Podcast
The Practical Wealth Show
Hosted by Curtis May · EN
The Practical Wealth Podcast is for people who want to take control of their finances today. Curtis May is part of the Prosperity Economics movement and is dedicated to breaking down each client's unique financial situation so they can rebuild it to fit their ideal lifestyle.
15episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Why Most Debt Payoff Plans Fail (And What Actually Works)
2w ago00:20:53Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Practical Wealth Show, Curtis breaks down why most debt payoff plans fail—and why throwing extra money at debt without fixing your cash flow structure keeps people stuck in the same cycle. Most people don't have a debt problem. They have a cash flow control problem. That's the real issue. Using lessons from The Richest Man in Babylon and the Babylon Debt Paydown Method, Curtis explains why traditional debt strategies fall apart, why budgeting alone doesn't work, and what actually creates lasting financial freedom. In this episode, you'll learn: Why debt is a symptom, not the root problem Why most debt payoff plans fail even when they "work" The real reason people pay off debt and fall right back into it How the Babylon 10/70/20 method restores order to your money Why cash flow control matters more than debt reduction How to build liquidity while paying off debt Why financial freedom starts with structure, not sacrifice If you've ever said: "I make good money, but I don't know where it goes" "I paid off debt before and somehow ended up right back in it" "I need a better system, not another budget" …this episode is for you. Debt payoff is not the goal. Restoring financial order is. Get the Babylon Debt Paydown Worksheet and start building real financial control: #DebtPayoff #CashFlowControl #MoneyManagement #ThePracticalWealthShow #InfiniteBanking #FinancialFreedom #DebtFreeJourney #PersonalFinance #MoneyMindset #PracticalWealth
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How to beat IRS Legally
3w ago00:46:54Tap to summarizeThis episode is not for everyone. If you're a business owner earning $500K+ and your CPA isn't proactively helping you reduce your tax burden… you're likely leaving serious money on the table. In this conversation with Ed Lyon, we break down: Why most tax strategies never get implemented The difference between compliance and real planning Where high-income business owners lose the most money How to start thinking differently about tax efficiency and control Here's the truth: Most advisors operate in silos. And that lack of coordination is expensive. If you want better outcomes, you need a better system. 👉 If you think this applies to you, schedule a private strategy session: https://practicalwealth.net/FreedomSession
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Stop Investing Wrong What the Top 1% Do Differently
Apr 700:34:11Tap to summarizeStop Investing Wrong: What the Top 1% Do Differently Most people are told to save, invest, and hope. But that's not how real wealth is built. In this episode of The Practical Wealth Show, Curtis May sits down with Dave Wolcott (Founder of Pantheon Investments) to break down how high-level investors actually create predictable cash flow, tax efficiency, and long-term wealth. But more importantly—we expose where most people go wrong: Investing before they have liquidity Chasing returns instead of control Building portfolios without a strategy If you've ever wondered why investing alone isn't working… this episode will change how you think about money. What You'll Learn: ✔️ How the top 1% actually builds wealth ✔️ Why passive income isn't enough ✔️ The role of liquidity before investing ✔️ Where Infinite Banking fits into a real strategy ✔️ Why most financial advice is incomplete 🚨 Want to build your own wealth strategy? Start here: https://practicalwealth.net/FreedomSession
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The Wealth Transfer Has Already Started Most People Don't See It Yet
Mar 2501:12:35Tap to summarizeEPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of The Practical Wealth Show, Curtis May sits down with entrepreneur, investor, and former Wall Street bond trader Nicole Purvy. Nicole shares her journey from trading on Wall Street to building businesses, investing in real estate, and launching her growing YouTube platform The Profitor. As the managing partner of Invictus Elite Capital Group, she helps investors deploy capital into multifamily real estate while bringing a powerful macro-economic perspective to investing. Nicole explains why smart investors must pay attention to capital flows, volatility, and macroeconomic signals instead of relying on headlines or conventional financial advice. In this conversation, Curtis and Nicole discuss: Why volatility in markets is not random How macroeconomic shifts impact real estate investing The housing affordability crisis and what it means for investors How massive money printing changed the financial landscape The mindset shift entrepreneurs must make to step into their authority How Nicole overcame imposter syndrome after leaving Wall Street Why studying history and economic patterns helps investors position themselves ahead of market changes Nicole also shares the story of how she was fired from Wall Street for teaching financial education online, which ultimately pushed her into entrepreneurship and building multiple successful ventures. If you want to understand what's really happening in the economy and how smart investors prepare for uncertainty, this episode is packed with insights. LINKS & RESOURCES If you make good money but still feel tight, you're probably not broke—you're illiquid. Start here: practicalwealth.net npurvy@gmail.com KEYWORDS macroeconomics volatility investing real estate private equity wealth transfer inflation housing crisis speculative investing capital allocation financial strategy mindset entrepreneurship liquidity financial education economic cycles asset management personal development EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS 00:00–02:06 – Nicole's transition from Wall Street trader to entrepreneur and investor 02:06–03:32 – Getting fired for YouTube and discovering her real purpose 03:32–05:22 – Building a business from scratch and entering real estate 05:22–07:05 – The "lowest barrier to entry" moment in real estate history 07:05–09:19 – Imposter syndrome and playing small despite expertise 09:19–11:23 – Breaking limiting beliefs and stepping into authority 11:23–13:04 – The power of a one-page business plan 13:04–15:23 – Early career experiences shaping mindset and confidence 15:23–19:40 – Wall Street lessons and the illusion of expertise during the 2008 era 19:40–23:06 – What volatility really means (and why it's not random) 23:06–27:20 – The four forces behind today's economic instability 27:20–31:07 – Housing affordability vs. housing supply explained 31:07–35:08 – Human behavior as the missing variable in macroeconomics 35:08–41:13 – Investing vs. speculation (and why most people get it wrong) 41:13–56:19 – Strategies for investing during volatility and the future of real estate
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Stop Accumulating. Start Deploying: The Real Path to Financial Freedom
Mar 1800:47:22Tap to summarizeEpisode Summary What happens after you build your private banking system? In this episode of The Practical Wealth Show, Curtis May sits down with Ben Buzek — former Special Operations leader turned real estate investor and collaborator with Wealth Without Wall Street — to discuss how to strategically deploy capital into cash-flowing assets. If you've implemented the Infinite Banking Concept (IBC) and built cash value, the next step is deployment. But most investors skip due diligence, chase returns, and lock their money inside qualified plans like 401(k)s. We break down: Why traditional 401(k)s limit liquidity and control The difference between accumulation theory vs cash flow strategy What separates serious investors from hobby investors How to create a "buy box" to vet deals Risk management lessons from Special Operations Multifamily investing explained How to use cash value life insurance to fund investments The biggest misconception about passive income Why liquidity beats rate of return Sequence matters: Cash Flow Control → Private Reserve → Strategic Deployment → Financial Freedom If you want income, not speculation — this episode is for you. Links & Resources practicalwealth.net WWWS Podcast with Special Guest, Ben Buzek https://www.linkedin.com/in/buzekb/ Home ben@wealthwithoutwallstreet.com Keywords Passive Income Infinite Banking Concept Cash Flow Strategy 401k Alternatives Private Banking Capital Deployment Liquidity Financial Freedom Buy Box Due Diligence Multifamily Investing Syndications Cash Value Life Insurance Wealth Allocation Velocity of Money Control vs Accumulation Statement Wealth OPM (Other People's Money) Investor Profile Asset-Based Income Episode Highlights 00:00–02:26 - From accumulation theory to control-based wealth building 02:26–05:39 - What happens after you build cash value? The "What's next?" problem 05:39–08:07 - Why 401(k)s limit liquidity and control 08:07–10:03 - Financial freedom formula: Passive income exceeds expenses 10:03–12:36 - Buy boxes, shiny object syndrome, and investor discipline 12:36–14:26 - Special Operations risk management: PACE planning (Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency) 14:26–17:40 - Serious investors vs hobby investors 17:40–20:18 - Defining your investor profile before deploying capital 20:18–22:00 - Principles → Strategy → Tactics framework 22:00–24:06 - You can't eat equity: cash flow vs capital gains 24:06–26:05 - Finding and redeploying "lazy cash" 26:05–28:06 - The biggest misconception about passive income 28:06–29:31 - LP investing, syndications, and operator due diligence 29:31–32:54 - Liquidity, capital access, and why you'll run out of money before deals 32:54–34:56 - Case study: $2,300/month in passive income in 12 weeks 34:56–37:16 - Why coaching accelerates results and reduces costly mistakes 37:16–40:46 - Retirement math reality check and the 4% rule problem 40:46–43:35 - How the Passive Income Lab works (structure, accountability, cohorts) 43:35–46:06 - Earn → Bank → Borrow → Spend → Repay framework 46:06–49:38 - Final call to action: stop sitting on the sidelines
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Before You Buy a Franchise, Watch This with Cliff Nonnenmacher
Mar 1100:55:21Tap to summarizeEPISODE SUMMARY Franchising is often marketed as passive or semi-absentee—but that misunderstanding costs investors millions. In this episode, I'm joined by franchise veteran Cliff Nonnenmacher, who has spent over 25 years owning, scaling, and advising franchise businesses across multiple industries. We talk candidly about: Why franchisees really fail The operator vs. owner mindset Capital mistakes that quietly kill good businesses Who should walk away from franchising immediately Trends vs. hype in today's franchise market If you're considering franchising or advising someone who is—this episode will save you time, money, and regret. LINKS & RESOURCES If you make good money but still feel tight, you're probably not broke—you're illiquid. Start here: practicalwealth.net cliffn@franocity.com www.franocity.com cliffn@franocity.com KEYWORDS Family council generational wealth legacy planning financial wisdom speculative investing trust funds family governance intergenerational learning wealth mindset progress principle purposeful communication financial stewardship baby steps strategy structured conversations wealth transfer EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS 00:00–01:20 - Younger generations turning to speculation as traditional wealth feels out of reach 01:20–02:15 - Gambling vs. investing in the age of bots and AI 02:15–03:32 - Story of a trust fund protected by anti-gambling restrictions 03:32–04:28 - The wisdom function of a family council 04:28–05:22 - Family councils beyond blood relatives: boards, mentors, advisors 05:22–06:43 - Four generations under one roof: mutual value exchange 06:43–07:35 - What younger generations actually bring to the table 07:35–08:32 - Why asking better questions unlocks generational wisdom 08:32–09:47 - Simple starting point: weekly cadence calls 09:47–10:36 - Two powerful questions: What's working? What's not? 10:36–11:45 - The "gap" vs. progress principle 11:45–12:50 - Starting small instead of waiting for a formal family retreat 12:50–13:45 - Purposeful structure vs. hoping conversations happen naturally 13:45–End - Why progress compounds when family conversations become intentional
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Be the Bank Blueprint: What Good Looks Like
Mar 400:18:18Tap to summarizeEpisode Summary "Good" doesn't feel exciting. Good feels calm. In this episode, Curtis defines what financial stability actually looks like in real life—and walks through the Be the Bank Blueprint that turns chaos into control. What you'll learn -The clearest definition of financial stability: -Nothing feels urgent -Money moves without panic -Decisions aren't permission-based -Why most people confuse "busy" with "progress" -The 4-step Money for Life Blueprint: -Cash flow control -Private Reserve (properly structured whole life) -Protection and stress-testing -Legacy and continuity -How to think like a banker instead of a borrower Key insight Bad finances feel urgent. Good finances feel boring and boring is freedom. Episode Resources Take the Next Step with Curtis May: Business Owners: Assess Your Challenges with Cash Flow → https://curtis-73no5r8j.scoreapp.com Private Banking Readiness Assessment → https://curtis-qljorw8q.scoreapp.com How Ready Are You to Be Your Own Bank? → https://curtis-hzw1jezd.scoreapp.com The Practical Wealth Show with Curtis May Keywords Be the Bank Blueprint Money for Life Process Private reserve Cash flow control Financial calm Liquidity and control Whole life insurance strategy Infinite banking Personal economy Financial freedom Legacy planning Episode Highlights 00:00–00:31 - Introducing the Be the Bank Blueprint and defining "what good looks like" 00:31–01:27 - When systems work, nothing feels urgent 01:27–01:56 - Calm, boring money systems lead to better decisions 01:56–02:23 - What bad looks like: pressure, fragility, constant scrambling 02:23–03:32 - What "good" looks like for business owners, investors, and W-2 earners 03:32–04:23 - Borrowing by choice, not necessity 04:23–05:32 - Step one: stabilize cash flow and fix symptoms vs causes 05:32–06:31 - Raising your "ceiling of complexity" lowers anxiety and risk 06:31–06:55 - Tell your money where to go instead of asking where it went 06:55–07:46 - Step two: save 15–20% and build liquidity before investing 07:46–08:53 - Building a private reserve with properly structured whole life 08:53–09:46 - Principles → strategy → tactics (products come last) 09:46–10:12 - Earn it. Bank it. Borrow it. Spend it. Repay it. 10:12–10:52 - Protect the kingdom: stress-test your plan 10:52–11:29 - The destination: four pillars of a strong personal economy 11:29–12:48 - Pillar 1 & 2: freedom from debt and cash when needed 12:48–14:01 - Pillar 3: financial freedom through cash-flowing assets 14:01–15:05 -Think like a banker: borrow with purpose, repay with discipline 15:05–16:17 - Clarity before action—next steps 16:17–17:37 - Pillar 4: legacy of wealth and wisdom
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The Myth of Free Markets
Feb 2500:16:38Tap to summarizeEpisode Summary Free markets only work when signals are honest. Today's money signals are distorted so people work harder, earn more, and still feel stuck. In this episode, Curtis exposes the myth of free markets, explains why money friction is engineered into the system, and reveals the three silent wealth leaks draining households and business owners every day. What you'll learn Why distorted money signals break personal decision-making How locked money forces debt as default liquidity The real reason people feel behind even with good incomes The three wealth leaks most people never measure: -Interest -Taxes -Opportunity cost -Why budgeting fails when the system itself is broken Most people don't overspend they're oversiloed. Their money exists, but it's trapped when life happens. Want help identifying your leaks and rebuilding cash flow control? Go to practicalwealth.net and book a Clarity Call. We'll map your cash flow, find the leaks, and outline your first corrective moves. Episode Resources Take the Next Step with Curtis May: Business Owners: Assess Your Challenges with Cash Flow → https://curtis-73no5r8j.scoreapp.com Private Banking Readiness Assessment → https://curtis-qljorw8q.scoreapp.com How Ready Are You to Be Your Own Bank? → https://curtis-hzw1jezd.scoreapp.com The Practical Wealth Show with Curtis May Keywords Myth of free markets Debt paradigm Cash flow control Money signals Liquidity and control Opportunity cost Household capitalism Private reserve Infinite banking Personal economy Cash flow mapping Financial systems Episode Highlights 00:00–00:31 - The myth of free markets and distorted money signals 00:31–01:24 - The debt paradigm and why institutions don't play by the same rules 01:24–02:08 - Asset-rich, cash-poor: why high earners still feel broke 02:08–02:58 - The leaky bucket: interest, taxes, and opportunity cost 02:58–03:26 - What if you could use money and still keep it growing? 03:26–04:26 - Real-world example: business owners saving, borrowing, and leaking simultaneously 04:26–05:22 - Wealth leaks beyond interest: mortgages, retirement, education 05:22–06:16 - Institutional incentives and why people play a rigged game 06:16–06:55 - Why budgeting isn't the solution—structure is 06:55–08:04 - Cashflow mapping vs reactive money management 08:04–08:44 - Parkinson's Law and why money disappears without systems 08:44–09:38 - Separating accounts and creating cash flow clarity 09:38–10:47 - Cash flow stress, revenue targets, and business discipline 10:47–11:43 - The "red pill" moment of understanding money systems 11:43–12:55 - Control, liquidity, and why structure reduces stress 12:55–14:04 - Earning more by creating more value 14:04–15:27 - Stewardship, leadership, and becoming the bank 15:27–15:49 - Final call to action and next steps
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Capitalism Without Apology
Feb 1800:21:27Tap to summarizeEpisode Summary Most people think they live in capitalism. They don't. They live in a permission-based money system—where access to capital requires approval, delays, or debt. In this episode, Curtis breaks down what capitalism actually is, why most households aren't participating in it, and how Infinite Banking represents household-level capitalism in action. This isn't political. It's structural. What you'll learn -Why your biggest money problem is usually lack of liquidity, not lack of income -The difference between capitalism, corporatism, and crony finance -Why most people are trained to save money they can't access -How "buy term and invest the difference" often creates cash-poor households -The three pillars of real financial control: liquidity, control, continuity Key takeaway If you don't control liquidity, you don't control decisions. And if you don't control decisions, you're not practicing capitalism—you're reacting. If this episode exposed cracks in your money system, don't try to budget harder. Fix the structure. Go to practicalwealth.net and book a 15–20 minute Clarity Call to identify where control is leaking and what to fix first. Links & Resources Episode Resources Take the Next Step with Curtis May: Business Owners: Assess Your Challenges with Cash Flow → https://curtis-73no5r8j.scoreapp.com Private Banking Readiness Assessment → https://curtis-qljorw8q.scoreapp.com How Ready Are You to Be Your Own Bank? → https://curtis-hzw1jezd.scoreapp.com The Practical Wealth Show with Curtis May Keywords Household economics Personal economy Capitalism without apology Infinite banking Liquidity and control Private reserve strategy Permission-based spending Debt paradigm Capital storage Financial independence Institutional finance Cash flow control Episode Highlights 00:00–01:06 - Capitalism without apology and the idea of a personal economy 01:06–02:04 - Why you can't control the global economy—but you can control your household economy 02:04–02:45 - Capitalism as control, not investments or rates of return 02:45–03:34 - Liquidity defined: why access to money determines decision-making 03:34–05:07 - High income, low liquidity—and why professionals still feel tight 05:07–06:15 - Debt as a symptom of illiquidity, not irresponsibility 06:15–07:36 - What capitalism actually is (and what it isn't) 07:36–08:51 - How locking money away forces life to be financed with debt 08:51–10:01 - The debt paradigm vs the "pay cash" illusion 10:01–11:37 - Institutional rules that shape how people are taught to use money 11:37–12:55 - Why most personal economies show no evidence of financial freedom 12:55–14:15 - Signals, interest rates, and distorted financial behavior 14:15–15:49 - Infinite banking as a system—not a product 15:49–17:16 - Liquidity, control, and uninterrupted compounding 17:16–18:17 - Outsourcing knowledge and control to institutions 18:17–20:12 - Capitalism practiced at the household level—and the call to action
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Become an Investor: The Cash-Flow System Behind Financial Freedom
Feb 1100:42:53Tap to summarizeSummary Curtis sits down with Joey Mure (Wealth Without Wall Street) to talk straight about what financial freedom really is and why most people never reach it. Joey breaks down the mindset shift away from "retirement someday" toward building enough passive income to cover monthly expenses so you own your calendar today. From there, the conversation goes tactical: why your cash flow system must change, how Infinite Banking becomes the most efficient "parking and leverage" tool, and why the real missing piece is becoming an investor—not just being a saver. They also dismantle the myth that being debt-free equals freedom, explain why you can never "pay off the cost of living," and highlight the two biggest bottlenecks that stop people: thinking differently and fear of investing. Joey shares real examples of alternative cash-flow assets (including land flipping partnerships, private lending, and small "operator-run" deals like Turo) and how stacking repeatable wins is what builds momentum. What you'll learn Joey's definition of financial freedom (passive income > expenses = owning your calendar) Why "retirement" is a broken model—and why freedom is a today goal The simple test for whether your money supports freedom: Does it increase passive income or reduce a monthly expense? Why a 401(k) often delays financial freedom (not income-producing today) Infinite Banking as a foundational asset (great tool, not the finish line) Why "Become Your Own Banker" really implies "become an investor" Why debt freedom isn't freedom—and why you can't pay off the cost of living The top two bottlenecks: mindset + fear (no confidence, no repeatable investing process) Joey's favorite cash-flow plays and why operator-run deals can be powerful -How to stack passive income in repeatable steps (first $500/month, then scale) -Resources mentioned / concepts to explore -Wealth Without Wall Street community + monthly Passive Income Report -Infinite Banking / Becoming Your Own Banker -Rich Dad Poor Dad framework (cash-flowing assets vs accumulation) -Alternative cash-flow assets: land flipping partnerships, private notes, Turo rentals, vending Episode Highlights 01:02 - Reeducating about financial freedom. 05:37 - Creating passive income today. 09:13 - The infinite banking foundation. 15:48 - Transition to becoming an investor. 19:26 - Bottlenecks in financial transition. 25:00 - Land flipping success story. 31:15 - Business ownership vs. job ownership. 35:10 - Being a steward of resources. 40:25 - Breaking limiting beliefs for financial freedom. 50:10 - Financial freedom as a process. 52:30 - Spiritual freedom and stewardship. Episode Resources Take the Next Step with Curtis May: Business Owners: Assess Your Challenges with Cash Flow → https://curtis-73no5r8j.scoreapp.com Private Banking Readiness Assessment → https://curtis-qljorw8q.scoreapp.com How Ready Are You to Be Your Own Bank? → https://curtis-hzw1jezd.scoreapp.com The Practical Wealth Show with Curtis May Joey Mure Guest Emailjoey@wealthwithoutwallstreet.com Additional guest information Co owner and Host at Wealth Without Wallstreet joey@wealthwithoutwallstreet.com (205) 236-0075 Keywords Practical Wealth Show Joey Mure Wealth Without Wall Street financial freedom reeducate business owners passive income financial independence cashflow system Investing alternatives mindset shift Rich Dad Poor Dad retirement Nelson Nash infinite banking alternative assets become an investor passive income operating system debt freedom constructive debt destructive debt land flipping private loans TURO vending machine business Robert Kiyosaki E-Myth stewardship faith-based financial approach
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