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. 2h ago

    Retirement Income, Inflation, and Auto-Callable ETFs with Matt Kaufman (Ep. 106)

    Retirement income can become harder to manage when inflation, longer lifespans, taxes, and market swings all compete for the same dollars. How can investors think carefully about income without losing sight of risk? In this episode, Robert Curtiss welcomes back Matt Kaufman, Head of ETFs at Calamos Investments, to explore what investors should understand about using auto-callable ETFs and options-based strategies for retirement income, including the potential income, trade-offs, and risks. Matt explains the LIV framework of longevity, inflation, and volatility risk, along with the role of tax efficiency in retirement planning. They also cover how non-listed options can bring institutional-style strategies into ETFs, the risks investors need to understand, and how higher interest rates can affect income-focused approaches. Matt discusses: How auto-callable ETFs are designed to turn equity market exposure into a monthly income stream The LIV framework for thinking about longevity, inflation, and volatility risks throughout retirement planning How non-listed options can support more stable income features than standard listed options may provide Why tax treatment can influence how investors evaluate income strategies held in their taxable accounts How higher interest rates can affect options income, principal-protected strategies, CDs, and savings And more! Resources: Educational videos (bottom of the page) Turning Equity Exposure Into Monthly Income With Auto Callable ETFs with Matt Kaufman (Ep. 89) Connect with Matt Kaufman: LinkedIn: Matt Kaufman Website: Calamos 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: Matt Kaufman serves as SVP, Head of ETFs at Calamos Investments, where he leads the firm’s ETF business. Matt joined Calamos Investments in 2023 as an accomplished financial services executive with more than 20 years of experience serving the asset management and insurance industries across North America, Europe, and Asia. Matt has designed, led, and helped build hundreds of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), unit investment trusts (UITs), indexes, variable insurance trust funds, registered index-linked annuities, fixed annuities, and closed-end funds. He is also a sought-after source by leading financial publications and is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and events. Prior to Calamos, Matt spent more than a decade at Milliman, Inc., where he served as President of the firm’s broker/dealer (Milliman Investment Management Services LLC) and as a principal of the firm’s $170b RIA (Milliman Financial Risk Management LLC). Matt also draws from his prior experience at PowerShares ETFs, where he helped the firm grow during the formative years of the ETF ecosystem. Matt earned a B.A. in Public Administration and Economics from Cedarville University and maintains Certified ETF Advisor (CETF®) and Professional Certified Marketer® designations through The ETF Institute and American Marketing Association, respectively. He also holds FINRA Series 7, 63, and 24 and CFTC Series 3 licenses.

  2. Sep 29

    How Opportunity Zones 2.0 Could Change Capital Gains Planning with Nick Rosenthal (Ep. 105)

    If you’re sitting on a large capital gain from appreciated stock, real estate, or the sale of a business, deciding what to do next can have tax and investment implications that extend well beyond the year of the sale. Timing, liquidity, investment structure, and your long-term plan all matter. In this episode, Robert Curtiss talks with Nick Rosenthal, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Griffin Capital Company, LLC, about Qualified Opportunity Zones and the 2.0 rules beginning in 2027. They explain the five-year deferral period, 10% gain reduction, and potential tax treatment after a 10-year hold. Nick also covers eligible gains, 180-day investment windows, real estate development timelines, income expectations, portfolio diversification, and why manager selection and investment discipline should come before tax benefits. They also look at appreciated stock, real estate, and business-sale gains. Nick discusses: How Opportunity Zones 2.0 create five years of tax deferral and a 10% reduction on deferred gains for investors Which capital gains may qualify, including appreciated stock, real estate, and business-sale proceeds How the 180-day investment window changes for individual gains, pass-through entities, and K-1 income Why development, stabilization, and income phases shape the return profile of opportunity zone funds Why manager selection, portfolio quality, and investment discipline should come before the tax benefits And more! Resources: Educational videos (bottom of the page) Connect with Nick Rosenthal: LinkedIn: Nick Rosenthal Website: Griffin Capital 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: Mr. Rosenthal serves as Co-Chief Executive Officer at Griffin Capital Company, LLC, where he is responsible for working directly with the firm’s executives across Acquisitions, Asset Management, Due Diligence, Product Development, Accounting, Investor Relations, Marketing, and Equity Sales. In this capacity, Mr. Rosenthal is responsible for directing the firm’s strategic vision and advancing key initiatives across the organization. With extensive experience and expertise in both the financial services and real estate industries, Mr. Rosenthal has authored whitepapers on real estate investing and associated financial planning strategies. He is highly regarded for his thought leadership and is often featured in industry publications and events, offering insight into the current investment dynamics in the property markets. Mr. Rosenthal has been involved in the underwriting and acquisition of multifamily and industrial real estate investments and has been directly responsible for raising over $2 billion of investor capital across various real estate strategies and investment structures. Mr. Rosenthal is a registered Series 7 licensed representative. He is a Graduate of George Washington University and a resident of Newport Beach, California, where he resides with his wife and two sons.

  3. Sep 15

    Private Commercial Real Estate After the Market Reset with PGIM’s Andrew Garten (Ep. 104)

    Commercial real estate has repriced, but the opportunity isn’t the same across every property type or market.  What should investors weigh before adding it to a long-term portfolio? In this episode, Robert Curtiss speaks with Andrew Garten, Alternative Investment Specialist at PGIM, about the case for private commercial real estate after the 2022 to 2024 market reset. They cover where PGIM sees demand across housing, senior living, medical offices, logistics, and necessity-based retail. Andrew explains how core real estate may combine income, growth, tax deferral, and lower correlation with stocks and bonds. They also address liquidity, allocation ranges, manager selection, and why local supply and demand can shape results. Andrew discusses: Why the 2022 to 2024 market reset may have improved pricing across selected commercial real estate sectors How senior housing, student housing, medical offices, and logistics reflect essential demand and limited supply How core real estate may combine income and growth while behaving differently from public stocks and bonds Why depreciation may defer part of private REIT income and affect an investor’s cost basis over time How liquidity needs, retirement timing, and portfolio goals can influence an appropriate real estate allocation And more! Resources: Educational videos (bottom of the page) Connect with PGIM :  LinkedIn: PGIM  Website: PGIM.com 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: Andrew Garten is an Alternative Investment Specialist at PGIM, the asset management business of Prudential Financial. With more than 20 years of experience, he focuses on helping investors understand opportunities across private markets, including commercial real estate. In his role, Andrew draws on PGIM’s global real estate platform and long operating history to explain how property type, location, income potential, tax treatment, and liquidity can affect an investment. He holds a Bachelor of Science in International Business Technology, International Studies, and French from the Pamplin College of Business.

  4. Sep 1

    Behavioral Finance and Better Investment Decisions with Devin Ekberg, CFA, CPWA, CIMA (Ep. 103)

    Have you ever wondered why making good financial decisions can feel so difficult, especially when markets become uncertain?  Even experienced investors can find emotions influencing their decisions during uncertain markets. In this episode, Robert Curtiss welcomes Devin Ekberg, Senior Vice President and Senior Consultant in Advisor Education at PIMCO, for a thoughtful discussion about behavioral finance and the psychology behind investing. Together, they explain how fear, excitement, cognitive bias, and decision-making influence financial outcomes.  They explore how advisors help clients stay focused during periods of uncertainty, why process often matters more than prediction, and how thoughtful guidance can help people make clearer financial decisions over the long term. Key takeaways: How emotional and cognitive biases influence investment decisions during uncertain markets Why having a written investment process helps reduce reactive financial decisions over time How financial advisors help clients reframe fear into thoughtful, productive action Why trust, communication, and behavioral coaching strengthen long-term financial planning Books and behavioral finance concepts that help investors understand their own decision-making And more! Resources: Educational videos (bottom of the page) Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman The Behavior Gap by Carl Richards The Behavioral Investor by Daniel Crosby Connect with Devin Ekberg: LinkedIn: Devin Ekberg Website: PIMCO 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: Mr. Ekberg is a senior vice president and senior consultant in advisor education at PIMCO. He provides training to financial professionals on advanced wealth planning topics, including retirement strategies, alternative investments, and goals-based wealth management. Prior to joining PIMCO in 2021, Mr. Ekberg was chief learning officer and managing director of professional development for the Investments & Wealth Institute (IWI), where he led the advisor education programs for advanced credentials in the financial industry. During his tenure at IWI, he oversaw the Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA) certification education at the University of Chicago and led the acquisition and development of the Retirement Management Advisor (RMA) certification. He has 20 years of investment and financial services experience and holds a master’s degree from Creighton University. He is a CFA charterholder and holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) and CPWA designations.

  5. Aug 18

    Protecting Your Portfolio During Market Drawdowns with James St. Aubin, CFA®, CAIA® (Ep. 102)

    What happens to your retirement portfolio when the next major market downturn arrives? Markets can spend years moving higher, making it easy to forget how quickly conditions can change. Preparing for uncertainty often starts long before volatility returns. In this episode, Robert Curtiss speaks with James St. Aubin, CFA®, CAIA®, Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager at Ocean Park Asset Management, about protecting portfolios during market declines without relying solely on traditional diversification.  They explore trend following strategies, downside risk management, investor psychology, portfolio construction, changing stock and bond correlations, the strengths and limitations of AI investment tools, and why maintaining a disciplined investment process becomes increasingly important as retirement approaches. Key points: How trend following strategies seek to reduce large portfolio drawdowns through disciplined investment rules Why diversification alone may not provide enough protection during certain market environments How retirement timing changes an investor’s ability to recover from significant portfolio losses What recent bond market performance reveals about changing stock and bond correlations Why AI investing tools should support, rather than replace, thoughtful financial decision making And more! Resources: Educational videos (bottom of the page) Connect with James St. Aubin: LinkedIn: James St. Aubin Website: Ocean Park Asset Management 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: James St. Aubin, CFA®, CAIA®, is Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager for Ocean Park Asset Management. He has oversight of all Investment Management department activities, in collaboration with Co-founders David Wright and Kenneth Sleeper. An experienced investment management executive, his career of more than 20 years includes leadership roles in asset allocation, manager research, and portfolio construction. James earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from DePaul University and is a CFA® and CAIA® Charterholder.

  6. Aug 4

    Private Credit and Its Role in a Diversified Portfolio with Phil Huber, CFA, CFP® (Ep. 101)

    Private credit has become one of the fastest-growing areas of investing, yet it’s also surrounded by headlines that often create uncertainty. How should long-term investors evaluate the opportunity? When does media attention reflect genuine risks, and when does it distract from the bigger picture? In this episode, Robert Curtiss welcomes back Phil Huber, CFA, CFP®, Managing Director and Head of Portfolio Solutions at Cliffwater, to discuss private credit and its growing role in diversified portfolios. They explain why recent headlines about defaults, liquidity, and valuations deserve context, how private credit differs from traditional fixed-income investments, and why institutional investors continue to allocate to the asset class.  They also explore how long-term discipline, diversification, and a rules-based investment process can help investors separate meaningful information from market noise. Key takeaways: Why private credit has expanded as banks reduced lending to middle-market businesses How private credit generates returns through contractual income rather than stock-like appreciation Why institutional investors continue increasing allocations despite concerning headlines How diversification and manager selection can help reduce borrower-specific risks Why long-term discipline often leads to better investment decisions than reacting to headlines And more! Resources: Educational videos (bottom of the page) Connect with Phil Huber: LinkedIn: Phil Huber Website: Cliffwater 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: Phil Huber, CFA, CFP®, is the Managing Director and Head of Portfolio Solutions at Cliffwater, where he focuses on research, portfolio construction, and helping advisors and investors better understand private markets and alternative investments. He regularly analyzes topics including private credit, private equity, and portfolio diversification, translating complex investment concepts into practical insights for long-term investors. Through his research and industry commentary, Phil helps financial professionals evaluate alternative investment opportunities within disciplined, diversified portfolio strategies.

  7. Jul 21

    How AI Robotics Could Change Investing and Everyday Life with Brendan Ahern (Ep. 100)

    What happens when artificial intelligence moves beyond software and into the physical world? As technology continues to evolve, many investors are asking how artificial intelligence could influence businesses, markets, and everyday life in the years ahead. In this special 100th episode of The Millionaire Next Door Podcast, Robert Curtiss welcomes Brendan Ahern, Chief Investment Officer at KraneShares, to explore how AI-powered robotics are already being adopted across Asia and what those developments could mean for investors. Brendan shares firsthand observations from his firm’s research and his travels throughout Asia, discussing automation, manufacturing, demographics, healthcare, regulation, and the evolving relationship between the United States and China. Together, they examine how looking beyond headlines can help investors better understand long-term opportunities. Key takeaways: How AI-powered robotics are already being used across healthcare, transportation, and manufacturing Why demographic changes are accelerating automation in several countries around the globe How robotics manufacturing and AI technology create opportunities across different investment markets Why regulations will likely influence the pace of AI adoption across industries and countries How data-driven research can help investors separate headlines from long-term market trends And more! Resources: Educational videos (bottom of the page) Breakneck by Dan Wang Daily Note: China Last Night powered by KraneShares Connect with Brendan Ahern: LinkedIn: Brendan Ahern Website: KraneShares 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: Brendan Ahern is the Chief Investment Officer at KraneShares. Brendan joined KraneShares in 2013. Brendan leads the firm’s research and education efforts and actively works with investors on a variety of subjects ranging from asset allocation to trading to articulating the growing influence that index providers hold in the asset management industry. Prior experience includes over ten years with Barclays Global Investors (subsequently BlackRock’s iShares), which he joined in 2001 during the rollout of their ETF business. His career has spanned a period of tremendous growth for ETFs, which has contributed to his profound knowledge of the ETF landscape.  Brendan is considered a preeminent expert in global financial markets with a particular focus on China. He is a frequent visitor to China and actively maintains daily contact with a deep local research network comprised of investment banks, brokers, and regional and boutique research firms. He produces a daily update called China Last Night, which also appears as a column on Forbes.com. He is often sought after by leading business and financial outlets and regularly appears on CNBC and Bloomberg to discuss China’s capital markets. He is a frequent guest of Bloomberg Radio’s Daybreak Asia, and he is quoted in The Wall Street Journal and Investor’s Business Daily. Brendan graduated from the College of the Holy Cross and has a Master of Science in Financial Analysis from the University of San Francisco.

  8. Jul 8

    Understanding the Latest Tax Law Changes with Nicole Green (Ep. 99)

    Tax laws change often, but knowing which updates actually affect your finances can be difficult. How do you know which deductions still apply, which strategies are worth considering, and when it’s time to have a planning conversation instead of simply filing a return? In this episode, Robert Curtiss welcomes Nicole Green, Tax Advisor at Robert Hall, to discuss several tax law changes that could affect individuals, retirees, and business owners. They explain how recent updates may influence deductions, charitable giving, required minimum distributions, bonus depreciation, and year-round tax planning. They also explore why proactive collaboration between financial advisors and tax professionals can help people make better decisions before the end of the year instead of reacting during tax season. Key takeaways: How recent SALT deduction changes may affect taxpayers in higher tax states and income brackets Ways bonus depreciation can fit into long-term planning instead of focusing on one tax year Why charitable giving strategies can reduce taxable income more efficiently than standard donations How tax planning conversations throughout the year may reduce unwanted surprises at filing time Why financial advisors and tax professionals often produce better outcomes when working together And more! Resources: Educational videos (bottom of the page) Connect with Nicole Green: LinkedIn: Nicole Green Website: Robert Hall & Associates Nicole.Green@roberthalltaxes.com 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: After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree of Science with a focus in Education, Nicole Green went on to earn her Master’s degree in Education and Educational Theory. Her love for learning led her into the tax industry. With the ever-evolving tax code and continual education, it was a perfect match for her. With almost a decade of experience in the tax world, Nicole Green holds a federal license as an Enrolled Agent tax practitioner, where she can advise, represent, and prepare tax returns for individuals, partnerships, corporations, and any other entity with tax-reporting requirements. Her knowledge in tax has been recognized in numerous publications, including The Wall Street Journal, HomeLight—an online real estate company that matches clients with local agents and provides home loans—and impact.com, a platform that helps influencers and content creators manage partnerships. Nicole has been featured in these outlets for her insightful tax advice and industry knowledge. Outside the office, Nicole is an avid traveler. She’s been to all 7 continents spanning 50 different countries. She enjoys cooking and trying new cuisines at food festivals around the world. Some of her other favorite activities include attending sporting events and the occasional shopping spree.

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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
    105
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2021 The Millionaire Next Door
  • Show Website
    The Millionaire Next Door

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