Episodes
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Market shocks, crypto moves, windfalls, and punk rock?
Shane Mason & AJ Ayers unpack the latest financial news and listener questions in this episode of The Liquidity Event.
🚨 IMPORTANT NOTE: This episode was recorded on April 8th, 2025, before the April 9th pause on most newly proposed U.S. tariffs (excluding China). While our specific tariff critique reflects the situation known at that moment, the policy landscape remains dynamic and could change again.
Therefore, our discussion on the history of U.S. tariffs and the fundamental pros and cons of using them in economic policy offers valuable context for understanding potential future shifts.
In this episode, hear AJ's sharp critique of the initial approach to the widespread tariff proposal and the market uncertainty it created. We also break down the Circle (USDC) stablecoin IPO filing – what does it mean for crypto and digital dollars?
Plus, practical advice for tackling angel investing after an inheritance, and the story of how Henry Rollins got a Brooklyn FI Roth IRA t-shirt!
⏱️ Timestamps:
(0:00) Intro & Catching Up (Mexico, California, Remembering Grandpa)(3:09) The Roth IRA / Henry Rollins T-Shirt Story
(6:45) Tariff Turmoil: Discussing the Initial Broad Proposal (Recorded BEFORE Pause News)
(8:15) Historical Tariffs & Manufacturing Job Trends
(10:40) Critiquing the Abrupt Policy Rollout Strategy
(13:50) Context: Existing China Trade Friction & Why Tariffs Elsewhere?
(16:40) Potential Business & Personal Impacts of Widespread Tariffs
(18:05) Circle (USDC) Stablecoin IPO Filing: What You Need to Know
(19:40) Explainer: How Stablecoins Like USDC Work & Generate Revenue
(21:15) The International Use Case for Digital Dollars vs. Traditional Banking
(24:30) Reddit Q&A: Angel Investing an 8-Figure Inheritance?
(25:40) Key Advice for Aspiring (or Accidental) Angel Investors
(27:10) Alternatives: Angel Investing ETFs & Pre-IPO Funds
(28:15) Outro & How to Connect
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In this episode of The Liquidity Event, AJ and Shane dive into tech drama, AI disruption, and financial advice with a little spice.
Key Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro & Japan Travel Reflections
3:00 - Corporate Espionage: Rippling vs Deel
13:06 - Student Uses AI to Beat Amazon Interview
18:00 - Hinge Health: Revolutionizing Physical Therapy?
23:24 - Listener Question: Best Retirement Account for Musicians
28:00 - Reddit Question: 26-Year-Old Making $400K From BusinessLike us? Have financial questions? Connect with us.
Email: [email protected]
Leave a voicemail: memo.fm/liquidityeventDon't forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review! New episodes every Friday.
#FinancialAdvice #CorporateEspionage #AIEthics #RetirementPlanning #Entrepreneurship
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Episodes manquant?
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In this episode of The Liquidity Event, BKFi’s AJ Ayers and Eduard Zolotarev tackle market volatility head-on, explore the recent Taco Bell product launch event, and share honest thoughts on Dave Ramsey's controversial rental property comments.
Key Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro & Episode Overview
0:34 - Meet Ed & An All Important Update on Taco Bell
3:33 - Market Volatility & Recent Corrections (We aren’t scared)
8:49 - Long-Term Market Performance Charts
13:05 - Why Timing the Market Is So Hard (and pointless)
17:20 - Lessons from Those Who Left the Market in 2008
21:43 - Global Investment Beyond US Markets
23:23 - Dave Ramsey's Controversial Comments
29:19 - The Value of Having a Financial AdvisorDon't forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review! New episodes every Friday.
If you have anything to add, comment below! We value thoughtful & intelligent perspectives.
Connect with us: Email: [email protected]
Leave a voicemail: memo.fm/liquidityevent#FinancialAdvice #IPO #StartupTips #AIInfrastructure #TacoBell
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In this special episode of The Liquidity Event, BKFi leaders John and AJ interview tax attorney Christopher Karachale about Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) - a powerful tax benefit allowing founders to exclude up to $10 million (or more) from capital gains taxes when selling shares.
Key Timestamps:1:50 - What is QSBS? The $10 million exclusion explained
3:16 - History of QSBS: From 1992 to today's 100% exclusion
8:15 - Qualification requirements: Company & shareholder criteria
11:13 - "Qualified trade or business" explained
12:18 - Prohibited business categories
14:14 - Tips for founders to qualify for QSBS
18:30 - LLC conversion strategies for QSBS
20:45 - Fixing past entity mistakes to qualify
22:54 - LLC to C-Corp conversion: FMV basis benefit
26:15 - 1045 rollovers: Strategy for selling before 5 years
29:04 - QSBS stacking: Advanced strategies with trusts
35:38 - Practical advice for early-stage founders
Connect with us: Email: [email protected] Leave a voicemail: memo.fm/liquidityeventDon't forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review! New episodes every Friday.
#FinancialAdvice #IPO #StartupTips #AIInfrastructure #Entrepreneurship
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In this episode of The Liquidity Event, AJ and Shane analyze CoreWeave's transformative journey from crypto trading platform to AI infrastructure powerhouse & share highly anticipated Initial Public Offering (IPO) tips, plus unfiltered advice on what it really takes to start a business (from two people who actually did it).
Key Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro & Market Updates
2:51 - The IPO Market Landscape 2020-2025
8:49 - What Does CoreWeave Actually Do?
10:37 - CoreWeave's Explosive Revenue Growth
11:56 - Risk Factors: Microsoft Concentration
14:53 - Founders' $150M Pre-IPO Cash Out
19:23 - GPU Infrastructure & Market Position
21:33 - Starting a Business Reality Check
24:00 - The Truth About Side Hustles
25:42 - Why "Setting Your Own Hours" is a Myth
29:00 - Basic Excel Skills: Non-Negotiable
31:35 - Software vs Revenue: What to Prioritize
32:20 - Do You Really Need an LLC?
34:15 - The Truth About Business "Write-offs"
37:22 - Business Plans: Necessary or MBA Fluff?
40:16 - Final Thoughts on EntrepreneurshipConnect with us: Email: [email protected] Leave a voicemail: memo.fm/liquidityevent
Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review! New episodes every Friday.
#FinancialAdvice #IPO #StartupTips #AIInfrastructure #Entrepreneurship
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In this episode of The Liquidity Event: Money & Finance with AJ and Shane, we explore how demographics shape friendship networks, examine Elon Musk's exaggerated claims about DOGE savings, and answer a retirement planning question from a business owner.
Key Timestamps:
0:34 - Introduction and episode topics
1:55 - Mexico City update and lifestyle chat
3:17 - Billionaire Brian Johnson's extreme anti-aging efforts
6:18 - AJ's Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designation
9:04 - Hedonic vs. eudaimonic happiness discussion
12:21 - How demographics and education affect friendship patterns
16:18 - Analysis of gathering spaces and COVID's impact on socializing
21:22 - DOGE's questionable $55 billion savings claims
24:24 - Concerns about public lands and national parks
25:24 - Reddit Q&A: Should you contribute to self-employed 401k or Roth 401k? -
In this episode of The Liquidity Event: Money & Finance with Shane and AJ, we unpack everything you need to know about Incentive Stock Options (ISOs) - from basic tax implications to advanced strategies for maximizing your equity compensation.
Key Timestamps:
0:28 - Introduction to Incentive Stock Options (ISOs)
10:26 - Why ISOs get special tax treatment
13:29 - Exercising ISOs: Common pitfalls and best practices
15:45 - Case Study: Recovering $50k in lost tax credits
23:52 - The 5% rule: When to exercise your ISOs
25:39 - Breaking down ISO exercises into manageable chunks
27:28 - AMT credits explained: Getting your money back
28:30 - Year-end timing strategies for ISO exercises
31:28 - How to avoid losing valuable tax creditsConnect with us: Email: [email protected]
Leave a voicemail: memo.fm/theliquidityevent/
Please like, subscribe, & leave us a review! New episodes drop every Friday.
#EquityCompensation #StartupLife #StockOptions #PersonalFinance #TaxStrategy #FinancialPlanning #WealthManagement #TechCompensation
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In this episode of The Liquidity Event: Money & Finance with Shane and AJ, we discuss Spotify's soaring stock price, the reality of New York real estate's "open secret," and why successful entrepreneurs struggle to relax even after achieving their goals.
Key Timestamps:
0:01 - Intro and Valentine's Day musings
6:48 - Spotify's journey from IPO to $620/share
8:44 - Evolution of Spotify's equity compensation
11:21 - The Great Wealth Transfer and NYC real estate secrets
15:52 - Millennial housing affordability crisis
19:48 - Are things really better for our generation?
22:02 - Listener Question: Tax strategy for high-earning couple
30:32 - Tax optimization strategies for business ownersConnect with us: Email: [email protected] Leave a voicemail: memo.fm/liquidityevent
Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review! New episodes every Friday.
#FinancialAdvice #WealthManagement #EquityCompensation #Entrepreneurship #PersonalFinance
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In this week's episode of The Liquidity Event: Money & Finance with Shane and AJ, we tackle Trump's tariffs, humanoid robots in manufacturing, and baby boomer women deciding the fate of trillions of dollars.
Key Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro and updates
4:44 - Baby boomer women & the $82T great wealth transfer
10:29 - Humanoid robots: Manufacturing's future
16:06 - Breaking down Trump's trade war with Mexico & China
22:59 - The impact on domestic manufacturing
27:19 - Reddit Q&A: Real estate diversification strategies
Connect with us:
Email: [email protected]
Leave a voicemail: memo.fm/liquidityeventDon't forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review! New episodes every Friday.
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Join AJ Ayers, CFP®, EA, CEP, and John Owens, CFP®, EA, ECA, CPWA® as they dive into the biggest financial headlines of early 2025, from AI market shakeups to real estate trends and credit score strategies. Plus, they tackle a listener question about luxury car decisions when you've "made it."
Key Moments:
0:36 - Welcome & 2025 check-in
5:42 - Deep Seek's AI breakthrough and market impact
12:01 - Making sense of market headlines and volatility
15:06 - Credit score gaming: privilege and problems
19:37 - Denver's rental market "plunge" explained
22:52 - Reddit Question: $6M net worth car buying dilemmaWatch for insights on:
How AI developments are affecting the market
Why credit score systems may need reform
Real estate market cycles
Luxury car buying vs leasing debate
Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave your questions in the comments! New episodes every Friday.
#FinancialAdvice #AINews #PersonalFinance #StockMarket #TechNews #MoneyTips
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In this episode of the Liquidity Event: Money and Finance with Shane and Ally Jane, we cover everything you need to know about RSUs, from basic tax implications to advanced strategies for managing your equity compensation.
Key Timestamps:
0:28 - Introduction to RSUs & today's topics
6:38 - What makes RSUs unique among equity compensation
9:20 - How RSUs vest & the one-year cliff explained
12:33 - Tax implications: The crucial moment of vesting
22:08 - Understanding RSU withholding challenges
24:19 - Double trigger RSUs explained
27:09 - Sell to cover strategy breakdown
31:02 - Watch out for wash sales with RSUs
32:39 - Blackout periods (preview for future episode)Connect with us: Email: [email protected]
Leave a voicemail: memo.fm/theliquidityevent/
Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review! New episodes every Friday.
#FinancialAdvice #RSUs #StockOptions #TechNews #PersonalFinance
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In this episode, AJ & Shane discuss Alaska Airlines' ambitious challenge to Delta, financial frauds in the FinTech space, and tackle a trending Reddit question about timing your exit.
KEY MOMENTS:
[2:25] - AJ's Punishment Travel Story: Getting stranded in a Mississippi blizzard
[7:20] - Alaska Airlines vs Delta: Breaking down their new international routes, premium offerings, and what it means for the airline industry's recovery
[11:28] - Financial Fraud: How a Fidelity employee stole $750k from stock plans and why Deel's $12B platform is facing money laundering allegations
[21:04] - The $2M Question: Should you take guaranteed money now or wait for a potentially bigger payday?
[26:54] - Financial Advisor's Perspective: Strategies for minimizing regret in exit timing and why taking some chips off the table might be your best betConnect with us: Email: [email protected]
Leave a voicemail: memo.fm/heliquidity
Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review! New episodes every Friday.
#FinancialAdvice #StartupLife #StockOptions #TechNews #PersonalFinance
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Happy 2025! Ally Jane and Shane kick off the year with a deep dive into which major private companies might finally go public.
From SpaceX to Canva, we break down who's ready to make the leap (and who's still playing the IPO waiting game). Plus, an honest discussion about reaching financial independence and whether FIRE is all it's cracked up to be. Society isn’t built for early retirement. What happens if you’re rich and have lots of free time with no one to share it with?
Key Moments:
0:00 Welcome to 2025 & reflections on 2024
5:51 IPO Market Analysis: From winter to spring? A look at the numbers
13:34 Deep dive into potential 2025 IPOs (Canva, DataBricks, Rippling & more)
20:37 The Mystery Trip Reveal: Shane's diabolical plan for AJ
24:31 Real Talk: When reaching financial independence isn't what you expected
Between Shane plotting AJ's mystery destination and frank discussions about post-FIRE regret, this episode balances market insights with real talk about money and life.
And yes, there's a detour into dental drama because even financial advisors have to deal with crown complications. 🦷
Want more insights on equity compensation and financial planning? Visit us at brooklynfi.com
Follow us:
Instagram: @brooklyn_f.i LinkedIn: /brooklyn-fi
Twitter: @BrooklynFi
#FinancialPlanning #IPO #FinancialIndependence #TechIPO #EquityCompensation #FIRE #PersonalFinance
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In this final episode of 2024, hosts AJ and John explore the complexities of handling sudden unexpected windfalls, major financial decisions like purchasing a home (or vacation home), and some last-minute year-end planning tips.
Key Moments & Topics:
0:00 Show introduction and 2024 wrap-up
The psychology of sudden wealth and how to avoid common pitfalls
4:35 Handling unexpected windfalls
Smart strategies for managing capital injections without lifestyle inflation
9:15 Home purchasing strategies
The 20% down payment rule and affordability considerations
16:05 The vacation home debate
The "6 weekend rule" and why rental income shouldn't factor into your decision
20:33 Year-end financial planning
Last-minute FSA spending and charitable giving strategies
25:56 Looking ahead to 2025
Personal reflections and intentional goal setting
Plus, they share their own experiences transitioning roles at BKFi and lessons learned from 2024.
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In this episode of The Liquidity Event, hosts AJ and Shane discuss year-end business planning and tax optimization strategies.
They break down:
Essential business credit card decisions for startups and growing companies Year-end tax planning moves business owners should consider now Key business deductions you might be missing, from travel to home offices Special considerations for remote businesses and multi-state operations Strategic 401(k) planning for business owners and the complexities to watch out forPlus, they explore upcoming tariff changes that could impact business purchasing strategies and share insights on managing financial operations across state lines.
AJ & Shane also tackle two timely topics: whether Bitcoin belongs in your 401(k) (spoiler: probably not), and the major changes coming to NYC's real estate broker fee system that could affect both landlords and renters.
Subscribe to be the first to know about our new episodes!
TImestamps:
0:00 Show introduction and Thanksgiving weekend reflections
4:29 Business credit card considerations and startup financial strategies
9:15 Year-end business tax planning and revenue timing
13:31 Business deductions for travel and home offices
17:38 Remote business operations and state tax implications
20:03 401(k) planning for business owners
23:49 Upcoming tariffs and business purchasing strategies
25:56 Bitcoin and cryptocurrency investment discussion
28:30 NYC real estate broker fees and show wrap-up
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In this episode of The Liquidity Event, hosts AJ and Shane tackle year-end tax planning strategies (what you can still do!).
They break down:
The importance of optimizing tax-advantaged accounts like 401(k)s, Roth IRAs, and HSAs
The debate around charitable giving for young professionals
Smart timing for exercising stock options and equity compensation
Tax loss harvesting opportunities in volatile markets
Important deadlines and why December planning is crucial
Plus, they explore the "Christmas problem" - the challenges of executing stock trades during the holiday season, and share practical tips for avoiding last-minute scrambles with equity compensation.
AJ & Shane also discuss the evolving role of charitable giving, with Shane offering a contrarian view on early-career donations while AJ advocates for strategic giving through appreciated securities.
Subscribe to be the first to know about our new episodes!
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In this episode of The Liquidity Event, hosts AJ and Shane demystify airline loyalty programs and credit card rewards. They break down:
When airline status is (and isn't) worth pursuing
The true value proposition of airport lounges and premium credit cards
How to optimize your spending between airline miles and cash back rewards
Inside tips on Delta's Diamond Medallion program and its changing benefits
Plus, they share their real-world experiences navigating loyalty programs while running a remote business, and whether recent changes to Delta's program signal trouble ahead for frequent flyers.
Whether you're a road warrior or occasional traveler, this episode will help you make smarter decisions about your travel rewards strategy.
Subscribe to be the first to know about our new episodes!
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As the election dust settles, we’re discussing what a Trump-led administration will mean for tax policy and your finances in 2025 and beyond.
A lot of promises were made on the campaign trail. Join hosts AJ and Shane as they try to separate fact from fiction and forecast what Americans can expect:
-Implications for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA)
-Impacts on Social Security taxation
-What may happen to the SALT deduction cap
-Auto loan interest deductions
-Tariffs
And more!
🎉 Planning Ahead? Join Our End-Of-Year Tax Planning Webinar! 🎉
Get ready for 2024 with our upcoming Year-End Planning Webinar on November 20 at 5 p.m. ET! BKFi experts John Owens, Tiffini Parker, and Caitlin Fastiggi will cover policy changes, tax strategies, retirement moves, and more.
👉 Register here: End-Of-Year Planning Webinar
Plus, a $200 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway for one lucky attendee! Don’t miss out—join us live for a chance to win and to set yourself up for success in 2024.
Catch the episode now for a preview of what could be ahead!
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In this episode of The Liquidity Event, hosts AJ and Shane talk donor advised funds & charitable giving.
They discuss: Why Donor Advised Funds were created How they can be used a strategy to give more thoughtfully, particularly if you are not sure how exactly you want to give at year's end The dark side of DAFs - how the ultra wealthy have misused this strategy for their own benefit Give it a listen and let us know what you think. Subscribe to be the first to know about our new episodes! -
In this episode of The Liquidity Event, hosts AJ and Ed dive into the annual workplace tradition we all love to hate: Open Enrollment Season. While logging into the HR portal and clicking through endless benefit options might feel like watching paint dry, making the wrong choices could leave your future self holding a much lighter wallet.Join them as they discuss: Health insurance (PPO vs HMO) How to think about ancillary benefits like dental & vision Life & disability insurance Retirement planning opportunities And more! Plus, they tackle a listener question about planning for those expensive later-life care costs that Medicare won't cover.Subscribe to be the first to know about our new episodes!
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