In a world filled with financial noise, how do you know which signals actually matter? 

Join Robert Curtiss as he chats with Gary Sinderbrand, a seasoned financial professional with roots going back to their days at Merrill Lynch. 

They unravel years of insights on keeping your financial journey on track. Delving into tales from the trading floor to personal anecdotes from the ski slopes, Curtiss and Sinderbrand uncover strategies for managing financial anxieties and the importance of a disciplined, rules-based approach.

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About Our Guest:

Gary Sinderbrand brings a rare combination of elite production experience and transformative training expertise to your doorstep. As the co-creator of the influential Payne-Sinderbrand Program at Merrill Lynch—which helped shaped the careers of over 12,000 Financial Advisors—he has a proven ability to develop systems that drive extraordinary results at scale.

Gary’s journey spans decades as both a top-tier producer and a practice management innovator. This dual perspective allows him to see opportunities others miss and implement strategies others can’t teach because they haven’t lived them.

At BetterPath Training, we meet you exactly where you are. For next-generation advisors building books from scratch, Gary provides battle-tested client acquisition methodologies that bypass years of costly trial and error. For seasoned FAs preparing for succession, you can expect comprehensive frameworks for legacy planning, revenue optimization, and workload management that protect the practice you’ve worked so hard to build.

Your path to exceptional results starts with exceptional guidance. That’s the BetterPath promise.

Who is the man behind the mic?

In today’s episode, we pull back the curtain on Robert Curtiss’s journey—from a public policy graduate to a trusted financial advisor. Along the way, he shares hard-earned lessons on diligence, adaptability, and finding harmony between career and personal life.

Robert dives into the intersection of marriage and money, emphasizing the power of shared values, mutual respect, patience, and flexibility in building a strong financial foundation with your partner.

Get ready for an inspiring conversation filled with wisdom, real-life experience, and practical advice on navigating life’s biggest milestones—without sacrificing financial security or personal fulfillment.

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Are you ready to unlock the potential of alternative investments in your portfolio?

Join Robert Curtiss as he sits down with repeat guest Phil Huber from Cliffwater to explore the dynamic world of alternative investments. 

The episode delves into the benefits of diversification, the current volatility in global markets, and the strategic role of private debt and equity. Discover why modern investors can’t afford to ignore these opportunities and how they’ve helped portfolios remain robust amidst market uncertainty.

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About Our Guest:

Phil is a Managing Director and Head of Portfolio Solutions for Cliffwater, based in their Chicago office. In this role, Phil leverages his prior experience as a wealth management CIO to produce and curate investment research, advise on product strategy and positioning for the firm’s growing platform, and help establish and strengthen relationships with the nation’s leading wealth management firms.

Prior to joining Cliffwater, Phil was the Chief Investment Officer for Savant Wealth Management. He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional, has attained his Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation, and is a member of the CFA Society of Chicago.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER in the U.S., which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

What if you could tap into the infrastructure of tomorrow, today?

As Americans, it’s fair to say that some of our infrastructure and urban grids are outdated and must be invested in and updated. How can you incorporate infrastructure in your portfolio?

Join Robert Curtiss and portfolio managers Matthew Moreno and Jake Kelsall from StepStone Group as they unpack the robust world of private infrastructure. From bustling airports to critical utilities and the intricacies of renewable energies, this episode uncovers why private capital is taking the reins from government efforts in evolving our global infrastructure.

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About StepStone Group:

StepStone Group explores, evolves, and solves with its partners and clients, bringing together diverse specialists and perspectives to cover all of the private markets — uncovering what others may not. StepStone has a unique way of seeing, thinking about, and acting within the world of private markets. These attributes form the foundation of how the firm collaborates and helps clients succeed.

StepStone fosters an environment where everyone feels informed, confident, and empowered to act, applying their curiosity and skills to solve even the most complex challenges. The firm is deeply immersed in data, understanding that intelligence is everything — from the source and quality of data to the advanced tools used to analyze it. StepStone’s rigor, transparency, and proprietary technology yield sharper insights, which in turn inform better strategies and decisions.

Reaching and realizing the most compelling opportunities requires a platform with true breadth and depth, spanning all asset classes, strategies, and structures. That’s why StepStone built one — to provide greater vision, flexibility, and customization. The firm is truly global, with experts on the ground wherever its clients need to be. Now operating in 16 countries with 26 offices worldwide, StepStone’s presence attracts a powerful network of LPs and GPs, granting it distinctive views on every aspect of the private markets.

Want to know how venture capital is reshaping the future? Join us as we explore this dynamic landscape with industry experts.

Robert Curtiss, CFP®, sits down with Stephen West and Anthony Giambrone from StepStone to demystify venture capital. They explore how this dynamic sector, historically the reserve of institutions, is becoming more accessible. Discover how venture opportunities can diversify your portfolio and how the VC landscape has transformed over the past decade.  

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About Our Guests:

Mr. Giambrone is a member of the private equity team, focusing on venture capital and growth equity investments.

Prior to joining StepStone, Mr. Giambrone was a principal with Greenspring Associates, a venture capital and growth equity investment firm that merged with StepStone in 2021. Previously, he was a senior associate at Mercato Partners, a leading growth-stage, venture capital fund based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Before that, he was an investment banking analyst with Deloitte Corporate Finance (formerly McColl Partners).

Mr. West is a member of the private equity team, focusing on venture capital and growth equity investments.

Prior to StepStone, Mr. West was a member of the research team at Greenspring Associates, a venture capital and growth equity investment firm that merged with StepStone in 2021. Prior to that, Mr. West was a technology investment associate at JMP securities focused on cybersecurity and an associate management consultant within the strategy and organization practice at Booz Allen Hamilton. Mr. West served as a human intelligence officer in the Marine Corps.

What are the mistakes you could be making when selling your home? 

Host Robert Curtis sits down with Michael Bell, a seasoned real estate broker from Sotheby’s in Southern California and author of “Seller Mistakes: What You Were Never Told About Selling Your Home and Why It Should Matter to You.” Michael brings to light surprising insights and common pitfalls in the real estate industry that most sellers overlook. 

Top takeaways include:

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Connect with Michael Bell:

About Our Guest:

Michael Bell is the #1 ranked residential broker with Sotheby’s International Realty – Greater Pasadena Brokerage, specializing in high-level fiduciary services for single-party seller representation and marketing to the world’s wealthiest audience. As the top 0.3% of all Sotheby’s agents in 2023, he has completed over 600 sales in his 25-year career. In addition to his role as an expert broker, Michael is a #3 Wall Street Journal Best-Selling author of Seller Mistakes and offers complimentary copies to clients and readers. He also serves as a part-time instructor at Pasadena City College and holds multiple industry designations, including GRI, CPS, and SRES.

Michael’s career path began with a BBA in Finance from Gonzaga University, progressing through roles in credit union volunteering, CMBS underwriting, and private institutional lending. After flipping homes, he founded a brokerage, later selling it to a Top 5 firm.

What does the future hold for the stock market in 2025? 

Robert Curtiss chats with Miles Clark, a research analyst from Nasdaq Dorsey Wright, known for their expertise in technical analysis and momentum-based trading. Dive into the emerging financial themes of 2025 as Miles offers a glimpse into the factors impacting the market landscape, emphasizing the art of reading the ‘Weight of the Evidence’ and what that data means moving into the next quarter.

Rob and Miles discuss:

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About Our Guest:

Miles Clark currently works as a Research Analyst for Nasdaq Dorsey Wright (DWA), a boutique investment advisory and asset management division of Nasdaq focused on providing quantitative strategies to Wall Street and professional money managers globally. Since 1987, DWA has been a recognized expert in relative strength and momentum through the application of Point & Figure (XO) charting, as well as a thought leader in tactical portfolio construction.

Miles joined the DWA team as an intern in 2021 and now creates technical-based analysis and client-facing research in the firm’s Daily Market Analysis segment, with more focused coverage in the communication services, industrials, and cryptocurrency spaces. Other areas of involvement to note include supplementing broad-based technical indicators and research projects and the creation of weekly media distributed to prospective clients.

What happens when you truly listen? Are you truly listening or just waiting for your turn to speak?

Robert Curtiss speaks with Matt Halloran, co-founder of ProudMouth, about the art and power of listening. Matt, fresh off releasing his new book “Shut the F Up and Listen,” dives into the epidemic of loneliness and how improved listening skills can pave the way to deeper connections and understanding.

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About Our Guest:

Matt Halloran is a co-founder and chief relationship officer at ProudMouth, the world’s leading influence accelerator for financial advisors.

Matt is an in-demand speaker who has appeared on over 1,000 podcasts and given hundreds of speeches. He hosts ProudMouth’s Top Advisor Marketing Podcast, where he and industry leaders empower advisors to become trusted, recognized authorities.

Matt is the author of The Social Media Handbook for Financial Advisors, the first social media book for financial services. His new book, “Shut the F Up and Listen,” is also available now!

How do you run a successful business without sacrificing your personal life?

 Many struggle to find the answers to this question…

Robert Curtiss brings on Ilona and Takaya Brunner, a dynamic CPA duo, to share their inspiring journey and unique approach to balancing work and life as business owners. They dive into how they help fellow entrepreneurs by taking the stress out of back-office tasks so business owners can focus on what truly matters. 

From building a thriving practice while enjoying family life to seamlessly managing client relationships, this episode is packed with practical advice and relatable insights! 

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Connect with Ilona and Takaya Brunner: 

Connect with Robert Curtiss:

About Our Guests:

Ilona and Takaya Brunner have built a family-owned business that values their relationships with their children, clients, colleagues, and referral partners. They started Brunner Accounting to manage life and business on their terms. 

Ilona’s passion for serving business owners and individuals fueled her desire to open her own practice after spending 8 years in Big Four public accounting and 3 years at a local CPA firm in Burbank. Her services include tax return preparation, tax planning and consulting, IRS and state audit assistance, bookkeeping, and business management.

Takaya helps individuals and companies draw insights from their finances and data. For the last 10 years, he has used his experience as a CPA to execute initiatives with C-level executives by bridging the gap between finance, IT, development, analytics, and business operations. He specializes in helping organizations analyze their financial statements to improve their products, processes, and governance.

As the financial world becomes increasingly interconnected, true wealth management goes beyond portfolios—it’s about clarity, relationships, and forward-thinking strategies.

Robert Curtiss and Mike Cy take us into the heart of their holistic approach to financial planning, showcasing the tools and processes that empower clients to achieve confidence in their financial futures. They uncover how cutting-edge technology and adaptability redefine wealth strategies, even in a post-COVID world, while fostering enduring, multi-generational success.

Tune in and discover how a client-first, innovation-driven approach transforms financial advisory into a tool for lasting impact!

Key topics discussed include:

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Connect with Mike “Cy” Cajthaml Jr.:

About Our Guest:

Mike “Cy” Cajthaml Jr. has enjoyed a 14-year career in the financial services industry. Mike is a passionate and energetic leader who enjoys developing business refinement and practice management strategies and thrives on helping his clients achieve their goals.

He got his start in the industry at a large insurance marketing organization, where he consulted financial advisors across the country on product and marketing solutions for their businesses. During his time with this firm, he was introduced to Pareto Systems and began learning about the Pareto Process.

After six years of coaching and consulting advisers, Mike decided to become a financial advisor himself and built a practice with his father in Overland Park, KS. Together, they managed millions of dollars of assets and utilized various insurance-based products. Mike knew the value of creating professional contrast in an incredibly competitive marketplace and began implementing many of Pareto’s processes.