Breakthrough Advisor

Most advisors know they need a stronger digital presence, but the landscape can feel overwhelming. David Anderson breaks it down into practical steps any advisor can take to build trust online without getting tangled in compliance challenges. In this episode, Randy Yost and David Anderson, Director of Digital Marketing and Analytics at Simplicity Group, unpack the most significant shifts in consumer behavior, the rise of AI in marketing, and what advisors must focus on to stay relevant in a digital-first world. David shares how to create content that stands out, what really builds credibility with high-net-worth prospects, and which platforms are worth paying attention to right now. Randy and David discuss:

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About our Guest: David Anderson is the Director of Digital Marketing at Simplicity, specializing in strategies for high compliance industries. His background in analytics and consumer behavior shapes his approach to advisor marketing, helping firms create digital ecosystems that support trust and long-term growth.

Tax law is changing again, and with it, the way advisors should guide their clients. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (O-B-B-B-A) introduces provisions that impact everyday retirees, mass affluent professionals, and high-net-worth families alike. In this episode of The Breakthrough Advisor, host Randy Yost sits down with David Foster, JD, AEP, CLU®, ChFC®, CAP®, Director of Advanced Markets at Simplicity, to unpack the real implications of O-B-B-B-A and how advisors can turn complexity into opportunity. You’ll discover:

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About our Guest:

David Foster is the Director of Advanced Markets at Simplicity with more than 30 years of experience in financial planning, tax law, and advisor support. Known for his ability to simplify complex legislation into actionable insights, he helps advisors across the country create better outcomes for their clients.

Is your practice ready for the ripple effects of the next big tax wave?

In this high-impact episode of The Breakthrough Advisor, Randy Yost sits down with bestselling author and Simplicity partner Patrick Kelly to unpack the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a sweeping piece of legislation that could quietly reshape retirement income strategy, tax diversification, and the way you start client conversations.

From a staggering $36 trillion national debt projection to newly introduced “Trump Accounts” for kids, Patrick explores how this bill isn’t just policy, it’s an opportunity. Whether you’re coaching clients through Roth conversions, engaging the next generation, or simply looking for a smarter reason to pick up the phone, this conversation will change the way you think about what’s possible.

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About Our Guest:

Patrick Kelly is the best-selling author of 7 books – Tax-Free Retirement (2007), The Retirement Miracle (2011), Stress-Free Retirement (2013), The 5 Retirement Myths (2015), Seven Secrets to a Happy Retirement (2016), The Life Insurance Dilemma (2017), and Tax-Free Retirement – 10th Anniversary Edition (2017) – which together have sold more than 1,000,000 copies nationwide. Patrick has been one of the industry’s most sought-after speakers and trainers, delivering his unique message to over 150,000 financial professionals from coast to coast since the release of his first book in 2007. One of his greatest passions is to help consumers understand they are able to step off the roller coaster of fear and loss and onto the peace-filled road of growth and stability. Patrick lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife of 28 years. Together they love spending time with their 4 children, their son-in-law, and their grandson.

What if mastering human connection, not just products or processes, was the most important skill in your practice?

In this powerful episode, host Randy Yost sits down with Jason Jenkins, Executive Vice President at Simplicity, to uncover what sets elite advisors apart. With nearly three decades in the industry, Jason shares his journey from selling life insurance out of college to leading one of the most transformative advisor development trainings in the country.

You’ll hear why systems and scale mean nothing without storytelling, how founder stories build immediate trust, and why the top advisors obsess over one thing: continuous improvement.

Here’s what you can expect from this release:

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About Jason Jenkins:

Founder of AssetLock and currently CMO at Simplicity Group Holdings. He has been in the financial industry for over 20 years and brings an independent, client-centered approach to the firm. Jason graduated from Westmont College in 1997 with a B.A. in Business & Economics. He later received his MBA from Point Loma Nazarene University in 2005.

In 2010, Jason was recognized by San Diego Metropolitan Magazine with the ‘Top 40 Under 40″ distinction, recognizing San Diego’s “Brightest Leaders of Today and Tomorrow”. Jason’s also helped start a non-profit that is helping educate underprivileged children in Ghana, Africa. The non-profit is the Human Factor Leadership Academy.

What’s the secret to increasing your win rate from 85% to 100%? You might be surprised to learn that it starts with a personal story.

Join Randy Yost on the Breakthrough Advisor Podcast as he chats with Deirdre Van Nest, an expert in helping advisors and entrepreneurs create their “personal brand why story.” Deirdre opens up about overcoming her fear of public speaking and how she now empowers financial advisors to build trust and connect deeply with clients. 

Discover why the personal brand, why story is crucial for forming authentic relationships with clients and how it can accelerate decision-making. Deirdre also offers tips on the types of stories to tell and how to tailor them to resonate with your audience.

Randy Yost and Deirdre Van Nest discuss:

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About Deirdre Van Nest:

Deirdre Van Nest doesn’t believe in boring you with a laundry list of credentials. She is the go-to expert for ‘Mission-Driven” financial professionals and entrepreneurs on how to Make An Impact when you express yourself.

Deidre is a top-rated International Keynoter, Trainer, Story Strategist & Artist, and the Creator of the Crazy Good Talks® Blueprint and the Emotionally Engaging Advisortwo practical communication systems that have taught thousands how to capture attention, connect emotionally and Make An Impact.

She is passionate about this work and feels blessed every day to help my clients succeed. On a personal note, Deirdre is an Italian & Irish New Yorker living in Minnesota, where she tries hard not to scare people with her loud voice and enthusiastic hand gestures.

What does Social Security mean for your clients’ future?

In this episode, Jack Martin chats with David Duley, CEO and founder of PlanGap, about the ever-shifting landscape of Social Security and how advisors can help clients navigate these changes. The discussion dives into the implications of the recently signed Social Security Fairness Act and its potential impact on public employees and retirees. Dave shares innovative solutions and strategies designed to protect clients’ financial well-being against political uncertainties, offering insights into how these changes could affect retirement plans.

Jack and David discuss:

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Are you delivering what clients truly want?

In this episode of The Breakthrough Advisor Podcast, your host Jack Martin engages with Tom Rieman, CPWA®, a seasoned professional with over 25 years in the financial industry, to explore the crucial elements that drive a successful advisory practice. With an eye on Practice Intel, Tom introduces a fresh approach to understanding and improving client-advisor relationships, focusing on performance management and enhancing the quality of advice.

Jack and Tom dive into:

Tune in for an insightful conversation that challenges the status quo and offers actionable steps to strengthen your advisory business.

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About Tom Rieman:

Tom Rieman, CPWA® has a career spanning over 25 years in wealth management with a background in field sales, training & development and data science. Tom brings significant expertise including asset management distribution, institutional consumer research and a deep understanding of the broker-dealer ecosystem with a focus on process and performance improvement. Before founding Practice Intel, Tom was Head of Wealth Solutions at J.D. Power & Associates, Executive Director of Practice Management at Brinker Capital, and Vice President of Learning and Development at J.P. Morgan Asset Management. Tom’s extensive experience also includes time in the field as a wholesaler and providing advisory services to high-net-worth clients. Tom is a respected speaker at national conferences and a valued contributor to Barron’s Advisor and other industry publications. He holds a master’s degree in Organizational Learning and a Certified Private Wealth Advisor® certification.

Curious about how the latest Social Security reform might impact you or your clients?

In this episode, Jack Martin sits down with Mary Beth Franklin, CFP® to discuss the newly passed Social Security Fairness Act and its implications for retirement income planning. They dive into the implications of the windfall elimination provision and the government pension offset repeal, bringing new hope to millions of public employees.

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Tune in to understand these regulatory updates better and learn how to navigate this significant shift in social security policy. 

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About Mary Beth Franklin:
Mary Beth is a CFP®, longtime contributing editor to Investment News, author, highly sought-after speaker, expert on Social Security planning, and recently won a Telly award for her PBS special “Social Security and You.”

Are financial advisors finally realizing there’s more to life than being tethered to their desks? Dive into the dynamics of thriving in the advisory business and the path toward sustainable success.

In this episode, Jack Martin interviews David Grau Jr, MBA, the CEO of Succession Resource Group, and Co-Founder of LendingWell, to discuss the buzz around mergers and acquisitions in the financial advisory world. As the industry ages, with many advisors approaching retirement, David provides insights into succession planning and the strategic moves advisors should consider for long-term success. The conversation emphasizes not just the rising deal volume but also the need for a structured growth engine within practices, shedding light on the lucrative opportunities when advisors embrace change.

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About David Grau Jr:
David Grau Jr., MBA is the founder and CEO of Succession Resource Group and is the nation’s leading consultant on advisor valuation, acquisition and succession planning for firms with less than $10 million in annual sales. Over the last decade, David has assisted hundreds of advisors and other professional service providers buy, merge, sell, and craft their transition plan for the sale of their business, helping clients with businesses ranging in size from $100,000 gross receipts to in excess of $10 million. Prior to launching SRG, David was a leading M&A consultant for a well known succession planning firm to advisors. Prior to this role, David served in the United States Navy.

David is a published author and accomplished speaker on succession planning, financial practice valuation, and death/disability planning for small business owners and has been interviewed and cited in dozens of publications. He is one of the leading speakers in the financial services industry on mergers and acquisitions of independently owned financial services firms, as well as valuation strategies and practice continuity issues, with over 200 presentations to his credit. In the past five years, he has spoken at variety of the industry’s leading firms, including LPL Financial Services, Wells Fargo, Ameriprise Financial, MetLife, ING, IFG, Advisor Group, Fidelity, Jackson National, Prudential, and at many FPA and NAIFA/FSP chapters around the country.

What does the future hold for your financial planning strategies? 

In this episode, Jack Martin sits down with Ed Slott, a renowned IRA expert, to discuss how advisors can transform their approaches to IRAs and tax planning in the face of changing legislation and economic trends. They dive deep into strategies for converting traditional IRAs into Roth IRAs to sidestep exorbitant tax bills, and discuss the often-overlooked advantages of life insurance for wealth transfer. Ed shares insights on the implications of post-election changes and provides a compelling case for why now is the time for advisors to take proactive steps. From prioritizing Roth conversions to understanding the powerful role of Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), this episode is packed with actionable advice to help advisors guide their clients through uncertain times.

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About Ed Slott:

Ed Slott is a nationally recognized IRA distribution expert, professional speaker, television personality, and best-selling author. He is known for his unparalleled ability to turn advanced tax strategies into understandable, actionable, and entertaining advice. He has been named “The Best Source for IRA Advice” by The Wall Street Journal, and USA Today wrote, “It would be tough to find anyone who knows more about IRAs than CPA Slott.”

As president and founder of Ed Slott and Company, LLC, the nation’s leading source of accurate, timely IRA expertise and analysis to financial advisors, institutions, consumers, and media, Ed provides advanced training to financial professionals to become knowledgeable, recognized leaders in the retirement marketplace; and answers to retirement savers’ most important questions, continually providing practical, easy-to-understand information on IRA, retirement, tax, and financial planning topics.