Advisor Advocates Podcast

Garrett Layell
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Insights on the Financial Services industry from former Financial Advisor and CFP Garrett Layell. Learn more about what’s going on in the industry and how to fine tune your practice and maximize the enterprise value and growth potential of your practice.

  1. Jun 11

    Creating Transparent Competition for Advisor Transitions

    In this episode, Garrett introduces the Advisor Advocate Search Tool, the anonymous resource allowing Financial Advisors to explore Firms, connect, and communicate to learn more. Most recruiting processes force you to give up your data before you even know if a firm is a good fit. The Advisor Advocate is designed specifically for financial advisors. Total Anonymity: Browse, compare, and message firms directly without sharing your identity until you are ready. Transparent Comparison: Open competition benefits you and how our flat-fee model for firms ensures you're seeing a true marketplace, not just who paid the most for a lead. Direct Connection: The simple process of messaging firms to get your specific questions answered—risk-free. Leveling the Playing Field: How we’re creating a more transparent industry by removing the middleman and high recruiting commissions. Join a platform that respects your privacy and rewards your expertise. https://theadvisoradvocate.com/ Chapters (00:00:02) - A Step-by-Step Guide to the Firm Search(00:00:40) - The Transition to Independent Advisor(00:02:17) - I Just Don't Know What's Out There For An Advisor(00:11:03) - PODCAST: Bringing more firms on the platform

  2. May 15

    The Power of Personal Touch: Why Client Care is Your Best Retention Tool

    In this episode of Advisor Advocates, Garrett Layell and James Costabile of ICG Next are joined by Deb Pica, ICG’s Client Concierge, to discuss the critical difference between "client service" and true "client care." Deb shares her journey from a 20-year career in hospitality to becoming the "face and voice" of a financial firm. We dive into why the human element—the ability to make someone feel seen, heard, and at home—is the ultimate differentiator in an increasingly tech-driven industry. In this episode, we discuss: The Hospitality Mindset: How treating a financial office like a "home" changes the client experience. "The Right People on the Bus": Why you can’t teach genuine care, and how ICG identifies and empowers team members who "get it." The Evolution of a Role: How Deb’s position expanded from the lobby to marketing, gifting, and curating multi-generational client events. The Ultimate Differentiator: Why technology makes the human touch more valuable than ever before. Attracting Talent: How a strong, caring culture isn't just for clients—it's what top advisors are looking for too. Connect with us: If you're an advisor interested in learning more about the culture at ICG Next, or if you'd like to join the conversation, reach out to us! Email Garrett: Garrett@advisoradvocates.com Call Garrett: 919-561-2436 Visit ICG Next: icgnext.com Call ICG Next: 732-359-3838 Subscribe to Advisor Advocates for more insights on building a firm that puts people first. #FinancialAdvisors #ClientCare #WealthManagement #FirmCulture #AdvisorAdvocates #ICGNext #ClientExperience Chapters (00:00:00) - Career pathways and the future of IT(00:00:42) - A Client Concierge's Episode 6(00:02:14) - Caring for the Clients(00:03:37) - Making the Leap from Hospitality to Financial Services(00:09:13) - Planning and Gifting for the Firm(00:10:18) - James Costabile on ICG's Culture(00:15:16) - Creating a Special Culture(00:20:45) - How Deb's Role Impact the Firm(00:23:50) - Bradley: The Human Element(00:25:33) - ICG Wealth Advisors: The Differentiator(00:29:11) - Interview with Deb at ICG

  3. Mar 31

    Solving the Succession Equation

    Managing Partner of ICG Next James Costabile & Stephen Kuczynski discuss the challenge facing the financial services industry as it attempts to create succession planning solutions for Advisors and their clients.  Learn More   Talk to Garrett:  Call: 919-561-2436 Email: Garrett@theadvisoradvocates.com Schedule Meeting:  Meeting Link: Firms  Meeting Link: Advisors

  4. 11/24/2025

    The Team Based Approach for Independent Financial Advisors

    Managing Partner James Costabile & Ira Krulik discuss the collaborative approach taken by ICG Next to create a more efficient workflow for Independent Financial Advisors.  Learn More   Talk to Garrett:  Call: 919-561-2436 Email: Garrett@theadvisoradvocates.com Schedule Meeting:  Meeting Link: Firms  Meeting Link: Advisors

  5. 08/14/2025

    Investing in Advisor Technology: CPR Investments

    Justin Reinhold discusses the importance of technology in an Advisors practice and how CPR invests in the commitment to stay ahead of the technological curve. CPR Investments Website   Talk to Garrett:  Call: 919-561-2436 Email: Garrett@theadvisoradvocates.com Schedule Meeting:  Meeting Link: Firms  Meeting Link: Advisors

  6. 07/30/2025

    ICG Next: Raising the Bar on Service

    Managing Partner James Costabile of ICG Next in Wall Township, NJ discusses how their Firm is enhancing client service to grow in a self serving business world.  Learn More   Talk to Garrett:  Call: 919-561-2436 Email: Garrett@theadvisoradvocates.com Schedule Meeting:  Meeting Link: Firms  Meeting Link: Advisors

  7. 07/17/2025

    Outsourcing Your Tech - Soaring Towers

    Nick Costa of Soaring Towers explains how his company helps financial Firms offload their tech needs at a very scalable cost.  Learn More   Talk to Garrett:  Call: 919-561-2436 Email: Garrett@theadvisoradvocates.com Schedule Meeting:  Meeting Link: Firms  Meeting Link: Advisors

  8. 06/27/2025

    Challenging the Status Quo: CPR Investments

    Charles and Nancy Reinhold talk about how their Firm challenges convention to bring cutting edge investment strategies to Advisors and clients.  CPR Investments Website   Talk to Garrett:  Call: 919-561-2436 Email: Garrett@theadvisoradvocates.com Schedule Meeting:  Meeting Link: Firms  Meeting Link: Advisors

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Insights on the Financial Services industry from former Financial Advisor and CFP Garrett Layell. Learn more about what’s going on in the industry and how to fine tune your practice and maximize the enterprise value and growth potential of your practice.

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