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The Millionaire Next Door
The Millionaire Next Door
Author: Robert Curtiss
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Welcome to The Millionaire Next Door Podcast with Robert Curtiss, CFP®, AIF® from Signature Estate and Investment Advisors. In this podcast, we help successful wealth accumulators like you looking to transition to a work-optional lifestyle by helping you build strategies for growing and maintaining your wealth. Robert draws from years of experience and fiduciary responsibility, and interviews guest experts to help you build reliable strategies to grow and maintain your wealth.
93 Episodes
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Markets can feel calm on the surface while powerful shifts happen underneath. Are recent pullbacks a warning sign, or simply part of a broader rotation?
In this episode, Robert Curtiss welcomes back Miles Clark of Nasdaq Dorsey Wright to break down sector rotation, weakening tech leadership, and renewed strength in international equities. They explore how momentum strategies respond to shifting trends, why AI spending faces rising scrutiny, and what participation indicators reveal beneath flat index performance.
The conversation also covers sentiment signals, precious metals, crypto volatility, and the importance of selecting the right benchmark.
Miles shares key insights:
Why six sectors now outperform the S&P 500 after years of narrow tech leadership
How momentum strategies adapt when former winners begin to weaken
What sentiment data suggests when bears begin to outnumber bulls
The impact of massive AI infrastructure spending on tech valuations
Why benchmark selection matters more than chasing index headlines
And more!
Resources:
Educational videos (bottom of the page)
Connect with Miles Clark :
LinkedIn: Miles Clark
Nasdaq Dorsey Wright
Connect with Robert Curtiss:
rcurtiss@seia.com
(626) 795-2944
About Robert Curtiss
LinkedIn: Robert Curtiss
Facebook: Robert Curtiss
SEIA
LinkedIn: SEIA
About Our Guest:
Miles currently works as a Research Analyst for Nasdaq Dorsey Wright (DWA), a boutique investment advisory and asset management division of Nasdaq focused on providing quantitative strategies to Wall Street and professional money managers globally. Since 1987, DWA has been a recognized expert in relative strength and momentum through the application of Point & Figure (XO) charting, as well as a thought leader in tactical portfolio construction.
Miles joined the DWA team as an intern in 2021 and now creates technical-based analysis and client-facing research in the firm’s Daily Market Analysis segment, with more focused coverage in the communication services, industrials and cryptocurrency spaces. Other areas of involvement to note include supplementing broad-based technical indicator and research projects and the creation of weekly media distributed to prospective clients.
Long-term investing can feel more difficult when headlines are loud and markets seem unpredictable.
What happens when investors stop reacting to daily noise and start thinking like institutions that plan decades ahead?
In this episode, Robert Curtiss welcomes Chris Schelling, CAIA, Managing Director at Aksia, to explore how private markets have shaped institutional portfolios and why some individual investors may now gain access to approaches like those used by institutions, depending on account type, regulatory eligibility, and minimum investment requirements. They break down private equity, private credit, liquidity planning, diversification across vintages, and the importance of manager selection.
The conversation also touches on volatility, long-term return expectations, and what advisors and investors should look for when evaluating alternative investments.
Key takeaways:
How institutional investors approach private markets — and what does that mean for access and implementation for individual investors with long-term horizons and diversified portfolios
Why private equity and private credit returns differ from public markets over multi-year periods
The role of liquidity planning and why private investments are not truly locked up for a decade
Why manager selection matters more in private markets than in public equities
How simplified structures have made private investments easier for individual investors to access
And more!
Resources:
Educational videos (bottom of the page)
Connect with Chris Schelling:
LinkedIn: Christopher Schelling
Website: Aksia
Connect with Robert Curtiss:
rcurtiss@seia.com
(626) 795-2944
About Robert Curtiss
LinkedIn: Robert Curtiss
Facebook: Robert Curtiss
SEIA
LinkedIn: SEIA
About Our Guest:
Chris Schelling is an investor, advisor, and published author. With degrees in psychology, business, and finance, Chris is an expert at incorporating insights from behavioral finance into investment decision-making. During his 20+ year tenure in the investment industry, building portfolios, mostly focused on alternatives, Chris has met with over 4,000 managers and allocated roughly $7 billion, generating top quartile to top decile returns across hedge funds, real assets, private credit, and private equity.
For investors facing concentrated wealth or future liquidity events, understanding tax-aware planning options matters long before decisions are required. Opportunity Zones are one of the most talked-about and least understood tools in that conversation.
In this episode of The Millionaire Next Door Podcast, Robert Curtiss sits down with Michael O’Shea, CFA, Head of Private Wealth at Origin Investments, to unpack one of the most misunderstood and potentially powerful tax planning tools available today: Qualified Opportunity Zones.
Together, they walk through how Opportunity Zones work, why the original structure created a temporary pause in interest, and why upcoming changes beginning in 2027 may reopen the door for investors facing large capital gains. The conversation focuses on real-world planning scenarios, including concentrated stock positions, private business exits, and highly appreciated real estate.
Michael explains how Opportunity Zones differ from 1031 exchanges, what the long-term benefits may look like when paired with professionally managed real estate development, and why advanced coordination with tax and legal advisors matters. This episode is designed as an evergreen educational resource for investors who want to understand their options well before a liquidity event occurs.
Key takeaways:
How Qualified Opportunity Zones work and why they were created
What’s changing in Opportunity Zone legislation starting in 2027
How Opportunity Zones may help address large capital gains from stocks, businesses, or real estate
Why long-term real estate development and coordinated planning are key to using this strategy effectively
And more!
Resources:
Educational videos (bottom of the page)
Connect with Michael O’Shea:
Origin Investments
LinkedIn: Michael O’Shea
Connect with Robert Curtiss:
rcurtiss@seia.com
(626) 795-2944
About Robert Curtiss
LinkedIn: Robert Curtiss
Facebook: Robert Curtiss
SEIA
LinkedIn: SEIA
About Our Guest:
Michael brings more than 18 years of real estate and capital markets expertise to Origin as Director and Head of Private Wealth Solutions. In this role, he leads the firm’s capital raising initiatives, oversees the sales strategy, and develops strategic partnerships with Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) to expand Origin’s investment platform.
Previously, Michael served as the head of Origin Exchange, the firm’s 1031 Exchange Platform. During his career in the alternative investment sector, Michael has played key roles with various real estate sponsors, facilitating the syndication of more than $10 billion in commercial real estate investments, including over $500 million in 1031 tax-deferred exchanges.
Michael holds an MBA with dual concentrations in Finance and Real Estate Investment from DePaul University, where he graduated summa cum laude. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and is a CFA® charterholder.
A resident of Elmhurst, Michael lives with his wife Lauren and their three children Declan, Alice, and Tristan. Outside of work, he enjoys golf, Chicago sports, and spending time with his family.
Markets are entering a year shaped by crosscurrents, shifting signals, and unresolved questions. Economic strength, policy decisions, and investment concentration all point to a period that demands close attention and thoughtful positioning.
In this episode, Robert Curtiss speaks with Peter Repetto, Vice President and Investment Strategist at iCapital, about their 2026 economic and market outlook. They explore slowing labor trends alongside strong GDP growth, the role of AI investment, and how fiscal and monetary policy may influence markets.
The conversation also covers inflation risks, tariffs, and why selectivity across asset classes matters heading into a midterm election year.
Key takeaways:
How slowing job growth contrasts with strong GDP readings and what that tension could mean for 2026
Why AI capital spending remains a key growth driver, but requires careful company selection
The impact of tariffs, fiscal policy, and court decisions on rates and equity markets
Why earnings growth, not valuation expansion, may define equity returns next year
How private markets and alternative strategies may help address concentration and volatility
And more!
Resources:
Educational videos (bottom of the page)
Connect with Peter Repetto:
LinkedIn: Peter Repetto
iCapital
Connect with Robert Curtiss:
rcurtiss@seia.com
(626) 795-2944
About Robert Curtiss
LinkedIn: Robert Curtiss
Facebook: Robert Curtiss
SEIA
LinkedIn: SEIA
About Our Guest:
Peter is a Vice President and Investment Strategist at iCapital, focusing on developing and delivering research, investment ideas, and thought leadership content for external and internal audiences on behalf of iCapital’s Investment Strategy team. Prior to joining the firm, Peter spent over eight years at Franklin Templeton Investments, where he contributed to their asset allocation strategy and macroeconomic research. Peter holds a BA in Economics from Fairfield University.
Reliable income is harder to find when markets shift, and traditional tools feel less predictable. Many investors are looking for new ways to generate cash flow without stepping away from equity exposure altogether.
This week, Robert Curtiss welcomes Matt Kaufman, Head of ETFs at Calamos Investments, to explain how auto-callable strategies work and why they are gaining attention. They break down how equity-linked income differs from bonds, how coupons are generated, and where these tools may fit inside a portfolio. The conversation also covers risk considerations, tax treatment, and how ETFs are changing access to structured strategies.
Key points:
How equity markets can be used to generate consistent monthly income instead of relying on bonds
Why auto callable strategies trade upside participation for predictable cash flow
How downside barriers work and when coupons may pause or resume
Tax treatment differences compared to traditional fixed income
Where auto-callable ETFs may fit alongside equities, munis, or covered call strategies
And more!
Resources:
Educational videos (bottom of the page)
Connect with Matt Kaufman:
LinkedIn: Matt Kaufman
Website: Calamos Investments
Connect with Robert Curtiss:
rcurtiss@seia.com
(626) 795-2944
About Robert Curtiss
LinkedIn: Robert Curtiss
Facebook: Robert Curtiss
SEIA
LinkedIn: SEIA
About Our Guest:
Matt Kaufman serves as SVP, Head of ETFs at Calamos Investments, where he leads the firm’s ETF business.
Matt joined Calamos Investments in 2023 as an accomplished financial services executive with more than 20 years of experience serving the asset management and insurance industries across North America, Europe, and Asia. Matt has designed, led, and helped build hundreds of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), unit investment trusts (UITs), indexes, variable insurance trust funds, registered index-linked annuities, fixed annuities, and closed-end funds. He is also a sought-after source by leading financial publications and is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and events.
Prior to Calamos, Matt spent more than a decade at Milliman, Inc., where he served as President of the firm’s broker/dealer (Milliman Investment Management Services LLC) and as a principal of the firm’s $170b RIA (Milliman Financial Risk Management LLC). Matt also draws from his prior experience at PowerShares ETFs, where he helped the firm grow during the formative years of the ETF ecosystem.
Matt earned a B.A. in Public Administration and Economics from Cedarville University and maintains Certified ETF Advisor (CETF®) and Professional Certified Marketer® designations through The ETF Institute and American Marketing Association, respectively. He also holds FINRA Series 7, 63, and 24 and CFTC Series 3 licenses.
If you own investment property in California, you may have wondered how to handle the built-up gain without losing a significant portion to taxes.
Robert sits down with Damian Gallagher, Senior Vice President at Blue Rock, for a grounded, practical walkthrough of 1031 exchanges and DSTs. The conversation opens with the history of 1031 rules, then moves into what actually happens when you sell, how timelines work, and why so many investors struggle with the 45-day identification window.
Damian also explains DSTs in plain language, including when they might help reduce hands-on management and how they fit into long-term estate planning.
What to expect:
How like-kind rules truly work
The 45-day and 180-day deadlines are explained in real terms
When DSTs may help simplify life for aging investors
The lesser-known 1033 disaster exchange option
And more!
Resources:
Educational videos (bottom of the page)
Connect with Damian Gallagher:
LinkedIn: Damian Gallagher
Bluerock Capital Markets, LLC.
Connect with Robert Curtiss:
rcurtiss@seia.com
(626) 795-2944
About Robert Curtiss
LinkedIn: Robert Curtiss
Facebook: Robert Curtiss
SEIA
LinkedIn: SEIA
This information is educational in nature and does not constitute a financial promotion, investment advice or an inducement or incitement to participate in any product, offering or investment. Bluerock is not adopting, making a recommendation for or endorsing any investment strategy or particular security or promoting the individuals or businesses referenced. All opinions are subject to change without notice, and you should always obtain current information and perform due diligence before participating in any investment. All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of principal. Bluerock cannot guarantee that the information herein is accurate, complete or timely. Past Performance does not guarantee future results. There are a number of significant risks that should be considered and reviewed when considering an investment in real estate or real estate securities. This is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities. An offering is made only by the applicable offering documents and only in those jurisdictions where permitted by law. Our website must be read in conjunction with the applicable offering documents in order to understand fully all of the implications and risks of the offering of securities to which it relates and a copy of the offering documents must be available to you in connection with any offering. Securities offered through Bluerock Capital Markets, LLC | Member FINRA’s BROKERCHECK® Affiliated with Bluerock Real Estate, LLC
It is not often that an economic moment feels this confusing for everyday people, and Robert Curtiss knows it.
That is why he brings economist Bryce Gill, economist and national speaker with First Trust Advisors, into a conversation that puts words to the shifts everyone is sensing but few can explain clearly. Robert approaches the discussion the same way he approaches client conversations. He slows things down, asks the questions people are wrestling with, and pulls out insights that make a complicated world easier to understand.
Together, Robert and Bryce explore how global supply chains are being rebuilt, why inflation feels so different from what the data suggests, and how AI and automation are reshaping opportunities for younger workers.
What to expect from this release:
How global reshoring and demographic changes are reshaping inflation and economic growth
Why younger workers are struggling to find traction and how AI is influencing hiring
What rising regional shifts inside the United States reveal about long-term economic power
How market concentration within a handful of companies may affect future returns and consumer behavior
And more!
Resources:
Educational videos (bottom of the page)
Connect with Bryce Gill:
First Trust
LinkedIn: Bryce Gill
Connect with Robert Curtiss:
rcurtiss@seia.com
(626) 795-2944
About Robert Curtiss
LinkedIn: Robert Curtiss
Facebook: Robert Curtiss
SEIA
LinkedIn: SEIA
About Our Guest:
A resident of Austin, Texas, Bryce graduated from Miami University of Ohio with a bachelors degree in economics and received an MBA from the University of Texas. An economist and designated national speaker with First Trust he works directly with his colleague Brian Wesbury in the creation of the firm’s widely read weekly “Monday Morning Outlook.” In 2022, First Trust’s work was recognized by its receiving the highly coveted Consensus Economics Award for most accurate economic forecasting.
With a highly energetic speaking style and a scholar’s understanding of current economic matters, Bryce is a frequent guest on financial related podcasts and other media platforms, as well as a speaker at numerous public forums with his listeners remarking upon his ability to make the often difficult to understand both understandable and interesting.
In his presentation on “The Dawn of the Era of Volatility” Bryce will be focusing in his talk on describing the coming changes in the global and US economy and how investment advisors can best prepare their investor’s portfolios for those changes in the years to come.
When most investors think about private credit, they picture direct lending. But as Tod Trabocco, Head of Private Debt Advisory at StepStone Group, makes clear, it’s much more nuanced than that.
With over two decades in the space, Tod walks us through the four silos of private credit, including corporate, asset-based, asset-backed, and risk-sharing strategies, using unforgettable examples like leasing aircraft and monetizing Van Halen’s music catalog.
Listeners will learn:
Why private credit offers control that public markets don’t
How bilateral negotiation changes risk dynamics
What recent high-profile defaults reveal (and what they don’t)
Why institutions are doubling down on asset-based finance
And more!
Resources:
Educational videos (bottom of the page)
Connect with Tod Trabocco:
StepStone Group
LinkedIn: Tod Trabocco, CFA
Connect with Robert Curtiss:
rcurtiss@seia.com
(626) 795-2944
About Robert Curtiss
LinkedIn: Robert Curtiss
Facebook: Robert Curtiss
SEIA
LinkedIn: SEIA
About Our Guest:
Mr. Trabocco is Head of Private Debt Advisory for StepStone Private Debt. He is responsible for helping public and private pension plans, endowments, and foundations build private credit portfolios and sits on the Private Debt Advisory Investment Committee.
Prior to joining StepStone Private Debt, Mr. Trabocco served as a consultant and product specialist at Aksia, where he sat on the firm’s credit fund investment committee. Prior to Aksia, he served as Head of Product for ITE Management, a leading transportation leasing fund. Prior to that, he was Cambridge Associate’s first Head of Private Credit, and chaired that firm’s Credit Investment Committee. He began his career in private credit in 2005 as Head of Research and Underwriting for LBC Credit Partners, now CIFC’s direct lending unit.
He holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and a MALD from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.
Why do 90% of heirs walk away from their parents’ advisor?
Robert Curtiss welcomes Natasha Kennedy, a former Wall Street professional turned mental health therapist, to explore why the Great Wealth Transfer is at risk of becoming the Great Disconnect.
With $124 trillion poised to change hands in the next two decades, this episode tackles the emotional, behavioral, and generational blind spots advisors must navigate to retain relationships across family lines.
Expect insights on:
Why wealth transfer isn’t just about documents and dollars
How silence, secrecy, and emotional discomfort disrupt legacy
Small, powerful actions advisors can take to build trust with heirs
What younger generations actually want from a financial advisor
And more!
Resources:
Educational videos (bottom of the page)
The Five Pillars of Performance with PJ Nestler (Ep. 59)
“The Comfort Crisis” by Michael Easter
“The Richest Man in Babylon” by George S. Clason
Let’s Communicate Before We’re Gone with Pat Miles Zimmerman (Ep. 31)
From Denial to Deliberate: Planning for Life’s Final Moments with Pat Miles Zimmerman (Ep. 42)
Connect with Robert Curtiss:
rcurtiss@seia.com
(626) 795-2944
About Robert Curtiss
LinkedIn: Robert Curtiss
Facebook: Robert Curtiss
SEIA
LinkedIn: SEIA
Connect with Natasha Kennedy:
LinkedIn: Natasha Kennedy
Citron Hennessey Therapy
About Our Guest:
Natasha believes that growth is inevitable for those who patiently seek it. She also knows that change is usually messy, non-linear, and almost always uncomfortable. Said differently, she is profoundly aware of the vulnerability and trust required to explore the intricacies and contradictions of your inner world with another person. Natasha’s ultimate goal is to provide you with a warm and compassionate space to engage in this work together.
Natasha, perhaps unexpectedly, spent the first decade of her career working in finance. Along this journey, she received her MBA from Columbia Business School. Prior to this, she received her BA in English and Psychology from Georgetown University, where her interest in storytelling and the human condition truly began. She is now pursuing her Master’s in Counseling and Mental Health from Northwestern University.
Her therapeutic style draws from several theories, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Narrative Therapy. It is extremely important to her that she tailors her therapeutic approach to best fit your individual needs, timeline, and desired outcome. It is her privilege to be entrusted with your story, and she commends you for courageously stepping toward the life you want for yourself.
Is private equity still worth it, and can everyday investors finally get access without the complexity?
Robert Curtiss, CFP,® welcomes back Phil Huber, Managing Director and Head of Portfolio Solutions at Cliffwater, to unpack the rise of evergreen private equity funds, an innovation reshaping the private investing landscape.
Phil explains how Cliffwater’s newly launched Evergreen Private Equity Index is giving advisors better visibility into performance, while opening doors for accredited and even unaccredited investors to tap into long-term private market strategies.
Expect an honest look at tradeoffs, manager due diligence, and the evolution of access, with a side of market context as the AI boom and public market concentration unfold.
What to expect:
Why private equity has outperformed public markets over time
How evergreen structures are simplifying access for investors
What Cliffwater’s new index reveals about fund performance and dispersion
Key factors that determine success or failure in private equity portfolios
And more!
Resources:
Educational videos (bottom of the page)
How to Build a Diversified Investment Portfolio with Phil Huber, CFA, CFP® (Ep. 70)
Navigating Alternative Investments with Phil Huber, CFA, CFP® (Ep. 55)
Connect with Robert Curtiss:
rcurtiss@seia.com
(626) 795-2944
About Robert Curtiss
LinkedIn: Robert Curtiss
Facebook: Robert Curtiss
SEIA
LinkedIn: SEIA
Connect with Phil Huber:
LinkedIn: Phil Huber, CFA, CFP®
Bps and pieces | Incremental Investing Insight with Phil Huber
About Our Guest:
Phil is a Managing Director and Head of Portfolio Solutions for Cliffwater, based in their Chicago office. In this role, Phil leverages his prior experience as a wealth management CIO to produce and curate investment research, advise on product strategy and positioning for the firm’s growing platform, and help establish and strengthen relationships with the nation’s leading wealth management firms.
Prior to joining Cliffwater, Phil was the Chief Investment Officer for Savant Wealth Management. He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional, has attained his Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation, and is a member of the CFA Society of Chicago.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER in the U.S., which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
As markets surge on the backs of the Magnificent Seven, are investors missing what’s happening off the radar?
Robert Curtiss, CFP®, is joined by Andrew Hull, CFA, Vice President and ETF Strategist at First Trust, to unpack overlooked investment opportunities that may hold stronger long-term value than today’s most-hyped tech names.
Andrew explains how today’s market is historically concentrated and why that creates risk and opportunity. From the reshoring of American industry to massive grid upgrades and the rise of water-cooled data centers, this conversation clarifies themes that may shape the future of returns.
What to expect in this episode:
How AI’s energy demand is disrupting grid infrastructure planning
Why tariffs and trade policy are driving a rebirth of U.S. manufacturing
The surprising institutions most vulnerable to cyberattacks
How water usage is becoming a critical factor in chip and data center expansion
And more!
Resources:
Educational videos (bottom of the page)
Connect with Robert Curtiss:
rcurtiss@seia.com
(626) 795-2944
About Robert Curtiss
LinkedIn: Robert Curtiss
Facebook: Robert Curtiss
SEIA
LinkedIn: SEIA
Connect with Andrew Hull:
LinkedIn: Andrew Hull, CFA
About Our Guest:
Andrew Hull is a seasoned financial professional with a robust background in exchange-traded funds and commercial banking. Currently serving as Vice President and ETF Strategist at First Trust, he has cultivated a deep understanding of monetary authorities and central banking dynamics. With over a decade of experience at First Trust, including roles as an Economic Analyst, Andrew has demonstrated a strong commitment to financial strategy and analysis. Prior to this, he held a Vice President position at Columbia Bank, where he honed his skills in commercial banking. Andrew graduated from Wheaton College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Economics, which laid the foundation for his analytical expertise. His career reflects a blend of strategic leadership and technical financial acumen, positioning him as a valuable asset in the finance sector. He is particularly interested in the intersection of finance and emerging technologies, aiming to leverage innovative solutions in investment strategies. Andrew’s professional journey exemplifies adaptability and a dedication to continuous learning in a rapidly evolving industry.
When electricity demand in the U.S. hit a record-breaking high on July 28th, 2025, it wasn’t a blip; it was a signal.
In this powerful follow-up to Episodes 69 and 78, Robert Curtiss welcomes back Michael Underhill, founder and CIO of Capital Innovations, to unpack the megatrends shaping the future of investing.
From surging AI-driven capital expenditures to the multi-trillion-dollar rebuild of America’s power grid, Michael outlines why infrastructure is no longer a “nice to have” but an essential portfolio diversifier. He explores how interest rate cycles, inflation, and the evolving definition of risk are impacting investor behavior and how private infrastructure may offer consistent returns, lower volatility, and true non-correlation in today’s concentrated markets.
What to expect:
Why is electricity demand rising faster than forecasted?
The three infrastructure megatrends to watch through 2050
How to think like an institutional investor with alternatives
The real reason private infrastructure may outperform in downturns
And more!
Resources:
Educational videos (bottom of the page)
The Role of Infrastructure in a Diversified Investment Portfolio with Matthew Moreno and Jake Kelsall (Ep. 69)
The Ongoing Demand for Infrastructure Investments (Ep. 78)
Connect with Robert Curtiss:
rcurtiss@seia.com
(626) 795-2944
About Robert Curtiss
LinkedIn: Robert Curtiss
Facebook: Robert Curtiss
SEIA
LinkedIn: SEIA
Connect with Michael Underhill:
Capital Innovations
LinkedIn: Michael Underhill
About Our Guest:
Michael Underhill is the Chief Investment Officer of Capital Innovations, a firm focused on infrastructure, energy, and ESG-aligned strategies. With decades of investment experience, Michael brings a deep understanding of macro trends and emerging opportunities in private and public markets. His team manages infrastructure-focused portfolios designed to align long-term capital with long-term value creation.
What happens when public markets no longer provide the diversification they once promised? In this episode, Robert Curtiss, CFP®, is joined by Tony Davidow, Senior Alternatives Investment Strategist at the Franklin Templeton Institute, to explore the tectonic shifts transforming private markets.
Tony shares insights from decades of experience working with institutional capital, family offices, and advisors. He breaks down the evolution of private equity, real estate debt, and evergreen structures and why today’s investors may be missing out on an illiquidity premium worth 3–5% per year.
From secondaries to real estate, digital infrastructure to target-date funds, this conversation offers a masterclass in building smarter portfolios in an uncertain world.
What to expect in this episode:
Why diversification is broken and what’s replacing it
The rise of evergreen investment structures for individuals
How institutions use illiquidity to their advantage
What 401(k) plans and retirement models could look like soon
And more!
Resources:
Educational videos (bottom of the page)
“Private Markets: Building Better Portfolios with Private Equity, Private Credit, and Private Real Estate” by Tony Davidow
“The cost of being too liquid” by Tony Davidow & Priya Thakur
Connect with Robert Curtiss:
rcurtiss@seia.com
(626) 795-2944
About Robert Curtiss
LinkedIn: Robert Curtiss
Facebook: Robert Curtiss
SEIA
LinkedIn: SEIA
Connect with Tony Davidow:
LinkedIn: Tony Davidow, CIMA®
Franklin Templeton
About Our Guest:
Tony Davidow is responsible for developing and delivering the Franklin Templeton Institute’s insights on the role and use of alternative investments through independent research, participating in industry conferences, webinars and engaging directly with key partners and clients. He also serves as the host of the Alternative Allocations podcast series. The Franklin Templeton Institute harnesses the depth and breadth of the firm’s global investment expertise and extensive in-house research capabilities to deliver unique investment insights to our clients.
Prior to his current role, Davidow was retained by Franklin Templeton to develop a comprehensive Alternative Investment educational program for financial advisors. He previously held senior leadership roles with Morgan Stanley, Guggenheim, and Schwab, among other firms. Davidow began his career working for a New York-based family office and has worked directly with many institutions and ultra-high-net-worth families over the years. He is a frequent writer and speaker with deep expertise in the use of alternative investments, asset allocation, and portfolio construction, as well as goals-based investing.
It’s the dog days of summer, but the market hasn’t gone to sleep.
Robert Curtiss welcomes back frequent guest Miles Clark from Dorsey Wright for a timely conversation on where we are and where we might be headed.
From all-time market highs to yellow-flag participation levels, this episode dives into the realities behind performance, volatility, and how history favors the long view.
You’ll hear:
Why staying invested may beat trying to time the market
A 70+ year study that shows the power of consistent participation
What sector strength and declining breadth are signaling now
The surprising leadership of international equities and green energy
And more!
Resources:
Reading The Market’s Pulse: Breadth, Signals, And Smart Strategy with Miles Clark (Ep. 74)
Educational videos (bottom of the page)
2025 Midyear Outlook from Dorsey Wright
Connect with Robert Curtiss:
rcurtiss@seia.com
(626) 795-2944
About Robert Curtiss
LinkedIn: Robert Curtiss
Facebook: Robert Curtiss
SEIA
LinkedIn: SEIA
Connect with Miles Clark :
LinkedIn: Miles Clark
Nasdaq Dorsey Wright
About Our Guest:
Miles currently works as a Research Analyst for Nasdaq Dorsey Wright (DWA), a boutique investment advisory and asset management division of Nasdaq focused on providing quantitative strategies to Wall Street and professional money managers globally. Since 1987, DWA has been a recognized expert in relative strength and momentum through the application of Point & Figure (XO) charting, as well as a thought leader in tactical portfolio construction.
Miles joined the DWA team as an intern in 2021 and now creates technical-based analysis and client-facing research in the firm’s Daily Market Analysis segment, with more focused coverage in the communication services, industrials, and cryptocurrency spaces. Other areas of involvement to note include supplementing broad-based technical indicators and research projects, and the creation of weekly media distributed to prospective clients.
Markets have been anything but predictable in 2025, yet resilience continues to surprise investors.
In this midyear outlook episode, Robert Curtiss is joined by Peter Repetto, Vice President and Investment Strategist at iCapital, to unpack where the economy stands and where it may be heading next.
With deep insights drawn from Peter’s team-wide strategy review, they explore how markets are absorbing trade volatility, policy shifts, and inflation risks and why there’s room for optimism. They also dive into key opportunities across both public and private markets, including middle-market buyouts, infrastructure, and asset-based lending.
What to expect in this episode:
Why “American exceptionalism” may still hold firm
What risks to watch for in the second half of 2025
Where private market opportunities are gaining traction
How to approach portfolio allocation in a data-driven, uncertain world
And more!
Resources:
Educational videos (bottom of the page)
iCapital Market Pulse: Mid-Year Outlook: Top of mind questions for investors in 2H ’25
Connect with Robert Curtiss:
rcurtiss@seia.com
(626) 795-2944
About Robert Curtiss
LinkedIn: Robert Curtiss
Facebook: Robert Curtiss
SEIA
LinkedIn: SEIA
Connect with Peter Repetto:
LinkedIn: Peter Repetto
iCapital
About Our Guest:
Peter is a Vice President and Investment Strategist at iCapital, focusing on developing and delivering research, investment ideas, and thought leadership content for external and internal audiences on behalf of iCapital’s Investment Strategy team. Prior to joining the firm, Peter spent over eight years at Franklin Templeton Investments, where he contributed to their asset allocation strategy and macroeconomic research. Peter holds a BA in Economics from Fairfield University.
A power shift is underway. And it is not just political or technological.
In this episode of The Millionaire Next Door, host Robert Curtiss sits down with Michael Underhill, Chief Investment Officer at Capital Innovations, to explore the seismic transformation in infrastructure and energy investing.
With humor, historical context, and deep industry insight, Michael compares this moment to Led Zeppelin’s debut, when a once-niche phenomenon suddenly became the main event. The episode unpacks the $112 trillion global energy transition, the exponential rise of AI-fueled electricity demand, and how public and private capital must unite to power the next generation of growth.
Expect insight into:
Why energy demand is expected to jump 14x by 2030
The accelerating rise of nuclear, natural gas, and methane recapture
How digital infrastructure (data centers, 5G, fiber) is reshaping investing
Why the U.S. infrastructure report card is a wake-up call and an opportunity
This conversation is more than a forecast. It is a call to understand the world you are retiring into and how to invest in what is coming next.
Resources:
Educational videos (bottom of the page)
Connect with Robert Curtiss:
rcurtiss@seia.com
(626) 795-2944
About Robert Curtiss
LinkedIn: Robert Curtiss
Facebook: Robert Curtiss
SEIA
LinkedIn: SEIA
Connect with Michael Underhill:
Capital Innovations
LinkedIn: Michael Underhill
About Our Guest:
Michael Underhill is the Chief Investment Officer of Capital Innovations, a firm focused on infrastructure, energy, and ESG-aligned strategies. With decades of investment experience, Michael brings a deep understanding of macro trends and emerging opportunities in private and public markets. His team manages infrastructure-focused portfolios designed to align long-term capital with long-term value creation.
In today’s financial world, headlines shift by the hour, and uncertainty feels like the new norm.
But what if this volatile environment is actually full of opportunity?
In this insightful episode, Robert Curtiss speaks with Zachary Levenick, a seasoned hedge fund executive turned family office investor, about why today’s market isn’t just chaotic, it’s promising. From his global experience managing funds in New York, London, and Latin America, Zach shares his perspective on why volatility may actually signal better potential returns, if you know where to look.
They explore everything from small-cap inefficiencies and underpriced opportunities to the dangers of chasing overvalued giants. Plus, Zach shares why he’s cautious on private credit and where the democratization of alternatives is heading next.
What to expect in this episode:
Why wide outcome ranges can unlock better returns
What most investors miss about market cycles and timing
Where public and private market inefficiencies are hiding
How individual investors can access institutional-quality alternatives
And more!
Resources:
Educational videos (bottom of the page)
Connect with Robert Curtiss:
rcurtiss@seia.com
(626) 795-2944
About Robert Curtiss
LinkedIn: Robert Curtiss
Facebook: Robert Curtiss
SEIA
LinkedIn: SEIA
Connect with Zachary Levenick:
THG Securities Advisors, LLC.
(626) 765-9950
ir@thgsallc.com
About Our Guest:
Before joining THG, Mr. Levenick was a Principal of Taconic Capital Partners, LP (“Taconic”), a multi-billion dollar New York-based private investment firm. Mr. Levenick co-managed the firm’s London-based European operations and was Portfolio Manager for European Equities investing, where focus areas included consumer products, retail, and general industries. He also established and oversaw Taconic’s public and private investment efforts in Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and Argentina, where focus areas included education and logistics. While at Taconic, Mr. Levenick also developed extensive experience in special situations and cross-asset class investing. Mr. Levenick spent 18 years at Taconic, after joining the firm in 2002 as a research associate. Before his career at Taconic, Mr. Levenick worked at J.P. Morgan in investment banking.
Mr. Levenick is a former Director of Barnes and Noble Education (NYSE: BNED).
Mr. Levenick graduated from Harvard College magna cum laude with a degree in History and Literature (Medieval). He resides with his family in Southern California. They support a number of educational, outdoor, and local philanthropies in the US and UK.
With public markets still shaky despite recent rebounds, many investors are looking for more stability, without sacrificing returns.
In this timely episode, Robert Curtiss sits down with Mark Gatto, co-founder and co-CEO of CION Investments, to unpack how private credit and infrastructure investing can offer stable, reliable alternatives for individual investors.
They discuss the growing accessibility of alternative investments, the yield potential of private credit, and why “boring” may be the new smart in today’s market. Mark also shares how CION’s platform was designed specifically for individual investors, unlike most institutions that only cater to the ultra-wealthy.
What to expect from this episode:
Why the majority of high-performing companies are still private—and how to access them
How regulatory changes post-2008 created opportunity in private credit
The appeal of yield-focused alternatives in a volatile equity environment
What to look for when choosing private market managers
And more!
Resources:
Educational videos (bottom of the page)
Connect with Mark Gatto:
LinkedIn: Mark Gatto
CION Investments
Connect with Robert Curtiss:
rcurtiss@seia.com
(626) 795-2944
About Robert Curtiss
LinkedIn: Robert Curtiss
Facebook: Robert Curtiss
SEIA
LinkedIn: SEIA
About Our Guest:
Mark Gatto is Co-Founder, Co-Chief Executive Officer, and Co-President of CION Investment Group, CION Investment Corporation (CIC), and CION Grosvenor Infrastructure Fund.
He is also a Director and Co-Chief Executive Officer of CION Ares Diversified Credit Fund (CADC). Mr. Gatto serves on the investment committee of CIC and the investment allocation committee of CADC.
Mr. Gatto joined CION in 1999. He served as Executive Vice President and Chief Acquisitions Officer from May 2007 through January 2008. He served as Executive Vice President of Business Development from May 2006 through May 2007 and Vice President of Marketing from August 2005 through February 2006. He was also Associate General Counsel from November 1999 until October 2000.
Previously, Mr. Gatto was an executive for a leading international product development and marketing company from 2000 through 2003. Later, he co-founded a specialty business-consulting firm in New York City, where he served as its managing partner before re-joining CION in 2005. He was also an attorney in private practice prior to joining the firm.
Mr. Gatto received an M.B.A. from the W. Paul Stillman School of Business at Seton Hall University, a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law, and a B.S. from Montclair State University.
It’s not if you’ll face identity theft, it’s when.
In this powerful episode, Robert Curtiss sits down with seasoned trial attorney Robert Brennan, an experienced professional in identity theft cases, to unpack the alarming realities of this modern-day crime. From fraud rings targeting disaster victims to the surprising statistic that nearly every American’s data is already on the dark web, Brennan delivers a wake-up call for anyone who thinks they’re immune.
You’ll hear real-life stories of how identity theft happens, often from the people you trust most, and learn practical, actionable steps to safeguard your financial life. Robert also shares essential insights on the legal remedies available when the unthinkable happens, and why building a strong team of trusted professionals can make all the difference.
What to expect from this episode:
The top misconceptions about identity theft—and the hard truths
Why monitoring your credit is no longer optional
How to protect elderly family members from scams
Why vigilance and proactive action are your best defence
And more!
Resources:
Educational videos (bottom of the page)
Connect with Robert Brennan:
LinkedIn: Bob Brennan
Law Offices of Robert F. Brennan, APC
Connect with Robert Curtiss:
rcurtiss@seia.com
(626) 795-2944
About Robert Curtiss
LinkedIn: Robert Curtiss
Facebook: Robert Curtiss
SEIA
LinkedIn: SEIA
About Our Guest:
Southern California’s leading law firm in consumer protection law and serious personal injury cases. Robert Brennan is a trial attorney, setting him apart from about 98% of practicing attorneys who don’t want to take cases to trial. He has successfully tried several serious personal injury cases and has a series of 7-figure verdicts and settlements. He also has seven-figure and high-six-figure results in Fair Credit Reporting Act cases (false information on credit reports), Identity Theft cases, and Lemon Law cases (defective cars, boats, RVs, and motorcycles that the manufacturer cannot fix under warranty). The firm reviews most cases free of charge to see if they can assist. 99% of the practice is in the greater Southern California area.
What do market recoveries, pilot training, and emotional discipline have in common?
In volatile times, they all remind us that trusting your instruments and your process can make all the difference.
In this quarterly market check-in, host Robert Curtiss, CFP®, welcomes back recurring guest Miles Clark of Dorsey Wright to unpack what’s happening beneath the surface of recent market turbulence. From sector rotations to investor behavior, this episode brings clarity without the noise.
Here’s what you can expect to learn by listening:
Why the S&P’s recent rebound may be masking deeper shifts in market breadth and volatility
What a 50-year data point reveals about average returns versus real-life experience
How international equities and commodities are quietly gaining strength—and what that could mean for portfolios
What it takes to stay objective and clear-headed when fear and headlines start to take over
And more!
Resources:
Educational videos (bottom of the page)
How To Cut Through Modern-Day Financial Noise with Gary Sinderbrand (Ep. 72)
Financial Trends to Watch in 2025 with Miles Clark (Ep. 66)
Connect with Robert Curtiss:
rcurtiss@seia.com
(626) 795-2944
About Robert Curtiss
LinkedIn: Robert Curtiss
Facebook: Robert Curtiss
SEIA
LinkedIn: SEIA
Connect with Miles Clark :
LinkedIn: Miles Clark
Nasdaq Dorsey Wright
About Our Guest:
Miles currently works as a Research Analyst for Nasdaq Dorsey Wright (DWA), a boutique investment advisory and asset management division of Nasdaq focused on providing quantitative strategies to Wall Street and professional money managers globally. Since 1987, DWA has been a recognized expert in relative strength and momentum through the application of Point & Figure (XO) charting, as well as a thought leader in tactical portfolio construction.
Miles joined the DWA team as an intern in 2021 and now creates technical-based analysis and client-facing research in the firm’s Daily Market Analysis segment, with more focused coverage in the communication services, industrials, and cryptocurrency spaces. Other areas of involvement to note include supplementing broad-based technical indicators and research projects, and the creation of weekly media distributed to prospective clients.




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