Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/3Nijzou

In today's episode, I sit down with Joe Ganella, a retired U.S. Army veteran with 23 years of service (19 in Special Forces), married for 35 years, and a dad of two. Joe's a powerful example of what it looks like to do many things "right" financially living within his means, staying out of debt, saving consistently and still recognize there's a higher level of wealth available: the kind that creates abundance, flexibility, and the ability to give freely without hesitation.

Joe shares how he reached a point where he became work optional meaning he doesn't have to work to pay his bills but still realized that's not the same as being financially free. Work optional can mean you're surviving and stable. Financially free means you're no longer limited by the "we can't afford that" mindset. It's the difference between being able to stop working and being able to live fully on your terms with margin, generosity, and real choice.

We also talk about something I wish more people focused on: teaching the next generation to win financially. Joe is candid about raising his kids with a "Dave Ramsey-style" mentality save, avoid debt, be conservative and how he's now working to "deprogram" that scarcity mindset and help his kids think bigger. He explains how he's coaching his youngest son (a former pro-level athlete) to shift from hustle and uncertainty into structure: income first, then budgeting, then clear goals, then execution.

A big part of this conversation is about identifying what you actually want. Joe shares how he spent years searching for a CPA who did real tax planning not just tax preparation and how hard it was to find trustworthy guidance in a world full of gurus. We talk about how to evaluate mentors and financial professionals, why you should never make impulse buys under pressure, and why the best advisors don't rely on hype, fear, or rushed decisions.

Joe also shares a practical framework that applies to anyone especially parents:

- Build an abundant mindset
- Track where every dollar goes
- Create measurable goals
- Take daily action to move toward them Because information alone won't change your life. Action will.

If you're trying to become work optional, build passive income, and create a legacy for your family, this episode will help you rethink what freedom really means and give you real-world ideas to teach your kids how to build it, too.

Start making a passive income here: https://bit.ly/3YsnCkG

What were the biggest financial surprises of 2025 and more importantly, what should we realistically expect heading into 2026?

In today's episode, I break down what truly caught investors, economists, and money managers off guard in 2025, and why many of the same warning signs are flashing even brighter as we move into 2026. A year ago, when I was asked what I expected for 2025, my honest answer was simple: who knows? Looking back now, that uncertainty turned out to be one of the most accurate forecasts anyone could make.

We saw several major surprises in 2025 that very few people anticipated. Massive tariff wars shook markets and rattled confidence. Gold and silver exploded to historic highs, with silver nearly doubling in a matter of months. Even more surprising, stocks continued pushing to new highs at the same time precious metals surged something that rarely happens and signals deeper issues beneath the surface.

I also address why inflation may not be as "under control" as headlines suggest, why crypto failed to act as digital gold, and why the AI-driven tech boom continues to inflate valuations despite growing similarities to past market bubbles like the 1920s and the dot-com era.

Most importantly, I explain what these trends mean going into 2026. We're now approaching nearly 17 years of an extended bull market with only one meaningful down year. Historically, markets don't behave this way without consequences. While some experts predict the market can keep rising for years, that would be unprecedented and if it happens, the eventual correction could be far more painful.

I walk through how money supply, credit availability, and government intervention are propping up the economy, and why liquidity not productivity is currently driving growth. I also explain why rising unemployment, tightening consumer spending, and growing household financial stress could create cracks that no amount of money printing can permanently fix.

I share my personal positioning as both an investor and saver why I'm staying cautious on stocks, prioritizing liquidity, building infinite banking policies, and focusing on real assets like real estate, precious metals, and asset-backed investments. This isn't about fear; it's about preparation.

If you're approaching retirement, building wealth, or simply trying to protect what you've already worked hard to earn, this episode is a critical listen. I'm not claiming to predict the future but I am urging you to stop relying on hope and start thinking defensively before the next major shift arrives.

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/494BbwM

As we close out the year, I wanted to do something a little different on the Money Ripples Podcast. Instead of bringing on a guest or breaking down a single strategy, I decided to look back and answer one important question: what were the top 10 Money Ripples podcast episodes of 2025, and why did they matter so much to you?

This episode is a recap of the most downloaded and most watched episodes of the year across YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. These weren't just my favorites these were your favorites. And what stood out to me most was the clear pattern in what resonated: people are questioning traditional financial advice more than ever.

From challenging Dave Ramsey's teachings, to exposing myths around the 401k match, the 4% rule, and "buying the dip" in the stock market, 2025 was a year where a lot of sacred cows got challenged. And based on the response, it's clear that many of you are hungry for something deeper, more honest, and more aligned with real financial freedom.

I break down each of the top 10 episodes, explain why they performed so well, and remind you what key lessons you can take from them heading into 2026. We cover topics like passive income strategies, infinite banking, private equity investing, home equity without monthly payments, and why relying solely on 401ks and IRAs may not give you the freedom you're hoping for.

You'll hear why episodes like "Stop Buying the Dip: The Stock Market Trap No One Talks About" became the clear number one episode of the year, why Dave Ramsey–related episodes consistently rank high, and why so many listeners are questioning whether traditional retirement advice still works in today's environment.

I also share a few honorable mentions, episodes that performed incredibly well on audio platforms but didn't quite crack the top 10 when YouTube views were factored in. These include powerful conversations around building a family bank, infinite banking strategies, and how to significantly increase retirement income without relying on outdated withdrawal rules.

If you're new to the Money Ripples Podcast, this episode is the perfect starting point. And if you've been with me for years, it's a great reminder of the conversations that helped shape the direction of this show and this community.

My goal has always been simple: help you become work optional, live a rich life, and create a ripple effect that blesses others. As we move into 2026, this episode sets the stage for what's next and reminds us why questioning the status quo is often the first step toward real freedom.

Ready to make work optional?

Subscribe to our podcast for real-world strategies, mindset shifts, and financial freedom insights and grab your copy of The Work Optional Blueprint to turn ideas into action.

👉 Subscribe here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/money-ripples-podcast/id895555599
👉 Get your copy here: https://a.co/d/fFzl9Zw

This episode of the Money Ripples Podcast is different than anything I normally release. There's no guest, no strategy breakdown, and no investing deep dive. Instead, this is a personal message straight from my heart as we close out the year and head into a new one.

Recently, my father passed away just before Christmas. Many of you have heard me talk about him on this podcast and even in my book, The Work Optional Blueprint. Losing him has forced me to slow down, reflect, and really think about what actually matters in life. Because of that, I wanted to take a moment to speak directly to you not as your cashflow expert, but as another human being navigating loss, gratitude, and perspective.

In this short episode, I share why we're pausing new podcast episodes until the new year and why that decision matters to me. But more importantly, I ask you a powerful question: if this were your last Christmas or your final New Year, how would you treat it differently? How would you spend your time? Who would you be with? What would truly matter?

As I've gone through my dad's belongings and reflected on his life, one thing has become incredibly clear, the best things in life are not things.

They're people.
Moments.
Conversations.
Time spent with the people we love while we still can.

This message is a reminder to live intentionally. To stop running on autopilot. To stop delaying joy, connection, and meaning for "someday." All we really have is today, and I believe we owe it to ourselves and our loved ones to live our lives now not tomorrow.

I also want to personally thank you. Because of you, this community has grown to over 5,000 subscribers on YouTube and thousands more on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Many of you have been following me for years, some for over a decade, and I don't take that lightly. I know you're here because you want more than just surviving, paying bills, and waiting for retirement. You want a meaningful life. A purposeful life. A life that creates ripples for others.

This episode is my holiday message to you, to slow down, be present, cherish your loved ones, and live fully right now. We'll be back with new episodes in the new year, but until then, I hope this message encourages you to make this holiday season truly count.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being part of the Money Ripples community

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/48Sh5nS

If you were to die today, would you honestly be happy with the life you've lived? That's not a hypothetical question for today's guest.

In this powerful and emotional episode, I sit down with Derek Carlson, CEO of Realty ONE Group MVP, to unpack how a near-death experience forced him to radically change his life, his health, and the way he leads one of the fastest-growing real estate organizations in the country.

Derek didn't just face adversity, he was hit from every direction. At the peak of his success, running a top-100 real estate brokerage nationwide and closing over $2 billion in annual sales volume, Derek suffered multiple heart attacks while on vacation in Europe. What makes this story even more shocking is that he didn't realize what was happening until he returned to the United States and collapsed into urgent care, where a doctor told him he was actively having a heart attack.

That moment became the turning point of Derek's life.

In this episode, Derek shares how sitting alone in a hospital room forced him to redefine what success actually means. He introduces the MVP Framework, which now stands for Mindset, Vision, and Purpose, and explains how this shift saved his life and reshaped his company culture from the inside out.

But the challenges didn't stop there.

Just months later, Derek's business was targeted during the National Association of Realtors class-action lawsuit, putting his company and livelihood at risk. Instead of collapsing under pressure, Derek doubled down on discipline, surrounded himself with elite mentors and mastermind groups, and made a bold strategic pivot by aligning with Realty ONE Group, ultimately becoming CEO of 10 franchises across Florida.

We dive deep into what it really takes to lead through adversity, why health is often the missing piece for entrepreneurs, and how surrounding yourself with the right tribe can compress decades of growth into months. Derek also shares how his transformation sparked a ripple effect across thousands of agents helping them lose weight, get off medication, invest in real estate, and rediscover purpose beyond commission checks.

This episode isn't just about business success. It's about what happens when life forces you to slow down and ask harder questions.

If you're an entrepreneur, business owner, or high performer who feels burned out, stuck, or disconnected from your why, this conversation may be exactly what you need to hear.

Derek's links:

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekcarlson/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derekcarlsonmvp/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/275638393296257/user/100004702208963/

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/4j657Mi

Where is the future of real estate going from here? Is real estate doomed, or are we staring at one of the best opportunity windows we've seen in years?

That's exactly what I dig into today with my friend Tim Bratz (Legacy Wealth), a real estate investor and operator who's owned and managed thousands of units and has bought over 6,000+ doors over his career. If you've been watching the last few years unfold rising rates, shrinking cash flow, insurance spikes, expense inflation, and multifamily values getting hammered you're not alone. The question is: what happens next, and where should smart investors be looking now?

Tim and I cut straight to what matters: supply and demand. He explains why the 2008 crash had a very different setup (too much supply), and why today's environment has a different problem a housing shortage that keeps getting worse. He breaks down what he's watching as new construction slows, builders hesitate, and the pipeline for new units starts drying up. If the next several years bring fewer deliveries while demand keeps building, that creates pressure in rents, pricing, and demand for the right kind of housing.

We also talk about what "the right kind" actually means. Tim's conviction is clear: the opportunity isn't in giant luxury homes or chasing whatever looks sexy on social media. The opportunity is in workforce housing the older, well-located homes and apartments that real people can afford. We discuss why properties priced under typical "new build" replacement cost can get more attention, why older multifamily with larger unit layouts may become more valuable, and why families may increasingly need more bedrooms as affordability stays tight.

Then we pivot into a topic I'm hearing more investors obsess over: management and efficiency. Tim shares why he believes bad property management has destroyed more value than most investors want to admit and how weak systems, fragmented tools, and poor data lead to missed income, wasted expenses, and operational chaos. That's why he built Smart Management, an all-in-one, AI-enhanced property management software designed to consolidate operations and automate decision-making from spotting utility bill anomalies to streamlining maintenance workflows and tenant communication. He's used tools like AppFolio, Yardi, RealPage, Rent Manager, Buildium, DoorLoop, Entrada, and more and he explains what's been missing and why efficiency is the real advantage going forward.

If you've been afraid of real estate lately, I'll say what I always say: fear can be a signal… especially when fundamentals still point to demand.

The key is positioning buying the right assets, with the right strategy, and refusing to make permanent decisions based on temporary circumstances.

Tim's links:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timbratz/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timbratz/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tlbratz/
- Website: https://legacywealthholdings.com/

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/3Y1kgoq

Do you remember those old Spike Lee Nike commercials where he kept saying, "It's gotta be the shoes"? Everybody wanted to believe Michael Jordan's greatness came from Air Jordans.

But we all know the truth: it wasn't the shoes, it was the player. And in money, it's not the investment that makes you wealthy… it's the investor.

In this episode, I'm breaking down a trap I see all the time: people chasing the "hot" investment like it's a magic bullet. Real estate. The stock market. The perfect policy. The newest strategy.

Everyone's looking for the shortcut, and I get why. I've been on countless podcasts where people ask me, "Chris, what's the best investment right now?" But the real question should be: "How do I become the kind of investor who wins in any market?"

I share why your results aren't determined by the vehicle, but by the person behind the wheel. That's exactly why some people gamble in the stock market and lose their shirt while a small group consistently wins. It's why some people buy rental properties that never appreciate, or end up with "cheap" houses that come with headaches, vacancies, and regret. And it's why people can invest in multifamily syndications and still lose money when they don't know what questions to ask, what risks to identify, or how to verify what's actually happening behind the curtain.

I'm also adding context to the popular line from Rich Dad Poor Dad: "There are no risky investments, only risky investors." I agree with the principle, but I'm also going to be blunt: there are investments that are just plain stupid. I've watched investors chase hype, speculation, and "get rich quick" plays… and the market eventually exposes all of it.

I walk through the key perspectives that separate investors from gamblers, including why the belief that "high risk creates high returns" is backwards. Risk is the chance of loss. A higher chance of loss does not magically increase your odds of winning. That idea often benefits the people collecting fees while you take the volatility.

Then I shift into one of the biggest lessons I learned from downturns: liquidity matters. Markets can change fast, and long time horizons can magnify risk if you're not protected. We saw it in the last recession, and we saw it again when interest rates spiked and valuations dropped in commercial real estate, retail, self-storage, and multifamily. I explain why short-term strategies can reduce market-timing exposure, and what you should be looking for when evaluating operators, audits, financial transparency, and cash reserves.

Finally, I pull back the curtain on infinite banking and why people misunderstand it. I explain why it's not enough to pick a "good" carrier like Penn Mutual, MassMutual, or Guardian. Not all agents are created equal. I walk through a real example from a neurosurgeon who was put into a poorly designed whole life policy where her first-year cash value was zero after paying $60,000. Then I contrast it with how we design it, where the first-year cash value is about $50,000 same company, same health rating, totally different outcome because the levers matter.

This is what I teach my VIP clients and inside the Work Optional Blueprint and Wealth Accelerator Academy: become an investor first, and the investments take care of themselves. Stop chasing the shoes.

Start becoming the player.