

Kitces and Carl - Real Talk for Real Financial Advisors
Michael Kitces, MSFS, MTAX, CFP and Carl Richards, CFP
A no-holds barred conversation for Real Financial Advisors with industry nerd Michael Kitces and client communication expert Carl Richards. One draws with a Sharpie, the other nerds out with spreadsheets, and both provide you with unique perspectives so that you can more effectively communicate with and serve your clients, run a more fulfilling practice, and maintain a healthier lifestyle.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 17, 2024 • 32min
Do You Really Need A Business Partner… Or A Study Group?: Kitces & Carl Ep 149
The discussion highlights why friendships in the industry can be more beneficial than formal partnerships. It emphasizes emotional hurdles when starting a practice and suggests alternatives like fractional services. The speakers explore the psychological barriers faced by entrepreneurs and the importance of a shared vision in collaborations. The podcast also introduces the concept of study groups as effective support systems, allowing for growth without the complexities of traditional partnerships.

25 snips
Oct 3, 2024 • 35min
Making It Easier To Get Started By NOT Building In Public And Focusing On Version 0 Instead: Kitces & Carl Ep 148
Explore the anxiety surrounding public idea sharing and how initial obscurity can be beneficial. Discover the concept of 'version zero', which empowers financial advisors to launch projects without the pressure of perfectionism. Learn how breaking larger goals into small, manageable actions can combat fear and foster deeper connections. The discussion highlights the importance of low-risk experiments for validating business ideas and emphasizes embracing challenges as a path to growth.

Sep 19, 2024 • 34min
Preparing An Advisory Firm For The Risk Of A Market (And Revenue) Decline: Kitces & Carl Ep 147
Carl Richards, a client communication expert known for his relatable insights in financial planning, discusses strategies for advisors to weather market downturns. They emphasize the need for strong profit margins and proactive financial planning. The conversation highlights the emotional toll of market fluctuations and the importance of resilience. Unique strategies like financial hedging and options trading emerge as vital tools for safeguarding against volatility. Overall, it's a guide to strengthening advisory firms in uncertain times.

Sep 5, 2024 • 30min
Re-Educating Clients (Scalably) After They ‘Read Something On The Internet’: Kitces & Carl Ep 146
In our 146th episode of Kitces & Carl, Michael Kitces and client communication expert Carl Richards discuss how to handle when clients try to educate themselves about finance online—but come away with misinformation. For full show notes, see kitces.com and thesocietyofadvice.com.

9 snips
Aug 22, 2024 • 32min
Explaining The Full Value Of (Life) Planning By Unlocking The Emotional Job To Be Done: Kitces & Carl Ep 145
Carl Richards, a client communication expert renowned for his insights on financial planning, joins the discussion on effectively conveying the value of life planning. They explore how financial advisors can market their unique approach before investing in client meetings. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding clients' emotional needs and crafting exceptional experiences that foster positive referrals. They delve into niche marketing strategies for attracting ideal clients, emphasizing tailored conversations for those navigating significant life transitions.

Aug 8, 2024 • 29min
The Success Trap Of Boutique Practices And Building With Intentionality: Kitces & Carl Ep 144
Carl Richards, a client communication expert renowned for his work on work-life balance, joins Michael Kitces to discuss challenges boutique practices face with rapid growth. They humorously reflect on a blue couch that symbolizes advisors' shared experiences. The conversation emphasizes the importance of intentionality in business design and aligning personal values with professional goals. They explore the trade-offs in various advisory practice models, encouraging listeners to choose the right problems for a fulfilling career and life.

Jul 25, 2024 • 36min
Taking Over Clients From An Advisor With A Different Personality And Communication Style: Kitces & Carl Ep 143
Kitces and Carl discuss the challenges of transitioning clients with different communication styles, emphasizing empathy, probing questions, and adapting communication. They explore fitting clients into personality archetypes and tailoring services to individual needs. The importance of using data and visual aids in client meetings for informed decision-making is also highlighted.

61 snips
Jul 11, 2024 • 46min
Carl's 13 Magical Questions Of Conversational Goodness With (New) Clients: Kitces & Carl Ep 142
Client communication expert Carl Richards and Michael Kitces dive into impactful questions for deeper client connections, including childhood money memories and values. They discuss the power of probing questions to understand clients' perspectives and foster meaningful conversations about money across life stages.

Jun 27, 2024 • 39min
Creating The Space To Have More Meaningful Money Conversations With Clients: Kitces & Carl Ep 141
In our 141st episode of Kitces & Carl, Michael Kitces and client communication expert Carl Richards discuss the powerful questions to ask clients in order to create impactful conversations about money. For full show notes, see kitces.com and thesocietyofadvice.com.

Jun 13, 2024 • 29min
Are You Worrying About Scale Before You Even Have A Scale Problem?: Kitces & Carl Ep 140
In this podcast, the hosts discuss advisors' premature worries about scaling, debunking myths about inflated costs. They address hesitations in scaling, highlight the importance of balancing technology and growth, and emphasize the value of focusing on key questions and running small experiments for business growth. The conversation also explores problem-solving as a spiritual practice, emphasizing self-reflection and continuous improvement.