
Behind The Advisor
Behind the Advisor, an XYPN Podcast, takes you behind the scenes of what it really takes to launch, run, and grow a successful fee-only financial planning firm. Through candid conversations with industry leaders and real-life advisors, we uncover the challenges, victories, and lessons learned along the way. Whether you’re starting out or scaling up, this podcast delivers the front-line insights and actionable strategies you need to build a thriving, purpose-driven firm—on your terms.
Latest episodes

Oct 2, 2024 • 56min
Ep #397: Empowering Internationally Born Clients Through Financial Planning
In this episode, we sit down with Jane Mepham, CFP®, Founder and CEO of Elgon Financial Advisors, a fee-only firm based in Austin, Texas that specializes in serving foreign-born individuals. Originally from Kenya, Jane shares her journey of coming to the U.S. to study computer science and how a lack of cultural competence in financial advising inspired her to shift careers and launch her own firm. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/397

Sep 18, 2024 • 51min
Ep #396: Leading a Growing Advisory Firm with Nathan Donohue
Nathan Donohue, co-founder and partner at Consilio Wealth Advisors, shares insights on his transition from a broker-dealer to a successful RIA. He discusses the importance of transparent communication with clients in tech sectors like Amazon and Microsoft. The conversation explores financial planning that prioritizes life fulfillment over mere metrics and the emotional aspects of money management. Nathan also addresses navigating challenges in the tech industry, effective client engagement strategies, and the significance of professional development and networking in scaling an advisory firm.

Sep 4, 2024 • 1h 2min
Ep #395: Attracting and Retaining Top Advisors with Caleb Brown
Caleb Brown, Founder and CEO of New Planner Recruiting and educator at the University of Georgia, dives into the intricacies of recruiting top talent in financial planning. He reveals how a firm's story and values attract both clients and advisors. The discussion highlights the shifting hiring landscape, emphasizing mentorship and onboarding for success. Caleb shares practical strategies for vetting candidates, and insights on graduates' preferences for collaborative environments. He underscores the importance of emotional intelligence in effective hiring.

Aug 21, 2024 • 57min
Ep #394: How to Lead a Passion-Driven Ensemble Firm: An Interview with Jason Speciner
In this talk, Jason Speciner, founder and CEO of Financial Planning Fort Collins, shares his journey of transforming his firm from a blog into a thriving financial advisory. He discusses the challenge of fostering team dynamics and implementing specialized roles, which significantly enhance client service. Jason highlights the importance of balancing entrepreneurship with personal life and celebrates team achievements as a motivator. He also emphasizes integrating tax preparation into financial planning for improved client satisfaction and operational efficiency.

Aug 7, 2024 • 56min
Ep #393: How Focusing on a Niche Allows You to Love Your Work: An Interview with Ashley Foster
In this episode of XYPN Radio, we welcome back Ashley Foster, CFP®, founder of NXT:GEN Financial Planning. You might remember Ashley from Episode 321 in 2021, where he shared his journey transitioning from the insurance industry to the fee-only financial planning world. Today, Ashley gives us an inside look at the firm he built, which now serves over 50 clients, focusing primarily on young to mid-career veterinarians. Discover how niching down has allowed Ashley to align his passion with purpose while building a lifestyle practice. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/393

Jul 24, 2024 • 52min
Ep #392: Making The Transition From a Broker Dealer to Launching Your RIA
In this episode of XYPN Radio, we sit down with Jamie Lima, CFP®, CDFA®, MBA, an XYPN Ambassador, and the founder of Woodson Wealth Management and Allegiant Divorce Solutions, two virtual firms. Jamie's journey is a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit, having transitioned from managing 450 households at large wirehouses to founding his firm amid the COVID pandemic of 2020. Jamie shares his unconventional path to gain marketing momentum, including how posting a profile on Thumbtack outperformed multiple marketing agencies. He also delves into his strategic hiring decisions, from bringing on an Operations Manager as a W2 employee to scaling his firm with 1099 advisors. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/392

Jul 10, 2024 • 58min
Ep #391: Taking Risks and Loving the Process - How the Valor Team scaled to over 100 Clients
In today’s episode of XYPN Radio I am thrilled to have Ed Smith and Amanda Lique of Valor Wealth Partners on the show. Valor Wealth Partners specializes in serving civilian federal employees and handling their complex financial situations. Ed and Amanda are here to share their journey of building their firm from the ground up. We dive into the origins of their partnership, their strategic collaboration with ProFed to host workshops for their ideal clients, and the early investments that paved the way for their success. Despite the inherent risks, Ed and Amanda have no regrets in the venture and have grown their client base to over 100 satisfied clients. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/391

Jun 26, 2024 • 56min
Ep #390: Leveraging Lived Experience to Serve Business Owners
In today’s episode we are joined by John Bovard, CFP®, founder and CEO of Incline Wealth Advisors, a thriving wealth management firm based in Cincinnati. John launched his firm in 2020, just before the pandemic, and has impressively grown it to serve over 75 clients with a dedicated two person team supporting him and the firm’s continued growth. We delve into John's unique "barbell" approach to client management, focusing primarily on his niche work with business owners. John shares his insights on how he successfully guides these clients through the complex financial decisions involved in running their businesses. John discusses his flat fee pricing model and comprehensive service approach, offering listeners a transparent view of his strategies. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/390

Jun 12, 2024 • 51min
Ep #389: Going Full-time as a Solopreneur with Linden Cornett
We are thrilled to welcome back Linden Cornett, the founder of Seagrass Financial. Linden holds the honor of being the first guest to return three times over our eight-year journey at XYPN Radio. Many recent guests have mentioned Linden as a role model within our community, and for good reason. As a proud solopreneur, Linden has masterfully built systems and processes that allow her to scale and take well-deserved vacations. She gives us an inside look at how she leverages tools like Asana and introduces her innovative 15-hour intro planning package for new clients. Transparency is key as Linden openly shares her revenue and client numbers and offers invaluable advice for new advisors considering a shift into this space. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/389

May 29, 2024 • 54min
Ep #388: Unlocking the Power of a Partnership, The Evolution of AVID Planning with Jack Arnold and David Harpool
Jack Arnold and David Harpool, founders of AVID Planning, discuss their transition to independence, partnership dynamics, reducing client base for quality planning, navigating disagreements with shared values, and their commitment to client care in a comprehensive and insightful conversation.
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