Most firms focus on efficiency. The top performers make space for possibility. In this episode of The FutureProof Advisor, I explore what separates the top tier of companies from the rest—and how advisory firms can adopt the same mindset to grow with purpose. The difference isn’t just technical skill or market timing—it’s the shift from being a “should soldier” (focused on certainty and best practices) to a “what if warrior” (curious, creative, and open to new outcomes). That shift rewires how we think, collaborate, and connect—with our teams and our clients.

I break down a simple framework—Why? What if? How?—that helps advisors and teams challenge assumptions, unlock new ideas, and co-create practical solutions. This mindset isn’t just about internal innovation; it redefines how we serve clients. When we lead with questions instead of prescriptions, we build trust and deliver more meaningful, personalized advice.

For firms ready to evolve, this episode is a playbook for putting possibility into motion. It starts with carving out intentional time to think differently, asking better questions in client and team meetings, and creating a culture where fresh ideas have room to breathe. Because the firms that thrive aren’t stuck in what worked yesterday—they’re building what’s next.

Disruption doesn’t always start with big ideas—it often starts by noticing what’s broken. In this episode of The FutureProof Advisor, I sit down with Aaron Klein, founder of Nitrogen (former Riskalyze) and his new venture Contio, to unpack how fintech evolves when entrepreneurs stay curious, resilient, and relentlessly focused on solving real problems. Aaron shares his journey from family business to building one of the industry’s most transformative tools, showing how identifying overlooked friction points—like risk alignment—can open the door to scalable innovation.

We explore the rise of AI and what it really means for advisory firms. Aaron challenges the fear narrative around automation and reframes AI as a tool that enhances—not replaces—human connection. From streamlining meetings to freeing up time for strategic conversations, he explains how today’s tools can shift advisors away from routine tasks and toward high-impact work that truly moves the needle for clients. His new venture, Kantio, is rooted in this very philosophy: using AI to make meetings smarter, more intentional, and more actionable.

At its core, this conversation is a blueprint for future-ready firms. We talk about the mindset required to continuously reinvest in your tech and operations, how to approach AI as a productivity partner, and why the structure of meetings says more about your culture than most people realize. Aaron’s path reminds us that the most transformative leaders aren’t just technologists—they’re listeners, problem-solvers, and builders who aren’t afraid to evolve when the industry demands it.

Comfort feels safe—but in a fast-changing world, it can quietly become your firm’s biggest threat. In this episode of The FutureProof Advisor, I explore why individuals and organizations naturally resist change, and how our biology—particularly our brain’s preference for predictability and aversion to loss—can unconsciously keep us clinging to outdated systems and habits. The same instincts that once protected us now risk holding us back.

To stay competitive, we need to separate innovation from the everyday. I dig into how leaders can create intentional structures—like a “transformation division”—where new ideas can be tested in isolation, without threatening the core business. This allows teams to experiment with confidence, challenge assumptions, and develop solutions that won’t emerge under the pressure of day-to-day operations. It’s about building a firm that can execute reliably and explore boldly.

Ultimately, the firms that thrive won’t just be the ones that respond well to client requests—they’ll be the ones anticipating needs clients haven’t yet expressed. Real innovation comes not from reacting to change, but from making space for it. By naming the biases that keep us stuck and creating environments where curiosity is rewarded, we give ourselves permission to evolve—with purpose, not panic.

Building a firm doesn’t always follow a straight line—and sometimes that’s the advantage. In this episode of The FutureProof Advisor, I sit down with Garrett Cottle, co-founder of Momentum Wealth Management, to talk about how adaptability, personal authenticity, and strategic thinking can shape a successful practice. From a start in music to a pivot into banking and eventually into financial advising, Garrett’s journey reflects what many advisors experience: figuring it out as you go, but doing so with intention. We explore how smaller firms can punch above their weight by staying nimble, leaning into their strengths, and making smart, client-focused decisions.

Garrett shares how his team prioritizes relationship-building at every step—delivering personalized, memorable experiences that go far beyond performance reports or annual reviews. Whether it’s a welcome gift or proactive milestone check-ins, these human touches create the kind of loyalty and word-of-mouth growth that marketing dollars can’t buy. We also dig into how firms like his are using tech not just to “keep up,” but to lead—leveraging AI and customized CRMs to stay responsive, efficient, and scalable without adding complexity or headcount.

What stood out most in our conversation is Garrett’s mindset: stay curious, be intentional, and never stop evolving. He’s not chasing scale for scale’s sake—he’s building a firm that reflects his values and serves clients in meaningful ways. As the industry changes, it’s that kind of clarity and adaptability that will set advisors apart. It’s not always about size or credentials—it’s about purpose, discipline, and the willingness to think a little differently.

Regulations aren’t the problem—they’re the easy excuse. The real obstacle to innovation in wealth management often lies in our own mindset: a fear of failure, a bias toward what’s worked before, and a comfort with the familiar. In this episode of The FutureProof Advisor, I dive into the tension between compliance and innovation—and why these two forces don’t have to be at odds. Drawing lessons from industries like healthcare and banking, I explore how firms operating under even stricter regulations have still managed to deliver exceptional, forward-thinking client experiences.

True innovation in our space doesn’t mean ignoring risk or compromising fiduciary responsibility. It means challenging legacy processes and rethinking the entire client journey—from communication and onboarding to relationship management and reporting. Inspired by the principles that drive companies like Google, I share how even small firms can create space for structured experimentation, learn quickly, and use first-principles thinking to redesign client experiences without blowing up their operations or budget.

The future belongs to firms that build a culture where new ideas are explored—not buried under the weight of “we’ve always done it this way.” That means assigning clear ownership to innovation efforts, carving out time and budget for learning (not just execution), and encouraging teams to rethink how value is delivered at every touchpoint. Change doesn’t have to be radical—it just has to be intentional. And when done well, it creates real differentiation in a crowded and commoditized market.

Growth is the goal—but few talk about how uncomfortable it can actually be. In this episode of The FutureProof Advisor, I sit down with Rich Gill of Wealth Partners Capital Group to unpack what really happens as RIAs scale beyond the founder. We explore the evolution of the industry through Rich’s unique lens—one shaped by experience across roles and market cycles—and dive into the mindset shifts required to move from a relationship-driven practice to a fully built-out firm.

As Rich and I discuss, the path to sustainable growth isn’t paved with just good intentions—it takes early investment in structure, leadership beyond the founder, and a clear focus on talent development. Too many firms hit a wall because they wait too long to professionalize operations or build out scalable support systems. And while technology plays a role, it’s the firms that lean into emotional intelligence, purpose-driven client conversations, and high-trust relationships that are really separating themselves from the pack.

Those leading the way are making proactive decisions—hiring ahead of the curve, putting systems in place before they feel urgent, and using tech to amplify the human touch, not replace it. They’re not growing for growth’s sake; they’re designing firms that reflect their values and meet the evolving expectations of clients who want more than performance—they want partnership.

We’re taught from a young age to aim for the right answer, follow the rules, and avoid mistakes. That mindset might’ve earned us gold stars in school—but in the real world of leadership, it often becomes a roadblock.

In this episode of The FutureProof Advisor Podcast, I unpack how the systems we grew up in—especially our education system—trained us for certainty, structure, and passivity, when the modern world of financial advice demands something completely different. Our success today depends less on being right the first time and more on staying adaptable, thinking in nuance, and getting comfortable with the uncomfortable. For many advisors in leadership roles, it’s not a lack of knowledge or skill that holds us back—it’s the deeply rooted wiring that tells us to play it safe, to wait for clarity, or to avoid anything that might be perceived as failure.

As firm leaders, our ability to scale and stay competitive will hinge on how well we can model and instill new ways of thinking—ways that reward curiosity over compliance, and experimentation over perfection. That means building cultures where people feel safe to challenge old norms, propose half-baked ideas, and learn in motion. It means shifting from binary mindsets to spectrum-based ones, where growth isn’t measured in tidy milestones but in resilience, adaptability, and progress over time. By staying aware of how our habits were formed—and intentionally choosing which ones to evolve—we create the space for true leadership to emerge. Growth isn’t about adding more complexity; it’s about making room for the kind of thinking that helps us all move forward.

The advisory landscape is shifting fast—and staying relevant means rethinking how we create and deliver value. In this conversation, I sit down with Christian Hyldahl, founder of Varium Investment Partners, to explore the evolution of investment management and what it takes to stand out as an advisor today. Christian’s perspective is grounded in decades of industry experience, but he’s not stuck in the past. He sees a clear divide forming: those who innovate and differentiate through process and specialization—and those who get pulled into a race to the bottom.

We unpack how technology, especially AI and data-driven insights, is reshaping portfolio management. But Christian makes a strong case that human judgment still matters—particularly when it comes to forward-looking investment decisions and assessing the intangibles. He shares how Varium blends the best of both worlds, using AI where it enhances efficiency while keeping humans at the core of research and decision-making. He also outlines a new kind of partnership model, where advisors can share in the firm’s growth, not just use its services—a refreshing alternative to the traditional OCIO setup.

For senior leaders and forward-thinking advisors, this episode of The FutureProof Advisor Podcast dives into the strategies and mindset shifts needed to build a truly differentiated, resilient business. From defining your firm’s value beyond investment performance to exploring models that tie growth and ownership together, the conversation is a call to think more boldly about the future. If you’re navigating change, investing in innovation, or simply re-evaluating how to lead with purpose, this episode offers a fresh lens—and a few ideas worth taking back to your team.

We tend to believe that more knowledge and more information will make our decisions easier and better. But what if that abundance of insight is actually holding us back?

As leaders in this industry, we’re often inundated with options, research, and opinions—yet that flood of input can lead to indecision, anxiety, and hesitation. In this episode of The FutureProof Advisor, I unpack how too much thinking and not enough doing can hinder our progress, both individually and within our firms. I explore the paradox where knowledge—while valuable—can become a roadblock when it outweighs experimentation.

Drawing from behavioral research and personal experiences, I examine how limiting choices can unlock action, how micro-experiments drive clarity, and how maintaining a beginner’s mindset—even as seasoned professionals—is essential to navigating fast-changing environments. I explore the difference between naïve optimism and strategic experimentation, and why getting things “right” matters less than having the courage to test, learn, and adjust.

This episode is a call to shift our relationship with action. Instead of seeking perfect answers, we can embrace a culture where thoughtful trial, fast iteration, and small failures lead to smarter decisions and long-term growth.

The most successful firms aren’t the ones that fear change—they’re the ones that actively lead it. That’s the mindset Todd Pisarczyk brings as we talk about how senior advisors and firm leaders can future-proof their practices in an age of rapid technological transformation. From experimenting with AI tools like ChatGPT to creating standout client experiences inspired by outside industries, Todd shares how curiosity and intentionality can drive real results.

Rather than waiting for tech solutions to be handed down by vendors, Todd leads by example—testing tools, learning alongside his team, and embedding innovation into his firm’s culture. He also challenges the conventional definition of client service, making a compelling case for crafting high-touch, memorable experiences that reflect care and excellence. And he connects it all to a deeper purpose: building a legacy firm that’s not just operationally sound, but deeply human and built to last.

For leaders looking to stay ahead, it’s a conversation about mindset, action, and elevating every part of the advisory business.