Healthy Advisor
Healthy Advisor is a podcast from WealthManagement.com focused on advisors’ personal wellbeing and healing. In this podcast we explore some of the deepest struggles and hardships that many advisors face and bring these issues out into the open so that oth
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The Healthy Advisor: Taking Control of Your Finances with Bridget Venus Grimes
After facing divorce, financial hardship and even losing her home in a wildfire, Bridget Venus Grimes rebuilt her life and career around helping other women do the same, taking control of their finances, finding community and redefining success on their own terms. In this episode of The Healthy Advisor, host Diana Britton sits down with Grimes, president of WealthChoice and co-founder of Equita Financial Network, to explore her journey from Wall Street trader to pastry chef to financial planner for breadwinner women. From personal struggle to powerful purpose, Grimes reveals how she built a network to uplift female advisors and how coaching, balance, and connection helped her thrive through life’s toughest seasons. She discusses: The unconventional path that led Bridget from trading floors to Paris kitchens and back to finance How divorce, debt and disaster shaped her passion for empowering women through financial planning Why pay inequity and lack of flexibility persist for women in financial services What inspired her to create Equita Financial Network How coaching, community, and boundaries can protect advisors from burnout Resources: Listen to The Healthy Advisor on Wealth Management Subscribe and listen to The Healthy Advisor on Apple Podcasts Subscribe and listen to The Healthy Advisor on Spotify The Healthy Advisor: Overcoming Insecurities and Self-Doubt With Stephanie Bogan Focused on the Future: Breadwinner Women, Gen Z, and Succession with Bridget Venus Grimes Connect with Wealth Management: Wealth Management LinkedIn: Diana Britton diana.britton@informa.com LinkedIn: Informa LinkedIn: Wealth Management Connect With Bridget Venus Grimes: LinkedIn: Bridget Venus Grimes bridget.grimes@wealthchoice.com Equita Financial Network LinkedIn: Equita Financial Network WealthChoice LLC LinkedIn: WealthChoice LLC About Our Guest: Bridget Venus Grimes, CFP, is President of WealthChoice, a wealth management firm for women executives, and Co-founder of the SEC-registered investment advisor Equita Financial Network, a community of women-led financial planning firms. Bridget began her career in 1987, trading stocks for private hedge funds in New York City, before pursuing her passion for financial planning for women. Bridget believes in empowering women to take confident steps toward a better life. She authored the best-selling book Corner Office Choices: The Executive Woman’s Guide to Financial Freedom and has written countless articles for major US media channels. Her commitment to women’s financial education extends not only to women professionals but also to fellow financial planners. She has spoken at major industry conferences and co-hosted the Financial Planning Association’s Women’s Knowledge Circle. Bridget splits her time between Arizona and California and enjoys boating, golf, entertaining, anything French, and, most of all, cooking. She holds a B.A degree in German language and literature and a minor in Art History from Mount Holyoke College.
The Healthy Advisor: An Unexpected Stroke and the Way Forward With Mark Singer
For 35 years, Mark Singer owned an independent financial planning firm, Safe Harbor Retirement Planning, in the Boston area, a Commonwealth Financial Network affiliate. During that time, he was living life at full speed—running three businesses, exercising, playing golf, boating, spending time with grandchildren—until he had a life-changing stroke in October 2022. He lost his ability to speak, swallow, eat and perform the most basic functions. His recovery forced him to slow down and retire from the business earlier than he expected. In this episode of The Healthy Advisor, host Diana Britton talks with Mark Singer, a retired financial advisor, about how the stroke reshaped his view of success and identity. His story points to the strength of resilience, perspective and compassion, both in business and in life. Diana and Mark discuss: Mark’s journey from textile manufacturing to founding Safe Harbor Retirement Planning in Boston The moment the stroke upended his life, and how he figured out a way forward Mark’s mantra of “focus on the what is, not the what if.” How things played out with his financial planning business The role of friendships, community and client relationships in his recovery Lessons learned from 35 years as an advisor Resources: Listen to The Healthy Advisor on WealthManagement.com Subscribe and listen to The Healthy Advisor on Apple Podcasts Subscribe and listen to The Healthy Advisor on Spotify Connect With Mark Singer: LinkedIn: Mark Singer mark55retire@gmail.com Connect with WealthManagement.com: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: Diana Britton diana.britton@informa.com LinkedIn: Informa LinkedIn: WealthManagement About Our Guest: Author Mark Singer has been recognized for his vision and creativity within the world of financial planning. He is the author of two books, and the most recent, The Six Secrets to a Happy Retirement, is available on Amazon.com. Drawing upon his over three decades as a founder of one of the leading retirement firms in Boston, the book profiles the financial, emotional, and physical issues associated with the transition into retirement. He retired from his role as president of Safe Harbor Retirement Planning in 2022, and had served as the Retirement Guide to thousands of investors since 1986. Mark’s approach was to focus on each individual client and ask the questions that other advisors and investors often overlook. Mark is a frequent speaker and has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, ABCNews.com, FoxNews.com, and Bloomberg Radio, as well as locally (Boston) on NECN and WRKO. Mark is also a multiyear recipient of Boston Magazine’s 5 Star Wealth Manager Award.
The Healthy Advisor: A Heart for Serving the Neurodivergent with Ryan Marcus
Ryan Marcus has a passion for helping the wealth management industry better serve the neurodivergent community. He argues that the industry is not serving them in an intentional way. Neurodivergence refers to divergence in mental or neurological function from what is considered typical or normal. It’s frequently used with reference to autistic spectrum disorders. The issue is personal to Ryan, whose nephew, Nicholas, is on the spectrum. That experience revealed how unprepared the wealth management industry is to serve this growing community, even as trillions in wealth shift to younger generations. In this episode of The Healthy Advisor podcast, WealthManagement.com Executive Editor Diana Britton speaks with Ryan Marcus, chief business development and engagement officer at Binah Capital, about what he’s learned from his nephew, why authenticity matters, and how advisors can embrace practical, human changes that make a big impact. Ryan discusses: His personal connection with his nephew and the lessons he’s learned about authenticity The financial obstacles neurodivergent clients face, from sensory overload to complex communication Small office and meeting adjustments that remove barriers and improve comfort The gap in how the financial services industry serves the neurodivergent community The opportunity advisors have to better serve individuals on the spectrum How financial literacy and wealth management both play critical roles in long-term well-being Resources: Listen to The Healthy Advisor on WealthManagement.com Subscribe and listen to The Healthy Advisor on Apple Podcasts Subscribe and listen to The Healthy Advisor on Spotify Connect with Ryan Marcus: LinkedIn: Ryan Marcus Website: Binah Capital Ryan.Marcus@Binahcap.com Connect with WealthManagement.com: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: Diana Britton diana.britton@informa.com LinkedIn: Informa LinkedIn: WealthManagement About Our Guest: A recognized connector in the wealth management industry, Ryan Marcus has over two decades of experience leading strategy and client engagement across respected firms such as United Capital, RBC Advisor Services, and MarketCounsel Consulting. He has driven growth by aligning people, ideas, and opportunities, with a focus on enhancing client experience and deepening relationships. Known for building trust and offering strategic insight, Ryan has shared his perspective through industry panels and publications. His work continues to shape how firms think about client service, business development, and scalable infrastructure in an evolving regulatory and competitive landscape.
The Healthy Advisor: A Parkinson’s Diagnosis Prompts an Early Retirement With Lisa Erickson
Lisa Erickson spent 37 years in financial services, ultimately leading the Public Markets Due Diligence team at U.S. Bank, which manages over $500 billion in client assets. In addition to her business acumen, she was best known for her selflessness, positivity and character. But earlier this year, Lisa chose to retire early after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a movement disorder of the nervous system. She now enters a new phase of her life, having to deal with this illness. That wasn’t the first personal hardship she’s faced. In 2020, she lost her husband, Chris, to a sudden and aggressive illness. In this episode, WealthManagement.com Executive Editor Diana Britton is joined by Lisa Erickson, retired head of the Public Markets Due Diligence team in U.S. Bank’s Wealth Management’s Asset Management Group, who opens up about these personal struggles. These past few years have tested her strength in unimaginable ways, but they’ve also revealed lessons about grief, faith and finding purpose in the face of adversity. Lisa discusses: Her path into financial services and leadership at U.S. Bank Losing her husband and the grieving process Life adjustments after his passing Receiving her Parkinson’s diagnosis and deciding to retire Coping strategies rooted in faith, gratitude and community The role financial advisors play in helping clients prepare for the unexpected Resources: Listen to The Healthy Advisor on WealthManagement.com Subscribe and listen to The Healthy Advisor on Apple Podcasts Subscribe and listen to The Healthy Advisor on Spotify Connect with WealthManagement.com: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: Diana Britton diana.britton@informa.com LinkedIn: Informa LinkedIn: WealthManagement Connect With Lisa Erickson: LinkedIn: Lisa Erickson About Our Guest: Lisa Erickson is a seasoned financial professional who recently retired as Head of the Public Markets Due Diligence Team at U.S. Bank’s Wealth Management group, where she helped manage over $500 billion in assets. Beyond her successful career, she’s faced profound personal challenges, including the sudden loss of her husband and her own Parkinson’s diagnosis. Through it all, Lisa remains committed to living with gratitude, faith, and resilience, inspiring others with her courage and openness. If you have a struggle and wish to share your experiences and help others in similar situations, please reach out to Diana at diana.britton@informa.com.
The Healthy Advisor: How a Near-Death Experience Became an ‘Origination Point’ With John Connell
The summer after his freshman year in high school, John Connell went on the Texas Giant rollercoaster in Arlington, Texas, the tallest wooden rollercoaster in the U.S. at that time. John ended up in the hospital, with injuries the doctors weren’t sure he’d recover from. That became an “origination point,” a wake-up call that forever changed the trajectory of his life. In this episode of The Healthy Advisor podcast, WealthManagement.com Executive Editor Diana Britton talks with John Connell, co-founder and CEO of Focal, about the life-changing experience. It shaped his perspective, inspired his relentless curiosity, and ultimately led to the creation of Focal, an artificial intelligence meeting management solution for financial advisors. John opens up about the accident that nearly claimed his life as a teenager, how it fueled a lifelong commitment to impact, and why he believes hardship is a hidden teacher. He also shares how his global travels, time at Microsoft and passion for scaling meaningful change converged to create a company that helps advisors spend more time with clients and less on paperwork. John discusses: His childhood and early experiences that shaped him His near-death experience and its long-lasting impact on his worldview Lessons from global travel and embracing different cultures The role of technology in driving societal change How Focal is helping advisors reclaim their time and serve more clients Resources: Listen to The Healthy Advisor on WealthManagement.com Subscribe and listen to The Healthy Advisor on Apple Podcasts Subscribe and listen to The Healthy Advisor on Spotify The WealthStack Podcast: How Agentic AI is Revolutionizing Wealth Management with John Connell Connect With John Connell: info@meetwithfocal.com Focal Website LinkedIn: John L. Connell LinkedIn: Focal | Secure Advisor AI Connect with WealthManagement.com: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: Diana Britton diana.britton@informa.com LinkedIn: Informa LinkedIn: WealthManagement About Our Guest: John leads Focal as CEO, an AI note-taking platform and automation services provider. Focal goes beyond AI note-taking by helping firms automate KYC, onboarding, planning, and more. We are trusted by executives across Ritholtz, Fidelity, Vanguard, KPMG, and more as the industry’s most secure note-taker and automation provider, helping advisors save 8 hours a week and scale serviceable clients by 30%. John started his career at Microsoft, where he managed a $1B P&L for Office 365 and contributed strategically to Microsoft’s landmark acquisition of LinkedIn. After relocating to San Francisco, he joined a video conferencing startup that was acquired by Dialpad. He then leveraged his expertise in enterprise SaaS and AI/ML to invest at a $5B AUM venture capital fund, later scaling an AI/compliance startup from its early stages as the first business hire to securing $36M in funding within three years. John graduated from the University of Texas, combining studies in Finance and Management Information Systems with foundational experiences in wealth management at Merrill Lynch and equity trading at Jefferies in New York. If you have a struggle and wish to share your experiences and help others in similar situations, please reach out to Diana at diana.britton@informa.com.
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