Podcast
Advisor Mentorship Podcast
Hosted by Simplicity InsurMark · EN
Systems work, people fail. In today’s crowded marketplace, advisors must find a way to differentiate themselves from the competition. Learn how to elevate your game and accomplish incredible feats as Jeremy Houser teaches you proven systems and processes to successfully build a 21st century advisory practice, and discover how developing a work-life balance is not only possible but achievable.
25episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Narrative-Driven Investing with Ronnie Sadka (Ep. 113)
2w ago00:58:07Tap to summarizeMarkets are often viewed through numbers, charts, and economic data, but there is another layer influencing how they move. How can advisors better understand these forces and connect them to portfolio performance? And how can they explain those movements in a way that resonates with clients? In this episode, Jeremy Houser interviews Ronnie Sadka, Founder and Managing Partner of MKT MediaStats and Professor at Boston College’s Carroll School of Management, about narrative-driven investing. He explains how media data, behavioral finance, and systematic research can help advisors track what is driving market attention. Ronnie also shares how identifying narrative momentum and asset sensitivity can provide clearer explanations for performance and offer a different lens on diversification and long-term strategy. Ronnie discusses: How public narratives can influence markets before they fully appear in asset prices Why slow-moving themes like inflation, AI, and conflict may affect portfolios over time How MKT MediaStats tracks digital media data to quantify market attention Why advisors can use narrative exposure to explain portfolio movement to clients How long-short strategies may add a different source of portfolio diversification And more! Connect with Ronnie Sadka: LinkedIn: Ronnie Sadka Website: MKT MediaStats Website: Boston College Carroll School of Management Connect with Jeremy Houser: jeremy.houser@simplicitygroup.com 713-808-8548 Schedule a Call Our Teams Website Connect with Jeremy @jeremyhouser_amp @jeremyhouserAMP About Our Guest: Ronnie Sadka is the founder and managing partner of MKT MediaStats, senior associate dean for faculty, chairperson and professor in the Seidner Department of Finance, and the Haub Family Professor at the Boston College Carroll School of Management. His research focuses on the liquidity in financial markets. Ronnie is a frequent speaker at academic and practitioner conferences, his work has appeared in various outlets including Journal of Finance, Journal of Financial Economics, Journal of Accounting Research, Journal of Accounting and Economics, Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, and Financial Analysts Journal, and has been covered by New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and CNBC. Prior academic experience includes teaching at the University of Chicago (Booth), New York University (Stern), Northwestern University (Kellogg), and the University of Washington (Foster). Industry experience includes Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Lehman Brothers (quantitative strategies). Sadka recently served on the economic advisory board of NASDAQ OMX. Professor Sadka earned a B.Sc. (Magna Cum Laude) in industrial engineering and a M.Sc. (Summa Cum Laude) in operations research, both from Tel-Aviv University. He received a Ph.D. in finance from Northwestern University (Kellogg). Disclosure #: 5366624 – 0526
Transcribe →Using AI to Move Faster, Connect Deeper, and Win More Clients with Matt Halloran (Ep. 112)
4w ago00:50:06Tap to summarizeSpeed matters more than ever, but does faster mean less personal? What if technology could actually help you build stronger relationships instead of replacing them? In this episode, Jeremy Houser interviews Matt Halloran, Chief Evangelist at Zocks, about how AI is reshaping the way advisors operate and communicate. They explore how faster follow-ups, smarter systems, and better listening can transform client relationships. Matt also shares practical ways advisors can use video, social media, and AI tools to grow their business while staying human and present. Key takeaways: How rapid follow-up using AI can instantly set you apart from other advisors in competitive situations Why thoughtful gestures, supported by AI insights, can strengthen relationships and build long-term trust How simple, real-time video content after meetings can become your most effective marketing strategy Why talking less and listening more creates stronger connections and better outcomes with clients How integrating AI tools into your workflow can free up time and improve both efficiency and client experience And more! Resources: Book: Shut the F Up and Listen! By Matt Halloran Connect with Matt Halloran: LinkedIn: Matt Halloran Website: Matt Halloran Website: Zocks Connect with Jeremy Houser: jeremy.houser@simplicitygroup.com 713-808-8548 Schedule a Call Our Teams Website Connect with Jeremy @jeremyhouser_amp @jeremyhouserAMP About Our Guest: Matt Halloran, widely known as MattGPT, is the Chief Evangelist for Zocks and a trusted voice at the intersection of communication, leadership, and technology in financial services. A seasoned keynote presenter, three-time author, TEDx speaker, and industry expert, Matt brings more than 15 years of experience as an advisor coach and practice management consultant, helping professionals transform the way they connect with clients, teams, and themselves. Known for his warmth, authenticity, and signature “nice-guy rebellion,” Matt challenges outdated ideas of leadership built on pressure, perfection, and posturing. Instead, he champions a more human approach rooted in empathy, curiosity, and intentional listening. Over the course of his career, he has helped thousands of advisors and business leaders build deeper relationships, create more meaningful impact, and rediscover the joy in their work through genuine human connection. Matt is the author of Shut the F Up and Listen, a practical and deeply relatable book that blends real-world stories, actionable exercises, and proven tools to help people reconnect in an increasingly noisy and distracted world. His widely viewed TEDx talk expands on this philosophy and introduces the HOPE framework, Helping One Person Every Day, illustrating how small, intentional acts of presence and compassion can compound into lasting personal, professional, and cultural change. With appearances on more than 1,000 podcasts, Matt is a natural storyteller who brings a rare mix of wisdom, humor, and heart to every stage, conversation, and audience. Whether speaking to advisors, entrepreneurs, or leadership teams, his message consistently resonates because it is practical, honest, and deeply human. At the core of everything Matt does is a simple but powerful mission: to help people communicate better, listen deeper, and lead with love—proving that in a world increasingly driven by automation, humanity remains the ultimate competitive advantage. Disclosure #: 5366622 – 0426
Transcribe →Building Leadership Habits That Turn Vision Into Results with David Butler (Ep. 111)
Apr 700:47:58Tap to summarizeWhy do some leaders move forward with clarity while others stay stuck even when they know what to do? The difference often comes down to habits, discipline, and how daily choices align with long-term goals. In this episode, Jeremy Houser interviews David Butler, Fractional Chief Growth & Leadership Officer, about how habits and behavior influence business performance and personal growth. David shares lessons from mentors like Stephen Covey, Brian Tracy, and Marshall Goldsmith, explaining why clarity is essential for achievement and why awareness alone does not create change. He also introduces a simple framework for turning values into action through goal setting, daily reflection, and intentional habits that drive consistent progress. Key takeaways: Why writing down goals creates clarity and aligns daily behavior with long-term vision The productivity pyramid framework of discover, plan, and act to turn values into outcomes Daily leadership habits that help founders focus on meaningful results instead of busy work A process you can start today in order to get more out of life in the next 90 days Best practices from successful founders that will enhance your mindset Common limiting beliefs that prevent leaders from reaching their full potential Small daily behaviors and reflection practices that create long-term growth and progress And more! Resources: The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey Maximum Achievement by Brian Tracy The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson Atomic Habits by James Clear Connect with David Butler: LinkedIn: David Butler Connect with Jeremy Houser: jeremy.houser@simplicitygroup.com 713-808-8548 Schedule a Call Our Teams Website Connect with Jeremy @jeremyhouser_amp @jeremyhouserAMP About Our Guest: David is a Leadership Architect and Fractional Executive who works with high-performing financial advisors and founders who want to grow beyond being the top producer in the room. He began his career in insurance in 1986 and has spent nearly four decades working across financial services, technology, manufacturing, and international business. Along the way, he’s held executive leadership roles with Franklin Covey, Brian Tracy International, and WordPerfect, and has lived and worked extensively in Mexico and Spain. Today, David works with elite producers who feel the tension between personal production and building something that can truly scale. He helps them recognize what he calls the “Success Trap”, when the very drive that built the business starts to limit its next level of growth, and guides them in building firms that execute better, grow stronger teams, and increase long-term value. Disclosure # 5243524 – 0426
Transcribe →The Metrics That Actually Grow an Advisory Firm with Molly Pierce (Ep. 110)
Mar 2400:43:01Tap to summarizeMany advisors rely on instinct to run their business. But what happens when you replace guesswork with real numbers? Understanding what drives growth, where prospects fall out of the funnel, and how marketing actually performs can change how a firm operates. In this episode, Jeremy Houser interviews Molly Pierce, CEO of Track That Advisor, about how financial advisors can use data to improve marketing, hiring, and client conversion. She explains the benchmarks advisors should track, including stick rate, close rate, and cost per client. Molly also shares insights from annual industry studies covering billions in assets and tens of thousands of appointments. The conversation highlights when to hire staff, how seminars continue producing strong results, and why understanding KPIs can transform advisors from practitioners into business leaders. Key takeaways: Why advisors often misunderstand their real close rate and how a 30% industry benchmark provides clarity What are the benchmarks for advisors based on metrics from 150 different advisory businesses How annual studies analyzing billions in assets reveal patterns in marketing funnels and advisor growth The importance of tracking stick rate, close rate, case size, and cost per client to guide decisions The best ROI marketing for an advisor based on 2025 data Why workshops and dinner seminars continue delivering strong ROI despite common industry skepticism How pending leads and delayed appointments signal the need to hire staff and improve capacity And more! Connect with Molly Pierce: LinkedIn: Molly Pierce Website: Track That Advisor hello@trackthatadvisor.com Connect with Jeremy Houser: jeremy.houser@simplicitygroup.com 713-808-8548 Schedule a Call Our Teams Website Connect with Jeremy @jeremyhouser_amp @jeremyhouserAMP About Our Guest: Molly Pierce is the CEO of Track That Advisor (TTA), a data and analytics company dedicated to helping financial advisors understand, measure, and scale their businesses with clarity. Through TTA’s Resource Center, benchmarking studies, and Data Storytelling Course, Molly equips advisors and IMOs with the tools to move beyond vanity metrics and lead with real performance data. Known for translating complex numbers into actionable strategy, Molly helps advisory firms understand key drivers like cost per client, close rate, stick rate, and marketing ROI, empowering them to become their own data coach instead of relying on guesswork. She is also the host of The Advisor Summit Podcast, where she interviews industry leaders on growth, leadership, and operational excellence in the advisory space. When she’s not diving into dashboards, Molly is raising her two mullet headed boys with her husband in Arizona. They enjoy anything outdoors, hunting, boating, & going to the dunes. 5243517 – 0326
Transcribe →Building Authority in the AI Age: Authentic Content, Gen X Wealth, and the Modern Advisor (Ep. 109)
Mar 1000:48:59Tap to summarizeStanding out today takes more than showing up. It requires clarity, consistency, and a message that actually connects. Are you building a brand people trust, or just posting to stay visible? In this episode, Jeremy Houser shares how advisors can adapt to AI, shifting consumer behavior, and the coming $84 trillion wealth transfer. He explains why Gen X is the next major opportunity, how digital presence drives credibility, and why authenticity, discipline, and consistent content are essential for advisors who want to scale nationally and remain relevant in the years ahead. Key takeaways: Why Gen X, ages 46 to 61, will inherit $29 trillion and reshape advisor marketing strategies How 7 hours of content and 11 touchpoints build trust in today’s buying process Why advisors must become entertainers to capture attention in 8 seconds The risk of copying AI posts word-for-word instead of building authentic messaging How discipline, daily writing, and community drive long-term brand authority And more! Connect with Jeremy Houser: jeremy.houser@simplicitygroup.com 713-808-8548 Schedule a Call Our Teams Website Connect with Jeremy @jeremyhouser_amp @jeremyhouserAMP Disclosure #: 5243472 – 0326
Transcribe →Building Equity Value and Freedom Through Systems, Teams, and Strategic Growth (Ep. 108)
Feb 2400:55:19Tap to summarizeWhat would it take for your business to operate without you? And how much value are you leaving on the table by building around yourself instead of around systems? In this episode, Jeremy Houser speaks with Bob Zamary, Partner and Director of Practice Management at Simplicity, about helping advisors build enterprise value and long-term freedom. They outline the foundations of equity value, from repeatable processes and documented sales systems to mission-driven hiring and leadership. Bob also shares how revenue diversification, data tracking, and intentional onboarding strengthen both valuation multiples and client experience. Bob highlights: Why documented sales, onboarding, and service workflows increase valuation and scalability How revenue diversification expands enterprise value and attracts stronger multiples The role of mission-driven hiring in retention and long-term team alignment Why data tracking and CRM visibility are essential for strategic growth decisions When is an advisor truly ready to scale and bring on a business consultant? How efficiency must translate into a better client experience to sustain referrals And more! Connect with Bob Zamary: LinkedIn: Bob Zamary Simplicity Group Connect with Jeremy Houser: jeremy.houser@simplicitygroup.com 713-808-8548 Schedule a Call Our Teams Website Connect with Jeremy @jeremyhouser_amp @jeremyhouserAMP About Our Guest: Bob Zamary is a Partner and Director of Practice Management at Simplicity, leading a team dedicated to empowering financial advisors. Drawing on over 25 years of experience leading operations and client services through large-scale integrations, he provides the practical guidance and streamlined operations advisors need to become confident business owners and grow their practices. Bob and his wife, Caroline, live in Scottsdale, Arizona. They enjoy spending time with their four adult children and four grandchildren nearby, and Bob’s hobbies include community service, travel, hiking, and mountain biking. Disclosure #: 5207200 – 0226
Transcribe →From Frustation to Freedom with Jeff Maxey (Ep. 107)
Feb 1700:40:01Tap to summarizeBig growth strategies rarely fail because the ideas are bad; they fail because the business doesn’t have the systems to execute them. What happens when you take the leap from “top producer” to “business owner”… and suddenly you’re responsible for hiring, operations, marketing, forecasting, and leadership on top of selling? In this episode, Jeremy Houser sits down with Jeff Maxey, President at Simplicity InsurMark, to unpack what’s changed since Jeff took the helm and why building a senior leadership team became the unlock for faster execution. Jeff shares the mindset shift that comes with leadership, how Simplicity InsurMark runs weekly/monthly/quarterly planning rhythms, and why the “system for managing” (meetings, reports, dashboards, accountability) is what creates freedom, not the title of being independent. They also break down the waterfall report, how seasonality impacts sales forecasting, and why advisors who know their numbers and plan with their teams keep winning year after year. The conversation closes with how great advisors stand out through world-class client experience (think Amazon and Chewy), plus why hiring and communication tools like the Predictive Index help eliminate bias and build stronger teams. Key takeaways: ● Why advisors lose freedom and face frustration when they lack strong systems and processes ● How a senior leadership team helps you execute more, faster (without drowning in ideas) ● The weekly meeting rhythm Simplicity InsurMark uses to create clarity, alignment, and accountability ● Why the waterfall report is a must-have for forecasting and decision-making ● How seasonality affects sales goals when tracking numbers ● The real competition: any company delivering elite customer experience (Amazon-level) ● How client experience moments (Chewy’s “Bear” story) create clients for life ● Why advisors should hire for complementary strengths not clones of themselves ● How the Predictive Index helps reduce bias and improve hiring + communication And more! Connect with Jeff Maxey: LinkedIn: Jeff Maxey Connect with Jeremy Houser: jeremy.houser@simplicitygroup.com 713-808-8548 Schedule a Call Our Teams Website Connect with Jeremy @jeremyhouser_amp @jeremyhouserAMP About Our Guest: Jeff Maxey is the President at Simplicity InsurMark. Since stepping into the role, Jeff has helped lead a period of strong growth with a major focus on leadership development, building a senior leadership team, and implementing systems that help advisors and internal teams execute at a higher level. He’s passionate about mentoring the next generation of leaders and helping advisors move from frustration to freedom through structure, accountability, and repeatable business rhythms. Disclosure #: 5129437 – 0226
Transcribe →Setting Expectations in Premium Financing for High-Net-Worth Clients with Vincent Munno (Ep. 106)
Feb 300:45:36Tap to summarizeBig financial strategies rarely fail because of numbers alone; they fail when expectations are unclear. What happens when interest rates rise, returns pause, or assumptions change after a plan is already in motion? In this episode, Jeremy Houser interviews Vincent Munno, Partner at Simplicity Group, about premium financing strategies for ultra-high-net-worth clients. Vincent explains how setting conservative expectations, modeling zero-return scenarios, and focusing on client need helps advisors maintain trust through market shifts. The conversation covers interest rate risk, policy performance, ideal client profiles, and why estate and succession planning should lead every discussion. Key takeaways: Why premium financing conversations must begin with need, not projections How showing worst-case scenarios upfront prevents future breakdowns The role of annual reviews in managing rate and performance shifts Which client profiles align best with long-term financing strategies How advisors position premium financing within estate planning discussions And more! Connect with Vincent Munno: LinkedIn: Vincent Munno Connect with Jeremy Houser: jeremy.houser@simplicitygroup.com 713-808-8548 Schedule a Call Our Teams Website Connect with Jeremy @jeremyhouser_amp @jeremyhouserAMP About Our Guest: Vince Munno is the CEO and Founding Partner of Universal Financial Consultants, as well as a principal of USAnnuity Partners with over 30 years of experience in estate and retirement planning. Vince built and developed Universal Financial Consultants to become one of the top insurance marketing firms in the nation, built on the values of hard work, integrity, and the value of relationships. UFC’s primary goal is to become a true partner in helping you build the Premium Practice. Vince trademarked “PremiumLife”, which is a sales system that encompasses everything an advisors needs to set their clients up for a secure financial future, bringing the advisor and the client closer to their vision of the life they’ve always dreamed of. To Vince, the “PremiumLife” consists of family, friends, rich experiences, great memories, and the confidence in personal success and that of clients and friends. Disclosure #: 5129431 – 0226
Transcribe →Building a One-of-a-Kind Advisory Firm That Can Scale with Mike Milligan, CFP® (Ep. 105)
Jan 2000:55:04Tap to summarizeMost advisory firms look similar on the surface, yet growth often stalls when everything is built around one person or a single approach. What happens when you intentionally step away from one-size-fits-all thinking and design a firm around individuality, adaptability, and long-term vision? In this episode, Jeremy Houser welcomes back Mike Milligan, CFP®, Founder of 1.oak Financial, to talk about his firm’s rebrand and the thinking behind it. He shares why scalability required a shift away from personality-driven branding, how client-centered planning became the foundation, and what advisors need to rethink as they prepare for the future of the industry. Key takeaways: Why personal brands can limit growth when a firm is designed to scale beyond one individual How one-size-fits-all planning models often overlook client stories and individual goals The role listening plays in converting prospects into long-term clients Why creativity and partnerships matter more than repeating old solutions Some tips on how to run a virtual practice across the country How advisors can plug into training platforms to grow faster And more! Resources: The One of a Kind Financial Plan by Mike Milligan Connect with Mike Milligan: LinkedIn: Mike Milligan Website: 1.oak Financial Connect with Jeremy Houser: jeremy.houser@simplicitygroup.com 713-808-8548 Schedule a Call Our Teams Website Connect with Jeremy @jeremyhouser_amp @jeremyhouserAMP About Our Guest: Mike Milligan is the founder of 1.oak Financial. Mike’s interest in business and money started early. At age 11, he helped his grandmother count her cash each day after work, acting as her informal “CFO” since she did not use a bank. Watching her build a small collard sandwich business later in life shaped his entrepreneurial mindset and respect for purpose-driven work. That experience influenced Mike’s approach to financial planning, learning to value every dollar and connect money to intention. Over more than 25 years in financial services, he has worked with individuals, advisors, banks, and independent firms, gaining perspective before founding his own firm nearly a decade ago. A lifelong learner, Mike holds his CFP® certification and is licensed in life and health insurance. His professional focus is building a client-first financial planning firm rooted in purpose and thoughtful decision-making. Outside of work, he values family life as a husband, father, grandfather, and proud dog owner. Disclosure #: 5098837 – 0126
Transcribe →What Top Economist Dr. Campbell Harvey Sees Coming Next (Ep. 104)
Jan 601:05:44Tap to summarizeAs we kick off 2026, the economic headlines are loud, but the real story is in the data and the incentives behind it. In this episode, Jeremy Houser sits down with Dr. Campbell Harvey, Duke professor and Research Affiliates Director of Research, known for early work on the inverted yield curve, to break down what matters most for growth, markets, and resilience in 2026. Campbell discusses: Why the U.S. fiscal picture raises the stakes for stronger real GDP growth Why tariffs function like a tax, plus when they may act more like “risk management” than growth policy Why “AI is just 1999 again” can be a misleading comparison, and what’s different this time What a steepening yield curve may be signaling about long rates, inflation expectations, and growth ahead Why rebalancing is an active decision, and how mechanical timing can create hidden performance drag How products that limit downside exposure can fit into a broader, diversified approach His thoughts on Fixed Indexed Annuities And more Resources: AMP Path to Prosperity one-pager: https://insurmarkamp.com/jhouser/ (Click “Learn More”) Connect with Campbell Harvey: LinkedIn: Campbell Harvey Cam Harvey, PhD Connect with Jeremy Houser: jeremy.houser@simplicitygroup.com 713-808-8548 Schedule a Call Our Teams Website Connect with Jeremy @jeremyhouser_amp @jeremyhouserAMP About Our Guest: Campbell R. Harvey is a Professor of Finance at Duke University and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He served as Editor of The Journal of Finance from 2006 to 2012 and as the 2016 President of the American Finance Association. He holds a Ph.D. in Finance from the University of Chicago. Professor Harvey has served as Partner and Director of Research for Research Affiliates, LLP, and Investment Strategy Advisor to Man Group, PLC, contributing to both research and product design. Professor Harvey received the 2015, 2016, 2022, and 2023 Bernstein Fabozzi/Jacobs Levy Award for the Best Article from the Journal of Portfolio Management for his research. He has also received ten Graham and Dodd Awards/Scrolls for excellence in financial writing from the CFA Institute. He has published over 125 scholarly articles on topics spanning investment finance, emerging markets, corporate finance, behavioral finance, financial econometrics, and computer science. For the past nine years, Professor Harvey taught Innovation and Cryptoventures – a course that focuses on the mechanics and applications of blockchain technology and web3. He offers a certificate in Decentralized Finance on Coursera. He also teaches the advanced elective Global Asset Allocation and Stock Selection which focuses on systematic investment strategies. Disclosure: 5078176 – 0126
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