In this episode, Duncan sits down with Dr. Amy D’Aprix, a certified gerontologist, life transition expert, author, and the founder of LifeBridge Strategies to talk about how financial professionals can go beyond the numbers and deepen their client relationships.

Amy has spent decades helping advisors bring more empathy, purpose, and relevance into their process. Our conversation centered around the “life side” of retirement, how to align money with meaning and position yourself as the advisor of choice, especially in a world where loyalty, longevity, and family dynamics are all evolving.

In this episode, they discuss:

If you’re looking to become more referable, more memorable, and more valuable, this conversation will give you practical ways to do just that.

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About Our Guest

Amy D’Aprix is an internationally respected expert on lifestyle issues relating to retirement, aging, caregiving, and family dynamics. With a Ph.D. in Social Work, “Dr. Amy,” as she is affectionately known, provides down-to-earth, practical, and professionally informed guidance on Life Transitions to individuals, professionals, and organizations.

A compelling and pragmatic speaker, and coach, Dr. Amy, has inspired thousands of Financial Advisors and their clients across North America. She has consulted for the financial industry and trained advisors for over 20 years, providing sound guidance in navigating life’s events and challenges to ensure the success of overall life goals and financial plans.

This passion is reflected in LifeBridge Strategies offerings, such as Trusted Advisor of Choice, a program for financial professionals to better understand their clients’ concerns and LifeMap, an exclusive membership site to help advisor’s clients proactively prepare for the life transitions they face.

Amy is a Certified Professional Consultant on Aging (CPCA). She has authored the book, From Surviving to Thriving: Transforming Your Caregiving Journey and created the Life Memories Journal and Caring Cards to inspire more meaningful conversations between generations. Amy is also a Director of The International Federation on Ageing.

Dr. Amy is regularly featured and interviewed on television, radio, podcasts, and online publications.

In this episode of The Always On Podcast, host Duncan MacPherson sits down with Peter Velardi, founding partner at JPTD Partners, to discuss the essential systems financial advisors need to scale their businesses, optimize referrals, and maximize enterprise value for a successful exit.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

If you’re looking to build a business that’s valuable, sellable, and scalable, this episode is packed with insights you don’t want to miss.

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About Our Guest

Peter has spent the last 40+ years helping organizations and individuals grow and monetize in the financial services industry. He spent half that time as a senior leader working for a Fortune 50 Financial Advisory/Wealth Management firm leading a distribution organization of over 5,000 Financial Advisors and leaders. Over recent years, Peter has exercised his entrepreneurial muscles in various roles with 20+ startups as an advisor, board member, C Suite leadership and M & A consultant, investor, owner operator and more. He is grateful for both the learnings and multiple exits that have led to the success he is experiencing now. Most recently, Peter spends most of his time talking with C Suite leaders of Financial Advisory/Wealth Management firms. He helps them grow, scale and exit through his AI based automated referral software company, ReferMe IQ and as a partner in a boutique PE consulting firm, JPTD Partners. Personally, he is married to Janine for 35 years, and has 3 adult children – Peter, Nick and Serena. The Velardi’s enjoy all things health and fitness, water sports (wakesurfing), snow skiing/boarding and travel and adventure.

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:

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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.

In this episode Duncan sits down with Catherine Tindall, CPA and founder of Dominion Enterprise Services. Catherine specializes in tax optimization strategies for financial advisors, offering insights into minimizing tax burdens, enhancing practice efficiency, and unlocking enterprise value.

Key takeaways from this conversation include:

Catherine also shares actionable advice for advisors on addressing opportunity leakages, structuring practices for growth, and collaborating with strategic partners like CPAs. This episode is packed with valuable insights for financial professionals looking to future-proof their practices.

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About Our Guest

Catherine Tindall, CPA, is a strategic tax planner and founder at Dominion Enterprise Services, a CPA firm, specializing in optimizing tax strategies for RIAs (Registered Investment Advisors), IBDs (Independent Broker-Dealers), and 1099 financial advisors with annual revenues between $500k and $10M. Passionate about leading with proactive tax planning, Catherine focuses on collaborating with advisors to reduce their tax burden and strategically plan for growth.

Catherine also hosts the “Financial Advisors Want to Know Podcast,” (link above) where she shares insights and brings practice experts to discuss sustainably growing advisory firms.

In this episode, Duncan MacPherson sits down with Dr. Karen Weisgerber, a seasoned expert with over 30 years of experience in wealth creation and inheritance. As a faculty member of the Institute for Preparing Heirs and a thought leader in wealth transfer and philanthropy, Dr. Weisgerber dives into the most pressing concerns facing affluent families today.

Key discussion points include:

Dr. Weisgerber’s extensive academic background, including a PhD and a postdoctoral fellowship in neuropsychology affiliated with Harvard University, lends unique depth to the conversation. This episode is a must-listen for financial advisors aiming to address the nuanced needs of wealth creators and their heirs.

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About Our Guest

Karen Weisgerber completed her Ph.D. at Boston College. She furthered her education under the auspices of Harvard Medical School with both a pre- and post-doctoral clinical internship at the Beth Israel Hospital, followed by a postdoctoral internship in neuropsychology at Cambridge Hospital. Subsequent to studies in psychoanalysis at the Psychoanalytic Institute of New England, Karen rounded her educational endeavors with a certificate in Leadership and Performance coaching through Brown University’s School of Professional Studies. As a licensed psychologist, she has provided therapy and consultation through her private practice for over 30 years.

Karen enhanced her research and interview experience as a Senior Advisor at the Boston Center on Wealth and Philanthropy. She was an active participant in the Family Wealth Impact Project, which investigated the risk factors of inherited wealth. She was also the principal interviewer for a Wisdom and Wealth project researching the field of wealth advising, funded by the Templeton Foundation.

As an Integrative Family Wealth Consultant at Cambium Consulting, she engages individuals, couples, and families around the multi-faceted issues that present themselves with having significant resources, as well as concerns that arise with the distribution of wealth among siblings and across generations. She also provides her expertise to financial and legal professionals seeking to deepen the services they offer through speaking engagements, workshops, and other industry events.

In this episode of the Always On Podcast, host Duncan MacPherson engages in a profound and inspiring discussion with Sathya Chey Patterson CFP®, Esq., AIF®, Managing Partner at Arise Private Wealth. Recognized as a 2023 Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisor and a 2024 AdvisorHub Advisors to Watch, Sathya shares her incredible journey from adversity to achievement, demonstrating the power of resilience and vision.

This conversation is divided into three compelling parts:

Whether you’re a financial professional, a leader, or simply seeking inspiration, this episode delivers invaluable lessons on purpose, perseverance, and professionalism.

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About Our Guest:

Sathya is a trailblazing leader in wealth management, co-founder of Arise Private Wealth, and a dedicated advocate for empowering others through financial clarity and purpose. With nearly two decades of experience, she is renowned as a financial architect, crafting personalized strategies that secure her clients’ futures while helping them live purpose-driven lives. Her name, meaning “truth” in Sanskrit, reflects her commitment to understanding clients’ deepest needs and aspirations, enabling them to navigate complex decisions with confidence.

Born in a Thai refugee camp after her family fled the Cambodian genocide, Sathya’s story is one of resilience and transformation. Her journey fuels her passion for mentoring women and minorities, empowering them to achieve generational success. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER, CSRIC®, and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®, Sathya holds an MBA from USC and was named a 2024 Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisor Best-In-State.

Beyond her practice, she serves on the Long Beach Commission for Women & Girls, the MemorialCare Governing Board, and supports critically ill children through Miracle for Kids. A wife, mother, and mindfulness advocate, Sathya is unwavering in her mission: to inspire others to create not only financial abundance but lives of profound meaning and impact.

In this episode, Duncan MacPherson and Kevin Bishopp dive deep into how artificial intelligence is reshaping the financial services industry. From optimizing client communication to enhancing business efficiency, they unpack the immense potential AI offers to financial professionals. This forward-thinking discussion explores practical steps advisors can take to integrate AI tools into their practices and position themselves as leaders in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Whether you’re curious about AI’s role in wealth management, looking to future-proof your practice, or aiming to deliver an elevated client experience, this episode delivers actionable insights tailored for financial advisors.

Key Takeaways:

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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.

In this episode, Duncan MacPherson sits down with Mindy Diamond, founder and CEO of Diamond Consultants, to explore the pivotal question every advisor grapples with: Should I stay or should I go? Mindy shares insights from her latest book, “Should I Stay or Should I Go?”, which isn’t merely a guide on moving firms but rather a tool to help advisors get crystal clear on their ideal work environment.

They dive into themes of loyalty fatigue, cultural alignment, and the significance of self-assessment to make informed, client-centered decisions. Mindy and Duncan also discuss how confirmation bias can limit advisors and highlight the importance of scenario planning for both growth and succession.

Tune in to gain clarity on your practice’s future, hear powerful success stories, and understand why every advisor should continually reassess their professional landscape, even if they’re content where they are.

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About Our Guest:

Mindy launched Diamond Consultants in 1998, developing it into one of the leading financial advisor recruiting and consulting firms in the nation—transitioning more than a quarter of a trillion dollars in assets under management.

Drawing from her own entrepreneurial experience, Mindy fostered an approach that goes beyond recruiting. She and her team work with advisors years before they’re ready to move, educating them on trends, helping them evaluate economic models and understand their enterprise value, and creating a roadmap of options they might never have considered.

The goal: That every elite advisor finds exactly the right place for their business and clients to thrive, whether it’s at a wirehouse, regional, boutique, or independent firm—ultimately achieving what Mindy calls “Your Best Business Life.”

Mindy is considered one of the industry’s top thought leaders and is regularly quoted by national media such as The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, The New York Times, and CNBC, and is a guest author on industry publications including WealthManagement.com and Forbes. Her podcast series, The Diamond Podcast for Financial Advisors (formerly Mindy Diamond on Independence), has become what many consider their “go-to source” for education on the industry landscape.

Additionally, Mindy is the author of the Amazon bestseller “Should I Stay or Should I Go”  – a book for financial advisors that offers a strategic thought process and road map to professional self-discovery when considering change.

In this episode of the Always On podcast, host Duncan MacPherson welcomes back serial entrepreneur Ted Jenkin, CEO of Oxygen Financial and President of Exit Stage Left Advisors. Together, they explore the powerful concept of a partial book sale and how it can help financial advisors grow upmarket by refining the client relationships they manage. They discuss why letting go of the “wrong” clients can be one of the most liberating moves an advisor can make—and how it often leads to growing deeper relationships with the “right” clients.

If you’ve been feeling like your current book of business is becoming a plateau rather than a path, this episode will guide you through the steps of creating professional scarcity, improving client engagement, and increasing your firm’s enterprise value. Learn why managing fewer relationships, but with a more exclusive focus, not only elevates your enterprise but also enhances client outcomes.

Ted shares insights into why specializing, rather than generalizing, creates professional contrast that attracts ideal clients—and why your next best move might be downsizing the number of clients you serve while maximizing your fulfillment and profitability.

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About Our Guest:

Ted Jenkin is a serial entrepreneur with more than 15 years of experience in building and selling successful businesses in various sectors, such as finance, media, insurance, bookkeeping, and technology. As the President at Exit Stage Left Advisors, Ted helps small and medium-sized business owners maximize their valuation and get top dollar when they sell their companies.

Ted has multiple credentials in the financial industry, including Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist, and Accredited Wealth Manager Advisor. He is also a national media personality, appearing on various outlets such as Fox, CNN, HLN, The Weather Channel, WSJ, CNBC, and more. Ted hosts a national entrepreneur podcast called The Shrimp Tank and a national small business television network called America’s Small Business Network. His mission is to empower and educate business owners and individuals on how to achieve the highest possible multiple when they sell their business.

In this episode, Duncan MacPherson sits down with Angela York and Elyse Stoner from Event Advisors to discuss the lost art of client events and how financial professionals can reinvigorate their approach. As they explore the comeback of in-person gatherings, Angela and Elyse share strategies for designing meaningful, memorable, and measurable client experiences. Listeners will learn about the concept of ROM (Return on the Moment), creative approaches to blending education and entertainment, and how to ensure that events deepen relationships and build client loyalty.

Discover the why, the how, and the what’s next for client events in the financial industry. Angela and Elyse also share practical examples, from small micro-events to larger thematic experiences, and how advisors can leverage partnerships with wholesalers to elevate event success. For those looking to expand their thinking about client engagement, this episode is packed with innovative ideas to help create client events that leave a lasting impact.

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About Our Guests:

Event Advisors – Elyse Stoner & Angela York

Meet Elyse Stoner and Angela York, the driving force behind Event Advisors. Their collaboration brings together Elyse’s extensive background in sports, entertainment, and higher education strategic event marketing with Angela’s wealth of experience in advisor marketing and event planning within the financial services industry. Together, they offer a fresh perspective and innovative strategies, revolutionizing the approach to client relationship events for financial services professionals.

Elyse’s emphasis on the “Return on the Moment” (ROM) paradigm redefines the marketing value of events. By uncovering the underlying motivations behind events and leveraging psychographic stimuli, she creates engaging opportunities that inspire attendees not only during the event, but also before and after, driving sustained momentum. Her firsthand experience in converting infrequent buyers into committed supporters translates seamlessly into the realm of Financial Services, providing unique insights for client relationship growth.

Angela’s decades-long expertise in FinServ event planning and marketing adds a layer of depth to their collaborative efforts. Her forward-thinking approach to event organization, coupled with a deep network of industry relationships, equips her to craft compelling marketing experiences. Angela’s commitment to sharing her knowledge within the financial services sector underscores her dedication to helping clients realize their business objectives.

Their collective mission revolves around delivering high event ROM through Ideal Client-focused goal setting, meticulous planning, and detailed follow-up for each event moment. By challenging traditional FinServ marketing and event paradigms, Elyse and Angela have established themselves as the go-to experts for professionals seeking innovative and actionable insights in the event space