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

Brad Johnson
  • 5.0 (329)
  • 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. 2d ago ·  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

  2. 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

  3. May 13 ·  Video

    168: Solo - How I'd Spend My First $100,000 as a Financial Advisor with Brad Johnson

    Most advisors build their business on momentum instead of intention, duct-taping it together as they go, and then wondering years later why growth feels so hard. What if the problem isn't effort? What if it's the foundation? In this solo episode, I'm breaking down exactly how I'd invest the first $100,000 if I was starting a financial advisory practice from scratch. Three investments, in order, that I believe separate the advisors who build something bigger than themselves from the ones who stay stuck grinding at a ceiling they didn't even know they built. These aren't industry secrets. They're not complicated. But the fastest-growing advisors I've coached (and I've worked with folks managing hundreds of millions) did all three on purpose, and they did them early. That's the difference. 3 of the biggest insights from Brad Johnson… #1.) The First Hire Every Advisor Should Make Most advisors wait too long to hire an EA because they think they can't afford it. I want to flip that entirely. Every hour you spend on admin, scheduling, and paperwork is a direct tax on your revenue ceiling. A great EA creates leverage. #2.) Marketing Isn’t Optional, It’s the Engine I break down the mindset shift that separates advisors who consistently invest in marketing from those who treat it like an expense, and why funding a proven one-to-many system early is one of the highest-leverage moves you can make. #3.) Your Office Is Sending a Message. Is It the Right One? The environment where you meet clients isn't just a backdrop. It's a direct signal about the experience they can expect. Your space affects not just your clients' confidence in you, but your confidence in yourself. SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/168 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.

    10 min

  4. May 6 ·  Video

    167: Adam Holt & Derek Notman - What Happens When Richard Branson Challenges You... And You Accept

    I’ve seen this pattern play out too many times… an advisor builds a successful business, hits their numbers, grows the firm, and somewhere along the way, things at home start to drift. Not because they don’t care, but because no one ever showed them how to win in both places at the same time. That’s what this conversation is really about. Derek Notman and Adam Holt set out to explore that exact challenge through a project called REBL Dads—a movement built around helping fathers become more intentional at home without sacrificing their ambition in business. What started as an idea turned into a mastermind on Necker Island with a group of entrepreneurial dads, and ultimately a challenge from Richard Branson: “How are you going to help more dads with this?” That question led to over 100 interviews with fathers (many from financial services) unpacking what it actually looks like to succeed in both business and life.  In this episode, we break down what they learned, the patterns that showed up across those conversations, and how you can start applying those lessons right now so success at work doesn’t come at the expense of everything else that matters. 3 of the biggest insights from Adam Holt & Derek Notman… #1.) Success at Work Doesn’t Guarantee Success at Home A lot of advisors are winning professionally but quietly losing where it matters most. This episode exposes the real cost of that tradeoff—and why ignoring it only makes it worse over time. #2.) Intentional Presence Is the Skill Most Advisors Never Learn Being “around” your family isn’t the same as being present. The most consistent theme across 100+ interviews was how intentionality—not time—drives real connection. #3.) You Don’t Need More Time, You Need Better Systems From calendar discipline to environment design, the dads who got this right didn’t rely on willpower. They built systems that made showing up at home automatic.  REBL Dads Book: Early access to the REBL Dads book -> https://www.rebldads.com/book SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/167 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.

    59 min

  5. Apr 29 ·  Video

    166: Jimmy Rollins - The Four Steps to Real Accountability (Most Skip All of Them)

    I’ve been coaching financial advisors for more than 20 years, and there’s one pattern I’ve seen far too often in our industry… The advisor who builds a successful business, wins the awards, looks like they’re crushing it from the outside, but behind the scenes, things at home start falling apart. At the core of it, there’s a gap between who you appear to be… and who you actually are. That’s exactly what my conversation with Jimmy Rollins is all about. Jimmy is a nationally recognized preacher and marriage coach who’s spent decades working with leaders on culture and leadership. He’s also lived through this himself when success at work started costing him his marriage. We talk about why so many high performers feel stuck, the difference between transparency, vulnerability, and real accountability, and what starts to happen when you avoid the internal work as a leader. Jimmy also breaks down the four steps to real freedom, why you’ll always be as sick as your secrets, and how the things you ignore internally eventually show up in your team, your relationships, and your life outside of work. 5 of the biggest insights from Jimmy Rollins… #1.) Why Some Teams Never Thrive A lot of advisors think their team isn’t performing because of talent or systems. Jimmy flips that. When people on your team are struggling emotionally or personally, it shows up in how they work. The best firms don’t just build better teams, they develop healthier people. #2.) Freedom Comes From Having Nothing To Hide Most high performers are chasing success, but still feel stuck or under pressure. Jimmy breaks down the four steps (transparency, vulnerability, accountability, and intimacy) and why real freedom as a leader comes when you stop managing perception and start living with nothing to hide. #3.) When Success At Work Was Costing Him His Marriage Jimmy opens up about the breaking point in his marriage and the realization that his success in one area of life was creating damage in another, and what it took to turn things around. #4.) The Work Most Leaders Avoid Is The Work That Matters Most Top-performing advisors are great at building businesses—but many avoid the internal work required to lead well. Jimmy explains why self-awareness, emotional health, and confronting your blind spots are what actually determine how far your business (and life) can scale. #5.) How Advisors Can Open The Door To More Diversity Jimmy breaks down why most firms stay the same—and how comfort, preference, and familiarity shape who you hire and connect with. Real diversity starts when leaders intentionally step outside those patterns. SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/166 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.

    54 min

  6. Apr 22 ·  Video

    165: Solo - The 3 Word Framework for Every 1st Appointment (Financial Advisor Training) with Brad Johnson

    Ever walked out of a first meeting thinking it went great, only to have the prospect disappear? I see this happen to really great advisors all the time. The conversation is professional, the planning process is solid, and the explanation makes perfect sense. But somewhere along the way, the energy in the room fades and the prospect never takes the next step. In this episode, I break down a simple shift that can completely change how your first appointments feel and how prospects respond. It’s a small adjustment in how you frame the conversation, but once you see it, you’ll start noticing it in almost every meeting. 3 of the biggest insights from Brad… #1.) The “Is Trap” That Turns Advisors Into Commodities Many advisors unknowingly start their meetings by explaining tools, products, and process. The problem? That approach can quietly turn even great advisors into just another option. #2.) The Communication Gap That Loses Prospects Plenty of advisors have great planning processes, but struggle to explain them in simple language. When the explanation becomes too technical, prospects stop leaning in. #3.) The Simple Flip That Changes First Meetings When you shift the conversation toward what the plan actually means to the client’s life, the entire dynamic of the meeting changes, and prospects begin engaging at a much deeper level. SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/165 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.

    30 min

  7. Apr 15 ·  Video

    164: Jon Acuff - The Most Expensive Fear in Financial Advising

    If you’re a financial advisor, you see procrastination every day. People wait years before reaching out for financial help. Prospects say they’ll think about it. Clients agree with the plan but never quite get around to doing anything. So why does this happen? Today’s guest, New York Times bestselling author Jon Acuff, has spent years studying procrastination. In his new book, Procrastination Proof, he breaks down why people delay the decisions that matter most and introduces a simple framework for finally moving forward. It turns out procrastination has very little to do with time management or laziness. The real reason people get stuck is far more personal. And if you’re an advisor, understanding that psychology can completely change how you help clients move forward on some of the most important financial decisions of their lives. 3 of the biggest insights from Jon… #1.) Procrastination Is the Most Expensive Fear You Have Putting things off doesn’t just delay progress—it quietly steals the only resource you can never get back: time. Jon explains why procrastination often hides behind fear and why recognizing that cost can change how you approach decisions. #2.) High Performers Get Stuck in Different Ways Some people get stuck dreaming. Others get trapped planning. Hustlers skip planning and charge into action, while analysts stay stuck reviewing mistakes. Understanding your tendency helps you fix the real bottleneck slowing you down. #3.) Advisors Help Clients Turn Dreams Into Action Clients rarely change because of spreadsheets or investment products. They change when they connect financial decisions to a meaningful vision of their future—memories, freedom, and experiences worth working toward. FREE GIFT Get a Free Copy of Jon Acuff's New book, Procrastination Proof: https://bradleyjohnson.com/164 SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/164 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.

    50 min

  8. Apr 8 ·  Video

    163: Sabrina Brown & Grace Suchy - Why Most Financial Advisor Firms Can’t Escape the Chaos

    Financial advisor firms rarely stall from a lack of effort. More often, growth breaks down when founders are trying to do everything themselves. But the difference between burnout and scale often starts with building the right team. In this conversation, I sat down with Sabrina Brown and Grace Suchy, members of the Reliance Financial Partners team (live from Triad’s Scale Summit in Dallas).  Sabrina was the firm's first employee back in 2012 when they were running nearly 90 seminar nights a year, helping build the operational backbone of the business. Grace joined the team more recently and has already brought in $27 million in assets, almost entirely from existing clients. Together, they share the lessons from that journey, and their approach to hiring A-players that helped the firm go from $30M to $150M in AUM in just two years. 3 of the biggest insights from Sabrina Brown & Grace Suchy… #1.) Growth Gets Expensive When Chaos is the Operating System Sabrina shares what it looked like to help build the business in the early years when everyone was doing everything. The firm grew, but so did the burnout. One of the biggest lessons from this episode is that what gets you through the early stage won’t necessarily get you to the next level, and staying in chaos too long comes with a real cost. #2.) Great Operators Don’t Just Execute, They Create Clarity One of the most practical ideas in this conversation is Sabrina’s approach to managing visionary founders. Instead of reacting to every new idea, she learned to ask better questions, clarify priorities, and use phrases like “paint me a picture” to reduce confusion. That shift helped turn overwhelm into alignment. #3.) Client Retention Scales When the Handoff Is Intentional Grace brings an important perspective to the conversation around service and retention. She explains why servicing clients well is just as important as bringing them in, and why firms can’t afford to treat client handoffs like an afterthought. If you want to scale without eroding trust, the baton has to be passed, not thrown. SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/163 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.

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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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