AFO|Wealth Management Forward

In this episode, Rory speaks with Kris Lenz, founder of Kailos Marketing Lab and former creative leader at firms like Grant Thornton and MGO, to explore how AI is reshaping marketing for professional services. Kris shares how firms can use generative tools to brainstorm more efficiently, scale content creation, and streamline proposal and outreach workflows. He explains how voice and tone remain central even when using AI, and why being strategic with prompts and post-editing can make the difference between generic and standout content. The conversation also covers the importance of brand cohesion, the risks of relying too heavily on automation, and how smaller firms can elevate their presence without bloated teams or big budgets. Want to learn how to use AI to amplify your message while keeping it personal? Curious how to integrate creativity and consistency across your firm’s content? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this AI and marketing conversation with Kris Lenz.Website: https://www.kailos.ai/Kris LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristofer-lenz

In this episode, Rory speaks with Cecil Nazareth, CPA, professor, coach, and author of Making a Difference: Life Skills You Can Learn from Sports, Academics, Work (& Failure), about what it really takes to succeed in business and in life. Cecil shares his journey from professional field hockey player in India to international tax expert and accounting professor in the U.S., offering practical advice on discipline, resilience, and the lessons we learn from failure. He explains why education should focus on real-world, transferable skills, and how repetition, visualization, and storytelling can help professionals stay sharp under pressure. Cecil also shares his philosophy on lifelong learning, the value of self-assessment, and his idea of the “24/7 earning cycle” — earning during the day and putting your money to work at night. Are you ready to rethink how we teach and grow the next generation of professionals? Want to know how sports, setbacks, and stories can lead to a more focused and fulfilled life? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this inspirational conversation with Cecil Nazareth CPA.

In this episode, Rory speaks with Danny Lohrfink, co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Wealth.com, and Julie Johnson, founder of XY Communication, about their contributions to The Holistic Guide to Wealth Management and how estate planning and communication are changing the way advisors serve clients. Danny explains how modern estate tech is making these conversations more accessible, scalable, and easier to understand for clients at every wealth level. From automating updates to visualizing legacy goals, technology is helping advisors focus more on planning and less on paperwork. Julie shares how to connect across generations and genders, and why women and younger clients are looking for advisors who listen, simplify, and build relationships based on trust and empathy. Together, they highlight how CPAs and advisors can deliver family-office-level care by acting as the quarterback, facilitating values-based conversations, and guiding clients through meaningful decisions. Want to learn how visuals and AI are transforming estate planning? Curious how to better engage the next generation before the wealth transfer happens? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this insightful conversation with Danny Lohrfink and Julie Johnson.

In this episode, Rory speaks with Dr. Meghaan Lurtz, a leading expert in the psychology of financial planning and Partner at Shaping Wealth, about how advisors can create more meaningful client connections through the power of questions. Meghaan unpacks why simple phrases like “Would you be willing?” can spark internal motivation and how financial professionals can use invitation-based language to lower anxiety and increase engagement. Discover the Fix, Find, Flourish framework to strengthen ongoing client relationships and why group accountability, social connection, and vision-based planning lead to greater financial well-being. Learn how questions like “What have you been thinking about?” or “What would make this a 7 instead of a 6?” can drive better conversations and outcomes. Are you ready to help clients move from financial fear to hope and purpose? Want to create a less lonely money experience? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this human-first episode with Dr. Meghaan Lurtz.

In this episode, Rory speaks with Susan Bryant, founder of Unboxed Advisors, and Randy Crabtree, co-founder of Tri-Merit Specialty Tax Professionals, about their contributions to The Holistic Guide to Wealth Management and how CPAs can build firms that deliver a stronger return on relationships for both clients and team members. Susan shares why she left a traditional firm to build a concierge-style advisory practice centered on deep client relationships, one that offers greater meaning and personal fulfillment. Randy discusses findings from the CPA Career Satisfaction Survey, including why mid-career professionals are burning out and how firm leaders can improve culture, leadership, and employee well-being. Together, they explore why compliance alone is no longer enough, how a Virtual Family Office model can improve client outcomes and why empathy and operational freedom can help pave the way for building a winning team . Want to know how to create a practice that aligns with your values? Curious how to attract and retain talent? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this designing better lives and firms conversation with Susan Bryant and Randy Crabtree.

In this episode, Rory speaks with Christine Nicholson, award-winning succession strategist, and Randy Fox, founder of Two Hawks Family Office and editor-in-chief of the Planned Giving Design Center, about their contributions to The Holistic Guide to Wealth Management and how to help business owners exit with clarity, purpose, and peace of mind. Christine explains why only 3 in 10 family businesses survive to the next generation and how role-identity fusion—the trap of tying self-worth to business worth—can stand in the way of successful succession. Randy shares how tools like personal goodwill, charitable trusts, and purpose-driven giving can help families maximize outcomes while minimizing taxes. Together, they explore how to help clients let go, reconnect with their passions, and structure legacies that reflect both financial and emotional goals. Are you curious how to guide clients from burnout to freedom? Want to learn how to build purpose and family continuity into the exit process? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this powerful conversation with Christine Nicholson and Randy Fox.

In this market update episode, Rory speaks with Chris Tidmore, CFA and CPA, Senior Manager at Vanguard’s Investment Advisor Research Center, to unpack the April 2 tariff shock and what it means for markets, inflation, and client communication. Chris explains how sharp movements in both equities and Treasury yields reflect a market constantly recalibrating expectations—and why it’s nearly impossible to predict how events will be priced in, even with full information. He shares insights from Vanguard’s Advisor’s Alpha research, noting that behavioral coaching can add up to 200 basis points in value annually—and that by helping clients stay invested, think long term, and avoid panic, advisors can improve not just financial outcomes, but overall well-being. Rory and Chris discuss why emotional trust is built in bear markets, how to use visual tools like zoom-out charts and hindsight models, and what it means to serve as a steady hand when clients are tempted to drift off course. Want to learn how to help clients stay anchored in uncertainty? Curious how to turn volatility into an opportunity to deepen trust and long-term value? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this timely market update with Chris Tidmore.Recorded: 4/18/25

In this episode, Rory speaks with Dr. Daniel Crosby, Chief Behavioral Officer at Orion Advisor Solutions, and Randy Johnston, fintech strategist and co-founder of K2 Enterprises, to discuss the technology and behavioral finance topics outlined in The Holistic Guide to Wealth Management and the evolving role of CPAs and financial advisors. Dr. Crosby explains why values-based planning isn’t just feel-good theory—it drives real outcomes, citing stats that show clients in goals-based portfolios are 10x less likely to panic sell and twice as likely to save for retirement. Randy shares how AI, automation, and real-time data are freeing up capacity so firms can spend less time on compliance and more time on relationships, strategy, and outcomes. They discuss why holistic financial planning is the foundation for stronger, more durable client relationships. Want to know how behavioral finance and a human-first approach can power deeper client engagement? Curious how CPAs can turn AI into a competitive advantage? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this future-focused conversation with Dr. Daniel Crosby and Randy Johnston.

In this episode, Rory speaks with Michael DiJoseph, Senior Strategist at Vanguard’s Investment Advisory Research Center, and Andres Mazabel, Head of Advisor Sales at leading estate planning platform Trust & Will, about their contributions to Holistic Guide to Wealth Management and the evolving value of financial advice. Michael breaks down Vanguard’s 25-year Advisors Alpha study, revealing how advisors can deliver meaningful value through behavioral coaching, tax loss harvesting, and more — that can potentially add net returns up to or even exceeding 3%. Andres shares how modern estate planning technology is reshaping client engagement, boosting completion rates, and helping advisors build trust across generations. Discover why emotional trust is now the driving force behind client loyalty, and how integrating estate planning into your process is not only a powerful retention tool but also a gateway to next-gen relationships. Are you ready to deliver peace of mind, deepen client connections, and offer long-term value beyond the portfolio? Learn best practices from the leaders at Vanguard and Trust & Will in this value of the modern advisor conversation with Michael, Andres and Rory.

In this engaging discussion, Seth Fineberg, founder of Accountants Forward, and Philipp Hecker, CEO of Bento Engine, delve into the evolution of financial advice. They highlight the shift from transactional to comprehensive wealth management, emphasizing the importance of empathy in client relationships. Learn about common mistakes in filing for Social Security and how proactive engagement can optimize financial outcomes. The conversation also touches on the necessity of financial literacy for the next generation and the transformative role of technology in adviser-client dynamics.