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

Everyone says they want financial freedom—but what if they really don’t? In this episode, Michael sits down with Michael Ketchen and Cam Cathcart to unpack the hard truth that many entrepreneurs create the very prisons they were trying to escape. From scaling businesses and flipping hundreds of homes to building intentional lives, they share the lessons they’ve learned about time, money, relationships, and purpose. If you’ve ever felt stuck in your own success, this conversation might change the way you think about building wealth. You'll learn:

• Why playing small is actually the biggest risk
• How to build a business that supports your life instead of consuming it
• The power of intentional relationships and accountability
• Why rental properties alone won’t create financial freedom
• The mindset shifts that separate good investors from great ones