Category: Finances

126: Love & Money: The Keys To Financial Success As A Couple with Doug and Heather Boneparth

126: Love & Money: The Keys To Financial Success As A Couple with Doug and Heather Boneparth

Does money talk strengthen your relationship—or strain it?

Doug and Heather Boneparth, a dynamic husband-wife team and experienced financial advisors, share the inside scoop on what makes relationships tick—financially and emotionally. Drawing from personal experience, they reveal practical ways for couples to redefine financial responsibilities, appreciate non-monetary contributions, and set shared goals for the future.

For advisors, Doug and Heather break down how to create balanced, inclusive conversations that engage both partners, tackling emotional undercurrents to strengthen relationships along the way.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Tools to create inclusive, balanced financial discussions
  • Guidance for couples on shared financial decision-making
  • Techniques to spot and resolve financial resentments before they escalate
  • Ideas for planning meaningful “money dates” that foster future-focused conversations
  • Strategies to redefine financial contributions, helping couples align on long-term goals

*To sign up for Brendan’s newsletter packed with resources to master the human side of advice → Click Here

Resources:

Connect with Brendan Frazier: 

Connect with Douglas A. Boneparth: 

Connect with Heather Boneparth: 

About Our Guests: 

Doug and Heather Boneparth are the co-founders of Bone Fide Wealth, a firm specializing in helping millennials and young couples manage their finances. Doug is a Certified Financial Planner and author with a deep commitment to making personal finance approachable. Heather, having taken a step back from her active role in finances during the pandemic, brings valuable insights into balancing household contributions and facilitating effective financial conversations between partners. Together, they bridge personal and professional experience to bring empathy and practicality into financial advising.

Content here is for illustrative purposes and general information only. It is not legal, tax, or individualized financial advice; nor is it a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any specific security, or engage in any specific trading strategy.

Information here may be provided, in part, by third-party sources. These sources are generally deemed to be reliable; however, neither our guest nor RFG Advisory guarantee the accuracy of third-party sources.

The views expressed here are those of our guest. They do not necessarily represent those of RFG Advisory, its employees, or its clients. This commentary should not be regarded as a description of advisory services provided by RFG Advisory, or performance returns of any client. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice. 

Securities offered by Registered Representatives of Private Client Services. Member FINRA / SIPC. Advisory services offered by Investment Advisory Representatives of RFG Advisory, LLC (“RFG Advisory” or “RFG”), a registered investment advisor. Private Client Services and RFG Advisory are unaffiliated entities. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where RFG Advisory and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. No advisory services may be rendered by RFG Advisory unless a client agreement is in place.

RFG Advisory is an SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of RFG by the Commission, nor does it indicate that RFG or any associated investment advisory representative has attained a particular level of skill or ability.

125: Building A Screening Process To Identify Perfect-Fit Prospects Ready To Act with Dr. Meghaan Lurtz

125: Building A Screening Process To Identify Perfect-Fit Prospects Ready To Act with Dr. Meghaan Lurtz

Here’s a question for you:

On a scale of 1-10, how confident are you that your screening process will yield conversations with prospects who are a good fit AND ready to take action?

If you answered anything less than an 8, you’re in good company.

Most advisors spend way too much time meeting with prospects only to find out they aren’t a good fit.

Fortunately, Meghaan Lurtz has researched and written about this process. In this episode, she reveals the steps to build a screening process that brings in prospects who are the right fit and ready to take action. (While also changing the trajectory of trust for the entire relationship!)

What You’ll Learn:

  • The best questions to ask in a screening process
  • Why 80% of prospects aren’t ready for your advice
  • What’s going on in the prospect’s mind before your meeting
  • How long do prospects wait before actually contacting an advisor
  • A question you should ask all prospects (but almost no one does)

*To sign up for Brendan’s newsletter packed with resources to master the human side of advice → Click Here

Resources:

Connect with Brendan Frazier: 

Connect with Dr. Meghaan Lurtz: 

About Our Guest: 

Dr. Meghaan Lurtz is a leading global expert on the psychology of financial planning and a Partner at Shaping Wealth. A dedicated educator, she is a Professor of Practice at Kansas State University, teaching in the Advanced Financial Planning and Financial Therapy Certificate Programs. She is also a lecturer at Columbia University, where she teaches Financial Psychology. She serves on multiple financial technology boards, bringing together finances and mental health. She is an active researcher, writer, and ongoing contributor to the Kitces platform, writing about the intersection of money, advice, and well-being.

Meghaan has finished her Ph.D. in Personal Financial Planning at Kansas State University. Meghaan is a past President of the Financial Therapy Association.

Content here is for illustrative purposes and general information only. It is not legal, tax, or individualized financial advice; nor is it a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any specific security, or engage in any specific trading strategy.

Information here may be provided, in part, by third-party sources. These sources are generally deemed to be reliable; however, neither our guest nor RFG Advisory guarantee the accuracy of third-party sources.

The views expressed here are those of our guest. They do not necessarily represent those of RFG Advisory, its employees, or its clients. This commentary should not be regarded as a description of advisory services provided by RFG Advisory, or performance returns of any client. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice.

Securities offered by Registered Representatives of Private Client Services. Member FINRA / SIPC. Advisory services offered by Investment Advisory Representatives of RFG Advisory, LLC (“RFG Advisory or “RFG”), a registered investment advisor. Private Client Services and RFG Advisory are unaffiliated entities. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where RFG Advisory and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. No advisory services may be rendered by RFG Advisory unless a client agreement is in place.

RFG Advisory is an SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of RFG by the Commission, nor does it indicate that RFG or any associated investment advisory representative has attained a particular level of skill or ability.

124: A Step-By-Step Process For Conducting “Re-Discovery” Meetings With Long-Time Clients with Ben Haas

124: A Step-By-Step Process For Conducting “Re-Discovery” Meetings With Long-Time Clients with Ben Haas

Here’s the outline for most review meetings with long-time clients:

  1. How is life? How is the family?
  2. Any major changes or updates?
  3. Here’s your situation. Everything looks good.
  4. See you next year.

And, that’s not bad. But there’s a better way.

It’s called a “Re-Discovery” meeting.

And, not only, does it keep your clients engaged while reinforcing your value. It deepens your relationship with them and enhances their life.

Most advisors love the idea. They just need to know how to do it.

In this episode, Ben Haas shares his step-by-step process for turning review meetings into “Re-Discovery” meetings.

You’ll Learn: 

  • How Covid reshaped how he viewed his role as an advisor
  • The thought process for deciding which clients to try this meeting with
  • Mental accounting strategies that empower clients to spend confidently
  • The “Wealth Management Audit” he sends out prior to a review meeting
  • The moment when Ben realized his review meetings needed a makeover

*To sign up for Brendan’s monthly newsletter focused on the human side of advice → Click Here

Resources:

Connect with Brendan Frazier: 

Connect with Benjamin Haas: 

About Our Guest: 

Benjamin Haas is a financial advisor who believes in the power of human connection in financial planning. With a passion for going beyond the numbers, he helps his clients build deeper, more meaningful relationships with their money. Through his approach, Benjamin empowers clients to not only feel financially safeguarded but also live purposefully. His practice focuses on promoting reflection, guiding clients from merely “fine” to fully flourishing in their lives and retirement.

Content here is for illustrative purposes and general information only. It is not legal, tax, or individualized financial advice; nor is it a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any specific security, or engage in any specific trading strategy. 

Information here may be provided, in part, by third-party sources. These sources are generally deemed to be reliable; however, neither our guest nor RFG Advisory guarantee the accuracy of third-party sources.

The views expressed here are those of our guest. They do not necessarily represent those of RFG Advisory, its employees, or its clients. This commentary should not be regarded as a description of advisory services provided by RFG Advisory, or performance returns of any client. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice.

Securities offered by Registered Representatives of Private Client Services. Member FINRA / SIPC. Advisory services offered by Investment Advisory Representatives of RFG Advisory, LLC (“RFG Advisory or “RFG”), a registered investment advisor. Private Client Services and RFG Advisory are unaffiliated entities. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where RFG Advisory and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. No advisory services may be rendered by RFG Advisory unless a client agreement is in place.

RFG Advisory is an SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of RFG by the Commission, nor does it indicate that RFG or any associated investment advisory representative has attained a particular level of skill or ability.

123: The Language of Loss: How to Communicate With Grieving Clients with Kathi Balasek

123: The Language of Loss: How to Communicate With Grieving Clients with Kathi Balasek

Financial advisors are on the front lines of bad news.

Your entire business is filled with clients who have either experienced grief or will experience grief at some point in their lives.

When that time comes, you’ll often be one of the first people they talk to.

And, unfortunately, we aren’t naturally “grief-literate.” We feel awkward, don’t know what to say, and generally mishandle the conversation.

But, when you have a process for handling grieving clients, you can capitalize on the opportunity to forge deeper relationships and grow your business.

In this episode, grief literacy expert Kathi Balasek reveals the essential skills financial advisors need to navigate conversations with clients experiencing grief. 

You’ll Learn: 

  • The #1 reason widows leave their advisors
  • What NOT to say during times of grief and loss
  • How to help clients avoid big decisions during times of grief
  • The significance of creating a “lesson plan” for a post-loss meeting
  • What her advisor did well in her first meeting after losing her husband

*To sign up for Brendan’s monthly newsletter focused on the human side of advice → Click Here

Resources:

Connect with Brendan Frazier: 

Connect with Kathi Balasek: 

About Our Guest: 

Kathi Balasek is an educator, grief literacy communication coach, university asst. professor, speaker, and widow advocate. She trains professionals on how to improve their grief literacy communication skills to engage, support, and retain clients and employees going through life’s most difficult transitions. Whether it is the surviving spouse, the family member with a serious health diagnosis, or a major life transition, these conversations are pivotal to knowing exactly what to say and do. Everyone experiences grief and loss as it is a universal experience. However, it isn’t a universal language – let’s change this together!

Experiencing the emotional, physical, and financial uniqueness of widowhood firsthand, she learned that the relationship between professionals and bereaved clients is pivotal. Combining her 25 years of teaching, coaching, research, and personal experience, she created Grief Smart Professional as a tool to help professionals retain, connect, and support clients experiencing loss, grief, and widowhood. Grief literacy communication is vital to helping all clients before, during, and after a death occurs. 

She is a widow advocate. She stands up and fights for the rights of widows, their livelihood, and their financial future. 

Along with her mission-driven business, Grief Smart Professional, she is a university professor and currently, she teaches at California State University, Chico in the Department of Communication and Education. 

Content here is for illustrative purposes and general information only. It is not legal, tax, or individualized financial advice; nor is it a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any specific security, or engage in any specific trading strategy. 

Information here may be provided, in part, by third-party sources. These sources are generally deemed to be reliable; however, neither our guest nor RFG Advisory guarantee the accuracy of third-party sources. 

The views expressed here are those of our guest. They do not necessarily represent those of RFG Advisory, its employees, or its clients. This commentary should not be regarded as a description of advisory services provided by RFG Advisory, or performance returns of any client. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice.

Securities offered by Registered Representatives of Private Client Services. Member FINRA / SIPC. Advisory services offered by Investment Advisory Representatives of RFG Advisory, LLC (“RFG Advisory or “RFG”), a registered investment advisor. Private Client Services and RFG Advisory are unaffiliated entities. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where RFG Advisory and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. No advisory services may be rendered by RFG Advisory unless a client agreement is in place.

RFG Advisory is an SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of RFG by the Commission, nor does it indicate that RFG or any associated investment advisory representative has attained a particular level of skill or ability.

122: Implementing A “Family EOS” Approach To Create More Intentional Goals with Isaac Presley

122: Implementing A “Family EOS” Approach To Create More Intentional Goals with Isaac Presley

Are your clients drifting aimlessly or swimming purposefully towards their financial goals?

The default for clients is to pick goals on autopilot. Goals that have been determined by society, friends, and their upbringing.

In this episode, Isaac Presley shares how he creates the time and space for his clients to create more intentional goals using a “Family EOS” approach.

You’ll Learn: 

  • The “Time Bucketing” exercise to help clients prioritize goals
  • The “Family EOS” approach and how to introduce it to clients
  • Why sending a pre-meeting video leads to better conversations
  • How the environment you’re in can influence your conversations
  • How he connects his screening and intro process to accelerate trust

*To sign up for Brendan’s monthly newsletter focused on the human side of advice → Click Here

Resources:

Connect with Brendan Frazier: 

Connect with Isaac Presley: 

About Our Guest: 

Isaac Presley is the CEO of Cordant Wealth Partners. He frequently writes and speaks on investing and industry topics and his work has been seen in Bloomberg, US News, Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, and Wealth Management magazine. He’s been named the top 100 most influential advisors by Investopedia five times. Prior to joining Cordant, he worked in finance for two Fortune 500 companies. He has a Bachelor’s in Finance from Oregon State University, his MBA from Portland State University, and earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 2011.

Content here is for illustrative purposes and general information only. It is not legal, tax, or individualized financial advice; nor is it a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any specific security, or engage in any specific trading strategy.

Information here may be provided, in part, by third-party sources. These sources are generally deemed to be reliable; however, neither our guest nor RFG Advisory guarantee the accuracy of third-party sources.

The views expressed here are those of our guest. They do not necessarily represent those of RFG Advisory, its employees, or its clients. This commentary should not be regarded as a description of advisory services provided by RFG Advisory, or performance returns of any client. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice.

Securities offered by Registered Representatives of Private Client Services. Member FINRA / SIPC. Advisory services offered by Investment Advisory Representatives of RFG Advisory, LLC (“RFG Advisory or “RFG”), a registered investment advisor. Private Client Services and RFG Advisory are unaffiliated entities. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where RFG Advisory and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. No advisory services may be rendered by RFG Advisory unless a client agreement is in place.

RFG Advisory is an SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of RFG by the Commission, nor does it indicate that RFG or any associated investment advisory representative has attained a particular level of skill or ability.

121: A Playbook To Master The Human Side of Advice with Michael Kitces

121: A Playbook To Master The Human Side of Advice with Michael Kitces

When you want to learn something about financial planning and advice, the ultimate source is Michael Kitces.

Most people know Michael is a spreadsheet-loving, technical wizard.

What most people don’t know is that he also fully believes in the human side.

In this episode, Michael explains the skills and processes advisors need to know on the path to mastering the human side of advice.

You’ll Learn: 

  • What Michael says is the #1 skill for financial advisors
  • The drawbacks to marketing the human side to prospects
  • Why you can’t believe clients when they tell you their goals
  • Why Michael only wears blue shirts (and how many he owns)
  • The method Michael uses to uncover what clients really value
  • Why the 3-year mark changes everything for an advisory business

And more!

*To sign up for Brendan’s monthly newsletter focused on the human side of advice → Click Here

Resources:

Connect with Brendan Frazier: 

Connect with Michael Kitces: 

About Our Guest: 

Michael E. Kitces, MSFS, MTAX, CFP®, CLU, ChFC, RHU, REBC, CASL, is the Head of Planning Strategy for Buckingham Wealth Partners, a private wealth management firm located in St Louis, Missouri, that oversees approximately $50 billion of client assets. In addition, he is the co-founder of the XY Planning Network, AdvicePay, fpPathfinder, and New Planner Recruiting, former practitioner editor of the Journal of Financial Planning, and the publisher of the e-newsletter The Kitces Report and the popular financial planning industry blog Nerd’s Eye View through his website www.Kitces.com, dedicated to advancing knowledge in financial planning.

Content here is for illustrative purposes and general information only. It is not legal, tax, or individualized financial advice; nor is it a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any specific security, or engage in any specific trading strategy.

 Information here may be provided, in part, by third-party sources. These sources are generally deemed to be reliable; however, neither our guest nor RFG Advisory guarantee the accuracy of third-party sources.

 The views expressed here are those of our guest. They do not necessarily represent those of RFG Advisory, its employees, or its clients. This commentary should not be regarded as a description of advisory services provided by RFG Advisory, or performance returns of any client. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice.

 Securities offered by Registered Representatives of Private Client Services. Member FINRA / SIPC. Advisory services offered by Investment Advisory Representatives of RFG Advisory, LLC (“RFG Advisory or “RFG”), a registered investment advisor. Private Client Services and RFG Advisory are unaffiliated entities. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where RFG Advisory and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. No advisory services may be rendered by RFG Advisory unless a client agreement is in place.

 RFG Advisory is an SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of RFG by the Commission, nor does it indicate that RFG or any associated investment advisory representative has attained a particular level of skill or ability.

120: The Three Cornerstones of a Happy And Fulfilling Retirement with Michael Finke

120: The Three Cornerstones of a Happy And Fulfilling Retirement with Michael Finke

Michael Finke’s research shows that the trifecta of a happy and fulfilling retirement incorporates:

  1. Money
  2. Health
  3. Social Connection

Most financial advisors know the money part.

But how can you incorporate the other health and social connection parts into a financial plan to help your clients live a happy and fulfilling retirement?

Fortunately, Michael Finke is the foremost authority on this topic and shares with us the three cornerstones of a happy and fulfilling retirement and how to incorporate it into your retirement planning work with clients.

You’ll Learn: 

  • The only two places your money can go
  • How to increase your clients’ happiness per dollar spent
  • Why your clients should start taking forced semi-retirements
  • One thing most retirees believe will provide satisfaction but doesn’t
  • The amount of wealth where life satisfaction peaks before falling again
  • The one relationship in your life with the highest correlation to life satisfaction

Resources:

Connect with Brendan Frazier: 

Connect with Michael Finke:

About our Guest: 

Michael Finke, Ph.D., is a Professor of wealth management and Frank M. Engle Distinguished Chair in Economic Security Research at The American College of Financial Services. He is a nationally known researcher in the areas of retirement income planning, retirement spending, life satisfaction, and cognitive aging.  He is a frequent speaker at financial planning conferences and was named one of the 25 most influential people in the field of investment advising in 2020 and 2021 by Investment Advisor Magazine.

Content here is for illustrative purposes and general information only. It is not legal, tax, or individualized financial advice; nor is it a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any specific security, or engage in any specific trading strategy.

Information here may be provided, in part, by third-party sources. These sources are generally deemed to be reliable; however, neither our guest nor RFG Advisory guarantee the accuracy of third-party sources.

The views expressed here are those of our guest. They do not necessarily represent those of RFG Advisory, its employees, or its clients. This commentary should not be regarded as a description of advisory services provided by RFG Advisory, or performance returns of any client. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice.

Securities offered by Registered Representatives of Private Client Services. Member FINRA / SIPC. Advisory services offered by Investment Advisory Representatives of RFG Advisory, LLC (“RFG Advisory or “RFG”), a registered investment advisor. Private Client Services and RFG Advisory are unaffiliated entities. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where RFG Advisory and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. No advisory services may be rendered by RFG Advisory unless a client agreement is in place.

RFG Advisory is an SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of RFG by the Commission, nor does it indicate that RFG or any associated investment advisory representative has attained a particular level of skill or ability.

119: A 3-Step Process for Crafting a Statement of Financial Purpose with Andy Baxley – Part II

119: A 3-Step Process for Crafting a Statement of Financial Purpose with Andy Baxley – Part II

*This is a continuation of the conversation that started in the previous episode (Episode 118). We highly recommend listening to that episode first!

A statement of financial purpose serves as the mission statement for your client’s financial life.

It acts as the north star for making financial decisions that are in alignment with the things that are truly important in life.

Most advisors love the idea, but they don’t know how to do it.

Fortunately, Andy Baxley created an entire course on it.

And, in this conversation, he reveals the 3-step process he takes his clients through to craft a statement of financial purpose.

You’ll Learn: 

  • The power of helping clients turn vague goals into vivid visions
  • Questions to help clients narrow down what’s most important to them
  • Why you need to help clients separate short-term and long-term goals
  • A framework for turning a statement of financial purpose into tangible goals
  • How to use a statement of financial purpose throughout the planning process

Resources:

Connect with Brendan Frazier: 

Connect with Andy Baxley: 

About Our Guest: 

Andy Baxley, CFP®, CIMA®, CeFT®, is a Sr. Financial Planner at The Planning Center. Andy’s approach to financial planning goes beyond the numbers; it’s about helping the individuals and families he serves achieve clarity, confidence, and a sense of purpose around their money. Ultimately, Andy doesn’t just want his clients to feel financially secure; he wants them to feel empowered to plan with a sense of optimism and possibility.

Content here is for illustrative purposes and general information only. It is not legal, tax, or individualized financial advice; nor is it a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any specific security, or engage in any specific trading strategy.

Information here may be provided, in part, by third-party sources. These sources are generally deemed to be reliable; however, neither our guest nor RFG Advisory guarantee the accuracy of third-party sources.

The views expressed here are those of our guest. They do not necessarily represent those of RFG Advisory, its employees, or its clients. This commentary should not be regarded as a description of advisory services provided by RFG Advisory, or performance returns of any client. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice.

Securities offered by Registered Representatives of Private Client Services. Member FINRA / SIPC. Advisory services offered by Investment Advisory Representatives of RFG Advisory, LLC (“RFG Advisory or “RFG”), a registered investment advisor. Private Client Services and RFG Advisory are unaffiliated entities. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where RFG Advisory and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. No advisory services may be rendered by RFG Advisory unless a client agreement is in place. 

RFG Advisory is an SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of RFG by the Commission, nor does it indicate that RFG or any associated investment advisory representative has attained a particular level of skill or ability.

118: A 3-Step Process For Crafting A Statement of Financial Purpose with Andy Baxley – Part I

118: A 3-Step Process For Crafting A Statement of Financial Purpose with Andy Baxley – Part I

A Statement of Financial Purpose serves as the mission statement for your client’s financial life.

It acts as the north star or lens for making financial decisions to ensure they are aligned with what’s truly most important.

Most advisors love the idea, but they don’t know how to do it.

Fortunately, Andy Baxley created an entire course on it.

And, in this episode, he reveals the 3-step process he takes his clients through to craft a statement of financial purpose.

You’ll Learn:

  • A script to introduce values conversations to long-time clients
  • His favorite question to help guide clients through tough decisions
  • The best time in the onboarding process to have values conversations
  • The powerful story of how a statement of financial purpose changed a client’s life
  • How values conversations have led to a more referable experience for Andy’s practice

*Follow Brendan for insights on mastering the human side of advice:

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109: How To Deliver Advice That Clients Actually Follow

109: How To Deliver Advice That Clients Actually Follow

If you want your clients to actually follow-through on the advice you give, you have to shift your approach.

You have to shift from “Advisor-Driven” to “Client-Inspired” advice.

Client-inspired advice provides the client with control, confidence, and autonomy. When you can provide these three things, it paves the way to behavior change and implementation of advice.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

  • The psychology and research of giving advice
  • The three essential elements of client-inspired advice
  • Questions and scripts on how to deliver client-inspired advice

To sign up for Brendan’s monthly newsletter focused on the human side of advice → Click Here

 

Resources:

  • The featured partner for this episode is Knudge, an automated system to help clients actually follow through on their tasks and reach their financial goals

 

Connect with Brendan Frazier: