Most people think financial risk means stock market volatility. But in this episode, Darren and Christina will show you the real risks Canadians face are much bigger… and most people don’t realize them until it’s too late.

What if your health was your greatest financial asset?

What made Sam Walton one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs in history?

In this financial autopsy episode of Control and Compound, Darren and Christina break down how Sam Walton built Walmart from a small-town retail operation into a global empire worth hundreds of billions.

From scaling systems and reinvesting profits to using real estate, equity, trusts, and life insurance strategically, this episode dives into the exact principles Walton used to build AND protect generational wealth.

What if your health was your greatest financial asset?

In this episode of Control and Compound, Darren and Christina break down the growing connection between health, longevity, productivity, and wealth creation.

From Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg to Richard Branson and Tim Cook, some of the world's most successful people are prioritizing fitness, muscle building, sleep, and preventative health — and it's not by accident.

In this Entrepreneur Spotlight episode, Darren sits down with good friend Murray Arsenault — owner of Arctic Backhoe in Whitehorse, Yukon — to talk about risk, resilience, leadership, and what it actually takes to build a business in one of Canada's toughest operating environments.

Murray shares the story of leaving senior government roles behind, betting everything he and his wife had on buying Arctic Backhoe, navigating cash flow crises, building a dominant niche business, and why most people fundamentally misunderstand entrepreneurship.

In the May update, Darren and Christina break down what's really happening across Canada — from interest rates and inflation to real estate, stock markets, Bitcoin, and the Canadian dollar.

They unpack why the Bank of Canada is holding rates, how rising oil prices are quietly driving inflation, and why Canadians still feel stuck financially despite "stable" numbers.

The conversation dives into: • A volatile stock market surge driven by AI and global events • Bitcoin's institutional comeback and potential breakout • A slowing but pressured real estate market • Canada's growing debt problem and spending habits • And a critical breakdown of the new Canadian sovereign wealth fund — and why it may not be what it seems.

On today's episode, Darren and Christina break down how Elon Musk built his wealth, where he took massive risks, and what entrepreneurs, business owners, and everyday investors can learn from his approach.

They discuss how Musk concentrated his capital, reinvested relentlessly, maintained ownership, borrowed against assets instead of selling them, and stayed on the compounding curve for decades.

Whether you love him or hate him, there are major wealth-building lessons to learn from the world's richest man.

There's a massive shift happening in Canada right now — and most business owners aren't ready for it.

Over the next decade, the majority of privately held businesses will change hands. But here's the problem…

Most owners:

• Aren't structured properly

• Don't qualify for major tax advantages

• And are WAY too dependent on themselves

Which means when it comes time to sell…

👉 valuations drop 👉 deals fall apart 👉 and hundreds of thousands (or millions) are lost

In this episode, we break down:

• The coming business exit wave

• Why your business might be worth less than you think

• The $1.25M tax-free opportunity most owners miss

• How to structure your business properly

• What buyers ACTUALLY look for

• And what your life looks like AFTER the sale

If you're a business owner — this is not optional knowledge.

Most people think life insurance does one thing.

You pay into it… and when you die, someone gets a cheque.

But what if that's only scratching the surface?

In this episode of Control and Compound, Darren and Christina break down 16 powerful and often overlooked benefits of cash value life insurance — and why it may be one of the most misunderstood financial tools available in Canada today.

This isn't just about insurance. It's about how your money moves, how it grows, and most importantly — how much control you actually have over it.

How can Canadians invest in U.S. real estate the right way?

In this episode of Control and Compound, Darren Mitchell is joined by Glen Sutherland, founder of Canadian Investing in the U.S., to break down how Canadians are buying everything from single-family homes to large apartment buildings across the border.

March was a wild month – and in this April update, Darren and Christina break down what it all means for Canadians, investors, and business owners.

They cover the Bank of Canada rate hold, inflation risks, the falling Canadian dollar, stock market volatility, Bitcoin, pressure building in Canadian real estate, recession concerns, and why certainty matters more than ever in uncertain times.

They also unpack what's happening in the broader Canadian economy, why capital is leaving the country, and why more people are turning to safe, stable financial strategies.

On today's episode, Darren and Christina break down one of the most common questions entrepreneurs ask — and explain why the answer is about much more than just taxes.

They cover the real differences between salary and dividends, how each one impacts your corporation, personal taxes, CPP, lending ability, cash flow, investing, retirement planning, and long-term wealth, and why sometimes the smartest move is to leave more money inside the corporate structure.

Most people think you start a second policy when you have more money. While that may be the case sometimes, there's so many other reasons why you can start a second, third, and maybe even a fourth policy!

On today's episode, Darren and Christina break down exactly when and why a second cash value life insurance policy makes sense. From max funding limits to corporate strategies, unexpected cash flow, and generational wealth planning, we walk through the real reasons people expand beyond their first policy.

What is Infinite Banking in Canada, and how do you know whether you're still at level 1.0 or ready for 2.0 and 3.0? On today's episode, Darren and Christina break down the real difference between using cash value life insurance in Canada for simple policy loans versus using it for wealth creation, retirement income, tax efficiency, and legacy planning.

They explain how Infinite Banking 1.0 is where most people start: borrowing against a properly structured policy for major purchases, liquidity, and better control over money. Then they move into Infinite Banking 2.0, where the strategy becomes a true wealth-building tool for Canadian business owners, real estate investors, and families who want to use policy liquidity to create assets, generate income, and multiply capital. Finally, they unpack Infinite Banking 3.0, where the conversation expands into tax-free retirement planning, estate planning, corporate planning, and leaving more to family instead of CRA.

Yesterday was International Women's Day, and today we're continuing that celebration by spotlighting an incredible woman who is building businesses, creating impact, and empowering communities. In this special Entrepreneur Spotlight episode of Control and Compound, Christina sits down with Harleen Laroia.

Harleen, a visionary CEO, spearheads a renowned childcare and Montessori brand with twelve facilities in Ontario. Driven by her children's needs, she transitioned from the corporate world to founding her own childcare brand with a unique offering of Montessori and play-based under one roof. SimplySmart Childcares provide employment for over 235 people in Ontario, with 99.9% being women.

Canada's economic future is becoming one of the most important conversations happening today. Rising government spending, persistent deficits, and growing debt are raising serious questions about long-term economic growth, investment, and tax policy.

On today's episode, Darren sits down with returning guest Jake Fuss, Director of Fiscal Studies at the Fraser Institute, to break down the big picture of Canada's economic trajectory. They discuss the real impact of affordability programs, government spending, deficits, and what Canada's rising debt could mean for businesses, investors, and everyday Canadians.

On the surface, things look stable. Inflation is near target. Rates are holding. The dollar isn't moving much. Markets aren't melting down.

But underneath? There are some real shifts happening.

On the March update, Darren and Christina talk about Canada's productivity problem, the growing imbalance between government and private sector jobs, real estate entering what we'd call a "pressure phase," and why Bitcoin's drop may not mean what people think it means.

They also dive into why Canada's market is outperforming the U.S. right now — and it has less to do with the economy than most people assume.

If you care about where the country is heading financially, this is an important one. Tune in now!

Most entrepreneurs believe working harder is the answer. More hours. More hustle. More grind. But what if the real breakthrough isn't doing more — it's doing less of the wrong things?

On today's episode, Darren and Christina break down Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell and explain how Canadian entrepreneurs can scale faster by delegating low-value tasks, focusing on $1,000–$10,000 activities, and building systems that create leverage. This one could change how you structure your entire week.

Canada doesn't have a formal death tax — but that doesn't mean death is simple or inexpensive. When someone passes away, taxes can be triggered immediately through deemed disposition, and on top of that, probate fees may apply depending on the province. Many Canadians confuse these two costs, and that confusion can lead to serious planning gaps.

On today's episode, Darren and Christina break down what probate actually is, how probate fees vary across Canada, what assets flow through probate, and what strategies can reduce delays and unnecessary costs. More importantly, they explain why probate isn't just about fees — it's about timing, privacy, executor stress, and making life easier for your family when they're already dealing with loss.

We're flipping the script for this month's entrepreneurial spotlight series and Darren is taking his turn in the hot seat!

Should incorporated Canadian business owners contribute to an RRSP — or is it quietly working against them?

On today's episode, Darren and Christina break down what an RRSP actually is (a tax deferral, not a wealth strategy), why the "you'll be in a lower tax bracket in retirement" assumption often fails for successful business owners, and how forced RRIF withdrawals + OAS claw backs can create a much higher effective tax rate later.

We're flipping the script for this month's entrepreneurial spotlight series and Darren is taking his turn in the hot seat!

Entrepreneurship isn't built on highlight reels — it's built on hard decisions, uncomfortable moments, and learning how to survive uncertainty.

From walking away from a secure corporate career, to $0 months, near-business-ending moments, and learning how to pivot under pressure — Darren shares the lessons most entrepreneurs only learn the hard way.