Next Mile

Episode 127: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Matt Regan, President at Wealthcare. With more than two decades in the financial services industry, Matt has helped build several transformative business models, including launching the retail brokerage and OpenIPO system at WR Hambrecht+Co. His work has consistently focused on scaling world-class organizations with a strong commitment to the client...

Episode 126: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Sarah Simmer, Partner and Senior Wealth Advisor at Heritage Wealth Advisors. Sarah delivers customized wealth management and tax planning services to individuals and families, with a special focus on multi-generational households. Sarah talks with Kyle about what world-class client experience truly requires, especially for ultra-high-net-worth famil...

Episode 125: In this special New Year's 2025 episode, Kyle Van Pelt brings together four standout voices to explore why wealth technology still feels broken—and what actually fixes it. Jeremy Nelson explains how rising client complexity demands centralized planning and operational tech that can truly scale. Art Ambarik shares how fragmented data and poor transitions create bottlenecks that distrac...

Episode 124: In this special Christmas 2025 episode, Kyle Van Pelt brings together four standout voices to explore what it takes to identify, attract, develop, and retain the next generation of talent. Daniel Spurgeon shares how firms can spot potential early and create intentional career pathways instead of reactive hires. Kristen Oziemkowski explains what today’s young professionals are really l...

Episode 123: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Tim Thomas, Chief Investment Officer and Wealth Manager at Badgley Phelps Wealth Managers. Tim joined Badgley Phelps in 2008 and brings more than two decades of experience in financial planning and portfolio management. He specialized in security analysis and selection, portfolio construction, asset allocation, and alternative investments. Tim share...

Episode 122: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Eden Ovadia, Co-Founder of FINNY. Before FINNY, Eden worked on the private equity team at Boston Consulting Group, where she advised on major M&A deals across the wealth management space. Driven by her background in AI and engineering, and inspired by the wealthtech industry's shifting dynamics, Eden co-founded FINNY to help advisors build predictab...

Episode 121: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Mark Buffington, CEO at BIP Capital and Managing Partner at BIP Ventures. Since founding BIP Capital, Mark has helped shape the firm into one of the most active and respected investment brands outside Silicon Valley. He’s also spearheaded several of its most forward-thinking initiatives, from a private-equity Evergreen BDC to a proprietary deep-data...

Episode 120: As firms enter strategic planning season, Kyle Van Pelt brings together the strongest technology insights from four standout leaders. Nelly Mubashi explains the operational realities of supporting multiple advisor-selected platforms. Carrie Delgott highlights why consolidation into a unified stack unlocks collaboration and efficiency. Phillip Hamman shares how long-term planning and t...

Episode 119: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Eric Kittner, CEO and Chairman of the Board at Moneta Group. Eric began his career at Arthur Andersen and RubinBrown before joining Moneta in 2003. Since becoming Managing Partner in 2018, Eric has led Moneta through a period of remarkable growth, expanding from a single Midwest office to multiple national markets and more than doubling its AUM.  Er...

Episode 118: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jason Weaver, Managing Partner of Weaver Consulting Group. With nearly three decades of experience in the financial services industry, Jason leads with a people-first philosophy rooted in mentorship, emotional intelligence, and community.  Kyle and Jason unpack why financial planning today requires more than performance charts and retirement project...

Episode 117: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jacqueline Martinez, Managing Partner at Alaris Acquisitions. Previously part of United Capital's M&A team, Jacqueline contributed to $10.5B in acquisitions before the firm's 2019 sale to Goldman Sachs. Now at Alaris, she and her team have closed more than 50 deals with leading wealth management firms. Recognized for her leadership in culture-first...

Episode 116: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Matt Reed, Chief Revenue Officer at Powerlytics. Matt brings 20 years of wealth management experience to Powerlytics, including leadership roles at Skience, eMoney Advisor, and Brightscope | ISS. At Powerlytics, Matt oversees the sales and marketing teams and leads the company's revenue-generation strategy and execution.  Matt talks with Kyle about...

Episode 115: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Matt Matrisian, President of Signature Estate & Investment Advisors (SEIA). Matt is a pioneer in transforming the delivery of financial advice. His career has focused on simplifying the financial services industry, supporting its evolution, and enhancing the value to advisors. He believes the best investment outcomes begin with advisor-centric tools...

Episode 114: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Torie Happe, Head of Partnerships at Holistiplan. Torie began her career at LPL Financial, where she managed new accounts, led RIA conversions, and developed new operational procedures. In 2016, Torie transitioned into fintech at Riskalyze. She later held leadership roles at FIX Flyer and Onramp Invest before joining Holistiplan in 2022 as Head of P...

Episode 113: John Bunch, CEO of Allworth Financial. With over 30 years in financial services, John has guided firms through big transitions, from founder succession and acquisitions to private equity cycles and scaling operations, while preserving their culture.  This week, Kyle talks with John about leading Allworth into its third generation. John reflects on lessons from Schwab and other founder...

Episode 112: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jason Wenk, Founder and CEO of Altruist. Jason has lived and breathed the financial services industry over the last 20 years as a financial advisor, investment systems developer, analyst, and founder. Jason shares his journey from humble beginnings to building some of the fastest-growing RIAs. From his early days at Morgan Stanley to pioneering digi...

Episode 111: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Ian Wenik, Editor at Citywire and one of the sharpest reporters covering the RIA space. While many firms rely on market performance to maintain their numbers, Ian sheds light on what truly differentiates the fastest-growing RIAs. From niche strategies and referral networks to the big M&A moves reshaping the industry, Ian shares insights from Citywir...

Episode 110: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Kevin Knull, CEO of TaxStatus. With more than 30 years in financial services and fintech, Kevin has led growth and innovation at companies like MoneyGuidePro, YCharts, Symetra Financial, and Hartford Leaders. Throughout his career, he's been dedicated to advancing the industry by helping advisors deliver smarter, higher-quality advice to their clien...

Episode 109: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Tiffany Irving, Senior Vice President and Wealth Advisor at Mesirow Wealth Management. Tiffany specializes in working with high-net-worth individuals, families, and non-profit organizations by providing comprehensive wealth management advice and customized asset allocation strategies to help them accumulate, grow, protect, and distribute their wealt...

Episode 108: Michael Batnick is the Managing Partner at Ritholtz Wealth Management, where he helps shape one of the most influential RIAs in the country while also co-hosting popular podcasts like Animal Spirits. Known for his candor and curiosity, Michael brings a refreshing perspective to investing, leadership, and the business of advice. This week, Kyle talks with Michael about his winding path...

Episode 107: Richard Alt is the CEO of Carnegie Investment Council, where he has led the firm through significant growth, including major acquisitions like Eagle Ridge. With more than two decades of experience, Richard is committed to true fiduciary principles—putting clients’ interests first, eliminating conflicts of interest, and helping investors navigate risk with clarity and trust. This week,...

Episode 106:  Lacey Shrum, Founder of Smart Kx, is an accomplished professional with a diverse background in law, compliance, and entrepreneurship. At Smart Kx, Lacey applies her extensive experience to drive strategic initiatives and deliver innovative solutions within the legal and technology sectors. This week, Kyle and Lacey do a deep dive into the metric that truly matters for advisory firms—...

Episode 105: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Phillip Hamman, President & CEO at Linscomb Wealth (LW). Phillip leads the team in developing and executing the firm's visionary strategies. His leadership extends to serving on the LW Board of Directors, chairing the Executive Committee, and contributing as a voting member of the Investment Committee, reflecting his deep proficiencies in investment...

Episode 104: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Steve Reder, Partner & Head of Wealth Management at RWA Wealth Partners. Kyle and Steve talk about the four pillars of generational wealth planning. They discuss how RWA Wealth Partners is a boutique firm of consequence, what that means in practice, and how Steve and his team help clients create lasting legacies through financial planning, investmen...

Episode 103:  Brad Shepherd is the President and CEO at Founders Financial, a broker-dealer and RIA dedicated to building purpose-rich, advisor-centric enterprises. With nearly three decades in the industry, Brad blends deep financial expertise with a passionate commitment to helping advisors grow intentional, values-driven practices. His journey from investment rep to executive leader is shaped b...