In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath welcomes Michael Kitces, Chief Financial Planning Nerd at Kitces.com.

In this conversation, Michael shares research-backed insights on what truly drives productivity in advisory firms and what surprisingly does not. Drawing on data from hundreds of advisory firms, he explains why revenue per advisor is one of the most consistent and meaningful ways to measure productivity across business models.

Michael discusses:

• Why technology alone rarely delivers the productivity gains advisors expect

• How team structure, delegation, and role clarity create real leverage

• The optimal size of advisory teams and why productivity often declines as teams grow too large

• How hiring the right support staff can dramatically increase capacity and revenue

He also challenges advisors to rethink pricing, sharing why fee compression is largely a myth and why many above-average advisors undervalue their work. Michael explains how pricing is a lever advisors are allowed and encouraged to use to build sustainable, scalable firms that reflect the true value they deliver.

Guest Links Website: https://www.kitces.com Podcast: Financial Advisor Success Podcast LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/michaelkitces

Recommend a Podcast Guest 👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWXHTV7

In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, welcomes Carl Richards, CFP®, creator of The Sketch Guy column for The New York Times, where for more than a decade he translated complex money ideas into simple, hand-drawn sketches.

Carl has built and sold a successful investment firm and is now a sought-after speaker and bestselling author of The Behavior Gap, The One-Page Financial Plan, and Your Money: Re-Imagining Wealth in 101 Simple Sketches. He is also the host of the podcast Behavior Gap Radio.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Carl challenges advisors to rethink how they communicate with clients. While advisors are trained to manage complexity, Carl argues that actual value lies in elegant simplicity. He explains how the overuse of jargon and technical language can unintentionally distance clients and why most people nod along even when they don't understand what's being said.

Carl shares why simplifying financial conversations helps clients:

• Feel truly heard and understood
• Build trust more quickly
• Engage more deeply with their financial decisions
• Stay focused on what actually matters to their lives

He also explores the difference between simplistic and elegantly simple, why visual communication is so powerful, and how one-page sketches can unlock more meaningful conversations. Looking ahead, Carl discusses the rise of artificial intelligence and why the future value of financial planners lies not in calculations but in human wisdom, presence, and empathy.

Guest Links

Website: https://behaviorgap.com

Podcast: Behavior Gap Radio

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlrichards

Recommend a Podcast Guest

👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWXHTV7

________________________________________________________________________________ The Smarter Planner Podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals or services mentioned.

In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, welcomes Ed Dressel, president and owner of Retire Ready Solutions, a company empowering advisors to simplify retirement education — especially for middle-income workers and pension-eligible employees.

With nearly 40 years in the industry, Ed has identified a critical disconnect: advisors love complexity, but clients crave simplicity. When presentations are too technical, clients feel lost and miss the most essential questions about their retirement readiness. Ed explains how shifting from over-analysis to interactive simplicity helps clients:

-Truly understand their retirement path

-Express their values and priorities

-Make informed decisions with confidence

-Stay engaged long after the meeting ends

He also shares how Retire Ready Solutions' tools help advisors show on one page whether a client is on track and how minor improvements (like 1–2% contribution increases) can dramatically boost outcomes without overwhelming them.

Guest Links

Website: retireready.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwarddressel/

Recommend a Podcast Guest

👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWXHTV7

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The Smarter Planner Podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals or services mentioned.

In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, sits down with Mike Padawer, CLTC, founder and president of Inertia Advisor Services Group and Carefidence, to discuss why financial planners must shift their approach from simply paying for care to truly planning for care.

Mike—author of What's the Deal with Long-Term Care and co-author of What You Don't Know About Retirement Will Hurt You—shares how advisors can guide clients through the emotional, legal, and financial realities of aging with intention.

He explains how most advisors stop at the funding question ("Can the client afford it?"), missing the more profound planning questions that matter most:

• Who will provide care?
• Where will it happen?
• And how can families avoid conflict and crisis when the time comes?

Mike outlines his four-step framework—Awareness, Assessment, Alignment, and Action—that helps advisors integrate long-term care into every financial plan with empathy and clarity.

Guest Links:

Website: https://www.inertia-asg.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-padawer/

Recommend a podcast guest:

👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWXHTV7

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The Smarter Planner Podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals or services mentioned.

In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, sits down with Ari Galper, founder and CEO of Ari AI — the world's only trust-based proprietary AI sales growth advisor — to explore how financial planners can build deeper trust and stronger client relationships in today's commoditized advisory landscape.

Ari, author of seven bestselling books including Trust in a Split Second and Unlock the Sales Game, explains why we're in what he calls a "trust recession." He challenges the traditional focus on relationship-building and free consulting, showing instead how advisors can earn trust faster by adopting a doctor–patient approach — diagnosing problems before offering solutions.

Together, Belle and Ari unpack:

• Why "value" and "education" are no longer effective trust builders

• How to shift from being "shopped" to becoming the trusted choice

• Practical ways to change your first meeting language to build instant credibility

• How emotional connection—not intellect—is what drives client commitment

• The role of AI in transforming trust-based communication and client engagement

Learn how to stop chasing prospects and start creating trust in a split second.

Guest Links: Website: AriGalper.com Book: TheTrustBook.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/arigalper

Recommend a podcast guest: 👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWXHTV7

The Smarter Planner Podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals or services mentioned.

In this episode of The Smarter Planner podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, sits down with Jane Mepham, CFP®, founder of Elgon Financial Advisors, to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities of financial planning for immigrants and foreign nationals living in the United States. Jane, a former H-1B visa holder herself, brings a deeply personal and professional perspective to helping clients bridge two financial worlds- from understanding tax treaties and global reporting requirements to navigating cultural expectations around money and family support.

She also shares insights from her podcast, The International Money Café. She explains how collaboration between financial planners, immigration attorneys, and tax experts is essential for clients with cross-border ties.

Website: https://elgonfa.com

Podcast: https://www.theimcafe.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janemepham/

Kitces Article-

https://www.kitces.com/blog/investing-for-work-visa-holders-nonimmigrant-challenges-foreign-workers-h1b/

Recommend a podcast guest here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWXHTV7

The Smarter Planner podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals or services mentioned.

In this 1 CE-credit episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP® talks with two leading voices about how artificial intelligence is shaping the industry and what it means for the future of financial planners.

CE Credit Instructions

1. Listen to the full episode.

2. Take the quiz: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/fpancaaipodcastce

3. Receive 1 CE credit upon completion.

Links & Resources Part One: Brendan Fraser – How AI Will Make You a Better Planner

Will AI replace advisors? Brendan explains why the answer is "not yet"—and maybe never, if humans focus on what tech can't replicate.

The chess analogy: How pairing human strategic thinking with computational speed elevates financial advice to new levels.

Client conversations that matter: Why empathy, values, and life goals will always separate advisors from machines.

The ROI of advice: Beyond investment returns, Brendan reframes ROI as money, time, and peace of mind.

• RFG Advisory
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanfrazier/

Part Two: Brooke Juniper – AI's Role in Portfolio Management

AI's long history in finance: From quant strategies to tax-loss harvesting, AI has been powering portfolio management for decades.

Generative AI's "unlock": Moving from deterministic models to flexible, client-specific analysis and commentary.

Vertical vs. horizontal AI apps: Why specialized AI like Sage is built for advisors, compared to general tools like ChatGPT.

Trust and transparency: Ensuring data sources, calculations, and models are reliable and client-ready.

Looking ahead: AI as a "co-pilot," enabling hyper-personalized portfolios, real-time insights, and scalable empathy.

• Sage – AI for Wealth Advisors
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-juniper/

The information provided in the Smarter Planner Podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice. Views expressed are those of the guests and host, not necessarily those of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area (FPA NCA). Please consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.

In this episode of the Smarter Planner podcast, host Belle Osvath speaks with David Peters, CFP®, CPA, founder of David Peters Financial Group and Peters Tax Preparation & Consulting, about the sweeping changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and their impact on financial planners and clients. With four master's degrees, a national teaching role, and a PhD in progress, David brings both technical expertise and a practical perspective on navigating new tax laws.

Website: petersprofessionaleducation.com/

LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/david-peters-financial/

The Smarter Planner podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals or services mentioned.

In this episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, talks with Vincent Randazzo, CMT, founder of ViewRight Advisors and former Head of Technical Research at CFRA, about how financial advisors can better navigate market cycles and systemic risk using a disciplined, data-driven approach.

Vincent explains that traditional static asset allocation models don't account for the market cycle's stage—spring, summer, fall, or winter—and therefore miss critical opportunities to manage risk. He emphasizes the importance of active risk management, which differs from stock picking or market timing.

Vincent also challenges the assumption that compounding is straightforward, reminding listeners that path dependency matters—the sequence in which returns occur can significantly impact outcomes. His closing advice: helping clients avoid significant losses is more potent than chasing high returns, especially early in retirement.

To learn more or subscribe to Vincent's market research, visit viewright.ai or follow him on LinkedIn and X (@CMTRandazzo).

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The information provided in The Smarter Planner podcast is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the FPA National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA), its board, or its affiliates.

FPA NCA does not endorse or recommend any individuals, firms, products, or services mentioned in this podcast.

Listeners should consult with a qualified professional who understands their personal financial situation before making any decisions based on this or any other content.

In this episode of the Smarter Planner podcast, host Belle Osvath sits down with Paul Sippil, CPA, and founder of Paul Sippel & Associates, to explore the often-overlooked world of 401(k) plan fees, transparency, and fiduciary responsibility. As a self-described "forensic retirement consultant," Paul has reviewed thousands of Form 5500 filings, uncovering hidden fees, conflicts of interest, and even outright fraud.

Paul shares how his journey began by cold-calling business owners after analyzing their publicly available 5500 forms—only to be met with surprise, disbelief, or outright denial. Through years of experience, he discovered that most business owners and advisors lack awareness of how much participants are truly paying, and that many advisors are receiving fees for "fake management" without providing real participant education or fiduciary-level service.

Paul encourages financial planners to dive into 5500 forms—even if they don't manage retirement plans—because doing so can uncover powerful opportunities to add value for business-owning clients.

You can connect with Paul here;

https://www.paulsippil.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@paulsippil

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-sippil-5141a47/

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The Smarter Planner podcast is presented by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA). This episode is for educational purposes only, and neither Belle Osvath nor FPA NCA endorses specific individuals or services mentioned.