Smarter Planner Podcast: Recent Episodes
Belle Osvath
Educating Financial Advisors on the things they should know (but don’t).
Host Belle Osvath, CFP® interviews industry thought leaders and professionals targeting meaningful and useful information to help you to stay at the top of your game.
No matter how long you have been in the industry there is always more to learn and interesting people to hear from, so join Belle in her mission to become a smarter planner.
This Podcast is brought to you by the Financial Planning Association’s National Capital Area chapter (FPA NCA) and will include the latest updates and announcements from the chapter.
Find out more at: www.FPANCA.org
In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, welcomes Jason Howell, CFP®, CPWA®, CSRIC®, founder of Jason Howell Company, adjunct professor at George Mason University, and author of Joy of Financial Planning: Seven Strategies for Transforming Your Finances and Reclaiming Your American Dream. Jason has dedicated his career to helping families build meaningful financial legacies by combining sound planning with intentional conversations about values, communication, and multi-generational wealth.
Jason introduces the concept of family governance and explains why it is no longer reserved for ultra-high-net-worth families. He shares how advisors can use structured conversations to uncover a client's financial history, identify the values that shape money decisions, and strengthen communication between spouses, children, and future generations. Jason also discusses how understanding a family's story can lead to deeper trust, better planning outcomes, and stronger long-term client relationships.
Throughout the conversation, Belle and Jason explore how the role of the financial advisor continues to evolve beyond investment management. As technology handles more of the technical aspects of planning, advisors have an opportunity to differentiate themselves by becoming trusted guides who facilitate meaningful conversations, help families navigate complex financial decisions, and preserve both wealth and the values behind it.
The discussion also highlights why financial planning is ultimately about people, not portfolios. Jason shares practical ways advisors can begin incorporating family governance into their practices while reinforcing one of his core beliefs: the work financial advisors do truly matters because it helps families communicate better, make wiser decisions, and create lasting legacies.
Guest Links
Company Website: https://www.JasonHowell.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonhowell
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/jasonhowell
Recommend a Podcast Guest
👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWXHTV72
The Smarter Planner Podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals, firms, products, or services mentioned.
In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, welcomes back Macia Mantel, one of the retirement industry's leading experts on Social Security, Medicare, and retirement income planning. She is the author of Social Security, Lightly Toasted, Not Burnt: How to Make Your Best Claiming Decision and has spent nearly three decades helping advisors and consumers navigate complex retirement decisions.
As headlines surrounding Social Security's financial future intensify, Marcia breaks down what is really happening and what advisors and clients need to understand. She explains why Social Security is not "going bankrupt," how the program is funded, and why the current challenges stem from demographic changes and political inaction rather than an immediate collapse of the system. Marcia also explores potential solutions being discussed in Washington, including raising the taxable wage cap, adjusting benefit formulas, modifying cost-of-living increases, and other creative policy proposals designed to preserve the program's long-term sustainability.
Throughout the conversation, Belle and Marcia discuss a growing concern among financial planners: clients making emotional claiming decisions based on fear rather than strategy. More Americans are claiming benefits early because they worry Social Security won't be there for them, potentially reducing their lifetime retirement income and creating additional financial risks later in life.
The discussion also highlights the important role advisors play in helping clients navigate uncertainty, model different planning scenarios, and become informed advocates for preserving the Social Security system.
Guest Links
Website: https://mantellretirementconsulting.com
Blog: https://boomerretirementbriefs.com
Book: Social Security, Lightly Toasted, Not Burnt: How to Make Your Best Claiming Decision
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marciamantell/
Recommend a Podcast Guest
👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWXHTV72
The Smarter Planner Podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals, firms, products, or services mentioned.
Have you listened to the latest episode of the Smarter Planner Podcast yet?
In this CE-credit episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, sits down with Matt Gelfand, PhD, CFA, CFP®, of Princeton Global to discuss the role commodities can play in modern portfolio construction.
The conversation explores: • Diversification benefits of commodities • Inflation protection strategies • Gold, silver, oil, and TIPS • Central bank buying and geopolitical impacts • Practical portfolio implementation ideas for advisors
Already listened? Don't forget to complete the quiz and claim your CE credit.
🎧 Listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/smarter-planner-podcast/id1656084327?i=1000774716942
📝 Take the quiz: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FPANCA_SmarterPlannerPodcast
Complete both steps to receive 1 CE credit through FPA National Capital Area.
#FinancialPlanning #CFP #ContinuingEducation #FinancialAdvisor #PortfolioManagement #Investing #Commodities #FPANCA #SmarterPlannerPodcast
In this CE-credit episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, sits down with Matt Gelfand, PhD, CFA, CFP®, Managing Director and Global Strategist at Princeton Global, to explore the role commodities can play in modern portfolio construction.
From gold and silver to oil and inflation-protected securities, Matt explains why commodities remain relevant for advisors seeking diversification, inflation protection, and risk management. The conversation examines recent developments in commodity markets, the impact of central bank buying, geopolitical events affecting oil prices, and practical approaches to incorporating commodities into client portfolios.
CE Credit Instructions Listen to the full episode.
Take the quiz: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FPANCA_SmarterPlannerPodcast
Receive 1 CE credit upon completion.
Links & Resources Princeton Global https://www.princetonglobal.com LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattgelfand The information provided in the Smarter Planner Podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice. Views expressed are those of the guests and host, not necessarily those of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area (FPA NCA). Please consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, welcomes back Victor Haghani, founder of Elm Wealth, co-author of The Missing Billionaires: A Guide to Better Financial Decisions, and former co-founder of Long-Term Capital Management. Victor returns to the podcast to discuss his latest investing experiment, the Crystal Ball Challenge, a unique exercise designed to test whether having access to tomorrow's news would actually make investors better decision-makers.
Inspired by a challenge posed by Nassim Taleb, the Crystal Ball Challenge gives participants access to a future Wall Street Journal front page while hiding the actual market results. Players then decide how to position stocks and bonds before discovering what really happened. What sounds like an investing superpower quickly becomes a lesson in uncertainty, confidence, and risk management.
Victor also explains why some artificial intelligence models were surprisingly effective at identifying market direction while still struggling with one of investing's most important skills: determining how much risk to take.
Throughout the conversation, Belle and Victor explore a challenge every financial planner encounters. Even when investors have access to more information, markets often behave in unexpected ways. Understanding the limits of prediction can help advisors keep clients focused on process, discipline, and long-term outcomes rather than short-term forecasts.
One of the most compelling takeaways is that confidence and accuracy are not the same thing. Whether you're a human investor, a professional trader, or an artificial intelligence model, knowing what might happen next is only part of the equation.
Victor's message is simple:
Successful investing is not about predicting the future perfectly. It's about making better decisions in the face of uncertainty.
Guest Links Website: https://elmwealth.com
Book: The Missing Billionaires: A Guide to Better Financial Decisions
Crystal Ball Challenge: https://elmwealth.com
Recommend a Podcast Guest 👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWXHTV7
The Smarter Planner Podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals, firms, products, or services mentioned.
In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, welcomes Susan Bradley, founder of the Sudden Money Institute, creator of the Certified Financial Transitionist (CeFT®) designation, and author of Sudden Money: Managing a Financial Windfall.
Susan has spent decades studying what happens when people experience major life transitions involving money. What began as work helping women receiving legal settlements eventually evolved into a career focused on understanding the human side of financial planning and the challenges clients face when life changes suddenly.
In this conversation, Susan explains why many financial planning conversations focus heavily on the technical side of change while overlooking the emotional, behavioral, and decision-making challenges that often accompany major life events.
Susan also discusses the concept of becoming a client's thinking partner rather than simply their financial expert. She explains how advisors can help clients move through major life changes by providing structure, perspective, and a safe environment for decision-making.
Throughout the conversation, Susan challenges advisors to think beyond the technical plan and consider what clients are experiencing as they move from one stage of life to another.
One of her most important observations is that while advisors often focus on the first year after a major life event, many transitions continue unfolding for several years as clients adjust to a new reality and redefine their identity, relationships, and goals.
Susan's message is simple:
Financial transitions are ultimately human transitions, and advisors who understand both sides can create a deeper impact for their clients.
Guest Links Website: https://financialtransitionist.com
Book: Sudden Money: Managing a Financial Windfall
LinkedIn: Susan Bradley
Certified Financial Transitionist (CeFT®): https://financialtransitionist.com
Recommend a Podcast Guest 👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWXHTV7
The Smarter Planner Podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals, firms, products, or services mentioned.
In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, welcomes Jeremy Keil, CFP®, CFA®, and Certified Kingdom Advisor®, founder of Keil Financial Partners, host of the Retirement Revealed Podcast, and creator of the Mr. Retirement YouTube channel.
Jeremy joins Belle to talk about advisor marketing, branding, and niching down in a way that feels authentic rather than sales-driven. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience helping clients transition into retirement, Jeremy explains why successful marketing is not just about generating leads. It starts with understanding exactly who you serve and how you communicate with them.
Jeremy breaks down the framework he uses for his own business:
• Brand: Who you are and who you serve • Messaging: How you speak to those people • Marketing: How you help the right people find you
Jeremy also explains how his retirement planning framework became part of his client experience and why advisors should think intentionally about how clients experience their process from the very first interaction.
The conversation also explores Jeremy's work as a Certified Kingdom Advisor and how values, faith, and transparency can influence advisor-client relationships.
Finally, Jeremy shares why he believes advisors should learn motivational interviewing, a communication framework originally developed in behavioral counseling that helps people move toward meaningful change through better conversations and questions.
His message to advisors is simple:
The best marketing often does not feel like marketing at all. It feels like clarity, consistency, and connection.
Guest Links Website: https://keilfp.com
Podcast: https://keilfp.com/blogpodcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MrRetirement
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrretirement/
Recommend a Podcast Guest 👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWXHTV7
The Smarter Planner Podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals, firms, products, or services mentioned.
In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, welcomes Vincent Randazzo, CMT, portfolio manager at Tamaris Capital Management, co-portfolio manager of the Defender Risk Adaptive 500 ETF, and founder of ViewRight Advisors.
Vincent has spent more than two decades studying market behavior, technical analysis, and portfolio risk. In this conversation, he joins Belle to talk about a research paper he recently co-authored called Navigating Lost Decades: Protecting Long-Term Compounding in Secular Bear Markets and why advisors need to think beyond short-term volatility and start planning for the market environments that can quietly damage wealth over time.
Drawing on more than 155 years of market history, Vincent explains what "lost decades" really are, why they happen more often than many investors realize, and how extended periods of flat or negative returns can create both financial and behavioral challenges for clients.
Vincent also talks about why valuation alone is rarely enough to guide investment decisions, why context matters more than headlines, and how having a clear process can help advisors stay confident when clients start asking tough questions during volatile markets.
Guest Links Website: https://viewright.ai
LinkedIn: Vincent Randazzo
Recommend a Podcast Guest 👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWXHTV7
The Smarter Planner Podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals, firms, products, or services mentioned.
In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, welcomes David Keller, CMT, President and Chief Strategist at Sierra Alpha Research, a boutique investment research and consulting firm. David is also a CNBC contributor and the host of the Market Misbehavior YouTube channel and podcast, where he helps investors and advisors better understand market behavior through technical analysis and storytelling.
With a unique background blending finance, psychology, and creative storytelling, David shares how he built a business around content creation and why video, podcasts, and social media are becoming essential tools for advisors looking to build trust and connect with clients.
In this conversation, David shares:
- Why advisors should embrace content creation and start before they feel "ready"
- How authentic, human content stands out in a world increasingly filled with AI-generated noise
- The importance of thinking beyond posting content and building a true "channel" or media platform
- Practical tools and strategies for growing a presence, including analytics, coaching, and consistency
- How content helps shift investors from emotional decision-making to evidence-based thinking
David also explains how his own journey - from corporate roles at firms like Fidelity and Bloomberg to launching his own firm - was driven by a desire to communicate more effectively and connect with audiences in a more meaningful way. He emphasizes that advisors who show up consistently, share insights clearly, and present themselves as real people can build stronger relationships and stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Guest Links * Website: marketmisbehavior.com * YouTube: MarketMisbehavior * LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dckeller/
Recommend a Podcast Guest 👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWXHTV7
The Smarter Planner Podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals or services mentioned.
In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, welcomes David Marra, Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer at Markin Asset Management, a firm focused on combining quantitative and fundamental research to help investors navigate changing market conditions and manage downside risk.
With decades of experience in investment research and portfolio construction, David breaks down what downside protection really means and why it has become increasingly important in today's faster-moving, more volatile markets. While many portfolios are built for growth, David explains how advisors can better evaluate risk, manage drawdowns, and build strategies that protect capital without giving up long-term opportunity.
David also discusses how global forces—like geopolitical conflict, supply chain disruptions, and rising interest rates—are contributing to increased market volatility, and why advisors need to adapt their investment approach accordingly. He emphasizes that effective portfolio construction is not just about avoiding losses, but about managing downside risk while still positioning clients for long-term growth.
Guest Links Website: https://markinfunds.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/david-marra-8693b44
Recommend a Podcast Guest 👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWXHTV7
The Smarter Planner Podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals or services mentioned.
In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, welcomes Rich Arzaga, CFP®, CCIM, founder of Real Estate Whisperer Financial Planning.
Rich specializes in helping clients and advisors better understand how real estate fits into a comprehensive financial plan. With real estate representing a significant portion of household wealth in the U.S., he highlights a critical gap: many financial plans treat real estate as a static asset rather than an active planning opportunity.
In this conversation, Rich breaks down the fundamentals of 1031 exchanges and explains how they can be used to defer taxes when transitioning from one investment property to another.
Key topics-
- What a 1031 exchange is—and how it differs from other "exchange" strategies
- When a 1031 exchange may be appropriate for clients
- The tax implications of selling investment property without a strategy
- Key rules advisors should understand, including timing requirements and property guidelines
- The concept of "boot" and how partial exchanges are taxed
- How clients can transition from active real estate management to more passive investments
- The importance of identifying tax exposure before recommending a strategy
- Why selecting experienced partners (like qualified intermediaries) is critical
Rich also shares how advisors can identify opportunities within the financial planning process—whether clients bring the issue forward themselves or the advisor uncovers it through tax returns, cash flow analysis, or long-term planning projections.
He emphasizes that advisors don't need to become real estate experts but understanding the basics and collaborating with the right specialists can significantly improve client outcomes.
Guest Links Website: https://www.realestatewhisperer.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richarzaga
Recommend a Podcast Guest 👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWXHTV7
The Smarter Planner Podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. This content is not intended as investment, tax, or legal advice. Individual circumstances may vary.
In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, welcomes Tyson Ray, host of The Total Succession Show and author of Total Succession.
With decades of experience building and acquiring advisory firms, Tyson shares his personal journey into succession planning—and why what he thought was a solid plan turned out to be incomplete. As consolidation accelerates across the industry and private equity plays a larger role, Tyson explains why advisors must take a more intentional and informed approach to their exit strategy.
In this conversation, Tyson discusses:
- Why succession planning is more than a buy-sell agreement
- The rise of aggregators, integrators, and private equity in the advisory space
- The hidden trade-offs behind high valuations and earn-out structures
- How succession decisions can directly impact client outcomes
- Why advisors must define what they are retiring into, not just exiting from
- The risks of waiting too long—and losing flexibility and options
- Strategies for building internal succession through team incentives and structure
- How multi-generational planning can strengthen client retention
Tyson also introduces his "SPACE" framework for succession planning:
- See your future and define what comes next
- Prepare by identifying what needs to be built or changed
- Act on a clear plan
- Commit to decisions and transitions
- Exit with intention into the next phase of life
He emphasizes that succession is not just a business decision—it's a fiduciary responsibility. With trillions of dollars in motion and a significant percentage of advisors nearing retirement, the choices made today will shape both client outcomes and the future of advisory firms.
Guest Links Website: https://totalsuccession.comFirm: https://formwealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tysonray
Recommend a Podcast Guest 👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWXHTV7
The Smarter Planner Podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals or services mentioned.
In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, welcomes Erik Brenner, President and CEO of Hilltop Wealth and Tax Solutions.
Erik shares how his firm has adopted a "personal CFO" approach inspired by the traditional family office model historically reserved for ultra-wealthy families and adapted it for middle-income clients who face increasingly complex financial decisions.
Rather than focusing solely on investment management, Erik and his team integrate in-house tax planning, accounting services, and estate coordination into a centralized advisory experience. The goal: simplify the financial lives of clients while proactively mitigating their largest long-term expense; taxes.
Erik also outlines the operational realities of launching a tax division including hiring the right talent, acquiring existing practices, and aligning incentives so the tax business becomes sustainable rather than a loss leader.
As advisory services continue to evolve, Erik challenges planners to consider where the industry will be five years from now and whether asset management alone will be enough to stand out.
Guest Links Website: https://hilltopwealthtax.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikbrenner
Recommend a Podcast Guest 👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWXHTV7
The Smarter Planner Podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals or services mentioned.
In this 1 CE-credit episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP® explores two critical components of modern investment analysis: how to evaluate portfolio managers and how ESG data fits into long-term risk and return.
In the first conversation, David Marra, founder and managing director of Markin Asset Management, shares a disciplined framework for identifying skilled portfolio managers. He explains how advisors can distinguish true investment skill from luck, evaluate risk management capabilities, and understand the importance of transparency in active management.
In the second half of the episode, Liz Simmie, co-founder of Honeytree Investment Management, discusses why ESG data should be treated as core investment intelligence, not a niche screening tool. She explores common misconceptions about ESG investing and explains how environmental, social, and governance data can help identify long-term business risks and opportunities.
Listen to the full episode, complete the assessment, and earn 1 CE credit.
CE Credit Instructions 1. Listen to the full episode 2. Take the quiz: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FPANCASmarterPlannerPodcast_Quiz 3. Receive 1 CE credit upon completion
Links & Resources Part One: David Marra — Evaluating Portfolio Manager Skill David Marra shares a practical framework advisors can use to evaluate portfolio managers and determine whether investment performance reflects skill, strategy, or market exposure.
Key topics include:
• Why manager selection remains one of the most valuable services advisors provide • Starting with risk metrics such as volatility, maximum drawdown, and downside risk • Evaluating alpha and performance net of fees • Using factor models to separate skill from luck • Assessing the repeatability of an investment process • Why direct conversations with portfolio managers reveal important insights about risk management
Key takeaway: Advisors who build portfolios using carefully selected managers can provide differentiated value and better client outcomes.
Links
Markin Asset Management
linkedin.com/in/david-marra-8693b44
Part Two: Liz Simmie — ESG Data and Long-Term Investment Risk Liz Simmie explains why ESG data should be viewed as fundamental business information, not simply an ethical overlay or constraint.
Key topics include:
• How ESG data such as employee turnover, governance structure, and supply chain diversity impacts financial performance • The history of values-aligned and responsible investing • Why ESG investing is often misunderstood as a return trade-off • How ESG insights can help identify long-term corporate resilience • Honeytree's quantamental investment approach, combining quantitative analysis with fundamental research
Key takeaway: Many investors interested in ESG are not sacrificing returns—they are seeking to avoid hidden long-term risks tied to governance, environmental impact, and workforce practices.
Links
• Honeytree Investment Management • Honeytree ETF — Ticker: BEEZ • linkedin.com/in/liz-simmie-2b59173
Disclaimer The information provided in the Smarter Planner Podcast is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice. The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area (FPA NCA), its board, or its affiliates.
FPA NCA does not endorse or recommend any individuals, firms, products, or services mentioned in this podcast. Listeners should consult with a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, welcomes Leo Anzoleaga, Senior Vice President of Residential Lending at Luminate Bank.
Leo breaks down what's really happening in today's housing market, from fluctuating mortgage rates to persistent inventory shortages, and how these dynamics are impacting buyers across different stages of life. He explains why today's real estate environment cannot be painted with a single national brush and how regional factors, hybrid work models, and demographic shifts continue to shape local markets.
More importantly, Leo shares how a Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist approaches lending differently. Rather than treating a mortgage as a standalone transaction, he views it as an integrated part of a client's overall financial plan aligned with taxes, investments, estate planning, and long-term goals.
Leo also shares real-world case studies of how mortgage modeling can help advisors quantify opportunity costs and provide clients with neutral, data-driven decision frameworks.
For advisors looking to integrate mortgage strategy into their planning conversations—and deepen collaboration with lending professionals—this episode offers actionable insights.
Guest Links
Website: https://www.luminate.bank
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leoanzoleaga
Recommend a Podcast Guest
👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWXHTV7
_____________________________________________________________________________
The Smarter Planner Podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals or services mentioned.
In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, welcomes Mickie Kennedy, founder of eReleases, a company that helps small businesses, authors, and startups build credibility and visibility through strategic press release distribution.
With nearly three decades of experience, Mickie explains what a press release really is and what it isn't. While many advisors assume PR is expensive, outdated, or ineffective, Mickie breaks down how the right story, placed in the right channel, can lead to meaningful media coverage, stronger SEO, and increased trust with prospective clients.
In this conversation, Mickie shares:
- What makes a press release newsworthy (and why most fail)
- Why human-interest stories outperform corporate announcements
- How local media can be one of the most powerful and overlooked channels for advisors
- The role of press releases in SEO and AI-driven search results
- How media coverage builds long-term credibility, improves conversion rates, and reduces client churn
Mickie also discusses why advisors don't need to appear "big" or overly polished to attract media attention and how authenticity, personal stories, and even contrarian viewpoints can help advisors stand out. He outlines practical ways advisors can start exploring PR without a massive budget and why consistency matters more than a single press hit.
Guest Links
Website: https://www.ereleases.com
Free PR Masterclass: https://www.ereleases.com/plan
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/publicity/
Recommend a Podcast Guest
👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWXHTV7
____________________________________________________________________________
The Smarter Planner Podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals or services mentioned.
In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath welcomes Michael Kitces, Chief Financial Planning Nerd at Kitces.com.
In this conversation, Michael shares research-backed insights on what truly drives productivity in advisory firms and what surprisingly does not. Drawing on data from hundreds of advisory firms, he explains why revenue per advisor is one of the most consistent and meaningful ways to measure productivity across business models.
Michael discusses:
- Why technology alone rarely delivers the productivity gains advisors expect
- How team structure, delegation, and role clarity create real leverage
- The optimal size of advisory teams and why productivity often declines as teams grow too large
- How hiring the right support staff can dramatically increase capacity and revenue
He also challenges advisors to rethink pricing, sharing why fee compression is largely a myth and why many above-average advisors undervalue their work. Michael explains how pricing is a lever advisors are allowed and encouraged to use to build sustainable, scalable firms that reflect the true value they deliver.
Guest Links Website: https://www.kitces.com Podcast: Financial Advisor Success Podcast LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/michaelkitces
Recommend a Podcast Guest 👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWXHTV7
The Smarter Planner Podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals or services mentioned.
In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, welcomes Carl Richards, CFP®, creator of The Sketch Guy column for The New York Times, where for more than a decade he translated complex money ideas into simple, hand-drawn sketches.
Carl has built and sold a successful investment firm and is now a sought-after speaker and bestselling author of The Behavior Gap, The One-Page Financial Plan, and Your Money: Re-Imagining Wealth in 101 Simple Sketches. He is also the host of the podcast Behavior Gap Radio.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Carl challenges advisors to rethink how they communicate with clients. While advisors are trained to manage complexity, Carl argues that actual value lies in elegant simplicity. He explains how the overuse of jargon and technical language can unintentionally distance clients and why most people nod along even when they don't understand what's being said.
Carl shares why simplifying financial conversations helps clients:
- Feel truly heard and understood
- Build trust more quickly
- Engage more deeply with their financial decisions
- Stay focused on what actually matters to their lives
He also explores the difference between simplistic and elegantly simple, why visual communication is so powerful, and how one-page sketches can unlock more meaningful conversations. Looking ahead, Carl discusses the rise of artificial intelligence and why the future value of financial planners lies not in calculations but in human wisdom, presence, and empathy.
Guest Links
Website: https://behaviorgap.com
Podcast: Behavior Gap Radio
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlrichards
Recommend a Podcast Guest
👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWXHTV7
________________________________________________________________________________ The Smarter Planner Podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals or services mentioned.
In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, welcomes Ed Dressel, president and owner of Retire Ready Solutions, a company empowering advisors to simplify retirement education — especially for middle-income workers and pension-eligible employees.
With nearly 40 years in the industry, Ed has identified a critical disconnect: advisors love complexity, but clients crave simplicity. When presentations are too technical, clients feel lost and miss the most essential questions about their retirement readiness. Ed explains how shifting from over-analysis to interactive simplicity helps clients:
-Truly understand their retirement path
-Express their values and priorities
-Make informed decisions with confidence
-Stay engaged long after the meeting ends
He also shares how Retire Ready Solutions' tools help advisors show on one page whether a client is on track and how minor improvements (like 1–2% contribution increases) can dramatically boost outcomes without overwhelming them.
Guest Links Website: retireready.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwarddressel/
Recommend a Podcast Guest 👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWXHTV7
____________________________________________________________________________
The Smarter Planner Podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals or services mentioned.
In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, sits down with Mike Padawer, CLTC, founder and president of Inertia Advisor Services Group and Carefidence, to discuss why financial planners must shift their approach from simply paying for care to truly planning for care.
Mike—author of What's the Deal with Long-Term Care and co-author of What You Don't Know About Retirement Will Hurt You—shares how advisors can guide clients through the emotional, legal, and financial realities of aging with intention.
He explains how most advisors stop at the funding question ("Can the client afford it?"), missing the more profound planning questions that matter most:
- Who will provide care?
- Where will it happen?
- And how can families avoid conflict and crisis when the time comes?
Mike outlines his four-step framework—Awareness, Assessment, Alignment, and Action—that helps advisors integrate long-term care into every financial plan with empathy and clarity.
Guest Links:
Website: https://www.inertia-asg.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-padawer/
Recommend a podcast guest:
👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWXHTV7
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The Smarter Planner Podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals or services mentioned.
In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, sits down with Ari Galper, founder and CEO of Ari AI — the world's only trust-based proprietary AI sales growth advisor — to explore how financial planners can build deeper trust and stronger client relationships in today's commoditized advisory landscape.
Ari, author of seven bestselling books including Trust in a Split Second and Unlock the Sales Game, explains why we're in what he calls a "trust recession." He challenges the traditional focus on relationship-building and free consulting, showing instead how advisors can earn trust faster by adopting a doctor–patient approach — diagnosing problems before offering solutions.
Together, Belle and Ari unpack:
- Why "value" and "education" are no longer effective trust builders
- How to shift from being "shopped" to becoming the trusted choice
- Practical ways to change your first meeting language to build instant credibility
- How emotional connection—not intellect—is what drives client commitment
- The role of AI in transforming trust-based communication and client engagement
Learn how to stop chasing prospects and start creating trust in a split second.
Guest Links: Website: AriGalper.com Book: TheTrustBook.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/arigalper
Recommend a podcast guest: 👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWXHTV7
The Smarter Planner Podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals or services mentioned.
In this episode of The Smarter Planner podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, sits down with Jane Mepham, CFP®, founder of Elgon Financial Advisors, to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities of financial planning for immigrants and foreign nationals living in the United States. Jane, a former H-1B visa holder herself, brings a deeply personal and professional perspective to helping clients bridge two financial worlds- from understanding tax treaties and global reporting requirements to navigating cultural expectations around money and family support.
She also shares insights from her podcast, The International Money Café. She explains how collaboration between financial planners, immigration attorneys, and tax experts is essential for clients with cross-border ties.
Website: https://elgonfa.com
Podcast: https://www.theimcafe.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janemepham/
Kitces Article-
https://www.kitces.com/blog/investing-for-work-visa-holders-nonimmigrant-challenges-foreign-workers-h1b/
Recommend a podcast guest here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWXHTV7
The Smarter Planner podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals or services mentioned.
In this 1 CE-credit episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP® talks with two leading voices about how artificial intelligence is shaping the industry and what it means for the future of financial planners.
CE Credit Instructions 1. Listen to the full episode. 2. Take the quiz: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/fpancaaipodcastce 3. Receive 1 CE credit upon completion.
Links & Resources Part One: Brendan Fraser – How AI Will Make You a Better Planner Will AI replace advisors? Brendan explains why the answer is "not yet"—and maybe never, if humans focus on what tech can't replicate.
The chess analogy: How pairing human strategic thinking with computational speed elevates financial advice to new levels.
Client conversations that matter: Why empathy, values, and life goals will always separate advisors from machines.
The ROI of advice: Beyond investment returns, Brendan reframes ROI as money, time, and peace of mind.
- RFG Advisory
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanfrazier/
Part Two: Brooke Juniper – AI’s Role in Portfolio Management AI's long history in finance: From quant strategies to tax-loss harvesting, AI has been powering portfolio management for decades.
Generative AI's "unlock": Moving from deterministic models to flexible, client-specific analysis and commentary.
Vertical vs. horizontal AI apps: Why specialized AI like Sage is built for advisors, compared to general tools like ChatGPT.
Trust and transparency: Ensuring data sources, calculations, and models are reliable and client-ready.
Looking ahead: AI as a "co-pilot," enabling hyper-personalized portfolios, real-time insights, and scalable empathy.
- Sage – AI for Wealth Advisors
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-juniper/
The information provided in the Smarter Planner Podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice. Views expressed are those of the guests and host, not necessarily those of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area (FPA NCA). Please consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
In this episode of the Smarter Planner podcast, host Belle Osvath speaks with David Peters, CFP®, CPA, founder of David Peters Financial Group and Peters Tax Preparation & Consulting, about the sweeping changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and their impact on financial planners and clients. With four master’s degrees, a national teaching role, and a PhD in progress, David brings both technical expertise and a practical perspective on navigating new tax laws.
Website: petersprofessionaleducation.com/
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/david-peters-financial/
The Smarter Planner podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals or services mentioned.
In this episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, talks with Vincent Randazzo, CMT, founder of ViewRight Advisors and former Head of Technical Research at CFRA, about how financial advisors can better navigate market cycles and systemic risk using a disciplined, data-driven approach.
Vincent explains that traditional static asset allocation models don't account for the market cycle's stage—spring, summer, fall, or winter—and therefore miss critical opportunities to manage risk. He emphasizes the importance of active risk management, which differs from stock picking or market timing.
Vincent also challenges the assumption that compounding is straightforward, reminding listeners that path dependency matters—the sequence in which returns occur can significantly impact outcomes. His closing advice: helping clients avoid significant losses is more potent than chasing high returns, especially early in retirement.
To learn more or subscribe to Vincent's market research, visit viewright.ai or follow him on LinkedIn and X (@CMTRandazzo).
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The information provided in The Smarter Planner podcast is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the FPA National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA), its board, or its affiliates.
FPA NCA does not endorse or recommend any individuals, firms, products, or services mentioned in this podcast.
Listeners should consult with a qualified professional who understands their personal financial situation before making any decisions based on this or any other content.
In this episode of the Smarter Planner podcast, host Belle Osvath sits down with Paul Sippil, CPA, and founder of Paul Sippel & Associates, to explore the often-overlooked world of 401(k) plan fees, transparency, and fiduciary responsibility. As a self-described “forensic retirement consultant,” Paul has reviewed thousands of Form 5500 filings, uncovering hidden fees, conflicts of interest, and even outright fraud.
Paul shares how his journey began by cold-calling business owners after analyzing their publicly available 5500 forms—only to be met with surprise, disbelief, or outright denial. Through years of experience, he discovered that most business owners and advisors lack awareness of how much participants are truly paying, and that many advisors are receiving fees for “fake management” without providing real participant education or fiduciary-level service.
Paul encourages financial planners to dive into 5500 forms—even if they don’t manage retirement plans—because doing so can uncover powerful opportunities to add value for business-owning clients.
You can connect with Paul here;
https://www.paulsippil.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@paulsippil
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-sippil-5141a47/
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The Smarter Planner podcast is presented by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA). This episode is for educational purposes only, and neither Belle Osvath nor FPA NCA endorses specific individuals or services mentioned.
In this episode of the Smarter Planner podcast, host Belle Osvath talks with Dr. Christina Lynn, CFP®, AFC, CDFA, Director and Wealth Strategist at Mariner, about the transformative power of motivational interviewing in financial planning. A technique rooted in behavioral health, motivational interviewing is gaining momentum among financial professionals as a powerful tool to navigate emotionally charged client conversations and foster meaningful change.
Dr. Lynn explains that financial advisors often jump too quickly into solutions, assuming expertise alone can guide clients to better outcomes. Motivational interviewing teaches advisors to slow down and first explore a client’s emotions, motivations, and readiness for change. It’s about helping clients arrive at their reasons to act—making the advice more likely to be implemented.
Using real-life client scenarios—from pension decisions to post-crash diversification regrets—Dr. Lynn illustrates how motivational interviewing helps lower client defensiveness, rebuild trust, and foster more empathetic and effective relationships. As AI continues to handle more of the math, this episode emphasizes that emotional intelligence and relational skills are the future differentiators for advisors.
To connect with Dr. Lynn, visit Mariner.com or find her on LinkedIn.
The Smarter Planner podcast is brought to you by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse any specific individuals or services discussed in the episode.
In this episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, interviews Tim Maurer, CFP®, Registered Life Planner and Chief Advisory Officer at Signature FD. Tim shares his expertise on the often-dreaded topic of sales in financial planning, offering insight into how financial professionals can approach business development in a way that aligns with their fiduciary responsibility.
Tim discusses how the sales process can feel at odds with the advisory profession's core values and the challenge of reconciling the two. He also delves into his work with advisors to help them integrate business development into their professional and personal identity. Tim introduces the idea of using generosity and relationship-building to enhance sales, emphasizing that true fiduciaries can build successful practices without sacrificing their values.
Additionally, Tim talks about the skills necessary to "win the work" and highlights an innovative approach to relationship management, focusing on genuine connections rather than traditional sales techniques. If you've ever felt conflicted about business development in your advisory role, this episode will provide valuable perspectives and actionable insights.
You can connect with Tim on LinkedIn or visit his website at TimMaurer.com for more.
The Smarter Planner podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals or services discussed in this podcast.
In this episode host Belle Osvath, CFP® interviews Matt Gelfand, PhD, CFA, CFP®, Managing Director and Global Strategist at Princeton Global. Matt brings deep insight into the age-old debate of active vs. passive investing.
Matt shares how his academic background in economics initially led him to embrace the efficient market hypothesis, but his decades of real-world experience changed his view. He explains why active investing still has an important place, particularly in volatile markets, and outlines the logical and behavioral arguments supporting the idea that markets aren't always efficient.
From market inefficiencies created by human behavior to the critical role of active managers in making markets efficient, Matt unpacks why active management may outperform in certain circumstances.
The discussion also covers broader market forces, the impact of policy uncertainty, and how behavioral finance adds another layer of opportunity for active investors..
This episode is packed with thought-provoking insights for financial planners looking to deepen their understanding of market dynamics and investment strategy. You can connect with Matt on LinkedIn or visit PrincetonGlobal.com for more.
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewgelfand/
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The Smarter Planner podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals or services discussed in this podcast.
In this episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, connects with Dr. Mary Bell Carlson, financial behavior expert and founder of the Financial Behavior Keynote Group. Dr. Carlson shares how financial advisors can deepen relationships and demonstrate value through thoughtful, engaging client events.
She emphasizes that the “why” behind client events is crucial—offering more than just advice, these experiences build emotional connections, help reach resistant spouses or heirs, and allow outside speakers to reframe financial conversations in impactful ways.
With humor, warmth, and practical insight, Dr. Carlson underscores that the psychology of money is no longer optional—it’s a vital part of the advisor-client relationship, especially in an era where AI and automation are redefining value. Her message: enhancing emotional intelligence is the next frontier for financial professionals.
Learn more at https://keynote.financial
Connect with Dr. Mary Bell Carlson on LinkedIn
The Smarter Planner Podcast is a product of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA). All information is for educational and informational purposes only. Belle Osvath and the FPA NCA do not endorse or recommend any people, products, or services featured or discussed in this podcast.
In this episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, interviews Victor Hagani, founder of Elm Wealth, about his groundbreaking research into the "overnight drift" in stock markets. Victor, a seasoned finance expert, explains how a significant portion of the stock market's returns occurs during off-hours when markets are closed, despite the higher volatility typically seen during the day. This fascinating insight into overnight trading patterns is informative for investors and financial planners. Their discussion topics include:
- Overnight Drift in Stock Markets: Victor reveals how after-hours trading primarily drives market returns, shedding light on the little-known phenomenon of overnight drift.
- Day Trading Influence on Overnight Drift: Learn how day traders contribute to the overnight drift and discover which stocks are most affected by this market behavior.
- Dynamic vs. Static Asset Allocation: Victor explains why asset allocation decisions should be active and based on expected returns and risk, rather than a passive, one-size-fits-all approach.
- Elm Wealth's ETF and Dynamic Asset Allocation: Victor shares insights into Elm Wealth's unique ETF, which uses dynamic asset allocation strategies to optimize returns and adjust exposure based on market conditions.
Resources Mentioned:
Elm Wealth: Visit Elm Wealth
Elm ETF: ELM
LinkedIn: Connect with Victor Hagani
Victor's articles on the overnight drift:
- https://elmwealth.com/night-moves-overnight-drift/
- https://elmwealth.com/night-shift/
The Smarter Planner Podcast is a product of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA). All information is for educational and informational purposes only. Belle Osvath and the FPA NCA do not endorse or recommend any people, products, or services featured or discussed in this podcast.
In this episode, host Belle Osvath CFP® talks with David Peters, CFP®, CPA. They discuss the latest tax updates and what they mean for financial advisors. David covers:
- IRS Updates: How the recent cut of 6,000 employees may affect processing times, refunds, and overall IRS operations.
- Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Reporting: What the Corporate Transparency Act requires and the ongoing debates around privacy concerns. David also discusses the penalties for non-compliance and the latest updates on reporting deadlines.
- Upcoming Tax Legislation: Expected changes in tax laws in 2025, including green energy credits, state and local tax deductions, and modifications to education and car loan interest credits.
- Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs): Clarification on recent IRS notices and upcoming guidance on RMDs for surviving spouses.
David Peters Professional Education: petersprofessionaleducation.com
LinkedIn: David Peters
The Smarter Planner Podcast is a product of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA). All information is for educational and informational purposes only. Belle Osvath and the FPA NCA do not endorse or recommend any people, products, or services featured or discussed in this podcast.
In this episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, speaks with Erin Botsford, CFP®, who shares valuable insights into how financial advisors can build more sustainable and lucrative practices. Erin discusses:
The role of a financial director vs. a planner: How being a concierge for your client's financial needs can set you apart and create lasting, generational relationships.
Why charging financial planning fees is essential: How Erin transitioned from offering free services to charging substantial planning fees and why it's crucial for high-net-worth clients.
The power of identifying risk: Focusing on risk management and pointing out potential vulnerabilities, like underinsurance or asset protection issues, helps advisors attract and retain clients.
· Erin Botsford Website: erinbotsford.com
· LinkedIn: Erin Botsford
The Smarter Planner Podcast is a product of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA). All information is for educational and informational purposes only. Belle Osvath and the FPA NCA do not endorse or recommend any people, products, or services featured or discussed in this podcast.
In this episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, interviews Jeremiah Baker, author of Confessions of a Hacker, about the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats. With 17 years in the field, Jeremiah has worked with major casinos, banks, corporations, hospitals, and software firms worldwide to identify and mitigate security vulnerabilities.
Jeremiah highlights that many cyber threats remain consistent over time, but new risks have emerged with advancements in AI and automation. He discusses how AI-powered scams, phishing, ransomware, and fund transfer fraud continue impacting businesses and individuals. Notably, AI is used to clone voices, manipulate video calls, and automate attacks, making fraudsters more effective than ever.
One key takeaway is that cybersecurity is not just about large organizations. Everyone is a target, including financial planners, who must protect their security, firm data, and clients' sensitive information. Jeremiah shares practical, low-cost (and no-cost) measures to defend against these threats, including multi-factor authentication, strong password management, and robust backup systems.
He also recounts real-world cases of fraudulent wire transfers, ransomware extortion, and deep fake impersonation, emphasizing the need for constant vigilance and a zero-trust mindset in today's digital world.
For more insights, connect with Jeremiah Baker on LinkedIn
linkedin.com/in/jeremiahbaker
or check out his book, Confessions of a Hacker, which will soon be updated.
The Smarter Planner Podcast is a product of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA). All information is for educational and informational purposes only. Belle Osvath and the FPA NCA do not endorse or recommend any people, products, or services featured or discussed in this podcast.
In this episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, interviews Stevyn Guinnip, founder, and CEO of Grow Wellthy, a health and wellness consulting firm that works with financial advisors to improve their well-being. As the daughter of a financial advisor, Stevyn witnessed firsthand how the industry's pressures can negatively impact health. Her firm bridges the gap between financial success and personal well-being, helping advisors and their clients invest in their health just as they do their wealth.
Stevyn explains how financial advisors often neglect their health due to their competitive, high-achieving personalities and the relentless demands of building a business. She emphasizes the connection between health and long-term financial security, noting that chronic stress and poor health can undermine even the best financial plans. By incorporating simple, sustainable wellness practices into daily routines, advisors can protect their health without sacrificing career success.
Connect with Stevyn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevyn-guinnip/
- growwellthy.com
The Smarter Planner podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse any individuals or services mentioned.
In this episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, interviews Scott Sanders, founder of 1908 Advisors, a firm specializing in life insurance settlements. Scott explains how his company simplifies the process of selling cash-value life insurance policies that are no longer needed or wanted. He outlines three primary options for such policies: lapsing, surrendering for cash value, or selling to institutional investors for an amount greater than the surrender value.
Scott delves into the workings of the life settlement market, emphasizing the role of institutional investors, such as hedge funds and life insurance carriers, who use these policies as long-duration assets. By creating a more transparent and competitive bidding process, 1908 Advisors ensures that financial advisors can confidently help clients maximize the value of their life insurance policies.
Scott emphasizes that life settlements are not a niche product but a valuable tool for financial planning, particularly for high-net-worth clients. He also shares insights on taxation considerations and addresses misconceptions about the industry.
1908advisors.com
The Smarter Planner podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse any individuals or services mentioned.
In this episode of the Smarter Planner podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP® speaks with Kelly McNerney, CFP®, and Kristin Beane, about the upcoming Smarter Planner Symposium, which will be held on January 24th, 2025 at the Archer Hotel in Tysons Corner, Virginia. The event promises a full day of learning, networking, and collaboration designed for financial planning professionals.
Register Here
Schedule
- 7:30 - 8:00 Registration and Breakfast
- 8:00 - 8:15 Welcome Kelly McNerney- Chair- 2025 Symposium
- 8:15 - 9:00 Mike Townsend: Policy and Politics in the New Washington: Implications for Investors
- 9:10 - 10:00 Ben Henry- Moreland: Tax Planning For TCJA's (Scheduled) Sunset: Preparing Clients For Change Amid Legislative Uncertainty
- 10:00 - 10:20 Break
- 10:20 - 11:10 Rianka R. Dorsainvil, CFP®: Increasing Culture Competency to Better Serve Clients
- 11:10 - 12:00 Michael Egan, CFP®, CIMA: Custom Options for Concentrated Stocks
- 12:00 - 12:30 Annual Awards
- 12:30 - 1:30 Lunch AKA Hotel Bar
- 1:30 - 2:20 Sefa Mawuli, CFP®: Tailoring Financial Planning for Global Families and Professionals
- 2:20 - 3:10 Ashley Quamme: Sensitive Conversations: Mastering Difficult Client Scenarios through Conversation and Connection
- 3:10 - 3:30 Break
- 3:30 - 4:10 Mark Colaço, CFP® Perception vs. Reality: The Vital Role of Insurance in a Thriving Advisory Practice
- 4:10 - 4:20 Raffles and Closing
- 4:30 - 5:30 Happy Hour
Networking Opportunities: Attendees can connect during breaks, lunch, and a post-event happy hour in the hotel's unique spaces, including the penthouse.
Continuing Education (CE) Credits: Up to seven CE credits are available, providing an additional incentive for attendance.
Special Offers and Prizes: Podcast listeners can use a $50 discount code ("SmarterPlanner"), and attendees can participate in a bingo-style activity to win prizes while interacting with sponsors.
Kelly and Kristen also discuss the importance of collaboration within the Financial Planning Association (FPA), sharing insights on the value of FPA membership benefits and the impact of fostering community among chapters.
For more information or to register, visit the symposium's page and use the discount code to save on admission. Don't miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and grow as a financial planning professional.
The Smarter Planner podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse any individuals or services mentioned.
In this episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, interviews Jeannette Kuda, President and COO of TIFIN AG, a fintech company revolutionizing wealth management through supervised AI. Jeannette explains the differences between supervised (predictive) AI and generative AI, emphasizing the former's ability to analyze large datasets to identify growth opportunities for wealth management firms.
TIFIN AG's platform focuses on organic growth by helping advisors uncover hidden opportunities within their existing client base, such as outside assets that could be consolidated under their management. By leveraging predictive AI, the tool analyzes historical data, supplements it with third-party data, and provides actionable insights. Advisors are then equipped to prioritize high-probability opportunities efficiently, enhancing their ability to grow their business book without increasing administrative burdens.
Jeannette stresses that AI is not about replacing advisors but augmenting their efforts, allowing them to focus on client relationships and growth strategies. She also highlights the importance of embracing AI experimentation, regardless of firm size, as the technology evolves rapidly and creates competitive advantages.
For more insights, connect with Jeannette on LinkedIn or visit tiffinag.com.
The Smarter Planner podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes. Belle Osvath and the FPA NCA do not endorse any of the individuals or services mentioned.
In this episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, interviews Steven Zeiger, Managing Director at KB Financial, about the complexities of life insurance in the "fiduciary era." Steven discusses the importance of transparent and unbiased evaluation in life insurance, noting the need for more standardization and the potential for misleading information in traditional policy illustrations. He explains how research tools like those by Morningstar and Veralytic allow advisors to compare policies against industry benchmarks to accurately assess premiums, internal costs, and cash value projections.
Steven highlights the value of independent, third-party research to avoid conflicts of interest and prioritize clients' best interests. He explains how data-driven insights and tools can identify hidden costs and potential policy failures often not apparent in standard illustrations. This information enables advisors to provide fiduciary-grade service, ensuring clients receive the best outcome for their financial goals. Steven also emphasizes the importance of research-based evaluation, encouraging planners to utilize these tools to enhance transparency and trust.
Video of Life Insurance Analysis:https://youtu.be/8GpzzMWHbuE
Ways to connect with Steven:
Steven's Cell: 917-750-6201
Text:
- M - More questions,
- T - Trust & estate article
- I - Introduce me to someone,
- S - Speaking engagement
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenzeiger/
Website: https://www.kbfinancialcompanies.com/
The Smarter Planner podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes. Phil Asta and FPA NCA do not endorse any of the individuals or services mentioned.
In this episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, speaks with Dan Carreno, cofounder of 0-Six Impact Partners and cohost of the Rewilding Wall Street podcast. They explore the critical intersection of climate change and financial planning, discussing how extreme weather events impact insurance costs and property values. Dan shares his personal experiences and emphasizes the importance of financial planners addressing these emerging risks and educating their clients.
- Financial Planning in the Age of Climate Change paper: https://osixpartners.com/blog-4-1/financial-planning-in-the-age-of-climate-change
- U.S. Treasury paper: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/Climate_Change_Household_Finances.pdf
- Dan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carreno-colorado/
The Smarter Planner Podcast is a product of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA). All information is for educational and informational purposes only. Belle Osvath and the FPA NCA do not endorse or recommend any people, products, or services featured or discussed in this podcast.
In this episode of the Smarter Planner podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, talks with Brooke Juniper, CEO of Sage, about the evolving role of AI in the wealth advisory industry. Brooke shares insights on how AI has been part of portfolio management for over 20 years, starting with quantitative equity strategies and sentiment analysis from company earnings. With the advent of generative AI, Brooke explains how AI has unlocked new possibilities, allowing for more data processing, portfolio personalization, and qualitative research.
Brooke discusses the shift from deterministic algorithms to more nuanced AI solutions that can analyze client-specific factors, enhancing the advisor's decision-making process. She emphasizes the difference between general AI applications, like ChatGPT, and specialized AI platforms, like Sage, which are tailored specifically for financial advisors. By integrating into existing account management and portfolio platforms, Sage acts as a co-pilot, helping advisors provide more personalized and scalable portfolio management, making each client feel uniquely catered to.
If you want to learn more about AI's impact on wealth management or how it can enhance your practice, this episode is a must-listen.
You can reach Brooke on LinkedIn or visit her website at tifinsage.ai
The Smarter Planner Podcast is a product of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA). All information is for educational and informational purposes only. Belle Osvath and the FPA NCA do not endorse or recommend any people, products, or services featured or discussed in this podcast.
In this episode of the Smarter Planner podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, interviews Derek Pollard, Ph.D., founder of Constellar Creative, about the importance of personal branding for financial planners. They dive into strategies for crafting a unique, consistent brand that reflects your story and expertise, even if you're part of a larger organization. Derek emphasizes that personal branding is more than just a buzzword—it's about presenting your skills, mission, and vision in a way that resonates with your ideal clients.
Derek shares insights on how to build a brand that stands out, even when working under a firm's corporate branding. He discusses the importance of consistency across all platforms—social media, websites, and in-person interactions—to create a cohesive brand experience. Whether you're an independent advisor or working within a firm, Derek offers practical advice on how to start small, audit your current branding, and build from there. He also highlights the value of partnering with marketing experts if you are unsure how to tell your story best.
You can reach Derek on LinkedIn or at his website, Constellar Creative.
The Smarter Planner Podcast is a product of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA). All information is for educational and informational purposes only. Belle Osvath and the FPA NCA do not endorse or recommend any people, products, or services featured or discussed in this podcast.
In this episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP® interviews Michael Clarke, co-founder of Protection Point Advisors and the National Referral Network, and author of A Firm Worth Building. The discussion revolves around the concept of "trust compression," which refers to building trust with clients not through long interactions over time, but by creating a series of high-quality, successive engagements that compress the time needed to establish trust.
Michael explains how trust compression allows advisors to connect with clients through shorter, more meaningful meetings. He highlights how his firm has broken the traditional intake process into multiple brief, focused interactions to understand client risk tolerance and align their financial plans accordingly. The goal is to help clients feel understood and comfortable, building trust faster than through conventional methods.
National Referral Network: https://www.nrnamerica.com/
A Firm Worth Building (Book) https://a.co/d/dinBzqA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeljclarke1/
Website: https://www.protectionpointadvisors.com/
In this episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, speaks with Andrea Longton, a CFA and award-winning author who specializes in social justice investing. Andrea has raised over $1 billion for social justice investments in the U.S. and advised on an additional $1.5 billion globally. She authored a book titled The Social Justice Investor: Advance Your Values While Building Wealth.
In the discussion, Andrea explains that social justice investing involves aligning one's financial investments with personal values that promote social justice. This can encompass various causes, including racial justice, climate justice, children's welfare, LGBTQIA+ rights, and gender equity. Andrea emphasizes that social justice investing is personalized; it requires individuals to identify their values and align their investment portfolios accordingly.
The conversation also touches on the potential challenges financial advisors face when addressing social justice investing, particularly the risk of being perceived as partisan. Andrea advises that advisors should focus on the values of their clients rather than politics and that they should educate themselves on social justice investing to better serve their clients. She mentions several certifications and networks that advisors can pursue to enhance their understanding of this field.
Andrea's book, The Social Justice Investor, is available on Amazon, and she can be reached through her website, thesocialjusticeinvestor.com.
The Smarter Planner Podcast is a product of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA). All information is for educational and informational purposes only. Belle Osvath and the FPA NCA do not endorse or recommend any people, products, or services featured or discussed in this podcast.
In this episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, interviews Kevin Keller, CAE, the CEO of CFP Board, about their latest public awareness campaign. Keller shares insights into the campaign's goal of increasing consumer recognition of the CFP® certification with the tagline, "It's Gotta Be a CFP®."
Keller discusses the campaign's development and budget and how its effectiveness is being measured through metrics like unaided awareness. He shares that this campaign is modeled after successful industry advertising strategies, such as the iconic "Got Milk?" campaign. The commercials are designed to highlight the unique value of CFP® professionals and reinforce client confidence when working with a certified financial planner.
Keller explains how CFP® professionals contribute to funding the campaign and discusses the upcoming CFP Board Connections Conference, an event to connect practitioners, educators, and firms in the financial planning ecosystem.
For CFP® professionals interested in how their credentials are being marketed or for those curious about the campaign's impact, this episode provides insights into the board's strategy to raise public awareness and elevate the CFP® brand.
Links:
Kevin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinkeller2/
CFP Board Commercial: https://youtu.be/TUD1i5d9AUE?si=JUJHV_teWEWrSmqh
The Smarter Planner Podcast is a product of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA). All information is for educational and informational purposes only. Belle Osvath and the FPA NCA do not endorse or recommend any people, products, or services featured or discussed in this podcast.
In this episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, speaks with Andy Baxley, MS, CFP®, CIMA®, a Certified Financial Transitionist, about the evolving role of financial advisors. Andy, an independent financial planner at the Planning Center, discusses how changes in people's lives, work, and retirement necessitate a shift in financial planning approaches. He emphasizes the importance of understanding clients' values and designing financial plans that reflect these values rather than adhering to outdated societal norms.
Andy explains that the traditional 9-to-5 job model until retirement at 65 is becoming obsolete. With increased life expectancies and more fulfilling work opportunities, people seek phased retirements, sabbaticals, and encore careers. He highlights the role of financial planners in guiding clients through these transitions, not just with technical expertise but also by helping clients reframe their work-life balance and long-term goals.
Links:
Statement of Financial Purpose Course: https://sofp.offthebalancesheet.com/
Financial Transitionist Institute: https://www.financialtransitionist.com/
Andy's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-baxley/
For more information on the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter, visit FPANCA.org.
The Smarter Planner Podcast is a product of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA). All information is for educational and informational purposes only. Belle Osvath and the FPA NCA do not endorse or recommend any people, products, or services featured or discussed in this podcast.
In this episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, interviews Rachel Witkowski, an award-winning financial tech and AI reporter, about the integration of AI in financial planning. They discuss current AI applications, upcoming innovations, and the security concerns surrounding these technologies. They also touch upon the Advise AI conference, which is dedicated to exploring AI tools for financial advisors.
- Advise AI Conference: https://conference.financialplanning.com/event/advise-ai/summary
- Beautiful AI: https://www.beautiful.ai/
- LinkedIn: Rachel Witkowski
The Smarter Planner Podcast is a product of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA). All information is for educational and informational purposes only. Belle Osvath and the FPA NCA do not endorse or recommend any people, products, or services featured or discussed in this podcast.
In this episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP® interviews Christine Dolan, the founder of C. Dolan and Associates Financial Organizing. Christine explains the role of a daily money manager and how they provide essential day-to-day financial management services that complement the work of financial advisors. Christine details how her firm helps clients manage their bills, organize financial paperwork, prepare for tax time, and reduce financial stress.
The discussion also covers the signs that a client may need a daily money manager and how financial advisors can approach this topic with their clients. This episode is for financial planners looking to understand the benefits of daily money management for their clients and how to find trustworthy professionals in this field.
https://www.cdolanfinancial.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-dolan-mba-6260892/
The Smarter Planner Podcast is a product of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA). All information is for educational and informational purposes only. Belle Osvath and the FPA NCA do not endorse or recommend any people, products, or services featured or discussed in this podcast.
In this episode host Belle Osvath interviews Matt Halloran, Co-founder, and Chief Relationship Officer at ProudMouth, on the power of influence in financial planning marketing. Matt discusses how the marketing landscape has fundamentally changed, emphasizing that traditional selling methods are being replaced by content-driven influence that allows potential clients to engage and connect with advisors on their terms.
Matt outlines how financial planners can effectively utilize podcasts as a marketing tool, stressing the importance of having a focused niche rather than attempting to appeal to a broad audience. He shares insights into the necessity of content preparation and planning, suggesting that advisors need to know their message and audience intimately to create impactful content.
From content ideation to compliance, Matt's advice is grounded in real-world experience. He also shares effective strategies for promoting and sharing content to grow an audience organically.
www.linkedin.com/in/matthalloranpm https://proudmouth.com
In this episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP® speaks with Mike Alves, MSAFP, CFP®, CEPA, CRPC®, founder of Vida Private Wealth. Mike shares his unique approach to integrating financial education into wealth management by developing a curriculum tailored to young people from childhood through adulthood. He discusses the genesis of this initiative, which began somewhat by accident but evolved into a deliberate and structured program aimed at educating clients' children and grandchildren about wealth management and financial responsibility.
Mike explains the importance of introducing financial concepts early, noting that the younger generation is becoming increasingly aware of complex financial products like private equity and cryptocurrency due to widespread access to information via social media. His approach is hands-on, with classes tailored to different age groups, ensuring that the financial education provided is age-appropriate and engaging.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikealves
https://www.vidapw.com
The Smarter Planner Podcast is a product of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA). All information is for educational and informational purposes only. Belle Osvath and the FPA NCA do not endorse or recommend any people, products, or services featured or discussed in this podcast.
In this episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP® welcomes David Marra, Chief Investment Officer at Markin Asset Management, back to discuss the current state of U.S. equity markets and investment strategies in the context of perceived market overvaluation.
David shares insights into the cyclically adjusted PE ratio (CAPE) and its implications for future market returns, highlighting expectations of lower-than-average equity returns over the next decade due to high current valuations.
David also delves into the concept of "American exceptionalism" in financial markets, attributing recent strong performances to efficient capital markets and aggressive federal deficit spending, which he warns may not be sustainable. He stresses the importance of investors adjusting expectations and planning strategies to anticipate potentially lower future returns.
Furthermore, David explores investment opportunities in sectors less dependent on government expenditure, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) and GLP-1-related healthcare innovations. He emphasizes AI's increasing utility and potential for substantial growth, contrasting it with the dot-com bubble by noting more sustainable current valuations and profitability among leading AI firms.
https://markinfunds.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-marra-8693b44/
The Smarter Planner Podcast is a product of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA). All information is for educational and informational purposes only. Belle Osvath and the FPA NCA do not endorse or recommend any people, products, or services featured or discussed in this podcast.
In this episode host, Belle Osvath, CFP®, chats with Victor Haghani, co-author of "The Missing Billionaires: A Guide to Better Financial Decisions" and founder of Elm Wealth. Victor discusses the intriguing phenomenon of America's wealthiest families losing their fortunes over generations despite favorable investment conditions. He explores these families' critical mistakes, particularly poor risk management and unsustainable spending habits.
Victor's insights are rooted in his extensive experience in finance, including roles at Salomon Brothers and as a co-founder of Long Term Capital Management. He also spent significant time in academia at the London School of Economics. His book covers why, despite historical market growth, many of the early 20th-century fortunes did not endure, pointing to over-concentration in investments and fixed spending habits that needed to adjust to actual returns.
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorhaghani/
Website: https://elmwealth.com/
The Smarter Planner Podcast is a product of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA). All information is for educational and informational purposes only. Belle Osvath and the FPA NCA do not endorse or recommend any people, products, or services featured or discussed in this podcast.
In this episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP® interviews Liz Simmie co-founder of Honey Tree Investment Management. They discuss the importance of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) data in investment analysis. Contrary to being a niche element, Liz argues that ESG data should be considered fundamental to assessing a company's viability for long-term growth and risk. Her firm, Honey Tree, integrates ESG data alongside traditional financial metrics, viewing it equally significant.
Liz highlights that many traditional investors perceive ESG data as a constraint that might detract from returns. However, she posits that companies with strong ESG practices tend to perform better in the long run, debunking the myth that ESG considerations undermine financial performance. Liz also sheds light on the history and evolution of ESG investing and underscores the depth and significance of ESG beyond current market trends.
https://www.honeytreeinvest.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-simmie-2b59173/
The Smarter Planner Podcast is a product of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA). All information is for educational and informational purposes only. Belle Osvath and the FPA NCA do not endorse or recommend any people, products, or services featured or discussed in this podcast.
Host Belle Osvath, CFP® interviews Gabe Rissman, Co-Founder and President of YourStake a company that is utilizing AI to transform the planning industry.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabe-rissman-127ba369/
www.yourstake.org
FPA NCA News & Events: fpanca.org
The Smarter Planner Podcast is a product of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area chapter (FPA NCA). All information is for educational and informational purposes only. Belle Osvath and/or the FPA NCA do not endorse or recommend any of the people, products, or services featured or discussed in this podcast.
In this episode host Belle Osvath, CFP® speaks with Jennifer Gray a mental health therapist and business coach that specializes in helping financial advisors navigate growth and evolve along with their practice.
Links:
- Website: https://www.jennifergraycounseling.com/
- Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifergraylpc/
- Script: https://www.jennifergraycounseling.com/blog/outgrowing-clients-get-the-free-script-template
FPA NCA News & Events: fpanca.org
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The Smarter Planner Podcast is a product of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area chapter (FPA NCA). All information is for educational and informational purposes only. Belle Osvath and/or the FPA NCA do not endorse or recommend any of the people, products, or services featured or discussed in this podcast.
Register now! fpanca.org
The Smarter Planner Podcast is a product of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area chapter (FPA NCA). All information is for educational and informational purposes only. Belle Osvath and/or the FPANCA do not endorse or recommend any of the people, products, or services featured or discussed in this podcast.
In this episode host, Belle Osvath, CFP®, interviews Rich Arzaga, CFP® CCIM, the Founder of The Real Estate Whisperer Financial Planning. Rich specializes in creating detailed financial plans that analyze and evaluate client real estate holdings. His approach provides valuable insight far beyond what most planners provide and has allowed him to build a thriving practice in a highly sought after niche.
Rich believes that most financial planners fall short when it comes to this major asset class. He talks about his approach and how planners can get the training they need to better serve their clients.
Links:
- Email rich@whisperre.com
- Website: https://www.whisperre.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richarzaga/
FPA NCA News & Events: fpanca.org
Recommend a podcast guest: https://forms.gle/nH6ngsy7TmtfZ7w17
The Smarter Planner Podcast is a product of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area chapter (FPA NCA). All information is for educational and informational purposes only. Belle Osvath and/or the FPANCA do not endorse or recommend any of the people, products, or services featured or discussed in this podcast.
In this episode host Belle Osvath, CFP® interviews Gary Cox about a unique health insurance option that allows some self-employed individuals to purchase health insurance as a "Group of One" instead of an individual policy which may result in reduced cost and broader coverage.
Gary talks about this type of coverage, who may want to consider it and how you can locate a skilled insurance professional in your state to help you identify if this option is available for you or your clients.
If you have small business owner clients, this is the show for you.
Links:
- Gary’s email: Gary@idealgroup.net
- NABIP Find An Agent: https://nabip.org/looking-for-an-agent/find-an-agent
FPA NCA News & Events: fpanca.org
Recommend a podcast guest: https://forms.gle/nH6ngsy7TmtfZ7w17
The Smarter Planner Podcast is a product of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area chapter (FPA NCA). All information is for educational and informational purposes only. Belle Osvath and/or the FPANCA do not endorse or recommend any of the people, products, or services featured or discussed in this podcast.
In this episode host Belle Osvath, CFP®, interviews Dan Moisand, CFP®, the current Chair of the CFP Board. They talk about the Board’s latest initiatives and their recent expansion to include a 501c6 organization. Dan identifies the reasoning behind the shift in nonprofit status and how it allows them to introduce more people to the CFP designation, both prospective title holders and the public at large.
They also discuss the changing demographics of CFP holders and how the Board is working to shift those numbers to more accurately reflect national demographics with an ultimate goal of helping more people with their finances.
If you are a CFP holder or are just curious about the larger role the CFP Board plays in the profession. This is the show for you.
Links:
- Dan’s Email: dan@moisandfitzgerald.com
- CFP Pro Bono: cfp.net/probono
- Foundation's Pro Bono Report: ffpprobono.org/research/
FPA NCA News & Events: fpanca.org
Recommend a podcast guest: https://forms.gle/nH6ngsy7TmtfZ7w17
The Smarter Planner Podcast is a product of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area chapter (FPA NCA). All information is for educational and informational purposes only. Belle Osvath and/or the FPANCA do not endorse or recommend any of the people, products, or services featured or discussed in this podcast.
In this episode Belle Osvath, CFP®, interviews Leo Rydzewski, General Counsel for the Certified Finacial Planning (CFP) Board, about the Board's proposed changes to two important documents. The Fitness Standards which govern who is eligible to hold the CFP mark and the Sanction Guidelines which provides direction on the consequences to a CFP holder that has engaged in misconduct.
Both of these documents are vital to the integrity of the CFP designation and are used by decision makers when determining the punishment for those found in violation of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct.
Leo does a great job explaining what these documents contain, and why they are important. He also discusses the trial process for those who are accused of violations and who makes the decision to impose sanctions on those found guilty of misconduct.
The CFP Board is currently asking for your feedback before they officially update the documents so this is one episode you won’t want to miss!
Links:
- CFP Board of Directors Request for Comments (includes PFDs of proposed document changes and public comment feedback survey): https://www.cfp.net/ethics/enforcement/proposed-revisions-to-sanction-guidelines-and-fitness-standards
- Leo’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-rydzewski-35b0144/
- Leo’s email: LRydzewski@cfpboard.org
FPA NCA News & Events: fpanca.org
Recommend a podcast guest: https://forms.gle/nH6ngsy7TmtfZ7w17
The Smarter Planner Podcast is a product of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area chapter (FPA NCA). All information is for educational and informational purposes only. Belle Osvath and/or the FPA NCA do not endorse or recommend any of the people, products, or services featured or discussed in this podcast.
In this episode host Belle Osvath CFP®, speaks with LTC Specialist Kelly Augspurger CLTC ®, CSA, about her structured approach to having the long-term care conversation with clients. She advocates steering the conversation away from the possible loss of independence and instead shift the focus to the ability of the client to potentially protect their family from hardship.
Kelly highlights the three questions planners should discuss with clients to determine their potential care needs. These questions help reframe the conversation and allow clients to understand and participate in the coverage calculation process.
Kelly also stresses that in order for planners to set their clients up for their best chance of insurability they need to have an in-office pre-screening process to be completed before any application is submitted.
If you are interested in creating a more productive and positive approach to your long-term care discussions, this is the show for you.
Links:
- Steadfast Insurance: https://www.steadfastagents.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-augspurger/
FPA NCA News & Events: fpanca.org
Recommend a podcast guest: https://forms.gle/nH6ngsy7TmtfZ7w17
The Smarter Planner Podcast is a product of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area chapter (FPA NCA). All information is for educational and informational purposes only. Belle Osvath and/or the FPA NCA do not endorse or recommend any of the people, products, or services featured or discussed in this podcast.
In this episode host Belle Osvath, CFP® talks with Doug Pugliese who is the Head of 1042 QRP Strategies at Alpha Architect. They discuss 1042 exchanges which allow the owner of a closely held C-Corp to sell their equity to an employee stock purchase plan and defer long-term capital gains as long as they rollover the proceeds into a qualified investment. Doug talks about the benefit to a company and the employees when creating an ESOP and does an excellent job at breaking down the strategy behind the decision.
Doug also identifies which business owners are ideal candidates for this type of exchange and discusses the limited investment options that business owners have historically faced and how his team is working to change that.
If you have business owner clients our are just curious about this innovative approach to 1042 exchanges this is the show for you.
Links:
- National Center of Employee Ownership - NCEO.org
- Website - AlphaArchitect.com
FPA NCA News & Events: fpanca.org
Recommend a podcast guest: https://forms.gle/nH6ngsy7TmtfZ7w17
The Smarter Planner Podcast is a product of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area chapter (FPA NCA). All information is for educational and informational purposes only. Belle Osvath and/or the FPA NCA do not endorse or recommend any of the people, products, or services featured or discussed in this podcast.
In this episode host Belle Osvath, CFP® interviews newly minted financial influencer, Colin Day, CFP®. They talk about his thirty-day journey from one follower to over one million video views on Instagram.
They discuss his experience and what he thinks was the key to his success. They also talk about how he is navigating his unexpected following and how he is managing the influx of prospective clients.
If you are curious about what it takes to go viral, this is the show for you.
Links:
- Linked-in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinday1/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colincorrectcap/
FPA NCA News & Events: fpanca.org
Recommend a podcast guest: https://forms.gle/nH6ngsy7TmtfZ7w17
The Smarter Planner Podcast is a product of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area chapter (FPA NCA). All information is for educational and informational purposes only. Belle Osvath and/or the FPA NCA do not endorse or recommend any of the people, products, or services featured or discussed in this podcast.
In this episode host, Belle Osvath, CFP® interviews Jim Blair and Marc Kiner, co-owners of Premier Social Security Consulting. They also created the National Social Security Advisor Certificate program which was the first national program to offer certificate training to financial planners for Social Security.
They talk about the current state of the Social Security Trust fund, what’s on the horizon for benefits and where they think politicians may make changes to the program in the future. Jim and Marc also give a few eye-opening examples of benefit strategies that helped clients maximize their incomes, that (without professional guidance) the client would not have known about.
If you have baby boomer clients or are just curious about what the future of Social Security may look like – this is the show for you.
Links:
Jim Blair LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jim-blair-63527427
Marc Kiner LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ssrainmaker
Premier Social Security Website: premiersocialsecurityconsulting.com
NSSA® Certificate Program: premiernssa.com
FPA NCA News & Events: fpanca.org
Recommend a podcast guest: https://forms.gle/nH6ngsy7TmtfZ7w17
The Smarter Planner Podcast is a product of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area chapter (FPA NCA). All information is for educational and informational purposes only. Belle Osvath and/or the FPA NCA do not endorse or recommend any of the people, products, or services featured or discussed in this podcast.
In this episode host, Belle Osvath, CFP®, interviews Andy Panko, CFP®, RICP®, EA, the founder and owner of Tenon Financial, an RIA that provides clients financial planning and investment management services for a flat fee.
They discuss why he chose the flat fee model and how his choice has shaped his business. Andy also talks about how his decision has aided him in attracting his ideal client and eliminated some of the complexity that other firms face.
If you have ever considered moving to a flat fee model or wondered how firms that do maintain their profitability. This is the episode for you.
Links:
- Linked in: linkedin.com/in/andypanko/
- Website: tenonfinancial.com/
Recommend a Podcast Guest or Topic here: surveymonkey.com/r/SmarterPlanner
To find out more about the Financial Planning Association of the National Capital Area (FPANCA) news and events visit: www.fpanca.org
All information in the Smarter Planner podcast is presented for educational and informational purposes only. The FPA NCA does not endorse or recommend any of the people, products, or services discussed in this podcast.
In this episode host, Belle Osvath, CFP®, interviews James Lee, CFP®, CRPC®, AIF® the current President of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) which is the leading membership organization for Certified Financial Planner™ professionals. James talks about the FPA’s pursuit of title protection for financial planners, essentially regulating by law who is allowed to call themselves a financial planner.
They discuss the reasoning behind the FPA Board’s initiative and how the change will benefit the entire profession as well as the general public. James is a passionate advocate for the planning profession, and he shares how he sees planners affecting not only their client’s lives but impacting our society as a whole. He also reveals his vision for the future of our profession which may surprise you.
Links:
Linked In: linkedin.com/in/jamesleecfp
Email: jameslee@leemgt.com
Recommend a Podcast Guest or Topic here: Survey
To find out more about the Financial Planning Association of the National Capital Area (FPANCA) news and events visit: www.fpanca.org
All information in the Smarter Planner podcast is presented for educational purposes only. The FPA NCA does not endorse or recommend any of the people, products, or services discussed in this podcast.
In this episode host, Belle Osvath, CFP® interviews Chris Boyd, CFP® the founder and CEO of Asset Management Resources, an independent boutique-style RIA firm. For the last sixteen years Chris has been the host of a financial talk-radio show called “Something More with Chris Boyd.”
They discuss his experience hosting a financial talk radio show, how he started his show and the evolution of the show over the years. They also discuss how the show has helped grow and shape his business and what he would do differently if he was starting over today.
Links:
- Wicked Pissah Podcast - Website
- Something More with Chris Boyd - amrfinancial.com/radio/
- Asset Management Resources: amrfinancial.com
- Linked In
Recommend a Podcast Guest or Topic here.
To find out more about the Financial Planning Association of the National Capital Area (FPANCA) news and events visit: www.fpanca.org
All information in the Smarter Planner podcast is presented for educational purposes only. The FPA NCA does not endorse or recommend any of the people, products, or services discussed in this podcast.
In this episode host Belle Osvath, CFP® talks with Dr. Wesley Gray the founder of ETF Architect and Alpha Architect, about how advisors can create their own ETFs which can be used to help manage client funds and potentially reduce client taxes. They discuss the creation process, the cost, and what type of advisory practice would benefit the most from their own ETF.
Dr. Wesley Gray:
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alphaarchitect/
- Website: alphaarchitect.com
- Books: amazon.com/stores/author/B001OJT2FA
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Recommend a Podcast Guest or Topic here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SmarterPlanner
To find out more about the Financial Planning Association of the National Capital Area (FPANCA) news and events visit: www.fpanca.org
*All information in the Smarter Planner podcast is presented for educational purposes only. The FPA NCA does not endorse or recommend any of the people, products, or services discussed in this podcast.*
In this episode host Belle Osvath, CFP® talks with Angela Baker a Realtor with LPT Realty. Angela is an attorney and CFP® holder and has spent over 30 years helping clients as a financial advisor but made a recent shift to focus on helping people navigate major life transitions when real estate has to be sold.
Whether it’s a client’s home or an inherited property, sale of real estate can be incredibly emotional, stressful, and daunting and clients often turn to their Advisor for guidance. Angela has had a unique career path which has put her in the perfect position to detect an area where advisors are falling short. In this episode she identifies how we can fill that gap and, in the process, strengthen our relationships with our clients.
Angela Baker
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-baker-51b9859/
Website: https://angelabaker.lpthomesearch.com/
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Recommend a Podcast Guest or Topic here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SmarterPlanner
To find out more about the Financial Planning Association of the National Capital Area (FPANCA) news and events visit: www.fpanca.org
*All information in the Smarter Planner podcast is presented for educational purposes only. The FPA NCA does not endorse or recommend any of the people, products, or services discussed in this podcast.*
In this episode host Belle Osvath, CFP® talks to David Marra, the co-founder of Markin Asset management, about the process of picking a portfolio manager. David provides some interesting insight on what to look for when evaluating mutual funds and details the three-step process he uses to identify skilled portfolio managers. They also discuss his belief that high-quality managers can be recognized by their transparency and willingness to disclose certain aspects of their operation.
If your firm uses mutual funds or if you are curious about the value-add a portfolio manager provides, this is the show for you.
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/david-marra-8693b44/
Website: markinfunds.com
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Recommend a Podcast Guest or Topic here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SmarterPlanner
To find out more about the Financial Planning Association of the National Capital Area (FPANCA) news and events visit: www.fpanca.org
*All information in the Smarter Planner podcast is presented for educational purposes only. The FPA NCA does not endorse or recommend any of the people, products, or services discussed in this podcast.*
In this episode host Belle Osvath, CFP® talks with Dr. Mary Bell Carlson about authenticity and how being authentic can attract and retain clients. She advocates for advisors to back away from the traditional strait-laced financial expert role and embrace our flaws and limitations, and as a result we will form lasting relationships with our clients. Mary also encourages financial planners to see their clients as experts in their own lives and to grant them the respect they deserve in that role.
Dr Mary Bell Carlson:
- Book: Anchors, Ostriches, and a Hot Pair of Scissors: Navigating Human Behavior as a Financial Professional (Available on Amazon)
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/marybellcarlson
- Website: https://keynote.financial
Other Links:
- McKinsey Study
- Mark Higgins' Book
Recommend a Podcast Guest or Topic here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SmarterPlanner
To find out more about the Financial Planning Association of the National Capital Area (FPANCA) news and events visit: www.fpanca.org
All information in the Smarter Planner podcast is presented for educational purposes only. The FPA NCA does not endorse or recommend any of the people, products, or services discussed in this podcast.
In this episode host Belle Osvath, CFP® talks with David Peters the founder of Peters Professional Education. They discuss startups and the potential tax benefits of operating at a loss. David does an excellent job breaking down the basics of startup losses and he highlights what you can do to help your clients recognize and take full advantage of the potential upside of operating their business at a loss. He also discusses how you can leverage this knowledge to help your clients even if you don’t offer tax advice as part of your practice.
David Peters
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-peters-financial
- Website: https://www.petersprofessionaleducation.com
To find out more about the Financial Planning Association of the National Capital Area (FPA NCA) news and events visit: www.fpanca.org
Recommend a podcast guest or topic here
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All information in the Smarter Planner podcast is presented for educational purposes only. The FPA NCA does not endorse or recommend any of the people, products, or services discussed in this podcast.
In this episode host Belle Osvath, CFP® talks with Brendan Frazier the founder of Wired Planning and the host of the Human Side of Money Podcast. Brendan talks about how artificial intelligence will push our profession to the next level and how AI and other evolving technologies are not competition, but tools to augment your practice. They also discuss how AI will change how we work and how we market ourselves as financial planners.
Brendan Frazier
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanfrazier/
- Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-human-side-of-money/id1509519096
- Website: www.wiredplanning.com
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All information in the Smarter Planner podcast is presented for educational purposes only. The FPA NCA does not endorse or recommend any of the people, products, or services discussed in this podcast.
In this episode host Belle Osvath CFP® interviews Michael Barret Jones on charitable giving that directly supports your local community. Michael gives some insight on how local Community Foundations operate and how you can leverage their expertise to help your clients and grow your own professional knowledge.
If you have clients that are charitably inclined or interested in leaving a legacy this is the episode for you.
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/michaelbarretjones
- Community Foundation of Northern Virginia: www.cfnova.org
To find out more about the Financial Planning Association of the National Capital Area (FPANCA) news and events visit: www.fpanca.org
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All information in the Smarter Planner podcast is presented for educational purposes only. The FPA NCA does not endorse or recommend any of the people, products, or services discussed in this podcast.
In this episode host Belle Osvath,CFP® talks with Jeremy Keil CFP®, CFA, CIMA®, CLTC®, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP® the founder of Keil Financial Partners and the host and writer for the Retirement Revealed podcast and blog. Jeremy talks about the process of motivational interviewing and how it can help you guide your clients through their financial decisions.
- Jeremy Keil: LinkedIn
- Website: keilfp.com
- Podcast: Retirement Revealed
- Webiste: motivationalinterviewing.org
To find out more about the Financial Planning Association of the National Capital Area (FPANCA) news and events visit: www.fpanca.org
All information in the Smarter Planner podcast is presented for educational purposes only. The FPA NCA does not endorse or recommend any of the people, products, or services discussed in this podcast.
Jeremy Keil, Keil Financial Partners Disclosures:
Results and figures presented within the above links are hypothetical, unaudited and are intended for illustrative purposes only.
Keil Financial Partners assumes no liability or responsibility for any errors, omissions, or other issues with the links and their respective contents. This includes both the website content and any potential bugs, viruses or other technical threats. Keil Financial Partners does not provide any tax advice. No information or results from the links should be interpreted as tax advice. Please seek guidance from a qualified tax professional for any and all tax-related matters.
The content and information provided through the links should not be interpreted as being investment advice or a recommendation of suitability for any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction, or investment strategy, or related decision. Please seek assistance from a qualified investment professional for any and all investment matters.
Investments may increase or decrease significantly. All investments are subject to risk of loss. This material is provided for informational purposes only and is not solely intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research, or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. The views and strategies described may not be suitable for all investors. They also do not include all fees or expenses that may be incurred by investing in specific products. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investments will fluctuate and when redeemed may be worth more or less than when originally invested. You cannot invest directly in an index. The opinions expressed are subject to change as subsequent conditions vary. Advisory services through Thrivent Advisor Network, LLC.
This communication may include forward looking statements. Specific forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and include, without limitation, words such as “may,” “will,” “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “estimates, ”projects,” “targets,” “forecasts,” “seeks,” “could’” or the negative of such terms or other variations on such terms or comparable terminology. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to differ materially.
The purpose of the report is to illustrate how accepted financial and estate planning principles may improve your current situation. The term “plan” or “planning,” when used within this report, does not imply that a recommendation has been made to implement one or more financial plans or make a particular investment. You should use this Report to help you focus on the factors that are most important to you. This Report does not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. Before making decisions with legal, tax, or accounting ramifications, you should consult appropriate professionals for advice that is specific to your situation.
Advisory Persons of Thrivent provide advisory services under a “doing business as” name or may have their own legal business entities. However, advisory services are engaged exclusively through Thrivent Advisor Network, LLC, a registered investment adviser. Keil Financial Partners and Thrivent Advisor Network, LLC are not affiliated companies. Please visit our website www.keilfp.com for important disclosures.
In this episode host Belle Osvath, CFP® talks with Sonia Dumas for another update on what's going on in the ever-evolving world of crypto. Sonia talks about what has happened in the aftermath of the bankruptcy of FTX, and where we are with federal regulations on crypto exchanges. She also talks about the tokenization of assets and what that will look like for investors.
Sonia Dumas: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/soniadumas/
To find out more about the FPA National Capital Area news and events visit: www.fpanca.org
All information in the Smarter Planner podcast is presented for educational purposes only. The FPA NCA does not endorse or recommend any of the people, products, or services discussed in this podcast.
In this episode host Belle Osvath, CFP® talks with Emily O’Halloran the Executive Director of Medicare Portal. She has helped hundreds of Medicare beneficiaries navigate the Medicare enrollment process.
Emily discloses in this interview that she is seeing a large number of her clients (even the ones who work with financial advisors) express genuine shock over the actual out-of-pocket cost of their Medicare coverage. She stresses the need for planners to identify and discuss the cost of Medicare coverage with their clients.
Emily also talks about the projected increase of Medicare costs and some changes in coverage that are important to understand when you are preparing clients for retirement.
- Emily O’Halloran: LinkedIn
- Website: MedicarePortal.org
- Website: AdvisorPortal.org
To find out more about the FPA National Capital Area news and events visit: www.fpanca.org
All information in the Smarter Planner podcast is presented for educational purposes only. The FPA NCA does not endorse or recommend any of the people, products, or services discussed in this podcast.
In this episode host Belle Osvath, CFP® talks with Jake Northrup, CFP®, CFA, CSLP® the founder of Experience Your Wealth, LLC an RIA firm catering to younger families that like to travel. Jake talks about his experience opening an RIA and some of the strategy behind his decisions.
- Jake Northrup: LinkedIn
- Website: ExperienceYourWealth.com
- Article: Kitces.com/blog
To find out more about the FPA National Capital Area news and events visit: www.fpanca.org
Special writing credit for this episode goes to: The Soorenko Think Tank
In this episode host, Belle Osvath, CFP® conducts an interview with Dr. Carolyn McClanahan, M.D., CFP® and Dr. Moira Somers who offer insight about the role of the financial planner before, during and after a client’s cognitive decline.
Episode Links:
- March 24th Webinar Registration
- Dr. Moira Somers - Website
- Dr. Carolyn McClanahan, M.D., CFP® - Website
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To find out more about the FPA National Capital Area news & events visist: www.fpanca.org
Host Belle Osvath, CFP® interviews Kelly McNerny, CFP® the current President of the FPA NCA Board of Directors. Kelly provides an update on some changes that are going on in our chapter.
Questions for Kelly? Contact her directally at: kmcnerney@ceritypartners.com
FPANCA.org
In this episode host Belle Osvath, CFP® interviews economist Dr. David Kelly for his take on what’s in store for the coming year. He talks about the possibility recession, where he sees the Federal Reserve going with rates and where there may be some opportunities in the market. He also talks about what conversations Advisors should be having with their clients right now to prepare them for the year ahead.
J.P Morgan’s “Guide to Markets”
Dr. Kelly’s Podcasts: Insights Now & Notes on the Week Ahead
--- To find out more about the FPA National Capital Area News & Events visit: www.fpanca.org
In this episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, interviews Marcia Mantell a speaker and author who helps advisors increase their knowledge of complex retirement concepts and regulations. She is the President of Mantell Retirement Consulting, which partners with advisors and their firms to help them support their clients as they navigate the complexities of Social Security, Medicare and other financial topics.
Mantell Retirement Consulting: MantellRetirementConsulting.com
Boomer Retirement Briefs: BoomerRetirementBriefs.com
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To find out more about the FPA National Capital Area news and events visist: www.fpanca.org
In this episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, interviews Rob Heltzel a 40-year veteran of the mortgage industry. He discusses the current real estate market, what he has seen in the past few years and what is on the horizon. Rob highlights how planners can help clients as they navigate this new higher interest rate environment.
Rob and his team can be contacted via his website: www.teamheltzel.com
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To find out more about the FPA National Capital Area news and events visist: www.fpanca.org
In this episode host Belle Osvath CFP® interviews Sonia Dumas a speaker and crypto educator. Sonia talks about the bankruptcy of FTX, the second largest crypto exchange in the world. She summarizes what happened, identifies how it is relevant to advisors, and gives some insight on what she sees on the horizon with crypto exchanges.
Sonia is the founder of Curio Haus, a creative agency that helps advisors, entrepreneurs, and blockchain platforms grow their influence, brand, and pipeline.
- Sonia Dumas: Linkedin
- Website: https://www.curiohaus.com/
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To find out more about the FPA National Capital Area news & events visist: www.fpanca.org
The Smarter Planner Podcast
Educating Financial Advisors on the things they should know (but don’t).
If you are a financial advisor who is interested in expanding your knowledge, this is the show for you.
Host Belle Osvath CFP® interviews industry thought leaders and professionals targeting meaningful and useful information to help you to stay at the top of your game.
No matter how long you have been in the industry there is always more to learn and interesting people to hear from, so join Belle in her mission to become a smarter planner.
This Podcast is brought to you by the Financial Planning Association’s National Capital Area (FPA NCA) and will include the latest updates and announcements from the chapter.
Find out more at: www.FPANCA.org