Full Advisor Coaching - The Podcast

Hosted by Kristin Harad

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Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

Welcome to Full Advisor Coaching - the Podcast with Kristin Harad. In this podcast, we guide independent financial advisors and RIA leaders as they strive to reach new levels of success and fulfillment. Learn how to grow faster, set up systems, and overcome challenges in marketing, sales, practice management and more. Join us on this journey where we explore what it means to be an entrepreneur in the financial advice industry as Kristin draws from her expertise starting her own RIA and working with 100s more. Listen in as Kristin and her expert guests help you to "do more of what you love."

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60 recent

August 12, 202652 min

Going Deeper With Clients: The Discovery Process That Wins Trust (Ep. 64)

Do your clients actually know what they want, or are you building plans on goals they've never had the space to examine? Most advisors assume clients walk in already clear on their values and goals, but the truth is far foggier. In this episode, Amy Mullen, President of Money Quotient and a CFP® professional with over 20 years of experience training advisors in values-based financial life planning, joins Kristin to explain why discovery conversations stay surface level and how a structured process can help advisors earn client trust. Listen in to learn the five stages of the True Wealth Planning Process, why mirroring a client's values back to them may be the ultimate demonstration of fiduciary duty, and how legacy conversations and client community events can deepen relationships far beyond the numbers. Amy shares: Why advisors assume clients already know their values and goals, and what actually happens. How a structured process takes the pressure off the advisor to ask the perfect question. What each of the five stages of the True Wealth Planning Process accomplishes. Why mirroring a client’s values back to them demonstrates fiduciary duty. How a legacy plan becomes the filter for stalled estate planning decisions. Why client appreciation events built on connection outperform financial content. Resources: Xena Rising Retreat True Wealth Planning Process - Money Quotient No Rules Retirement - Money Quotient Introduction to Money Quotient Financial Therapy Association (Ep. 57) Loneliness in Leadership: Building Real Connection in a Remote World Connect with Amy Mullen: LinkedIn: Amy N. Mullen, CFP® MoneyQuotient.com Connect with Kristin Harad: LinkedIn: Kristin Harad, CFP® FullAdvisorCoaching.com Fulladvisorcoaching.com/resources X: KristinHarad Email: kristin@fulladvisorcoaching.com Schedule a Conversation with Kristin

July 29, 202635 min

How to Build a 90-Day Client Onboarding Experience That Earns Referrals

When a new client finally says yes, what happens next? Does your firm spring into action… or quietly go dark while the paperwork gets processed? In this episode, Kristin reframes client onboarding as more than an administrative box to check. It's one of the most overlooked growth strategies in a firm. Listen in to hear a real case study of the assets Kristin helped a firm build, from a one-page visual client journey to templated communications, team introductions, and a technology review meeting. You'll learn why proactive outreach matters more than portfolio performance in the early days, why the first 90 days matter, and how to systematize the whole experience so it happens the same way for every client, every time. Kristin shares: Why a firm full of onboarding paperwork can quietly cost you your next referral. How a simple one-page document erases most of a new client's anxiety on day one. Why clients are most likely to refer you in the first 90 days. What the biggest research firms say matters more than performance early in a relationship. Why going silent during the money transfer makes clients second-guess choosing you. How to systematize the whole 90 days so nothing slips through the cracks. Resources: How Financial Advisors Can Leverage Online Reviews (Ep. 35) How Do I Get from Busy to Better? | Monday Advice (Deep Questions Podcast with Cal Newport) Connect with Kristin Harad: LinkedIn: Kristin Harad, CFP® FullAdvisorCoaching.com Fulladvisorcoaching.com/resources X: KristinHarad Email: kristin@fulladvisorcoaching.com Schedule a Conversation with Kristin

July 15, 202646 min

Going Fully Independent: How to Build an RIA Around Your Ideal Client

What does it take to walk away from the safety net of a corporate RIA and build something that’s truly yours? In this episode, John Schwalbach and Jon Holmgren, partners at Freedom Financial Partners, join Kristin to share the real story behind their firm’s evolution from a broker-dealer to a corporate RIA to becoming a fully independent firm. Listen in as they open up about the fear of losing built-in compliance support, the “visionary and integrator” partnership that made the leap possible, and how zeroing in on one audience completely changed how they market, price, and serve clients. You’ll hear how an intimidating writing exercise Kristin calls a “manifesto” became the foundation of their entire brand, why they built their own app instead of buying an off-the-shelf tool, and what they’d tell any advisor sitting on the fence about going independent. John and Jon share: Why they left the comfort of a corporate RIA. What they were most afraid of giving up when they went fully independent. How their "visionary and integrator" partnership made the transition possible. The moment they committed fully to serving business owners instead of a broader client base. How they clarified their entire brand message. Why they built their own business owner assessment and mobile app instead of buying one. Resources: Business Owner Readiness Assessment Poised for Exit podcast Freedom Financial Partners LinkedIn Freedom Financial Partners Website Connect with Jon Holmgren: LinkedIn: Jon Holmgren Connect with John Schwalbach: LinkedIn: John Schwalbach Connect with Kristin Harad: LinkedIn: Kristin Harad, CFP® FullAdvisorCoaching.com Fulladvisorcoaching.com/resources X: KristinHarad Email: kristin@fulladvisorcoaching.com Schedule a Conversation with Kristin

July 1, 202626 min

How to Define Your Ideal Client for Business Development (Ep. 61)

Do you know exactly who you're trying to reach, or are you heading out into the world without a clear target? In this episode, Kristin walks through a practical framework for identifying your ideal client before you build your opportunity list. Listen in to learn how to narrow down your ideal client from your existing book of business, why focusing on problems instead of dollar amounts is a game changer, and how aligning your personal connections with your firm's strengths can unlock more natural and productive conversations. Kristin shares: Why clarifying your ideal client comes before building your list. How to use existing clients as a starting point. Why personality and values fit matter as much as financials. How natural markets and existing relationships can guide outreach. Why focusing on client problems beats chasing a dollar amount. How greater clarity makes outreach strategies easier to execute. Resources: (Ep. 5) The Art of Niche Marketing in Financial Advice with Kristen Luke (Ep. 49) Where to Start With Business Development (Ep. 54) The Next Wave of Growth for Financial Advisors with Hillary Gale Meehan Connect with Kristin Harad: LinkedIn: Kristin Harad, CFP® FullAdvisorCoaching.com Fulladvisorcoaching.com/resources X: KristinHarad Email: kristin@fulladvisorcoaching.com Schedule a Conversation with Kristin

June 17, 202637 min

How AI Can Give Financial Advisors 10 Hours a Week Back (Ep. 60)

Are you using AI to get time back or just finding new ways to stay busy? In this episode, Matt Halloran, Chief Evangelist at Zocks and author of Shut the F Up and Listen, joins the show to explore how AI note-taking tools are giving financial advisors real, measurable time back—and why most advisors don't know what to do with it when they get it. Listen in to learn the biggest barrier to AI adoption and how reimagining your daily routine can open the door to deeper client relationships, better well-being, and a more sustainable practice. Matt shares: Why financial advisors still face a public perception gap despite the depth of their work. How the great wealth transfer is pushing advisors to become whole-family advisors. Why advisors fill their freed-up time with busy work and the psychology behind it. How to move through the discomfort of change when AI disrupts your equilibrium. Why your tech stack determines whether AI is even a good fit for your firm. The Trade-Off Law: what you must be willing to give up to get what you truly want. Resources: Shut the F Up and Listen by Matt Halloran Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout by Cal Newport Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport Connect with Matt Halloran: LinkedIn: Matt Halloran Zocks.io/mattgpt Zocks.io Connect with Kristin Harad: LinkedIn: Kristin Harad, CFP® FullAdvisorCoaching.com Fulladvisorcoaching.com/resources X: KristinHarad Email: kristin@fulladvisorcoaching.com Schedule a Conversation with Kristin

June 3, 202646 min

Summer Strategy: Mid-Year Audit and Growth Planning for Financial Advisors (Ep. 59)

Is your firm actually growing, or has the busyness of the year been masking a lack of progress toward your real goals? Summer is more than a slow season. It's a 90-day window to step back, assess where you are, and set yourself up to hit the fall with momentum rather than scrambling to catch up. In this episode, we walk through five honest check-in questions every advisor and firm leader should ask at the halfway point of the year, plus a practical playbook for using the summer strategically. Listen in to learn why being busy and growing aren't the same thing, how to audit your time and pipeline before the fall rush begins, and what you can do right now to make sure September feels exciting instead of overwhelming. Kristin shares: Why being busy doesn't mean your firm is growing. How to assess if advisors are developing business or just servicing. Why your marketing may not connect to business development. How to build a real pipeline instead of waiting. Why auditing your calendar reveals your highest-value opportunities. How to batch-create content and build relationships before fall. Resources: (Ep. 7) Priorities, Productivity & Presence: The Art of Time Management (Ep. 22) Missing Out on Revenue: How to Maximize Your Lead-to-Client Conversion (Ep. 41) Building Talent Wealth in Your Firm with Kelli Cruz (Ep. 46) Why Hosting a Prospect Event Gets Your Team Moving (Ep. 49) Where to Start With Business Development (Ep. 51) The 3-Tier System for Smarter Referral Partnerships (Ep. 53) The Power of Personal Brand (Ep. 55) Building a Content System That Keeps Your Business Visible (Ep. 57) Loneliness in Leadership: Building Real Connection in a Remote World (Ep. 58) Building a Buyer-Centric Sales Process for Financial Advisors with Nancy Bleeke Noël Connect with Kristin Harad: LinkedIn: Kristin Harad, CFP® FullAdvisorCoaching.com Fulladvisorcoaching.com/resources X: KristinHarad Email: kristin@fulladvisorcoaching.com Schedule a Conversation with Kristin

May 20, 202650 min

Building a Buyer-Centric Sales Process for Financial Advisors with Nancy Bleeke Noël (Ep. 58)

Are you designing your sales process around what you prefer or around what your prospect actually needs to feel confident enough to say yes? In this episode, Nancy Bleeke Noël, Founder of Sales Pro Insider and creator of the Genuine Sales Training course, joins Kristin to flip the script on how advisors approach business development—because most prospects have never hired a financial advisor before and don't know how to do it. Listen in to discover why your sales process begins long before the first meeting and how small "trust deposits" can dramatically reduce prospect anxiety at every touchpoint. You'll hear practical strategies for structuring your meeting cadence, crafting a consolidation instead of a close, and turning more great conversations into clients. Nancy shares: Why the sales process starts before most advisors think it does. How to prepare prospects before they ever walk through the door. The power of small "trust deposits" in building confidence. How to design your meeting process around the buyer, not the advisor. Whether a one-, two-, or three-meeting process is right for your firm. Why a shared objective matters more than a meeting agenda. How to give prospects an "assignment" between meetings. The difference between a "close" and a "consolidation." How to check for readiness without creating pressure. Why leaving prospects in indecision is the greatest disservice you can do. Resources: Calendly Genuine Sales Training Sales Strategy Coaching Session (free 30-minute introductory coaching session) Connect with Nancy Bleeke Noël: LinkedIn: Nancy Bleeke Noël YouTube: Sales Pro Insider X: Nancy Bleeke Noël Email: nancy@salesproinsider.com SalesProInsider.com Connect with Kristin Harad: LinkedIn: Kristin Harad, CFP® FullAdvisorCoaching.com X: KristinHarad Email: kristin@fulladvisorcoaching.com Schedule a Conversation with Kristin

May 6, 202640 min

Loneliness in Leadership: Building Real Connection in a Remote World (Ep. 57)

When was the last time you felt truly connected to the people you lead? In today's episode, we unpack the growing reality of loneliness in leadership and the workplace, especially in a world driven by remote work and constant online connection. Listen in to learn why so many leaders feel isolated “at the top,” how loneliness is quietly impacting performance and well-being, and why being in a relationship-driven industry makes this even more important to address. You'll hear practical ways to rebuild connection, both for yourself and your team, and rethink how you show up as a leader to foster a stronger, more connected culture within your firm. Kristin shares: Why loneliness is rising despite constant digital connection. How leadership roles can amplify isolation. The impact of loneliness on performance and well-being. Why relationships are critical in business success. How remote work contributes to disconnection. Simple ways to create meaningful team connection. The value of in-person interactions. How to support employees experiencing loneliness. Why community matters more than ever. Practical steps to prioritize connection in your calendar. Resources: Women’s Retreat The Gathering Kitces Research 2025 Advisor Wellbeing study The Cigna Group: 2025 Loneliness in America Report Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community Connect with Kristin Harad: LinkedIn: Kristin Harad, CFP® FullAdvisorCoaching.com X: KristinHarad Email: kristin@fulladvisorcoaching.com Schedule a Conversation with Kristin

April 22, 202654 min

When You Should Transition to an RIA with Brad Wales (Ep. 56)

Is transitioning to the RIA model the right move for your practice, or could it hold you back? In this episode, you’ll hear what really drives advisors to consider making the switch, from the desire for greater flexibility to the potential for stronger long-term economics. Brad Wales, Founder of Transition To RIA, joins the show to break down the real motivations behind these decisions and explain why some advisors are running toward opportunity while others are running away from limitations. Listen in to learn when transitioning to an RIA might not be the right fit, what can hold advisors back from making the move, and how different career paths (like staying at a wirehouse) can impact your ability to grow and market your business. Brad shares: Why advisors consider transitioning to an RIA. The difference between running toward and away from change. Key economic drivers behind the RIA model. When transitioning may not be the right fit. What holds advisors back from making the move. How wirehouses can limit marketing opportunities. The three-step framework for transitioning to an RIA. The main pathways available for advisors. How big your practice needs to be. Why flexibility matters for long-term career growth. Resources: Scaling Without Sacrifice: Partnering for Smarter Growth with Michael Young Connect with Brad Wales: LinkedIn: Brad Wales Transition to RIA Connect with Kristin Harad: LinkedIn: Kristin Harad, CFP® FullAdvisorCoaching.com X: KristinHarad Email: kristin@fulladvisorcoaching.com Schedule a Conversation with Kristin

April 8, 202634 min

Building a Content System That Keeps Your Business Visible (Ep. 55)

You probably have plenty of content ideas… but do you have a system for turning them into consistent visibility? Without content flowing through your website, LinkedIn, and newsletters, you may as well have built a beautiful storefront on a dead-end street with no foot traffic. That's why you need a plan. In this episode, we talk about building an engine inside your business so content is consistently created, shared, and distributed. Listen in to learn how to set up a content calendar that organizes what gets published, when it goes out, and who owns it. You’ll also hear how to distribute content across blogs, social media, and newsletters, as well as how to create a simple submission process so your entire team can contribute. Kristin shares: Why most firms don’t have a content problem—they have a process problem. How to build a content engine inside your business. Why content shouldn’t be one person’s responsibility. How to create a content calendar that organizes everything. How to decide what content to produce. How to create a system for team members to submit content ideas. Why distribution is just as important as creation. How to use newsletters to stay connected with clients. Why consistency matters more than quantity. How content builds awareness and authority over time. Resources: Missing Out on Revenue: How to Maximize Your Lead-to-Client Conversion How to Create a Sustainable Content Calendar as a Financial Advisor The Financial Advisor's Guide to Repurposing Content Building Talent Wealth in Your Firm with Kelli Cruz Connect with Kristin Harad: LinkedIn: Kristin Harad, CFP® FullAdvisorCoaching.com X: KristinHarad Email: kristin@fulladvisorcoaching.com Schedule a Conversation with Kristin