HIGHTOWER Bethesda: Recent Episodes

Hightower Bethesda

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Previously, hedge funds were only available to big institutions or ultra-high-net-worth individuals who could meet the minimum requirements.

Now, anyone with a much lower minimum can enter this space.

What are the must-knows before investing in this world?

In this episode of “Approach Investing Differently”, Stephen Rosen dives deep into the key considerations for investors, such as understanding liquidity and fee structures. But that’s not all, he also emphasizes the importance of proper education, research, and expert consultation before making any investment decisions.

Don’t miss out on this valuable information to make informed choices and potentially unlock a new realm of investment opportunities.

Stephen discusses:

  • How the world of alternative investing has shifted from only being available to institutions and high net-worth individuals to the average investor
  • The importance of having a diversified portfolio
  • How clearing liquidity preferences before investing may affect your returns
  • The criteria Hightower Bethesda uses when investing in alternative funds and what people should consider when investing in this field
  • Fees and commissions associated with alternative funds
  • Why educating yourself about the investments you are considering is essential
  • And more!

Connect With Stephen:

  • srosen@hightoweradvisors.com
  • Hightower Bethesda
  • LinkedIn: Stephen Rosen
  • 301-202-3582

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We usually associate investments with only stocks or bonds.

However, investors can utilize other alternatives that can be adapted to their level of risk and liquidity.

In this episode, Stephen Rosen examines liquid alternative investing, explaining the different types of funds and options available in the market, as well as the considerations that need to be taken into account before investing.

Stephen discusses:

  • What are liquid alternatives and how are they used
  • The concepts of illiquid and liquid investments
  • The liquid investing opportunities he offers at Hightower Bethesda
  • How do the Interval funds work
  • The importance of knowing whether your investments are liquid or not
  • Why non-traded REITs are considered to be the devil of investments
  • Some investment strategies in the alternative investment space
  • The pros and cons of liquid alternatives
  • And more!

Connect With Stephen:

  • srosen@hightoweradvisors.com
  • Hightower Bethesda
  • LinkedIn: Stephen Rosen
  • 301-202-3582

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In recent years we have seen the risks associated with investing in assets that have a very high correlation with the publicly traded markets.

In response, many investors have sought out a safe space with low volatility or none at all.

We have discussed private equities, but what other options are there available?

In this episode, Stephen Rosen delves into the world of private credit investing. He explains how it can be a safe haven during times of market volatility and offers insight into the best times to invest. Stephen also shares the different types of investments available in the private credit space and the importance of working with experienced fund managers.

Stephen discusses:

  • Basics of private credit and how market volatility has a lower impact on it
  • The importance of participating in investments individually or with a small group of investors rather than syndicated deals
  • Who can access private credit investing and the economic scenario in which is more beneficial to invest
  • Types of private credit investments with their associated risks and benefits
  • The importance of conducting the proper research before investing in private credit
  • And more

Connect With Stephen:

  • srosen@hightoweradvisors.com
  • Hightower Bethesda
  • LinkedIn: Stephen Rosen
  • 301-202-3582

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In the last episode, Stephen Rosen gave an introduction to the basics of private equity investing, the benefits, risks, and the reasons many investors prefer this space.

Now it’s time to get into more detail.

In this episode, Stephen explains the 4 stages of investing in private equity and the risks and benefits related to each stage. Additionally, he details how investors maximize their returns depending on the stage.

Stephen discusses:

  • The different stages of private equity investing
  • What motivates investors to participate in a company’s processes
  • The concept of vintage in private equity investing
  • Benefits of investing between fundraising rounds
  • The benefits and risks that late investors have to take when investing in private companies
  • Who are the main investors in private equity investing
  • The importance of working with reputable private equity managers
  • And more!

Resources:

  • An Introduction to Private Equity – Approach Investing Differently (Ep. 8)

Connect With Stephen:

  • srosen@hightoweradvisors.com
  • Hightower Bethesda
  • LinkedIn: Stephen Rosen
  • 301-202-3582

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Divorce can be a challenging and emotional time, as it often involves significant changes to your family dynamic, financial situation, and overall lifestyle. If you are a financially dependent spouse, it is important to be informed about your rights and options during the divorce process.

In this episode, Family Law Attorney Sandra Brooks offers insight and advice based on her extensive experience handling divorce cases. She discusses common fears surrounding divorce and offers guidance on topics such as alimony, adultery, financial planning, and adjusting to life as a single individual. Whether you are just starting the divorce process or are seeking support and guidance during this difficult time, this episode is a valuable resource for anyone navigating the complexities of divorce.

Sandra covers the following topics:

  • How to gather important information and documents before retaining a lawyer
  • Understand your rights and options as a financially dependent spouse
  • Explore different approaches to addressing adultery in the divorce process
  • Consider factors that may impact alimony negotiations
  • Additional tips and guidance on navigating divorce proceedings

Connect With Sandra:

  • LinkedIn: Sandra Brooks

Connect With Leah:

  • leah.jones@hightoweradvisors.com
  • https://bethesda.hightoweradvisors.com/index.html
  • LinkedIn: Leah Jones
  • 301-202-3590

Schedule a Call with Leah:

  • https://go.oncehub.com/LeahJones

About Sandra:

Sandra (Sandy) Brooks’ practice focuses on all aspects of family law. She dedicates her time to assisting clients in domestic law matters including divorce, child custody/visitation, family mediation, spousal/child support, property division, and division of retirement benefits. Ms. Brooks’ other areas of deep knowledge and experience include tax consequences of divorce, mediation, prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements, negotiating and drafting of separation agreements, domestic litigation, and post-judgment proceedings. Ms. Brooks is a member of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers which places her in the top 5% of family law attorneys in the United States.

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When it comes to investing, there are many options available.

This time the focus is on private companies with great growth potential and what we should take into consideration before investing.

In this episode, Stephen Rosen provides an overview of the private equity space, including its advantages and risks. Additionally, Stephen explains what private credit is and how it helps investment firms obtain funds.

Stephen discusses:

  • The concept of private equity and how it differentiates from investing in a publicly traded company
  • How important is it for investors to have patience in this type of investing
  • The reason why the number of publicly traded companies has decreased over the years
  • Why most companies prefer to stay private for longer periods of time
  • The importance for investors to handle illiquidity
  • How working with top-tier managers can be beneficial
  • Private credits and why many private investors rely on them
  • And more!

Connect With Stephen:

  • srosen@hightoweradvisors.com
  • Hightower Bethesda
  • LinkedIn: Stephen Rosen
  • 301-202-3582

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Success after a divorce can seem unachievable for a dependent spouse. It can be challenging to figure out what to do next when most of your life has been spent prioritizing everything else.

In this episode, Kelley Edelblut, Career and Leadership Coach, joins us to discuss how her divorce led her to build a career helping financially dependent women hone in on their natural abilities and core values to live a more balanced, fulfilled life.

Kelley shares how her life changed after a divorce and what she’s learned to help others get through it.

Leah and Kelley discuss:

  • The Highlands Ability Battery (HAB) assessment and how it helps with career changes
  • What to do when your career does not align with your values
  • Overcoming feeling “stuck” and not knowing what to do next
  • How to feel fulfilled in a career
  • And more

Resources:

  • The Highlands Company: Consultant: Kelley M. Edelblut, CPCC, ACC

Connect With Kelley:

  • LinkedIn: Kelley Edelblut

Connect With Leah:

leah.jones@hightoweradvisors.com
https://bethesda.hightoweradvisors.com/index.html
LinkedIn: Leah Jones
301-202-3590

Schedule a Call with Leah:
https://go.oncehub.com/LeahJones

About Our Guest:

Kelley Edelbult is an experienced Career & Leadership Coach working with individuals, organizations, and executives within large organizations. Her focus with each one of her clients is to allow them to discover who they really are and facilitate a process for developing a motivational plan of action toward implementing their purpose. This process is designed to allow each client to “walk away” excited with their life ahead, and the positive change that has occurred while working to deepen their learning and achieve their goals. Kelley is able to execute this process with each client by building trust and offering them my accessible presence to help them explore new ways of thinking.

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There are two ways to invest in real estate: for income or for growth.

When we talk about investing for growth, there may be many unknowns about the risk, the return that these can have, and how to execute them to maximize returns.

In this episode, Stephen Rosen continues the discussion on why investing in private real estate is so valuable to an investor’s portfolio, this time focusing on the growth type of investing and explaining some fundamental aspects like risks and strategies involved.

Stephen discusses:

  • The several ways to approach a growth strategy in real estate investing
  • Why growth shouldn’t always be associated with high levels of risk
  • The importance of patience for general land developments
  • Examples of properties that had to be redeveloped for a more lucrative use
  • The power of re-energizing a used or old property
  • High-interest rates making income investing less attractive
  • And more!

Connect With Stephen:

  • srosen@hightoweradvisors.com
  • Hightower Bethesda
  • LinkedIn: Stephen Rosen
  • 301-202-3582

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Divorce is a form of trauma, and this can cause your mind and body to go into stress mode by default. So how can you help your body and mind work together to de-stress and thrive after a divorce? In this week’s episode, Leah Jones will be joined by Sharri Freedman to address the key … Continue reading How to Improve Your Mindset After a Divorce with Certified Divorce Coach Sharri Freedman (Ep. 10) →

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In real estate, investors have three main ways to gain profit: growth, income, or a combination of both. And each of these has different strategies to make the investment promising. Thus, it’s essential to explain how they function, and this time we focus on the income segment. In this episode, Stephen Rosen highlights how investing … Continue reading A Deep Dive Into Income-Producing Real Estate (Ep. 6) →

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With real estate, there are different ways to get into the market and various points to consider before investing. In this episode, Stephen Rosen talks about the strategies, preferences, and relevant factors he takes into account before investing in property and how he uses it to expand the portfolios he manages. Stephen also provides important … Continue reading Is Real Estate in Your Portfolio? (Ep. 5) →

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Figuring out the right things to say to your kids when you are going through a divorce can be extremely challenging. What they are ultimately looking for is some reassurance that everything is going to be okay.  In this episode, Leah Jones is joined by Jill Kaufman, a licensed therapist, divorce coach, author and co-parenting … Continue reading How To Best Support Your Kids During The Divorce Process With Jill Kaufman (Ep. 9) →

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Just because you got divorced doesn’t mean you’ll never find love again. Michelle Jacoby, a dating-after-divorce specialist, believes you can have another amazing love, and even marriage. In this episode, Leah Jones is joined by Michelle, a dating coach and professional matchmaker, to discuss her advice and tips for women dating post-divorce as outlined in … Continue reading Dating After Divorce with Michelle Jacoby (Ep. 8) →

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Divorcing as a parent can be very difficult. Dealing with the legal requirements, plus all of the transitions of going from a co-parent to a single-parent can feel overwhelming and emotionally draining. But having a community of like-minded people that you can trust and rely on can help you through those tough situations. In this … Continue reading Empowering Your Divorce By Building a Community (Ep. 7) →

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Divorce is by definition, not done alone.  However, the question may be, how do you collaborate on a split? It’s all about your mindset as you enter divorce proceedings. If there’s a willingness to work with your spouse in a way that will allow for constructive resolutions, you will be able to separate in a … Continue reading Collaborative Divorce 101 (Ep. 6) →

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Hedge funds can be a great investment vehicle for providing absolute return, and there are so many options beyond multi-strategy funds that can serve your exact investment needs. In this episode, Stephen Rosen dives even further into the world of hedge funds, focusing on satellite positions and the value hedge fund managers bring to the … Continue reading A Deeper Dive into the World of Hedge Funds (Ep. 4) →

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There are three stages you should be planning for when you decide that divorce is the right option. It’s critical that you do your research, plan, and manage your finances during these three stages to avoid potential issues. In this informative episode, Leah Jones speaks to Stacy Francis, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and the founder … Continue reading Planning for the Three Phases of Divorce with Stacy Francis (Ep. 5) →

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Investing with stocks and bonds can be a risky process if you don’t have a lot of time to manage them. Hedge funds can be a much more stable and low-risk alternative. In this episode, Stephen Rosen reveals what clients and investors should know about hedge funds, exposing the myths attached to them and outlining … Continue reading 3. Everything You Need to Know About Hedge Funds →

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During the divorce process, it is very common for the divorcing woman to want to stay in the primary home. This is a highly nuanced situation, so it’s important to consider bringing in a professional during negotiations. In this episode, Leah Jones speaks with Jeff Landers, chief executive officer at Next Act Properties. Jeff discusses … Continue reading 4. Misconceptions of Taking Ownership of the Primary Home During a Divorce With Jeff Landers →

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Getting clients to understand and buy into alternative investments is a huge part of the process of including this asset class in your overall portfolio. In this episode, Stephen Rosen explains how he does what he does. Stephen walks us through what the experience is like for a customer reaching out to him for the … Continue reading 2. Introducing Clients To Alternative Investments →

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The emotional stress of going through a divorce can cause some to act irrationally with their money. It’s important to seek guidance during those trying times to avoid making costly, emotional mistakes. In this episode, Leah Jones and Christine Luken, founder of Financial Dignity Movement, discuss three emotional money mistakes women make during a divorce. … Continue reading 3. Three Emotional Money Mistakes Made By Women During a Divorce With Christine Luken →

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Do you invest your money strictly in stocks and bonds? If so, it’s time to change that.  Welcome to Approach Investing Differently with Stephen Rosen, AIF®, CEPA® from Hightower Bethesda! In this episode, get to know Stephen Rosen AIF®, CEPA® as he shares why he is passionate about alternative investments like hedge funds, private equity … Continue reading 1. Meet Stephen Rosen, AIF®, CEPA® →

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Divorce is never easy, but divorcing a narcissist poses additional challenges and things you need to be aware of as you make your way through the process. In this episode, Leah Jones is joined by Allison Dagney, an alias used to protect both her and her children, is the author of When Tears Leave Scars. … Continue reading 2. Divorcing A Narcissist With Allison Dagney →

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In general, people make bad financial decisions based on emotions. Divorce is one of the most emotionally taxing experiences someone can go through, and often, your finances may suffer at the hands of your emotions.

Welcome to Her Divorce Source with Leah Jones, CDFA®!

In this episode, get to know host Leah Jones, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®. She shares details about why chooses to help divorcing women manage their finances and investments, and how education plays a big role in the work she does.

Leah discusses:

  • How she got into her role working with divorcing women
  • Who she works with (her ideal client) and why she chooses to work with them
  • What she does for her clients
  • Why education is big component of the work she does
  • And more

Resources:

  • Good Money Kids
  • Kai Makes Money

Connect With Leah:

  • leah.jones@hightoweradvisors.com
  • https://bethesda.hightoweradvisors.com/index.html
  • LinkedIn: Leah Jones
  • 301-202-3590

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This episode was previously released in 2020, but we wanted to rerelease this episode coinciding with Jessica Markham’s book release of, Representing Federal Employees and Their Spouses, a Practical Guide.

Meet Jessica Markham, a family lawyer that practices in Maryland and Washington DC. She has many honors and awards to her and her firm’s credit including best lawyer in America and the best divorce attorney in the Bethesda area. She started her law firm about 5 years ago and is often sort after by federal employees going through a divorce.

In this episode of the Hightower Bethesda Divorce Series, Jessica joins Sarah as they scrap the surfaces of nuances of being a Federal employee going through a divorce. She’s best suited for this topic since she is in the process of publishing a 600-page book on the topic.

Listen in to learn different factors that apply when it comes to the division of pension property for federal employees during a divorce.

What you will learn:

  • Factors to consider when dividing in a divorce for federal employees.
  • What portions of the annuity is the spouse entitled to?
  • The legal formulas that are used to divide pension property- what it means and how other properties impact that.
  • Jessica explains how long a couple has to be married for the pension law to apply.
  • Why this law applies to govt employees that are living but don’t have to be working.
  • She explains in math how much a spouse or a surviving spouse gets in pension benefits.
  • How to understand and negotiate the survivor benefits and who pays the cost of it.
  • What is remarriage restructuring? How does it work in survivor benefits and pension law?
  • How different types of social securities affect the pension and why you have to keep these in mind when negotiating.
  • Why you need to think about the cost of living adjustments and supplemental annuity.

Our Contacts:

Website: http://bethesda.hightoweradvisors.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hightowerbethesda/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HightowerBethesda/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeahPlans4You

Guest’s Contacts:

Website: https://www.markhamlegal.com/jessicamarkham

Book: https://www.representingfederalemployees.com/aboutthebook

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In this episode, Leah Jones, Director of Financial Planning for Hightower Bethesda, speaks with Kate Reese about military divorce, addressing anyone who is considering or going through a divorce that includes someone who is or has been a member of the military. They discuss things to consider such as the documents and resources you’ll need to collect and how to approach the division of assets.

“You just pick your battles. Run the numbers and see what the numbers look like… It’s just a choice that you have to make. Just need to be informed and it’s got to have the tax component considered.” -Kate Reese [28:59]

What You Will Learn:

  • Meet Kate
  • Who the podcast refers to in regards to military divorce
  • Documents and resources needed to collect
  • Military pension benefits and other income considerations
  • Ways to think about dividing assets
  • Steps to finalize everything
  • Other things to know and consider
  • How to contact Kate

Our Contacts:

Website: bethesda.hightoweradvisors.com

LinkedIn: Hightower Bethesda

Facebook: HightowerBethesda

Twitter: @LeahPlans4You

Guest’s Contacts:

Website: reeselawoffice.com

Phone number: (703) 279-5140

Email: kate@reese.law

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Meet Heather Hostetter, she is a family law attorney located in Bethesda Maryland with a long list of awards and a partner at Hostetter Strent. This is a domestic relations law that deals with divorce, property distribution, alimony, custody, and child support.

In this episode, Leah speaks with Heather about the process of property distribution during a divorce primarily with alimony and child support when the woman is the main breadwinner.

Listen in to learn the difference between alimony and child support and why they both exist. You will also learn why as a woman; you need to think hard before entering a legal marriage and what to consider before and during the marriage in terms of finances and support.

What you will learn:

  • The factors that come into play before the court awards alimony during a divorce and the types that exist.
  • She explains why it’s difficult for the fault to play part in alimony.
  • The factors that determine how the length of the marriage affects the alimony.
  • The difference between paying alimony and child support and how women breadwinners react to it.
  • She explains the legal consequences of an ending marriage and understanding them beforehand.
  • The alimony negotiations process and what the court has the power to do and not do.
  • How both women and men react to the issue of alimony during a divorce.
  • How child support is calculated and its relationship to alimony.
  • She explains how the child support money is divided to make sure it caters to children.
  • The importance of having a conversation before and during a marriage about the roles of both partners.
  • The purpose of thinking hard as a woman before getting married and understanding the consequences and whether you can live with them.

Our Contacts:

Website: http://bethesda.hightoweradvisors.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hightowerbethesda/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HightowerBethesda/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HighTowerBethsd

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In this episode, Leah Jones, Director of Financial Planning for Hightower Bethesda, talks to Regina DeMeo, a family law attorney. Regina has worked with family law issues for 22 years, serving her clients to make divorce easier and more cost-effective as they work towards a resolution. She shares what an amicable divorce looks like and the difference between mediation and a collaborative approach. She also discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the process.

“If you can’t sit in that meeting and sort of have a clear mind, you shouldn’t be making legal decisions that are going to impact the rest of your life or the rest of your kids’ lives. Someone’s really got to be in a good emotional place and have a pretty good understanding of the issues that we’re about to discuss.” -Regina DeMeo

What You Will Learn:

  • If it possible to have an amicable divorce
  • What does an amicable divorce looks like
  • Mediation vs collaborative approach
  • The difference in costs
  • How the COVID-19 pandemic affects divorce process
  • Why you should look at divorce as an investment and preversing good will

Our Contacts:

Website: http://bethesda.hightoweradvisors.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hightowerbethesda/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HightowerBethesda/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeahPlans4You

Resources:

Visit our website: https://bethesda.hightoweradvisors.com

Visit Regina DeMeo’s website: https://www.reginademeo.com/