New Planner Podcast

Andrea Eaton is a financial planner at Cornerstone Wealth Advisors, and she joins the show today to share how a guest lecture by a financial planning faculty member opened her eyes to a new career path. If you're interested in building a long-term career with one firm, finding the right cultural fit, or learning how to develop and mentor new planners, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Andrea shares her journey from the financial planning program at Texas Tech University to her current firm, where she started as an intern and has now been for...

Dustin Cidorowich is an Associate Financial Planner at R.W. Rogé & Company and he joins the show today to share his journey from corporate America to an entry-level financial planner position. If you're interested in making a career change into financial planning, understanding the realities of entry-level roles, or learning how to grow and thrive in a firm, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Dustin shares how he made the leap from corporate America to a financial planning role - navigating a significant pay cut to pursue a more fulfilling career. He talks about how h...

Samuel Kim is a Senior Client Services Associate at Questar Capital Partners and he joins the show today to share his path from pastor to financial planner. If you're interested in pursuing a non-traditional route into financial planning, balancing dual careers, or learning how to grow within a small firm, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Samuel shares how a career assessment sparked his interest in financial planning and why he chose a bi-vocational path to balance two careers. He discusses how networking helped him land his first role at a small firm, where he...

Jeremy Portnoff is the Founder at PortSalus Wealth Management and Sage Vincent is a Client Services Associate, and they join the show today to share how their career journey’s brought them to working together at PortSalus. If you're interested in forging your own path in financial planning, finding the right mentorship, or learning how to thrive in a growing firm, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Sage and Jeremy share how their distinct paths led them to financial planning - Jeremy through a traditional degree that lacked mentorship, prompting him to start his own fe...

Matthew Gray is a Certified Financial Planner at Schrock Financial, and he joins the show today to share how he got started in financial planning and ultimately found the right fit. If you're interested in breaking into financial planning, navigating early career decisions, or learning how to approach compensation conversations with confidence, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Matthew talks about how a math professor introduced him to financial planning and what sparked his passion for the profession. He opens up about the challenges of finding his first opportunity, how earning key licenses helped him...

Wilson Liu is an associate advisor at Stone Steps Financial, and he joins the show today to share his transition from the tech industry to financial planning. If you're interested in switching industries, navigating a career transition into financial planning, or learning how to build confidence and contribute meaningfully as a new planner, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Wilson shares how his lifelong interest in personal finance and guidance from a friend in the profession helped him learn about different roles and channels, setting him on the path to transition into financial planning. He...

John Kiepe is a Founding Partner of Kiepe Wealth Management, and he joins the show today to share his unorthodox journey into the financial planning profession. If you're interested in building a career from the ground up, blending tax and financial planning, or learning how to grow a firm from scratch, this episode is for you!

Listen in as John shares how early roles in customer service - from Domino’s Pizza to a bank and call center - helped build the skills that laid the foundation for his success in financial planning. He also explains what mo...

Shai Gothreau is the owner and a financial planner at Infinity Financial Services, and she joins the show today to talk about how she was led to financial planning from the desire to help her peers make better financial decisions. If you're interested in pivoting from a corporate career, building a financial planning firm while working full-time, or learning how to attract clients and plan for a future transition, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Shai shares how she began her career in Corporate America while coaching on the side, only to realize that coaching...

Joseph Faucette is a financial planning student at Liberty University, and he joins the show today to share what inspired him to enter the field. If you're interested in pursuing a career in financial planning, getting involved in student-led initiatives, or understanding what today’s aspiring planners are looking for in employers, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Joseph shares how he discovered the financial planning major, the coursework he’s completed, and how he’s grown as a leader through involvement in his program. He also discusses his role in his school’s peer financia...

Today we are joined by two guests from Paradigm Advisors: Michelle Gass, Partner, and Kathleen Hood, Associate Financial Advisor. They both open up about how their career journeys brought them into financial planning, as well as how they’ve successfully collaborated and navigated imposter syndrome while growing the business. If you're interested in finding the right career fit or building strong team dynamics, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Kathleen shares how she got her start in financial planning through a campus job board, which eventually led her to realize the insurance channel wasn’t the...

Gloria Garcia Cisneros is a Wealth Manager at LourdMurray, and she joins the show today to share how she discovered financial planning and has grown her career over the years. If you're interested in breaking into financial planning, navigating career moves across different firm sizes, or hearing an inspiring story of perseverance and purpose, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Gloria shares how her experience growing up in a financially struggling immigrant family shaped her interest in financial planning. She talks about learning to manage her own finances after graduating from UCLA and how conducting...

Derek Notman, founder and CEO of Couplr AI and co-host of Rethink. The Financial Advisor Podcast, joins the show to share how he transformed a thriving advisory career into a mission-driven entrepreneurial journey. After his passion for investing and mentoring at-risk youth led him to financial planning, Derek ultimately launched his own RIA. In this episode, he pulls back the curtain on how identifying a persistent industry pain point sparked the creation of his fintech startup, where he sees the future of advice heading next, and more.

Listen in as he opens up about his early success...

Joey Loss is a co-founder of Strivus Wealth Partners, and he joins the show today to share how his career journey led him to start his own RIA and merge with another firm. If you're interested in starting your own firm, navigating career transitions, or learning what it's really like to go through a merger, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Joey shares how a free meal at an FPA meeting sparked his interest in financial planning, leading him to change his major and complete multiple internships during school. He also walks through how he...

Wondering how to break into financial planning and build a long-term career in the field? Victor Colella, Wealth Advisor, and Courtney Cubbin, Senior Financial Advisor, at Woodward Financial Advisors both join the show today to share how they entered the profession, found mentorship, and steadily advanced their careers from the ground up.

Listen in as Courtney explains how her love for numbers and working with people led her to an internship, her role at Woodward, and the challenges she overcame to advance, while Victor recounts how his father’s career inspired him to transition from consulting and in...

Looking for a community that actually supports you as a new financial planner? Blake Pinyan, Senior Financial Planner and Tax Manager at Anchor Bay Capital, joins the show today to talk about the NexGen community of the Financial Planning Association—a community geared towards meeting the needs of younger and newer planners. If you're interested in finding support as a new planner, expanding your network, or getting involved in a thriving professional community, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Blake shares how he got involved, what makes NexGen unique, and the real impact it’s had...

Brent Weiss is the Co-Founder and Head of Financial Wellness at Facet, and he joins the show today to share how his career journey took him from student athlete at Notre Dame to financial planner. If you're interested in discovering how to break into financial planning, navigate startup environments, or grow your role in a fast-changing firm, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Brent shares how a canceled personal finance course during his final semester led him to independently research financial planning and ultimately pursue it as a career. He explains how he landed his...

Amanda Bearden is a financial advisor at Pesta & Pesta Wealth Management, and she joins the show today to share her journey from starting as an art major to becoming a financial planner. If you're interested in changing career paths, gaining hands-on experience through a rotational program, or learning how to navigate the early stages of a planning career, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Amanda shares what sparked her interest in financial planning and why she decided to change her major. She discusses how she leveraged a family connection to land a two-year rotational program...

Daniel Whitt is a senior advisor at Pandowealth, and he joins the show today to share his unique journey from working in the non-profit sector to successfully transitioning into the financial planning profession. If you're interested in making a career change into financial planning, growing within a firm, or learning how to succeed as a new planner, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Daniel shares how he began his CFP coursework while living in Nepal, passed the exam, and landed his first role as an associate financial planner in a firm that turned out to...

Mike Zarrelli is a financial advisor at FSA Wealth Partners based out of Rockville, MD. He joins the show today to share why he got into financial planning—even though he was initially encouraged to pursue accounting instead. If you're interested in learning how to grow your career in financial planning, leverage transferable skills from previous jobs, or gain confidence in business development, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Mike shares why he chose financial planning over accounting, how he landed his first role, and how his responsibilities evolved as he advanced within his firm. He...

Mallory Kretman is a partner and wealth manager for Laurel Wealth Planning, where Felix Kopycinski serves as an associate wealth manager, and they both join the show today to share their respective career journeys. If you're interested in learning how to grow into leadership roles, navigate the early stages of your career, or better understand the hiring process from both the employer and candidate perspectives, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Mallory and Felix share their unique journeys into financial planning, including Mallory’s path from an art degree to becoming a partner at her fi...

What if you could gain real-world experience, learn from top industry experts, and watch a financial plan come together in real time? Today’s guest, Hannah Moore, is here to share a unique opportunity that can help you do just that. The creator of The Amplified Planning Externship, Hannah joins the show to discuss why she started it, how it works, and the valuable experience it offers aspiring financial planners.

Listen in to hear what’s new for the 2025 Externship, as well as exciting updates from the previous year. You'll learn how you can sign up for the...

Steven Jarvis is the CEO of Retirement Tax Services, and he joins the show today to share why he opted for a career in accounting and tax preparation instead of financial planning. If you're interested in improving tax planning within your advisory firm, bridging the gap between financial planning and tax strategy, or learning how to add more value to clients through tax expertise, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Steven shares his career journey from working at a Big Four firm to leaving just before making partner to start his own tax firm, specializing...

Larry Ginsburg is a financial advisor at Wealth Enhancement Group—and was also my internship supervisor when I was pursuing my CFP education. He joins the show today to share his journey from being a career-changer in the early 80s to building his own business, and ultimately selling his firm to a large aggregator. If you're interested in career transitions, building and scaling a financial planning firm, or navigating succession planning, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Larry shares his journey, including how he grew his business, the mistakes he made along the way, and wh...

Prudence Zhu is the Founder and CEO of Enso Financial. She joins the show today to share her transition from Corporate America to financial planning, including the challenges of building her business over the past two years while raising two small children. If you're interested in transitioning to financial planning, starting your own firm, or balancing entrepreneurship with family life, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Prudence opens up about how she discovered financial planning, as well as how she took the leap to leave her corporate job and start her own firm. You'll hear...

Today we are joined by Jessie Doll, Co-Founder of ReFrame Wealth, and Malee Turner, an associate advisor there. They both join the show to share their respective career paths, including Jessie’s journey from a decade in banking to starting her own firm and Malee’s decision to begin her career at a smaller firm after graduating from a CFP program. If you're interested in navigating career transitions, growing in your role as a new planner, or learning how to build a successful advisor-client relationship, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Malee and Jessie share how...

Conner Kolodge is the President of Cherry Tree Wealth Management, and he joins the show today to share his career journey to help more people and have a bigger impact. If you're interested in transitioning from accounting to financial planning, advancing quickly in your career, or understanding the balance between financial planning and investment management, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Conner shares how his career path took him from finance to accounting, and a job at a Big Four firm, before he realized he wanted to make a greater impact by helping people directly...

What happens when the traditional career path doesn’t feel right? In this episode, Dan Tobias and Chris Lee of Passport Wealth Management share their unconventional journeys into financial planning—both growing up around the industry, initially rejecting it, and eventually realizing it was the right path for them. If you’re interested in career growth, mentorship, or finding the right fit in financial planning, this conversation is one you won't want to miss!

Listen in as Dan explains why he turned down an opportunity to join his father’s firm, chose to travel the world, and later fo...

My guests today are Edward Smith, President of Valor Wealth Partners, and Zubin Kapur, a financial planner at the firm. They join the show to share their financial planning career journeys, including both of their perspectives on the hiring process for Zubin. If you're interested in learning how to navigate career transitions, grow a financial planning firm, or stand out as a strong job candidate, this episode is for you!

Listen in to hear about Ed’s experience working in various financial channels before starting his own RIA after 13 years at a credit union, as well as Zu...

Michael Pyle is a Financial Planner at Challenge Everything Financial, and he joins the show today to share his career journey from working in sales to starting his own financial planning firm. If you're interested in transitioning to financial planning, navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, or building a firm while balancing family life, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Michael shares how his initial success in sales led him to pursue a career in financial planning, balancing a master’s program and his Series 65 exam while launching his firm on the side—until his employer foun...

Jill Barnett is the Founder and Principal of Valley Consulting Partners. She joins the show today to share how she helps wealth management firms navigate human resources issues, compensation, hiring strategy, and workforce training. If you're interested in tackling HR challenges, enhancing workplace dynamics, or preparing for the future of the financial planning profession, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Jill shares how her background in psychology led her to consulting for wealth management firms, driven by a desire to ultimately help the American consumer. She discusses common challenges firms face, including managing remote work...

Justin Rice is a Financial Advisor at Personal Wealth Strategies, and he joins the show today to share his career journey from biomedical engineering to financial planning. If you're interested in transitioning to the planning industry from a technical or academic background, leveraging study groups for career growth, or enhancing your sales skills, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Justin shares how conversations with colleagues during his PhD program sparked his realization that many people needed help with personal finance. He recounts how he completed his CFP coursework while finishing his engineering degree, as well...

Rianka Dorsainvil is the Founder and Senior Wealth Advisor at YGC Wealth. She joins the show today to share how stumbling into a personal finance class in college started her path in the industry, as well as how her journey in financial planning has unfolded in unexpected ways. If you're interested in exploring non-traditional career paths, building a financial planning firm from scratch, or learning from the challenges of firm mergers and relaunches, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Rianka shares how she transitioned from a math major to financial planning after discovering her passion...

Brett Danko is the president of the Financial Planning Resource Center and managing partner of Main Street Financial Solutions. He joins the show today to share how his interest in financial planning has helped him build two successful companies. If you're interested in building a career in financial planning, passing the CFP exam, or learning tips from an experienced educator, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Brett shares what sparked his interest in financial planning, how he entered the profession and started his own firm, and what led him to begin teaching CFP review classes...

Jeremy Eppley is the Founder of Silverstone Financial. He joins the show today to share his career journey, from discovering his passion for financial planning and securing an internship that led to an entry-level role after graduation to ultimately starting his own firm at age 21. If you're interested in learning how to navigate early career challenges, build a financial planning firm from scratch, or start your own business, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Jeremy recounts launching his firm just three months after entering the workforce. You'll hear about the challenges he faced, including going 11...

Kirsten Ashbaugh is the Director of Sales at Wilkinson Wealth Management, and she joins the show today to share her career journey into financial planning. If you're interested in navigating a career change, using networking to land your first role, or building a successful path in financial planning, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Kirsten shares how her career began at an intelligence agency before a career coach steered her toward financial planning, leading her to use informational interviews to solidify her interest and secure her first role. She also discusses the hardest part of...

How can you kickstart your financial planning career and make an impact early on? In this episode, Associate Financial Advisor Connor Barbella-Roesler shares his journey from discovering his passion for financial planning in college to securing a role at a firm that matched his values. Connor opens up about preparing for and passing the CFP exam on his first attempt, adding value to his firm as a new hire, and navigating the challenges of working in operations.

Listen in to Connor’s advice for aspiring financial planners, including tips for thriving in a virtual work environment and st...

What does it take to ace high-stakes exams like the Series 65? In this episode, I sit down with Brian Lee, Founder of TestGeek Exam Prep, to explore his journey from high school science teacher to exam prep expert. Brian shares how his unique teaching approach, tailored for visual learners, bridges the gap between textbook publishers and the actual exam. You’ll discover why understanding the exam format, especially multiple-choice strategies, can make the difference between passing and failing.

Listen in as Brian provides practical advice on creating a structured study plan, tackling tricky exam sections, and avoiding co...

Foster Hyde is a Senior Financial Advisor at the Welch Group based out of Alabama. He joins the show today to share his career journey, from law school to financial planning. If you're interested in learning how to navigate career pivots, overcome setbacks, and build a successful career in financial planning, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Foster recounts how his dream job fell through after college, how he found another position that eventually helped him secure his ideal role, and how his experience at the first firm facilitated the transition. Foster also discusses his...

Augustus Christensen is the Founder and CEO of Scoops, and he joins the show today to share how he got into wealth management. If you're interested in the journey from finance to entrepreneurship, learning how to leverage early career experiences, or exploring ways to make financial literacy more accessible, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Augustus shares his college journey, from creating and selling an app to working at the largest student-run credit union at Georgetown University. He also details his first job out of college at JPMorgan, how his experience in wealth management inspired...

Chris Grellas is the co-founder of ProsperPlan Wealth, and he joins the show today to share his wild college journey that brought him into the financial planning profession. If you're interested in hearing how to navigate career pivots, balance personal challenges with professional goals, or explore transitioning from large firms to small RIAs, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Chris talks about starting as a government major, then switching to business, then finance, before finding his ideal fit in financial planning. He explains how an internship with a local firm solidified his career choice, showing...