Advisor Revelations

This week, David Lau talks with Sara Baker, Executive Vice President of Mergers & Acquisitions at Allworth Financial, about partnership models, RIA growth, and what it takes to build a modern advisory firm. Sara discusses what separates firms that just grow from those that grow with purpose and how partnerships are reshaping advisor growth. From talent development to the growing need for comprehensive advice, she explains why firms should think about both structure and strategy to meet rising client expectations.

This week, David Lau talks with Bryce Skaff, Co-Head of the Global Client Group at Dimensional Fund Advisors. Since 1998, Bryce has played a key role in shaping Dimensional’s client experience, leading teams and initiatives that support advisors, intermediaries, and institutional investors worldwide.

Bryce talks with David about evidence-based investing and how financial science defines modern investment strategies. He shares Dimensional's decades-long philosophy rooted in disciplined investing, academic research, and commitment to improving investor outcomes. From the early days of institutional investors to the modern era of tech-integrated insurance and fee-based annuities, Bryce connects the dots between th...

This week, Kameron McRay talks with George Svagera, Senior Vice President of Institutional Sales at Orion Advisor Solutions. George leads a talented team of sales professionals to deliver Orion's industry-leading technology and wealth management solutions to broker-dealers, banks, trust companies, and custodians.

George talks with Kameron about how Orion meets the growing demand for fee-based annuities and insurance. He discusses the integration of DPL's discovery tools into Orion Connect, the launch of Orion's RIA Accelerator program for breakaway advisors, and how firms can transition without sacrificing assets or revenue. George also explains why insurance solutions are becoming...

This week, David Lau talks with Galen Shaffer, Principal at Eos Venture Partners, about the macro forces reshaping retirement. Galen offers a rare inside view into how insurers think about annuities, innovation, and the future of wealth management. From solving the income challenge for 70 million Americans retiring this decade and the rise of the fiduciary RIA model to the AI gold rush and long-term care needs, she discusses why the next frontier of holistic advice must bridge the gap between investment management and sophisticated insurance protection. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

This week, David Lau talks with Brian Saunders, Managing Director and Head of Private Equity at Atlas Merchant Capital, about how private equity investors are adopting innovation across financial services and why infrastructure, technology, and better client outcomes are driving the next wave of growth. They also discuss the evolving RIA landscape, the shift toward holistic advice, and how technology is reshaping everything from insurance and retirement planning to crypto and digital assets. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

This week, David Lau talks with Tom Smith, Chief Growth Officer at DPL Financial Partners, about the evolution of the 401(k) market and the current shift toward commission-free, advisory insurance. From deconstructing outdated commission structures to modernizing technology, workflows, and advisor experience, they discuss how DPL is bridging the gap for RIAs and hybrid advisors, turning insurance and annuities into a core component of modern, holistic advice. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

This week, Amy Arnett talks with Brad Mendenhall, Executive Vice President for Insurance Solutions at DPL. They discuss why insurance matters in holistic financial planning and how modern RIAs can integrate it into the planning process without becoming insurance experts. They also share how technology, product innovation, and a partnership with DPL can serve as a roadmap for leaders looking to enhance their clients' experience, increase AUM, and bridge the gap between asset management and protection. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

This week, David Lau talks with Tom McCarthy, Chief Distribution Officer at DPL Financial Partners, about the evolution of the advice model, industry stigmas, and how commission-free annuities can be powerful income differentiators for RIAs. From his early fight to shift from a commission-based to a fee-only model, Tom shares his journey from fee-based startups to the explosion of the RIA channel. He also discusses how technology and strategic partnerships enable financial advisors to provide holistic financial well-being rather than just stock picking. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

In this “Best of 2025” episode, David Lau brings together Daniel Crosby, Matt Regan, and John Thiel to explore how annuities fit into modern financial planning—bridging behavioral finance, retirement income, and risk management to help advisors build plans clients can actually stick with.

Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast

In this special “Best of 2025” episode, David Lau David Lau revisits powerful insights from John Thiel, Matt Regan, and Megan Carpenter on the evolving RIA landscape. Together, they unpack consolidation, succession challenges, organic growth strategies, and why modern advisory firms must treat marketing as a measurable engine—not just brand awareness.

Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

This week, Patrick Perry, Regional Vice President of Member Success at DPL, talks with Sam Marrella, Regional Director at Apella Wealth. Sam shares the story of how his family firm successfully transitioned from a broker-dealer to an independent RIA. He discusses the significant role that DPL's technology and commission-free annuity platform played in streamlining their process, enhancing the client experience, and enabling a powerful alignment of interests that fuels trust and organic growth. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

This week, Amy Arnett, VP of Insurance Solutions at DPL, talks with Carma McCallie, VP of Advanced Sales at Crump Life Insurance, about the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and its tax implications for individuals, businesses, and estates. Carma breaks down the key provisions, what has changed, what has stayed the same, and how to turn this new tax landscape into planning opportunities. From charitable deductions and estate exemptions to life insurance, Carma emphasizes the importance of a cohesive team of financial professionals to navigate the nuances of the law. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series...

This week, Michael Carmody, VP of National Accounts at DPL Financial Partners, talks with Raymond Gettins, Director at United Advisor Group (UAG), about what true independence really looks like for financial advisors. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

This week, DPL Founder & CEO David Lau talks with Megan Carpenter, CEO & Co-Founder of Ficomm Partners. They discuss why marketing is no longer a "nice to have" but a core business function. Meg also explores the importance of intentional marketing as a commitment and long-term investment, how repeatable and scalable organic growth is a significant factor in maximizing enterprise valuation, and the trends and opportunities for smaller, entrepreneurial firms. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

This week, Patrick Perry, RVP of Member Success at DPL, talks with Joseph (Jody) Goss, Managing Partner and Private Wealth Advisor at William Joseph Capital Management. Jody shares about how partnering with DPL helps their clients better understand the value of annuities, delivers holistic planning solutions, and supports advisors in the transition to independence. He highlights how DPL provides the expertise, technology, and marketing materials needed to make the transition from broker-dealer to independence seamless. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

This week, Ross McGoodwin talks with Andrew Gearhart, Partner and Wealth Advisor at Waverly Advisors. Together, they discuss Waverly’s explosive growth, its M&A strategy, and how partnerships with DPL enhance holistic financial planning. They explore integrating annuities and insurance into a fiduciary model, the role of technology, and why culture is central to building sustainable advisor platforms. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

This week, Jonathan Barth, VP of Member Success, talks with Daylin Huff, RIA Consultant at DPL about what member success truly means to us. Daylin highlights how DPL helps advisors transition from a broker-dealer arrangement to an advisory model and provides solutions to seamlessly integrate legacy annuity books. He also shares common pain points of breakaway advisors and how DPL's innovative solutions address them. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

This week, Blake Phillips talks with Jackson Bradley, RVP of Member Success at DPL. Together, they discuss why Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) are increasingly embracing annuities. They explore what's driving this shift and how firms like DPL are helping to rewrite the annuity narrative. Jackson also shares real-world insights on RILAs and how DPL provides the support, resources, and technology to help RIA firms confidently integrate annuities into their fiduciary frameworks. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

This week, Logan Cheatham talks with Matt Robinson, Internal Consultant at DPL Financial Partners. They unpack how fiduciaries can optimize annuities, reduce costs, and leverage DPL’s tools to deliver greater value for clients.. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

This week, Willie Jones talks with Ross McGoodwin, Regional Vice President of Member Success at DPL Financial Partners. They discuss how MYGAs provide competitive and guaranteed returns for retirement savers. Ross also highlights how these straightforward, fixed annuities provide a stable anchor in retirement and complement other fixed-income strategies. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

This week, David Lau talks with John Thiel, Founder and Executive Chairman of Indivisible Partners. They explore the evolution of financial advising, client-centric service, risk management, and building an innovative, advisor-owned RIA platform designed for growth, customization, and long-term client impact. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

This week, Kameron McRay talks with Sam Johnson, Vice President of Business Development at DPL. They explore how the advisory annuity space has evolved—shifting from commission-based products to fee-friendly, fiduciary-aligned solutions. They break down key innovations in product design, process digitization, and post-issue support, highlighting how RIAs are increasingly embracing annuities as valuable tools in client retirement planning. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

This week, Ross McGoodwin talks with Brennan Decima, Managing Director of Decima Wealth Consulting. They discuss how breakaway advisors can leverage advisory annuities for principal protection and retirement income planning, especially in today's volatile markets and uncertain tax environment. Brennan highlights how DPL's innovative tools and technology have streamlined his transition to a fiduciary model. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

In this episode, DPL Founder and CEO, David Lau, talks with Daniel Crosby, Chief Behavioral Officer at Orion Advisor Solutions. They discuss the psychological drivers behind investor behavior, common mental pitfalls that can lead to costly mistakes, and the practical framework advisors can use to build resilient client portfolios. From Orion's popular Protect, Live, Dream platform to the four meta-biases that influence people's decisions and actions, Daniel explains how advisors can proactively support clients through volatility and why financial advising is just as much about managing emotions as managing wealth. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast. <...

n this episode, Jackson Bradley talks with Matt Robinson, Internal Consultant at DPL Financial Partners. They discuss the operational side of annuities and how they have improved over time. Matt shares how DPL simplifies annuity application processes for advisors and their clients, as well as its tech-forward tools, like the Apply Now feature, to streamline the process and save advisors time and effort. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

Episode Summary

In this episode of Advisor Revelations, Amy Arnett, VP of Insurance Solutions at DPL Financial Partners, talks with Angel Melgoza, Director of Financial Planning at Your Financial Pharmacist, about asset and income protection. They cover the importance of disability income insurance in financial planning, the ideal client for such coverage, the rule of thumb on disability income insurance, and how to address potential gaps in group disability insurance. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

This week, Willie Jones, Sales Desk Manager, and Ashley Hammond, Consultant at DPL, discuss how financial advisors can help clients bridge the Social Security income gap using annuities. They explore strategies for maximizing retirement income, managing risk, and using qualified funds to get clients guaranteed income for life. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

This week, DPL's Regional Vice President, Jackson Bradley, and Sales Desk Manager, Willie Jones, talk about the misconceptions about annuities, specifically lifetime income. They discuss how annuities can be a powerful retirement tool and how advisors can leverage these products to create a personal pension for their clients and provide much-needed peace of mind in retirement. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

This week, DPL's CEO David Lau talks with Matt Regan, President & CEO at Wealthcare. They discuss how Wealthcare’s powerful planning software, investment solutions, and hands-on support help advisors make the leap to independence and scale their businesses. He also offers valuable insights into emerging industry trends and how advisors can grow more efficiently in a competitive landscape. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

In this episode, DPL Consultants Joel Melchior and Jeffrey Oberg explore the world of Registered Index-Linked Annuities (RILAs). They discuss how RILAs work, how they compare to other financial products, and where they fit within a client's portfolio. Jeffrey also talks about the risks and benefits of RILAs and why they are the fastest-growing segment of the annuity market. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

In this episode of Advisor Revelations, Blake Phillips, Regional VP of Member Success at DPL, talks with DPL Internal Consultant Tyler Caummisar about MYGA ladders and why they are becoming a go-to strategy for advisors looking to optimize their clients' portfolios. From comparing MYGAs to traditional instruments like CDs and treasuries to understanding how laddering can diversify assets and mitigate interest rate risk, Tyler discusses how DPL's cutting-edge platform simplifies researching, purchasing, and managing annuities. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

In this episode, DPL Consultants Logan Cheatham and Joel Melchior talk about the new age of annuities. They discuss how annuities have evolved from high-cost, illiquid, and complex products to streamlined, low-cost, and transparent solutions that align better with modern client goals. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

In this episode, DPL Consultants Nate Johnson and Matt Robinson talk about spending trends and risk management in retirement. They highlight the complex nature of retirement planning due to individual needs and risk tolerances and discuss how the fragile decade, inflation, and longevity influence retirement plans. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

In this episode, DPL's Regional Vice President of Member Success, Kameron McRay, and Consultant, Logan Cheatham, discuss how financial advisors can utilize annuities more effectively in 2025. They discuss why commission-free annuities are gaining traction as a supplement or alternative to traditional fixed-income solutions, how to de-risk portfolios effectively, and the annuity products that generate efficient retirement income. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

In this episode, DPL's Regional Vice President of Member Success, Jackson Bradley, and Internal Consultant, Matt Robinson, talk about guaranteed lifetime income and long-term care solutions. They explore the difference between annuitization and lifetime income, tax treatments of lifetime income withdrawals, and long-term care enhancements. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

In this episode, DPL's Regional Vice President of Member Success, Blake Phillips, and RIA Consultant, Willie Jones, talk about annuities and their role in modern retirement planning. From understanding the history and purpose of annuities to exploring innovative fee-based solutions, Blake and Willie demystify common misconceptions and highlight how annuities can offer flexibility, principal protection, and guaranteed retirement income. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

In this episode, Ross McGoodwin talks with John Watson, Internal Sales Consultant at DPL, about Roth IRA and tax-free lifetime income strategies. They discuss how these strategies generate guaranteed lifetime income and provide clients with financial stability and emotional assurance. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

This week, Amy Arnett talks with Bret Riddle, Senior Advanced Design Analyst at Pacific Life. They discuss maximizing the federal estate tax exemption, current legislation, and how high-net-worth individuals can take advantage of temporary doubled exemptions before the Sunset Rule in 2026. They also explore advanced planning tools like spousal lifetime access trusts (SLAT) and the role of life insurance in wealth transfer. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

This week, Ross McGoodwin talks with Jack Csenge, Wealth Advisor at Csenge Advisory Group. They discuss the challenges advisors and clients face when dealing with complex annuity portfolios. Jack shares how DPL has revolutionized the process, offering a more streamlined and efficient approach. They also explore the benefits of using annuities as a component of a comprehensive financial plan, including increased equity exposure and guaranteed income. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.

This week, DPL Regional Vice President Jackson Bradley talks with Kim Miranda, Chief Operating Officer, and Kayla Van Dyke, Client Service Manager at Bellwether Wealth. Kim and Kayla share their experience transitioning from a broker-dealer to an independent RIA, the challenges they encountered, and the benefits of using DPL's Breakaway Accelerator Program. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.