How does Aspen decide what deals to jump for, and which to turn away? In this new series, Deals We Didn’t Do, the leadership team is bringing you behind the scenes on how we make those calls. In this episode, Ben and Bob Fraser, Ellis Hammond and Jim Maffuccio go over a recent Rescue Preferred Equity Fund or “Bail-In Fund” they turned down. They walk through how you can calculate if these kinds of private credit deals might pan out, and what are red flags to look out for. Find out more about the...
Jul 01, 2025•32 min
Tait Duryea has always loved two things: flying planes and building financial freedom. He’s built a life that combines these two elements, and he’s helping other commercial pilots achieve the same success he has in alternatives. In this episode, he tells Ben how he decides if a deal is ready for liftoff, how he thinks about risk assessment, and how he’s getting from Point A to Point B on his own financial goals. Find Tait’s podcast at https://passiveincomepilots.com/ and his firm at https://www....
Jun 24, 2025•29 min
Darrell Gargala started investing in real estate as a way to stay busy after retiring from the Air Force. But it’s become a passion, and he’s even bringing his kids into the fold. In this episode, he shares how he’s built up a 7 digit real estate portfolio, why he keeps his projects active, and how he's passing on this knowledge to his kids. Find out more about the podcast at https://www.thebillionairepodcast.com/ and PREORDER the Invest Like a Billionaire book at www.thebillionairebook.org/ And...
Jun 17, 2025•22 min
David Shaw has 25 years of massively successful investing and entrepreneurship behind him – but he wishes he started even earlier. From a decade of W2 slogging, he ditched the pay cheque in favour of big swings, and it worked in his favour. In this episode, he tells Ben why he opts for A-class properties, the value of time in compounding wealth, and the entrepreneur’s secret weapon: scalability. Check out David’s podcast https://burnyourboatswealth.com/ Find out more about the podcast at https:/...
Jun 10, 2025•32 min
The oil & gas price has softened, but does that mean you should dump your investments, or double down? Bob and Ben Fraser discuss the headlines and the concerns they are hearing from their investors. They share their own perspectives, how oil & gas have fared in the past downturns, and where they’re betting that investment is going next. Find out more about the podcast at https://www.thebillionairepodcast.com/ and PREORDER the Invest Like a Billionaire book at www.thebillionairebook.org/...
Jun 03, 2025•13 min
Kendall Laughlin is an investor himself, but his real passion is helping family offices set goals and reach them. He serves as a director for 10 family offices, ranging from 20-55 Million, and he shares how they think about strategy and plan their legacies, and what those families are thinking about in 2025. Check out Kendall’s family office work at https://arkfinancial.com/ and his coaching services at https://leadersatthehelm.substack.com/welcome Find out more about the podcast at https://www....
May 27, 2025•33 min
In our first Headlines episode, Bob Fraser joins Ben to talk about the big question on many Aspen investors' minds: are we heading towards a recession? With tariff news and trade war threats dominating the news cycle, it’s easy to get worried, so Bob and Ben are taking a look at what the data says and its impact for investors. Find out more at www.thebillionairepodcast.com/ and preorder the Invest Like a Billionaire book www.thebillionairebook.org/ Check out Ben & Bob’s company and inves...
May 20, 2025•17 min
Curt Stevenson has had a hugely successful career in tech consulting and entrepreneurship, and has lived through the big ups and some big downs. Curt’s ready to settle into an early retirement, so he shares with Ben how he’s building a portfolio that will offer him stable, reliable income for decades to come. Find out more at https://www.thebillionairepodcast.com/ And check out Ben & Bob’s company and invest along at https://aspenfunds.us/...
May 13, 2025•30 min
Jordan Linscombe is a bold entrepreneur and a careful investor. He and his wife Mindi have built up their bridal shop – Something New Boutique – over the past 18 years into something amazing. So much so, that Jordan has taken his own path as a real estate professional to manage their assets. Check out Jordan’s business https://www.somethingnewboutique.com/ and his podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-something-new-show/id1673140441 Find out more at https://www.thebillionairepodcast....
May 06, 2025•25 min
Wes Hill has been in the real estate game since he was young. And he didn’t start with a trust fund or a legacy – he built his 7-figure passive income portfolio through small steps, sacrifices and smart moves over many decades. Learn how Wes is thinking about real estate investing today after a career in the industry, and how you can build out your portfolio starting today. Find out more at https://www.thebillionairepodcast.com/ And check out Ben & Bob’s company and invest along at https://a...
Apr 29, 2025•28 min
Francois Braine-Bonnaire knows how to jump on an opportunity. He moved across the world for the perfect investing moment, and it’s paid off. In this conversation, he shares his advice on when to go all in, when to walk away, and when to know you’ve peaked. Check out Francois’ life coaching business at www.tobeoptimized.com Find out more at https://www.thebillionairepodcast.com/ And check out Ben & Bob’s company and invest along at https://aspenfunds.us/...
Apr 22, 2025•26 min
A very special episode – Bob Fraser, co-founder of Aspen Funds (and father of Ben Fraser) is in the hot seat. Bob tells the story of how he has won it all, lost it all, and built it back up again. We go inside Bob’s portfolio to hear what asset classes he’s most excited about today, and what lessons he has learned from his decades of investing that are preparing him to weather the storms of the future. Find out more at https://www.thebillionairepodcast.com/ Check out Ben & Bob’s company and ...
Apr 15, 2025•26 min
Your favorite podcast about winning the alternative investing game is back, with a new focus. Every episode we’ll be taking you inside the portfolios of everyday millionaires to learn how they have built their successful portfolios. We’ll keep you up-to-date on the economics that matter to you, investable megatrends opportunities we’re watching closely. Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss an opportunity to hear how you can be growing your wealth outside of the stock market today. Find ...
Apr 08, 2025•1 min
An update on what's coming up in 2025. How to invest in the Trump economy (webinar): https://streamyard.com/watch/vgmee4YE2rAU Follow Aspen Funds LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aspen-funds/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aspenfunds/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aspenfunds/...
Dec 06, 2024•5 min•Ep. 184
Mark Kohler and Ben Fraser discuss tax strategies, asset protection, and the political landscape's impact on small businesses. They also touch on efficient business structures like the S corporation, the importance of revocable living trusts in estate planning, and the power of Roth IRAs for building tax-free wealth. Mark is the founder and board member at Direct IRA and Senior Partner at KKOS Lawyers. This podcast is sponsored by Aspen Funds. Alternative investments in Private Credit, Industria...
Nov 14, 2024•38 min•Ep. 183
Steven Pesavento, Principal at Von Finch Capital, shares his journey in real estate, emphasizing mindset, financial strategy, and self-investment. We explore current market opportunities in multifamily real estate and private credit amidst economic shifts. This podcast is sponsored by Aspen Funds. Alternative investments in Private Credit, Industrial Real Estate, and Oil and Gas: https://aspenfunds.us/ Check out our latest offering in industrial real estate: https://app.junipersquare.com/i...
Nov 07, 2024•37 min•Ep. 182
This conversation with Brett Swarts explores the numerous benefits of DSTs, their role in deferring capital gains taxes beyond real estate transactions, and practical examples of people who have successfully applied this strategy. This podcast is sponsored by Aspen Funds. Alternative investments in Private Credit, Industrial Real Estate, and Oil and Gas: https://aspenfunds.us/ Check out our latest offering in industrial real estate: https://app.junipersquare.com/i/aspenfunds/offering/1bdbcf6a...
Oct 24, 2024•35 min•Ep. 181
We discuss how Ownify's model allows first-time buyers to gradually purchase homes through fractional ownership, bypassing traditional mortgage hurdles. This podcast is sponsored by Aspen Funds. Alternative investments in Private Credit, Industrial Real Estate, and Oil and Gas: https://aspenfunds.us/ Check out our latest offering in industrial real estate: https://app.junipersquare.com/i/aspenfunds/offering/1bdbcf6a-da16-4e65-a675-31909415300a Explore our Private Credit fund: https://aspenfunds....
Oct 10, 2024•36 min•Ep. 180
Ryan Carriere, co-host of the Tax Smart REI podcast and a Real Estate Tax Strategist at Hall CPA, explains the advantages and intricacies of real estate professional status and the short-term rental 'loophole,' highlighting strategies for both active and passive investors to optimize tax efficiency. This podcast is sponsored by Aspen Funds. Alternative investments in Private Credit, Industrial Real Estate, and Oil and Gas: https://aspenfunds.us/ Check out our latest offering in industrial ...
Oct 03, 2024•44 min•Ep. 179
Mark Miller, President and CEO of Hilton Tax and Wealth Advisors, shares insights on the wealth management strategies employed by the ultra-wealthy, including the famous Hilton family. He explains how these strategies can be now adopted by average investors. This podcast is sponsored by Aspen Funds. Alternative investments in Private Credit, Industrial Real Estate, and Oil and Gas: https://aspenfunds.us/ Check out our latest offering in industrial real estate: https://app.junipersquare.com/...
Sep 26, 2024•38 min•Ep. 178
We discuss why you should strongly consider self-insuring your business by leveraging the often-overlooked 831(b) tax code. Van Carlson, a risk management expert with 30 years of experience and Founder of SRA 831(b) Admin. This podcast is sponsored by Aspen Funds. Alternative investments in Private Credit, Industrial Real Estate, and Oil and Gas: https://aspenfunds.us/ Check out our latest offering in industrial real estate: https://app.junipersquare.com/i/aspenfunds/offering/1bdbcf6a-da16-4e65-...
Sep 19, 2024•39 min•Ep. 177
Schedule a call with us: https://meetings.hubspot.com/mike-sullivant/ilab-speak-to-aspen-representative- Paul Svensen, CEO and Founder of UberJets, a platform designed to democratize private aviation access, explains how Uber Jets leverages advanced technology and empty-leg flights to offer a pay-as-you-fly model. This approach makes private jets more accessible to a wider audience. Paul discusses the business model, the benefits for aircraft owners, and how the platform is challenging traditi...
Sep 12, 2024•29 min•Ep. 176
Schedule a call with us: https://meetings.hubspot.com/mike-sullivant/ilab-speak-to-aspen-representative- Joey Mure, Co-Founder of Wealth Without Wall Street, discusses his journey from the corporate world to achieving financial freedom through passive income. He shares insights on the limitations of traditional investment strategies like 401(k)s and the benefits of creating cash flow through alternative investments. This podcast is sponsored by Aspen Funds, focusing on Private Credit, Industrial...
Sep 05, 2024•34 min•Ep. 175
We have a new Industrial deal: https://app.junipersquare.com/i/aspenfunds/offering/1bdbcf6a-da16-4e65-a675-31909415300a Schedule a call with us: https://meetings.hubspot.com/mike-sullivant/ilab-speak-to-aspen-representative- Bob and Ben present compelling data from Newmark Zimmer showing significant increases in construction and job announcements in the US. They discuss the long-term mega trends affecting industrial assets, the shift towards secondary and tertiary markets, and the upcoming opp...
Aug 29, 2024•17 min•Ep. 174
Schedule a call with us: https://meetings.hubspot.com/mike-sullivant/ilab-speak-to-aspen-representative- Pat Zingarella, a former corporate tech business consultant and startup advisor and Founder of Invest Clearly, recounts his transition from corporate America to entrepreneurship, inspired by his own investment challenges. He discusses the key features of Invest Clearly, how it serves both LPs and GPs, and its mission to foster transparency and trust in the investment world. Get our FREE 2024 ...
Aug 22, 2024•37 min•Ep. 173
Investor, get notified first when our industrial deal launches: https://share.hsforms.com/1JdTr6KMMR0-YKumCXZEa4Adir9h This is not a commitment, just a way to give you exclusivity once we launch. This episode is a masterclass on industrial real estate with Ben Fraser, CIO of Aspen Funds and Brent Peterson, Partner at NAI Heartland. We discuss how to find the best industrial real estate investments in 2024, and much more. Interested in our upcoming industrial real estate deal? Get notified first:...
Aug 15, 2024•47 min•Ep. 172
Kathy Fettke, a renowned real estate investment expert and co-founder of the Real Wealth Network, shares her inspiring journey from being a housewife to becoming a successful investor. She highlights the crucial role of asset ownership, macroeconomic trends, the housing market, and the Federal Reserve's interest rate policies. Explore our latest investment opportunity in Private Credit: https://aspenfunds.us/private-credit-fund/ Access our FREE Economic Report: https://www.investwithasp...
Aug 08, 2024•37 min•Ep. 171
Travis Watts, an experienced full-time passive investor and the Director of Investor Development at Ashcroft Capital, discusses his path from single-family investments to syndications. With over 50 deals since 2015, he shares his expertise and key insights from his new book 'Passive Investor Tips'. Connect with Ben Fraser on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/benwfraser/ Connect with Travis Watts on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/traviswatts1234/ Explore our latest inves...
Aug 01, 2024•34 min•Ep. 170
With 15 years of experience in private syndications, Steve Suh, Founding Member of Left Field Investors, reveals lessons in his book, "Avoiding Rookie Errors as a Left Field Investor." He highlights the value of operator communication, thorough due diligence, and investing in reliable asset classes, providing essential tips for all investors. Connect with Ben Fraser on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/benwfraser/ Connect with Steve Suh on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/s...
Jul 25, 2024•36 min•Ep. 169
Angelo Robles, the Founder & CEO of SFO Continuity, shares insights on the mindsets, investment strategies, and alternative investments favored by the ultra-wealthy and family offices. We also discuss the potential high-reward opportunities that billionaires are excited about in 2024. Connect with Ben Fraser on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/benwfraser/ Connect with Steve Woodruff on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-woodruff-cfp%C2%AE-9871288/ Connect with Angelo...
Jul 18, 2024•54 min•Ep. 168
