Claim OwnershipBehind The Advisor
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Behind the Advisor, an XYPN Podcast, takes you behind the scenes of what it really takes to launch, run, and grow a successful fee-only financial planning firm. Through candid conversations with industry leaders and real-life advisors, we uncover the challenges, victories, and lessons learned along the way. Whether you're starting out or scaling up, this podcast delivers the front-line insights and actionable strategies you need to build a thriving, purpose-driven firm—on your terms.
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Alan Moore and Michael Kitces share nine years of XYPN benchmarking insights live from XYPN LIVE 2025. From year-one challenges to fee strategies, hiring, and the value of CFP® certification, this episode gives a candid, data-driven look at what works (and what doesn't) when growing a fee-only firm.
In this episode of Behind the Advisor, David Flores Wilson shares how his firm grew 5X in five years—by focusing on entrepreneurs, building community, and keeping the human side of planning front and center. From creating simple systems to boosting visibility with media, David's story is full of practical takeaways you can apply in your own practice.
In this episode of Behind the Advisor, Dan Slagle of Fyooz Financial Planning shares how he and his wife, Natalie, grew their firm from 30 to 70+ households—while redesigning their work and life for balance. From parental leave to narrowing their client focus, Dan reveals why clarity, boundaries, and aligned values matter more than scale. Advisors will walk away with insights on setting fees, serving your niche, and building a practice that supports the life you want.
In this episode of Behind the Advisor, we talk with Monica Scudieri, founder of Grab Your Slice, about how financial coaches can support advisors by helping clients build stability and confidence before entering a planning relationship. We cover the difference between coaching and advising, how partnerships can improve client outcomes, and why coaching is a powerful tool for clients in transition.
Ryan Johnson launched Hundred Financial Planning with no clients, limited experience, and a tough regulatory environment. In this episode, he shares how XYPN's Sapphire model helped him move fast, stay lean, and build a firm that truly fits his life and his clients'.
Leaving entrepreneurship doesn't mean leaving the industry for good. In this episode, Nannette Kamien, founder of Inspiration Financial Planning, shares her journey of launching, pausing, and eventually relaunching her firm nearly a decade after first joining XYPN. She opens up about the challenges that led her to close her practice, the growth she experienced while working for others, and how that clarity helped her return with renewed purpose. Now focused on supporting women over 40 through life transitions, Nannette's story is a powerful reminder that career paths aren't always linear—and that sometimes stepping back is the first step forward.
In this special episode of Behind The Advisor, Alan Moore interviews Maddy Roche, XYPN's first employee and longtime podcast host, as she prepares to depart after nearly 11 years. From her start as the "Director of Getting Sh!t Done" to becoming an executive business coach, Maddy reflects on her journey with XYPN, discussing the challenges of growing with a company, the importance of sabbaticals, and her next chapter developing services for people without children at Child-Free Legacy. This bittersweet conversation offers valuable insights for advisors on team building, organizational growth, and embracing professional transitions with grace.
Going independent doesn't mean doing it alone. In this episode, Brian Muller, founder of Momentous Wealth Advisors, shares his journey through the RIA transition and how XYPN Sapphire helped him navigate compliance, operations, and client transfers—without sacrificing his brand or autonomy. He opens up about building a lifestyle practice, overcoming challenges, and finding the right support to create the business (and life) he wanted.
On this episode of Behind the Advisor, I'm thrilled to chat with Libby Greiwe, founder of The Efficient Advisor, about the power of a well-designed and automated client onboarding process. During our conversation, Libby breaks down her three-phase onboarding approach: the first 30 days focused on professionalism, days 30-60 on surprising and delighting clients, and days 60+ dedicated to "shocking and awing" clients. She shares practical examples from her own practice, including providing termination scripts for previous advisors, sending personalized thank-you notes, and conducting formal onboarding meetings. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/405
XYPN Radio is excited to welcome Rob Brown, founder of Truest Fan Coaching, for an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation. Rob is an expert coach for RIA owners, helping them uncover their purpose and build businesses that align with their deepest values and goals. In this episode, Rob dives into his process for guiding advisors to define both their business and life purposes. He shares strategies for overcoming burnout, the risks of operating without a clear purpose, and how to identify and break bad habits. Rob also discusses time audits and why hiring isn't always the solution advisors think it is. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/404
On this episode of XYPN Radio I'm thrilled to chat with Nate Hoskin and Nick Meyer, two CFP® professionals based in Denver and co-founders of the N2 Content Marketing Group. Together we unpack the power of short-form video marketing for advisors. We dive into the why and how of creating digestible, engaging videos that not only resonate with your audience but also rank well for maximum discoverability. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/403
In this episode of XYPN Radio, we sit down with Kristin Harad—coach, former financial advisor, and marketing expert—for an inspiring conversation about personal and professional growth. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/402
XYPN Radio is thrilled to welcome back George Kinder, founder of the Kinder Institute of Life Planning, and Lora Woodward, the Institute's COO, for an inspiring conversation. It's been a few years since they last joined us in 2020, and this time, we're diving into some truly transformative topics: mindfulness, freedom, and how to change our civilization—yes, we're going big and bold today. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/401
What's the real trajectory of an RIA? How early should you start hiring, and is a niche worth it? Co-Founders Alan Moore and Michael Kitces hit the stage at XYPN LIVE 2024 to discuss insights from the seventh-annual Benchmarking Study on episode 400 of XYPN Radio. Each year, the study gathers information from XYPN member participants to get an accurate picture of how advisors are doing in their firms. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/400
In this episode of XYPN Radio, we welcome Brenna Baucum, founder of Collective Wealth Planning. Just 21 months after launching her firm in Salem, Oregon, Brenna has already reached significant milestones, with 21 clients and $21 million in assets under management. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/399
In this episode of XYPN Radio, we sit down with Jay Zigmont, founder of Childfree Wealth®, and Bri Conn, the firm's Chief Experience Officer, to dive into the unique financial planning needs of childfree individuals. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/398
In this episode, we sit down with Jane Mepham, CFP®, Founder and CEO of Elgon Financial Advisors, a fee-only firm based in Austin, Texas that specializes in serving foreign-born individuals. Originally from Kenya, Jane shares her journey of coming to the U.S. to study computer science and how a lack of cultural competence in financial advising inspired her to shift careers and launch her own firm. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/397
In this episode of XYPN Radio, I chat with Nathan Donohue, co-founder and partner at Consilio Wealth Advisors, a fee-only firm based in Scottsdale, Arizona. Nathan shares his experience transitioning his team from a broker-dealer to an RIA and what it takes to successfully run a growing advisory firm today. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/396
We dive deep into the entrepreneurial journey, discussing the realities of training and mentoring talent, and the inevitable challenge of team members moving on. We explore how perfecting your firm's story, values and mission not only draws in clients but also helps you attract the best talent. Caleb shares valuable insights, including key stats on compensation and hiring timelines, as well as practical tips for vetting applicants through interviews and work samples. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/395
In this episode, we welcome Jason Speciner, founder and CEO of Financial Planning Fort Collins, or FPFoCo, a comprehensive financial planning and tax preparation firm based in Fort Collins, Colorado. Jason, who last appeared on the show in 2019, returns to share exciting updates on his firm's growth, the evolution of his team, and the challenges they've overcome along the way. FPFoCo now serves over 120 clients, and Jason credits their success to the specialized expertise of his team and their commitment to continually improving processes and systems. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/394
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