The Fintape

What if the real risk in adopting AI isn't the technology itself, but forgetting whose voice is supposed to be behind it?

Brodrick Lothringer sat down with Eric Franklin, managing principal of a wealth management firm built entirely by former tech workers, at Wealth Management Edge in Boca Raton to talk about what 23 years at Amazon taught him about writing, risk, and building a firm from scratch.

From silent narrative-doc meetings with Jeff Bezos to the "tenets" framework that drives every big decision, from a still-in-review AI policy to a single web page that turned into a client pipeline during the Anthropic tender offer, this conversation covers a lot of ground fast. It's thoughtful, a little self-deprecating, and makes the case that scaling an advisory business should never mean scaling out the advisor.

• Eric Franklin on LinkedIn
• Brodrick Lothringer on LinkedIn 

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Have you ever nodded along in a meeting, made all the right eye contact, and still had no idea what was actually said?

Brodrick Lothringer sat down with Matt Halloran, Chief Evangelist at Zocks, at Wealth Management Edge in Boca Raton to talk about why he thinks "active listening" is actually empty listening, and what advisors should be doing instead.

From chicken parm rankings and borrowed credibility to AI note takers, engaged listening drills, and the one question every "holistic" financial planner should be asking clients, this conversation covers a lot of ground. It's candid, a little irreverent, and makes a real case for why AI, used right, might make advisors more human, not less.

• Matt Halloran on LinkedIn
• Brodrick Lothringer on LinkedIn 

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Have you ever been to a wealth management conference that felt more like a marathon than a meeting?

Brodrick Lothringer and Dr. Craig Lemoine sat down to talk about what really makes a great industry event, from the sessions that actually teach you something new to the networking that doesn’t end in regret.

They swap stories from the road (including a blizzard in Iowa and one unforgettable Florida grocery store-turned-nightclub) and share a few unfiltered lessons every advisor should take to heart before booking their next conference ticket.

It’s smart, funny, and painfully real, just the way every good conversation about this industry should be.

• Dr. Craig Lemoine
• Brodrick Lothringer on LinkedIn 

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Shannon Spotswood has a story that doesn’t fit in a straight line—and that’s exactly what makes it good. From hedge funds and IPOs to launching a kids’ clothing brand out of her garage, and now leading RFG Advisory, she’s been building things her whole career.

In this conversation, Shannon talks about the pivots that changed her path, the culture she’s protecting at RFG, and why independence matters more than ever for advisors. She also shares how balance, growth, and even a little Motown have shaped the way she takes care of business.

• Shannon Spotswood on LinkedIn
• RFG Advisory
• Brodrick Lothringer on LinkedIn 

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Suzanne Siracuse has seen this industry in every shade; back when “advice” was a stock tip over lunch, through the print-to-digital chaos, and into today’s AI-everywhere landscape. She didn’t just watch it happen. She helped shape it.

In this episode, Suzanne talks about the hustle of starting something from scratch, the mess and magic of media, and why the best advisors roll with change instead of fighting it. 

• Suzanne Siracuse
• Net Positive Wealth
• Brodrick Lothringer on LinkedIn
• Eric Leeper on LinkedIn
• PodPony
• FP Transitions

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What separates a “lifestyle practice” from a true growth enterprise? According to Jim Dickson, founder of Elevation Point, it’s fire in the belly, not just lip service to growth. In this episode, Brodrick digs into what it really takes to scale an advisory firm: organic growth, digital marketing that actually works, and the dream-team support that fuels it all.

They cover why too many advisors still blend into the sea of blue suits, how niching down beats being a generalist, and why the next decade will belong to firms that embrace tech, marketing, and AI. Plus, Jim shares the song that sums up his career philosophy. Hint: Sinatra would approve.

Hit play, because this one’s part strategy session, part reality check, and all energy.

• Jim Dickson
• Elevation Point
• Brodrick Lothringer on LinkedIn 

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What if marketing isn’t just about getting leads, but about truly educating and connecting with people? In this episode, Matt Seitz, Chief Marketing Officer at  Prosperity Capital Advisors, explains why thought leadership, authentic storytelling, and education matter more than flashy sales tactics.

Matt also shares his personal story of living with chronic pain and how a mindset shift toward gratitude shaped his career—and his approach to helping advisors build trust with clients.

If you’re ready to see marketing as more than numbers and clicks, this episode will change how you think about your practice.

• Matt Seitz on LinkedIn
• Prosperity Capital Advisors
• Brodrick Lothringer on LinkedIn 

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In this episode, Brodrick talks with Mark Newfield, CFP(R) RICP(R), of Journey Strategic Wealth about why authenticity is the ultimate business development strategy.

Mark’s story defies the odds: from auto mechanic, to Accenture consultant, to launching an advisory career at 45, he proves resilience and kindness can outpace even the flashiest marketing playbook. His motto? “You can’t fail if you refuse to quit.”

We dive into why financial advice is still a human behavior business, how creating thoughtful content can act as an “attraction engine,” and why your unique voice—not AI-generated sameness—is the key to finding clients who truly fit.

If you’ve ever wondered how to grow a practice without losing yourself in the process, this is the episode you can’t miss.

• Mark Newfield on LinkedIn
• Mark’s Linktree
• Brodrick Lothringer on LinkedIn 

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Brodrick and Eric sat down with Jim Gold, co-founder of Steward Partners, to talk about the one thing every advisor knows they should deal with… but most kick down the road anyway: succession.

Advisors used to be hunters, now they’re farmers. Great for relationships, not so great when it’s time to hand over the keys. Jim lays out what really happens when billion-dollar practices get stuck in the tar pit, when firms buy you out and erase your name, and when day two after the deal doesn’t look anything like you thought it would.

This one’s a wake-up call. It’s the kind of conversation that makes you rethink the plan you’ve been putting off. And honestly, it’s way too real to ignore.

• Jim Gold on LinkedIn
• Steward Partners
• Brodrick Lothringer on LinkedIn 
• Eric Leeper on LinkedIn
• FP Transitions

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In this episode of The Fintape, Brodrick and Eric talk with Michael Kitces about a surprising challenge—the moment when growth becomes the problem.

Kitces explains why what most firms call a “talent gap” is really a “training gap,” and how many advisors hit a crossroads where they must decide between staying client-focused or stepping into full-on business management. 

From the hidden costs of growth to the self-awareness it takes to scale without losing yourself, this episode is one advisors should hear before their own success forces a difficult choice.

• Michael Kitces on LinkedIn
• Michael’s Blog
• Focus Partners
• Brodrick Lothringer on LinkedIn 
• Eric Leeper on LinkedIn
• FP Transitions

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