Always On for Financial Advisors Podcast
If you are a Financial Advisor committed to continually working on yourself and your business, this podcast is for you. Always On is dedicated to and features relentlessly innovative, ambitious, and balanced Financial Advisors who are motivated by personal and professional plateau avoidance. Join host Duncan MacPherson, best-selling author, thought leader, speaker, Business Coach, and CEO of Pareto Systems, as he interviews some of the top business professionals today.
Creating a Practice Built to Last with Scott Kline
What if the greatest test of your business isn’t how well it performs when you’re there, but how well it performs when you’re not?
Scott Kline, a top-performing Edward Jones financial advisor in Grand Rapids, Michigan, found out the hard way. A few years ago, a life-changing health diagnosis forced him to cut his availability by 40% and rethink the way his practice runs. What followed wasn’t a story about slowing down. It became a masterclass in leadership, succession, risk management, and building a business driven by process rather than personality.
Duncan and Scot...
Don’t Pitch It, Position It with Chris Reynolds (Ep. 102)
Most advisors talk about alternative investments the way they’d talk about any new product: something to explain, justify, and hope the client buys into. Chris Reynolds says that’s exactly the wrong way to think about it.
Chris has spent nearly three decades building one of the industry’s most respected investment firms and becoming, in Duncan’s words, one of the financial advisor’s greatest advocates. As Executive Chair of IPC Wealth, author of The Six Circle Strategy, and host of his own podcast, Turning the Page, Chris has a front row seat to where the indust...
NextGen Advisor Excellence with Alex Murphy
The old rule was simple: earn your stripes the hard way, then make the next generation earn theirs too. Alex Murphy thinks that rule is exactly what’s holding the industry back.
As Chief Operating Officer at Cedarwood Financial Partners and host of the Beyond the Trees podcast, Alex helped found Cedarwood in 2022 with a vision to bring a family-focused approach to business and life. That philosophy shows up everywhere in his work, from how he mentors advisors just starting out to how he thinks about scaling a practice without losing what makes it personal.
Jo...
From Clients to Legacy with Chris Jeppesen
What if the greatest opportunity to grow your business isn’t finding more clients, but creating more value for the ones you already have? In this milestone 100th episode, Duncan MacPherson explores how advisors become indispensable by deepening relationships and becoming the first call long before money goes into motion.
Join Duncan MacPherson for a milestone conversation with Chris Jeppesen, head of the advisor consulting group at First Trust Portfolios and, fittingly, the very first guest this podcast ever had. Duncan and Chris take the Pareto Principle a level deeper, the 80-20 within the 20, exploring how advisors ca...
The Mystery of the Double A
Why do some of your best clients, the ones with real revenue and a great attitude, never actually refer you to anyone? Terry Gronbeck-Jones calls this the mystery of the double A, and in this episode, he joins Duncan MacPherson to finally solve it.
Join Duncan MacPherson for an in-depth conversation with Terry Gronbeck-Jones, a business development consultant who has been coaching financial advisory teams since the late 1990s, the majority of that time spent at Pareto Systems. Terry and Duncan have known each other for nearly forty years, and this marks Terry’s return to Always On...
The Future of Advisor Value with Matt Doran
Two forces are converging right now that will define which advisors become indispensable and which ones become obsolete. One is artificial intelligence. The other is alternative investments. Duncan MacPherson calls them the two AIs, and in this episode, he and Matt Doran break down exactly what each one means for the future of advisor value.
Join Duncan MacPherson for a wide-ranging conversation with Matt Doran, Leader of Advanced Planning at &Partners, a rapidly growing wealth management firm supporting over 112 practices and approximately $52 billion in prehire assets. Matt brings more than 20 years of experience as a CFP and...
Get Known or Get Left Behind with Mitch Slater
What if the single biggest threat to your practice isn’t the market, isn’t AI, and isn’t the competition? What if it’s simply being invisible?
Join Duncan MacPherson for an in-depth conversation with Mitch Slater, Executive Director of Digital Communications at UBS and self-described Chief Visibility Officer. With a career that began working alongside Larry King in all-night radio and later spanning 37 years as a financial advisor, Mitch brings a rare and battle-tested perspective on what it takes to get known in today’s marketplace. Together, they explore why AI and shifting client expectations are reshap...
The Hidden Cost of Serving Everyone
What if the biggest obstacle to growth isn't finding new clients, but trying to serve everyone the same way?
With Duncan MacPherson away this week, Pareto coaches Jason Westover and Mike "Cy" Cajthaml Jr. take the mic for a practical conversation on one of the most common challenges facing financial advisors today: overwhelm. Drawing on their experience coaching advisory teams across North America, they explore how poor time allocation, unclear priorities, and ineffective client segmentation can quietly limit growth, profitability, and client experience.
Together, they discuss why top-performing firms are becoming more intentional about who...
The Future of Client Connection with Linda Sherman
What if the biggest opportunity in financial advice isn’t finding new clients, but going deeper with the ones you already have?
Join Duncan MacPherson as he sits down with Linda Sherman, co-founder of Financially Empowered and creator of the “Go There, Ask Her” strategy, to talk about why so many female clients feel disconnected from financial conversations and what advisors can actually do about it.
Linda shares practical approaches to building trust with women clients through goals-based planning, better communication, and genuine emotional intelligence. They also get into why women are often the driving force...
The Evolution of Financial Advice with Steve Sanduski
Your clients don’t want a portfolio manager. They want someone who’ll catch them when they fall.
That’s the truth most advisors are too busy chasing alpha to hear, and it’s exactly why Duncan MacPherson sits down with industry legend Steve Sandusky in this episode.
Steve climbs mountains, and he’s spent decades teaching advisors that the most important rope in their practice isn’t tied to the markets. It’s the belay: the quiet discipline of holding the line so your client can keep climbing without fear of the fall. Get that right and...
The Hidden Growth Lever with Elaine Christakos
Duncan MacPherson is joined by Pareto coach and team dynamics specialist Elaine Christakos for a practical conversation on one of the most overlooked drivers of growth in financial advisory businesses: building and leading a high-performing team. Together, they explore the shift from advisor to CEO, where leadership, delegation, and structure become the real drivers of … Continue reading The Hidden Growth Lever with Elaine Christakos (Ep. 93) →
Wealth with a Purpose with Kimberly Safoyan
What does it look like when a financial advisor builds a practice around purpose, not just profit? Join host Duncan MacPherson as he sits down with Kimberly Safoyan, founder of Anchor Wealth Management Group in Palm Desert, California, and a seasoned advisor within The Wealth Consulting Group (WCG), affiliated with LPL Financial. Kimberly shares how … Continue reading Wealth with a Purpose with Kimberly Safoyan (Ep. 92) →
Why Elite Advisors Think Differently
Most financial advisors are really good at their job, and that might be exactly what’s holding them back! Duncan MacPherson is joined by Pareto coaches Jason Westover and Mike “Cy” Cajthaml Jr. for a candid, high-level conversation on what the best financial advisors are doing right now to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry. … Continue reading Why Elite Advisors Think Differently with Jason Westover and Mike “Cy” Cajthaml Jr. (Ep. 91) →
The Financial Advisor’s Long Game with Brad Johnson
What will separate the advisors who thrive over the next decade from those who get left behind? Join Duncan as he sits down with Brad Johnson, co-founder of Triad Partners and host of the Do Business. Do Life. podcast, for a wide-ranging conversation on what it truly takes to build a sustainable, future-ready advisory business. … Continue reading The Financial Advisor’s Long Game with Brad Johnson (Ep. 90) →
How to Win Liquidity Events with Roger Silk
What if your client could sell a highly appreciated asset without triggering capital gains tax? And what if you were the advisor who made that possible? In this episode of the “Always On Podcast,” host Duncan McPherson sits down with Roger Silk, the CEO and co-founder of Sterling Foundation Management. They discuss the evolving role … Continue reading How to Win Liquidity Events with Roger Silk (Ep. 89) →
The Financial Advisor’s Blind Spot with Natasha Kennedy
Nearly 90% of heirs leave their parents’ financial advisor. The real risk in the Great Wealth Transfer is not market volatility. It is irrelevance. Join Duncan MacPherson as he speaks with Natasha Kennedy, Pareto-certified coach and family legacy specialist, for a timely conversation on the greatest risk facing financial advisors during the great wealth transfer. … Continue reading The Financial Advisor’s Blind Spot with Natasha Kennedy (Ep. 88) →
Built to Sell: The Financial Advisor’s M&A Playbook with Scott Danner
In this episode of the Always On podcast, Duncan speaks with Scott Danner, CEO, author, and advisor to enterprise-level leaders, for a fast-paced conversation on what every financial professional needs to know about the accelerating wave of M&A activity. Scott breaks down why enterprise value has become the ultimate scorecard in today’s advisory landscape, how … Continue reading Built to Sell: The Financial Advisor’s M&A Playbook with Scott Danner (Ep. 87) →
Moving Upstream: Scaling Up Your Business with Robert Montella
Join host Duncan MacPherson and his guest Rob Montella of First Trust as they discuss moving upstream in client engagement, emphasizing the need to understand client needs and enhance services through advisory councils. Rob shares insights from his time at Goldman Sachs and First Trust, highlighting the importance of adapting strategies for high-net-worth clients. Rob … Continue reading Moving Upstream: Scaling Up Your Business with Robert Montella (Ep. 86) →
Be a Business Owner, Not Just a Financial Advisor with Frank LaRosa
In this episode, Duncan MacPherson sits down with Frank LaRosa, CEO of Elite Consulting Partners and host of Advisor Talk with Frank LaRosa Podcast, for a powerful conversation about navigating transitions in the financial services space. Frank shares his experience helping financial advisors make meaningful and measurable moves, whether scaling up, going independent, or rethinking … Continue reading Be a Business Owner, Not Just a Financial Advisor with Frank LaRosa (Ep. 85) →
Navigating Transitions: The Financial Advisor Flight Plan with Jeff Ambrose
In this episode of the Always On Podcast, host Duncan McPherson sits down with Jeff Ambrose to discuss the “advisor flight plan.” This strategic framework is designed to help financial advisors transition smoothly to new environments. Jeff shares his expertise on the evolving financial landscape and the importance of aligning professional settings with personal and … Continue reading Navigating Transitions: The Financial Advisor Flight Plan with Jeff Ambrose (Ep. 84) →
AI-Powered Leadership for Advisors: Habits, Culture, and Workflows
In this Always On episode, Duncan MacPherson and Chris Jeppesen, Chief of Advisory Practices at First Trust, cut through the noise to show how modern financial advisory leadership blends clear operating rhythm, role clarity, and intentional culture, with AI as a practical tool to compress research, sharpen meeting prep, and turn ideas from books like … Continue reading AI-Powered Leadership for Financial Advisors: Habits, Culture, and Workflows (Ep. 83) →
The Mentor-Protégé Dynamic: Building the Advisor of the Future with Sten Morgan
In this episode of Always On, Duncan MacPherson sits down with financial advisor and entrepreneur Sten Morgan, author of The Seven Mindsets of Success. Together they explore the shifting demographics of the industry, the power of the mentor–protégé dynamic, and how younger advisors can break free from outdated models. Sten shares candid lessons from his … Continue reading The Mentor-Protégé Dynamic: Building the Financial Advisor of the Future with Sten Morgan (Ep. 82) →
Scaling Smart: Process, People and the Promise of AI with Kevin Bishopp
Join Duncan MacPherson as he reconnects with Kevin Bishopp, Vice President at First Trust, to explore the four key stages in an advisor’s business evolution: growing, teaming, scaling, and exiting. They unpack how AI is reshaping productivity, client experience, and enterprise value, and why execution and process are the real differentiators for future-ready professionals. Highlights: … Continue reading Scaling Smart: Process, People and the Promise of AI with Kevin Bishopp (Ep. 81) →
Levelling Up Your Business with Chris Garcia
How do you build a business that grows without losing its soul? Find out as Duncan MacPherson sits down with Chris Garcia, Private Wealth Advisor and CEO of The Azimont Group, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Chris shares how he evolved from a solo advisor into a multi-advisor enterprise by … Continue reading Levelling Up Your Business with Chris Garcia (Ep. 80) →
Scalable by Design: Lessons in Intentional Growth with Jimmy Lee
Explore the intersection of leadership, scalability, and client impact through Duncan MacPherson’s compelling conversation with Jimmy Lee, Founder and CEO of The Wealth Consulting Group, and an advisor who operates at both the strategic and client-facing levels of his firm. Together, they unpack what it takes to build a business that is both transferable and … Continue reading Scalable by Design: Lessons in Intentional Growth with Jimmy Lee (Ep. 79) →
Engineering a Sale-Ready Business with Eric Boyce and Kelly Griggs
What if your business could grow, evolve, and even be sold… without being dependent on you? That’s exactly what Eric Boyce and Kelly Griggs of Boyce & Associates Wealth Consulting are building. In this episode, they unpack how they’ve methodically engineered their business for scalability and succession, turning ideas from The Blue Square Method into … Continue reading Engineering a Sale-Ready Business: The Playbook behind Boyce & Associates’ Success with Eric Boyce and Kelly Griggs (Ep.78) →
The Power of Reviews: Unlocking Advocacy and Compliance with Whit Lanier
In this episode of the Always On Podcast, Duncan MacPherson sits down with Whit Lanier, CEO and Co-founder of Amplify Reviews, to unpack the growing role of client testimonials in financial services. As trust continues to shift online, reviews have become more than just social proof, they’re a scalable strategy for activating advocacy, attracting ideal … Continue reading The Power of Reviews: Unlocking Advocacy and Compliance with Whit Lanier (Ep. 77) →
Volatility, Value, and Vision: How Leading Advisors Are Winning in Changing Times
In this episode of Always On, Duncan MacPherson welcomes back Chris Jeppesen, Chief of Advisory Practices at First Trust, for a timely conversation rooted in real-world field experience. As volatility continues to test the industry, the best financial advisors aren’t retreating, they’re leaning in. Duncan and Chris unpack how the most effective teams are embracing … Continue reading Volatility, Value, and Vision: How Leading Financial Advisors Are Winning in Changing Times (Ep. 76) →
Bridging Money and Meaning: Dr. Amy D’Aprix on Purpose-Driven Financial Advice
In this episode, Duncan sits down with Dr. Amy D’Aprix, a certified gerontologist, life transition expert, author, and the founder of LifeBridge Strategies to talk about how financial professionals can go beyond the numbers and deepen their client relationships. Amy has spent decades helping advisors bring more empathy, purpose, and relevance into their process. Our … Continue reading Bridging Money and Meaning: Dr. Amy D’Aprix on Purpose-Driven Financial Advice (Ep. 75) →
Mastering Referrals, Systems, and Endgame Preparation with Peter Velardi
In this episode of The Always On Podcast, host Duncan MacPherson sits down with Peter Velardi, founding partner at JPTD Partners, to discuss the essential systems financial advisors need to scale their businesses, optimize referrals, and maximize enterprise value for a successful exit. In this episode, you’ll learn: The three-phase approach to business growth: survival, … Continue reading Mastering Referrals, Systems, and Endgame Preparation with Peter Velardi (Ep. 74) →
Unlocking Growth in Financial Services with Paul Blanco: Small Steps, Big Wins
In this episode, Duncan MacPherson speaks with Paul Blanco, CEO of Barnum Financial Group and host of the “Small Steps, Big Wins” podcast. Paul shares insights into cultivating a growth mindset, avoiding plateaus, and the importance of working on your business, not just in it. He discusses how his firm has scaled from 9 to … Continue reading Unlocking Growth in Financial Services with Paul Blanco: Small Steps, Big Wins (Ep. 73) →
Empowering Financial Advisors: Strategic Tax Planning with Catherine Tindall
In this episode Duncan sits down with Catherine Tindall, CPA and founder of Dominion Enterprise Services. Catherine specializes in tax optimization strategies for financial advisors, offering insights into minimizing tax burdens, enhancing practice efficiency, and unlocking enterprise value. Key takeaways from this conversation include: Tax Efficiency as a Strategic Lever: How optimizing your tax approach … Continue reading Empowering Financial Advisors: Strategic Tax Planning with Catherine Tindall (Ep. 72) →
Bridging Wealth and Legacy: Preparing the Next Generation with Dr. Karen Weisgerber
In this episode, Duncan MacPherson sits down with Dr. Karen Weisgerber, a seasoned expert with over 30 years of experience in wealth creation and inheritance. As a faculty member of the Institute for Preparing Heirs and a thought leader in wealth transfer and philanthropy, Dr. Weisgerber dives into the most pressing concerns facing affluent families … Continue reading Bridging Wealth and Legacy: Preparing the Next Generation with Dr. Karen Weisgerber (Ep. 71) →
Making the American Dream a Reality: A Conversation with Sathya Chey Patterson
In this episode of the Always On Podcast, host Duncan MacPherson engages in a profound and inspiring discussion with Sathya Chey Patterson CFP®, Esq., AIF®, Managing Partner at Arise Private Wealth. Recognized as a 2023 Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisor and a 2024 AdvisorHub Advisors to Watch, Sathya shares her incredible journey from adversity to … Continue reading Making the American Dream a Reality: A Conversation with Sathya Chey Patterson (Ep. 70) →
AI in Financial Services: Unlocking Potential and Future Opportunities with Kevin Bishopp
In this episode, Duncan MacPherson and Kevin Bishopp dive deep into how artificial intelligence is reshaping the financial services industry. From optimizing client communication to enhancing business efficiency, they unpack the immense potential AI offers to financial professionals. This forward-thinking discussion explores practical steps advisors can take to integrate AI tools into their practices and … Continue reading AI in Financial Services: Unlocking Potential and Future Opportunities with Kevin Bishopp (Ep. 69) →
Aligning for Success: Choosing the Right Environment for Your Advisory Practice with Mindy Diamond
In this episode, Duncan MacPherson sits down with Mindy Diamond, founder and CEO of Diamond Consultants, to explore the pivotal question every advisor grapples with: Should I stay or should I go? Mindy shares insights from her latest book, “Should I Stay or Should I Go?”, which isn’t merely a guide on moving firms but … Continue reading Aligning for Success: Choosing the Right Environment for Your Advisory Practice with Mindy Diamond (Ep. 68) →
Elevate Your Practice – The Power of a Partial Book Sale with Ted Jenkin
Join host Duncan MacPherson as welcomes back serial entrepreneur Ted Jenkin, CEO of Oxygen Financial and President of Exit Stage Left Advisors. Together, they explore the powerful concept of a partial book sale and how it can help financial advisors grow upmarket by refining the client relationships they manage. They discuss why letting go of … Continue reading Elevate Your Practice – The Power of a Partial Book Sale with Ted Jenkin (Ep. 67) →
The Lost Art of Client Events – Creating Unforgettable Moments with Angela York & Elyse Stoner
Duncan MacPherson sits down with Angela York and Elyse Stoner from Event Advisors to discuss the lost art of client events and how financial professionals can reinvigorate their approach. As they explore the comeback of in-person gatherings, Angela and Elyse share strategies for designing meaningful, memorable, and measurable client experiences. Listeners will learn about the … Continue reading The Lost Art of Client Events – Creating Unforgettable Moments with Angela York & Elyse Stoner (Ep. 66) →
Purpose-Driven Practice: Elevating Client Experiences with Rob Brown
Building meaningful client relationships is essential for long-term success in financial services. How can you enhance client experiences and ensure lifelong fulfillment while delivering unmatched value? This week, Duncan MacPherson is joined by Rob Brown, Founder of the Truest Fan Coaching and co-host of The Purpose-Focused Advisor podcast. They explore the significance of purpose in … Continue reading Purpose-Driven Practice: Elevating Client Experiences with Rob Brown (Ep. 65) →
The Power of Personalized Gratitude: Building Client Loyalty with Cathi Durrell
Join Duncan as he sits down with Cathi Durrell, co-founder of Lavish Cards, to discuss the power of personalized gratitude in building lasting client relationships for Financial Advisors. Discover how sending customized cards to clients can enhance your client retention strategies, foster loyalty, and increase client advocacy. Cathi shares insights from her 12+ years of … Continue reading The Power of Personalized Gratitude: Building Client Loyalty with Cathi Durrell (Ep. 64) →
