Zombie Advisor

Taxes often get the spotlight in financial decisions, but they’re rarely the only factor that matters. How do you balance tax efficiency with family goals, business transitions, lifestyle preferences, and long-term planning without letting one consideration dominate every decision? In this episode, James Knapp sits down with Greg Carlson, Tax Partner with Boyum Barenscheer, for a conversatio...

Insurance is changing fast, and business owners can’t afford to treat it like just another expense line item anymore.  In this episode, James Knapp sits down with Jake Jeatran of Marsh McLennan Agency to talk about AI, cyber risk, underwriting, and why strong advisory relationships still matter in a tech-driven world. James and Jake explore how insurance has evolved into a strategic business decis...

What happens when no one explains the rules, and everyone assumes someone else is handling it? In this episode of Zombie Advisor , James Knapp sits down with Shawn Van Winkle, a retirement plan advisor whose path into financial services began with a personal mission to help others avoid the financial struggles he faced growing up.  Shawn shares how his early experience in large institutions shaped...

What happens when plans meet reality and reality changes everything? How do you prepare for outcomes you cannot predict while still making confident decisions today? In this episode, James Knapp interviews David Soczek, CLU, ChFC, Owner and Vice President of National Benefits Group, about building flexible strategies for business owners. They explore how planning for multiple outcomes, not just id...

Great advisors do more than present information. They listen closely, stay steady when conditions shift, and build relationships that last. What separates a responsive advisor from one who simply goes through the motions? In this episode of Zombie Advisor, James Knapp talks with Stewart Rallis, Managing Principal at Stairway Partners, about his path from studying accounting to building a long care...

Choosing the right business model can shape your entire career as a financial advisor. But what drives someone to leave commissions behind and embrace independence? In this episode, James Knapp sits down with Haris Kopic, CFP®, who recently joined Boyum Wealth Architects after 16 years in the industry. Haris shares his journey from graduating during the 2008 financial crisis to finding his footing...

What if better tax planning started long before April, or even before you decide to sell your business? This episode pulls back the curtain on how small business owners and advisors can think differently about taxes, compensation, and long-term planning. In this episode of Zombie Advisor , James Knapp sits down with Chris Wittich, MBT, CPA, and partner at Boyum, to talk through real-world tax plan...

Even experienced professionals can end up with the wrong advice when planning is driven by products instead of perspective. In this episode, we unpack how “zombie advisors” quietly undermine good decision-making, even for highly sophisticated clients. In this episode of Zombie Advisor, James Knapp sits down with Andrew Kronschnabel, SVP / Head of Investment & Marketing Strategy, Seaport Global...

Long-term investing is rarely about finding the perfect investment. It is about managing risk, staying disciplined, and making thoughtful decisions when markets test your patience. This conversation focuses on what actually drives durable outcomes over time. In this episode of Zombie Advisor, James Knapp is joined by Boyum Wealth Architects’ Chief Investment Officer, Tyler Rudek, for a practical d...

In this episode of Zombie Advisor , James Knapp sits down with longtime colleague and strategic partner Charlie Metzig, Managing Partner at Boyum Barenscheer, to unpack why so many professionals unintentionally become “zombie advisors” and how a one-call service model can change the client experience entirely. Charlie shares his journey from growing up above a family cheese factory in Wisconsin to...

Most people assume financial advisors are always proactive, organized, and well coordinated, but the reality is far more human.  In this episode, James Knapp and Gregg Sainsbury dig into why so many professionals fall into “zombie mode” without ever noticing it. They explore the habits, incentives, and gaps that quietly undermine planning while sharing the lessons Gregg learned early in his career...

In this inaugural episode of Zombie Advisor , James Knapp sits down with veteran broadcaster Patrice Sikora for a candid conversation about why so many professionals in financial services lose their curiosity, their humanity, and their commitment to real service. James shares the personal experiences that shaped his client-first philosophy, from an early encounter with transactional advice to his...

As a client do you feel like you could be missing out? Welcome to Zombie Advisor with James Knapp, the podcast that shows you how to take control of your future! Here, we focus on putting clients first, delivering top-tier customer service, and building powerful strategic partners. With education, real stories, and a bit of fun, each episode is designed to help you rise above the rest. If you&#821...