AFO|Wealth Management Forward

In this episode, Rory speaks with Cecil Nazareth, CPA, professor, coach, and author of Making a Difference: Life Skills You Can Learn from Sports, Academics, Work (& Failure) , about what it really takes to succeed in business and in life. Cecil shares his journey from professional field hockey player in India to international tax expert and accounting professor in the U.S., offering practical...

In this episode, Rory speaks with Danny Lohrfink, co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Wealth.com, and Julie Johnson, founder of XY Communication, about their contributions to The Holistic Guide to Wealth Management and how estate planning and communication are changing the way advisors serve clients. Danny explains how modern estate tech is making these conversations more accessible, scalable,...

In this episode, Rory speaks with Dr. Meghaan Lurtz, a leading expert in the psychology of financial planning and Partner at Shaping Wealth, about how advisors can create more meaningful client connections through the power of questions. Meghaan unpacks why simple phrases like “Would you be willing?” can spark internal motivation and how financial professionals can use invitation-based language to...

In this episode, Rory speaks with Susan Bryant, founder of Unboxed Advisors, and Randy Crabtree, co-founder of Tri-Merit Specialty Tax Professionals, about their contributions to The Holistic Guide to Wealth Management and how CPAs can build firms that deliver a stronger return on relationships for both clients and team members. Susan shares why she left a traditional firm to build a concierge-sty...

In this episode, Rory speaks with Christine Nicholson, award-winning succession strategist, and Randy Fox, founder of Two Hawks Family Office and editor-in-chief of the Planned Giving Design Center, about their contributions to The Holistic Guide to Wealth Management and how to help business owners exit with clarity, purpose, and peace of mind. Christine explains why only 3 in 10 family businesses...

In this market update episode, Rory speaks with Chris Tidmore, CFA and CPA, Senior Manager at Vanguard’s Investment Advisor Research Center, to unpack the April 2 tariff shock and what it means for markets, inflation, and client communication. Chris explains how sharp movements in both equities and Treasury yields reflect a market constantly recalibrating expectations—and why it’s nearly impossibl...

In this episode, Rory speaks with Dr. Daniel Crosby, Chief Behavioral Officer at Orion Advisor Solutions, and Randy Johnston, fintech strategist and co-founder of K2 Enterprises, to discuss the technology and behavioral finance topics outlined in The Holistic Guide to Wealth Management and the evolving role of CPAs and financial advisors. Dr. Crosby explains why values-based planning isn’t just fe...

In this episode, Rory speaks with Michael DiJoseph, Senior Strategist at Vanguard’s Investment Advisory Research Center, and Andres Mazabel, Head of Advisor Sales at leading estate planning platform Trust & Will, about their contributions to Holistic Guide to Wealth Management and the evolving value of financial advice. Michael breaks down Vanguard’s 25-year Advisors Alpha study, revealing how...

In this panel episode, Rory speaks with Seth Fineberg, founder of Accountants Forward, and Phillip Hecker, CEO of Bento Engine, about their contributions to The Holistic Guide to Wealth Management and the major inflection point in the accounting profession. They explore the evolution of financial advice—from Advice 1.0 (transactional) to Advice 2.0 (goal-based planning) and now Advice 3.0 (compreh...

In this episode, Rory speaks with Tim Maurer, CFP®, registered life planner, and Chief Advisory Officer at Signature FD, as well as a regular contributor to CNBC and Forbes. Tim shares his philosophy that personal finance is more personal than finance , emphasizing the role of emotions, behavior, and storytelling in financial planning. Discover why most clients implement less than 20% of financial...

In this episode, Rory speaks with Michael Ly, CEO of Reconciled, a leading virtual accounting and advisory firm, and General Partner of the AF Fund, a venture capital fund dedicated to accounting and fintech startups. Michael shares how he built one of the fastest-growing accounting firms and why he’s now investing in AI-driven financial tools that streamline workflow automation, revenue recogniti...

In this episode, Rory speaks with Dr. Michael Thomas, lecturer at the University of Georgia, accredited financial counselor, and author of Black Financial Culture: Building Wealth from the Inside Out. Known for his TED Talk on financial empathy, Dr. Thomas explores how financial decisions are shaped not just by personal choices but by the systems we navigate—familial beliefs, societal norms, techn...

In this episode, Rory speaks with George Kinder, author, mindfulness teacher, and founder of the Kinder Institute of Life Planning, widely known as the father of life planning. George shares how his journey from tax professional to global leader in life planning was driven by his passion to align finances with freedom and fulfillment. Discover the power of his three life-planning questions, which...

In this best of episode, Rory highlights standout conversations from 2024, featuring industry leaders and innovators. Discover insights from Allan Koltin on the future of accounting, including the rise of private equity and potential IPOs for accounting firms. Hear Chris Tabb break down the three key assessments every business owner should consider for value acceleration: attractiveness, owner rea...

In this special episode Rory highlights the most impactful conversations of 2024, featuring insights from leaders in behavioral finance, accounting, and wealth management. Discover how Amy Mullen’s values-based planning can deepen client connections, Dr. Preston Cherry’s “Secure the BAG” framework fosters financial compassion, and Nathan Astle’s practical framework navigates financial relationship...

In this episode, Rory speaks with Yuri Kapilovich, better known as “The Fun CPA,” about how he’s transforming the accounting profession by rejecting the traditional burnout culture and embracing work-life synchronicity. Discover how Yuri built a thriving practice that allows him to work fewer than 40 hours a week during busy seasons while staying highly responsive to his clients. Learn how his str...

In this episode, Rory sits down with Dr. Preston Cherry, founder of Concurrent Wealth Management, director at the Charles Schwab Center for Personal Financial Planning at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay, and author of Wealth in the Key of Life: Finding Your Financial Harmony . Discover how financial wellness isn't just about numbers—it's about aligning your values, goals, and money decisions...

In this episode, Rory speaks with Chris Tabb, founder of Inevitable Sale and a certified exit planning advisor who specializes in white-label exit planning solutions for accounting firms and professional advisors. Discover why thinking about exit planning from day one can significantly improve business value and ensure a smoother transition. In fact, five out of six business owners currently do no...

In this episode, Rory speaks with Mary Schmid, a communication and leadership educator specializing in the neuroscience of conversations. Discover how the different levels of conversation, informational, persuasive, and transformational—impact trust and connection, and why 85% of conversations are focused on levels one and two, which often fail to build meaningful trust. Learn about how practition...

In this episode, Rory speaks with Reyes Flores, founder and CEO of Platform Accounting Group, about his mission to bring Wall Street-level resources and innovation to Main Street accounting firms. With roots in his family’s small-town accounting practice, Reyes shares how Platform is helping boutique firms thrive by combining modern technology, like AI, with the multi-generational relationships th...

In this episode, Rory speaks with Allan Koltin, CEO of Koltin Consulting Group, recognized as one of the most influential figures in the accounting profession. Allan dives into the dramatic changes reshaping the profession—from the rise of private equity to the war for talent. Learn how firms are adapting to increased demand for capital, leveraging technology, and rethinking traditional business m...

In this episode, Rory speaks with Trevor Greenway, CEO of InterVal, a leader in automated discovery for accounting firms, financial institutions, and wealth advisors. Trevor shares his journey from M&A to founding Interval, highlighting how AI can help firms uncover revenue opportunities hidden in accounting data. Learn how InterVal's technology provides better insight into business valuations...

In this episode, Rory speaks with Amber Setter, Chief Enlightenment Officer and executive leadership coach at Conscious Public Accountants. Amber shares her journey from tax accounting to leadership coaching, highlighting how focusing on the "whole human" can transform both individual well-being and professional effectiveness. Discover why resilience and self-care are essential for leaders, why co...

In this episode, Rory speaks with Amanda Watts, a passionate strategist and the driving force behind the Business Advisory Academy at Oomph Global, who has empowered over 3,000 practices across 23 countries. Discover how Amanda overcame her fear of marketing by embracing authenticity, and how embracing her introverted nature allowed her to build deep, meaningful connections that have been key to h...

In this episode, Rory speaks with Matt Halloran, podcasting expert and co-founder of ProudMouth, about how to create content that get people to know, like, and trust you. Matt shares his journey from a therapist to financial services, highlighting the importance of resilience and optimism after near-death experiences. He explains the concept of "Return on Influence" and why creating genuine connec...