Model FA Podcast

David DeCelle
  • 0.0 (0)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Thoughts and interviews from the financial advice industry!

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    The Power of Video in Financial Marketing with Taylor Schulte

    In this episode of the Model FA podcast, host David DeCelle sits down with Taylor Schulte, CFP and founder of Define Financial, to explore the journey from unplanned entry into financial advising to building a thriving, $300M AUM retirement planning firm. Taylor shares how sales experience shaped his early career, the lessons learned navigating marketing challenges, and the strategic decisions behind his podcast and YouTube content. The discussion emphasizes consistent content creation, understanding audience dynamics, and leveraging community to grow both client relationships and business impact. In this episode: • Organic Beginnings, Structured Growth: Taylor candidly shares how he "stumbled into" financial advising and turned early challenges into a disciplined approach to client acquisition and marketing. • Sales Experience as Foundation: Early exposure to sales, whether at Morgan Stanley or other firms, provides skills that underpin successful client relationships and advisory growth. • Building a Marketing Funnel: Defining the ideal client, simplifying the funnel, and aligning podcast, email, and video strategies are key to generating meaningful leads. • Podcasting as a Middle-of-Funnel Tool: Stay Wealthy Retirement Show functions as a trust-building platform for an engaged, warm audience, converting listeners into clients through clarity and explicit calls to action. • YouTube for a Cold Audience: Long-form video enables reach beyond the warm podcast audience, but success depends on algorithmic understanding, consistency, and patience; each platform demands a different approach. • Consistency and Metrics Matter: Regular content, short- and long-form video, and monitoring engagement help translate effort into measurable business outcomes over time. • Audience Clarity Is Critical: Growth requires understanding who listens, who converts, and which content moves prospects through the funnel efficiently. • Strategic Restructuring Pays Off: Pausing growth to optimize internal processes, systems, and team alignment ensures scalable revenue growth from $2M to $10M and beyond. • Community Amplifies Impact: Engagement with peers via AGC (now part of WealthTender) reinforces accountability, collaboration, and professional development. • Books and Balance: Taylor draws insights and inspiration from fiction (Dark Matter) and non-fiction (Golf Architecture for Normal People), underscoring the importance of personal enrichment alongside professional growth. Taylor's story is a strong reminder that advisor growth is not about doing every marketing tactic at once, but about understanding your audience, building the right funnel, and staying consistent long enough for trust to compound. If you're a financial advisor looking to sharpen your marketing, improve client engagement, and create content that actually supports business growth, this episode is well worth your time. #FinancialAdvisor #MarketingStrategy #Podcasting #YouTubeMarketing #ClientEngagement #RetirementPlanning #FinancialAdvisorJourney #ContentCreation #AudienceBuilding #DefineFinancial #ModelFA #AdvisorGrowth #SalesExperience #WealthManagement Connect with Taylor Schulte: Website: definefinancial.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/taylorschulte --- About the Model FA Podcast The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes  to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no "gotchas" or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams.  Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you'd love to see covered.  Our Team President of Model FA, David DeCelle If you like this podcast, you will love our community! Join the Model FA Community on Facebook to connect with like-minded advisors and share the day-to-day challenges and wins of running a growing financial services firm.

    40 min

  2. 7 APR

    Leadership and Life with Brad Johnson of Triad Partners

    In this episode of the Model FA podcast, host David DeCelle talks with Brad Johnson, co-founder of Triad Partners, about his non-linear entry into financial services and the profound internal work required to shift from top producer to effective CEO. Brad explains why financial advisory remains fundamentally a relationship business, how Triad redefines "success" as simultaneous business growth and life fulfillment ("Do Business. Do Life."), and why emotional stability and self-management are strategic leadership assets. The episode explores both operational and psyche-focused dimensions of entrepreneurial leadership for advisors committed to building firms that matter. In this episode: • Accidental Beginnings, Intentional Leadership: Brad candidly breaks down how a chance entry into finance evolved into a purpose-driven career and why hard work and reflection matter more than luck. • The Industry Is Evolving, but Relationships Still Win: Despite tech and platform shifts, trust and human connection remain the core currency of financial advice. • CEO Mindset vs. Advisor Mindset: Many advisors struggle because their training geared them toward production… not strategic leadership. Taking ownership of vision and operations is non-negotiable to scale. • Hiring for Complementarity, Not Cloning: Teams built by copying the founder seldom break through growth ceilings; complementary talent unlocks meaningfully different outcomes. • Culture as Talent Magnet: At Triad, culture is both a strategic asset and a retention tool. Talent stays where purpose and community thrive. • "Do Business. Do Life." Isn't a Slogan, It's a Strategy: Integrating business ambitions with personal life reduces burnout and enhances clarity about what success truly means. • Time Can't Be Bought Back: Wealth accumulation loses value without intentional life design; success tastes hollow when advisors trade years for dollars. • Emotional Mastery as Competitive Edge: Leadership requires calmness under pressure. Brad doesn't shy away from tough truths: therapy, self-work, and emotional regulation are leadership tools, not vulnerabilities. • Wealth Doesn't Guarantee Happiness: High revenue doesn't equal fulfillment. Many successful advisors quietly struggle. Awareness and growth practices make the difference. • Community and Growth Go Hand in Hand: Triad's experiences and shared member network create accountability and collective momentum for advisors scaling with purpose. • Practical Advice for Aspiring Founders: Build vision early, define personal and business priorities, and evaluate success on both professional and personal axes. #FinancialAdvisor #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #WealthManagement #BusinessCulture #RIA #PersonalGrowth #AdvisorLeadership #CEO #TriadPartners #DBDL #PracticeManagement #LifeIntegration #EmotionalStability Connect with Brad Johnson: Website: bradleyjohnson.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradjohnsondbdl   --- About the Model FA Podcast The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes  to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no "gotchas" or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams.  Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you'd love to see covered.  Our Team President of Model FA, David DeCelle If you like this podcast, you will love our community! Join the Model FA Community on Facebook to connect with like-minded advisors and share the day-to-day challenges and wins of running a growing financial services firm.

    51 min

  3. 17 MAR

    The Advisor Growth Bottleneck: Time, Team, and the Coming Wealth Transfer featuring Jeremy Houser

    In this episode of the Model FA Podcast, David DeCelle sits down with Jeremy Houser, VP & Senior Advisor Development Consultant at Simplicity Group and host of the Advisor Mentorship Podcast. They break down what actually holds advisors back from scaling—why delegation is the real unlock, how a simple time audit exposes hidden leaks, and what to do right now to stay relevant to the next generation as trillions change hands. You'll also hear practical guidance on building a digital footprint (without sounding like AI), why LinkedIn is still a blue-ocean channel for advisors, and how to keep heirs engaged without turning your calendar into chaos. ✅ What you'll learn: 🎯 The #1 scaling problem advisors refuse to face (and how to fix it) ⏱️ How to run a time audit that reveals what to delegate first 🩺 The "doctor's office" analogy for protecting your time (screening + process) 🧬 How to stay relevant to heirs before the wealth transfer happens 🌊 Why authenticity wins in a "sea of sameness" content world 🤝 Connect with Jeremy: 🎙️ Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZqShr9Q246sEh9KH22q3M ✉️ Email: jeremy.houser@simplicitygroup.com 🌐 Website: https://www.simplicitygroup.com/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyhouser/ 👍 If you want more conversations like this—strategy, systems, growth, and what's actually working—subscribe and drop a question in the comments.   About the Model FA Podcast   The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes  to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no "gotchas" or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams.    Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you'd love to see covered.    Our Team: President of Model FA, David DeCelle If you like this podcast, you will love our community! Join the Model FA Community on Facebook to connect with like-minded advisors and share the day-to-day challenges and wins of running a growing financial services firm.

    42 min

  4. 3 MAR

    Navigating the Rapidly Evolving M&A Landscape with Allen Darby

    In this episode of the Model FA podcast, host David DeCelle spoke with Allen Darby, CEO and founder of Allaris Acquisitions, to discuss the evolution of the wealth management M&A landscape. Allen, an industry veteran who completed nine acquisitions as an RIA owner, provided insights on the surge in buyers and the changing mindset of sellers over the last four to five years. He detailed Allaris Acquisitions' shift from a traditional auction model to a compatibility-focused approach designed to save time and ensure a cultural fit for sellers. The conversation also covered the impact of rising interest rates on deal focus, the dynamics of "Franken-firms" created by aggressive aggregators, and a deep-dive on the potential disruptive power of AI on advisory businesses and valuations.   In this episode: • Wealth Management M&A has fundamentally changed, with a surge of credible buyers and "through the roof" capital availability over the last four years. • RIA Sellers are more sophisticated, realizing that independence after a sale exists on a "spectrum of autonomy" instead of a binary loss of control. • Rising rates are forcing M&A Buyers to intensely focus on Organic Growth, with many now filtering out firms below a 5–7% net new asset growth rate. • The traditional "financial auction" model is being replaced by a compatibility-focused approach that ranks partners by objective factors like fee model and tech stack to ensure a better cultural fit. • Sellers must weigh "business lift" against autonomy, as highly acquisitive "Franken-firms" often lead to a "bumpier ride" with operational chaos due to less integration. • AI's Impact on Valuations: AI is predicted to automate many RIA roles—potentially eliminating staff within 6–12 months—which will increase profitability and may make highly scalable, high-margin practices more valuable. • The Biggest Disruptor is the threat AI poses to the Advisor Moat of "guidance," as the value of "knowledge" approaches zero and LLMs become more empathetic. • This looming AI disruption and the potential for "uberization" of the industry may encourage RIA owners to accelerate their sale timeline within the next three to five years. #RIAMergers #FinancialAdvisor #WealthManagement #AllarisAcquisitions #ModelFA #RIAAcquisitions #FinancialPlanning #OrganicGrowth #FinancialServices #AITrends #FinancialTechnology #PrivateEquity #BusinessStrategy #M&A #SuccessionPlanning Connect with Allen Darby and Allaris Acquisitions: Website: AllarisAcquisitions.com Email: Allen.Darby@AllarisAcquisitions.com --- About the Model FA Podcast The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes  to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no "gotchas" or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams.  Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you'd love to see covered.  Our Team President of Model FA, David DeCelle If you like this podcast, you will love our community! Join the Model FA Community on Facebook to connect with like-minded advisors and share the day-to-day challenges and wins of running a growing financial services firm.

    48 min

  5. 17 FEB

    Unreasonable Hospitality and the Future of the RIA with Jennifer des Groseilliers

    In this episode of the Model FA podcast, host David DeCelle spoke with Jennifer des Groseilliers, CEO of The Mather Group, to discuss her career journey, the firm's growth strategy, and its distinct business philosophy. Jennifer detailed her transition from practicing law to becoming a financial advisor, moving through the broker-dealer world to ultimately embrace the Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) structure. The conversation explored The Mather Group's holistic service platform, which includes in-house tax and investment construction, its two-part M&A integration approach, and how their core value of "Unreasonable Hospitality" drives success metrics like high client retention and referrals.In this episode: • The RIA Model is a Growth Area: Jennifer des Groseilliers' move from the broker-dealer world highlights the perceived stability and future of the Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) model. • Embrace Holistic Wealth Management: The Mather Group's success with $15B in AUM/A is built on a comprehensive platform that integrates financial planning, in-house tax services, investment management, and a family office approach. This "all-in-one" model offers greater efficiency and coordination for clients. • M&A Success Hinges on Culture: For firms pursuing growth via mergers and acquisitions, the primary focus ("heavy lifting") should be on ensuring cultural alignment, not just operational synergy. • Define Success by "Unreasonable Hospitality": High client retention and referral rates can be achieved by moving beyond basic service to align a client's financial goals with their personal values, creating a truly exceptional experience. • Strategic Growth is Dual-Track: The firm demonstrates that expansion can be effectively achieved through both organic client acquisition and strategic M&A. • Team Structure and Governance Matter: Utilizing a team-based service model and having an advisory council composed of equity owners are effective mechanisms for ensuring service consistency and internal goal alignment. • Advice for Women in Finance: Aspiring women professionals should seek out firms that demonstrably align with their personal values and provide a genuinely supportive working environment.  #RIAMergers #FinancialAdvisor #WealthManagement #TheMatherGroup #ModelFA #RIAAcquisitions #FinancialPlanning #UnreasonableHospitality #BusinessStrategy #WomenInFinance #SuccessionPlanning #OrganicGrowth #TaxServices Connect with Jennifer des Groseilliers and The Mather Group: Website: TheMatherGroup.com Email: info@TheMatherGroup.com --- About the Model FA Podcast The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes  to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no "gotchas" or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams.  Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you'd love to see covered.  Our Team President of Model FA, David DeCelle If you like this podcast, you will love our community! Join the Model FA Community on Facebook to connect with like-minded advisors and share the day-to-day challenges and wins of running a growing financial services firm.

    34 min

  6. 3 FEB

    FinTech OGs: Streamlining Financial Advisor Operations and Eliminating NIGO Joel Friedman

    Learn how Forms Logic, a cloud-based fintech platform built exclusively for financial services firms, is revolutionizing client onboarding, account opening, and advisor transitions. In this episode of the Model FA podcast, CEO David DeCelle interviews Joel Friedman, the Chief Operating Officer of Forms Logic, who shares his 25 years of experience in wealth tech. Discover how the Navigator product eliminates paper-oriented, manual processes and single-handedly ensures single data entry and the use of the most updated, correct forms, dramatically reducing Not In Good Order (NIGO) rates from up to 50% down to the low single digits. Joel also details how the Migrator product streamlines advisor transitions, turning a typically 60- to 90-day process into a three-to-four-week preparation period, which is critical because "time kills deals" and means assets are deployed faster to generate income. Forms Logic is focused on streamlining front and back office operations for broker-dealers, RIAs, and wealth managers to free up capacity for organic growth. In this episode: • Meet the Expert: Joel Friedman, a long-time expert (25 years!) in the technology used by financial companies, especially known for his 20+ years at Docupace. • The Solution: A tool called "Forms Logic Navigator" that solves the huge problem of too much paperwork in wealth management. • The Problem: Opening new client accounts is slow and full of mistakes because people have to manually fill out and check forms, often typing the same information (like a name) over and over. • The "Magic" of Single Entry: Forms Logic's Navigator lets you enter a client's information just once, and it automatically fills out all the necessary forms. • Fewer Mistakes: The system drastically cuts down on forms that are "Not In Good Order" (NIGO)—meaning they're incomplete or incorrect—from a very high 30-50% down to almost none. • Easy Advisor Moves (Migrator): Forms Logic's Migrator makes it much faster and simpler for financial advisors to switch firms and bring all their clients with them, cutting a 60-90 day process down to just a few weeks. • Why Quickness Pays Off: Moving assets faster means they start earning money sooner, which boosts income and keeps clients happier. • Complete Workflow Automation: The platform handles everything from the forms the advisor fills out (front office) to the processing and checking done by the company (back office), creating a seamless, streamlined process. • The Main Advantage: By automating and simplifying operations, the firm and its advisors have more time and energy to focus on finding new clients and growing the business. #FinancialServicesTechnology #WealthManagementSolutions #AdviserTechnology #FormsAutomation #FintechInnovation #BusinessEfficiency #ClientOnboardingSolutions #AdvisorTransitions #FintechForAdvisors #FormsLogic #WealthTech #NIGOSolutions Connect with Joel Friedman / Forms Logic: Website: formslogic.com --- About the Model FA Podcast The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes  to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no "gotchas" or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams.  Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you'd love to see covered.  Our Team President of Model FA, David DeCelle If you like this podcast, you will love our community! Join the Model FA Community on Facebook to connect with like-minded advisors and share the day-to-day challenges and wins of running a growing financial services firm.

    20 min

  7. 20 JAN

    Revolutionizing Advisor Workflows: AI, Automation, and the Journey Behind G Reminders with Arnuff Hsu

    In Episode 202 of the Model FA Podcast, David DeCelle sits down with Arnulf Hsu, CEO & Founder of GReminders, to break down what "end-to-end meeting management" actually looks like for financial advisors—from automated scheduling and reminders, to pre-meeting briefs, AI note-taking, workflows, and post-meeting follow-ups. Arnulf shares his journey as a serial SaaS entrepreneur and explains why wealth management became the ideal vertical for automation—especially as "note takers" became table stakes. You'll also hear what advisors struggle with most (change management + compliance), why deep native integrations matter, and where AI meeting tech is going next (document intelligence, KPI insights, and profitability analytics). What You'll Learn 00:00 – Intro + guest welcome (Street Cred connection) 02:05 – Arnulf's background: enterprise SaaS exits + why wealth tech 06:40 – Why wealth management is "ripe" for innovation 09:10 – Why GReminders picked wealth as a vertical (focus + integrations) 13:10 – What GReminders does: end-to-end meeting management 18:40 – Automated scheduling + team meetings (ops time-saver) 23:10 – Pre-meeting briefs + pulling context across systems 28:10 – AI note-taker + action items + draft follow-up emails 33:40 – Adoption: change management + why back-office AI wins 39:10 – Compliance, security, and archiving/journaling expectations 44:05 – Roadmap: document intelligence + more native integrations 49:10 – KPI/profitability analytics + coaching advisors to improve 55:20 – Final takeaways + where to learn more If review season scheduling is crushing your team, or your meeting prep and follow-up are inconsistent, this episode is a blueprint for how advisors are gaining back months of capacity. Connect with Arnuff: Website: https://www.greminders.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arnulfhsu/ About the Model FA Podcast The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes  to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no "gotchas" or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams.  Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you'd love to see covered.  Our Team: President of Model FA, David DeCelle If you like this podcast, you will love our community! Join the Model FA Community on Facebook to connect with like-minded advisors and share the day-to-day challenges and wins of running a growing financial services firm.

    36 min

  8. 6 JAN

    The Power of Intentionality and Consistency with Sam Luke & Lawrence Bearman

    In this episode of the Model FA Podcast, David DeCelle sits down with two fast-rising UK advisors, Sam Luke and Lawrence Bearman, to unpack how they're using LinkedIn intentionally and consistently to build real brand authority and drive booked appointments. They break down what worked early (a lot of outbound messaging), what changed everything (consistent posting), and why boosting top-performing posts can turn "pretty good" organic traction into a serious appointment engine—especially when your content speaks directly to a niche's real pain points (Amazon/AWS professionals and high-performing lawyers). What you'll learn How Sam and Lawrence got started in advice and found their niches The "messaging-first" phase vs. the moment posting finally clicked What types of content actually resonate on LinkedIn (and why "viral" isn't always the goal) Why boosting posts can be a no-brainer after you prove the message works organically The role of peer collaboration, accountability, and getting help from specialists to shorten the learning curve Connect with Sam: Website: https://www.westminster-wealth.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-luke-191331213/   Connect with Lawrence: Website: https://www.westminster-wealth.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/westminster-wealth-management/ --- About the Model FA Podcast The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes  to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no "gotchas" or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams.  Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you'd love to see covered.  Our Team: President of Model FA, David DeCelle If you like this podcast, you will love our community! Join the Model FA Community on Facebook to connect with like-minded advisors and share the day-to-day challenges and wins of running a growing financial services firm.

    35 min
See All (99)

About

Thoughts and interviews from the financial advice industry!

Information

  • Creator
    David DeCelle
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    99
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Model FA Podcast

You Might Also Like