Intentional Family Wealth Podcast

Hosted by Stephen H. Nelson, CFA, CFP® & Matthew E. Higbie, CFA, CFP®,TPCP®

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Aug 2026

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About the show

For families with significant wealth, the question shifts from "Will I have enough?" to "How do I steward this well?" Over years of working with affluent families, we've seen recurring concerns: How much should we give our children without harming their motivation or well-being? How do we live with purpose? How can we protect family unity from the challenges wealth can bring? And how do we balance enjoying our resources with giving? Join Stephen Nelson, CFA®, CFP® and Matt Higbie, CFA®, CFP®, TPCP® as they share insights on investing, tax planning, and raising grounded, capable children. This isn't generic advice—it's clarity for those with more at stake.

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August 15, 2026Episode 8618 min

Concentrated Stock: How Much is Too Much?

Holding a winning stock can build tremendous wealth, but when one company becomes too much of your portfolio, it can also create significant risk. In this episode, we break down concentrated stock positions, why investors become emotionally attached to their biggest winners, and what the historical data says about the risks of owning too much of a single company. We discuss diversification, behavioral biases, RSUs and inherited stock, and why even great companies don't stay great forever. If a single stock represents a meaningful portion of your wealth, this episode will help you think more clearly about the tradeoff between future upside and protecting what you've already built. Next episode: How we actually manage concentrated stock positions and which popular strategies we typically avoid. If you feel like you should be getting more value than the AUM fee you're currently paying at your brokerage firm, visit https://engagewithbirchwood.com

August 1, 2026Episode 8520 min

4 Lessons Every Wealthy Parent Should Know

If you feel like you should be getting more value than the AUM fee you're currently paying at your brokerage firm, visit https://engagewithbirchwood.com After interviewing both a successful entrepreneur and his adult son, we reflect on the biggest lessons they shared about raising grounded children, teaching financial responsibility, practicing generosity, and building a lasting family legacy. In this episode, we discuss the four biggest themes that emerged: -- Why generosity may be the most important family wealth habit -- When (and how) parents should financially help adult children -- How to have meaningful conversations about money across generations -- Why money alone will never bring lasting fulfillment Whether you're building wealth, preparing your children for inheritance, or simply trying to create stronger family values, this conversation offers practical wisdom for parents and grandparents alike.

July 15, 2026Episode 8435 min

(Pt. 2) How to Raise Grounded Kids After a Business Exit [The Son's Perspective]

If you've built significant wealth, one question probably keeps you up at night: Will my kids grow into capable, grateful adults? In this episode, we hear from the adult son of a successful entrepreneur who grew up after his family experienced a major business sale. He shares what his parents did well, what shaped his character, what he wishes they'd talked about more, and the lessons he's now applying as a father himself. We discuss parenting, money conversations, work ethic, generosity, faith, purpose, and how wealthy families can raise children who flourish—not despite wealth, but because they're intentional with it. If you're a family with significant wealth looking to preserve both your assets and your family values, this conversation is for you. If you feel like you should be getting more value than the AUM fee you're currently paying at your brokerage firm, visit https://engagewithbirchwood.com

July 1, 2026Episode 8325 min

(Pt. 1) How to Raise Grounded Kids After a Business Exit [The Father's Perspective]

What happens when a family experiences significant wealth—but the children still grow up grounded, generous, and motivated? In this conversation, entrepreneur Steve R. shares how he and his wife navigated parenting through a successful business exit, taught their children about money, work, generosity, and faith, and avoided many of the pitfalls that often come with wealth. You'll hear practical lessons on raising financially responsible kids, family values, inheritance expectations, generosity, and preparing the next generation for wealth. If you feel like you should be getting more value than the AUM fee you're currently paying at your brokerage firm, visit https://engagewithbirchwood.com

June 15, 2026Episode 8235 min

Victor Haghani on Why Wealth Doesn't Last: Lessons from The Missing Billionaires

What happens to great fortunes over generations—and why do so few billionaire families stay wealthy? In this episode, former Long-Term Capital Management co-founder Victor Haghani shares lessons from his book The Missing Billionaires, revealing why wealth preservation is harder than most people realize. Learn about investing, risk management, diversification, intergenerational wealth planning, market crashes, tax-efficient investing, direct indexing, and why Victor invests his own family's money in low-cost index funds. If you're interested in family wealth, financial independence, investing, and preserving wealth across generations, this conversation is packed with practical insights. Victor's firm: https://elmwealth.com/ Elm Wealth YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@elmwealth *** If you feel like you should be getting more value than the AUM fee you're currently paying at your brokerage firm, visit https://engagewithbirchwood.com

June 1, 2026Episode 8111 min

Wealth, Marriage, and Prenups: What Families & Advisors Get Wrong

If you feel like you should be getting more value than the AUM fee you're currently paying at your brokerage firm, visit https://engagewithbirchwood.com Should inherited wealth stay separate in marriage? In this video, we explore the difficult conversation many wealthy families face around prenups, inherited assets, and protecting family wealth. Rather than focusing only on financial risk, we discuss the relational and emotional impact prenups can have on agency, loyalty, unity, and equality within a marriage. At Birchwood Capital, we believe wealth planning should consider both financial outcomes and family relationships. This episode examines how prenups, separate property trusts, and asset protection strategies can shape marriages long before any legal issue ever arises. If you're part of a high-net-worth family, expecting an inheritance, or navigating marriage and wealth planning, this conversation offers a thoughtful perspective rarely discussed in traditional financial advice.

May 15, 2026Episode 7822 min

Don't Make This Mistake With Charitable Donations & Appreciated Stock

If you feel like you should be getting more value than the AUM fee you're currently paying at your brokerage firm, visit https://engagewithbirchwood.com Think you can write off 100% of your income with charitable donations? Not so fast. In this video, we break down the IRS rules for charitable tax deductions, including the real limits on cash donations, appreciated stock, donor-advised funds, and private foundations. Learn how high-income earners, business owners, and charitably inclined families can maximize tax savings, avoid costly mistakes, and use strategies like donating appreciated stock to reduce both income taxes and capital gains taxes. We also cover the new charitable deduction changes starting in 2026 and walk through real tax software examples to show how the rules actually work.

May 1, 2026Episode 7922 min

Pass Millions Tax-Efficiently: How GRATS (Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts) Actually Work

If you feel like you should be getting more value than the AUM fee you're currently paying at your brokerage firm, visit: https://engagewithbirchwood.com What is a GRAT (Grantor Retained Annuity Trust) and how do the wealthy use it to pass on millions tax-efficiently? In this video, we break down how GRATs work, who they're for, and why billionaires like Mark Zuckerberg and Jensen Huang use them for estate planning. You'll learn the step-by-step mechanics, real-world examples, key benefits, risks, and strategies like "zeroing out" GRATs to potentially transfer massive wealth with little to no estate tax.

April 15, 2026Episode 7825 min

What Wealthy Families Do Differently To Raise Financially Responsible Kids

If you feel like you should be getting more value than the AUM fee you're currently paying at your brokerage firm, visit: https://engagewithbirchwood.com Wondering when and how to talk to your kids about money and wealth ? In this video, we break down the best age to start financial conversations, how to teach strong money values, and what wealthy families do differently to raise financially responsible kids. Learn practical strategies to avoid entitlement, build financial literacy, and prepare the next generation for wealth the right way. Get more of your wealth questions answered here: https://birchwoodcapital.com

April 1, 2026Episode 7716 min

Should You Die With Zero?

If you feel like you should be getting more value than the AUM fee you're currently paying at your brokerage firm, visit https://engagewithbirchwood.com In this episode, we break down powerful ideas from Die With Zero by Bill Perkins and challenge the traditional approach to wealth, inheritance, and retirement. Learn why waiting until your kids are 60 may not make sense, how to maximize life experiences, and how to use your money more intentionally while you're still alive. If you're a high-income saver or retiree thinking about legacy planning, this conversation will change how you view money, time, and family impact.