Bucket List Wealth: Your Guide to Financial Freedom with Jason L Smith
Release Date: 07/22/2025
Matthew Halloran on Growth, Client Events, AI, and Building a Better Advisory Practice
The Model FA
In this episode of the Model FA Podcast, David DeCelle sits down with Matthew Halloran, Chief Evangelist at Zocks, for a conversation that goes way beyond financial advisor technology. Matthew shares his journey from therapist, to life coach at Carson, to building Proudmouth, to helping advisors reclaim their time and use it more intentionally. The conversation covers persistence, personal growth, client experience, organic growth, niche marketing, and why the best advisory firms are not just focused on more AUM, but on helping more people. David and Matthew also dig into how advisors can use...
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Why Organic Growth Is So Hard for Financial Advisors w/ Daniel Gourvitch of Mercer Advisors Pt 2.
The Model FA
In this Part 2 conversation, David DeCelle, CEO of ModelFA, sits back down with Daniel Gourvitch of Mercer Advisors to dig into the brass tacks of organic growth for financial advisors and RIAs. Building on Part 1’s focus on mindset and firm design, this episode is all about execution. Daniel shares stories from Mercer’s experience serving family office clients, creative professionals, and other specialized segments, while David brings data and examples from his work helping advisory firms build intentional growth systems. Key Topics Covered ✅ Why growth is an outcome, not a single...
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Why Organic Growth Is So Hard for Financial Advisors w/ Daniel Gourvitch of Mercer Advisors Pt 1.
The Model FA
Most financial advisory firms say they want organic growth. But very few are honest about what it actually takes to create it. In this episode of the Model FA Podcast, David DeCelle is joined by Daniel Gourvitch, President of Mercer Advisors, for a deep conversation on why organic growth in the RIA and wealth management space is so difficult, what firms often misunderstand about growth, and why client impact has to come before business metrics. Daniel shares his journey from McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, and BlackRock to Mercer Advisors, and explains how Mercer built a growth engine rooted in...
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The Power of Video in Financial Marketing with Taylor Schulte
The Model FA
In this episode of the Model FA podcast, host David DeCelle sits down with Taylor Schulte, CFP and founder of Define Financial, to explore the journey from unplanned entry into financial advising to building a thriving, $300M AUM retirement planning firm. Taylor shares how sales experience shaped his early career, the lessons learned navigating marketing challenges, and the strategic decisions behind his podcast and YouTube content. The discussion emphasizes consistent content creation, understanding audience dynamics, and leveraging community to grow both client relationships and business...
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Leadership and Life with Brad Johnson of Triad Partners
The Model FA
In this episode of the Model FA podcast, host David DeCelle talks with Brad Johnson, co-founder of Triad Partners, about his non-linear entry into financial services and the profound internal work required to shift from top producer to effective CEO. Brad explains why financial advisory remains fundamentally a relationship business, how Triad redefines “success” as simultaneous business growth and life fulfillment (“Do Business. Do Life.”), and why emotional stability and self-management are strategic leadership assets. The episode explores both operational and psyche-focused...
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The Advisor Growth Bottleneck: Time, Team, and the Coming Wealth Transfer featuring Jeremy Houser
The Model FA
In this episode of the Model FA Podcast, David DeCelle sits down with Jeremy Houser, VP & Senior Advisor Development Consultant at Simplicity Group and host of the Advisor Mentorship Podcast. They break down what actually holds advisors back from scaling—why delegation is the real unlock, how a simple time audit exposes hidden leaks, and what to do right now to stay relevant to the next generation as trillions change hands. You’ll also hear practical guidance on building a digital footprint (without sounding like AI), why LinkedIn is still a blue-ocean channel for advisors, and how to...
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Navigating the Rapidly Evolving M&A Landscape with Allen Darby
The Model FA
In this episode of the Model FA podcast, host David DeCelle spoke with Allen Darby, CEO and founder of Allaris Acquisitions, to discuss the evolution of the wealth management M&A landscape. Allen, an industry veteran who completed nine acquisitions as an RIA owner, provided insights on the surge in buyers and the changing mindset of sellers over the last four to five years. He detailed Allaris Acquisitions' shift from a traditional auction model to a compatibility-focused approach designed to save time and ensure a cultural fit for sellers. The conversation also covered the impact of...
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Unreasonable Hospitality and the Future of the RIA with Jennifer des Groseilliers
The Model FA
In this episode of the Model FA podcast, host David DeCelle spoke with Jennifer des Groseilliers, CEO of The Mather Group, to discuss her career journey, the firm's growth strategy, and its distinct business philosophy. Jennifer detailed her transition from practicing law to becoming a financial advisor, moving through the broker-dealer world to ultimately embrace the Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) structure. The conversation explored The Mather Group's holistic service platform, which includes in-house tax and investment construction, its two-part M&A integration approach, and how...
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FinTech OGs: Streamlining Financial Advisor Operations and Eliminating NIGO Joel Friedman
The Model FA
Learn how Forms Logic, a cloud-based fintech platform built exclusively for financial services firms, is revolutionizing client onboarding, account opening, and advisor transitions. In this episode of the Model FA podcast, CEO David DeCelle interviews Joel Friedman, the Chief Operating Officer of Forms Logic, who shares his 25 years of experience in wealth tech. Discover how the Navigator product eliminates paper-oriented, manual processes and single-handedly ensures single data entry and the use of the most updated, correct forms, dramatically reducing Not In Good Order (NIGO) rates from up...
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Revolutionizing Advisor Workflows: AI, Automation, and the Journey Behind G Reminders with Arnuff Hsu
The Model FA
In Episode 202 of the Model FA Podcast, David DeCelle sits down with Arnulf Hsu, CEO & Founder of GReminders, to break down what “end-to-end meeting management” actually looks like for financial advisors—from automated scheduling and reminders, to pre-meeting briefs, AI note-taking, workflows, and post-meeting follow-ups. Arnulf shares his journey as a serial SaaS entrepreneur and explains why wealth management became the ideal vertical for automation—especially as “note takers” became table stakes. You’ll also hear what advisors struggle with most (change management +...
info_outlineStand 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," and its impact on clients.
Jason also explains the "tax trilogy" of services: tax planning, tax management, and tax preparation. He emphasizes the importance of documenting processes, building a strong team, and differentiating through tax services. David highlights the success of merging tax practices with financial planning, citing a client who grew assets from $160 million to over $800 million.
In this episode:
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The Holistic Wealth Management Approach
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The Bucket Plan: Time-Segmented Financial Planning
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Tax Trilogy: A Strategic Financial Framework
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Team and Process: Scaling Your Financial Practice
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Client-Centric Wealth Creation
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Connect with Jason:
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Website: https://www.jlsmithgroup.com/
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-l-smith-cep%C2%AE-bpc-b998ab14/
About the Model FA Podcast
The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no “gotchas” or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams.
Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you’d love to see covered.
Our Team:
President of Model FA, David DeCelle
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