Do Business. Do Life. — The Financial Advisor Podcast — DBDL

Brad Johnson
  • 5.0 (331)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

"Do Business. Do Life." is a weekly podcast dedicated to helping the independent financial advisor create unlimited growth and freedom in their business AND life.  Having been a coach for the top 1% of independent financial advisors for 15+ years, Brad Johnson has seen far too many leaders in financial services sacrifice their marriages, health, relationships, and everything else that matters to walk across an industry stage recognizing their "success." That model is broken, and Brad's on a mission to fix it.  Join Brad as he distills the best advice from top thought leaders and applies it to the world of independent financial advising. Get actionable tips/tactics on sales, marketing, entrepreneurship, business growth, lead generation, hiring, training, team building, company culture, core values, work/life integration, family, relationships, and more!   "Do Business. Do Life." is way more than just another podcast for financial advisors. It's an experience. It's a community. And more than anything, it's a movement. #DBDL  Want to discover what it truly means to succeed as a financial advisor? Subscribe to Do Business, Do Life OR visit https://bradleyjohnson.com/ 

  1. 5d ago

    176: Tricia Sciortino - How To Hire An Assistant Who Actually Buys Back Your Time

    SPONSORED BY BELAY If you’re an advisor and you’re still scheduling your own appointments, sending your own follow-up emails, or dealing with other tasks keeping you from bringing on other clients, you’re the bottleneck. BELAY helps busy leaders find world-class Virtual Assistants who can take tasks off their plate, protect their time, and help them stay focused on the work that actually moves the business forward. Learn more about BELAY and find the right assistant for your business here: http://belaysolutions.com/dbdl A lot of financial advisors say they want more growth, more freedom, and more time with their family. But their calendar tells a different story. They’re still answering every email, booking every flight, handling every follow-up, managing every client detail, and trying to squeeze high-value work into whatever time is left. The problem is that the work that feels “small” rarely stays small. It compounds. And before long, the advisor who wants to scale the business is spending too much time doing the work that keeps them stuck. Today, I’m talking with Tricia Sciortino, CEO of Belay, about the role most advisors wait too long to hire for, why the right assistant can become a true force multiplier, and how leaders accidentally create the very bottlenecks they’re trying to escape. We also dig into why delegation is harder than most people admit, what separates a great assistant from a basic task-taker, and how the best leaders create the trust, clarity, and systems that allow someone else to help them operate at a higher level. 3 Insights From This Week’s Episode… #1.) The Calendar Problem Hiding In Plain Sight Many advisors think their calendar issues are just part of running a growing firm. But Tricia and I explore why calendar chaos is often a symptom of a deeper leadership problem, and what it may be costing your business and life. #2.) Why Doing It Yourself Quietly Caps Growth There are tasks that feel easier to handle yourself in the moment, but those small decisions can slowly become the ceiling on your firm. We talk about why leaders stay stuck doing low-value work and how that affects everything else. #3.) The Back-End Flywheel Most Advisors Miss Growth is not just about more marketing and more appointments. We discuss why the service experience after the sale can become one of the biggest drivers of retention, referrals, and long-term scale. SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/176 FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIAL XInstagramLinkedIn FOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL: YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebook DISCLOSURE  DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations.  The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for.  Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 2m

  2. Jul 1

    175: Jason Barsema - The Protective Investing Strategy Wealthy Clients Want

    SPONSORED BY BELAY If you’re an advisor and you’re still scheduling your own appointments, sending your own follow-up emails, or dealing with other tasks keeping you from bringing on other clients, you’re the bottleneck. BELAY helps busy leaders find world-class Virtual Assistants who can take tasks off their plate, protect their time, and help them stay focused on the work that actually moves the business forward. Learn more about BELAY and find the right assistant for your business here: http://belaysolutions.com/dbdl ABOUT TODAY'S EPISODE Building the right portfolio for clients is hard enough. But today, advisors are also trying to manage market risk, protect retirement income, navigate stretched valuations, and help clients stay confident when the next market cycle tests the plan. That’s why I’m excited to sit down with Jason Barsema. Jason is the Co-Founder and President of Halo Investing, an award-winning platform that helps advisors access and manage protective, outcome-based investments like structured notes, annuities, insurance solutions, and other advanced wealth strategies. In this episode, we talk about protective investing, defined outcome strategies, and why advisors may need a broader toolkit than the traditional stock-and-bond portfolio. Jason also shares what he learned as an advisor during the Great Financial Crisis, why private credit may deserve more scrutiny, and what it really takes to earn trust with higher-net-worth families. 3 Insights From This Week’s Episode… #1.) The Protection Conversation Most Advisors Aren’t Having Clients want upside, but they also want to know what happens if the market turns against them. Jason shares why protective investing, structured notes, and defined outcome strategies can open a different kind of conversation around risk, income, and client confidence. #2.) Why Private Credit Deserves A Closer Look Private credit has become one of the hottest areas in the market, but Jason raises an important question: do clients actually understand what they own? We talk about the risks that can get hidden behind attractive yields, especially when liquidity starts to dry up. #3.) What High-Net-Worth Families Actually Want From Advisors Wealthy families don’t need another advisor walking in with a product idea. They need someone who listens, understands the complexity of their world, and can help them think through legacy, liquidity, family dynamics, philanthropy, and multi-generational planning. SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/175 FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIAL XInstagramLinkedIn FOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL: YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebook DISCLOSURE  DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations.  The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for.  Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies. TP06265629210 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    55 min

  3. Jun 24 ·  Video

    174: The #1 Habit I'd Steal from The Top 1% of Financial Advisors (Missing Visuals - EP 3 of 3)

    Your prospect's eyes glaze over about ten minutes into the meeting. You can feel it—they're sitting right there, but they've checked out. And here's the uncomfortable part: it's usually not because your advice is bad. Most advisors lose the room for a reason they never see coming, and they keep doing the exact thing that causes it in every single appointment. In Part 3 of the Missing Visuals series, I break down the one skill I've watched separate the top 1% from everyone else, and why the way you're communicating your best ideas might quietly be costing you clients. 3 Insights From This Week’s Episode… #1.) Draw: The $10M Client Story Most advisors rely on words to explain complex ideas, then wonder why prospects nod along but never move forward. I share the story of an advisor who used a simple drawing to help close a $10M client—and why it reveals a bigger problem in how advisors communicate value. #2.) Co-Create: Why Prospects Push Back When a prospect feels like a plan is being sold to them, resistance naturally shows up. We explore what changes when the meeting stops feeling like a pitch and starts becoming something the advisor and prospect build together. #3.) Teach: The Risk Of Keeping It In Your Head A lot of advisor firms are built around the founder’s instincts, stories, and ability to explain things in the moment. That works until you need to train advisors, scale the firm, or build something that can eventually run without you. I’ll show you how to start turning what lives in your head into something your team can actually use. Triad Sales Lab Want to turn more great prospects into lifelong clients? Triad Sales Lab helps advisors use simple visual models to communicate more clearly, strengthen appointments, and improve the way they present their process. Learn more and apply below. SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/174 FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIAL XInstagramLinkedIn FOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL: YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebook DISCLOSURE  DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations.  The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for.  Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    16 min

  4. Jun 17 ·  Video

    173: Michael Hyatt - The 6 Levels of AI Every Advisor Needs to Know

    Right now there's a wave building in our industry, and most advisors are standing on the beach pretending it isn't there. AI isn't coming. It's here. And the gap between the advisors who lean into it and the ones who keep waiting is about to get a lot wider. In this episode, I sit down with Michael Hyatt — New York Times bestselling author, longtime entrepreneur, and someone who's quietly built an entire team of AI agents running inside his own business. We get into the tension every financial advisor is thinking about: privacy, client data, compliance, technical knowledge, and where AI actually fits in a relationship-driven business. Michael also explains where this is all headed, and why the biggest opportunity may not be replacing human work, but creating more space for the work only humans can do. If you've been telling yourself you'll figure AI out later, or that it doesn't really apply to a business like ours, this conversation might change your mind about how much time you actually have. 3 Insights From This Week’s Episode… #1.) The Story That's Quietly Costing Advisors Their Future When AI comes up, a lot of smart, successful advisors check out. They decide it's too technical, too risky, or too late to start. Michael explains why that reaction has nothing to do with age or ability, and everything to do with something far more dangerous. #2.) The Client Data Objection Everyone Hides Behind "I deal with people's finances, so AI doesn't apply to me." It's the most common wall advisors put up, and on the surface it sounds responsible. We dig into why that thinking is more outdated than you'd expect, and what hiding behind it might be costing you. #3.) The New Advantage in a Relationship Business  Financial advice is built on trust, presence, and human connection. We explore why AI may actually increase the value of great advisors by helping them show up more prepared, more focused, and more available for the work only humans can do. SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/173 FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIAL XInstagramLinkedIn FOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL: YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebook DISCLOSURE  DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations.  The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for.  Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 2m

  5. Jun 10 ·  Video

    172: Solo - The #1 Way to Show Clients Their Future in 30 Seconds (Missing Visuals - EP 2 of 3)

    A prospect can sit through an entire meeting, nod along, ask good questions, and still leave without fully understanding why they need you. That’s the problem. Many advisors explain their value clearly, but they don’t make it easy for prospects to see the difference between where they are today and where they could be with the right plan in place. In Part 2 of this three-part series, I break down one of the simplest ways to make your planning process feel more tangible, more understandable, and more compelling without overwhelming prospects with more information. 3 Insights From This Week’s Episode… #1.) Why Prospects Struggle To See Your Value You may understand the strategy, the software, and the planning opportunities sitting underneath the surface. But your prospect often just sees complexity. I cover why this disconnect matters and how it can quietly hurt your close rate. #2.) The Hidden Cost Of Leading With Complexity Advisors often walk into meetings with charts, projections, jargon, and too many decision points. The problem is that more information doesn’t always create more clarity. We explore why this can make prospects hesitate instead of move forward. #3.) The Communication Trap That Kills Trust There’s a fine line between helping prospects see what’s missing and making them feel judged for not already having it figured out. I unpack the mistake advisors make here and why tone can make or break the conversation. SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/172 SPONSORED BY BELAY Running a business is hard enough without trying to do everything yourself. BELAY helps busy leaders find world-class Virtual Assistants who can take tasks off their plate, protect their time, and help them stay focused on the work that actually moves the business forward. Learn more about BELAY and find the right assistant for your business here: http://belaysolutions.com/dbdl FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIAL XInstagramLinkedIn FOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL: YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebook DISCLOSURE  DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations.  The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for.  Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    17 min

  6. Jun 3 ·  Video

    171: Solo - The #1 Visual Missing from Most Financial Advisor Appointments (Missing Visuals - EP 1 of 3)

    A conversation lives for an hour. A financial plan lives for generations.   Most advisors provide a prospect nothing but a follow-up email and a calendar link following their first meeting, then wonder why so many disappear before the second meeting happens. In Part 1 of this three-part series, I break down one of the most overlooked tools in advising: something that even the show Shark Tank get's right, but most advisors miss. 3 Insights from This Week's Episode… #1.) Bridge the Gap From Conversation to Real World A financial plan is made up of hours of thinking, strategy, and recommendations the client can’t see. I cover how to bridge this gap in the very first meeting. #2.) Why Your Prospects Think Differently Than You You may have grown up in a digital world, but many of your prospects and clients did not. We cover what this means and what do about it.  #3.) Rough Draft vs Finished Plan We cover how to position the work you do in a way that empowers your clients to make a decision and move forward.   Triad Sales Lab Still the only one closing deals in your firm? We’ll help you build a sales system that doesn’t rely on you. Apply here: https://bradleyjohnson.com/160-triad-sales-lab/ SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/171 FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIAL XInstagramLinkedIn FOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL: YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebook DISCLOSURE  DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations.  The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for.  Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    18 min

  7. May 27 ·  Video

    170: Stu McLaren - The Psychology Behind Clients Who Stay for Life

    I sat down with Stu McLaren to unpack something I think a lot of financial advisors are missing right now… Your value isn’t just in the financial plan. It’s in the relationships, community, and sense of belonging you create around your clients.  Stu built one of the earliest online membership businesses, sold it successfully, and has spent years helping entrepreneurs build thriving communities that people never want to leave. In this conversation, we talk about what advisors can learn from that world—and why retention has less to do with performance reviews and more to do with human connection.  We also go deeper into the emotional side of money, why so many successful people keep moving the goalposts, and how advisors can stop overwhelming clients with information and start creating real momentum instead.  And beyond business, Stu shares one of the most powerful mindset shifts around money and impact I’ve heard in a long time. From building schools in Kenya to creating unforgettable experiences for others, this conversation is a reminder that business can become a vehicle for something much bigger than yourself. 3 of the biggest insights from Stu McLaren… #1.) Community Is the Moat That Protects Your Business Stu explains why relationships and belonging are becoming more valuable than information—especially in a world where AI is making knowledge easier to access. Advisors who intentionally create connection between clients build deeper loyalty, stronger retention, and a business competitors can’t easily replicate. #2.) Clients Don’t Need More Information, They Need Simplicity A lot of advisors accidentally overwhelm clients by trying to explain everything at once. Stu shares how creating a simple “success path” helps clients focus on the next right step instead of getting buried in spreadsheets, projections, and complexity. #3.) Money Becomes More Meaningful When It Fuels Impact Stu opens up about the mindset shift that changed his relationship with money forever. Instead of feeling guilty about success, he realized that making more money gave him the ability to create more impact—for charities, communities, friends, and families around the world. Free Gift: Get access to Stu's book, Predictable Profits. SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/170 FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIAL XInstagramLinkedIn FOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL: YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebook DISCLOSURE  DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations.  The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for.  Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    55 min

  8. May 20 ·  Video

    169: Solo - How One Financial Advisor Made His Time Worth $40,000/Hour with Brad Johnson

    What if I told you there’s a simple concept that could unlock exponential growth in your business, without adding more hours to your workweek? I’ve used this framework hundreds of times in coaching conversations, and it’s created more breakthroughs than anything else I’ve ever shared with advisors. It all comes down to the value of an hour of your time. In this solo episode, I walk you through an eye-opening exercise to help you calculate what your time is really worth, and more importantly, what’s stealing it. You’ll discover how to delegate low-value tasks, free up your calendar for high-impact work, and scale your firm without sacrificing your personal freedom. 3 of the biggest insights from Brad Johnson… #1.) The Hidden Number That Controls Your Growth I break down a simple formula that calculates what an hour of your time is worth as a business owner, and why this number matters far more than most advisors realize. #2.) Get Non-Revenue Driving Work Off Your Plate Paperwork, service work, HR issues, and admin responsibilities are all important aspects of running a business, but they often pull founders away from the activities that deliver the best ROI. The more time you spend in low-leverage work, the harder it becomes to scale. #3.) The “Sue” Exercise That Changes How You Think About Delegation I share a powerful coaching framework that helps advisors realize they’ve already hired the most expensive employee in the business: themselves. SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/169 FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIAL XInstagramLinkedIn FOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL: YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebook DISCLOSURE  DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations.  The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for.  Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    22 min
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About

"Do Business. Do Life." is a weekly podcast dedicated to helping the independent financial advisor create unlimited growth and freedom in their business AND life.  Having been a coach for the top 1% of independent financial advisors for 15+ years, Brad Johnson has seen far too many leaders in financial services sacrifice their marriages, health, relationships, and everything else that matters to walk across an industry stage recognizing their "success." That model is broken, and Brad's on a mission to fix it.  Join Brad as he distills the best advice from top thought leaders and applies it to the world of independent financial advising. Get actionable tips/tactics on sales, marketing, entrepreneurship, business growth, lead generation, hiring, training, team building, company culture, core values, work/life integration, family, relationships, and more!   "Do Business. Do Life." is way more than just another podcast for financial advisors. It's an experience. It's a community. And more than anything, it's a movement. #DBDL  Want to discover what it truly means to succeed as a financial advisor? Subscribe to Do Business, Do Life OR visit https://bradleyjohnson.com/ 

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