Episodes

When a prospect asks ChatGPT or Claude which advisor they should hire, does your firm come up? Google sends fewer clicks now that AI answers questions directly, but the leads that do come through AI tend to show up ready to talk. Today, Brent Carnduff, President of Advisor Rankings and Head of SEO at WealthReach, returns to the podcast to share how AI picks which advisors to recommend and how search has changed since his last time on the show. Listen in to learn how to set up your content so ...

Q4 is one of the highest-leverage quarters in advisory work, yet so many advisors treat it like a finish line. Don't make that mistake. In this episode, Kristin breaks down what to do with your remaining 90 days, split between what's client-facing and what needs to happen inside your firm. With tax decisions live, year-end planning top of mind, and prospects feeling real urgency heading into the final stretch, now is the time to act. Listen in to learn how to turn tax planning outreach into ...

Most advisory firms get 80 to 100% of their growth from referrals. But the fastest-growing firms? They get about a third. That gap tells a story. In this episode, financial industry leader Michael Kitces joins the podcast to share findings from the 2026 Kitces Research Study on Advisor Marketing and why the "serve clients well and the referrals will flow" mindset caps your growth. Listen in to learn why high-growth firms win with one or two channels, why marketing takes a year to work (and w...

Your marketing is working and prospects are booking calls… so why aren’t they becoming clients? Most advisors go looking for the fix at the front end: a better website, more referrals, another event. But the biggest gains are usually sitting in the middle of the process, in the handoffs and follow-ups nobody owns. In this episode, Kristin breaks down where leads quietly fall through the cracks and simple fixes that can change everything. Listen in to learn what a real follow-up sequence look...

Do your clients actually know what they want, or are you building plans on goals they've never had the space to examine? Most advisors assume clients walk in already clear on their values and goals, but the truth is far foggier. In this episode, Amy Mullen, President of Money Quotient and a CFP® professional with over 20 years of experience training advisors in values-based financial life planning, joins Kristin to explain why discovery conversations stay surface level and how a structured pro...

When a new client finally says yes, what happens next? Does your firm spring into action… or quietly go dark while the paperwork gets processed? In this episode, Kristin reframes client onboarding as more than an administrative box to check. It's one of the most overlooked growth strategies in a firm. Listen in to hear a real case study of the assets Kristin helped a firm build, from a one-page visual client journey to templated communications, team introductions, and a technology review meet...

What does it take to walk away from the safety net of a corporate RIA and build something that’s truly yours? In this episode, John Schwalbach and Jon Holmgren, partners at Freedom Financial Partners, join Kristin to share the real story behind their firm’s evolution from a broker-dealer to a corporate RIA to becoming a fully independent firm. Listen in as they open up about the fear of losing built-in compliance support, the “visionary and integrator” partnership that made the leap possible, ...

Do you know exactly who you're trying to reach, or are you heading out into the world without a clear target? In this episode, Kristin walks through a practical framework for identifying your ideal client before you build your opportunity list. Listen in to learn how to narrow down your ideal client from your existing book of business, why focusing on problems instead of dollar amounts is a game changer, and how aligning your personal connections with your firm's strengths can unlock more natu...

Are you using AI to get time back or just finding new ways to stay busy? In this episode, Matt Halloran, Chief Evangelist at Zocks and author of Shut the F Up and Listen, joins the show to explore how AI note-taking tools are giving financial advisors real, measurable time back—and why most advisors don't know what to do with it when they get it. Listen in to learn the biggest barrier to AI adoption and how reimagining your daily routine can open the door to deeper client relationships, better...

Is your firm actually growing, or has the busyness of the year been masking a lack of progress toward your real goals? Summer is more than a slow season. It's a 90-day window to step back, assess where you are, and set yourself up to hit the fall with momentum rather than scrambling to catch up. In this episode, we walk through five honest check-in questions every advisor and firm leader should ask at the halfway point of the year, plus a practical playbook for using the summer strategically. ...

Are you designing your sales process around what you prefer or around what your prospect actually needs to feel confident enough to say yes? In this episode, Nancy Bleeke Noël, Founder of Sales Pro Insider and creator of the Genuine Sales Training course, joins Kristin to flip the script on how advisors approach business development—because most prospects have never hired a financial advisor before and don't know how to do it. Listen in to discover why your sales process begins long before the...

When was the last time you felt truly connected to the people you lead? In today's episode, we unpack the growing reality of loneliness in leadership and the workplace, especially in a world driven by remote work and constant online connection. Listen in to learn why so many leaders feel isolated “at the top,” how loneliness is quietly impacting performance and well-being, and why being in a relationship-driven industry makes this even more important to address. You'll hear practical ways to ...

Is transitioning to the RIA model the right move for your practice, or could it hold you back? In this episode, you’ll hear what really drives advisors to consider making the switch, from the desire for greater flexibility to the potential for stronger long-term economics. Brad Wales, Founder of Transition To RIA, joins the show to break down the real motivations behind these decisions and explain why some advisors are running toward opportunity while others are running away from limitations. ...

You probably have plenty of content ideas… but do you have a system for turning them into consistent visibility? Without content flowing through your website, LinkedIn, and newsletters, you may as well have built a beautiful storefront on a dead-end street with no foot traffic. That's why you need a plan. In this episode, we talk about building an engine inside your business so content is consistently created, shared, and distributed. Listen in to learn how to set up a content calendar that ...

What happens when referrals aren’t enough to grow your business anymore? In this episode, Hillary Gale Meehan, owner of Moneta Copy, breaks down what financial advisors need to do when they’ve built a solid foundation—but are ready for their next stage of growth. You’ll learn why relying solely on referrals can hold you back, and how content marketing fits into a smarter, more scalable growth strategy. From clarifying your message to building trust at scale, Hillary shares practical steps to ...

If someone Googled you today, would they trust you more or less? In a world where vulnerability and authenticity are replacing the old corporate playbook, personal brand has become one of the most powerful differentiators for advisors. In this episode, you’ll learn why people hire people — not logos — and how your online presence, story, and positioning directly impact trust and growth. We break down how to articulate your “why” story, optimize your digital footprint, and ensure your headshot...

What makes many financial advisory firms feel chaotic? Often, it's not about capacity—it's about a lack of visibility. In this episode, I'm joined by Stephanie Dannebaum, ChFC®, MBA, MPP, who serves as a CRM consultant for financial advisory firms and has more than a decade of experience in the financial services industry. Listen in as Stephanie explains the common issue of advisors not knowing what’s actually happening inside their own businesses and how that lack of clarity is slowing growt...

Who should you actually say yes to when someone asks for a “quick coffee” or a partnership chat? In a world where referral partnerships are a tried-and-true growth strategy, knowing how to protect your time is just as important as building relationships. In this episode, we break down a practical three-tier system for evaluating centers of influence and referral partners so you can decide who’s worth your energy and who isn’t. You’ll learn how to assess potential partners, when it’s okay (and...

What if marketing didn’t create more work for advisors, but actually made business development easier? In this episode, we explore the role marketing plays inside an advisory firm, as well as how a strong marketing foundation can directly support advisors in growing their businesses. Instead of constantly re-explaining value, fixing gaps, or rebuilding trust from scratch, the right marketing systems allow advisors to step into conversations backed by clarity, consistency, and confidence. List...

You’ve blocked out time for business development… but now what? If you’ve ever sat down with good intentions only to stare at the wall, scroll LinkedIn, or wonder what you’re actually meant to do, this episode is for you. We kick off the new year by tackling one of the most talked-about (and most misunderstood) parts of growing a financial advisory firm: business development. Listen in to hear how to build an opportunity list, identify the right people to focus on, and create deeper relations...

What slows advisors down, and what accelerates growth? After two years of podcasting (including 48 episodes and 27 conversations with industry leaders), Kristin has discovered the answer to that question and more. In this episode, she shares the five standout lessons she's learned—and that every advisor should hear. Listen as she breaks down why systems scale better than intensity, why consistency still beats any new tactic, and how a refined client experience quietly fuels long-term growth. ...

Are you actually using LinkedIn the way it’s meant to work for your business—or just posting and hoping? Today's guest is Derek Pollard, Founder of Constellar Creative, who's here to break down exactly how advisors and financial professionals can use LinkedIn more strategically, more intentionally, and far more effectively. Listen in as Derek shares what most advisors misunderstand about content and why curating the right audience matters far more than chasing viral numbers. You’ll learn how ...

Is hosting a prospect event really worth it? Many RIA leaders hesitate out of fear of low turnout, but the real power of an educational event begins long before the first attendee walks in. In this episode, we break down why these events are one of the most effective ways to reignite business development within your firm. You’ll learn how putting a date on the calendar creates urgency, unites your team around a shared goal, and sharpens your messaging to clearly communicate your firm’s value....

What does it take to build the next version of your advisory firm—one that gives you more freedom, growth, and balance? In this episode, Michael Young, President and Managing Partner of Integrated Advisors Network, shares how advisors can evolve their business model, streamline operations, and design a firm that supports their ideal future. You’ll learn how Integrated Advisors Network helps independent advisors scale without giving up control, what to look for when evaluating partnerships and ...