Beyond The IMO™

Justin Woodbury

Beyond The IMO™ is a podcast built around the belief that independent financial advisors should have access to everything they need to thrive while remaining independent. In an industry where access to tools, training, marketing, and insight from industry thought leaders is often limited to the IMO an advisor is part of, this podcast exists to provide that same value regardless of IMO or RIA affiliation. Through conversations, perspectives, and real-world experience, Beyond The IMO™ brings an advisor first, transparent approach to how advisors grow, operate, and think

  1. Beyond Overcoming Fear: Why Embracing It Changes Everything

    3d ago

    Beyond Overcoming Fear: Why Embracing It Changes Everything

    In this episode of Beyond The IMO, Justin Woodbury sits down with Carl Richards to discuss a topic that impacts every advisor, entrepreneur, and professional at some point in their career: fear. Carl's perspective on fear inspired Justin to make one of the biggest decisions of his professional life, leaving a leadership role at a marketing organization to build a business focused on supporting advisors and their clients. That experience led to a deeper realization that fear often shows up whenever we are faced with meaningful decisions, whether it's fear of failure, fear of success, fear of the unknown, or simply fear of taking the next step. Rather than focusing on how to defeat fear, Carl shares a different approach: embracing it. Together, Justin and Carl explore why fear is often a sign that something important is on the other side of the decision and how learning to work with fear can lead to growth, clarity, and action. They also discuss Carl's new book, Your Money: Reimagining Wealth in 101 Simple Sketches, as well as The Society of Advice, an organization-agnostic community where financial advisors gather to learn, share ideas, and become better professionals. If you've been putting off a decision because of fear, this conversation may be exactly what you need to hear. Follow Beyond The IMO on: Facebook LinkedIn YouTube TikTok Instagram Guests and companies featured on Beyond The IMO are selected based on relevance and value to independent advisors. Neither Justin nor Beyond The IMO receive compensation, referral fees, or incentives tied to who appears on the show.

    36 min
  2. Online Leads Aren’t the Problem, You Are

    May 25

    Online Leads Aren’t the Problem, You Are

    In this episode of Beyond The IMO, Justin Woodbury sits down with Jim Fisher to talk about a highly debated marketing topic in the financial industry: online leads and virtual selling. According to the Financial Planning Association, 65.5% of clients said virtual financial planning meetings can be just as productive as in person meetings. Yet many advisors who have never closed even one lead virtually have concluded that online leads suck. Justin and Jim break down why that happens. Justin shares that while some online lead programs create a bad experience by sending the same lead to multiple advisors, especially when the person never intentionally requested calls from several different advisors, many times the leads only “suck” because advisors are trying to sell them the same way they would a seminar, workshop, or radio lead where trust and credibility have already been established. Jim shares how JuceBox approaches virtual selling differently by providing exclusive online leads to advisors along with hands on required training from fellow advisors who are consistently closing massive amounts of business using the same methods they teach. The conversation highlights why training, process, and expectations matter if advisors want to thrive in the virtual space. Follow Beyond The IMO on: Facebook LinkedIn YouTube TikTok Instagram Guests and companies featured on Beyond The IMO are selected based on relevance and value to independent advisors. Neither Justin nor Beyond The IMO receive compensation, referral fees, or incentives tied to who appears on the show.

    45 min
  3. Beyond The IMO: When the System Is Built Around the Client

    Apr 27

    Beyond The IMO: When the System Is Built Around the Client

    The word “turnkey” is one of the most overused and misunderstood terms in the financial services industry. It’s often marketed as a way for advisors to generate results with little to no effort, but in reality, every marketing program requires someone to show up, do the work, and consistently engage in the process of generating, nurturing, and closing leads. In this episode, Justin Woodbury challenges that misconception and introduces a different perspective. While no system eliminates the need for advisor involvement, there are companies that manage the entire process from the moment an advisor commits through the delivery of the service, allowing advisors to focus on what they do best. This episode is the first in a three part series featuring conversations with CEOs of companies that operate this way. Justin sits down with Chris Kowalik, founder of ProFeds, a company that connects federal employees with qualified financial advisors. With a background as an Arabic linguist and signals intelligence analyst in the Marine Corps, Chris brings a high level of structure, discipline, and intentionality to her business. The conversation highlights what makes ProFeds unique, including Chris’s commitment to protecting her team, carefully selecting the advisors she works with, and prioritizing the needs of federal employees. Justin also shares insights from auditing many of the major IMOs, pointing out that while most offer similar services, there are a select few that operate differently. These organizations may not be heavily marketed or follow the traditional IMO model, but instead allow advisors to choose their own vendors and marketing strategies while investing back into the advisor, in some cases covering the entire marketing budget. This episode sets the stage for a deeper look at alternative models that are helping advisors grow in a more flexible and strategic way. Follow Beyond The IMO on: Facebook LinkedIn YouTube TikTok Instagram Guests and companies featured on Beyond The IMO are selected based on relevance and value to independent advisors. Neither Justin nor Beyond The IMO receive compensation, referral fees, or incentives tied to who appears on the show.

    1h 1m
  4. Beyond The Airwaves: Who Really Owns Your Show?

    Mar 30

    Beyond The Airwaves: Who Really Owns Your Show?

    Experts have been predicting the end of radio since the 1950s, when TV was introduced. Yet radio continues to dominate traditional media, especially among the audiences financial advisors are trying to reach. A 2026 Nielsen report shows that 97% of Gen X, ages 45 to 60, are consistent daily radio listeners, while baby boomers spend the most time listening each week. For advisors, that means their ideal clients are still tuned in. In this episode, Justin sits down with Peter J. D'Arruda, also known as Coach Pete, to talk about the real opportunity behind radio and the risk most advisors do not think about. Many IMOs offer radio and traditional media support. But when advisors leave, they often lose everything. Scripts, hosts, airtime, and even their spot, which can quickly be replaced by a competitor. Coach Pete took a different path. He built his own radio and TV studio to maintain control, protect his independence, and create flexibility in who he partners with. In this conversation, Justin and Coach Pete break down what radio looks like today, why it still works, and how advisors can take back control of their marketing without being tied to a single organization. Follow Beyond The IMO on: Facebook LinkedIn YouTube TikTok Instagram Guests and companies featured on Beyond The IMO are selected based on relevance and value to independent advisors. Neither Justin nor Beyond The IMO receive compensation, referral fees, or incentives tied to who appears on the show.

    55 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Beyond The IMO™ is a podcast built around the belief that independent financial advisors should have access to everything they need to thrive while remaining independent. In an industry where access to tools, training, marketing, and insight from industry thought leaders is often limited to the IMO an advisor is part of, this podcast exists to provide that same value regardless of IMO or RIA affiliation. Through conversations, perspectives, and real-world experience, Beyond The IMO™ brings an advisor first, transparent approach to how advisors grow, operate, and think