever it leads.

    Drawing on manuscript history, Roman medical and military practice, and early eyewitness accounts, Patrick builds a case that is as methodical as it is compelling. He walks through the transformation of the disciples, the significance of the empty tomb, the early creed found in 1 Corinthians, and systematically dismantles every alternative explanation, from stolen bodies to mass hallucinations. Whether you've believed your whole life or never seriously examined the question, this episode will leave you with one unavoidable challenge: have you actually looked at it?

    Key Takeaways:

    • The resurrection is a historical claim that can be examined with the same evidence-based framework used in business decisions
    • The New Testament has stronger manuscript support than most accepted works of ancient history
    • Roman crucifixion was designed to guarantee death, medical analysis of the biblical account confirms Jesus did not survive the cross
    • The empty tomb was never disputed by opponents who had every incentive to produce a body and end the movement
    • The transformation of figures like Paul and James, from opponents to devoted followers, demands an explanation
    • Every alternative theory (stolen body, hallucinations, legend) can explain part of the evidence, but none accounts for all of it
    • Staying neutral on this question is itself a decision, the evidence warrants an informed response

    Resources:

    Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources

    Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast | Tax & Financial Strategies for Entrepreneurs

    Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies

    Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast

    Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/

    Credits:

    Sponsored by Vital Wealth

    Music by Cephas

    Art work by Two Tone Creative

    Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien
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    20 分
  • 125 | How the Top 1% Actually Invest Their Money (It’s Not What You Think) with Tad Fallows

    125 | How the Top 1% Actually Invest Their Money (It’s Not What You Think) with Tad Fallows
    2026/03/31
    What if everything you’ve been told about investing, by your wealth manager, your bank, and even your financial advisor, is shaped more by their incentives than your best interests? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Tad Fallows, co-founder of Long Angle, a private peer community built exclusively for high-net-worth entrepreneurs and investors. Tad spent a decade building and exiting a software company, and when he suddenly found himself managing serious wealth, he discovered a startling gap: the people best positioned to help often had the most conflicts of interest. So he built something different, a no-selling, no-pitch community where members with $5M to $100M+ in net worth share real intelligence, access elite alternative investments, and make smarter decisions together. In this episode, Tad breaks down the investment strategies that the ultra-wealthy actually use, and why most entrepreneurs are unknowingly leaving significant returns on the table. Listeners will learn why a 30% allocation to alternative investments (private equity, private credit, litigation finance, search funds, and even whiskey barrel financing) can dramatically improve portfolio performance and reduce volatility. Tad also reveals why traditional wealth managers have a structural blind spot when it comes to recommending the best opportunities, how illiquidity can actually be a behavioral advantage for long-term investors, and the little-known tax strategy (Private Placement Life Insurance) that can turn a 12% return into a near 11% net, instead of the ~6% most investors settle for after taxes. Whether someone is a recently exited founder or a high-earner navigating complex finances for the first time, this episode is a masterclass in building generational wealth with intention. Key Takeaways: The top 1% allocate roughly 30% of their portfolio to alternative assets, including private equity, private credit, and niche strategies most investors never hear about.Traditional wealth managers have an AUM-driven conflict of interest that keeps clients away from the best-performing (and often unmanageable) opportunities.Private markets offer higher alpha potential because they are less efficient but access and operator-quality diligence are everything.Illiquidity is not just a tradeoff, it’s a behavioral advantage that prevents panic selling and compounds long-term returns.Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI) is a powerful tax wrapper that converts ordinary income from private credit into tax-deferred or tax-free growth.Search funds, investing in an operator to acquire a small business at ~4x earnings and sell at ~10x have historically generated 30%+ IRR.In private markets, manager selection matters more than deal selection, back the 2nd to 4th fund managers with $100M–$1B+ AUM.Community-driven investing (like Long Angle) gives members access to institutional-level intelligence and deal flow without product pitches or conflicts.Most entrepreneurs post-exit are overconcentrated, under-diversified, and missing the access and peer networks needed to optimize their wealth.The S&P 500 is a solid baseline (~10% long-term return), but alternatives add diversification, non-correlation, and return enhancement for investors who are ready. Learn More About Tad: Long Angle (Tad’s peer investing community for HNW entrepreneurs): https://longangle.com Resources: Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast | Tax & Financial Strategies for Entrepreneurs Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/ Credits: Sponsored by Vital Wealth Music by Cephas Art work by Two Tone Creative Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien
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    55 分
  • 124 | Designed to Last: Why Most Entrepreneurs Take the Wrong Risks at the Wrong Time

    124 | Designed to Last: Why Most Entrepreneurs Take the Wrong Risks at the Wrong Time
    2026/03/24

    What if the biggest threat to your success isn’t taking too much risk, but taking the wrong risk at the wrong time? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Michael O’Keefe to break down one of the most misunderstood concepts for entrepreneurs: how risk should evolve as your business grows. Together, they walk through a powerful four-stage framework that helps entrepreneurs align their decisions with where they are today so they can stop guessing and start building with intention.

    Patrick and Michael explore how entrepreneurs can move from the all-in intensity of the build phase to protecting what they’ve created, multiplying their wealth through focus, and ultimately stepping into legacy with clarity and purpose. Along the way, they share real-world insights on avoiding costly distractions, building financial stability, and making smarter capital allocation decisions. If you’ve ever felt torn between growth and security, or questioned whether you’re making the right moves in your business, this episode delivers a clear roadmap for using risk as a strategic advantage instead of a liability.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Risk for entrepreneurs should evolve across four stages: build, protect, multiply, and legacy
    • Taking the wrong risk at the wrong time can stall growth or destroy wealth
    • The build phase requires going all-in and prioritizing speed and revenue generation
    • The protect phase focuses on creating financial margin and avoiding lifestyle creep
    • The multiply phase demands focus and eliminating distractions to maximize business value
    • Passive investments should not pull time or energy away from your core business
    • The legacy phase shifts from ROI to impact, flexibility, and long-term wealth planning
    • An investment policy statement can help entrepreneurs stay disciplined with decisions
    • Cash reserves create both protection during downturns and opportunity during chaos
    • Long-term, consistent decision-making is the key to compounding success

    Episode Resources:

    • Vital Wealth Resources: https://vitalwealth.com/resources
    • Submit a Question: https://vitalstrategies.com/questions
    • Vital Wealth Website: https://vitalwealth.com
    • The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss
    • Die With Zero by Bill Perkins

    Resources:

    Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources

    Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast | Tax & Financial Strategies for Entrepreneurs

    Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies

    Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast

    Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/

    Credits:

    Sponsored by Vital Wealth

    Music by Cephas

    Art work by Two Tone Creative

    Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien
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    1 時間 3 分
  • 123 | Why Smart Entrepreneurs Are Moving Millions into Opportunity Zones with Ashley Tison

    123 | Why Smart Entrepreneurs Are Moving Millions into Opportunity Zones with Ashley Tison
    2026/03/17

    What if you could legally defer, or even eliminate, capital gains taxes on the sale of your business, real estate, or investments? Many entrepreneurs spend decades building wealth only to see a large portion disappear to taxes after a major liquidity event. In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, Patrick Lonergan explores one of the most powerful, and often misunderstood, tax strategies available to investors today: Opportunity Zones.

    Patrick sits down with Ashley Tison, founder of OZ Pros and one of the leading experts on Opportunity Zone investing, to break down how this strategy works and why it has become a powerful tool for entrepreneurs, investors, and family offices looking to minimize tax drag and maximize long-term wealth. Ashley explains the evolution from Opportunity Zones 1.0 to 2.0, how investors can potentially defer taxes for years, reduce their tax liability, and even eliminate capital gains taxes entirely after holding qualifying investments long enough. They also discuss how Opportunity Zones can be used alongside other strategies like 1031 exchanges, estate planning, and business exits, giving entrepreneurs a smarter way to turn a taxable event into a long-term wealth building opportunity.

    If you're planning to sell a business, real estate, or any highly appreciated asset, this conversation could fundamentally change how you think about capital gains and long-term investment strategy.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Opportunity Zones allow investors to defer capital gains taxes by reinvesting gains within 180 days.
    • The updated Opportunity Zones 2.0 rules introduce rolling 5-year deferral periods and potential tax reductions.
    • Investors may receive up to a 30% tax reduction when investing in rural Opportunity Zones.
    • Holding an Opportunity Zone investment for 10+ years can eliminate capital gains taxes on the new investment growth.
    • Investors can create their own “captive Opportunity Fund” to control how and where their money is invested.
    • Opportunity Zones can be used alongside 1031 exchanges, estate planning strategies, and business exit planning.
    • Long-term investing inside Opportunity Zones can dramatically reduce tax drag and improve compounding returns.
    • Opportunity Zone investments can potentially eliminate depreciation recapture taxes in certain structures.

    Episode Resources:

    • OZ Pros: https://ozpros.com
    • Opportunity Zone Podcast Resource Page : https://ozpros.com/podcast
    • Opportunity Zone Map : https://ozpros.com/map
    • Vital Wealth Website: https://www.vitalwealth.com
    • Opportunity Zones (IRS Overview): https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/opportunity-zones

    Resources:

    Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources

    Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast | Tax & Financial Strategies for Entrepreneurs

    Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies

    Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast

    Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/

    Credits:

    Sponsored by Vital Wealth

    Music by Cephas

    Art work by Two Tone Creative

    Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien
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    1 時間
  • 122 | The Content Strategy That Can 10X Your Reach with Nathan Gwilliam

    122 | The Content Strategy That Can 10X Your Reach with Nathan Gwilliam
    2026/03/10

    Can a podcast become one of the most valuable marketing assets your business ever builds? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with entrepreneur and digital platform builder Nathan Gwilliam, founder of Pod Up, to discuss how podcasting has evolved into a powerful growth strategy for entrepreneurs and CEOs. Patrick explores why podcasting has become such an effective way to build authority, develop relationships with influential people, and expand a company’s reach. Nathan shares insights from building large digital platforms that have reached hundreds of millions of users and explains why podcasting is no longer just about recording audio. Today, it is a full content marketing system that can generate social media content, blogs, video clips, and long-term audience growth.

    Throughout the conversation, Nathan explains why many business owners struggle to launch a podcast and why most podcasts fail within their first few episodes. He breaks down the concept of “pod fade,” the common gap between effort and results that causes entrepreneurs to quit too early. Nathan also reveals how modern tools and systems can dramatically simplify podcast production, helping founders focus on what matters most: showing up, sharing their expertise, and building meaningful connections with their audience. For entrepreneurs looking to grow their influence, attract new opportunities, and build an audience they truly own, this episode delivers practical strategies and a compelling look at how podcasting can become a long-term business asset.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Why podcasting has become one of the most powerful marketing strategies for entrepreneurs
    • The real reason most podcasts fail within the first 5 to 10 episodes
    • How CEOs can use podcasts to build authority and expand their professional network
    • Why inviting ideal clients to be podcast guests can create new business opportunities
    • How a single podcast episode can be repurposed into 8 to 12 pieces of content
    • The importance of owning your audience through email lists and your own website
    • How podcasting can become a long term revenue generating asset for entrepreneurs
    • The role of “passion marketing” in creating content your audience truly cares about

    Learn More About Nathan:

    https://whywebelieve.com/ https://podcastingsecrets.com/ https://podup.com/

    Resources:

    Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources

    Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast | Tax & Financial Strategies for Entrepreneurs

    Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies

    Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast

    Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/

    Credits:

    Sponsored by Vital Wealth

    Music by Cephas

    Art work by Two Tone Creative

    Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien
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    51 分