From studying tax law at just 14 years old to landing her dream job inside the IRS, Carlotta Thompson seemed destined for a lifelong career in government. But once she stepped behind the curtain as an IRS auditor, she discovered something shocking: countless business owners were leaving hundreds of thousands of dollars on the table in missed deductions — and the system wasn’t built to help them. 

Realizing she was “on the wrong side,” Carlotta walked away from the IRS to pursue a bigger mission: help entrepreneurs pay the least amount of tax legally possible. Today, as the Founder & CEO of Tax Strategists of America, she leads business owners through her signature Pathway to Zero™ program — a proven framework that uncovers hidden deductions, maximizes tax strategy, and empowers owners to keep more of what they earn. 

In this episode, Carlotta reveals the truths she learned inside the IRS, the most common (and costly) mistakes business owners make, and the practical steps entrepr...

Dr. Tanh, PharmD, is a pharmacist turned real estate investor, host of the Wonton Wealth Podcast, and founder of Proton Capital. After earning his Doctorate of Pharmacy from the University of Cincinnati and pursuing a career in cardiology pharmacy, Tanh discovered his true passion—investing and building long-term wealth through real estate. What started with a single duplex in 2018 quickly grew into a thriving portfolio and a deep focus on commercial real estate. As the author of Value Over Volume: The Foundation of Commercial Real Estate Investing, Tanh now empowers others to achieve financial freedom, build meaningful relationships, and reclaim their most valuable asset—time. His journey proves that with education, discipline, and purpose, anyone can create lasting wealth beyond the 9-to-5 grind.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Discover how resourcefulness can replace capital when starting your investment journey.
• Learn how disciplined saving and partnerships fuel
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We sit down with Ian Noble, founder of RunSteady Investments, to explore how he transitioned from owning a multi-location dry cleaning business in Austin, Texas, to building wealth through passive real estate investing. After 14 years leading a company with 14 locations and over 90 employees, Ian made a successful business exit in 2023 and turned his full attention to helping others invest passively in mobile home parks, private lending funds, and real estate syndications.

With over a decade of hands-on experience investing in Austin and Colorado real estate, Ian shares valuable insights into building a diversified portfolio of residential, commercial, and passive investments. He also discusses how everyday investors can leverage syndications, mobile home parks, and debt funds to create long-term financial freedom. If you're a seasoned investor or just getting started, this episode is packed with practical advice on passive income, real estate strategy, and scaling your portfolio...

Are you ready to buy your first investment property but don’t know where to start? We break down a step-by-step guide for beginner real estate investors to find, analyze, and secure their first rental property. You’ll learn how to define your investing goals, pick the right market, secure financing, and discover deals using MLS, off-market listings, and local networking. We cover essential tips for evaluating properties, performing due diligence, making competitive offers, and setting up your first rental for maximum cash flow and long-term passive income. If you’re interested in house hacking, buy-and-hold rentals, fix-and-flips, or short-term rentals, this episode gives you the roadmap to start building wealth through real estate.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Discover how to build a solid foundation in real estate investing that makes your first property purchase feel easy and confident.
• Uncover the secrets to pinpointing the perfect investment property that aligns wit...

Bonny Wayman is a real estate investor, asset manager, and multifamily strategist passionate about helping others achieve financial freedom through real estate. With an MBA from the University of Denver and a background in marketing, analytics, and project management, she combines data-driven strategy with hands-on experience to drive strong investment performance.

As the multifamily asset manager for Wild Oak Capital and Aligned Asset Management, Bonny oversees operations across a growing portfolio for others while managing her own portfolio for herself. Serving as both a General Partner (GP) and Limited Partner (LP) in syndications, she’s known for turning big-picture ideas into actionable strategies that maximize returns and build long-term wealth through multifamily investing and real estate syndications.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Discover how to kickstart your real estate investing journey with confidence and avoid common beginner mistakes.
• Uncover the powerful...

Neil Henderson is a seasoned real estate investor, co-host of the Truly Passive Income Podcast, and General Partner at Nomad Capital. After nearly two decades as a defense contractor, Neil transformed his career by pursuing financial freedom through real estate investing. Starting with a simple house hack in Las Vegas, he’s now helped investors participate in over $75 million in commercial real estate deals and raised more than $17 million in investor equity. As a thought leader in the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement, Neil shares real, actionable strategies for building passive income, achieving financial independence, and creating time freedom through self-storage syndications and other powerful real estate investing models. Neil’s insights will help you take the next step toward truly passive wealth.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Discover how transitioning to real estate investing can unlock new opportunities and build lasting wealth.

• Learn wh

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Lindsay Davis is CEO of Spartan Invest, a nationally recognized turnkey real estate investment firm helping investors build passive income through single-family rentals. Spartan operates across Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia, managing the entire lifecycle of investment properties—from sourcing and renovations to construction, sales, and long-term property management. Under Lindsay’s leadership, Spartan Invest oversees more than 2,000 properties and drives over $50 million in transactions annually. Her proven strategy has earned the company repeated recognition on the Inc. 5000 list, highlighting Spartan as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. 

Passionate about making real estate investing accessible, Lindsay shares how busy professionals and new investors alike can leverage turnkey rentals to create steady cash flow and long-term wealth—without the headaches of property management. If you want to learn how turnkey real estate investing can help you achieve fi...

Jack Corrigan is an accomplished real estate investment professional with deep experience in private equity, capital markets, and financial modeling. As Investor Relations & Fund Associate at The Lucky Group, Jack plays a key role in capital raising, investor communications, and fund operations—helping bridge the gap between strategy and execution. Jack’s career includes time at Greysteel and Stablewood Properties, where he supported underwriting, acquisitions, and investment sales. With over $80M in transactions underwritten, Jack brings a proven track record of evaluating opportunities and creating value. 

Jack also leverages AI and advanced analytics to enhance portfolio decision-making—giving investors a competitive edge in today’s market. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a BBA in Finance and Real Estate, Jack combines sharp financial expertise with strong relationship-building skills to drive investor engagement and capital strategy. If you’re interested...

Keren Gonen, a top-producing New Jersey real estate agent whose journey is as inspiring as it is powerful. Born and raised in Israel, Keren grew up in an entrepreneurial household before moving to the U.S., where she built a thriving logistics business alongside her father. After experiencing profound personal loss and a major life pivot, Keren reinvented herself—diving into real estate at 39 and quickly becoming the #1 agent in Sussex County, closing nearly $24 million in sales volume in 2024. Beyond her professional success, Keren is a passionate leader in her community, serving as President of the BW NICE Sussex Chapter and founder of Referral Roundtable. She shares how resilience, service, and connection have shaped her career and life, and why helping others is at the heart of everything she does. Tune in to hear Keren’s remarkable story of entrepreneurship, real estate success, community leadership, and personal growth—a true masterclass in turning obstacles into opportuniti...

We’re celebrating 300 episodes and 5 years of the REL Freedom, the real estate investing podcast designed to help you build wealth, grow your business, and create financial freedom. In this special anniversary episode, host Mike Swenson shares the origin story of the podcast, the biggest lessons learned from interviewing top real estate investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders, and some behind-the-scenes stories from the journey. You’ll hear insights on passive income, short-term rentals, multifamily investing, and strategies for long-term success in real estate. Plus, get a sneak peek at what’s ahead for the show as we continue to bring you proven strategies, expert advice, and inspiring stories to fuel your investing journey. Whether you’re new to real estate or a seasoned investor, this milestone episode is packed with reflection, gratitude, and practical takeaways to help you succeed.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Discover how building financial freedom...