New Planner Podcast

How do you go from an intern ordering office supplies to owning your own financial planning firm? Nick Scheibner shares the journey that took him from accidentally discovering financial planning at university to spending 14 years growing within one firm before taking the leap to launch his own RIA. You'll learn why saying "yes" to every opportunity accelerated his career, how taking on overlooked responsibilities made him indispensable, and why confidence is built one client conversation at a time.

Listen in as Nick opens up about the personal experiences that motivated him to become a business owner, the...

How can you build a successful financial planning career in your first year after college? In this episode, I sit down with paraplanners Samantha Buchanan and Garrett Welsh from Allegiance Financial Group Advisory Services to explore their journeys into financial planning, how they chose the right firm, and what they've learned transitioning from students to professionals.

Listen in to learn how Samantha and Garrett evaluated career opportunities, why finding the right firm culture mattered, how paraplanners can contribute value from day one, and how technology like AI is changing (but not replacing) the human side of financial...

What does it take to move to a new country, earn an MBA, become a CFP®, and launch a wealth management firm—all in under four years? In this conversation, Imade Iyamu shares how she built Arusha Wealth after immigrating to the United States, and why her mission is focused on helping immigrants and cross-border clients navigate some of the most complex financial systems in the world.

We explore the real challenges behind building financial stability in a new country, from credit systems and taxes to visas, estates, and retirement planning across borders. Imade also breaks down how...

What happens when a software engineer decides to start over and build a career in financial planning? In this episode, Jamie Clark shares their journey from a successful career in technology to becoming a CFP professional and founder of their own financial planning firm. You'll learn how they navigated a major career transition, prepared financially for a significant pay cut, built confidence in a new profession, and discovered that financial planning was the right fit for their long-term goals.

Jamie also discusses what new planners can learn from working with hundreds of client situations, the realities of...

What does it really take to grow through every stage of a financial planning career—from intern to advisor, from small firm to large firm, and back again? In this episode, Brooke Jackson, an advisor at Painted Porch Advisors, shares her 11-year journey in the profession and the lessons learned through every transition.

Brooke walks through how she discovered financial planning at Texas Tech, what drew her into the profession, and how early mentorship shaped her foundation. She also shares what it was like transitioning between very different firm environments, how her responsibilities evolved from analyst work to...

What really happens in your first year as a financial planner when you move from the classroom into real client meetings? In this episode, Krystal LaFollette, Financial Planning Associate at Schulz Wealth in Mansfield, TX, shares her journey into the profession and what it was really like transitioning from student to practicing advisor. From early nerves and imposter syndrome to finding her footing inside a small, hands-on firm, Krystal reflects on the highs, lows, and unexpected lessons of her first year.

Listeners will learn how new planners can build confidence in client meetings, why real-world experience accelerates...

What if your first job in financial planning didn't just lead to experience but to a partnership in under three years? In this episode, Hanna Molta, Partner at Seven Hills Financial, shares her unusual and fast-tracked journey into the financial planning profession, starting with zero financial literacy and a chance conversation at a restaurant.

Listen in as Hanna walks through how mentorship, initiative, and a willingness to start with administrative work helped her move from student to advisor to partner in a remarkably short time. You'll learn how she built trust early, transitioned from apprenticeship to client-facing...

What does a successful financial planning career actually look like behind the scenes? In this episode, Preston Henry, Director of Financial Planning at Sugarloaf Wealth Management, shares the winding and unconventional path that took him from golf course conversations and banking roles to becoming a leader inside a growing RIA. Along the way, Preston opens up about the risks, career pivots, mentors, and mindset shifts that shaped his journey through multiple areas of the financial services industry.

Listen in to learn how he navigated transitions from banking and lending into wealth management, why he chose learning opportunities...

What happens when a psychology major discovers financial planning and decides to completely rethink how advice can be delivered? In this episode, Andy Baxley shares his journey from teaching English in South Korea to working at large financial institutions, discovering the fee-only RIA world, and ultimately launching his own firm, Two Trails Financial Planning. Andy opens up about the career pivots, self-doubt, and entrepreneurial lessons that shaped his path, along with the mindset shifts that helped him finally make the leap into business ownership.

We also dive into how Andy is using AI to create more personalized...

What does it really take to build a successful financial planning career, and how much of it comes down to education, persistence, and understanding human behavior? In this episode, Gary Clement shares his unconventional journey from a math major with an interest in investments to an experienced financial planner, educator, and PhD holder. He walks through his early days in the industry, the lessons learned from working in high-pressure sales environments, and the pivotal experiences that shaped his transition into financial planning and education.

Listen in to learn why behavioral finance is becoming central to the future...

What does it really take to build a successful financial planning career when you're starting from scratch? In this episode, Evan Fears, CFP at Vision Financial Group Georgia, shares how he entered the financial planning industry straight out of college with no guaranteed salary, no inherited client book, and plenty of obstacles standing in his way. From being mistaken for a high school student while meeting with clients to navigating the pressure of building trust as a young advisor, Evan opens up about the realities of growing a business in the early years of his career.

Listen...

What happens when you stumble into a career you didn't even know existed and end up building a business entirely on your own terms? In this episode, Kaleb Paddock, founder of Ten Talents Financial Planning, shares his unconventional journey into financial planning and the lessons he learned along the way.

From discovering the profession through third-party administration work to earning his CFP and gaining hands-on experience at an RIA firm, Kaleb walks through the pivotal moments that shaped his career. Listen in to learn how he made the leap to entrepreneurship, the challenges of starting from scratch...

Could your strengths lie outside the traditional advisor path? My guest today is Brian Abatemarco, who navigated his career from financial planning into sales, and ultimately into the world of AI startups. From managing clients early in his career to discovering a passion for business development, Brian shares how leaning into your natural strengths can completely reshape your trajectory.

Listen in to learn how AI is actually being used inside advisory firms today (and why it's not replacing advisors anytime soon), how automation can transform client service and operations, and what it really looks like to take...

What if the key to standing out in your career is starting before you feel ready? In this episode, Cassidy Vines, a financial planning student at Temple University and winner of the 2025 New Planner Recruiting Tuition Scholarship, shares how she took the initiative early to build real-world experience before graduating. You'll learn how she discovered financial planning, why she made the switch from marketing, and how she turned curiosity into a clear career path.

Listen in as Cassidy shares how she secured multiple internships (including through cold outreach), how hands-on experience accelerated her learning, and what she's...

What do you do when rejection, setbacks, and uncertainty hit early in your career? In this episode, Francesco D'Amore shares how he turned college rejection, uncertainty about his career path, and limited resources into a clear plan to break into the financial planning profession. From teaching himself to pass the SIE exam using only YouTube to transferring schools and landing internships through networking, Francesco explains how curiosity and persistence shaped his journey.

Listen in to learn how to stand out as a student or career-changer, why networking conversations matter more than formal applications, and how internships actually t...

What if you could experience multiple financial planning firms, real client meetings, and industry experts all in one internship? In this episode, Hannah Moore, CEO of Guiding Wealth Management and creator of the Amplified Planning Externship, shares how a unique program started during the pandemic and quickly grew into one of the most recognized learning experiences for aspiring financial planners.

Listen in to learn how the Externship works, what participants actually do during the eight-week program, and why the community and real-world exposure make such a big impact on career direction. You'll learn who the Externship is...

What happens when your career doesn't go according to plan? Today, James Conole and Erin Varghese join the show to share their very different paths into the financial planning profession. They talk about career setbacks, getting fired, starting over, and ultimately finding the right firm and culture to grow their careers.

Listen in to learn how Erin transitioned from banking into financial planning, why starting at a small RIA can accelerate your learning, and how James went from being fired to starting his own firm from scratch. You'll also hear what it takes to build a strong...

What does it really take to leave a stable, high-level career and start over in financial planning? In this episode, Lisa Schaefer shares her journey from working in public policy to becoming a financial advisor. You'll learn how mentorship played a critical role in her transition, why starting with the Series 65 helped her test the waters, and how she navigated the uncertainty of breaking into a completely new industry.

Listen in as Lisa opens up about the realities of taking a pay cut, working in a high-pressure, commission-based environment, and ultimately finding the right firm fit that...

How do you build confidence and a successful advisory business when you're just starting in financial planning? In this episode, financial planner Landon Warmund shares his journey into the profession, from growing up with a father who was a financial planner to developing his own path in the industry. You'll learn how an early curiosity about money, a chance discovery of a CFP program in college, and a willingness to put in the reps helped Landon begin building his own client base shortly after graduation.

Listen in to hear how he found traction by focusing on a...

What would make someone walk away from a 21-year engineering career and a good salary to start a financial planning business from scratch? In this episode, Aubrey Williams of Open Path Financial opens up about the personal and professional journey that led him to leave engineering and pursue financial planning full-time. You'll learn how his role gradually shifted from technical work to management and financial decision-making, sparking an interest in personal finance that would ultimately change his career path.

Listen in as Aubrey explains how a difficult life transition pushed him to educate himself about money, which...

What happens when a retired military officer and his son decide to build a financial planning firm together and do it their own way? In this episode, Joe and Spencer Turkal, co-founders of Sierra Hotel Financial, share how they transitioned from the insurance channel to launching an independent firm aligned with their long-term philosophy and values.

You'll learn how they evaluated their next move, divided responsibilities based on complementary strengths, and built a client experience rooted in clarity and structure. They also break down how they charge, their three-meeting planning process, the tools they use, and why...

Tamsie Black, Annie Gray, and Marianne Alamos are recent graduates who have stepped into their first full-time financial planning roles at Wealthway Financial Advisors, and they join the show today to share their journeys into the profession. If you're interested in navigating the transition from student to professional, building confidence early, and preparing for the CFP exam, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Tamsie, Annie, and Marianne talk about how each of them discovered financial planning, why they chose it as a career, what excites them most about the profession, and what drew them to...

Brennon Holleb is a Financial Planning and Wealth Management student at Virginia Tech, and he joins the show today to share why he chose to pursue a career in financial planning. If you're interested in how to intentionally prepare for a financial planning career from the very beginning, or what top students are doing to stand out in today's competitive hiring landscape, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Brennon shares how his grandparents introduced him to saving, investing, and the stock market—even arranging a meeting with their financial advisor when he was just 13. You'll le...

Matt Higbie is the Managing Director of Birchwood Capital, and he joins the show today to talk about his transition from investment banking to financial planning. If you're interested in what it takes to pivot into financial planning from a high-demand field, navigate a major pay cut, or build your skills in a fully virtual advisory model, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Matt shares how he began his career in investment banking before realizing he wanted a more client-centered path, ultimately leveraging his network to secure his first financial planning role—even while taking a...

Robert Jeter is the owner of Back Bay Financial Planning & Investments, and he joins the show today to talk about his career journey to becoming a financial planner and firm owner. If you're interested in understanding how to navigate career decisions, grow within a firm, or eventually make the leap to starting your own, this episode is for you.

Listen in as Robert shares how he first became interested in financial planning while in college, what he hoped to find in his first job, and how he convinced his parents that the profession was far different from...

David Tenerelli is a financial advisor at Values Added Financial, and he joins the show today to share his transition from middle school band director to a career in financial planning. You'll hear about his pivotal decision to leave after 10 years for a new opportunity, why—despite his experience—he chose not to start his own firm, and what ultimately shaped his path forward.

Listen in as David talks about how he discovered his passion for personal finance early on, yet initially dismissed financial planning as a career because of the sales-driven stereotype often associated with advisors. You...

Sten Morgan is the Founder of Legacy Investment Planning and the Elite Advisor Network, and he joins the show to share his journey to becoming a firm owner. If you're interested in what it really takes to find your place in the profession, build a thriving firm, and expand your impact through leadership and coaching, this episode is for you.

Listen in as Sten opens up about why he began his career as an intern in the insurance channel, what kept him there for so many years, and what prompted a search for the right fit across...

Travis Hibbard is a financial advisor at Fiduciary Financial Advisors, and he joins the show to share his transition from engineer to financial advisor after 18 years in a large manufacturing company. If you're interested in making a mid-career transition, leveraging financial independence to create flexibility, or understanding the real-world decisions involved in starting a firm, this episode is for you.

Listen in as Travis shares how guidance from his mother, a financial planner, set him on a path toward financial independence and made his transition into the profession smoother. He also walks through the key decisions involved...

Emily Koochel is the Manager of Financial Wellness at eMoney Advisor, and she joins the show to share how she found her way in the financial planning world. If you're interested in exploring non-linear career paths in financial planning, blending education and technology, or understanding how fintech is shaping the future of the profession, this episode is for you.

Listen in as Emily shares how she was drawn to financial planning for its blend of numbers and people, and how a mentor encouraged her to pursue a master's degree before starting her career at a small firm...

Andrew Sivertsen is a shareholder and Senior Financial Planner at The Planning Center, Inc., and he joins the show today to share how he found financial planning through one of his siblings and has never looked back. If you're interested in discovering financial planning through a non-traditional path, balancing work and CFP coursework, or growing into ownership and leadership within a firm, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Andrew shares how he began his career studying biology before finding his way into financial planning by following in his brother's footsteps. You'll hear how he started...

Mark Hansen is a financial advisor at Second Comma, and he rejoins the show today to talk about the ups and downs he has experienced—and how he has shifted his business—since last being on the show two years ago. If you're interested in strengthening your value proposition, reducing client churn, or learning from the real-world lessons of an advisor-turned-entrepreneur, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Mark shares how a period of losing clients pushed him to change his business model, hire a coach, and get hyper-clear on his value proposition and service offering. He a...

Lillian Turner is the Founder of Daring Greatly Wealth, and she joins the show today to share how her interest in financial planning in high school turned into owning her own firm. If you're interested in the realities of career pivots, early leadership roles, and building a firm from scratch, this episode will be especially valuable.

Listen in as Lillian opens up about how growing up watching her parents struggle with money disagreements shaped her desire to help others, leading her from an accounting major to finance and into her first financial planning internship through a career...

Charlotte Morgan is a financial planner at Creative Planning, and she joins the show today to share her career journey from college student to successful practitioner. If you're interested in navigating early career uncertainty, taking a break and re-entering the profession with confidence, or understanding what it's like to experience an acquisition from the inside, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Charlotte shares how she began college planning for a career in accounting or finance, but ultimately discovered financial planning through a family friend. You'll hear how she stepped away after a few years (and...

Kelly Metzler Randall is a Principal and Lead Advisor at Burton Enright Welch, and she joins the show today to share how she transitioned to financial planning after earning a chemistry degree. If you're interested in exploring career pivots into financial planning, understanding how to grow within an RIA, or seeing what it really looks like to rebuild your career after a relocation, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Kelly shares how her love of science and math initially led her into lab work—until she realized it wasn't fulfilling and began exploring business and fi...

Vincent Clark is a Senior Wealth Advisor at Elwood & Goetz Wealth Advisory Group, and he joins the show today to share how his career trajectory brought him from an information systems major to financial planning. If you're interested in redefining your career path, moving from technical roles into client-facing planning, or learning what it takes to evolve into a mentor for newer planners, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Vincent shares how he first chose his career path based on income potential—but soon discovered a deeper purpose after helping a star athlete's family member na...

In this special episode, Jesse Lineberry, Program Director of the CFP program at Virginia Tech, returns for our annual deep dive into the New Planner Recruiting 2025 Salary Report. If you're interested in salary trends, comparing compensation expectations across channels, or understanding what firms and candidates are prioritizing in today's hiring market, this episode is for you!

Listen in as we unpack this year's findings, from average salaries across experience levels to regional trends and differences between RIA, broker-dealer, bank, and insurance expectations. We also explore why paraplanner salaries jumped, why student expectations stayed flat, and what's fueling...

Have you ever had to take a step back to move forward? That's exactly what Emily Green did when she left her career as a surgical assistant to pursue financial planning. After realizing she wanted more client connection, Emily explored entrepreneurship, discovered her passion for finance, and found her way to MY Wealth Planners.

In this episode, Emily shares what it was like to start over in her 30s, the lessons she learned from her mentor, and how asking the right questions helped her grow into her role as an associate planner. Her story is a reminder...

Daniel Stefanski is an Associate Wealth Planner at MY Wealth Planners, and he joins the show today to share how he accidentally discovered financial planning and how his career has progressed so far. If you're interested in breaking into financial planning, navigating a career transition, or learning how to strategically pursue opportunities that align with your values, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Daniel shares how he initially dismissed financial planning as just investment sales but discovered his passion for it after landing a co-op position with a financial planning firm during COVID-19. He explains...

Patrick Moore is the Founder and a Wealth Advisor at Ironclad Wealth Management, and he joins the show today to share his financial planning journey. If you're interested in starting your own firm, learning from early entrepreneurial challenges, or building a career grounded in mentorship and growth, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Patrick shares how his father introduced him to the financial services industry through the insurance channel, where the two worked together after Patrick graduated from college. You'll hear how that experience inspired him to pursue more comprehensive financial planning, ultimately leading him...

Haley Ellis is the Director of Operations at Allegiance Financial Group Advisory Services, and she joins the show today to share her transition into the financial planning profession. If you're interested in navigating career moves with confidence or overcoming challenges as a young professional, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Haley shares how she discovered financial planning later in her college career and secured an internship that confirmed her passion for helping others. She also talks about her move across the country to start her first full-time role, the process of earning her licenses and...