The Millionaire Next Door

Robert Curtiss
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Investing
  • Updated Biweekly

Welcome to The Millionaire Next Door Podcast with Robert Curtiss, CFP®, AIF® from Signature Estate and Investment Advisors. In this podcast, we help successful wealth accumulators like you looking to transition to a work-optional lifestyle by helping you build strategies for growing and maintaining your wealth. Robert draws from years of experience and fiduciary responsibility, and interviews guest experts to help you build reliable strategies to grow and maintain your wealth.

  1. May 25

    Estate Planning Isn’t Done When You Sign the Papers with Brad Repinsky (Ep. 97)

    Many people assume their estate planning is “done” once the documents are signed, but that’s actually only the beginning. This conversation explores what actually happens when financial, tax, and estate planning are all aligned. In this episode, Robert Curtiss sits down with Brad Repinsky to break down how integrating financial planning, estate planning, and tax strategy can help create a more coordinated decision making for families over time. Key takeaways: Why a clear net worth snapshot can uncover gaps in your current plan How account titling and beneficiary designations can override estate documents What “estate ease” means and why it matters for your family When strategies like QCDs and Roth conversions may help manage taxes How to think about wealth transfer across generations in a more intentional way And more! Resources: Educational videos (bottom of the page) Connect with Brad Repinsky: LinkedIn: Brad Repinsky LinkedIn: Signature Estate & Investment Advisors, LLC Connect with Robert Curtiss: rcurtiss@seia.com (626) 795-2944 About Robert Curtiss  LinkedIn: Robert Curtiss Facebook: Robert Curtiss SEIA LinkedIn: SEIA About Our Guest: Brad Repinsky is the Director of Estate, Tax, and Financial Planning at Signature Estate and Investment Advisors. With over 20 years of experience, including roles at Goldman Sachs and Fidelity, Brad specializes in helping high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families navigate complex planning decisions. As a former attorney, he brings a unique perspective to integrating estate planning, tax strategy, and wealth management to help clients create clarity, efficiency, and long-term alignment with their goals.

    40 min

  2. May 11

    Private Credit, AI Concerns, and the Power of Diversification with Mark Gatto (Ep. 96)

    Markets shift, headlines create noise, and uncertainty rises, but what actually matters when building a resilient portfolio? How do you separate real risks from exaggerated fears and position yourself for long-term growth? In this episode, Robert Curtiss welcomes back Mark Gatto, Chief Executive Officer at CION Investments, to discuss the growing attention to private credit and the role of diversification in uncertain markets. They explore how AI concerns are shaping investor sentiment, why fund structure and liquidity matter, and how infrastructure investing offers long-term opportunity.  Mark also shares insights on manager selection, underwriting discipline, and how individual investors can access strategies once reserved for institutions. Key takeaways: How private credit continues gaining attention and why concerns around AI disruption may be overstated Why understanding fund structure, liquidity limits, and redemption mechanics is critical for investors How diversification across sectors and geographies helps reduce risk in changing market conditions The difference between direct investing and allocating capital to other managers in private markets Why infrastructure investing presents long-term growth potential across multiple sectors and assets And more! Resources: Educational videos (bottom of the page) Connect with Mark Gatto: LinkedIn: Mark Gatto CION Investments Connect with Robert Curtiss: rcurtiss@seia.com (626) 795-2944 About Robert Curtiss  LinkedIn: Robert Curtiss Facebook: Robert Curtiss SEIA LinkedIn: SEIA About Our Guest: Mark Gatto is Co-Founder, Co-Chief Executive Officer, and Co-President of CION Investment Group, CION Investment Corporation (CIC), and CION Grosvenor Infrastructure Fund. He is also a Director and Co-Chief Executive Officer of CION Ares Diversified Credit Fund (CADC). Mr. Gatto serves on the investment committee of CIC and the investment allocation committee of CADC. Mr. Gatto joined CION in 1999. He served as Executive Vice President and Chief Acquisitions Officer from May 2007 through January 2008. He served as Executive Vice President of Business Development from May 2006 through May 2007 and Vice President of Marketing from August 2005 through February 2006. He was also Associate General Counsel from November 1999 until October 2000. Previously, Mr. Gatto served as an executive at a leading international product development and marketing company from 2000 through 2003. Later, he co-founded a specialty business-consulting firm in New York City, where he served as its managing partner before re-joining CION in 2005. He was also an attorney in private practice prior to joining the firm. Mr. Gatto received an M.B.A. from the W. Paul Stillman School of Business at Seton Hall University, a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law, and a B.S. from Montclair State University.

    35 min

  3. Apr 28

    When Success Feels Like a Trap: The Hidden Emotional Side of Wealth with Stacey Inal (Ep. 95)

    You can have the career, the income, and the life that looks perfect on paper, yet still feel something is missing. Why do high achievers feel stuck, overwhelmed, or quietly unhappy despite their accomplishments? In this episode, Robert Curtiss speaks with Stacey Inal, MA, MBA, LMFT, Licensed Psychotherapist and Women’s Career Coach, about the intersection of financial decisions and emotional health. They explore how burnout shows up in high performers, why social media fuels anxiety, and how “golden handcuffs” keep people stuck. Stacey also shares practical ways to reset your nervous system, reconnect with yourself, and take the first step toward a more aligned life. Key takeaways: How high achievers can feel trapped by financial obligations despite outward success and stability Why burnout in successful people often hides behind high performance and daily productivity How social media and constant noise contribute to anxiety and poor decision-making The connection between emotional stress and financial behaviors like overspending or hoarding Simple practices to reset your mindset and reconnect with what you truly want And more! Resources: Educational videos (bottom of the page) Connect with Stacey Inal: LinkedIn: Stacey Inal Website: Stacey Inal Instagram: @staceyinal_inspiringwomen Connect with Robert Curtiss: rcurtiss@seia.com (626) 795-2944 About Robert Curtiss  LinkedIn: Robert Curtiss Facebook: Robert Curtiss SEIA LinkedIn: SEIA About Our Guest: Stacey Inal is a Licensed Psychotherapist, MBA, and Women’s Career Coach who works at the intersection of mental health, career transitions, and financial identity. With a background in corporate sales and business strategy, she brings both clinical insight and real-world experience to her work, helping high-achieving individuals, especially women, navigate moments when outward success no longer feels aligned internally. Stacey supports clients through burnout, life reinvention, and major transitions by helping them reconnect with what they truly want and build a path forward with clarity and purpose.

    39 min

  4. Apr 14

    AI and the Future of Financial Advice with Michael Cy (Ep. 94)

    Technology is moving fast, and it’s raising big questions about how decisions get made. Can tools replace human judgment, or do they simply change how we think, plan, and act? In this episode, Robert Curtiss welcomes back Michael Cy, advisor consultant, about how artificial intelligence is shaping financial services and what it means for clients. They explore how AI improves efficiency, speeds up research, and enhances communication, while emphasizing the lasting importance of personal advice. The conversation also covers market uncertainty, client anxiety, and how a structured process helps people stay grounded and focused on what they can control. Key takeaways: How AI speeds up research, tax analysis, and document review, saving hours of advisor time Why client relationships and personal context still matter more than data alone How advisors help filter noise from media, headlines, and misleading information The role of structured processes in keeping clients calm during market uncertainty Why AI works best as a support tool, not a replacement for thoughtful decision making And more! Resources: Educational videos (bottom of the page) Connect with Michael Cy: LinkedIn: Mike “Cy” Cajthaml Jr. LinkedIn: Pareto Systems Pareto Systems Connect with Robert Curtiss: rcurtiss@seia.com (626) 795-2944 About Robert Curtiss  LinkedIn: Robert Curtiss Facebook: Robert Curtiss SEIA LinkedIn: SEIA About Our Guest: Michael Cy works closely with financial advisors across the country, helping them refine their processes and strengthen how they serve clients. With years of experience supporting advisory firms, he focuses on improving efficiency, enhancing client communication, and integrating practical tools that elevate day-to-day operations. His perspective blends technology with a strong emphasis on relationships, helping advisors balance innovation with the human side of financial planning.

    33 min

  5. Mar 17

    Sector Rotation, AI Spending, and What Market Momentum Is Telling Us with Miles Clark (Ep. 93)

    Markets can feel calm on the surface while powerful shifts happen underneath. Are recent pullbacks a warning sign, or simply part of a broader rotation? In this episode, Robert Curtiss welcomes back Miles Clark of Nasdaq Dorsey Wright to break down sector rotation, weakening tech leadership, and renewed strength in international equities. They explore how momentum strategies respond to shifting trends, why AI spending faces rising scrutiny, and what participation indicators reveal beneath flat index performance.  The conversation also covers sentiment signals, precious metals, crypto volatility, and the importance of selecting the right benchmark. Miles shares key insights: Why six sectors now outperform the S&P 500 after years of narrow tech leadership How momentum strategies adapt when former winners begin to weaken What sentiment data suggests when bears begin to outnumber bulls The impact of massive AI infrastructure spending on tech valuations Why benchmark selection matters more than chasing index headlines And more! Resources: Educational videos (bottom of the page)   Connect with Miles Clark : LinkedIn: Miles Clark Nasdaq Dorsey Wright Connect with Robert Curtiss: rcurtiss@seia.com (626) 795-2944 About Robert Curtiss  LinkedIn: Robert Curtiss Facebook: Robert Curtiss SEIA LinkedIn: SEIA   About Our Guest: Miles currently works as a Research Analyst for Nasdaq Dorsey Wright (DWA), a boutique investment advisory and asset management division of Nasdaq focused on providing quantitative strategies to Wall Street and professional money managers globally. Since 1987, DWA has been a recognized expert in relative strength and momentum through the application of Point & Figure (XO) charting, as well as a thought leader in tactical portfolio construction. Miles joined the DWA team as an intern in 2021 and now creates technical-based analysis and client-facing research in the firm’s Daily Market Analysis segment, with more focused coverage in the communication services, industrials and cryptocurrency spaces. Other areas of involvement to note include supplementing broad-based technical indicator and research projects and the creation of weekly media distributed to prospective clients.

    31 min

  6. Mar 3

    Private Markets and Long-Term Investing with Chris Schelling, CAIA (Ep. 92)

    Long-term investing can feel more difficult when headlines are loud and markets seem unpredictable.  What happens when investors stop reacting to daily noise and start thinking like institutions that plan decades ahead? In this episode, Robert Curtiss welcomes Chris Schelling, CAIA, Managing Director at Aksia, to explore how private markets have shaped institutional portfolios and why some individual investors may now gain access to approaches like those used by institutions, depending on account type, regulatory eligibility, and minimum investment requirements. They break down private equity, private credit, liquidity planning, diversification across vintages, and the importance of manager selection.  The conversation also touches on volatility, long-term return expectations, and what advisors and investors should look for when evaluating alternative investments. Key takeaways: How institutional investors approach private markets — and what does that mean for access and implementation for individual investors with long-term horizons and diversified portfolios Why private equity and private credit returns differ from public markets over multi-year periods The role of liquidity planning and why private investments are not truly locked up for a decade Why manager selection matters more in private markets than in public equities How simplified structures have made private investments easier for individual investors to access And more! Resources: Educational videos (bottom of the page) Connect with Chris Schelling: LinkedIn: Christopher Schelling Website: Aksia Connect with Robert Curtiss: rcurtiss@seia.com (626) 795-2944 About Robert Curtiss  LinkedIn: Robert Curtiss Facebook: Robert Curtiss SEIA LinkedIn: SEIA About Our Guest: Chris Schelling is an investor, advisor, and published author. With degrees in psychology, business, and finance, Chris is an expert at incorporating insights from behavioral finance into investment decision-making. During his 20+ year tenure in the investment industry, building portfolios, mostly focused on alternatives, Chris has met with over 4,000 managers and allocated roughly $7 billion, generating top quartile to top decile returns across hedge funds, real assets, private credit, and private equity.

    32 min

  7. Feb 17

    Opportunity Zones Explained: What’s Changing in 2027 and Why It Matters with Michael O’Shea (Ep. 91)

    For investors facing concentrated wealth or future liquidity events, understanding tax-aware planning options matters long before decisions are required. Opportunity Zones are one of the most talked-about and least understood tools in that conversation. In this episode of The Millionaire Next Door Podcast, Robert Curtiss sits down with Michael O’Shea, CFA, Head of Private Wealth at Origin Investments, to unpack one of the most misunderstood and potentially powerful tax planning tools available today: Qualified Opportunity Zones. Together, they walk through how Opportunity Zones work, why the original structure created a temporary pause in interest, and why upcoming changes beginning in 2027 may reopen the door for investors facing large capital gains. The conversation focuses on real-world planning scenarios, including concentrated stock positions, private business exits, and highly appreciated real estate. Michael explains how Opportunity Zones differ from 1031 exchanges, what the long-term benefits may look like when paired with professionally managed real estate development, and why advanced coordination with tax and legal advisors matters. This episode is designed as an evergreen educational resource for investors who want to understand their options well before a liquidity event occurs. Key takeaways: How Qualified Opportunity Zones work and why they were created What’s changing in Opportunity Zone legislation starting in 2027 How Opportunity Zones may help address large capital gains from stocks, businesses, or real estate Why long-term real estate development and coordinated planning are key to using this strategy effectively And more! Resources: Educational videos (bottom of the page) Connect with Michael O’Shea: Origin Investments  LinkedIn: Michael O’Shea Connect with Robert Curtiss: rcurtiss@seia.com (626) 795-2944 About Robert Curtiss  LinkedIn: Robert Curtiss Facebook: Robert Curtiss SEIA LinkedIn: SEIA   About Our Guest: Michael brings more than 18 years of real estate and capital markets expertise to Origin as Director and Head of Private Wealth Solutions. In this role, he leads the firm’s capital raising initiatives, oversees the sales strategy, and develops strategic partnerships with Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) to expand Origin’s investment platform. Previously, Michael served as the head of Origin Exchange, the firm’s 1031 Exchange Platform. During his career in the alternative investment sector, Michael has played key roles with various real estate sponsors, facilitating the syndication of more than $10 billion in commercial real estate investments, including over $500 million in 1031 tax-deferred exchanges. Michael holds an MBA with dual concentrations in Finance and Real Estate Investment from DePaul University, where he graduated summa cum laude. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and is a CFA® charterholder. A resident of Elmhurst, Michael lives with his wife Lauren and their three children Declan, Alice, and Tristan. Outside of work, he enjoys golf, Chicago sports, and spending time with his family.

    32 min

  8. Feb 3

    Balancing Markets, Policy, and AI Spending in the 2026 Outlook Peter Repetto (Ep. 90)

    Markets are entering a year shaped by crosscurrents, shifting signals, and unresolved questions. Economic strength, policy decisions, and investment concentration all point to a period that demands close attention and thoughtful positioning. In this episode, Robert Curtiss speaks with Peter Repetto, Vice President and Investment Strategist at iCapital, about their 2026 economic and market outlook. They explore slowing labor trends alongside strong GDP growth, the role of AI investment, and how fiscal and monetary policy may influence markets.  The conversation also covers inflation risks, tariffs, and why selectivity across asset classes matters heading into a midterm election year. Key takeaways: How slowing job growth contrasts with strong GDP readings and what that tension could mean for 2026 Why AI capital spending remains a key growth driver, but requires careful company selection The impact of tariffs, fiscal policy, and court decisions on rates and equity markets Why earnings growth, not valuation expansion, may define equity returns next year How private markets and alternative strategies may help address concentration and volatility And more! Resources: Educational videos (bottom of the page) Connect with Peter Repetto: LinkedIn: Peter Repetto iCapital Connect with Robert Curtiss: rcurtiss@seia.com (626) 795-2944 About Robert Curtiss  LinkedIn: Robert Curtiss Facebook: Robert Curtiss SEIA LinkedIn: SEIA About Our Guest: Peter is a Vice President and Investment Strategist at iCapital, focusing on developing and delivering research, investment ideas, and thought leadership content for external and internal audiences on behalf of iCapital’s Investment Strategy team. Prior to joining the firm, Peter spent over eight years at Franklin Templeton Investments, where he contributed to their asset allocation strategy and macroeconomic research. Peter holds a BA in Economics from Fairfield University.

    33 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Millionaire Next Door Podcast with Robert Curtiss, CFP®, AIF® from Signature Estate and Investment Advisors. In this podcast, we help successful wealth accumulators like you looking to transition to a work-optional lifestyle by helping you build strategies for growing and maintaining your wealth. Robert draws from years of experience and fiduciary responsibility, and interviews guest experts to help you build reliable strategies to grow and maintain your wealth.

Information

  • Creator
    Robert Curtiss
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    96
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2021 The Millionaire Next Door
  • Show Website
    The Millionaire Next Door

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