The Exceptional Advisor Podcast

Hosted by Investments & Wealth Institute

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

Produced by the Investments & Wealth Institute, the goal of the Exceptional Advisor podcast series is to help financial professionals better serve their clients, differentiate themselves from the competition, and improve their ability to communicate the competencies that make them exceptional.

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60 recent

June 9, 2026Episode 636 min

AI and the Meaning of Money with Mark Casady

In this episode of The Exceptional Advisor, Mark joins host Sean Walters to discuss what AI changes about wealth management — and what it doesn't: Why the real advisor shortage is bigger than the headlines suggest, and what that means for firm leaders right now Why the advisor of the future leads with the meaning of money, not the management of it What the next five to seven years actually look like for the profession, and what to be doing about it today Required listening for any advisor or firm leader thinking about where this profession is headed.

May 8, 2026Episode 529 min

The Future of Advice with Michael Kitces

Michael Kitces, Head of Planning Strategy at Focus Partners Wealth, Co-Founder of XY Planning Network, and one of the industry's most recognized voices, joins Sean Walters on this episode of The Exceptional Advisor for a "This Or That" conversation on: Investments or wealth? Firms do both, but individual advisors are increasingly specializing in one or the other as investment management centralizes. Solo or team? Both paths are thriving, and it has never been more profitable or easier to run as a solo advisor, despite what mega firms want you to believe. Utopian or dystopian? Why Kitces is bullish on advice, even as AI raises the bar for everyone. It's a wide-ranging conversation with one of the sharpest minds in the business and a must-listen for advisors.

April 8, 2026Episode 437 min

How Great Advisors Build Trust With Herman Brodie

Herman Brodie, behavioral scientist and Founding Director of Prospecta Limited, has spent years studying how people build trust and why they lose it. In this episode of The Exceptional Advisor, he joins host Sean Walters and shares insights for financial advisors navigating today's polarized, noise-filled world, including: Why salient headlines and changes draw client attention and how to redirect it How "behavior residue" and political polarization are showing up in client relationships How vulnerability outperforms self-promotion when building new relationships The importance of competence and benevolence in building trust This is the conversation every advisor needs to hear to understand what trust really means and how to build more of it.

March 17, 2026Episode 330 min

What Makes an Exceptional Advisor with Libet Anderson

What truly makes an advisor exceptional? In this episode of The Exceptional Advisor, Libet Anderson, Community Care Leader at Cetera, joins host Sean Walters to discuss what excellence really looks like amidst rising AI adoption and fiduciary expectations. She walks us through her career in the industry, the evolving standards of excellence, and what separates the best from the rest, along with how leaders can raise the bar across entire teams.

February 13, 2026Episode 238 min

Episode 2 (Part 2 of 2 Market Update): 2026 Outlook with Liz Ann Sonders

In this episode of The Exceptional Advisor, Sean Walters sits down with Liz Ann Sonders, Chief Investment Strategist at Charles Schwab, for a timely conversation on navigating markets defined by uncertainty, shifting economic signals, and relentless headlines. Liz Ann shares her current outlook on the economy, where she sees resilience beneath the volatility, and how advisors can separate meaningful data from short-term noise. The discussion moves beyond forecasts to focus on discipline — how to communicate with clients during uneven cycles, manage expectations, and reinforce long-term strategy when sentiment swings. For advisors leading teams or building credibility within them, this conversation offers a practical perspective on aligning messaging, maintaining consistency, and guiding clients with clarity in complex environments.

February 4, 2026Episode 139 min

Episode 1 (Part 1 of 2 Market Update): 2026 Outlook with Liz Thomas (SoFi)

What's ahead for advisors in 2026, and how should they prepare? Host Sean Walters welcomes Liz Thomas, Head of Investment Strategy at SoFi, for a market update focused on the 2026 macro outlook. From balancing concentration risk and client FOMO to keeping clients calm, Liz covers plenty of ground, giving advisors a strong framework for smarter allocation decisions and stronger client conversations.

March 31, 202555 min

Opportunities and Obstacles for a Successful Retirement

A Discussion with François Gadenne, Jan Gundersen, CFA®, and Lori Lucas, CFA®, moderated by Robert Powell, CFP®, RMA®

September 19, 2024Episode 12240 min

Unlocking Exceptional Performance: John Bowen on Building Dream Teams for Financial Advisors

In this exclusive interview, John Bowen, President of CEG Worldwide and CEG Insight, shares powerful research insights and practical strategies to help financial advisors create high-performing teams and accelerate their success. The Dream Team Effect: www.cegwin.com/iwi-team #certifiedfinancialplanner #financialadvisor #continuingeducation

April 11, 2024Episode 12152 min

The Retirement Wake-Up Call is Here

Steve Gresham, managing principal at Next Chapter, discusses in this Exceptional Advisor podcast with host Robert Powell delves into the complexities and challenges of retirement planning in the modern era. Gresham discusses the evolving nature of retirement, emphasizing the gap between people's expectations and their level of preparation. He highlights the importance of planning and adapting to changing needs, both financially and emotionally. The conversation also touches on the role of financial advisors in guiding clients through these challenges, stressing the need for improved communication, understanding of aging, and comprehensive approaches to managing retirement finances and health considerations. Learn more at https://publications.investmentsandwealth.org/iwmonitor/library/item/november_december_2023/4161432/

March 1, 2024Episode 12048 min

DALBAR's Lou Harvey Reflects on Pioneering Investor Behavior Research and the Evolution of Financial Advice

In this podcast, Dalbar founder Lou Harvey discusses the history of his firm, which pioneered research into quantifying the impact of investor behavior on returns. He reflects on key initiatives like the Quantitative Analysis of Investor Behavior (QAIB) report, which revealed the significant performance gap between mutual fund investors and the funds they invest in. Harvey also shares his perspective on current industry trends and the future outlook. He sees artificial intelligence playing a bigger role in financial advice, with humans focused more on interpreting AI recommendations versus specialized expertise. Harvey argues asset allocation should be highly personalized based on an investor's specific situation and needs. He advocates for a fiduciary standard across the advice industry. Throughout, Harvey emphasizes the importance of a personal approach in understanding clients and serving their best interests. He urges advisors to go beyond purely investment considerations to incorporate critical lifestyle factors impacting financial decisions.