Knowing Me, Knowing You

Marla Sofer
  • 5.0 (23)
  • Investing
  • Updated Weekly

Knowing Me, Knowing You – The Podcast For The Future of Wealth Management The Knowing Me, Knowing You Podcast is where forward-thinking wealth managers, tech innovators, and engaged clients come together to explore the future of client discovery and engagement to drive growth. Through candid conversations with industry leaders, behavioral finance experts, and innovators, we uncover new ways to personalize advice, strengthen advisor-client relationships, and drive business growth.  Whether you're an advisor looking to differentiate, a fintech leader shaping the future, or a client who wants more alignment between money and purpose—this podcast is for you. Better conversations. Smarter decisions. Stronger connections. Subscribe now.

  1. 3d ago

    69. Why the First 30 Minutes of Wealth Management is Broken

    How has the affluent investor’s journey fundamentally changed while the first advisor meeting remains stuck in 1984? In this episode of the Knowing Me, Knowing You podcast, Marla takes us behind the scenes of her own recent, deeply personal search for a financial advisor. Sharing the challenges of navigating contrasting money beliefs with her husband, she dives into why traditional, rigid discovery frameworks often feel more like a sales pitch than a meaningful conversation. Marla breaks down recent global data from HSBC and EY, revealing a stark reality: modern clients are using AI to thoroughly vet firms before ever booking a call, yet nearly half plan to move a significant portion of their assets. Marla highlights why technical competence is now just table stakes. What clients are truly searching for is a partner who understands them, not just their balance sheet. Finally, she introduces how Knomee leverages behavioral science to eliminate stale information gathering, allowing advisors to step into the very first meeting armed with deep context so they can immediately focus on the conversations that actually matter. Connect with us!  Marla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

  2. Jul 7

    68. Beyond the Spreadsheet: Unlocking the Human Side of Wealth Management with Frank Corrado

    Most financial advisors present a perfectly logical wealth strategy, only to watch a client completely freeze. The standard response is to reopen the spreadsheet, point to historical returns, and double down on the math. But resistance is rarely an analytical problem; it is an emotional signal rooted in deep personal history, unaddressed biases, and a natural fear of giving up control. While the industry rushes toward technical optimization, the deeper opportunity lies in moving from rigid data points to genuine clarity, putting down the charts to listen to the human being behind the money. In this episode, we sit down with Frank Corrado, founder of Pivot Point. Frank brings decades of leadership across the wealth management landscape, having served as managing director and principal at Robertson Stephens Wealth Management and held corporate finance roles at JP Morgan and Ernst & Young. He pairs an elite technical pedigree across CPA, CFP, and CFA designations with a profound belief that the best financial advice only matters when people are truly ready to act on it. We dig into the upcoming inflection point facing the profession, particularly how artificial intelligence is fast commoditizing the technical side of planning. From the "friction between advice and execution" to the unique emotional landscape of first-generation wealth creators, Frank exposes why traditional discovery processes often miss the mark. The asset allocations and tech stacks are vital tools, but they are entirely symbiotic with human behavior. The real differentiation happens when an advisor moves past the 60/40 splits to uncover the true purpose of a client's money. This episode is for wealth managers who want to future-proof their practice in the age of AI, and for any advisor looking to transform transactional meetings into deep, durable human connections. Connect with us!  Marla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

  3. Jun 30

    67. Navigating the Mental Blind Spots of Wealthy Professionals with Edward Karan

    Most successful professionals handle massive complexity at work, but feel completely overwhelmed by their own financial clutter. Papers pile up, accounts sit scattered across institutions, and a five-million-dollar portfolio still looks exactly like the ten-thousand-dollar starter account they built decades ago. Finding a specific niche can certainly help, but the deeper opportunity often lies in changing how we look at data, essentially upgrading from a stethoscope to an MRI machine to truly understand a client's life. In this episode, we sit down with Edward Karan, founder and managing partner of Aspire Wealth Advisory Group. Edward brings more than three decades of experience across private banking, private equity, and wealth management, most recently serving as Managing Director at Citi Global Wealth before launching his own practice from scratch. He pairs an elite institutional pedigree with a genuine passion for financial literacy and values-based guidance. We dig into the psychology of wealth, particularly the fascinating behavioral blind spots that trip up brilliant lawyers and consultants. From the "billable hour trap" that turns time into an anxiety metric, to a trained obsession with downside risk that breeds financial inertia, Edward exposes why high earners struggle to get their own houses in order. The tech stack and the portfolios are essential, but they are just tools. The real magic happens when an advisor creates the space for a client to finally drop the complexity, align their money with their values, and breathe. This episode is for wealth managers who want to see how a modern RIA scales by outsourcing the back office, and for any professional who has ever wondered what it would feel like to turn financial chaos into true calm. Connect with us!  Marla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

  4. Jun 23

    66. The Velocity of Money: What a Reverse Mortgage Can Really Do with Kevin Gutman

    Most people hear the words "reverse mortgage" and shut down. The reputation precedes the product, and for decades, that reputation wasn't good. But the landscape has changed, and so has the conversation around what home equity can actually do for people in retirement and beyond. In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Gutman, senior mortgage broker, certified reverse mortgage professional, and four-time Amazon best-selling author, who has spent 22 years helping people figure out what they actually want their money to do. Kevin brings a rare combination: deep product expertise and a genuine commitment to listening first. We dig into the real reasons people tap home equity  funding a grandchild's vacation memories, helping an adult child buy their first home, covering a $170,000 medical bill without touching investments. The product is almost beside the point. The point is what people are trying to protect, build, or give while they still can. This episode is for advisors who want to expand how they think about a client's total financial picture, and for anyone who has ever wondered what they could do if the equity sitting in their home started working for them. Connect with us!  Marla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

  5. Jun 16

    65. The Organic Growth Problem with Mark Tibergien

    Every wealth management firm wants organic growth. Few achieve it consistently. In this episode of Knowing Me, Knowing You, we sit down with Mark Tibergien, one of the most influential voices in the evolution of the RIA industry. As the longtime leader of Pershing Advisor Solutions, Mark helped shape the growth of hundreds of advisory firms and witnessed firsthand the transformation of wealth management from lifestyle practice into enterprise business. Together, we explore why organic growth remains one of the profession's biggest challenges despite decades of investment in technology, marketing, and acquisitions. We discuss: Why growth is an outcome, not a strategyThe shift from advisor-centric firms to enduring enterprisesWhy investment performance is no longer a sustainable differentiatorThe future of advisor development and successionHow trust, emotional intelligence, and human connection become more valuable in an AI-driven worldWhat the next generation of leading advisory firms will do differentlyIf you're focused on organic growth, client retention, advisor development, or the future of wealth management, this conversation is for you. Join us. Mark Tibergien on LinkedInMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

  6. Jun 9

    64. Why Advisor Growth Feels Broken Right Now

    Every wealth management firm wants growth. More leads. More meetings. More assets. Yet despite increased spending on marketing, lead generation platforms, AI outreach, and prospecting tools, many advisors are finding that growth feels harder than ever. Pipelines may be full, but conversion remains frustratingly low. In this episode, we explore the trust gap that exists in modern prospecting. While firms have access to endless financial and demographic data, they often know very little about what prospects actually care about, what motivates them, or whether they are emotionally ready to begin an advisory relationship. As AI makes generic outreach infinitely scalable, authentic human understanding becomes increasingly valuable. We discuss why personalization is becoming the new competitive advantage, how behavioral science can improve prospect engagement, and why the future of advisor growth may depend less on finding more leads and more on helping people feel understood before the first meeting ever begins. Connect with us!  Marla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

  7. Jun 2

    63. Why Retirement Planning Starts with Purpose, Not Risk with Gary Preisser

    For decades, retirement planning has revolved around a familiar process: determine a client's risk tolerance, build a diversified portfolio, and hope the numbers work out. But what if that entire framework starts in the wrong place? In this episode, we explore why cash flow, timing, and purpose may matter far more than traditional risk questionnaires. As retirees transition from accumulating wealth to actually using it, many discover that the biggest challenge is not growing their assets. It is understanding what those assets are meant to accomplish. From vacations and family milestones to philanthropy and personal fulfillment, financial decisions become deeply tied to life itself. We unpack why volatility is not the same thing as risk, how advisors can help clients spend with confidence instead of fear, and why the future of wealth management may depend less on portfolios and more on helping people define what their money is actually for. Connect with us!  Marla Sofer on LinkedInKnomeeStonebriar Wealth Advisors Gary Preisser on LinkedIn

  8. May 12

    62. The Missing Piece in Financial Planning with Sonya Lutter

    In this episode, I sit down with Sonya Lutter, Certified Financial Planner, licensed marriage and family therapist, and a leading voice at the intersection of money and mental health. As a co-founder of the Financial Therapy Association, Sonya has spent her career helping the industry bridge the gap between technical expertise and human understanding. We explore what financial advisors are still missing when it comes to client relationships, why being present matters more than having the right answers, and how financial therapy has evolved from a niche idea into a critical part of modern wealth management. Sonya shares how advisors can better navigate emotions, family dynamics, and unspoken influences that shape financial behavior. If you are looking to deepen trust, improve discovery, and better understand the human side of money, this conversation will challenge you to rethink how you show up for clients and what it truly means to guide them. Connect with us!  Marla Sofer on LinkedInKnomeeSonya Lutter on LinkedInSonya Lutter’s website

See All (70)

5
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

Knowing Me, Knowing You – The Podcast For The Future of Wealth Management The Knowing Me, Knowing You Podcast is where forward-thinking wealth managers, tech innovators, and engaged clients come together to explore the future of client discovery and engagement to drive growth. Through candid conversations with industry leaders, behavioral finance experts, and innovators, we uncover new ways to personalize advice, strengthen advisor-client relationships, and drive business growth.  Whether you're an advisor looking to differentiate, a fintech leader shaping the future, or a client who wants more alignment between money and purpose—this podcast is for you. Better conversations. Smarter decisions. Stronger connections. Subscribe now.

Information

  • Creator
    Marla Sofer
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    70
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Knowing Me, Knowing You
  • Show Website
    Knowing Me, Knowing You

You Might Also Like