The Connected Advisor

Milemarker
The Connected Advisor

The Connected Advisor is a podcast about bringing together the people and technology shaping the wealth management industry. Brought to you by Milemarker and Turncast.

  1. Why Simplicity Is a Secret Weapon in Compliance and Client Care with Carrie King

    HÁ 1 DIA

    Why Simplicity Is a Secret Weapon in Compliance and Client Care with Carrie King

    Episode 098: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Carrie King, Partner and Chief Compliance Officer at UlImann Wealth Partners. A former restaurateur turned finance professional, Carrie brings a service-driven mindset to wealth management—prioritizing simplicity, optimism, and disciplined planning. With over two decades of experience spanning hedge funds, trading desks, and advisory firms, she now helps lead a holistic, client-centered practice that supports families through life’s most complex transitions. Kyle and Carrie discuss how Ullman supports clients through these transitions by staying grounded in simplicity, optimism, and practical discipline. Carrie also discusses the firm’s core values, how they integrate books into company culture, and the evolving role of compliance in an AI-driven world.  In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:59) - Carrie's money moment (05:37) - The importance of core values in company culture (09:08) - Reframing compliance through optimism and simplicity (11:02) - Ullmann Wealth Partners' Divorce Advisory Group (12:54) - Building relationships with Centers of Influence (COI) (17:42) - Making complex projects simple (19:30) - What makes a great CRM (23:13) - Ullmann’s tech stack (25:53) - Why texting is such a taboo for regulators (28:04) - Carrie's outlook on the future of the industry (30:46) - Carrie's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Building your firm around core principles like discipline, simplicity, optimism, and professional advice isn’t just good branding—it creates a shared language that guides decision-making, shapes culture, and helps clients stay focused during uncertainty. Compliance isn’t just about rules—it’s about protecting clients and building trust. A proactive, optimistic approach to compliance can strengthen your firm’s culture and help you deliver better service across the board. Before adopting new tools like CRMs or AI platforms, prioritize peer insights over sales pitches. Talk to other firms, ask about pitfalls, and be methodical in your rollout—technology should support your process, not disrupt it. When building relationships with centers of influence (COIs), don’t just tell them what you do—show them. Invite them into your client meetings, let them experience your planning firsthand, and trust that authenticity will speak louder than any pitch. Quotes "This business is working with people day in and day out. And when you see that in practice, there's nothing more fulfilling than that." ~ Carrie King "You don't need to do crazy investment strategies, trading options, or all these other things. The most important thing for people is coming up with a financial plan and helping them stick to it, especially in times of turbulence when there are unexpected consequences." ~ Carrie King "The ultimate end goal of compliance is to protect the client—protect them from scams, and protect them from fraud." ~ Carrie King Links  Carrie King on LinkedIn Ullmann Wealth Partners Brian James Glenn Ullmann Landing a Smooth Retirement Move Forward Confidently Patrick Kilbane Caitlin Frederick Getting Things Done Factfulness Jump AI MyRepChat Merrill Lynch Raymond James Wells Fargo Mercer Advisors Creative Planning Hightower Advisors Unreasonable Hospitality An Unfinished Love Story Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

    37min
  2. How Advisors Can Better Serve Business Owners with Jason Early

    10 DE JUN.

    How Advisors Can Better Serve Business Owners with Jason Early

    Episode 097: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jason Early, Founder and CEO of RISR, a wealthtech platform helping financial advisors better serve business owners. With a background in financial services, leadership, and fintech, Jason is passionate about solving complex problems and empowering advisors through data, technology, and behavioral insight. Kyle and Jason explore why business owners are often an underserved yet high-potential client segment. Jason shares how RISR equips advisors with the tools and technology needed to navigate the complex needs of these clients—and why now is the time to tap into this fast-growing market. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:40) - Jason's money moment (04:45) - What RISR is all about (06:28) - Key tools and features RISR offers advisors (08:23) - Why so many business owners go without financial advisors  (10:32) - What makes business owners ideal long-term clients (12:44) - How AI powers the RISR platform (16:49) - Prospecting strategies for engaging business owners (18:54) - The growing industry focus on business owners (21:50) - Future trends in financial advising (24:35) - Jason's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways A large portion of high-net-worth individuals are business owners, yet many don’t work with financial advisors—representing a major growth opportunity. Business owners face unique and often complex financial situations that require more than traditional wealth management—advisors who understand this can deliver outsized value. While business owners may not always have immediate liquidity, their long-term potential makes them ideal clients for strategic, relationship-driven advisors. RISR helps advisors serve this segment by providing smarter data, personalized insights, and tools designed specifically for the challenges business owners face. Quotes "Business owners need better advice, and the advisors that serve them need better tools and technology." ~ Jason Early "Business owners make the best clients for advisors. We need to position advisors with the tools and the technology to be able to serve." ~ Jason Early "68% of millionaires own businesses, and 89% of people worth $30 million or more own businesses. And so, if you are in the advice business, you get paid for the size of the problems you sell. And nobody has bigger problems than business owners." ~ Jason Early Links  Jason Early on LinkedIn RISR McKinsey & Company Be Where Your Feet Are Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

    32min
  3. Behavior-Based Investment Strategies with Jonathan Blau

    3 DE JUN.

    Behavior-Based Investment Strategies with Jonathan Blau

    Episode 096: In this episode, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jonathan Blau, President and CEO at Fusion Family Wealth. Known as a “trusted advisor to trusted advisors,” Jonathan brings decades of experience partnering with accounting and law firms to offer comprehensive financial guidance. His approach is grounded in behavioral finance, and he’s known for cutting through complexity with clarity and insight. Kyle and Jonathan talk about behavioral finance, how Fusion Family Wealth disrupts traditional investment strategies, and what it takes to stand out as an independent financial advisor. Jonathan offers a unique perspective on investing, challenging conventional wisdom around risk and safety. He also shares his passion for philanthropy and his work with Sunrise Day Camp, an organization supporting children with cancer and their families. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:05) - Jonathan's money moment (04:08) - Why Jonathan chose to go independent (05:59) - Redefining the investor problem: volatility vs. purchasing power (12:10) - The impact of media on investor decision-making (18:06) - Strategies for organic growth (19:50) - Jonathan's thoughts on the future of the industry (21:14) - Sunrise Day Camp and Jonathan's philanthropic work (23:31) - Jonathan's boating journey (25:45) - Leveraging technology for behavioral finance and coaching at scale (29:28) - Jonathan's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Behavioral finance plays a vital role in helping clients stay grounded, especially during market volatility. It empowers them to tune out fear-driven headlines and avoid impulsive, fad-based decisions. As technology and AI reshape the financial landscape, the heart of wealth management remains unchanged: human connection and the behavioral insight that builds long-term trust and value. Great financial advising goes beyond numbers — it’s about understanding people. Advisors must offer not only strategic guidance, but also emotional support as clients face life’s financial complexities. The industry is evolving toward greater flexibility, giving advisors the freedom to work within large firms, operate independently, or design hybrid models that reflect their unique strengths and values. Quotes "Stocks are safe. Real estate is safe. Bonds are risky. We have to tell people something that's both counter-cultural and counterintuitive." ~ Jonathan Blau "Inflation is the disease of money. Bonds are the carriers of the disease." ~  Jonathan Blau "We need to own real assets that have the ability to appreciate and counter inflation, not put assets in paper assets that lead to the diminution of that purchasing power itself." ~ Jonathan Blau Links  Jonathan Blau on LinkedIn Fusion Family Wealth Diamond Consultants Mindy Diamond Merrill Lynch UBS Goldman Sachs Same as Ever How Not To Invest Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com. Promos

    35min
  4. Serving Clients Holistically at Scale with Jimmy Lee

    27 DE MAI.

    Serving Clients Holistically at Scale with Jimmy Lee

    Episode 095: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jimmy Lee. Jimmy is the Founder and CEO of The Wealth Consulting Group. A longtime Las Vegas resident and industry veteran, he champions a holistic, client-first approach to wealth management, blending financial planning, investment strategy, and innovative technology to serve as a personal CFO for his clients. Jimmy shares his early experiences in the brokerage industry and how his perspective shifted towards a more holistic, client-centric approach. He also discusses what it means to serve clients as their personal CFO and how his firm approaches advisor support, succession planning, and scalability. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:57) - Jimmy's money moment (05:35) - How Jimmy became part of Las Vegas' transformation (09:43) - Fee compression vs. service expansion (14:24) - Acting as a client’s CFO vs a traditional family office (18:14) - How to scale high-touch, comprehensive financial services (22:13) - Staying ahead of technology shifts in the advisory industry (24:53) - How The Wealth Consulting Group stays competitive and future-ready (28:49) - Building a platform that empowers and supports independent advisors (34:43) - Jimmy’s transition from advisor to CEO—and the lessons learned (38:59) - The biggest trends reshaping the future of financial services (49:29) - Jimmy's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Clients want more than investment advice—they want guidance on taxes, estate planning, health, and lifestyle. Succession planning is human planning: a well-thought-out succession plan is not just about the business, it's about people. Independent advisors may crave autonomy, but they still need back-office support, tech integration, and compliance infrastructure. The right platform can offer both freedom and scale. Portfolio management alone isn't enough. Comprehensive services, like tax, trust, and succession planning, are becoming table stakes for high-net-worth clients. Quotes "The personal CFO concept, to me, is proactively helping clients accomplish their financial goals. And a lot of times, it's not about the portfolio." ~ Jimmy Lee "The best financial advisors get a lot of knowledge about the individual or family situation. Working with advisors sometimes means finding out things about their personal lives sooner than other very close family members do." ~ Jimmy Lee "Our goal is for our clients to call us about any issue regarding their money or financial situation, whether it's something that we could directly handle or not." ~ Jimmy Lee "Five or 10 years from now, it's going to be table stakes to be able to provide a more holistic approach and at least be able to offer that. And if you can't do that in-house, you better be really good as an advisor, having those referral relationships tied up so that you can still offer the service and make it seem like a seamless experience." ~ Jimmy Lee Links  Jimmy Lee on LinkedIn The Wealth Consulting Group Merrill Lynch MassMutual Zappos Michael Kitces Wealth.com LPL Financial  Charles Schwab McKinsey Simple Wealth, Inevitable Wealth Serious Money The Excellent Investment Advisor Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

    55min
  5. Thriving Through Disruption: Building a Future-Ready RIA with Jay Tarno

    20 DE MAI.

    Thriving Through Disruption: Building a Future-Ready RIA with Jay Tarno

    Episode 094: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jay Tarno. Jay is the COO of Cornerstone Planning Group. A former advisor turned operator, he helped lead Cornerstone’s transition to independence and rapid growth. Jay specializes in scaling operations, building advisor support systems, and leveraging technology to enhance client experience, all while maintaining a people-first, fiduciary approach. Kyle and Jay discuss the risks and rewards of building a tech-forward firm from scratch. From navigating the choppy waters of the 2008 financial crisis to transitioning to independence during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Jay shares his path and the key strategies behind Cornerstone Planning Group's scalable growth. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:31) - Jay's money moment (05:16) - Going independent during the pandemic (07:47) - Building a tech stack from scratch (13:02) - How Cornerstone supports advisors with niche markets (16:42) - What it takes to be a great COO (18:42) - Creating Cornerstone’s service team and its impact on growth (21:51) - Cornerstone's approach to recruiting and developing talent (24:08) - Jay’s outlook on the future of financial advice, tech, and client relationships (26:50) - Jay's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Despite launching its RIA during the pandemic, Cornerstone Planning Group thrived, demonstrating the power of adaptability and a strong value proposition. Building a technology foundation from scratch allowed Cornerstone to select best-in-class solutions, enhancing efficiency and the client experience. Cornerstone fosters a culture where advisors with niche markets are empowered and supported alongside more generalist practices. By creating a dedicated service team, Cornerstone has freed up advisors to focus on client relationships and business development, leading to significant revenue growth. Quotes "When you're jumping into a new technology, it's nerve-racking. You have to really dive into it and use it to learn it." ~ Jay Tarno "We like to pride ourselves on technology. We are nimble enough and have the autonomy to choose who we feel is best for us and our clients." ~ Jay Tarno "On the tech side, you're going to have to lean into any tech that's going to improve client experience and make your lives easier. Save on labor costs and save on helping your team just make their work more efficient." ~ Jay Tarno Links  Jay Tarno on LinkedIn Cornerstone Planning Group Carmine Corino Charles Schwab Extreme Ownership Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

    33min
  6. Turning Happy Clients into Referral Engines with Terry Parham Jr

    13 DE MAI.

    Turning Happy Clients into Referral Engines with Terry Parham Jr

    Episode 093: Terry Parham Jr is the Co-Founder, Wealth Advisor, CFO, and CCO at Innovative Wealth Building. Terry joined the financial services industry in 2011 and has held positions as a Financial Planner, Corporate Trainer, and District Manager. This week, Kyle talks with Terry about the power of referrals and how having a structured approach can lead to exponential growth. Terry shares his strategy, which combines confidence and competence to generate consistent client introductions. They also explore how technology transforms client engagement, onboarding, and financial planning. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:19) - Terry's money moment (04:42) - The role of psychology in Terry's career (06:01) - Why being an educator is crucial to being a financial advisor (12:21) - Terry’s strategy for a "one-of-one" client experience (14:14) - The motivation behind becoming a content creator (15:54) - The importance of communicating via any medium (17:51) - Terry's strategies for simplifying financial concepts (21:24) - How Terry built a referral system from scratch (27:51) - How technology makes IWB a better firm (31:06) - The future of financial advice (33:19) - Terry's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Confidence and competence play a key role in gaining client referrals. Asking for referrals in a way that aligns with your personality increases effectiveness. Creating a streamlined process makes it easy for clients to introduce new prospects. Leveraging technology enhances efficiency, from onboarding to financial health assessments. Quotes "Educating is like teaching someone how to fish so they can feed themselves and their family forever." ~ Terry Parham Jr "The biggest thing I learned about getting referrals is that you have to provide value." ~ Terry Parham Jr "By getting referrals from your new clients and then getting referrals from those new clients, you have an unlimited stream of people you can help if you just systematize the process and follow the process." ~ Terry Parham Jr Links  Terry Parham Jr on LinkedIn Innovative Wealth Building Kitces Marketing Summit Kennah Parham Tyler Chavel Coy Baldwin Carman Kubanda Warren Brooks Jennifer Hill fpPathfinder Holistiplan The American College of Financial Services Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

    37min
  7. The Growth Strategy Behind a $3B Succession-Ready Firm with David Hefty

    6 DE MAI.

    The Growth Strategy Behind a $3B Succession-Ready Firm with David Hefty

    Episode 092: David Hefty is the CEO at Credent Wealth Management, a fast-growing, advisor-owned RIA that has scaled to nearly $3 billion in AUM through a unique blend of organic growth, strategic acquisitions, and succession-focused consulting. With more than 25 years in the financial services industry, David has a deep passion for creating sustainable, client-centric firms built on transparency, operational excellence, and leadership development. In this episode, Kyle Van Pelt talks with David about the bold moves behind Credent’s explosive growth—from bootstrapping as a young advisor to leading 12 successful acquisitions. David unpacks how his firm scaled to nearly $3B in AUM by focusing on intentional succession planning, centralized operations, and a transparent, advisor-first culture.  In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:20) - David's money moment (04:17) - Founding and growing Credent Wealth Management (06:28) - Organic growth and creating a raving fan experience (08:46) - The most common questions advisors ask about acquisitions (11:28) - Succession-focused TAMP (17:09) - The realities of running an RIA business (23:07) - Growing firms that don’t rely solely on the founders (28:52) - The Credent way of business development (33:53) - Credent's technology strategy  (40:28) - David's thoughts about the future of wealth management (43:32) - David's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Succession planning must start years in advance. Don’t wait until you’re ready to exit. Successful succession requires years of prep, a thoughtful client transition plan, and a clear structure that preserves the firm’s health and value. Separate the roles of wealth advisor and wealth manager. Founders often fill both roles, but assuming a service-focused planner can carry the growth mantle after a founder exits is a critical mistake. Long-term growth demands intentional role clarity and accountability. Organic growth is driven by raving fans, not referrals. Rather than asking clients for referrals, focus on delivering an experience worth sharing. When clients are genuinely enthusiastic, they’ll introduce others—fueling consistent, compounding growth over time. Quotes "Credent, being owned by advisors, built by advisors, and for advisors, one of our goals is to be the succession planning firm of choice for advisors." ~ David Hefty "The idea behind launching a succession planning TAMP is to help those advisors maximize the value of their business. Not only the founder of that cluster of advisors, but every participating advisor can increase and maximize their value." ~ David Hefty "You don't have to be an expert in financial services. You're an expert in human emotions and behavioral finance. So, as long as you have that natural skillset inside your environment, you can be wildly successful." ~ David Hefty "A wealth advisor without a wealth manager is not a good business. The best businesses have both." ~ David Hefty Links  David Hefty on LinkedIn Credent Wealth Management Penny Phillips Journey Strategic Wealth Slowing Down to the Speed of Joy Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

    48min
  8. The Hidden Cost of Fragmented Data with Kailash Duraiswami

    29 DE ABR.

    The Hidden Cost of Fragmented Data with Kailash Duraiswami

    Episode 091: Kailash Duraiswami is the Chief Technology Officer at Milemarker, where he leads the development of data infrastructure and AI-powered solutions for modern advisory firms. With a unique blend of financial expertise and deep technical knowledge, Kailash brings his passion for innovation, data strategy, and scalable technology to help wealth management firms thrive in a multi-platform world. In this episode, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Kailash about his unconventional path from launching an RIA straight out of college to building tech that transformed data operations for financial firms. They unpack the challenges firms face with fragmented data, the importance of centralized infrastructure, and how AI will reshape wealth management. They discuss why firms need to reclaim ownership of their data, how to avoid becoming an “accidental CTO,” and how Milemarker is building scalable, simplified tech solutions for advisors navigating a multi-platform, AI-enabled world. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:53) - Kailash's money moment (06:56) - What is Pantenix? (10:10) - The value of a data warehouse (12:31) - Kailash's thoughts on cloud-based infrastructure (14:16) - The importance of data platforms (18:29) - Why becoming a CTO should be intentional (22:30) - AI in wealth management (24:46) - The advantage of building your own language models (31:51) - Why CTOs in RIAs need to understand wealth management (36:02) - Why all-in-one platforms limit user experiences (39:03) - Kailash's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Centralize your data to maximize AI and operational efficiency. Without consolidating your firm’s data into a single, accessible environment, it’s nearly impossible to generate meaningful insights or leverage AI effectively. Fragmented data limits your ability to scale and innovate. You don’t have to become an “accidental CTO”. Many firm leaders end up spending too much time wrestling with tech. Outsourcing specialized functions—like data architecture and infrastructure—can free up your time to focus on clients and growth, while still driving innovation. Owning your data is not the same as using cloud-based tools. Just because your systems are in the cloud doesn’t mean you own your data. True ownership means having control over how and where your data is stored, accessed, and used to make decisions. AI is only as smart as the data it has access to. For AI to deliver meaningful outcomes—like intelligent agents or predictive analytics—it needs clean, well-structured, and centralized data. Start with solid infrastructure before diving into advanced AI capabilities. Quotes "What we're doing here, as a help to your technology footprint, is enabling you to see and understand your business in ways you've never done before. And that requires very sophisticated technology." ~ Kailash Duraiswami "You must have your data in one place to really make use of AI because the conclusions that the model can make or the recommendations are all subject to what data is presented to it." ~ Kailash Duraiswami  "The biggest thing we are making here is building a tool that is advisor-centric and executive-centric. And that means simplicity. Above all, the boldness of what we have here is to do less in an excellent way." ~ Kailash Duraiswami  Links  Kailash Duraiswami on LinkedIn Orion Advisor Solutions Black Diamond Tamarac Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

    43min
5
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The Connected Advisor is a podcast about bringing together the people and technology shaping the wealth management industry. Brought to you by Milemarker and Turncast.

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