Smarter Planner Podcast

Mickie Kennedy, founder of eReleases with nearly 30 years in press release distribution, explains what makes a release newsworthy. He highlights human-interest stories, the power of local media, SEO and AI visibility, and practical low-budget PR starts. Short, bold, and authentic approaches are emphasized for building credibility and repeated media placement.

In this discussion, Michael Kitces, Chief Financial Planning Nerd and industry expert, delves into key aspects of advisory firm productivity. He shares that measuring revenue per advisor is a consistent gauge of efficiency. Surprisingly, he reveals that technology alone doesn’t significantly boost productivity; instead, effective team structure and delegation play a crucial role. Kitces also challenges common pricing myths, advocating for advisors to charge their true worth, and highlights how the right support staff can dramatically enhance capacity.

Carl Richards, CFP®, renowned for his The Sketch Guy column in The New York Times, discusses the importance of simplifying financial conversations. He highlights how jargon alienates clients and stresses the value of elegant simplicity over complexity. Carl encourages advisors to present clear, one-page summaries first, followed by details if needed. He predicts a future where AI handles calculations, allowing planners to focus on empathy and understanding. By using visuals, Carl believes advisors can ignite meaningful discussions, ultimately enhancing client relationships.

Ed Dressel, president of Retire Ready Solutions, emphasizes simplicity in retirement planning for middle-income and pension-eligible workers. He identifies the gap between advisors who crave complexity and clients who need clear guidance. Ed advocates for interactive tools that empower clients to explore their values and make informed decisions without feeling overwhelmed. He shares success stories of minor contribution increases leading to substantial benefits and highlights the importance of clarity, making retirement planning more approachable for everyday individuals.

In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, sits down with Mike Padawer, CLTC, founder and president of Inertia Advisor Services Group and Carefidence, to discuss why financial planners must shift their approach from simply paying for care to truly planning for care. Mike—author of What's the Deal with Long-Term Care and co-author of What You Don't Know About Retirement Will Hurt You—shares how advisors can guide clients through the emotional, legal, and financial realities of aging with intention. He explains how most advisors stop at the funding question ("Can the client afford it?"), missing the more profound planning questions that matter most: Who will provide care? Where will it happen? And how can families avoid conflict and crisis when the time comes? Mike outlines his four-step framework—Awareness, Assessment, Alignment, and Action—that helps advisors integrate long-term care into every financial plan with empathy and clarity. Guest Links: Website: https://www.inertia-asg.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-padawer/ Recommend a podcast guest: 👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWXHTV7 ____________________________________________________________________________ The Smarter Planner Podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals or services mentioned.

In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, sits down with Ari Galper, founder and CEO of Ari AI — the world's only trust-based proprietary AI sales growth advisor — to explore how financial planners can build deeper trust and stronger client relationships in today's commoditized advisory landscape. Ari, author of seven bestselling books including Trust in a Split Second and Unlock the Sales Game, explains why we're in what he calls a "trust recession." He challenges the traditional focus on relationship-building and free consulting, showing instead how advisors can earn trust faster by adopting a doctor–patient approach — diagnosing problems before offering solutions. Together, Belle and Ari unpack: Why "value" and "education" are no longer effective trust builders How to shift from being "shopped" to becoming the trusted choice Practical ways to change your first meeting language to build instant credibility How emotional connection—not intellect—is what drives client commitment The role of AI in transforming trust-based communication and client engagement Learn how to stop chasing prospects and start creating trust in a split second. Guest Links: Website: AriGalper.com Book: TheTrustBook.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/arigalper Recommend a podcast guest: 👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWXHTV7 The Smarter Planner Podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals or services mentioned.

Jane Mepham, a Certified Financial Planner and founder of Elgon Financial Advisors, shares her expertise on the complexities of financial planning for immigrants in the U.S. She discusses the unique needs of various visa holders and the impact of being temporary on financial strategies. Jane highlights the importance of collaboration between financial planners and immigration attorneys. Insights include tips on retirement accounts, investment preferences, and the significance of understanding tax compliance to avoid pitfalls. Her personal journey enriches the conversation.

In this 1 CE-credit episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP® talks with two leading voices about how artificial intelligence is shaping the industry and what it means for the future of financial planners. CE Credit Instructions Listen to the full episode. Take the quiz: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/fpancaaipodcastce Receive 1 CE credit upon completion. Links & Resources Part One: Brendan Fraser – How AI Will Make You a Better Planner Will AI replace advisors? Brendan explains why the answer is "not yet"—and maybe never, if humans focus on what tech can't replicate. The chess analogy: How pairing human strategic thinking with computational speed elevates financial advice to new levels. Client conversations that matter: Why empathy, values, and life goals will always separate advisors from machines. The ROI of advice: Beyond investment returns, Brendan reframes ROI as money, time, and peace of mind. RFG Advisory https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanfrazier/ Part Two: Brooke Juniper – AI's Role in Portfolio Management AI's long history in finance: From quant strategies to tax-loss harvesting, AI has been powering portfolio management for decades. Generative AI's "unlock": Moving from deterministic models to flexible, client-specific analysis and commentary. Vertical vs. horizontal AI apps: Why specialized AI like Sage is built for advisors, compared to general tools like ChatGPT. Trust and transparency: Ensuring data sources, calculations, and models are reliable and client-ready. Looking ahead: AI as a "co-pilot," enabling hyper-personalized portfolios, real-time insights, and scalable empathy. Sage – AI for Wealth Advisors https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-juniper/ The information provided in the Smarter Planner Podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice. Views expressed are those of the guests and host, not necessarily those of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area (FPA NCA). Please consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.

In this episode of the Smarter Planner podcast, host Belle Osvath speaks with David Peters, CFP®, CPA, founder of David Peters Financial Group and Peters Tax Preparation & Consulting, about the sweeping changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and their impact on financial planners and clients. With four master's degrees, a national teaching role, and a PhD in progress, David brings both technical expertise and a practical perspective on navigating new tax laws. Website: petersprofessionaleducation.com/ LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/david-peters-financial/ The Smarter Planner podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals or services mentioned.

In this episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, talks with Vincent Randazzo, CMT, founder of ViewRight Advisors and former Head of Technical Research at CFRA, about how financial advisors can better navigate market cycles and systemic risk using a disciplined, data-driven approach. Vincent explains that traditional static asset allocation models don't account for the market cycle's stage—spring, summer, fall, or winter—and therefore miss critical opportunities to manage risk. He emphasizes the importance of active risk management, which differs from stock picking or market timing. Vincent also challenges the assumption that compounding is straightforward, reminding listeners that path dependency matters—the sequence in which returns occur can significantly impact outcomes. His closing advice: helping clients avoid significant losses is more potent than chasing high returns, especially early in retirement. To learn more or subscribe to Vincent's market research, visit viewright.ai or follow him on LinkedIn and X (@CMTRandazzo). _____________________________________________________________________ The information provided in The Smarter Planner podcast is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the FPA National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA), its board, or its affiliates. FPA NCA does not endorse or recommend any individuals, firms, products, or services mentioned in this podcast. Listeners should consult with a qualified professional who understands their personal financial situation before making any decisions based on this or any other content.