The Exceptional Advisor Podcast

The Exceptional Advisor Podcast

By Investments & Wealth InstituteBusinessInvestingManagement
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The Exceptional Advisor Podcast episodes

  • 2026 Outlook with Liz Ann Sonders
    In this episode of The Exceptional Advisor, Sean Walters sits down with Liz Ann Sonders, Chief Investment Strategist at Charles Schwab, for a timely conversation on navigating markets defined by uncertainty, shifting economic signals, and relentless headlines. Liz Ann shares her current outlook on the economy, where she sees resilience beneath the volatility, and how advisors can separate meaningful data from short-term noise. The discussion moves beyond forecasts to focus on discipline — how to communicate with clients during uneven cycles, manage expectations, and reinforce long-term strategy when sentiment swings. For advisors leading teams or building credibility within them, this conversation offers a practical perspective on aligning messaging, maintaining consistency, and guiding clients with clarity in complex environments.
    39 min
  • 2026 Outlook with Liz Thomas

    What's ahead for advisors in 2026, and how should they prepare? Host Sean Walters welcomes Liz Thomas, Head of Investment Strategy at SoFi, for a market update focused on the 2026 macro outlook. From balancing concentration risk and client FOMO to keeping clients calm, Liz covers plenty of ground, giving advisors a strong framework for smarter allocation decisions and stronger client conversations.

    40 min
  • The Retirement Wake-Up Call is Here

    Steve Gresham, managing principal at Next Chapter, discusses in this Exceptional Advisor podcast with host Robert Powell delves into the complexities and challenges of retirement planning in the modern era. Gresham discusses the evolving nature of retirement, emphasizing the gap between people's expectations and their level of preparation. He highlights the importance of planning and adapting to changing needs, both financially and emotionally. The conversation also touches on the role of financial advisors in guiding clients through these challenges, stressing the need for improved communication, understanding of aging, and comprehensive approaches to managing retirement finances and health considerations.

    Learn more at https://publications.investmentsandwealth.org/iwmonitor/library/item/november_december_2023/4161432/

    53 min
  • DALBAR's Lou Harvey Reflects on Pioneering Investor Behavior Research and the Evolution of Financial Advice

    In this podcast, Dalbar founder Lou Harvey discusses the history of his firm, which pioneered research into quantifying the impact of investor behavior on returns. He reflects on key initiatives like the Quantitative Analysis of Investor Behavior (QAIB) report, which revealed the significant performance gap between mutual fund investors and the funds they invest in. Harvey also shares his perspective on current industry trends and the future outlook. He sees artificial intelligence playing a bigger role in financial advice, with humans focused more on interpreting AI recommendations versus specialized expertise. Harvey argues asset allocation should be highly personalized based on an investor's specific situation and needs. He advocates for a fiduciary standard across the advice industry. Throughout, Harvey emphasizes the importance of a personal approach in understanding clients and serving their best interests. He urges advisors to go beyond purely investment considerations to incorporate critical lifestyle factors impacting financial decisions.

    49 min
  • Retirement Trends and Challenges
    differentiate your retirement advising practice with elevated and specialized capabilities. Explore the RMA® Certification: https://iwicentral.org/3STsNId In this roundtable discussion, experts Anna Rappaport, Rob Austin, and Michael Doshier provide insights on key retirement issues including spending patterns, debt levels, housing costs, family support, and using products like annuities and reverse mortgages. Key takeaways: - Retiree spending declines on average 2% per year, but is often "lumpy" with large one-time expenses - Housing represents the biggest expense for retirees, but many fail to incorporate home equity into financial plans - More retirees carry debt and support adult children financially than in the past - Annuities and reverse mortgages remain underutilized due to complexity, lack of advisor expertise The experts emphasize the need for holistic planning that accounts for healthcare, housing, family obligations, and other qualitative factors - not just portfolio returns. They advise financial advisors to take an expansive view when working with retiree clients.
    51 min
  • Why AI Poses a Mortal Threat to Financial Advisors
    Bob Powell and David Alan Macchia discuss the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) for the financial advisory profession. Macchia highlights AI's potential advantages, such as cost-efficiency and a unique user experience, but also acknowledges its current limitations in providing accurate advice. He predicts the rise of "digital humans" that merge vast financial knowledge with a human-like interface. The conversation underscores the importance of trust in the advisory profession and debates whether AI can achieve a similar trust level. Both participants emphasize the need for human advisors to adapt and integrate AI into their practices to stay competitive in the future.
    27 min

About The Exceptional Advisor Podcast

From the publisher's feed

The Exceptional Advisor Podcast, produced by the Investments & Wealth Institute, is a conversation series for financial advisors who serve high-net-worth clients and want to sharpen how they practice.