Carry On with AJ

Austin Jia

Carry On is a podcast about how institutional-grade investors evaluate private markets — from family offices to operating companies. Each episode, we sit down with GPs, operators, and capital allocators to unpack the frameworks behind real investment decisions.

  1. Tax Strategies: High-Net-Worth | Family Office | Real Estate

    18 MAR

    Tax Strategies: High-Net-Worth | Family Office | Real Estate

    Avneet Kaur shares expert insights on tax strategies, investment structures, and asset protection for high-net-worth individuals, including real estate, life insurance, and global planning. Discover practical tools and frameworks to optimize your wealth management and reduce taxes effectively.Keywordstax strategies, wealth management, life insurance, real estate, investment planning, asset protection, global family office, tax reduction, high-net-worth, estate planningKey topicsTax reduction strategies for high-net-worth individualsThe role of life insurance and IULs in wealth planningReal estate investments and structuring for tax benefitsGlobal family office and offshore trust solutionsTax diversification and asset protection techniquesAction itemsReview your current asset structure with a professionalConsider life insurance as part of your wealth planExplore real estate structuring for tax benefitsConnect with Avneet Kaur for personalized adviceChapters00:00 Introduction to Tax Strategies01:55 Understanding Client Profiles and Tax Outcomes04:40 Tax Reduction Tools for Business Owners07:12 Framework for Effective Tax Strategies09:55 Tax Strategies for W2 Employees12:19 Active vs Passive Income in Taxation15:02 Philanthropy and Tax Reduction Strategies17:04 The Benefits of Real Estate Investment19:44 Diversification in Investment Portfolios22:13 The Role of Life Insurance in Tax Planning27:38 Understanding Life Insurance Benefits30:14 Tax Strategies and Financial Planning32:48 Client Assessment and Engagement Process35:02 Navigating IRS Audits and Tax Compliance37:16 Tax Migration and State Considerations

    40 min
  2. You Don’t Retire Early through Diversification

    26 FEB

    You Don’t Retire Early through Diversification

    What does it actually take to leave a large wealth management firm and build your own Registered Investment Advisor from scratch?In this episode, Alvin Yam shares over 15 years of experience in wealth management — and the real story behind launching a boutique RIA firm without a built-in asset base.We go deep on:• Why fiduciary alignment matters more than brand names• The hidden tradeoffs between boutique firms and large institutions• How high-net-worth clients should think about optionality• Why founder-led companies consistently outperform• The role of real estate inside a serious portfolio• How to construct high-conviction portfolios in volatile markets• Why integrated financial + tax planning is essential for cross-border familiesAlvin breaks down what sophisticated investors often get wrong — and how active research, concentrated conviction, and thoughtful structuring create long-term edge.If you're a founder, executive, or investor thinking about capital allocation in today’s market, this conversation is packed with insight. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:16 The Importance of Being a Fiduciary 01:51 Starting a Boutique RIA Firm 04:14 Choosing Between Boutique and Large Firms 04:23 Understanding the Ideal Client 05:47 Investment Strategies for Optionality 07:48 Accelerating Growth in Portfolios 09:12 Stock Selection and Market Trends 11:13 The Role of Founder-Led Companies 12:48 Real Estate in Portfolio Construction 15:07 Navigating Market Volatility 17:51 Integrated Financial Planning 20:26 Conclusion and Resources https://www.allstreetcap.com/https://paraibawealth.com/

    33 min
  3. How VCs Pick Founders, How to Find Advisors — Nikhil Choudhary, GP at Nirman Ventures

    31/10/2025

    How VCs Pick Founders, How to Find Advisors — Nikhil Choudhary, GP at Nirman Ventures

    Austin Jia sits down with Nikhil Choudhary from Nirman Ventures to unpack what makes great founders stand out and how strong advisory boards amplify startup success. They explore how venture capital strategies are evolving amid rapid technological change, what traits investors truly value in founders, and how continuous learning shapes long-term outcomes. Nikhil also shares practical insights into portfolio construction, founder support, and the balance between intelligence, leadership, and emotional awareness. Sound Bites “It takes brains to run a business, balls to start one.”“We want it to be top heavy on the deal team” Chapters00:00 – Introduction and Background01:33 – Nikhil’s Journey in Construction and Venture Capital03:43 – Fund Management and Investment Philosophy05:44 – Challenges in the Current Investment Landscape08:07 – The Importance of Founders and Their Traits10:37 – Assessing Founders: Skills and EQ12:08 – Navigating Feedback and Advisory Boards13:21 – Building an Effective Advisory Board17:59 – The Importance of Advisor Relationships20:42 – Building a Supportive Founder Network22:45 – Investment Thesis and Portfolio Construction24:49 – The Role of Location in Startup Success25:06 – Questions Founders Should Ask Investors25:09 – Leadership Lessons from Founders25:59 – Balancing Work and Personal Life26:48 – The Value of Reading and Continuous Learning

    28 min
  4. AlphaStar CIO on growing AUM 5× to $2B — Tony Parish on the AI bubble, org design, and the truth behind company "mission"

    23/10/2025

    AlphaStar CIO on growing AUM 5× to $2B — Tony Parish on the AI bubble, org design, and the truth behind company "mission"

    Tony Parish, Chief Investment Officer at AlphaStar Capital Management, helped grow the firm from $400 million to $2.2 billion in assets — but his story isn’t just about scale. In this wide-ranging conversation, Tony and host Austin Jia unpack what it really means to think like a CIO in today’s markets: staying calm through volatility, balancing art and analytics, and leading with curiosity in a world obsessed with speed. They cover everything from: Navigating market cycles and volatility The real job of a CIO (and why it’s often misunderstood) Building AlphaStar’s culture of clarity and growth Alternative assets, portfolio construction, and where alpha still hides The AI bubble — hype or structural change? Why balancing profit and purpose matters more than everPlus, Tony shares how he manages his time, what he reads, and why music remains a quiet teacher for investing. If you care about investing, leadership, or just better decision-making — this episode hits all three. Chapters 00:00 Navigating Market Volatility 02:44 Understanding the Role of a Chief Investment Officer 05:43 The Journey to Becoming a CIO 08:47 Curiosity as a Driving Force 11:49 Growth Story of AlphaStar Capital Management 14:47 Techniques for Achieving Alpha 17:36 Optimizing Portfolio Construction 20:38 The Role of Alternative Assets 23:36 The Yale Model and Its Applicability 26:33 The AI Bubble: Parallels with Past Market Crashes 31:01 Understanding the AI Bubble 34:41 Identifying Major Economic Risks 38:11 Building a Successful Business 40:23 Cultural Considerations for Business Success 42:58 Balancing Profit and Purpose 45:29 Time Management and Prioritization 47:49 Advice for Junior Analysts 48:37 Recommended Reading for Investors 50:48 The Role of a CIO 52:10 Musical Passions and Personal Insights

    54 min

About

Carry On is a podcast about how institutional-grade investors evaluate private markets — from family offices to operating companies. Each episode, we sit down with GPs, operators, and capital allocators to unpack the frameworks behind real investment decisions.