Capitalist Investor

Hosted by Strategic Wealth Partners

Business Education

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Episodes

387

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Check out the "Capitalist Investor" podcast where hosts Derek, Luke and Tony break down complex financial topics and recent market trends with a sharp eye. This podcast is all about getting into the nitty-gritty of things like stock buybacks, tax policies, meme stocks, and a whole lot more. The guys aren’t just brains; they keep things light with a great mix of deep dives and easy banter that keeps you hooked and learning. Whether they’re chatting about Warren Buffett’s latest strategies, how Biden’s tax plans might hit different income levels, or the buzz around a big golf tournament, you’ll come away with a solid grip on how these issues could shake up your financial world. Perfect for investors, retirees, or just anyone keen to keep up with the financial universe, "Capitalist Investor" makes the complex understandable and entertaining.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 13, 202614 min

Evaluating Lifetime Income Options Inside Your 401(k)

Workplace retirement plans are beginning to offer more ways for participants to convert accumulated savings into retirement income. For investors nearing retirement, these options raise an important planning question: should a portion of a 401(k) be used to create a predictable lifetime income stream? In this episode, Derek Gabrielsen, CRPC® and Dave Abate, CFP® discuss the evolution of 401(k) plans, the increasing availability of annuity and lifetime-income options, and the potential limitations of relying too heavily on a single solution. The conversation considers flexibility, spending needs, taxes, investment risk, product quality, and the role these options may play within a broader retirement plan. The discussion is designed to provide educational perspective for investors evaluating how their workplace retirement plan fits into their overall retirement strategy.

August 13, 202617 min

Retirement Spending: Turning a Lifetime of Saving Into a Plan for Living

After spending decades accumulating wealth, shifting into retirement spending can be more difficult than expected. For many retirees, the challenge is not simply determining whether they have enough assets. It is becoming comfortable using those assets without feeling that they are jeopardizing the future. Derek Gabrielsen, CRPC®, and Dave Abate, CFP®, discuss the psychology behind this transition and the role a financial plan can play in evaluating spending decisions. The conversation covers retirement anxiety, individualized spending goals, stress testing, withdrawal sequencing, tax efficiency, lifestyle expenses, and the balance between enjoying wealth today and preserving assets for future generations. This episode offers perspective for investors considering what they ultimately want their retirement assets to accomplish and how a financial plan can help bring structure to those decisions.

August 6, 202615 min

Retirement Planning for Women: Longevity, Income, and Risk

Women often face a different retirement planning equation. Longer life expectancies, career interruptions related to caregiving, lower average retirement savings, and the increased likelihood of managing finances alone later in life can all influence retirement income decisions. This episode examines Social Security timing, survivor benefits, pension elections, long-term care risk, and the role of guaranteed income in creating a more dependable retirement structure. The discussion also explains why married couples should evaluate how the financial plan would function after the death of either spouse. The episode offers a practical framework for understanding these risks and building a retirement plan that can continue working through changing family and financial circumstances.

July 30, 202619 min

Roth Conversion Planning in Retirement: Taxes, RMDs, and Legacy

Roth conversions can provide meaningful tax-planning flexibility, but they are not automatically appropriate for every investor. The decision depends on current income, expected future tax rates, required minimum distributions, Medicare considerations, retirement cash flow, and the intended use of inherited assets. Derek Gabrielsen, CRPC® — Senior Wealth Advisor, and Tony Zabiegala, CRPC® — Senior Wealth Advisor, examine the growing role of Roth accounts in retirement planning. Their conversation covers the potential conversion window after leaving the workforce, Roth and traditional workplace contributions, required distributions, catch-up contribution provisions, unused 529 assets, and the differences between leaving heirs a traditional retirement account and a Roth account. The episode emphasizes that Roth planning should be coordinated with an investor’s broader tax, income, and estate strategy. The goal is not simply to move more money into a Roth. It is to determine when paying taxes today may create a better long-term result.

July 23, 202618 min

Retiring Into a Bear Market: Managing Sequence Risk

Retiring into a bear market can put even a well-funded retirement plan under immediate pressure. The danger is not only the decline itself, but having to fund spending from depressed investments—and making emotional decisions that lock in losses. Derek Gabrielsen, CRPC® — Senior Wealth Advisor, and Tony Zabiegala, CRPC® — Senior Wealth Advisor, examine three retirement scenarios and the choices that changed the outcome. They discuss maintaining a reserve for portfolio-funded living expenses, using cash and short-term bonds before selling equities, adjusting discretionary spending, considering part-time income, rebalancing, evaluating Roth conversions during a downturn, and using annuity income when appropriate. This episode provides a practical framework for stress testing a retirement plan before the next bear market arrives. It offers educational perspective on withdrawal strategy, liquidity, taxes, portfolio structure, and the behavioral decisions investors face during difficult markets. Learn more at Wealthalyze.com

July 16, 202622 min

Sticky Inflation, Interest Rates and What Investors Should Do Next

Rate cuts were expected at the beginning of 2026. Then inflation concerns and rising energy prices put potential rate hikes back on the table. Now, the latest inflation data has changed the outlook once again. In this episode of The Capitalist Investor, the team breaks down why inflation may remain between 3% and 4% for the foreseeable future and what that could mean for stocks, bonds, real estate, cash, annuities, and retirement income. They discuss the potential rotation between growth and value stocks, why higher rates may benefit financial companies, how investors should review bond duration, and where to consider holding cash that is earning little or no interest. Most importantly, they explain why investors should not make major portfolio changes every time the economic forecast shifts. The news can change quickly. A strong financial plan should be able to adjust without being completely rebuilt around each new headline. The opinions expressed in this podcast are for general informational purposes only and are not intended to provide specific investment, financial, legal, or tax advice. Please consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

July 9, 202621 min

Immigration, Housing Costs and Retirement: What the Fed Study Really Says

The Federal Reserve just released data linking immigration to housing market trends. Learn how rising house prices impact your retirement. This episode of The Capitalist Investor examines recent research from the Federal Reserve regarding the connection between unauthorized immigration and housing market trends. We bypass the political noise to focus strictly on the economic data provided by the central bank. If you are concerned about how shifting demographics might alter your long-term financial stability, this analysis provides a clear look at the current landscape. Our goal is to help you understand how rising house prices and increasing rent prices might influence your personal retirement planning. By reviewing this specific study, we highlight why housing costs are a critical variable in your financial strategy. We break down the implications for investors and homeowners alike, ensuring you have the data needed to adjust your portfolio expectations. Subscribe for weekly investment breakdowns, and let us know in the comments how you are adjusting your portfolio for the current economic climate.

July 2, 20269 min

Common IRA Mistakes That Could Hurt Your Retirement Plan

Roth or traditional IRA? 401(k) or IRA? Tax deduction now or tax-free withdrawals later? These are common questions when saving for retirement, but many people get stuck trying to make the “perfect” decision and end up delaying the most important step: actually saving. In this episode of The Capitalist Investor, the crew breaks down common IRA and retirement account mistakes, including why Roth vs. traditional is not always a simple answer, how required minimum distributions can affect retirement income, why spousal IRA contributions are often overlooked, and how your 401(k) and IRA should work together instead of being treated as separate decisions. They also discuss the importance of having money in different tax buckets, using retirement accounts strategically, and avoiding the mistake of looking at each investment account in a vacuum. If you are building your retirement plan, reviewing your IRA, or trying to decide how your 401(k) fits into your larger financial picture, this episode will help you think through the bigger strategy. Listen to The Capitalist Investor for conversations about retirement planning, investing, taxes, financial strategy, and the decisions that can impact your long-term financial future. Chapters 0:00 Common IRA and retirement account mistakes 0:47 Roth vs. traditional IRA 1:32 Required minimum distributions and taxes 2:35 Why generic retirement advice can be misleading 3:55 The biggest mistake: procrastinating on saving 4:34 Why tax buckets matter in retirement 5:30 Spousal IRA contributions 6:26 Coordinating your 401(k) and IRA 7:47 Looking at retirement accounts holistically 8:38 Balancing overexposure in your portfolio 9:08 Final thoughts

June 25, 202619 min

Why More People Are Tapping Their 401(k)s Early

A record number of Americans are tapping their 401(k)s through hardship withdrawals, and the reasons are not small or careless expenses. Many people are using retirement savings to avoid foreclosure, cover medical bills, or pay for major home repairs. In this episode of The Capitalist Investor , Derek and Dave Huberty discuss what is driving the increase in hardship withdrawals, why inflation and rising household costs are putting pressure on retirement plans, and what people should understand before pulling money out of a 401(k). They also talk about the real cost of early withdrawals, including taxes, penalties, lost compounding growth, and the impact it can have on near-retirees. The conversation wraps with practical ways to prepare for unexpected expenses, including building the right-sized emergency fund and considering other sources of liquidity before touching retirement savings. Key Topics Covered Why 401(k) hardship withdrawals have increased The difference between averages and what many households are actually experiencing Common reasons people are accessing retirement funds early Taxes, penalties, and opportunity cost Why withdrawals can be especially damaging close to retirement How inflation is forcing people to reassess their budgets Why a $1,000 emergency fund may not be enough anymore How emergency savings and home equity lines of credit can help protect your retirement plan

June 18, 202617 min

Should Retirees Invest in SpaceX? | Breaking Down the Biggest IPO in History

SpaceX just made history with the largest IPO ever, raising $75 billion and quickly becoming one of the most valuable companies in the world. The excitement has investors asking one question: Should you buy SpaceX stock? In this episode of The Capitalist Investor , Derek and Jack take a balanced look at the opportunities and risks surrounding SpaceX's public debut. Rather than focusing on hype, they discuss whether this high-growth company belongs in a retirement portfolio. Topics include: Why the SpaceX IPO is making headlines The bull case for investing in SpaceX Valuation concerns and potential risks How the IPO lockup period could affect the stock price Why retirees should think differently about growth investments The difference between investing for excitement and investing for retirement income If you're approaching retirement or simply wondering whether SpaceX deserves a place in your portfolio, this conversation provides the perspective you need before making a decision. The opinions expressed in this podcast are for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment, tax, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified financial professional regarding your individual situation.