Retirement Inside Out with Tom Lamendola

Markets have delivered powerful returns, but strong momentum can sometimes mask underlying vulnerabilities. Tom sits down with Tony Parish, CIO at AlphaStar Capital Management, to unpack where the economy stands and what could shape the next phase of the cycle. As 2026 approaches, the real question isn't just how strong the markets are; it's how prepared investors are for what comes next. Here's s...

The retirement industry has changed, and advisors are feeling it. In this episode, Tom and Nicholas Ross, Chief Strategy Officer at FIG, explore how the post-pandemic reset has reshaped the financial advice industry. They explore why traditional business models eventually plateau, how client expectations have evolved, and why advisors are increasingly stepping into the role of a wealth counselor....

As the financial advisory industry evolves, flexibility - not formulas - is becoming the differentiator. In this episode, Derek Gubala, Co-President of AlphaStar Capital Management, joins Tom to share what he's seeing across the independent RIA landscape heading into 2026. From shifting advisor demographics to customizable platforms, modern training, and the growing importance of client experience...

This episode introduces FIG's brand-new Advisor Empowerment Series, a live, collegiate-style learning experience designed to give financial professionals deeper mastery of the topics that drive today's planning conversations. Nicholas Ross and Dave Henry also discuss FIG's highly praised playbooks- covering life insurance, annuities, long-term care, estate planning, and business owners- and explai...

This episode, Tom sits down with Kevin O'Leary- entrepreneur, investor, and of course, "Mr. Wonderful" from Shark Tank . The conversation covers everything from tariffs and the ripple effects on global markets to the powerful role artificial intelligence is playing in reshaping supply chains and boosting productivity. Kevin also shares timeless lessons on diversification, drawing inspiration from...

Cybercrime isn't just a distant threat- it's here, it's growing, and it's targeting everything from global infrastructure to small-town churches. In this episode, former military intelligence officer and cybersecurity expert Rob Hegedus joins the conversation to reveal how cyberattacks have become an industrialized, global business projected to cost $10.5 trillion by 2025. Rob explains why ransomw...

This episode, Ken Schmidt - former Director of Communications at Harley-Davidson and the brand architect behind its iconic resurgence- joins Nicholas Ross to talk about what it really takes to stand out in a crowded, noisy market. Ken played a key role in Harley's turnaround from financial ruin and he shares what the company got wrong, what they did to fix it, and why many businesses fail to diffe...

Theresa Payton isn't just a leading expert in cybersecurity and AI; she was the first female CIO at the White House and is now CEO of Fortalice Solutions. In this episode, she joins Tom for a conversation about digital manipulation, cybersecurity threats, ethical tech, and the second edition of her book, Manipulated. From deepfakes to credential stuffing, Theresa explains how fraudsters are gettin...

In this episode, Tom is joined by Jaime Cowper, CLTC, NSSA®, founder and CEO of  Unity Financial Advisors. She shares how she went from a career in banking to building a successful, holistic financial planning firm- and the key moments and strategies that made it possible. We dive into her client-first approach, how she scaled her team, and why referrals have played a strong role in her business'...

What happens when women in finance stop waiting for permission and start telling their stories? In this episode, Leslie Lipscomb, Senior Vice President at FIG, sits down with Jessica Schloemp, Director of Operations at FIG, to share the heart behind  Financial Trendsetters 2, a collaborative book written by 12 women who are redefining what it means to lead in financial services. They'll give us a...

As the financial world evolves at lightning speed, staying ahead means embracing smarter tools- not just for efficiency, but for better outcomes. In this episode, guest host Shawn Sigler sits down with Keith Burger, Executive Vice President and Head of Institutional Channel Sales at FIG, to unpack the power of Lifecycle Manager- FIG's proprietary, advisor-focused technology that's transforming how...

Today, Hamilton Morales, Senior ​VP and ​Social ​Security ​Strategist ​at FIG, is taking over as host to walk through some important Social Security changes taking place in 2025. He explains the newly signed Social Security Fairness Act, which eliminates the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). This change restores full Social Security benefits to millions of p...

Today, Arron Price, COO at FIG, takes over as host and is joined by Jessica Schloemp, DOO at FIG. Jess is here to unpack what makes operations truly tick and how culture, collaboration, and self-awareness shape the way teams show up and succeed. Jess will share her experience building and leading a 34-person operations team, none of whom came from the insurance world, by focusing less on resumes a...

It's an exciting day on The Retirement Inside Out Podcast! Guest host Shawn Sigler, Executive VP at FIG, is taking over the mic today for a special conversation with David McKnight - best-selling author, speaker, and financial strategist. With over two decades of experience in the financial industry, David has helped countless advisors transform their approach to retirement planning through his Po...

In this episode, we're excited to welcome Mark Gaffney, Founder and CEO of MEG (Mark Edward Gaffney), a boutique marketing firm specializing in financial professionals. With over 15 years of experience in the financial services industry, Mark has dedicated his career to helping advisors refine their marketing strategies using one key element- data. Mark shares how analyzing key metrics, diagnosing...

It's always a treat to have Nicholas Ross, Chief Strategy Officer at FIG, on the show! In this episode, we're diving into strategies that can help financial professionals stand out in a crowded industry and build deeper, more personalized relationships with their clients. From cutting through the noise in the financial world to leveraging data and communication effectively, Nicholas shares valuabl...

We're shaking it up here on the Retirement Inside Out Podcast! In 2025, we're bringing you a fresh lineup of voices, featuring guest hosts from the Financial Independence Group team, along with advisors, industry experts, and business owners. But don't worry- Tom will still be making regular appearances to share his valuable insights! To kick off the first episode of the year, we're thrilled to we...

In this week's episode, we welcome back Tony Parish, CFA, CQF, Chief Investment Officer at Alphastar Capital Management, for another insightful conversation about the U.S. economy and market trends. This episode offers an exclusive preview of our upcoming State of the Markets presentation. Stay tuned as Tony sheds light on the overarching theme for 2024: the incredible persistence and resilience o...

In this episode, we're joined by the one and only Dave Hostetler to talk about the evolving world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) for independent financial advisors. He's here to share the insights he's gained from talking with small business owners, highlighting current trends like friend-to-friend deals and internal succession plans becoming more popular. Join us as we discuss key factors infl...

As the financial services industry continues to evolve, staying ahead of the curve means engaging with the next generation of clients and advisors. Today we are joined by FIG's Chief Strategy Officer, Nicholas Ross, to discuss the transfer of wealth to younger generations and the integration of younger clients and advisors into financial firms. One key takeaway from this discussion is the importan...

For the first ever time, we're welcoming Keith Burger onto the Retirement Inside Out podcast! He recently joined the FIG team as the Executive Vice President and Head of Institutional Channel Sales. With over two decades of experience in the financial services industry, he brings a wealth of knowledge to the FIG team. Tune in as we chat with Keith about his extensive background, including his tenu...

Ever wondered what it's like to be on the front lines of the financial services industry as an intern? We've got just the conversation for you this week! We are joined by Graham Wald and Paul Matanovic, our 2024 FIG spring interns in today's episode. Tune in as we discuss their backgrounds, experiences, and takeaways from their internship here at FIG. From hands-on learning to relationship buildin...

Join us for a special episode featuring David McKnight, our partner from Power of Zero.   He's here to talk about the upcoming Heroes of Zero conference in Nashville on May 16 th and 17 th at the Renaissance Hotel. Stay tuned as David shares the list of incredible financial experts that are going to be featured this year and discusses the details of the event. From understanding the latest tax law...

In today's episode, we're focusing on a topic that is increasingly vital for our clients: long-term care planning. Joining us on the show is Lily Vittayarukskul, the CEO and founder of Waterlily Planning. We're so excited to partner with Waterlily and introduce you to its innovative approach to long-term care planning. Lily's personal journey, sparked by her aunt's battle with terminal cancer, led...

Welcome back to the Retirement Inside Out podcast! Hamilton Morales, the Senior Vice President of Social Security here at FIG, is with us for this week's episode. Amidst a busy start to the year, he has some important updates and insights to share surrounding Social Security. Listen in to learn how Hamilton assists financial professionals in staying informed about Social Security changes, and the...