Tag: Financial Planning
146: From IQ to EQ: A Process For Delivering Values-Based Advice With Shannon Harris

146: From IQ to EQ: A Process For Delivering Values-Based Advice With Shannon Harris

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Most Advisors rely on technical expertise (IQ).

But when you work with human beings, IQ alone often isn’t enough.

You have to combine IQ and EQ (Emotional Intelligence).

Shannon Harris, Managing Partner at Ecclesiastes Wealth Partners, has developed an approach that blends IQ with EQ by delivering values-based advice designed to reshape every client conversation.

In this episode, she shares why she completely rebranded her firm to focus on values-based advice and the framework she uses to deliver that value in every conversation.

You’ll Learn:

  • Why IQ alone often isn’t enough and how EQ can elevate your business
  • How she applies values-based conversations in every meeting
  • How she uncovers a client’s top 5 values with a simple exercise
  • How she uses the client’s values to help them make better decisions
  • The common quantitative and qualitative results of embracing this approach

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 Shannon Harris: 

About Our Guest: 

Shannon Harris is the Managing Partner and an advisor at Ecclesiastes Wealth Partners, recognized by Forbes as one of the Top Women Wealth Advisors. With over 25 years of experience, she blends financial planning with emotional intelligence, delivering values-based advice that aligns money with what matters most. Her unique approach is rooted in behavioral finance and life coaching, helping clients make meaningful, purpose-driven financial decisions.

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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.

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144: How To Stay Connected (And Deepen Trust) Between Client Meetings With Dr. Megan McCoy

144: How To Stay Connected (And Deepen Trust) Between Client Meetings With Dr. Megan McCoy

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What if the most important trust-building moments with clients aren’t during meetings, but actually in between them?

It turns out that your communication between meetings ( texts, emails, calls, etc.) can significantly impact trust, satisfaction, and client retention.

In this conversation, Dr. Megan McCoy shares her breakthrough research on the power of between-meeting communication and how Advisors can create a “web of support” plan to help improve trust, satisfaction and client retention.

You’ll Learn:

  • Ways to personalize communication at scale
  • A framework for “between meeting” communication
  • How to balance task-based and relationship-based outreach
  • Signs your client has financial anxiety (even when they say they’re “fine”)
  • Why you need the right message delivered through the right medium

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

*To get the “Affiliation Guide” outlining a business model designed to help build your business ->Click Here

Resources:

Connect with Brendan Frazier: 

Connect with Dr. Megan McCoy: 

About Our Guest: 

Megan McCoy, Ph.D., LMFT, AFC®, CFT-I™, is an Assistant Professor at Kansas State University’s Department of Personal Financial Planning. She teaches courses at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels focused on financial well-being, financial therapy, and couple dynamics regarding finances.

Dr. McCoy holds a B.A. in Psychology from The University of North Carolina and an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Drexel University. Dr. McCoy also attended the University of Georgia, where she earned a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Science with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, an Accredited Financial Counselor®, and a Certified Financial Therapist-I™.

During her doctoral program, she developed a specialization in financial therapy and client psychology. She had the opportunity to work with clients alongside financial planning students to treat clients’ financial well-being together. Observing and learning from financial planners’ work with clients enabled Dr. McCoy to gain more insights into the psychology of financial planning.

She serves on the Financial Therapy Association’s Board of Directors and was the past Associate editor of the Journal of Financial Therapy. She is currently co-editor for the Financial Planning Review. She was also a guest editor on a special issue on finances for Contemporary Family Therapy.

Dr. McCoy’s research interests focus on financial therapy, financial well-being, and financial communication, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion issues. She has published over forty articles in top-tier mental health, family science, financial counseling, and financial planning journals. This year, her research has won awards from the National Council of Family Relations and the Financial Therapy Association. Dr. McCoy has been awarded grants from the Financial Planning Association, the National Endowment for Financial Education, and FP Canada to continue research on how to integrate client psychology topics into financial planning to foster trust and commitment with clients.

Dr. McCoy has also been featured as a financial well-being expert on the Today Show, NPR, BBC, the Wall Street Journal, and many other media outlets.

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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.

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142: Transforming Your Onboarding Process Into A Referral Engine with Libby Greiwe

142: Transforming Your Onboarding Process Into A Referral Engine with Libby Greiwe

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What if your onboarding process could become your most powerful referral engine?

Most advisors overlook onboarding as a strategic growth tool—and that’s a mistake.

In this episode, Brendan Frazier sits down with Libby Greiwe, founder of The Efficient Advisor, podcast host, and author of The First 100 Days: The Advisor’s Blueprint for a Remarkable Client Experience.

Libby walks through how to assess your current process, design it around your clients’ emotions, and shift their experience from uncertainty to confidence.

All while laying the foundation for lifelong loyalty and a steady stream of referrals.

You’ll Learn: 

  • How you can assess your onboarding process to identify areas for improvement 
  • Designing your onboarding experience to align with your clients’ emotions 
  • The three layers that make up a great onboarding process 
  • How a “Domino’s pizza tracker” style system can help keep clients informed and engaged 
  • How hosting signing parties for paperwork could reduce friction and improve the client experience 
  • The role of remarkable human connections and clear expectations plays in onboarding success 

*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 Libby Greiwe: 

About our Guest: 

Libby Greiwe helps financial advisors build efficient, systematized businesses—so they can work less, feel less overwhelmed, and fall back in love with their practice.

When she began her career in financial services, Libby was logging 80-hour weeks at a large brokerage firm. It didn’t take long for her to recognize that most advisors weren’t struggling due to a lack of knowledge—they were struggling because they lacked efficient systems. That realization set her on a mission to change the way advisors work.

Through The Efficient Advisor, Libby now teaches advisors how to organize their practice, streamline operations, and deliver an exceptional client experience—while reclaiming their time and energy.

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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.

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132: The Search For Purpose and Meaning In Retirement with Tom Pendergast

132: The Search For Purpose and Meaning In Retirement with Tom Pendergast

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We all have an idea of what retirement will be like.

But what happens when reality doesn’t match your expectations?

For many, the transition from a structured career to unstructured free time isn’t as easy as it seems.

That’s exactly what happened to Tom Pendergast.

Tom is a retired professional who found himself facing an unexpected challenge: boredom

In this episode, Tom reveals his personal journey through the human side of retirement—the identity shifts, the search for purpose, and the unexpected struggles that come with it.

You’ll Learn: 

  • Why Tom’s initial idea of retirement didn’t match the reality
  • The challenges of shedding a career identity and finding a new purpose
  • Experiments Tom tried to create a more meaningful retirement
  • The role a financial advisor can play in easing the transition

*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 Tom Pendergast: 

About Our Guest: 

Tom Pendergast is a writer and editor with eclectic interests, including cars, birds, outdoor exploration, baking, cybersecurity, and privacy. He often jokes that he’s no longer fit for corporate work, but his career has included serving as the Chief Learning Officer at MediaPRO, a cybersecurity and privacy education company. Before that, he founded and ran Full Circle Editorial, a book packaging company, with his wife, Sara. During that time, he authored and edited two dozen books and countless articles. He also served on the local school board and remains interested in local politics.

He lives in Snohomish, Washington, with his wife, artist Sara Pendergast. They have two grown children and a close-knit circle of friends. Together, they enjoy hiking, racing cars, drinking beer, gardening, watching birds, and making the most of life.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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*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.

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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.

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