Next Mile

Milemarker
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Next Mile is a podcast about bringing together the people and technology shaping the wealth management industry. Brought to you by Milemarker.

  1. What It Takes to Build the Next Generation of Talent

    3D AGO

    What It Takes to Build the Next Generation of Talent

    Episode 124: In this special Christmas 2025 episode, Kyle Van Pelt brings together four standout voices to explore what it takes to identify, attract, develop, and retain the next generation of talent. Daniel Spurgeon shares how firms can spot potential early and create intentional career pathways instead of reactive hires. Kristen Oziemkowski explains what today’s young professionals are really looking for—and how purpose, culture, and clarity drive attraction. Eric Kittner highlights the power of mentorship, in-person learning, and real responsibility in developing talent. And Matt Matrisian makes the case that long-term growth, trust, and investment are essential to retention. Together, these conversations offer a practical roadmap for building teams that thrive well into the future. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (00:54) – Daniel Spurgeon on identifying potential early and building intentional career pathways (07:32) – Kristen Oziemkowski on attracting young professionals through purpose, culture, and clarity (16:53) – Eric Kittner on developing the next generation through mentorship and real responsibility (24:52) – Matt Matrisian on retaining talent by investing in growth, trust, and long-term vision Links  Daniel Spurgeon on LinkedIn Commonwealth Financial Services Kristen Oziemkowski on LinkedIn The Mather Group Eric Kittner on LinkedIn Moneta Group Matt Matrisian on LinkedIn Signature Estate & Investment Advisors Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

    32 min
  2. How Planning Drives Better Investment Decisions with Tim Thomas

    DEC 16

    How Planning Drives Better Investment Decisions with Tim Thomas

    Episode 123: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Tim Thomas, Chief Investment Officer and Wealth Manager at Badgley Phelps Wealth Managers. Tim joined Badgley Phelps in 2008 and brings more than two decades of experience in financial planning and portfolio management. He specialized in security analysis and selection, portfolio construction, asset allocation, and alternative investments. Tim shares with Kyle about the mechanics of modern portfolio construction. He discusses why the financial plan must be the north star for investment strategy, how to navigate the noisy and rapidly democratizing world of alternative investments, and how AI is changing the backend of advisory work without replacing the human connection. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:33) - Tim's money moment (02:57) - Marrying financial planning with investment strategy (03:56) - How investing has changed over time (06:18) - The rise in alternative investments (09:55) - Understanding alts as more than one asset class (16:24) - How Badgley Phelps helps clients navigate the nuances of alts (18:27) - Managing M&A and the acquisition of Marshall & Sullivan (21:45) - How Badgley Phelps approaches holistic planning (23:40) - Tim's thoughts about the future of the industry (27:25) - Tim's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Planning is a strategy. Investments are implementation.  The most effective portfolios are built after the cash flow model is complete.  By understanding the client's lifestyle needs and success rates first, you can determine the specific hurdle rate required to achieve their goals.  Democratization of alts is exciting, but operational risk is real. Alternative investments are booming, but they shouldn't be added to a portfolio just because they are trendy or accessible. Customization beats cookie-cutter strategies. Whether it's equities, fixed income, or alts, thoughtful leaders build client portfolios around client-specific needs — income, growth, risk tolerance, or liquidity — instead of defaulting to one-size-fits-all recommendations. The quarterback model vs. the generalist. There is a massive industry push to bring tax, legal, and estate planning in-house. Sometimes, building a bespoke team of external experts serves the client better than a one-size-fits-all internal department. Quotes "Planning has really come to the forefront, and the investments are critically important because that is the implementation of the plan. But the planning has definitely risen in prominence, and it has a much bigger role than it used to." ~ Tim Thomas "It's just incredible to see how fast alts have grown in prominence and how big an allocation they're getting in portfolios these days. We're missing out on some opportunities by not having them." ~ Tim Thomas "When you think about technology, computers are really good at crunching a lot of data, sorting, and solving a lot of different things at the same time. What they can't replace is that conversation with a client." ~ Tim Thomas Links  Tim Thomas on LinkedIn Badgley Phelps Wealth Managers Vanguard iCapital CAIS Focus Financial Partners Marshall & Sullivan, Inc. Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology Boom: Bubbles and the End of Stagnation Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

    30 min
  3. Beyond Referrals: Transforming Advisor Growth with Eden Ovadia

    DEC 10

    Beyond Referrals: Transforming Advisor Growth with Eden Ovadia

    Episode 122: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Eden Ovadia, Co-Founder of FINNY. Before FINNY, Eden worked on the private equity team at Boston Consulting Group, where she advised on major M&A deals across the wealth management space. Driven by her background in AI and engineering, and inspired by the wealthtech industry's shifting dynamics, Eden co-founded FINNY to help advisors build predictable, personalized, and tech-enabled organic growth engines.  Eden discusses why the wealth management industry is ripe for innovation and disruption. She also shares why referrals are no longer enough to drive organic growth, and how FINNY rewrites the marketing playbook using machine learning to create hyper-personalized, high-propensity matches between advisors and prospects. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:18) - Eden's money moment (04:12) - Innovation in wealth management (07:28) - Why referrals are no longer enough to grow organically (09:25) - How FINNEY rewrites the traditional marketing playbook (16:16) - The power of niching and segmentation in organic growth (18:14) - Introducing the F-score: FINNY's proprietary machine learning algorithm (22:56) - What it takes to build an advisor-first tech stack (24:18) - FINNY's future goals (25:39) - FINNY's outlook on the future of the wealth management industry (28:51) - Eden's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Referrals are great. But they're no longer enough to grow organically. Referrals are a linear expansion tied to an advisor's personal time and energy. True scalability requires building an engine that works in the background for you. Consumer behavior has changed. Your growth strategy should, too. The next generation of clients shops for everything digitally, including financial guidance. They expect personalized, tech-enabled experiences.  Niche and segment. The firms breaking out from the pack are the ones that define exactly who they serve. Not "retirees," but "retirees selling a dental practice." Not "business owners," but "HVAC operators with succession on their minds." Precision builds trust, and trust accelerates conversion. Organic growth must become intentional and operationalized. The fastest-growing firms don't stumble into growth. They measure it, build systems for it, and treat it with the same seriousness as investing or planning. Growth becomes predictable when it becomes part of your operating rhythm. Quotes "Referrals will always be king. The problem with referrals is that they grow with every advisor's time, energy, and resources. It doesn't scale exponentially. It scales with your time and money" ~ Eden Ovadia "If you're an advisor who wants to build a generational business, you need to start building and investing effort in creating a growth engine, because referrals will decline year over year." ~ Eden Ovadia "If you believe that there's going to be a lack of a hundred thousand advisors in the near future, we view FINNY as the tool that can serve as the optimization layer between the supply of financial advisors and the demand for financial advice." ~ Eden Ovadia Links  Eden Ovadia on LinkedIn FINNY Brian Chesky Y Combinator Boston Consulting Group JUMP AI Zocks Outliers Never Split the Differences Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

    32 min
  4. Connecting Advisors and Investors to the Innovation Economy with Mark Buffington

    DEC 2

    Connecting Advisors and Investors to the Innovation Economy with Mark Buffington

    Episode 121: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Mark Buffington, CEO at BIP Capital and Managing Partner at BIP Ventures. Since founding BIP Capital, Mark has helped shape the firm into one of the most active and respected investment brands outside Silicon Valley. He’s also spearheaded several of its most forward-thinking initiatives, from a private-equity Evergreen BDC to a proprietary deep-data AI platform and a Performance Engineering framework built to create category-leading companies and deliver premium exits. Mark and Kyle explore what it takes to build a wealth advisory practice that blends growth, service, and innovation. Mark explains the regulatory and educational hurdles that have historically kept most individuals at arm’s length from the innovation economy—and the unconventional solution BIP created to bridge that gap. He also breaks down how BIP adapted “performance engineering” principles from its tech portfolio to transform business culture and fuel record-breaking growth in the wealth management space. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:30) - Mark's money moment (08:50) - Why individuals struggle to access private markets (15:08) - How BIP connects investors to alternative and private market opportunities (23:32) - Bringing “performance engineering” into BIP’s business strategy (27:46) - The challenge of building a sales culture on top of a service culture (31:43) - The internal and external tech stack powering BIP’s growth (37:15) - Mark’s outlook on the future of financial services (43:16) - Mark's Milemarker minute Key Takeaways A sales culture can enhance—not replace—service excellence. A strong service-driven culture doesn’t conflict with growth. When layered thoughtfully, a disciplined sales and marketing process amplifies the value you deliver while expanding your firm’s reach. The traditional advisory value proposition isn’t enough. As the industry becomes more complex and competitive, simple asset allocation or basic planning won’t consistently attract or retain clients. Advisors need differentiated value supported by expertise, technology, and innovation. Technology is a strategic advantage when you control it. Building or owning your tech and data enables better decisions, stronger efficiency, and a better client experience—especially as AI accelerates what’s possible. Innovation removes structural barriers. Regulation, access limitations, and operational friction often hold back growth. Firms that find creative ways to overcome those barriers can separate themselves from competitors and unlock new opportunities. Quotes "The market shifted. Traditional advisors that provide basic asset allocation and some basic planning are not enough to win and keep business consistently." ~ Mark Buffington "In a world where advisors are increasingly under competitive pressure, how do we give them an advantage? Technologically, with AI and with private market products, and in ways that integrate with their workflows." ~ Mark Buffington "We are in the advice business, but we're also in the worry elimination business. The real value to individuals with complex lives, who are raising kids and trying to manage their own careers, is to take that worry and concern off their plates." ~ Mark Buffington Links  Mark Buffington on LinkedIn Bill Harris BIP Capital BIP Ventures BIP Wealth iCapital CAIS Charles Schwab Christy Johnson Andrew Somoza Hart Williford Tamarac | Envestnet Orion Advisor Solutions Envestnet | MoneyGuide eMoney Advisor Plaid Skin in the Game Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube

    47 min
  5. Building a Tech Stack That Scales With Your Firm

    NOV 25

    Building a Tech Stack That Scales With Your Firm

    Episode 120: As firms enter strategic planning season, Kyle Van Pelt brings together the strongest technology insights from four standout leaders. Nelly Mubashi explains the operational realities of supporting multiple advisor-selected platforms. Carrie Delgott highlights why consolidation into a unified stack unlocks collaboration and efficiency. Phillip Hamman shares how long-term planning and thoughtful automation free advisors to deliver “unreasonable hospitality.” And Michael Batnick offers a candid look at integration frustration inside a hyper-growth firm. Whether you’re expanding advisor choice or tightening your stack, this episode clarifies what it takes to build a scalable, integrated tech ecosystem that truly serves your team. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (00:54) - Nelly Mubashi on supporting advisors across multiple platforms like Tamarac and Orion (05:01) - Carrie Delgott on why aligning the firm around one tech stack drives efficiency and collaboration  (07:14) - Phillip Hamman on using technology to free up advisors and deliver “unreasonable hospitality” (12:04) - Michael Batnick on the challenges of selecting tools that integrate well in a fast-growing firm Links  Nelly Mubashi on LinkedIn Northwest Asset Management Carrie Delgott on LinkedIn Wescott Financial Advisory Group Phillip Hamman on LinkedIn Linscomb Wealth Michael Batnick on LinkedIn Ritholtz Wealth Management Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

    17 min
  6. Mastering the Quarterback Role for Clients with Eric Kittner

    NOV 18

    Mastering the Quarterback Role for Clients with Eric Kittner

    Episode 119: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Eric Kittner, CEO and Chairman of the Board at Moneta Group. Eric began his career at Arthur Andersen and RubinBrown before joining Moneta in 2003. Since becoming Managing Partner in 2018, Eric has led Moneta through a period of remarkable growth, expanding from a single Midwest office to multiple national markets and more than doubling its AUM.  Eric talks with Kyle about Moneta's comprehensive service model and how they've operationally mastered the 'quarterback' role for clients. He also shares the firm's geographic growth strategy and the importance of in-office culture for developing the next generation of advisors. From tax strategy to tech adoption to developing next-gen talent, Eric reveals what it really takes to grow a firm that never loses its human touch. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (03:11) - Eric's money moment (05:33) - Lessons from Arthur Andersen: culture, training, and crisis opportunity (08:10) - How tax strategy shapes Moneta’s approach to serving clients (09:09) - Building a truly comprehensive service model (11:39) - Why Moneta has never taken private equity money (13:43) - Moneta's intentional growth strategy: Go deep, not wide (16:16) - What makes a perfect cultural and business fit for Moneta partnerships (20:50) - Growing next-gen talent through flexibility and connection (25:11) - Recruiting vs. developing future advisors (30:30) - How Moneta leverages technology (33:40) - The biggest tech drag on the advisor experience (36:31) - Eric’s outlook on the future of wealth management (40:57) - What makes one RIA different from another (44:01) - Eric's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Independence is not just a label—it's a mindset. Whether you're solo or part of a large firm, true independence comes from making decisions that align with your clients' best interests, not outside pressures or short-term gains. Culture is a foundation. Processes and tech can be copied. Culture can't. The way your team behaves when no one's watching determines how clients experience your firm. Intentional growth leads to sustainable success. It's easy to chase expansion or new tech for the sake of momentum. The best leaders grow deliberately, aligning every move with purpose, people, and long-term vision. Technology should create time. Use tools that simplify and elevate human connection, not replace it. The future of advice belongs to firms that blend empathy with efficiency.  Quotes "To us, culture is not a mythical figure. Culture is the total of your behavior on a day-to-day basis." ~ Eric Kittner "We've been very intentional about doing what we do really well, being that quarterback, providing that advice, and coordinating the resources." ~ Eric Kittner "The title on your business card is what it is. When a client reaches out to you, that's when you are their advisor." ~ Eric Kittner Links  Eric Kittner on LinkedIn Moneta Group Andersen Outliers: The Story of Success Leaders Eat Last Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

    48 min
  7. Bringing Humanity Back into Retirement Planning with Jason Weaver

    NOV 11

    Bringing Humanity Back into Retirement Planning with Jason Weaver

    Episode 118: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jason Weaver, Managing Partner of Weaver Consulting Group. With nearly three decades of experience in the financial services industry, Jason leads with a people-first philosophy rooted in mentorship, emotional intelligence, and community.  Kyle and Jason unpack why financial planning today requires more than performance charts and retirement projections. Jason describes his mentorship-first approach to helping young people break free from the instant gratification of sports gambling and develop healthier, long-term investing habits. By fostering in-person community, accountability partnerships, and meaningful client events, he’s building trust and transformation that lasts beyond market cycles. Their conversation highlights how true advisory work is ultimately about alignment—connecting money with personal values, emotional well-being, and the relationships that support growth across a lifetime. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (00:50) - Jason's money moment (04:11) - The rise of sports gambling and its impact on young investors (08:03) - How Jason helps teens shift from gambling to investing through mentorship (12:32) - Jason’s five core beliefs and how they shape behavior and financial decisions (17:10) - Why in-person community is essential for trust and transformation (19:24) - Bringing humanity back into retirement planning (21:52) - Balancing tech and touch: using digital tools to deepen relationships (24:08) - Inside the Weaver Consulting Group tech stack (27:39) - Jason’s outlook on the future of the financial services industry (30:04) - Jason's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Real financial planning is about people, not products. Numbers and strategies matter, but lasting transformation happens through human connection. Advisors create the most impact when they understand clients’ values, emotions, and identity—not just their balance sheets. Short-term dopamine behaviors can derail long-term wealth. Sports gambling and similar instant-gratification habits literally retrain the brain. Helping young people shift from betting to investing starts with awareness, accountability, and a supportive community. In-person relationships build trust that technology cannot replace. Face-to-face conversations, shared experiences, and community events deepen connection and reinforce healthy financial mindsets. Digital tools can support—but never substitute—the human element. Use technology as an amplifier, not a replacement for advisory work. Tech should simplify workflows, enhance communication, and provide clarity—not create more noise. The most effective firms pair smart systems with authentic, values-driven guidance. Quotes "We individualize the planning experience and then educate people to understand the strategies we've chosen together to make sure that we can help them have a wonderful life." ~ Jason Weaver "People don't want just a plan. They want alignment between their money, their values, and their well-being." ~ Jason Weaver "Invest in yourself first. At the end of the day, your greatest return is yourself." ~ Jason Weaver Links  Jason Weaver on LinkedIn Weaver Consulting Group Ameriprise Financial Fidelity Investments Vanguard Orion Advisor Solutions Redtail Technology eMoney Advisor Charles Schwab The Hum The Law of Success Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

    33 min
  8. Finding the Perfect Partner: Culture and Data in M&A with Jacqueline Martinez

    NOV 4

    Finding the Perfect Partner: Culture and Data in M&A with Jacqueline Martinez

    Episode 117: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jacqueline Martinez, Managing Partner at Alaris Acquisitions. Previously part of United Capital's M&A team, Jacqueline contributed to $10.5B in acquisitions before the firm's 2019 sale to Goldman Sachs. Now at Alaris, she and her team have closed more than 50 deals with leading wealth management firms. Recognized for her leadership in culture-first M&A, Jacqueline was named M&A Executive of the Year in Wealth Solutions Report's Pathfinder Awards and honored among WealthManagement.com's "Ten to Watch" in 2025.  Kyle and Jacqueline discuss what makes a truly successful merger or acquisition in the wealth management industry. Jacqueline unpacks how data, AI, and cultural alignment can make or break a deal, why emotional intelligence matters as much as financials, and what sellers can do to ensure they're choosing the right partner for the next chapter of their business. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:44) - Jacqueline's money moment (04:02) - United Capital's secret to success (06:51) - The psychology of finding the right buying partner (09:19) - Inside Alaris Lens (12:41) - How to vet potential buyers (14:46) - How Alaris Lens can help find the right culture fit for companies (20:40) - How to verify a buyer's promises and programs (23:25) - How to handle 'cold feet' moments during the sales process (27:36) - The role of the seller's current tech stack in a deal's success (31:50) - The impact of having centralized data in the valuation of a firm (33:22) - Jacqueline's outlook on the future of the industry (34:45) - Jacqueline's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Focus on alignment points, not just price. The best partnerships start when both sides clearly define what they want — from deal structure to future vision — long before the negotiation table. Data brings clarity. Matching firms based on quantifiable factors reduces surprises later. Data-driven fit creates long-term success. Prepare emotionally, not just financially. Every deal comes with "freak-out moments." Knowing they're normal and working through the fears helps avoid walking away from a great opportunity. Ask the hard questions — twice. Sellers need to verify every promise made by potential buyers. Ask for data. Talk to past partners. Consistency in answers reveals the truth. Quotes "Every conversation or piece of information that you're sending to a buyer is like a constant evaluation of the risk of your business." ~ Jacqueline Martinez "Everyone says cultural fit, but what does that really even mean? If the buyer aligns well with the seller's needs, that's a much better foundation for exploring the cultural fit." ~ Jacqueline Martinez "It's important when you're running your business to make better decisions throughout the journey. Particularly in a sales process. There's always a risk evaluation that's happening, and you want to appear as organized and professional as possible and deliver the data people are asking for." ~ Jacqueline Martinez Links  Jacqueline Martinez on LinkedIn Alaris Acquisitions United Capital Financial Advisors Goldman Sachs Joe Duran Brandon Gage Jarrod Upton It Ends with Us Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

    38 min
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About

Next Mile is a podcast about bringing together the people and technology shaping the wealth management industry. Brought to you by Milemarker.

Information

  • Creator
    Milemarker
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    125
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Copyright © Milemarker Inc.
  • Show Website
    Next Mile

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