Episodes

Episode 114: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Torie Happe, Head of Partnerships at Holistiplan. Torie began her career at LPL Financial, where she managed new accounts, led RIA conversions, and developed new operational procedures. In 2016, Torie transitioned into fintech at Riskalyze. She later held leadership roles at FIX Flyer and Onramp Invest before joining Holistiplan in 2022 as Head of Partnerships. Kyle and Torie discuss how Holistiplan enables advisors to turn complex tax returns in...

Episode 113: John Bunch, CEO of Allworth Financial. With over 30 years in financial services, John has guided firms through big transitions, from founder succession and acquisitions to private equity cycles and scaling operations, while preserving their culture. This week, Kyle talks with John about leading Allworth into its third generation. John reflects on lessons from Schwab and other founder-led firms, and how Allworth is balancing organic growth with strategic acquisitions. He explains th...

Episode 112: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jason Wenk, Founder and CEO of Altruist. Jason has lived and breathed the financial services industry over the last 20 years as a financial advisor, investment systems developer, analyst, and founder. Jason shares his journey from humble beginnings to building some of the fastest-growing RIAs. From his early days at Morgan Stanley to pioneering digital marketing for his own RIAs, Jason discusses the innovations that led to the founding of Altruis...

Episode 111: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Ian Wenik, Editor at Citywire and one of the sharpest reporters covering the RIA space. While many firms rely on market performance to maintain their numbers, Ian sheds light on what truly differentiates the fastest-growing RIAs. From niche strategies and referral networks to the big M&A moves reshaping the industry, Ian shares insights from Citywire's 50 Growers Across America and why organic growth is the real differentiator. He also unpacks the...

Episode 110: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Kevin Knull, CEO of TaxStatus. With more than 30 years in financial services and fintech, Kevin has led growth and innovation at companies like MoneyGuidePro, YCharts, Symetra Financial, and Hartford Leaders. Throughout his career, he's been dedicated to advancing the industry by helping advisors deliver smarter, higher-quality advice to their clients. Kevin talks about how TaxStatus leverages access to IRS data to help financial advisors get a c...

Episode 109: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Tiffany Irving, Senior Vice President and Wealth Advisor at Mesirow Wealth Management. Tiffany specializes in working with high-net-worth individuals, families, and non-profit organizations by providing comprehensive wealth management advice and customized asset allocation strategies to help them accumulate, grow, protect, and distribute their wealth. Tiffany shares her work with business owners and her passion for empowering women in finance. Fr...

Episode 108: Michael Batnick is the Managing Partner at Ritholtz Wealth Management, where he helps shape one of the most influential RIAs in the country while also co-hosting popular podcasts like Animal Spirits. Known for his candor and curiosity, Michael brings a refreshing perspective to investing, leadership, and the business of advice. This week, Kyle talks with Michael about his winding path into finance—from drifting through college and struggling in sales to finding purpose in markets a...

Episode 107: Richard Alt is the CEO of Carnegie Investment Council, where he has led the firm through significant growth, including major acquisitions like Eagle Ridge. With more than two decades of experience, Richard is committed to true fiduciary principles—putting clients’ interests first, eliminating conflicts of interest, and helping investors navigate risk with clarity and trust. This week, Kyle talks with Richard about his unconventional path into wealth management, inspired by his gran...

Episode 106: Lacey Shrum, Founder of Smart Kx, is an accomplished professional with a diverse background in law, compliance, and entrepreneurship. At Smart Kx, Lacey applies her extensive experience to drive strategic initiatives and deliver innovative solutions within the legal and technology sectors. This week, Kyle and Lacey do a deep dive into the metric that truly matters for advisory firms—revenue. Lacey shares why AUM can be a vanity metric, how to calculate and use blended rates, and wa...

Episode 105: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Phillip Hamman, President & CEO at Linscomb Wealth (LW). Phillip leads the team in developing and executing the firm's visionary strategies. His leadership extends to serving on the LW Board of Directors, chairing the Executive Committee, and contributing as a voting member of the Investment Committee, reflecting his deep proficiencies in investment advisory, client service, and wealth planning. Kyle and Phillip talk about how hospitality, charac...

Episode 104: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Steve Reder, Partner & Head of Wealth Management at RWA Wealth Partners. Steve leads a team of wealth advisors and shapes the advice, guidance, and support clients receive. He also works directly with clients, solving complex financial planning problems and helping to integrate personal financial plans with investment, tax, and estate planning. Kyle and Steve talk about the four pillars of generational wealth planning. They discuss how RWA Wealth...

Episode 103: Brad Shepherd is the President and CEO at Founders Financial, a broker-dealer and RIA dedicated to building purpose-rich, advisor-centric enterprises. With nearly three decades in the industry, Brad blends deep financial expertise with a passionate commitment to helping advisors grow intentional, values-driven practices. His journey from investment rep to executive leader is shaped by strong mentorship, a calling to serve, and a conviction that people—not platforms—drive impact. Th...

Episode 102: Carrie Delgott is the President, COO, and CCO at Wescott Financial Advisory Group. With over 25 years in financial services—including two decades at Vanguard—Carrie brings deep expertise to the evolving RIA landscape. At Wescott, she has helped guide the firm through transformative initiatives like B Corp certification, major acquisitions, and the development of their Life-Minded Wealth framework, all while prioritizing employee engagement, client experience, and sustainable scale. ...

Episode 101: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Nelly Mubashi, CEO of Northwest Asset Management and RIA Innovations. They discuss how advisors can build their own RIA easily and confidently. Nelly also shares her remarkable journey from receptionist to CEO, the importance of culture in growing a company, and how Northwest Asset Management and RIA Innovations can be the launchpad for advisors going independent. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:50) - Nelly's money moment (07:16) - Why Ne...

Episode 100: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Dave Welling, CEO of Mercer Advisors. With 25 years of experience in wealth management, Dave has an extensive track record of serving clients and helping businesses and people define and achieve the next level of success. Together, Kyle and Dave unpack the human side of Mercer's incredible growth story, reflecting on how the firm's partnerships have fueled its scale and shaped its culture. From his unlikely entry into the RIA space to overseeing ...

Episode 099: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Brian Shenson, Managing Partner and COO at Rise Growth Partners. With more than two decades of experience working with financial professionals, Brian has developed a deep understanding of the business fundamentals and operational aspects of wealth management services. He applies this deep industry expertise and his passion for technology and innovation to help firms extend the reach, impact, and resiliency of their digital solutions. Kyle and Bri...

Episode 098: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Carrie King, Partner and Chief Compliance Officer at UlImann Wealth Partners. A former restaurateur turned finance professional, Carrie brings a service-driven mindset to wealth management—prioritizing simplicity, optimism, and disciplined planning. With over two decades of experience spanning hedge funds, trading desks, and advisory firms, she now helps lead a holistic, client-centered practice that supports families through life’s most complex t...

Episode 097: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jason Early, Founder and CEO of RISR, a wealthtech platform helping financial advisors better serve business owners. With a background in financial services, leadership, and fintech, Jason is passionate about solving complex problems and empowering advisors through data, technology, and behavioral insight. Kyle and Jason explore why business owners are often an underserved yet high-potential client segment. Jason shares how RISR equips advisors w...

Episode 096: In this episode, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jonathan Blau, President and CEO at Fusion Family Wealth. Known as a “trusted advisor to trusted advisors,” Jonathan brings decades of experience partnering with accounting and law firms to offer comprehensive financial guidance. His approach is grounded in behavioral finance, and he’s known for cutting through complexity with clarity and insight. Kyle and Jonathan talk about behavioral finance, how Fusion Family Wealth disrupts traditional...

Episode 095: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jimmy Lee. Jimmy is the Founder and CEO of The Wealth Consulting Group. A longtime Las Vegas resident and industry veteran, he champions a holistic, client-first approach to wealth management, blending financial planning, investment strategy, and innovative technology to serve as a personal CFO for his clients. Jimmy shares his early experiences in the brokerage industry and how his perspective shifted towards a more holistic, client-centric appr...

Episode 094: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jay Tarno. Jay is the COO of Cornerstone Planning Group. A former advisor turned operator, he helped lead Cornerstone’s transition to independence and rapid growth. Jay specializes in scaling operations, building advisor support systems, and leveraging technology to enhance client experience, all while maintaining a people-first, fiduciary approach. Kyle and Jay discuss the risks and rewards of building a tech-forward firm from scratch. From navi...

Episode 093: Terry Parham Jr is the Co-Founder, Wealth Advisor, CFO, and CCO at Innovative Wealth Building. Terry joined the financial services industry in 2011 and has held positions as a Financial Planner, Corporate Trainer, and District Manager. This week, Kyle talks with Terry about the power of referrals and how having a structured approach can lead to exponential growth. Terry shares his strategy, which combines confidence and competence to generate consistent client introductions. They a...

Episode 092: David Hefty is the CEO at Credent Wealth Management, a fast-growing, advisor-owned RIA that has scaled to nearly $3 billion in AUM through a unique blend of organic growth, strategic acquisitions, and succession-focused consulting. With more than 25 years in the financial services industry, David has a deep passion for creating sustainable, client-centric firms built on transparency, operational excellence, and leadership development. In this episode, Kyle Van Pelt talks with David about the bold moves behind Credent’s explosive growth—from bootstrapping as a young advisor to leading 12 successful acquisitions. David unpacks how his firm scaled to nearly $3B in AUM by focusing on intentional succession planning, centralized operations, and a transparent, advisor-first culture. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:20) - David's money moment (04:17) - Founding and growing Credent Wealth Management (06:28) - Organic growth and creating a raving fan experience (08:46) - The m…

Episode 091: Kailash Duraiswami is the Chief Technology Officer at Milemarker, where he leads the development of data infrastructure and AI-powered solutions for modern advisory firms. With a unique blend of financial expertise and deep technical knowledge, Kailash brings his passion for innovation, data strategy, and scalable technology to help wealth management firms thrive in a multi-platform world. In this episode, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Kailash about his unconventional path from launchin...