Aftermath The Podcast with Scott Brown

Episode 16: The Biggest Money Mistakes People Make Too Late

In this episode of Aftermath, Scott and Ross break down some of the most misunderstood—and most important—concepts in financial planning. From who really handles the money in a household, to why people fear tax brackets for no reason, this conversation tackles the gaps that leave people exposed later in life. They also dive into the role of luck vs. probability, the difference between investing and gambling, and how inaction is often disguised as “logic.” With over 40 years of experience and thousands of client conversations behind it, this episode is all about simplifying the decisions that matter most—before it’s too late.

Episode 15: The Hardest Money Habit to Break, IPO Myths & Why Thinking Small Keeps You Poor | Big Decisions, Self-Investment & Wealth Building

In this episode of Aftermath, Scott and Ross dig into one of the biggest barriers to building wealth—and it’s not what most people think. Why do so many people stay stuck financially, even when they’re doing “the right things”? The answer often comes down to thinking too small. Scott explains why tiny savings habits alone won’t create wealth, and how the real difference-makers are the big, uncomfortable decisions—career moves, education, and stepping outside your comfort zone. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:00 The Hardest Money Habit to Change 03:30 Why Thinking Small Keeps You Stuck 06:00 Small Savings vs Big Decisions 09:00 Taking Financial Risks & Career Moves 12:00 Overpaying for What Actually Matters 15:00 Investing in Yourself 18:00 How IPOs Work 21:00 Why Most IPOs Aren’t Worth It 24:00 Wealth vs Upbringing Mindsets 27:00 Why People Lose Money Faster Than They Gain It This episode is about shifting your mindset, betting on yourself, and understanding what really moves the needle financially.

Episode 14: Unrealistic Expectations, Opportunity & The Most Expensive Money Mistake | Saving vs Investing, Discipline & Financial Truths

In this episode of Aftermath, Scott and Ross tackle some of the most misunderstood ideas in personal finance—and the brutally honest truths behind them. What’s something financial advisors wish they could say to clients but usually don’t? Why do so many people have unrealistic expectations about returns, retirement, and wealth? And is being bad with money really about income… or something deeper? Scott breaks down why opportunity plays a bigger role than most people realize, how investing in yourself can either accelerate your future or hold you back, and the dangerous habits that derail financial plans before they ever get off the ground. Plus, the episode ends with one of the simplest—but most overlooked—truths in finance: the most expensive mistake people make without realizing it. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:00 Unrealistic Expectations About Money 03:30 Why Advisors Sound “Boring” (But Right) 06:00 The Truth About Returns 09:00 Your Time Horizon Isn’t Retirement 12:00 Opportunity & Financial Growth 15:00 Investing in Yourself 18:00 The Cost of Not Saving 21:00 Why Discipline Beats Hype 24:00 The Most Expensive Money Mistake

Episode 13: Money as a Mirror, Risk vs Reward & When “Long-Term Investing” Goes Too Far | Psychology, Opportunity & Financial Truths

In this episode of Aftermath, Scott and Ross explore the deeper psychology behind money—beyond just numbers and returns. If money could think… what kind of person would it be? More importantly, what does money reveal about you? This conversation dives into how wealth amplifies personality, why chasing the highest returns can actually backfire, and how understanding probability—not hype—is the key to long-term success. They also break down one of the biggest misconceptions in finance: “just invest for the long term.” Is there ever a point where that advice becomes wrong? From risk vs reward to defining what you actually want out of life, this episode challenges you to think differently about money, success, and what truly matters. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:45 Does Money Change You or Reveal You? 03:00 Money as a Personality Amplifier 06:00 Risk vs Reward Explained 09:00 Why Chasing High Returns Fails 12:00 Probability vs Hype 15:00 The Truth About Long-Term Investing 18:00 When “Just Hold” Goes Wrong 21:00 Defining Your Own Financial Goals 24:00 Why Copying Others Doesn’t Work

Episode 12: Is There Ever a Bad Time to Buy a Home? | 401k Secrets, Diversification & a Wild Client Story

Is there actually a bad time to buy a house—or are we just overthinking interest rates? In this episode of Aftermath, Scott and Rauce break down one of the biggest financial decisions people face: buying vs. renting. They also dive into how diversification really works, what a TPA in your 401k actually does (hint: it’s not the toilet paper association), and why waiting for the “perfect” market timing can cost you years of building equity. Plus, Scott shares one of the wildest real-life financial stories he’s ever experienced—an inheritance battle that spiraled into a multi-year legal fight where the lawyers ended up taking everything. Topics in this episode include: * Is there ever a bad time to buy a home? * Why timing interest rates can backfire * How home equity can shape long-term wealth * The real purpose of diversification in a portfolio * What a Third-Party Administrator (TPA) does in a 401k * Why participation matters more than picking the “perfect” investment * One unbelievable story about family, money, and lawyers If you’ve ever wondered how these financial decisions actually play out in real life, this episode is packed with insight—and a few surprises along the way.