AFO|Wealth Management Forward

In our latest episode, Rory speaks with John Prendergast, CEO of Blueleaf, about the latest in wealth management, behavioral finance, and the future of advice. They highlight the importance of understanding clients' behavior and psychology in wealth management and how contextualizing information can lead to better client outcomes. Find out what John has learned from the over 100 million interactions with clients and how he you can leverage the digital blueprint of TikTok, Facebook, and Netflix to stay top of mind with clients. John shares a personal story of starting his first business, a Boston Chicken franchise, and how it shaped his approach to managing investors' money and caring for his employees. They also discuss the potential for technology companies and banks to get more involved in the worlds of accounting and wealth, as well as the integration of banking, wealth, accounting, and insurance services. Discover valuable insights into the evolving landscape of wealth management and the significance of relationships and behavioral understanding of how people make decisions in a digital world with guest John Prendergast!

In this episode of the podcast, Rory Henry interviews Christine Nicholson, a multi-award-winning business mentor who specializes in exit and succession planning for business owners. Christine shares her personal journey and how it led her to become an expert in helping business owners transition out of the day-to-day operations of their businesses. She emphasizes the importance of developing a strategic plan and delegating tasks to free up time for more strategic thinking. Christine also discusses the value of shareholder agreements and the need to plan for the inevitable exit from the business. The conversation concludes with a powerful message about the importance of finding joy and purpose in life beyond business. With a focus on practical advice, this episode is a must-listen for any business owner looking to plan for the future.

Davyde Wachell, CEO of Responsive AI, discusses leveraging AI in Hollywood and the value of creative assets. They explore the integration of wealth management into tax practices and AI's role in analyzing tax forms for significant life events. The podcast also delves into the concept of the history illusion and the importance of embracing change. They discuss Davyde's meeting with BlackRock's CEO and the evolving role of accountants as advisors.

In this episode, Rory engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Mike Maksymiw, CPA, an executive with Aprio Firm Alliance. Together, they delve into the dynamic and innovative trends shaping the accounting profession while emphasizing the importance of cultivating meaningful relationships. Mike shares his deep passion for leadership and connecting individuals with valuable resources, which he considers his "Zone of Genius." He discusses the transformative impact of his involvement in the AICPA leadership academy and the invaluable support he received from his peers. Aligning values with goals and lifestyle choices is a key theme explored by Mike, who shares his personal values of freedom, family, and innovation and his aspirations to make a meaningful contribution to the profession. The evolving role of technology and artificial intelligence in the accounting field is also examined, with both Mike and Rory emphasizing the need to prioritize the human aspects of advice. The episode concludes with a powerful message about embracing the dimension of possibility and finding happiness in the pursuit of one's goals. Don't miss this engaging podcast featuring one of the accounting profession's innovative leaders!

In this episode, Rory engages in a conversation with Dan Graham, the Founder of docVinci and Head of Marketing at Next Gen Planners. Together, they explore strategies for attracting next-gen talent and clients through financial planning. Dan delves into the evolution of financial planning, emphasizing the importance of personal branding and having a unique service proposition (USP). He shares valuable marketing tips and tools from Next Gen Planners on how to enhance the client experience. Discover how innovative firms are servicing clients through a subscription model, similar to Netflix or Amazon Prime, as a way to better meet client needs. They explore the significance of understanding clients' values, motivations, and emotions in addition to their financial goals. Find out about the impact relationships have on retirees, particularly men whose social circles are often tied to their work. Dan also talks about the influence of social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, highlighting the increasing reliance on peer recommendations and advice. Don't miss this enlightening episode on financial planning, marketing, and effective engagement with the Next Generation with one of the UK's financial planning thought leaders, Dan Graham!

In this episode, Rory has a heart-to-heart with Amy Vetter, the inspiring author of "Disconnect to Connect: Tap into the Power Within to Create the Life that You Desire." They explore the often-overlooked themes of vulnerability and intergenerational trauma and how they shape our life journeys. Amy opens up about her deeply personal experiences that led her to write her transformative book, demonstrating how turning inwards can help us build meaningful connections and manifest the life we yearn for. Drawing on her unique blend of corporate leadership and yoga mindfulness practice, she underscores the need for a holistic approach toward professional and personal growth. Also, Amy shares some practical exercises from her book that listeners can incorporate into their daily routines. Delve into this profound conversation to learn how understanding your past can unlock a more fulfilling and connected future. Don't miss out on Amy's wisdom-filled insights that have the power to change your perspective and life!

Rory is joined by Diane Young, Partner at Arrowroot Family Office, as they talk with Clayton Oates about accounting, technology, and entrepreneurship. In this episode, Clayton talks about how accounting technology has progressed over the decades and how technology companies can better form relationships with clients. They discuss the Finite vs. Infinite game and how being an infinite game player is about an abundance mindset and continual improvement. Why do some partnerships and relationships last for a lifetime while others fall apart and end badly? How can you identify finite vs. infinite game players? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this episode with one of Accounting & Technology's leading voices. Originally aired (8/9/22)

In this episode, Rory converses with Michael Hsu, founder, and CEO of DeepSky and the Measure x Hack Program, about the challenges and opportunities in accounting and ways in which to optimize our well-being through continual self-improvement. Michael talks about the accounting profession's need to keep up with modern trends and technology so that they can provide optimal value to clients. They also discuss the problem of online self-proclaimed financial gurus on Tik-Tok and Instagram who lack real-life experience and credentials but still attract clients through effective marketing. Michael underscores the importance of continuous learning and introduces his how his decade's worth of experience advising CEOs lead him to create his 'measure and hack' methodology. He shares his ambitious vision of aiding a billion entrepreneurs in realizing their dreams through the strategic use of systems and data. Tune into this thought-provoking episode to understand how a 'measure and hack' methodology can reshape your mindset and lead to greater fulfillment.

Hal Hershfield, a professor and author, discusses mental time travel, projection bias, extreme discounting of future rewards, and the role of the temporal parietal junction. He also explores algorithms predicting preferences and using commitment devices for future behavior. The podcast covers the connection between future selves and images of Matt Damon and Natalie Portman, as well as the story of a real-life serial killer's transformation.

In this episode, Rory engages with Doug Lennick, the co-founder of Think2Perform, in a discussion on behavioral finance, emotional competence, and the transformative power of decision-making. Doug explores how financial advisors and accountants can play a pivotal role in guiding their clients toward healthier financial habits and improved emotional well-being. Unveiling the concept of the 'Freeze Game,' he demonstrates how this tool can effectively reshape thinking processes to counteract impulsive actions. The conversation brings to light the interconnectedness of financial stress, emotional competence, and irrational decision-making, laying emphasis on the ripple effects these elements can have on overall health and happiness. Doug underscores the importance of acknowledging and preparing for inevitable truths in life, such as aging and financial changes, and how this preparation can transform misery into wisdom. Do you want to learn more about the intersection of money, health, and happiness? Are you interested in understanding how to turn your financial stress into emotional strength? Tune into this episode with behavioral finance pioneer, Doug Lennick!