What does it actually mean to build wealth? In this episode, I sit down with Rich and Kathy Fettke to talk about far more than real estate. We discuss how a life-threatening cancer diagnosis changed everything, why passive income became a necessity instead of a goal, and the lessons they've learned after helping more than 88,000 investors acquire over $14 billion in real estate.

But what surprised me most wasn't their investing advice, it was their perspective on family, legacy, and knowing when enough is enough. This conversation challenged the way I think about success, parenting, marriage, and the purpose behind building wealth. If you've ever wondered whether you're building a business that serves your life or a life that serves your business, this episode is for you.

You'll walk away with:

- Why cash flow and long-term thinking beat chasing the next big deal.

- How to avoid the trap of "Bigorexia", the belief that more is never enough.

- The investing habits Rich and Kathy see in the most successful real estate investors.

- Why the greatest legacy you leave your family has very little to do with money.

Most people have no idea they can use their retirement account to invest in real estate—and honestly, I didn't know either.

After nearly 20 years in banking, I discovered that I could move retirement funds from a traditional IRA or old 401(k) into a self-directed account and invest in real estate instead of leaving my money sitting in Wall Street products I didn't fully understand. That realization completely changed how I think about building wealth.

In this episode, I break down exactly how self-directed IRAs work, why I've moved almost all of my own investment portfolio into real estate, and how you can use retirement funds to buy rental properties, become a private lender, or invest in real estate deals while keeping the tax advantages of your retirement account. Whether you're looking to invest your own retirement savings or raise capital from private investors, I'll walk you through the opportunities most people never hear about.

You'll walk away with:

• How to use a self-directed IRA to invest in real estate.
• Why I believe cash flow beats simply watching the stock market.
• How retirement accounts can become a source of passive income.
• A practical way to use private money to start investing in real estate.

In this episode of Dead Presidents Club, I sit down with CPA and real estate tax strategist Amanda Han to unpack some of the most powerful tax strategies available to investors today. We discuss self-directed IRAs, depreciation, cost segregation, the short-term rental tax loophole, and why so many investors are paying more in taxes than they need to. Amanda also shares common mistakes she sees investors make, how to think about tax planning the right way, and why waiting until tax season is often too late. Whether you're buying your first rental property or already building a portfolio, this conversation will help you understand how the tax code can become one of the most powerful wealth-building tools available. You'll walk away with:

• How self-directed IRAs can be used for real estate investing
• The pros and cons of using leverage inside retirement accounts
• How depreciation creates tax savings even when properties are appreciating
• The short-term rental loophole explained simply
• When tax planning makes sense (and when it doesn't)
• Common mistakes investors make that cost them thousands in taxes