Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Through the Wealth Lens

In today’s social media environment, especially with NIL deals reshaping the economics of sports, an athlete’s image is no longer just personal — it’s financial. It’s part of their business. And protecting that image is becoming just as important as protecting any other asset. In this episode of “Through the Wealth Lens” , we will share some important tips from entertainment lawyer, Brandon Lepoldus, to protect those assets.

Hannes and Max welcome Katy Homburger Mickelson, divorce and family law partner at Beermann LLP in Chicago. Katy shares insights from her work with high-performing athletes and executives, explaining how she helps clients navigate crises and unfamiliar situations—and why it’s not only acceptable, but often essential, to seek guidance from another expert when you don’t know what you don’t know.

Hannes and Max welcome on Jay Ross, Senior Vice President for Growth at Pro Athlete Community (PAC), an organization that assists professional athletes in preparing for the next chapters of their lives after professional sports. Jay sheds important light on PAC’s world-class education, mentorship, and opportunities for their community, giving professional athletes at all levels the tools to win beyond the game.

The word “wealth” is often used in the wealth management business, but what does “wealth” actually mean? In today’s day and age, the definition of wealth is constantly evolving and changes depending on who you ask. In this episode of Through the Wealth Lens Hannes and Max welcome on Jennifer Wines, author of “Invisible Wealth: 5 Principles for Redefining Personal Wealth in the New Paradigm”, to discusses this evolution and what motivated her to share it with us all.

Hannes and Max welcome on Teresa Hudson, partner and employment attorney at Munck Wilson Mandala LLP, to discuss how recent updates in the world of NIL can affect the legal side of NIL for both the schools/collectives and student-athletes.

Hannes and Max welcome on guest Ryan Ruff, Producer and CEO of The Ruff Media Group LLC, who was instrumental in helping launch "Through the Wealth Lens" back in 2021. Ryan’s expertise and dedication opened the door for Hannes and Max to reach a wider audience and delve into various wealth management and WM-related topics they encounter in their daily business. In this episode, Ryan sheds light on the immense value of podcasting for business owners, and how it can be a powerful tool to nurture and enhance a brand. His experience and knowledge in this field are truly inspiring, and we believe viewers and listeners will find his perspective incredibly valuable.

Hannes and Max are joined by entertainment attorney and partner at Greenberg Traurig, Paul Sarker, who discusses recent, major updates with Name Image and Likeness (NIL) in the world of college sports, what these recent changes in legislation mean for both the NCAA and student-athletes, and some of the biggest points student-athletes and their families should be aware of moving forward.

Hannes and Max are joined by UBS Wealth Management Americas Chief Equity Strategist David Lefkowitz, who provides an update on UBS’ view of global markets and the economy in light of recent developments regarding tariffs, artificial intelligence, and inflation, and where recent data points to in the months ahead.

Hannes and Max are joined by UBS’ Family Office Design and Governance Specialist, Mark Tepsich, who provides an update on some of the leading insights, thoughtful discussions, and experience-based practices across the many dimensions of managing a family office he and his group have seen in recent times.

Risk mitigation and wealth protection are two of the most important factors when constructing a financial plan for any client, especially those in the professional sports and entertainment industries. Athletes and entertainers are some of the most frequent users of private aviation, whether it’s on their own personal jet, a team plane, using jet cards, or chartering a flight for the next away game. There are various considerations involved in each of these scenarios, which is why the use of private aviation insurance is so important. Hannes and Max welcome on ultra-high net worth and aviation insurance advisor Samantha Money of The Baldwin Group to dive into why it’s so important and what athletes, entertainers, and any UHNW individual utilizing private aviation needs to consider before doing so.

From the time Through the Wealth Lens launched, the “human element” has come up time and time again when exploring various subjects in the wealth management and finance worlds. Hannes and Max welcome on author and private equity partner Gregory Mark Hill, who discusses his new book, “Samsara and Its Impact on the Entrepreneur’s Dreams”, which explores the “human element” and how it can be used to clear the roadblocks many entrepreneurs face when building a business, being part of a wonderful family, or simply creating joy in their lives.

Many established professional athletes deem it crucial to give back to the communities that have shaped them and help them reach the heights they work so hard to climb to. One of the most generous and dedicated athletes you can find across any professional sport is Jalen Brunson, All Star point guard and captain of the New York Knicks. In the years since Jalen emerged as one of the league’s superstars, he has made it a priority to establish his own charitable foundation, Second Round Foundation. However, although he always possessed the talent to be great on and off the court, the Jalen people know today was shaped by perseverance and hard work, something his parents instilled in him from the very start. Hannes and Max welcome on Jalen’s mother, Sandra Brunson, Co-Founder and CFO of Jalen’s Second Round Foundation, to discuss how she and Jalen go about successfully running SRF and advice she would give to other professional athletes to succeed in their own charitable ventures.

Selling your business isn’t as simple as signing a contract and handing over the keys. Without the right planning, a business owner could end up paying far more in taxes than he or she needs to or even leave money on the table in ways that weren’t anticipated. That’s why bringing in a tax attorney early on is crucial when selling a business. In our most recent episode, special guest and tax attorney Robert Finkel dives into these complexities and how he helps his clients navigate them.

When it comes to anyone with significant wealth, especially professional athletes and entertainers, the use of life and disability insurance is vital in protecting it for themselves and their families. In our latest episode of Through the Wealth Lens, Max welcomes on Zach Wolkstein, insurance advisor of The Balaban Group out of Los Angeles, to discuss the use of said insurance policies, the process he uses to assess the type of policies that fit a client’s situation best, and how he coordinates them with the client’s overall financial plan and other professionals in the client’s circle.

Just like many of our clients aren't familiar with all the financial jargon in our industry, many of us have felt lost in a conversation with our doctor or insurer. That’s because the healthcare system has its own language—full of jargon and subtext. A doctor saying, “we’ll monitor this,” might mean they’re unsure of the diagnosis. An insurer denying a claim might phrase it as, “this doesn’t meet medical necessity.” A doctor talking about "code status" to a family member who has a healthcare proxy for a loved one elicits a blank stare. Decoding these messages is critical. Hannes welcomes Dr. Gerda Maisel, private patient advocate and founder of MD Advisor, who helps clients and patients navigate these complexities in order to avoid mistakes that could be tremendously harmful.

Hannes and Max welcome on Wale Ogunleye, Head of UBS’ Sports and Entertainment segment, to discuss how he successfully transitioned from an 11-year career in the NFL to an executive role in the business world, and some key tips he’d give professional athletes today to succeed in their post-professional sports careers.

Max and Hannes welcome on fellow UBS advisors Bryant Shirreffs and Christian Foxen, who break down where risk management for college athletic programs and their players are heading in the constantly evolving world of NIL.

Hannes and Max welcome on guest expert and family attorney Paige Zandri (Artese Zandri PLLC) to discuss "girlfriend and boyfriend insurance" aka cohabitation agreements. Similar to prenups, Paige explains how they can be used to protect the wealth and image of ultra-high net worth individuals outside of marriage, specifically athletes and entertainers.

Hannes and Max welcome on guest experts Daniela Sassoun and Mark Mistovich, seasoned real estate advisors of Sotheby’s International, to discuss best practices for the affluent when considering a real estate transaction. Daniela and Mark talk about everything from the difference between a real estate broker and advisor to some of the biggest mistakes to avoid throughout the process.

Hannes and Max are joined by veteran real estate advisor to professional athletes and Founder/CEO of Distinct Concierge Sports & Entertainment Real Estate Firm, Rod Watson, to discuss some of the best practices professional athletes should take when considering a real estate purchase.

Hannes and Max are joined by the head of UBS’ Business Owners segment, James Jack, to discuss the types of buyers business owners should evaluate when considering the sale of their company.

Hannes and Max are joined by two women who have dedicated their entire lives to their children: Daynia La-Force and Wendy Sparks. Both mothers of players in the NBA, Daynia and Wendy have used their experience in the professional sports world to found Courtside Moms Media, an organization created to assist the mothers, fathers, and families of professional basketball players navigate the many challenges these young pros coming into significant wealth face. Throughout the conversation, we discuss how CMM supports this community via educational panels, sharing the stories of different mothers via personal interviews, and the connections they’ve created along their own journeys. We also discuss how they’ve helped both of their sons give back to their communities, giving other aspiring young athletes the chance to leave their own mark on the world.

When it comes to trust & estate planning for women certain demographic shifts indicate how important it is for women to have estate plans. Why? There is about a 90% probability that a woman will be managing her finances on her own at some point due to divorce or the death of her spouse, and, will be responsible not just for the ultimate disposition of her wealth if she is single, but for the ultimate disposition of her wealth and her spouse's wealth if she is married. Our guest today is Lara Sass, of boutique firm Sass & Associates LLP to discuss this important topic.

Asset protection strategies can help people build a wall around their wealth that stops others from unjustly taking what’s theirs. But asset protection is tricky, technical stuff. Today we’re examining five asset protection mistakes that have the potential to blow up your wall of protection—and how to sidestep them.

Security , including cybersecurity, is often overlooked by the owners of mega yachts but is absolutely necessary to guard the privacy of the owners and prevent financial fraud. Hannes invites experts Adam Pauska and Dominic Sylvester of AXG Advisors to dive into the topic.

If you’re a business owner who decides to sell or transition the ownership of your business, do you know what your next move will be? For some entrepreneurs who want to stay part of the business world they know so well, becoming an independent consultant can be a new stage in their entrepreneurial lives. This episode takes a look at some key issues involved in transitioning from being a business owner to being a business consultant.

These days the average person, due to factors such as advances in medical technology, is living longer than ever before. Hannes and Ryan dive into the human population’s longer life expectancy and why, because of this, it is crucial for all to include longevity planning as a key factor in their wealth plans.

Hannes is joined by Beth Tractenberg, expert trust and estate attorney of Steptoe and Johnson, to truly define what “wealth planning” is and how this relates to wealth protection, tax mitigation, estate planning, and charitable giving.

Calling all business owners and entrepreneurs! Hannes and Ryan discuss how those that run their own businesses can properly compensate themselves as well as their valued employees, to make sure both stay motivated to perform to the best of their abilities and ultimately keep the business in top shape.

Hannes is joined by fellow advisor and NYIG colleague, Max Grascher, to discuss the recent trend of high-profile musicians selling their music catalogues and what to consider when going through the process.

Hannes invites special guest Matthew Sawyer, Columbia and NYU professor and author of “Make It In America”, to discuss his book, its examination of businesses from Fortune 500 companies to high-tech start-ups and some of the most important lessons they can teach for businesses trying to establish themselves in the U.S. marketplace today.

Hannes and Max are joined by guest expert Don Hoffman, international CPA of Hoffman Mulligan, to dissect some of the most common mistakes for entertainers and athletes to avoid in regards to their financial stability and wealth accumulation.

Hannes explains how a family constitution can be used to manage a family’s wealth so that it achieves their many goals. From continuing to grow their wealth as it’s transferred to younger generations, to aligning the use of that wealth with the values and ideals the family holds dear, to protecting that wealth from creditors and others who might seek to take it unjustly, the family constitution is a fantastic foundation to begin the process.

Hannes is joined by Nicole Sebastian of UBS’ Family Advisory and Philanthropy Services team to dive into charitable giving strategies and vehicles that can help you get started—or make your existing philanthropy even more impactful. Nicole shares some insights on how to go about charitable giving, and even more importantly what not to do when it comes to charitable financial support.

Hannes is joined by tax attorney and partner at Grant, Herrmann, Schwartz & Klinger LLP, Megan Campos, to discuss how a well-designed succession plan can reduce the risk that occurs when a family business is transferred from one generation to the next—and how to facilitate a transfer that leaves everyone in the family satisfied.

Hannes invites divorce attorneys Daniel Lipschutz and Adam Turbowitz (Bois Schiller and Flexner LLP) to discuss the importance of prenuptial agreements in a client’s overall financial plan, how to implement one without creating discourse with loved ones, and particular situations in which prenups (or a lack there of) have effected clients in real life situations.

Hannes is joined by life insurance expert George Papanier (AXG Advisors) to discuss the necessity of life insurance in a client’s financial plan, why it is so beneficial, and how it can be used for anyone from the parent looking to fund a child’s college education to an entrepreneur looking to protect his or her business interests.

Hannes discusses the most successful strategies the ultra-affluent use to prepare their children and other heirs to handle the wealth they will one day inherit, and how this methodology can apply to most individuals looking to pass something on to the next generation.

Hannes welcomes property and casualty insurance specialist Adam Pauska (AXG Advisors) to the show to discuss some of the biggest mistakes wealthy homeowners make when insuring their homes and their valuable contents.

Stress testing is a methodology that assists in making sure you aren’t making any serious mistakes when it comes to your wealth management plans and didn’t overlook any meaningful financial opportunities or strategies.