Lawsuits & Lessons
Join John Fagerholm, a veteran California employment defense lawyer with over 20 years dedicated solely to defending employers and entrepreneurs from the state’s complex labor regulations. With more than a thousand employer-defense cases under his belt, he knows the laws inside out, and he’s not afraid to tell the stories that hit hardest.
Alongside is Steve Cooper, the award-winning host of CooperTalk and The Coop Tank, known for his unscripted, organic conversations with top entertainers and business leaders. With over a decade of podcast experience and a background in stand-up comedy, Steve brings wit, warmth, and a keen ear for storytelling.
Together, John and Steve tackle real employment law challenges, from harassment and retaliation to wage disputes, with sharp insight and unexpected humor. Expect true case stories, expert advice, and a conversational tone that keeps it both professional and entertaining.
Perfect for business owners, legal professionals, or anyone curious about workplace law, Lawsuits & Lessons delivers clarity, protection tips, and a few laughs along the way.
Lawsuits & Lessons
From Poverty to Portfolio Power: The Financial Journey of George Nelson
In this episode of Lawsuits & Lessons, host John Fagerholm, employment defense attorney and business advocate, joins co-host Steve Cooper, comedian and veteran podcaster, to welcome lifelong friend and financial advisor George Nelson.
George shares his remarkable story — from growing up in deep poverty, surrounded by addiction, instability, and hardship, to becoming a successful financial planner who now helps families across the country build lasting wealth. With honesty and insight, he reflects on the early experiences that shaped him, the moment he realized he wanted a different life, and the risks he took to build a career in finance.
The conversation spans entrepreneurship, wealth building, mindset, and the realities facing young people today. John and George break down modern financial challenges, the disappearing middle class, and how taxation and regulation affect the ability to build wealth — especially in states like California. They also explore practical tools like life insurance, estate leverage, and disciplined investing, with John sharing how he personally uses his whole life policy as an investment engine for real estate.
This episode is full of real talk, hard-earned wisdom, and actionable insight — especially for anyone who didn’t start life with a safety net but is determined to create one.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- How George Nelson transformed a childhood shaped by poverty and addiction into a foundation for success
- Why early adversity can spark lifelong ambition
- George’s path from day trader to model to financial advisor
- The truth about term, universal, and whole life insurance
- How John uses his policy to fund real estate investments without banks
- Why saving even $50–$100 a month can change your entire financial future
- The disappearing middle class and why younger generations feel financially hopeless
- The difference between building wealth in California vs. other states
- How risk fuels entrepreneurship — and why fear can actually be productive
- The power of discipline, creativity, and self-belief when starting from nothing
Hosts:
John Fagerholm — defendmybiz.com
Steve Cooper — coopertalk.net
Guest:
George Nelson — Financial Advisor
📩 georgehnelson6@gmail.com
📩 gnelson@ft.nyl.com
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New episodes drop every other week — tune in and learn while you laugh.