Get Your FILL, Financial Independence and Long Life

Christine Mccarron
  • 5.0 (16)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
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One day I woke up and I was 50 years old. I don't know how it happened but it was pretty depressing. Especially since I had virtually no money saved for retirement and no clue what I wanted to be when I grew up. Now, I'm on a mission to create financial independence, financial FREEdom and - since I'm too old to retire early - a long, happy, healthy life! With the help of fascinating guests who are expert investors, holistic health practitioners, coaches and speakers, we tackle the tough questions like: Why? and How? Join me on this ride for your life!

  1. MAR 23

    Facing Adversity? Just Keep Swimming with Athena Brownson

    Guest: Athena Brownson, Denver-based Real Estate Agent & Emerging Developer Host Christine McCarron welcomes Athena Brownson, a professional with over a decade of experience in Denver real estate and a background in interior design. A former professional freestyle skier, Athena’s life took a dramatic turn nine years ago when she began a grueling battle with Lyme disease and related autoimmune conditions. Her story is one of profound resilience, shifting from elite athletics to a fight for basic functionality. Athena also shares the origin of her name, honoring her Greek grandmother—one of the first female ophthalmologists on the East Coast. Carrying the name of the goddess of wisdom and war, Athena reflects this heritage through her fierce advocacy for her clients and her own health. Athena credits her professional skiing career for her foundational discipline. The sport taught her to manage fear, visualize success, and commit to "one more try." These traits became essential when a neck surgery triggered a systemic immune collapse. For years, tasks as simple as getting out of bed became monumental. During this dark period, real estate served as her "guiding light." The career provided necessary flexibility while offering a sense of purpose and human connection. Even when her physical world shrank, acting as a trusted advisor in her clients' largest financial transactions kept her anchored to the outside world. After years of feeling like a victim and noticing her illness-induced frustration affecting her professional relationships, Athena realized a shift was necessary. She moved from a reactive state to one of radical self-responsibility. Transformation didn't happen overnight; it was built on "micro-habits": Small Wins: Starting with manageable tasks like making the bed or a 5-minute walk. Compounding Growth: Embracing the idea of 0.5% weekly improvements rather than seeking instant gratification. Holistic Healing: Combining medical treatments with neuroplasticity work and EMDR therapy to move her body out of a chronic "fight-or-flight" state. This year marks Athena’s first significant recovery phase in nearly a decade. As her health returned, so did her ability to dream. While illness forced her into a "survival mode" focused on hospitals and transfusions, she has now returned to the high-level visualization she used as an athlete. She actively uses vision boards and sets audacious 10-year goals, including travel—which was previously impossible due to severe sensitivities. Athena notes that navigating darkness makes the light more precious. Her journey has transformed her into a more empathetic, patient, and self-compassionate person. The episode concludes with a message of persistence: "Just keep swimming." Athena emphasizes that growth rarely occurs in comfort; rather, it is forged through the curveballs life throws. Joy is found not by avoiding challenges, but by navigating through them with consistency and support. Overall Takeaway: Adversity is a catalyst for evolution. By blending physical care with mental and emotional work, Athena illustrates that the person who emerges from hardship can be wiser and more capable than the one who entered it. Connect with Athena: * Instagram LinkedIn

    37 min

  2. MAR 16

    Mastering Passive Mortgage Note Investing with Fred Moskowitz

    Access his free special report or newsletter at FredMoskowitz.com or giftfromfred.com to explore alternative investments further.Connect with Fred: www.fredmoskowitz.com Book: "The Little Green Book Of Note Investing" available on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3I0pR49This transcript features Fred Moskowitz, an educator and best-selling author, discussing the mechanics of alternative investments, specifically focusing on mortgage note investing.________________________________________What are Alternative Investments?Alternative investments encompass any asset class outside of traditional Wall Street products like stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. This category includes:• Real Estate (Direct ownership)• Business Investing• Mortgage Notes (Investing in debt)________________________________________Understanding Mortgage Note InvestingMortgage note investing is the practice of buying the debt on a property rather than the property itself. By purchasing a note, you "step into the shoes of the lender."The Key Benefits• Passive Income: Unlike traditional real estate, the investor has no responsibilities for property management, maintenance, or repairs.• Homeowner Mindset: Borrowers (homeowners) are responsible for their own repairs (e.g., a broken water heater), meaning they do not call the note holder for maintenance issues.• Scalability: Because notes are hands-off, investors can manage a large portfolio more easily than a large portfolio of physical rental properties.Buying at a DiscountNotes are frequently bought and sold on the secondary market at a discount.• Bulk Purchasing: Note funds often buy pools of 10–15 notes at once, allowing them to negotiate a price lower than the actual debt amount.• Increased Yield: Buying a note for less than its face value increases the investor’s rate of return (yield).________________________________________Strategies for Getting StartedFred emphasizes that the "best" way to start depends on how much time an investor has.Investment Type Best For RoleActive Note Investing Those with high time availability. Analyzing deals, performing due diligence, and building a portfolio.Note Funds (Passive) Busy professionals or business owners. Investing capital into a fund where a management team handles all operations.Education and ResourcesFred recommends his book, The Little Green Book of Note Investing, as a high-level introduction. It covers:• How to analyze notes and perform due diligence.• The secondary market.• Retirement Accounts: Using SDIRAs (Self-Directed IRAs) to invest in notes for favorable tax treatment.________________________________________Managing Risks and OperationsWhile note investing is generally more passive than being a landlord, it still carries risks that must be managed.1. Threats to the LienAs a lender, you must ensure your "position" is protected. Threats include:• Unpaid property taxes.• Lapsed homeowners insurance.• Unpaid HOA dues.These can result in superior liens that take priority over the mortgage.2. Professional Loan ServicingFred strongly recommends that all investors use a licensed loan servicing company. They handle:• Collecting payments from borrowers.• Managing amortization schedules and payoff requests.• Generating year-end tax forms.• Ensuring legal compliance with state-specific regulations.________________________________________Notes vs. Traditional Real EstateThe discussion touches on the "Four Ways" physical real estate builds wealth, which provides a contrast to the debt-focused note strategy:1. Monthly Cash Flow (Rental income).2. Amortization (Tenant pays down the mortgage).3. Tax Benefits (Depreciation and write-offs—Note: These are generally NOT available in note investing).4. Appreciation (Increase in property value).

    44 min

  3. MAR 9

    Chess Master’s Real Estate Strategy with Mike Zlotnik

    In the latest episode of Get Your Fill, host Christine McCarron chats with Mike Zlotnik—aka Big Mike, CEO of TF Management Group and a full-time real estate fund manager since 2009. After a successful but burnout-prone IT career, Mike jumped ship right after the Great Financial Crisis, inspired by his earliest wins: snagging his first Brooklyn apartment at a steep discount in 2000 from a motivated seller, then buying eight more units in the same building from an 85-year-old eager to relocate. These deals revealed real estate’s “inefficient” market, where buyers can build hugemargins of safety on acquisition rather than hoping for appreciation. What started as family partnerships quickly scaled into his first fund, turning a passion for predictable passive income into a professional operation—completewith one rare, speculative Manhattan townhome redevelopment that he admits is pure excitement, not core strategy. Today Mike follows a “who before how” philosophy, laser-focusing on institutional-quality sponsors and then tagging along wherever they find deals nationwide. With interest rates resetting commercial valuations, he’s shifted away from operationally heavy multifamily (hit hard by Sun Belt oversupply and spiking insurance costs) toward ultra-predictable assets like industrial properties and open-air shopping centers. These boast long triple-net leases (10–25 years) where tenants cover taxes, insurance, andrepairs, delivering steady cash flow plus built-in escalations. Recent closed deals—a 25-year sale-leaseback industrial property in Indiana at an 8.6% cap rate and a downtown San Diego retail center—show the power of positive spreadsover financing, proving that supply-demand balance and tenant quality trump flashy locations. A U.S. Chess Master since childhood, Mike treats investingexactly like chess: prepare thoroughly, analyze every move afterward, and study the grandmasters (think Warren Buffett, Ray Dalio, and Howard Marks). He urges listeners to ditch analysis paralysis for a “ready, fire, aim” mindset—takeaction, learn fast, and remember “sometimes you win, sometimes you learn.” Key advice includes relentless diversification across non-correlated assets and staying engaged with quarterly reports, plus a brilliant self-directed IRA hack: invest in illiquid syndications first, then convert to Roth at a discounted valuation for far lower taxes. His forthcoming book How to Choose a Smart Real Estate Investment Fund and Big Mike Fund podcast dive deeper for anyone ready to build real passive wealth. Watch the video: https://youtu.be/B9B-yAKaqiU Connect with Mike: https://bigmikefund.com LinkedIn (Mike Zlotnik): https://www.linkedin.com/in/mzlotnik/ YouTube (Podcast + Tempo Funding): https://www.youtube.com/@TempoFunding Facebook (TF Management Group): https://www.facebook.com/TFmanagementgroup

    39 min

  4. MAR 2

    Renter to Real Estate Millionaire with Dan Norcross

    Dan Norcross, founder and CEO of Regal Relocations, a UK-based serviced accommodation company specializing in contractor housing for long-term stays, joined Christine McCarron on the Get Your Fill podcast to share his path to financial independence. After a 20-year engineering career at Jaguar Land Rover, Dan left the corporate world to prioritize family time—especially with his father who has Parkinson’s disease—and more moments with his wife and three daughters. Rejecting vague “just retire” goals, he built a profitable property portfolio around specific life priorities, using simple win-win partnerships between landlords, investors, and guests to create sustainable income while designing the semi-retired lifestyle he actually wanted. During a 12-month property mentorship program that began in October 2024, Dan spotted a billion-pound North Wales infrastructure project needing housing for 600 contractors over two years. Acting fast, he secured and furnished seven rent-to-rent properties in North Wales and Chester within one month—some new-builds set up as turnkey servicedaccommodation with direct bookings and Airbnb. Funded entirely through joint venture property investment with mentees, he offered creative deals returning 70% of profits to investors until their capital was repaid (delivering ~22% annual returns), then shifting to 30%. Peak performancedelivered up to £1,600 monthly profit per unit after covering all bills, utilities, bi-weekly cleaning, and linen—allowing Dan to exit his job at the end of September and immediately take his dad golfing for the first time in two years. Dan is now scaling with a 7-bedroom Blackpool propertyalready booking holidaymakers and winter contractors, plus a purchase lease option on a 9-bedroom hotel in the Scottish Highlands ski area. He plans three buy-refurbish-refinance (BRR) deals and three title splitting projects this year to build long-term equity and replace rent-to-rent cash flow with owned assets. Emphasizing hands-off operations via a virtualassistant from Nigeria and his data-driven engineering mindset, Dan advises anyone chasing financial freedom through property investment: get a proven mentor, take immediate action (knowledge alone isn’t power), networkrelentlessly, and never lose sight of your personal “why.” He remains open to mentoring others and is even launching his own evening business networking franchise in Cheshire. Watch the video: https://youtu.be/NY476EVS-jY Connect with Dan: https://www.instagram.com/dan.norcross/ https://www.facebook.com/dan.norcross.10 https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-norcross-ieng-mimeche-21575636/

    36 min

  5. FEB 23

    Passive Income via Mortgage Notes with Eddie Speed

    The podcast episode of Get Your Fill: Financial Independence and Long Life features host Christine McCarron interviewing Eddie Speed, a veteran with over 40 years in real estate note investing. Eddie, founder of NoteSchool, has purchased over 50,000 mortgage notes and is a leading expert in discounted mortgage notes and seller financing. He explains that owning a note means acting as the bank: investors buy real estate secured notes - promissory notes backed by property - often created through seller financing where sellers finance buyers directly, especially as traditional lending has tightened post-pandemic. This creates about 100,000 seller-financed transactions annually, with notes frequently sold in the secondary market at a discount for lump-sum cash, allowing investors to earn interest, typically 9-11%, without owning or managing property. Eddie contrasts note investing favorably with rental properties, rent houses, noting that inflation has eroded rental cash flow to around 4% in many markets due to rising expenses like taxes, insurance, and maintenance, while notes offer higher yields with less hassle—no tenants, toilets, or 2 AM calls. He highlights low-risk strategies via his risk blueprint for underwriting -targeting 3-5% default rates, far better than FHA loans at 11% delinquency - focusing on notes with strong equity cushions, often less than 70% loan-to-value, and using third-party servicers for compliance and collections. Leverage is accessible even for beginners with limited capital, including through self-directed IRAs, his wife Martha's "Martha Model" exemplifies this for retirement and legacy building, enabling scaled portfolios with spreads over borrowing costs. The discussion emphasizes current market timing as ideal for note investing amid rigid traditional underwriting leaving borrowers underserved, e.g., self-employed, immigrants, or those in growing markets like the Hispanic community. Eddie stresses benefits like passive income, easier inheritance than rentals, and tools from NoteSchool, including free training at noteschool.com/fill-starter, to evaluate fit—best for trainable investors open to shifting from landlord headaches to "being the bank." He positions it as a smarter alternative in today's economy, not competing with banks but filling gaps for consistent returns and wealth building. Connect with Eddie: noteschool.com

    37 min

  6. FEB 16

    Dare to Un-Retire with George Jerjian

    George Jerjian, a mindset mentor and author, shares his remarkable journey on the podcast. At age 52, he received a dire diagnosis of six months to live due to a large tumor, prompting an abrupt "retirement." Though the prognosis proved wrong and his health recovered, traditional retirement left him financially secure yet profoundly unfulfilled—bored, listless, and waiting on others' schedules. He describesretirement as a historical fiction, originally designed for political and economic control (from Roman emperors to Bismarck's pensions), now outdated due to increased longevity. Most people can't save enough to sustain 20+ yearspost-65 without drastic lifestyle cuts or risking ruin from health crises, making the traditional model an illusion for the majority. Jerjian argues that true retirement often leads to loss ofpurpose, identity, and mental stimulation, as the mind craves challenges and won't "tiptoe to a quiet death." Without meaningful activity, people fixate on ailments or regrets, competing in complaints rather than growth. His turning point came via a drastic 30-day silent retreat in Wales, where he audited his life, confronted excuses (visualized as rising bubbles in a pool), released self-judgment, and shifted from tears of sadness to joy. This inner work revealed crises as turning points for expansion, not calamities, inspiringhis book Spirit of Gratitude: Crises Are Opportunities. He emphasizes self-love (reinterpreting "love your neighbor as yourself" as requiring self-worth first), courage to unretire, and embracing new beginnings to avoid drift into regret or cognitive decline. To help others, Jerjian developed the DARE method (Discover,Assimilate, Rewire, Expand), an 8-week group coaching process guiding retirees to reframe retirement's myths, understand subconscious programming, change inner dialogue, and create an evolving life plan. He now coaches through courses and books (including DARE to Discover Your Purpose and Odyssey of an Elder), urging a "gap year" or intentional travel to rediscover passion. His message: retirement isn't the end—it's a metamorphosis demanding curiosity, exploration, and daring to pursue what energizes you, ensuring the later years become fulfilling rather than stagnant. Connect with George: Website: https://georgejerjian.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgejerjian/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retirementrebellion/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/retirementrebellion/

    39 min

  7. FEB 9

    Master A New Language with Stacy Richter

    The podcast episode of Get Your Fill: Financial Independence and Long Life features host Christine McCarron interviewing Stacy Richter, CEO of Live Lingua, a language learning platform. They discuss how Live Lingua stands out from typical apps or traditional classes by emphasizing full immersion through live native-speaking tutors, community, accountability, and cultural connection rather than just memorizing vocabulary and grammar. Richter argues that true language acquisition happens through meaningful conversations on topics learners care about—like sports or business—leading to faster retention, confidence, and direct thinking in the new language instead of constant translation. Both share personal stories, such as McCarron's rapid French progress during immersion in Morocco and Richter's use of rusty German to build instant rapport in an M&A deal, highlighting how even basic proficiency creates trust, shifts negotiations, and provides practical advantages like better travel experiences or overhearing side conversations. Beyond communication perks, the conversation explores deeper cognitive benefits: learning a language as an adult promotes neuroplasticity, rewires brain pathways, boosts creativity, sharpens problem-solving, and enhances memory—effects that outlast mere fluency and apply broadly to entrepreneurial challenges. Richter positions immersion as superior to tech-only methods (like endless Duolingo streaks that falter in real conversations) by combining live tutoring with AI tools, quizzes, and community features in a "full-stack" hybrid approach. This enables conversational ability in Romance languages like Spanish in under six months for average learners, with practice in a safe space where mistakes are expected. They touch on cultural nuances, regional dialects (especially in Spanish), evolving slang, and how understanding context builds empathy and effectiveness in global interactions. The discussion shifts to Live Lingua's evolution from retail casual learners to scaling impact through corporate and organizational programs, such as training nurses in Minnesota to communicate directly with Spanish-speaking patients—eliminating costly delays and enabling faster, more humane care. Richter shares inspiring success stories that fuel his mission to reach 100 million people via language as a bridge to understanding. The episode closes with broader entrepreneurial reflections: Richter candidly describes the role as 85% grueling but 15% exhilarating highs that make the struggles worthwhile, offering unmatched personal impact and fulfillment—much like parenting—while urging those suited to it to embrace the rollercoaster. McCarron reinforces that language learning isn't just practical; it's profoundly mind-expanding. Connect with Stacy: www.livelingua.com #Languageimmersion #Cognitiveenhancement #Neuroplasticity,#Business Spanish #Live Lingua #Fullimmersionlearning #Adultlanguageacquisition #Entrepreneurialmindset #Culturalconnection #Brainrewiring

    41 min

  8. FEB 2

    Time Freedom Beats Financial Freedom with Brian Herriot

    In this engaging episode of Get Your Fill: Financial Independence and Long Life, host Christine McCarron interviews Brian Herriot, author, speaker, financial advisor, and entrepreneurship coach. Brian challenges the traditional retirement model and the 4% rule by introducing time freedom—achieving flexible, fulfilling living long before reaching massive wealth. He explains that true freedom comes from cash flow rather than a huge nest egg, combining modest savings withdrawals with flexible, seasonal work or passive income streams. Drawing from his own journey—sparked by a life-altering commute epiphany and shaped by his wife’s cystic fibrosis and lung transplant—Brian advocates designing a life of seasonal schedules, lifestyle businesses, and purposeful adventures, emphasizing that you don’t need millions to live freely if you optimize work, income, and time intentionally. Brian shares practical steps for transitioning from traditional employment to entrepreneurship without the “hustle” grind. He advises leveraging existing professional skills to create service-based offerings (e.g., fractional CFO roles or independent consulting), building slowly while still employed, saving a year’s runway, and testing ideas before fully committing. He stresses the importance of structure in self-employment—suggesting virtual assistants for accountability—and setting clear boundaries with clients to protect flexibility. Through real-life examples, including a real estate agent who limited clients for work-life balance, Brian shows how mindset shifts and small, deliberate steps can lead to time freedom much earlier than conventional paths, allowing more time for family, travel, and meaningful pursuits. The conversation highlights the deeper value of timefreedom: it creates space for purpose, connection, andintentional living, rather than endless accumulation. Brian warns against equating freedom with “enoughism” or retirement boredom, encouraging big goals pursued flexibly. He promotes surrounding yourself with like-minded people who understand and support non-traditional paths, and shares upcoming book details (pre-order available with free audiobook bonus). Listeners are inspired to rethink success, prioritize character over resumes, and design a life that’s rich in experiences and freedom, not just money. Frequently searched keywords: time freedom, financialfreedom vs time freedom, lifestyle business, seasonal work schedule, entrepreneurship transition, flexible retirement, cash flow over nest egg, 4% rule alternative, no-hustle entrepreneurship, purposeful living, work-life freedom, fractional consulting, building passive income freedom before wealth. Watch the video: https://youtu.be/QIpmbzCKx9Y Connect with Brian: www.timefreedom.life

    38 min
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About

One day I woke up and I was 50 years old. I don't know how it happened but it was pretty depressing. Especially since I had virtually no money saved for retirement and no clue what I wanted to be when I grew up. Now, I'm on a mission to create financial independence, financial FREEdom and - since I'm too old to retire early - a long, happy, healthy life! With the help of fascinating guests who are expert investors, holistic health practitioners, coaches and speakers, we tackle the tough questions like: Why? and How? Join me on this ride for your life!

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