Category: Uncategorized

The Truth Behind Taxation Myths with Kim Moody (Ep. #20)

The Truth Behind Taxation Myths with Kim Moody (Ep. #20)

Did you know that a pinch of tax wisdom and strategic investment could potentially transform your financial landscape?

In this episode, John and Alex Soutsos speak with Kim Moody, founder of Moody’s Private Client, to dissect the layers of Canada’s tax system and its competitiveness on the global stage. From the tales of individual taxpayers to the boardrooms of big corporations, gain unparalleled insights into how tax policies affect not only the wealthy but every Canadian citizen.

John, Alex, and Kim discuss: 

  • What are Canada’s corporate and personal tax rates, and how do they compare globally
  • What is the true narrative surrounding capital gains taxes and to what extent do they affect the average citizen 
  • How do tax policies influence consumer spending, corporate expansion, and international investment
  • What are the psychological and economic consequences of high taxation on Canadians and how does it influence their decisions
  • And more

Connect with Med-Wealth Financial Services: 

Connect with Kim Moody:

About Our Guest: 

The antithesis of the status quo, Kim is driven to innovate new and better ways to do things for the clients he serves, the advancement of the firm, and other professionals in tax. His relentless obsession with knowing everything in the Tax Act makes him a highly sought-out resource for peers and clients. In March 2020, Kim published his first book, Making Life Less Taxing: Pay Attention To Your Taxes So You Can Pay Less Tax and Build a Strong, Smarter Canada – an Amazon bestseller in a number of categories.

The Truth About Canadian Healthcare: Myths, Realities, and the Path to Reform with Shawn Whatley (Ep.19)

The Truth About Canadian Healthcare: Myths, Realities, and the Path to Reform with Shawn Whatley (Ep.19)

Ever considered why Canada’s healthcare system, once lauded as a beacon of universal care, now faces critical scrutiny?

John and Alex Soutsos dive into the depths of this pressing issue with Dr. Sean Watley, a seasoned physician with firsthand experience in the intricacies of healthcare from his tenure as the head of the Ontario Medical Association and a board member of the Canadian Medical Association. 

John, Alex, and Shawn discuss: 

  • The evolution and challenges of Canada’s universal healthcare system.
  • Patient wait times and the impact on healthcare delivery.
  • The role of healthcare management and funding in patient care quality.
  • Dr. Sean Watley’s insights on potential reforms and solutions for improving patient outcomes.
  • And more

Connect with Med-Wealth Financial Services: 

Connect with Shawn Whatley:

About Our Guest: 

Dr. Shawn Whatley is Munk Senior Fellow with the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. Shawn is a

physician and author of the recent book, When Politics Comes Before Patients – Why and how Canadian Medicare is failing. He is also the author of the highly-praised book on how to fix emergency wait times in Canada, No More Lethal Waits. He has extensive experience in healthcare administration and medical politics. He is a past President of the Ontario Medical Association (OMA).

Navigating the Waves of Currency Exchange with Shael Stolberg and Jeffrey Dorfman (Ep 18)

Navigating the Waves of Currency Exchange with Shael Stolberg and Jeffrey Dorfman (Ep 18)

Are you ready to navigate the complexities of foreign exchange risks and unlock the secrets behind savvy investment strategies in the film industry?

John and Alex Soutsos speak with Shael Stolberg and Jeffrey Dorfman of Global QFX Inc. as they unravel the intricacies of financial freedom and ambition. We explore the battleground of the foreign exchange market and its profound impact on investors and business owners alike.

John, Alex, Shael and Jeff discuss: 

  • Understand the hidden dangers and opportunities in foreign exchange risk.
  • Learn from the personal triumphs and insights of our esteemed guests.
  • Discover how the film industry leverages financial strategies for production success.
  • Gain expert advice on navigating market fluctuations and investment planning.
  • And more

Connect with Med-Wealth Financial Services: 

Connect with Shael Stolberg:

Connect with Jeffrey Dorfman:

About Our Guests: 

Shael Stolberg is a multi-dimensional business facilitator, producer and creative problem solver who has published three books, created and taught two college level courses and associate produced three feature films with more in development. At present, he is also helping businesses limit their exposure to fluctuations in the currency market, thereby protecting their budget and bottom line with a focus on the film business.

Jeffrey Dorfman, based in Toronto, ON, CA, is currently a Director at Global QFX Inc, bringing experience from previous roles at AXEPAY Inc. China Cross-Border RMB Services, KYC & AML Verifications, AFEX, GFX Partners Inc. and Bendix Foreign Exchange Corporation. Jeffrey Dorfman holds a The University of British Columbia.

Overcoming Financial Biases (Ep. 17)

Overcoming Financial Biases (Ep. 17)

Are you planning for retirement? Do you know the risks you might face on the road to financial freedom?

John and Alex Soutsos discuss the dangers of familiarity bias and the importance of effective portfolio construction for a secure retirement. They highlight the pitfalls of being overly comfortable with familiar investments and advocate for a goals-based approach to enhance potential returns.

John and Alex touch on: 

  • The impact of familiarity bias on portfolio construction
  • The importance of adopting a goals-based approach for retirement planning
  • The significance of longevity and evolving financial needs in retirement
  • The unpredictability of life’s expenses and the importance of prudent investment strategies
  • And more

Connect with Med-Wealth Financial Services: 

Navigating Retirement Risks (Ep.16)

Navigating Retirement Risks (Ep.16)

Are you prepared for retirement without navigating the risks that may throw off your plans?

Join John and Alex as they delve deep into the risks faced by investors on the road to retirement. From inflation concerns to taxation risks, behavioral biases, and emotional investment choices, they shed light on the essential aspects of securing your financial future.

John and Alex discuss: 

  • The impact of inflation on retirement savings and purchasing power.
  • Longevity risk and the importance of planning for a financially secure future.
  • Taxation risks and the significance of tax-efficient investment strategies.
  • How behavioral biases like familiarity bias and recency bias affect decision-making processes.
  • And more

Connect with Med-Wealth Financial Services: 

Tax Planning Strategies for Future Estate Security with Paul McVean (Ep. #15)

Tax Planning Strategies for Future Estate Security with Paul McVean (Ep. #15)

How well do you understand the post-death treatment of your assets? Are your financial affairs properly structured to maximize the value of the estate and ensure it is distributed in a fair and equitable manner?  

John and Alex Soutsos speak with Paul McVean, Founder of Astute Strategies Inc. and McVean Tax PC, on the fundamental aspects of tax and estate planning, including strategies for maximizing the value of your personal and professional assets..

John, Alex, and Paul discuss: 

  • How are registered assets, such as RRSPs or RIFs, treated upon death
  • How does the ownership structure of assets impact the tax implications upon death
  • Strategies for extracting assets from a professional corporation 
  • How can individuals document their intentions and assets to facilitate the executor’s role in estate settlement
  • And more

Connect with Med-Wealth Financial Services: 

Connect with Paul McVean:

About Our Guest: 

Since entering the financial world in 1994, Paul has gained experience in a number of different areas. He began his tax career at one of the “big four” accounting firms, where he was involved in public accounting, tax planning, and compliance. Paul then gained experience in the fee-only financial planning world with a small independent firm where he provided advice to his own clients, as well as to the other consultants of the firm on various tax planning matters. He also worked in wealth management at one of Canada’s largest independent wealth management firms as Regional Vice President, Wealth Planning, followed by founding and being Managing Director of an advice-only financial planning firm, Astute Strategies Inc., where he provides complex financial, tax and estate planning solutions and expertise to and through financial advisors. 

Web3 Technology in Building Design with Andy McKay (Ep.14)

Web3 Technology in Building Design with Andy McKay (Ep.14)

Wondering how digitizing buildings can lead to better efficiency and reduced operational costs?

Learn the role of Web3 technology in architectural design with John and Alex Soutsos and their guest Andy McKay, founder and managing director of Digital Inc. They touch upon the merits of employing laser scanning in the construction process, the disparate rates of technology uptake in different regions, and how these tools serve in managing facilities and anticipating maintenance needs.

John, Alex, and Andy discuss: 

  • How Digital Inc. uses unique technological solutions to provide greater insights and allow builders to deliver projects faster
  • How digital twin technology can optimize building performance, particularly in terms of energy efficiency and cost savings
  • How Web3 technology takes property management to the next level 
  • How blockchain technology and cryptocurrency are being integrated into the construction industry, particularly with digital twinning and asset tokenization
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Med-Wealth Financial Services: 

Connect with Andy McKay:

About Our Guest: 

Andy McKay is the founder and Managing Director of Digital Inc., a pioneering firm in the digitization of property, encompassing Geomatics, BIM, and Digital Twins. The operations of Digital Inc. span across the UK and Canada, with a unique business model that includes collaborating with local companies for onsite activities and leveraging international talent for digital production.

Andy’s professional journey in the property and construction sector spans over 20 years, marked by a commitment to continuous learning and a track record of delivering results as promised. He takes immense pride in leading a team of experts, who have consistently demonstrated their ability to meet the high standards of tier-1 property clients.

Uncovering Fraud in the Generic Drug Industry with Katherine Eban (Ep.13)

Uncovering Fraud in the Generic Drug Industry with Katherine Eban (Ep.13)

Pharmacies offer generic drugs because they are more affordable, but do they work the same as brand-name medications?

Learn how a 10-year investigation of the global generic drug industry exposed how many companies misled regulators to obtain approvals and get pharmaceutical drugs on the market and into the bodies of millions of people. Join John and Alex as they speak with award-winning investigative journalist, and New York Times best-selling author, Katherine Eban.

Together they discuss:

  • Revelations from Katherine’s book Bottle of Lies
  • How poor oversight and cultural deference resulted in one of the largest and most prevalent fraud cases in history
  • How the Hatch-Waxman Act impacted the evolution of the generic drug industry
  • The role of the FDA when regulating food and drugs within the US
  • And more

Resources

Connect with Med-Wealth Financial Services:

Connect with Katherine Eban:

About Our Guest:

Katherine Eban is an award-winning investigative journalist, best-selling author, Vanity Fair special correspondent, and Andrew Carnegie fellow. Her articles on pharmaceutical counterfeiting, gun trafficking, coercive interrogations by the CIA, and COVID-19’s origins, have won international attention and numerous awards. Her Vanity Fair article “Rorschach and Awe,” which first identified the architects of the CIA’s torture methods used on 9/11 detainees, inspired the 2019 film “The Report.”

Mastering The Art of Home Renovations with Adam Szewczyk (Ep.12)

Mastering The Art of Home Renovations with Adam Szewczyk (Ep.12)

Are you considering updating your home? Debating between DIY or hiring a contractor? Get insider knowledge about where to draw the line and what types of work you may need.

Learn about the nitty-gritty of the construction world and the ins and outs of sprucing up your home with John and Alex Soutsos and their guest Adam Szewczyk, owner of 5B Construction. They delve into how the pandemic has shaken up the home renovation scene, the surge in do-it-yourself projects, and why it’s still crucial to have licensed professionals handle certain jobs. 

John, Alex, and Adam discuss: 

  • The impact of the pandemic on the construction industry
  • What to consider when deciding whether to DIY home renovations versus hiring professional contractors
  • Which projects add the most value to a home
  • How to minimize renovation costs
  • And more

Connect with Med-Wealth Financial Services: 

Connect with Adam Szewczyk:

About Our Guest:

Adam is a master builder and owner of 5B Construction. He is a graduate from the University of Waterloo’s Bachelor of Arts program, coach of the Provincial Women’s Gymnastic team in Ontario, and former participant in the Youth Challenge International in Costa Rica.

Crafting Your Business Wardrobe with Wassim Al-Roz (Ep.11)

Crafting Your Business Wardrobe with Wassim Al-Roz (Ep.11)

What do you look for in your business attire? An expensive bespoke suit? Or just a few suits you can mix and match the pieces to create new outfits for the office?

Join John and Alex Soutsos, with their guest Wassim Al-Roz, founder and owner of Noahdonis Sartorial Garments, in discussing his incredible journey from working in retail to starting his own business. Wassim shares his marketing strategies and discusses the importance of client support, sharing valuable insights on building a professional wardrobe and why it matters. 

John, Alex, and Wassim explore: 

  • His career journey and experience in the garment industry
  • Essential pieces for a young professional’s wardrobe
  • Challenges retailers face in meeting customer expectations in the fashion industry
  • The importance of fabric quality and suggestions for how to care for such materials
  • And more

Connect with Med-Wealth Financial Services: 

Connect with Wassim Al-Roz:

About Our Guest: 

Wassim is a Lebanese-Canadian men’s fashion designer and retailer who specializes in dealing with athletes, celebrities, and business professionals across the Greater Toronto Area. He developed his passion for fashion as an 8-year-old in his father’s clothing stores in Pickering Town Centre. Wassim would often assist his father with small tasks around the stores, like counting inventory, which sparked a lifelong interest in clothing. After completing high school in Lebanon, Wassim returned to Canada to study business and finance at Ryerson University. It was during this time that he began his career in the fashion industry, first with Tip Top Tailors and then with Harry Rosen. 

After 5 years at Harry Rosen, Wassim began his first independent venture, Cloth Talk, in Port Credit, offering both ready-to-wear and custom pieces. Wassim’s latest venture is Noahdonis, named after his two boys, which focuses exclusively on custom-made clothing. Never one to be content with the status quo, Wassim is a visionary hoping to elevate fashion in the city. 

Wassim is also incredibly passionate about basketball, which he began playing as a 12-year-old and still enjoys to this day. He spends a great deal of his time away from work training and coaching kids from grade 4 to 7 in basketball and hopes to stay as close as possible in the years to come.