NAIFA's Advisor Today Podcast Series

Jill Judd is a distinguished Life Underwriting Training Council Fellow (LUTCF), Financial Services Specialist (FSS), and Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP) with extensive experience in the insurance industry. Her professional mission is to provide individuals with the necessary tools and resources to manage the risks of everyday life, recover from unexpected events, and achieve their aspirations. Jill's expertise in the field has also led her to serve as a past President of NAIFA.

Before her career in financial services, Jill was an accomplished marketer who ran an advertising and marketing firm. Today, she leverages her knowledge and skills in the insurance industry to help clients navigate complex financial situations and make informed decisions about their future.

Financial services is a male-dominated industry, often making it difficult for women to advance to leadership positions and achieve career growth. If you're navigating this space for the first time, how can you establish yourself as an authoritative force and advocate for your clients' economic vitality?

As a sports professional turned insurance provider, Jill Judd possesses the tenacity and leadership acumen needed to carve a path for herself in the industry. She notes that women are skilled multitaskers with a keen sense of emotional intelligence. This allows them to connect with their clients and position themselves as risk advisors to impact clients' financial futures. By discovering your unique place in the industry, you can achieve economic and financial vitaly that extends to your customers.

In this episode of Advisor Today, Chris Gandy and Suzanne Carawan sit down with Jill Judd, a LUTCF, FSS, and RICP, to discuss how women can discover their economic vitality in the insurance industry. Jill shares how she got into the financial services industry, the role of sports in the success of her career, how to thrive as a woman in the financial services industry, discovering economic vitality through insurance, and techniques for becoming a great leader.

Robert Miller, a retired second-generation financial advisor, has grown up around many prominent New York insurance agents and has served over six thousand clients. A loyal NAIFA member since 1983, he is the past President of NAIFA-New York City. As a graduate of the NAIFA Leadership in Life Institute (LILI), Robert served as the Chair of the NAIFA Governance Committee and was a member of the organization's Finance Committee. His extensive experience and contributions to the financial advising industry make him a highly respected and accomplished professional.

Leadership is a significant undertaking, especially when you're responsible for driving the success of an industry organization. Learn what it takes to create meaningful change and drive an industry into the future from a seasoned association leader in the financial industry.

Having disrupted the status quo of a stagnant organization, Robert Miller's career is characterized by progressive action, tenacity, and influence. If you want to make a lasting difference in your industry, you must challenge the decisions of past leaders and actively listen to members' ideas and concerns. Robert maintains that discipline and commitment are the keys to accomplishing meaningful endeavors and strengthening your organization. Even when facing opposition and apprehension in your ventures, Robert encourages financial industry leaders to persevere and stand up for their values.

In this episode of Advisor Today, Chris Gandy and Suzanne Carawan sit down with Robert Miller, a retired second-generation financial advisor, to discuss his leadership journey in the financial services industry. Robert shares what he did to thrive as NAIFA's president, how he stays inspired and motivated as a leader, his career journey in the financial services industry, and the value of listening to others.

Demetrius Bryant is an insurance agent helping individuals safeguard their income against unforeseen expenses. He runs a multi-line insurance business that has been a NAIFA member since 2011. Through his company, Demetrius offers comprehensive insurance services, including automobile, home, life, and business policies. He believes that protecting one's financial interests is fundamental to improving the overall quality of life.

Older generations were taught to secure a stable job and work for the rest of their lives to provide for their families. Yet this doesn't guarantee stability and success for their children and future generations. Older people, especially those in disadvantaged and underserved communities, don't understand how to build generational wealth and leave sustainable legacies. How can you educate this group on insurance benefits and financial well-being?

Insurance expert Demetrius Bryant bridges the knowledge gap in rural Mississippi by educating people about the value of home and life insurance policies for generational wealth. Insurance agents can offer opportunities for children to purchase life insurance policies, encouraging them to begin investing early to ensure lasting wealth. Demetrius also recommends hosting educational sessions and groups to teach members of the community how to invest, manage finances, and file claims effectively. By customizing financial and insurance education for each individual rather than simply selling policies, you can demonstrate the benefits of insurance in their lives.

In this episode of Advisor Today, Chris Gandy and Suzanne Carawan sit down with Demetrius Bryant, an experienced insurance agent, to discuss the value of insurance in building generational wealth. Demetrius shares his journey in the insurance industry, his approach to running a multi-line insurance agency, and the value of insurance education and awareness in the black community.

Glenn Crawford is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®) and a licensed insurance agent holding a Series 65 Investment Advisor Representative distinction. His mission is to support better financial outcomes for clients by educating, enabling, and empowering them to make sound decisions about their financial well-being. Glenn has also dedicated a significant part of his practice to advising clients on the financial aspects of divorce. Before entering the wealth management industry, he enjoyed a career in information technology and was a partner in a $65 million consultancy firm.

Imagine waking up every day excited to work because you're doing what you love. It's not just a dream; it can be your reality! By taking the courageous step to change your career, you can become the person you've always wanted to be and achieve your full potential.

Shifting careers can be daunting, especially if you've dedicated most of your life to a single field. Yet hoping for change without taking action leads to complacency. Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®) Glenn Crawford's journey is an inspiring example of how visualization and affirmations can help you achieve your goals. By focusing on what he wanted and believing in himself, he transitioned from IT to financial services at 57 years old. As Glenn's experience demonstrates, it's never too late to transition to a new industry you love. By taking the leap to fulfill your desires, you can live and work authentically.

In this episode of Advisor Today, Chris Gandy and Suzanne Carawan sit down with Glenn Crawford, a Series 65 Investment Advisor Representative distinction holder, to discuss his journey transitioning careers. Glenn talks about how he got into the insurance and financial services industry, transitioning from IT to financial services, the correlation between sports and financial services, and his involvement with NAIFA.

Frank Maselli is an accomplished keynote speaker, coach, and author of three best-selling books. With over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, he has helped thousands of financial professionals grow and achieve success by providing them with contemporary skills well-suited to the demands of today's clients. With his programs based on human psychology, Frank is known for his pioneering ideas, dynamic thinking, and engaging delivery. He is a sought-after presenter, recognized as a top industry speaker.

As a financial advisor, it's critical to generate a robust client pipeline and establish yourself as a trusted authority in your field. Seminars and presentations can help you achieve these goals by enabling you to expand your business and gain new clients. How can you deliver compelling and informative seminars to elevate your position in the industry?

Frank Maselli, a prominent coach and keynote speaker in the financial industry, has created a flourishing and reputable business by delivering presentations and seminars. These platforms help you showcase your knowledge and services and allow you to connect with potential clients to build long-lasting relationships. However, delivering a successful presentation requires more than just knowledge of your subject matter; it also demands exceptional public speaking skills, confidence, authenticity, and a deep understanding of your audience's needs and interests. Frank offers valuable tips and strategies to help financial professionals deliver engaging, informative, and persuasive presentations that captivate audiences and convert them into clients.

In this episode of Advisor Today, Chris Gandy and Suzanne Carawan sit down with Frank Maselli, an accomplished keynote speaker, coach, and author, to discuss how financial advisors can host engaging seminars. Frank shares his professional background in the financial services industry, seminar success strategies for advisors, how to execute them virtually, and the common mistakes advisors make when delivering seminars.

Tom Palmeri is a Life Underwriting Training Council Fellow (LUTCF) committed to helping clients build and safeguard their wealth. As a financial advisor, he has over 25 years of experience in insurance, investments, estate preservation, and employee benefit plans. Tom specializes in helping individuals and businesses achieve their financial goals through compassion and empathy. He has demonstrated his leadership acumen by serving as the past President of the New York and Suffolk County chapters of NAIFA and other organizations.

Working in the insurance industry is more than just a job; it's a lifelong profession necessitating compassion and understanding for people's lives and assets. If you're prepared for the leadership, training, and tenacity it takes to become an insurance agent, how can you gain a reputation in the industry?

The insurance industry is a rewarding and lucrative career path that requires dedication, hard work, and a passion for helping others. However, like any other industry, insurance has a significant learning curve. To overcome this barrier, Tom Palmeri suggests investing in education and training to keep up with industry trends and best practices, networking, and joining communities in the industry for support. By doing so, professionals can navigate the complex landscape of the insurance industry and build a reputable and sustainable business.

In this episode of Advisor Today, Chris Gandy and Suzanne Carawan sit down with Tom Palmeri, a Life Underwriting Training Council Fellow (LUTCF), to discuss how to break into the insurance industry. Tom shares his professional background in the insurance industry, his experience issuing life insurance policies as a young professional, how to overcome industry challenges through education and community support, and his involvement with NAIFA.

Delvin Joyce is a Certified Financial Planner specializing in providing comprehensive financial planning services. He collaborates with clients and their advisors to create a detailed and robust financial plan tailored to their unique needs and goals. As a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), and Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP), Delvin offers investment advisory services for retirement, education, and small business planning.

Financial literacy is crucial in planning a prosperous future, but many people struggle with this skill. It takes a devoted financial advisor to help people achieve their long-term goals. How can financial planners and advisors build a mission-driven and education-based practice?

After a career in professional football, financial planner Delvin Joyce obtained the self-motivation to launch a financial services business. By identifying a clear purpose, he structured his services and leadership around providing financial literacy and support to young athletes preparing for careers. Delvin believes that financial planning is fundamental to the future, so by building a practice that emphasizes managing people's funds and loans, you can execute your purpose, elevate your status in the industry, and create a lucrative business.

In this episode of Advisor Today, Chris Gandy and Suzanne Carawan sit down with Certified Financial Planner Delvin Joyce to discuss building a financial planning practice. Delvin shares his journey in the financial services industry, how he stays focused and motivated, the value of promoting financial literacy, his involvement with NAIFA, and how to recruit and train new financial advisors.

Joseph Spinelli is a Chartered life underwriter (CLU) who helps people prepare for the future by prioritizing their financial goals and customizing insurance solutions to best suit their needs. With a robust skill set that includes Insurance, Life Insurance, Customer Service, Disability Insurance, Term Life Insurance, and more, he contributes valuable insights to the industry. Joseph has a bachelor's degree in economics from Bridgewater College.

Being a financial advisor is both challenging and rewarding. So what can you learn from an expert who has successfully been in the industry for years?

According to Joseph Spinelli, financial advisors have the privilege of helping individuals and families achieve their financial goals. However, being in the financial services industry comes with its own set of challenges, ranging from the ever-changing market trends and financial regulations to building trust with clients. He shares his journey of overcoming all the hurdles and becoming a thriving insurance agent.

In this episode of Advisor Today, Chris Gandy and Suzanne Carawan sit down with Joseph Spinelli, a Chartered life underwriter (CLU), to discuss how to thrive as a financial advisor. Joseph explains how he got into the financial services industry, building a career in insurance sales from the ground up, his daily routine and priorities as a financial advisor, and the career lessons he learned from his father.

John D. Richardson is a financial planner who has been providing sound financial advice to his clients since 2005. His primary focus is to help people align their financial decisions with their values and truths to live enriching lives. As a Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP) and a Life and Annuities Certified Professional (LACP), John advises clients on retirement planning, investment planning, and risk management. He serves as a NAIFA leader and has held several leadership roles at the local, state, and national levels.

Financial services is a diverse industry with many possible career paths. Some professionals venture into the insurance space while others prefer to advise on personal investments. Yet some finance professionals struggle to identify their passions and choose a company that aligns with their values. How can you find satisfaction in your career and begin serving clients effectively?

NAIFA leader John Richardson experienced similar struggles. For years, he tried to take his career in the financial services industry to the next level with little success. After joining multiple industry associations, John built strategic alliances with other professionals, delegated areas he was no longer interested in, and added value to clients by tapping into his expertise and remaining authentic. When you identify your professional strengths, you can grow your leadership and service clients with transparency, professionalism, and care.

On this episode of Advisor Today, Chris Gandy and Suzanne Carawan sit down with financial planner John D. Richardson to discuss his secrets for thriving in the financial services industry. John explains how he got started in the financial services industry, the value of being authentic and transparent as a financial advisor, his involvement with NAIFA, and his insights on time management.

Chris Carothers is an insurance professional and a Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (LUTCF). As a second-generation veteran in the insurance industry, he has been serving and advocating for his community for 30 years. Chris works with over 300 licensed insurance agents to help Americans plan for their current and future insurance needs. He also partners with insurance carriers to develop and introduce new health products.

Insurance advisors can be incredible mentors, managing people's executive affairs and guiding their futures. This comes with significant responsibility and requires complete immersion in the industry. How can you develop a service-based approach to gain traction in this industry?

Becoming a reputable insurance agent entails developing servant leadership skills. With a career dedicated to serving his community through flexible insurance options, Chris Carothers maintains that joining organizations of like-minded professionals in the insurance industry is essential. Mentorship groups are valuable for gaining access to resources, networking opportunities, industry insights, and cutting-edge strategies that can help agents sharpen their expertise. With proper education and training, you can establish trust with your clients and build a value-driven career.

On this episode of Advisor Today, Chris Gandy and Suzanne Carawan sit down with insurance professional Chris Carothers to discuss service-based leadership in the insurance industry. Chris explains how he entered the insurance industry, success tips for young insurance agents, the importance of mentorship in the industry, and the value of joining NAIFA as an agent.