Optimized Advisor Podcast

On this week’s episode Scott was joined virtually by Todd Kelly & Andy Hickman, Co-Founders of Cumulus College Quest, the college planning partners for Financial Professionals. About our guests...

Todd M. Kelly is known nationwide as a leading authority in the area of college planning. In addition, Todd co-wrote and developed a curriculum for and trained thousands of financial professionals on how properly assist their clients through the complex maze that is college planning.  He has also co-created numerous programs and owns several college planning companies designed to assist both families and advisors.  Along with his business partner, Andy Hickman, Todd has also co-written The College Planning Parachute, an Insider’s Guide to developing an effective college selection and college funding plan.  

Steeped in College Planning for more than 20 years, Andy Hickman is a licensed advisor with a practice that grew almost exclusively as a result of his college planning expertise.   Andy co-authored (with his business partner, Todd Kelly) “The College Planning Parachute” (available on Amazon), co-created more than 1000 hours of college planning specific advisor training and has given hundreds of presentations to schools, organizations, and corporations on the topic of college planning.  He’s also been quoted or has been a guest on numerous radio programs, newspapers, and magazines on various aspects of college.

In this episode you will learn the following:

1. College Planning optimization as a Financial Professional
2. The different types of financing for college
3. How to request more scholarship opportunities from universities
4. Various investment strategies to help client’s save for their children’s future college tuition

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For more on The Optimized Advisor Podcast click here  
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This is the Optimized Advisor Podcast, where we focus on optimizing the wellbeing and best practices of insurance and financial professionals. Our objective is to help you optimize your life, optimize your profession, and learn from other optimized advisors. If you have questions or would like to be a featured guest, email us at [email protected]

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This is the Optimized Advisor Podcast, where we focus on optimizing the wellbeing and best practices of insurance and financial professionals. Our objective is to help you optimize your life, optimize your profession, and learn from other optimized advisors. If you have questions or would like to be a featured guest, email us at [email protected]

Optimized Insurance Planning

On this week’s episode Scott was joined by Ryan George, CMO of Docupace; the leading cloud-based fintech platform that simplifies how financial services and wealth management firms process and digitize data. Ryan has 15+ years of marketing and communications experience in the financial services industry. Before joining Docupace, he served as the Assistant VP, Marketing and Communications at 1st Global, a software solutions provider for CPA firms, where he spearheaded lead gen efforts and contributed to double-digit revenue growth. 

He has also held marketing leadership positions at specialized asset managers – GuideStone Capital Management, based in Dallas, and U.S. Global Investors in San Antonio.

In addition to being a finalist for the WealthManagement.com broker-dealer Chief Marketing Officer of the Year award in 2019, Ryan was also a finalist for the 2022 ThinkAdvisor LUMINARIES.

He is a former chair of the Financial Services Institute Marketing Growth and Development Council, composed of top-level sales, marketing, and business development executives from across the industry and a member of the Forbes Communications Council, an invitation-only, fee-based organization of senior-level communications and public relations executives.

In this episode you will learn the following: 

1. All about Docupace and how it helps advisors optimize their practice
2. Fintech/wealth management tech trends: What's worth paying attention to, and what isn’t
3. How AI comes into play to analyze data
4. The back-office revolution in wealth management: Why enhancing how the work is done is improving the client experience
5. Unlocking growth: The future of financial advice and how technology will change the financial services industry in the coming years

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn
Connect with  Ryan on LinkedIn

For more on The Optimized Advisor Podcast click here  
For more on Docupace click here

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This is the Optimized Advisor Podcast, where we focus on optimizing the wellbeing and best practices of insurance and financial professionals. Our objective is to help you optimize your life, optimize your profession, and learn from other optimized advisors. If you have questions or would like to be a featured guest, email us at [email protected]

Optimized Insurance Planning

Scott invited Judy Hoberman in the studio for a discussion about her journey, her books, and her mission of helping women succeed. Judy Hoberman is President of Judy Hoberman and Associates, a company focused on empowering professional women. She is an international speaker, trainer, executive coach, author, radio show host and mentor. Her 30 years in business has given her both knowledge and a sense of humor about how men and women lead, sell, manage and recruit differently.  She will enlighten you and help you learn how both genders can support each other’s successes in a more productive way. Her experience in sales and leadership has helped her clients realize the importance of building relationships, standing out and being the authority in their market.

Judy also works with companies supporting their diversity and women’s initiatives in the areas of sales, leadership, recruiting, training, coaching, mentoring and retention. In her role as an executive coach and trainer, she is often described as “transformational.” 

Judy is the host of “Selling in a Skirt with Judy Hoberman” podcast and has been “The Gender Expert” on Fox News Radio. She has appeared on CNN Headlines, ABC, CBS, CW33 and Good Morning Texas, contributes articles to multiple publications and journals, and appeared on the cover of Exceptional People Magazine.

In this episode you will learn the following: 

1. How Judy navigated working in a male-dominated industry and succeeded at it
2. The two books she authored, Selling In A Skirt and Walking On The Glass Floor
3. Having passion for what you do and how to manifest and create the feature you want
4. Leadership and communication and how they go hand in hand 
5. Her mission: To help one woman a day by following an important philosophy- “Women want to be treated equally, not identically ®”

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn
Connect with Judy on LinkedIn

For more on The Optimized Advisor Podcast click here  
For all things Judy Hoberman and to purchase her books click here

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This is the Optimized Advisor Podcast, where we focus on optimizing the wellbeing and best practices of insurance and financial professionals. Our objective is to help you optimize your life, optimize your profession, and learn from other optimized advisors. If you have questions or would like to be a featured guest, email us at [email protected]

**

This is the Optimized Advisor Podcast, where we focus on optimizing the wellbeing and best practices of insurance and financial professionals. Our objective is to help you optimize your life, optimize your profession, and learn from other optimized advisors. If you have questions or would like to be a featured guest, email us at [email protected]

Optimized Insurance Planning

On this week’s episode, Scott was joined by Robert Kirk for a discussion on data. Robert is a seasoned financial industry expert with over 30 years of experience, serves as the Founder and CEO of InterGen Data, Inc., a company revolutionizing the banking, financial services, insurance, and home healthcare industries through the adoption of its proprietary and patent-pending Life Stage/Life Event prediction and analysis data.  With an impressive track record in leadership roles such as Chief Information Officer at 1st Global Research & Consulting and Principal Consultant at Mphasis (a Blackstone Company), Rob has consistently demonstrated his ability to drive innovation, streamline operations, and foster strategic partnerships. As a visionary with a strong background in technology, data, and wealth management, Rob has led transformative initiatives at companies like Penson Financial Services and Southwest Securities, Inc. His extensive experience and proven expertise in wealth management, financial services, and clearance and settlement make him the driving force behind InterGen Data's disruption of the financial industry.

In this episode you will learn the following: 

1. How and why Robert started InterGen Data
2. How to utilize data in financial and insurance planning
3. The explosion of AI and how it helps to analyze data to determine what’s relevant
4. How insurance companies are utilizing data for client policy predictions 
5. How do you help clients effectively plan for their finances, healthcare, or insurance needs? By showing them the future.

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn
Connect with  Robert on LinkedIn

For more on The Optimized Advisor Podcast click here  
For more on InterGen Data click here

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This is the Optimized Advisor Podcast, where we focus on optimizing the wellbeing and best practices of insurance and financial professionals. Our objective is to help you optimize your life, optimize your profession, and learn from other optimized advisors. If you have questions or would like to be a featured guest, email us at [email protected]

**

This is the Optimized Advisor Podcast, where we focus on optimizing the wellbeing and best practices of insurance and financial professionals. Our objective is to help you optimize your life, optimize your profession, and learn from other optimized advisors. If you have questions or would like to be a featured guest, email us at [email protected]

Optimized Insurance Planning

On this week’s episode, Scott welcomed back Andrew Martz to the studio. As a New York native with offices located in Los Angeles, Denver, and Dallas, Andrew’s client base spans the country. His client roster ranges from busy executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals in the sports and entertainment industries. Andrew is the co-host of the “Dollars & Sensibilities” podcast show where he shares his expertise with listeners around the numbers, concepts, and behaviors that can shape a person’s financial life. 

In this episode you will learn the following: 

1. How Andrew co-wrote a book, More Than Money with a group of like-minded Financial Advisors
2. Social Media FinFluencers and why their advice may not be the best strategy 
3. The future of the financial advisor industry
4. Andrew’s business optimization strategies

Listen to our previous episode with Andrew: Ep. 22 - Learn from An Optimized Advisor: Andrew Martz, WIS Advisors
 

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn
Connect with  Andrew on LinkedIn

For more on The Optimized Advisor Podcast click here  
For more on WIS Advisors click here
Purchase More Than Money here

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This is the Optimized Advisor Podcast, where we focus on optimizing the wellbeing and best practices of insurance and financial professionals. Our objective is to help you optimize your life, optimize your profession, and learn from other optimized advisors. If you have questions or would like to be a featured guest, email us at [email protected]

**

This is the Optimized Advisor Podcast, where we focus on optimizing the wellbeing and best practices of insurance and financial professionals. Our objective is to help you optimize your life, optimize your profession, and learn from other optimized advisors. If you have questions or would like to be a featured guest, email us at [email protected]

Optimized Insurance Planning

On this week’s episode, Scott was joined in the virtual studio by Larry Sprung, Founder and Wealth Advisor of Mitlin Financial. In addition, Larry is the author of Financial Planning Made Personal and Host of the Mitlin Money Mindset Podcast. Larry founded Mitlin Financial, Inc., in 2004 with a focus on prioritizing the families we serve. The Mitlin team consistently helps those families make healthy financial decisions and offer a tremendous experience that leverages personalized service with today’s top tools and technology.

In this episode you will learn the following: 

1. Larry’s background – his how and why for starting Mitlin Financial
2. The importance of having Core Values to optimize your business and life
3. How Larry wrote his book, Financial Planning Made Personal and his podcast, the Mitlin Money Mindset are resources for his clients
4. Larry shares a personal story on mental health and how is an advocate for mental health optimization

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn
Connect with Larry on LinkedIn

For more on The Optimized Advisor Podcast click here  
For more on Mitlin Financial click here
For more on the Mitlin Money Mindset™ click here
To purchase and learn more about Financial Planning Made Personal click here

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This is the Optimized Advisor Podcast, where we focus on optimizing the wellbeing and best practices of insurance and financial professionals. Our objective is to help you optimize your life, optimize your profession, and learn from other optimized advisors. If you have questions or would like to be a featured guest, email us at [email protected]

**

This is the Optimized Advisor Podcast, where we focus on optimizing the wellbeing and best practices of insurance and financial professionals. Our objective is to help you optimize your life, optimize your profession, and learn from other optimized advisors. If you have questions or would like to be a featured guest, email us at [email protected]

Optimized Insurance Planning

Scott welcomed Annie Dietrich of AC Social Designs back in studio to discuss the latest social media trends and AI. Annie is the Founder of AC Social Designs, a social media marketing and content strategy firm empowering businesses and creators with killer social strategies and captivating content.

In this episode you will learn the following: 

1. How to optimize your social media strategy utilizing AI tools
2. The latest trends in the social media industry including Instagram Reels, Engagement through DMs, and LinkedIn strategies
3. How the new Meta verification blue check mark works
4. The different AI platforms such as Chat GPT and Jasper, and how to incorporate them while keeping your voice and authenticity

Listen to our previous episodes with Annie:
Ep. 71 - Optimization Strategies to help Advisors Reach Social Media Success with Annie Dietrich, AC Social Designs
Ep. 60 - How to Grow and Optimize Your Social Media with Annie Dietrich, AC Social Designs

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn
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Follow AC Social Designs on Instagram

For more on The Optimized Advisor Podcast click here  

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This is the Optimized Advisor Podcast, where we focus on optimizing the wellbeing and best practices of insurance and financial professionals. Our objective is to help you optimize your life, optimize your profession, and learn from other optimized advisors. If you have questions or would like to be a featured guest, email us at [email protected]

**

This is the Optimized Advisor Podcast, where we focus on optimizing the wellbeing and best practices of insurance and financial professionals. Our objective is to help you optimize your life, optimize your profession, and learn from other optimized advisors. If you have questions or would like to be a featured guest, email us at [email protected]

Optimized Insurance Planning

Scott welcomed Retirement Expert, Economist, Best Selling Author, Public TV host and International Speaker Tom Hegna virtually in studio to have a discussion on financial planning in the current economy, the importance of using the right tools at the right time, and practicing what he preaches when it comes to his own retirement.

Tom Hegna is an economist, author, and retirement expert. He has been an incredibly popular industry speaker for many years and is considered by many to be THE Retirement Income Expert!

As a former First Vice President at New York Life, retired Lieutenant Colonel, and economist, Tom has delivered over 5,000 seminars on his signature "Paychecks and Playchecks" retirement approach, helping Baby Boomers and seniors retire the "optimal" way. He has condensed a large chunk of his considerable knowledge into 5 books.

As a financial professional, after learning from this value packed episode you will walk away with a greater understanding of how wealth preservation strategies can deepen client relationships and grow your business better moving into the future.

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn
Connect with Tom on LinkedIn

For more on The Optimized Advisor Podcast click here  
For more on Tom Hegna click here

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This is the Optimized Advisor Podcast, where we focus on optimizing the wellbeing and best practices of insurance and financial professionals. Our objective is to help you optimize your life, optimize your profession, and learn from other optimized advisors. If you have questions or would like to be a featured guest, email us at [email protected]

**

This is the Optimized Advisor Podcast, where we focus on optimizing the wellbeing and best practices of insurance and financial professionals. Our objective is to help you optimize your life, optimize your profession, and learn from other optimized advisors. If you have questions or would like to be a featured guest, email us at [email protected]

Optimized Insurance Planning

Scott was joined in studio by Paul Garofoli, Annuity Regional Sales Director for the Standard to talk about the Annuity Industry. Paul has a 40-year career touching upon all aspects of our industry, especially independent distribution. Nicknamed the “Annuity King,” his enthusiasm is legendary. A nationally recognized speaker, Paul is known for his entertaining presentations.

Most recently, Paul was the recipient of the NAILBA ID 20 Award, honoring a diverse group of insurance professionals who are the most fascinating trailblazers, change-makers or architects shaping the future of independent distribution.

In this episode you will learn the following: 

1. Fundamentals of sales – door knocking, consistency, success
2. The current Annuity Market – short term duration product options
3. Where the industry is heading
4. How Insurance company representatives are an asset to your team

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn
Connect with Paul on LinkedIn

For more on The Optimized Advisor Podcast click here  
For more on The Standard click here

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This is the Optimized Advisor Podcast, where we focus on optimizing the wellbeing and best practices of insurance and financial professionals. Our objective is to help you optimize your life, optimize your profession, and learn from other optimized advisors. If you have questions or would like to be a featured guest, email us at [email protected]

**

This is the Optimized Advisor Podcast, where we focus on optimizing the wellbeing and best practices of insurance and financial professionals. Our objective is to help you optimize your life, optimize your profession, and learn from other optimized advisors. If you have questions or would like to be a featured guest, email us at [email protected]

Optimized Insurance Planning

Scott was joined in studio by Sean Turner, CEO and Founder of Buffer Insurance. Buffer Insurance is an insurance company offering insurance solutions for employers and seniors. Sean Turner founded Buffer Insurance with the vision that the most meaningful impact we make is in the lives of others. Protecting others and ensuring their future impact is his highest priority at Buffer. Sean educates business owners and human resource professionals on ways to protect their vision and assists seniors transitioning to Medicare by finding coverages that will protect their future. Buffer Insurance is a veteran-led and veteran-owned independent insurance agency. This is made possible through the values and leadership instilled in Sean during his time serving as an infantryman and squad leader in the US Army.

In this episode you will learn the following:

1. How Sean started Buffer Insurance
2. How Buffer Insurance went viral when Roe v. Wade was overturned
3. Outsourcing work to people in other countries to scale and grow profits
4. Optimizing your business through your core values, vision, and going back to the why

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn
Connect with Sean on LinkedIn

For more on The Optimized Advisor Podcast click here  
For more on Buffer Insurance click here

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This is the Optimized Advisor Podcast, where we focus on optimizing the wellbeing and best practices of insurance and financial professionals. Our objective is to help you optimize your life, optimize your profession, and learn from other optimized advisors. If you have questions or would like to be a featured guest, email us at [email protected]

**

This is the Optimized Advisor Podcast, where we focus on optimizing the wellbeing and best practices of insurance and financial professionals. Our objective is to help you optimize your life, optimize your profession, and learn from other optimized advisors. If you have questions or would like to be a featured guest, email us at [email protected]

Optimized Insurance Planning