The Diamond Podcast for Financial Advisors

With Jeff Brown – President, Stratos Private Wealth Overview Jeff Brown wore many hats in his career as he transitioned his book of business from the wirehouses to independence. Yet a nagging “what if” feeling inspired him to conduct strategic due diligence, leading him first to sell a minority stake in his business and later a majority stake. Now, as President of Stratos Private Wealth, he shares...

With Duncan MacPherson, CEO, Pareto Systems Overview Duncan MacPherson from Pareto Systems offers actionable advice for financial advisors looking to unlock greater value in all that they do to build their business. It’s like having a free session on growth with one of the best coaches in the business.   Listen in… > Download a transcript of this episode… NOTE: The views and opinion...

With Dustin Cali and Daniel Ventura – Founding Partners, Praetego Private Wealth Overview While the built-in referral mechanism of a bank brokerage firm can help grow a client base, over time, the firm’s “guardrails” naturally limit those who have their sights set on creating something bigger and better. Dustin Cali and Daniel Ventura of Praetego Private Wealth broke away to do just that: Build a...

With Corey Kupfer—Attorney, Deal-maker, Speaker, and Author Overview Expert industry attorney Corey Kupfer offers advice to all advisors, whether considering change or not, including perspectives on contractual obligations and potential landmines one might encounter in a move, plus how to prepare your business for change, with actionable best practices to adopt today.   Listen in… >...

With Mindy Diamond and Louis Diamond Overview In a world managed to the lowest common denominator and driven by heavy-handed compliance, every employee advisor is vulnerable. In this episode, Mindy and Louis break it all down, share warning signs all advisors should pay attention to and proactive steps an advisor can take to protect themselves.   Listen in… > Download a transcript o...

With Michael Dolberg – Founding Partner and CEO, Apollon Wealth Management Overview Building a firm from $120mm in assets to over $7.5B in just 6 years is an incredible feat. Mike Dolberg describes how he and the team at Apollon recognized the value of culture, partnership, and the freedom to serve clients—and how that realization ultimately drove their astounding success.   Listen in…...

With Reza Zamani – Founding Partner and Chief Executive Officer, SteelPeak Wealth Overview After a dozen years in the wirehouse world, Reza Zamani began to recognize the limitations inherent to the model. So in 2012, he left to launch SteelPeak Wealth with $250mm in AUM. Today, they manage $3B and have 20 advisors on their team. Reza discusses how the decision to break away led to tremendous growt...

With Rob Nelson – CEO and Founder, NorthRock Partners Overview Since his last visit on the show 5 years ago, Rob Nelson’s NorthRock Partners has grown exponentially, serving a high net worth client base of professional athletes, entrepreneurs, and corporate executives. Rob offers valuable lessons derived from finding the “clearest path to excellence” for his clients and the NorthRock team.  ...

With Ed Friedman, Director of Business Development and Growth at Summit Financial Overview The Director of Business Development and Growth, Ed Friedman, shares the secret sauce driving Summit’s growth surge. It’s a perspective on the evolved independent space, with actionable advice on culture, outsourcing, the value of minority investors, and other essential insights for advisors and business own...

With Matt Baum, Partner, Fox Rothschild Overview Attorney Matt Baum breaks down the facts on the latest FTC Noncompete Rule, the potential impact on an advisor’s business, current agreements, the ability to transition, and more.   Listen in… > Download a transcript of this episode… NOTE: The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessar...

With Angie Ostendarp & Jordan Raniszeski, Senior Managing Partners, Carnegie Private Wealth   Overview In building a $1B business at Wells, Angie Ostendarp and Jordan Raniszeski realized they had outgrown the model, which limited their ability to serve their clients and continue their growth trajectory. They share why supported independence was the right fit and how it’s changed their pat...

With Mindy Diamond & Louis Diamond Overview In looking for “better ways” to foster growth and solve for other long-term goals, advisors need to weigh the value of pain vs. gain when it comes to a transition. In this special episode, Mindy and Louis Diamond share a process for answering the seminal question: Is change really worth it?   Listen in… > Download a transcript of this...

With Brent Chappell & Brad Chappell Managing Partners & Founders, Chappell Wealth Management Overview Brent and Brad Chappell share unique perspectives as next gens of a business conceived by their father decades ago at Merrill. They offer insightful thoughts about family dynamics and succession, the value of mentors and education, what it takes to build a $1B wealth management business, a...

With Michael Kitces, Industry Thought Leader and Chief Financial Planning Nerd Overview Listen in for an insightful and revealing look into advisors’ minds and what really makes them happy, based on data from the latest Kitces survey. Learn the motivations and drivers that lead not only to success but to a better quality of life.   Listen in… > Download a transcript of this episode…...

With John Bowen, CEO and Founder, CEG Worldwide, LLC Overview In a more competitive and commoditized world, it’s critical to leverage any advantage available to be more intentional and thoughtful in managing and growing your business. This episode takes a deep dive into John Bowen’s latest report to identify action items that can help advisors get started on a new path to thinking about delivering...

With Jason Barber, CEO and Founder, and Taylor Pankratz, President and Founder —Holistic Planning Overview What motivated the founders of Holistic Planning to leave Edward Jones, a firm their family built a business at over more than four decades? They discuss their thought process, the transition, and the growth opportunities they are now experiencing.   Listen in… > Download a tra...

With Dan Seivert, CEO & Managing Partner at ECHELON Partners Overview Dan Seivert of ECHELON Partners offers perspective to help advisors better understand their business’s value drivers and how to maximize each, even if you aren’t interested in going independent or selling your business.   Listen in… > Download a transcript of this episode… NOTE: The views and opinions expresse...

With Louis Diamond and Jason Diamond Overview In the Advisor Transition Report’s companion podcast episode, Louis and Jason Diamond explore the key takeaways and their anticipated influence on activity during 2024 and beyond.   Listen in… > Download a transcript of this episode… NOTE: The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily...

With Brett Bernstein, CEO and Co-Founder of XML Financial Group Overview Brett Bernstein realized that he could not achieve his vision and goals within the wirehouse world. So he set out to build his own practice. When he outgrew that, he built a firm. Now, he’s building an enterprise.   Listen in… > Download a transcript of this episode… NOTE: The views and opinions expressed by th...

With Mindy Diamond and Louis Diamond Overview A breakdown of the steps advisors can take to prepare for change and enhance business processes, equally effective for those at the curiosity stage or even deep into due diligence, and whether you ultimately make a move or not.    Listen in… > Download a transcript of this episode… NOTE: The views and opinions expressed by the guests on...

With Summit Partners’ Bob Thornton, Executive in Residence, and Melanie Whelan, Managing Director Overview There was a time when First Republic Private Wealth Management was a top landing spot for corner office wirehouse teams. Then, the bottom fell out with the regional banking crisis. The former unit president, Bob Thornton, joins the show to discuss the fallout and his new chapter building an R...

With Barry Mitchell, Founder & Managing Director, Next Level Private Overview Former UBS advisor Barry Mitchell discusses why he messed with success in the quintessential narrative for financial advisors around how to think about change, due diligence, the transition process, and more.   Listen in… > Download a transcript of this episode… NOTE: The views and opinions expressed b...

With Gary Furukawa, Founder, Senior Partner and Erik Morgan, President, Senior Partner at Freestone Capital Overview What does it take to thrive in the ultra-competitive wealth management world? Gary Furukawa and Erik Morgan of Freestone Capital share how their success is driven by creating unique solutions around serving clients, training their team, building the business, and managing investment...

With Onur Erzan – Head of Global Client Group and Head of Private Wealth, AllianceBernstein Overview In a unique “other side of the table” perspective from a top firm leader, Onur Erzan discusses how a growth mindset transcends AllianceBernstein’s culture, from its enhanced value proposition to its blend of proprietary and open architecture solutions, and more.   Listen in… > Downlo...

With Jack Ginter – CEO and Partner, Callan Family Office Overview Jack Ginter, CEO and Partner of Callan Family Office, discusses how understanding the unique needs of clients and delivering upon those needs are the key to building a world-class advisory business. The 30-year industry veteran shares his journey and offers actionable advice to advisors of all levels.   Listen in… > D...