How Did We Get Here?

We started this show wondering “How did we get here?” and after 36 guests, a hundred tangents, and probably too many bad jokes from Mark, the answer is… still complicated. What we do know is this: the people we met were driven by passion, fueled by purpose, and honest enough to share the messy parts along with the wins. That mix of grit, curiosity, and a refusal to quit made every conversation unf...

When the founder of your podcast studio becomes the guest, you know it’s going to be something special. In this season finale, we sit down with Brodrick Lothringer, who believed in this show when it was just a conversation starter, and who quietly built something extraordinary. From selling toys door-to-door as a kid to navigating the loss of his home while launching a business, Brodrick's st...

Our guest for this episode has a marketing career that started with ads about cheese and orange juice… She’s Mary Kate Gulick, and her journey from journalism student to fractional CMO is anything but predictable. She fell in love with financial services by leading marketing at TD Ameritrade Institutional, which led her to start her own firm. Ever since, she’s believed strategy is a non-negotiable...

This one is for every woman who has ever been told it wasn’t her moment yet. Jess and Mark have an honest conversation with Courtney Ranstrom, co-founder of Trailhead Planners, and all we can say is: what a story! She overcame the feeling of being “just a paraplanner” at her dad’s firm and built her path to having a business and a voice of her own, a luxury in the financial field today. She hates...

What do Greenpeace, tarot cards, and financial PR have in common? Elena Krasnow, our guest on this episode of How Did We Get Here? She had it figured out: a college degree in environmental studies, a life-changing trip to Madagascar, and a job at Greenpeace. Fighting climate change and working with communities was the plan! But COVID happened, and all her expectations were laid off alongside her,...

Matt Hobson's career journey feels like a cross-country hike. He went from studying spotted owls in Oregon's forests to importing lumber from New Zealand, and ended up helping people with their financial decisions. He is the ninth child of thirteen siblings. Yes, you read that right, thirteen! They didn’t call themselves "the wilderness" of Eastern Oregon for nothing. That nint...

Meet Phil Pearlman, a former special education teacher with a trading background. He is now dedicated to helping people improve their health to boost their business and life results. In this conversation, he goes from explaining the current bird flu cycle and how it affects egg prices to a mindful parenting masterclass, and believe it or not, he ties it all back to health. Irreverent, politically...

Ashley Quamme's path in financial advice was not the most typical one, but there were some early signs, like the fact that she was born on “Tax Day” and used to offer counseling to her classmates in the lunch line. Later, she worked as a mental health therapist until she discovered a new way to use her skills: advising advisors. If we add that she is married to a CFA and is the daughter of a...

What if the real reason people hire you has nothing to do with money? In this conversation, keynote speaker Dennis Moseley-Williams shares how his background in anthropology shaped a completely different approach to financial advising and business building. He explains why clients crave fulfillment, connection, and transformation more than they care about financial metrics. For Dennis, rejecting t...

John Stoj’s career took some unexpected turns—Wall Street trader, sushi entrepreneur, and reluctantly, a financial advisor. Along the way, he realized he loved helping people with money, just not in the way big firms do it. This may just be the least straight-line journey we’ve gone through yet! Stay tuned as we get into John’s story, where he “kicked and screamed” his way into a rewarding career....

In this episode, Mark and Jess talk to Sam Rook, a Canadian financial advisor who went from studying physical education to becoming a go-to expert in cross-border and founder of Bird’s Eye Wealth. How did that happen? A $10,000 investment, and an inspiring mentor who changed his path forever. In this episode: - Sam’s career switch from teaching to wealth management  - Why he left a big firm to sta...

Kathi Balasek shares her remarkable journey from flunking college, becoming a physical education teacher and then eventually, a grief expert. Kathi demonstrates how seemingly unrelated skills create a unique path for helping others navigate loss. Key Takeaways: • Grief is not a competition – "the only loss that matters is your loss" • Focusing on emotions rather than comparing experience...

Matt Zeigler’s journey shows the power of curiosity and adaptability in navigating one's career through uncertainties. From his unexpected pivots during the global financial crisis to initiating his podcast "Just Press Record," Matt emphasizes the importance of embracing chaos as a path to growth. Key takeaways: • Resilience during the global financial crisis • Turning career challe...

Matt Zeigler started out as a guitarist, hustling to make it in the music industry. Then, the dawn of the internet sent him along a different path, to financial services. He talks about how he was able to see his ADHD as a strength, and inspires listeners to embrace setbacks and not be afraid to pivot towards finding their passions. Key Takeaways: • Matt's transition from music to finance • H...

Cris Wallace shares his remarkable journey from being a plant manager to becoming a dedicated financial planner. We discuss his motivations, the challenges he faced, and how relationships and understanding emotions around money can lead to success in financial advising. Key Takeaways: • Cris’s shift from plant management to financial planning • The inspiration behind helping others financially • C...

Justin Carbonneau’s journey from track and field to military service to the world of finance is a powerful example of turning challenges into opportunities. Justin has had to navigate tough transitions, from a demanding New York City internship to managing financial crises. Whether it’s finding encouragement online or the power of teamwork, his story shows how resilience and the right relationship...

In this episode, we chat with Ryan Krueger about how discomfort can lead to real growth. Ryan shares his thoughts on staying positive, finding joy in your work, and creating success that aligns with your values. We also talk about how challenges can teach us important lessons and why discomfort is often the key to becoming stronger and more resilient. It's a warm and inspiring conversation fi...

Today we chat with Julie Johnson, a financial advisor turned mentor, as she shares her journey of helping families and advisors navigate the challenges of wealth transfer. Julie blends empathy and expertise, shaped by her own personal experiences, in a fresh perspective to managing finances across generations. We also explore the growing role of women in finance, the importance of mental health, a...

What makes someone trade academia for financial advising during a recession? In this episode, we sit down with Morgan Ranstrom as he takes us through his remarkable journey from theology to finance. Combining technical skills with a deep understanding of human behavior, Morgan proves that financial planning is about more than numbers—it’s about people. From navigating life transitions to balancing...

Imagine starting a law firm with just a laptop and an iPhone. That’s exactly what Van Smith did! In this episode, Van shares how he grew his Virginia-based firm from scratch into a team of 30. His background wasn’t entrepreneurial at all, but after tackling challenges like undergrad during 9/11, a stint in Baghdad, and the 2008 financial crisis after law school—Van dug in and simply got to work. ...

Join us as we chat with Jenny Rozelle, an estate and elder law expert who brings a down-to-earth approach to legal planning. From her small-town beginnings to leading a successful law firm, Jenny shares how hard work and community-focus drive her success. She breaks down why estate planning matters for everyone, and gives simple, practical advice to protect what you value most. Connect with us! Je...

In this episode Aravind Sithamparapillai shares his journey, facing family expectations and self-doubt as he built a career in finance. Aravind opens up about overcoming struggles, including mental health challenges, and finding his way back to university. His story shows the power of self-belief, resilience, and the importance of doing what you actually care about. Join us for a story of growth,...

Meet Dennis Morton—a former history major, band musician, and missile operator who’s now the founder of a financial advisory firm. In this episode, Dennis talks about his winding career path from military life to finance, and shares his hard-earned lessons and stories. Learn how he found his true calling, built a new career from scratch, and used his background in empathy and communication to conn...

In this episode, we chat with Perth Tolle, a finance trailblazer who mixes personal values with smart investing. From her time as a Fidelity advisor to creating a freedom-focused index for emerging markets, Perth’s journey shows how staying true to your beliefs can lead to success. We also talk about taking risks, changing careers, and how community support can help you bounce back from challenges...

Join us as Dave Ross shares his unique journey from asset management to transportation executive to artist. He talks about chasing impact over following a set career path, the value of self-awareness, and learning from mentors. We also dive into career transitions, personal growth, and lessons from 2020 on finding clarity and building strong relationships. This episode offers practical tips to hel...