This week, David Lau talks with Sara Baker, Executive Vice President of Mergers & Acquisitions at Allworth Financial, about partnership models, RIA growth, and what it takes to build a modern advisory firm. Sara discusses what separates firms that just grow from those that grow with purpose and how partnerships are reshaping advisor growth. From talent development to the growing need for comprehensive advice, she explains why firms should think about both structure and strategy to meet ri...
May 26
41 min
This week, David Lau talks with Bryce Skaff, Co-Head of the Global Client Group at Dimensional Fund Advisors. Since 1998, Bryce has played a key role in shaping Dimensional’s client experience, leading teams and initiatives that support advisors, intermediaries, and institutional investors worldwide. Bryce talks with David about evidence-based investing and how financial science defines modern investment strategies. He shares Dimensional's decades-long philosophy rooted in disciplined investi...
Apr 30
40 min
This week, Kameron McRay talks with George Svagera, Senior Vice President of Institutional Sales at Orion Advisor Solutions. George leads a talented team of sales professionals to deliver Orion's industry-leading technology and wealth management solutions to broker-dealers, banks, trust companies, and custodians. George talks with Kameron about how Orion meets the growing demand for fee-based annuities and insurance. He discusses the integration of DPL's discovery tools into Orion Connect, th...
Mar 24
29 min
This week, David Lau talks with Galen Shaffer, Principal at Eos Venture Partners, about the macro forces reshaping retirement. Galen offers a rare inside view into how insurers think about annuities, innovation, and the future of wealth management. From solving the income challenge for 70 million Americans retiring this decade and the rise of the fiduciary RIA model to the AI gold rush and long-term care needs, she discusses why the next frontier of holistic advice must bridge the gap between...
Mar 10
33 min
This week, David Lau talks with Brian Saunders, Managing Director and Head of Private Equity at Atlas Merchant Capital, about how private equity investors are adopting innovation across financial services and why infrastructure, technology, and better client outcomes are driving the next wave of growth. They also discuss the evolving RIA landscape, the shift toward holistic advice, and how technology is reshaping everything from insurance and retirement planning to crypto and digital assets. ...
Feb 24
30 min
This week, David Lau talks with Tom Smith, Chief Growth Officer at DPL Financial Partners, about the evolution of the 401(k) market and the current shift toward commission-free, advisory insurance. From deconstructing outdated commission structures to modernizing technology, workflows, and advisor experience, they discuss how DPL is bridging the gap for RIAs and hybrid advisors, turning insurance and annuities into a core component of modern, holistic advice. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.c...
Feb 10
32 min
This week, Amy Arnett talks with Brad Mendenhall, Executive Vice President for Insurance Solutions at DPL. They discuss why insurance matters in holistic financial planning and how modern RIAs can integrate it into the planning process without becoming insurance experts. They also share how technology, product innovation, and a partnership with DPL can serve as a roadmap for leaders looking to enhance their clients' experience, increase AUM, and bridge the gap between asset management and pro...
Jan 27
19 min
This week, David Lau talks with Tom McCarthy, Chief Distribution Officer at DPL Financial Partners, about the evolution of the advice model, industry stigmas, and how commission-free annuities can be powerful income differentiators for RIAs. From his early fight to shift from a commission-based to a fee-only model, Tom shares his journey from fee-based startups to the explosion of the RIA channel. He also discusses how technology and strategic partnerships enable financial advisors to provide...
Jan 13
36 min
In this “Best of 2025” episode, David Lau brings together Daniel Crosby, Matt Regan, and John Thiel to explore how annuities fit into modern financial planning—bridging behavioral finance, retirement income, and risk management to help advisors build plans clients can actually stick with. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast
Dec 30, 2025
14 min
In this special “Best of 2025” episode, David Lau David Lau revisits powerful insights from John Thiel, Matt Regan, and Megan Carpenter on the evolving RIA landscape. Together, they unpack consolidation, succession challenges, organic growth strategies, and why modern advisory firms must treat marketing as a measurable engine—not just brand awareness. Learn more at https://www.dplfp.com/series/advisor-revelations-podcast.
Dec 16, 2025
13 min
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