Knowing Me, Knowing You

In this episode, I sit down with Natalie Taylor, CFP®, nationally recognized financial planner, fintech consultant, and founder of the Goodland Group, to explore what it really means to deliver advice that works in real life and not just on paper. With over 20 years in financial planning and a decade building inside fintechs like Learnvest, SoFi, Monarch Money, and Ellevest, Natalie brings a rare and refreshing perspective on what human-centered planning actually looks like in practice.We talk about why the "do it with you" model is the underserved middle ground that clients actually want, how defining a range of good decisions replaces the pressure of a single right answer, and why co-creating goals with clients leads to dramatically higher follow-through. Natalie also shares her "choose your regrets" framework for equity compensation decisions, how she uses base hit versus home run goal buckets to establish risk capacity, and why she sees goals not as a fixed destination but as an evolving container.If you are an advisor looking to move beyond the hundred-page plan and build relationships where clients actually implement the advice, this conversation will shift how you think about discovery, empowerment, and what it means to truly know your client.Connect with us! Marla Sofer on LinkedInKnomeeNatalie Taylor on LinkedInThe Goodland Group

In this episode, I sit down with Wesley Rowlands, partner and advisor at Atikan Wealth Partners, to explore a different approach to financial planning that starts with purpose, not products. With nearly two decades of experience and a deeply personal connection to the impact of money, Wes brings a perspective rooted in both technical expertise and lived experience.We talk about why most advisors start in the wrong place, how his education-first process changes the dynamic with clients, and why redefining risk is critical in today’s world of self-funded, multi-decade retirements. Wes also shares how behavioral finance, vulnerability, and values-based conversations create stronger, more meaningful client relationships.If you are looking to deepen your discovery process or rethink how you guide clients through complex financial decisions, this conversation will challenge you to focus less on tactics and more on understanding the person behind the plan.Connect with us! Marla Sofer on LinkedInKnomeeWesley Rowlands on LinkedIn Atikan Wealth Partners

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Daniel Crosby, psychologist, New York Times bestselling author, and Chief Behavioral Officer at Orion Advisor Solutions. Daniel has spent nearly two decades bridging the gap between academic behavioral science and the real-world work of financial advisors, and the conversation we had is one I know you'll return to again and again.We explore why behavioral finance has over-indexed on bias and what advisors are leaving on the table by ignoring the positive side of the ledger. Daniel breaks down the four meta-biases driving most financial mistakes: ego, emotion, attention, and conservatism, and why the most powerful use of behavioral science isn't a window onto your clients, but a mirror onto yourself. We also dive deep into his latest book, The Soul of Wealth, and what the research actually says about money, meaning, and human flourishing.If you're an advisor who wants to move beyond portfolio-centric conversations and connect with clients on what truly drives their decisions, this episode will give you both the science and the soul to do it.Connect with us! Dr. Daniel Crosby on LinkedInOrion Advisor SolutionsMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

In this episode, I sit down with Matt Goren, a driving force behind the modern financial planning education movement. As Chief Strategy Officer at Danko Education and director of curriculum at the Global Financial Planning Institute, Matt helps shape how the next generation of advisors learns, thinks, and serves clients across borders. We explore how psychology and behavioral finance fit into hands-on planning, why Cross-Border financial planning is more important than ever, and what it takes to train planners who can truly understand clients, not just crunch numbers. We also talk about how AI is reshaping education and client relationships, and why the human connection remains the centerpiece of great financial advice.If you’re involved in training, advising, or building financial relationships across countries, this conversation will challenge you to think bigger about who you’re serving and how you teach it. Connect with us! Marla Sofer on LinkedInKnomeeMatt Goren on LinkedIn

Financial institutions are great at planning for the predictable, but what happens when life doesn't follow the plan? A divorce, a medical crisis, a leaky roof. These are the moments that reveal whether the financial system was really built for the people inside it.In this episode, I sit down with Amanda Estiverne-Colas, Director and Head of Payments Practice at Proficient, founder of AGE Advisors, and one of fintech's most passionate advocates for fairness by design. Amanda has spent over 20 years working behind the scenes on the infrastructure, the plumbing, to expand access and build a financial system that actually listens to consumers.We explore why planning for the unplanned is the industry's biggest blind spot, how the Fair Digital Finance Framework is challenging institutions to embed transparency and inclusivity into their products, and why trust isn't just a nice to have. It's the foundation everything else is built on. Amanda also shares why empathy isn't soft, it's structural, and how community banks and credit unions are quietly modeling what the rest of the industry needs to learn. Plus, she pulls back the curtain on The Front Row, her Substack series bringing the conversations that happen outside the conference room to everyone who couldn't be there.If you're building financial relationships with clients, with communities, or with technology, this conversation will challenge you to ask, who are we building it for?Connect with us! Marla Sofer on LinkedInKnomeeAmanda Estiverne-Colas on LinkedIn

Every advisor knows the feeling. A promising prospect sits across from you, nods through the whole conversation, says it was helpful, and then disappears. Most advisors chalk it up to competition or timing. But what if the real problem happened before anyone walked through the door?In this episode, we explore why the moment that determines whether a prospect converts isn't the first meeting. It's the fragile space between curiosity and trust that comes before it. With organic growth in wealth management averaging around 2% in recent years and trillions of dollars shifting between generations, the stakes have never been higher. Yet most firms are still relying on first meetings to do the heavy lifting of discovery, connection, and differentiation all at once.We dig into what the research actually shows about advisor-client communication gaps, why generic discovery questions produce surface-level answers, and what the advisors who consistently convert prospects do differently. The answer isn't a better pitch. It's a better setup, one that helps prospects reflect before they ever sit down with you, so that the first meeting feels less like an intake and more like the beginning of a real relationship.Connect with us! Marla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

If you’re an advisor trying to grow your firm while still buried in the day-to-day of clients and operations, this episode will hit home. Steven Tenney has spent over three decades in wealth management, from building his own RIA to advising leaders on how to grow, scale, and create firms that last.In this conversation, Marla and Steven break down the shift most advisors never fully make: moving from technician to owner. They explore why succession planning gets ignored, and what it takes to build real, transferable value. They also unpack what actually drives durable growth: trust, team alignment, and client relationships that extend beyond a single advisor. Most firms are more fragile than they think, especially with massive generational wealth transfer and rising pressure to differentiate.This is a conversation about building something that endures.Why most advisors never build a business that outlives themThe risks in how firms handle client relationships and successionHow to scale without creating operational dragThe mindset shift from revenue to enterprise valueTune in, grab a copy of Steven’s new book, Succession Alpha, and connect with us! Steven Tenney on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steventenney/Marla Sofer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlasofer/Knomee: https://knomee.com/

Tim Hamilton has spent nearly two decades helping builders - entrepreneurs, founders, and high-growth professionals - navigate the complex side of wealth. From managing concentrated assets to life-changing events like home purchases, new children, or business exits, Tim helps clients align their financial decisions with their values, psychology, and long-term goals.In this conversation, Marla and Tim explore how AI and technology can make advisors more effective, why independence is resurging in wealth management, and how human empathy and behavioral insight create relationships that last. You’ll hear about serving complex clients, articulating your value as an advisor, and lessons from Tim’s own life that show wealth is about more than numbers, it’s about living in alignment with your purpose.Connect with us! Tim Hamilton on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-hamilton-financial-plannerCompound Planning: https://compoundplanning.com/Marla Sofer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlasofer/Knomee: https://knomee.com/

Shaun Williams started his career in one of the fastest environments in finance, trading options on the Chicago Board of Options Exchange. Then he did something a little off script for someone in that world: he stepped away from the trading floor and went out to see the world, eventually reaching all seven continents…without flying!His travel changed his beliefs about money. He paid attention to people, their stories, and the different ways they define a good life.Marla and Shaun talk about the trading floor, the trip that took him across the globe, and how his unique experiences shaped the way he works with families today. You won’t want to miss this conversation about values, financial planning, and building a fast-growing advisory business.Connect with us! Shaun Williams on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaunwilliams25/Paragon Capital Management - https://www.paragoncapitalco.com/Marla Sofer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlasofer/Knomee - https://knomee.com/

Most firms assume advisors leave for a bigger payout. That assumption is costing them.In this conversation, Shelby Nicholl shares what actually pushes advisors to make a move. Sometimes it’s compensation, but more often than not it is a slow drift from belonging, a lack of clarity about the future, or feeling undervalued despite driving revenue.Shelby sits at the intersection of where advisors are and where they want to go. She’s helped teams break away, launch RIAs, negotiate transitions, and rebuild practices from the ground up. What she’s seen is consistent: the advisors who thrive after a move aren’t chasing a check. They have a clear story about why they’re leaving and what will be better for their clients on the other side.This episode goes deeper than transition mechanics. It explores identity, purpose, compensation blind spots, and the subtle signals leaders miss before their best people start looking elsewhere. If you’re leading a firm, acquiring firms, recruiting advisors, building your own RIA, or just wondering what’s next, this conversation will challenge the story you’ve been telling yourself about why advisors move.Connect with us! Shelby Nicholl on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelbynicholl/Marla Sofer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlasofer/Knomee - https://knomee.com/

You cannot “move fast and break things” when you’re responsible for someone’s retirement, their kids’ education, or the business they built over 30 years. So why are so many advisors still borrowing playbooks from tech without asking what actually fits our industry?In this conversation, Jason Pereira pushes past the surface-level AI hype and gets honest about what changes and what doesn’t.Yes, large language models will eat the busy work. Yes, automation will reshape workflows. But the differentiator has never been speed. It has always been judgment, trust, and your ability to understand the human sitting across from you. Jason talks about the tension every firm feels: profit versus service, efficiency versus intimacy, growth versus depth. He makes a compelling case that you can hold both, if you design your business on purpose instead of stacking tools and hoping for magic.In an industry facing advisor shortages, generational wealth transfer, and rising client expectations, you cannot afford to keep guessing what drives action. Discovery has to get smarter, more structured, and more human at the same time.Connect with us! Jason Pereira on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pereirajm/Woodgate - https://www.woodgate.com/Marla Sofer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlasofer/Knomee - https://knomee.com/

Advisors are trained to solve technical problems, but most client relationships don’t strain at the technical layer, but at the emotional one.In this conversation, Marla sits down with behavioral finance expert Meghaan Lurtz, Ph.D., to explore the subtle difference between doing what’s efficient and doing what’s effective. Rules of thumb like the 4% withdrawal rate or six months of savings help simplify complex scenarios, but they also create anchors that can shape expectations and even create conflict.Together, they go through what happens when the advice becomes paternalistic and how small shifts in the meetings’ design can change the entire trajectory of a relationship. Because as investment management becomes more commoditized, understanding how your client wants to live dictates how they want to allocate. Behavioral finance becomes the differentiator in your practice.This episode is a reminder that portfolio construction may power the engine, but trust carries the relationship forward.Connect with us! Marla Sofer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlasofer/Knomee - https://knomee.com/Meghaan Lurtz on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghaanlurtz/

Clients walk into meetings informed now. They’ve read articles, run scenarios, and heard opinions from everywhere, yet many still leave unsure about what actually fits their life. That moment reveals where advice either deepens or flattens. In this conversation, Marla talks with Alex Potts, visionary CEO who scaled Loring Ward and Buckingham Strategic Partners to over $50B in assets, all while keeping the human side of wealth front and center. Through personal stories and hard-earned perspective, Alex explores how advisors earn trust when technology speeds everything up, but understanding still carries the relationship forward.Main takeawaysAI raises client expectations, which makes empathy, judgment, and context the parts of advice clients notice most.Advisors who grow without burning out keep learning about their clients over time instead of treating discovery as a one-time task.The strongest practices expand by paying attention to tension in a client’s life and responding with care, not by pushing more solutions.Connect with us! Marla Sofer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlasofer/Knomee - https://knomee.com/Alex Potts on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-potts-5aa2792/MCAP Ventures - https://www.mcapventures.net/

Think about how often growth introduces distance in the client-advisor relationships. More clients, more systems, more noise, and suddenly the conversations feel thinner even when the service is strong on paper. Advisors rarely lose clients because of performance, but they often lose them if context slips through the cracks. In this episode, Marla speaks with Jim Roth, a longtime leader in wealth management and fintech, about why this moment feels like a true inflection point for the industry. As AI becomes unavoidable, the question is no longer whether technology belongs in the advisory relationship, but whether it can be used to protect what matters most. Jim shares how firms can use AI to remove friction, surface insight earlier, and create space for more meaningful conversations, showing that scale and humanity no longer have to work against each other: they work together.Key takeaways:AI is most powerful when it removes the operational noise that keeps advisors from showing up fully present with clients.True listening happens through patterns, behavior, and timing, not just what clients say in meetings.Advisors who scale trust do it by carrying context forward, so clients never feel like they are starting over. Context and personalization are not trade offs anymore.Connect with us! Jim Roth on LinkedInAscentix PartnersMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

Whether you're acquiring a firm, merging teams, or preparing for succession, the thing that tends to crack first is trust.In this solo episode, Marla unpacks what really causes client relationships to weaken during transitions, even when deals are clean, teams are capable, and the messaging is polished. The first signs? Diminished engagement. Missed growth targets. Clients saying they’re fine while quietly disengaging.This episode goes beyond operations to address the behavioral risk that acquiring firms often overlook: how client confidence falters when the person they trusted most steps back, and the firm doesn't have the emotional insight to pick up where they left off.Learn how leading firms are de-risking advisor transitions, retaining relationships, and creating scalable continuity by embedding behavioral awareness into onboarding, handoffs, and team expansion. Whether you're in M&A, building for succession, or onboarding acquired clients, this episode offers tactical insight to preserve trust and drive post-transaction growth.Connect with us! Marla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

Every year brings new tools, new language, and new promises about growth, and last year was no different. Advisors adopted AI, expanded their services, and refined their processes, but many firms still felt a sense of sameness creeping in. The question became harder to avoid. If the offerings look similar, where does differentiation actually come from?In this solo episode, Marla shares a simple three-part playbook shaped by conversations with hundreds of advisors. It starts with rethinking discovery as a relationship, then moves to capturing insight in a way that travels across the firm instead of living in someone’s memory, and it ends with turning those insights into timely action that clients can feel.This is less about reinvention and more about intention. Small, repeatable shifts that help advisors show up with more relevance, more consistency, and more humanity, even as their businesses grow. Connect with us! Marla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

After an exit, money stops behaving like a simple scorecard and starts to carry a different weight, one that brings freedom and pressure at the same time. That tension runs through this conversation with Sriram Gollapalli, as he reflects on what it means to suddenly hold responsibility for capital, choice, and long-term consequences all at once. IThat experience is exactly why he founded Long Angle, a private, peer-driven community of nearly 7,000 high-net-worth individuals who wanted a place to talk openly about the things money creates but rarely makes it easier. What started as a few friends comparing notes after liquidity became a trusted space for real conversations: how to invest, how to spend, how to give, how to think about purpose, and how to live with confidence when there’s no longer a clear playbook. While the community spans every topic wealth touches, the most active and resonant discussions center on money itself, not as a product or strategy, but as a lived, emotional, and deeply personal experience.Our discussion explores peer conversations, longer time horizons, and self-direction once familiar structures fall away, especially when access to information alone doesn’t guarantee confidence, and when even well-resourced individuals find themselves questioning whether the decisions they’re making truly fit their lives. Community, trust, and perspective surface again and again, not as strategies, but as anchors, shaping how risk, spending, and purpose are approached when the stakes feel deeply personal.Join us and leave with a clearer picture of how people tend to think after liquidity.Connect with us!Sriram Gollapalli on LinkedInMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

This episode will challenge everything you've been taught about pitching your services. It’s not about what you offer, but about how clients feel. If you’re still leading with your planning process, it’s time you realize that your clients don’t care…until you speak to their emotions first.If you've ever fumbled through the “what do you do?” question or watched a prospect's eyes glaze over mid-pitch, this one’s for you. Kathleen Kingsbury brings the mindset shift advisors must make to connect with what clients actually want.Kathleen cuts right into a challenge most advisors have faced during their career: the words they use to describe their value almost never match what clients are actually looking for. Advisors lean into plans, deliverables, and process, while clients come with anxiety, uncertainty, and the hope that someone will help them feel confident. She explains that you bridge the gap by reflecting the client’s concern first, and not on the fancy words you would like to use to describe your service. The doses of humbleness and reality we all need. Connect with us! Kathleen Burns Kingsbury on LinkedInKBK Wealth ConnectionMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

Emily Rassam has spent nearly two decades listening to people talk about their money, their fears, their dreams, and the hidden stories that shape their decisions. Over time, she began to notice something: the most transformative part of planning had nothing to do with the spreadsheets or the calculation, but with the moment someone felt understood. That moment changed their comfort, their clarity, and their willingness to move forward.In this conversation, Emily shares the path that shaped her as a planner, from thousands of early 401(k) conversations to building a fully virtual practice where tech creates more room for connection instead of replacing it. The best part? She opens up about the clients who have changed her, the conversations that stay with her, and why documenting emotional data is as essential as holdings and transactions to helping her business grow.Connect with us! Emily Rassam on LinkedInMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

Peter Renton, fintech pioneer, founder of Fintech Nexus, and host of the industry’s longest-running fintech podcast, has seen the space grow from peer-to-peer lending experiments into a force reshaping financial lives. But it was a personal moment of uncertainty, not a business milestone, that revealed what most advisors still miss.In this episode, Peter shares why behavior remains at the core of financial decisions, and why today’s clients expect more than product advice. He recalls the advisor who stayed close, even when he didn’t meet her minimums, and how that simple act revealed the real drivers of trust, timing, and lasting loyalty.For advisors, his insights offer a roadmap for how discovery, technology, and human understanding must now work together to meet rising expectations.Connect with us! Peter Renton on LinkedInRenton and Co on LinkedInMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

Women walk into divorce with far more on their shoulders than the paperwork suggests. Many carry decades of family history, silent expectations, and an emotional weight that shapes the choices they make.Tatiana Sunik has spent nearly twenty years guiding women through some of their most vulnerable moments, and she understands how layered those decisions can be. She knows how easy it is for women to sign documents they barely had time to process, and how much confidence can bloom when someone finally slows down and creates a safer space for clarity.Her story is one of deep empathy shaped by her own transition through divorce, her work as a Certified Financial Planner, and her commitment to helping women see their strength again. She carries a perspective that reminds advisors what thoughtful guidance looks like: compassion, patience, and listening closely.This episode of Knowing Me, Knowing You with Tatiana Sunik is about how much an advisor can transform a woman’s journey when they lead with understanding. Join us!Connect with us! Tatiana Sunik on LinkedInForum FinancialMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

Jackie Shoback has had a front-row seat to some of the biggest inflection points in financial services, from scaling during the explosive growth years at Staples to leading digital transformation at Fidelity and TIAA during moments that redefined how we build trust with clients.Now, as co-founder and managing director of 1414 Ventures, Jackie is investing in the next wave: technologies that use digital identity to make financial interactions more human, secure, and inclusive.In this episode, she shares why identity is the next frontier in client trust, how technology can unlock access for underserved communities, and what advisors need to thrive in a world where personalization and protection go hand in hand. Jackie’s insights are especially relevant to our Knomee community, where we believe real-time understanding and behavioral insight can elevate the client-advisor relationship into something far more meaningful.Whether you're a forward-thinking advisor or a fintech builder, this episode will challenge how you think about trust, identity, and the future of advice.Connect with us! Jackie Shoback on LinkedIn1414 VenturesMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

Dr. Pat Boulogne has spent decades helping high-performing professionals realign their health with their purpose, because she knows it’s almost impossible to plan confidently while running on empty. In this episode of Knowing Me, Knowing You, she and Marla explore the powerful link between physical well-being and financial clarity, including the habits that strengthen every decision-making process, or the mindset that keeps people grounded through life’s transitions.The conversation reminds us that clients’ financial readiness often mirrors their overall wellness, because when people feel centered, they plan with conviction. Connect with us! Dr. Pat Boulogne on LinkedInHealth Team NetworkMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

When Patricia Lizarraga started her career on Wall Street, there were zero women CEOs in the Fortune 500. Today, there are fifty. Progress is happening, but Patricia’s mission is to make it accelerate.As the founder and Chief Investment Officer of Hypatia Capital, she built the WCEO ETF to prove what the data already shows: companies led by women outperform their peers. Her journey is focused on creating visibility, gaining access, and changing the system so that success isn’t limited by bias or tradition.In this conversation, Patricia and Marla explore what it means to invest in leadership that reflects our shared values, why the myth that women don’t support women is outdated, and how community, collaboration, and trust create the foundation for growth. They also touch on the deeper message for wealth managers: when you understand what drives a client, when you listen with curiosity and empathy, connection becomes your greatest advantage.Connect with us! Patricia Lizarraga on LinkedInHypatia CapitalMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

Phil Weiss never planned to become a life planner. He started his career in tax at Deloitte, helping corporations move money across borders, but after watching his own family struggle with financial hardship and loss, he realized that what most people need is support from someone who truly listens, rather than new strategies and products.Today, as founder of Apprise Wealth Management, Phil helps women in transition find clarity and confidence during life’s most difficult moments. He aims to speak less than 20% of the time in client meetings, relying on listening and empathy to guide each conversation instead.In this episode, Phil and Marla talk about how life planning transforms financial advice, the role of behavioral insights in building trust, and how tools like Knomee are helping advisors turn self-discovery into lasting client relationships.Connect with us! Phil Weiss on LinkedInApprise Wealth ManagementMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

What if financial advisors approached their clients like doctors approach sick patients, with a goal of listening and understanding first, and only then moving on to diagnose and treat? It’s a movement that is catching on, and author Tony Steuer is here for it.In this episode, Tony shares why he started the Get Ready Movement, what advisors can learn from doctors, how the financial industry can be more inclusive, and why good advisors know that it all comes down to asking the right questions.Connect with us! Tony Steuer on LinkedInTony Steuer websiteMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

The perception that financial planning is “just for rich people” hurts both prospects and advisors. With the help of AI and fintech innovators like Knomee, Louis Barajas believes financial planning can help underserved communities now more than ever.Louis did his dad’s tax returns in pencil when he was 15 because his father could barely speak English and didn’t know he needed to file taxes. After that, Louis committed to learning everything he could about finances so he could help underserved people like his father achieve what he refers to as “financial dignity.” Since then, he has written five books on finance, founded his own financial firm, and now serves on the CFP® board and stars in the series “Opportunity Knocks” on PBS. In this episode, Louis shares how he found his way out of poverty only to return to his community to serve others, how advisors can follow his lead, and how a chance meeting with a famous stranger in a coffeeshop in 1990 changed the course of his life forever.Connect with us! Louis Barajas on LinkedInLouis Barajas, Inc.Marla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

ESG —Environmental, Social, and Governance— is a dirty word. “Socially Responsible Investing” never really caught on. It’s enough to cause socially minded advisors and investors to throw up their hands. What’s next for advisors who want to provide clients with a values-driven option? In this episode, we sit down with Nick Flores, Partner at Capricorn Investment Group, as he explains how impact investing has picked up where ESG left off and what makes it different – and why he believes the practitioners of ESG dug their own graves.Connect with us!Nick Flores on LinkedInCapricorn Investment GroupMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

“I’m not a therapist, how can I help my clients work through their issues with money?” With the rise of behavioral finance and younger generations seeking more emotional support, this question is becoming more and more common among advisors. Enter Nathan Astle, founder of the Financial Therapy Clinical Institute. In this episode, we discuss Nate’s journey to becoming a financial therapist, why advisors can no longer ignore the emotional side of finance, and how to help your clients address deep-rooted issues around money. Connect with us! Nathan Astle on LinkedInFinancial TherapyMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

What do you get when you combine AI, the great wealth transfer, and more women controlling money than ever before? According to Molly Weiss, Group President of Wealth Management Platform at Envestnet, you get the perfect moment to transform how the financial industry operates and serves individuals. Molly is the first to admit that the next few years may feel a little scary, but she sees plenty of reasons to be optimistic. In this episode, we talk about how technology has redefined what client personalization looks like, how the value of an advisor has shifted, and how to leverage tech to make your client experience more human than ever. Connect with us! Molly Weiss on LinkedInEnvestnetMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

What if larger financial firms sought to understand their advisors the way advisors seek to understand their clients? Steph Condra shares how this approach has landed Wellington-Altus the top spot on the “Top-Rated Investment Dealer in Canada” list six years in a row. As the Chief Experience Officer at Wellington-Altus, Steph walks us through how their advisory discovery process mirrors their client discovery process and helps create a culture of respect, appreciation, and collaboration. She also talks about why she believes behavioral finance is the only differentiator left in the business, (and don’t miss her story about how the price of peanut butter led to a lesson in anchoring for her mother!).Connect with us! Steph Condra on LinkedInWellington-AltusMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

In 1993, Pat Sweeny decided he wanted to be a different type of advisor. Rather than focus on his commission and selling mutual funds, he founded an RIA that was focused on financial planning and helping clients understand how to be more successful investors. Little did he know that three decades later, his RIA would be managing more than $8 billion, and financial planning and behavioral finance would become the norm in the industry rather than the exception.In this episode, Pat talks about his decisions over the years, what he sees as the only differentiators in the industry now, why he believes we’re in a golden age of financial advice, and how behavioral finance changes everything. Tune in to hear the whole conversation!Connect with us! Patrick Sweeny on LinkedInApella WealthMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

What if wealth management didn’t just serve the wealthy?Laura Combs is flipping the script on who gets access to high-quality financial advice. As Executive Managing Director at Mercer Advisors and co-founder of its Wealth Path Group and InvestHERS initiative, Laura is on a mission to make comprehensive, values-aligned financial planning accessible, whether you’re managing $10,000 or $10 million.In this episode, Laura shares how she “fell into finance” during the 2008 crisis, why she believes every client deserves a family office experience, and how her personal mantra, “Go for it,” has shaped her bold leadership style.From empowering emerging investors to building a nationally recognized community for women in finance, Laura is proving that inclusive wealth management is the future of the industry.✨ Tune in to hear how she’s leading the charge toward a more equitable and impactful financial system.Connect with us! Laura Combs on LinkedInMercer AdvisorsMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

Tina Powell refuses to quit.Nearly three years after being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, she’s still in the fight for her health, and for the health of the industry she inspires. Today, as Chief of Community at Intention.ly, Tina leads by example, showing advisors how to tell authentic stories that power better lives.In this episode, Tina shares why she believes community and connection are the most powerful forces shaping wealth management right now, the lessons she’s drawn from her personal health journey, and why she’s creating AI clones of her colleagues.This is a conversation about resilience, reinvention, and the future of advice you won’t want to miss.Connect with us! Tina PowellIntention.lyMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

ETFs have leveled the playing field for advisors and investors alike. Funds that were once available only to the largest firms are now available to anyone. In this episode, we talk to Elisabeth Kashner, VP and Director of Global Funds Research and Analytics at FactSet.She led research at ETF.com, where she authored extensively on strategic beta, ETF classification, efficacy, and robo‑adviser portfolio exposures. She’s also a founding co‑head of the San Francisco chapter and Speakers Bureau of Women in ETFs, reinforcing her leadership in advancing diversity and thought leadership in the ETF industry. In this rich, deeply informed conversation, Elisabeth explains why ETFs remain one of the most powerful and efficient tools for advisors, from rigorous due diligence frameworks to advanced tax optimization and trading strategies. You’ll gain clarity on how to navigate the crowded ETF landscape with intel grounded in unmatched research and industry visibility.Connect with us! Elisabeth Kashner on LinkedInFactSetMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomeeKnomee, Wealth management, 

Grace Belangia believes in the power of entrepreneurs so deeply that she frequently refers to entrepreneurship as “the backbone of democracy.” That’s why she’s dedicated her life to helping entrepreneurs bring their visions to life through her company, Make Startups.In this episode, Grace shares her thoughts on catalytic philanthropy, why she wishes more women thought of themselves as investors and more men thought of themselves as philanthropists, and the three things entrepreneurs need to succeed (and none of them are money). Tune in to hear the full conversation!Connect with us! Grace Belangia on LinkedInMake StartupsMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

When Rich Walker founded Quik!, he set out to tackle one of the most frustrating inefficiencies in wealth management: endless paperwork. Twenty-three years later, he is still on that mission, now with AI as his ultimate tool to make paper forms a thing of the past.In this episode of Knowing Me, Knowing You, Rich shares how he went from IBM intern to financial advisor to tech founder, building a solution that manages over 42,000 forms and generates 1.2 million each month for wealth management firms nationwide. But his story is not just about software. It is about privacy, trust, and designing technology that actually serves people.We explore how AI is powering Quik!’s next chapter, from extracting and structuring data across any type of form to creating dynamic, TurboTax-like digital experiences for clients. Rich also opens up about his leadership philosophy, the cultural shift required to embrace AI, and his vision for giving clients more control over their own financial data.If you are an advisor, fintech innovator, or client tired of processes that belong in another decade, this conversation will show you what the future of forms and client engagement could look like..Connect with us! Rich Walker on LinkedInQuik!Marla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

Capital Gives You Wings: Jennifer Povlitz on Wealth, Purpose & Generational ImpactWhen UBS Global Wealth Management U.S. Vice Chair Jennifer Povlitz talks about money, she’s really talking about possibility. Drawing on wisdom from her grandmother, “Capital equates to influence, and you can use that influence for good,” Jennifer makes the case for a new era of wealth management that starts with knowing who you are, not just what you earn.In this episode of Knowing Me, Knowing You, Jennifer and Marla explore:Why the coming $30 trillion wealth transfer is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for womenThe 4 most common—and avoidable—wealth transfer “surprises”How digital tools are making estate planning and client discovery more personal and less intimidatingThe link between success and significance in defining your financial legacyWhether you’re an advisor, a wealth holder, or planning for the next chapter, Jennifer’s insights will inspire you to align your capital with your purpose and create impact that lasts for generations.🎧 Listen now and start building the plan that reflects who you are.Connect with us! Jennifer Povlitz on LinkedInUBS Wealth ManagementMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

When it comes to leveraging AI to scale financial services, you’d be hard-pressed to find a bigger proponent than Sandeep Mangaraj, co-founder and managing partner of Aileron Group. The data problem of the financial world has always been a sticking point. The avalanche of disorganized data with no easy way to analyze and access it has left financial professionals scratching their heads for decades now. Enter AI. As Sandeep sees it, generative AI is on the verge of a massive breakthrough that will lead to better data utilization than ever before. Tune in to hear this exciting conversation!Resources Mentioned in This Episode:Aileron GroupConnect with us! Sandeep Mangaraj on LinkedInMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

Harry Mamaysky gets the feeling that a lot of advisors aren’t keeping up with the latest research – or any research at all, for that matter. And he’s not here to blame advisors! The financial industry is incentivized to attract new clients, which is typically best accomplished by emotional appeals rather than academic research. Is it possible to apply investment best practices and still meet the emotional needs of every prospect and client? Tune in for a fascinating discussion with Harry Mamaysky, a professor at Columbia Business School and the co-founder of QuantStreet Capital in New York. Resources Mentioned in This Episode:QuantStreet’s SubstackConnect with us! Harry Mamaysky on LinkedInMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

Some days, the mountain is Everest, and other days, it’s just keeping up with your mammogram appointment. No matter what it is, you need clarity to recognize it. And to climb it! Cokie Cox, our guest on this episode of Knowing Me, Knowing You, knows a bit about that.During the week, Cokie is a financial advisor who helps women navigate the challenges that come after divorce. On weekends, she climbs mountains. Literally. Every day, she lives by the Perfect Day philosophy: do everything with intention and never lose sight of what matters most. She has authored two books, founded two nonprofits, won Woman CEO of the Year, and climbed the 7 Summits of the world.This is a conversation about how wealth managers grow by talking about goals, plans, and impact, but also a reminder that you are capable of more than you think. You don’t want to miss this discussion!Connect with us! Cokie Cox on LinkedInAlphavest.comMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

In today’s fast-changing wealth landscape, differentiation is survival. Abby Salameh, Chief Growth Officer at RFG Advisory, believes that every advisor has a story worth telling and that it has nothing to do with the services they offer. To build a brand that drives growth, advisors should align their personal story with the feeling they want to evoke in clients and prospects. With three decades in advisor marketing, Abby breaks down what most firms get wrong about branding (it’s not the logo), why intentional referrals still work, and how women and next-gen clients are reshaping the future of advice. You’ll walk away with clear guidance on how to tell a compelling story that cuts through the noise, builds trust, and turns your values into a scalable business.This episode is a must-listen for advisors looking to grow, transition, or future-proof their practice.Connect with us! Abby Salameh on LinkedInRFG AdvisoryMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

“I remember meeting with a financial planner, and feeling talked down to, not feeling empowered.” When women feel heard, seen, and genuinely supported, they are capable of anything. Caterina Rando is an expert community builder. She empowers women to reach their full potential. As an entrepreneur and trusted leader, she shares insights and tips to help wealth managers connect more meaningfully with women as they come into $30T in the next five years. Caterina has helped thousands of women by listening with intention. She models the type of client engagement wealth managers are desperate for in their practices. Listen in for Caterina’s story of humor, heart, and wisdom, and to learn from a master in women’s community building. Connect with us! Caterina Rando on LinkedInJoin Thriving Women in Business CommunityMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

This July 4th, we celebrate freedom & purpose, and honor the people who have dedicated their lives to protecting it.Lieutenant Colonel Richard Comitz served in the U.S. Army for over 20 years.West Point grad. PhD in organic chemistry. Army professor. Strategic ops leader.And then?He was expected to start over.Veterans like Richard carry a rare combination of discipline, resilience, and proven high stakes leadership. But when the uniform comes off, they’re handed uncertainty without a playbook for civilian life.Richard didn’t back down.He stepped into a new mission: helping others navigate the same challenge.Today, he leads American Corporate Partners (ACP), a national nonprofit connecting veterans and their spouses with mentors across 100+ of America’s top companies.“Mentors have helped me get through countless situations in my life,” he told me. “Now I help others build that same network, at one of the most critical transitions they’ll ever face.”ACP has already supported 21,000+ veterans, and under Richard’s leadership, it’s expanding partnerships with businesses, government, and military leaders alike.I’m delighted to know Richard and to amplify his important message on the Knowing Me, Knowing You podcast. The future of wealth demands that we envision financial services and wealth management, in particular, as another form of service, one rooted in trust, leadership, and solving human problems.🎧 Richard’s story is one of humility, honor, and purpose.The call to serve doesn’t end. It evolves.Honor those who have given their lives to our country by listening to this podcast and amplifying it in your own network.This episode will challenge you to think differently about experience, transition, and second acts.Richard Comitz on LinkedInAmerican Corporate PartnersMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

The best financial plan doesn’t start with what you have, but with who you are. And that’s exactly the kind of plan Jessica Gibbs, CFP® and partner at Monument Wealth Management, helps her clients build. In this episode of Knowing Me, Knowing You, she shares how it all begins with simple questions and honest conversations, until they get to what matters the most to each of them. Family time, freedom to be where you want to (or leave from where you don’t), supporting causes you care about.No matter what it is, Jessica incorporates it into a meaningful plan. But she also goes beyond the financial part and reminds us that it’s okay not to have all the answers right away, as long as you are willing to look for them. It takes time, it requires courage, and it might even be uncomfortable for some, but that’s where clarity begins. If you have ever wished you had more control over your financial future, this episode is a great starting point. Connect with us! Jessica Gibbs, CFP® on LinkedInMonument Wealth ManagementMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

If you’re juggling 80 different software platforms to run your advisory practice, you’re not alone. As crazy as it sounds, it's the reality one advisor shared with Taylor Matthews, Founder of Farther, before joining their platform.In this episode, Taylor shares how Farther simplifies wealth management with fully integrated technology. Farther allows advisors to deliver family office caliber client experiences, leaving the technical operations to their centralized team.Taylor emphasizes the importance of building authentic relationships to understand client motivations, goals, and needs. Technology is only a tool. When these data points are clearly and consistently captured, advice becomes more valuable, client relationships become more resilient, and advisory businesses grow. Tune in to hear how Farther empowers financial advisors to do more of what they do best: connect with clients.Connect with us! Taylor Matthews on LinkedInFartherMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

Nicole Casperson doesn’t believe women lack confidence with money. She believes they’ve been written out of the story.As a journalist-turned-founder of Fintech is Femme, Nicole has spent the last few years reframing the narrative that surrounds women in finance. From growing her newsletter to 50,000 fintech insiders in under a year to launching packed-out leadership summits, she’s created a platform where women’s financial stories take center stage. No diversity label needed.In this episode of Knowing Me, Knowing You, we discuss how she’s using media, entrepreneurship, and a growth mindset to rewrite the rules. She talks candidly about the bias she saw in newsrooms, how building something personal builds real trust, and why relatability is what truly resonates. We also explore how embracing abundance (even when it feels risky) can change your entire trajectory.Connect with us! Nicole Casperson on LinkedInFintech is FemmeMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

Sonja Strzoda built her career in global asset management, advising boards, executives, and investors for over 25 years. She has seen what financial security looks like behind the scenes and why so many people, especially women, still feel unprepared or uncertain when it comes to their own money. Now, after stepping away from corporate life to serve on boards like WISE and the California Financial Educators Council, she helps others find the clarity and confidence to lead financially empowered lives.In this episode, Sonja shares why true financial readiness begins with self-awareness. It is not just about budgeting or investing. It is about understanding your “why,” the emotional root behind every decision. She explains how financial literacy creates options, freedom, and the power to move through life on your own terms. Whether you are navigating a life transition, rebuilding after loss, or simply trying to build better money habits, this episode is a reminder that financial confidence is possible and deeply personal.Connect with us! Sonja Strzoda on LinkedInMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

Kendra Thompson led wealth management strategy in roles at Accenture and Deloitte Canada, giving her a front-row seat to what Fortune500 broker-dealers, banks, insurers, and retirement firms were planning behind closed doors… and what didn’t work. She’s seen the boardroom disbelief, the resistance to change, and the industry’s failure to meet the needs of women, next-gen clients, and anyone who didn’t fit the mold. Now, as founder of Epok Advice, she’s rewriting the rules.In this conversation, Kendra shares why the future of wealth management won’t be won by the flashiest apps or the longest list of products, but by the firms that learn to truly listen. Forget rigid risk profiles and static data models. Real discovery, she argues, comes from conversations that evolve to honor emotion, memory, and the complexity of human decision-making.We dive into:Why the most defensible value in wealth is now the advice itself (rather than differentiated products or performance)What’s breaking down inside the largest institutions. And what’s being rebuilt in its placeHow firms can scale advice without losing the soul of the relationshipHow technology should be used to support and scale human adviceAnd why it’s no longer a question of if change is needed, but how fast you can moveThis episode explores what it means to deliver advice that scales without losing its soul. We talk about technology that supports, not replaces. We unpack the importance of breaking silos so advice feels consistent across every touchpoint. And we ask: who gets left behind when financial guidance only serves those with wealth to manage?Connect with us! Kendra Thompson on LinkedInEpok Advice WebsiteMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee

He helped a lesbian artist escape persecution and launch an international career. What does that have to do with wealth management? Everything.In this unforgettable episode, Rod Sayegh, Chief Digital Officer at Fiduciary Trust and co-founder of one of the first LGBTQ artist residencies in the U.S., shares how using money with purpose changed lives, including his own. One artist was ready to give up. Another fled for her safety. Both found not just refuge, but transformation.Rod brings that same intentionality to financial technology. Because behind every account is a person with fears, dreams, and a definition of success only they can define. The job of technology? Make space for that truth.Rod reveals how he’s helping advisors move beyond generic advice and into deeply human conversations. Conversations where clients feel safe naming what they’re afraid of and excited to shape their future. It’s not just digital transformation. It’s emotional transformation, powered by data, trust, and design that listens.If you think financial planning is about performance reports and retirement projections, this episode will change the way you see everything.Connect with us! Rod Sayegh on LinkedInFiduciary Trust InternationalMarla Sofer on LinkedInKnomee