AFO|Wealth Management Forward

In this episode, Rory speaks with Loren Fogelman, founder of Business Success Solutions, and Mike Maksymiw, Executive Director of Aprio Firm Alliance, about how firms can adapt and thrive in a fast-moving profession. Loren explains why so many accountants undervalue their services and how shifting from hourly billing to value pricing can align firms more closely with client outcomes while boosting profitability. Mike shares ways practitioners can embrace vulnerability as a leadership strength and how to inspire teams to drive change. Want to know how to strengthen your value beyond compliance? Curious how to lead with empathy while preparing your firm for the future? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this conversation with Loren Fogelman and Mike Maksymiw.

In this episode, Rory speaks with BatSheva Goldstein, investment advisor, financial planner, and creator of Financial Date Discussion Cards, about how couples can have easier and more meaningful conversations around money. BatSheva shares how the cards help partners uncover their unique money stories, align values, and build common ground—even when they approach finances differently. She explains why money conflicts are rarely about math and more about what dollars represent in our lives. Through simple yet powerful questions like “What’s a financial decision you’re proud of?” and “What makes you feel rich?” couples can start with positive momentum, explore deeper values, and strengthen their financial teamwork. They also discuss how advisors can use tools like these to foster trust, improve client retention, and engage both partners before a meeting even begins. Want to learn how to turn money talks from stressful to collaborative? Curious how values-based conversations can improve relationships and financial outcomes? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this insightful discussion with BatSheva Goldstein.

In this episode, Rory sits down with Ben Taylor, CPA and CEO of SoftLedger, to explore how real-time accounting, automation, and an API-driven platform are transforming the finance function. Ben shares his journey from public accounting to co-founding a software company designed to solve the pain points he experienced firsthand. Discover how real-time data access and seamless integrations are eliminating the need for month-end closes and helping firms deliver strategic insights faster. Learn why modern finance teams must embrace a mindset shift—one that combines technical skill, data storytelling, and human judgment. Ben also unpacks how AI is reshaping customer support, accelerating product development, and allowing leaner teams to scale with speed. Want to know how low-code tools and real-time reporting are changing the game for practitioners? Curious how to tell a compelling story around the numbers? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this API-to-AI conversation with Ben Taylor.Contact Ben: ben@softledger.com

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