Before The Returns

Jaden T. Zubal
  • 5.0 (4)
  • BUSINESS

Before the Returns is the podcast for people who want to build wealth with purpose—not just chase numbers on a spreadsheet. Hosted by Wealth Strategist Jaden Zubal, each episode challenges the “highest return at any cost” mindset and shows you how to align your money with your values, your family, and your legacy. We cover Family Banking, smart insurance design, real estate strategies, entrepreneurship, and generational wealth planning—practical tools that create security today and freedom tomorrow. If you’ve ever wondered how to make money the tool instead of the goal, this podcast is your blueprint.

  1. 1D AGO

    E21 - Why Knowing How Money Works Still Doesn’t Change Your Behavior

    You know how money works.  You know what the smart financial move is.  And yet—when stress hits or life gets busy—you fall back into the same patterns. In this episode of Before the Returns, Jaden revisits how banks use money and explains why understanding the financial system alone doesn’t change behavior. Drawing from personal stories and real-life pressure moments, he shows how emotional conditioning and early money experiences quietly override logic. This episode isn’t about learning another strategy.  It’s about why financial knowledge doesn’t stick—and what actually has to change before behavior, control, and outcomes do. Key Takeaways Financial knowledge doesn’t automatically change behaviorStress exposes your true money habitsEarly money experiences shape adult decision-makingFamiliar systems feel safe—even when they don’t serve youStructure must support behavior when emotions take overListener Reflection Questions When stress hits, what do you default to financially?Do you avoid, freeze, over-control, or take impulsive action?Where did that reaction first get learned?Got feedback? Drop it here Learn more at www.jadenzubal.com | Follow @jadenzubal | Join the *Before the Returns Weekly* newsletter 📩 Questions or ideas? Email: jadenzubal.wealth@gmail.com ⚖️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making financial decisions.

    18 min

  2. JAN 29

    E20 - Your Money Decisions Aren’t Logical - They’re Emotional

    Most people believe they make financial decisions based on logic, math, and discipline.  But in reality, most money choices are driven by stories we absorbed long before we ever earned a paycheck. In this episode of Before the Returns, Jaden shares a personal childhood story he recently told on stage at a business conference—one that unexpectedly resonated more than any strategy ever has. That moment revealed something most financial conversations miss: money behavior is emotional before it’s rational. This episode isn’t about tactics or optimization.  It’s about awareness. You’ll be invited to reflect on your own early money experiences, recognize the invisible patterns they created, and understand why strategy alone often fails without first addressing the story underneath it. Key Takeaways Money behavior is shaped emotionally before it’s shaped logicallyChildhood experiences quietly install financial patternsStrategy doesn’t stick without self-awarenessReflection is the first step toward controlListener Reflection Questions What did money feel like growing up?What did you learn without anyone saying it out loud?Where do those lessons show up in your life today?Got feedback? Drop it here Learn more at www.jadenzubal.com | Follow @jadenzubal | Join the *Before the Returns Weekly* newsletter 📩 Questions or ideas? Email: jadenzubal.wealth@gmail.com ⚖️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making financial decisions.

    17 min

  3. JAN 22

    E19 - Whole Life Insurance Explained: Why It Fails as an Investment (And Where It Actually Works)

    If you’re trying to make whole life insurance beat the market, you’re right to hate it. That belief — that whole life insurance should function like an investment — is the root of almost all the frustration, backlash, and misinformation surrounding it online. In this episode of Before the Returns, I break down what whole life insurance actually is, what it isn’t, and why comparing it to stocks, real estate, or other investments guarantees disappointment. We talk through why misuse leads to blame, how expectations get set incorrectly, and where whole life insurance actually fits inside a real financial strategy. This isn’t a sales pitch.  It’s a framework shift. If you’ve ever felt confused, skeptical, or conflicted about whole life insurance — or you’ve heard strong opinions on both sides — this episode will help you understand where it works, where it doesn’t, and why the distinction matters. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why labeling whole life insurance as an investment breaks the entire modelThe difference between investments and financial toolsWhy whole life insurance always “loses” when compared to the market — and why that’s not the pointHow misunderstanding expectations leads to disappointment, not product failureWhy term insurance and whole life insurance serve fundamentally different purposesHow whole life insurance functions as a capital warehouse, not a growth engineReal-world examples of using policy loans for real estate opportunitiesWho this strategy is actually for — and who it is notGot feedback? Drop it here Learn more at www.jadenzubal.com | Follow @jadenzubal | Join the *Before the Returns Weekly* newsletter 📩 Questions or ideas? Email: jadenzubal.wealth@gmail.com ⚖️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making financial decisions.

    18 min

  4. JAN 15

    E18 - Using Whole Life Insurance to Invest in Real Estate (Pros, Cons, and How It Actually Works)

    more than chasing returnsWhen this strategy doesn’t work (and who should avoid it)I also share how this same system helped my family handle unexpected medical expenses without disrupting everything else financially — something most people never consider when they think about investing. This episode is for: Real estate investors who want more control over their capitalHigh-income earners tired of parking cash inefficientlyLong-term thinkers who value stability, liquidity, and optionalityThis is not about getting rich quick.  It’s about building a system that supports real investing over decades. Got feedback? Drop it here Learn more at www.jadenzubal.com | Follow @jadenzubal | Join the *Before the Returns Weekly* newsletter 📩 Questions or ideas? Email: jadenzubal.wealth@gmail.com ⚖️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making financial decisions.

    20 min

  5. JAN 12

    E17 - Is Real Estate Really Passive? The Truth About Turnkey Rentals & Property Managers

    Real estate is often sold as “passive.” Buy a turnkey property, hire a property manager, and let the checks roll in. That’s the story.  This episode is the reality. In this episode of Before the Returns, I break down why real estate is rarely truly passive—and how believing that it is can quietly erode your returns without you realizing it. I share a real experience from an out-of-state turnkey rental where a single email from a property manager almost cost me months of cash flow… until one 15-minute phone call changed everything. This isn’t an anti–turnkey episode. It’s a clarity episode. We talk about: What “turnkey real estate” actually means (and what it doesn’t)How property managers are incentivized—and why that mattersWhy delegation doesn’t remove responsibility, it just hides itThe difference between distance and control in investingWhy “passive” can be one of the most dangerous words in real estateIf you’re investing—or thinking about investing—in rental properties, especially out of state, this episode will help you recalibrate expectations, protect your margins, and think like an owner instead of a spectator. Got feedback? Drop it here Learn more at www.jadenzubal.com | Follow @jadenzubal | Join the *Before the Returns Weekly* newsletter 📩 Questions or ideas? Email: jadenzubal.wealth@gmail.com ⚖️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making financial decisions.

    17 min

  6. JAN 1

    E16 - Why Your Money Feels Stretched No Matter How Motivated You Are

    Every January, motivation shows up again. New goals. New promises. New discipline. And yet, for so many families, money still feels tight, stretched, and frustratingly stuck — even when they’re doing “everything right.” In this episode of Before the Returns, Jaden breaks down why motivation keeps coming back year after year — and why that’s not a failure. It’s a signal. This isn’t a conversation about working harder, budgeting better, or finding more discipline. It’s about understanding the hidden conflict inside most financial lives — where one dollar is asked to do too many jobs at the same time. You’ll learn: Why motivation keeps showing up (and what it’s actually trying to fix)The real reason money feels stretched even at decent income levelsWhy trying harder often increases financial tension instead of relieving itHow financial conflict creates stress, guilt, and decision fatigueWhat families who feel calm and in control with money do differentlyThis episode is about clarity, not shame.  And it sets the stage for building a financial system that doesn’t rely on constant motivation to survive. Key Takeaways Motivation is not the problem — it’s a signalMost families aren’t broke; they’re financially conflictedWhen money is pulled in too many directions, progress feels impossibleEffort increases pressure when the underlying setup doesn’t changeFinancial peace comes from removing conflict, not adding disciplineGot feedback? Drop it here Learn more at www.jadenzubal.com | Follow @jadenzubal | Join the *Before the Returns Weekly* newsletter 📩 Questions or ideas? Email: jadenzubal.wealth@gmail.com ⚖️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making financial decisions.

    13 min

  7. 12/26/2025

    E15 - Why Christmas Is the Most Expensive Lie We Tell Ourselves

    Christmas isn’t expensive because of gifts.  It’s expensive because of a lie we’ve been telling ourselves for years. In this episode of Before the Returns, Jaden breaks down why Christmas quietly exposes the strengths — and weaknesses — of a family’s financial system. It’s not about spending too much, lacking discipline, or “doing it wrong.” It’s about what happens when generosity, meaning, and preparation get confused with last-minute consumption. Released just after Christmas, this conversation meets listeners right where they are — reflecting on what the season felt like and why it so often leaves families emotionally full but financially drained. You’ll hear: Why Christmas pressure isn’t caused by gifts — but by unplanned generosityThe hidden belief that makes December feel heavier every yearHow families with very different incomes experience Christmas differentlyWhy structure creates peace, not restrictionHow intentional systems make generosity lighter instead of stressfulThis episode isn’t about budgeting harder or spending less.  It’s about understanding the system behind the season — and why families who build wealth don’t avoid life, they prepare for it. Key Takeaways Christmas exposes your financial system more than any other monthGenerosity feels heavy when it’s unplannedConsumption has replaced meaning for many families — often unintentionallyStructure doesn’t kill joy; it protects itFinancial peace comes from preparation, not perfectionGot feedback? Drop it here Learn more at www.jadenzubal.com | Follow @jadenzubal | Join the *Before the Returns Weekly* newsletter 📩 Questions or ideas? Email: jadenzubal.wealth@gmail.com ⚖️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making financial decisions.

    14 min

  8. 12/18/2025

    E14 - Why the Best Financial Opportunities Never Show Up Online

    Most people believe wealth comes from making the right investment.  This episode challenges that belief — and explains why it’s incomplete. In Episode 14 of Before the Returns, Jaden shares two real conversations from his week that revealed the same truth from completely different angles. One involved a multi-million-dollar real estate syndication. The other was a 15-minute strategy call with a long-time client who once doubted Family Banking — and now relies on it. Through these stories, Jaden explains why wealth is rarely built alone, why networks matter more than spreadsheets, and how having the right people and the right system determines whether money becomes a source of freedom or stress. You’ll hear: Why wealth is a team sportHow the right connections can change financial outcomes quicklyWhy some strategies only make sense after you experience themHow Family Banking creates liquidity and stability during uncertain timesThe critical question that reveals whether you actually have a financial system — or just a bigger barnThis episode is a grounded, real-world look at how wealth actually works when life gets unpredictable — and why preparation matters more than prediction. Episode 14 - Transcript 🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS Wealth is built with people and systems — not investments aloneYour network is an invisible financial assetMoney without access does not create freedomExperience creates conviction more than theoryFinancial systems should work when income is disruptedBigger barns don’t create peace — better systems doGot feedback? Drop it here Learn more at www.jadenzubal.com | Follow @jadenzubal | Join the *Before the Returns Weekly* newsletter 📩 Questions or ideas? Email: jadenzubal.wealth@gmail.com ⚖️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making financial decisions.

    17 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Before the Returns is the podcast for people who want to build wealth with purpose—not just chase numbers on a spreadsheet. Hosted by Wealth Strategist Jaden Zubal, each episode challenges the “highest return at any cost” mindset and shows you how to align your money with your values, your family, and your legacy. We cover Family Banking, smart insurance design, real estate strategies, entrepreneurship, and generational wealth planning—practical tools that create security today and freedom tomorrow. If you’ve ever wondered how to make money the tool instead of the goal, this podcast is your blueprint.

Information

  • Creator
    Jaden T. Zubal
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Before The Returns
  • Show Website
    Before The Returns