AFO|Wealth Management Forward

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.

In this episode, Rory speaks with Tim Maurer, CFP®, registered life planner, and Chief Advisory Officer at Signature FD, as well as a regular contributor to CNBC and Forbes. Tim shares his philosophy that personal finance is more personal than finance, emphasizing the role of emotions, behavior, and storytelling in financial planning. Discover why most clients implement less than 20% of financial plan recommendations—and how behavioral finance can help bridge that gap. Learn how Tim’s Live, Grow, Protect, and Give framework transforms traditional financial planning by aligning money with our different stages of life. Tim also explores the power of narrative, drawing insights from Donald Miller’s StoryBrand approach, and explains why advisors should act as guides—not heroes—in their clients’ financial journeys. Are you curious about how to improve client engagement and create lasting impact? Want to learn how to move beyond numbers and help clients align their money with their life’s purpose? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this Personal Finance conversation with Tim Maurer.

In this episode, Rory speaks with Michael Ly, CEO of Reconciled, a leading virtual accounting and advisory firm, and General Partner of the AF Fund, a venture capital fund dedicated to accounting and fintech startups. Michael shares how he built one of the fastest-growing accounting firms and why he’s now investing in AI-driven financial tools that streamline workflow automation, revenue recognition, and payments. Discover how his dual role as a firm owner and investor provides him with a unique advantage in identifying transformative technologies and why he believes accountants should start thinking like investors. Learn about the latest innovations shaping the profession, the challenges of integrating software with services, and how to build a remote workforce culture. Are you curious about how AI, automation, and fintech and venture investing? Want to learn how firm owners can leverage technology to scale efficiently? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this insightful conversation with Michael Ly.

In this episode, Rory speaks with Dr. Michael Thomas, lecturer at the University of Georgia, accredited financial counselor, and author of Black Financial Culture: Building Wealth from the Inside Out. Known for his TED Talk on financial empathy, Dr. Thomas explores how financial decisions are shaped not just by personal choices but by the systems we navigate—familial beliefs, societal norms, technological influences like social media algorithms, and even the way physical environments encourage spending. Discover how financial socialization—the way we inherit money beliefs—impacts behaviors, and why financial empathy, incorporating cognitive, emotional, and compassionate understanding, is essential for building trust. Dr. Thomas also shares the NURSE acronym (Name, Understand, Respect, Support, Explore), a powerful framework for financial advisors to deepen client relationships and foster behavioral change. Learn why businesses leverage psychological triggers to influence spending habits, how advocacy can drive financial literacy reform, and how financial professionals can move beyond just education to empower real action. Are you curious about how systems shape our behaviors? Want to learn how financial empathy can help clients overcome shame and take control of their financial future? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this engaging and thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Michael Thomas. Book: Black Financial Culture: Building Wealth from the Inside Out https://www.amazon.com/Black-Financial-Culture-Building-Wealth-ebook/dp/B0BY1SLHRJ Hire Dr. Michael: https://www.modomsolutions.com/

In this episode, Rory speaks with George Kinder, author, mindfulness teacher, and founder of the Kinder Institute of Life Planning, widely known as the father of life planning. George shares how his journey from tax professional to global leader in life planning was driven by his passion to align finances with freedom and fulfillment. Discover the power of his three life-planning questions, which help clients prioritize what matters most, and learn about the EVOKE process—a framework combining trust-building, deep listening, and actionable steps to design and live ideal life plans. George also highlights the importance of mindfulness in transforming suffering into wisdom and unlocking the freedom of the present moment. His latest book, The Three Domains of Freedom, explores how we can unlock the freedom of the moment, develop a life plan, and improve civilization. Are you curious about how life planning fosters clarity, confidence, and gumption? Do you want to learn how to craft your ideal day, week, or year? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this thought-provoking and inspiring conversation with George Kinder.