Simple, but Not Easy

Morningstar

4.2 (86)
INVESTING

Morningstar's podcast for financial advisors.

MAY 5

Solving Financial Advisors’ Organic Growth Problem with FINNY Founder Eden Ovadia

FINNY founder Eden Ovadia shares how the firm is tackling one of financial advice’s biggest challenges: organic growth. Advisors can spend up to 60 hours to win a single client – consuming their most valuable asset: time. And that doesn’t scale. FINNY’s approach – using AI to identify high-intent prospects and automate outreach – aims to change that. The goal? A more efficient growth engine, especially for advisors with clearly defined niches. In an increasingly competitive business, specialization and smart use of technology can compound over time – separating firms that grow from those that don’t. After all, if you’re not growing, you may be dying on the vine. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

27 min
APR 20

Impacting One Million Lives with Savant Wealth CEO Brent Brodeski

Savant Wealth founder and CEO Brent Brodeski shares the firm’s journey to $50 billion in assets under management. In short, compounding isn’t just an investment concept – it applies to building a business as well. The early years now look invisible on a long-term AUM chart, but they were arguably the most formative – defined by trying new things, iterating the process, and refining what worked. That foundation compounded over time and has put the firm on a trajectory to impact one million lives. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

1h 11m
12/05/2025

Morningstar Wealth's 2026 Investment Outlook with Chief Investment Officer Philip Straehl

Morningstar’s 2026 Investment Outlook is live, offering clear context on the forces that will shape the year ahead and beyond. If there’s one takeaway for investors, it’s this: Preparation beats prediction. Markets will keep shifting—tariffs, the Fed, geopolitics, and the rapid buildout of AI infrastructure—and trying to forecast every twist isn’t a strategy. Building resilient portfolios is. That’s why our outlook avoids bold predictions and instead focuses on rational, evidence-based decision-making across the issues that matter most to advisors and their clients. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

55 min
10/30/2025

Where Did the Small Caps Go?

It used to be simple: small companies went public, grew, and investors participated along the way. Today, companies stay private longer, and private markets have claimed many opportunities that once lived in public stocks. Historically a source of some of the strongest market returns, small caps have shred that reputation. The question becomes: Where did the small caps go? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

32 min
09/11/2025

Advisor–Client Relationships Are Stronger When Goals Come First

In this episode of Simple But Not Easy, we’re joined by Ryan Murphy, Morningstar’s Global Head of Behavioral Insights, to explore how financial advisors can help clients set better goals, avoid costly mistakes, and build lasting trust. We discuss why goals—not asset allocation or stock selection—should be the true starting point of an investment journey, and how a simple multi-step framework can uncover what really motivates clients. Ryan also shares insights from Morningstar’s Mind the Gap study, which shows how investor behavior often drags down returns, and explains how advisors can reframe conversations from performance to progress. If you want to better understand what drives investor decisions and how advisors can make the biggest difference, this episode is for you. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

37 min
07/23/2025

Morningstar Wealth’s Midyear Outlook—Where Is Opportunity Knocking?

In our midyear outlook, we break down some of the biggest factors driving markets in 2025 — tariffs, AI, and the potential for rate cuts — and attempt to help investors sift through the short-term noise while keeping a long-term perspective. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

54 min
06/18/2025

International Stocks – A Portfolio’s Missing Piece?

As of late May, the US ranks 39th out of 44 global stock markets—firmly in the bottom 15%. Meanwhile, international markets are gaining momentum, with 7 of the top 10 performing countries located in Europe. This performance gap appears to be supported by improving fundamentals, favorable currency trends, and rising earnings expectations across the region. Can it continue? In this episode of Simple, But Not Easy, host Nick VanDerSchie is joined by Morningstar’s Paul Tait and international equity portfolio manager Nabil Salem to explore why now may be the right time to take a fresh look at international diversification. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

36 min
05/20/2025

Stay on Track Through Market Volatility—with Research, Not Reaction

When markets hit a rough patch—as they did in early April—investors often lose confidence. Emotions run high after paper losses, and that’s when many fall into the “ready, fire, aim” trap. Decisions become reactive, not disciplined. It’s common to see investors flee to cash or pivot to more conservative positions in an effort to feel safer. But more often than not, resisting that urge is the better path. In this episode of Simple, But Not Easy, we sit down with Morningstar’s Global Chief Research & Investment Officer, Dan Kemp, to explore how advisors can guide clients through uncertainty—not with bold predictions, but by remaining anchored to a clear investment philosophy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

43 min

See All (133)

4.2

out of 5

86 Ratings

This is a very good show

05/21/2025

Fun time to listen

I like how it discusses how to invest in what to do after you invest meaning don’t be jumpy and how to look at things I like that and I like the people that they have on their show
Great listen!

08/31/2021

MATT@CYB

Investing advice from people who truly know the ins and outs of the life of an investor. The stories described in episodes gives you a real-life feel to it! Highly recommend!
ESG IS POISON

10/09/2022

Kitowwcc

I know you have jumped into the leftist ESG effort, but there are many investors that will NEVER invest in any ESG funds. These funds do not perform well simply because they have a transgenger board member. These ridiculous ESG SCORES guarantee poor performance for companies that score well. Financial performance is a key factor in making investments, but liberals now invest based on what makes them feel good. I will gladly move all of my funds into FDIC money market funds rather than be bullied by idiots like Larry Fink who want to institute a communist investment platform to comply with a bunch of green energy leftists. I’m finished with Morningstar. The company used to provide good information, but has gone to the dark side. John Q. Public
Where are the slides?

02/13/2022

apple#4Me

Hard to imagine… After searching high and low on the podcast app, the morning star website, and YouTube, the slides that accompany the presentation are nowhere to be found. Nor is there any courtesy to provide listeners with any information on whether the slides are even available. Very difficult to follow without the visuals. I give up… Too bad it’s a very informational and educational podcast