The Truth About Wealth

The New Rules of Investing: Eric Fuhrman’s Take on Markets, Rates & Sectors (Ep. 140)

Markets are moving on more than just fundamentals.  Michael Parise sits down with Eric Fuhrman of City National Rochdale to talk about investing in a world driven by tariffs, tax law changes, and shifting Fed policy. Eric shares how CNR’s high-net-worth clients benefit from customized, multi-asset strategies that adjust for both long-term goals and short-term volatility. You’ll learn why they’re staying market-neutral for now, what sectors look resilient, and how demographic trends and global policy shape opportunities in the U.S. and abroad. What you’ll take away: How policy changes are moving markets today Why financials and technology stand out right now The case for staying U.S.-focused, at least for now How to position cash from a business sale in this environment And more! Resources: How Personalized Portfolios Build Wealth on Your Terms with Ben Ludwig (Ep. 139)         Connect with John and Michael Parise: 856-988-8300 Copper Beech Financial Group LinkedIn: John Parise  LinkedIn: Michael Parise  LinkedIn: Copper Beech Financial Group, LLC Facebook: Copper Beech Financial Group, LLC Connect with Eric Fuhrman: LinkedIn: Eric Fuhrman, CFA City National Rochdale About Our Guest:  Mr. Fuhrman joined City National Rochdale in 2022 and has over 20 years of professional investment management experience. He works closely with each client’s advisor to develop a customized portfolio based on the client’s investment objective, time horizon, income needs, and tolerance for market volatility. In this role, he is responsible for the investment strategy implementation and monitoring of private client portfolios, as well as direct relationship management. Prior to City National Rochdale, Mr. Fuhrman worked at Rice Hall James & Associates as Chief Investment Officer and Co-Portfolio Manager of the Value/International team. Mr. Fuhrman began his career at HGK Asset Management, serving as an Analyst and Trader before launching the firm’s Small Cap equity strategy in 2007 as lead Portfolio Manager. As a Managing Partner, he was a member of HGK’s Investment Policy Committee, overseeing their Global Equities, Fixed Income, and Private Credit strategies. Mr. Fuhrman earned his BS in Business Administration from the University of Richmond and his MBA from the Stern School of Business at New York University, where he concentrated in Finance, Economics, and Real Estate. He also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® and Certified Private Wealth Advisor® designations. Outside of the office, Mr. Fuhrman enjoys spending time with his family, coaching youth hockey, and serving on the board of Ramapo College’s Student-Managed Investment Fund.

How Personalized Portfolios Build Wealth on Your Terms with Ben Ludwig (Ep. 139)

What if your portfolio could evolve with you, like a financial blueprint that updates in real time? Michael Parise sits down with Ben Ludwig of City National Rochdale to unpack what truly personalized investing means for high-net-worth families, and why it matters more than ever. From shifting risk tolerance to multi-generational planning, Ben breaks down how CNR collaborates with financial advisors to design tax-sensitive, goal-aligned portfolios that flex with each client’s life and legacy. This isn’t about choosing a model or a fund, it’s about building a strategy from the ground up, around real people and real priorities. What to expect: Why personalization goes far beyond risk tolerance questionnaires The advantage of owning individual securities vs. pooled funds How CNR helps clients transition portfolios without triggering large tax events A behind-the-scenes look at the ongoing service model and portfolio review process And more! Connect with John and Michael Parise: 856-988-8300 Copper Beech Financial Group LinkedIn: John Parise  LinkedIn: Michael Parise  LinkedIn: Copper Beech Financial Group, LLC Facebook: Copper Beech Financial Group, LLC Connect with Ben Ludwig: LinkedIn: Bed Ludwig, CFA, CAIA City National Rochdale About Our Guest:  Ben Ludwig joined City National Rochdale in 2014 and has over 20 years of investment experience. He is responsible for business development in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, where he communicates and fosters relationships with high-net-worth investors who may benefit from City National Rochdale’s investment management services. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Ludwig spent 9 years at BNY Mellon in various leadership roles, most recently serving as Director of Investments and Head of Advisory Consulting for the Lockwood Advisors business. In this role, Mr. Ludwig was responsible for driving Lockwood’s portfolio management, manager research, and advisory consulting efforts. Prior to that, Mr. Ludwig held investment research and relationship roles at SEI Investments and The Vanguard Group. Mr. Ludwig earned his BS in Finance from Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania and his MBA in Finance from St. Joseph’s University. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation and the Chartered Alternative Investments Analyst designation. Mr. Ludwig is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Philadelphia. He resides in the suburbs of Philadelphia with his wife and four children. Mr. Ludwig spends much of his free time volunteering as a coach for numerous youth sports organizations in his community.

How Peachtree Group Finds Value in Volatility with Greg Friedman (Ep. 138)

What if launching your company at the brink of the 2008 financial crisis turned out to be the smartest move you ever made? That’s exactly what happened to Greg Friedman, CEO of Peachtree Group, who joins Michael Parise on The Truth About Wealth to share how timing, adaptability, and a deep understanding of risk helped shape his firm’s rise to a national powerhouse. Greg explains how Peachtree Group invests across private credit, commercial real estate, and even film financing—always with an eye for “mispriced risk.” In this episode, he shares how they’ve made over 600 credit investments with a sub-3% foreclosure rate and how they’re navigating today’s volatile interest rate environment. What you’ll learn by listening: Why private credit is creating rare opportunities in a tight lending market How Peachtree underwrites risk like an owner, not just a lender What rising interest rates really mean for real estate valuations How tax credits and film finance are reshaping alternative investment strategies And more! Connect with John and Michael Parise: 856-988-8300 Copper Beech Financial Group  LinkedIn: John Parise  LinkedIn: Michael Parise  LinkedIn: Copper Beech Financial Group, LLC Facebook: Copper Beech Financial Group, LLC Connect with Greg Friedman: LinkedIn: Greg Friedman Peachtree Group About Our Guest:  Greg has more than 23 years’ hospitality experience with an emphasis on deal structure and financing. He has successfully led Peachtree in more than $8 billion in hotel acquisitions, investments, and development since co-founding the company. He formerly was senior vice president of business development for Specialty Finance Group, LLC, a direct lender providing hotel first mortgage and FF&E financing, where he originated more than $2 billion of hotel debt. Previously, Greg was vice president of business development for GMAC Commercial Mortgage – Asset-Backed Lending Division. During his six-year tenure, he originated, closed, and funded more than 300 hospitality FF&E financing transactions with an aggregate capital structure exceeding $10 billion. Greg holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of Texas at Austin.

Here’s Why You Should Create A “Family Investment Club” (Ep. 137)

Copper Beech has coined something they like to call a “family investment club”. It’s a new way to manage generational wealth. How can you implement it in your family? John and Michael Parise are exploring how these can be a unique way to unite family members across generations, enhancing financial education and responsibilities while managing family wealth creatively and inclusively. John and Michael discuss: The basics of a Family Investment Club [00:02:44] The importance of generational involvement in family enterprises [00:07:15] Real-life examples of how their family manages multiple business ventures [00:04:42] The role of family meetings in educating and including family members in decision-making [00:18:58] Lessons from a Chicago family’s philanthropic strategies to keep unity [00:13:47] And more! Connect with John and Michael Parise: 856-988-8300 Copper Beech Financial Group LinkedIn: John Parise  LinkedIn: Michael Parise  LinkedIn: Copper Beech Financial Group, LLC Facebook: Copper Beech Financial Group, LLC

How Structured Notes Can Transform Your Investment Portfolio with Vince Tassone (Ep. 136)

Vincent Tassone of Causeway Securities, one of the world’s largest independent structured note distributors, joins John and Michael Parise to demystify structured notes and their expanding role in today’s investment portfolios.  Listen as he breaks down what structured notes are; hybrid financial instruments combining a bond with a derivatives package, and explains how they offer customizable risk-return profiles tailored to an investor’s specific goals. Often considered complex or “exotic,” structured notes can actually be powerful tools when used appropriately. Vincent walks through the four primary types; principal protected, income, growth, and dual directional, and shares how each can be aligned with an investor’s need for safety, income, or growth. Key discussion points include: Introduction to Structured Notes and Basics [00:03:11] Customization of Structured Notes for Different Risk Profiles [00:05:58] How Structured Notes Fit into a Portfolio [00:09:25] Liquidity Considerations and Suitability [00:18:30] Dual Directional Strategies as a Hedge [00:21:57] And more Connect with Vince Tassone: LinkedIn: Vince Tassone v.tassone@causeway-securities.com  LinkedIn: Causeway Securities Causeway Securities Connect with John and Michael Parise: 856-988-8300 Copper Beech Financial Group LinkedIn: John Parise  LinkedIn: Michael Parise  LinkedIn: Copper Beech Financial Group, LLC Facebook: Copper Beech Financial Group, LLC