
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

May 15, 2024 • 55min
Ep #387: Balancing Motherhood and Management While Scaling an RIA: With Rebecca Conner
Rebecca Conner, Founder of SeedSafe Financial, shares insights on managing employees, prioritizing sleep, niche clientele, and maintaining a 25-30 hour work week. She discusses team empowerment, mindfulness practices, and balancing motherhood while running a successful RIA. Listeners gain actionable tips on juggling business growth, team management, and family life.

May 1, 2024 • 59min
Ep #386: Level Up Your Client Engagement Game with Elements’ Revolutionary Diagnostic Tool
On today's episode, we are thrilled to welcome XYPN member, Reese Harper, CFP ®, and Carl Richards, CFP ®, to XYPN Radio. These innovative minds are behind the cutting-edge technology called Elements, XYPN’s newest technology partner. We'll dive deep into the origins of Elements, the technology itself, and the ideas that inspired its creation. Reese shares how his frustrations with the lack of realistic, standardized measurements for a client's financial health led him to define what he calls the client's 11 vital signs—an essential aspect that eventually led to the development of Elements. These vital signs don't just transform the delivery of financial planning services by advisors, but they also redefine the client's experience and the overall value of financial planning. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/386

Apr 17, 2024 • 1h 9min
Ep #385: XYPN From “NextGen” to the “NextTen:” A Growth Story
In this special edition of XYPN Radio, co-founders Alan Moore and Michael Kitces join me to celebrate 10 years of XYPN. We reminisce about the early days, including how they met, the initial emails about opportunities for financial planners, and the growth and strategic decisions that shaped the company, including their first hire—me. Their complementary strengths and a commitment to innovation have been key to XYPN's success. We also discuss the future, including the launch of XYPN Sapphire, a corporate RIA designed to support a broader range of advisors. Join us as we celebrate XYPN's journey from industry disruptor to leader, and explore what's next for fee-for-service advisors building their dream firms. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/385

Apr 3, 2024 • 1h 1min
Ep #384: How to Sell Your Value and Other Lessons Learned from Running a Solo Practice for 25 Years with Cathy Curtis
Cathy Curtis, founder of Curtis Financial Planning and a veteran in the industry, shares her wisdom from nearly 25 years of running a solo practice. She discusses the unique challenges faced by single women in financial decision-making and the importance of transparent fee structures. Cathy emphasizes setting boundaries to sustain client relationships and enhance service value. Her insights on leveraging technology, such as Holistiplan, for efficiency, and the emotional complexities of transitioning clients are both enlightening and practical for aspiring advisors.

Mar 20, 2024 • 60min
Ep #383: Grow Your Firm Faster by Leveraging Your Former Career with Mike Zung, CFP®
Today we welcome Mike Zung, CFP®, founder of Java Wealth Planning, an RIA based in Kansas City, Missouri to XYPN Radio. Mike shares insights into his journey from launching his firm part-time while still working in software development, to eventually transitioning to a full-time role serving over 30 tech industry clients. Mike and I cover marketing strategies, successfully transitioning from project-based to ongoing planning, and how he defines value for his clients. This episode provides valuable wisdom for advisors who change careers and the opportunities that can be leveraged by leaning into their previous expertise and personality strengths. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/383

Mar 6, 2024 • 55min
Ep #382: Leveraging Your Wirehouse Experience to Shape the Foundation of Your Fee-only Firm
In this episode, Maddy Roche returns as the full-time host of XYPN Radio, joined by Jennifer Kang, CFP®, founder of JWK Financial. Jennifer shares how she leveraged two decades of experience in a large wirehouse to establish her fee-only, flat-fee RIA in New York. She talks candidly about the fast-paced start of her business and her unwavering confidence in the value she provides, encouraging prospects to interview other advisors to ensure a perfect fit. Jennifer also discusses the transition from initial engagement fees to ongoing flat-rate relationships and emphasizes the importance of building a business at a sustainable pace. This episode is packed with valuable insights, making it a must-listen for financial professionals looking to learn from Jennifer's experience and expertise. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/382

Feb 21, 2024 • 47min
Ep #381: The Power of YouTube: Strategies for Building Your Clientele
This special episode of XYPN Radio will be Alan’s last episode before turning the podcast over to Maddy Roche! Alan talks about the transition before diving into a special episode with Patrick King, founder of Prana Wealth Management in Atlanta, Georgia. Patrick's journey began as an engineer designing machinery, but a realization about his financial advisor's priorities sparked his transition into financial planning. After earning his MBA, he gained experience at various large RIAs before deciding to start his own firm. Despite initial challenges, Patrick embraced YouTube to reach his ideal clientele, pivoting from targeting dual-income households to focusing on pre-retirees. Join us as Patrick shares insights into his entrepreneurial journey and the role of YouTube in building his successful fee-only practice. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/381

Feb 7, 2024 • 57min
Ep #380: Cultivating Empathy in Finance: Catching up with Tara Tussing Unverzagt
Explore Tara Tussing Unverzagt's innovative approach to financial planning. Tara's path to success involves leveraging her expertise as a certified financial therapist and prioritizing accessibility in her services. In this conversation, Tara shares how she has evolved her firm's offerings over the years to make financial planning accessible to diverse client populations. From hourly consultations to community-building initiatives, Tara's firm ensures fairness and affordability through a sliding scale fee structure based on income and assets. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/380

Jan 24, 2024 • 53min
Ep #379: Niche Mastery: How to authentically target your audience with Lindsey Young
Embracing your authentic self can be terrifying, but our guest today took the leap and built an amazingly successful RIA by connecting with her niche. Our guest today, Lindsey Young, CFP®, and founder of Quiet wealth, shares shares her journey, and how she found success. Lindsey navigated diverse career terrains, from strategy consulting to the Peace Corps, tech in San Francisco, venture capital, and investment banking. Her decision to transition before starting the firm, driven by authenticity moving forward, resonated with her clients. On this episode, Lindsey shares her unique sales process, targeting successful LGBTQ professionals with a focus on clients with a net worth of one to five million. The conversation delves into her marketing strategies, emphasizing the significant return on investment from Google Ads and overall SEO efforts. Lindsey's experience offers a nuanced perspective on building trust within the LGBTQ community and highlights the broader appeal of her approach, serving both LGBTQ and straight clients. Join us for a deep dive into Lindsey's flat-fee model, her compensation structure, and the challenges and opportunities she encounters as a financial planner. I You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/379

Jan 10, 2024 • 53min
Ep #378: Building Prosp(a)rity & Bridging the Wealth Divide
Join us this week as we explore Prosp(a)rity, a non-profit dedicated to nurturing, uplifting, and advancing Black women, and ultimately positioning them to pay it forward to their communities and next generations. Bri Franklin, Co-Founder of Prosp(a)rity, shares her journey — from post-Ivy League student debt to catalyzing change. This episode, Bri emphasizes the urgency of addressing predatory lending and student debt, spotlighting the systemic changes required. She details the programs Prosp(a)rity, champions. If you're a financial advisor seeking meaningful involvement, Bri outlines avenues for your impactful contribution. It's more than personal finance; it's about fostering resilience, community, and pursuing financial empowerment for all. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/378