Beyond The IMO™

Justin Woodbury

Beyond The IMO™ is a podcast built around the belief that independent financial advisors should have access to everything they need to thrive while remaining independent. In an industry where access to tools, training, marketing, and insight from industry thought leaders is often limited to the IMO an advisor is part of, this podcast exists to provide that same value regardless of IMO or RIA affiliation. Through conversations, perspectives, and real-world experience, Beyond The IMO™ brings an advisor first, transparent approach to how advisors grow, operate, and think

Episodes

  1. 30 MAR

    Beyond The Airwaves: Who Really Owns Your Show?

    Experts have been predicting the end of radio since the 1950s, when TV was introduced. Yet radio continues to dominate traditional media, especially among the audiences financial advisors are trying to reach. A 2026 Nielsen report shows that 97% of Gen X, ages 45 to 60, are consistent daily radio listeners, while baby boomers spend the most time listening each week. For advisors, that means their ideal clients are still tuned in. In this episode, Justin sits down with Peter J. D'Arruda, also known as Coach Pete, to talk about the real opportunity behind radio and the risk most advisors do not think about. Many IMOs offer radio and traditional media support. But when advisors leave, they often lose everything. Scripts, hosts, airtime, and even their spot, which can quickly be replaced by a competitor. Coach Pete took a different path. He built his own radio and TV studio to maintain control, protect his independence, and create flexibility in who he partners with. In this conversation, Justin and Coach Pete break down what radio looks like today, why it still works, and how advisors can take back control of their marketing without being tied to a single organization. Follow Beyond The IMO on: Facebook LinkedIn YouTube TikTok Instagram Guests and companies featured on Beyond The IMO are selected based on relevance and value to independent advisors. Neither Justin nor Beyond The IMO receive compensation, referral fees, or incentives tied to who appears on the show.

    55 min
  2. 16 FEB

    Beyond The Vision: Turning Ideas Into Execution

    Execution without vision creates misalignment, but vision without execution creates stagnation. Most financial advisors are what Gino Wickman, in his book Traction, would call visionaries. They see what could be and have the unique ability to take risks. They build the airplane while it is already in the air. But Wickman also makes another point. Visionaries are usually not strong integrators. In simple terms, they are not always the ones who build the structure, discipline, and accountability needed to turn that vision into something scalable. This framework comes from EOS, which stands for Entrepreneurial Operating System. EOS is a system designed to help businesses create clarity, accountability, and healthy execution. It is more than just growing revenue, although revenue is often the result. EOS focuses on healthy, sustainable growth. In this episode, Justin sits down with Rachel Downey, a certified EOS coach, to discuss why visionaries need implementers. Someone who can translate vision into action and keep the team grounded while the advisor continues to innovate. They also discuss clear and vulnerable communication, what healthy accountability really looks like, and what a leadership team running fully on EOS actually feels like. Follow Beyond The IMO on: Facebook LinkedIn YouTube TikTok Instagram Guests and companies featured on Beyond The IMO are selected based on relevance and value to independent advisors. Neither Justin nor Beyond The IMO receive compensation, referral fees, or incentives tied to who appears on the show.

    42 min
  3. 19 JAN

    Beyond The Sale: The Difference Between Busy And Scalable

    What happens after the sale matters more than most advisors realize! Most listeners understand the 80/20 rule - 20% of our efforts produce 80% of the results. For financial advisors, that 20% is sitting across from a client or prospect. But problems show up in the other 80% of advisor's efforts- writing apps, fixing NIGOs, tracking paperwork, chasing signatures, calling carriers, following up on money, etc. When there are no real processes in place, things fall through the cracks fast. And when help is hired without processes or without teaching them how to think like an advisor, those problems just get passed down. Deadlines get missed. Priorities get confused. The back office becomes the bottleneck. In this episode, Justin sits down with Katelyn Graham, founder of The Admin Effect, to talk through this exact scenario that so many advisors face. Katelyn and her team work inside advisor back offices every day and what she shares in this conversation explains why so many firms stay stuck in the grind even when production is strong. If you or your team is busy but not productive and growth feels heavy, this conversation will hit home. Follow Beyond The IMO on: Facebook LinkedIn YouTube TikTok Instagram Guests and companies featured on Beyond The IMO are selected based on relevance and value to independent advisors. Neither Justin nor Beyond The IMO receive compensation, referral fees, or incentives tied to who appears on the show.

    41 min

About

Beyond The IMO™ is a podcast built around the belief that independent financial advisors should have access to everything they need to thrive while remaining independent. In an industry where access to tools, training, marketing, and insight from industry thought leaders is often limited to the IMO an advisor is part of, this podcast exists to provide that same value regardless of IMO or RIA affiliation. Through conversations, perspectives, and real-world experience, Beyond The IMO™ brings an advisor first, transparent approach to how advisors grow, operate, and think