James Werner’s twenty-five-plus years in wealth management reflect not only deep expertise but also a genuine passion for helping clients make informed, confident decisions during pivotal moments. As a Certified Financial Planner and Partner at Waverly Advisors, James brings his experience and expertise to Waverly after Silicon Hills Wealth Management, the firm he co-founded with Tom Brown, was acquired by Waverly Advisors, LLC. 

In this episode he discusses how he maintains his process of emphasizing the two-way transfer of knowledge between planner and client, an evolving dynamic that ensures financial strategies align with individual values and goals. He also speaks about key lessons learned from seeing his company purchased and merged with another firm. James champions the role of community in financial planning, highlighting how strong connections and shared values can shape outcomes.

Brendan Frazier serves as Chief Behavioral Officer at RFG Advisory, where he leads the integration of behavioral finance into advisor-client relationships. He is also the creator and host of The Human Side of Money Podcast, a bi‑weekly series offering actionable strategies for advisors seeking to deepen trust, improve communication, and guide clients through emotionally charged financial decisions. 

In this episode, Brendan delves into the intersection of personal connection, emotional intelligence, and professional success, with a special focus on the financial advisory world. Through meaningful conversations, Brendan explores the art of building trust and fostering authentic relationships by guiding guests to speak from the heart. Reflecting on his experiences and consulting with thousands of financial professionals, he discusses how working effectively in the planner's role can feel closer to therapy than number-crunching. 

In this episode, our hosts discuss eMoney's history as the company marks its 25th anniversary. To help celebrate, we asked Matt Schulte to be our guest as he celebrates his 25th year at the company. Matt shares insights into the early days of eMoney, his early career, the company's growth, and its eventual impact on the industry. From his beginnings working in insurance to becoming a key player in financial technology, the conversation captures both his and the company's unique path and the innovations that have shaped how financial planners interact with clients and discuss money.  

Learn more about the origins of eMoney as Matt describes his career trajectory, the early years of the company and key decisions that shaped eMoney's growth. Having joined the startup as one of seven original employees in 2000, Matt initially committed to a three-year stint, unaware he would help build a company that would redefine financial planning for decades. 

Patti Brennan, CFP®, CFS, CEO of Key Financial Inc., has carved a remarkable path from her early career as a nurse to becoming a leader in the world of wealth management. Through her inspiring story, Patti demonstrates how her compassion-driven approach, honed during her nursing days, has profoundly shaped her financial planning firm. As a mother of four, she balanced building her business with raising a family, offering valuable insights into navigating work-life challenges faced by working moms. Her firm is known for its client-focused strategies, blending personalization, transparency, and technology to deliver tailored solutions that truly resonate with each individual. Patti’s philosophy rests on treating clients holistically, understanding not only their financial goals but also their emotional concerns—a perspective forged by her early experiences in healthcare.

As the head of Key Financial Inc., Patti has embraced innovation to scale her services while maintaining the human touch. Above all, she believes the heart of great advice is addressing the deeper, often emotional concerns at the center of a client's life.

This episode kicks off eMoney's 25th anniversary celebration, learn more here: https://emoneyadvisor.com/celebrate-25

A passionate advocate for women in the financial space, Cary Carbonaro, CFP®, MBA, Managing Wealth Advisor, Women and Wealth Ambassador at Ashton Thomas Private Wealth, shares actionable insights from her upcoming book, Women and Wealth: A Playbook to Empower Clients and Unlock Their Fortune, in the latest Heart of Advice Podcast episode. Cary dives into how financial professionals can better serve female clients by addressing unconscious biases, taking a “how female-friendly is my practice” quiz, and asking the right questions to uncover unique needs. She makes it clear that traditional playbooks designed for men don’t translate—and explains how planners can adapt to help women feel confident and secure in their financial futures.

Cary’s approach is empowering and practical, challenging professionals to rethink their strategies while providing timely tools to enhance client relationships. If you want to create more equitable practices, deepen client trust, and improve outcomes, this episode is a great place to start.

What drives the next generation of financial planners? How can you help them succeed in your firm? Those are some of the topics we’re exploring in this episode of the Heart of Advice podcast with our guest, Hannah Moore, CFP®, CeFT®.

As the founder of Amplified Planning, a financial planning training and education program, and head of The Externship, she brings her perspective on the next generation of financial planners, what they’re looking for, and what firms can do to shorten the learning curve and get new planners up to speed.

How do you engage with clients who want to combine financial returns with philanthropic impact? That’s just one of the topics we touch on with our guest Max Mintz, a partner and financial planner at Common Interests, a certified B Corp advisory firm based in New Jersey.

In this episode, Max shares his unconventional path to becoming a financial planner, with a background in engineering, social advocacy work, and studies in philosophy and religion. His firm specializes in values-aligned and responsible investing and often works with clients with no minimum asset requirement.

In this Heart of Advice Podcast episode, we explore the transformative impact that financial planning can have on clients’ lives, and how the future of financial planning is happening today.

Our guest, Erin Voisin, CFP®, Managing Director of Wealth Management Services at EP Wealth, shares her experience getting into the financial planning profession, as well as all the different ways she’s elevating those around her. She delves into how she approaches connecting with and training the next generation of financial planners, including ways in which she’s advocating for women in this profession. This episode dives into the true value of financial planning, how it’s changing, and what others can do to promote a brighter future.

Learn more about expanding the impact of financial planning here: https://emoneyadvisor.com/resources/ebooks/the-new-value-proposition-for-advisors/

Every good advisor wants to ensure a client’s legacy is protected, but many struggle with reviewing estate plans and motivating clients to act. In this episode, we get to the heart of the issue by speaking with Christina Lynn, PhD, CFP®, AFC®, CDFA®.

As a Practice Management Consultant at Mariner Wealth Advisors, she understands the challenges financial advisors face when discussing estate planning with clients. Many clients are uncomfortable talking about their mortality, and advisors often struggle to navigate these sensitive conversations with confidence. Christina shares how techniques like motivational interviewing can improve your conversations, offers valuable resources, and shares her top estate planning takeaways. With the so-called Great Wealth Transfer underway and trillions in assets being passed down, this episode is essential listening.

Learn more about strategies for effective estate planning conversations in our eBook: https://emoneyadvisor.com/candid-conversations-estate-planning-tips

How can you help clients find the right balance of saving for the future while enjoying their hard-earned wealth now? That’s the topic we’re diving into with our guest Eric Roberge, CFP®, the CEO of Beyond Your Hammock.

In this episode, we explore the unique challenges and opportunities in serving high-net-worth clients during their peak earning years. Eric emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach that combines financial planning technology with emotional intelligence. With AI-enabled tools, savvy marketing strategy, and continuous learning at major conferences, his team is setting the bar high. Financial planning professionals looking to scale and modernize the client experience will find Eric's insights invaluable.

Learn more about strategies to create a modern client experience here: https://emoneyadvisor.com/the-new-value-proposition-for-advisors-tips