Behind the Curtain Finance

AI gets talked about everywhere these days, but what does it actually look like when it becomes a practical tool for financial planning? In this episode, Thomas Manetta welcomes Fernando San Martin, Senior Product Manager of Hazel by Altruist, for a conversation about the rapid changes taking place in financial planning. Fernando shares his journey from co-founding Thyme to joining Altruist, along...

Holistic advice is becoming more common, but many clients still experience a gap between planning and actual implementation. What happens when advisors can support not only investments, but also cash, lending, annuities, and other major financial decisions with a more connected client experience? In this episode, Thomas Manetta talks with Max Lane, CEO of Flourish, about how independent advisors c...

Staying efficient while maintaining strong client relationships is becoming more challenging for advisors. How can technology reduce workload without losing the human connection that clients value most? documenting client conversations… In this episode, Thomas Manetta speaks with Matt Halloran, Chief Evangelist at Zocks, about how AI is transforming the way advisors manage meetings, workflows, and...

What happens when AI begins reshaping the financial advice industry faster than most advisors expect? In this episode, Thomas Manetta sits down with Alex Chalekian, Founder and CEO of Lake Avenue Financial,  to unpack a technology shift that may fundamentally change how advisors operate and how clients experience financial planning. Together, they explore the evolving role of technology and artifi...

What happens when a long-standing client relationship ends, and instead of devastation, you feel relief? In this episode, Thomas Manetta opens up about losing one of his largest and longest-standing clients after more than a decade of working closely together. What initially looked like a professional setback became a powerful moment of reflection. Thomas shares how overextending himself for one r...

Marketing tools promise efficiency, but do they deliver authenticity?  Can technology replace the human connection that builds trust in financial advisory relationships? In this episode, Thomas Manetta sits down with Joe Moss, founder of AdvisorTechBook, for a candid conversation about AI prospecting tools, the future of advisor technology, and the importance of staying human in an increasingly au...

Most advisors do not lose prospects because of advice quality; they lose them because the process feels slow, confusing, or outdated before trust ever has a chance to form. In this episode, Thomas Manetta sits down with John Finney, CFP®, Co-Founder of Overvue, to pull back the curtain on one of the most overlooked friction points in financial services: onboarding. Together, they explore how the w...

This episode takes you inside the real shift that changed Thomas’s entire career.  After years inside legacy firms that prioritized sales over service, Thomas talks openly about what happened when he moved to Altruist and finally felt free to work in a way that matched his values. He shares the moment a long-time client noticed the change in him, how independent custodial support unlocked authenti...

What if your next great client came from authentic connection, not acquisition? In this episode, Thomas Manetta sits down with Eden Ovadia, CEO and Co-Founder of FINNY, a groundbreaking organic growth engine helping independent advisors attract clients without relying on mergers, acquisitions, or referral programs. Together, they unpack how technology, data, and authenticity can empower advisors t...

Advisors frequently face the challenge of striking a balance between growth, independence, and client care. How do you use technology to scale without losing your personal touch? How do you create a path for future generations of advisors while building your own legacy? In this episode of Behind The Curtain Finance, Thomas Manetta reflects on his conversation with Jason Wenk of Altruist and explor...

What happens when the infrastructure of financial services finally catches up to the modern world of cloud, APIs, and AI? In this episode of Behind the Curtain Finance , host Thomas Manetta sits down with Jason Wenk, founder and CEO of Altruist, the first fully integrated digital custodian designed for independent advisors. Together, they explore how technology is reshaping financial services, fro...

What if the very institutions holding your money were competing against you? In this episode of Behind the Curtain Finance , Thomas Manetta pulls back the curtain on the hidden conflicts of traditional Wall Street custodians and how a new era of transparency and technology is reshaping the way advisors and clients interact with their money. Thomas discusses: The history of custodianship, from bank...

When you think of estate planning, do visions of stuffy legal offices and endless paperwork come to mind? It’s time to change that. In this episode, Thomas Manetta is here to change that perception. Drawing from years of firsthand experience, Thomas shares why estate planning isn’t just for the ultra-wealthy and why putting it off can lead to conflict, confusion, and costly legal battles. From sib...

What if taxes didn’t have to be so stressful? This week, Thomas Manetta shares how real-time tax planning and new tech tools are transforming the advisor-client relationship. He also opens up about his own education journey and how AI is rewriting the rules, both in school and in finance.  From Holistiplan to ChatGPT, this episode uncovers how integrated planning is the future of financial service...

Trust and alignment form the bedrock of effective financial planning, but how do you build these foundations with clients? In this episode, Thomas Manetta shares his journey from traditional financial advisory roles to founding Manetta Wealth Management, where he prioritizes conflict-free and transparent client relationships. He explores the essential components of financial planning, emphasizing...

AI may reshape financial services—but it will never replace empathy. This week, Thomas J. Manetta shares how owning his firm redefined his identity, strengthened client bonds, and sparked a deeper purpose. With automation rising, it’s the human touch that sets advisors apart. This episode explores why genuine relationships are the future of advisory services. Thomas discusses:  [00:07:53] Ho...

What does it mean to truly put clients first in the world of finance? Thomas J. Manetta at Manetta Wealth Management shares a compelling story of steadfast commitment and authenticity in serving clients. This episode dives into how Thomas helped a client navigate financial betrayal and personal adversity, reinforcing the value of building genuine, long-term relationships in financial advising. Tho...

What happens when life unexpectedly hands you the responsibility of managing finances for the first time? Delve into an emotional story of trust, transformation, and resilience as Thomas Manetta shares a heartfelt account of his long-standing client relationship. After the passing of her husband, Thomas steps in to help a client who faced the daunting task of managing her estate and finances – som...

What truly makes a financial advisor irreplaceable during life’s toughest times? In this heart-touching episode of “Behind the Curtain Finance,” host Thomas Manetta shares the emotional journey of helping two sisters facing significant life challenges. Join Thomas as he navigates through complexities, offers empathy, and reshapes what it means to be a financial advisor today. Dis...

How do you know that you’re truly working for your clients and not just for a paycheck? Join Thomas Manetta of Manetta Wealth Management as he takes you behind the scenes of financial advising without the smoke and mirrors. He shares his personal journey from trading floors to founding an independent advisory firm dedicated to conflict-free and client-first financial advice. Thomas discusses...

What happens when a financial advisor decides to break free from corporate constraints and prioritize client interests above all?  Thomas Manetta from Manetta Wealth Management takes you on his journey from the traditional financial world to independent advising, highlighting the cracks in the system that many clients may not even be aware of. Discover why he believes the independent Registered In...

Choosing a financial advisor can be a daunting task, especially if you are not sure of the right questions to ask. The purpose of this podcast is to help you understand which questions are important to ask, why they are important and how the answers to these questions can help you find the right advisor who is interested in only one thing: protecting and defending you without any conflicts of inte...