Do Business. Do Life. — The Financial Advisor Podcast — DBDL

What do Michelin-starred restaurants and top financial advisory firms have in common? More than you might think. In this episode, I’m talking with Patric Yumul , a hospitality industry leader who co-founded Mina Group with Chef Michael Mina, growing it from 4 restaurants to over 40 worldwide. Known for his expertise in fine dining, brand development, and team culture, Patric has built some of the...

What if the very thing that got you here is the one thing holding you back? As financial advisors, it’s easy to cling to familiar clients, strategies, or routines—but what happens when those very things start to cap your growth?  Today on the pod, I’m talking with Dr. Henry Cloud—bestselling author, acclaimed leadership consultant, and a leading expert in the psychology of success and human p...

If I had to start over as a financial advisor, what would I do differently? Today, I’m sharing the lessons I’ve learned from years of coaching the top 1% of financial advisors. Whether you’re just getting started or you’re already running a successful firm, this episode is packed with actionable steps to help you avoid the grind and build a business with intention. We’re going to cover how to crea...

Have you ever thought, “Is it really possible to scale my business and work less at the same time?” If so, this episode is for you. Today, I’m chatting with Triad Members Craig Sullivan, founder of Sullivan Financial Partners , and Bonnie Becker, the firm’s director of operations. They’ve completely transformed their business, shifting from a founder-led model to a thriving, team-based operation....

What if the biggest obstacle standing in your way of success was you? Ken Coleman, bestselling author, host of The Ken Coleman Show , and co-host of the nationally syndicated Ramsey Show , reveals how to silence self-doubt and trust your heart to unlock your full potential. In this episode, Ken unpacks his powerful “three wire” cheat code for success—Talent, Passion, and Mission—that has helped co...

Is it possible to create lifelong clients who are obsessed with your brand? Dennis Moseley-Williams says yes—but only if you stop selling products and start creating experiences that truly change your clients’ lives.  As a thought leader in the Experience Economy and founder of DMW Strategic Consulting , Dennis has helped countless financial advisors stand out in a crowded market by moving be...

Have you ever wondered how McDonald’s turned a simple hamburger into the Big Mac—one of the most iconic products in the world? What made them so different from every other hamburger stand that existed?  They didn’t just sell ingredients; they sold a process, a unique experience that only they could deliver. Most financial advisors fall into the same trap as the countless hamburger stands that...

Can you scale your business at breakneck speed without sacrificing the service you provide or your quality of life?  Triad members Dana and Tyler Dunkelberger from Reliance Financial Partners , have proven it’s possible. Their story is one many advisors will find relatable. Starting as a small team of six, they wore many hats and achieved impressive results, averaging $30M in new assets annua...

In nearly two decades of working with some of the world’s top independent financial advisors, I’ve seen all kinds of hidden addictions—and, honestly, I’ve been guilty of a few myself. From the outside, it might look like everyone has it all together: polished, successful, in control. But beneath the surface, even the most disciplined and high-achieving people in this business are dealing with stru...

Building a business shouldn’t mean sacrificing your life, but far too often, that’s exactly what happens in our industry. In this live conversation from the FutureProof event, I sit down with my co-founder at Triad Partners, Shawn Sparks, to dig into a different approach—one that lets you scale your advisory business, so you can grow without burning out or missing out on what matters most. Over th...

Throughout my years of coaching advisors, I’ve noticed one of the most common traps they fall into is letting meetings run too long. It may feel like good service, but long, unfocused meetings can quietly chip away at your credibility. Today, I’m sharing The 15-Minute Warning Knock Concept —a simple, yet powerful framework to help you set boundaries, improve efficiency, and show clients that your...

Today, we’re recording the pod LIVE from Future Proof – the world’s largest wealth festival. I sat down with Tim White, Co-Founder of Wealth.com , and Sara Baker of Triad Wealth Partners to talk about the new tech transforming estate planning for advisors. I know estate planning isn’t the sexiest topic, but Wealth.com is doing some seriously cool things to make it easier for advisors to help their...

Today, I’m talking with branding expert Amanda Brinkman , who shares her powerful “do well by doing good” philosophy—proving that you can build a thriving business while making a positive impact on the world. Amanda’s worked with big-name brands like BMW, Reebok, and Sony, and she even produced the hit show “Small Business Revolution: Main Street” alongside Ty Pennington and Robert Herjavec from S...

Today’s episode is a tough one, but an important one. I wanted to take a moment to honor someone who profoundly impacted my life – my friend, John Ruhlin. Tragically, John passed away unexpectedly about 2 months ago at just 44 years old. When I first heard the news, I was in complete shock, and I’ve been doing my best to process it ever since.  For those who knew John, you’ll understand when...

Today, I’m sitting down with Triad members John McNeil and Virginia O’Brien, the father-daughter team behind a 103-year-old family firm, to learn how they grew their net AUM by 20% in just 7 months by combining legacy with innovation. Mobile Bay Financial Solutions has had four generations of family leadership, and in this conversation, we dive into how it evolved from its insurance roots in 1922...

Today, I’m sitting down with Thomas Kopelman, founder and lead financial planner at AllStreet Wealth , to discuss how he built a thriving financial advisory firm from scratch and developed a personal brand that now drives 97% of new business through Twitter. Starting at just 25, Thomas quickly earned recognition as one of Investopedia’s Top 100 Financial Advisors in both 2022 and 2023. By focusing...

Today, I’m joined by Demi-Leigh Tebow who shares how she uncovered her true identity, built unshakable faith, and overcame profound adversities like the loss of her sister and surviving a violent carjacking. Demi is no stranger to the spotlight. She was crowned Miss Universe in 2017, married famous NFL quarterback Tim Tebow in 2020, and recently released her best-selling book, A Crown That Lasts ....

Today, I’m flying solo—no guest, just me on the mic. But I’m tackling a topic that could make or break your business: optimizing your calendar for maximum revenue and freedom. I’ll share real-world stories and frameworks that have helped countless financial advisors like you transition from solo players to true business owners. By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly how to systematize you...

Today, I’m talking with the family behind Unified Legacy Advisors (ULA)—a firm that has successfully scaled from $14 million to over $100 million in assets in just five years. Founded in 2019 and joining Triad in 2022, the Nebens are an incredible example of process-driven growth. Their clear brand manifesto focused on helping clients “Retire Fearlessly” has become the foundation of their business...

Today, I’m talking to Nashville’s #1 men’s stylist, Bentley Caldwell , all about what financial advisors should be thinking about when it comes to their wardrobe.   Financial advising is a trust-based business, and clients need to feel confident in your ability to manage their finances. That’s why what you wear matters. How you dress and present yourself shapes how prospects and clients...

Today, I’m talking with Will Guidara , a world-renowned restaurateur and author of the best-selling book, Unreasonable Hospitality .  At just twenty-six, Will took over Eleven Madison Park, a struggling two-star brasserie that had never quite matched its majestic room. Eleven years later, it was named the best restaurant in the world. In this episode, not only will you hear how Will pulled of...

What’s up DBDL fam! We’ve got a special episode lined up for you today. As many of you know, I’m a proud member of Front Row Dads – a membership group and podcast created for fathers who want to level up their Dad game and put family first. As part of a podcast series, Front Row Dads selected a handful of members to guest host the show. As a part of that series, I was chosen to be interviewed by f...

In this episode, I’m talking with James and Kris Rea, the dynamic husband-and-wife team behind Rea Financial . Their story highlights the power of authenticity and how crafting the right mission, messaging, and values can massively impact the success of your business. The Rea's had to take a few steps back before they could leap forward, but their efforts paid off, growing from $8M to $36M in tota...

Today, I'm chatting with Chris and Melissa Smith, the power couple behind Family Brand . Chris and Melissa's story is one of transformation—they were on the brink of divorce in their fourth year of marriage, but nearly 20 years later, they now have a thriving family with five incredible children. They realized that as entrepreneurs, we often invest so much time and money into the brand, strategy,...

Today I’m sharing something that I’ve never talked about publicly: my personal journey with therapy and how it helped to save my marriage. The truth is, in the early days of Triad, when I was busy putting my blood, sweat and tears into helping our team get the company off the ground...I was leaving a void at home and not showing up as the husband and father I needed to be. I often felt like there...