Ez$ Podcasthosted By Zak Leedom, Cfp®

Hiring is one of the hardest parts of building a successful advisory firm. In this episode of The Retirement Fiduciary, Adam Koós sits down with William Spengler, founder of Frederick Fox, to talk about what actually leads to better hiring outcomes, stronger teams, and healthier long-term growth. Will shares what he's learned from building a fast-growing recruiting firm and explains where many companies go wrong in the hiring process. This conversation covers interviewing mistakes, compensation expectations, onboarding, retention, and the leadership habits that help firms attract and keep great people. It is especially relevant for financial advisors and business owners trying to scale without creating chaos. Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Intro, guest background, and how Will built Frederick Fox 03:50 – How William Spengler got into recruiting 05:20 – Why traditional recruiting models are slow and outdated 07:15 – What the best firms do differently when hiring 08:20 – Common interviewing mistakes that lead to ba

In this episode of The Retirement Fiduciary, Adam Koós uses the NCAA tournament to explain a simple but powerful investing lesson: most people are drawn to exciting long shots, but long-term success usually comes from sticking with the strongest probabilities. That is true in tournament brackets, and it is just as true in retirement portfolios. Adam walks through why people love Cinderella stories, how higher seeds consistently dominate over time, and what that teaches us about momentum, trend-following, and disciplined portfolio construction. Here's what this means in plain English: building your financial future around low-probability outcomes may feel exciting, but it is rarely a sound strategy. This episode is especially helpful for investors who want to understand why process matters, why prediction is a losing game, and why disciplined decision-making becomes even more important when real money and retirement income are involved. Episode Timestamps: 00:00 – Buckeyes, busted brackets, and why everyone st

Most people assume retirement success comes down to picking the right investments, earning higher returns, or trying to outperform the market. But that is rarely the deciding factor. In this episode of The Retirement Fiduciary, Adam Koós explains why most retirement plans fail and what truly drives long-term success. He walks through the difference between saving and chasing returns, why controlling fixed expenses matters more than most people realize, how risk should support the plan instead of the ego, and why every successful retirement is built around a written, living, breathing financial plan. Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome and why most people misunderstand retirement success 01:45 – Why savings matters more than portfolio returns 02:30 – The marathon analogy: returns are weather, savings is forward movement 05:15 – The shift from growth to funding your life in retirement 05:55 – Why controlling fixed expenses creates flexibility 06:30 – The 15-year vs. 30-year mortgage example and liquidity risk 09

Most advisors genuinely want to help. But the industry's compensation structures and "hat switching" can create incentives that unintentionally pull advice away from the client's best interest. In this episode, Adam Koós breaks down the most common red flags that show up in sales-driven advice, especially when fee explanations are vague, product recommendations come too early, or clients feel pressured. Then, Adam flips the script and outlines what good advice looks like in practice: planning-first discovery, transparent compensation, clear pros and cons, and a relationship that builds client confidence instead of dependence. This is a practical checklist advisors can use to tighten their own process and investors can use to protect themselves. Episode Timestamps: 00:00 Intro: Why this matters, and why bad advice often "sounds good" 01:00 The 4 advisor types: fiduciary vs hybrid vs broker vs insurance agent 04:00 How incentives can influence recommendations (real examples) 06:00 Hidden fees + conflicts: comm

In this episode, Adam Koós sits down with David Keller, CMT (host of Market Misbehavior) for a practical conversation about using technical analysis the way advisors actually need it: to manage risk, stay disciplined, and help clients understand what's happening without jargon. You'll hear how Adam's early-career experience through the 2000–2002 bear market shaped his shift away from "hope-and-hold" messaging—toward a model-driven, trend-aware process—plus the exact types of charts he believes advisors should keep in front of them during client conversations. Episode Timestamps (YouTube Chapters) 00:00 – Welcome + why this conversation matters for advisors 01:05 – Adam's background: med school path → financial advisor (starting 10 days before 9/11)04:30 – The turning point: why "it always comes back" wasn't good enough for clients 06:45 – Why technical analysis clicked: "playoff teams" (relative strength) + "locker room" (risk-off) 10:05 – Risk management reality: tornado sirens, whipsaws, and why disci

Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) are often talked about—but rarely understood. For many business owners, they represent one of the most powerful (and misunderstood) succession and liquidity strategies available today. In this episode, Adam sits down with Kelly Finnell, one of the nation's foremost ESOP experts, to break down how ESOPs really work, why they offer unique tax advantages, and when they may outperform traditional exits like private equity or third-party sales. Whether you're a business owner thinking about succession—or an advisor guiding clients through exit planning—this conversation delivers clarity without the jargon. Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to ESOPs and Kelly Finnell's background 02:00 – What an ESOP is (and why it's both a succession strategy and a retirement plan) 05:00 – How ESOPs create liquidity and operate tax-free 07:30 – The biggest benefits of ESOPs for employees 09:00 – Owner tax advantages, including Section 1042 deferral 11:00 – Who is a good candi

In this episode of The Retirement Fiduciary, we're sharing a conversation where Adam Koós was featured as a guest on another podcast. The discussion focuses on how disciplined, data-driven investing helps investors navigate changing markets—without falling into the trap of emotional decision-making. Adam explains how following market trends doesn't mean predicting the future or reacting to headlines. Instead, it's about using objective signals, rules-based processes, and technical insights to stay aligned with long-term goals while managing risk through different market environments.   Episode Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction & context for the conversation 04:15 – Why emotions are one of the biggest risks to investors 09:30 – What it really means to follow market trends 15:10 – Using technical signals without predicting outcomes 21:20 – How disciplined processes help during volatility 28:50 – Final thoughts on staying objective and consistent Key Takeaways:

Most people think travel rewards are confusing, time-consuming, or only useful for frequent fliers. But in reality, when you understand how to earn and redeem points strategically, you can turn your normal everyday spending into deeply discounted travel — even at luxury hotels charging $1,500+ a night. In this episode, Adam sits down with Colin Stroud, founder of Go Somewhere, who has built one of the fastest-growing travel-rewards education platforms on LinkedIn. Colin breaks down how retirees, families, and business owners can use points more intentionally, avoid common mistakes, and unlock outsized value — whether you're looking for a simple getaway or a bucket-list luxury vacation. Episode Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & topic overview 03:00 – Colin's story: From insurance job to building a travel-rewards business 06:00 – Why flexible points (Chase, Amex, Capital One) beat airline & hotel cards 09:00 – The two ways to "win" with points: Earning and redeeming 12:00 – How transfer partners unl

Adam Koós sits down with David Morgan—monetary system critic, precious metals analyst, and founder of The Morgan Report—to discuss the fragile state of today's financial system, what history teaches us about currency and freedom, and why investors should pay close attention to silver and gold. David brings over four decades of market experience and economic insight, helping thousands of investors navigate fiat currency, centralized monetary control, and debt-fueled illusion. From the role of the U.S. dollar in global markets to the growing concern around CBDCs, this episode offers a sobering, yet empowering look at what lies ahead—and what smart investors can do to prepare. Whether you're new to alternative assets or looking to protect your retirement from the unknowns of modern monetary policy, this conversation is essential listening. ⏱️ Episode Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome and guest introduction 02:00 – David's background and evolution as a monetary system critic 05:00 – The moment the system s

Adam Koós sits down with Carl Richards, author, keynote speaker, and creator of the iconic Sketch Guy column in The New York Times. For more than a decade, Carl has been known for turning complex financial concepts into simple, powerful sketches that spark meaningful conversations. His new book, Your Money: Reimagining Wealth in Simple Sketches, invites us to view money not as spreadsheets and numbers, but as a tool for freedom, clarity, and connection. Together, Adam and Carl explore why money can’t solve all our fears, how retirees can confidently spend the money, and what it really means to live a wealthy life. Episode Timestamps: 01:00 – Carl’s unexpected path into finance and sketching 06:00 – The moment he discovered sketches make money “click” 10:00 – Why simplifying ideas often takes dozens of iterations 11:00 – The book as a “conversation grenade” to spark meaningful dialogue 14:00 – Why money will never be enough to pay for all your fears 18:00 – If money walked into the room—what would it say t

Adam Koós joins fellow CMT David Keller to share his journey from aspiring trauma surgeon to founding Libertas Wealth Management Group and launching Adrenaline Advisor Consulting. Adam opens up about starting his career just before 9/11, how market crashes pushed him toward technical analysis, and why he uses sports and weather analogies to help clients understand investing. From building financial plans that manage both money and emotions, to teaching advisors how to grow thriving practices, Adam offers a candid look at lessons learned over two decades in the industry. Episode Timestamps: 01:00 – Adam’s background: Ohio State, trauma surgery dreams, and the pivot to finance 07:00 – Starting at a brokerage firm just before 9/11 09:00 – Why Adam embraced technical analysis after the early 2000s crash 12:00 – The “NFL playoff teams” analogy for investing 15:00 – Tornado sirens, trend following, and managing risk 18:00 – Dealing with investor emotions and building confidence 20:00 – Why every client needs

In this episode, host Adam joins Axel Meierhoefer on The Ideal Investor Show to share his journey from aspiring trauma surgeon to founding Libertas Wealth Management Group. Adam opens up about the life-changing injury that redirected his career path, how his father inspired his love for business, and the unique approach he takes to help clients - both business owners and individuals - build and protect wealth across generations. From the critical differences between a ‘practice’ and a ‘business,’ to why most Americans start planning far too late, this conversation dives deep into the strategies, mindsets, and planning essentials that create lasting financial security. Episode Timestamps: 01:00 – Adam’s origin story - from Cleveland roots to business inspiration 03:00 – Early career dreams in trauma surgery and competitive TaeKwonDo 05:00 – A career-ending injury changes everything 06:00 – The surprising conversation with his father that led to financial advising 07:00 – Launching Libertas Wealth Mana

In this episode of The Retirement Fiduciary Podcast, host Adam Koós takes the guest seat on The Aligned Money Show with George G. The conversation blends financial insight with personal backstory as Adam opens up about his unexpected past in music, his path to becoming a Chartered Market Technician, and the investment strategies he uses today to help clients protect and grow their wealth. This episode covers everything from election-season uncertainty to the pros and cons of trend following, what most people misunderstand about timing the market, and why building the right portfolio is the key to sticking with your plan. Whether you're a retiree, a pre-retiree, or someone just looking for a better way to manage risk in today’s market, this episode offers candid advice and a reminder that real financial planning is more than just picking investments. Episode Timestamps: 01:00 – Two Truths and a Lie: Adam’s Singing Past Revealed 05:30 – What’s Top of Mind: Markets, Elections, and Uncertainty 07:30 –

In this episode of The Retirement Fiduciary Podcast, host Adam Koós interviews Sharad Mehta, the Founder and CEO of REsimpli, a revolutionary real estate software platform. Sharad shares his remarkable journey from working as an accountant to becoming a successful real estate investor and entrepreneur. After flipping over 800 properties and managing a portfolio of 60 free-and-clear rental units, Sharad realized the need for a more efficient way to run his business. This insight led him to develop REsimpli, an all-in-one software solution designed to streamline real estate investing by integrating marketing, lead management, accounting, and more. Sharad and Adam discuss the challenges of scaling a real estate business, the importance of building strong relationships, and why maintaining consistency is the secret to long-term success. Sharad also explains his philosophy of paying off properties instead of leveraging them, his preference for simple, repeatable systems, and how consistency in marketing efforts ha

In this episode of The Retirement Fiduciary, Adam Koos is joined by life coach Suzanne Campi for an inspiring conversation about navigating life’s transitions. Suzanne shares her expertise on helping clients embrace change, whether it’s preparing for retirement, dealing with an unexpected career shift, or simply facing life’s uncertainties. Together, they discuss how adopting a positive mindset can make even the most challenging transitions more manageable. Suzanne dives into why many people struggle with change and offers practical advice for approaching it differently. Drawing from her background in psychology, coaching, and fitness, she explains the holistic tools and strategies she uses to help clients maintain their well-being during these periods. From handling job loss to embracing new opportunities, Suzanne’s insights provide listeners with actionable steps to thrive through life’s inevitable changes.   https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzannecampi/  https://www.suzannecampi.com/    Libertas Wealth: h

In this episode of The Retirement Fiduciary, Adam Koos concludes his NERD-vember series with Part 2 of "Major Factors to Consider When Investing," shifting focus to two additional critical factors in investing: momentum and volume. Building on the foundation set in Part 1, Adam explains how these indicators can help you better understand market behavior and make more informed investment decisions. By exploring the role of momentum, he shows how the speed of price changes can signal future trends, while his discussion on volume highlights its importance in confirming those trends.   Check out the video on YouTube for visuals  Libertas Wealth: https://bit.ly/3HpmN2o   Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:  https://apple.co/3NQHjeO   Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3aTTCse   Subscribe on Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3QmGmMU   For more VIDEO podcasts like this one: https://bit.ly/42uevkm  For more AUDIO podcasts: https://bit.ly/3PHXHzo   For educational VIDEOS and Stock Market Updates: https://bit.ly/3Tvh4yR Fo

In this episode Adam is diving into the first part of his NERD-vember series, doing a deeper dive into 2 of the major factors to consider when investing... price and trend.  Adam will be looking at these 2 indicators and how to use them to determine if it's a good TIME to buy, or when it's a good time to buy or sell your current investments.  Examing the highs and lows of recent market history, Adam shares more on how trends and moving averages work and how to take this into account when making your financial decisions.    Check out the video on YouTube for visuals  Libertas Wealth: https://bit.ly/3HpmN2o   Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:  https://apple.co/3NQHjeO   Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3aTTCse   Subscribe on Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3QmGmMU   For more VIDEO podcasts like this one: https://bit.ly/42uevkm  For more AUDIO podcasts: https://bit.ly/3PHXHzo   For educational VIDEOS and Stock Market Updates: https://bit.ly/3Tvh4yR For general financial educational ARTICLES: https://bit.ly/3Vy

In this episode of "The Retirement Fiduciary," Adam sits down with Dan Baron, an expert in estate planning, elder care law, probate, and business succession, to simplify the often daunting process of estate planning. Together, they explore important topics like whether or not you should avoid probate and how the probate process can impact your assets. Dan introduces the concept of asset shrinkage, explaining how poor planning can lead to significant loss of wealth over time, especially in the face of rising nursing home costs, which he discusses in detail with average figures from across the United States. He also shares real-life examples of how trust planning has benefitted families, as well as cautionary tales where the lack of a trust caused serious financial and legal issues. Additionally, Dan provides insights into what constitutes reasonable fees for estate planning services, helping listeners understand what to expect when working with professionals in this field. If you're looking to protect your ass

"Up The Escalator - Down The Elevator" In this episode of The Retirement Fiduciary, Adam explores the concept of "Daylight," a key metric that investors should pay close attention to when markets become volatile. Daylight refers to the average price of an investment over a specified period, offering a clearer picture of an asset’s performance by smoothing out short-term fluctuations. Adam explains how this metric can help investors make better decisions, especially when market conditions are unpredictable or erratic. Using examples from the past five years, Adam illustrates how Daylight has played a role in guiding investment strategies through periods of market instability. He also discusses why it’s crucial to consider Daylight alongside other financial indicators to get a more balanced view of the market.   Libertas Wealth: https://bit.ly/3HpmN2o   Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:  https://apple.co/3NQHjeO   Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3aTTCse   Subscribe on Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3QmGmMU 

In this episode of The Retirement Fiduciary, Adam welcomes back Rachel Alley, Realtor and Team Leader for The Millennium Group at Keller Williams Capital Partners in Central Ohio. Rachel revisits the podcast to discuss the significant shifts in the residential real estate market since her last appearance over two years ago. She highlights the challenges buyers and homeowners face today, particularly with interest rates more than doubling, and provides insights into how these changes are reshaping the market. Rachel also explores the topic of refinancing, offering guidance on when it makes sense to refinance a mortgage despite the recent rise in rates. Additionally, she addresses common misconceptions in the market, explaining how a 2-1 Buydown works, and uncovers opportunities that still exist for savvy buyers and sellers. This episode is packed with valuable advice for anyone looking to navigate the complexities of the current real estate landscape.   https://www.columbushousetohome.com/  RachelAlley@KW.com