More Than Commas
by Paul Adams & Cory Shepherd
Join Sound Financial Group CEO Paul Adams and President Cory Shepherd every week, as they help you Design and Build a Good Life™. Through the information provided on this podcast, we give you the ability to do this yourself. Why do we need to do this? Because every other media you're going to engage in has a vested interest in capturing your mindshare, and in having you spend your surplus, rather than you caring for your financial future. Your financial future is inevitable and uncertain. The only question is, will you have a Good Life? No one has one by default, only by design. Most of the financial podcasts out there can be valuable, though you will notice that many of them are from someone who is unlicensed. This podcast is unique in that it is led and hosted by licensed financial advisors who have been in the industry for nearly 2 decades, hence the disclosure below and in the description attached to each our episode. This Material is Intended for General Public Use. By providi
Episodes
-
366 - Building the Career Without Losing the Life
What does it actually take to build a career and a life you don't want to escape from? In this episode of More Than Commas, Paul sits down with Jamie Moraga, founder of a woman-owned military and defense engineering business, author of Revered: The Power of Female Leadership, and a CEO who...
-
365 - How Great Leaders Build Teams That Make Them Better
What does it actually take to hire the right people -- and build a team that makes you better? In this episode of More Than Commas, Paul sits down with Jaidin McCann -- President of PeopleConnect Staffing, HR executive, and founder who has built six companies and led three successful exits -- to...
-
364 - The Disneyland Cheat Code
We skipped the 3-hour line. And it cost us more than our mortgage payment. Paul Adams just got back from Disneyland with his family - and he's not sorry about what he spent. In this video, he breaks down the one upgrade that turned a chaotic, line-standing, schedule-juggling Disney trip into...
-
363 - Super Bowl Player Reveals the One Word Winners Live By
What does it take to beat the odds, reach the NFL, and successfully reinvent yourself when one chapter ends? In this episode of More Than Commas, Paul sits down with former NFL player Jordan Babineaux to discuss resilience, leadership, and navigating life's biggest transitions. Jordan shares his...
-
362 - MicroStrategy's STRC: Is That 11% Return Too Good to Be True?
Is MicroStrategy's new preferred stock STRC really the next big financial product — or just a shiny object designed to harvest your savings? In this episode of More Than Commas, Paul breaks down STRC, MicroStrategy's preferred stock promising 11% annual returns paid monthly — and why those…
more -
361 - Why Smart Leaders Share Before They're Ready
What does it actually take to build a meaningful career inside some of the world's most demanding organizations? In this episode of More Than Commas, Paul sits down with Jesse Rhodes Jr. — executive leadership coach, entrepreneur, and former leader at Amazon, Deloitte, Walmart, and Target — to...
-
360 - From Financial Teacher to Doom Prophet: The Hidden Cost of Fear-Based Investing
Robert Kiyosaki helped change how millions of people think about money. But what happens when a voice that once educated and empowered starts leaning into fear-based predictions? In this episode of More Than Commas, Paul takes a closer look at Kiyosaki's evolution—from the impact of Rich Dad…
more -
359 - Financial Guru Predictions Gone Wrong and CyberTruck Sinks
Why do financial influencers keep predicting the next big market crash—and why do people keep listening? In this episode of More Than Commas, we break down the real incentive behind repeated crash predictions, how attention drives extreme forecasts, and why being "right once" can be more…
more -
358 - Why Fear Goes Viral in Investing
Many investors worry about the next stock market crash because financial media constantly predicts one. In this episode of More Than Commas, Paul Adams explains why crash predictions are so common, why most of them never happen, and the real reason investors often underperform the market. More...
-
357 - Oil, War Fears & Market Swings: What Happens Next?
In this episode, Cory addresses recent market volatility and encourages investors to stay calm and disciplined. Recorded amid geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East and fluctuating oil prices, Cory walks through historical market data, including recovery rates after downturns and the cost of...
-
356 - Why Your Brain Struggles With Time (And How Visual Timers Fix It)
What if the reason you struggle with time management isn't a lack of discipline, but biology? In this episode, Paul sits down with Dr. Cody Sandzimier, founder and owner of Redmond Spine Center and creator of the Loop Timer, to explore the surprising science behind how humans perceive time. The...
-
355 - How the QBI Deduction Works & Smart Tax Strategies for Business Owners
In this episode of More Than Commas, SFG President Cory Shepherd sits down with CEO of Trail CPA, Trent Trailov, to break down the Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction and how business owners can strategically use it to reduce taxes. If you earn non-W2 income, own a business, or operate as a...
-
353 - How to Future-Proof Your Wealth: Essential Estate Planning for Every Life Stage
In this episode, Paul sits down with estate planning attorney Derek Wayne Jensen to demystify what estate planning really involves and why it's far more than drafting a simple will. Derek explains how planning evolves over a lifetime, beginning with young adults choosing beneficiaries, through...
-
354 - Influence, Persuasion, and Reality with Scott Adams (Re-release)
Scott Adams Excerpt: I Will Rewire Your Brains to Relieve Anxiety https://youtu.be/nWhKDqwgyv8?si=vhTXfZzLTLKLwbFa We're excited to share a special throwback edition of this episode, released as a little Christmas gift to you. To set the stage, Paul explains why this conversation still matters…
more -
352- The AI Money Loop Explained: Are Investors Missing the Risk?
In this episode of More Than Commas, Cory breaks down one of the biggest questions in investing today: Is AI in a bubble? Using clarity, and a Three Stooges analogy, Cory explores how companies like OpenAI, Nvidia, Oracle, and others have created a tightly interwoven financial ecosystem, one that...
-
351 - What Will Your Life Look Like in 2026?
In this episode, Paul challenges the traditional approach to planning for the new year, urging listeners to stop setting goals and start setting aims. He explains that most people design their lives backward, focusing on career first and hoping life fits around it. Instead, Paul walks through a...
-
350 - Financial Advisors React: What This $5 Million Roth Story Gets Wrong About Retirement Planning
In this episode of More Than Commas, Paul is joined by the SFG team for a lively roundtable on a Wall Street Journal article about an 80-year-old couple debating a multi-million dollar Roth conversion. The team dives deep into what the article doesn't say, from tax realities to financial…
more -
349 - Financial Advisors React to ChatGPT's Retirement Plan!
In this episode of More Than Commas, the Sound Financial Group team dive into a headline-grabbing article: "I Asked ChatGPT to Plan My Retirement." The panel unpacks what happens when artificial intelligence is trusted with life-changing financial planning. They discuss missing details like...
-
348 - Why Financial Samurai Says He's No Longer Financially Independent
In this episode, Lance and Paul unpack the viral post from Financial Samurai founder Sam Dogen, who recently admitted he's no longer financially independent after more than a decade in early retirement. Lance and Paul explore what this moment reveals about the FIRE movement, its strengths, blind...
-
347 - Why Start Financial Planning Early
In this episode, Elijah explores why beginning your financial planning journey early can transform not just your bank balance, but your entire life. He breaks down the compounding power of time, showing how consistent habits, even with modest amounts, lead to lasting financial freedom and...
-
346 - The Truth About 529 Plans | Smarter Ways to Fund College and Your Child's Future
In this episode, Cory unpacks the truth behind 529 college savings plans, their benefits, drawbacks, and what families should consider before committing their money. While 529s promise tax-free growth for education, Cory explains how they can also limit flexibility, impact financial aid, and tie…
more -
346 - The Truth About 529 Plans | Full Spreadsheet Demo
In this special "Behind the Numbers" edition, Cory takes you deeper into the 529 plan conversation with a full spreadsheet walkthrough. He breaks down every scenario from Part 1: Comparing 529 plans, brokerage accounts, student loan strategies, and new Roth IRA conversion rules, using real S&P...
-
345 - Is This the Most Powerful Speech About Money Ever?
In this episode of More Than Commas, Paul Adams challenges listeners to consider whether their wealth is a tool or a trophy. Drawing on Dr. Thomas Stanley's The Millionaire Next Door and Stop Acting Rich, Paul explains how wealth flaunted for status can trap us in comparison, distraction, and...
-
344 - The Hidden Cost of Chasing More
In Episode 344 of More Than Commas, Paul uncovers the hidden cost of chasing "more." From bigger homes and cars to the pursuit of higher income, we often find ourselves on a treadmill, running faster without feeling more fulfilled. Drawing on The Millionaire Next Door by Dr. Thomas Stanley, Paul...
-
343 - Financial Advisors Explained: Beyond Investments to Real Peace of Mind
In this episode of More Than Commas, Cory explores one of the most overlooked roles of a financial advisor: protecting clients from their own instincts. It's not just about picking investments or predicting the market, it's about acting as a guardrail when fear and desire tempt us into costly...
-
342 - Dave Ramsey vs Real Financial Advice
In this episode, Paul is joined by SFG's new advisor Lance Chisum for a candid review of a Dave Ramsey video on housing and post-divorce financial decisions. Together, they unpack the caller's circumstances, substantial home equity, low-rate mortgage, and the possibility of a HELOC, while...
-
341 - Why most people don't save for retirement
Bonita Bell-Anderson (Ask Good Questions Podcast) and Paul Adams (More Than Commas) unpack why Americans under-save, how culture rewards consumption, and why retirement is a narrative, more than math. Paul shares reset moves: save ~20% of gross income, cultivate contentment, set a written…
more -
340 - Can You Really Protect Your Property Investments?
In this episode, Paul discusses how to arrange your investments to protect your real estate portfolio. Too many investors fall into survivorship bias, seeing only the winners in real estate while ignoring those who took on too much debt and lost big. Paul explains why real estate returns often...
-
339 - Living the Dream in Hawaii
In this episode, Paul explores the real cost and true value of retiring in paradise. We begin by examining a widely cited article claiming retirees need $2.2 million to live comfortably in Hawaii, and uncover how media "information laundering" can make financial advice seem more official than it...
-
338 - Should I Sell My Rental?
In this episode, Cory asks a powerful question every real estate investor should consider: Should I sell my rental? It's easy to assume that if a property is cash-flowing, it's worth keeping. But when you dig deeper, the numbers often tell a different story. Cory breaks down the difference…
more -
337 - The One Big Beautiful Bill Explained
In this episode of More Than Commas, Cory breaks down the sweeping new legislation shaking up the personal finance world: the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), signed into law on July 4th, 2025. From Trump Accounts for newborns to a $40K SALT deduction cap, the OBBB changes how Americans save…
more -
336 - Money Reveals Who You Are, So What Is Yours Saying?
In the last installment of our d'Anconia series, Paul dives into the deeper meaning behind Francisco d'Anconia's "money speech" and what it reveals about your financial life. This isn't just about income, it's about what you're doing with it. Are you saving what you earn? Protecting it? Preparing...
-
335 - Is Money Evil or Moral? You've Never Heard Money Described Like This
In this powerful second installment of our d'Anconia Series, Paul reads Francisco d'Anconia's legendary "money speech" from Atlas Shrugged, completely unabridged. More than a literary moment, this episode invites deep reflection on what money truly is: a symbol of virtue, value, and voluntary...
-
334 - Is This the Most Powerful Speech About Money Ever?
In this episode, Paul introduces a speech from Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, exploring the philosophy behind it. He encourages critical thinking about the speech's meaning, regardless of whether you've read the novel or not. Tune in to Part 1 of this 3-part series and expand your mindset and dive…
more -
333 - Why a Bigger Paycheck Isn't Making You Happier
In this episode, Paul challenges the common belief that more money automatically equals a better life, diving into the deeper aspects of personal finance. He explores how money matters can be amplified, not solved, by a simple raise, and encourages viewers to seek true financial wellness.…
more -
332 - What Your Habits Say About You
What if your bank statement said more about you than your words ever could? In this episode, Cory explores how your financial habits reveal your true values, hidden beliefs, and emotional patterns. Discover how money can act as a mirror, reflecting your priorities, anxieties, and future…
more -
331 - 7 Truths Every Business Owner Wishes They Knew Sooner
In this episode, Paul discusses what every entrepreneur should know before considering a business exit. He covers critical aspects of business sales exit strategies, particularly when to sell your business. Whether you're fielding offers now or planning for a liquidity event in the future, this...
-
330 - Why Rest Builds Real Wealth
In this episode, Cory discusses how incorporating strategic rest into your routine can boost productivity and overall wellness tips. He argues that mindfulness and intentional breaks are integral to building a fulfilling life and meaningful wealth. Listen to discover how to achieve more by doing...
-
329 - Evidence-Based Investing with Dimensional Fund Advisors
In this episode of More Than Commas, Elijah explains the philosophy behind evidence based investing and how it is foundational to Sound Financial Group. He highlights Dimensional Fund Advisors and discusses why their approach to investing matters. Learn how evidence based investment can help…
more -
328 - What Financial Advisors Do That Apps Never Will
In this episode of More Than Commas, Paul discusses the evolving role of a financial planner in an age dominated by robo advisors and artificial intelligence. He questions whether technology renders financial planning obsolete or makes it even more essential. The episode explores how the role of...
-
327 - Can You Really Retire Before 40?
In this episode of More Than Commas, Cory breaks down the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement—its philosophy, its pitfalls, and its powerful potential to reshape your relationship with money. Learn how FIRE isn't just about quitting your job early, but about reclaiming your time,...
-
326 - Why Do We Make Bad Money Choices?
Why do we keep making the same financial mistakes—even when we know better? In this episode of More Than Commas, Elijah uncovers the hidden forces driving your money decisions through the lens of behavioral finance. Learn how cognitive biases like loss aversion, anchoring, and confirmation bias...
-
325 - Will AI Replace Your Financial Advisor?
In Episode 325 of More Than Commas, Paul explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the landscape of financial planning, and what that means for your financial future. Discover the real strengths and limitations of AI in personal finance, why technology can't replace human wisdom, and…
more -
324 - Christian Finance Myths: Is Debt a Sin or Just Bad Stewardship?
In this episode of More Than Commas, we dive deep into the Scriptures to explore what the Bible actually teaches about debt. From Proverbs to Paul, we examine the verses often quoted by Christian financial voices like Dave Ramsey—and contrast them with a broader biblical framework of stewardship,...
-
323 - Why Going All-In on the S&P 500 Might Be a Big Mistake
In this episode of More Than Commas, Cory Sheppard breaks down the risks of going all-in on the S&P 500, especially after its recent high-performing years. He explores how the index has become increasingly tech-heavy and dependent on the "Magnificent Seven," making it more volatile than it seems....
-
322 - 72-Hour Preparedness: Simple Steps for Real Emergencies
In this episode, Paul steps out to the shop to talk emergency preparedness — not for the zombie apocalypse, but for real-life power outages and unexpected events. He covers the essential items every household should have on hand to stay safe, warm, and fed for at least 72 hours. From practical...
-
321 - Should you Die with Zero?
In Episode 321 of More Than Commas, Paul Adams unpacks the core ideas of Bill Perkins' book Die With Zero, which challenges the conventional wisdom of hoarding wealth for retirement. Instead, Perkins urges us to align our money, time, and energy with meaningful experiences during the prime years…
more -
320 - Retirement Isn't Short-Term: Why Your Money Needs to Last Decades
In this episode of More Than Commas, Paul and Cory dive deep into what it really takes to build sustainable, guaranteed income for life. They challenge the traditional advice to go "more conservative" in retirement, exposing why longevity risk—not market volatility—is the greatest threat to your...
-
319 - From Great Depression to Today: What Market Trends Don't Tell You
In this episode of More Than Commas, Paul and Cory dive into a popular article's alarming claims about bonds, dissecting the idea of a 36-year bond bear market and the so-called "crushing" losses investors faced. Using powerful tools from Dimensional Fund Advisors like the Matrix Book and...
-
318 - White Coat Investor Disagrees with Ernst & Young (Part 4)
In this final installment of our four-part deep dive, we conclude our review of White Coat Investor's critique of the Ernst & Young whitepaper on insurance products. If you've stuck with us from Episode 315 through now, you know this has been a winding journey through annuities, whole life...
About this show
Join Sound Financial Group CEO Paul Adams and President Cory Shepherd every week, as they help you Design and Build a Good Life™. Through the information provided on this podcast, we give you the ability to do this yourself. Why do we need to do this? Because every other media you're going to engage in has a vested interest in capturing your mindshare, and in having you spend your surplus, rather than you caring for your financial future. Your financial future is inevitable and uncertain. The only question is, will you have a Good Life? No one has one by default, only by design. Most of the financial podcasts out there can be valuable, though you will notice that many of them are from someone who is unlicensed. This podcast is unique in that it is led and hosted by licensed financial advisors who have been in the industry for nearly 2 decades, hence the disclosure below and in the description attached to each our episode. This Material is Intended for General Public Use. By providi
Hosted by
Paul Adams & Cory Shepherd