Month: May 2025

Transforming Life Insurance into a Retirement Asset (Ep. 82)

Transforming Life Insurance into a Retirement Asset (Ep. 82)

What if your old life insurance policy could fund your retirement dreams instead of just getting surrendered? 

In this engaging episode of The Dream Architect Life Podcast, Bryan Sweet from Sweet Financial Partners chats with Jon B. Mendelsohn, CEO of Ashar Group. They delve into life settlements, a lesser-known but potentially lucrative option for those holding a life insurance policy with seemingly no need for it.

Jon shares his journey from teaching to entrepreneurship and explains how life insurance can be appraised and sold, much like real estate, to potentially provide financial flexibility for retirement, charitable planning, or even supporting loved ones. They discuss the importance of being informed about options before canceling a policy, as well as the emotional and financial impact this decision can have on families.

Jon B and Bryan cover:

  • The basics of life settlements and their untapped potential [03:47]
  • Real-life examples of life settlements transforming financial outcomes [13:34]
  • Tax implications and process timelines for life settlements [06:27]
  • How longevity and current health can influence policy valuation [27:25]

Resources: 

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

Connect With Jon B. Mendelsohn:

About Jon B. Mendelsohn:

Jon B. Mendelsohn is the CEO and co-founder of Ashar Group, a leading firm specializing in life settlements and life insurance policy valuations. With a deep passion for innovation and education, Jon has played a pivotal role in shaping Ashar Group’s success since its inception in 2003. He has led the company to develop proprietary, time-saving processes that help financial advisors and clients navigate the complexities of life insurance with transparency and responsibility.

Jon is also an influential figure in the life settlements industry, advocating for best practices and ethical standards. He is an active member of the Forum 400, an exclusive community of elite insurance producers, and has shared his expertise as a guest speaker at prestigious institutions such as Harvard Business School and Columbia University’s PhD program in finance.

In addition to his work with Ashar Group, Jon has been featured in leading publications such as Trust & Estates and Tax Adviser Magazine, offering insights into life settlements and wealth management. His forward-thinking approach has established him as a respected thought leader in the industry.

The opinions voiced in The Dream Architect Life Podcast with Bryan Sweet and Brittany Anderson are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine what may be appropriate for you, consult with your attorney, accountant, financial or tax advisor prior to investing. Guests on the show are not affiliated with CWM, LLC. Investment advisory services offered through CWM, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Carson Partners, a division of CWM, LLC, is a nationwide partnership of advisors.

Building Confidence in Young Minds with Barry Garapedian (Ep. 81)

Building Confidence in Young Minds with Barry Garapedian (Ep. 81)

What if the key to unlocking your full potential is hidden in letting go of what holds you back?

Join Bryan Sweet on The Dream Architect Life podcast as they dive into an inspiring conversation with Barry Garapedian, a renowned figure in Wall Street and a passionate advocate for empowering young minds. Barry shares his journey from a 39-year career in finance to creating family constitutions and mentoring young adults through the transition to their fullest potential.

Barry discusses: 

  • His transformation from Wall Street to working on family governance and designing impactful family constitutions [00:02:13]
  • The seven pillars that define a winning life and why they are crucial for personal and family planning [00:03:16]
  • Innovative strategies to build self-confidence in young minds through real-life practices like crafting vision boards and creating personalized notes [00:06:52]
  • Tips for young individuals to gain a competitive edge in life, emphasizing the importance of both interpersonal skills and self-presentation [00:17:13]
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

Connect With Barry Garapedian:

About Our Guest:

Barry Garapedian is the President and CEO of MAG 7 Consulting, a boutique coaching, mentoring, and advisory firm that caters to high-school and college-aged students. The MAG 7 program has distilled and codified key principles of achievement and paths to success that propel young people to meet their highest potentials in all aspects of life.

The opinions voiced in The Dream Architect Life Podcast with Bryan Sweet and Brittany Anderson are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine what may be appropriate for you, consult with your attorney, accountant, financial or tax advisor prior to investing. Guests on the show are not affiliated with CWM, LLC. Investment advisory services offered through CWM, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Carson Partners, a division of CWM, LLC, is a nationwide partnership of advisors.