

Directed IRA Podcast
Mat Sorensen and Mark Kohler
The Directed IRA Podcast, hosted by attorneys Mat Sorensen and Mark J. Kohler, is the leading source for investors navigating the world of self-directed IRAs and 401(k)s. As co-founders of Directed IRA & Directed Trust Company (directedira.com), Mat and Mark have helped thousands of clients invest in alternative assets using tax-advantaged retirement accounts.Episodes cover topics related to self-directing retirement accounts, such as Roth IRAs, Solo 401(k)s, real estate, private equity and venture funds, promissory notes, private placements (PPMs), start-ups, IRA/LLCs (Checkbook IRAs), and the UBIT/UDFI tax rules. The podcast also addresses prohibited transactions and shares real-world examples from investors who have successfully self-directed their retirement for decades.Whether you're a seasoned investor or just getting started, this podcast offers practical, expert-level insights into building wealth through self-directed strategies.Mat Sorensen is an attorney, best-selling author of The Self-Directed IRA Handbook, and CEO of Directed IRA & Directed Trust Company, a leading self-directed IRA custodian with nearly $3 billion under administration. He is a national expert on self-directed retirement strategies and a Senior Partner at KKOS Lawyers. Mat also co-hosts The Main Street Business Podcast along with Mark J. Kohler. Mark J. Kohler is a CPA, attorney, best-selling author of six books, and a nationally recognized authority on small business tax and legal strategies. Mark serves as a Senior Partner at KKOS Lawyers and Board Member at Directed IRA Trust Company, which manages over $3 billion in assets. As the founder of the Main Street Certified Tax Advisor Program, Mark has trained thousands of CPAs and Enrolled Agents nationwide, helping millions of small business owners better navigate tax and legal strategies. Mark also co-hosts The Main Street Business Podcast along with Mat Sorensen.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 2, 2025 • 58min
Buying Gold and other Precious Metals in your IRA
Ready to get started? Book a call with one of our IRA specialists!: https://directedira.com/appointment/In this episode, Mat Sorensen and special guest David McAlvany explore how to buy gold, silver, platinum, and palladium in your IRA. They explain the rules, benefits, risks, and strategies—whether you’re seeking portfolio diversification, inflation protection, or long-term growth. Learn how precious metals can fit into your retirement plan and what mistakes to avoid.📌 Key Chapters:00:00 – Introduction & Guest Background02:30 – History of Precious Metals in IRAs04:15 – Why Invest in Metals: Diversification & “Wealth Insurance”11:00 – Tax Benefits of Using an IRA for Metals13:00 – Storage Rules for Precious Metals in an IRA14:00 – Gold vs. Other Precious Metals: What to Buy26:00 – Gold vs. Crypto vs. Stocks34:00 – Rebalancing Strategies for Long-Term Growth47:00 – Due Diligence & Avoiding Overpriced Metals🔗 Useful Links: Learn more from McAlvany: https://mcalvany.com/directedDavid McAlvany's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmcalvany/Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/ Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/ Other:Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.comMain Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

May 27, 2025 • 13min
Should My Trust be the Beneficiary of My IRA?
Learn how to take control of your retirement - https://directedira.com/In this episode, Mat and Mark dive into one of the most overlooked yet critical aspects of retirement and estate planning—who should be the beneficiary of your IRA? Should it be your spouse? Your kids? Or your trust? They break down the tax implications, legal requirements, and best practices to ensure your wealth is passed on efficiently and securely. With real-life stories and clear action steps, this episode is a must-listen for anyone with a retirement account. 00:00 – Welcome & Why This Topic Matters00:25 – The Common Mistake Most People Make01:02 – Why Trusts Often Get Left Out01:58 – The Life Insurance Horror Story03:19 – Why Beneficiary Designations Rule All04:04 – Tips for Married Couples: Spouse First, Trust Second05:08 – Why a Trust Helps with Minor or At-Risk Children06:08 – Asset Protection & Special Needs Planning06:50 – What Is a See-Through Trust?08:06 – The IRS Rules & Structural Requirements09:40 – Action Items: Audit, Update, Organize11:00 – Wrapping Up: The Power of Being OrganizedTo get a comprehensive tax and legal plan get to my law firm KKOS Lawyers, https://kkoslawyers.com. Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/ Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/ Other:Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.comMain Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

May 19, 2025 • 38min
Private Lending and Hard Money Loans with a Self-Directed IRA or Solo 401K
Discover how a Self-Directed IRA can transform your retirement savings into a private lending powerhouse. Learn the mechanics behind secured loans and the importance of assessing borrowers and properties. Debunk myths surrounding private lending and navigate essential documentation like promissory notes. Explore payment structures and their impacts on investors and borrowers. Enjoy tax-free growth while leveraging your networks in the real estate community to maximize wealth and opportunity.

May 14, 2025 • 10min
How to Buy a Rental Property in your IRA
In this podcast, Mat breaks down how he used his retirement account to purchase a real, physical rental property—and how he paid zero taxes on the rental income and six-figure profits when he sold. Most people think their retirement is locked into Wall Street investments, but Mat shows how you can use a Self-Directed IRA to invest in assets you know and trust—like real estate. He walks through the exact steps he took, the financial results, and how you can start taking control of your financial future by building wealth outside of traditional investments. 📚 Want to learn more? Get a copy of The Self-Directed IRA Handbook or schedule a call with the team at DirectedIRA.com.00:00 – Intro: I Bought This Rental in My IRAMat introduces the surprising truth—yes, you can buy a rental property with your IRA or 401(k).01:36 – Why Real Estate Over the Stock Market?Explaining why Mat believes real estate provides better returns and tax advantages than stocks.03:12 – How a Self-Directed IRA WorksAn overview of what a Self-Directed IRA is and how it gives you investment control beyond Wall Street.05:32 – The Exact Strategy I UsedMat breaks down his real-life example—buying a 3-bed, 2-bath rental in Indianapolis through his retirement account.07:14 – Setting Up the IRA LLC StructureHow to structure the deal using an IRA-owned LLC for control and liability protection.10:26 – The Financial Results: Rental Income and Big GainsMat shares the numbers—purchase price, rental income, sale price, and the $100K profit he made tax-free.12:17 – What I Did Next: Private Lending & More InvestingHow Mat reinvested the profits into private money lending and new deals.13:15 – Why You Should Take Control of Your RetirementThe emotional payoff—building a bigger retirement account and creating a life of freedom and choices.15:09 – Can You Really Do This? Yes! Here’s How to StartDirected IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/ Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/ Other:Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.comMain Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

May 14, 2025 • 55min
How Investors are Turning Hotels into Homes People Can Afford - ft. Adam Hooper & Ryan Sudeck
In this episode of the Directed IRA Podcast, I sat down with Adam Hooper and Ryan Sudek from Sage Investment Group to dive into a high-impact real estate strategy: converting underutilized hotels into naturally affordable housing. We explored how this model delivers strong investor returns while addressing the affordable housing crisis—without relying on government subsidies. With over 20 successful conversions and more in the pipeline, this episode is packed with insights on real estate investing, IRA strategies, and wealth-building opportunities. If you're passionate about doing good while making money, you won't want to miss this conversation.0:00 - Intro - Real Estate Supply, Demand & Affordability Crisis0:30 - Meet Sage Investment Group & Their Mission1:43 - Why Hotels? A Strategic Conversion Model Explained6:13 - First Hotel Deal Case Study: Tucson Conversion10:11 - Why Not Office Conversions? Key Challenges12:05 - Investment Returns Without Sacrificing Impact15:15 - Deals That Didn’t Work and Why20:26 - Big Wins: Texas Hotel Acquisitions for Half Price23:09 - Hotel Industry Distress & The Patel Effect25:13 - Post-COVID Shifts in Hospitality and Opportunity27:06 - Using Self-Directed IRAs in Real Estate30:17 - Evergreen Fund Structure & Diversification Benefits31:54 - Liquidity & Exiting the Fund33:08 - 1031 Exchange Strategy Using a 721 UpREIT36:45 - Active Value Creation vs. Passive Investing38:06 - Is Now a Good Time to Invest in Real Estate?40:22 - Supply Forecasting & Conversions Market Potential44:27 - Personal Motivations & Building Investor Access48:31 - How M&A Skills Transfer to Real Estate51:18 - Fund Performance, Notes, and Final Investment Terms53:59 - How to Learn More & Get Involved👉 Want to learn more or invest?Visit sageinvestment.com/IRA for details on how Sage Investment Group helps turn underutilized hotels into high-yield, naturally affordable housing.📩 Have questions or ready to connect?Email ryan@sageinvestment.group or adam@sageinvestment.groupDirected IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/ Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/ Other:Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.comMain Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

May 7, 2025 • 53min
50 Minutes of Real Talk on Self-Directed IRAs and Alternative Investing
Dive into the world of self-directed IRAs and discover powerful investment strategies. The hosts explore the benefits of Health Savings Accounts for young adults and share humorous insights on family financial planning. Learn about the importance of asset protection in retirement accounts and how to navigate solo 401(k) options for entrepreneurs. Plus, uncover the intricacies of Roth contributions and the advantages of VA loans for property acquisition. It's a blend of practical advice and philosophical reflections for savvy investors!

Apr 7, 2025 • 8min
Backdoor Roth Strategy for 2025
In this episode of the Directed IRA Podcast, Mat Sorensen breaks down one of the most powerful tools for building long-term, tax-free wealth: the Backdoor Roth IRA. Many high-income earners believe they’re ineligible for Roth IRAs due to income limits—but that’s where the backdoor strategy comes in.Mat walks you through how the Backdoor Roth IRA works in 2025, including the three-step process of contributing to a traditional IRA, making it non-deductible, and then converting it to a Roth. He covers common pitfalls like the pro-rata rule and re-characterization mistakes, explains how to double up contributions for 2024 and 2025, and shares why this strategy remains one of the best-kept secrets in retirement planning—even with ongoing attempts by Congress to shut it down.Whether you're new to this strategy or need a refresher on the rules for 2025, this episode gives you the clarity and confidence to make it work.👉 Learn more and get started with your own Backdoor Roth IRA at https://directedira.com/backdoor-roth-ira/Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/ Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/ Other:Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.comMain Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

Mar 31, 2025 • 39min
Top 10 FAQs For Self Directed IRAs!
The hosts dive into the world of self-directed IRAs, debunking common myths and clarifying misconceptions. They break down what self-directed IRAs are and highlight versatile investment options, including real estate and startups. Tax advantages and the process of transferring funds without penalties are thoroughly explained. Listeners learn about key IRS restrictions and the importance of aligning investments with personal expertise. This insightful discussion serves both new and experienced investors looking to navigate the self-directed IRA landscape.

Mar 26, 2025 • 26min
How to Partner your IRA with others when doing Deals
In this episode of the Directed IRA Podcast, Mark Kohler and Mat Sorensen break down the mechanics of partnering your IRA with others in deals. Whether it’s pooling funds from multiple IRAs, combining accounts within a family, or structuring investments to comply with IRS rules, they cover the do’s and don’ts of co-investing. Tune in to learn how to structure partnerships, avoid prohibited transactions, and maximize your self-directed retirement investing strategy.Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/ Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/ Other:Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.comMain Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

Mar 17, 2025 • 28min
Investing in Private Companies, Funds, and Small business with a Self Directed IRA or solo 401k
In this episode of the Directed IRA Podcast, Mark and Mat break down how to use your self-directed IRA or 401(k) to invest in private businesses, funds, and startups. We’re not talking about running another business yourself—we’re talking about leveraging your expertise to identify valuable investment opportunities.Most people think investing with an IRA means buying stocks, but what if you could invest in the next big thing before it goes public? Whether it’s a local business you know has potential or a startup in your industry, using insider knowledge (legally!) can be a game-changer.We cover:✅ How investing in private companies differs from public stocks✅ Why broker-dealers don’t allow this—and how self-directed IRAs give you control✅ The risks and rewards of private business investments✅ How a Roth IRA can help you grow wealth tax-free with the right investmentsIf you’re looking for ways to maximize your retirement returns beyond traditional stocks and mutual funds, this episode is for you.Head over to DirectedIRA.com now to start your self directing journey! Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/ Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/ Other:Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.comMain Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com


