PODCAST · business
Exit Rich...Retire Free Podcast
by Jeff Kikel
Straight talk about money for people who want to exit rich and retire free. I'm Jeff Kikel, and for 30 years I've helped business owners and high earners build wealth, sell their businesses well, and retire on their own terms. This is where I share what actually works, without the jargon or the Wall Street theater.Each episode digs into the money decisions that move the needle: how to build real wealth, how to sell a business for more and keep more of it when you exit, and how to turn retirement into a choice instead of a someday. I mix in straight-talking perspective on the markets and the economy for long-term investors, always aimed at what it means for your money, never a hot stock tip.No hype, no manufactured drama. As I tell my clients, the money gets made by staying steady and making good decisions you can live with for years. If that's how you think, you're in the right place.Education, not investment advice.Formerly the Freedom Nation Podcast
Episodes
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The Global Bond Rout Made in Japan: Why Rates Are Really Rising | Weekly Read #39 Audio
The Federal Reserve has been cutting interest rates, but long-term Treasury yields keep climbing. The 10-year Treasury reached approximately 5.3% this week, while the 30-year approached 5.7%—levels not seen in roughly 24 years. So what's driving rates higher despite Fed cuts? In this episode of…
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Earnings Season: Why Good News Can Send Stocks Lower | Daily Read #38 Audio
Earnings season is underway, and two companies just demonstrated one of the most important lessons investors can learn. Taiwan Semiconductor beat Wall Street expectations, but its stock fell roughly 2%. Pepsi also beat expectations, lowered its outlook, and discussed layoffs—yet its stock rose...
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How Much Do You Need To Retire - Retire Free #4
How much money do you really need to retire? $2 million? $5 million? The problem with those numbers is simple: whose retirement are we talking about? Two people can have identical portfolios and need dramatically different amounts depending on their spending, Social Security, pensions, housing,...
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AI: Greatest Opportunity Ever… or a Bubble? | Daily Read #37
Two days ago, AI was being called the “greatest money-making opportunity in human history.” Today, investor Michael Burry is warning that the market may be in denial about the AI trade ending. Same market. Just 48 hours apart. So which side should investors believe? In this episode of The Daily...
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The Picks & Shovels of AI: Why Power Is the Next Big Story | Daily Read #36
The hottest AI stock today isn’t a chip company. It’s a nuclear power company. Constellation Energy jumped roughly 12%, and that move tells us something important about where the AI boom is heading: the trade is broadening beyond the famous names. In today’s Daily Read, Jeff Kikel looks at the...
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Bad News Just Became GOOD News for Stocks—Here's Why | Weekly Read 10-02-26
The September jobs report was BAD. Only 29,000 jobs were added. Unemployment ticked higher. And the stock market? IT RIPPED HIGHER. Welcome to a market where: GOOD NEWS = BAD NEWS BAD NEWS = GOOD NEWS And there's one reason for it: INTEREST RATES. For weeks, rising rates have been the villain...
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The Villain Finally Blinked: Inflation Cools, Stocks Bounce | Daily Read #33
For two weeks, one thing has bullied this market: RISING INTEREST RATES. Every day, the 10-year Treasury seemed to climb—and stocks had to fight against it. This morning? THE VILLAIN FINALLY BLINKED. The Fed's preferred inflation gauge came in cooler than expected, Treasury yields finally ticked...
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Are You Paying More to Get Less? Why Most Funds Don't Beat the Market | COT 164 - The Cents of Things
Are you paying more for an investment fund that isn't beating the market? In Episode 164 of The Cents of Things, Jeff Kikel and Ron Lang look at historical data showing how difficult it has been for actively managed large-cap domestic funds to outperform the S&P 500. That raises an important...
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The Augusta Rule: Rent Your Home to Your Business Tax-Free | Exit Rich
Check out the full article and visuals at: www.profitpilottax.com/augusta-rule-rent-home-to-your-business Can your business pay you to use your own home—and can you receive that money tax-free? Under the right circumstances, that's exactly what the Augusta Rule (IRC Section 280A(g)) can allow. In...
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NVIDIA Is Fighting a 5.26% 10-Year—Who Wins? | Daily Read #32
The stock market looks relatively quiet today. But underneath the surface? THERE'S A HUGE FIGHT GOING ON. On one side: 🤖 NVIDIA + AI NVIDIA just announced an enormous $150 BILLION stock buyback, while chip names including Applied Materials and Marvell are showing significant strength. On the...
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What Happens After the Fed Raises Rates? | COT 163 - The Cents of Things
The Federal Reserve raised rates. Now what? In Episode 162 of The Cents of Things, Jeff Kikel and Ron Lang look at what has historically happened to the stock market following a Fed rate increase—and why this particular cycle may be more complicated than the averages suggest. Historically…
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Mega Backdoor Roth: The 401(k) Strategy Most High Earners Miss | Retire Free
Your 401(k) may have a feature hiding in plain sight that could allow you to move tens of thousands of additional dollars into Roth savings each year. Check out the full article here: https://www.surehorizonretirement.com/mega-backdoor-roth-high-earners It’s called the Mega Backdoor Roth — an...
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AI's Debt Problem: What Happens When the Money Stops Flowing? | COT 162 - The Cents of Things
AI's Debt Problem: What Happens When the Money Stops Flowing? The AI boom isn't just being funded by extraordinary earnings. In some corners of the industry, it's also being funded by a lot of debt. In Episode 162 of The Cents of Things, Jeff Kikel and Ron Lang examine debt-to-assets across...
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Oil Just Hit $100—And This Is Bigger Than the War Headlines - Daily Read #23
Brent crude just crossed $100 a barrel. But the most important part of today's story isn't simply that oil went up. It's why oil stayed up. Some of the scariest U.S.–Iran war headlines eased overnight. The U.S. military disputed Iranian claims that two U.S. Navy ships had been hit. Normally…
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Big Earnings, Rising Fear: Is September Setting a Market Trap? | COT 161 - The Cents of Things
Big Earnings, Rising Fear: Is September Setting a Market Trap? The stock market remains close to record highs. The largest companies continue generating extraordinary earnings. So why are investors getting nervous? In Episode 161 of The Cents of Things, Jeff Kikel and Ron Lang examine the growing...
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September Is the Market's WORST Month—And It Started Red | Daily Read #20
September has arrived—and right on cue, the stock market started the month RED. The Nasdaq fell nearly 1%, small caps were even weaker, oil climbed back toward $88, and the 10-year Treasury yield moved near 4.77%. But here's the question: Is this really the infamous “September Effect”—or are…
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The Recession That Keeps Not Showing Up | COT 160 - The Cents of Things
For years, investors have been warned that the next recession is just around the corner. And yet, the economic data continues to tell a more complicated story. In Episode 160 of The Cents of Things, Jeff Kikel and Ron Lang examine the growing disconnect between how consumers feel about the…
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The Bond Bullies Are Back: Why Rising Rates Just Shook the Market | COT 159 - The Cents of Things
he bond market just reminded investors that the Federal Reserve isn't the only force determining interest rates. After weeks of speculation about possible Fed rate cuts, long-term Treasury yields moved sharply higher. The 30-year Treasury reached 5.33%, while the 10-year approached 4.8%. In…
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Forget Iran—THIS Was Today's Most Important Economic Warning - Daily Read #16
Everyone was watching the geopolitical headlines today. Oil jumped toward $88 as a new threat involving Iran rattled markets. But the signal that may matter more came from a much less dramatic place: Walmart. Walmart beat profit expectations, but U.S. store sales came in softer than expected—and...
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Market Dynamics: Understanding the Recent Rotation
AI and chip stocks just endured two brutal sessions. But here's the part of the story that's easy to miss: The money didn't leave the market. It moved. In today's Exit Rich…Retire Free Daily Read, Jeff Kikel looks beneath the AI selloff to see where investors are actually putting their money. And...
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Bad Jobs, Cooler Inflation & the Market Risk Hiding in Japan | COT 158 - The Cents of Things
Takeaways: The episode discusses significant historical events that occurred during this week, including Cleopatra's death. Ron explains the importance of the CAPE ratio in evaluating stock market valuations over time. A detailed analysis of recent economic reports reveals trends in jobs, CPI…
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Daily Read #13 - AI Stocks Are Going Crazy—But That's NOT the Real Story
AI stocks are giving investors whiplash. Yesterday, blowout earnings sent AI-related stocks soaring. Today, Cisco and Cerebras beat expectations—and their stocks fell sharply. So did everything suddenly change again? Not necessarily. In today's Exit Rich…Retire Free Daily Read, Jeff Kikel…
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Daily Read # 12 AI Stocks Just Exploded Higher—What Changed?
Today, the market gave us a fascinating lesson in investor psychology. Two weeks ago, companies could deliver spectacular earnings—and their stocks still got sold. Today, the same kind of blowout results sent some AI stocks soaring 15%–20%. Same beats. Different mood. So what changed? This...
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Daily Read # 11 - The Market Voted Early—Will CPI Prove It Right?
Yesterday, the market was holding its breath. Today, it stopped waiting—and placed its bet. One day before the CPI inflation report, investors moved money out of crowded AI and software names and into some of the stocks that could benefit most if lower inflation gives the Federal Reserve room to...
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Deciphering Economic Signals: Will We Experience a Soft Landing or Stagflation?
The primary focus of today's discussion revolves around the current market dynamics, encapsulated in the theme "Caught between two numbers." We find ourselves navigating a landscape defined by juxtaposed economic indicators, where weak job reports suggest potential Federal Reserve rate cuts, yet...
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The Calm Before the Jobs Report: Market Readiness
The salient point of today's discourse revolves around the perplexing phenomenon in the stock market, where companies reporting exceptional earnings are witnessing declines in their stock prices. This week has exhibited considerable volatility, with indices nearing record highs yet beginning to...
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A Broadening Market: Understanding the Drivers of Current Trends
The salient point of our discussion today centers on the emergence of a genuine market rally, characterized by an optimistic shift driven by two significant developments: the prospect of a peace deal in the Middle East and a coordinated intervention to stabilize Japan's currency. Over the past...
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The Narrow Rally: Fragility in Focus
The central inquiry of this podcast episode revolves around the sustainability of the recent market rally, particularly in the context of artificial intelligence (AI) advancements. We delve into the implications of last week’s substantial earnings reports from industry giants such as Microsoft…
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Navigating the Chaotic Financial Landscape: Insights from a Tumultuous Week
The salient point of this week’s analysis is the notable reversal of market rotation, characterized by a rapid shift from a broad-based investment strategy to a concentrated focus on artificial intelligence and cloud computing stocks. Throughout the week, we witnessed a dichotomy in market...
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The Interplay of AI and Economic Growth: What It Means for Investors - The Cents of Things
The principal focus of this podcast episode revolves around the recent fluctuations in the stock market, particularly emphasizing the implications of economic indicators and corporate earnings on investment strategies. I, alongside my co-host Ron, elucidate historical trends in financial markets...
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Buy Businesses, Not Jobs | David Hori on Acquisitions, Scaling Companies, and Creating Lasting Wealth
Starting a business from scratch is exciting—but it's also one of the riskiest paths to entrepreneurship. Many founders spend years building a company only to discover that growth is harder than expected, exits are uncertain, and the business depends entirely on them. At the same time, millions…
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The Stock Market's Two Tales: Which Will Win?
The primary focus of today’s discussion revolves around the ongoing fluctuations within the stock market, particularly highlighting a significant divergence between the performance of average stocks and the struggles faced by AI and semiconductor sectors. We observe that while the average stock...
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AI Stocks Decline: Implications for Broader Market Trends
The market continues to rotate away from AI and semiconductor stocks—but that doesn't necessarily mean a broader market decline is underway. In today's Exit Rich…Retire Free Daily Read, Jeff Kikel explains why money is flowing out of the crowded AI trade and into other sectors of the economy.…
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Building Community, Not Just Business | Jennifer Kornoely on Book Clubs, Networking, and Entrepreneurial Freedom
Starting a business is exciting—but it can also be incredibly lonely. Many entrepreneurs know how to deliver a great product or service, yet struggle with marketing, networking, finances, and finding people who truly understand the journey. Without community, building a business can feel...
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Understanding the Dynamics of Bull Runs: What Lies Ahead | COT 154 - The Cents of Things
The discourse presented in this episode centers on the intricate dynamics that precipitate the cessation of a bull market, with particular emphasis on the current financial landscape and its multifaceted influences. We explore crucial topics such as innovation cycles, the implications of earnings...
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Finding Truth Through Data | John Zachary on Trading, Faith, and the Science Behind the Bible
Finding Truth Through Data | John Zachary on Trading, Faith, and the Science Behind the Bible Most people separate faith, science, and investing into completely different worlds. Faith is viewed as belief. Science is viewed as evidence. Trading is viewed as probability. But what if all three rely...
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Build Income, Not Just a Retirement Account | Neil Solomon on Business Ownership and Freedom
Many mid-career professionals work hard, earn more, and save for retirement, yet still feel trapped. Their time belongs to their employer. Their income depends on showing up. Their lifestyle is built around commitments they cannot easily leave behind. Even a strong salary can become a set of…
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Gold vs Real Estate | Simon Popple on Wealth Protection, Inflation, and Long-Term Investing
Most investors spend years building wealth but never stop to ask one critical question: How do I protect it? Inflation quietly erodes purchasing power. Markets become volatile. Real estate can become illiquid. And many portfolios are heavily concentrated in stocks and traditional assets. When...
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The Commercial Real Estate Playbook | Ken Ashley on Mentorship, AI, and Building a Career That Lasts
Many young professionals are worried about their future. AI is changing industries. Traditional career paths feel uncertain. And many knowledge workers are asking the same question: How do I build a career that remains valuable in a rapidly changing world? The challenge isn't just finding a job....
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Retire in 10 Years or Less | Ryan Lee on Passive Income, Freedom Day, and Taking Control of Your Money
Most people spend decades working hard, saving money, contributing to retirement accounts, and hoping that one day they'll finally have enough to retire. But hope is not a strategy. And many people discover too late that they've sacrificed their health, relationships, and time for a retirement…
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Building GROAS from Scratch | David Porquery on AI, Bootstrapping, and Escaping Corporate Life
Many professionals spend years chasing prestigious careers, climbing the corporate ladder, and earning great money—only to discover they're trapped in a life they don't actually enjoy. The paychecks get bigger. The responsibilities grow. But freedom feels further away than ever. The longer you...
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From Real Estate Agent to Investor | Corey Wayne Ogle on Smart Investing, Systems, and Building Freedom
A lot of people dream about financial freedom through real estate… but most never start. Why? Because they’re overwhelmed, afraid of making costly mistakes, or stuck believing they need millions to begin investing. The reality is… one bad property can destroy your momentum. Many first-time...
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The Decade That Changes Everything | Albert Butler on Family, Leadership, and True Wealth
Most people spend their younger years chasing success without thinking deeply about legacy, leadership, or the impact they leave behind. Then life changes. Parents age. Children grow up. Responsibilities shift. And suddenly, success means something completely different. Many professionals hit...
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From Money to Meaning | Jim Sabellico on Success, Fatherhood, and Showing Up for What Matters
You can be successful on paper… and still feel like your life is falling apart. Money is coming in. The business is growing. But your health, your relationships, your family—they’re quietly slipping away. That’s exactly where Jim Sabellico found himself. Working from 3AM to 9PM. Six days a week....
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Why Freedom Isn’t What You Think | Josh Carr on Responsibility, Growth, and Real Happiness
Many people hit their 30s feeling stuck. They followed the “right” path—career, family, responsibilities—but something feels off. They’re busy… but not fulfilled. Successful… but not free. Life starts happening to you instead of being designed by you. The years go by fast. Goals get buried.…
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Why Most Real Estate Investors Fail | Hadley Nightingale on Mistakes, Systems, and Building a Scalable Business
Most people get into real estate thinking it’s the “safe” path to wealth… only to make costly mistakes, follow bad advice, and struggle to scale. They chase income, hustle harder, and try to do everything themselves—without systems, without guidance, and without a real strategy. What happens when...
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Building Wealth Through Senior Living | Radhika Rastogi on Passive Income, Syndications, and Purpose-Driven Investing
Most professionals work for years building someone else’s dream—trading time for income, missing family moments, and struggling to create true financial freedom. At the same time, traditional real estate investing is becoming harder… higher costs, tighter margins, and fewer opportunities. What if...
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The Reluctant Entrepreneur | Mike Konrad on Surviving the Startup Struggle and Building a 34-Year Business
Many people dream of leaving their corporate job to start a business. They imagine freedom, flexibility, and unlimited income. But the reality is far different. Most entrepreneurs face years of struggle, financial stress, and uncertainty before seeing real success. What happens when the business...
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How Michael Dodsworth Is Fixing the Broken Ticketing System for Fans and Brands
Anyone who has tried to buy tickets for a major event knows the frustration. Long queues, crashing websites, bots buying inventory, and fans left empty-handed. The system often feels broken—and for businesses running product launches or ticket sales, the experience can damage trust with their…
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From Film Editor to ADU Builder | Gil Vaisman on Solving the Housing Crisis and Creating Rental Income
Homeowners across the country are sitting on valuable property—but don’t know how to unlock it. Rising housing costs, aging parents, adult children moving back home, and the need for extra income are creating pressure… but traditional real estate feels expensive and out of reach. Many people…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Straight talk about money for people who want to exit rich and retire free. I'm Jeff Kikel, and for 30 years I've helped business owners and high earners build wealth, sell their businesses well, and retire on their own terms. This is where I share what actually works, without the jargon or the Wall Street theater.Each episode digs into the money decisions that move the needle: how to build real wealth, how to sell a business for more and keep more of it when you exit, and how to turn retirement into a choice instead of a someday. I mix in straight-talking perspective on the markets and the economy for long-term investors, always aimed at what it means for your money, never a hot stock tip.No hype, no manufactured drama. As I tell my clients, the money gets made by staying steady and making good decisions you can live with for years. If that's how you think, you're in the right place.Education, not investment advice.Formerly the Freedom Nation Podcast
HOSTED BY
Jeff Kikel
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How many episodes does Exit Rich...Retire Free Podcast have?
Exit Rich...Retire Free Podcast currently has 328 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Exit Rich...Retire Free Podcast about?
Straight talk about money for people who want to exit rich and retire free. I'm Jeff Kikel, and for 30 years I've helped business owners and high earners build wealth, sell their businesses well, and retire on their own terms. This is where I share what actually works, without the jargon or the...
How often does Exit Rich...Retire Free Podcast release new episodes?
Exit Rich...Retire Free Podcast publishes regularly with 328 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
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You can listen to Exit Rich...Retire Free Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Exit Rich...Retire Free Podcast?
Exit Rich...Retire Free Podcast is created and hosted by Jeff Kikel.
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