

AFO|Wealth Management Forward
For Entrepreneurs, Financial Advisors and Accountants
AFO|Wealth Management Forward is a podcast at the intersection of accounting, wealth management, behavioral finance, technology, and entrepreneurship.
Designed for CPAs and financial advisors to help them grown their practice by going beyond the numbers. Each episode features conversations with industry leaders and subject matter experts who share the secrets to their success. From the transformative power of AI to the human-first principles of behavioral finance, we dive into the emotional and psychological aspects of money and meaning.
Designed for CPAs and financial advisors to help them grown their practice by going beyond the numbers. Each episode features conversations with industry leaders and subject matter experts who share the secrets to their success. From the transformative power of AI to the human-first principles of behavioral finance, we dive into the emotional and psychological aspects of money and meaning.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 28, 2024 • 28min
Financial Therapy for Couples w/ Nathan Astle
In this episode, Rory talks with Nathan Astle, Founder of the Financial Therapy Clinical Institute, about the importance of healthy communication for couples regarding money. Discover ways to establish emotional safety and trust with your partner to foster a healthier and happier relationship. Nathan shares insights on the importance of creating a culture of financial openness, as well as the pitfalls of financial infidelity. Learn how understanding personal and shared financial responsibilities plays a vital role in how we show up in a relationship. Find out best practices for helping clients uncover their money stories and the yours, mine, and ours strategy for couples. Do you want to know the various ways partners exhibit financial infidelity? Are you looking for ways to better communicate with your partner about money? Find out the answers to these questions and more on this Financial Therapy for Couples episode with Certified Financial Therapist Nate Astle.

Mar 20, 2024 • 22min
People First Ecosystem w/ David Wolfskehl
In this episode, Rory talks with David Wolfskehl, CEO and Co-Founder of C-Suite Impact, about the importance of a people-first approach in business. Discover how David's entrepreneurial journey and partnership with Phil Whitman catalyzed the formation of C-Suite Impact and how they are helping firms through growth, performance and succession. Learn about the transformative shift in the M&A landscape and the increased involvement of strategic players like family offices and private equity firms. Listen as they explore the significance of nurturing relationships and building a conducive environment for team members to thrive using a people-first philosophy. Are you curious about how a people-first mindset can revolutionize your business approach? Do you want to understand the dynamic changes in the M&A space and how they can impact your firm? Dive into this episode to find the answers to these questions and more in this People First Ecosystem episode with David Wolfskhel.

Mar 14, 2024 • 30min
How to Create a Customer Value Journey w/ Kenny Harper
In this episode, Rory welcomes Kenny Harper, strategist and co-founder of Growth Amplifiers, to discuss ways in which firms can drive business growth through a holistic sales and marketing process. Kenny shares his journey from working with leading global brands to partnering with small business owners and their teams. Listen as they talk about how to align marketing efforts with core values to help accelerate growth. Discover Kenny's unique approach to transforming businesses by enhancing their marketing and sales efforts through what he calls "Value Journey Optimization." Learn the best practices to attract and retain customers by turning them into loyal advocates for your brand. Are you curious about how to optimize your marketing campaigns for peak performance or how to turn client relationships into a powerful growth engine? Do you want to know the best way to document your client journey process? Find out the answer to these questions and more with actionable advice to amplify your business with Kenny Harper!

Mar 6, 2024 • 29min
Grow Your Business Via Online Reviews w/ Whit Lanier
In this episode, Rory speaks with Whit Lanier, CEO of Amplify Reviews, about how advisors are leveraging the power of online reviews to grow their practice. Discover Whit's journey from building and selling his medical review tech company and the lessons he learned that have helped him develop the current platform. Uncover best practices for effectively leveraging testimonials and understand how Amplify Reviews is reshaping the way financial advisors utilize client feedback in a way that is compliant with the new SEC marketing rule. Are you curious about enhancing your practice's visibility and credibility through online reviews? Do you want to grasp the best practices for requesting and managing client reviews in a compliant manner? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this insightful episode with Whit Lanier.

Feb 28, 2024 • 58min
Financial Behavior: From the CIA to the College Classroom w/ Dr. Mary Bell Carlson
In this episode, Rory and Julie speak with Dr. Mary Bell Carlson, President of the Financial Keynote Behavior Group, to talk about taking evidence-based research and putting it into practical application. Discover how Dr. Carlson bridges the gap between academia and real-world financial planning through financial behavior insights. Listen as Dr. Carlson talks about her experience working in Washington and how she went about counseling individuals holding top-secret security clearances at the Pentagon and CIA. Find out how to create a safe space for clients using a framework of acceptance, relating, and connecting. Listen as Dr. Carlson discusses ways in which we can attract more people of diverse backgrounds into the profession and ways we can improve the attrition that is leading people to leave. Do you want to know how to set up in-person or virtual meetings to reduce a client's stress level? Do you want to know why Dr. Mary Bell asks clients, "What does money smell like to you"? Find out the answer to these questions and more on this Financial Behavior episode with Dr. Mary Bell Carlson.

Feb 22, 2024 • 44min
Predicting Health and Wealth Using AI and Machine Learning w/ Robert Kirk
In our latest episode, Rory engages with Robert Kirk, founder and CEO of IntergenData, to discuss the revolutionary impact of AI and machine learning on financial services. Discover how Robert and IntergenData are using AI to predict significant life events, empowering financial advisors to provide guidance on clients' healthcare, insurance, and financial planning needs. Learn about ways in which they are using AI to gain insight into people’s predisposition to certain diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's. Robert highlights the data behind peak earnings ages and the impact a person’s marital status on longevity, showcasing the depth of analysis possible when using billions of data points. Find out ways to transform your advisor-client relationships by providing personalized and timely advice to help clients plan for their future. Do you want to know how AI is reshaping the landscape of financial services? Are you interested in learning what choices can lead to longer lifespans? Find out the answers to these questions and more with financial services veteran Robert Kirk.

Feb 14, 2024 • 49min
Latest Research on Trust and Commitment w/ Amy Mullen
In this episode, Rory and Julie speak with Amy Mullen, President of Money Quotient, to shed light on the vital role that personal values and life experiences play in financial planning. Amy discusses the results of a recent study conducted in collaboration with the Financial Planning Association, titled 'Developing and Maintaining Client Trust and Commitment in a Rapidly Changing Environment.' The study reveals a significant gap between what advisors think they are providing and what their clients actually feel they are receiving. Discover how the pandemic and global events have shifted clients' perspectives, priorities, and values, underscoring the importance of ongoing discovery in a client-advisor relationship. Are you intrigued to find out how your early childhood money stories can influence your current decisions? Curious about how to execute a values-based planning exercise? Tune in to uncover these insights and more with Amy Mullen!

Feb 8, 2024 • 41min
Women In Investing w/ Inga Rachwald of Charles Schwab
In this episode, Rory and Julie speak with Inga Rachwald, Senior Investment Portfolio Strategist at Schwab Asset Management, to discuss women in investing. Discover why women tend to view investing more as a life skill rather than a competition, and the potential benefits of their generally more risk-averse nature. Explore how employing a holistic approach, by uncovering a client's values and life goals, can more effectively engage women in financial planning conversations. Uncover practical tips for onboarding women clients, ranging from communication preferences to ensuring both partners in a couple are equally involved in the decision-making process. Interested in recognizing and overcoming unconscious biases when working with women, or in fostering open and reciprocal dialogue? Find out the answers to these questions and more with insights from Inga Rachwald of Charles Schwab!

Jan 31, 2024 • 44min
Using Financial Psychology to Better Connect with Clients - Dr. Emily Koochel
In this episode, Rory and Julie speak with Dr. Emily Koochel, the Head of Financial Wellness at eMoney. Listen as they discuss how to help clients use intrinsic motivation to increase the likelihood of success in reaching their goals. Discover ways to use solution-focused therapy to help clients identify their strengths andovercome new challenges. Learn more about eMoney's latest study on financial psychology actions and the top 5 most impactful for clients. Find out about the latest in the evolving world of financial planning and psychology with tips on increasing client engagement and well-being. Curious about how to initiate meaningful financial wellness conversations? Interested in understanding the link between personal well-being and financial health? Tune in for enlightening insights with Financial Psychology Thought Leader Dr. Emily Koochel!

Jan 25, 2024 • 47min
Shifting the Conversation with Human First Financial Guidance
Explore the concept of human-first financial guidance with Ross Marino, discussing the importance of understanding clients' aspirations. Learn about a four-question process to help clients open up and the shift from traditional planning to a more personal approach. Discover strategies for deepening client relationships and the significance of including significant others in financial discussions.