Better Practice, Better Life

Matt Halloran
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Business
  • Semimonthly

Welcome to Better Practice, Better Life — Human First, Powered by AI, a podcast by Zocks, hosted by Matt Halloran. This show is grounded in a simple belief: a better practice should support a better life. One defined by clarity, trust, and the energy to do meaningful work without losing yourself in the process. Better Practice, Better Life is for financial advisors and RIAs who care deeply about their clients and their craft but feel overwhelmed or unsure how to adopt artificial intelligence without sacrificing human connection. Each episode focuses on the real work behind that belief, helping financial services professionals reduce friction, and create space for better client conversations. Through conversations with advisors, coaches, business owners and thought leaders, the podcast asks one question: how can AI help financial services professionals build better practices and better lives? If you believe technology should serve people, not replace them, this show is for you.

  1. 6d ago

    How Financial Advisors Can Practice Like High Performers Ft. Kim Skermer (Ep. 14)

    Can professional practice help financial advisors become more confident, more intentional, and more effective in the moments clients experience firsthand? In this episode of Better Practice, Better Life, Matt Halloran sits down with high-performance coach Kim Skermer to explore what financial advisors can learn from athletes and professional performers about preparation, identity, and deliberate practice. They discuss why advisors should practice client meetings and presentations more intentionally, how recording yourself can reveal communication habits you may not notice, and why understanding who you are beneath your professional title can shape how you perform.  They also examine how AI can give advisors time back, and why that time can be used for practice, family, health, personal development, and the parts of life that often get pushed aside. Key Questions Explored Why should financial advisors treat client meetings, presentations, and seminars like professional performances? How can advisors practice their communication skills before an important client interaction? Why does Kim Skermer believe identity should come before strategy and tactics? What can advisors learn by listening to a recording without video, then watching it without sound? How should financial advisors use the time AI gives back to them? And more! Ready to See Zocks in Action? If you’re exploring ways to reduce administrative work, improve client follow-up, and create more meaningful conversations, schedule a personalized demo to see how Zocks can fit into your advisory practice: https://www.zocks.io/book-your-demo Resources: TEDx Talk: Saving the world with hope, one person at a time | Matt Halloran | TEDxSwansea Connect with Matt Halloran: Zocks LinkedIn: Zocks LinkedIn: Matt Halloran Connect with Kim Skermer: The Approach Coaching Method LinkedIn: Kim Skermer Instagram: @theapproachcoachingmethod YouTube: Kim Skermer About Our Guest: Kim Skermer is a high-performance coach and founder of The Approach Coaching Method, where she helps professionals better understand who they are, how they perform, and what it takes to reach their next level. Drawing from her background as a high-performance paddler, Kim brings an athlete’s perspective to preparation, practice, and personal development. Her coaching focuses on helping people “find the I” beneath their titles and accomplishments, align their identity with how they communicate and lead, and develop the mindset and habits needed to perform at a higher level.

  2. Oct 12

    How AI Can Help Advisors Serve More Clients Without Hiring Ft. Steven Latow (Ep. 13)

    Can AI help financial advisors serve more clients without hiring more staff or sacrificing the personal relationships that clients value most? In this episode of Better Practice, Better Life, Matt Halloran sits down with Zocks Chief Strategy Officer Steven Latow to explore how financial advisors can use AI to automate administrative work, improve meeting preparation, reduce client meeting anxiety, and create more time for meaningful conversations. They also discuss why the future of AI isn’t about replacing advisors; it’s about helping them become more present, more productive, and better equipped to serve more households while protecting client trust and data privacy. Key Questions Explored Why should financial advisors stop thinking of AI as an employee and start treating it as a business tool? How can AI help advisors reduce administrative work and spend more time with clients? Why is meeting preparation one of the biggest opportunities for AI in wealth management? What should financial advisors know about AI data privacy before adopting new technology? How can advisory firms prepare for the future of AI without trying to predict every technology change? And more! Ready to See Zocks in Action? If you’re exploring ways to reduce administrative work, improve client follow-up, and create more meaningful conversations, schedule a personalized demo to see how Zocks can fit into your advisory practice: https://www.zocks.io/book-your-demo Previous conversation with Steven Latow: What Happens When Advisors Finally Get Time Back? With Steven Latow (Ep. 5) Connect with Matt Halloran: Zocks LinkedIn: Zocks LinkedIn: Matt Halloran Connect with Steven Latow: LinkedIn: Steven Latow About Our Guest: Steven Latow is the Chief Strategy Officer at Zocks, where he helps shape the company’s product vision, growth strategy, and long-term roadmap for AI-powered advisor technology. As one of the earliest employees at Zocks, Steven has played a key role in building solutions designed to help financial advisors reduce operational friction, improve client experiences, and create more capacity for meaningful work. Prior to joining Zocks, Steven worked across financial services and financial technology, including roles at FactSet and Hearsay Systems. His experience spans product development, advisor technology, enterprise software, and workflow innovation. Today, he works closely with advisory firms of all sizes to understand the challenges they face and how artificial intelligence can help advisors spend less time on administrative work and more time serving clients, developing their teams, and building stronger businesses.

  3. Sep 28

    The Marketing Mistake Keeping Ideal Clients From Finding You Ft. Charlie Van Derven (Ep. 12)

    What should financial advisors do with the time AI gives back? Instead of filling those hours with more administrative work, they can invest them in clearer marketing, stronger relationships, and communication that helps the right people find them. In this episode of Better Practice, Better Life, Matt Halloran speaks with Charlie Van Derven, President of Social Advisors and a certified performance coach, about building a focused marketing system for financial advisors. Charlie outlines a practical process that begins with defining a niche, understanding the audience’s needs, and creating messaging that reflects real client questions. They also explore how Zocks Client Queries, email marketing, referral relationships, webinars, and authentic video can help advisors stay visible, build trust, and create opportunities for deeper conversations. Key Questions Explored How can financial advisors build a marketing strategy around a clearly defined niche? How can AI help advisors better understand their clients and create more relevant content? Why do email marketing and webinars continue to play such an important role in advisor growth? What makes authentic video one of the strongest ways to build trust with prospective clients? How can advisors use the time AI saves to build a better practice rather than simply doing more work? And more! Ready to See Zocks in Action? If you’re exploring ways to reduce administrative work, improve client follow-up, and create more meaningful conversations, schedule a personalized demo to see how Zocks can fit into your advisory practice: https://www.zocks.io/book-your-demo Connect with Matt Halloran: Zocks LinkedIn: Zocks LinkedIn: Matt Halloran Connect with Charlie Van Derven: Social Advisors LinkedIn: Charlie Van Derven About Our Guest: Charlie Van Derven is the Founder of Social Advisors, a marketing consultancy that helps financial advisors grow through niche positioning, content marketing, referral strategies, webinars, and video. A certified performance coach, Charlie works closely with independent advisors and RIAs to build marketing systems that attract the right audience, strengthen client relationships, and create consistent growth. His approach combines practical strategy with authentic communication, helping advisors connect with prospects in meaningful ways while making better use of the time AI creates.

  4. Sep 14

    What 10 Hours a Week Actually Changes for Financial Advisors Using AI Ft. Brendan Welsh (Ep. 11)

    Are you spending too much time on meeting notes instead of spending time with your clients? Wondering how financial advisors are actually using AI to reduce administrative work without losing the personal connection clients expect? In this episode of Better Practice, Better Life, Matt Halloran sits down with Brendan Welsh, President and Managing Partner of Catalyst Solutions Group, to explore how AI is changing the way financial advisors prepare for meetings, capture client conversations, streamline follow-up, and create more intentional practices. Brendan shares how tools like Zocks and Claude have become part of his daily workflow, helping his team reduce administrative friction while giving him more time to focus on clients, business growth, creativity, and family. Together, they discuss why technology should support advisors, not replace them, and how building the right systems can lead to a better practice and a better life. Key Questions Explored How can financial advisors use AI to spend less time on meeting notes and more time with clients? What’s the best way to improve client follow-up without creating more work for your team? How can AI support better client conversations while keeping the human connection at the center? What practical ways can advisors use tools like Zocks and Claude to improve workflow and business development? How can better systems help advisors reclaim time for family, creativity, and the work they enjoy most? And more! Ready to See Zocks in Action? If you’re exploring ways to reduce administrative work, improve client follow-up, and create more meaningful conversations, schedule a personalized demo to see how Zocks can fit into your advisory practice: https://www.zocks.io/book-your-demo Resources: Claude AI Connect with Matt Halloran: Zocks LinkedIn: Zocks LinkedIn: Matt Halloran Connect with Brendan Welsh: Catalyst Solutions Group LinkedIn: Catalyst Solutions Group YouTube: Enthusiastic Life Podcast LinkedIn: Brendan Welsh About Our Guest: Brendan Welsh is President and Managing Partner of Catalyst Solutions Group, where he helps financial advisors improve workflows, strengthen client relationships, and build practices that create more time for the people and priorities that matter most. An early adopter of AI tools like Zocks and Claude, Brendan focuses on using technology to reduce administrative work, support better client conversations, and give advisory teams the freedom to spend less time on paperwork and more time serving clients.

  5. Aug 24

    Financial Advisor Burnout: The Work You Were Never Meant to Do Ft. Colleen Bowler (Ep. 10)

    Are you wondering why so many financial advisors feel burned out, even when their firms are growing? Could reducing administrative work, delegating more effectively, and protecting your time actually help you become a better advisor? In this episode of Better Practice, Better Life, Matt Halloran welcomes Colleen Bowler, CFP®, Co-Founder of C&J Innovations and Strategic Coach, for a conversation about financial advisor burnout, work-life balance, delegation, and building a practice that supports the life you want to live. Together, they explore why advisors often struggle to let go of control, how Free Days, Focus Days, and Buffer Days create more intentional time, and how AI can reduce repetitive administrative work, allowing advisors to focus on client relationships, leadership, and meaningful conversations. If you’ve been looking for ways to stop working around the clock, build a stronger team, and create a more sustainable advisory practice, this episode offers practical ideas you can put to work. Key Questions Explored Why do so many financial advisors experience burnout, even when their businesses are thriving? How can financial advisors delegate more without sacrificing the client experience? What are Free Days, Focus Days, and Buffer Days, and how can they improve work-life balance? How can AI help financial advisors reduce administrative work and reclaim valuable time? Why do high-performing advisors struggle to let go of control? How can taking real time off strengthen your team and improve client relationships? What does “systematize the predictable so you can humanize the exceptional” look like in an advisory practice? How can advisors build a business that creates more freedom instead of more stress? And more! Ready to See Zocks in Action? If you’re exploring ways to reduce administrative work, improve client follow-up, and create more meaningful conversations, schedule a personalized demo to see how Zocks can fit into your advisory practice: https://www.zocks.io/book-your-demo Resources: Strategic Coach C&J Innovations The Passport Package Connect with Matt Halloran: Zocks LinkedIn: Zocks LinkedIn: Matt Halloran Connect with Colleen Bowler: C&J Innovations LinkedIn: C&J Innovations LinkedIn: Colleen Bowler About Our Guest: Colleen Bowler, CFP®, is the Co-Founder of C&J Innovations, a longtime Strategic Coach, speaker, and former Top 1% financial advisor who built and later sold her financial planning firm. Today, she helps financial advisors strengthen client relationships, develop healthier leadership habits, improve team communication, and build practices that create more freedom for both advisors and their clients. Through coaching, speaking, and assessment-based tools, Colleen focuses on helping advisors have better conversations, delegate with confidence, and create sustainable growth.

  6. Aug 10

    AI Agents Aren’t Replacing Advisors, They’re Changing How Firms Work Ft. Greg Matusky (Ep. 9)

    Every week, financial advisors are introduced to another AI tool promising to save time and transform their practice. The bigger question isn’t which tool to use. It’s about using AI in a way that strengthens client relationships, supports your team, and gives you more time for the conversations that matter. In this episode of Better Practice, Better Life, Matt Halloran sits down with Greg Matusky, Founder and CEO of Gregory Agency, to explore how AI agents are changing the way advisory firms and businesses operate. Together, they discuss the difference between AI agents and traditional AI tools, why organizational knowledge may become one of a firm’s greatest competitive advantages, and how learning loops can improve client service, team training, and day-to-day workflows. You’ll also hear why AI should help advisors become more present with clients, not less, and how thoughtful implementation can create a better practice and a better life. Key Questions Explored What’s the difference between AI agents and tools like ChatGPT for financial advisors? How can advisory firms use AI to reduce administrative work without losing the human connection? Why is organizational knowledge becoming one of the biggest advantages in AI adoption? How do learning loops help firms improve client service and advisor productivity over time? Where should financial advisors begin when implementing AI across their practice? How can advisors prepare their teams for the next generation of AI technology? And more! Ready to See Zocks in Action? If you’re exploring ways to reduce administrative work, improve client follow-up, and create more meaningful conversations, schedule a personalized demo to see how Zocks can fit into your advisory practice: https://www.zocks.io/book-your-demo Resources: The AI That Listens: How Zocks Is Changing Financial Services Connect with Matt Halloran: Zocks LinkedIn: Zocks LinkedIn: Matt Halloran Connect with Greg Matusky: Gregory Agency LinkedIn: Greg Matusky LinkedIn: Gregory FCA About Our Guest: Greg Matusky is the Founder and CEO of Gregory FCA, one of the largest public relations and integrated communications firms specializing in financial services. He has spent decades helping financial organizations communicate more effectively while staying ahead of changes in technology and media. Today, Greg is leading the firm’s adoption of AI agents and organizational learning systems, exploring how artificial intelligence can help teams work more efficiently, preserve institutional knowledge, and strengthen client relationships without losing the human judgment that drives meaningful outcomes.

  7. Jul 20

    Why Financial Advisors Need to Treat Health Like Wealth with Stevyn Guinnip (Ep. 8)

    Why do so many successful financial advisors struggle with burnout, stress, and work-life balance, even when their businesses are thriving? Matt Halloran sits down with health strategist Stevyn Guinnip to explore why better health may be one of the most important investments advisors can make in both their practice and their life. In this episode of Better Practice, Better Life, Matt and Stevyn discuss why advisors often prioritize their clients’ financial futures while putting their own health on hold. They explore how applying the same long-term thinking used in financial planning can help advisors build greater energy, resilience, and balance through sustainable habits rather than quick fixes. Stevyn shares how her experience growing up in a family of financial advisors, her career as an exercise physiologist, and her own health crisis shaped her approach to helping advisors treat their health as a long-term asset. Together, they discuss practical ways to create more margin, reduce burnout, and build a healthier, more sustainable practice. Key Questions Explored Why do so many financial advisors experience burnout, even when their businesses are successful? How can advisors apply long-term investing principles to their health? Why do sustainable habits outperform quick fixes? How can advisors create more energy and margin without sacrificing growth? What does it mean to treat your health as a long-term asset? How can AI and better systems help advisors create a better practice and a better life? And more! Ready to See Zocks in Action? If you’re exploring ways to reduce administrative work, improve client follow-up, and create more meaningful conversations, schedule a personalized demo to see how Zocks can fit into your advisory practice: https://www.zocks.io/book-your-demo Resources: Grow Wellthy by Stevyn Guinnip (Available on Amazon) Schedule a Grow Wellthy Health Audit Connect with Matt Halloran: Zocks LinkedIn: Zocks LinkedIn: Matt Halloran Connect with Stevyn Guinnip Grow Wellthy LinkedIn: Grow Wellthy LinkedIn: Stevyn Guinnip About Our Guest: Stevyn Guinnip is the founder of Grow Wellthy, an exercise physiologist, health strategist, and author who specializes in helping financial advisors build healthier, more sustainable careers. Inspired by growing up in a financial advisor family and informed by more than two decades of experience in health and performance, Stevyn combines evidence-based wellness strategies with principles advisors already understand, including long-term planning, systems, and consistent habits. Her work helps financial professionals improve their energy, resilience, and overall well-being so they can enjoy the lives they’ve worked so hard to build.

  8. Jul 13

    What Advisors Should Do With the Time AI Gives Back Ft. Ashley Quamme (Ep. 7)

    If you’re a financial advisor feeling overwhelmed by administrative work, back-to-back client meetings, and the constant pressure to do more, what happens when AI finally gives you some of that time back? In this episode of Better Practice, Better Life, Matt Halloran welcomes financial behavior officer and therapist Ashley Quamme to explore why improving productivity isn’t the finish line. Together, they discuss how reducing administrative work can create space for better client conversations, stronger relationships, improved work-life balance, and a more fulfilling life inside and outside your practice. Key Questions Explored Why do so many financial advisors struggle to slow down, even after reclaiming time through AI and automation? How can reducing administrative work help you become more present during client meetings and build stronger client relationships? What are the early signs of financial advisor burnout, and what can you do before they begin affecting your clients, your practice, and your personal life? Why do clients remember how you made them feel more than the financial advice you gave them, and how does that influence trust and referrals? And more! Ready to See Zocks in Action? If you’re exploring ways to reduce administrative work, improve client follow-up, and create more meaningful conversations, schedule a personalized demo to see how Zocks can fit into your advisory practice: https://www.zocks.io/book-your-demo Connect with Matt Halloran: Zocks LinkedIn: Zocks LinkedIn: Matt Halloran Connect with Ashley Quamme: Beyond The Plan LinkedIn: Beyond The Plan LinkedIn: Ashley Quamme About Our Guest: Ashley Quamme is a financial behavior officer, therapist, speaker, coach, and founder of Beyond the Plan. She helps financial advisors better understand the psychology behind financial decision-making, communication, and behavior change. By combining behavioral science with real-world advisory experience, Ashley equips advisors to strengthen client relationships, navigate change with confidence, reduce burnout, and build healthier, more sustainable practices.

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About

Welcome to Better Practice, Better Life — Human First, Powered by AI, a podcast by Zocks, hosted by Matt Halloran. This show is grounded in a simple belief: a better practice should support a better life. One defined by clarity, trust, and the energy to do meaningful work without losing yourself in the process. Better Practice, Better Life is for financial advisors and RIAs who care deeply about their clients and their craft but feel overwhelmed or unsure how to adopt artificial intelligence without sacrificing human connection. Each episode focuses on the real work behind that belief, helping financial services professionals reduce friction, and create space for better client conversations. Through conversations with advisors, coaches, business owners and thought leaders, the podcast asks one question: how can AI help financial services professionals build better practices and better lives? If you believe technology should serve people, not replace them, this show is for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Matt Halloran
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Copyright ©️ Better Practice, Better Life 2026
  • Show Website
    Better Practice, Better Life

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