On our Season Four finale, we’ve saved the best for last. (Well, not necessarily, but that’s a thing people still say, right?) Either way, this episode is a big one. On this episode, we get into the weeds on how you can keep more of your money—period. That means breaking down and clarifying some of the most confusing and obscure questions around taxes. (Yes, that’s right, we’re finally getting around to taxes.) With a whole year between now and Tax Day 2023, it’s the perfect time to dive in. This is one of those episodes you’ll probably want to save and listen to a few times—it’s THAT jam-packed with useful (and frugal) insights. For episode resources and the transcript, visit: https://StealtheShow.com/podcast/s4e10-keeping-more-of-what-you-make/ .

You work hard. Very hard. You strive to grow your business and build wealth so that you can create financial stability not just for yourself, but your loved ones.   On this episode, we talk about what it takes to protect the results of all your hard work—and to keep safe the things that matter most in life. We break down the most impactful strategies for protecting your income, family, and estate. As Michael says in the episode, there are no guarantees in life. But listening to this episode will help clear up some important questions you probably have about planning for your financial future. For this episode's transcription and links to resources mentioned by Michael and Matt, visit here: https://StealtheShow.com/podcast/s4e9-keeping-your-income-your-family-and-your-estate-safe-and-sound/ .

On this episode, Michael and Matt explore the concept of portfolio asset allocation—and how to take emotion out of your investment decisions.  If you’re someone who’s interested in maximizing gains and minimizing losses in the stock market, this episode is for you. Michael and Matt cover what it means to time the market, how to build effective investment strategies, and how to stick to a long-term investment philosophy. For this episode's transcript and links to resources and other podcast episodes mentioned, visit: https://StealtheShow.com/podcast/s4e8-asset-allocation .

At times, the world of business and finance can seem like the wild west—and when it comes to money advisors, things are no different. You’ve got your white hats, your black hats, and a whole mess of ugliness in between. On this episode, Michael and Matt saddle up and ride out into the rugged wilderness of financial advisors. They break down what makes a great financial advisor—and all the red flags that you should be on the lookout for so you can tell the good guys from the bandits. This episode can save you some serious time, money, and financial frustration.  For the audio transcript and extended show notes, visit https://StealtheShow.com/podcast/s4e7-money-advisors-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/ .

On this episode, Michael and Matt break out their magnifying glasses and plaid Sherlock Holmes caps as they launch a live investigation into how speakers and entrepreneurs like you should think about additional savings. This is one of those drinking-water-out-of-a-firehose episodes that’ll make you say, “Oh, wow, there’s so much I didn’t know I needed to know.” Michael and Matt uncover and share a ton of useful information that will open your eyes to new ways to make financial decisions and think about your money. For related episodes, resources mentioned in this episode, and the transcript, visit: https://StealtheShow.com/podcast/s4e6-what-to-do-with-additional-savings/

Whoa, what’s this? A bonus episode? Huh? Wha? That’s right. Welcome to the very first episode of Steal the Show: Michael’s Soapbox, our brand new bonus episode series. On this episode, Michael takes on one of the biggest questions that most aspiring speakers grapple with early in their careers: “What if what I’ve done in the past isn’t good enough to get me speaking gigs now?” The answer? It doesn’t matter what you did before. Drawing on inspiring real world examples and the research he did writing The Referable Speaker, Michael breaks down what meeting planners look for in a speaker—and how YOU can get the gig, even if you don’t think you’re “qualified.” For the a list of resources mentioned in this episode and the transcript, click here: https://StealtheShow.com/podcast/it-doesnt-matter-what-you-did-before/

On this episode, we investigate an innovative way to think about your business: as your own, personal family bank. Any business owner or aspiring entrepreneur can benefit from thinking of their business in these terms. We discuss what that shift in perspective means and the implications it can have for your business and future. Plus—and maybe most importantly—we break down how to actually do it. You can (and quite possibly should) set up your business as your own personal family bank. This episode gives you the why, when, and how of it all. For links to resources mentioned in this episode as well as the trascription, visit https://StealtheShow.com/podcast/s4e5-turning-your-business-into-your-own-family-bank/ .

Uh oh. There’s that word. “Debt.” It’s a little scary, isn’t it? Well, go ahead and tap the play button, anyway—this episode will help put your mind at ease. On this episode, we talk about things that you and your business can do right now to start increasing cash flow. (And who doesn’t want to do that?) And yes, we also discuss that dreaded thing known as “debt”...but what we have to say may just help you pick up a few key strategies for paying it down. You’ll finish this episode feeling a little more reassured and with a few new ideas about how to increase your cash flow and pay off your debts. For the episode's transcript and links to Michael's books check out: https://StealtheShow.com/podcast/s4e4-increasing-cash-flow-through-savings-and-efficiency-plus-debt/

On this episode, we take a hard look at a tricky question: “How should I set up my business?”   As speakers and entrepreneurs, we want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to set our businesses up for success. But that doesn’t mean we’re not susceptible to confusion, bad habits, outdated ways of thinking, or just plain old anxiety—we are. And those things can hold us back.   Drawing on our own personal experience as entrepreneurs (plus Matt’s invaluable expertise as a financial services professional), we make sense of some of the most daunting internal challenges small business owners face in this episode. Anybody, anywhere who interacts with money can learn something valuable from this, so whether you employ dozens, just yourself, or nobody at all, this episode will give you a peek behind the curtain at what successful small businesses and businesspeople do to help themselves thrive.  Click here for the transcript and episodes of the Steal the Show podcast, and resources mentioned in this episode: https://StealtheShow.com/podcast/s4e3-setting-up-your-business-operations-personal-operations-and-bookkeeping-for-financial-success  

Matt Zepka, the owner and chief wealth strategist at Valley Oak, joins to decode the confusing world of business jargon. He shares his insights on choosing the right business structure, highlighting pros and cons of entities like LLCs and S corporations. The discussion incorporates fun tax trivia and emphasizes the importance of income growth. Zepka makes complex terms like passive income and depreciation accessible, fostering clearer financial communication. Listeners learn to navigate financial terminology with confidence and humor.