The Exceptional Advisor Podcast

In this episode of The Exceptional Advisor, Mark joins host Sean Walters to discuss what AI changes about wealth management — and what it doesn't: Why the real advisor shortage is bigger than the headlines suggest, and what that means for firm leaders right now Why the advisor of the future leads with the meaning of money, not the management of it What the next five to seven years actually look li...

Michael Kitces, Head of Planning Strategy at Focus Partners Wealth, Co-Founder of XY Planning Network, and one of the industry's most recognized voices, joins Sean Walters on this episode of The Exceptional Advisor for a "This Or That" conversation on: Investments or wealth? Firms do both, but individual advisors are increasingly specializing in one or the other as investment management centralize...

Herman Brodie, behavioral scientist and Founding Director of Prospecta Limited, has spent years studying how people build trust and why they lose it. In this episode of The Exceptional Advisor , he joins host Sean Walters and shares insights for financial advisors navigating today's polarized, noise-filled world, including: Why salient headlines and changes draw client attention and how to redirec...

What truly makes an advisor exceptional? In this episode of The Exceptional Advisor, Libet Anderson, Community Care Leader at Cetera, joins host Sean Walters to discuss what excellence really looks like amidst rising AI adoption and fiduciary expectations. She walks us through her career in the industry, the evolving standards of excellence, and what separates the best from the rest, along with ho...

In this episode of  The Exceptional Advisor , Sean Walters sits down with Liz Ann Sonders, Chief Investment Strategist at Charles Schwab, for a timely conversation on navigating markets defined by uncertainty, shifting economic signals, and relentless headlines.   Liz Ann shares her current outlook on the economy, where she sees resilience beneath the volatility, and how advisors can separate mean...

What's ahead for advisors in 2026, and how should they prepare? Host Sean Walters welcomes Liz Thomas, Head of Investment Strategy at SoFi, for a market update focused on the 2026 macro outlook. From balancing concentration risk and client FOMO to keeping clients calm, Liz covers plenty of ground, giving advisors a strong framework for smarter allocation decisions and stronger client conversations...

 A Discussion with François Gadenne, Jan Gundersen, CFA®, and Lori Lucas, CFA®, moderated by Robert Powell, CFP®, RMA®

In this exclusive interview, John Bowen, President of CEG Worldwide and CEG Insight, shares powerful research insights and practical strategies to help financial advisors create high-performing teams and accelerate their success. The Dream Team Effect: www.cegwin.com/iwi-team  #certifiedfinancialplanner #financialadvisor #continuingeducation

Steve Gresham, managing principal at Next Chapter, discusses in this Exceptional Advisor podcast with host Robert Powell delves into the complexities and challenges of retirement planning in the modern era. Gresham discusses the evolving nature of retirement, emphasizing the gap between people's expectations and their level of preparation. He highlights the importance of planning and adapting to c...

In this podcast, Dalbar founder Lou Harvey discusses the history of his firm, which pioneered research into quantifying the impact of investor behavior on returns. He reflects on key initiatives like the Quantitative Analysis of Investor Behavior (QAIB) report, which revealed the significant performance gap between mutual fund investors and the funds they invest in. Harvey also shares his perspect...

differentiate your retirement advising practice with elevated and specialized capabilities. Explore the RMA® Certification: https://iwicentral.org/3STsNId   In this roundtable discussion, experts Anna Rappaport, Rob Austin, and Michael Doshier provide insights on key retirement issues including spending patterns, debt levels, housing costs, family support, and using products like annuities and rev...

Rashmi Badwe, COO of TIAA Wealth Management, discusses how technology like AI can enhance client service and the convergence of capabilities across financial domains.

In episode 117 of the Exceptional Advisor Podcast guests Dan Otter and Scott Dauenhauer of 403bwise discuss the issues with 403(b) retirement plans commonly used by teachers and the opportunities for financial advisors to help teachers save adequately for retirement.

Bob Powell and David Alan Macchia discuss the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) for the financial advisory profession. Macchia highlights AI's potential advantages, such as cost-efficiency and a unique user experience, but also acknowledges its current limitations in providing accurate advice. He predicts the rise of "digital humans" that merge vast financial knowledge with a human-like...

In this podcast, content creator Shane Snow discusses the importance of diverse perspectives in teamwork. He shares insights from his book Dream Teams, which explores how cognitive diversity can lead to better decision-making and innovation.

Danielle Labotka, a behavioral scientist with Morningstar, and Samantha Lamas, a senior behavioral researcher with Morningstar, discuss their latest research, "Why Do People Hire Their Financial Advisors?," which points to the importance of addressing a client's emotional needs during beginning conversations. According to their research, how you explain your services can have an impact on a person...

Todd A. Finkle, author of  Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur, discusses the life and career of Warren Buffett, one of the most accomplished investors of all time . Finkle,  an expert on all things Buffett, provides a deep dive into the origins of Buffett's success, the ways behavioral biases can affect investors and how to overcome them.

Jeff Bush, the principal of Washington Update, discusses the debt ceiling crisis and the possible outcomes, as well as potential reforms to Social Security, and what actions advisers might consider given that many the provisions of the   Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are set to expire at the end of 2025 .

In this podcast, Mary Beth Franklin, author of "Maximizing Social Security Benefits" discusses what financial advisers need to know about Social Security, Social Security strategies for married couples, including spousal benefits, survivor benefits, and when to claim benefits to maximize their combined income, Social Security benefits for divorced individuals, the Social Security disability progra...

Experience an exclusive fireside chat with Robert Powell at the esteemed Investments & Wealth Forum in Scottsdale. Delve into captivating conversations centered around the dynamic realms of retirement, investments, and behavioral finance, accompanied by renowned experts Jim Sandidge, Principal of The Sandidge Group, and Jorge Padilla, CFP®, Principal and Senior Client Advisor. Prepare to be enligh...

Tom Rieman, head of wealth solutions at J.D. Power, discusses the key findings from the  J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Full-Service Investor Satisfaction Study. Two spoilers:  Just a small fraction of advisors are currently offering comprehensive advice and just more than half of full-service wealth clients have financial plans.

Clare Flynn Levy, the founder and CEO of Essentia Analytics.com , discusses how advisers can mitigate their own behavioral biases, and help their clients mitigate their behavioral biases as well.  

Jean Heath, CIMA®, Managing Director, Head of Asset Manager Network at Envestnet, Inc., and Kellan Brown, Vice President Strategic Partnerships, at Finance of America Reverse discuss the benefits of a mentorship program for employers, employees, and college students; the steps involved in implementing a mentorship program; and the role technology is playing in creating data-driven mentorship progr...

Join Robert Powell as he welcomes Schyler Adams, the representative from Allianz Life Insurance, for a thought-provoking conversation exploring the interplay between fintech and annuities in the realm of financial planning.

In this episode, Robert Powell sits down with Professor Valerie Tiberius, the author of What Do You Want Out of Life? Professor Tiberius guides listeners in reflecting on their goals through a philosophical lens, providing a roadmap for a lifetime of purposeful self-discovery.