Articles & Videos
Kindness Returns Good Fortune
Kindness returns good fortune, sometimes… Fairy tales are enjoyable and entertaining, and they can also serve as life lessons, particularly about kindness. This one from Grimms’ Fairy Tales titled, The Three Little Men In The Woods, is just one example of how fairy tales help children, and even adults, learn from stories. One Kindness Story…
Life’s Wisdom, with Alan Brown Movie Producer
Alan Brown, Life’s Wisdom, interview transcript, by Alan Olsen for The American Dreams Show: Alan Olsen: So, Alan, you’ve done quite a bit throughout your life. But I’d like you to take us through a timeline of some of the projects that you’ve worked on and, and what led you into that. Let’s start out…
Will Biden’s Presidency Change Your Tax and Estate Plan
Will Biden’s Presidency Change Your Tax and Estate Plan One of the complexities of estate planning is that the rules of the game are always changing. Right now we’re in the middle of the presidential election between Trump and Biden, and whoever wins is definitely going to have an impact on your wallet for years…
Gemstone as Investments?
Gemstone as Investments? For the past several days, Marc Anthony has been given the highest level of stately treatment as he sits in the court of Cleopatra, the last queen of Egypt. Despite the grandeur of the banquets, Cleopatra has shown nothing but disdain. She is quick to disregard the roasting of the eight wild…
The Personal Rewards of Philanthropy
The personal rewards of philanthropy can be enjoyed by anyone. The best part of philanthropy is how it appeals to our finer feelings. Watching the joy our gifts of means and time brings to others deposits a feeling of euphoria in the heart that feels unlike anything else. The following story told by theologian Gordon…
Dreams Should Not Have Limits
I believe that dreams should not have limits. Basic Dreams Family, education, career, prosperity and back to the family; when we determine the cornerstones of our lives, we don’t choose randomly; rather we begin with a clear vision of how we want our lives to be. When we are young, we dream of the impossible,…
Strengthen Your Estate Plan by Strengthening Your Marriage
Strengthen your estate plan by strengthening your marriage. Rarely would one go into marriage planning to get a divorce, however right now that’s how almost half of all marriages end. It doesn’t matter if one or both parties are starving students or one or both receive extensive support from their respective wealthy family offices, the…
Is Trump’s Tax Avoidance a Crime?
Is Trump’s tax avoidance a crime? Every Presidential candidate since 1976 has released their tax returns to the public, everyone except for Donald Trump. The New York Times was able to obtain years of Trump’s tax returns, and on September 27th, 2020, launched the following headline across the web: LONG-CONCEALED RECORDS SHOW TRUMP’S CHRONIC LOSSES…
Bodyguards and Panic Rooms- Is Now the Right Time?
Executive Protection, i.e. Bodyguards and Panic Rooms Now may be the right time for bodyguards and panic rooms. Looking several years back, I met an interesting individual during a family office networking event. Based on the crowd in attendance, I expected him to be a successful entrepreneur, but as it turns out he was a…
Can DAFs Maximize Family Office Charitable Dollars?
Can DAFs Maximize Family Office Charitable Dollars? When you hear the name John D. Rockefeller, an image of the first, made in the USA, billionaire may come to mind. Brilliant and extraordinary, yes, but we’re going to discuss his son and only heir to the immense Rockefeller fortune. John D. Rockefeller Jr. who spent much…
Radical New Plane to Revolutionize Private Flight
Is there a radical new plane to revolutionize private flight? Can the aviation industry experience the same tech driven disruption so common in other markets? This past month, an odd-looking aircraft was spotted flying in Southern California. It was small with thin wings, bullet like in shape and had a rear facing propeller on the…
Not Your Mother’s Pants!
What happens when you mix a charitable auction with a famous pair of pants from an iconic movie worn by a legendary international superstar? A six-figure donation to cancer research and a lot of very happy people… On November 2, 2019, the Estate of Olivia Newton-John listed several items on Julien’s Auction. The famous actor…
New Guidelines for Deferring Payroll Tax Obligations During COVID-19 Disaster
New Guidelines for Deferring Payroll Tax Obligations During COVID-19 Disaster New guidelines for deferring payroll tax obligations during COVID-19 disaster. On August 8, 2020, President Trump issued a Presidential Memorandum (Notice 2020-65) directing the Secretary of the Treasury to use his authority pursuant to section 7508A of the Internal Revenue Code to defer the withholding,…
Should I Move Out of California Due to the Proposed Wealth Tax?
Should I Move Out of California Due to the Proposed Wealth Tax? Why now? I am currently getting a lot of questions from individuals wanting to change their state tax status to California non-resident due to ab2088. Ab2088 known as the Wealth Tax, is a bill going through the California legislation process. “This bill would…
COVID-19 Stimulus Round 4, which plan will go into effect?
COVID-19 Stimulus Round 4, which plan will go into effect? Many people have been looking forward to the government’s next round of COVID-19 stimulus– sadly, the fourth wave of COVID-19 relief and the laws around it have become highly politicized and appear to be caught in gridlock between the House and Senate. While both Republicans…
5 Real Estate Investment Tips
5 Real Estate Investment Tips There are a lot of options for investing. And one of the most popular choices amongst many high net worth individuals and family offices is real estate. Despite current interest rates being historically low, the real estate market, like all investments, carries some risk. It also experiences ups and downs.…
Rob Riggle on American Dreams
In this episode of the American Dream Show, host Alan Olsen sits down with actor and comedian Rob Riggle to discuss his journey from the Marine Corps to the world of comedy and acting. Riggle shares his background growing up in Kansas City and his experience serving in the Marine Corps, including his passion for…
Why Are The Wealthy & Family Offices Investing in Private Companies?
Why Are The Wealthy & Family Offices Investing in Private Companies? Well, it’s true that many private companies would gladly accept significant investment from a venture capitalist. However, there is a new trend emerging among wealthy investors that goes against the norm. Increasingly, private companies are turning to private investors and family office wealth to…
How to Lead in the Age of Agile During a Pandemic
How to Lead in the Age of Agile During a Pandemic Have you heard of agile? It’s often a buzzword in the workplace. Agile started as a philosophy related to software development. But in the past few years, it has morphed into an entire work philosophy. It’s generally viewed as the ability to create and…
4 Ways to Improve Workplace Mutual Respect
Does workplace mutual respect matter during a pandemic? Yes, it’s important with or without a pandemic, just like it is at home! The new social distancing rules prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in a proliferation of remote workers. How do business leaders and organizations adjust to extraordinary circumstances never taught in business school? …