Best Model FA Podcasts (2025)

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Unlocking Growth: Andrea Schlapia’s EOS Blueprint for Advisory Firms 36:54

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3d ago36:54

36:54

In this episode of the Model FA Podcast, host David DeCelle welcomes Andrea Schlapia, a certified EOS Implementer and founder of Ironstone Business Coaching. Andrea shares her extensive experience in the financial industry and her journey from advisor to coach, ultimately embracing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to help advisory firms a…

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When Bribes Become the System: Understanding Lock-In 25:57

10d ago25:57

25:57

Send us a text Corruption persists not because people like it, but because it becomes embedded in the incentive structure of the state, creating feedback loops that reinforce themselves and resist reform. • A prebend is a type of benefice historically given to clergymen, now a useful concept for understanding corruption in developing nations • Doug…

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Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations: Introduction and Book I 1:21:33

17d ago1:21:33

1:21:33

Send us a text Adam Smith's "The Wealth of Nations" developed from decades of lectures on jurisprudence, examining how market exchange creates prosperity through division of labor and specialized skills. • Two core observations drive Smith's thinking: humans seek approval from others and have a propensity to "truck, barter and exchange" • Exchange …

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How to Find High-Quality Prospects with Matt Mossbarger from WealthFeed 31:16

17d ago31:16

31:16

In this episode, David sits down with Matt Mossbarger, co-founder of WealthFeed, to discuss innovative strategies for financial advisors to find and engage potential clients. In This Episode: 0:00 - Introduction to Matt Mossbarger 1:00 - Matt's background in wealth management 2:30 - Origins of Wealth Feed 4:26 - Building the tech team 7:39 - Cataly…

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Second Place Is The First Loser: Strategy Over Speed 42:22

24d ago42:22

42:22

Send us a text The ancient tradition of Il Palio in Siena showcases a complex system of strategic corruption, neighborhood rivalries, and high-stakes horse racing that has endured for centuries. This 90-second race around Siena's central piazza involves extensive bribery, intense negotiations, and centuries-old vendettas that make speed secondary t…

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When Bats Attack: Understanding Insurance 35:09

1M ago35:09

35:09

Send us a text Mike Munger explores insurance economics through the lens of transaction costs and risk management, culminating in an amusing case study about "bat-in-mouth disease." Insurance transfers risk from individuals to larger pools, reducing the expected variance of outcomes The fair price of insurance equals expected value (probability × p…

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Disrupting Financial Services: How Sterling Shire is Changing the Game with Steven Woods 31:24

1M ago31:24

31:24

David DeCelle interviews Steven Woods, CEO of Sterling Shire, about his journey and the firm's innovative approach to the financial industry. Steven shares his background, including dropping out of high school, joining Wall Street, and founding Sterling Shire. The firm aims to revolutionize the industry by offering advisors a 100% payout model, eli…

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Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations: Episode #2--The "Model" 57:13

1M ago57:13

57:13

Send us a text Transaction costs provide the key to understanding Adam Smith's complete philosophical system and how his two great works form an integrated whole. • Smith's two essential claims: humans desire to learn proper behavior and have an innate propensity to truck, barter, and exchange • Sympathy in Smith's view means synchronizing feelings…

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Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations: Episode 1 (Background) 57:21

1M ago57:21

57:21

Send us a text (N.B.: This episode is cross-posted at our partner site, Adam Smith Works. There are lots of resources and background material there, if you want to delve deeper) The Scottish Enlightenment emerged as a remarkable intellectual movement that shaped modern economics, philosophy, and social science, with Adam Smith at its center develop…

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Bucket List Wealth: Your Guide to Financial Freedom with Jason L Smith 46:07

2M ago46:07

46:07

Stand by Model FAs! Today I am sitting down with Jason L Smith, founder of JL Smith and Prosperity Capital Advisors, to chat about his journey in the financial industry. Jason shares his early aspirations, setbacks, and eventual success in holistic wealth management. He discusses the evolution of his financial planning process, the "bucket plan," a…

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Nnnnooooo one expects transaction costs!! The economics of Monty Python 16:47

2M ago16:47

16:47

Send us a text Mike Munger explores how Monty Python brilliantly illustrated transaction cost economics through their legendary comedy sketches. The British comedy troupe's most famous routines provide perfect, hilarious examples of the frictions that make economic interactions costly and complicated in the real world. • Three definitions of transa…

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How Financial Advisors Can Scale Through CPA Partnerships ft. Andree Mohr 43:56

2M ago43:56

43:56

In this episode of the Model FA Podcast, David DeCelle sits down with Andree Mohr, President at Integrated Partners, to discuss how advisors can double their business through intentional partnerships with CPAs. With over $21 billion in AUM, 212 advisors, and 200 CPA partners, Integrated Partners has mastered the art of aligning tax professionals an…

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The Engineers of Exchange: Middlemen, Part Deux 16:25

2M ago16:25

16:25

Send us a text Middlemen are not parasites but essential "engineers of exchange" who create value by connecting buyers and sellers who might never find each other otherwise. • The word "monger" (and Munger) comes from a Saxon root--Mancgere-- meaning trader or merchant • Middlemen historically seen as parasites for buying cheap and selling dear wit…

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How to Build a More Efficient, Scalable RIA | Steve Tenney, CEO of Grandview and Company 35:31

2M ago35:31

35:31

In this episode, we sit down with Steve Tenney, CEO of Grandview and Company, to explore his remarkable journey from Morgan Stanley Asset Management to launching his own RIA and ultimately coaching firm owners. Steve shares lessons from four decades in the industry, including how to standardize processes, delegate wisely, and unlock sustainable gro…

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FA Hayek: Price Whisperer 18:47

2M ago18:47

18:47

Send us a text The price system solves a profound coordination problem by communicating dispersed knowledge that no central planner could ever fully access or comprehend. We explore Hayek's insight about how prices serve as both information and incentives, allowing self-interested actions to inadvertently benefit society. • The "knowledge problem" …

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Transforming Client Connections with Nick Davies 40:22

2M ago40:22

40:22

This week, David is joined by Nick Davies, a coach aiming to serve 100,000 advisors in three years. They discuss the importance of masterminds for advisors, emphasizing the need for a relationship-centric approach. Nick shares his journey from banking to coaching, highlighting the significance of people and relationships. They explore the structure…

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The Price of Pennies: Make or Buy? 19:20

2M ago19:20

19:20

Send us a text The make-or-buy decision is a fundamental aspect of economics that applies to businesses, households, and nations, with the U.S. penny providing a fascinating case study in economic inefficiency. • It costs 2.72 cents to manufacture one penny, representing a loss of 1.7 cents per coin to taxpayers • The U.S. Treasury loses between $8…

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Beyond the Will: Navigating Estate Planning with Heart and Purpose with Sarah Ecklein 40:43

2M ago40:43

40:43

This week David DeCelle, CEO of ModelFA, interviews Sarah Ecklein, owner of Trust and Honor, about her journey from cooking to becoming a professional fiduciary. Sarah discusses her work in end-of-life care, serving as a conservator, trustee, and agent for clients, particularly in complex cases that corporate trustees may avoid. She highlights the …

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Pretty Pigs and Talking Dogs 11:01

3M ago11:01

11:01

Send us a text How should we decide which political-economic systems are best for organizing society? Let's peer through the lens of the "Pretty Pig Problem," which highlights the flaws in comparing the actual implementation of systems we dislike with idealized versions of systems we prefer. The PPP shows that we must compare real-world options rat…

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The Real Value of Your Advisory Business with Scott Leak, CFP® 41:59

3M ago41:59

41:59

What’s your firm really worth—and how do you unlock that value? In this episode, David DeCelle sits down with Scott Leak, CFP® and CEPA, Senior Consultant at FP Transitions, one of the most trusted firms in the advisory M&A and valuation space. With over 17,000 valuations under their belt and 100+ M&A deals last year alone, FP Transitions has a uni…

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Barking Cats: On the "Nature" of Bureaucracy 21:06

3M ago21:06

21:06

Send us a text Transaction costs are the friction in the gears of society, but the worst transaction costs are the ones that reflect government failure. You can see it in ever cliche about government, from the dreaded DMV lines to the passport control bottleneck. Drawing on Milton Friedman's "Barking Cats" essay from 1973, I explore why bureaucracy…

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Tech-Powered Growth: Scaling Your RIA with Smart Workflows with Matthew Awai 35:36

3M ago35:36

35:36

In this episode, David DeCelle, CEO of ModelFA, sits down with Matthew Awai of Advisor Tech Partners to explore how financial advisors can streamline operations, automate tasks, and reclaim valuable time in their business. Matthew shares his journey from working at a broker-dealer to co-founding Advisor Tech Partners, and dives into real-world auto…

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Pins: Division of Labor is Limited by Transaction Costs 22:32

3M ago22:32

22:32

Send us a text Adam Smith's pin factory example from "The Wealth of Nations" demonstrates how dividing labor into specialized tasks dramatically increases productivity. Ten workers specializing in different aspects of pin-making could produce 48,000 pins daily, while individually they might struggle to make even 20 pins each—a productivity increase…

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Beyond Index Funds: A Revolutionary Approach to Generational Investing with Jacob Miller 41:56

3M ago41:56

41:56

This week on the Model FA Podcast, David interviews Jacob Miller, co-founder of Opto Investments, about bridging the gap between private markets and the wealth community. Opto focuses on providing better technology and alignment of incentives for RIA firms, offering custom funds and automated subdocs. They work with clients ranging from $500 millio…

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Commerce and Sociology: Novak on Entangled Political Economy 1:20:55

3M ago1:20:55

1:20:55

Send us a text What happens when we stop seeing politics and markets as separate spheres and start recognizing their deep entanglement? Mikayla Novak, senior fellow at the Mercatus Center, challenges conventional economic thinking in favor of Dick Wager's "entangled political economy." Drawing from her fascinating career path through Australia's Tr…

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Building a Culture of Collaboration: Lessons from Ed Kuresman 47:46

4M ago47:46

47:46

What's up Model FAs?! This week David interviews Ed Kuresman from Mai Capital Management about his career journey. Ed started in finance during the tech bubble, interned at Madison Financial Advisors, and grew the firm from $20 million to over $1 billion in assets. During this period Ed emphasized the importance of client referrals, a positive cult…

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Raising the Bar: People Skills, AI, and the Future of Financial Advice with Dr. Joshua Wilson 44:36

4M ago44:36

44:36

In this episode of the Model FA Podcast, David DeCelle is joined by Dr. Joshua Wilson, a behavioral finance expert with a PhD and a background in advisory, to discuss his journey and insights within the financial services industry. He emphasizes the importance of understanding subconscious decision-making in client relationships and the need for ad…

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The Power of Networking and Creating Personal Connections with Matt Middleton 51:01

4M ago51:01

51:01

Today we are joined by Matt Middleton, CEO of Future Proof, a media and events company aiming to modernize the wealth and investment management industry. Matt shares his journey from humble beginnings to founding Future Proof, emphasizing the importance of networking and personal connections. He discusses the company's unique approach, including ca…

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The Paradox of Political Rationality: Lynch 1:08:00

4M ago1:08:00

1:08:00

Send us a text Why do harmful policies like tariffs keep coming back despite universal condemnation from economists? The answer lies in the dynamics of collective action and concentrated interests. In this eye-opening conversation with G. Patrick Lynch, Senior Fellow at Liberty Fund, Mike Munger explores the fascinating world of public choice theor…

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Financial Planning Revolution: Inside Domain Money with Joanne Bradford 53:24

4M ago53:24

53:24

Stand by Model FA’s! In this episode, Joanne Bradford (Chief Money Officer at Domain Money) reveals the future of personal finance, challenging traditional wealth management paradigms! Don't miss this game-changing conversation about money, technology, and personal empowerment! 🚀 Key Takeaways: Why most people between 35-45 desperately need a compr…

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Unlocking Growth Strategies for Financial Advisors featuring Craig Butler 50:17

5M ago50:17

50:17

Check it out! Host David DeCelle interviews Craig Butler, Chief Growth Officer at Tru Independence, about business development and sales strategies. Tru Independence, which recently merged with Sanctuary Wealth, manages $45 billion in assets with 120 advisors. Craig emphasizes the importance of differentiating in a crowded market, offering comprehe…

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Wealth Management Reimagined: Institutional Insights featuring Jonathan Foster 1:02:35

5M ago1:02:35

1:02:35

In this episode of the Model FA podcast, David DeCelle, CEO of ModelFA, interviews Jonathan Foster, President and CEO of Angeles Wealth Management, a national wealth management firm serving ultra-high-net-worth families. Angeles Wealth Management has grown from $250 million in 2017 to $2 billion in 2022. Jonathan shares his journey from Institution…

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Life Planning: Discover Your Full Potential with Phil Weiss 42:58

5M ago42:58

42:58

Buckle up Model FAs! In this episode David sits down with Phil Weiss to discuss the critical importance of talking to your clients about Life Planning. Phil shares his 3 favorite questions that will change your life as he and David discuss discovering your potential and the nuances of financial planning from overcoming college debt to planning for …

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A Journey of Purpose, Financially and Spiritually with Gary Sirak 47:43

5M ago47:43

47:43

In this episode, David is joined by Gary Sirak is an experienced financial advisor who has been in the industry for 45 years. He wrote a book called "How to Retire and Not Die" based on his experiences seeing clients struggle with retirement. The key themes of the book are purpose, passion, and having a plan for retirement. Gary emphasizes the impo…

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Curation Bubbles, Verification, and the Splintering of Ideology: Green 56:55

5M ago56:55

56:55

Send us a text What happens when we no longer consume scarce information through trusted, verified institutions, but instead through an abundance of unbundled content without context or curation? John Green, rising star in political science from Duke University, takes us on a tour of the rapidly evolving landscape of political information. Green ch…

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The Importance of Specialization: Amir Noor’s Perspective on Different Types of FAs 39:56

5M ago39:56

39:56

In this episode of the Model FA podcast, David DeCelle is joined by Amir Noor, CFP®, EA to discuss his journey in the financial industry. Amir started at 16, working his way up from life insurance paperwork to becoming a licensed advisor. He transitioned to a fee-only firm, offering a $400/month subscription model, which grew to over 50 clients in …

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Navigating the Third Act: Joe Jordan on Purpose-Driven Retirement Planning 38:47

6M ago38:47

38:47

In this week's episode of the Model FA Podcast, David DeCelle interviews Joe Jordan, a renowned behavioral finance expert and author of "Living a Life of Significance," which has sold over 150,000 copies in five languages. Joe shares his journey from starting in financial services while still in college to his modern day roles and ventures. He emph…

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From Author to Authority with Paul McManus 42:28

6M ago42:28

42:28

In this episode of the Model FA podcast, David DeCelle is joined by Paul McManus, a best-selling author and financial services expert, about the benefits of writing short books for financial advisors. Paul explains that writing a book helps advisors position themselves as educators rather than salespeople, shortening sales cycles and building trust…

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Creating Memorable Events with Angela York & Elyse Stoner 59:04

6M ago59:04

59:04

In this episode of the Model FA podcast, David DeCelle is joined by Angela York and Elyse Stoner, co-founders of Event Advisors, to explore the art of creating unique and memorable events that not only drive business but also help deepen relationships. They share their expert insights on how events can be leveraged as powerful tools for growth, con…

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The Socialist Generation Debate: Boettke 1:05:12

6M ago1:05:12

1:05:12

Send us a text Join economist Peter Boettke as he discusses how transaction costs impact market efficiency and our everyday decisions. We delve deep into historical examples, particularly the Soviet Union, to highlight the consequences of centralized planning versus individual market actions. Through engaging anecdotes and rigorous analysis, Boettk…

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Rick Burgess' Unique Approach to Balancing Business and Creativity 44:48

7M ago44:48

44:48

In this episode, David DeCelle, the CEO of ModelFA, sits down with Rick Burgess, from Forms Logic. Rick shares his unique journey, from his time in the Marines to his experiences as a financial advisor, wholesaler, and serial entrepreneur. Rick explains how Forms Logic, a data company that is revolutionizing the way the financial industry handles p…

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MFA Exchange Exclusive: February DDG 37:13

7M ago37:13

37:13

This month’s special episode of the Model FA podcast is another edition of the DDG - where David, Dan and Graham come together to mind meld about the Exchange (skool.com/exchange) and this month’s episode is all about business development, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and relationship building in client interactions. The conversation …

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An Unrivaled Passion for Operational Efficiency with Jason Mirabella 35:56

7M ago35:56

35:56

In this episode, David DeCelle, CEO of ModelFA, sits down with Jason Mirabella, founder of Deliver Advice. Jason shares his 25-year career journey in the financial services industry, discussing his transition to the RIA space and his experience as Chief Platform Officer and COO at WealthSource Partners, a $2.1-2.3 billion RIA. He explains the impor…

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Transaction Costs and Constitutions: India's Balancing Act, with Shruti Rajagopalan 1:03:51

7M ago1:03:51

1:03:51

Send us a text What if transaction costs could shape entire political and economic systems? Join us for an insightful discussion with Shruti Rajagopalan, a senior research fellow at the Mercatus Center, as she takes us through her fascinating journey from the University of Delhi to George Mason University. Her research on India's economic liberaliz…

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Navigating Compliance, Creativity, and Growth: Lessons from a Financial Marketing Trailblazer with David Newson 54:10

8M ago54:10

54:10

In this episode of the Model FA Podcast, host David DeCelle sits down with David Newson, the founder and CEO of XNW Digital, to explore his remarkable journey into the financial planning industry. From his unexpected start in the shoe department at Nordstrom to his foray into the world of behavioral healthcare, Newson's path has been anything but c…

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Get a sneak peek at the interesting conversations happening inside of the Exchange! 47:14

8M ago47:14

47:14

In this exciting episode of the Model FA Podcast, co-founders David DeCelle, Graham Gardner, and Dan Allison share fresh insights and actionable strategies straight from their thriving membership platform, The Exchange. Each month, they highlight key posts, discussions, and breakthroughs from within the community that offer high-value advice to fin…

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The Advisor's Playbook: Mastering Content, LinkedIn, and Client Engagement to Drive Growth with Kristin Harad 46:17

8M ago46:17

46:17

In this episode of the ModelFA Podcast, David DeCelle is rejoined by Kristin Harad, a business and marketing coach for RIA leaders and independent financial advisors. Kristin shares tactical advice on content creation, leveraging LinkedIn, improving prospect follow-up, and enhancing client engagement to drive referrals. Key Moments: [1:37] Kristin …

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Political Capitalism and the Power of Elites: Randall Holcombe 1:02:16

8M ago1:02:16

1:02:16

Send us a text This episode explores the intersection of democracy and capitalism, focusing on the concept of political capitalism and its relation to cronyism. Randall Holcomb discusses transaction costs, charismatic leadership, and critiques the idea that democracy and separation of powers inherently checks coercion, stressing the need for compet…

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From Accounting to Entrepreneurship: Gerry Spitzer’s Journey to Building a Thriving Independent Firm 39:47

9M ago39:47

39:47

In this episode we are joined by Gerry Spitzer, a founding partner of Questor Capital Partners. Gerry shares his career journey from Binghamton University to Price Waterhouse, Merrill Lynch, UBS, and finally to independence. He discusses the benefits and challenges of going independent, emphasizing the importance of due diligence and choosing the r…

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Disrupting the RIA Space: How Ritik Malhotra is Redefining Financial Advice 44:52

9M ago44:52

44:52

In this episode of the ModelFA podcast, host David DeCelle sits down with Ritik Malhotra, the founder and CEO of Savvy Wealth. Ritik shares his impressive entrepreneurial journey, from building internet businesses as a teenager to founding successful startups in cloud storage and fintech. The conversation digs into Ritik's inspiration behind starti…