AFO|Wealth Management Forward

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.

Industry leaders discuss the future of accounting, revealing the growing influence of private equity and potential IPOs. Insights on value acceleration emphasize the importance of attractiveness, owner readiness, and financial preparedness for business owners. Explore how behaviorally-driven client communications and generative AI boost productivity and engagement. The evolution of CPA firms leading up to 2030 hints at a shift towards business-oriented models. Additionally, effective storytelling techniques are spotlighted as a crucial element in successful fundraising.

In this special episode Rory highlights the most impactful conversations of 2024, featuring insights from leaders in behavioral finance, accounting, and wealth management. Discover how Amy Mullen’s values-based planning can deepen client connections, Dr. Preston Cherry’s “Secure the BAG” framework fosters financial compassion, and Nathan Astle’s practical framework navigates financial relationships. Learn about Bari Tessler’s approach to aligning money with emotions through mindfulness, Jeff Bartsch’s insights on storytelling, Alan Whitman’s call to challenge industry norms, and Samantha Lamas’s advice on preparing for retirement with emotional readiness. Are you curious about how to use storytelling to build trust with clients? Want to learn how aligning financial decisions with personal values can lead to greater satisfaction and success? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this best-of behavioral finance compilation.

In this episode, Rory speaks with Yuri Kapilovich, better known as “The Fun CPA,” about how he’s transforming the accounting profession by rejecting the traditional burnout culture and embracing work-life synchronicity. Discover how Yuri built a thriving practice that allows him to work fewer than 40 hours a week during busy seasons while staying highly responsive to his clients. Learn how his strategic approach to client selection and his focus on efficiency have helped him maintain a manageable workload and attract ideal clients. Yuri shares the power of personal branding, detailing how his engaging social media presence of over 10,000 LinkedIn followers has become a referral magnet. Are you curious about how to escape the grind and create a more rewarding practice? Want to learn how accountants can thrive by breaking outdated industry norms? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this engaging conversation with Yuri Kapilovich “The Fun CPA.”

In this episode, Rory sits down with Dr. Preston Cherry, founder of Concurrent Wealth Management, director at the Charles Schwab Center for Personal Financial Planning at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay, and author of Wealth in the Key of Life: Finding Your Financial Harmony. Discover how financial wellness isn't just about numbers—it's about aligning your values, goals, and money decisions to create a life of purpose and meaning. Learn how tools like the "honest self-audit" and identifying your "money story" can help you build a stronger relationship with your finances. Dr. Cherry also shares his insights on creating financial compassion, embracing flexibility amidst uncertainty, and understanding the role of gratitude and grace in financial planning. Learn how how writing a financial purpose statement can illuminate your true priorities. Do you want to know why Dr. Cherry wrote about Michael Jackson's song "Man in the Mirror" metaphor? Are you ready to uncover the deeper connections between wealth and well-being? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this inspiring and thought-provoking conversation with author Dr. Preston Cherry.