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
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.
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
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)
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
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)
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
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)
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
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)
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
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.
How Effective Leadership Can Transform Your Businesses with Gino Ferrin (Ep.10)
Gino Ferrin, President of Ferrin Leadership, joins John and Alex to discuss what effective leaders do to maximize the performance of those under their command. Gino shares his journey, from humble beginnings in the sales and service department at Bell Canada, to finding his true passion in leadership development.
John, Alex, and Gino focus on:
The importance of leadership in various aspects of life
How can leadership be customized based on individual philosophies, goals, and personalities
Why long-term thinking and investment in leadership development are crucial for sustained success
How humility and honest communication are critical to developing trust
Gino is the President of Ferrin Leadership Development. He is a pragmatic, innovative Leadership & Development/Communications Professional, specializing in building management skills and growth. Gino helps professionals through a variety of strategies not limited to, custom-designed programs, professional facilitation, and management coaching.
Through his company, Ferrin Leadership Development, Gino partners and works with clients across North America creating solutions that bring about significant cost & time savings, while improving overall business performance. Gino’s training helps companies generate intangible benefits, which can be observed through increased overall job satisfaction, thereby reducing turnover and increasing the discretionary effort of all employees.
Harnessing the Power of Cryptocurrency and Blockchain with Skyler Senkowski (Ep.9)
Technology has evolved how we interact with many aspects of our lives, including investment assets. Cryptocurrency and blockchain technology have the potential to completely upend the financial system. But what is cryptocurrency? How does blockchain technology work? How are they incorporated into modern investment strategies?
In this episode, John and Alex Soutsos are joined by Skyler Senkowski, owner of Ascend Blockchain Solutions in discussing the basics of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.
John, Alex, and Skyler touch on:
What is cryptocurrency and blockchain technology
What industries could be affected by blockchain technology
How does regulation and anonymity play a role in the crypto community
Why is it important to consider utility and purpose when investing in crypto assets
Skyler’s crypto journey began in early 2018 when he applied the educational and research skills learned in his undergraduate and master’s degrees (BA in Environmental & Urban Sustainability, MASc in Environmental Applied Science & Management) to teach himself about cryptocurrency and how to research crypto investments. This led him to his next chapter in 2020 when he left his government job in forestry to pursue crypto full-time. Two years after that, he had the inspiration to share his crypto knowledge and to empower others, which led him to build Ascend Crypto. Ascend Crypto provides a full suite of services, ranging from weekly newsletters and podcasts to educational courses and consulting.
Navigating the complexities of today’s investment landscape requires a nuanced understanding of the financial markets, and how they have responded to numerous events throughout history.
Today’s episode undertakes a comprehensive examination of the far-reaching repercussions of global government actions, shedding light on the financial and market impacts arising from a myriad of geopolitical events. From the complexities surrounding the European debt crisis to the persistent political instability in Greece and Italy, and the nuanced economic challenges faced by China, John and Alex provide an in-depth analysis of how these macroeconomic factors influence investment strategies and market behavior.
Part 3 of Market Crises provides insight on:
The importance of working with a wealth advisor who can provide perspective and act as a sounding board for their clients during periods of high volatility
The consequences of central bank and government interventions in the financial markets
How the Global Financial Crisis helped spark the European Debt Crisis
The interconnected relationship of the global economy
