Decoding Growth

Will Prest
  • 5.0 (3)
  • INVESTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Decoding Growth takes you inside the evolving world of retirement, uncovering the business models, go-to-market strategies, and unexpected partnerships transforming the industry. Each episode features candid, no-nonsense conversations with the leaders who are driving change and delivering practical solutions to challenges in access, participation, engagement, and outcomes.From innovation heads at major recordkeepers to CEOs of digital-first retirement platforms, from strategic investors to policy influencers, Decoding Growth brings together retirement heavyweights, tech disruptors, and industry insiders sharing real-world insights and actionable advice. Whether you’re in asset management, fintech, consulting, or benefits technology, this podcast provides the knowledge you need to navigate the future of retirement.Featured Guests Include:Heads of Innovation and Product at major recordkeepersCEOs, COOs, CPOs, CGO/CROs of digital-forward retirement platformsManaging Directors and Heads of...

Episodes

  1. The Hidden Intelligence in Plan Documents: Inside PlanPort

    FEB 21

    The Hidden Intelligence in Plan Documents: Inside PlanPort

    Plan documents hold more intelligence than most people realize—if you know how to unlock it. In this episode of Decoding Growth, we explore how PlanPort uncovers the hidden logic, rules, and decisions embedded in SPDs, amendments, and other complex plan materials. Founder David Levine breaks down how AI can interpret dense plan language, reduce manual review time, and support TPAs, record keepers, and advisors with greater accuracy and consistency. We dive into the role of responsible AI, why human oversight still matters, and how PlanPort blends automation with expert judgment to support retirement service professionals at scale. From legacy system challenges to real operational use cases, this conversation reveals how AI can transform workflows without replacing the people behind them. Listen to learn how PlanPort is redefining intelligence within plan documents—and why it matters for the future of retirement services. Key Discussion Points 00:00 Introduction 00:23 Meet Your Host: Will Press 01:09 Guest Introduction: David Levine 02:28 The Origin of PlanPort 03:54 Innovations in the Retirement Industry 05:46 Real Use Cases of PlanPort 14:14 Accuracy and Flexibility in AI 25:34 Industry Staffing Challenges 29:26 Why Human Oversight Matters 33:17 PlanPort’s Middleware Approach 36:41 Advice for New Ventures 45:36 Customer Feedback & Iteration 50:47 Future Trends & Final Thoughts 54:19 Closing Remarks   #PlanPort #FinTech #RetirementServices #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #DocumentAutomation #TPA #Recordkeepers #FinancialAdvisors #B2BTech #RetirementTech #HumanInTheLoop #DecodingGrowth #Podcast

    56 min
  2. Bridging the Gap: Lori Hardwick on Connecting Wealth and Retirement

    11/11/2025

    Bridging the Gap: Lori Hardwick on Connecting Wealth and Retirement

    The retirement industry keeps talking about convergence. Lori Hardwick breaks down what it actually takes to make it real. This conversation cuts straight into the structural issues—America’s savings gap, advisor confidence, platform integrations, valuation pressures, and the technology finally capable of scaling access. Lori brings decades of experience as an operator, board member, and founder to explain why this moment is different, what’s newly possible, and where firms are still holding themselves back. You will hear what most leaders learn only after expensive trial and error: 00:00 — The real retirement access crisis in America 04:20 — The savings gap, Social Security challenges & bipartisan urgency 08:45 — Why wealth advisors hesitate: risk, regulation & confidence 12:30 — The time-management dilemma: 25 employees, one advisor 15:50 — The Sater model: specialists, referrals & shared revenue 20:55 — Swell’s turnkey infrastructure & chatbot-powered onboarding 25:10 — Tech rails: the new path from payroll → recordkeeper → asset mgmt 29:35 — Emergency savings, student-loan matching & plan design innovation 34:18 — What retirement can learn from wealth—and vice versa 37:45 — Where retire-tech platforms can plug in 41:20 — Early-stage founders vs. enterprise due diligence reality 45:12 — Riding the rails: integrations with Orion, InvestNet, Pershing 49:05 — Founder traits: execution vs. ideas 53:25 — Build, buy, or partner? Lori’s framework from inside the big firms 56:12 — The legacy tech debt problem nobody wants to talk about 01:00:40 — How firms can modernize without breaking the enterprise 01:03:50 — Final challenge: who will actually bridge the gap? This isn’t industry commentary. It’s a strategic field guide for enterprises, advisors, founders, and retirement innovators who want to bridge the gap without burning years—or budgets—doing it the hard way. If this episode gave you a new lens on convergence and growth: 👍 Hit like 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations that cut through the noise 💬 Tell us the insight that hit home for you 🔗 Share this with someone who needs a clearer view of where the industry is headed #RetirementTech #WealthManagement #Fintech #FinancialInnovation #AdvisorGrowth #DigitalTransformation #FutureOfFinance #401k #RetirementPlans #SaaS

    53 min
  3. Owning the Friction: The 401Go Story | Dan Beck | Decoding Growth | EP 108

    10/28/2025

    Owning the Friction: The 401Go Story | Dan Beck | Decoding Growth | EP 108

    Welcome to Decoding Growth, where unfiltered conversations and bold ideas are reshaping retirement. In this episode, hosts Lisa Kottler and Will Press sit down with Dan Beck, co-founder and CEO of 401GO, to explore how innovation, empathy, and a customer-first mindset are transforming the small business retirement market. While others talk about serving small employers, Dan and his team are actually doing it. From tackling legacy systems to designing technology that reduces friction and humanizes finance, this episode breaks down what it truly means to modernize an industry that’s been slow to evolve. If you’ve ever wondered why so many small businesses still struggle to offer 401(k) plans — and what it takes to fix that — this conversation is your roadmap. ⏱ Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to Decoding Growth: The new playbook for retirement innovation 00:33 – Introducing Dan Beck, co-founder and CEO of 401GO 01:40 – From e-commerce to fintech: Dan’s journey into retirement innovation 03:08 – The origin story: when solving his own 401(k) problem sparked a startup 05:20 – Why curiosity drives entrepreneurship and change 07:14 – Lessons from e-commerce: reducing friction and building better experiences 10:08 – Understanding the small business pain point — why complexity kills adoption 13:22 – How 401GO’s “own the friction” philosophy reshapes advisor relationships 16:18 – Building for small businesses: empathy over industry jargon 18:45 – Real-life impact: helping employees save their first dollar 21:10 – Human design + tech innovation: the secret to long-term engagement 25:04 – Redefining advisor partnerships and distribution models 29:28 – Why automation and relationships must coexist 32:00 – The danger of legacy thinking and the power of outside perspective 35:46 – Bootstrapping vs. venture capital: building for growth with integrity 38:25 – Lessons on innovation from startups and legacy firms 42:14 – How big companies and fintechs can collaborate instead of compete 46:00 – Innovation inside risk-averse industries: how to make it work 50:27 – The mindset shift: experimentation, autonomy, and innovation 55:19 – What incumbents can learn from startups — and vice versa 59:00 – The surprising truth: this industry wants to change 1:02:00 – Closing reflections: curiosity, empathy, and the future of 401(k)s 💡 Key Takeaways • “Own the friction” — make complexity your responsibility, not your client’s. • Real innovation starts with solving real problems, not chasing shiny tech. • Empathy + automation = sustainable business transformation. • Small businesses deserve better access, clarity, and care in financial services. • The retirement industry is ready to evolve — it just needs better tools. 🔔 Join the Movement If this episode inspired you: ✅ Subscribe to Decoding Growth for more unfiltered conversations on innovation. 💬 Comment your biggest takeaway — how do you “own the friction” in your business? 📢 Share this episode with a colleague ready to rethink how retirement works. Because innovation isn’t about technology — it’s about courage, curiosity, and care. 💬🚀

    53 min
  4. Peopled’s Bold Bet on Hyper-Personalized Benefits | Anthony Bunnell and Tom Bishop | EP107

    10/21/2025

    Peopled’s Bold Bet on Hyper-Personalized Benefits | Anthony Bunnell and Tom Bishop | EP107

    Welcome to Decoding Growth — where unfiltered conversations and bold ideas are reshaping the future of retirement and benefits. In this episode, hosts Lisa Kottler and Will Prest sit down with Anthony Bunnell and Tom Bishop, co-founders of Peopled, to unpack how their company is building the new front door for employee benefits. With backgrounds as executives and startup founders, Anthony and Tom bring unique insights into how AI, personalization, and trust can transform how employees engage with their benefits. From solving the problem of benefits confusion to reimagining the advisor’s role in an AI-driven world, this episode cuts through the noise to reveal what true innovation looks like in financial wellness. ⏱ Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to Decoding Growth 01:15 – Meet the co-founders of Peopled 04:10 – The problem Peopled is solving in the benefits space 07:45 – How AI is transforming employee engagement 10:32 – “The new front door” for benefits explained 14:55 – Hyper-personalization and trust in financial decisions 19:40 – Scaling the advisor relationship through technology 24:05 – Why alignment—not assets—should define industry success 29:12 – Lessons learned from past startups and regulated industries 33:25 – Building partnerships with recordkeepers and healthcare providers 37:58 – The real future of integration and collaboration 42:10 – Final thoughts: redefining success in financial services 🎧 Tune in to explore how “Peopled” is using technology to help individuals make smarter, more confident financial decisions—one conversation at a time. 📢 Watch more episodes of Decoding Growth 💬 Subscribe for fresh insights from innovators transforming the retirement landscape.

    51 min
  5. Break Away from the Herd with Nevin Adams | Decoding Growth | EP106

    10/14/2025

    Break Away from the Herd with Nevin Adams | Decoding Growth | EP106

    Welcome to Decoding Growth, where unfiltered conversations and bold ideas are reshaping the future of retirement. In this episode, hosts Lisa Kottler and Will Prest sit down with legendary industry voice Nevin Adams to explore how innovation, regulation, and human behavior intersect in retirement—and where the industry must go next. Nevin shares candid insights on fiduciary risk, the evolving role of AI, financial wellness, and the human side of innovation. Packed with wisdom, humor, and real talk, this conversation challenges old assumptions and inspires fresh thinking about what’s possible in financial services. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to Decoding Growth 00:37 – Why challenge the status quo matters in retirement innovation 02:24 – Introducing Nevin Adams: a voice of reason and change 03:16 – The legal lens: how regulation shapes progress 07:15 – AI and the future of retirement services 10:08 – Guardrails, compliance, and the evolution of trust in AI 13:16 – Personalization and financial wellness at scale 15:47 – Generational shifts and comfort with digital tools 18:14 – Convergence and new business models 21:12 – The real fear around money and financial conversations 23:16 – Underappreciated ideas and the future of access 27:13 – Retirement income, defaults, and the language of innovation 31:01 – Education gaps and financial literacy challenges 33:28 – Connecting technology, trust, and incremental learning 35:01 – How to bring innovators and legacy institutions together 37:19 – Where the industry should focus next 40:19 – Improving access, participation, and outcomes 45:22 – Making retirement transitions easier and smarter 49:00 – Nevin reflects on impact, influence, and legacy 53:46 – The kindest lessons and leaders who shaped his path 57:39 – Closing thoughts: why this work truly matters 58:13 – Subscribe and stay connected with Decoding Growth 🎙️ About the Show Decoding Growth goes beyond the headlines to reveal the strategies, partnerships, and technologies transforming retirement. Each episode brings together voices driving change and creating a more innovative, inclusive future for the industry. 👉 Subscribe for more conversations that challenge convention, inspire leadership, and spark real growth. #DecodingGrowth #NevinAdams #RetirementInnovation #AIinFinance #FinancialWellness #Fintech #PodcastEpisode

    59 min
  6. The 4% Problem: Fixing Financial Wellness | Liz Davidson and Todd Lacey| Decoding Growth | EP 105

    10/07/2025

    The 4% Problem: Fixing Financial Wellness | Liz Davidson and Todd Lacey| Decoding Growth | EP 105

    Financial wellness pioneer Liz Davidson, founder of Financial Finesse, and president Todd Lacey join Lisa Kottler and Will Prest to decode the most misunderstood category in workplace retirement. With 15 companies on their tech map but countless definitions, they explore what financial wellness really means, why only 4% of people are truly "financially well," and how the industry must shift from product-first to participant-first thinking. Learn why, with financial coaching, healthcare claims have been shown to drop by 4.5% (compared to rising 19.4% without it), and why speaking in English (not industry jargon) might be retirement's biggest innovation opportunity. CHAPTERS: 0:00 Introduction & The Retirement Tech Map 3:15 Defining Financial Wellness 8:45 Todd's Journey to Financial Finesse 12:30 The Unbiased Coaching Model 17:20 Measuring Success: Healthcare Claims Data 23:45 Beyond the 401(k): Breaking Down Silos 29:10 Platform vs. Point Solutions 34:25 Personalization & AI Innovation 40:15 Evaluating Financial Wellness Providers 46:30 The Engagement Challenge 51:40 Starting with the End User 56:20 Speaking English: The Innovation Gap

    59 min
  7. Big Brands, Bold Moves: David Musto on the Next Era of Retirement

    09/30/2025

    Big Brands, Bold Moves: David Musto on the Next Era of Retirement

    In this episode of Decoding Growth, hosts Lisa Kottler and Will Prest sit down with David Musto, Chair & CEO of Ascensus, to explore the bold moves shaping the future of retirement. With over three decades of leadership across J.P. Morgan, Prudential, Great-West, and now Ascensus, David brings a rare perspective on how big brands can innovate, adapt, and lead at scale.

    48 min
  8. How Legal Strategy Fuels RetireTech Growth

    09/24/2025

    How Legal Strategy Fuels RetireTech Growth

    Join hosts Lisa Kottler and Will Prest as they dive deep into the legal and compliance landscape shaping retirement technology innovation with ERISA attorney Bonnie Treichel. This episode explores practical strategies for navigating the complex regulatory environment while fostering collaboration between legacy firms and emerging RetireTech companies. Bonnie brings a unique perspective as both an attorney and operator, running two firms while staying at the forefront of industry innovation. From her upcoming book "Your Retirement Sketchbook" to her insights on partnership structures, this conversation reveals how smart legal strategy can accelerate rather than hinder RetireTech growth. Your Retirement Sketchbook: 125 Retirement Planning Lessons from Financial Experts: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Retirement-Sketchbook-Planning-Financial/dp/1804091952/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IYgUDFBD_ZLNwrEnxXZLr1rmQBAEiU2s3nc9YgrwQeMJk6oj5PpfJWCbJQtr7BhYWY7gNZrNmRhtXTFYELwD16TiUhF3qX6zXHj_6z6TVVm53f-EGHFcgbWv-IK5WL7QU65_FsMv7Ri3xQzVIH280GwgqcHNZEx9btrjhAnHYw_HQVAcAHfA1M3N3q1j0gWEB-H-Epz80JRYzDzrhOSOhOodqVJaNeWaVRp3l8I1-1M.KsBEMeSH1H6MnwwhTjIMdfIryJ0FK_OUGyi3GZTBaVI&dib_tag=se&hvadid=713542018012&hvdev=c&hvexpln=67&hvlocphy=9059583&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=16771137218294878157--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=16771137218294878157&hvtargid=kwd-2438321451310&hydadcr=22566_13730726&keywords=your+retirement+sketchbook&mcid=5de30c2c70a0346eb1457cfd6f746d0d&qid=1758660146&sr=8-1

    42 min
  9. The Four-Wheel Drive Episode with Capital Group’s Ryan Tiernan

    09/16/2025

    The Four-Wheel Drive Episode with Capital Group’s Ryan Tiernan

    Join Lisa Kottler and Will Prest as they sit down with Ryan Tiernan from Capital Group's Workplace Strategic Growth team to explore how a nearly century-old asset manager embraces fintech innovation. This "four-wheel drive episode" dives deep into Ryan's unique perspective as both a former founder and current enterprise innovation leader, revealing how Capital Group scouts, partners with, and scales fintech solutions across the retirement ecosystem. Discover the five critical drivers Capital Group uses to identify opportunities, learn their philosophy for working with startups, and understand how they create value for both emerging ventures and established intermediaries. Ryan shares candid insights about building a culture of curiosity, managing risk in a highly regulated industry, and the evolving role of AI in workplace benefits. Whether you're a fintech founder seeking enterprise partnerships or an established firm looking to innovate, this episode offers practical strategies for navigating the complex world of retirement technology and workplace benefits convergence.

    1 hr
  10. Meet Your Hosts: Lisa Kottler & Will Prest Launch Decoding Growth

    09/09/2025

    Meet Your Hosts: Lisa Kottler & Will Prest Launch Decoding Growth

    Welcome to the premiere episode of Decoding Growth, where industry veterans Lisa Kottler and Will Prest introduce themselves and their mission to transform conversations around retirement technology innovation. In this inaugural episode, discover how two seasoned professionals who've worked at both Fortune 500 companies and scrappy startups are bridging the gap between established retirement plan providers and emerging technology disruptors. Lisa and Will share their personal journeys from corporate executives to entrepreneurs, explain why they coined the term "RetireTech," and reveal their vision for creating an ecosystem where innovation thrives.

    51 min
  11. How AI Is Transforming Retirement Services (Plan Port Explained)

    01/28/1993

    How AI Is Transforming Retirement Services (Plan Port Explained)

    How do you bring AI into retirement services without sacrificing accuracy, trust, or compliance? In this episode of Decoding Growth, host Will Press sits down with David Levine, founder of Plan Port and principal at Groom Law Group, to explore how AI can support—not replace—human expertise in the retirement and financial services industry. David shares his journey from tech enthusiast to legal expert to FinTech founder and breaks down how Plan Port acts as middleware, integrating with existing systems instead of disrupting them. Together, they discuss the real challenges facing TPAs, recordkeepers, and advisors, including staffing constraints, rising complexity, and the pressure to modernize responsibly. If you’re navigating AI adoption in a regulated industry—or building technology for professionals who demand accuracy—this conversation is packed with practical insights and hard‑earned lessons. 🔑 What You’ll Learn: Why accuracy matters more than speed in AI‑driven financial tools How AI can close staffing and knowledge gaps without replacing people What TPAs should ask before buying new retirement technology The role of middleware in modern FinTech ecosystems How founders can integrate into established infrastructure Where AI fits—and where humans must stay in control 📌 Who this episode is for: TPAs, recordkeepers, advisors, FinTech builders, founders, and anyone interested in the future of AI in retirement services. 👉 Subscribe for more conversations on growth, technology, and building durable businesses. #AI #FinTech #RetirementServices #RetirementTech #ArtificialIntelligence #FinancialServices #B2BFinTech #SaaS #WealthTech #TPA #Recordkeepers #HumanInTheLoop #DigitalTransformation #PlanPort #DecodingGrowth #Podcast

    56 min
  • 11 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Decoding Growth takes you inside the evolving world of retirement, uncovering the business models, go-to-market strategies, and unexpected partnerships transforming the industry. Each episode features candid, no-nonsense conversations with the leaders who are driving change and delivering practical solutions to challenges in access, participation, engagement, and outcomes.From innovation heads at major recordkeepers to CEOs of digital-first retirement platforms, from strategic investors to policy influencers, Decoding Growth brings together retirement heavyweights, tech disruptors, and industry insiders sharing real-world insights and actionable advice. Whether you’re in asset management, fintech, consulting, or benefits technology, this podcast provides the knowledge you need to navigate the future of retirement.Featured Guests Include:Heads of Innovation and Product at major recordkeepersCEOs, COOs, CPOs, CGO/CROs of digital-forward retirement platformsManaging Directors and Heads of...

Information

  • Creator
    Will Prest
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 | All Rights Reserved | Will Prest
  • Show Website
    Decoding Growth