This week, David Lau talks with Sara Baker, Executive Vice President of Mergers & Acquisitions at Allworth Financial. With deep expertise in advisor growth strategies, practice management, and mergers and acquisitions, Sara leads Allworth's partnership strategy. She drives the firm's scalable, sustainable growth while focusing on operational excellence and cultural alignment. Sara talks with David about partnership models, RIA growth, and what it takes to build a modern advisory firm. She 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, Sara explains why firms should think about both structure and strategy to meet rising client expectations.

This week, David Lau talks with Bryce Skaff, Co-Head of Global Client Group at Dimensional Fund Advisors, about evidence-based investing and how financial science defines modern investment strategies. He shares Dimensional's decades-long philosophy rooted in disciplined investing, academic research, and commitment to improving investor outcomes. From the early days of institutional investors to the modern era of tech-integrated insurance and fee-based annuities, Bryce connects the dots between theory, practice, and real-world financial advice.

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, the launch of Orion's RIA Accelerator program for breakaway advisors, and how firms can transition without sacrificing assets or revenue. George also explains why insurance solutions are becoming a revenue-driving force for modern RIAs and why adding commission-free annuities directly into advisors' workflows is a game-changer for both client outcomes and firm profitability.

This week, David Lau talks with Galen Shaffer, Principal at Eos Venture Partners. A former McKinsey consultant with nearly five years in the firm's North American insurance practice, Galen brings deep expertise across life and annuities, asset management, and retirement income, and now leads insurance-focused early-stage investments at Eos. Galen talks with David about the macro forces reshaping retirement. She 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, Galen discusses why the next frontier of holistic advice must bridge the gap between investment management and sophisticated insurance protection.

This week, David Lau talks with Brian Saunders, Managing Director and Head of Private Equity at Atlas Merchant Capital. Brian began his career in investment banking at Salomon Smith Barney. He joined Atlas in 2019 after serving as Senior Managing Director at Cerberus European Capital Advisors. Today, Brian serves on the boards of Kepler Cheuvreux and DPL Financial Partners. David and Brian talk 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.

David and Tom talk 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.

This week, Amy Arnett talks with Brad Mendenhall, Executive Vice President for Insurance Solutions at DPL. Brad specializes in the intersection of asset management, financial planning, and risk-based planning, where fiduciary responsibility and holistic client value converge to shape the future of the financial services industry. Brad and Amy talk about why insurance matters in holistic financial planning and how modern RIAs can integrate it into the planning process without becoming insurance experts. They discuss 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 protection.

This week, David Lau talks with Tom McCarthy, Chief Distribution Officer at DPL Financial Partners. Tom is a highly accomplished sales leader in financial services. He understands how the RIA industry evolves and helps firms leverage innovative investment strategies and emerging technologies to drive organic growth and deliver better client outcomes. At DPL, Tom helps accelerate the firm's continued expansion into advisory-centric insurance, structured solutions, and enterprise-level adoption across the RIA and wealth-management ecosystem. David and Tom discuss 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 holistic financial well-being rather than just stock picking.

his special “Best of 2025” episode, David Lau revisits standout conversations with Daniel Crosby, Matt Regan, and John Thiel on how annuities fit into a comprehensive financial planning process. Together, they explore why investor psychology, risk management, and guaranteed income matter as much as returns—especially in retirement. From building portfolios clients can emotionally endure, to shifting from pure investment management toward planning-led advice, this episode explores how commission-free annuities can support discipline, confidence, and long-term success.

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.