In this episode of Advisor Talk, Frank LaRosa and Stacey Frank take a grounded, advisor-first look at how AI is actually changing the profession - and why the future of advice is still fundamentally human.

Rather than fearing AI, Frank explains why this moment closely mirrors the rise of online trading in the early 2000s - a shift that many believed would eliminate advisors, but ultimately made great advisors even more valuable.

This conversation centers on a critical idea:

Technology can provide data. Only humans can provide wisdom.

Frank and Stacey break down how AI can enhance efficiency, buy back time, and improve service - while also exposing advisors who rely solely on technology without building real client relationships.

They also introduce the concept of co-intelligence - where advisors use AI as a tool, not a replacement  and explain why empathy, clarity, and human judgment remain the true differentiators in financial advice.

Key questions explored in this episode:

Will AI put financial advisors out of business?

No. But it will challenge advisors who lack a strong service model or meaningful client relationships.

Why doesn’t AI replace the advisor-client relationship?

Because clients don’t hire advisors for calculations - they hire them for clarity, reassurance, and guidance through uncertainty.

How should advisors be using AI today?

As a way to remove friction, automate tasks, and free up time to focus on deeper client conversations and better service.

What is “co-intelligence”?

A mindset where AI delivers information, while advisors provide judgment, empathy, and leadership.

What happens to advisors who ignore AI altogether?

They risk falling behind firms that use technology to become more efficient - and more human - at the same time.

If you’re a financial advisor wondering how AI fits into your practice - or worried about what it means for your future - this episode offers perspective, clarity, and a practical way forward.

Chapters:

00:49 – Intro

02:55 – Online Trading Parallel

04:40 – AI Fear

05:30 – Human Advice

08:47 – Co-Intelligence

10:46 – Clarity vs Calculators

12:58 – Human Advantage

16:25 – Service Wins

Learn more about Elite and our resources:

Elite Consulting Partners | Financial Advisor Transitions

https://eliteconsultingpartners.com

Elite Marketing Concepts | Marketing Services for Financial Advisors

https://elitemarketingconcepts.com

Elite Advisor Successions | Advisor Mergers & Acquisitions

https://eliteadvisorsuccessions.com

JEDI Database Solutions | Technology Solutions for Advisors

https://jedidatabasesolutions.com

Listen to more Advisor Talk episodes:

https://eliteconsultingpartners.com/podcasts/

Key questions answered in this episode:

What does it mean when financial advisors choose not to decide?

Choosing to stay put - without evaluating alternatives - is still an active decision, often driven by comfort, fear, or overwhelm rather than strategy.

Why do advisors delay firm transitions even when they’re unhappy?

Two major factors show up repeatedly: the path of least resistance and paralysis by analysis. Both create inertia that keeps advisors stuck.

Is transitioning firms as risky as advisors think?

Modern transitions are more automated, efficient, and client-friendly than ever. The perceived risk is often outdated.

How does too much information stop advisors from moving forward?

Without a filter, advisors get overwhelmed by competing offers, recruiters, and platforms - leading many to shut down instead of decide.

Why should advisors evaluate their firm regularly - even if they’re not planning to move?

Because you can’t know what you’re saying no to unless you understand what options actually exist.

If you’re a financial advisor who feels frustrated, stuck, or unsure whether staying put is truly the right move, this episode offers clarity - not pressure - to help you think through your next step.

For many advisors, simply understanding what’s available is enough to break decision fatigue and regain momentum.

Learn more about Elite and our resources:

Elite Consulting Partners | Financial Advisor Transitions

https://eliteconsultingpartners.com

Elite Marketing Concepts | Marketing Services for Financial Advisors

https://elitemarketingconcepts.com

Elite Advisor Successions | Advisor Mergers & Acquisitions

https://eliteadvisorsuccessions.com

JEDI Database Solutions | Technology Solutions for Advisors

https://jedidatabasesolutions.com

Listen to more Advisor Talk episodes:

https://eliteconsultingpartners.com/podcasts/

Frank and Stacey break down the critical difference between goals and purpose, why confusing the two leads to burnout, and how advisors who reconnect to their “why” build stronger client relationships, make better transition decisions, and enjoy their careers longer.

Key questions answered in this episode:

What is the difference between a financial advisor’s goals and their purpose?

Goals define outcomes; purpose defines motivation. Advisors who mistake goals for purpose often feel lost after achieving success.

Why do advisors feel unfulfilled after hitting major milestones?

Reaching AUM targets, exit valuations, or retirement dates doesn’t replace the deeper fulfillment that comes from meaningful client impact.

How does purpose improve advisor-client relationships?

Advisors who understand a client’s underlying purpose - not just financial objectives - build deeper trust and longer-lasting relationships.

Why do many advisors think they want to retire when they really want a better environment?

Burnout is often driven by firm constraints, not a loss of passion for clients.

What conversations should advisors be having with clients that most never do?

Purpose-driven conversations lead to better outcomes for both advisors and clients.

If you’re a financial advisor questioning your next move, feeling disconnected from your work, or considering a transition, this episode provides a framework to rethink success - and reconnect with why you started in the first place.

For many advisors, rediscovering purpose is also what clarifies whether a firm transition is necessary - or whether the real issue is the environment they’re in.

Learn more about Elite and our resources:

Elite Consulting Partners | Financial Advisor Transitions

https://eliteconsultingpartners.com

Elite Marketing Concepts | Marketing Services for Financial Advisors

https://elitemarketingconcepts.com

Elite Advisor Successions | Advisor Mergers & Acquisitions

https://eliteadvisorsuccessions.com

JEDI Database Solutions | Technology Solutions for Advisors

https://jedidatabasesolutions.com

Listen to more Advisor Talk episodes:

https://eliteconsultingpartners.com/podcasts/

Show highlights include:  

-Why focusing only on upfront payouts can leave money on the table.

-How growth-minded advisors evaluate leadership, technology, and firm culture.

-What truly separates firms that say they help you grow from those that actually do.

-Why due diligence matters more than most advisors realize.

-The importance of viewing your firm as a long-term partner, not a temporary stop.

If you’re considering a move - or even thinking about your future trajectory - this episode will challenge you to rethink what success really looks like and how to avoid costly mistakes along the way.

Learn more about our companies and resources:

-Elite Consulting Partners | Financial Advisor Transitions: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com

-Elite Marketing Concepts | Marketing Services for Financial Advisors: https://elitemarketingconcepts.com

-Elite Advisor Successions | Advisor Mergers and Acquisitions: https://eliteadvisorsuccessions.com

-JEDI Database Solutions | Technology Solutions for Advisors: https://jedidatabasesolutions.com  

Listen to more Advisor Talk episodes: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com/podcasts/

Show highlights include:

-The difference between being a practitioner vs. a true business owner.

-Why growing too fast can break your systems, operations, and culture.

-How to scale without sacrificing your core values.

-Why “making the right move” matters more than making the next move.

-How to define your ideal client avatar beyond just AUM.

-Why more RIAs are exploring M&A - and what’s driving the trend.

If you’re thinking about growth, transitions, acquisitions, or simply want to build a business that still feels like you, this episode is packed with real-world insights you won’t want to miss.

Learn more about our companies and resources:

-Elite Consulting Partners | Financial Advisor Transitions: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com

-Elite Marketing Concepts | Marketing Services for Financial Advisors: https://elitemarketingconcepts.com

-Elite Advisor Successions | Advisor Mergers and Acquisitions: https://eliteadvisorsuccessions.com

-JEDI Database Solutions | Technology Solutions for Advisors: https://jedidatabasesolutions.com  

Listen to more Advisor Talk episodes: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com/podcasts/

Key Highlights:

-How long it really takes to prepare and execute a successful move.

-What you can - and can't - say to clients during a transition.

-The emotional cost of waiting too long to leave.

-Why your assistant should be part of the due diligence process.

-Using the transition conversation to grow your book of business.

-Legal tips for navigating non-protocol firms.

-The value of having a transition project manager on your team.

Whether you're planning a move next month or just starting to consider your options, this episode provides actionable insights and firsthand advice from industry veterans who have seen it all.

Ready to talk? Reach out to Stacey at [email protected].

Learn more about our companies and resources:

-Elite Consulting Partners | Financial Advisor Transitions: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com

-Elite Marketing Concepts | Marketing Services for Financial Advisors: https://elitemarketingconcepts.com

-Elite Advisor Successions | Advisor Mergers and Acquisitions: https://eliteadvisorsuccessions.com

-JEDI Database Solutions | Technology Solutions for Advisors: https://jedidatabasesolutions.com  

Listen to more Advisor Talk episodes: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com/podcasts/

Show Highlights Include:

-Why manual data entry remains one of the biggest (and most expensive) time drains in advisory firms.

-How CRM integrations with custodians can reduce errors and eliminate redundant work.

-Why note-taking and meeting documentation are critical for client experience, continuity, and scale.

-How long onboarding timelines quietly delay revenue - and how some firms shrink onboarding from 60 days to 15.

-Why operational efficiency directly affects practice valuation and buyer confidence.

-The role automation plays in reducing key-person risk and increasing scalability.

This episode is a must-listen for advisors who feel busy but not scalable — and for firm owners who want their systems, data, and processes to work for them instead of against them.

Learn more about our companies and resources:

-Elite Consulting Partners | Financial Advisor Transitions: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com

-Elite Marketing Concepts | Marketing Services for Financial Advisors: https://elitemarketingconcepts.com

-Elite Advisor Successions | Advisor Mergers and Acquisitions: https://eliteadvisorsuccessions.com

-JEDI Database Solutions | Technology Solutions for Advisors: https://jedidatabasesolutions.com  

Listen to more Advisor Talk episodes: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com/podcasts/

Key highlights from the episode:

0:00 – Introduction  

4:00 – The emotional toll of moving your practice and why vague deal ranges make it worse  

6:45 – Real examples of how inflated promises derail transitions and waste time  

9:55 – What advisors should demand up front to ensure accurate pro formas and offers  

16:30 – Why working with the right consultant can maximize your deal value and prevent costly mistakes  

36:35 – Closing thoughts & contact info  

If you’re considering a transition, don’t let hype or half-truths guide your decision. Learn how to spot red flags, negotiate effectively, and choose a firm that truly supports your business.

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Learn more about our companies and resources:

-Elite Consulting Partners | Financial Advisor Transitions: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com

-Elite Marketing Concepts | Marketing Services for Financial Advisors: https://elitemarketingconcepts.com

-Elite Advisor Successions | Advisor Mergers and Acquisitions: https://eliteadvisorsuccessions.com

-JEDI Database Solutions | Technology Solutions for Advisors: https://jedidatabasesolutions.com  

Listen to more Advisor Talk episodes: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com/podcasts/

Key topics include:

-The core differences between direct affiliation and OSJ / enterprise models.

-Why payout percentages don’t tell the full financial story.

-How scale, support, and service models impact long-term net income.

-When outsourcing operations can accelerate growth - and when it doesn’t.

-How larger teams and solo practitioners should think differently about affiliation.

-Why affiliation decisions are business decisions, not just platform decisions.

Whether you’re considering independence for the first time, reassessing your current setup, or planning your next stage of growth, this episode offers a clear, practical framework to help you evaluate your options and avoid costly mistakes.

Learn more about our companies and resources:

-Elite Consulting Partners | Financial Advisor Transitions: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com

-Elite Marketing Concepts | Marketing Services for Financial Advisors: https://elitemarketingconcepts.com

-Elite Advisor Successions | Advisor Mergers and Acquisitions: https://eliteadvisorsuccessions.com

-JEDI Database Solutions | Technology Solutions for Advisors: https://jedidatabasesolutions.com  

Listen to more Advisor Talk episodes: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com/podcasts/

Key topics covered include:

-How to match CRM platforms to firm size, growth trajectory, and long-term vision.

-Why integration and automation are critical to improving operational efficiency.

-The differences in analytics, reporting, and dashboards across Redtail, Wealthbox, and Salesforce.

-How clean, connected data enhances client experience and firm value.

-Why advisors should “run their business as if they’re selling it tomorrow”.

This episode offers practical insight for advisors who are evaluating a CRM for the first time, considering a platform change, or simply want to understand how better data strategy can unlock more time, clarity, and growth.

Download our whitepaper here: https://jedidatabasesolutions.com/resources/  

Learn more about our companies and resources:

-Elite Consulting Partners | Financial Advisor Transitions: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com

-Elite Marketing Concepts | Marketing Services for Financial Advisors: https://elitemarketingconcepts.com

-Elite Advisor Successions | Advisor Mergers and Acquisitions: https://eliteadvisorsuccessions.com

-JEDI Database Solutions | Technology Solutions for Advisors: https://jedidatabasesolutions.com  

Listen to more Advisor Talk episodes: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com/podcasts/Key topics covered include: