Directed IRA Podcast
A show dedicated to educating and informing self-directed IRA and 401(k) investors on strategies, investments, legal structures, tax rules, and pitfalls. Hosted by tax lawyers Mat Sorensen and Mark Kohler who are also co-founders of Directed IRA & Directed Trust Company (https://directedira.com) where they have provided self-directed accounts for thousands of customers. They cover and discuss Roth IRAs, solo(k)s, prohibited transactions, real estate, start-ups, notes, PPMs, PE/VC Funds, UBIT/UDFI, IRA/LLCs (aka, checkbook IRAs), and share examples and stories from their thousands of clients who have self-directed their retirement for decades.
Episodes
In this episode of the Directed IRA Podcast, Mat Sorensen and Mark J. Kohler tackle the ten most frequently asked questions they hear from clients, investors, and professionals about self-directed IRAs. Whether you're brand new to self-directing or looking to avoid common missteps, this episode offers clear, practical guidance grounded in real-world scenarios and thousands of consultations.
They cover what your IRA can and cann...
In this episode of the Directed IRA Podcast, Mat Sorensen and Mark J. Kohler dive into the Top 10 Mistakes in Self-Directing Your IRA—and how to avoid them. Whether you're just getting started or already managing self-directed investments, this episode outlines the most common pitfalls that can derail your retirement strategy, including prohibited transactions, improper deal structuring, and UBIT traps. Mat and Mark not only b...
Ready to get started? Book a call with one of our IRA specialists!: https://directedira.com/appointment/
If you’ve got an old 401(k) or IRA collecting dust, it’s time to take control. In this episode, Mat and Mark explain how to move your account into a self-directed IRA—without triggering taxes or penalties—and why it matters. You’ll learn what you can invest in, from real estate to startups, and how to avoid costly mistakes. Mat a...
Ready to get started? Book a call with one of our IRA specialists!: https://directedira.com/appointment/
In this episode, Mat Sorensen and special guest David McAlvany explore how to buy gold, silver, platinum, and palladium in your IRA. They explain the rules, benefits, risks, and strategies—whether you’re seeking portfolio diversification, inflation protection, or long-term growth. Learn how precious metals can fit into ...
Learn how to take control of your retirement - https://directedira.com/
In this episode, Mat and Mark dive into one of the most overlooked yet critical aspects of retirement and estate planning—who should be the beneficiary of your IRA? Should it be your spouse? Your kids? Or your trust? They break down the tax implications, legal requirements, and best practices to ensure your wealth is passed on efficiently and securely. With real...
To book a call with an IRA specialist!: https://directedira.com/appointment/
In this episode, Mat and Mark break down the powerful strategy of using a Self-Directed IRA for private money lending. Learn how your retirement account can act like a bank—lending money to real estate investors or businesses, earning interest and points, all while growing tax-free or tax-deferred.
0:00 - Introduction to Private Lending ...
In this podcast, Mat breaks down how he used his retirement account to purchase a real, physical rental property—and how he paid zero taxes on the rental income and six-figure profits when he sold. Most people think their retirement is locked into Wall Street investments, but Mat shows how you can use a Self-Directed IRA to invest in assets you know and trust—like real estate.
He walks through the exact steps he took, the financial...
In this episode of the Directed IRA Podcast, I sat down with Adam Hooper and Ryan Sudek from Sage Investment Group to dive into a high-impact real estate strategy: converting underutilized hotels into naturally affordable housing. We explored how this model delivers strong investor returns while addressing the affordable housing crisis—without relying on government subsidies. With over 20 successful conversions and more in the pipe...
Thinking of opening a Self-Directed IRA? Open an account today https://directedira.com/open-accounts/
In this exclusive live audience podcast, recorded at the Self-Directed IRA Summit, @MarkJKohler and I talk about how powerful the tool of self-directing is. Enjoy as we are accompanied by live attendees going over REAL self-directed investing scenarios.
Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/
In this episode of the Directed IRA Podcast, Mat Sorensen breaks down one of the most powerful tools for building long-term, tax-free wealth: the Backdoor Roth IRA. Many high-income earners believe they’re ineligible for Roth IRAs due to income limits—but that’s where the backdoor strategy comes in.
Mat walks you through how the Backdoor Roth IRA works in 2025, including the three-step process of contributing to a traditional IRA, m...
Mat Sorensen and Mark J. Kohler are back with another episode of the Directed IRA Podcast—this time answering the most frequently asked questions about self-directed IRAs. Mat, the CEO of Directed IRA, requested this episode himself because he’s tired of hearing the same questions over and over(Cleary we're kidding). So, he and Mark are tackling them head-on in this special "Getting Started" series.
Listeners will get...
In this episode of the Directed IRA Podcast, Mark Kohler and Mat Sorensen break down the mechanics of partnering your IRA with others in deals. Whether it’s pooling funds from multiple IRAs, combining accounts within a family, or structuring investments to comply with IRS rules, they cover the do’s and don’ts of co-investing. Tune in to learn how to structure partnerships, avoid prohibited transactions, and maximize your self-direc...
In this episode of the Directed IRA Podcast, Mark and Mat break down how to use your self-directed IRA or 401(k) to invest in private businesses, funds, and startups. We’re not talking about running another business yourself—we’re talking about leveraging your expertise to identify valuable investment opportunities.
Most people think investing with an IRA means buying stocks, but what if you could invest in the next big th...
Jamison Manwaring joins Mat Sorensen in the podcast to discuss a unique foreclosure deal that Neighborhood Ventures is acquiring. With rising interest rates and lenders tightening their grip, a prime multifamily property in Arcadia, Phoenix, recently went through foreclosure. Originally purchased for $18.25 million, Neighborhood Ventures secured it for $11 million, presenting a significant opportunity. Jamison explains how the prop...
In this episode of the Directed IRA Podcast, Mark Kohler and Mat Sorensen break down the key steps to setting up and funding a self-directed retirement account. If you have an existing IRA, 401(k), or another retirement account and you're wondering how to transition into self-directing, this episode is for you.
Mark and Mat discuss the importance of understanding what type of retirement account you already have, how to take inv...
Is it possible to invest in crypto completely tax-free? Yes—if you use a Roth IRA! In this episode of the Directed IRA Podcast, Mat Sorensen breaks down how you can use a self-directed Roth IRA to invest in cryptocurrencies like XRP while avoiding capital gains taxes.
Most people assume Roth IRAs are limited to stocks, bonds, and mutual funds through major brokers like Fidelity or Schwab. But with a self-directed Roth IRA, you can i...
Mat Sorensen and Mark J. Kohler break down the IRA LLC, also known as the Checkbook IRA, explaining how it works, when it makes sense, and how to avoid common pitfalls. As experienced tax attorneys, they clarify the rules, discuss asset protection benefits, and share real-world use cases. Whether you're investing in real estate, private loans, or other alternative assets, this episode gives you the key information to keep your...
Finding real estate deals is the #1 challenge holding back Self-Directed IRA investors—but it doesn’t have to be! In this episode, Mat sit's down with Shenoah Grove from Texas REIAs to share proven strategies for uncovering off-market opportunities.
They discuss:
- Why traditional MLS listings aren’t the best option for investors
- How to use the Notice of Substitute Trustee to get ahead of foreclosures
- Marketing tactics to connec...
In this episode of the Directed IRA Podcast, Mat Sorensen and Mark J. Kohler continue their deep dive into self-directed IRAs, focusing on the rules you need to follow. This is part two of their ten-part series, where they discuss what you can and cannot invest in using your IRA.
They explain prohibited transactions, disqualified persons, and how the tax code impacts your investment decisions. The episode also clarifies common myths...
Wall Street isn’t telling you the whole story about your retirement accounts—they tell you what works for them. In this episode of the Directed IRA Podcast, Mat Sorensen and Mark J. Kohler kick off a 10-part series covering everything you need to know about self-directed IRAs.
What is a self-directed IRA? How does it work? And why is Wall Street reluctant to share these options with you? Mat and Mark dive into the power of self-dire...
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