The Investipal Podcast

John O’Connell is the founder of The Oasis Group, a leading consultancy helping RIAs, IBDs, and asset managers build the tech stack of the future.

With over 30 years of experience at firms like Merrill Lynch, KPMG, and Oracle, John brings a rare blend of sales, tech, and executive insight to the wealth management space. At Oasis, he now advises firms on tool selection, AI strategy, and how to scale with modern infrastructure.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why “note-takers” are evolving into full AI-powered assistants
• The difference between RIA and bank trust innovation cycles
• How custodians are becoming full-stack competitors
• What to watch for in AI regulation, risk, and hallucinations
• The winners and losers of the next wave of advisor tech

Please enjoy our conversation with John O’Connell.

Doug Fritz is the co-founder and Executive Chairman of F2 Strategy, North America’s leading wealthtech consulting firm.

After a career as CTO and technology leader at Credit Suisse, Wells Fargo, and First Republic, Doug launched F2 Strategy to help RIAs, family offices, banks, and trust companies navigate technology, data, and M&A decisions with hands-on industry expertise.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why banks lag behind RIAs in technology adoption
• How AI is really being used—and where it’s overhyped
• The future of advisor desktops and agentic AI
• How M&A is driving tech investment decisions in wealth management

Please enjoy our conversation with Doug Fritz.

Andrew Ladwig is the Director of Business Development at Wealthbox, a CRM purpose-built for financial advisors.

With 15 years in the industry—from wholesaling to roles at Advyzon and Wealthbox—Andrew brings a broad perspective on how firms are using technology to build more efficient, client-centric practices.

In this episode, we talk about why CRMs often fail, how workflows, integrations, and data actionability drive advisor success, and the future of advice.

Please enjoy our conversation with Andrew Ladwig.

Venu Reddy is the President of FBS Securities, co-founder of 42VC, and author of The Ultimate Guide to Cash Balance Plans.

In this episode, Venu shares his journey from Wall Street to launching his own RIA and VC firm—and why he's now focused on helping high earners and business owners build smarter retirement strategies. We dive deep into cash balance plans (CBPs) and how they compare to 401(k)s and IRAs, when they make sense, and how advisors can use them to grow AUM while adding real value to clients. Venu also shares two compelling case studies—one where a CBP worked extremely well, and one where it didn’t—and the lessons learned from each.

Please enjoy our conversation with Venu Redd

Kabir Sethi is the former Chief Product Officer at LPL Financial and a veteran of Merrill Lynch and Bank of America.

In this episode, Kabir shares what he's learned leading product at some of the largest firms in wealth management—and where he sees the future going. We discuss the challenge of getting advisors to adopt new tech, what drives buy vs. build decisions at big firms, and how AI agents and automation will reshape advisor workflows. Kabir also weighs in on the growing divide between nimble RIAs and slow-moving wirehouses, the risks and rewards of building in-house tech stacks, and why he thinks consolidation is coming to WealthTech.

Please enjoy our conversation with Kabir Sethi.

Matt Reiner is the Managing Partner at Capital Investment Advisors and Wela Strategies, and the creator of Future Proof Advisor.

In this episode, Matt shares his journey growing a multi-billion-dollar advisory firm, launching a tech startup, and what he learned from shutting it down.

We talk about the future of financial advice, including how AI and virtual reality will transform advisor workflows, training, and client relationships. Matt also discusses the mindset advisors need to stay relevant and how firms can use innovation to better serve clients and scale sustainably.

Please enjoy our conversation with Matt Reiner.

Brendan Frazier is the Chief Behavior Officer at RFG Advisory and the host of The Human Side of Money podcast.

In this episode, Brendan shares his journey from sales to financial planning, and why he believes emotional intelligence—not technical skill—is the future of the industry. We talk about how technology is reshaping the advisor’s role, why connecting with clients on a human level matters more than ever, and how small changes in communication can build stronger, more lasting relationships.

Please enjoy our conversation with Brendan Frazier.

Cary Carbonaro is a financial advisor, author, and women’s wealth advocate.

In this episode, she shares how she got started in finance, what it was like working in a male-dominated industry, and why she’s focused her career on empowering women. We talk about the upcoming $30 trillion wealth transfer, how women think differently about money, and what advisors can do to better connect with female clients.

Please enjoy our conversation with Cary Carbonaro.

Ariel Lee built her financial advisory practice primarily from LinkedIn, growing one of the largest followings of any advisor on the platform today.

In this episode, she shares her unconventional path from automotive finance to wealth management, the financial pitfalls she witnessed, and how those experiences shape her approach to advising clients. We also discuss marketing on LinkedIn, the power of authenticity and relatability, and finding a niche.

Please enjoy our conversation with Ariel Lee.

Jeremiah Desmarais is the CEO of Advisorist and a member of the Forbes Coaches Council. He’s helped over 10,000 financial advisors and insurance agents grow their practices—and in this episode, he shares exactly how. We talk about the journey from scrappy startups to billion-dollar exits, the evolution of advisor marketing, and why the shift from “advisor” to “coach” is changing the game.

Jeremiah explains why emotional storytelling is more powerful than logic, how LinkedIn has become the most underrated client acquisition platform in wealth management, and what it really takes to build a seven-figure practice working just four days a week. If you’re looking to scale with less stress and more intention, this one’s for you.

Please enjoy our conversation with Jeremiah Desmarais.