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

Brad Johnson
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"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. 12H AGO

    153: Daniel Harkavy - How Advisors Accidentally Build Businesses They Hate

    What would make a 30-year-old with a corner office, a clear path to CEO, and more money than he ever imagined… walk away from it all? That’s the question at the center of this conversation with Daniel Harkavy. Daniel spent his 20s grinding in the mortgage banking world, chasing deals, money, and success. By 30, he was next in line to run the company—but a quiet inner voice told him this wasn’t the life he was meant to live. So he walked away. For the last three decades, Daniel has helped high-performing leaders do what this show is all about: build successful businesses without sacrificing their life in the process. As Founder of Building Champions, he’s coached CEOs and executive teams at organizations like Chick-fil-A, Pfizer, and Bank of America. We talk about why so many leaders burn out after they scale, how culture and leadership behavior quietly shape everything, and what it really means to do business and life by design. 5 of the biggest insights from Daniel Harkavy… #1.) Walking Away Wasn’t Quitting, It Was Clarity Daniel walked away at the height of his career because success didn’t feel sustainable anymore. A one-year sabbatical forced him to realize that continuing would have meant building a life he didn’t want, no matter how successful it looked. #2.) A Smart Approach to Hiring Top Performers Daniel built his team by intentionally spending time building relationships with his competitors — learning their goals, understanding where they were stuck, and finding ways to help them improve. By genuinely helping competitors grow where they were, he built trust, loyalty, and credibility. And when the time came, people chose him willingly. #3.) Scaling Without Vision Is How Advisors Get Stuck A lot of advisors scale because they think they’re supposed to. But if the “why” isn’t clear, growth just adds complexity, stress, and people problems. Scaling only works when you’re being pulled forward by a clear vision — not pushed by ego, comparison, or fear of missing out. #4.) Emotional Volatility Quietly Destroys Culture Emotional blowups cost more than most leaders realize. The energy spent repairing internal damage is energy not spent growing the business. Over time, volatility wears down culture, momentum, and trust, even when intentions are good. #5.) Fear Loses Power When You Zoom Out When you really ask, “What’s the worst case?” most of the fear driving decisions starts to shrink. Failure is part of building anything meaningful, but it’s rarely the disaster we imagine. Perspective changes the weight of decisions and helps you build with intention instead of fear. SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/153 FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIAL TwitterInstagramLinkedIn 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.TP01255162010  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 16m

  2. JAN 21

    152: Triad Members – How to Step Out of Client Meetings and Scale with Matt Dixon & Byron Hurren

    In this episode, I sit down with Triad members Matt Dixon and Byron Hurren to break down how True North evolved from a founder-led advisory firm into a scalable, system-driven business. Just a few years ago, Matt was still running client appointments, and growth flowed almost entirely through him. Byron was another advisor on the team, trying to keep up inside a model that relied heavily on individual talent. Today, Matt is fully out of client meetings, Byron is leading and training a five-person sales team, and the firm is pacing for over $200M in new assets this year. We unpack exactly what changed — how they replaced personality-driven selling with a repeatable sales process, why conversations are replicated nearly word-for-word, and how training, accountability, and culture turned individual production into firm-wide scale. This episode is a clear look at what it actually takes to grow beyond the founder without losing control of the business.   3 of the biggest insights from Matt Dixon & Byron Hurren…   #1.) Scaling Requires One Process, Not Multiple Styles True North didn’t grow by hiring more talented closers. They grew by eliminating variation. Once every advisor followed the same repeatable process, results became predictable, coachable, and scalable.   #2.) Selling the Plan Changed Everything The shift from pitching products to selling an ongoing planning process created clarity for clients and confidence for advisors. Planning became the product, and the team became the value.   #3.) Accountability Is the Growth Multiplier Weekly training, recorded meetings, and direct feedback created a culture where improvement was non-negotiable. Advisors either followed the process or self-selected out. SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/152 FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIAL TwitterInstagramLinkedIn 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.

    42 min

  3. JAN 14

    151: Shasta Nelson - The Science Every Advisor Needs to Know About Human Connection

    What if stronger relationships really did come down to just three things? In this episode, I sit down with Shasta Nelson, one of the most respected voices on the science of connection. She’s a speaker, author, and researcher whose work on relationships has been featured in Harvard Business Review and TIME, whose TEDx talks have reached nearly a million viewers, and whose frameworks are used by companies like Google, LinkedIn, and Walmart. Shasta breaks down the simple relationship triangle that explains why some connections grow deeper while others quietly drift away. We explore how this framework applies directly to the relationships advisors care about most, including clients, teams, spouses, and close friends. We also talk about why high-performing advisors can still feel disconnected, how trust is shaped in small moments rather than big gestures, and how you can intentionally start, strengthen, or even repair relationships instead of leaving them to chance. If you want deeper client trust, stronger teams, and relationships that actually support your life outside the office, this episode gives you a clear way to think about all of it. 3 of the biggest insights from Shasta Nelson… #1.) The Relationship Triangle Explains Why Connections Grow or Drift Shasta introduces a simple triangle built on positivity, consistency, and vulnerability. Every relationship, whether with clients, team members, or family, operates on these three forces. When one weakens, trust doesn’t usually break. It slowly fades. #2.) High Performers Can Be Surrounded by People and Still Feel Lonely Many advisors interact with people all day and still feel disconnected. Shasta explains that loneliness isn’t about a lack of relationships. It’s about a lack of depth. Without relationships at the top of the triangle, connection feels transactional instead of meaningful. #3.) Stronger Client and Team Relationships Can Be Designed Once you understand the triangle, relationships stop being accidental. From first impressions to final moments, rituals, and shared experiences, advisors can intentionally start, strengthen, and even repair relationships instead of leaving trust to chance. SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/151 FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIAL TwitterInstagramLinkedIn 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 1m

  4. JAN 7

    150: Solo - 3 Lessons Every Advisor Can Learn From Their Doctor with Brad Johnson

    When clients feel understood, everything gets easier. When they don’t, even the best advice falls flat. In this solo episode, I break down three lessons we can borrow from good doctors that make a huge difference in your meetings as an advisor. Just like in medicine, the best advisors don’t rush to solutions. They slow down, ask better questions, and explain things in a way people can actually follow. I’ll walk through why diagnosing before you prescribe matters, how your “bedside manner” shows up in financial conversations, and why a real plan is something you build with clients over time—not something you hand them once and hope for the best. If you’ve ever left a meeting thinking, “I know I gave them good advice, so why didn’t it land?” these three simple ideas will help you connect better, simplify your process, and create a better experience for every person you serve. 3 of the biggest insights from Brad Johnson… 1.) Diagnose Before You Prescribe Clients don’t want another advisor pushing their “favorite product.” They want someone who seeks to understand—who asks layered questions, listens deeply, and helps both spouses feel heard. This is the foundation of trust and the secret behind higher conversions. 2.) Simplify the Complex with Better Bedside Manner Planning jargon and 80-page printouts don’t impress clients—they overwhelm them. The advisors who win are the ones who translate complexity into simple, relatable frameworks and make clients feel comfortable, safe, and cared for. 3.) Build a Planning Journey, Not a One-Time Plan Delivering a plan is not the finish line, it’s the starting line. When you walk clients through decisions one step at a time and commit to ongoing planning, you avoid overwhelm, deepen your relationship, and increase lifetime value. SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/150 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. TP12254981392 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    21 min

  5. 12/31/2025

    149: Carey Lohrenz - Navy’s First Female Top Gun on Performing Under Pressure

    What do fighter pilots and financial advisors have in common? More than you might think—especially when it comes to performing under pressure. In this episode, I sit down with Carey Lorhenz—the first female F-14 Tomcat fighter pilot in U.S. Navy history—to talk about how the Navy trains people to perform in high-stakes environments without leaving success to chance.  We get into simulation training before live reps, checklists built for people under pressure (because even really smart people forget things), and why debriefing is one of the fastest ways to build trust and alignment on a team. If you’re building an advisory team, trying to develop younger advisors, or tired of repeating the same mistakes as a firm, this episode gives you a playbook you can actually use. 3 of the biggest insights from Carey… #1.) Training Should Look More Like Simulation In the Navy, pilots don’t get thrown into real situations and told to figure it out. Carey explains why so much time is spent in academics and simulators—and why skipping this step is where a lot of advisor training breaks down. #2.) Checklists Exist Because People Forget Checklists aren’t about being rigid. They’re about performing when pressure is high. Carey breaks down how the Navy designs checklists for stressed humans—and why the same thinking applies to client meetings and important conversations. #3.) The Debrief Is Where Teams Actually Get Better Carey walks through a simple five-question debrief that builds trust, surfaces blind spots, and transfers knowledge fast—so teams improve week over week instead of repeating the same mistakes. SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/149 FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIAL TwitterInstagramLinkedIn 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 18m

  6. 12/24/2025

    148: Triad Member: Fired for Putting Clients First and How He Rebuilt a Family Practice Gathering $65M of New Assets with Keith Leverentz

    What do you do when doing the right thing gets you fired? That’s the question at the center of this conversation with Keith Leverentz. Keith started his career as a high school science teacher before being recruited into a captive financial firm. He quickly became the number one producer in the organization—but he was doing something most advisors weren’t. He was putting clients first, even when it meant recommending solutions that were less profitable for the company. In 2012, that decision cost him everything. He lost his business, his clients, his niche, and spent a season wondering if he’d ever get back on his feet. Keith didn’t just bounce back. He rebuilt—this time with intention. Today, he leads a 25-person firm that’s on pace for more than $65M in new assets this year. He’s done it by building a real team, integrating his entire family into the business, and putting purpose, generosity, and client outcomes at the center of everything. If you’re a founder who’s been knocked down—or you’re carrying a weight that feels heavier than it should—Keith’s story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible on the other side. 3 of the biggest insights from Keith Leverentz… #1.) The Cost of Doing What’s Right (And Why It Paid Off Later) Keith was the #1 producer in his captive agency — until he refused to sell products that weren’t in his clients’ best interest. That decision got him fired. Keith explains the ethical dilemma that forced him out, the fear and isolation that followed, and how starting over with nothing eventually led to building a 25-person firm. If you’ve ever felt tension between growth and integrity, this part will hit close to home. #2.) Why Most Advisors Feel Overwhelmed (And How to Fix It) Keith explains why hiring an Executive Assistant dropped his stress by 40% — and why this role is one of the most overlooked leverage points in advisory firms. He also breaks down a hard truth about his own business: the org chart was “a mile wide and an inch deep.” This section is a masterclass on why founders become bottlenecks, how poor structure slows growth, and what it actually takes to scale beyond yourself. #3.) Why Undercharging Holds Advisors Back Keith shares how he realized he was undercharging — and why raising fees actually improved client outcomes instead of hurting relationships. You’ll hear how expanding planning capabilities, trusting a bigger team, and clearly communicating value allowed him to move up-market with confidence. If you’re worried about fee pressure, higher-net-worth clients, or whether you’re “ready” for the next level, this section reframes the entire conversation. SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/148 FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIAL TwitterInstagramLinkedIn 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.

    59 min

  7. 12/17/2025

    147: Solo - Top 5 Most Replayed Moments in 2025 (According to the Stats) with Brad Johnson

    Every advisor is looking back at the year — what worked, what didn’t, and what’s worth carrying into 2026. So I pulled the analytics, reviewed the conversations, and rounded up the five moments that advisors like you rewatched the most. Each clip reveals something different: how to build real structure inside your firm, how to scale yourself out of the bottleneck, how to create a compelling workshop experience, how to master your message, and how elite performers think about growth. If you want a quick way to reset your focus, sharpen how you lead, and build more freedom into your business next year, this episode will give you the clearest lessons from across the show in 2025. These are the ideas advisors trusted the most — and they can help you tighten your model, strengthen your team, and build a business that runs without burning you out. 3 of the biggest insights from the episode… 1.) Structure Is a Growth Multiplier, Not a Corporate Exercise Your business can only scale as quickly as your structure allows. Ladders, levels, delegated authority, and consistent titles aren’t bureaucracy — they’re clarity. And clarity is what frees a founder from becoming the bottleneck. 2.) You Can Duplicate Yourself Faster Than You Think Whether it’s sales or marketing, the advisors who scale the fastest stop relying on personality and start relying on process. When you systematize your approach, you unlock the ability to build a team that produces without you. 3.) Mastery Comes from Focus, Not Doing More Jordan. Kobe. Elite advisors. The common thread? They ignore the noise and obsess over the few skills that drive 80–90% of results. Growth isn’t adding more, it’s deleting what no longer serves the next level. SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/147 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. TP 12254981392 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    28 min

  8. 12/10/2025

    146: Glenn Street - What Creating a Pro Sports Mascot Taught Me About Differentiating Your Advisory Practice

    As a coach to independent financial advisors, I see a lot of advisors struggling with the same issue—they blend in with the advisor down the street. And when prospects can’t see what makes you unique, it becomes a lot harder for them to understand why they should choose you over anyone else. That’s why I loved today’s conversation with Glenn Street. Glenn built one of the most differentiated businesses I’ve ever seen—Street Characters, the company behind many of the most iconic mascots in the NFL, NHL, MLB, and major college sports. But the real lesson from this episode isn’t about mascots. It’s about how he picked a niche, went deep, and created a level of expertise and service that big competitors couldn’t match. Glenn didn’t try to be everything to everyone. He focused on a narrow lane, understood his customers better than anyone else, and delivered a product and experience no one else in his space could touch.  Advisors can do the exact same thing—especially in a market where most firms look and sound identical. When you specialize with intention, understand your audience on a deeper level, and build a brand that feels unmistakably yours, you become the advisor people talk about, remember, and seek out. 3 of the biggest insights from Glenn Street… #1.) Niching Down in a Commoditized Industry One of the things I loved about Glenn’s story is how he didn’t try to compete with the Disneys of the world. He found a narrow lane—sports mascots—and went deeper than anyone else. That’s exactly what most advisors need today. When you pick a niche and truly understand the people you serve, you stop blending in and start becoming the advisor everyone talks about. #2.) Core Values Don’t Matter Unless You Actually Live Them A lot of firms have core values, but very few bring them to life the way Glenn does. His team starts and ends their day with them. They use them to make decisions, solve problems, and hold each other accountable. It’s a simple reminder that culture isn’t something you write, it’s something you practice. #3.) The Right Incentives Turn Good Teams Into Great Ones Glenn has built a culture where A-player behavior is recognized and rewarded—whether that’s through peer shoutouts, clear performance targets, or a team trip to Mexico when they hit their goals. These aren’t random perks; they’re intentional systems that reinforce what “great” looks like.  SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/146 FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIAL TwitterInstagramLinkedIn 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. TP11254981386 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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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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