Retirement Inside Out with Tom Lamendola

Hosted by Financial Independence Group

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148

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Are you ready for some thoughtful discussions about how to meet and exceed the rigors of today's retirement industry? Join host Tom Lamendola, Chief Marketing Officer for Financial Independence Group, for a deep dive into the demands of today's retirement industry. Each episode, Tom will lead a thoughtful discussion with leaders in the financial arena to create a unique show that's designed to serve both financial professionals and everyday investors. Financial Independence Group (FIG) has been a leader in the financial services space for more than 40 years. Tom Lamendola joined FIG in 2017 and has been responsible for growing high performing teams and challenge organizations to reach their potential for more than 15 years. Questions for Tom? Want to be a guest? Inquire at tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com or by calling 800-527-1155.

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60 recent

November 6, 202622 min

How Life Insurance Fits Into Today's Financial Plan with Dave Henry

Life insurance may be one of the most overlooked tools in a modern financial plan. Today, Tom sits down with Dave Henry, Executive Vice President of Life Insurance, to look at how the industry is changing, from faster underwriting and better technology to new ways advisors can incorporate insurance into retirement, income protection, and wealth-transfer strategies. As the new year approaches, the opportunity may be less about becoming an insurance expert and more about knowing when life insurance belongs in the conversation. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 📈 Industry Trends: Different segments are moving differently ⚙️ Faster Underwriting: Technology is improving the process 🎯 Advisor Advantage: Better predictability helps set expectations 📚 Re-Education: Learn how insurance works today 🧩 Planning Integration: Use insurance inside broader strategies 🚀 Looking Ahead: More personalized advisor support with FIG Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com 800-527-1155

October 16, 202623 min

Stop Losing Business for the Wrong Reasons with Paul Carpenter

What if stronger client relationships start with changing the way you communicate? In this episode, Tom is joined by Paul Carpenter, sales coach and trainer at SERVEFIRST, to explore how understanding human dynamics can help advisors build trust and connect more effectively. Tune in to learn the importance of recognizing personal blind spots and adapting communication to better serve clients and teams. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🧠 Producer Insights : Understand your own communication style 📈 Business Growth: Apply insights across the practice 🗣️ Communication : Avoid speaking past your audience 🔄 Adaptability : Adjust without losing authenticity 🤝 Motivation : Frame ideas around client priorities Resources for this episode: Connect with Paul: https://www.paulcarp.com SERVEFIRST: https://zoneinsights.thinkific.com Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com 800-527-1155

October 2, 202628 min

Building a Scalable Advisory Business with Paul Carpenter

What if growing your practice wasn't about finding more leads, but making every conversation count? In this episode, Tom is joined by Paul Carpenter, sales coach and trainer at SERVEFIRST, to discuss how advisors can build more effective, scalable practices. They explore the mindset and process behind stronger client conversations and a more efficient path from first appointment to lasting relationships. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 📈 Scaling Practices: Build a repeatable sales system 🔢 Know Numbers: Track conversion and closing rates 🎤 Seminars : Attract prospects with real concerns 🎯 Qualification: Focus on the right-fit families 🧠 Communication: Match messaging to personality styles Connect with Paul: https://www.paulcarp.com SERVEFIRST: https://zoneinsights.thinkific.com Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com 800-527-1155

September 11, 202628 min

The Market Looks Strong- But What's Under the Surface? Featuring Tony Parish

The economy and markets may look strong on the surface, but Tony Parish says investors and advisors should pay close attention to what's happening underneath. In this episode, Tom talks with the AlphaStar Capital Management CIO about how taking too much risk - or too little - can create problems for investors. Tony also shares his perspective on the massive wave of AI spending and why long-term opportunity doesn't eliminate short-term uncertainty. The biggest advantage may not come from predicting the next headline, but from having a plan built to withstand whatever comes next. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: ⚠️ Concentration Risk: Why a small group of companies is driving an outsized share of market returns 👥 Consumer Spending: How a relatively small group of households is influencing the broader economy 📱 Younger Investors : Reaching the next generation through digital content and long-term investing conversations 🛡️ Annuity Role: Where downside protection can fit alongside stocks, bonds, and other assets ⚖️ Risk Balance: Understanding the dangers of both too much risk and too little 🧭 Planning Discipline: Focusing on the factors investors can actually control 🤖 AI Boom: Why today's massive spending could create both major winners and major disappointments Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com 800-527-1155

February 13, 202623 min

State of the Markets 2026: Golden Era or AI Bubble with Tony Parish

Markets have delivered powerful returns, but strong momentum can sometimes mask underlying vulnerabilities. Tom sits down with Tony Parish, CIO at AlphaStar Capital Management, to unpack where the economy stands and what could shape the next phase of the cycle. As 2026 approaches, the real question isn't just how strong the markets are; it's how prepared investors are for what comes next. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: ⚠️ Emerging Risks: Concentration and volatility concerns 🏦 Fed Watch: Policy shifts and rates in 2026 🛡 Risk Mitigation: How to participate with protection 🤖 AI Surge: Is this the age of innovation everyone's saying it is? 📚 Tony's New Book : Exploring how innovators connect ideas to transform industries Resources for this episode: Buy Tony's Book Singular Links: The Innovator's Guide to Compounding Connections https://tinyurl.com/4mbx22j9 Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com 800-527-1155

February 6, 202618 min

The Rise of the Wealth Counselor with Nicholas Ross

The retirement industry has changed, and advisors are feeling it. In this episode, Tom and Nicholas Ross, Chief Strategy Officer at FIG, explore how the post-pandemic reset has reshaped the financial advice industry. They explore why traditional business models eventually plateau, how client expectations have evolved, and why advisors are increasingly stepping into the role of a wealth counselor. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🔄 Advisor confidence after industry disruption 👥 Shifting client expectations post-pandemic 🧭 The rise of the "wealth counselor" mindset 🧩 Why holistic planning matters more than ever 🔗 Leveraging partners instead of doing everything in-house Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com 800-527-1155

January 30, 202622 min

Flexibility Is the Future of Financial Advice with Derek Gubala

As the financial advisory industry evolves, flexibility - not formulas - is becoming the differentiator. In this episode, Derek Gubala, Co-President of AlphaStar Capital Management, joins Tom to share what he's seeing across the independent RIA landscape heading into 2026. From shifting advisor demographics to customizable platforms, modern training, and the growing importance of client experience, this conversation explores what advisors must rethink to grow, and stay relevant, in a rapidly changing industry. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🚀 Advisor demographics are changing and expectations are too 🧩 One-size-fits-all platforms are losing relevance 🧠 Training must go beyond products to business-building skills 🤝 Retention and client experience are becoming growth strategies 📣 Marketing still matters, but messaging and consistency matter more Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com 800-527-1155

December 12, 202534 min

Advisor Empowerment Series: Elevate Your Practice for 2026 with Nicholas Ross & Dave Henry

This episode introduces FIG's brand-new Advisor Empowerment Series, a live, collegiate-style learning experience designed to give financial professionals deeper mastery of the topics that drive today's planning conversations. Nicholas Ross and Dave Henry also discuss FIG's highly praised playbooks- covering life insurance, annuities, long-term care, estate planning, and business owners- and explain how advisors are using them to spark better client conversations and uncover new opportunities. Then, they reveal the four upcoming course tracks for 2026: business owner planning, life insurance training, succession planning, and differentiation strategies. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🎙️ Podcast Purpose: empowering advisors through deeper education 📘 Intro to Playbooks: structured tools for client conversations 🎓 Why advisors need live, interactive education 🏢 Deep-dive courses launching in 2026 🚀 Differentiation Strategies: advanced planning to elevate your practice Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com 800-527-1155

September 5, 202522 min

Tariffs, AI, and the Future of Investing with "Mr. Wonderful," Kevin O'Leary

This episode, Tom sits down with Kevin O'Leary- entrepreneur, investor, and of course, "Mr. Wonderful" from Shark Tank . The conversation covers everything from tariffs and the ripple effects on global markets to the powerful role artificial intelligence is playing in reshaping supply chains and boosting productivity. Kevin also shares timeless lessons on diversification, drawing inspiration from his mother's disciplined investing approach, and why preservation of capital- not performance- is the ultimate measure of a great advisor. Along the way, he opens up about his Shark Tank investments, the unpredictability of venture capital, and surprising asset classes gaining traction, like fine watches and collectible sports cards. Kevin even gives a glimpse into how tokenization and stablecoins could transform financial transactions. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 📊 Kevin's take on tariffs and global markets 💡 The #1 mandate of top advisors: preserve capital 🔀 Kevin's personal rules for diversification (inspired by his mother) 💼 Lessons from Shark Tank and venture investing ⌚ Alternative assets like fine watches and collectible sports cards Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com 800-527-1155

August 22, 202532 min

The Digital Plague Is Coming: Protecting Against Cybercrime with Rob Hegedus

Cybercrime isn't just a distant threat- it's here, it's growing, and it's targeting everything from global infrastructure to small-town churches. In this episode, former military intelligence officer and cybersecurity expert Rob Hegedus joins the conversation to reveal how cyberattacks have become an industrialized, global business projected to cost $10.5 trillion by 2025. Rob explains why ransomware has become a top money-maker for hackers, why small and mid-sized businesses are now prime targets, and how most people underestimate just how quickly threats reach their devices- sometimes within seconds. He also introduces Cyber Simple , a new solution designed to give everyday families and business owners the same kind of protection once reserved for government agencies. If you've ever assumed cyber threats are only a "big company problem," this conversation will open your eyes to the real risks and the simple steps you can take to stay ahead. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 💻 Cybercrime could reach $10.5 trillion by 2025 🏢 Even small businesses, churches, and schools are now targets ⏱️ New devices are pinged by malicious bots within 8 seconds 🔒 Ransomware remains one of the most effective tactics for hackers 🛡️ Cyber Simple makes top-tier protection easy for everyone Resources for this episode: CISO Global: https://www.ciso.inc/ Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com 800-527-1155