Why Most Advisors Build AI Backwards I've been watching advisors rush toward AI tools like kids in a candy store. They download ChatGPT. They sign up for AI portfolio analyzers. They attend webinars promising instant transformation. Then they won…
I opened Bee AI that morning—thumb still smudged with coffee—and saw nothing. For months, this $40 app had been my second brain. Every doctor's visit for my mom. Every offhand reminder. Every "don't forget this" moment had a home there.…
AI Isn't the End of Human Advice—It's the Start of Deeper Relationships Robert J. Sofia of Snappy Kraken on why AI won't replace advisors—it will make them more human than ever. Most advisors fear that AI will make client relationships…
While advisors chase AI note-taking tools, 30% of their time vanishes into invisible back-office tasks that no one's automating. Here's how one fintech founder discovered the real capacity constraint—and built an AI operations partner to solve…
I recently sat down with Brian Thorp , founder of Wealthtender , to unpack something that's been bothering me for months. Something subtle and seismic has shifted. It’s not that prospects have gone quiet—it’s that they’re now…
While financial advisors celebrated 15% portfolio gains, their businesses were quietly dying. Organic growth in the advisory industry collapsed from 8.4% to just 3.6% in a single year—the dirty secret that bull market euphoria had been hiding.…
How many hours could AI actually give back to a financial advisor? According to Arnulf Hsu, founder of GReminders, the answer is 500. Not 50. Not 150. Five hundred hours per year. That stat stuck with me long after our conversation ended. In my 2…
This post is part of the Digital Kaizen for Financial Advisors series—exploring how emerging voice and AI tools are reshaping how we listen, remember, and build client trust. I've been watching something remarkable unfold in our industry. A q…
"The recording sounded perfect. Too perfect," Whitney Joy Smith tells me as we discuss the evolving landscape of digital deception. As the founder and CEO of The Smith Investigation Agency Inc., Whitney has spent over two decades reading people, de…
Voice AI's Human Touch in Team Collaboration Twenty-two years of financial advising has taught me that the most expensive mistakes happen in the gaps between what clients say and what we remember. But it wasn't until I spoke with Christian Villeneu…
For years, Texas educators faced an unfair reality. Teach in public schools, earn your TRS pension, and watch your hard-earned Social Security benefits vanish. The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) weren't just…
Since January 2025, we've witnessed a troubling wave of layoffs sweeping across Houston's economic landscape. This isn't isolated to a single industry or a temporary correction—it's systemic and affecting thousands of Houstonians acros…
The biggest retirement mistake isn't choosing the wrong investments—it's treating retirement as if it were a single event rather than an ongoing process with multiple decision points. After more than two decades working with state employees an…
When markets drop, it's natural for anxiety levels to rise—especially among clients nearing retirement. Having spent over two decades guiding state employees, educators, and healthcare professionals through their retirement journeys, I've seen…
Portable generators for home power have become increasingly popular in recent years, especially in areas prone to natural disasters and power outages. This essay will discuss the benefits and uses of portable generators, as well as the inspiration b…
Financial literacy is essential education. Financial literacy is essential education because it equips individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed financial decisions. In the podcast transcript, the host discusses the impor…
Introduction: Juliet and Kelly Starrett, renowned authors and fitness experts, recently discussed their book "Built to Move" on the "Money Matters Podcast." Their approach revolutionizes the concept of physical health, emphasizing sustainable and ev…
Introduction: Rachel Rider, a distinguished executive coach, and author, brought a fresh perspective to leadership in her recent appearance on the "Money Matters Podcast." Her book, "Who You Are is How You Lead," delves into the profound impact of s…
Introduction: Jeff Goodell, an esteemed author and journalist, sheds light on the life-threatening effects of extreme heat in his latest book, "The Heat Will Kill You First." His recent appearance on the "Money Matters Podcast" provided an in-depth …
Introduction: Christine Simone, co-founder and CEO of Caribou, a software solution that simplifies healthcare planning for retirees, shared her groundbreaking approach on the "Money Matters Podcast." Her unique perspective bridges the gap between he…
Introduction: Eric Franklin, the managing principal at Prospero Wealth, brings a unique perspective to financial planning, especially for individuals in the tech industry. His recent discussion on the "Money Matters Podcast" sheds light on the speci…
Introduction: Tripp Parks, a fitness expert and entrepreneur, recently shared his cutting-edge approach to health and wellness on the "Money Matters Podcast." His focus on genetics and individualized fitness strategies offers a fresh perspective in …
Introduction: Bryan Kuderna, a certified financial planner and author, shared his profound insights on effective financial planning and the impact of technology in the field during his appearance on the "Money Matters Podcast." The Importance of Fi…
Introduction: Steve Hamoen's entrepreneurial journey, as shared on the "Money Matters Podcast," is a remarkable story of resilience and strategic adaptation. From running an HVAC business to becoming a successful real estate agent, Hamoen's path is …