Analog Advisor

What is the role of a wealth advisor? What are the conversations, holistic strategies, and skill sets that set a sound advisor apart from a mediocre one?  Today co-hosts Wes Brown and Dr. Sonya Lutter sit with Matt Sommer, Head of Specialist Consulting Group at Janus Henderson Investors, to explore the role of advisors in the year 2024. Through this enlightening conversation, Matt shares several f...

In this recap episode of Analog Advisor, hosts Wes Brown and Dr. Sonya Lutter explore two of their most recent episodes with financial psychologist Dr. Daniel Crosby and Money Habitudes expert Cara Macksound. The conversation explores how our personal beliefs, attitudes, and habits around money form our Money Habitudes that shape our finances and overall well-being and life satisfaction.  Wes and...

When asked to describe what he does, today’s guest says that he deals with the messiness of money as it intersects with the strangeness and oddity of being a human being.  Where money intersects with meaning, you’ll find psychologist, behavioral finance expert, podcaster , and author of the new book Soul of Wealth, 50 Reflections on Money and Meaning , Dr. Daniel Crosby. In this fascinating and il...

Grief and loss are a part of being human. While it may be a universal experience, many of us don’t know how to feel it for ourselves, let alone meet our loved ones in their grief.  In today’s episode, co-hosts Sonya and Wes share a special conversation about grief, loss, and resiliency, and Sonya shares a vulnerable part of her story. Together they explore the impact of loss, and Sonya shares how...

We know that our beliefs and behaviors around money are deeply personal. However, many financial professionals still try to keep the personal stuff out of the conversation. What if there was a way for us to have better financial conversations? Today’s guest, Cara Macksound, CEO of Money Habitudes , has built a career out of helping people understand the psychology of money to empower them to manag...

On the morning of 9/11, Dr. Nathan Harness was a young stockbroker starting his second day working in the World Trade Center. The events that unfolded that day have altered the world as we know it.   For Nathan, surviving this traumatic and life-altering experience has shaped how he approaches every aspect of his life and spurred him to a profession where he can help others. In the face of the dar...

How does our understanding of money shape our pursuit of happiness? Wes Brown and Sonya Lutter are joined by renowned behavioral finance expert Meir Statman to learn how our financial decisions impact our life satisfaction and explore the intersection of money and psychology through Meir’s extensive research and experiences. Meir shares insights from his book ‘A Wealth of Well-Being,’ discussing t...

What's the relationship between wealth, stress, and anxiety? It's more nuanced than you may think. Hosts Dr. Sonya Lutter and Wes Brown reflect on insights from experts like Dr. Jim Grubman, Moira Somers and Lenore Skenazy, debunking the myth that more money means less stress. Tune in to learn effective strategies for managing stress, like developing support resources, practicing mindful...

Does emotional acumen have a place in the technical finance world? Clinical neuropsychologist Moira Somers sits down with hosts Wes Brown and Dr. Sonya Lutter to share the critical role of integrating emotional intelligence into financial advising to help clients overcome barriers to implementing advice.  Moira shares valuable insights on addressing both the emotional and technical dimensions of m...

Have you ever wondered how the wealth management industry has changed over time and where it's headed in the future? Tune in to hear Dr. Jim Grubman, expert in family wealth and dynamics, unpack his model of "wealth 3.0" - a new approach that moves beyond the fear and negativity of the past to create a more robust field of family advising. Dr. Grubman sits down with hosts Wes Brown...

With over two decades of experience in psychology, social work, marriage, and family therapy, Shanna Jager has realized the power of a strengths-based approach. She joins hosts Wes Brown and Sonya Lutter to share how focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses can revolutionize everything from personal growth to family finances. Shanna, Executive Director of the Children’s Alliance in Kansas , di...

Is constant parental supervision limiting children's ability to develop problem-solving skills? In this episode, hosts Wes Brown and Dr. Sonya Lutter explore childhood independence and resilience with guest Lenore Skenazy, founder of the organization Let Grow and author of the book "Free-Range Kids." Skenazy shares her journey advocating for more freedom for kids through experiences...

In this recap episode, hosts Dr. Sonya Lutter and Wes Brown reflect on conversations about mental health with Elizabeth Afeman, and navigating the combined emotional and financial implications of relationship changes with Dr. Michael Kothakota. They discuss why rates of anxiety and depression remain dangerously high after years of isolation and  why positive psychology approaches may hold more pro...

In the second part of the conversation with financial advisor Michael Kothakota, hosts Wes Brown and Sonya Lutter aim to offer listeners actionable advice for navigating the complexities of financial well-being and relationship dynamics. From making academic research more accessible and the importance of financial transparency in marriages, to handling client emotions, and the impact of financial...

Financial advisor and divorce planning specialist Michael Kothakota joins host Sonya Lutter and Wes Brown to offer invaluable insights into the intricate world of divorce planning and financial consulting. Michael shares his career trajectory, from serving in the National Guard to establishing his own firm. He also provides practical advice and expert guidance on divorce processes and the emotiona...

Money is often directly tied to mental well-being and status. Yet, despite growing up in a privileged family, Elizabeth Afeman grappled with depression and suicidal thoughts from a young age.  Now, as an investment associate, Elizabeth shares her journey of overcoming mental health struggles and challenging societal assumptions. Hosts Wes Brown and Dr. Sonya Lutter speak with Elizabeth about the i...

From the profound wisdom of finding internal happiness beyond material possessions to the transformative power of intentionally seeking positive experiences in life, our recent episodes have been deeply clarifying. Sonya Lutter and Wes Brown reflect on insightful conversations with guests Chris Budd and Dan Haylett. Delving into the intricate relationship between joy, happiness, and financial well...

How can you stitch together a fulfilling life in retirement when you lose the identity and social connections that came with your career? Wes Brown and Dr. Sonya Lutter sit down with financial advisor Dan Haylett to talk about exercises for a confident transition. Dan shares his philosophy of helping clients transition to retirement by prioritizing purpose, identity, and meaningful time spent.  Tu...

When financial planner and author Chris Budd redefined 'financial well-being,' it changed his entire outlook on coaching. Join hosts Wes Brown and Dr. Sonya Lutter as they learn the practical coaching techniques Chris uses to help his clients find purpose beyond wealth, challenging conventional assumptions about money and happiness.  From contemplating life's purpose to embracing th...

Wealth isn't just about the money—it's about the richness of our relationships, the quality of our time, and the sense of contentment in our lives. In this episode, hosts Wes Brown and Sonya Lutter reflect on the first quarter of conversations on Analog Advisor. From exploring different "lands of wealth" to the impact of financial transparency on relationship satisfaction, they...

How does financial literacy and open communication help families navigate wealth and plan for the future? Family wealth consultant Dr. Jim Grubman joins hosts Wes Brown and Dr. Sonya Lutter to dissect the intersection of wealth, psychology, and legacy. Jim shares his career journey from psychology to wealth management, including into his personal experiences with inherited wealth and his approach...

Ever wondered how your spending habits shape your relationships? Scott Rick , a behavioral scientist at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business, knows that many people do. In this episode of Analog Advisor, hosts Wes Brown and Sonya Lutter sit down with Scott to help us understand how money impacts matrimony, and more. Scott is the author of a new book, ' Tightwads and Spend...

As we step into a new year, what better way to kickstart your journey than with insights from the dynamic duo of Analog Advisor? Join hosts Wes Brown and Sonya Lutter in their introduction episode as they share their unique paths into financial planning, emphasizing the power of relationships over money. Sonya, a trailblazer in financial therapy with a background in speech pathology and marriage c...

From the gridiron of the NFL to the boardrooms and bankruptcy courtrooms, Marques Ogden has experienced the highs and lows of success. Now, he's on a mission to leave a legacy. In this episode of Analog Advisor, host Wes Brown sits down with Marques for part two of their conversation about making it big - and bouncing back. Marques shares his experience with anger issues growing up, and the i...

Michael G. Thomas Jr., Ph. D., is an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) and a lecturer at the University of Georgia. His research focuses on financial empathy and self-compassion, data visualization’s effects on financial behavior, and the connection between brain function and money.  Wes and Dr. Thomas dive deep into the pivotal moments of his life that catalyzed his passion for teaching financ...