Have you ever felt like your conversations aren’t landing the way you want them to? Whether it’s with clients, employees, or even family, communication can be the difference between building trust and creating disconnect. In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Mary Schmid, a communication and leadership expert specializing in the neuroscience of conversations. Mary shares how small shifts in the way we communicate can lead to deeper connections, stronger business relationships, and better outcomes.

Together, Patrick and Mary explore the three levels of conversation and why most professionals operate at a surface level without realizing it. They break down how to create transformational conversations that build trust, reframe difficult discussions, and engage clients in a way that makes decision-making easier. Whether you’re leading a team, closing a deal, or looking to improve your overall communication skills, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you connect more effectively and drive real results.

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

• The science behind how conversations impact trust, decision-making, and engagement.

• The three levels of communication and why most people get stuck at the first two.

• How to shift from transactional to transformational conversations.

• Practical strategies for handling difficult discussions with clients or employees.

• Simple techniques to immediately improve how you connect and communicate in business and life.

Learn More About Mary:

• Official Website
• LinkedIn

Resources:

Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources

Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: https://link.chtbl.com/vitalstrategies

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies

Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast

Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/

Credits:

Sponsored by Vital Wealth

Music by Cephas

Art work by Two Tone Creative

Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien

Are your business financials holding you back without you even realizing it? Many entrepreneurs have a great product and strong marketing, but when it comes to bookkeeping, cash flow, and financial strategy, things get messy. In this episode of The Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Matt Tait, CEO of Decimal, to uncover the biggest financial mistakes business owners make and how to fix them. Matt shares his journey from law to entrepreneurship, the role of technology in financial management, and the critical shifts needed to scale a business profitably.

This conversation is packed with insights on simplifying bookkeeping, leveraging automation, and ensuring financial clarity so entrepreneurs can focus on growing their wealth, reducing stress, and maximizing profitability. Whether you're struggling with financial organization, preparing for an eventual sale, or just looking to optimize your cash flow, this episode is full of actionable advice you won’t want to miss.

Key Takeaways:

• Why most entrepreneurs avoid their financials and how to change that

• Having huge revenue is great but only when it leads to profit.

• How automation and the right tech stack can eliminate financial stress

• Why good financials are essential if you ever want to sell your business

• Practical steps to go from financial mess to financial clarity

Learn more about Matt:

Decimal Website

Matt Tait LinkedIn

Episode Resources:

Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara

7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

Resources:

Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources

Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: https://link.chtbl.com/vitalstrategies

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies

Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast

Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/

Credits:

Sponsored by Vital Wealth

Music by Cephas

Art work by Two Tone Creative

Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien

What if there was a legal way to eliminate taxes on millions of dollars in investment gains—permanently? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Michael Malloy, a global authority on Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI). With over 30 years of experience helping wealthy families protect and grow their assets, Michael shares how this little-known strategy can transform the financial future of entrepreneurs, real estate investors, and crypto holders.

Patrick and Michael dive into the structure and benefits of PPLI, how it fits into a larger wealth-building strategy, and why it’s one of the most powerful yet underutilized tools available to high-net-worth entrepreneurs. Listeners will walk away with a clearer understanding of how to reduce tax exposure, protect their assets from lawsuits or divorce, and create legacy wealth—without giving up control of their investments.

Key Takeaways:

• What Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI) is and how it works

• Why PPLI is a powerful tool for entrepreneurs with $20M+ net worth or major liquidity events

• How PPLI can shelter crypto, real estate, and even business interests from taxation

• The role of investor control and why it's critical to get the structure right

• Real-life case studies that show both the potential of PPLI

• The importance of assembling the right team, including legal and tax experts, to execute this strategy

• How PPLI fits into a larger strategy to minimize taxes, protect wealth, and optimize legacy planning

Learn More About Michael:

Official Website

Resources:

Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources

Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: https://link.chtbl.com/vitalstrategies

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies

Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast

Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/

Credits:

Sponsored by Vital Wealth

Music by Cephas

Art work by Two Tone Creative

Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien