

Directed IRA Podcast
Mat Sorensen and Mark Kohler
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 31, 2026 • 25min
What is a Self-Directed IRA?
What is a self-directed IRA, and how does it actually work?In this episode of the Directed IRA Podcast, Mat Sorensen and Mark J. Kohler break down the most foundational concepts in self-directed investing. If you have ever felt limited by traditional retirement accounts or wondered if you can invest your IRA in assets outside of Wall Street, this episode is for you.As part of our Self-Directing 101 series, this conversation is designed to simplify the concept, clear up common misconceptions, and help you understand how to take control of your retirement strategy.In this episode, you will learn:• What a self-directed IRA is and how it differs from a typical IRA• The types of investments you can make, including real estate, crypto, and private deals• How to use existing retirement funds to get started• Why contribution limits do not limit your growth potential• The key rules to understand before you beginSelf-directing is not about complexity. It is about expanding your options and investing in what you know best.🎧 Listen now to start your self-directing journey.Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRABook a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/Other:Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.comMain Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

Mar 31, 2026 • 55min
Open Forum Q&A
Self-directed IRAs allow investors to go beyond traditional markets, but using them properly requires understanding the rules, structure, and process involved.In this live session, Directed IRA Vice President of Sales Nate Hare, along with co-host Daniel Tercey, start with a brief overview of how self-directed IRAs work before opening the discussion to a live Q&A.This format gives attendees the opportunity to ask practical questions and get straightforward answers about using retirement accounts to invest in alternative assets.This is not intended to be a deep legal or tax presentation. Instead, the goal is to help investors better understand the fundamentals – what self-directed IRAs allow, how the process works, and what to consider before making your first investment.Whether you’re just beginning to explore self-directed retirement accounts or already investing in real estate, private funds, startups, crypto, precious metals, or other alternative assets, this open forum is a chance to get clarity on the questions many investors encounter along the way.This session is ideal if you’re newer to self-directed investing, exploring alternatives for the first time, or want a clearer understanding of the basics before going deeper.Bring your questions – we’ll handle the fundamentals and point you in the right directionStill have questions? Book a new account call here: https://directedira.com/appointment/Visit our website: https://directedira.com/Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRABook a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/Other:Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.comMain Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

8 snips
Mar 19, 2026 • 17min
Self-Directing 101: The 5 Golden Rules of Self-Directing
They walk through five core rules for self-directing retirement funds in real investments. Topics include sourcing your own deals, treating IRA money with due diligence and legal limits, and which accounts to use or pool. They discuss practical strategies like using IRA LLCs, favoring steady returns over risky gambles, and ensuring paperwork names the IRA correctly.

Mar 10, 2026 • 37min
Rentals, Lending, and Flips in your Self-Directed IRA
Practical breakdowns of using retirement accounts to buy rentals, fund flips, and make private hard-money loans. Real-world examples show HSA and IRA structures, pooled IRA LLCs, and step-by-step setup options. Clear warnings on prohibited transactions, personal work limits, and agent commission rules.

Mar 4, 2026 • 1h 3min
Crypto Market Reset: What To Do Now
Andrew Parish, co-founder of Arch Public, explains algorithmic trading and portfolio tools. Tillman Holloway, Founder & CEO of Arch Public, builds institutional-grade crypto services. They discuss retail panic versus institutional accumulation. They cover algorithmic responses to volatility and how liquidations create buy opportunities. They explain yield harvesting, automated dip-buying, and using IRAs for tax-advantaged crypto exposure.

Feb 18, 2026 • 1h 16min
Solo 401(k) Basics, Rules, and Contribution Deadlines
If you’re self-employed and want to put more money away for retirement, the Solo 401(k) is one of the most powerful tools available, but the rules and deadlines matter.In this live webinar, Mat Sorensen will walk through the Solo 401(k) basics, including who qualifies, how it’s set up, and the special strategies that make it so effective compared to IRAs and SEP IRAs. He’ll also cover the key 2025 contribution limits and deadlines you need to understand before the 2026 tax filing season.We’ll cover:- What a Solo 401(k) is and how it differs from IRAs, SEP IRAs, and traditional employer 401(k)s- Who qualifies (and who doesn’t)- How a Solo 401(k) is set up and what has to be in place to maximize contributions- 2025/2026 contribution limits, including employee vs. employer contributions and how they’re calculated- Key deadlines to know before the 2026 tax filing season- Special features unique to Solo 401(k)s- Common mistakes and misconceptions that can create tax or compliance issuesWhy 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.Click or tap the link below to download the slides from this webinar:https://directedira.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Solo-401ks-2026.pdfDirected IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRABook a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/Other:Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.comMain Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

Feb 18, 2026 • 1h 28min
Private Money Lending in a Self-Directed IRA
If you’re looking to generate passive income and steady returns from your retirement account, this is a strategy you need to understand.Join Directed IRA’s VP of Sales, Nate Hare, along with co-host Daniel Tercey, for a live training on Private Lending in a Self-Directed IRA.Private money lending has become one of the most popular strategies among self-directed investors, but it must be structured correctly to stay compliant.We’ll cover:- How to structure loans using promissory notes and trust deeds- Which borrowers and assets your IRA can (and cannot) lend to- The prohibited transaction rules that can disqualify your IRA- How interest income flows back to your IRA tax-deferred or tax-free- 10 key considerations before deploying retirement funds- What happens in the event of foreclosure- Real client case studies showing how note terms can be structured creatively and predictably 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/SelfDirectedIRABook a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/Other:Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.comMain Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

Jan 30, 2026 • 36min
Open Forum Q&A on Self-Directed IRAs
Have questions about self-directed IRAs or alternative investing?In this live, open forum webinar, we answer some of the most common questions people have when starting their self-directing journey, with clear, practical answers. Our Senior Account Executive and Relationship Manager, Daniel Tercey, will cover topics such as:• Common self-directed IRA questions from investors• Investing in real estate, private funds, startups, precious metals, crypto, and other alternative assets• IRA rules, prohibited transactions, and compliance pitfalls to avoid• UBIT, UDFI, and when tax filings may apply• Custodial processes, account administration, and best practices• Recent trends and questions we’re seeing from investorsVisit our links Daniel discusses at the end of the webinar:Linktree: https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRABook a call: https://directedira.com/appointment/Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRABook a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/Other:Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.comMain Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

Jan 12, 2026 • 31min
Should I Set Up a Trump Account for My Kid?
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 Reveal0:48 – Politics Aside: Use The Law3:52 – What A Trump Account Is6:20 – Control Limits And Fee Cautions6:24 – College Needs vs Long-Term Wealth9:10 – How Early Withdrawals Actually Work12:02 – Parent Playbook: Stack The Accounts18:56 – Pay Your Kids Through Business21:07 – Rentals As A Small Business22:06 – The Roth Conversion Strategy24:20 – 529 To Roth: Sister Strategy26:18 – Pro Rata Rules And Math28:20 – The 8.8 Million Illustration29:55 – Mindset, Access To Education, ClosingDirected IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRABook a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/Other:Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.comMain Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

Jan 2, 2026 • 53min
Retirement Account Resolutions for 2026: New Contribution Limits, Key Deadlines, and Live Q&A
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 2026This 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/SelfDirectedIRABook a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/Other:Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.comMain Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com


