Libsyn Directory

Smarter Planner Symposium 2025 *Discount Code Available*

Release Date: 01/08/2025

Making the Case for Simplicity in Financial Planning - Ed Dressel [President & Owner]

Smarter Planner Podcast

In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, welcomes Ed Dressel, president and owner of Retire Ready Solutions, a company empowering advisors to simplify retirement education — especially for middle-income workers and pension-eligible employees. With nearly 40 years in the industry, Ed has identified a critical disconnect: advisors love complexity, but clients crave simplicity. When presentations are too technical, clients feel lost and miss the most essential questions about their retirement readiness. Ed explains how shifting from over-analysis to...

From Policy to Plan: Rethinking Long-Term Care for Every Client — Mike Padawer [Founder]

Smarter Planner Podcast

In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, sits down with Mike Padawer, CLTC, founder and president of Inertia Advisor Services Group and Carefidence, to discuss why financial planners must shift their approach from simply paying for care to truly planning for care. Mike—author of What’s the Deal with Long-Term Care and co-author of What You Don’t Know About Retirement Will Hurt You—shares how advisors can guide clients through the emotional, legal, and financial realities of aging with intention. He explains how most...

Trust First, Sell Later: How to Redefine Prospect Meetings - Ari Galper [Founder]

Smarter Planner Podcast

In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, sits down with Ari Galper, founder and CEO of Ari AI — the world’s only trust-based proprietary AI sales growth advisor — to explore how financial planners can build deeper trust and stronger client relationships in today’s commoditized advisory landscape. Ari, author of seven bestselling books including Trust in a Split Second and Unlock the Sales Game, explains why we’re in what he calls a “trust recession.” He challenges the traditional focus on relationship-building and free consulting, showing instead...

Advising Immigrants: Culture, Compliance, and Cross-Border Complexity - Jane Mepham, CFP® [Founder & International Advisor]

Smarter Planner Podcast

In this episode of The Smarter Planner podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, sits down with Jane Mepham, CFP®, founder of Elgon Financial Advisors, to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities of financial planning for immigrants and foreign nationals living in the United States. Jane, a former H-1B visa holder herself, brings a deeply personal and professional perspective to helping clients bridge two financial worlds- from understanding tax treaties and global reporting requirements to navigating cultural expectations around money and family support. She also shares insights from...

CE Credit Episode: AI & the Future of Financial Advice

Smarter Planner Podcast

In this 1 CE-credit episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP® talks with two leading voices about how artificial intelligence is shaping the industry and what it means for the future of financial planners. CE Credit Instructions Listen to the full episode. Take the quiz: Receive 1 CE credit upon completion. Links & Resources Part One: Brendan Fraser – How AI Will Make You a Better Planner Will AI replace advisors? Brendan explains why the answer is "not yet"—and maybe never, if humans focus on what tech can't replicate. The chess analogy: How pairing...

Tax Changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act: What’s Known and What’s Not - David Peters [CFP & CPA]

Smarter Planner Podcast

In this episode of the Smarter Planner podcast, host Belle Osvath speaks with David Peters, CFP®, CPA, founder of David Peters Financial Group and Peters Tax Preparation & Consulting, about the sweeping changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and their impact on financial planners and clients. With four master’s degrees, a national teaching role, and a PhD in progress, David brings both technical expertise and a practical perspective on navigating new tax laws. Website: LinkedIn The Smarter Planner podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association...

How to Use Market Cycles to Manage Portfolio Risk - Vincent Randazzo, CMT, [Founder]

Smarter Planner Podcast

In this episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, talks with Vincent Randazzo, CMT, founder of ViewRight Advisors and former Head of Technical Research at CFRA, about how financial advisors can better navigate market cycles and systemic risk using a disciplined, data-driven approach. Vincent explains that traditional static asset allocation models don't account for the market cycle's stage—spring, summer, fall, or winter—and therefore miss critical opportunities to manage risk. He emphasizes the importance of active risk management, which differs from stock picking or market timing. Vincent...

Fake Fees & Phantom Advisors: What 5500s Reveal - Paul Sippil [CPA & Forensic 401(k) Consultant

Smarter Planner Podcast

In this episode of the Smarter Planner podcast, host Belle Osvath sits down with Paul Sippil, CPA, and founder of Paul Sippel & Associates, to explore the often-overlooked world of 401(k) plan fees, transparency, and fiduciary responsibility. As a self-described “forensic retirement consultant,” Paul has reviewed thousands of Form 5500 filings, uncovering hidden fees, conflicts of interest, and even outright fraud. Paul shares how his journey began by cold-calling business owners after analyzing their publicly available 5500 forms—only to be met with surprise,...

Why Clients Don’t Change—And What You Can Do About It - Dr. Christina Lynn [Financial Behavioral Strategist]

Smarter Planner Podcast

In this episode of the Smarter Planner podcast, host Belle Osvath talks with Dr. Christina Lynn, CFP®, AFC, CDFA, Director and Wealth Strategist at Mariner, about the transformative power of motivational interviewing in financial planning. A technique rooted in behavioral health, motivational interviewing is gaining momentum among financial professionals as a powerful tool to navigate emotionally charged client conversations and foster meaningful change. Dr. Lynn explains that financial advisors often jump too quickly into solutions, assuming expertise alone can guide clients to better...

Sales Without the Sleaze: Aligning Values With Revenue - Tim Maurer [CFP & Chief Advisory Officer]

Smarter Planner Podcast

In this episode, host , interviews Tim Maurer, CFP®, Registered Life Planner and Chief Advisory Officer at Signature FD. Tim shares his expertise on the often-dreaded topic of sales in financial planning, offering insight into how financial professionals can approach business development in a way that aligns with their fiduciary responsibility. Tim discusses how the sales process can feel at odds with the advisory profession's core values and the challenge of reconciling the two. He also delves into his work with advisors to help them integrate business development into their...

More Episodes

In this episode of the Smarter Planner podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP® speaks with Kelly McNerney, CFP®, and Kristin Beane, about the upcoming Smarter Planner Symposium, which will be held on January 24th, 2025 at the Archer Hotel in Tysons Corner, Virginia. The event promises a full day of learning, networking, and collaboration designed for financial planning professionals.

Schedule

7:30 - 8:00 Registration and Breakfast
8:00 - 8:15 Welcome Kelly McNerney- Chair- 2025 Symposium
8:15 - 9:00 Mike Townsend: Policy and Politics in the New Washington: Implications for Investors
9:10 - 10:00 Ben Henry- Moreland: Tax Planning For TCJA's (Scheduled) Sunset: Preparing Clients For Change Amid Legislative Uncertainty
10:00 - 10:20 Break
10:20 - 11:10 Rianka R. Dorsainvil, CFP®: Increasing Culture Competency to Better Serve Clients
11:10 - 12:00 Michael Egan, CFP®, CIMA: Custom Options for Concentrated Stocks
12:00 - 12:30 Annual Awards
12:30 - 1:30 Lunch AKA Hotel Bar
1:30 - 2:20 Sefa Mawuli, CFP®: Tailoring Financial Planning for Global Families and Professionals
2:20 - 3:10 Ashley Quamme: Sensitive Conversations: Mastering Difficult Client Scenarios through Conversation and Connection
3:10 - 3:30 Break
3:30 - 4:10 Mark Colaço, CFP® Perception vs. Reality: The Vital Role of Insurance in a Thriving Advisory Practice
4:10 - 4:20 Raffles and Closing
4:30 - 5:30 Happy Hour

Networking Opportunities: Attendees can connect during breaks, lunch, and a post-event happy hour in the hotel's unique spaces, including the penthouse.

Continuing Education (CE) Credits: Up to seven CE credits are available, providing an additional incentive for attendance.

Special Offers and Prizes: Podcast listeners can use a $50 discount code ("SmarterPlanner"), and attendees can participate in a bingo-style activity to win prizes while interacting with sponsors.

Kelly and Kristen also discuss the importance of collaboration within the Financial Planning Association (FPA), sharing insights on the value of FPA membership benefits and the impact of fostering community among chapters.

For more information or to register, visit the symposium's page and use the discount code to save on admission. Don't miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and grow as a financial planning professional.

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The Smarter Planner podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse any individuals or services mentioned.

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