Simple, but Not Easy

Private markets were once the exclusive playground of institutions and ultra-high-net-worth investors. That's changing. Where's the puck potentially going? It's possible we look up one day and realize private markets aren't a third asset class — they're just equity and credit accessed differently. We cover the case for private markets, the education hill that needs to be climbed, how to talk to clients about fees, and why implementation is the real bottleneck. With Apollo Managing Director and Cross-Asset Client Portfolio Manager Lucy Xin. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jeff Stolper, Director of Financial Planning at Creative Planning and BBQ enthusiast, leads training and planning for hundreds of advisers. He talks about building likable, reliable advisor relationships, scaling consistent planning, practical tax and asset-location strategies, preparing for liquidity events, and how AI can free advisors for more human connection.

FINNY founder Eden Ovadia shares how the firm is tackling one of financial advice’s biggest challenges: organic growth. Advisors can spend up to 60 hours to win a single client – consuming their most valuable asset: time. And that doesn’t scale. FINNY’s approach – using AI to identify high-intent prospects and automate outreach – aims to change that. The goal? A more efficient growth engine, especially for advisors with clearly defined niches. In an increasingly competitive business, specialization and smart use of technology can compound over time – separating firms that grow from those that don’t. After all, if you’re not growing, you may be dying on the vine. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Brent Brodeski, founder and CEO of Savant Wealth who scaled the firm to multi‑billion AUM, recounts humble beginnings and a compounding approach to growth. He discusses firm strategy, M&A criteria, national expansion, and a $50M AI platform investment. He also covers digital marketing, advisor efficiency tools, and evolving roles for private markets and digital assets.

Philip Straehl, Chief Investment Officer at Morningstar, shares insights on navigating investment strategies for the 2026 landscape. He emphasizes that preparation is more crucial than predictions, focusing on building resilient portfolios against volatile markets. Topics include the U.S. market's split personality, emerging market opportunities, and the evolving AI landscape. He also highlights potential risks associated with AI hype and the benefits of a contrarian checklist for spotting mispricing in investments.

Zach Evans, a manager research analyst at Morningstar who specializes in ETFs and passive investment strategies, dives into the shifting landscape of small-cap investing. He explains how private markets are claiming opportunities once available in public stocks, leading to small-cap underperformance. Zach discusses the impact of regulatory changes on accessibility, the risk factors associated with small caps, and how volatility differs by market cap. Finally, he explores potential catalysts for reversing current sentiment toward small caps and the challenges active managers face in this changing environment.

In this episode of Simple But Not Easy, we’re joined by Ryan Murphy, Morningstar’s Global Head of Behavioral Insights, to explore how financial advisors can help clients set better goals, avoid costly mistakes, and build lasting trust. We discuss why goals—not asset allocation or stock selection—should be the true starting point of an investment journey, and how a simple multi-step framework can uncover what really motivates clients. Ryan also shares insights from Morningstar’s Mind the Gap study, which shows how investor behavior often drags down returns, and explains how advisors can reframe conversations from performance to progress. If you want to better understand what drives investor decisions and how advisors can make the biggest difference, this episode is for you. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In our midyear outlook, we break down some of the biggest factors driving markets in 2025 — tariffs, AI, and the potential for rate cuts — and attempt to help investors sift through the short-term noise while keeping a long-term perspective. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As of late May, the US ranks 39th out of 44 global stock markets—firmly in the bottom 15%. Meanwhile, international markets are gaining momentum, with 7 of the top 10 performing countries located in Europe. This performance gap appears to be supported by improving fundamentals, favorable currency trends, and rising earnings expectations across the region. Can it continue? In this episode of Simple, But Not Easy, host Nick VanDerSchie is joined by Morningstar’s Paul Tait and international equity portfolio manager Nabil Salem to explore why now may be the right time to take a fresh look at international diversification. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When markets hit a rough patch—as they did in early April—investors often lose confidence. Emotions run high after paper losses, and that’s when many fall into the “ready, fire, aim” trap. Decisions become reactive, not disciplined. It’s common to see investors flee to cash or pivot to more conservative positions in an effort to feel safer. But more often than not, resisting that urge is the better path. In this episode of Simple, But Not Easy, we sit down with Morningstar’s Global Chief Research & Investment Officer, Dan Kemp, to explore how advisors can guide clients through uncertainty—not with bold predictions, but by remaining anchored to a clear investment philosophy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.