How to Build Wealth Through Non-Food Franchising
The Richer Geek
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast. Today we are joined by Jon Ostenson, one of the top 1% Franchise Consultants in the U.S., respected author, investor, and leading voice in the world of non-food franchising. Jon breaks down how everyday professionals, corporate leaders, and real estate investors can use franchising to build wealth, diversify income, and create long-term stability even without quitting their day job. In this episode, we chat about… Jon’s career path from corporate leadership to franchise president and top franchise consultant Why non-food...
info_outline
Bitcoin Meets AI: What’s Next?
The Richer Geek
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! This week, as we honor Veterans Day, today’s guest brings both service and purpose to the mic. Joshua Brooks, founder of Exponential Advisors and an Army Reserve Chaplain, combines military discipline, faith, and forward-thinking tech to help families and organizations build real financial freedom. Joshua shares how he’s blending AI, blockchain, and Bitcoin into modern financial planning, why he believes everyone should take a second look at Bitcoin, and how faith and integrity shape his work. From overcoming PTSD to leading with...
info_outline
How the Ultra-Wealthy Invest in 2025
The Richer Geek
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast. Today we are joined by Richard Wilson, CEO of Family Office Club, the largest investor community for ultra-wealthy families with over 7,500+ members and 16+ in-person events every year. Richard has spent 18 years studying how the richest entrepreneurs protect and grow wealth, building a global social network of 17M+ followers and interviewing billionaires to decode what truly moves the needle. In this episode, we chat about… What the ultra-wealthy are actually investing in right now Why investors are moving away from “spray...
info_outline
Buying Castles in Spain: The Smart Way to Invest in Boutique Hotels
The Richer Geek
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Today, Mike and Nichole break down how U.S. investors can tap into Spain’s booming tourism market, including opportunities to buy historic boutique hotels and castles at surprisingly accessible prices. If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a cash-flowing property you can also vacation in… this one’s for you. In this episode, we chat about… Why Spain beats the U.S. in current hotel economics The hidden world of affordable castles and estates The challenges of buying overseas (and how to solve them) How the fund...
info_outline
Why Mobile Home Parks Are the Smartest Real Estate Play
The Richer Geek
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast. Today we are joined by Brad Johnson, Co-founder and Chief Investment Officer of Vintage Capital. Brad shares how mobile home park investing is quietly outperforming traditional real estate. He breaks down why this niche is attracting serious investors, the powerful tax advantages that come with it, and how it helps solve America’s growing affordable housing problem all while delivering steady, long-term returns. In this episode, we chat about… Brad’s journey from small rental properties to managing $3B+ in real estate deals ...
info_outline
The Quiet Fortune in Timberland
The Richer Geek
Can trees really grow your wealth? In this episode, Mike talks with John Brenard, Founder and Managing Director of Southview Timberland Investments, about how timberland and farmland offer strong returns, steady cash flow, and natural inflation protection. John explains why this overlooked asset class is gaining traction with investors who want something real, stable, and sustainable. In this episode, we chat about… From Wealth Management to Timberland: How John turned a family land purchase into a thriving investment strategy. Why Timberland Works: A proven inflation hedge that’s...
info_outline
The Hotel We Almost Skipped — That Tripled Our Money
The Richer Geek
In this week’s episode of The Richer Geek Podcast, Mike and Nichole sit down for a quick but insightful chat about their first hotel investment, a deal they almost passed on. They share how a mismanaged Arizona property turned into a 3X return and what it taught them about timing, partnerships, and spotting value where others don’t look. In this episode, we chat about… How Mike transitioned from multifamily to hotels Meeting Vic and forming a strong investment partnership Finding opportunity in a mismanaged Arizona hotel Why location and local “drivers” matter more than...
info_outline
Preserving Legacies Through Storytelling
The Richer Geek
What if your family’s greatest stories could live on like a Netflix documentary? In this episode of The Richer Geek, today we are joined by filmmaker and storyteller Chance McClain, founder of Heritage Films. With over 800 documentaries produced, Chance has made it his mission to capture family histories, founders’ journeys, and life legacies in cinematic style. From Army veteran to Broadway musicals to award-nominated filmmaking, Chance shares how storytelling preserves values across generations and why every story, big or small, matters. In this episode, we chat about… How Chance...
info_outline
Smart Tax & Exit Strategies Every Entrepreneur Needs
The Richer Geek
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Today our guest is David Flores Wilson, founder of Sincerus Advisory and named an Investopedia Top 100 Financial Advisor. He helps entrepreneurs, tech professionals, and business owners maximize wealth, optimize equity compensation, and exit businesses the smart way. In this episode, David breaks down tax-saving strategies, the power of donor-advised funds, how to use real estate for wealth building, and why exit planning should start on day one, not the day you’re ready to sell. If you want to keep more of what you earn and create...
info_outline
Recession-Proof Wealth with Alternative Investments
The Richer Geek
Patrick Grimes, CEO of Passive Investing Mastery and internationally bestselling author, shares how accredited investors can diversify like the ultra-wealthy. In this episode, Patrick explains why litigation funding, rare earth metals, and other alternative investments can protect your wealth, create passive income, and thrive during any economic cycle. In this episode, we chat about… Patrick’s shift from robotics engineering to building wealth through real estate and alternative assets Why litigation finance is a powerful, non-correlated investment strategy How accredited investors...
info_outlineWelcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Today’s guest is Dr. Amir Baluch, wealth strategist, private fund manager, and international best-selling author of Make It, Keep It. Dr. Baluch has helped professionals build lasting wealth through strategic passive investments, overseeing over $700M+ in projects through Baluch Capital.
In this episode, we chat about…
-
Dr. Amir Baluch's journey from aspiring doctor to semi-retired anesthesiologist and full-time wealth strategist, including early failures and lessons learned from losing his life savings in an electronic payments business and his father's bankruptcy.
-
Why alternative investments are essential for real diversification and risk reduction
-
The difference between real estate, private equity, and private credit and where they fit in your portfolio
-
What it means to be a Limited Partner (LP) and why it’s ideal for busy professionals
-
Real-life tax advantages: depreciation, capital gains exemptions, opportunity zones, and more
Key Takeaways:
-
Diversification is Key: Don't put all your money into one asset class like the S&P Index, diversify across multiple uncorrelated asset classes to significantly reduce risk.
-
Beyond Stocks: Explore alternative investments like real estate, private equity, and private credit for potentially higher returns, cash flow, and tax advantages not typically found in public markets.
-
Understand Risk, Return, and Liquidity: Every investment has these three profiles, and while return and liquidity are easy to grasp, understanding and underwriting risk is crucial.
-
Tax Efficiency Matters: Strategic investing can offer substantial tax benefits through depreciation, capital gains exclusions (like IRC 1202 for private equity), and other incentives.
-
Investing is a Team Sport: Don't try to go it alone. Partner with experienced mentors and consider starting as a Limited Partner (LP) to learn the ropes and leverage expertise.
-
Continuous Learning: Always be on the lookout for new asset classes and knowledge, never assume you know everything.
Resources from Amir
LinkedIn | Baluch Capital | Get Your FREE Book Here
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide