Model FA Podcast

In this episode of the Model FA Podcast, David DeCelle sits down with Matthew Halloran, Chief Evangelist at Zocks, for a conversation that goes way beyond financial advisor technology. Matthew shares his journey from therapist, to life coach at Carson, to building Proudmouth, to helping advisors reclaim their time and use it more intentionally. The conversation covers persistence, personal growth,...

In this Part 2 conversation, David DeCelle, CEO of ModelFA, sits back down with Daniel Gourvitch of Mercer Advisors to dig into the brass tacks of organic growth for financial advisors and RIAs. Building on Part 1's focus on mindset and firm design, this episode is all about execution. Daniel shares stories from Mercer's experience serving family office clients, creative professionals, and other s...

Most financial advisory firms say they want organic growth. But very few are honest about what it actually takes to create it. In this episode of the Model FA Podcast, David DeCelle is joined by Daniel Gourvitch, President of Mercer Advisors, for a deep conversation on why organic growth in the RIA and wealth management space is so difficult, what firms often misunderstand about growth, and why cl...

In this episode of the Model FA podcast, host David DeCelle sits down with Taylor Schulte, CFP and founder of Define Financial, to explore the journey from unplanned entry into financial advising to building a thriving, $300M AUM retirement planning firm. Taylor shares how sales experience shaped his early career, the lessons learned navigating marketing challenges, and the strategic decisions beh...

In this episode of the Model FA podcast, host David DeCelle talks with Brad Johnson, co-founder of Triad Partners, about his non-linear entry into financial services and the profound internal work required to shift from top producer to effective CEO. Brad explains why financial advisory remains fundamentally a relationship business, how Triad redefines "success" as simultaneous business growth and...

In this episode of the Model FA Podcast, David DeCelle sits down with Jeremy Houser, VP & Senior Advisor Development Consultant at Simplicity Group and host of the Advisor Mentorship Podcast. They break down what actually holds advisors back from scaling—why delegation is the real unlock, how a simple time audit exposes hidden leaks, and what to do right now to stay relevant to the next generation...

In this episode of the Model FA podcast, host David DeCelle spoke with Allen Darby, CEO and founder of Allaris Acquisitions, to discuss the evolution of the wealth management M&A landscape. Allen, an industry veteran who completed nine acquisitions as an RIA owner, provided insights on the surge in buyers and the changing mindset of sellers over the last four to five years. He detailed Allaris Acq...

In this episode of the Model FA podcast, host David DeCelle spoke with Jennifer des Groseilliers, CEO of The Mather Group, to discuss her career journey, the firm's growth strategy, and its distinct business philosophy. Jennifer detailed her transition from practicing law to becoming a financial advisor, moving through the broker-dealer world to ultimately embrace the Registered Investment Advisor...

Learn how Forms Logic, a cloud-based fintech platform built exclusively for financial services firms, is revolutionizing client onboarding, account opening, and advisor transitions. In this episode of the Model FA podcast, CEO David DeCelle interviews Joel Friedman, the Chief Operating Officer of Forms Logic, who shares his 25 years of experience in wealth tech. Discover how the Navigator product...

In Episode 202 of the Model FA Podcast, David DeCelle sits down with Arnulf Hsu, CEO & Founder of GReminders, to break down what "end-to-end meeting management" actually looks like for financial advisors—from automated scheduling and reminders, to pre-meeting briefs, AI note-taking, workflows, and post-meeting follow-ups. Arnulf shares his journey as a serial SaaS entrepreneur and explains why wea...

In this episode of the Model FA Podcast, David DeCelle sits down with two fast-rising UK advisors, Sam Luke and Lawrence Bearman, to unpack how they're using LinkedIn intentionally and consistently to build real brand authority and drive booked appointments . They break down what worked early (a lot of outbound messaging), what changed everything (consistent posting), and why boosting top-performi...

Louis Diamond (CEO of Diamond Consultants) joins David DeCelle to break down what really drives advisor transitions—and how top teams evaluate moves to independence, new platforms, or M&A opportunities. Louis shares the "consultative recruiting" model his firm has built over nearly 30 years, why freedom, flexibility, and control are the three core forces behind most breakaway decisions, and what a...

In this inspiring episode, host David DeCelle sits down with ModelFA's newest team member, Joseph Pietrocini, Chief Growth Officer. Joseph shares his entrepreneurial journey, from launching a lawn care business in sixth grade to building a digital marketing agency in college, and how his faith and vision have shaped his career. Discover how Joseph's passion for innovation and impact led him to Mod...

Today we go inside of the mind of Model FA's Chief Marketing Officer, Graham Gardner, as he shares his path from OG Model FA employee to Partner at Model FA. In this episode, Graham discusses his role, the significance of strategic marketing, and how he helps clients build lasting relationships. Key Takeaways: From Gaming to Marketing: Graham's unique transition from running a gaming server to bec...

In this episode of the Model FA Podcast, host David DeCelle sits down with Michael Barasso, Director of Business Development at United Financial Planning Group and founder of Wealthline.  Michael shares his journey from software sales to joining and transforming his family's wealth management firm, and how he leveraged technology and process improvements to drive explosive growth. Discover how Uni...

In this inspiring episode of the Model FA Podcast, host David DeCelle sits down with award-winning financial advisor, author, and female advocate Cary Carbonaro. Cary shares her remarkable journey from learning about money at her father's side to becoming a leading voice for women in wealth management. Discover how Cary built her brand, the importance of marketing in financial services, and why wo...

Welcome to Model FA Episode 194! David DeCelle sits down with Chris King, CEO of Eagle Brook Advisors, to dive deep into the evolving world of crypto in financial planning. Chris shares his journey from early Bitcoin research in college to building Eagle Brook, a leading digital asset platform for RIAs. Discover how Eagle Brook empowers advisors with automated tax loss harvesting, direct Bitcoin o...

In this episode of the Model FA Podcast, host David DeCelle welcomes Andrea Schlapia, a certified EOS Implementer and founder of Ironstone Business Coaching. Andrea shares her extensive experience in the financial industry and her journey from advisor to coach, ultimately embracing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to help advisory firms achieve clarity, accountability, and growth. Key To...

In this episode, David sits down with Matt Mossbarger , co-founder of WealthFeed, to discuss innovative strategies for financial advisors to find and engage potential clients. In This Episode: 0:00 - Introduction to Matt Mossbarger 1:00 - Matt's background in wealth management 2:30 - Origins of Wealth Feed 4:26 - Building the tech team 7:39 - Catalyst events for prospecting 11:55 - Effective outre...

David DeCelle interviews Steven Woods, CEO of Sterling Shire, about his journey and the firm's innovative approach to the financial industry. Steven shares his background, including dropping out of high school, joining Wall Street, and founding Sterling Shire. The firm aims to revolutionize the industry by offering advisors a 100% payout model, eliminating back-end revenue streams, and automating...

Stand by Model FAs! Today I am sitting down with Jason L Smith, founder of JL Smith and Prosperity Capital Advisors, to chat about his journey in the financial industry. Jason shares his early aspirations, setbacks, and eventual success in holistic wealth management. He discusses the evolution of his financial planning process, the "bucket plan," and its impact on clients. Jason also explains the...

In this episode of the  Model FA Podcast , David DeCelle sits down with Andree Mohr , President at Integrated Partners , to discuss how advisors can double their business through intentional partnerships with CPAs. With over $21 billion in AUM , 212 advisors , and 200 CPA partners , Integrated Partners has mastered the art of aligning tax professionals and financial advisors to serve high-net-wort...

In this episode, we sit down with Steve Tenney, CEO of Grandview and Company, to explore his remarkable journey from Morgan Stanley Asset Management to launching his own RIA and ultimately coaching firm owners. Steve shares lessons from four decades in the industry, including how to standardize processes, delegate wisely, and unlock sustainable growth. Key Topics Covered: Steve's early career path...

This week, David is joined by Nick Davies, a coach aiming to serve 100,000 advisors in three years. They discuss the importance of masterminds for advisors, emphasizing the need for a relationship-centric approach. Nick shares his journey from banking to coaching, highlighting the significance of people and relationships. They explore the structure of masterminds, recommending a cadence of bi-week...

This week David DeCelle, CEO of ModelFA, interviews Sarah Ecklein, owner of Trust and Honor, about her journey from cooking to becoming a professional fiduciary. Sarah discusses her work in end-of-life care, serving as a conservator, trustee, and agent for clients, particularly in complex cases that corporate trustees may avoid. She highlights the importance of proactive estate planning, noting th...