Power Your Advice

In today’s episode we speak with Rich Boghosian , co-founder and CIO of PeakAlts , about how RIAs and family offices can gain smarter access to private markets. Drawing on his background in private equity and investment banking, Rich explains PeakAlts’ investor-first approach, which emphasizes alignment, independence, and institutional-level diligence—without placement fees or manager confli...

Today we sit down with Kirstie Eustace, Chief Administrative Officer at Steward Partners, to discuss how the firm preserves its culture while expanding nationwide. Kirstie shares how Steward’s values—like partnership, excellence, and respect—are intentionally reinforced through clear communication and shared responsibility. She highlights talent management as a key driver of cohesion across more t...

Today we catch up with Jeff Gonyo , Head of Wealth Management at Steward Partners , during the firm’s annual symposium. Jeff explains how Steward’s culture of ownership, advisor autonomy, and bottom-up support model attracts top advisors leaving traditional wirehouses. With a ten-person transition team and full-service infrastructure, Steward provides a smooth path to independence—empowering advis...

Today we talk with Scott Danner , EVP and Head of Legacy at Steward Partners , about helping advisors transition their practices while preserving what makes them successful. Scott shares how Steward approaches M&A with empathy, flexibility, and a focus on culture fit—offering both sell-and-stay and sell-and-exit models that prioritize continuity, relationships, and advisor freedom. Scott also...

In today’s episode we talk with Douglas Ferguson , president of Voltage Control , about how financial advisory firms can use facilitation and collaborative leadership to build high-performing teams. Douglas shares how techniques like “connection before content” and intentional meeting design help foster innovation, alignment, and culture—especially during growth or uncertainty. He also explores ho...

Today we sit down with Charlie Johnston , board member at Steward Partners and former CEO of Smith Barney. Charlie shares lessons from his 35-year career and explains how Steward balances entrepreneurial freedom with structure as it scales. He emphasizes the board’s active role in upholding culture, compliance, and advisor-first decision-making. Charlie outlines Steward’s two growth priorities: em...

Today we talk with Kevin Knull , CEO of TaxStatus , about how TaxStatus is transforming the way advisors access and utilize client data. Kevin explains how the platform integrates directly with the IRS to give advisors full transparency into a client’s income, accounts, and tax history—empowering them to offer more precise advice. By streamlining data collection and eliminating the friction of onb...

Emily Blue , co-founder of Hue Partners , joins us to explore the human side of selling a financial practice. She explains that while advisors often prepare for the financial aspects of M&A, the real challenge lies in navigating identity shifts, fear of losing control, and concern for clients and teams. Tools like journaling and reflection can help advisors stay grounded, while clear, timely c...

Today we’re joined by Jim Gold , CEO and Co-Founder of Steward Partners , at the firm’s Annual Symposium to discuss Steward’s growth, culture, and future. After nearly 30 years in the industry, Jim reflects on how a shift in big-firm culture inspired him to build a client- and advisor-first model. Since launching in 2013, Steward has become one of the top RIAs in the world, thanks to strategic mov...

Today we speak with Michael Featherman , Head of Advisor Sales and Wealth Consulting at Envestnet , about helping advisors scale their high-net-worth offerings. Michael introduces Envestnet’s Private Wealth Consulting program, a fully outsourced solution designed to deliver a family office experience for clients in the $5–30 million range. By offloading investment management and layering in servic...

Today we talk with Andrew Stavaridis , Chief Relationship Officer at Envestnet , about how advisors can better serve high net worth clients. Andrew highlights Envestnet’s investments in UMA, tax overlay, planning tools, and data analytics to help advisors scale, stay compliant, and deliver a more personalized, holistic experience. He stresses that winning and retaining high net worth clients requi...

Today we talk with Morgan Ludovico , Director of Intermediary Sales at  StoneCastle , where we discuss how advisors are engaging the cash conversation and utilizing KEEP by StoneCastle as a powerful driver of organic growth. KEEP is an enhanced savings solution offering up to $100 million in federal insurance per tax ID, competitive rates, full liquidity, and no fees—designed to simplify the advis...

Today we sit down with Sharon Watson , Wealth Solutions Strategist at First Command , to talk about about their mission to serve military families through personalized financial coaching. Built for those often overlooked by traditional wealth firms, First Command helps clients build financial readiness through budgeting, risk management, and long-term savings—starting with small-dollar planning an...

Today we talk with Natalie Wolfsen , CEO of Orion , about how advisors can future-proof their practices through smarter tech adoption, AI, and personalized client experiences. Drawing from Orion’s 2025 Wealthtech and Investor Surveys, Natalie highlights that most advisors use just 60% of their tech stack, but many are prioritizing better integration and personalization to drive growth. Natalie pos...

In this episode, we sit down with Rich Romano , CEO of FIDx , to talk about how technology is transforming the integration of insurance into wealth management. From eliminating inefficiencies to enabling seamless platform experiences, FIDx is helping advisors offer annuities alongside managed accounts without disrupting their workflow. Rich also shares how fee-based annuities, insurance overlays,...

Today we talk with Andrew Hsu , founding member and Portfolio Manager at DoubleLine , about their new ETF: DABS, an ETF focused exclusively on asset-backed securities (ABS). Andrew explains why ABS are gaining attention beyond institutional investors, citing their low correlation, strong yields, and resilience. He breaks down what ABS are, how they differ from other fixed income products, and why...

Today, Doug talks with  Julia Reed , National Director of Charitable Consulting at  DAFgiving360 TM , about how advisors can strengthen client relationships through philanthropic planning. Julia explains how donor-advised funds (DAFs) offer tax-smart, flexible solutions that align financial strategies with personal values, while helping advisors deepen multi-generational ties and differentiate the...

On this episode, Doug speaks with Molly Weiss , President of the Wealth Management Platform at Envestnet , about how the firm balances innovation with simplicity across its platform. Molly shares Envestnet’s dual-track approach to development—advancing core systems while rapidly testing new features—and explains how modern APIs help integrate acquisitions without compromising user experience. She...

On today’s episode, Doug talks with Dana D’Auria , Group President and Co-Chief Investment Officer at Envestnet . Dana shares how advisors can support clients through turbulent markets by staying connected, reinforcing long-term discipline, and ensuring portfolios align with risk tolerance. With volatility driven by headlines and sudden policy shifts, she highlights the importance of steady guidan...

Today, Doug talks with Matt Hougan , CIO of Bitwise Asset Management , about Bitcoin’s rapid evolution into a more stable, institutionally accepted asset. Matt explains how improved custody, regulation, and ETF access have significantly de-risked Bitcoin over the last five years, making it a viable portfolio enhancer—especially at small allocations of 1–5%. He outlines the “Three Horsemen” driving...

On this episode, Doug sits down with Chris Todd , CEO of Envestnet . With over $6.5 trillion in platform assets and 111,000 advisors, Chris discusses how Envestnet balances innovation and stability at scale. He shares how AI is beginning to reshape advisor workflows, enabling deeper client engagement and efficiency, and explains how private equity ownership through Bain Capital is empowering more...

In today’s episode, Doug speaks with Frederick Blue , Managing Director at Wells Fargo Wealth and Investment Management , about the financial challenges athletes face during and after their careers. With short earning windows and sudden wealth, many athletes struggle without proper planning. Fred emphasizes the importance of budgeting, working with qualified advisors, and using league and institut...

Today, Doug welcomes back Samantha Russell , Chief Evangelist at FMG , to talk about how advisors can turn market volatility into a marketing strength. Samantha stresses that during uncertain times, silence from advisors breeds anxiety. Instead, consistent, proactive communication builds trust and positions advisors as steady, reliable guides—like a pilot reassuring passengers during turbulence. S...

In this episode, Doug speaks with Michael Scaplen, SVP and Head of Sales and Relationship Management at Axos Clearing. Michael shares how Axos has evolved from its legacy roots into a tech-forward clearing firm, anchored by Axos Complete —a fully integrated ecosystem that unifies banking, investing, and planning. With tools like the Professional Workstation and a real-time client portal, Axos is e...

Jeremy Schwartz is the Global CIO at at WisdomTree . WisdomTree works to create a better way to invest, offering a leading product range that offers access to an unparalleled selection of unique and smart exposures. Today, Jeremy joins Doug to talk about navigating today’s volatile market landscape. They discuss the impact of policy uncertainty, interest rates, and valuations on investor sentiment...