Most people who buy life insurance never read the fine print.

They’re promised “stock market–like returns without the risk,” a retirement account that doubles as a tax-free loan machine, and peace of mind for their families.

On paper? It looks like the perfect product.

But what happens when the math doesn’t add up, the illustrations don’t match reality, and families find out, years later, that the policy they’ve been funding is set to collapse?

That’s the dark underbelly of the Indexed Universal Life (IUL) industry.

And it’s exactly what my guest, Jonathan, aka the IUL Exposer, has dedicated his career to uncovering. He’s reviewed over 4,000 policies in just 18 months, uncovered systemic mis-selling, and even built a process that has helped families claw back over a million dollars in refunds.

Jonathan isn’t anti-insurance. He’s anti–false promises. His work shines a light on how commissions drive product design, why regulators are warning against IULs, and how clients are left holding the bag when agents disappear.

This episode isn’t about theory, it’s about hard numbers, legal battles, and the uncomfortable truths most of the industry hopes you never learn.

Things You’ll Learn In This Episode

-Illustrations are a trap

IUL projects steady growth that rarely happens. Why do clients still trust the numbers?

-Commissions drive the product

IULs are sold 10-to-1 over whole life because they pay the fattest commissions. What does that reveal about whose interests are really being served?

-Refunds are possible

Families often think their money is gone forever. How are some clawing back tens of thousands in refunds?

-Indexes aren’t what they seem

Synthetic “uncapped” indexes promise market-like returns but rarely deliver. How are clients set up for disappointment from day one?

Guest Bio

Jonathan Aguilera is the voice behind @lifeinsurancerefunds on TikTok and Instagram, a platform dedicated to exposing misleading life insurance practices, breaking down complex policies, and helping families recover money they thought was lost. Licensed since 2012, Jonathan once built a national agency of 250+ licensed agents with Primerica. But when faced with the choice to “stay quiet to stay compliant” or speak up for what’s right, he chose the latter. He resigned, surrendered his securities licenses, and walked away from everything he’d built to launch DTRT Financial, not just a company, but a movement. Jonathan isn’t the suit-and-tie advisor chasing commissions. He’s the guy who got fed up watching families get misled, overcharged, and under-informed. Through thousands of policy reviews, he’s exposed the harsh realities of cash value life insurance while educating the masses on how to make intentional financial choices. Visit IULExposer.com to learn more.

About Your Host

From pro-snowboarder to money mogul, Chris Naugle has dedicated his life to being America’s #1 Money Mentor. With a core belief that success is built not by the resources you have, but by how resourceful you can be. Chris has built and owned 19 companies, with his businesses being featured in Forbes, ABC, House Hunters, and his very own HGTV pilot in 2018. He is currently the founder of The Money School™, and Money Mentor for The Money Multiplier.

His success also includes managing tens of millions of dollars in assets in the financial services and advisory industry and in real estate transactions. As an innovator and visionary in wealth-building and real estate, he empowers entrepreneurs, business owners, and real estate investors with the knowledge of how money works.

Chris is also a nationally recognized speaker, author, and podcast host. He has spoken to and taught over ten thousand Americans, delivering the financial knowledge that fuels lasting freedom.

Check out this episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so our show reaches more people. Thank you!

Most business owners only call the bank when they’re in trouble. Cash is tight, deals are falling apart, stress is mounting.

By then? It’s too late.

The banks shut the doors and wave at you from behind the glass. That’s the obvious mistake.

The less obvious one? Not realizing the best time to secure financing is when you don’t need it. That’s when banks give you more, on better terms, and when private lenders are willing to play ball.

That’s the theme of my conversation with George Otel, founder of U.S. Business Funding. He’s closed 400+ deals, from SBA loans to $50M commercial bridge financings.

He’s also been on the other side as a business owner who knows what it’s like to hit a wall when funding isn’t lined up.

And right now, while capital feels scarce and multifamily investors are calling this a “3-year recession,” George sees massive opportunity, especially with the $10 trillion baby boomer business sell-off already underway.

Things You’ll Learn In This Episode

-Banks love you more when you don’t need them.
You’ll get offered more money than you asked for when you’re strong, but the second you look distressed, the same lender disappears. Why is that the exact opposite of how entrepreneurs think about financing?

-Bridge loans are just the beginning.
Fast capital is a band-aid, not a solution. The winners use bridge money only as a setup for long-term refinancing. How do you structure that from day one so you don’t get stuck?

-Buying beats building in this market.
You’ll struggle to get a dime for a startup, but banks line up for businesses with systems and cash flow. With trillions in businesses set to change hands, is acquisition the smarter path for the next generation?

Guest Bio

George Otel is a business mentor, investor, entrepreneur, and financing expert. He specializes in start-up and business finance options, helping them attract the right capital for their business. George’s goal is to educate entrepreneurs, small business owners, franchise owners, business consultants, and professionals on how to obtain capital in today's lending environment and avoid declines. Over the years, George and his partners have helped direct thousands of entrepreneurs and businesses in the US in obtaining access to hundreds of millions of dollars so they could start, grow, and expand their businesses. To learn more, visit http://usbusinessfunding.net/, send George a DM on LinkedIn, or send a text to 414-475-7757.

About Your Host

From pro-snowboarder to money mogul, Chris Naugle has dedicated his life to being America’s #1 Money Mentor with a core belief that success is built not by the resources you have, but by how resourceful you can be. Chris has built and owned 19 companies, with his businesses being featured in Forbes, ABC, House Hunters, and his very own HGTV pilot in 2018. He is currently the founder of The Money School™, and Money Mentor for The Money Multiplier.

His success also includes managing tens of millions of dollars in assets in the financial services and advisory industry and in real estate transactions. As an innovator and visionary in wealth-building and real estate, he empowers entrepreneurs, business owners, and real estate investors with the knowledge of how money works.

Chris is also a nationally recognized speaker, author, and podcast host. He has spoken to and taught over ten thousand Americans, delivering the financial knowledge that fuels lasting freedom.

Check out this episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so our show reaches more people. Thank you!

Most real estate investors are running the same race: chasing the hottest markets, competing for the same deals, and trying to outbid one another. The problem? That crowded approach often blinds you to the opportunities hiding in plain sight.

The truth is, success in investing isn’t about following the crowd or chasing trends; it’s about looking where others aren’t, leading with strategy, and building relationships that open doors no one else can see.

That’s what sets Aleea Stanton apart. She didn’t start investing just to rack up properties. She began with a deeper purpose: to give back to her grandparents, who shaped her life.

That generosity sparked a ripple effect, creating community connections and investment opportunities most investors overlook.

In this episode, real estate investor and attorney Aleea C. Stanton joins me to share her journey from practicing law to building a thriving investing career.

We talk about what ignited her passion for real estate, how she finds deals differently than most, and the mindset shift that’s allowed her to succeed where others stall out.

Things You’ll Learn In This Episode

-Finding the fuel for your fire

Identifying your true source of motivation is what drives consistency and purpose in your daily life. What is the one thing that fuels your fire and pushes you to keep going, even on tough days?

-Creating a repeatable system that works

Mastering the process of flipping houses creates a repeatable system that can be applied to future real estate deals. How can refining one successful process make every future flip more efficient and profitable?

-Building a firm foundation

Trust is the foundation of lasting success in real estate partnerships. How do you actively build and maintain trust with the people you work with in real estate?

Guest Bio

Aleea C. Stanton is a seasoned attorney and real estate investor based in New York. She serves as Counsel in the Disputes & Investigations practice at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, specializing in white-collar defense, securities enforcement, and government investigations. Her expertise encompasses matters related to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), securities enforcement, and corporate compliance, with a focus on industries such as technology, oil and gas, aerospace, and defense

Aleea earned her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Howard University School of Law, where she was a semifinalist in the John J. Gibbons Moot Court Competition.

In addition to her legal career, Aleea is actively involved in real estate investing.

Aleea's unique combination of legal expertise and real estate investment experience positions her as a valuable resource for individuals navigating the complexities of real estate transactions and legal considerations in the industry.

Follow Aleea on Instagram @leescheri

About Your Host

From pro-snowboarder to money mogul, Chris Naugle has dedicated his life to being America’s #1 Money Mentor. With a core belief that success is built not by the resources you have, but by how resourceful you can be. Chris has built and owned 19 companies, with his businesses being featured in Forbes, ABC, House Hunters, and his very own HGTV pilot in 2018. He is currently founder of The Money School™, and Money Mentor for The Money Multiplier.

His success also includes managing tens of millions of dollars in assets in the financial services and advisory industry and in real estate transactions. As an innovator and visionary in wealth-building and real estate, he empowers entrepreneurs, business owners, and real estate investors with the knowledge of how money works.

Chris is also a nationally recognized speaker, author, and podcast host. He has spoken to and taught over ten thousand Americans delivering the financial knowledge that fuels lasting freedom.

Check out this episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so our show reaches more people. Thank you!

You’ve got something valuable sitting right under your nose: your home’s equity. But here’s the thing: it’s not exactly helping you pay the bills. Your house might be worth a lot more than before, but day-to-day expenses still pile up.

Inflation’s squeezing your paycheck, groceries keep getting more expensive, and it feels like you’re stretched thinner every month. You’re “house rich,” sure, but cash? Not so much. And that’s exhausting.

The reality is, owning a valuable home doesn’t mean your wallet feels any heavier. Lots of folks are stuck in this same spot right now, especially with the economy tightening.

But what if there was a way to use that equity, something that works for you no matter what the market’s doing? That’s where storage comes into play.

Storage isn’t just some nice-to-have extra space; it’s something people and businesses need all the time. Whether people are downsizing, companies need room to grow, or life throws curveballs, demand stays steady.

And because of that, storage has quietly outperformed a lot of flashier investments, even during tough times.

In this episode, I chat with Arthur Hood, CEO of HV Family Holdings, about why storage is worth paying attention to, how to break free from being cash poor, and what the future holds for this surprisingly resilient market.

Things You’ll Learn In This Episode

-No negatives in 3 decades

The storage industry’s consistent demand has kept it profitable for nearly three decades. What factors make storage so resilient, even during economic downturns?

-The housing shortage dilemma

A growing housing shortage is being met with luxury developments instead of the affordable options communities actually need. Why are developers prioritizing high-end projects when the demand is for affordable housing?

-Cost segregation = faster depreciation.

Cost segregation can accelerate depreciation, giving you larger tax deductions sooner. How could accelerating depreciation through cost segregation impact your tax savings this year?

Guest Bio

Arthur Hood is the CEO of HV Family Holdings, a real estate investment firm specializing in self-storage assets. With years of experience in identifying recession-resistant opportunities, Arthur has built a portfolio that thrives in both booming and challenging markets. He’s passionate about helping everyday investors turn stagnant home equity into steady, reliable income streams. By focusing on storage—a necessity-driven asset class, Arthur shows people how to create cash flow that isn’t at the mercy of market swings. Connect with Arthur on LinkedIn.

About Your Host

From pro-snowboarder to money mogul, Chris Naugle has dedicated his life to being America’s #1 Money Mentor. With a core belief that success is built not by the resources you have, but by how resourceful you can be. Chris has built and owned 19 companies, with his businesses being featured in Forbes, ABC, House Hunters, and his very own HGTV pilot in 2018. He is currently the founder of The Money School™ and Money Mentor for The Money Multiplier.

His success also includes managing tens of millions of dollars in assets in the financial services and advisory industry and in real estate transactions. As an innovator and visionary in wealth-building and real estate, he empowers entrepreneurs, business owners, and real estate investors with the knowledge of how money works.

Chris is also a nationally recognized speaker, author, and podcast host. He has spoken to and taught over ten thousand Americans, delivering the financial knowledge that fuels lasting freedom.

Check out this episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so our show reaches more people. Thank you!

You built your business from scratch and poured your heart and soul into it. So it might feel strange, even disloyal, to think about stepping away or exiting.

From the outside, everything’s working: sales are up, your team’s solid, and your brand is gaining traction. But under the surface? You’re tired, the vision that once felt clear now feels fuzzy, and growth has started to feel like a grind.

This isn’t uncommon. Many founders hesitate to plan an exit because things still feel “fine.” But there’s a big difference between “fine” and truly free.

Founders leave their businesses for all kinds of reasons, burnout, shifting goals, evolving partnerships, or simply growing beyond what they once built.

The biggest misstep is waiting until things fall apart to start thinking about what’s next.

How do you build with the exit in mind?

In this episode, I’m joined by Cody Hofhine, the founder of Utah Sell Now, Texas Sell Now, and Joe Homebuyer. As a business owner who has exited four companies, he has a lot to share about what worked, what didn’t, and what every founder should consider before making their move.

Things You’ll Learn In This Episode

-Having the right mentors

Learning from mentors who have already achieved your goals provides proven guidance and shortcuts to success. How can following someone who’s already succeeded save you time and prevent common mistakes?

-Invest in yourself

Investing in yourself is the most important step because you are the driving force behind your own success. How are you prioritizing your personal growth to create the impact you want in your life?

-Quit linear thinking

Embracing non-linear, audacious thinking can spark breakthroughs beyond conventional limits. What bold goal would you pursue if you stopped following the usual rules?

Guest Bio

Cody Hofhine is a multiple Inc. 5000 business owner, real estate investor/mentor, and sought-after Speaker. He is the co-founder of Wholesaling Inc., the #1 Real Estate coaching program across the nation, and Joe Homebuyer, the leading Real Estate Franchise. Cody has coached over 3000 students on how to successfully build their Real Estate Business through his real estate training, as well as help individuals perform at their highest levels with his one-on-one mentoring. Cody used his background in sales to quickly build multiple 7 and 8-figure real estate businesses that all start on the foundation of clarity or vision and purpose.

Visit https://joehomebuyerfranchising.com/

Visit https://codyhofhine.com/

Follow Cody on Instagram @codyhofhine

Look out for the Cody Holfine podcast launching August 4th, and stay tuned for the Chris Naugle episode!

About Your Host

From pro-snowboarder to money mogul, Chris Naugle has dedicated his life to being America’s #1 Money Mentor. With a core belief that success is built not by the resources you have, but by how resourceful you can be. Chris has built and owned 19 companies, with his businesses being featured in Forbes, ABC, House Hunters, and his very own HGTV pilot in 2018. He is currently the founder of The Money School™, and Money Mentor for The Money Multiplier.

His success also includes managing tens of millions of dollars in assets in the financial services and advisory industry and real estate transactions. As an innovator and visionary in wealth-building and real estate, he empowers entrepreneurs, business owners, and real estate investors with the knowledge of how money works.

Chris is also a nationally recognized speaker, author, and podcast host. He has spoken to and taught over ten thousand Americans, delivering the financial knowledge that fuels lasting freedom.

Check out this episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so our show reaches more people. Thank you!