Episodes

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...

Episode 090: Russ D'Argento serves as Founder & CEO at FINTRX. Prior to founding FINTRX, Russ served as Sr. Consultant of Family Office Marketing and introductions for Windham Capital Group—a 20-year-old consulting firm in the hedge fund space. In this episode, Milemarker Co-Founder Jud Mackrill talks with Russ about how to make financial data more powerful and strategic. Russ shares the origin story of FINTRX—a platform born from his personal struggle navigating the private wealth market. Host...

Episode 089: Molly Weiss, Group President of Wealth Platforms at Envestnet, is a 20-year financial services veteran who drives Envestnet’s end-to-end technology and solutions ranging from portfolio management, financial planning, performance reporting, and digital account management tools. Over her tenure at Envestnet, she has played a pivotal role in shaping scalable solutions that empower advisors to serve clients more effectively. In this episode, Kyle and Molly explore the critical role of ...

Episode 088: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Kristen Oziemkowski, COO at The Mather Group. With a background in economics, Kristen brings deep expertise in operational strategy, M&A integration, and organizational growth. Since joining TMG, she has led the firm through 20 successful acquisitions and helped build a values-driven, process-oriented culture. Kyle and Kristen explore what sets TMG apart in the competitive world of wealth management. Kristen reveals how a team-based model, discip...

Episode 087: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Rick Simonetti, CEO and Head of Wealth Planning of Fidelis Capital Partners, to explore what it takes to serve ultra-high-net-worth families with excellence. Rick shares how Fidelis was built on the foundation of faithfulness—delivering on promises through deep collaboration, proactive planning, and personalized service. They discuss the importance of mentorship, family meetings, interdisciplinary teams, and how true success lies in preparing futu...

Episode 086: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Andy Peters, Partner at Goldstein Advisors. Andy's CPA license is a rarity in financial planning, allowing him to lend a unique business and tax focus to his Financial Planner and Partner role at Goldstein. He stewards the Goldstein team, managing operations and setting the firm's overall vision and strategy. Kyle and Andy discuss the unique path and impressive organic growth of Goldstein Advisors. Andy emphasizes the significance of building gen...

Episode 085: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Daniel Spurgeon, Managing Partner at Commonwealth Financial Services. They discuss building a thriving RIA in a small market, how to overcome the challenge of establishing trust as a young advisor, and how focusing on specific niches can fuel dramatic growth. Daniel also shares the journey of Commonwealth Financial Services from its humble beginnings to becoming one of the two fastest-growing firms in West Virginia, along with the technology strat...

Episode 084: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Kylie Felker, President of Foster Victor Wealth Advisors. Kylie leads the firm's strategic direction and innovation. She and Kyle discuss leadership, growth, and the intentional steps to building a thriving wealth management firm. From creating a strong team culture to designing a client experience that leaves lasting impressions, Kylie shares the challenges and triumphs of establishing a leadership structure, the importance of meaningful client r...

Building a Championship RIA with Nate Lenz

Episode 082: At Halbert Hargrove, the path to sustainable, long-term success has been shaped by its commitment to developing the next generation of advisors. In this episode, Kyle Van Pelt talks with JC Abusaid, CEO and President at Halbert Hargrove, about the company’s generational growth model. JC shares how the firm transitioned from hiring experienced advisors with existing books of business to cultivating homegrown talent through a structured internship and mentorship program. JC also disc...

Episode 081: The total value of assets under management (AUM) is often used to measure growth in wealth management, but Hoxton Planning & Management takes a different approach. For them, true success is about impact, the number of families they serve and the difference they make in their lives. With a mission to help families find happiness through financial planning and resource management, Hoxton prioritizes meaningful, sustainable growth over chasing numbers. In this episode, Kyle Van Pelt t...

Episode 080: Natalie Wolfsen is the CEO of Orion Advisor Solutions, where she leads the company’s mission to revolutionize wealth management through cutting-edge technology and data-driven solutions. A champion of AI integration and personalized wealth management, Natalie is at the forefront of helping advisors leverage technology to enhance client relationships, streamline operations, and drive industry-wide transformation. In this episode, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Natalie about Orion’s game-c...

Episode 079: Adrian Johnstone is the CEO at Practifi, a purpose-built business management platform for RIAs and wealth management firms. With a background in financial services consulting across Australia, New Zealand, and North America, Adrian has extensive experience in regulatory compliance, technology solutions, and scaling advisory businesses. His expertise in leveraging technology to enhance client relationships and streamline operations has positioned Practifi as a leading CRM solution in...

Episode 078: In this episode, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Art Ambarik, CEO of Perigon Wealth Management, about the transformative trends reshaping the financial advice industry. They discuss the importance of specialization in financial advising, the evolving role of technology, and transitioning from a generalist to a niche-focused advisor. Art shares his journey into the industry, the importance of aligning future financial goals with present actions, and the growth and integration of Perigon Wea...

Episode 077: We live in a world where numbers rule—stacking up wealth, counting dollars, and chasing financial milestones. It's a common pitfall to equate money with happiness, as society frequently portrays financial success as the ultimate goal. While money can bring freedom and opportunity, it also reveals that as powerful as it is, it remains a tool, not a solution to all of life's challenges. In this episode, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Daniel Crosby, Chief Behavioral Officer at Orion Advisor...

Episode 076: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jeremy Nelson, President at Element Wealth. Jeremy shares his journey from discovering investing as a 10-year-old in Canada to building Mississippi’s fastest-growing RIA. Jeremy discusses merging with Ross and Yerger, prioritizing culture and client relationships, and leveraging technology for growth. He explores AI’s potential to enhance advisory efficiency while maintaining human-centered service. From integrating new team members to fostering c...

Episode 075: In this episode of The Connected Advisor, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jessica Gibbs, Partner and VP at Monument Wealth Management. Jessica shares her journey from nonprofit fundraising to financial planning, driven by her passion for helping people align their wealth with their purpose. She highlights the importance of personalized communication, Monument’s innovative approach to financial advising, and the firm’s commitment to flexibility and inclusivity. Jessica also shares insights ...

Episode 074: In this “Best of 2024” episode of The Connected Advisor, Kyle Van Pelt brings together four leaders from four firms to discuss why firms should own their data and why data and technology are keys to success. Featuring Mike Prior, Brian Preston, Mark DeLotto, and Chrissy Lee. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (00:52) - Mike Prior on the importance of a modern approach to technology. (04:37) - Brian Preston on how to build organic growth by being on the front edge of technology. (...

Episode 073: In this episode of The Connected Advisor, Kyle Van Pelt brings together some of the show’s best moments from 2024 discussing how firms are recruiting and developing their talent. Featuring Seth Merrill, Jeff Casey, Alex Goss, and Patrick Sweeny, this episode dives into how great leaders of great firms tackle different aspects of the war for talent. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (00:59) - Seth Merrill on what roles he is prioritizing as his firm grows. (06:03) - Jeff Casey on ...