The Purpose Focused Advisor

Rob Brown
  • 4.8 (16)
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The Purpose Focused Advisor is a podcast for financial advisors, planners, and RIAs who want more than just business growth—they want their work to matter. Hosted by Rob Brown, founder of Truest Fan Coaching and creator of The Truest Fan Blueprint, the show dives into what it means to build a thriving advisory business while staying grounded in purpose, faith, and impact. Each episode features candid insights, practical strategies, and real stories from top advisors and thought leaders. Whether you're refining your client experience, scaling your practice, or re-centering your life around what truly matters, this podcast will help you lead with clarity and conviction. This isn't just another industry podcast. It’s a movement—toward more intentional leadership, deeper client relationships, and success that aligns with your values. Subscribe today and start building the business—and life—you were meant for.

  1. Seth Gasick: Why Advisors Can’t Ignore the Impact Conversation

    20H AGO

    Seth Gasick: Why Advisors Can’t Ignore the Impact Conversation

    In this episode of The Purpose-Focused Advisor, I’m joined by Seth Gasick, Regional Vice President for the Southeast at Crossmark Global Investments. We go beyond products and performance to ask bigger questions: What impact does your wealth have? How do you help clients explore values without forcing an agenda? And what role does an advisor play in guiding these conversations—whether or not faith is part of the picture? Seth shares how working for a faith-based asset manager has reinvigorated his career, allowed him to bring his full self to work, and opened the door to deeper conversations with advisors and clients alike. Whether you’re faith-focused or simply curious about how values-based investing shapes the advisor-client relationship, this episode will challenge you to think differently. Key Takeaways Impact Isn’t Niche (07:19): Clients are already asking how their money aligns with their values—advisors need to be ready.Purpose Fuels Growth (09:04): Deeper conversations beyond returns strengthen relationships and open new opportunities.The Industry Narrative vs. Purpose-Focused Growth (12:01): Rob explains why moving from AUM-driven success to purpose-focused success accelerates growth.How It Works: Avoid, Embrace, Engage (17:46): Seth explains the three-step framework for values-based investment screening.Building Client Trust Through Values Alignment (20:16): Introducing values-based options creates pathways to more meaningful client relationships. Seth Gasick: “Clients are asking for these conversations. The question is whether advisors are willing to step into them.” Rob Brown: “When you move from chasing numbers to pursuing purpose, that’s when real growth begins.” About Seth Gasick: Seth Gasick serves as the Regional Vice President for the Southeast at Crossmark Global Investments. With extensive experience as a wholesaler across the Southeastern U.S., Seth previously held roles at Voya Investment Management and began his career as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch. He holds the Chartered Special Needs Consultant® (ChSNC®) designation and is passionate about helping families navigate the complexities of Special Needs Planning. Seth is also deeply committed to faith-based investing, working with advisors and clients who seek to align their portfolios with their values. Connect with Seth Gasick:  Website: https://www.crossmarkglobal.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbgasick/ Episode Resources & Next Steps 📘 Get your copy of Rob’s new book, The Truest Fan Blueprint — It’s a practical, story-driven guide to help you focus on what matters most in your business and your life, so you can achieve your biggest goals without losing sight of who you are. Order now at TruestFanBlueprint.com and start putting the blueprint into action today. Connect with Rob Brown: Website: http://truestfan.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/truestfan/ Book: https://truestfan.com/truest-fan-blueprint/

    35 min
  2. Morgan Nichols: Leading with Values to Create an Intentional Legacy

    AUG 21

    Morgan Nichols: Leading with Values to Create an Intentional Legacy

    Wealth fades, but the impact of living by your values can ripple for generations. In this episode of The Purpose-Focused Advisor, I’m joined by Morgan Nichols, CEO of Life Branch Wealth Partners, a second-generation financial advisor, and co-author of Intentional Legacy. Morgan’s journey started early—helping in her parents’ practice at eight years old—and evolved into leading a multi-state team that serves high-net-worth clients with a deep focus on values. We explore what legacy really means—beyond estate documents—to the everyday decisions that shape how you’re remembered. Morgan shares how to engage multiple generations in the planning process, why advisors should help clients define their top five values, and how to build a client experience that stays relevant across decades. Morgan doesn’t just run a practice. She builds a movement—connecting wealth and values so clients live in alignment with what matters most. For financial advisors who want to lead with purpose, her story is a roadmap to growing a business that’s as intentional as it is impactful. Key Takeaways:  Legacy Beyond the Will (03:44) – True legacy is built from the cumulative decisions you make over a lifetime, not just estate plans.The Top Five That Matter Most (07:53) – Helping clients identify their five core values creates a foundation for authentic, meaningful advice.Know Us Before You Need Us (11:31) – Building relationships with clients’ children before they need help strengthens intergenerational trust.Coaching Is the Future (15:03) – Behavioral financial advice is where advisors add irreplaceable value in an age of AI and automation.Stay in Touch Year-Round (22:18) – A high-touch, well-structured communication plan ensures clients feel supported between meetings.  Morgan Nichols: "I want our clients’ children to know us before they need us, because at the time they need us, if that relationship isn’t there, it’s not ideal." Rob Brown: "Serving parents doesn’t guarantee the kids will follow. Intergenerational work only happens when you’re intentional about building those relationships." About Morgan Nichols: Morgan Nichols is the CEO of LifeBranch Wealth Partners, an Ameriprise Private Wealth Advisory Practice. She is a seasoned financial advisor who believes that wealth is more than just numbers—it’s about creating an intentional legacy that reflects your values and secures your family’s future. Morgan brings a comprehensive and strategic approach to financial planning, specializing in advanced tax strategies, executive compensation, and guiding high-income earners through pivotal transitions. Her practice is especially attuned to the needs of the “sandwich generation”—those managing both aging parents and growing children—empowering them with clarity and confidence. Connect with Morgan Nichols:  Website: http://www.lifebranchwealth.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morganenichols Book: Intentional Legacy: http://intentionallegacybook.com/ 📘 Get your copy of Rob’s new book, The Truest Fan Blueprint — It’s a practical, story-driven guide to help you focus on what matters most in your business and your life, so you can achieve your biggest goals without losing sight of who you are. Order now at TruestFanBlueprint.com and start putting the blueprint into action today. Connect with Rob Brown: Website: http://truestfan.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/truestfan/ Book: https://truestfan.com/truest-fan-blueprint/

    34 min
  3. John Terry: Mastering the Mindset of Black Belt Leadership

    AUG 14

    John Terry: Mastering the Mindset of Black Belt Leadership

    What does it mean to master your craft—and yourself—in service of others? In this episode of The Purpose-Focused Advisor, I’m joined by John Terry, Black Belt Leadership founder, leadership coach, and three-time Martial Arts Hall of Famer. John's journey began with pain—bullied in a new town—and evolved into a lifelong pursuit of purpose through practice. What followed was a transformation from student to teacher to a leader committed to raising up others. We explore what real mastery looks like—not titles or credentials, but consistency, belief, and the willingness to do the hard things, even when it’s not fun. We talk about developing the muscle memory of excellence, why self-work always precedes business growth, and how advisors can turn conversations into transformational experiences for clients. John doesn’t just teach technique. He teaches transformation. He doesn’t push perfection—he preaches persistence. And for financial advisors who want to lead with lasting impact, his story is a masterclass in purpose-driven growth. If you've ever wondered how belief, practice, and purpose intersect in leadership, this episode will inspire you to keep showing up—and keep leveling up. Key Takeaways: The Black Belt Is Just the Beginning (03:28) – Earning your black belt isn’t the finish line; it’s the moment you’ve earned the right to truly begin learning and leading.Grow the Business by Growing Yourself (07:14) – The quality of your thinking limits the quality of your outcomes—personal development is the best business development.Clients Want Solutions, Not Products (09:45) – Advisors who lead with empathy and curiosity uncover real problems and offer meaningful strategies—not just financial tools.Mastery Requires Reps and Resistance (18:10) – Becoming world-class means doing the hard, unglamorous work daily—even when it’s uncomfortable or boring.Leadership Is Preparing Others to Lead (25:45) – The ultimate role of a leader is to equip the next generation to take your place and lead even better than you did.  John Terry: "Everybody has an opportunity to become a world-class black belt master of who they are and what they do—but it requires that they discover what that is, develop it, and then ultimately deploy it to make a difference where they are." Rob Brown: "I work with a lot of really outwardly successful financial advisors who have reached levels of assets they never thought possible—but the real successful ones are always asking, ‘What can I do next to get even better at what I’m doing?’" About John Terry: Why just be a leader when you can be a Black Belt Leader? This is the question 3-Time Martial Arts Hall of Famer and Leadership Coach, Dr. John Terry, asks people daily. Dr. John is an international speaker, trainer, and coach. He's an L.A. Tribune Best Selling Author of ten books and the host of the Black Belt Leadership podcast. Connect with John Terry: Website: http://www.blackbeltleadership.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnterry3/ Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/John-Terry/author/B001KDIVH0 Podcast: Black Belt Leadership: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/black-belt-leadership/id1562295950 📘 Get your copy of my new book, The Truest Fan Blueprint — It’s a practical, story-driven guide to help you focus on what matters most in your business and your life, so you can achieve your biggest goals without losing sight of who you are. Order now at TruestFanBlueprint.com and start putting the blueprint into action today. Connect with Rob Brown: Website: http://truestfan.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/truestfan/

    31 min
  4. You Were Made for More: The Blueprint to Help You Stop Drifting and Start Living with Purpose

    AUG 7

    You Were Made for More: The Blueprint to Help You Stop Drifting and Start Living with Purpose

    It’s launch week! Rob Brown returns with a solo episode to share the heart behind his new book, The Truest Fan Blueprint—now available on Kindle for free (for a limited time). In this episode, Rob opens up about why he wrote the book, what it means to be a Truest Fan, and how the seven-step Blueprint can help you align your purpose, vision, and daily actions to achieve your most cherished goals. He reflects on 23 years of coaching, the struggle successful advisors face when they drift from their purpose, and how a clear framework can restore joy, focus, and impact. This isn’t a pitch. It’s a personal invitation to stop drifting and start living the life you were made for. Key Takeaways: Success on paper isn’t enough (2:14) – Many advisors feel scattered or off-purpose because they lack a blueprint to align their work with what matters most.Choose how you spend your time (4:18) – We can’t create time, but we can make powerful changes by aligning our schedules with our purpose.A seven-step roadmap to clarity (6:45) – Rob’s blueprint offers a repeatable process for reconnecting with purpose and building a vision-driven life and business.Quick wins build belief (8:32) – Early wins in a new process are essential for building momentum, confidence, and consistency.Time management needs meaning (11:17) – Productivity tools only work when they are connected to what matters most in life and faith. Rob Brown: "None of us can create time, but we can choose how we spend our time." Episode Resources & Next Steps 📘 Get a free Kindle copy of The Truest Fan Blueprint — available for a limited time at https://truestfan.com/truest-fan-blueprint/. 📘 Prefer hardcover? Find it on Amazon. 📥 Download the free companion kit that goes along with the book to start putting the blueprint into action: https://truestfan.com/truest-fan-blueprint/. Connect with Rob Brown: Website: http://truestfan.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/truestfan/

    14 min
  5. Daniel Yoo: How AI Frees You to Be the Advisor Your Clients Deserve

    JUL 31

    Daniel Yoo: How AI Frees You to Be the Advisor Your Clients Deserve

    In this episode of The Purpose-Focused Advisor, I’m joined by a former advisor turned innovator who understands both sides of the table. Daniel Yoo left behind a career overseeing over $800 million in client assets to build solutions that serve—not replace—financial advisors. His journey into AI wasn’t about chasing trends. It was about solving a problem he lived through: how to be fully present with clients while meeting the demands of compliance and documentation. We talk about the right way to use AI in an advisory practice, why simplicity and security matter more than flashy features, and what advisors must do with the time technology gives back. Daniel doesn’t just bring a technologist’s brain… he brings an advisor’s heart. If you’re navigating where AI fits into your practice, this episode offers more than answers. It offers direction grounded in purpose. Key Takeaways: Choosing to Fix What Hurts (06:15) – Leaving a successful advisory career, Daniel set out to fix the everyday pain advisors face with disorganized or delayed note taking.Adopting Tools That Truly Help (08:58) – The best AI solutions are simple, intuitive, and designed to integrate seamlessly into how advisors already work.Making Privacy a Priority (10:47) – Some platforms choose to wipe all data by default, putting security and compliance first by treating data as a risk, not an asset.Meeting Clients Where It Counts (18:46) – In-person client interactions remain a deeply valuable experience that technology cannot fully replicate.Investing Time Where It Matters (22:52) – When AI takes over routine tasks, it’s essential for advisors to reinvest that time into high-value client conversations, not just automated output.  Daniel Yoo: "AI should automate the things you don’t want to do and enhance the things only you can." Rob Brown: "If you’re just inputting data and delivering a plan, you’ve become a human robo-advisor." About Daniel Yoo: Daniel Yoo is the founder and CEO of FinMate AI, the first AI note-taking assistant built specifically for financial advisors. Drawing from his experience as a senior advisor at TD Ameritrade and Schwab, where he oversaw $800M in client assets, Daniel launched FinMate in 2023 to eliminate the burden of manual documentation. The platform now supports over 1,500 advisors, helping them save time while staying compliant and client-focused. He holds FINRA licenses and insurance credentials and earned a Master’s in Applied Economics from Johns Hopkins, specializing in AI and machine learning for asset price prediction. Connect with Daniel Yoo: Website: https://www.finmate.ai/ Email: daniel@finmate.ai LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smyoo/ Ready to grow your business with clarity and purpose? Download The 8 Shifts of a Purpose-Focused Advisor — a free guide to help you build a business that reflects what matters most. Get your copy here: https://truestfan.com/8-shifts/ Connect with Rob Brown: Website: http://truestfan.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/truestfan/ Email: robb@truestfan.com

    31 min
  6. Robin John: What It Really Means to Be a Good Investor

    JUL 24

    Robin John: What It Really Means to Be a Good Investor

    What does it look like to love your neighbor through your investments? In this episode of The Purpose-Focused Advisor, I’m joined by Robin John—CEO and co-founder of Eventide Asset Management and author of Good Investor. Robin’s story begins in a basement with more questions than answers. What followed was a radical reimagining of business and investing—not as tools for personal gain, but as sacred work meant to restore what’s broken in the world. We talk about what it means to align capital with conviction, how advisors can lead with generosity, and why profit should never be the purpose. Robin doesn’t just challenge financial advisors—he equips them to see their work as a calling, their clients as neighbors, and their portfolios as opportunities for healing and hope. If you’ve ever wondered how faith and finance can coexist with integrity and impact, this conversation will leave you inspired to lead differently. Key Takeaways:  Calling Reimagined (03:32) – Robin unpacks how he discovered investing could be a God-given calling, not just a secular career.Profit as a Byproduct (11:58) – Business should first create value; profit naturally follows when companies serve others well.The Two Big Questions (17:15) – Robin challenges advisors to ask: What values would you never violate to make a profit? What hopes would you fund to shape the world?Investing = Loving Neighbor (23:36) – Robin outlines how advisors can tangibly love neighbors through stakeholder-centered investing.Joy in Work (35:54) – Real joy comes not from accumulation, but from knowing your work contributes to healing and flourishing. Robin John: "True generosity leads us to make sacrificial decisions in how we make our money. It’s not just about giving—it’s about how we live.” Rob Brown: “If you can see joy show up in your work—if your investments, your advice, your leadership create joy in someone else’s life—you’re doing something sacred.” About Robin John: Robin John is the cofounder and CEO of Eventide, a leading faith-based asset management firm dedicated to investing in businesses that create compelling value for the common good. Born in Kerala, India, and raised in Boston, Robin’s journey—from outsider to visionary leader—inspired The Good Investor, a book that explores how investing can confront injustice, love neighbors, and bring healing to the world. He and his wife, Jaunita, cofounded Darsha Academy, a school for girls in India. A father of four, Robin serves on several nonprofit boards and is passionate about faith, family, basketball, and purpose-driven leadership. Connect with Robin John:  Book: The Good Investor: https://www.goodinvestor.com/ Website: https://www.eventideinvestments.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robincjohn/ Ready to grow your business with clarity and purpose? Download The 8 Shifts of a Purpose-Focused Advisor — a free guide to help you build a business that reflects what matters most. Get your copy here: https://truestfan.com/8-shifts/ Connect with Rob Brown Website: https://truestfan.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/truestfan/

    43 min
  7. David Bahnsen: What Advisors Need to Rethink About Work, Purpose, and Retirement

    JUL 17

    David Bahnsen: What Advisors Need to Rethink About Work, Purpose, and Retirement

    What if work isn’t something to escape, but a core part of your purpose? Top 100 Barron’s Advisor and CIO of The Bahnsen Group, David Bahnsen, joins Rob Brown to challenge how financial advisors think about success, calling, and the myth of retirement. Drawing from his book Full-Time: Work and the Meaning of Life, David shares why work is inherently meaningful—and how faith and purpose can reshape how we serve clients, lead teams, and live well. Key Takeaways:  Work is worship. Avodah means work, worship, and service—your daily work is how you glorify and enjoy God. (03:00, 06:58)Don’t run dental-visit reviews. Want deeper engagement? Ask better questions. Make every review a meaningful conversation, not just a numbers update. (31:00)Retirement is not the reward. The 30-year vacation myth is setting clients up for disappointment. Purpose doesn’t stop at 65. (22:30)Workaholic isn’t a dirty word. Passion is a gift—when it’s rooted in the right identity. (11:20)Ask about legacy, not just assets. If you're not helping clients define purpose, you're only doing half the job. (30:00)  David Bahnsen: "Work is not something we do so we can support Kingdom causes—our work is a Kingdom cause.” Rob Brown: "Clients don’t have to agree with your worldview, but if you have that conversation, you know you’ve done your best to help them truly think through what they want.” About David Bahnsen: David L. Bahnsen is the Founder, Managing Partner, and Chief Investment Officer of The Bahnsen Group, a national private wealth management firm overseeing more than $7 billion in client assets. He is a frequent guest on CNBC, Bloomberg, Fox Business, and Fox News, and a regular contributor to National Review. David also hosts Capital Record, a popular weekly podcast dedicated to defending free enterprise and capital markets. He is the author of several best-selling books, including his most recent, Full-Time: Work and the Meaning of Life, released in February 2024. Connect with David Bahnsen: Book: Full-Time: Work and the Meaning of Life – https://www.fulltimebook.com/ Substack: https://b2bahnsen.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbahnsen/ The Bahnsen Group: https://thebahnsengroup.com Ready to grow your business with clarity and purpose? Download The 8 Shifts of a Purpose-Focused Advisor — a free guide to help you build a business that reflects what matters most. Get your copy here: https://truestfan.com/8-shifts/ Connect with Rob Brown: Website: https://truestfan.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/truestfan/

    42 min
  8. Michael Thaler: Transforming Client Conversations with Purpose

    JUL 10

    Michael Thaler: Transforming Client Conversations with Purpose

    In this episode of The Purpose-Focused Advisor, I’m joined by Michael Thaler—an industry leader who built and led a $2B wealth management firm over 33 years before stepping into a new season of life. Michael didn’t walk away from success; he walked deeper into purpose. We talk about what it looks like to go from purpose to purpose, and how his journey led to the creation of My Purpose Plan, a tool that helps people live the life they were made for. This conversation is for advisors who want to connect more meaningfully with clients and stay anchored in what matters most. Key Takeaways:  What if retirement isn’t the goal but the beginning of something greater? (02:10) Clients may hit their number and still feel stuck. Help them step into a life that feels free.Your clients don’t just need a plan. They need a purpose. (09:14) A simple, 20-minute process can unlock clarity and move them from drifting to driven.You’re not just managing money. You’re helping shape lives. (13:00) When you bring purpose into the room, client conversations change forever.The best goals don’t live in a drawer. They live on the calendar. (18:33) Break big dreams into daily steps—and watch clients live them out.Want clients for life? Help them become who they were created to be. (23:23) Purpose builds loyalty, impact, and referrals in ways performance alone never will. Michael Thaler: "I don't want to be the guy that leaves this earth who's known to help people get their purpose statement. I want to be the person that's known that help people get their purpose statement and actually help them to actually live it out." Rob Brown: "My simple definition of purpose is living the life that God intended for you to live." About Michael Thaler: Michael is the Founder of My Purpose Plan and former Chief Purpose Officer of Equity Concepts, which he led for 33 years before its sale in 2024. Driven by his mission to live out God’s dream and help others do the same, Michael also founded Effective Ministries, serving children and families in Richmond, VA, and Niger, Africa. He’s passionate about using financial advising as a tool for purpose and impact. Michael speaks on purpose, focus, and positioning, and continues to lead community efforts through organizations like the Robinson Theater and RVA Hope Center. He lives in Virginia with his family. Connect with Michael Thaler:  Website: http://mypurposeplan.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-j-thaler Connect with Rob Brown: Website: http://truestfan.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/truestfan/ Episode Resources & Next Steps 🔹 Download the Free Guide: The 7 Mindset Shifts of a Purpose-Focused Advisor Discover the simple shifts that lead to extraordinary impact. This quick-read guide will help you align your business with what matters most: purpose, people, and legacy. 🔹 Subscribe to The Purpose-Focused Advisor Newsletter Weekly insights to help you grow a thriving, purpose-driven business. Real talk. Actionable ideas. Straight to your inbox. Subscribe here » 🔹 Explore the Purpose-Focused Advisor Mastermind A high-level community for faith-driven advisors ready to grow their business and deepen their impact. Learn how to lead with clarity, conviction, and purpose. Learn more » 🔹 One-on-One Executive Coaching with Rob Brown Looking for personalized guidance to help you grow your practice, lead with purpose, and build a legacy? Let’s talk. Learn more »

    38 min
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4.8
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About

The Purpose Focused Advisor is a podcast for financial advisors, planners, and RIAs who want more than just business growth—they want their work to matter. Hosted by Rob Brown, founder of Truest Fan Coaching and creator of The Truest Fan Blueprint, the show dives into what it means to build a thriving advisory business while staying grounded in purpose, faith, and impact. Each episode features candid insights, practical strategies, and real stories from top advisors and thought leaders. Whether you're refining your client experience, scaling your practice, or re-centering your life around what truly matters, this podcast will help you lead with clarity and conviction. This isn't just another industry podcast. It’s a movement—toward more intentional leadership, deeper client relationships, and success that aligns with your values. Subscribe today and start building the business—and life—you were meant for.

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