Michael Kitces, MSFS, MTAX, CFP and Carl Richards, CFP

Kitces and Carl - Real Talk for Real Financial Advisors

Business EN ↓ 194 episodes

A no-holds barred conversation for Real Financial Advisors with industry nerd Michael Kitces and client communication expert Carl Richards. One draws with a Sharpie, the other nerds out with spreadsheets, and both provide you with unique perspectives so that you can more effectively communicate with and serve your clients, run a more fulfilling practice, and maintain a healthier lifestyle.

Author

Michael Kitces, MSFS, MTAX, CFP and Carl Richards, CFP

Category

Business

Podcast website

www.kitces.com

Latest episode

Jul 9, 2026

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Episodes

Is There A Future Of Financial Planning In The AI Era?: Kitces & Carl Ep 169 24.07.2025

In the 169th episode of Kitces and Carl , Michael Kitces and client communication expert Carl Richards explore how AI is set to transform the roles advisors play and the unique value they provide in client relationships. For full show notes, see  kitces.com  and  thesocietyofadvice.com .

Do You Really Have To Go Deep With Every New Client In The First Meeting?: Kitces & Carl Ep 168 10.07.2025

In our 168th episode of Kitces & Carl, Michael Kitces and client communication expert Carl Richards discuss whether it's more effective to dive deep in the first client meeting or to focus on the immediate issue and reserve the more emotional conversations for future sessions. For full show notes, see  kitces.com  and  thesocietyofadvice.com .

Are Financial Advisors Less Happy When Working With HNW Clients?: Kitces & Carl Ep 167 26.06.2025

In our 167th episode of Kitces & Carl, Michael Kitces and client communication expert Carl Richards discuss the complex emotions money can stir up—and how a client's level of wealth can shape an advisor's happiness in their own life. For full show notes, see  kitces.com  and  thesocietyofadvice.com .

Financial Planners As The Guide To Help Clients Navigating Potentially Changing Terrain: Kitces & Carl Ep 166 12.06.2025

In our 166th episode of Kitces & Carl, Michael Kitces and client communication expert Carl Richards discuss how to help clients un learn unhelpful lessons and shift from relying on luck-based decisions to making strategic, informed choices. For full show notes, see  kitces.com  and  thesocietyofadvice.com .

Finding Repeatable Conversations To Explain Complex Concepts More Understandably To Clients: Kitces & Carl Ep 165 29.05.2025

In our 165th episode of Kitces & Carl, Michael Kitces and client communication expert Carl Richards explore strategies for breaking down complex ideas into clear, simple explanations that clients can easily grasp.  For full show notes, see  kitces.com  and  thesocietyofadvice.com .

Is Complexity In Financial Planning Necessary To Prove (Young) Advisor Credibility?: Kitces & Carl Ep 164 15.05.2025

In our 164th episode of Kitces & Carl, Michael Kitces and client communication expert Carl Richards discuss how to strike the right balance between technical accuracy and clear, client-friendly communication. For full show notes, see  kitces.com  and  thesocietyofadvice.com .

Overcoming Objections When Clients Reject The Recommendation By Asking What You Missed: Kitces & Carl Ep 163 01.05.2025

In our 163rd episode of Kitces & Carl, Michael Kitces and client communication expert Carl Richards discuss how to handle when clients not only ignore advice but actively push back against it. For full show notes, see  kitces.com  and  thesocietyofadvice.com .

Avoiding Staff Management Duties You Don't Want By Paying A Virtual Assistant For Only What You Need: Kitces & Carl Ep 162 17.04.2025

In our 162nd episode of Kitces & Carl, Michael Kitces and client communication expert Carl Richards discuss how a virtual assistant can support management responsibilities—and how to identify what tasks are worth delegating in the first place. For full show notes, see  kitces.com  and  thesocietyofadvice.com .

How Valuable Is Getting Feedback About Your Original Business Ideas (That Others May Not Get Anyway)?: Kitces & Carl Ep 161 03.04.2025

In our 161st episode of Kitces & Carl, Michael Kitces and client communication expert Carl Richards discuss how they navigate others' opinions on their projects—and the strategies they use to invite feedback in the first place. For full show notes, see  kitces.com  and  thesocietyofadvice.com .

Calming Clients With Anxiety About Trump Tariffs And Trade Wars: Kitces & Carl Ep 160 20.03.2025

In our 160th episode of Kitces & Carl, Michael Kitces and client communication expert Carl Richards discuss what advisors can do to keep clients from panicking—and making poor financial decisions—during market volatility. For full show notes, see  kitces.com  and  thesocietyofadvice.com .

When You Promised Early Clients Special Fees Or Minimums You Can No Longer Honor: Kitces & Carl Ep 159 06.03.2025

In our 159th episode of Kitces & Carl, Michael Kitces and client communication expert Carl Richards discuss what to do when your original fees no longer make financial sense—but you promised to honor them for some clients. For full show notes, see  kitces.com  and  thesocietyofadvice.com .

Should Prospects Be Allowed To Move Forward If They Don't Want To Think It Over First?: Kitces & Carl Ep 158 20.02.2025

In our 158th episode of Kitces & Carl, Michael Kitces and client communication expert Carl Richards discuss the reasoning behind not allowing clients—even excited ones—to sign up the day of their first meeting. For full show notes, see  kitces.com  and  thesocietyofadvice.com .

Reducing The Fears Of Prospective Clients By Communicating Clear Expectations Before The First Meeting: Kitces & Carl Ep 157 06.02.2025

In our 157th episode of Kitces & Carl, Michael Kitces and client communication expert Carl Richards discuss tactics for reducing the worry that can arise for people when meeting with a financial advisor for the first time. For full show notes, see  kitces.com  and  thesocietyofadvice.com .

How Are You Getting Value Out Of ChatGPT As A Financial Advisor?: Kitces & Carl Ep 156 23.01.2025

In our 156th episode of Kitces & Carl, Michael Kitces and client communication expert Carl Richards discuss  how they're using ChatGPT in their own work and share their thoughts on the future of AI in financial advising. For full show notes, see  kitces.com  and  thesocietyofadvice.com .

How Do You Know When You Are Adding Value Versus Just Trying To Justify Your Fees?: Kitces & Carl Ep 155 09.01.2025

In our 155th episode of Kitces & Carl, Michael Kitces and client communication expert Carl Richards discuss a common pitfall among advisors, and what you should consider to make sure you're actually adding value—not just wasting time. For full show notes, see kitces.com  and  thesocietyofadvice.com .

The Limits Where Technology Can't Scale Financial Planning Advice: Kitces & Carl Ep 154 26.12.2024

In our 154th episode of Kitces & Carl, Michael Kitces and client communication expert Carl Richards discuss technology and AI's role in the future of financial advice. For full show notes, see kitces.com  and  thesocietyofadvice.com .

Evaluating The Tradeoffs That Come With Retaining 'Legacy' Clients: Kitces & Carl Ep 153 12.12.2024

In our 153rd episode of Kitces & Carl, Michael Kitces and client communication expert Carl Richards discuss what to do when legacy clients start to hurt profitability down the line. For full show notes, see kitces.com  and  thesocietyofadvice.com .

Advisory Fee Confidence And Building The Happy-Client Stoke File: Kitces & Carl Ep 152 28.11.2024

In our 152nd episode of Kitces & Carl, Michael Kitces and client communication expert Carl Richards discuss surprising data from recent research on the different ways advisors charge fees. For full show notes, see kitces.com  and  thesocietyofadvice.com .

What's Holding You Back From Delegating What You Need To Let Go Of?: Kitces & Carl Ep 151 14.11.2024

In our 151st episode of Kitces & Carl, Michael Kitces and client communication expert Carl Richards discuss what often stands in the way of delegating tasks—and what you can do to avoid common sticking points. For full show notes, see kitces.com  and  thesocietyofadvice.com .

When The Early Years' Scarcity As A Financial Advisor Prevents You From Growing To The Next Level: Kitces & Carl Ep 150 31.10.2024

In our 150th episode of Kitces & Carl, Michael Kitces and client communication expert Carl Richards discuss how the scarcity mentality many new advisors experience when just starting out can negatively affect their career down the road—and how to avoid this common trap. For full show notes, see kitces.com  and  thesocietyofadvice.com .

Do You Really Need A Business Partner… Or A Study Group?: Kitces & Carl Ep 149 17.10.2024

In our 149th episode of Kitces & Carl, Michael Kitces and client communication expert Carl Richards discuss why having friends in the trenches with you as you launch your own firm might be more valuable than having a business partner. For full show notes, see kitces.com  and  thesocietyofadvice.com .

Making It Easier To Get Started By NOT Building In Public And Focusing On Version 0 Instead: Kitces & Carl Ep 148 03.10.2024

In our 148th episode of Kitces & Carl, Michael Kitces and client communication expert Carl Richards discuss the mindset shift that can help when you're scared to take the next step toward your goals. For full show notes, see kitces.com  and  thesocietyofadvice.com .

Preparing An Advisory Firm For The Risk Of A Market (And Revenue) Decline: Kitces & Carl Ep 147 19.09.2024

In our 147th episode of Kitces & Carl, Michael Kitces and client communication expert Carl Richards discuss what advisors can do to prepare for the next market downturn. For full show notes, see kitces.com  and  thesocietyofadvice.com .

Re-Educating Clients (Scalably) After They 'Read Something On The Internet': Kitces & Carl Ep 146 05.09.2024

In our 146th episode of Kitces & Carl, Michael Kitces and client communication expert Carl Richards discuss how to handle when clients try to educate themselves about finance online—but come away with misinformation. For full show notes, see kitces.com  and  thesocietyofadvice.com .

Explaining The Full Value Of (Life) Planning By Unlocking The Emotional Job To Be Done: Kitces & Carl Ep 145 22.08.2024

In our 145th episode of Kitces & Carl, Michael Kitces and client communication expert Carl Richards discuss how advisors can communicate their planning style in their marketing before investing time in client meetings that may or may not lead to long-term engagement. For full show notes, see kitces.com  and  thesocietyofadvice.com .

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