Invest Well, Be Well

Naomi Win - Bridging Wealth and Well-Being

garegantuan@gmail.com (Naomi Win, Robyn Murray, Rusty Vanneman) — Fri, 28 Nov 2025 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we discuss how to reframe uncertainty into a strength rather than a liability, how advisors and leaders can build resilience for market shocks, how advisors can better integrate investing well with living well, why repairability trumps compatibility in teams and relationships and much more.

Learn more about Naomi’s research and her role at Orion Advisor Solutions.
How should a high-performing investor, or leader, reframe uncertainty so that it becomes a strength rather than a liability?
What does Naomi see as the most common de-railers for investors when markets turn volatile and how can advisors and leaders build resilience for upcoming shocks?
How can we get people to become more comfortable sitting with uncertainty without rushing to coping strategies and quick fixes?
What are some of the key levers that advisors can use to move their clients from feeling like they are just invested to feeling that they are living well?
What role does vulnerability play in decision making and how does it map onto investment behaviors in a world that celebrates confidence?
Why does Naomi think repairability trumps compatibility in relationships and how does this manifest in investment teams?
What can firms do to engineer better investor behavior and better decision-making behavior?
What behavioral tools or frameworks does Naomi recommend to close the gap between what clients say they want and what they actually want?
When an advisor is growing their firm, how should they weave in some of these behavioral questions into their work on prospecting and during the onboarding process?
What role does advisor self-awareness play in forging trust with clients?
In Naomi’s view, how do habits in physical fitness, social connection and mental health connect with investment behaviors?
What are some emerging tools, from the standpoint of behavioral science and wealth technology, that Naomi recommends advisors look into?
What is one behavioral bias that kills long-term investing discipline and what's one actionable fix Naomi has used with clients to deal with that?

Quote

“Uncertainty being treated as if it’s just naturally a liability would be like saying ‘being alive is a liability,’ which is entirely correct but not necessarily helpful. So, if we think about uncertainty in terms of how we break it down psychologically…we want to embrace space to make meaning in that. If something is ambiguous, that can be a little scary and also it gives us space to make meaning.” - [02:30] Naomi Win

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Bob Heller - Insights from Former Fed Governor on Business, Investing and Life

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we discuss Bob’s ilustrious and varied career, what he remembers about growing up in Germany during WWII, his thoughts on the role of central banks and crypto currency, why he believes Keynesian Economics is fundamentally flawed and much more.

What did growing up in Germany during WWII teach Bob about risk, scarcity and humility, both professionally and personally?
What was Bob’s experience like moving to the US as a German immigrant? What cultural or psychological adjustments did he make and how did this prepare him for later high-stakes professional roles?
What were some of the hardest parts of Bob’s major career transitions and were there skills that were acquired in one realm that turned out to be surprisingly useful in another?
Is there a moment or decision from his tenure at The Federal Reserve that still gives him pause and what did he learn from it?
As a Fed Governor, how did Bob manage times of stress or friction on the governor’s board?
Why did Bob describe Visa as torn between chaos and order and how did he strike the balance during his time there? Also, what’s a tough decision he made to preserve innovation there?
From Bob’s vantage point as a former Fed Governor, how does he see the evolving role of central banks today and where does crypto currency fit into all of this?
What does Bob believe are the characteristics that separate financial systems that survive crises from those that don’t?
What are some of the warning signals that Bob looks for in financial markets or financial institutions that may signal they’re too fragile?
Why does Bob believe that Keynesian Economics is fundamentally flawed?
What mental framework did Bob utilize when making large decisions, often with limited information?
How did Bob manage his work life balance during his high pressure career?
What was a failure or misstep, either professional or personal, that taught Bob an enduring lesson?

Quote

“Having grown up in Europe, where they have what the Europeans called universal banks, for me it was a natural thing to have investment banks and commercial banks together. The advantage obviously was that they were more stable institutions, because they had the possibility to diversify more. They had more diversified portfolios, they had different ways to earn money, they had more capital and as a result you had, overall, more stable organizations.” - [18:18] Bob Heller

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Joe Smith: On Direct Indexing, Risk & Culture

garegantuan@gmail.com (Roby Murray, Rusty Vanneman, Joe Smith) — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we discuss the problem Parti Pris is solving for advisors and their clients, the non-negotiable principles of wise investing, how to achieve true diversification at a household level, the most crucial risk management tools, how Joe’s entrepreneurial journey has shifted the way he thinks, how the ETF and Direct Indexing landscape may evolve in the coming five years and much more.

What is the exact problem that Parti Pris is solving for advisors and their clients?
What is the core principle behind Joe’s personal investment philosophy today?
From Joe’s many years of experience leading multi-asset portfolios, what are some of his non-negotiable principles of wise investing?
How does Joe define, and measure, true diversification at the household level?
What tools does Joe think matter the most, in terms of risk management, for clients?
How does Joe think that behavior and process intersect? How does he design portfolios that investors can actually stick with?
How has Joe’s entrepreneurial journey affected the way he thinks?
Listen to a walkthrough on Parti Pris and how they save their advisors time.
What are “advisor sketchbook” and “advisor wealth design” on the Parti Pris platform?
If Joe has an RIA that’s starting from model portfolios and ETFs, what’s the pragmatic 90 day path to that household level of personalization that Parti Pris shoots for?
Are there trackable metrics that illustrate how personalization can create better client outcomes?
How does Joe see the ETF versus Direct-Indexing split evolving over the next 3-5 years?
What does Joe think the most underrated advantage of direct indexing is, beyond tax loss harvesting? What does he think is the most overrated?
How does Joe define “culture” within the context of an investment firm?
As an entrepreneur, what are some of the hardest lessons Joe has learned and does he have any advice for any potential founders listening today?
What does performance mean to Joe, both personally and professionally?
How does Joe strive to maintain his work-life balance?

Quote

“A lot of what we’ve done [at Parti Pris] is frankly years of consulting and working with both small and large wealth management organizations to really understand where do they find parts where the process breaks for them. [Then we ask ourselves] how can we come up with something that can alleviate that pain for them? Again, [we just want to] get them back towards saving time and focusing on working with clients.” - Joe Smith

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Dave Lundgren - Technical Analysis, Discipline and Stronger Living

garegantuan@gmail.com (Dave Lundgren, Rusty Vanneman) — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we discuss the underlying principles of technical analysis, why so many institutional investors overlook or misunderstand technical analysis, what disciplined investing looks like, how quantitative investing and behavioral investing overlap with technical analysis and much more.

Learn a bit about Dave’s professional journey and what he’s doing today.
In Dave’s own words, what is technical analysis?
What are some of the underlying principles in technical analysis that make it a valuable tool for investors?
Why does Dave think that so many investors, particularly institutional investors, overlook technical analysis or misunderstand it?
How does Dave define discipline in the context of investing?
How does discipline show up in Dave’s actual process such as his rules, review cycles and decision making?
What are the consequences when investors lose discipline?
How does technical analysis compliment fundamental analysis?
Are there moments in market cycles where technicals matter more, or differently, than fundamentals?
How do quantitative investing and behavioral investing overlap with technical analysis?
How would Dave describe today’s current market structure and does he think we are in a bubble?
What are some of the technical signals that Dave is watching to know when to get out of a bubble?
In the kind of fragile market environment we are currently in, how can investors prepare and how can they balance caution and opportunity?
Who have been some of Dave’s biggest influences in the world of technical analysis? What books, mentors or resources have shaped his philosophy
For investors who are new to technical analysis, how can they begin to blend this strategy into a long-term, diversified portfolio?
What is the mission of the CMT Association and what does a CMT designation represent in today’s investment landscape?
What inspired Dave to start his podcast, “Fill the Gap?”
What is Dave’s approach to retaining physical and mental resilience?
What are some of Dave’s daily or weekly habits that support his high performance?
How has Dave’s mindset evolved over the years, both as a market professional and a human being?

Quote

“[Colleges] can’t tell you that momentum works, because [then] they can’t justify…all the courses they teach, the infrastructure around it and everything else, so it’s too risky for them to say that momentum works. Now, having said that, the room that I am in is not a very big one, but you could definitely fill this room with all the white papers that have been written by academia in support of the momentum factor.” - [13:33] Dave Lundgren

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Robbie Cannon - Helping Investors, Financial Advisors and Asset Managers Thrive

garegantuan@gmail.com (Robbie Cannon, Rusty Vanneman, Robyn Murray) — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 05:00:00 +0000

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In this episode, we discuss how to best balance tech efficiency and human empathy, how data is changing the way advisors serve investors, why advisors and investors should consider allocating with boutique managers, advice for business founders in present day and much more.

In Robbie’s view, what is the right balance between tech efficiency and human empathy in wealth management?
How does Robbie think data is changing the way that advisors serve investors and what does he think are the biggest opportunities ahead?
Learn more about the Money Management Institute that Robbie participates in and what excites him about how MMI is helping the industry evolve.
What’s a success story, or an example, from THRIVE that demonstrates the program’s impact on innovation or inclusion for these emerging managers?
Why should financial advisors and investors consider allocating with emerging and boutique managers?
What challenges do these emerging managers face, particularly against these larger firms in the broader ecosystem?
What were some of Robbie’s pivotal lessons in growing the asset management firm Horizon into a recognized brand?
What advice would Robbie give to business founders today who want to grow their firm sustainably as the landscape becomes increasingly competitive?
How does Robbie maintain his energy and pace, both physically and mentally?
Are there any habits, routines or practices that Robbie maintains to promote his wellbeing?
How has Robbie’s approach to balance and recovery evolved as his career and responsibilities have grown?
What is one practice or principle, outside of work, that Robbie believes most enhances his decision making as a leader?

Quote

“I think mobile has won, I think we can say that, right? Mobile over Desktop has won, and the problem with mobile is that everything is set up for you to make an emotional or quick decision…We want clients to make really good, well-informed decisions, and the device that has won, mobile, and the way we put technology in mobile is actually not suited to make that well-informed decision.” - [04:45] Robbie Cannon

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Fritz Folts - Timeless Lessons on Managing Risk and Building Resilience

garegantuan@gmail.com (Rusty Vanneman, Robyn Murray, Fritz Folts) — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 05:00:00 +0000

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In this episode, we discuss Fritz’s work at 3EDGE, three timeless investment principles, the difference between real risk and perceived risk, how diversification in today’s world may be more nuanced than ever and much more.

Learn about 3EDGE and the work that Fritz does there.
At the highest level, what would Fritz say are three investment principles that are timeless?
From Fritz’s vantage point, how does he balance the pursuit of upside versus the protection of downside when building portfolios?
How does Fritz advise investors about the importance of asset allocation versus securities selection? What matters more for longterm outcomes?
How does Fritz educate investors on the differences between real risk and perceived risk?
What’s Fritz’s current high-level read on the market and why does he think it's different from the last 5-10 years?
How does Fritz view diversification in today’s world where a lot of elements of the market seem to rise and fall together? How can investors recognize false diversification?
What routines or practices does Fritz use to maintain his mental clarity and high-quality decision making?
What does Fritz do to emotionally regulate and avoid behavioral traps during difficult market moments?
How does Fritz maintain his work-life balance and how important is this balance for his long-term performance?
If Fritz were mentoring a younger investor, what would he tell them about living well while also building a long-term investing mindset?
On Fritz’s team, what do they do to cultivate a high-performance, disciplined investment culture and how does this reflect in his personal leadership habits?

Quotes

“In our model we have factors we call canaries, the canaries in the coal mine, and we are looking very closely at those to see if any of those should start to signal that the market might start to crack in here. So, one thing that we watch closely are credit spreads, and credit spreads…are actually starting to widen out now, not to the extent that it’s a problem yet, but that would be one of the warning signs. So, go ahead and stay invested in the equity markets but understand there are a lot of potholes out there that you need to be aware of and take defensive action.” - Fritz Folts

“I really feel like that is a good approach to investing, think about yourself as an athlete. You’re not going to go win a gold medal, but you need to keep your body in shape, you need to sleep, you need to get nutrition and take it seriously and it will really help you.” - Fritz Folts

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Don Calcagni: Theory Meets Practice - Investing Well and Living Strong

garegantuan@gmail.com (Donald Calcagni, Rusty Vanneman, Robyn Murray) — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 05:00:00 +0000

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In this episode, we discuss how to take great investment theory and make it actionable for the everyday investor, some of the biggest behavioral mistakes Donald has seen in both individual and professional investors and how to synthesize the cultures of two merging finance firms.

Learn more about Mercer’s culture and investment philosophy from their CIO
How does Mercer balance the insights of academic research with the practical realities of working with clients and real world markets?
How does Donald take great investment theory and make it work for the everyday investor?
How does Donald incorporate new structural changes into his investment thinking when they don’t have long historical data sets?
How do you determine when a secular shift truly changes the investment landscape vs. when it is simply just another market cycle?
As a Chief Investment Officer, how does Donald balance the data-driven discipline with the human side of investing like client emotions, behaviors and their expectations?
What are some of the biggest behavioral mistakes Donald has seen both individual and professional investors make and how does he help them stay disciplined?
When Mercer acquires advisory firms that have long been independent, how do they strike the right balance between keeping their individuality and creating a standardized investment approach across all Mercer advisors?
What does a typical day, or week, look like for Donald and how does he maintain his energy with his demanding schedule?
Does Donald have any non-negotiables or family routines that really help him stay balanced?
How does Donald’s experience with farmland inform how he thinks about the markets or patience more generally?
What advice would Donald give to other executives, or investors, who are trying to maintain high performance and wellness over the long run?

Quote

“We live in an age where there is so much of what I call ‘financial pornography’ out there, on the internet and everywhere else, that really does a poor job managing investor expectations. So, I think, a big part of our job as advisors is to manage investor expectations [and] to use technology to personalize their portfolios where we can and where is appropriate. I think that’s really the hallmark of what it means to be a wealth manager, is marrying the personal with the portfolio.” - Donald Calcagni

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Randy Lambert - Future Ready: How Intention and Innovation Build Better Firms (and Lives)

garegantuan@gmail.com (Randy Lambert, Robyn Murray, Rusty Vanneman) — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 05:00:00 +0000

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In this episode, we discuss Randy’s work at Intention.ly, what being future ready means and why it is so urgent now, what separates firms that strive through industry change from those that struggle, how Randy helped craft the culture at Orion and much more.

How would Randy describe his professional journey and what led him to his current work at Intention.ly?
What does being “future ready” mean in Randy’s view and why is it so urgent now?
What separates firms that strive through industry change from those that struggle?
How did Randy help craft the culture at Orion Advisor Solutions?
How can wealth management firms stay resilient amid consolidation and changing client expectations?
What does the phrase “human plus digital” really look like in practice?
What is engagement AI and how is it changing the advisor experience?
What are practical ways advisors can integrate data and new technology to really improve their efficiency and deepen client relationships?
What’s an example of a firm going from a reactive to a proactive transformation?
Looking ahead in the next couple of years, what does Randy think will define the most successful firms?
What are some actionable steps that leaders can take today to really start future proofing their businesses?
How is Randy investing in his family as empty nesters and what have they learned from being intentional about that?
How does being intentional at home, and in his family life, help him lead more effectively at work?
What fuels Randy’s contagious energy? How does he maintain this energy in high stress situations?

Quote

“Engagement AI surfaces insights and helps advisors anticipate [the] needs of the customer [and] deliver timely outreach. You know, these are just things that they haven’t been able to do in the past and now they have this layer of intelligence, with some of the tools that they have, that allow them to do that. So, a core part of what we do to help future proof firms is we help blend that data, the technology, into those outcomes that they’re looking for in the experience delivery of their service.” - [13:50] Randy Lambert

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Chip Roame: Five Trends Shaping The Future of Wealth

garegantuan@gmail.com (Chip Rome, Robyn Murray, Rusty Vanneman) — Thu, 6 Nov 2025 05:00:00 +0000

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In this episode, we discuss why The Great Wealth Transfer is often overstated and we add some nuance to that conversation, how wealth managers should rethink their strategies to better serve the next generation, what product innovations are true innovations and which are overhyped and why next gen investments like tokenization & sports betting may be here to stay, for better or for worse

Why does Chip believe that the traditional narrative around “The Great Wealth Transfer” is overstated and how there is an under appreciated horizontal wealth transfer happening right now. What does this mean for advisors in practice?
How should wealth managers rethink their client strategies to serve this next generation effectively?
How does Chip see independent advisors competing in a landscape that includes “The Big 4,” roboadvisors and other new developments?
How might the trends of RIA mergers, and the growing number of companies that run 401k plans, might affect everyday investors and financial advisors?
What product innovations excited Chip most and which does he think are overhyped?
Are “next gen investments,” such as sports betting, tokenization and meme coins, just fringe curiosities or signals of something broader in terms of investing?
What best practices, in terms of marketing, does Chip see that separates firms that grow versus ones that stall?
How far does Chip think we are from genuine, scaleable human-grade AI advice?
Across investment management, wealth tech and advice Chip sees venture capital, mergers & acquisitions and IPOs accelerating - in short, what does this mean for advisors choosing partners or platforms?
What is Chip’s headline for where the industry is heading in the next 3-5 years?
How does Chip maintain his energy, decision making clarity and balance?
What habits or practices does Chip believe consistently show up among the top performers in their field?
If Chip had to summarize his personal philosophy on performance, professional or personal, what would it be?

Quotes

“The generational wealth transfer is the headline, yes it’s 100 Trillion, but don’t forget about the liquidation, don’t forget about the spouse-to-spouse horizontal transfer and don’t forget about healthcare expenses at the end…that [money] will go to the insurance company, not to the kids.” - [03:48] Chip Roame

“On the horizon, we would suggest that…the consolidation of the consolidators…is coming to a station near you soon here. You’re going to wake up someday and Mercer will have bought Mariner, or Mariner will have bought Cap Trust…or something like that. You’re going to see the big firms start merging with each other at some point. Again, if you know history, that’s how the wire houses became the wire houses…so nothing all that unique about predicting the consolidation of the consolidators, but you haven’t really seen it get started yet, so I think that’s going to happen.” - Chip Roame

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Chris Riggio: From Markets to Mountains, How to Lead and Live Strong

garegantuan@gmail.com (Chris Riggio, Robyn Murray, Rusty Vanneman) — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 04:00:00 +0000

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In this episode, we discuss how to foster cross-functional collaboration when silos start to form, what leadership practices are transferable across different disciplines, how the Fintech industry will continue to shape the investment landscape and much more.

What first drew Chris into the fintech and financial services industry and what helps him stay energized about it today?
As Chris looks back over his career, what are some common threads across his senior leadership roles?
What are some of the ways that Chris has successfully fostered cross-functional collaboration when silos start to form?
How do you build a culture where accountability is embraced rather than feared?
What leadership practice has been most transferable across different industries in Chris’s experience?
From Chris’s perspective, how critical is unique insight and consistent high-quality information when you’re talking about successful investing?
How does Chris see the Fintech industry continuing to shape the investment landscape, particularly for advisors trying to deliver better outcomes to clients?
How do “ultrahiking” and other wellness activities help shape Chris’s leadership and decision making process?
What practices does Chris rely on for recovery after feats of endurance?
How does Chris maintain energy and focus while he is balancing some of these demanding professional responsibilities?
If Chris could give one piece of advice to young professionals about sustaining a career over the long run, what would it be?
Looking ahead, what excites Chris the most about the future of fintech and financial services?
What does living life to the fullest look like for Chris?
What does “invest well, be well” mean to Chris personally?

Quote

“I look at accountability [and] it’s not punishment, it’s ownership, right? I focus on building a culture where people feel trusted to make decisions and actually feel supported when things are not going as planned. So, when leaders model accountability with either transparency or humility, it becomes something that the organization should value and not really avoid.” - [06:33] Chris Riggio

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Allison Bonds Mazza: From Markets to the Palisades Fire - Lessons in Resilience

garegantuan@gmail.com (Allison Bonds Mazza, Robyn Murray, Rusty Vanneman) — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 04:00:00 +0000

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In this episode, we discuss why ETFs are such a powerful tool for wiser investing, how the ETF industry may evolve going forward and lessons of resilience from Allison who lost her home and all her belongings to the LA wildfires.

Learn more about Allison’s career and what led her to her current role at State Street Investment Management
What does Allison believe are the qualities that make a “wise investor?”
From Allison’s vantage point, why are ETFs such a powerful tool for wiser investing and how does she see their role evolving in the years ahead?
Aside from manufacturing dependable investment strategies and solutions, how does State Street Investment Management help advisors and investors put wiser investment into practice?
What daily or weekly practices does Allison use to keep her own focus and decision making sharp?
What practices has Allison found that build resilience and sustain performance for teams, especially when markets get tough?
How did Allison get through losing her home and all her belongings in the recent LA fires?
How does Allison’s experience with the fires apply to building resilient portfolios for investors?
What habits, or mindset shifts, have been most critical for Allison as she has rebuilt her life after the fires?

Quote

“The global financial crisis turned out to be a really significant accelerator for the ETF industry. The reason why that happened was because it underscored their value of liquidity, the value of transparency and the value diversification. So, the GFM was this big accelerator for the industry as it shifted from Mutual Funds to ETFs.” - [09:06] Allison Bonds Mazza

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Arthur Fratelli - The Art of Communication: Lessons from the Amazing Arthur

garegantuan@gmail.com (Arthur Fratelli, Rusty Vanneman, Robyn Murray) — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 04:00:00 +0000

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In this episode, we discuss the importance of storytelling and laughter in building client relationships, some tips for preparing for big public speaking engagements, tips for non-verbal communication in online conferencing and much more.

Learn about Arthur’s professional journey and how he got to where he is today.
Why does Arthur think communication is so important for professionals who need to guide clients with clarity and confidence?
What is Arthur’s overall philosophy when it comes to communicating effectively?
What role can storytelling play in financial advising and similar professions? Why do “facts fade and stories stick?”
How does Arthur prepare for a big public speaking engagement?
What are some techniques for drawing in an audience’s focus when a topic is dry and numbers heavy, like finance?
What feedback mechanisms has Arthur found most useful for improving his own speaking practice?
How does Arthur adjust his presentation style to suit the different types of audiences he encounters?
What does Arthur think are some common communication habits or patterns that tend to erode confidence and how can financial advisors correct them?
Does Arthur have any tips for using non-verbal communication, particularly when interacting on online conferencing?
How can performers ensure that they are coming across as authentic?
What daily or weekly routines help Arthur stay sharp physically, mentally and emotionally?
How has Arthur learned from his failures, either professionally or personally?
What practices does Arthur have in terms of life-long learning?
What roles do discipline, consistency and mindset play vs. raw talent in terms of the performing arts?

Quote

“Victor Borge…had a great quote, and it was ‘laughter is the shortest distance between two people.’ I think that is so true. If you want to get someone to consider your point of view, get them to laugh. It lowers all the defenses - all the chemicals change in the body, the oxytocin shows up instead of the cortisol. I think that’s something that we forget, on a conscious level, but when we remind ourselves to do it…it makes a big difference when you’re working with your client.” - [05:35] Arthur Fratelli

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Skyler Steinke - From Tokenization to Biohacking

garegantuan@gmail.com (Skylar Steinke, Rusty Vanneman, Robyn Murray) — Thu, 9 Oct 2025 04:00:00 +0000

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In this episode, we discuss how tokenization will change the future of asset management, alternative investments, artificial intelligence and how functional medicine can improve performance in your life and career.

What drew Skyler to alternatives and digital assets originally?
How does Skylar define alternative investments?
What role should alternatives play in building sound, long-term portfolios along with traditional asset classes?
How should investors and advisors think about liquidity trade-offs when investing in alts?
How does Skylar explain what tokenization means in practical terms to investors that are new to the idea?
What are some other real world assets that Skyler is seeing being tokenized today and where does he think is the strongest momentum?
What are some of the risks, or challenges, that still exist with tokenization?
How are people using AI solutions in the fund services and asset management industry, how should they be using it and how is it upscaling for investment professionals?
What sparked Skylar’s interest in functional medicine and biohacking?
What are some of Skylar’s daily or weekly practices that help him maintain energy and clarity?
Does Skylar see a difference in his professional performance as a result of his biohacking practices?

Quotes

“By taking on a less liquid product, or investment, you can enhance your alpha or your return, so there’s a premium to taking on that additional illiquidity [associated with alts]…[Also] certain products now are becoming more liquid in the alternative space, so the liquidity paradigm is changing a bit.” - Skylar Steinke

“[At] the bottom line, [tokenization] is really the digitalization, and fractionalization, of an investment. So, you think of an example like real estate - someone can tokenize a real estate investment, so I can have a token and I own part of that investment that is physical in the real world, but digital in a wallet shall we say.” - Skylar Steinke

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Main Management on Innovation, AI and How to Own the Future

garegantuan@gmail.com (James Maxwell, Kim Arthur, Robyn Murray, Rusty Vanneman) — Thu, 2 Oct 2025 04:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we discuss innovation, what to look for in growth tech companies, Main Management’s ETF TMAT, large language models and how to “own your future.”

What advice does James have to offer for other young professionals hoping to enter the financial services industry?
What does Main Management believe is not currently working about the traditional ways of capturing growth in the markets?
For investors who are looking for growth tech companies to invest in, what qualities does James believe differentiate good emerging tech companies from unsuccessful ones?
What makes Main Management’s TMAT different from other thematic ETFs in the space?
Why is TMAT built with individual stocks?
What kind of exposure should growth investors aim for with TMAT?
What were some of the highlights from this year’s presentation on the power and usefulness of AI at the Main Management conference?
Where are we on the curve of AI adoption so far in James' opinion?
What are some of the biggest myths around AI that James has seen?
What is one risk about AI investments that the market is under pricing and how is Main Management managing that risk in their ETF TMAT?
How are James and Kim using TMAT in their personal portfolios right now? Also, any rules of thumb for sizing a position in TMAT for advisors and investors?
How do James and Kim “own their future” when it comes to health, family and general wellbeing?
What are James’ and Kim’s workout routines?
What’s a personal practice that gives James an edge both professionally and personally?
What are some of the parallels between disciplined living and disciplined investing?

Quote

“It’s very hard, especially early on, to predict the exact winners and losers of any sort of major change. If you’re picking ten different companies and nine are complete failures, and one is the absolute huge winner of that cycle, you’ve actually done pretty well. So, that’s kind of the philosophy that we go into growth investing with.” - [08:00] James Maxwell

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Dick Fredericks - Wisdom from Wall Street to the World

garegantuan@gmail.com (Dick Fredericks, Robyn Murray, Rusty Vanneman) — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 04:00:00 +0000

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In this episode, we discuss how Dick’s varied career experiences have shaped his outlook on life, the power of optimism, traits Dick has observed across successful leaders and the power of deep reading and a love of knowledge.

Looking back over Dick’s varied career, what guiding principles have guided his decision making across such different areas?
What does Dick believe makes a truly wise investor today?
What does Dick think about the financial sector today and what does he think is misunderstood about banks and their role in the economy?
In Dick’s career, he’s been at the intersection of Wall Street, Washington and global business - how has this perspective shaped the way he thinks about diversification, risks and opportunities for investors today?
Learn about “Track,” a venture capital firm that Dick is the chair of, and what they’re all about.
How did Dick’s experience being an ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein inform the way he invests, leads and lives?
In his years serving on various boards, what are some of the common themes Dick has seen in successful leadership and decision making across such diverse organizations?
How did Dick get involved with Turley Wine Cellars, as a grower and board member, and what has that experience been like?
How has Dick’s knowledge and experience, as both a voracious reader and a member of the trust fund board of the Library of Congress, shaped his outlook on life, investing and personal fulfillment?
Dick went to Oxford University to complete a program that he designed on the moral philosophers that influenced our Founding Fathers. Learn more about this experience.
What advice would Dick give to younger professionals, and investors, about how to practically build the habit of continuous learning?
What is the key to living a life that is full of wisdom, balance and meaning?
What is Dick’s physical wellness routine like?

Quotes

“I believe in compounding. You know, Einstein’s theory that it’s the 8th wonder of the world, I strongly believe in that, but on the way you’ve gotta have humility and you’ve gotta learn from your mistakes…Also, while I’m a long-term investor, there’s the Nike thing ‘Just Do It…’ [To be a truly wise investor]...you’ve got to be in the game…while I’m a long-term investor, I do have a pocket of short-term stuff because it just keeps me active.” - Dick Fredericks

“What you realize when you go through all of those sectors…[Wall Street, Washington and global business], [is that] people are people. People are fallible, they make mistakes…and you realize that nobody's got the ultimate edge. Now, you mentioned diversification, I do believe that’s the one free lunch in investing. It’s powerful, it protects you, so I believe strongly in diversification.” - Dick Fredericks

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Wes Gray - Discipline, Differentiation and the Path to Wiser Investing

garegantuan@gmail.com (Wes Gray, Rusty Vanneman, Robyn Murray) — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 04:00:00 +0000

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In this episode, we discuss Wes’s career and company, how his experience in the Marines has shaped his investing philosophy, the importance of transparency in investment strategy and how investors can balance simplicity and sophistication in their portfolios.

Learn about Wes’s career history and what led him to build a firm that really does things differently with Alpha Architect?
How has his experience in the Marine Corp shaped both Wes’s life and his investing philosophy?
What does Wes think the core principles of wise investing are?
What does “affordable alpha” mean in practice for investors?
Why is transparency such an important value for Wes within investment strategy design?
Why does Alpha Architect focus on systemic, evidence-based approaches rather than discretionary decisions?
What does Wes mean about being “robust to chaos” in terms of portfolio construction and financial resilience?
How does Wes coach investors, and himself, to stay disciplined when strategies are underperforming in the short run?
For investors listening today, how should they think about the balance between simplicity and sophistication when building their portfolios?
What has Wes’s experiences hiking and doing ultramarathons taught him about perseverance and mindset?
What are some daily or weekly practices that Wes relies on to keep sharp mentally, physically and emotionally?
How does Wes define discipline and how does he believe one can cultivate it?
What does investing well and living well mean to Wes personally?

Quotes

“I’m going to pull out inner Jack Bogle here, because he seems to be the best for this kind of thing, but wise investing is just…understanding what you are trying to achieve, and then once you have a goal and objective…[you need to ask] how do we achieve that with the lowest fees, the most liquidity, the least complexity and the best tax structure? It’s just that simple.” - [05:00] Wes Gray

“Transparency [within investment strategy design] is great…there’s a lot of reasons for that, but the biggest one is behavioral…If we can be transparent and help the actual end client understand what’s going on, it just makes them more resilient, because if it’s ‘not working’ they will be like ‘oh, well I know it doesn’t work sometimes because of xyz.’” - [07:30] Wes Gray

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Darol Ryan - Wise Investing and Alternative Income Strategies

garegantuan@gmail.com (Darol Ryan, Rusty Vanneman, Robyn Murray) — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 04:00:00 +0000

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In this episode, we discuss Darol’s career, how alternative income funds with option overlays fit into long-term investment plans, common misconceptions about options strategies and day-to-day routines that will help you stay grounded.

When it comes to investment management firms, why does Darol think culture is so important?
What does Darol believe are the key principles of wise, long-term investing?
How does Darol keep investors focused on the big picture, rather than all the little, daily distractions?
How do alternative income funds using option overlays fit into wise, long-term investment plans?
A lot of people, when they hear the word options, think of high-risk investments. Are they too high-risk or are there exceptions?
A lot of people think of options as overly complicated and that you need “an army” to manage these strategies. How would Darol rebut that?
How would Darol reply to those who think these types of strategies are too expensive?
Are options strategies tax inefficient or how would Darol answer this reservation that some have?
If an alternative income fund does make sense for an investor in their long-term portfolio, what should they look for in these types of strategies?
How does Darol manage his time and energy to be able to perform at such a high level?
What are some day-to-day routines Darol has to stay grounded?
If Darol could leave listeners just one piece of wisdom on investing well and living well, what would it be?

Quotes

“I think…bringing people into the partnership and having skin in the game, on the investment side, creates a better outcome for clients and I think they really appreciate it. So yes, culture is important, but you gotta put some real meat on it I think and bring people into the partnership.” - [02:20] Darol Ryan

“Investors…should have a financial advisor to help them, so they can focus on what’s important to them, and so you get away from the distractions, you get away from selling at the bottom in the market etc. You want to bring people into your life that can help you make those decisions, even if you got to pay up for it, you’ll have better long-term outcomes.” - [06:11] Darol Ryan

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Brent Widman - The Limitless Mindset: Investing in Who You Are

garegantuan@gmail.com (Brent Widman, Rusty Vanneman, Robyn Murray) — Thu, 4 Sep 2025 04:00:00 +0000

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In this episode, we discuss Brent’s journey to coaching and leadership development, common mindset blocks that limit professional and personal success and some of the under appreciated traits shared by great leaders.

Brent’s business is called “Your Limitless Coach.” What does being limitless mean to Brent and how does he help others realize that?
What are Brent’s core beliefs, or practices, that have shaped his mindset over the years?
What is the story behind Brent’s journey to coaching and leadership development?
Why is the “why,” of why people do what they do, so critical to performance and fulfillment?
In Brent’s coaching work, what are some of the most common mindset blocks that limit success and how does he help people overcome them?
How does Brent structure his days and routines to stay mentally and physically sharp?
What does high-performance mean to Brent and what habits or principles support it?
What does Brent think are the characteristics of a great leader?
What are some potentially underrated traits for effective leadership?
How do we intentionally develop our leadership identity?
How do the principles of mindset and leadership that we’ve talked about today translate to making better investment decisions?
What’s one small step that people can take today to start moving forward if they’re feeling stuck?

Quotes

“To me, that’s what limitless is…it’s putting the time and effort, not only to have the skills, but to also hone and develop and create and do the things and lean into the things that are hard, and when you do hard things eventually they become easier…so that’s kind of how I look at it I guess.” - Brent Widman

“[To intentionally develop your leadership identity]...what I would tell you to do is to pour yourself into books, people [and] go to events…When you are doing these things, be self-aware enough to understand the things that you need help with, or you need to implement, that’s going to make you better.” - Brent Widman

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Tom Lydon - From ETF Trends to Life’s Second Mountain: Lessons in Investing and Living Well

garegantuan@gmail.com (Tom Lydon, Rusty Vanneman, Robyn Murray) — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

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In this episode, we discuss Tom’s career, how certain ETF strategies can stand out in an increasingly crowded space and David Brooks’ idea of “The Second Mountain” and what that looks like for Tom.

If Tom had to describe his career journey in a single sentence, what would that sentence be?
What drew Tom to investing, in general, and more specifically to ETFs? Was there a moment or person early on that really shaped his philosophy?
What does Tom see as the next big chapter in the ETF space, both for investors and ETF providers?
ETFs are becoming an increasingly crowded space, so what factors separates the winners from the losers in Tom’s experience? What does it take to build a successful ETF in today’s market?
What are the habits, or characteristics, of successful long-term ETF investors? What do they get right that others miss?
How should advisors be using ETF flows to have conversations with their clients about market psychology?
Why is simplicity often underrated by investors, or even advisors?
Borrowing from David Brooks, what does Tom’s “second mountain” of his life look like for him both professionally and personally?
Why would Tom say to other experienced professionals who are looking to transition from the “first mountain” of their lives to that “second mountain?”
What is Tom’s routine, or philosophy, for maintaining mental and physical personal wellness?
What is one piece of advice that Tom has received that has really stuck with him through the years?
If Tom could offer one message for investors and advisors hoping to invest well and live well, what would it be?

Quote

“The covered call, buy/write area – enhanced income, synthetic income, everyone’s got different names for it. There are a bunch of new strategies that are out there, all active in nature, that produce wonderful monthly dividends, above average of what you’re going to get in the fixed income market place, but they all have core equity or fixed income core indexes that are tied to them. The neat thing is: there are a ton of choices, they’re all different and the way that they get that income is different depending on what options you buy. ” - Tom Lydon

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Emily Binder - Voice, Trust and Attention: The Future of Advisor Marketing

garegantuan@gmail.com (Emily Binder, Rusty Vanneman, Robyn Murray) — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

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In this episode, we discuss what inspired Emily to focus on voice marketing and personal branding in particular, why Emily believes “attention is the new oil,” why personal branding is so critical in an industry centered around trust and why “individual-market fit” is just as crucial as product-market fit.

How did Beetle Moment Marketing come to be and what inspired Emily to focus on voice marketing and personal branding?
Why does Emily Binder often reiterate that “attention is the new oil” and what does that mean for financial advisors trying to grow their brand in today’s landscape?
Why is personal branding so critical for financial advisors, especially in an industry so based around trust?
What are some common branding mistakes that Emily sees advisor’s make and what are some simple changes they can make to stand out?
What does Emily mean by “individual-market fit” and how can advisors apply this to their own business and career path?
How can they identify and communicate their unique value in a way that doesn’t feel salesy or forced?
What are some tips for advisors who want to get started on social media and how can they stay consistent without it becoming a full time job?
Is there one content platform that provides your best bang for your buck (e.g. blog, vlog, podcast etc)?
Are there more investor-centric social media platforms than others?
What messaging tips does Emily have for advisors looking to better connect with high net worth clients or prospects?
How can advisors align what they’re passionate about and their natural talents with some of the problems that they are hoping to solve?
How does Emily see AI, Voice Assistants and other emerging tech shaping the future of the financial advisor marketing landscape in the next 3-5 years?
What is one marketing mindset shift, or habit, Emily thinks every financial advisor should embrace moving forward?
What is Emily’s routine, or mindset, for personal wellness and performance?
Is there one daily practice, or routine, that Emily relies on to stay grounded and perform at her best?

Quotes

“Like you said Robyn, it’s all about trust; so, when we do business, even if it’s B2B, it’s really still to C, because we are people and people make up businesses, brands, personal brands and company brands. It’s all people, so we don’t want to do business with people we don’t trust. So many brands are corporate and faceless, because they thought for a long time that it was the formal, professional, buttoned up way to be, but it increasingly doesn’t work or resonate…because we have so much access to each other.” - [03:09] Emily Binder

“The…reasons that a product fails in the market, are the same reasons that an individual fails, or doesn’t thrive, in personal branding, [their] career or anything they’re doing in business…If you have no demand for the problem you are solving, whether you are a product or a person, it doesn’t work, so that’s a parallel right? [People will ask]...’why are you so valuable in this role, or are you just replaceable?’ If so, it’s not going to be sticky or meaningful.” - [06:00] Emily Binder

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Skip Schweiss - Being Where Your Feet Are

garegantuan@gmail.com (Rusty Vanneman, Robyn Murray, Skip Schweiss) — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

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In this episode, we discuss Skip’s career, the future of the independent IRA industry, how we can “keep the soul” of financial advice and so much more!

What are some of the pivotal moments that really shaped Skip’s professional path?
What lessons has Skip learned about creating impact across an organization, or across an industry?
From Skip’s perspective, what’s the state of the independent IRA industry today and where does he think it’s headed?
How can we “keep the soul” of financial advice and how can financial advisors balance their fiduciary duty with scale and technology?
What role does Skip think Behavioral Finance should play in how we think about serving clients and guiding advisors?
How does Skip define leadership and what practices have helped develop his servant leadership style?
What was Skip’s proudest moment during his time in Washington D.C. and is there any unfinished business that still motivates him?
What do mountain hikes teach Skip about resilience, presence and mental strength?
How has Skip’s outdoor adventures informed his decision making and his energy management as a leader?
What does Skip mean by “being where your feet are?”
What’s the best piece of advice that Skip has ever received, either professionally or personally?
If there’s any one thing that Skip hopes advisors or investors take away from this conversation, what would that be?

Quotes

“If I have one thing that I’ve lamented for a long-time, that I think we haven’t figured out yet, it’s how to serve the lower to middle end consumer. Those folks, I think, are still being served by…it might just be their self-directed Schwab, Fidelity or Robinhood Account…which is fine, but I’m a huge fan of the fiduciary advice model, but we’ve never figured out how to scale that downmarket and I would just love to see someone figure that out.” - Skip Schweiss

“One thing I always remember my dad would say over and over and over [is that] ‘anything worth having is worth working for.’ That was such great advice for me. Classic midwestern philosophy, but that really stuck with me…today it’s really principally the same in business or life. I can look up at that mountain top and say I’d really like to get to the top of that mountain, but I don’t have access to a helicopter, there’s no escalator, there’s only one way up there and that’s to work for it.” - Skip Schweiss

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Brittany Mason - Building Alternatives, Brick by Brick

garegantuan@gmail.com (Brittany Mason, Robyn Murray, Rusty Vanneman) — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

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In this episode, we discuss Brittany’s career, her passion for travel and her wellness and meditation routine that centers her personal and professional life. We also take a closer look at the exciting future of alternative investments.

Learn more about Brittany’s background, Banríon Capital’s mission and what sets Banríon apart in the alternative space.
Banríon is focused on “democratizing access to alternatives.” What does this mean in practice and why is it important now?
Are there specific types of alternatives that are really under appreciated or misunderstood that Brittany thinks people should know more about?
Has Brittany had any standout guests on her podcast that really shifted her thinking or really reinforced a core belief?
What do investors and advisors most need to learn, or unlearn, about alternatives today?
What are the best practices that define a wise advisor today?
What behavioral traps has Brittany seen investors falling into when it comes to alternatives?
In an industry so focused on short-term noise, how does Brittany stay grounded in long-term thinking?
How has travel shaped Brittany’s approach to investing and leadership?
Are there any habits that Brittany has picked up from her international travels that have helped her live better or work smarter?
What are wellbeing practices that help keep Brittany energized and focused as a podcaster, investor and all the different roles she has?
What excites Brittany the most right now in the financial services industry?
What is next for Brittany in her personal life or at Banríon?

Quotes

“I like to say: ‘never a victim, always an alchemist.’ So, when I have a setback…[or] get knocked down, how can I take that and flip the script and turn my pain into profits? How am I going to alchemize this situation? So, I do think that setbacks are really opportunities. ” - Brittany Mason

“I love going to do a little bit of neurofeedback once in a while because, again, that is a brain exercise. It’s like you're going to the gym with your brain. I noticed incredible improvements after trying neurofeedback.” - Brittany Mason

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Eric Clarke - Leading with Purpose: Building and Letting Go

garegantuan@gmail.com (Eric Clarke, Rusty Vanneman, Robyn Murray) — Thu, 7 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

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In this episode, we discuss Eric’s career, the importance of servant leadership, the future of Fintech and how to maintain perspective and resilience during life’s most challenging times.

What originally inspired Eric to create the Orion platform and how did his personal values shape the company’s mission?
As Orion grew, how did Eric maintain a company culture centered around purpose and service in such a fast moving and tech-driven industry?
How does Eric see the role of the financial advisor evolving over the next decade? What skills or tools will be most critical for them moving forward?
Which areas of fintech, or wealth tech, is Eric most excited about right now and how does he separate enduring innovation from hype?
What has stepping back and leaving Orion taught Eric about leadership, identity and reinvention?
How did Eric maintain perspective and resilience during difficult times in his leadership?
Who were some mentors that really shaped Eric’s thinking and what advice does he now find himself passing on most often to the next generation of leaders?
Did Eric have wellness practice or routines that really helped him through difficult moments throughout his leadership of Orion?
Now that Eric has transitioned out of day-to-day leadership how does he define success? What is he investing in spiritually, mentally or physically to elevate his own life?
What is a book that has influenced Eric’s life deeply?

Quotes

“One of the things that my father used to tell us when we were growing up and involved with different businesses, even outside the family RIA business, is he would tell us: ‘don’t ever ask someone to do something that you’re not willing to do yourself.’ In essence he installed a servant leadership value inside of us, as well as our family business, right away…When my father was running the business, it never really felt like we were working for him as much as he was there to be supportive of us.” - Eric Clarke

“All of the things that were difficult, as we were building and growing the Orion business, were also opportunities…When you solve those challenges, those challenges your competitors will face as well, hopefully you and your team are coming up with ways to innovate and create some opportunities to win [and to create] some additional competitive moats around the business.” - Eric Clarke

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Jim Ware - The Culture Factor: How Great Investment Teams Win

garegantuan@gmail.com (Jim Ware, Rusty Vanneman, Robyn Murray) — Tue, 5 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

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In this episode, we discuss Jim’s career, the relationship of company culture to performance, the human-side of investing and how firms that work remotely can still cultivate a strong company culture.

What experience shifted Jim’s focus to the “human-side” of investing?
Which one of Jim’s books best captures his philosophy today and what core message from that book still resonates with him?
What separates high-performing investment cultures from the rest? Are there consistent traits or practices that stand out to Jim?
What are some of the blind spots people have in regard to company culture?
How does Jim define and measure culture in a firm in a way that’s practical and repeatable?
What are some of the traits of what Jim calls “Red X Employees?” How should employers manage individuals like this?
How can firms encourage and sustain curiosity and creativity in high pressure environments?
For teams that work remotely, what are some of the best ways to create and sustain culture?
What personal practices does Jim lean on to stay grounded, high-performing and aware in his life and in his work?
Looking ahead, what gives Jim the most optimism about the future of investment leadership and culture?

Quotes

“In [my book, High Performing Investment Teams], we talk about seven behaviors we’ve seen with clients, overtime, that really make a difference. They are things like curiosity…they’re all skills, they’re all learnable. It’s not like you’re born curious or not. You may show up in life as more curious, for various reasons, but everybody can become curious ” - [06:00] Jim Ware

“[EQ] is the ticket to success. You know Warren Buffet said: ‘IQ gets you into the game and EQ puts you in the winner’s circle.’” - [52:00] Jim Ware

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Jurrien Timmer - Renaissance Investing: Wisdom, Wellness and The World

garegantuan@gmail.com (Jurrien Timmer, Rusty Vanneman, Robyn Murray) — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 04:00:00 +0000

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In this episode, we discuss Jurrien’s career, his uniquely narrative approach to technical analysis and his secrets for unlocking resilience and wellness in daily life.

What has been most rewarding about working and growing in Jurrien’s career at Fidelity? Also, learn more about his current position
Was there a formative moment in Jurrien’s career that shaped his approach to technical analysis?
What does taking a long-term, historical approach mean to Jurrien in a world where there is so much noise, 24/7 news and market data?
Where are we in the current cycle and what should long-term investors be paying attention to?
What is going on with gold, and the dollar, and what does this all mean for asset allocation moving forward especially when the 60/40 model is being challenged?
How does Jurrien use analogies and historical charts to communicate stories and how important is narrative in shaping investment strategy and guiding investor behavior?
How can investors better accept the reality that “volatility is price of admission” in investing and stay disciplined when markets get turbulent?
How does Jurrien maintain his physical, emotional and mental wellness?
What is a book, idea, philosopher or thinker that has influenced Jurrien in investing or in life lately?
Does Jurrien intentionally lean into difficult situations to build mental toughness?
Does Jurrien have any other daily rituals, or tools, that help him stay creative and help him conserve mental bandwidth?

Quotes

“Some people want that big, bombastic call, like ‘buy or sell, you know crash or boom.’ To me, there’s not a lot of use in…these binary calls, you [have] like a 50/50 shot of being right [and] it’s not how people, in my view, should be making investment decisions. So, my stuff can seem a little hedged, nuanced or boring, but I want to help people make the best decisions…so there are no easy answers, people have to do it themselves. They have to do this with conviction so that whenever the market they’re investing in draws down, they have that sense of conviction and can bear through this.” - Jurrien Timmer

“The 60/40 paradigm is completely predicated on the assumption that bonds are inversely, or negatively, correlated to stocks. The point is that equities are the anchor, they are driving the bus in terms of your returns. Nothing compounds like equities over the long-term. The price for that compounding, of course, is that every other year you get a 10% correction, every four years you get a 20% bear market. So, that volatility, or those draw downs, are the price of admission...for gaining that 10-11% over time, which over decades really compounds in a meaningful way…From the late 90’s until 2021 that’s exactly what happened, but there have been many many decades before then, and certainly the last few years since then, where bonds have been positively correlated to equities” - Jurrien Timmer

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Dr. Phil Pearlman - Unlocking Fitness Alpha—The Performance Edge in Markets and Life

garegantuan@gmail.com (Phil Pearlman, Rusty Vanneman, Robyn Murray) — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 04:00:00 +0000

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In this episode, we discuss the connection between cultivating discipline in your personal health routine and in the markets with Dr. Phil Pearlman.

Learn more about Phil’s professional background and what he’s up to now.
Why did Dr. Pearlman have to help himself before he was able to help others?
When did Dr. Pearlman’s idea of “fitness alpha” take shape for him? Was there a personal tipping point?
What does “fitness alpha” look like for Dr. Pearlman on a day-to-day basis?
When it comes to activity and physical fitness, what are some of the biggest misconceptions people have?
What kind of physiological changes are the most underrated in how they can impact resilience and adaptability?
Behavioral Economics is often more focused on diagnosing problems than coming up with solutions. How can we do a better job of implementing the lessons of Behavioral Economics?
How does cultivating discipline around your health translate to having discipline in the markets, or vice versa?
What does Dr. Pearlman’s fitness routine look like today?
Why are sleep and recovery so crucial in Dr. Pearlman’s idea of “fitness alpha?”
What is “interoception” and why is it so commonly overlooked in the modern world?
How does Dr. Pearlman help people cut through all the noise in the wellness sector and get started on their personal wellness plan?
Is there one book, or one quote, that Dr. Pearlman comes back to again and again?

Quotes

“The idea of Alpha is that it’s outsized gains, or outsized losses, but in this case outsized gains relative to a benchmark…As I was getting healthier and healthier — losing a bunch of weight, improving my cardiovascular capacity, improving my muscle mass, I was finding that I was performing better. Whether it was consulting, whether it was professionally…relationships improving in my private life, all aspects of my life were improving in the present…When we think about getting healthy, we usually think about the long-term…but there’s also…there’s multiple time frames, there’s the future aspect and there’s also the present aspect. Our performance improves as we get healthy and so it’s like fitness alpha and then the tagline is ‘get healthy, perform better.’ As I started looking into it more deeply, I started finding that there was all of this research that supported this.” - Phil Pearlman

“Once concept, that I think has really resonated with people, is this idea of priority stacking…because we take our health, we take arguable the most important thing in the universe…and a lot of times…we’re just kind of trying to fit it in [at the bottom of] this incredibly busy schedule…So for me, it’s like what is really your priority? [We take] that sort of smooshing it in at the bottom, if we have time, and pulling it out and putting it at the top of the stack.” - Phil Pearlman

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Dr. Daniel Crosby - The Soul of Wealth: Money with Meaning

garegantuan@gmail.com (Rusty Vanneman, Robyn Murray, Dr. Daniel Crosby) — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 04:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we take a closer look at Dr. Daniel Crosby’s new book, The Soul of Wealth and some of its Behavioral Finance applications. In particular, we look at some of the most common behavioral mistakes investors make and what accounts for their persistence.

Tune in to hear:

What brought Dr. Daniel Crosby from practicing Clinical Psychology to Behavioral Finance?
What does the phrase “Soul of Wealth” mean to Dr. Crosby personally?
How do Psychology, Finance and Philosophy all come together in Dr. Crosby’s new book, The Soul of Wealth?
How would Dr. Crosby describe his three books and how they differ from one another?
What does Dr. Crosby think is one of the most common behavioral mistakes that investors still make today and why are they so persistent?
Has investor behavior actually improved with all of the tools and information that Behavioral Finance provides to investors?
How can advisors instruct their clients on how to navigate their biases and better align their investments with their values using Behavioral Finance?
What role does self-awareness play in becoming a better investor?
How can we better integrate emotion and reason when making financial decisions?
How does Dr. Crosby personally define a successful life?
What routines, or practices, help Dr. Crosby maintain clarity, focus and purpose in his work?
If someone only has the time to improve one thing about their financial life this year, what would Dr. Crosby recommend?

Quotes

“Those are the three things advisors can do. They can teach their clients, they can educate their clients on how markets work. They can attend to the environment, give them a portfolio that maximizes the likelihood of their ability to stay the course. [Lastly]...they can be a friend, they can encourage them, during that dark night of the soul, to stay the course” - Dr. Daniel Crosby

“Rather than trying to grit our teeth, and just be emotionless, I think it pays to put emotion on our side in ways that matter and try to make it work for us, because it’s always there” - Dr. Daniel Crosby

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Invest Well, Be Well Trailer

garegantuan@gmail.com (Robyn Murray, Rusty Vanneman) — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 13:47:56 +0000

A podcast for wiser investing and stronger living. Success in the markets and in life requires sound investments — in our portfolios and our personal wellness. A weekly show, Invest Well, Be Well will explore the principles of long-term investing, behavioral finance and peak performance with top-performing investment professionals and cross-industry leaders. Hosted by investment executive Rusty Vanneman and seasoned journalist Robyn Murray, each episode offers practical strategies for building wealth and prioritizing well-being, so you can make better decisions, grow your resilience and elevate your life. Stay tuned for our pilot episode next week with Dr. Daniel Crosby, Chief Behavioral Officer at Orion Advisor Solutions.