About
Vital Strategies
At Vital Strategies Podcast, we’re helping entrepreneurs pay less tax, build more wealth and love a great. As a division of Vital Strategies, we are dedicated to revolutionizing your approach to taxes and ensuring you keep more of your hard-earned income.
Why Listen to Us?
At Vital Strategies, we are on a mission to help our listeners save $1 billion in taxes! We are your go-to resource for unlocking financial success by minimizing your tax bill.
Expertise
Proven methods have saved clients over $8.5 million in taxes over the last two years.
Empowering
Developing custom tax strategies that align with your goals.
Actionable
Consulting clients have an average tax savings of of $280,000+ per year in income tax alone.
Latest Episodes
Tune into our latest episode, where we dive deep into cutting-edge tax strategies and share expert insights so you can pay less tax.
083 | The Hidden Traps in Selling Your Business and How to Avoid Them with John Martinka
What if selling your business could be simple, profitable, and even… graceful?
In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with John Martinka, seasoned exit planning advisor and author of “Exit with Style and Grace and More Money.” Together, they break down what it really takes to prepare your business for a sale that leaves you in control and with more cash in your pocket. Whether your years away from exiting or just starting to consider the possibility, this episode will change the way you think about the value hidden inside your business.
Patrick and John unpack the most common pitfalls entrepreneurs make when it’s time to sell, like blending personal expenses, relying too heavily on key employees, or simply being too essential to the day-to-day. You’ll walk away with a clearer picture of how to make your business more attractive, more scalable, and ultimately more sellable. If your goal is to grow your wealth, protect what you’ve built, and exit on your terms, this episode is a must-listen.
Key Takeaways:
- Why owner dependency kills business value and how to fix it
- The critical importance of clean, accurate financials
- How to build a team that increases value and attracts buyers
- What “growth potential” really means to investors and PE firms
- How smart incentives and retention bonuses can protect your exit
- Why systems, processes, and IP matter more than you think
- How to avoid costly working capital mistakes at closing
Learn More About John:
Get John’s book: Exit with Style and Grace and More Money
Resources:
Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources
Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: https://link.chtbl.com/vitalstrategies
Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies
Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast
Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/
Credits:
Sponsored by Vital Wealth
Music by Cephas
Art work by Two Tone Creative
Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O’Brien
082 | Former Goldman Sachs Insider Reveals the Smart Way to Use Insurance with Wallis Wilkinson Tsai
Is your insurance policy building wealth or just a cost? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan, founder of Vital Wealth, sits down with Wallis Wilkinson Tsai, a former Goldman Sachs investment banker, hedge fund investor, and co-founder of AboveBoard Financial. Together, they explore how insurance can become a powerful tool in your financial strategy, if it’s used correctly. Whether you’re a high-level entrepreneur, CEO, or business owner, this conversation will show you how to turn insurance from a sunk cost into a high-leverage asset.
Wallis shares her expertise on everything from tax-optimized life insurance structures to often-overlooked tools like disability coverage and executive benefits. This episode will challenge what you’ve heard about “buy term and invest the rest,” and introduce you to strategies like Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs), Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI), and buy-sell agreements that can drastically improve your financial outcomes. If you’re looking to reduce taxes, preserve wealth, and make smarter decisions about your business and legacy, you’ll want to listen all the way through.
Key Takeaways:
- Why most insurance sales are misaligned with client goals
- How to use life insurance for tax-deferred and tax-free growth
- The hidden importance of disability insurance for business owners
- Estate planning strategies using Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs) and survivorship policies
- How executive benefit carve-outs can retain top talent and reduce tax liability
- A breakdown of Whole Life, Indexed Universal Life (IUL), Variable Universal Life (VUL), and Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI), plus when to use each
- Why now is the time to reevaluate your insurance strategy
Learn More About Wallis:
Resources:
Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources
Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: https://link.chtbl.com/vitalstrategies
Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies
Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast
Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/
Credits:
Sponsored by Vital Wealth
Music by Cephas
Art work by Two Tone Creative
Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O’Brien
081 | The AI Playbook Every Entrepreneur Needs (Before They Get Left Behind) with Jonathan Mast
Could AI your biggest untapped business partner? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan is joined by Jonathan Mast, an AI prompting pioneer and seasoned digital innovator who’s been leveraging emerging tech since the earliest days of the internet. Together, they unpack how AI is transforming the way entrepreneurs operate, making it easier to save time, increase profits, and deliver more value without burning out or hiring more people.
From marketing strategies and SOP creation to customer service automation and building your own virtual board of advisors, Jonathan breaks down real-world use cases that anyone can implement, regardless of tech experience. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by AI or unsure where to begin, this episode gives you the roadmap. Tune in and discover how to start small, think smarter, and use AI to unlock next-level growth in your business.
Key Takeaways:
- Why AI isn’t the future. It’s now, and how to start using it without feeling overwhelmed
- The 3-part formula every entrepreneur needs: save time, make more money, add more value
- How to prompt AI like a pro using a simple 4-step framework
- The power of SOPs, customer support automation, and AI-generated marketing copy
- How to create your own virtual board of advisors using AI personas
- Why entrepreneurs who avoid AI risk falling behind in a rapidly evolving economy
Learn More About Jonathan:
Resources:
Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources
Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: https://link.chtbl.com/vitalstrategies
Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies
Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast
Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/
Credits:
Sponsored by Vital Wealth
Music by Cephas
Art work by Two Tone Creative
Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O’Brien
080 | Real Estate Cash Flow, Depreciation & Passive Income: Strategies for High-Income Earners with Lane Kawaoka
Is your wealth strategy stuck on the ground floor? Learn how Lane Kawaoka went from a civil engineer to managing over $2.1 billion in real estate—and how you can use the same framework to create your own wealth elevator.
In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Lane Kawaoka, former civil engineer turned real estate powerhouse, bestselling author, and host of a top 50 investing podcast. Lane shares his journey from buying his first rental in Seattle to building a portfolio of over 10,000 units and founding The Wealth Elevator. If you’re a high-income earner looking for scalable, tax-efficient ways to build passive income through real estate syndications and advanced private equity strategies, this conversation is packed with insights you can’t afford to miss.
Lane breaks down the four key wealth drivers in real estate, demystifies syndications, and shares his powerful Wealth Elevator framework to help investors at every stage, from getting out of debt to leveraging alternative investments. You’ll also hear Lane’s candid take on current market conditions, what to watch out for in deal underwriting, and why multifamily remains a resilient asset class. Whether you’re just getting started or navigating the complexities of accredited investing, this episode offers a roadmap to smarter, more strategic wealth-building.
Key Takeaways:
- The two best paths to building long-term wealth: business ownership vs. real estate investing
- How cash flow, appreciation, amortization, and depreciation work together in real estate
- Why syndications are a scalable and tax-efficient alternative to direct ownership
- Lane’s Wealth Elevator framework works for everyone
- How to vet syndication deals with conservative underwriting metrics
- Why Lane prefers single-asset deals over blind pool funds
- Economic trends affecting real estate in 2025 and beyond
- How private equity fits into a diversified, cash-flow-focused portfolio
Learn More About Lane:
Resources:
Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources
Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: https://link.chtbl.com/vitalstrategies
Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies
Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast
Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/
Credits:
Sponsored by Vital Wealth
Music by Cephas
Art work by Two Tone Creative
Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O’Brien
Vital Strategies Podcast Tools
Free Resources and Templates
Maximize your tax-saving potential with our exclusive tools and templates. Access a plethora of valuable resources that will empower you to take control of your tax planning journey.
$10,000 Tax Savings
At Vital Strategies, we’re finishing out 2023 with an exciting opportunity for you to supercharge your financial success by years end. As a token of appreciation for being part of the Vital Strategies Podcast community, we’re thrilled to present the $10,000.00 Tax Savings Challenge.
Daily Productivity Planner
Welcome to the Daily Productivity Planner 2024 – Your Daily Blueprint for Success, meticulously designed for high-level entrepreneurs like you. This planner isn’t just a tool; it’s your daily companion on the journey to peak performance and strategic success.
What Our Listeners Say About Us
The insights shared in each episode are incredibly valuable! I’ve already implemented tax-saving strategies for my business, and the results are impressive. This podcast is a game-changer!
Sarah K.
Vital Strategies Podcast has become my go-to resource for financial knowledge. The expert interviews and success stories inspire me to take control of my finances and make informed decisions. Highly recommended!
Jason L.
The tools and resources provided on this platform are top-notch. I find myself coming back for more valuable downloads and ebooks regularly. It’s like having a financial mentor!
Michael R.
I used to feel overwhelmed by taxes and financial planning. Thanks to this podcast, I now have clarity and confidence in managing my wealth. The free resources are a fantastic bonus!
Lisa T.
Consulting Clients Have An Average Tax Savings Of $280,000
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