In Episode #36 of NAPFA Nation, host Marie Swift speaks with NAPFA CEO Kathryn Dattomo to unpack the association's new strategic framework for 2026 and what it means for fee-only fiduciary advisors.

Dattomo shares how the framework grew out of a full year of listening sessions, surveys, and focus groups with NAPFA members and volunteer leaders, ultimately coalescing into three core pillars that are designed to be practical, member-driven, and tightly aligned with NAPFA's mission. The conversation explores how NAPFA plans to elevate the fiduciary standard by clarifying what fiduciary conduct looks like within the association, strengthening its advocacy voice around consumer protection, and helping advisors better communicate the value of fee-only advice to the public. Dattomo also explains how NAPFA will ignite connections through a redesigned website, a more robust member engagement hub, and an enhanced 'Find an Advisor' tool that makes it easier for consumers to locate fiduciary planners and understand why the fee-only model matters. Rounding out the framework, she highlights NAPFA's commitment to deepening professional education with more advanced, technical, and expert-driven content, expanded learning pathways from early career to advanced practice, and new online and on-demand opportunities rolling out as early as the first quarter of the new year.

As the year-end episode, Marie Swift closes the episode by noting that NAPFA Nation will go on sabbatical following this release, thanking listeners for their support, and encouraging advisors to watch for upcoming announcements as NAPFA brings its new strategic vision to life in 2026.

In a nutshell:

• NAPFA's new strategic framework for 2026 was shaped by a year-long process of member surveys, focus groups, and board and volunteer input to ensure it is practical and member-driven.
• The plan is organized into three pillars: elevating the fiduciary standard, igniting connections through community and engagement, and deepening professional education and learning.
• Elevating the fiduciary standard focuses on clarifying what fiduciary conduct means for NAPFA members, strengthening advocacy around consumer protection, and helping advisors clearly communicate the value of fee-only fiduciary advice.
• Igniting connections centers on enhancing the member experience through a redesigned website, a more robust member engagement hub, and an improved Find an Advisor tool that makes it easier for consumers to find and understand fee-only fiduciary planners.
• Deepening professional education emphasizes more advanced and technical programming, expert-driven content, new formats and tracks at conferences, and expanded online and on-demand learning opportunities beginning as early as the first quarter of 2026.

Special Note: In 2023, we rebranded the NAPFA podcast with a new album cover and series title: NAPFA Nation. We are shifting our monthly episodes to bring you inspiring conversations and key insights from leaders in the Fee-Only financial planning profession. Marie Swift, Founder and CEO of Impact Communications, will continue on as host, interviewing a variety of NAPFA members and professionals. You will still be able to find on this channel the 32 Mindset Mastery episodes with respected fiduciary financial planners and allied advocates who are committed to accomplishing great things as they master their own mindset and continue to serve their clients in the best ways possible.

Brought to you by NAPFA - the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors - the country's leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors. Learn more about NAPFA at www.NAPFA.org.

In Episode #35 of NAPFA Nation, host Marie Swift speaks with renowned industry commentator Bob Veres to discuss his newest book, A Behind-the-Scenes History of the Financial Planning Profession, a sweeping history of the profession through Veres' 45-year career.

Veres explores pivotal moments that have shaped the profession, from the collapse of limited partnerships in the 1990s and the tech wreck to the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic. He unpacks how each crisis forced the profession to reflect, adapt, and re-center on genuine financial planning as the foundation for client trust and long-term success. He delves into the ongoing regulatory challenges and the outsized influence of brokerage lobbies, highlighting the uphill battle that fee-only advisors faced, and continue to face, in raising standards and earning the public's confidence.

Veres also reflects on what drives some practitioners to continually raise the bar for professionalism and education, leading the evolution of standards not just to comply with regulations, but to inspire greater consumer trust. He shares enduring lessons and keys to long-term success for advisors, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, adaptability, and staying engaged with new ideas, qualities that have defined the true leaders of the profession.

In a nutshell:

• The profession has faced repeated crises that have repeatedly tested advisor-client relationships, causing shifts back toward authentic financial planning over pure asset management.
• Regulatory dynamics have been challenging, with the SEC's increasing oversight, starting in 2004, disproportionately burdening fee-only fiduciary advisors, who have been influenced by lobbying from brokerage firms. This regulatory capture shaped the profession's standards and challenges.
• Despite early financial sacrifices, fee-only pioneers raised standards in education, practice, and ethics, gaining consumer trust and eventually building large, successful firms. Voluntary higher standards have been a key driver toward professionalism.
• The essential qualities for future success in the profession include flexibility, curiosity, continuous learning, and early adoption of innovations such as AI. These are the traits that distinguish enduring leaders from laggards as the profession continues to evolve and adapt.

Special Note: In 2023, we rebranded the NAPFA podcast with a new album cover and series title: NAPFA Nation. We are shifting our monthly episodes to bring you inspiring conversations and key insights from leaders in the Fee-Only financial planning profession. Marie Swift, Founder and CEO of Impact Communications, will continue on as host, interviewing a variety of NAPFA members and professionals. You will still be able to find on this channel the 32 Mindset Mastery episodes with respected fiduciary financial planners and allied advocates who are committed to accomplishing great things as they master their own mindset and continue to serve their clients in the best ways possible.

Brought to you by NAPFA - the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors - the country's leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors. Learn more about NAPFA at www.NAPFA.org.

In Episode #34 of NAPFA Nation, host Marie Swift speaks with Jennifer Gray, LPC, LMHC, EMDR, founder of Jennifer Gray Counseling, a renowned mentor, mental health therapist, and entrepreneurial well-being expert, about the challenges of maintaining work/life harmony for financial advisors and entrepreneurs, exploring why true balance is less about perfectly portioning time and more about aligning energy, values, and emotional boundaries.

Gray challenges the conventional wisdom that work-life balance is all about time management, emphasizing instead the importance of aligning personal energy, values, and emotional boundaries. She shares practical strategies for recognizing warning signs of burnout, tracking natural energy fluctuations to inform daily tasks, and developing "shutdown rituals" that aid smooth transitions between professional and personal life. Gray advocates for the power of saying no and the need to redefine productivity, urging listeners to let go of rigid expectations and focus on blending work and life, rather than compartmentalizing them.

The duo also explores the risks of overachieving, tying self-worth to output, and the common experience of isolation among solo entrepreneurs. Gray offers guidance on building resilience, maintaining identity beyond professional achievements, and the importance of community – reminding NAPFA members and others listening to the podcast to engage with resources and peer groups for both support and inspiration. The conversation is filled with actionable insights and candid anecdotes, delivering a masterclass in navigating the unique challenges faced by financial advisors as they strive for authentic success and well-being.

In a Nutshell:

• Work-life balance is less about dividing time and more about aligning energy, values, and emotional boundaries
• Tracking energy patterns and building shutdown rituals to mark the end of each workday helps prevent burnout
• Beware of the risks of tying self-worth too closely to productivity and aim instead to loosen rigid expectations and focus on holistic well-being
• Community connections, personal interests, and emotional self-care play a vital role in fostering long-term resilience and overcoming professional isolation

Special Note: In 2023, we rebranded the NAPFA podcast with a new album cover and series title: NAPFA Nation. We are shifting our monthly episodes to bring you inspiring conversations and key insights from leaders in the Fee-Only financial planning profession. Marie Swift, Founder and CEO of Impact Communications, will continue on as host, interviewing a variety of NAPFA members and professionals. You will still be able to find on this channel the 32 Mindset Mastery episodes with respected fiduciary financial planners and allied advocates who are committed to accomplishing great things as they master their own mindset and continue to serve their clients in the best ways possible.

Brought to you by NAPFA - the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors - the country's leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors. Learn more about NAPFA at www.NAPFA.org.

In Episode #33 of NAPFA Nation, host Marie Swift speaks with Uziel Gomez, CFP®, AFC®, Founder of Primeros Financial, a virtual, fee-only financial planning firm dedicated to empowering first-generation wealth builders, helping them take control of their finances and use money to live life by design—intentionally and aligned with their values.

Gomez shares his personal and professional journey as a first-generation wealth builder and next-generation financial planner, highlighting the unique challenges that minorities and first-generation professionals face when building wealth without a family blueprint. He highlights themes such as navigating complex financial systems with little to no guidance, balancing cultural and familial responsibilities, and reconciling the tug-of-war between scarcity mindsets and overspending tendencies.

Gomez speaks openly about the emotional pressures that come with being both a provider and a trailblazer - where many first-generation wealth builders are quite often also serving as a de facto "retirement plan" for their parents - while also building their own financial futures. The conversation explores how guilt surrounding spending, cultural expectations, and obligations to family members can complicate financial decisions, as well as how the right financial strategy can bring peace of mind and balance. He emphasizes the importance of financial literacy not just as a technical skill, but as a form of empowerment that enables individuals to make informed choices and pass down both generational wealth and knowledge.

Gomez also discusses the value of mentorship and volunteerism in opening doors and creating opportunities, particularly for historically underserved populations. He reflects on his own journey – from growing up in a household with limited resources to becoming a CFP® professional and firm founder – and shares how giving back through mentorship and leadership within organizations like NAPFA and the Financial Planning Association has been central to his purpose. Throughout the episode, his message is clear: by leading with intention, staying true to their personal story, and focusing on community impact, first-generation professionals can turn obstacles into strengths that propel them forward.

In a nutshell: •

• First-generation wealth builders, especially minorities, often face a lack of guidance, no family financial blueprint, and the difficulty of navigating systems they've never been exposed to before.
• Money mindsets of growing up in lower-income households – developing a scarcity mindset that leads to hoarding cash or, conversely, overspending to compensate for childhood deprivation.
• Many first-gen professionals feel pressure to support parents, siblings, and future generations simultaneously, often becoming their families' "retirement plan," which can create both pride and guilt.
• Teaching clients not just about strategies but also the why behind them, ensuring they gain knowledge they can pass down as generational wisdom alongside wealth.
• Leading with intention to inspire others, mentoring the next generation, and serving through volunteer leadership – proving that obstacles can become strengths.

Special Note: In 2023, we rebranded the NAPFA podcast with a new album cover and series title: NAPFA Nation. We are shifting our monthly episodes to bring you inspiring conversations and key insights from leaders in the Fee-Only financial planning profession. Marie Swift, Founder and CEO of Impact Communications, will continue on as host, interviewing a variety of NAPFA members and professionals. You will still be able to find on this channel the 32 Mindset Mastery episodes with respected fiduciary financial planners and allied advocates who are committed to accomplishing great things as they master their own mindset and continue to serve their clients in the best ways possible.

Brought to you by NAPFA - the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors - the country's leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors. Learn more about NAPFA at www.NAPFA.org.

In Episode #32 of NAPFA Nation, host Marie Swift speaks with Natalie Pine, CFP®, ChSNC®, Managing Partner of Briaud Financial Advisors and chair-elect of the NAPFA National Board.

Pine reflects on her path into the financial planning profession, sharing that her first NAPFA conference experience left a lasting impression due to the inclusive and supportive atmosphere. Even before becoming a financial planner, Pine recognized the value of the NAPFA community and made it a priority to become a member after earning her CFP® designation and starting her advisory career. She highlights how attending conferences, engaging in networking, and participating in MIX Groups and committees enhanced her professional growth and sense of belonging. Side note: A MIX group is a professional group where like-minded members nationwide can focus on a business problem that needs solving.

The conversation also highlights the importance of the fee-only, fiduciary model in financial planning and how NAPFA's advocacy has contributed to establishing higher ethical standards across the profession. Pine explains that due to NAPFA's efforts, even broker/dealers and fee-based advisors now reference fee structures in client conversations, acknowledging the association's impact on industry practices and consumer awareness.

Pine also discusses her firm's unique approach of intentionally focusing on becoming deep experts in selected niches rather than serving every possible client type. Based in College Station, Texas (home to Texas A&M University), the firm primarily serves university professionals, including professors, administrators, and others who must navigate complex benefit systems. The firm has also broadened its expertise to include families with special needs. This focus is personal for Natalie, whose 16-year-old son is autistic. Her lived experience and Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC®) designation inform her empathetic and knowledgeable approach to serving similar families, which includes guidance on government benefits, estate planning, and life plan trusts.

In a nutshell:

• NAPFA's collaborative community empowers members to share knowledge, resources, and support
• The organization champions the fiduciary, fee-only standard and partners with others to elevate industry ethics
• The NAPFA Conference's strategic focus is on delivering higher-quality content and fostering deeper member engagement
• Having clearly defined niches allows advisors to develop deep expertise, deliver more tailored solutions, and build stronger client relationships
• New members are encouraged to get involved through conferences, committees, and networking to fuel professional growth

Special Note: In 2023, we rebranded the NAPFA podcast with a new album cover and series title: NAPFA Nation. We are shifting our monthly episodes to bring you inspiring conversations and key insights from leaders in the Fee-Only financial planning profession. Marie Swift, Founder and CEO of Impact Communications, will continue on as host, interviewing a variety of NAPFA members and professionals. You will still be able to find on this channel the 32 Mindset Mastery episodes with respected fiduciary financial planners and allied advocates who are committed to accomplishing great things as they master their own mindset and continue to serve their clients in the best ways possible.

Brought to you by NAPFA – the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors - the country's leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors. Learn more about NAPFA at www.NAPFA.org.

In Episode #31 of NAPFA Nation, host Marie Swift speaks with Dan Moisand, CFP®, a prominent leader in financial planning, former chairman of the CFP Board of Standards, and principal at his wealth management firm, Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo, LLC.

Moisand reflects on his 25 years as a NAPFA member and his longstanding advocacy for the fiduciary standard. He identifies two of the profession's most significant wins: the Financial Planning Association's (FPA) successful lawsuit against the SEC in 2007, which ensured brokerage firms offering fee accounts could not sidestep the fiduciary standard, and the CFP Board's decision to require the fiduciary standard for all forms of financial advice, not just financial planning activities. While the latter has not yet resulted in major enforcement actions, Moisand believes it holds enormous potential for future consumer benefits.

He emphasizes that the real progress is driven by everyday advisors who consistently act in their clients' best interests. The conversation highlights how the marketplace has evolved over the years, with consumers increasingly expecting fiduciary CFP®s as a baseline standard. Moisand notes the growing popularity of the CFP® credential, with approximately 10,000 people sitting for the exam last year, attributing this to increased public awareness and outreach efforts.

The discussion also covers Moisand's recent article in Financial Advisor magazine, where he explores the distinction between being a true professional and merely selling financial products. He argues that financial planning deserves recognition as a profession on par with medicine and law and encourages advisors to reflect on their own professional identity and conduct.

In a nutshell:

• Landmark legal and regulatory victories have shaped the fiduciary landscape
• The CFP mark is now a baseline expectation for clients
• Business models are evolving to make fiduciary advice accessible to all
• Peer-driven enforcement and ongoing professionalization are key to industry credibility
• Financial planning is positioned to be recognized as a true helping profession

Special Note: In 2023, we rebranded the NAPFA podcast with a new album cover and series title: NAPFA Nation. We are shifting our monthly episodes to bring you inspiring conversations and key insights from leaders in the Fee-Only financial planning profession. Marie Swift, Founder and CEO of Impact Communications, will continue on as host, interviewing a variety of NAPFA members and professionals. You will still be able to find on this channel the 32 Mindset Mastery episodes with respected fiduciary financial planners and allied advocates who are committed to accomplishing great things as they master their own mindset and continue to serve their clients in the best ways possible.

Brought to you by NAPFA - the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors - the country's leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors. Learn more about NAPFA at www.NAPFA.org.

In Episode #30 of NAPFA Nation, host Marie Swift speaks with Scott Levin, J.D., LL.M., MBA, CFP®, ChFC®, CAP®, MCEP®, Financial Advisor and Senior Estate Planning Specialist at Wescott Financial Group.

Levin shares his passion for lifelong learning, the value of advanced education, and the importance of networking within the fee-only financial planning community. The duo discusses upcoming NAPFA conferences, which are designed to offer a wide range of educational content, from beginner to advanced topics, and enhanced networking opportunities. Levin explains how these events help advisors stay current, share best practices, and build professional relationships.

Levin also highlights the unique value of working with NAPFA advisors, who are fee-only fiduciaries committed to high ethical standards and continuous improvement. He also shares his motivation for active involvement in NAPFA, including a desire to mentor others and foster a collaborative community.

In a nutshell:

• The power of lifelong learning and credentials
• Comprehensive, evolving NAPFA conference programming
• Motivation, mentorship, and professional fulfillment
• The fiduciary advantage of working with a NAPFA Advisor

Special Note: In 2023, we rebranded the NAPFA podcast with a new album cover and series title: NAPFA Nation. We are shifting our monthly episodes to bring you inspiring conversations and key insights from leaders in the Fee-Only financial planning profession. Marie Swift, Founder and CEO of Impact Communications, will continue on as host, interviewing a variety of NAPFA members and professionals. You will still be able to find on this channel the 32 Mindset Mastery episodes with respected fiduciary financial planners and allied advocates who are committed to accomplishing great things as they master their own mindset and continue to serve their clients in the best ways possible.

Brought to you by NAPFA - the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors - the country's leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors. Learn more about NAPFA at www.NAPFA.org.

In Episode #29 of NAPFA Nation, host Marie Swift speaks with Daphne Jordan, CFP®, Partner and Senior Wealth Advisor at Pioneer Wealth Management Group.

Jordan discusses the importance of education as a transformative tool and shares insights into her experiences with diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in the industry, including her role in creating the NAPFA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative, which highlights the necessity of creating a more inclusive financial planning environment. She also shares how her childhood understanding of money and education influences the advisor that she is now, and how she explores financial topics and common questions in a way that is approachable for her clients. They discuss her volunteer activities and why she devotes time to various industry leadership roles, the benefits of being a NAPFA member, and how Pioneer Wealth Management Group serves its clients.

In a nutshell:

• Why education and financial literacy are powerful tools for transformation and empowerment
• Insights from creating and leading NAPFA's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging initiative
• The value of approachable, relatable conversations about money and financial planning
• The personal and professional benefits of volunteerism and industry leadership
• How Pioneer Wealth Management Group exemplifies client service

Special Note: In 2023, we rebranded the NAPFA podcast with a new album cover and series title: NAPFA Nation. We are shifting our monthly episodes to bring you inspiring conversations and key insights from leaders in the Fee-Only financial planning profession. Marie Swift, Founder and CEO of Impact Communications, will continue on as host, interviewing a variety of NAPFA members and professionals. You will still be able to find on this channel the 32 Mindset Mastery episodes with respected fiduciary financial planners and allied advocates who are committed to accomplishing great things as they master their own mindset and continue to serve their clients in the best ways possible. Brought to you by NAPFA - the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors - the country's leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors. Learn more about NAPFA at www.NAPFA.org.

In Episode #28 of NAPFA Nation, host Marie Swift speaks with Knut A Rostad, MBA, President at The Institute for the Fiduciary Standard.

Rostad discusses why he believes the fiduciary standard is dying at the SEC and what fee-only fiduciary advisors can do to protect it, a topic he explored in his NAPFA article: The Fiduciary Best Interest Standard is Dying at the SEC – Fee-Only Fiduciary Advisers Can Act to Preserve it. He underscores the importance of understanding the history of fee-only financial advisory and investment management and how NAPFA members uphold the fiduciary standard. He also shares why he is looking forward to the 2025 NAPFA Spring Conference, happening on May 7-10, 2025, in Phoenix, and more great insights.

In a nutshell:

• The dwindling fiduciary standard at the SEC: its implications for fee-only financial advisory and investment management, and how to address the problem
• The importance of understanding the history of fee-only financial advisory
• Why upholding the fiduciary standard is imperative, and NAPFA's role in supporting it
• The 2025 NAPFA Spring Conference: why he is attending and what there is to look forward to

Special Note: In 2023, we rebranded the NAPFA podcast with a new album cover and series title: NAPFA Nation. We are shifting our monthly episodes to bring you inspiring conversations and key insights from leaders in the Fee-Only financial planning profession. Marie Swift, Founder and CEO of Impact Communications, will continue on as host, interviewing a variety of NAPFA members and professionals. You will still be able to find on this channel the 32 Mindset Mastery episodes with respected fiduciary financial planners and allied advocates who are committed to accomplishing great things as they master their own mindset and continue to serve their clients in the best ways possible.

Brought to you by NAPFA - the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors - the country's leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors. Learn more about NAPFA at www.NAPFA.org.

In Episode #27 of NAPFA Nation, host Marie Swift speaks with Joni Alt, CFP® EA, Senior Wealth Advisor at Evermay Wealth Management. Alt is also a long-time NAPFA volunteer and NAPFA National Board Member.

Alt discusses the 2025 NAPFA Spring Conference happening May 7-10, 2025 in Phoenix, how the conference planning team crafts the agenda for the event, determines its educational value, and builds community for all involved. Alt shares why she joined NAPFA 15 years ago – and why she continues to be a member. She also talks about the fiduciary standard, effective communication and education, and the importance of making a difference in other people's lives.

In a nutshell:

• The 2025 NAPFA Spring Conference: who should attend and why
• Benefits of being a NAPFA member and how serving in leadership roles pays off
• The fiduciary standard and why it should be an important consideration when selecting a financial advisor
• Effective communication with clients and why the firm provides the services it does

Special Note: In 2023, we rebranded the NAPFA podcast with a new album cover and series title: NAPFA Nation. We are shifting our monthly episodes to bring you inspiring conversations and key insights from leaders in the Fee-Only financial planning profession. Marie Swift, Founder and CEO of Impact Communications, will continue on as host, interviewing a variety of NAPFA members and professionals. You will still be able to find on this channel the 32 Mindset Mastery episodes with respected fiduciary financial planners and allied advocates who are committed to accomplishing great things as they master their own mindset and continue to serve their clients in the best ways possible.

Brought to you by NAPFA - the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors - the country's leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors. Learn more about NAPFA at www.NAPFA.org.