Advertise on podcast: The Freedom Founders Podcast

What good is the freedom we've spent a lifetime building if we don't use it to make a difference? In this episode, Dr. David Phelps sits down with Rick Green, founder of Patriot Academy and former Texas state legislator, to explore what it means to use our freedom, experience, and influence to make a lasting difference. Rick shares how his father's encouragement shaped his life, why he shifted his focus from politics to educating the next generation, and what he's learned from more than 25 years of developing young leaders. They also discuss what older generations misunderstand about young people, why we've lost the ability to disagree without hostility, and how to move beyond frustration and outrage toward meaningful action. For business owners considering their next chapter, Rick offers a practical challenge: You don't need to run for office, start an organization, or write a large check to make a difference. There are meaningful ways to invest your time, resources, and experience right where you are. In This Episode How Rick's father helped shape his confidence, character, and sense of purpose.Why Rick believes developing the next generation is more important than winning elections.What young people really want from leaders, parents, and mentors.How to disagree without hostility—and why curiosity matters more than winning an argument.Why moving from outrage to agency starts with taking responsibility for what we can influence.Rick's practical 2-2-2 framework for getting involved and making a difference.Episode Links Patriot Academy: https://patriotacademy.com The Exit Optional Playbook: https://exitoptional.com Episode Highlights 02:21 – Finding His Calling Beyond Politics: The conversation with his father that changed Rick's direction03:30 – The Power of Family Influence: How his parents shaped his confidence, entrepreneurial spirit, and teaching style04:28 – A Wake-Up Call About Freedom: Why Rick became passionate about constitutional education05:28 – Building Patriot Academy: Developing the next generation of civic leaders06:42 – What We're Getting Wrong About Young People: Their desire for authenticity, purpose, and meaningful contribution08:33 – From Outrage to Civil Discourse: Why listening and humility matter more than winning arguments11:28 – Putting Freedom Into Action: Rick's practical 2-2-2 framework for making a difference

His father’s voice was still there. In a letter. At 19, Blake Brewer lost his father in a snorkeling accident during a family vacation in Hawaii. Hours later, his mother found a letter in his father’s briefcase—one he had intended to give Blake on that trip. His father was gone, but his words remained. More than two decades later, Blake still returns to that letter. In this episode, I sit down with Blake, founder of Legacy Letter, to hear how that experience became a mission to help one million people write a letter to their families. We spend years building businesses, providing for our children, and planning what we’ll leave behind. But how much thought do we give to what we’re leaving in them? Do they know how deeply we love them, what we admire about them, and why we believe in their future? Blake shares a practical framework for putting those things into words, including a section many parents would rather skip: the apology. We talk about why good intentions don’t always translate into close relationships, how pride can keep us from saying what needs to be said, and why “I’m doing it for my family” deserves an honest look. We also discuss when to give the letter, why your child’s initial reaction may tell you very little about its lasting value, and how this personal exercise has helped business teams connect. For anyone who has been meaning to say more to the people they love, this conversation offers a place to start—and a reason to follow through. EPISODE LINKS: Learn more about Blake Brewer and Legacy Letter: LegacyLetter.com Learn more about Freedom Founders: FreedomFounders.com Request your free copy of The Exit-Optional Playbook: ExitOptional.com HIGHLIGHTS: 02:59 – The family vacation that changed Blake’s life 06:46 – The letter his father left behind 11:56 – Why “my kids know I love them” can leave room for doubt 14:20 – What to include in a legacy letter—and why apology matters 17:05 – Give the letter now: Why you don’t need to wait 23:03 – A father’s letter that brought his daughter home 24:20 – When “I’m doing it for my family” deserves a closer look 27:16 – How legacy letters helped business teams connect 28:34 – Defining success by the family relationships you’re building 30:23 – Words your children can hear from you today

You’ve probably spent years being told that putting money into a 401(k), IRA, or other retirement account is the responsible thing to do. Make the contribution. Take the deduction. Let it grow. But there is a part most busy doctors rarely think about: Eventually, the IRS wants its money back. If you build a large pre-tax retirement account without a plan for how that money will come out, what looked like a tax strategy may turn out to be a tax delay. That matters because once required minimum distributions begin, you lose some control. The government determines that money must come out, and those distributions can increase your taxable income whether you need the money or not. In this episode, I sit down with Nate Hare to unpack what that means in practical terms. We discuss: Why tax deferral and tax elimination are very differentWhat required minimum distributions could mean for your future incomeHow Roth conversions can create more flexibility laterWhy the years after you reduce active income may be a critical planning windowHow self-directed retirement accounts can expand your investment optionsWhy certain investments may belong inside retirement accounts while others may notHow large pre-tax accounts can create an unexpected tax burden for your heirsYou do not need to become a retirement-account expert. But you do need to understand the basic tradeoff. The decisions you make while you are earning at your peak can either preserve flexibility later—or quietly reduce it. That is what this episode is really about. Not tax tricks. Optionality. The ability to decide when income appears, when taxes are paid, and how much control you retain over the wealth you spent decades building. EPISODE LINKS: Directed IRA: https://directedira.com Learn more about Nate Hare and self-directed retirement accounts. Directed IRA Appointments: https://directedira.com/appointment/ Connect with Nate and the Directed IRA team. Freedom Founders: https://www.freedomfounders.com Learn more about becoming financially independent and exit-optional. HIGHLIGHTS: 00:00 – Why retirement accounts deserve more attention than most business owners give them 01:34 – What you may be allowed to own beyond stocks and mutual funds 06:58 – Why self-directed accounts appeal to entrepreneurial investors 08:52 – The difference between tax-deferred and tax-free retirement income 11:00 – Why Roth conversions may matter more than the deduction you received years ago 24:00 – The danger of a large pre-tax retirement account with no exit strategy 26:00 – What required minimum distributions actually mean for your future income 28:00 – How your retirement account can create a tax problem for your children 29:16 – The planning window between reducing active income and required distributions 33:47 – Why you should diversify your tax exposure, not just your investments 40:43 – How high-income earners may still be able to get money into Roth accounts

The investments that performed well during the era of cheap money may carry far more risk today—even when the projected returns still look familiar. In this episode, I sit down with longtime real estate investor and former private banker Anna Kelley to examine what higher interest rates, a weakening labor market, and the growing wall of maturing debt could mean for everyday investors. Anna explains why the Federal Reserve is caught between persistent inflation and recessionary pressure—and why waiting for rates to simply “go back down” may not be a sound investment strategy. We also look closely at multifamily real estate, where rising rates have erased 40% or more of the value of some properties. Even experienced operators are struggling to refinance debt, preserve investor capital, and hold assets together. The problem is not always poor execution. Sometimes the economic assumptions that made a deal work have fundamentally changed. Most importantly, Anna translates the economic headlines into decisions investors can actually make. We discuss how to determine whether a prospective return adequately compensates you for the risk, why liquidity and diversification deserve renewed attention, and when protecting capital matters more than pursuing another double-digit return. This conversation ultimately goes beyond markets. Anna shares how financial margin gave her the ability to step away from work when her health and family needed her. Because the real purpose of liquidity is not to win an argument about portfolio allocation. It is to preserve your ability to respond when life refuses to follow the plan. EPISODE LINKS: Learn more about Anna Kelley: https://annakelleyinvesting.com/ Learn more about Freedom Founders: http://FreedomFounders.com HIGHLIGHTS: 00:00 – Introduction 01:58 – The Fed’s conflict between inflation and a weakening economy 04:39 – What the employment headlines may be missing 05:53 – Why Anna sees a stagflationary environment 10:36 – Growth, income, or preservation: What is your priority? 14:37 – How to tell whether a return justifies the risk 19:26 – Why multifamily worked so well during the low-rate era 27:00 – How higher rates erased 40–50% of some property values 28:44 – The refinancing wall facing real estate operators 31:09 – The liquidity signal Anna is watching now 34:39 – Why maturing debt through 2029 could create a larger crisis 39:35 – What individual investors can do with this information 42:16 – How debt and the Great Financial Crisis cost Anna a decade 44:06 – Learning to sit patiently on cash 45:02 – Building multiple income streams and an all-weather portfolio 45:45 – When building wealth leaves no room for life 48:02 – Why bigger is not always better

Personal sovereignty starts with taking responsibility for your own life. David Phelps reconnects with entrepreneur, author, speaker, and business and mindset strategist Lee Milteer to discuss resilience, independent thinking, intentional habits, preparedness, entrepreneurship, and why protecting your attention and surrounding yourself with the right people matter in a rapidly changing world. EPISODE LINKS: Learn more about Lee Milteer: https://milteer.com/ Free Five Types of Energy video series: https://fivetypesofenergy.com/ Learn more about Freedom Founders: http://FreedomFounders.com HIGHLIGHTS: 00:00 – Intro 14:08 – Building a Fearless Mindset 18:11 – Lessons From Dan Kennedy 27:38 – Stop Following the Crowd 33:05 – Your Habits Create Your Life 45:31 – Protect Your Attention 50:23 – Staying Relevant in the Age of AI 52:57 – Why Masterminds Matter

For high achievers, success can become a moving target. You hit the goal. Make more money. Build the business. Earn the recognition. And somehow, it still doesn’t feel like enough. In this conversation, David sits down with Brad Chandler to explore the deeper beliefs that can drive achievement, workaholism, and the constant need to prove yourself. Brad shares how his own pursuit of success was shaped by a need for validation—and how that drive showed up in his business, relationships, and personal life. After years of building, producing, and chasing bigger outcomes, he began examining a different question: What if the next level of success isn’t the thing that fixes what you’re actually trying to solve? David and Brad discuss the connection between achievement and self-worth, why accomplished entrepreneurs can still feel driven by “not enough,” and what changes when you begin separating who you are from what you accomplish. Brad Chandler is a successful real estate investor and entrepreneur who has completed more than 4,500 real estate transactions. After building Express Home Buyers, his own personal journey led him into work focused on helping high achievers better understand the beliefs and patterns driving their behavior. EPISODE LINKS: Learn more about Brad Chandler: UnlockLimitlessYou.com/Brad Learn more about Freedom Founders: FreedomFounders.com HIGHLIGHTS: Success, Achievement and the Need to Prove YourselfThe Beliefs Behind High AchievementBrad’s Own Pursuit of Money and ValidationWhen Success Still Doesn’t Feel Like EnoughThe Hidden Cost of WorkaholismSeparating Self-Worth From AchievementHow Old Patterns Show Up in Business and RelationshipsWhat Changes When You Stop Trying to Prove YourselfRedefining Success From the Inside Out

What happens when the growth strategy that built your business becomes the very thing that breaks it? Mark Drager built a digital marketing agency from scratch starting in 2006, growing it into a multi-million dollar company working with international brands, national airlines, and NBA teams. Then COVID hit, wiping out 70% of his revenue overnight. Mark and David dig into the real story behind that collapse — not just the pandemic, but the slow erosion that came before it: chasing bigger clients, saying yes to too many services, and losing the profit margins that made the business work in the first place. They talk rebuilding, realigning his team and client base around who he actually wanted to serve, and why "being known for one thing" beats trying to be everything to everyone. Mark closes with the single piece of advice he'd give any business owner: stop trying to compete on being better, and start competing on being different. Episode Links Connect with Mark Drager - https://www.markdrager.com/ Get David Phelps' Exit Optional Playbook – https://exitoptional.com Highlights Of Our Conversation 00:00 – Intro 05:08 – Starting a Digital Agency at 23 10:16 – Growing Your Way Out of a Problem Doesn't Work 14:28 – Cutting Services and the Trap of "Doing More" 19:16 – Downsizing 24 Employees When 70% of Revenue Disappeared 22:17 – Realigning the Business Around Culture, Not Just Clients 26:19 – Why Differentiation Beats Being "Just As Good" 32:28 – The Shift Toward Manufacturing and Local Trades

At some point, more money stops meaningfully changing your life. Jason Medley has experienced both sides of that equation. After losing nearly everything in 2008, he rebuilt, created significant financial success, and eventually reached a point where money no longer provided the same reward it once did. That forced a different question: If more money isn’t going to change your life, what will? In this conversation, Jason and David explore how our definition of wealth changes as we move through different seasons of life. They discuss relationships, family, faith, health, business growth, financial discipline, and the difference between continuing to build because you love creating versus building because you still believe the next number will finally make you feel successful. They also dig into the pressures that come with leadership, why growth can create stress even inside a highly profitable business, and why successful entrepreneurs need relationships with people who understand the challenges that often remain invisible from the outside. Jason Medley is the founder and CEO of The Collective Genius, a community of high-level real estate investors and entrepreneurs. He has more than two decades of experience in real estate and finance and has built his career around business, investing, leadership, and creating meaningful relationships. EPISODE LINKS: Learn more about The Collective Genius: TheCollectiveGenius.com Learn more about Freedom Founders: FreedomFounders.com HIGHLIGHTS: 00:00 — Defining Wealth Beyond Money 00:30 — Meet Jason Medley 04:44 — When More Money Stops Changing Your Life 08:44 — The Origins of Collective Genius 11:23 — Scaling Through People and Impact 14:21 — Why He Still Loves to Build 16:42 — The Hidden Stress of Business Growth 20:04 — Building a Financial Moat 25:23 — The Challenge of Leading People 31:33 — Why Successful People Still Need Community

The Wealthy Don’t Invest Like Everyone Else: Taking Control Beyond Wall Street – Ep28 Mat SorensenWhat if the money you’ve spent decades building is invested in things you barely understand—and controlled by people you’ll never meet? Mat Sorensen is a business and tax attorney, entrepreneur, author, and founder of Directed IRA. After helping thousands of investors use retirement accounts to purchase real estate, private businesses, oil and gas, venture capital, and other alternative assets, he became one of the nation’s leading authorities on self-directed investing. In this conversation, Mat and David explore why there is no single path to wealth, why earning money and preserving it require different skill sets, and why many successful investors prefer to stay closer to their capital. Mat explains how self-directed retirement accounts can allow investors to move beyond stocks and mutual funds and invest in assets they already know and understand. But greater control also brings greater responsibility. The investor must build the network, evaluate the operator, understand the risks, and develop the judgment to make informed decisions. They also discuss Mat’s unconventional path from becoming a father at 18 to building a national law firm and one of the fastest-growing self-directed retirement companies in the country. The goal is not simply to invest differently. It is to build wealth with greater clarity, connection, and choice. Episode LinksConnect with Mat Sorensen and Directed IRA: https://directedira.com Use discount code FREEDOM150 to save $150. Connect with KKOS Lawyers: https://kkoslawyers.com The Self-Directed IRA Handbook: https://sdirahandbook.com Get David Phelps’ book, The Exit Optional Playbook: https://exitoptional.com Timecodes00:00 — What Does It Mean to Be Wealthy? 01:19 — Why Mat Calls Himself a “Wealth Lawyer” 03:12 — There Is No Single Path to Wealth 06:06 — Becoming a Father and Husband at 18 09:20 — Why Mat Chose Law and Entrepreneurship 12:08 — Discovering Self-Directed IRAs 15:25 — Building Directed IRA 18:03 — Why Wealthy Investors Favor Alternative Assets 21:20 — Staying Closer to Your Money 23:48 — Who Is a Good Fit for Self-Directed Investing? 26:34 — Control Requires Education and Due Diligence 28:54 — Why the Best Investors Specialize 30:18 — Tax Strategy, Asset Protection, and Estate Planning 32:21 — How to Connect With Mat and Directed IRA

What if the secret to lifting your grandchildren at 85 isn't a supplement or a cold plunge, but a lifestyle you start today? Dr. Howard Luks is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and author of Longevity Simplified. His message is simple: our bodies were designed to move, and the capabilities you don't train are the ones you lose. Howard explains why the 10,000-step goal is a marketing myth, why falls are less about the fall itself than the frailty that follows, and why pain doesn't always mean harm. He and David explore metabolic health, recovery, and the surprising reason tennis may add more years to your life than running. Ninety to ninety-five percent of longevity comes from a few simple habits. The rest is garnish. Episode Links Longevity Simplified by Dr. Howard Luks - https://a.co/d/0cD34tw4 Connect with Dr. Howard Luks - https://substack.com/@hjluks Get David Phelps' Exit Optional Playbook – https://exitoptional.com Timecodes 00:00 – Intro 01:06 – Introducing Dr. Howard Luks 02:45 – From Scalpel to Prevention: How His Thinking Evolved 05:45 – What Is Metabolic Health? 09:46 – Movement as the Foundation of Longevity 12:43 – Falls, Frailty, and the Brain-Muscle Connection 20:03 – Loneliness, Purpose, and Why Tennis Wins 24:45 – Running, Osteoarthritis, and Rethinking Old Assumptions 30:48 – Cutting Through Longevity Trends and Supplements 38:12 – The Non-Negotiable Habits for Staying Active at 85

What if the financial security you have spent your life building is the very thing keeping you from freedom?Most people are taught to follow a familiar path: Get an education. Find a good job. Save money. Contribute to retirement accounts. Avoid mistakes. Trust the experts. It sounds responsible. But Kim Kiyosaki believes there is a more important question beneath that advice: Are you building security—or are you building freedom? Kim is an entrepreneur, real estate investor, bestselling author of Rich Woman, and co-founder of the Rich Dad Company alongside Robert Kiyosaki. In this conversation with David, she challenges many of the assumptions people inherit about money, investing, education, and financial independence. Her own journey began with a $45,000 rental house, a trembling hand at the closing table, and just $25 a month in cash flow. The amount was almost irrelevant. What mattered was that she had crossed the line from studying investing to becoming an investor. Kim explains why financial intelligence cannot be outsourced, why mistakes are often the price of growth, and why no one will ever care about your financial future as much as you must. She and David explore the difference between assets and liabilities, cash flow and speculation, and security and control. They also confront one of the greatest barriers facing successful professionals: the fear of being wrong. School teaches us to avoid mistakes and search for the correct answer. Investing and entrepreneurship require experimentation, judgment, collaboration, and the willingness to learn through experience. But this conversation is about more than money. When Kim and Robert became financially free in 1994, they did not simply stop working. They gained the ability to ask a more meaningful question: What do we actually want to do with our lives? Financial freedom is not the absence of work. It is the ability to choose your work, direct your time, protect what matters, and build a life that is not dependent on the next paycheck. Security may help you feel protected. Freedom allows you to decide what your life is for. Episode Links: Learn more about Rich Dad – https://richdad.com Cashflow Board Game – https://richdad.com/cashflow-game-online/ Rich Woman by Kim Kiyosaki – https://www.amazon.com/Rich-Woman-Investing-Women-Because/dp/B002GJU4SG Get David Phelps’ Exit Optional Playbook – https://exitoptional.com

What if the most meaningful work of your life begins after you've already become successful?Many business owners spend decades building a thriving company, providing for their families, and earning the freedom they once dreamed about. But eventually, a different question emerges: Now what? In this conversation, David sits down with longtime friend, attorney, entrepreneur, and author Ben Glass to explore what it means to intentionally design the second half of life. Rather than viewing an exit as the finish line, Ben shares why the greatest opportunity may be to shift from building a business to building people—passing on wisdom, cultivating deeper relationships, and creating a life defined by purpose instead of professional identity. Together, they discuss why happiness comes from having choices, how to prepare for life beyond your primary career years before you ever step away, and why the most valuable asset you can build isn't simply wealth—it's the freedom to decide how you'll spend your time. This conversation isn't really about retirement. It's about becoming the kind of person whose greatest contribution may still be ahead. Because financial freedom isn't the end goal. It's the opportunity to design a life that becomes more meaningful with every passing year. Episode Links: Ben Glass Law: https://benglasslaw.com Lunch with Ben: https://lunchwithben.com Get David Phelps' Exit Optional Playbook: https://exitoptional.com Timecodes: 00:00 – Building a Life, Not Just a Resume 05:04 – Doing More of What Gives You Energy 10:27 – Letting Go & Finding Your Next Chapter 16:37 – Creating Meaningful Friendships 20:19 – Succession Planning Done Right 26:25 – Happiness Comes From Choices 30:45 – Give Yourself Permission to Lead 35:24 – Thriving in the Age of AI 38:38 – Principles for a Meaningful Life 43:02 – How to Connect with Ben

“Normal isn’t optimal”.What if the exhaustion, brain fog, poor sleep, anxiety, and declining energy you have learned to tolerate are not simply the price of getting older? In this episode, Steve Adam’s joins David to reveal the hidden health crisis facing many high-achieving men: they remain productive enough to keep performing while their health quietly moves from optimal to functional, dysfunctional, and eventually diseased. For entrepreneur Steve Adams, the warning signs became impossible to ignore. After years of building and scaling companies, he found himself waking at 1:00 a.m., unable to sleep, physically depleted, and reacting in ways that no longer felt like him. His success had outrun his body. Together, they discuss why “normal” lab results can offer false reassurance, why isolated biohacks and quick fixes often fail, and frameworks to address the deeper foundations of health. But this conversation is about more than living longer. It is about having the energy, clarity, and physical capacity to remain present for your family, pursue meaningful work, and fully inhabit the next chapter of your life. Because building the financial freedom to choose what comes next means very little if your health no longer allows you to choose it. Episode Links: Learn more about Tiger Medical - https://www.tigermi.com/ Get David Phelps' Exit Optional Playbook - https://exitoptional.com Timecodes: 00:00 – The Hidden Health Crisis 01:57 – Steve's Wake-Up Call 05:01 – Why High Achievers Ignore the Signs 07:49 – Normal Isn't Optimal 11:10 – Taking Ownership of Your Health 15:12 – The Three P Framework 18:47 – Biohacking vs Root Cause Medicine 20:20 – Why Purpose Extends Life 22:29 – Your Next Chapter Starts With Health 23:25 – Final Takeaways

Most investment mistakes don't begin with bad spreadsheets. They begin with bad psychology. Scott Corbett has spent decades working behind the scenes with real estate operators, capital raisers, and entrepreneurs. In this conversation with Dr. David Phelps, he shares what he's learned about evaluating trust, managing risk, and why the best investment decisions often have more to do with character than projections. The discussion moves beyond investing into something every successful business owner eventually faces: identity. Scott opens up about his own decision to step away from the business he spent twenty years building, the unexpected emotions that came with that transition, and why many entrepreneurs struggle to give themselves permission to imagine a different next chapter. Whether you're evaluating investment opportunities, preparing for an eventual exit, or simply trying to build a life with more intentionality, this episode offers practical wisdom on making decisions that extend well beyond money. EPISODE LINKS: Connect with Scott Corbett: https://sunrisecapitalinvestors.com/| Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcorbett/ Get David's book, The Exit Optional Playbook: https://exitoptional.com Time Codes: 00:00 — Why Better Investors Ask Better Questions 04:11 — How Sophisticated LPs Have Changed 10:32 — Why Marketing Has Shifted from Returns to Risk 17:03 — What Great Operators Have in Common 21:01 — Can You Actually Measure Character? 26:40 — When Success Becomes an Identity Trap 30:32 — Giving Yourself Permission to Enter a New Season 33:10 — Breaking Through Major Life Decisions 36:02 — Why Every Entrepreneur Needs Trusted Advisors 37:48 — The Hidden Cost of Carrying All the Responsibility 40:08 — Writing the Story of Your Next Chapter

"On redefining success once you stop chasing a finish line" Success isn't the finish line—it's the beginning of a more intentional life. David Phelps sits down with entrepreneur, author, and Dream Business Mastermind founder Jim Palmer to discuss purpose beyond business, redefining retirement, creating time freedom, and why the best chapter of life begins when you stop waiting for someday. Connect with Jim Website - https://www.getjimpalmer.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-palmer-dream-business-coach-900a75/ Get David Phelps’ Book - https://exitoptional.com Join David Phelps' Workshop - https://www.freedomfounders.com/freedom-number-method-workshop/ Timecodes: 00:00 – Life After Success 02:09 – Redefining Retirement 09:15 – Finding Purpose Without Pressure 13:11 – Lessons From Slowing Down 20:50 – Identity Beyond Business 25:07 – Advice for Your Younger Self 27:49 – Stop Waiting for Someday 31:21 – Health, Energy & Longevity 35:14 – Money, Marriage & Meaning 39:54 – Today Is Someday