Wes Crill, Senior Client Solutions Director and a Vice President at Dimensional Fund Advisors, joins Doug to break down the biggest myths around “volatility-proofing” portfolios. He explains that reducing volatility always comes with trade-offs — most often in expected return — and that many investors underestimate how much is already achievable with traditional tools like disciplined global diversification and mixing equities with fixed income. Crill also cautions that defined outcome ETFs, while popular, often replicate what standard asset-class combinations already do, but with higher costs.

He underscores the difference between systematic volatility (the compensated kind that comes from broad market exposure) and idiosyncratic volatility (uncompensated risk that diversification can eliminate). Crill notes that volatility itself is a healthy market function driven by changing information, and that long-term investors should focus less on daily movements and more on strategic positioning. The most resilient portfolios, he says, rely on broad diversification, cost-effectiveness, and rules-based discipline — not prediction or flavor-of-the-month volatility products.

Resources: Dimensional Fund Advisors

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Matt Kaufman, Global Head of ETFs at Calamos, returns with big news: CAIE has earned two major industry honors—the SRP Americas Most Innovative Product Award and Structured Product Intelligence’s Deal of the Year—rare recognition for an ETF in a category traditionally dominated by structured notes. Kaufman says the awards validate the core idea behind CAIE: bringing a complex autocallable note strategy into a simple, transparent, liquid ETF format that advisors already trust.

He introduces CAIQ as the natural next step—a NASDAQ-focused autocallable ETF built on the same laddered weekly issuance, volatility-targeted index design, and J.P. Morgan swap partnership that have powered CAIE’s success. The key enhancement is a tighter 30% downside barrier, allowing for a higher expected coupon while maintaining historical durability. Kaufman positions CAIQ as a complement to CAIE, mirroring how advisors pair NASDAQ and S&P exposures in traditional equity allocations. With CAIE now past $300M and demand accelerating, he expects more innovation ahead from Calamos in the autocallable ETF space.

Resources: Calamos

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Chris Cherry, Head of Partnerships at Future Proof, joins us to talk about Future Proof Citywide and how it expands on the Future Proof Festival model by moving into Miami Beach, allowing the event to grow beyond the Festival’s 5,000-person limit while keeping the same outdoor, relaxed, anti-conference feel. Citywide also introduces a rotating theme structure — Invest, Build, Grow, and Live — with AI as the central focus for 2025, reflecting how quickly it’s becoming part of industry conversations.

Chris highlights why Citywide delivers real ROI: the breakthrough meeting program, where attendees pre-select and schedule high-quality matches rather than relying on chance encounters. Those curated meetings have led to major client wins and even career-changing outcomes. New this year is a 20,000-square-foot AI Playground, expanded partner activations across Miami Beach, and returning experiences like the women’s lounge. Chris hopes attendees leave with confidence in using AI — and a clear sense that stepping into these conversations is no longer optional.

Resources: Future Proof

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We welcome back Samantha Russell, Chief Evangelist at FMG, to break down the marketing shifts defining 2025 and how advisors can carry them into 2026. Samantha says AI has transformed both how content is made and how it’s found—shifting SEO into AEO, or answer engine optimization. Firms that structure Q&A content with schema, gather reviews, and earn media mentions are the ones AI will recognize as credible sources. The result: fewer clicks, but better-qualified leads.

Samantha also stresses the need to humanize marketing as automation expands. Events, video, and genuine social engagement create connection where AI can’t. Repurposing content across channels and segmenting messages with the help of CRM tools make personalization easy at scale. Her advice for 2026: use AI to make marketing more personal, focus on the one platform where your audience lives, and put a real person forward as the face of your firm.

Download The AI Edge, FMG’s complete AI guide for financial advisors

Resources: FMG

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Kevin Flanagan, Head of Fixed Income Strategy at WisdomTree, joins us to discuss how advisors can navigate uncertainty as the Fed manages policy in a “flying blind” environment. He explains why Treasury Floating Rate Notes remain a cornerstone even in a rate-cut cycle, how defining the true neutral rate will shape future decisions, and why concerns around Fed leadership changes may be overblown.

Kevin also shares how WisdomTree’s yield-enhanced AGGY strategy and active-passive barbell approach can help advisors manage duration, balance risk, and capture yield opportunities without adding leverage. With a focus on discipline and flexibility, he outlines how advisors can position portfolios for the next phase of the Fed’s evolving policy path.

Resources: WisdomTree

Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund before investing. For a prospectus or, if available, the summary prospectus containing this and other important information about the fund, call 866.909.9473 or visit WisdomTree.com/Investments. Read the prospectus or, if available, the summary prospectus carefully before investing.

WisdomTree Floating Rate Treasury Fund (USFR)

WisdomTree Yield Enhanced U.S. Aggregate Bond Fund (AGGY)

Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (Agg): Represents the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, as well as mortgage and asset backed securities.

Kevin Flanagan is a Registered Representative of Foreside Fund Services, LLC.

WisdomTree Funds are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC.

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Alex Khassa, Founder and CEO of Clients Blackbox, joins us to discuss how financial advisors can grow more efficiently by shifting from demand capture to demand generation. He explains why traditional tactics—like buying leads or relying solely on referrals—limit scalability, and how educational marketing funnels help advisors connect with prospects earlier in their decision journey.

Alex also shares how Clients Blackbox combines data science, intent targeting, and compliance-friendly creative to help RIAs attract qualified, affluent pre-retirees. He goes on to explore the future of performance branding—balancing short-term results with long-term trust—and how AI and Meta’s evolving algorithms are reshaping client acquisition in wealth management.

Resources: Clients Blackbox

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Today we welcome back Fred Kaynor, Managing Director at DAFgiving360. Fred explains how donor-advised funds have become an effective way for individuals and families to maximize their charitable giving, making the process simple, tax-smart, and impactful. Since inception, DAFgiving360 donors have granted more than $44 billion to over 280,000 organizations, including a record $8.9 billion last year alone.

Fred highlights the trends shaping philanthropy today, from year-round giving and surging disaster relief support to the rise of socially responsible investment strategies inside DAF accounts. He also underscores the growing role of financial advisors, with nearly 80% of DAFgiving360 accounts now advisor-led, as clients look for guidance on how charitable planning fits into their broader wealth strategy.

If you’d like to learn more about working with DAFgiving360 and the benefits to both you and your clients, review their online resources or request more information.

DAFgiving360 is the name used for the combined programs and services of Donor Advised Charitable Giving, Inc., an independent nonprofit organization which has entered into service agreements with certain subsidiaries of The Charles Schwab Corporation. DAFgiving360 is a tax-exempt public charity as described in Sections 501(c)(3), 509(a)(1), and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Contributions made to DAFgiving360 are considered an irrevocable gift and are not refundable. Once contributed, DAFgiving360 has exclusive legal control over the contributed assets.

Contributions of certain real estate, private equity, or other illiquid assets may be accepted via a charitable intermediary, with proceeds transferred to a donor-advised fund (DAF) account upon liquidation. Call DAFgiving360 for more information at 800-746-6216.

A donor’s ability to claim itemized deductions is subject to a variety of limitations depending on the donor’s specific tax situation.

Market fluctuations may cause the value of investment fund shares held in a donor-advised fund (DAF) account to be worth more or less than the value of the original contribution to the funds.

DAFgiving360 does not provide legal or tax advice. Please consult a qualified legal or tax advisor where such advice is necessary or appropriate.

(1025-RC13)

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Mike Foy, Managing Director and Head of Wealth Intelligence at J.D. Power, shares insights from the 2025 U.S. Financial Advisor Satisfaction Study. The research highlights a critical industry crossroads: investor demand for professional advice continues to rise, even as many seasoned advisors near retirement. Foy discusses the urgent need to attract younger and more diverse talent, build stronger mentoring and team models, and leverage technology—particularly AI—to improve efficiency and client service.

He also explores where firms are falling short in supporting advisors, from underwhelming social media resources to inconsistent succession planning. Drawing on J.D. Power’s data, Foy underscores that while technology won’t replace human advice, it will redefine how advisors deliver it—empowering firms that invest wisely to scale more effectively, retain talent, and strengthen client loyalty.

Resources: J.D. Power

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Matt Schiffman, founder of totumai, joins us to share how the platform is reshaping advisor-client communication. By combining personality science with artificial intelligence, totumai helps advisors move beyond demographic labels and understand how each client truly thinks, decides, and connects. Instead of one-size-fits-all messaging, advisors can tailor communication to fit personality, building trust, strengthening relationships, and driving better outcomes.

Drawing on research with hundreds of investors, Matt explains how totumai distilled complex psychology into a simple eight-question survey that identifies five distinct personas—represented by musical instruments—that reveal how clients prefer to engage. He highlights how advisors can apply these insights across use cases, from personalized emails to meeting agendas and team dynamics. Looking ahead, Matt shares how AI may soon identify personality in real time, expanding the impact of this approach not only in wealth management but also in healthcare, education, and other fields where communication drives results.

Resources: totumai

Read the white paper: Why Traditional Personas Fail

 Take the personality survey! Visit survey.totumai.net to discover insights about your personality traits and characteristics through totumai’s comprehensive assessment.

Click here for the full video demonstration.

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Greg Banasz, Chief Marketing Officer at Steward Partners, shares how he brings the firm’s brand to life while empowering more than 200 independent advisors to express their individuality. Instead of a one-size-fits-all playbook, he offers a flexible “spice rack” of strategies—helping advisors mix and match tools that best support their goals in branding, communication, and growth. By putting collaboration and advisor input at the center, he ensures every strategy feels authentic while still connected to Steward’s broader identity.

He also speaks to the generational shift transforming the industry and the importance of meeting younger, tech-savvy clients where they are—with modern tools like QR codes, video, and AI. For Greg, compliance isn’t a barrier but a partner in creating authentic messaging. Looking ahead, he sees video, personalization, and data-driven insights as key growth drivers, but believes lasting success starts with something simple: listening to advisors and building from their genuine interests.

Resources: Steward Partners

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