Tag: Financial Freedom

Doc Sangani’s Unconventional Blueprint for Fulfillment (Ep. 85)

Doc Sangani’s Unconventional Blueprint for Fulfillment (Ep. 85)

In this episode of The Dream Architect Life, Bryan Sweet welcomes Dr. Bharat “Doc” Sangani, a cardiologist who came to the U.S. from Mumbai with just $10.45 and went on to build a $2 billion private equity firm. From medicine to franchising to real estate, Doc shares how belief, effort, and a few exceptional decisions shaped his journey.

He emphasizes the importance of learning from mistakes, overcoming fear with preparation, and the power of seeking out mentors. Doc’s advice is practical: live below your means, plan for the worst, and stay committed to what you believe in.

The conversation also explores his deeper philosophy—seeing life as a gift and removing yourself from the center of it to gain clarity and peace. With humor and humility, Doc delivers insights on success, simplicity, and staying true to your values.

Expect insights on:

  • How fear can fuel vision, not paralyze it
  • Why belief and effort matter more than perfection
  • Doc’s framework for quantifying happiness
  • The power of mentorship, humility, and surrender
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

Connect With Dr. Bharat Sangani:

About Our Guest:

Bharat Sangani, MD, Encore’s Chairman and CEO, co-founded the firm in 1999 as a vehicle for investors to share in the success of his real estate deals. “Doc,” as he is known by both clients and co-workers, made his first investment in real estate in 1991. He quickly learned he had a natural instinct for commercial real estate investing and began growing his portfolio. Over the 30 years that followed, Doc has established a successful private commercial real estate investment and development firm with a proven track record across multiple sectors throughout the United States. 

Admired for his relentless work ethic, Doc, along with a team of experienced, results-driven, and forward-thinking individuals, leads Encore on the principles of honesty, integrity, and fairness. Doc sits on the Board of Directors of Encore Enterprises, Inc., and Encore Properties, Ltd. He is an active contributor to the community and is involved in various charities both locally and in India.

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.

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.

Chapter Six: Stop Asking How & Find Your Who Instead (Ep.75)

Chapter Six: Stop Asking How & Find Your Who Instead (Ep.75)

In this chapter of our audiobook, Dream Architecture: Build a Retirement Beyond What’s Possible, we explore the transformative concept of “Who, Not How.” Learn how focusing on *who* can help you reach your retirement dreams rather than figuring out *how* to achieve them on your own. 

Discover more about: 

  • The premise of “Who, Not How” and its application in retirement planning [00:01:34]
  • How identifying your “who” can expand your wealth and joy [00:04:20]
  • The importance of delegating tasks you don’t excel at for a more fulfilled life [00:09:45]
  • Tips for business owners to focus on strengths and let go of routine tasks [00:15:30]
  • Why women in transition should seek the right advisors for financial empowerment [00:30:50]
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:


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.

REPLAY: Creating an Even Bigger Future Than Envisioned With Amber Knips, CFP®, CDFA®, CeFT® (Ep. 58)

REPLAY: Creating an Even Bigger Future Than Envisioned With Amber Knips, CFP®, CDFA®, CeFT® (Ep. 58)

Something every financial planner dreams about doing is helping their retirees achieve a far better retirement than they had ever hoped for.

Our guest, Amber Knips has a lot of experience doing just that.

In this episode, Brittany Anderson chats with Amber Knips, wealth advisor at Sweet Financial, about the biggest obstacles modern-day retirees face and what strategies they can use to mitigate these struggles, both financial and mental.

Amber discusses: 

  • Where she sees retirees getting the most ‘stuck’ and what modern-day obstacles they face the most 
  • How she uses “fear mitigation” with retirees when they are afraid of overspending (and the risk of inexperience because of this fear)
  • What does dreaming big mean to her and how does this mentality apply to retirees like you
  • How to apply the 50/50 retirement approach – the misconception that retirement is either full-time traveling or full-time doing nothing at home
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Amber Knips, CFP®:

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

About Amber Knips:

Amber helps people see possibility through life’s greatest and most challenging transitions.  She is someone who has total passion and conviction for what she does. Using her empathetic and sincere approach, she has made it her mission to build deepened relationships with her clients all while helping them cultivate a financial plan that helps them focus on what they most enjoy. After joining the team at Sweet Financial Partners in 2012, Amber has gained extensive experience and training in guiding women through transitions such as the loss of a loved one, divorce, career change, retirement, and much more. You only experience these life transitions a few times during your lifetime, but she helps people through them every day.

Creating an Even Bigger Future Than Envisioned With Amber Knips, CFP®, CDFA®, CeFT® (Ep. 41)

Creating an Even Bigger Future Than Envisioned With Amber Knips, CFP®, CDFA®, CeFT® (Ep. 41)

Something every financial planner dreams about doing is helping their retirees achieve a far better retirement than they had ever hoped for.

Our guest, Amber Knips has a lot of experience doing just that.

In this episode, Brittany Anderson chats with Amber Knips, wealth advisor at Sweet Financial, about the biggest obstacles modern-day retirees face and what strategies they can use to mitigate these struggles, both financial and mental.

Amber discusses: 

  • Where she sees retirees getting the most ‘stuck’ and what modern-day obstacles they face the most 
  • How she uses “fear mitigation” with retirees when they are afraid of overspending (and the risk of inexperience because of this fear)
  • What dreaming big means to her and how this mentality applies to retirees like you
  • How to apply the 50/50 retirement approach – the misconception that retirement is either full-time traveling or full-time doing nothing at home
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Amber Knips, CFP®:

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

About Amber Knips:

Amber helps people see possibility through life’s greatest and most challenging transitions.  She is someone who has total passion and conviction for what she does. Using her empathetic and sincere approach, she has made it her mission to build deepened relationships with her clients all while helping them cultivate a financial plan that helps them focus on what they most enjoy. After joining the team at Sweet Financial Partners in 2012, Amber has gained extensive experience and training on guiding women through transitions such as loss of a loved one, divorce, career change, retirement and much more. You only experience these life transitions a few times during your lifetime, but she helps people through them every day.