Enlightened Wealth Strategies
Hosted by financial advisors James and Jim, Enlightened Wealth Strategies is your trusted resource for building a brighter financial future. Guided by the three pillars of Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Distribution, and Wealth Preservation, this podcast delivers actionable insights to help you grow, manage, and safeguard your wealth. From mastering your 401(k) to making smart investment decisions, James and Jim simplify complex financial concepts, empowering you to take control of your financial journey. Whether you're planning for retirement, building wealth, or navigating life’s financial challenges, this podcast is your roadmap to success.
Episodes
29 episodes
EP 31 - AI Bubble or Boom? Fed Rates, Gold, & Market Outlook
James DiGesu and Jim Lombardo sit down with David Nelson, Belpointe Chief Strategist and regular media commentator on Fox, CNBC, and Bloomberg, for a deep-dive market assessment. David shares his journey from rock recording artist to Wall Stree...
EP 30 - Why Health Is the Foundation of Wealth: Beating Burnout & Upgrading Performance
James Di Gesu and Jim Lombardo sit down with Dawn Cortese, founder of Healthy Goals Healthy Living, certified nutrition coach, and certified brain health trainer, to explore why personal health is the ultimate foundation of wealth. Dawn breaks ...
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EP 28 - Structured Notes Explained: Principal Protection, 150% Upside & Why Annuities Charge You More
James DiGesu and Jim Lombardo sit down with Sam Cone — math major, former stunt performer turned NYU-trained attorney turned structured notes specialist at Belpointe — to demystify one of the most misunderstood tools in investing. Sam explains ...
EP 26 - The Truth About Mortgages, Rates & Buying Your First Home!
James DiGesu and Jim Lombardo welcome in-studio guest Aaron Galileo of PPAC Private Bank and Trust to break down what's really happening in the housing market, why mortgage rates don't follow the Fed, and what first-time buyers need to know bef...
EP 25 - Where Should You Invest in 2026? Stocks, Energy & the Fed's Next Move!
James DiGesu and Jim Lombardo welcome back Jack Larouesch of Saugatuck Equity to break down what drove the equity markets in 2025, why the Magnificent Seven may start to diverge, and how to position your portfolio heading into 2026. They cover ...
EP 24 - Crypto Explained: Volatility, Bitcoin Cycles, and Building a Smart Allocation
James and Jim welcome back Dr. Label for a deep, practical discussion on cryptocurrency; what it is, how it works, and why it continues to gain global attention despite extreme volatility. The conversation walks through crypto fundamentals, Bit...
EP 23 - Life Insurance Demystified: Credentials, Products, and Protecting Your Legacy
James and Jim are joined by industry veteran and Chaslyn Financial Group's founder, Chuck Gorenberg, to cut through the confusion surrounding life insurance and explain how products, companies, and agent practices have evolved over the past six...
EP 22 - Options-Based ETFs Explained: Income, Volatility, and Tax Efficiency
James and Jim sit down with Garrett Pella, co-founder of Neos Investments, to unpack how options-based ETFs are being used to generate tax-efficient income across equities, fixed income, and alternatives. The conversation covers how covered-cal...
EP 21 - 401(k) Plans Are Changing Fast: PEPs, Hidden Fees, and Smarter Default Investing
James and Jim welcome special guest John Edwards of Allaris to break down what recordkeeping actually does inside a 401(k), why “open architecture” matters, and how newer plan structures like PEPs and MEPs are reshaping retirement plans for sma...
EP 20 - The $4 Trillion Tax Bomb: What the New Bill Means for You
In our latest podcast episode, Enlightened Wealth Strategies, James and Jim are joined in the studio with Joseph Angelli, of Joseph Angelli, CPA. PC where we discuss the impact of the Trump Administration's Tax policies as well as the expected ...
EP 19 - Outsourced CFOs: Big Results for Small Businesses!
In this episode of Enlightened Wealth Strategies, James DiGesu and Jim Lombardo sit down with Ben Mills, CPA and founder of Cardigan Consulting, to explain how small and mid-sized businesses can benefit from hiring a Fractional CFO. Ben breaks ...
EP 18 - Estate Planning 101: Wills, Trusts & Protecting Your Family
In this episode of Enlightened Wealth Strategies, James DiGesu and Jim Lombardo sit down with estate planning attorney Kimberly Paton to break down the essential documents every individual and family needs. They discuss the importance of wills,...
EP 17 - Cryptocurrency Basics 101: Bitcoin, Blockchain & What You Must Know
In this episode of Enlightened Wealth Strategies, James DiGesu and Jim Lombardo sit down with Dr. Tal Lebel—dentist, early crypto adopter, and 15-year crypto trader—to break down the fundamentals of cryptocurrency. They explore the early histor...
EP 16 - Structured Notes in SMAs: Turning Volatility into Income!
In this episode of Enlightened Wealth Strategies, James DiGesu and Jim Lombardo are joined by Pisoot Senethavilay of Ancorato Capital to break down the world of structured notes and how they can be used in a professionally managed SMA (separate...
EP 15 - Tariffs: Should I Change My Investing?
In this episode of Enlightened Wealth Strategies, James DiGesu and Jim Lombardo welcome international investment expert Herve Van Caloen of Mercator Investment Management to break down how today’s tariff policies are reshaping global markets. T...
EP 14 - Your Credit Score: Facts you Need to Know with Peter Nagy
In this episode of Enlightened Wealth Strategies, James DiGesu and Jim Lombardo sit down with credit specialist Peter Nagy of The Credit Pros to break down the truth about credit scores. Peter explains how payment history, utilization, credit m...
EP 13 - Smarter Health Benefit Plans for Small Businesses
In this episode of Enlightened Wealth Strategies, James DiGesu and Jim Lombardo are joined by Greg Blemlek of Optimyl Benefits to break down how small businesses can rethink employer-sponsored health insurance. They explore the rising cost pres...
EP 12 - Maximize Your 401(k): Save More, Retire Sooner!
In this episode of Enlightened Wealth Strategies, James DiGesu and Jim Lombardo break down how employees should use their company 401(k) and other workplace retirement plans. They explain the shift from pensions to defined contribution plans, h...
EP 11 - Protecting Your Special Needs Child: The Plan Every Family Must Have!
In this important episode of Enlightened Wealth Strategies, James DiGesu and Jim Lombardo sit down with Lori Wolf, Special Needs Estate Attorney, and Rich Reda, Insurance Specialist, to break down the essential financial and legal planning ever...
EP 10 - Can CLO's Provide Income for you?
In this episode of Enlightened Wealth Strategies, James DiGesu and Jim Lombardo are joined by Shiloh Bates, Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of Flat Rock Global, to break down how Collateralized Loan Obligations (CLOs) and interval funds can be u...
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EP 8 - Oil & Gas Tax Strategies: Powering Your Roth IRA Conversion!
In this episode of Enlightened Wealth Strategies, James DiGesu and Jim Lombardo sit down with Steve Blackwell of Invito Energy Partners to unpack how direct oil and gas investing can work as both an investment and a tax strategy. They explain h...
EP 7 - IRA's The Tax-Free Growth!
In this episode of Enlightened Wealth Strategies, James DiGesu and Jim Lombardo break down the A B C’s of Roth Individual Retirement Accounts (Roth IRAs) explaining how they work, who benefits most, and when to consider a Roth conversion from a...
EP 6 - How to Keep Your Employees Happy and Wealthy!
In this episode of Enlightened Wealth Strategies, James DiGesu and Jim Lombardo dive deep into the world of employer retirement plans. Why small businesses should offer them, and how both employers and employees can benefit. Jim shares real 401...
EP 5 - Apartment Investing, Building Wealth You Can Live In!
In this episode of Enlightened Wealth Strategies, James DiGesu and Jim Lombardo sit down with Scott Farrington of Hamilton Point Investments (HPI) to explore the world of multi-residential real estate investing. Scott shares how HPI builds and ...
EP 4 - The Secret Investment Ivy Leagues Use to Beat Inflation!
Looking for higher income, lower risk, and protection against inflation and market swings? James DiGesu and Jim Lombardo explore Alternative Investing, revealing why elite investors like Ivy League endowments allocate large portions of their po...
