Are you ready to delve into the emotional side of money, enhance your practice, and forge deeper connections with your clients? The Human Side of Money Podcast offers actionable ideas and strategies to empower financial advisors with the skills needed to excel in understanding the behavioral aspects of finance. Join Chief Behavioral Officer Brendan Frazier as he shares invaluable insights, tips and strategies. Subscribe now to elevate your practice and client interactions!
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Most Advisors are not lacking discipline. They are lacking capacity. In this episode, Brendan Frazier explores a common frustration inside advisory businesses. You know what needs to get done. You have clear priorities. But by the end of the day, the most important work is still unfinished. Instead, your time gets consumed by emails, meetings, and unexpected requests. That pattern is not a personal failure. It is a structural issue. Brendan reframes the challenge by showing that this is not real...
Most financial decisions aren’t math problems. They’re emotional. In this episode, Brendan Frazier sits down with Parul Somani to break down why traditional decision-making frameworks fail when uncertainty is high and emotions are involved. Parul shares her personal story of navigating a cancer diagnosis just days after giving birth and how that experience forced her to rethink how decisions are made. Instead of relying only on data and logic, she introduces the “Path of Least Regret” framework,...
Most Advisors don’t struggle because they aren’t working hard enough; they struggle because their business hasn’t been intentionally designed to scale. In this episode, Brendan Frazier shares a powerful lesson from Ray Kroc, the visionary behind McDonald’s expansion, and how his approach to business transformation applies directly to Advisory firms. Kroc didn’t grow the business by improving the product; he transformed it by simplifying operations, creating consistency, and building systems that...
Most financial planning is built around goals. Goals like: Retiring at 60 Spending more time traveling Leaving a legacy through philanthropy But there’s a structural flaw in that model: human beings are notoriously poor predictors of their future preferences. What we think will make us happy at 60 often looks very different once we get there. Yet as Advisors, we routinely ask clients to define long-term goals without fully pressure-testing the assumptions behind them. In this episode, Meghaan Lu...
When you’re thinking about making a move to a new firm, there’s always a lingering question: “Will my clients come with me?” You think they will, but there’s no way to know for sure. In this episode, Brendan Frazier shares a practical four step framework to help Financial Advisors confidently communicate a firm transition while maximizing client retention. You’ll Learn: Why client attrition is as much emotional as it is financial How to communicate a firm transition so clients are retained and t...
Most of your clients’ financial planning goals don’t fail because they’re unrealistic. They fail because behavior hasn’t changed. In this episode, Brendan Frazier breaks down why clients struggle to follow through and achieve their most important financial goals and what Advisors can do to change that. If you want to help your clients maximize the likelihood of accomplishing their goals, you have to understand the psychology of goals. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why understanding motivation m...
This year’s “Best of” episode is a highlight reel of the most impactful, yet practical strategies discussed in this year’s Human Side of Money podcast episodes. These strategies are designed for Financial Advisors who want human-centric steps they can implement into their business’ growth plan. What You’ll Learn: Why generic “don’t worry” emails can backfire How a repeatable framework can help calm anxious clients How efficiency could harm the client experience How to deepen client trust between...
Most Advisors build plans around numbers. Emily Rassam builds them around people. In this episode of The Human Side of Money, Brendan sits down with Emily Rassam, Partner and Senior Financial Planner, to explore how she infuses purpose and emotion into every aspect of the planning process. Emily’s approach goes beyond spreadsheets and projections. It’s about helping clients clarify their values, align their decisions, and live intentionally with their wealth. The conversation goes deeper into he...
At 38, Rick Foerster became financially independent after helping build a healthcare startup that went public. By every external measure, he had “enough.” But internally, he felt restless, disoriented, and unsure of what came next. In this candid conversation, Rick and Brendan Frazier explore what happens on the other side of enough, when financial freedom collides with the deeper human questions of identity, belonging, and purpose. Rick shares how he went from chasing the next big venture to in...
Winning more clients and creating a more client-centric planning experience requires a shift. A shift away from the numbers. A shift towards the human. In this episode, Tim Maurer, Chief Advisory Officer at Signature FD shares his insights on building a human-first approach to transform both your prospecting and your planning. Instead of relying on advisor-driven presentations, Tim focuses on connecting with what truly drives people – values, stories, and emotions – so that clients feel ownershi...
Shannon Harris, managing partner at Ecclesiastes Wealth Partners, discusses her transformative journey from traditional financial planning to values-based advice, including a complete firm rebrand. She explains how blending financial expertise (IQ) with emotional intelligence (EQ) reshapes client conversations, utilizing a simple exercise to uncover clients' top five values. This approach helps clients align spending, make significant financial decisions, and even drives marketing strategies, leading to both quantitative and qualitative benefits for her practice and clients.
In this episode, Fritz Gilbert, founder of The Retirement Manifesto, unpacks the often-overlooked non-financial side of retirement. He discusses the four psychological phases retirees experience, emphasizing the "lost and loss" phase, and offers practical guidance on preparing for the emotional transition. Through personal stories, including his wife's journey to purpose, Fritz highlights the critical role of curiosity and experimentation in designing a truly fulfilling life after work, alongside strategies for confidently shifting from a saving to a spending mindset.
What if the most important trust-building moments with clients aren’t during meetings, but actually in between them? It turns out that your communication between meetings ( texts, emails, calls, etc.) can significantly impact trust, satisfaction, and client retention. In this conversation, Dr. Megan McCoy shares her breakthrough research on the power of between-meeting communication and how Advisors can create a “web of support” plan to help improve trust, satisfaction and client retention. You’...
Driven by a profound personal tragedy, Tony Hixon shares how traditional financial planning often overlooks the emotional readiness critical for retirement fulfillment. He details the Refocus Coaching Academy, an innovative program incorporating a life coach and four emotional pillars to help retirees discover new meaning, identity, and purpose, ensuring a future bigger than their past. This holistic approach transforms client outcomes by addressing the human side of money.
What if your onboarding process could become your most powerful referral engine? Most advisors overlook onboarding as a strategic growth tool—and that’s a mistake. In this episode, Brendan Frazier sits down with Libby Greiwe, founder of The Efficient Advisor, podcast host, and author of The First 100 Days: The Advisor’s Blueprint for a Remarkable Client Experience. Libby walks through how to assess your current process, design it around your clients’ emotions, and shift their experience from unc...
The most common mistake advisors make with prospects? They deliver a logically-driven pitch showcasing all the ways they can help. But, prospects make decisions with the emotional part of the brain. And, that’s why logical pitches fall on deaf ears. Stacy Havener, Founder and CEO at Havener Capital Partners, has raised billions for boutique asset managers, and she did it with words, not numbers. Her story-driven method taps into something most pitches miss: emotion. If you want to connect with p...
In part two of the conversation on the human side of retirement, Brendan Frazier and Dan Haylett delve deeper into Dan's retirement planning workbook exercises. They discuss how these exercises help clients understand their non-financial motivators, fears, and goals beyond just money. The conversation then shifts to the critical challenge of helping retired clients transition from a saving mindset to spending, exploring behavioral strategies, reframing cash flow, and leveraging the optimal 'go-go' years.
Retirement is a complex, human problem, not just a math equation. Guest Dan Haylett discusses how work provides more than money, offering crucial connections and structure that need replacing in retirement. He introduces his Retirement Planning Workbook, a tool using exercises beyond finance to help clients explore purpose, identity, and relationships, ensuring they can spend their money meaningfully and thrive in their post-work life.
Financial planning is a service-based business. You’re selling the invisible. It can’t be seen, touched or experienced before buying. Prospects are forced to search for other ways to evaluate the value of working with you (most of which are NOT great options to inform such an important decision!). Fortunately, Michael Lecours, a financial advisor and co-founder of fpPathfinder, joined the show to explain the challenges of communicating the value of an intangible service and share specific ideas ...
The conversations you have with clients during uncertain markets are the most important you’ll ever have. Helping them safely and confidently navigate times like these is likely the single most important thing you’ll ever do… If you know how to do it! In this episode, Brendan walks through a 4-step framework to equip you with everything you need to confidently guide your clients through uncertain markets You’ll Learn: The critical mindset shift you must make before these conversations What goes ...
Most advisors know they need to integrate the human element into their practice. But, it’s hard to decide WHAT to do and HOW to do it. Fortunately, Danielle Howard has successfully studied, tested and integrated the human element into her practice for over 30 years. And, through those years of learning and testing, she built the “Journey of Financial Health” process. In this conversation, Danielle reveals the steps of this process and how it helps her uncover client’s mindsets, beliefs, and iden...
Talking about money remains one of the most challenging topics for many, often shrouded in silence and taboo. Why do we hesitate to engage in money conversations, and how can financial advisors help break this cycle? Join Brendan Frazier as he chats with Kathleen Burns Kingsbury, the mastermind behind KBK Wealth Connection and author of “Breaking Money Silence.” Together, they delve into why we’re so reluctant to talk about money and offer actionable steps to conquer these barriers. You’ll Learn...
Financial advice is no longer just about offering services—it’s about creating real, meaningful experiences for clients. Because an experience unlike any other is the difference between a one-time sale and a lifelong client. You want to create experiences so exceptional that your clients aren’t even interested in hearing about an alternative. And, they can’t wait to tell their friends and family about it. Fortunately, Dennis Moseley-Williams is a client experience guru and explains how to elevat...
David Armstrong, co-founder of Monument Wealth Management, discusses their unique approach to attracting ideal clients through authentic messaging and a
Tom Pendergast shares his personal journey through retirement, revealing the unexpected challenges and identity shifts he faced after leaving a structured career. He discusses how financial planning supported his decision, but the non-financial aspects, like boredom and finding new purpose, proved more complex. Tom recounts his experiments with part-time work, hobbies, and travel, highlighting the importance of intentionality and flexibility in creating a meaningful retirement. He also touches on the value of a financial advisor for peace of mind and shared financial planning with his wife, Sarah.
We all know that true wealth goes far beyond money. Yet, we all act as though money is the ultimate end game. Like when your client says, “Once I get to $_____, then I’ll be ready.” But money is simply a tool to fund the life you want to live. And once you know how to use it, it’s a powerful tool for enhancing your happiness, meaning and fulfillment. But what are the ways that money can buy happiness? How can you use money to feel more fulfilled? Fortunately, Dr. Daniel Crosby is a leading exper...
As Betterment’s Director of Behavioral Science, Dan Egan knows that understanding human behavior is key to your client’s financial success. But knowing that’s true and knowing what to do about it are two different things. There are a lot of opinions thrown around in the behavioral finance space on what works and what doesn’t. And you probably don’t want to “test” some of these ideas on clients you hope to work with for 10-30 years. For years, Dan has been testing behavioral finance interventions...
The Human Side of Money in 2024: Released 24 episodes Delivered 1,933 minutes of content on the human side of advice Inside those 24 episodes and 1,933 minutes lie countless ideas, insights, and nuggets that will do two things: Enhance and enrich your clients’ lives and forever change the trajectory of your business and career. But, there were certain ideas inside each episode and conversation that delivered more impact than others. Certain insights and nuggets that move the needle a little bit ...
“If you’re not relevant, you’re ignored. If you’re not compelling, you’re forgotten.” Bill Cates, the “OG” of relationship marketing, knows that genuine connections are the heart of a thriving and growing practice. But with technology constantly reshaping how we connect, how do you still leverage a human connection? For decades, Bill has mastered the art of building trust, creating relevance, and fostering relationships that lead to referrals. And, in this episode, he shares the 3 R’s of relatio...
Meir Statman, a trailblazer in behavioral finance, says: “Financial well-being underlies life well-being.” Advisors know their clients want to feel happy and fulfilled and make decisions aligned with their values. But weaving that into financial advice? That’s the challenge. And, that’s the next frontier for behavioral finance. Meir has witnessed every generation of behavioral finance up to this point. And, in this episode, he shares how advisors can prepare their clients and their practice for ...
