Tag Archives: Artificial Intelligence

The Financial Advisor’s Long Game with Brad Johnson (Ep. 90)

Advisor, Business, Coaching, Consulting, Education, Finance, Financial, Financial Advisor, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What will separate the advisors who thrive over the next decade from those who get left behind?

Join Duncan as he sits down with Brad Johnson, co-founder of Triad Partners and host of the Do Business. Do Life. podcast, for a wide-ranging conversation on what it truly takes to build a sustainable, future-ready advisory business. Together, they explore how innovation, long-term thinking, and human-centered planning are redefining success in financial services. As demographic shifts accelerate and complexity increases for both advisors and clients, Brad shares insights on why advisors must evolve beyond portfolio management and toward holistic planning that balances growth, protection, income, and purpose.

The conversation also dives into the importance of resilience, perspective, and values, drawing on lessons from entrepreneurship, market cycles, and life itself. Brad outlines why the next decade may be the greatest opportunity Financial Advisors have ever seen, provided they embrace process, patience, and genuine service.

Key highlights include:

  • Why true financial planning goes far beyond portfolios and products
  • The impact of demographic shifts and the “silver tsunami” on advisory opportunities
  • How income planning and distribution strategies are often the missing link for retirees
  • The role of alternative assets, personal interests, and non-traditional wealth in modern planning
  • Building a business that serves life, not one that sacrifices it

Tune in for a thoughtful, practical discussion on becoming a trusted, long-term partner to clients while building a business, and a life, that endures through every season.

Promotions:


Connect With Duncan MacPherson:

Connect With Brad Johnson:

About Our Guest:

Brad Johnson is co-founder of Triad Partners and the host of the transformative “Do Business. Do Life.” podcast. Embodying a humble upbringing in rural Minneapolis, KS, on a farm alongside his parents and brother, Brad’s roots instilled unwavering values of hard work and treating others with respect.

With a profound belief in the power of the “and” approach to life and business, Brad has revolutionized the financial advisory landscape. At Triad Partners, he forges an intimate and carefully curated community, redefining partnerships. Guided by his enduring principles, Brad empowers advisors to embrace growth, freedom, and joy in their professional and personal lives.

Prior to founding Triad, Brad was a Vice President of Advisor Development for over 13 years at Advisors Excel, one of the country’s largest Field Marketing Organizations.  In that role, Brad coached a group of independent advisors who gather more than $1 billion of assets annually. Before joining Advisors Excel to work closely with advisors, Brad was an analyst at Payless Shoe Source for three years.

Brad received his Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems from Emporia State University, where he played football. Brad currently lives in Silver Lake, Kansas with his wife, Sarah, and their three children.

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How to Win Liquidity Events with Roger Silk (Ep. 89)

Advisor, Business, Coaching, Consulting, Education, Finance, Financial, Financial Advisor, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What if your client could sell a highly appreciated asset without triggering capital gains tax? And what if you were the advisor who made that possible?

In this episode of the “Always On Podcast,” host Duncan McPherson sits down with Roger Silk, the CEO and co-founder of Sterling Foundation Management. They discuss the evolving role of financial advisors and the increasingly complex needs of high-net-worth clients. As financial landscapes shift, advisors must adapt to new challenges and opportunities, particularly when it comes to managing significant liquidity events.

Roger Silk shares his expertise on asset diversification trusts, a powerful tool that allows clients to sell appreciated assets without incurring capital gains tax. This episode highlights the importance of proactive planning and the strategic value of long-term partnerships between financial advisors and their clients.

Key highlights include:

  • The role of asset diversification trusts in tax-efficient asset management.
  • The necessity of early planning for liquidity events to maximize client benefits.
  • Strategies for financial advisors to strengthen client relationships through collaboration.
  • Insights into leveraging philanthropic solutions for wealth preservation and growth.

Tune in and discover the insights needed to become trusted partners in their clients’ financial journeys, ensuring both immediate and long-term success.

Promotions:

Connect With Duncan MacPherson:

Connect With Roger Silk, Ph.D.:

About Our Guest:

Roger D. Silk, Ph.D. , is the CEO of Sterling Foundation Management, LLC and President of Lifetime Perspectives, Inc. Dr. Silk is widely recognized as a leading expert and innovator in the emerging field at the intersection of finance and philanthropy.

Dr. Silk has more than three decades of experience working with and advising wealthy clients, high net worth families, and the advisors who work with them on a variety of issues ranging from the use of private foundations to the integration of sophisticated charitable planning into multi-generational estate plans. He has worked with numerous investment, accounting, financial planning, and legal professionals to educate them, their firms, and their clients about the benefits and characteristics of a full suite of solutions, entities and planning tools.

Dr. Silk is the author of several books, including The Investor’s Dilemma Decoded (Wiley, 2024), Managing Foundations and Charitable Trusts (Bloomberg Press, 2011), Creating a Private Foundation (Bloomberg Press, 2003), and Politicians Spend, We Pay (Sterling Lifetime Press, 2022). He has published dozens of articles that have appeared in periodicals such as Estate Planning, Philanthropy, the Journal of Financial Planning and Trusts & Estates. He has spoken to audiences around the country on the types and uses of charitable entities, and he frequently conducts educational seminars for financial professionals focusing on integrating the full suite of charitable entities into the financial planning process.

Prior to co-founding Sterling, Dr. Silk was a Treasury officer at the World Bank, where he was responsible for a multi-billion-dollar repo portfolio.

Dr. Silk holds a Ph.D. and an M.A. in Applied Economics from Stanford University, as well as a B.A. in Economics (with distinction). He earned his CFA in 1990.

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The Financial Advisor’s Blind Spot with Natasha Kennedy

The Financial Advisor’s Blind Spot with Natasha Kennedy (Ep. 88)

Advisor, Business, Coaching, Consulting, Education, Finance, Financial, Financial Advisor, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Nearly 90% of heirs leave their parents’ financial advisor. The real risk in the Great Wealth Transfer is not market volatility. It is irrelevance.

Join Duncan MacPherson as he speaks with Natasha Kennedy, Pareto-certified coach and family legacy specialist, for a timely conversation on the greatest risk facing financial advisors during the great wealth transfer.

Natasha breaks down why most heirs ultimately leave their parents’ advisor, how silence and avoidance around legacy planning erode trust, and why preparing heirs has become a critical differentiator in today’s advisory landscape.

Together, they unpack how advisors can embed continuity, succession, and family investment legacy into their value proposition in a way that deepens relationships, strengthens referability, and positions them as indispensable stewards of multi-generational wealth.

Key takeaways:

  • Why nearly 90% of heirs don’t stay with their parents’ advisor
  • How legacy and succession conversations increase advisor retention and fee worthiness
  • Practical ways to engage heirs without creating entitlement
  • How continuity planning protects relationships through generational transitions

Tune into now to unlock the secrets to keeping clients for generations by addressing the blind spot most advisors overlook.

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Connect With Duncan MacPherson:

Connect With Natasha Kennedy:

About Our Guest:

Natasha Kennedy, who brings more than a decade of financial services experience, beginning her career on Wall Street and then working with First Trust Advisors, and now focused on psychology and counselling.

Today, Natasha is a consultant with Pareto Systems helping advisors to strengthen client relationships, and build purposeful businesses. With her background in both finance and psychology, Natasha is the ideal person to guide us through the human side of this great wealth transfer, specifically on adding Intergenerational Planning & Family Meetings into your process.

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Moving Upstream: Scaling Up Your Business with Robert Montella (Ep. 86)

Advisor, Business, Coaching, Consulting, Education, Finance, Financial, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Join host Duncan MacPherson and his guest Rob Montella of First Trust as they discuss moving upstream in client engagement, emphasizing the need to understand client needs and enhance services through advisory councils. Rob shares insights from his time at Goldman Sachs and First Trust, highlighting the importance of adapting strategies for high-net-worth clients.

Rob introduces “higher and fire” criteria, explaining how advisors can differentiate themselves with specialized services. The conversation also covers AI’s role in refining advisory approaches to better serve clients.

They also focus on legacy planning and engaging the next generation. Rob stresses the importance of documenting legacy wishes and adapting services based on client feedback.

Key Points:

  • Moving upstream in client engagement.
  • Enhancing services through advisory councils.
  • Differentiation with specialized services.
  • AI’s role in refining advisory approaches.
  • Legacy planning and multi-generational wealth management.

Tune in to discover how to elevate your advisory practice, leverage AI, and create lasting client relationships. This conversation is packed with insights that will inspire you to take your financial advising to the next level!

Resources Mentioned: Pareto Systems AI Whitepaper: paretosystems.com/ai-strategies-for-financial-professionals

Promotions:

Connect With Duncan MacPherson:

Connect With Robert Montella:

About Our Guest:

Rob Montella is a Vice President and Performance Coach at First Trust. For nearly 30 years, he has assisted financial professionals, business leaders, and institutions in maximizing efficiency and business growth. Rob’s objective for every client relationship is to become so essential to their success that he becomes their “first call” for anything related to the “business of running the business.” While any topic of conversation is within scope, Rob specializes in:

  • Developing emotional intelligence
  • Attracting, serving, and retaining wealthier clients
  • Acquiring, developing and retaining top talent
  • Personal and business branding
  • Behavioral Finance

Rob spent 15 years at Goldman Sachs as a Senior Strategist in their global consulting business, where he has captured and documented the practices of the elite around the world. His groundbreaking work in emotional intelligence in the financial services industry was featured in the book Educating People to be Emotionally Intelligent.

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AI-Powered Leadership for Financial Advisors: Habits, Culture, and Workflows (Ep. 83)

Advisor, Business, Coaching, Consulting, Education, Finance, Financial, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

In this Always On episode, Duncan MacPherson and Chris Jeppesen, Chief of Advisory Practices at First Trust, cut through the noise to show how modern financial advisory leadership blends clear operating rhythm, role clarity, and intentional culture, with AI as a practical tool to compress research, sharpen meeting prep, and turn ideas from books like Good to Great, Traction, and Atomic Habits into daily workflows that scale client loyalty and growth.

Key takeaways:

  • Establish a simple weekly leadership cadence to align priorities and decisions.
  • Define roles by outcomes, handoffs, and KPIs so accountability is unambiguous.
  • Segment service to set expectations, elevate experience, and protect capacity.
  • Use AI to prep agendas, summarize meetings, and automate follow-ups inside your CRM.

Resources:

Promotions:

Connect With Duncan MacPherson:

Connect With Chris:

About Our Guest:

Chris Jeppesen is the head of advisory practices at First Trust, a firm known not only for its robust investment product line which includes UITs, ETFs, SMAs, and VAs (to name a few) but also for its commitment to the growth of financial advisors. First Trust has dedicated many years to finding (and investing in) creative ways to help financial advisors grow their practices. Chris’ goal over the last 18 years has been to give financial advisors the tools to develop an efficient business model focused on building long-term client trust and loyalty. Chris is also the co-author of The Advisor Playbook and The Blue Square Method.

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Scaling Smart: Process, People and the Promise of AI with Kevin Bishopp (Ep. 81)

Advisor, Business, Coaching, Consulting, Education, Finance, Financial, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Join Duncan MacPherson as he reconnects with Kevin Bishopp, Vice President at First Trust, to explore the four key stages in an advisor’s business evolution: growing, teaming, scaling, and exiting. They unpack how AI is reshaping productivity, client experience, and enterprise value, and why execution and process are the real differentiators for future-ready professionals.

Highlights:

  • How AI boosts capacity, consistency, and client impact
  • The importance of process in scaling and succession
  • Why focusing on your niche builds referability
  • Practical steps to make your business sale-ready

Whether you’re just getting started or thinking about your eventual exit, this conversation offers powerful insights to help you stay intentional and future-ready. Tune in to learn how to harness AI, refine your process, and build enterprise value at every stage of your business evolution.

Resources:

Promotions:

Connect With Duncan MacPherson:

Connect With Kevin Bishopp:

About Our Guest:

Kevin Bishopp is a Vice President and Performance Coach for the Advisor Consulting Group at First Trust. His focus is the best practices and mission-critical strategies that propel professionals/firms to be truly unique within the industry. His insights into key metrics, resource allocation, team structure, marketing and client acquisition equip professionals/firms to make high-quality strategic decisions that can generate dynamic results. Prior to joining First Trust, Kevin spent 12 years with Russell Investments, where he held positions as Director of Practice Management, RIA Channel Head and Business Development Director. In those roles, he focused on coaching, content creation, sales management, national account management, and business development. Before joining Russell Investments, Kevin spent 5 years as a wealth manager for The Bishopp Group LLC, a family-owned wealth management practice. In 1994, he started his career in financial services as an associate for Principal Financial Group. Kevin holds an MBA from the Michael G. Foster School of Business at the University of Washington and a BA in Finance from Eastern Washington University.

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Levelling Up Your Business with Chris Garcia (Ep. 80)

Advisor, Business, Coaching, Consulting, Education, Finance, Financial, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

How do you build a business that grows without losing its soul?

Find out as Duncan MacPherson sits down with Chris Garcia, Private Wealth Advisor and CEO of The Azimont Group, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC.

Chris shares how he evolved from a solo advisor into a multi-advisor enterprise by focusing on process, stewardship, and a powerful brand narrative. With a team of 20 and growing, Chris has built a scalable, referable, and succession-ready business, by design.

In this episode, they explore:

  • Why process is your best defense against commoditization
  • The importance of articulating your professional contrast
  • How to create a brand that clients and advisors want to be part of
  • The difference between living your legacy and leaving one
  • How to scale without sacrificing the client experience

Whether you’re building a team, refining your process, or thinking about enterprise value, this episode is packed with insights you can act on right away.

Resources Mentioned:

Promotions:

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Connect with Chris Garcia

About Our Guest:

Leveraging a strong foundation in financial study and years of planning experience, Chris Garcia is dedicated to guiding clients on their path to financial independence, turning lifelong dreams into tangible, actionable accomplishments.

A graduate of Texas State University with a degree in Finance, Chris quickly discovered his calling in helping individuals build confidence in their financial futures. Through thoughtful planning and a client-first approach, he empowers people to move forward with clarity and purpose. With a team of professionals and a comprehensive process in place, Chris enables his clients to focus on what matters most, without being distracted by what’s outside of their control.

For important information on how Chris can interact with you on social media, please visit: www.ameriprise.com/social

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In this episode of the Always On Podcast, Duncan MacPherson sits down with Whit Lanier, CEO and Co-founder of Amplify Reviews

The Power of Reviews: Unlocking Advocacy and Compliance with Whit Lanier (Ep. 77)

Advisor, Business, Education, Finance, Financial, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

In this episode of the Always On Podcast, Duncan MacPherson sits down with Whit Lanier, CEO and Co-founder of Amplify Reviews, to unpack the growing role of client testimonials in financial services. As trust continues to shift online, reviews have become more than just social proof, they’re a scalable strategy for activating advocacy, attracting ideal clients, and staying compliant.

They discuss how financial professionals can build a review process that’s automated, compliant, and genuinely impactful. Whether you’re just beginning to explore online reviews or looking to refine your current strategy, this episode provides a practical playbook.

Topics covered include:

  • How online reviews act as “referral rehearsals” and support client advocacy
  • The role of testimonials in building professional contrast and client trust
  • What advisors need to know about SEC rules and compliance-friendly language
  • Why reviews are one of the most powerful authority signals for SEO
  • Ways to integrate review requests into onboarding and review meetings
  • The difference between one-off campaigns and long-term, automated strategies

Resources:

Connect With Duncan MacPherson:

Connect with Whit Lanier:

About Our Guest

Whit Lanier is the CEO and co-founder of Amplify Reviews – a platform focused on helping financial advisors embrace online reviews on their own terms.

A serial entrepreneur, Whit’s previous start-up was the leading healthcare technology vendor for enabling hospitals to publish verified patient ratings and reviews. That company was acquired at the end of 2014, and by 2021 the platform had processed over 60 million patient reviews for 400 of the country’s largest health systems.

Whit’s career spans management consulting, marketing, product marketing, product management, and executive/general management roles. Whit holds a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Outside of Amplify Reviews, Whit plays bass guitar in a local Atlanta rock and roll band (Penny Western) and holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He is married with three daughters and a mini-goldendoodle

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Volatility, Value, and Vision: How Leading Financial Advisors Are Winning in Changing Times (Ep. 76)

Advisor, Business, Education, Finance, Financial, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

In this episode of Always On, Duncan MacPherson welcomes back Chris Jeppesen, Chief of Advisory Practices at First Trust, for a timely conversation rooted in real-world field experience. As volatility continues to test the industry, the best financial advisors aren’t retreating, they’re leaning in. Duncan and Chris unpack how the most effective teams are embracing this environment as a catalyst for deeper relationships, elevated leadership, and long-term enterprise value.

They explore the mindset and tactical shifts that top performers are making, from transitioning toward advice-centric models and AI adoption, to scaling their practices without diluting the client experience. The conversation also addresses the advisor’s personal evolution, with insights on leadership, strategic planning, and legacy-building.

Key takeaways include:

  • How to “value stack” with proactive communication, personalized planning, and future-focused conversations
  • What advisors must do now to stay ahead of shifting client expectations and emerging competition
  • Why AI isn’t optional, and how to use it to develop IP, scale client acquisition, and enhance team efficiency
  • Leadership, delegation, and building a business that creates both freedom and fulfillment

Resources:

Connect With Duncan MacPherson:

Connect With Chris:

About Our Guests:

Chris Jeppesen is the head of advisory practices at First Trust, a firm known not only for its robust investment product line which includes UITs, ETFs, SMAs, and VAs (to name a few) but also for its commitment to the growth of financial advisors. First Trust has dedicated many years to finding (and investing in) creative ways to help financial advisors grow their practices. Chris’ goal over the last 18 years has been to give financial advisors the tools to develop an efficient business model focused on building long-term client trust and loyalty. Chris is also the co-author of The Advisor Playbook and The Blue Square Method.

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Unlocking Growth in Financial Services with Paul Blanco: Small Steps, Big Wins (Ep. 73)

Advisor, Business, Education, Finance, Financial, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

In this episode, Duncan MacPherson speaks with Paul Blanco, CEO of Barnum Financial Group and host of the “Small Steps, Big Wins” podcast. Paul shares insights into cultivating a growth mindset, avoiding plateaus, and the importance of working on your business, not just in it. He discusses how his firm has scaled from 9 to 365 advisors, leveraging efficiency tools like Zoom AI and CRM systems to stay ahead in the competitive world of financial services. Paul also reflects on the evolving role of financial advisors, the shift from advisors to CEOs, and the growing importance of embracing technology like AI to stay relevant.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • How Barnum Financial Group scaled from 9 to 365 advisors by embracing a growth mindset.
  • Practical tips for staying efficient with tools like Zoom AI and CRM systems.
  • Why financial advisors need to focus on relationships and process, not just products, for long-term success.

Resources:

  • Small Steps, Big Wins Podcast – Paul’s weekly podcast focusing on industry insights and entrepreneurial success.
  • Zoom AI – Explore how Zoom’s AI can help improve client interaction efficiency.
  • AI Whitepaper for Financial Professionals – Join the Waitlist

Connect With Duncan MacPherson:

Connect with Paul Blanco:

About Our Guest

Paul Blanco is the founder and CEO of Barnum Financial Group, an award-winning provider of comprehensive personalized planning, investment and protection solutions, and financial literacy programs to clients across the United States. Throughout his career, Paul has been a tireless advocate for his firm and the communities it serves as well as for the financial services industry.

He hosts a weekly podcast – Small Steps, Big Wins – which focuses on the financial world and more. Paul sits down with a special guest each week to discuss important topics within the financial sector and explore what it takes to be successful in our everyday lives.

CRN202802-8131593 Securities and investment advisory services offered through qualified registered representatives of MML Investors Services, LLC. Member SIPC.  6 Corporate Drive, Shelton, CT 06484, Tel: 203-513-6000. CRN202802-8118135

 

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