As we kick off 2026, the economic headlines are loud, but the real story is in the data and the incentives behind it.

In this episode, Jeremy Houser sits down with Dr. Campbell Harvey, Duke professor and Research Affiliates Director of Research, known for early work on the inverted yield curve, to break down what matters most for growth, markets, and resilience in 2026.

Campbell discusses:

Resources:

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About Our Guest:

Campbell R. Harvey is a Professor of Finance at Duke University and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He served as Editor of The Journal of Finance from 2006 to 2012 and as the 2016 President of the American Finance Association. He holds a Ph.D. in Finance from the University of Chicago.

Professor Harvey has served as Partner and Director of Research for Research Affiliates, LLP, and Investment Strategy Advisor to Man Group, PLC, contributing to both research and product design.

Professor Harvey received the 2015, 2016, 2022, and 2023 Bernstein Fabozzi/Jacobs Levy Award for the Best Article from the Journal of Portfolio Management for his research. He has also received ten Graham and Dodd Awards/Scrolls for excellence in financial writing from the CFA Institute. He has published over 125 scholarly articles on topics spanning investment finance, emerging markets, corporate finance, behavioral finance, financial econometrics, and computer science.

For the past nine years, Professor Harvey taught Innovation and Cryptoventures – a course that focuses on the mechanics and applications of blockchain technology and web3. He offers a certificate in Decentralized Finance on Coursera. He also teaches the advanced elective Global Asset Allocation and Stock Selection which focuses on systematic investment strategies.

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As advisors wrap up 2025 and look ahead to 2026, many are rethinking how their practices operate day to day. Growth goals often stall when execution cannot keep pace with changing expectations, especially around digital visibility and team capacity.

In this episode, Jeremy Houser explains how advisors are preparing for 2026 by putting structured systems in place rather than relying on last-minute effort. He shares how AMP ASSIST and AMP Premium help advisors and their teams handle content creation, editing, and posting in-house, allowing digital marketing to become part of the business instead of a side task.

Jeremy also outlines why omnichannel marketing is emerging as a key focus going into 2026, how platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube fit into long-term planning, and how training staff with repeatable processes reduces friction as offices scale. 

Key takeaways:

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Markets can shift quickly, and understanding the tools behind index design can help you guide clients with more clarity.

How do you sort through complex crediting strategies, and what can index ratings reveal about long-term performance potential?

In this episode, Jeremy Houser speaks with Laurence Black, Founder of The Index Standard®, about how his team evaluates index construction, why volatility control remains important, and how advisors can use clearer forecasting to support client conversations. He explains how metal ratings are assigned, what drives intraday volatility control, and why diversification protects clients as trends shift. Laurence also talks about forecasting methods, expected returns across regions, and the role that transparency plays in product due diligence. 

Key takeaways:

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About Our Guest:

Laurence Black is the founder of The Index Standard® and an index advisor to Robert J. Shiller, Sterling Professor Emeritus of Economics at Yale University.

Before founding The Index Standard®, Laurence was Managing Director and Head of Quantitative Indices and Strategies at Barclays, where he oversaw the development of the Barclays index family. In addition to designing some of the first smart beta/factor indices, Laurence spearheaded Barclays’ index partnerships with Professors Robert Shiller and Nouriel Roubini, as well as Novus Partners.

Before Barclays, Laurence was Head of Indices at ABN AMRO in London, where he successfully launched indices with well-known investors such as Jim Rogers and Joel Greenblatt. Before ABN AMRO, Laurence worked at Lehman Brothers, Deutsche Bank, and Credit Suisse.

Laurence holds an MBA from the University of Warwick and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Cape Town. When not thinking about financial matters, he can mostly be found on a tennis court.

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What happens when traditional financial planning falls short for families caring for loved ones with disabilities?

How do you create a comprehensive plan that addresses not just money, but government benefits, legal structures, and quality of life for someone who will need support forever?

In this episode, Jeremy Houser interviews Mary Anne Ehlert, CEO and Founder of Protected Tomorrows, about her personal journey caring for her sister with cerebral palsy and building a specialized practice serving Americans with disabilities. 

Mary Anne shares her eight-step planning process, why most advisors overlook this demographic, and how the SECURE Act transformed planning strategies for these families.

Key points:

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About Our Guest:

Mary Anne Ehlert is a nationally recognized expert in special needs planning. As a Partner of Simplicity Group and Founder of Protected Tomorrows, a Simplicity Group commitment, she leads the organization in providing advocacy, education, and planning support to families with loved ones who have disabilities.

Mary Anne founded Protected Tomorrows more than 35 years ago after her family’s personal journey with special needs planning for her sister Marcia’s future revealed a lack of available resources. She has since dedicated her life to building those resources for others.

Prior to founding the company, Mary Anne spent over two decades in corporate financial services. Today, she speaks at national conferences, hosts educational webinars, and leads virtual training programs for families and caregivers of people with special needs and disabilities.

Mary Anne has served on the boards of several disability-focused organizations, including the National Disability Institute, Special Olympics Illinois, a SEDOL Foundation and Gateway to Learning. She currently serves on the boards of the Special Olympics Illinois Foundation, Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Foundation, Integrative Touch, and the Tails for Life Advisory Board.

Mary Anne resides in Barrington, Illinois with her life partner and her three pups. She is a proud mother of three stepsons, one who lives independently and shares his life experiences with his peers with disabilities.

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A hundred episodes, three kids, and one unstoppable partnership.

In this special milestone of the Advisor Mentorship Podcast, Jeremy Houser is joined by his favorite guest, his wife, Christina Houser, for a conversation about growth, family, and what it really means to build a life together.

Married since 2017, Christina and Jeremy open up about the lessons they’ve learned throughout parenthood, business, and marriage, proving that blending family and career can be a source of strength. 

Jeremy and Christina explore:

Resources: 

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Most advisors understand that taxes impact every financial decision, yet few make tax planning part of their process. 

Steven Jarvis, CPA, is on a mission to change that by helping advisors build confidence, stay compliant, and add real value through intentional tax conversations.

In this episode, Jeremy Houser talks with Steven Jarvis, Founder of Retirement Tax Services, about how to make tax planning approachable and actionable. Steven shares his journey from CPA to educator, explains how collaboration between advisors and tax professionals enhances client relationships, and highlights the importance of continuous learning and accountability.

Key Takeaways:

Resources:

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About Our Guest:

Steven Jarvis, CPA, is the CEO and Head CPA at Retirement Tax Services, a tax firm focused on working with financial advisors. With more than a decade of experience in the accounting profession and a background in teaching, Steven recognized that most traditional CPA firms focus narrowly on tax return preparation, a model that leaves many clients exposed to unnecessary tax burdens and many advisors without the tools to address them. He offers advisors access to systems, training and partnerships that keep them in the driver’s seat while integrating tax awareness into client conversations.

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Change challenges every leader, but it also shapes character, culture, and legacy.

How do you lead when everything around you is shifting? How do you build a culture that lasts beyond your own leadership?

In this episode, Jeremy Houser talks with Steve Kerns, Founder of InsurMark and Executive Vice President of Business Relationships at Simplicity, about embracing change, leading with humility, and building culture through servant leadership. 

Steve shares insights from his four decades as an entrepreneur and reflects on how valuing people above all else creates meaningful growth that stands the test of time.

Key Takeaways:

Resources: 

Connect With Stephen Kerns:

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About Our Guest:

Stephen Kerns is the Executive Vice President of Business Relationships at Simplicity Group. He founded InsurMark in 1983 and led the company for nearly four decades, shaping it into one of the industry’s leading distribution firms for insurance and financial products. Known for his commitment to servant leadership and culture building, Steve continues to mentor financial professionals and executives across Simplicity’s growing network.

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Leaders often think they understand themselves and their teams, but research shows otherwise. Self-awareness and communication are frequently overlooked, even though they’re the foundation of building effective organizations.

In this episode, Jeremy Houser welcomes Kellie Fern, Director of Business Operations and Development at The Predictive Group, to discuss how the Predictive Index and behavioral data help leaders design stronger teams, improve communication, and align people strategies with business goals. 

They explore when businesses should use these tools, how talent optimization works, and why culture and communication matter more than ever.

Kellie discusses:

Resources: 

Connect With Kellie Fern:

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About Our Guest:

Kellie Fern is the Director of Business Operations and Development at The Predictive Group. She joined the Predictive Group in 2016 after graduating from Arizona State University with an emphasis in Business Management. During her first 2 ½ years in the business, she was a part of the Shared Services team and was able to support and consult with clients on all their business needs.

Life then brought her to Dallas, TX where she worked within a hospitality technology company in a sales enablement and learning development role. She was able to globally train and develop all the incoming and current sales reps within the business. During her time there, she was able to utilize PI and fell back in love with the value the tool can bring to organizations.

She found that her passion with PI was something she wanted to pursue on a more permanent basis and she is excited to continue to share the value human analytic tools can bring to all organizations.

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Change can feel uncomfortable, but it often opens the door to growth.

How do you adapt your business, embrace new tools, and still stay true to building strong client relationships? How do you bring awareness to crucial issues like long-term care while running a thriving practice?

In this episode of the Advisor Mentorship Podcast, Jeremy Houser sits down with Scott Leonardi, Founder and President of Complete Solutions, to talk about embracing change, building a recognizable brand, and helping clients prepare for the financial challenges of retirement. Scott shares how he’s grown his business, the role of long-term care planning, and his unique way of framing retirement as “The Great Adventure.”

Key points:

Resources: 

Connect With Scott Leonardi:

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About Our Guest:

Scott Leonardi is the President and Owner of Complete Solutions and a Certified Financial Fiduciary who has dedicated his career to educating individuals about retirement. For over 25 years, he has helped pre-retirees get their ducks in a row by focusing on key areas such as making the money they’ve worked their whole lives to obtain work for them in retirement, maximizing Social Security benefits through tailored claiming strategies, and finding medical or prescription coverage that fits their unique needs and budget.

Innovation in indexing is reshaping the way advisors deliver value to clients.

What happens when you blend insurance insight with market index design? How can efficiency and transparency create stronger outcomes for clients and advisors alike?

In this episode, Jeremy Houser speaks with Alan Grissom, CEO of 12 South Capital and founding partner of Brooklyn Investment Group, about his journey from building annuity products to designing disruptive indices like the 500 IQ. He shares how his approach to index design is helping advisors align expectations, manage volatility, and unlock meaningful value in fixed index annuities.

Alan discusses:

Resources: 

Connect With Alan Grissom:

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About Our Guest:

Alan Grissom is the CEO of 12 South Capital, an independent firm focused on creating index-based investment strategies for financial products, and a founding stage partner with the direct indexing firm, The Brooklyn Investment Group.

Prior to founding 12 South Capital in 2022, Alan spent the previous 12 years with S&P Dow Jones Indices, culminating as the Head of Business North America and the Global Head of Insurance with a remit covering over $15 Trillion of assets.

Before joining S&P Dow Jones Indices, Alan held several positions within AIG, including head of annuity products, and was instrumental in establishing the Independent Distribution Channel for life and annuity sales in the US.

Alan has a master’s degree from Vanderbilt University’s Owen School of Management and a bachelor’s degree from The University of Alabama, where he is a member of the Board of Visitors for the Culverhouse College of Business.

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