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Directed IRA Podcast

Directed IRA Podcast

Written by: Mat Sorensen and Mark Kohler
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The Directed IRA Podcast, hosted by attorneys Mat Sorensen and Mark J. Kohler, is the leading source for investors navigating the world of self-directed IRAs and 401(k)s. As co-founders of Directed IRA & Directed Trust Company (directedira.com), Mat and Mark have helped thousands of clients invest in alternative assets using tax-advantaged retirement accounts.


Episodes cover topics related to self-directing retirement accounts, such as Roth IRAs, Solo 401(k)s, real estate, private equity and venture funds, promissory notes, private placements (PPMs), start-ups, IRA/LLCs (Checkbook IRAs), and the UBIT/UDFI tax rules. The podcast also addresses prohibited transactions and shares real-world examples from investors who have successfully self-directed their retirement for decades.

Whether you're a seasoned investor or just getting started, this podcast offers practical, expert-level insights into building wealth through self-directed strategies.


Mat Sorensen is an attorney, best-selling author of The Self-Directed IRA Handbook, and CEO of Directed IRA & Directed Trust Company, a leading self-directed IRA custodian with nearly $3 billion under administration. He is a national expert on self-directed retirement strategies and a Senior Partner at KKOS Lawyers. Mat also co-hosts The Main Street Business Podcast along with Mark J. Kohler.

Mark J. Kohler is a CPA, attorney, best-selling author of six books, and a nationally recognized authority on small business tax and legal strategies. Mark serves as a Senior Partner at KKOS Lawyers and Board Member at Directed IRA Trust Company, which manages over $3 billion in assets. As the founder of the Main Street Certified Tax Advisor Program, Mark has trained thousands of CPAs and Enrolled Agents nationwide, helping millions of small business owners better navigate tax and legal strategies. Mark also co-hosts The Main Street Business Podcast along with Mat Sorensen.

© 2026 Directed IRA Podcast
Economics Personal Finance
Episodes
  • Should I Set Up a Trump Account for My Kid?
    Jan 12 2026

    Read more about Trump Accounts Here: https://matsorensen.com/trump-retirement-accounts-explained/


    If you have kids under age 18, this episode could change how you think about their financial future.

    In this episode of the Directed IRA Podcast, Mat Sorensen and Mark J. Kohler dive deep into Trump accounts, a brand-new savings vehicle launching in 2026. Mat explains why he believes Trump accounts can be a powerful long-term wealth-building tool for kids, while Mark pushes back, arguing parents may be overlooking better options already available.

    Together, they break down how Trump accounts work, who they are best suited for, and how they compare to Coverdell ESAs, kids Roth IRAs, and 529 plans. The conversation covers college planning, trade schools, retirement savings, Roth conversions, and how families can stack multiple strategies based on income and goals.

    They also explain the biggest game changer of all: how Trump accounts convert into traditional IRAs at age 18 and can later be converted into Roth IRAs, potentially creating millions in tax-free retirement wealth for the next generation.

    Whether you are a parent, grandparent, or business owner looking to give kids a financial head start, this episode lays out practical strategies, pros and cons, and real-world planning considerations to help you decide what makes sense for your family.

    Chapters:

    0:08 – Welcome And Topic Reveal

    0:48 – Politics Aside: Use The Law

    3:52 – What A Trump Account Is

    6:20 – Control Limits And Fee Cautions

    6:24 – College Needs vs Long-Term Wealth

    9:10 – How Early Withdrawals Actually Work

    12:02 – Parent Playbook: Stack The Accounts

    18:56 – Pay Your Kids Through Business

    21:07 – Rentals As A Small Business

    22:06 – The Roth Conversion Strategy

    24:20 – 529 To Roth: Sister Strategy

    26:18 – Pro Rata Rules And Math

    28:20 – The 8.8 Million Illustration

    29:55 – Mindset, Access To Education, Closing

    Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/

    Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA

    Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/


    Other:
    Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen
    KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.com
    Main Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com



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    31 mins
  • Retirement Account Resolutions for 2026: New Contribution Limits, Key Deadlines, and Live Q&A
    Jan 2 2026

    The start of a new year is one of the best times to reset and realign your retirement strategy. New contribution limits, new rules, and new deadlines in 2026 can all impact how much you’re able to save and how effectively you plan.

    In this webinar, Directed IRA COO Aaron Halderman and VP of Sales Nate Hare will host a practical 101-style session focused on retirement account planning for 2026, including an open Q&A to address common questions as the new year begins.

    We cover:
    - 2026 retirement account contribution limits and what changed
    - Key tax deadlines to know in 2026 for IRAs and retirement plans
    - Core planning strategies for IRAs, Roth IRAs, HSAs, and Solo 401(k)s
    - Common mistakes to avoid as you start the new year
    - Open Q&A to help you set clear retirement account goals for 2026

    This session is designed to help you start the year with clarity, avoid early missteps, and build a smarter retirement plan going forward.

    Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/

    Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA

    Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/


    Other:
    Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen
    KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.com
    Main Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com



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    53 mins
  • Year-End Retirement Account Strategies
    Dec 18 2025

    To learn more on year-end retirement account strategies read our new article: https://directedira.com/year-end-retirement-account-strategies/?utm_source_youtube_socialmedia&utm_year_end_strategies_webinar

    Year-end is one of the most important windows for retirement planning. Some moves must be completed by December 31, while others can wait until the tax filing deadline – and new rules coming in 2026 will change how much you can save and whether certain contributions must be Roth.In this live webinar, Directed IRA’s CEO, Mat Sorensen, will walk through the most important retirement account strategies to understand before year-end and how to position yourself for 2026.

    You’ll Learn
    - Which retirement account moves must be done by December 31…and which can wait
    - How to optimize 401(k), IRA, Roth IRA, HSA, and Solo 401(k) strategies at year-end
    - When Roth conversions make sense now vs. pushing them into 2026
    - Backdoor Roth and mega backdoor Roth strategies to know before year-end
    - Key 2026 rule changes that may impact contribution limits and Roth requirements

    his session is designed to help you avoid missed opportunities, reduce taxes, and make informed decisions before the year closes.

    Why Directed IRA?
    At Directed IRA, we’ve helped thousands of investors put over $3 billion into real estate, private funds, notes, and more, all inside tax-advantaged retirement accounts. Our team of experts and streamlined platform make it easy to invest with confidence.

    Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/

    Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA

    Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/


    Other:
    Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen
    KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.com
    Main Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com



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    59 mins
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