Podcasts about mile marker

Episode 150: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Kathy Longo, President & Founder at Flourish Wealth Management. Kathy has a remarkable talent for distilling complex financial concepts into simple, easily digestible concepts. She built Flourish Wealth Management out of a passion for making financial management more enjoyable.  Kathy talks with Kyle about how building a strong operational foundation early paves the way for sustainable growth. She shares how her early experiences at large firms shaped her approach to leadership, operations, and long-term growth. From implementing enterprise-level systems as a solo founder to navigating the tension between visionary thinking and operational execution, Kathy offers an inside look at building a firm from the ground up, leadership growth, and team development. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:09) - Kathy's money moment and career journey (05:34) - Key operational lessons Kathy learned from big firms (07:36) - Bringing generational planning and philanthropy into client relationships   (10:55) - Managing the natural tension between the visionary and integrator seats (15:37) - Flourish's hiring matrix (18:36) - Flourish's growth strategy  (20:18) - How Kathy uses technology and AI to improve client experience (22:39) - Kathy's outlook on the future of the financial services industry (26:16) - Kathy's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Build the foundation before you need it. Don't wait for revenue or asset milestones to establish mature processes. Implementing robust operating systems, strategic planning, and clear cultural guidelines in the early years lays the foundation for seamless scaling in the future.  Decouple the visionary and integrator roles. As a founder, it's easy to get trapped trying to be both the big-idea generator and the daily executor. Founders must learn to balance big ideas with the reality of getting things done, whether that means stepping into operational roles or empowering others to do so. Protect team culture with rigorous hiring frameworks. Emotional interviewing leads to bad hires. Utilizing objective, multi-layered personality and behavioral assessments helps ensure that candidates fit the team's technical and behavioral needs. Let technology automate, let humans connect. AI cannot replace the true value of a leader or advisor. The ultimate goal of integrating advanced tech and AI should be to eliminate administrative friction, allowing professionals to focus 100% of their energy on emotional intelligence and deep human connection.  Quotes "Coming from big firms, I knew that the earlier you create systems and processes and think about how to run a business, will give you that foundation to really run it like a well-established firm." ~ Kathy Longo "Let the technology take away all of the parts that don't really need as much thinking, and really get the advisors to be so attuned to the emotional conversation." ~ Kathy Longo "I would love to see us spend all our time developing our planner skills and being present for those clients. Because the piece I don't think will ever get replaced is human interaction with our clients and the value we add—to hold space for them through all of life's ups and downs and transitions." ~ Kathy Longo Links  Kathy Longo on LinkedIn Flourish Wealth Management Deloitte  Future Proof The Prophet Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

The Mile Marker Was Moved to Bury What Happened HereBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dark-mysteries-unsolved-mysteries-forgotten-secrets-unanswered-questions--5684156/support.Darkest Mysteries Online

This week, a deadly heat warning from Grand Canyon National Park after multiple hikers died in extreme summer temperatures, a New Jersey RV park fire that destroyed several rigs, and flash flooding that trapped campers at a Gulfport RV resort. We'll also look at  @OutdoorsyRV 's rebrand as The Ride Platform, a new class action lawsuit involving Ram ProMaster vans used in many camper van and Class B RV builds, a new SuperSteer sway bar upgrade for Sprinter-based motorhomes, and AAA's latest Independence Day travel forecast. Plus, we end with a campground rescue story involving a camper, a pair of sunglasses, and a pit toilet — and yes, it's exactly as bad as it sounds. Subscribe to RV Miles for weekly RV news, camping updates, public lands coverage, travel tips, and stories that matter to RVers and campers. 'Get free shipping on orders over $99 at Etrailer: https://www.etrailer.com/vehicle-finder.aspx?etam=p0001 ****************************** Connect with RV Miles:  RV Miles Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvmiles Shop the RV Miles Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/rvmiles RV Miles Mailing List: https://rvmiles.com/mailinglist Mile Marker Membership: https://rvmiles.com/milemarkers Tickets for HOMECOMING go on sale for Mile Marker members on April 1st and for the general public on May 1st. Learn more at: https://RVMiles.com/homecoming

This Week Chuck Celebrates Making It To Episode 280 And He Is lyGetting Back To His Podcast Rootsand much more, on this episode of, Casually UncomfortableCall Show And Leave A Question, Comment, And Or A Concernshttps://www.speakpipe.com/CasuallyUncomfortable

Episode 149: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Ben Carlson, Director of Institutional Asset Management at Ritholtz Wealth Management.  Ben is the author of five books on investing, including his newest, Risk and Reward. He's the creator of the blog A Wealth of Common Sense and co-host of the Animal Spirits podcast. Ben talks with Kyle about how content has become a powerful engine for growth, clarity, credibility, and connection. He discusses the value of consistency, how to structure content for different generations, and why showing up to solve client problems before they even arise builds an enduring business.  Ben also talks about why in-person connection still matters in a digital-first world and how AI is changing the advisor-client dynamic. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:07) - Ben's money moment (03:45) - How content became a growth engine for institutional business  (05:19) - Inside Ben's content creation process  (07:13) - Why Ben started blogging  (09:13) - Why blogging became Ben's medium of choice (10:15) - Why podcasts create a stronger audience connection  (12:06) - How Ritholtz approaches content strategy  (17:03) - How Ben came up with the idea for his book  (24:10) - Future Proof: Building a conference that almost never happened  (27:08) - Why in-person experiences matter more than ever  (31:11) - Ben's outlook on the future of wealth management (35:12) - Ben's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Create before you're ready and keep going longer than feels comfortable. Most content starts in silence. The early phase, where no one is watching, is actually an advantage. It lets you refine your voice without pressure. Consistency compounds, even when feedback doesn't.  Make complexity understandable, not simplified. Clients don't need jargon. They need clarity. The ability to explain complex ideas in plain language is a competitive advantage, especially in industries built on trust.   You can't predict what will resonate. So, publish anyway. The best strategy isn't perfection. It's volume, variety, and consistency.  Play the long game with audience building. People don't convert overnight. They show up after years of listening, reading, and observing, often triggered by a life event. Content builds familiarity long before action.   Quotes "Whatever format you use for content, make sure it's something that you enjoy first and do it for yourself first and foremost before thinking about trying to build an audience or build a brand." ~ Ben Carlson "You never really know what piece of content is going to resonate with someone. You never really know what will work and what will not. And that's why I think casting such a wide net is helpful." ~ Ben Carlson "No piece of technology is ever going to help people get more comfortable with the 'Am I going to be okay' question. That's what everyone wants to know when they get advice." ~ Ben Carlson Links  Ben Carlson on LinkedIn Ritholtz Wealth Management Risk and Reward Michael Batnick Joshua Brown  Barry Ritholtz Matt Middleton Future Proof Band of Brothers Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Episode 148: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Dan Johnson, Senior Managing Director and Head of Wealth Management Practice at F2 Strategy. Dan is an industry leader in portfolio management systems implementation, investment performance conversions, centralized portfolio management, and integrations with advisor-driven toolsets.  Dan talks with Kyle about scaling the wealth and asset management business without technology overload. From the pitfalls of shiny object syndrome in tech to the discipline required to scale, Dan discusses the real role of technology, not as a collection of tools, but as a strategic amplifier of a firm's value proposition. He also shares the powerful shift in the industry from "next best actions" to "next best experiences," where advisors use technology and data not just to optimize operations but to create meaningful, human-centered client relationships.  In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:13) - Dan's money moment (03:56) - Are RIAs just reinventing wirehouses?  (06:06) - The challenges of becoming the accidental CEO and CTO  (10:22) - Scaling through discipline and reducing tech bloat (14:18) - How to evaluate technology effectively  (19:40) - How AI is driving change in wealth management today (27:52) - Why data strategy is the foundation of AI  (31:38) - Dan's outlook about the future of the financial services industry (32:31) - Dan's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Stop trying to be great at everything. The best firms intentionally choose two to three areas where they'll be exceptional and accept being average everywhere else. Focus creates differentiation. The firms that scale well identify their true differentiators and build their tech stack around those.  "Interesting" doesn't build your business—"useful" does. It's easy to get caught in the hype of AI and emerging tech. But if it doesn't improve efficiency, increase margin, or drive revenue, it's just noise. There's a difference between being curious about AI and actually deploying it in a way that moves the needle.  The next frontier isn't efficiency, it's experience. AI is already proving its worth in the back office. The real opportunity now is using that freed-up capacity to create genuinely memorable client experiences. Think less "next best action" and more "next best experience."  Data is no longer optional. It's the foundation. AI is only as powerful as the data behind it. Firms that own, structure, and govern their data effectively will be the ones that actually unlock value from AI.   Quotes "Technology is meant to amplify your value proposition to your client." ~ Dan Johnson "You can't be exceptional at everything. Pick two or three areas where you're going to hang your hat, and they're going to be unique components when it comes to technology." ~ Dan Johnson "If you don't invest, take it seriously, and put together proper data structures, you're never going to get the AI." ~ Dan Johnson Links  Dan Johnson on LinkedIn F2 Strategy  Joshua Brown  Doug Fritz Dennis Moseley-Williams Unreasonable Hospitality Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

This Week on the Hudson Valley Disc Golf Podcast: Alex, Corey, Jaimen, Randy, Tim, Joe and Evan were here and Jasan made a surprise appearance to help us go over the week that was in local disc golf. Unfortunately, we didn't get to many of the local events because of episode length and time constraints but we did get to a few of the leagues that the guys played in. We spent most of our time talking about Pyramid Quads with Jaimen, Randy and Corey, Corey also played in the Discmania Presents Sunshine Open at 501 and Mile Marker 63 - Powered By Abreu Karol and GMT. Tim pulled a Jay Gorsage and set up a Draft App so we could make picks for Minekill this weekend. Randy wanted to call the app #thirsttrapsofhvdgp but, as the guy who would probably say it the most, I vetoed that idea. We also got a sneak peak at the brackets for the Summer Battle Royale, if you're playing, it may be old news by now but it was still fun to go over the brackets. We finished it off with a round of Disc or No Disc and reminders to register for Minekill AM's, the HelderBERG Championships 2 and OKDGC Circuit Challenge. Support the showSpecial Thanks to our Patreon Supporters: Branden Cline, Tim Goyette, Peter Hodge, Ryan Nelson, Kevin T. Kroencke, Brian Monahan, Corey Cook, Evan Parsley, Mark Bryan, Nick Warren, Jasan Lasasso, Justin Mucelli, Terry Hudson, Kyle Hirsch, Brian Bickersmith, Sparky Spaulding, Mike Schwartz, Erich Struna, William Byrne, Jeff Wiechowski, Sean Dollard, Jack Bradley, Marcia Focht, Justin Hickok, Troy Vassari, Erik Haenel, Ross O'Toole and Peter FitzSisti.

Episode 147: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Patrick Kelly, Co-Founder and CEO of Signal Advisors. Patrick started his career as a financial advisor at Northwestern Mutual before becoming an independent advisor. Before Signal, Patrick founded RepPro, the first electronic application platform for fixed and fixed index annuities in the IMO business. Patrick talks with Kyle about the hidden economics behind high-growth advisory firms. He discusses why some of the fastest-growing advisors integrate insurance, annuities, and investment management into a cohesive strategy, and how pairing this with recurring revenue can unlock both growth and enterprise value. Patrick also explores how technology simplifies operations, improves visibility into marketing performance, and ultimately helps advisors make better business decisions and enhance client experiences. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:02) - Patrick's money moment (05:06) - Where Signal Advisors fits in the modern advisor ecosystem  (07:11) - Why insurance technology still lags behind wealthtech (10:52) - The hidden limitations of basic data feeds  (15:12) - Rethinking the commission vs. fee-based debate  (17:10) - The evolution of fee-based annuities and advisor adoption  (19:47) - The real engine behind advisor growth and enterprise value (21:07) - How Signal Advisors survived its early cash flow challenges  (28:25) - Building a tech stack around advisor economics and visibility (34:01) - Why advisors work with so many carriers (36:14) - Patrick's vision for the future of Signal Advisors (40:35) - Why AI should improve experience before efficiency  (43:37) - Patrick's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Great advisors solve for human outcomes, not just portfolio performance. Clients are often seeking confidence, stability, income, or peace of mind—not simply maximum returns. The firms growing fastest understand how to align financial solutions with real human concerns. The divide between insurance and investments is disappearing. High-growth advisory firms increasingly integrate annuities, insurance, and investment management into a single client strategy instead of treating them as competing business lines. Enterprise value comes from scalable growth, not just recurring revenue. Predictable revenue matters, but the firms commanding premium valuations are the ones pairing recurring income with strong acquisition systems, marketing visibility, and operational leverage AI's biggest opportunity is improving the client experience. Efficiency matters, but the real long-term advantage comes from creating smoother, faster, and more personalized experiences for both advisors and clients. Efficiency is simply the downstream effect. Quotes "In a world where you don't differentiate on products, where you really differentiate is on your financial planning prowess and how you actually help individuals solve problems in their lives." ~ Patrick Kelly "If you're taking commissions, you're reducing the enterprise value of your business because people who buy businesses want recurring revenue." ~ Patrick Kelly "You shouldn't use AI to create efficiency. You should use AI to create a better user experience. Efficiency is a second-order effect of AI." ~ Patrick Kelly Links  Patrick Kelly on LinkedIn Signal Advisors Northwestern Mutual American Equity DTCC Michael Kitces Empire of the Summer Moon Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with TurncastTurncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Episode 146: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Vib Arya and Sean Meighan of Envestnet. As Head of Strategic Relationship Management, Vib is a seasoned wealth and investment management leader with more than 25 years of experience driving innovation and efficiency across RIA, institutional, wirehouse, and fintech channels. As Head of RIA Distribution, Sean has spent his career helping advisory firms navigate growth, technology adoption, and operational strategy within the evolving RIA landscape. Vib and Sean talk with Kyle about how modern RIAs can scale fast. They explore how technology has evolved from a support function into a true growth multiplier, powering efficiency, enabling personalization at scale, and helping firms navigate complexity. They also discuss the ongoing battle against tech sprawl and how Unified Managed Accounts (UMAs) act less like a product and more like an automated trading chassis capable of handling everything from high-net-worth personalization to account efficiency.  In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:11) - How technology fits into the RIA growth equation  (02:34) - Designing the ideal advisor workflow (04:00) - What shaped Sean's and Vib's technology philosophy (08:49) - Diagnosing tech stacks and aligning them with firm strategy  (13:00) - The hidden cost of tech sprawl  (18:01) - How UMAs are evolving for modern RIAs  (24:29) - Separating AI hype from practical application in wealth management  (31:49) - Vib's and Sean's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways The best tech decisions begin with a clear vision of the client and advisor experience. Workflow clarity should dictate your tech stack, not the other way around. Don't let tech sprawl slow you down. Chasing best-in-class tools can create fragmented systems that are hard to manage. At some point, simplicity and integration become a competitive advantage. UMAs are evolving into a flexible growth engine. What used to be a high-net-worth solution is now becoming a scalable infrastructure for firms of all sizes, handling everything from simple ETF models to complex multi-manager portfolios.  Ground AI in workflow and data basics. With AI moving at a rapid pace, firms seeing the most meaningful AI opportunities are the ones that already have clean data, intentional systems, and clearly defined processes. Quotes "RIA growth is going to be driven by scale, consistency, and risk control. But you can't do that without technology." ~ Sean Meighan "The UMA is a tech chassis that can solve a myriad of problems an RIA faces today." ~ Sean Meighan "There's an opportunity for Envestnet to provide RIAs and advisors with as much complexity, personalization, and sophistication as they would like, and as simple a form as possible, with one account having multiple strategies and multiple sleeves." ~ Vib Arya "As client demands become more sophisticated and complex, the UMA is a perfect ecosystem to provide all of that, and we're proud to offer it." ~ Vib Arya Links  Vibhaw Arya on LinkedIn Sean Meighan on LinkedIn Envestnet  Shufro Rose Tamarac | Envestnet Good to Great The Game Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube The information, analysis and opinions expressed herein are for informational purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the views of Envestnet. These views reflect the judgement of the author as of the date of writing and are subject to change at any time without notice. Nothing contained in this piece is intended to constitute legal, tax, accounting, securities, or investment advice, nor an opinion regarding the appropriateness of any investment, nor a solicitation of any type. Intended for investment professionals only. Past performance is not indicative of future results. 

Send us a text and chime in!Please be advised that Fann Contracting, Inc. in conjunction with Yavapai County will be performing roadwork on Williamson Valley Road from the City of Prescott boundary and Mile Marker 3 just past Pioneer Parkway. Construction will begin June 1, 2026, continuing through August 5, 2026. Road construction will consist of milling and paving of old asphalt, and a final surface course of ACFC with new striping, concrete median paving at the center islands within the work zone, and incidental shoulder work. Work will be completed from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM Monday through Thursday. One lane of traffic will remain...   For the written story, read here >> https://www.signalsaz.com/articles/williamson-valley-road-improvements-planned/ Check out the CAST11.com Website at: https://CAST11.com Follow the CAST11 Podcast Network on Facebook at: https://Facebook.com/CAST11AZFollow Cast11 Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/cast11_podcast_network

Episode 145: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Aaron Wormus, Chief Technology Officer at SMArtX Advisory Solutions. Aaron has spent years building technology infrastructure for the financial services industry, from hedge fund platforms to enterprise-grade advisory systems. At SMArtX, he focuses on solving the operational and data challenges that prevent advisory firms from scaling efficiently while helping advisors access institutional-quality tools once reserved for large enterprises. Kyle and Aaron explore the growing shift from fragmented advisory technology toward unified enterprise infrastructure. Aaron breaks down how UMA architecture changes the advisor experience, why portfolio accounting engines power real-time innovation, and how firms can build modern “advisor-built enterprise platforms” using best-of-breed technology. They also discuss AI, data orchestration, operational toil, and why the firms most open to technology and experimentation will have a major advantage in the years ahead. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:13) - Aaron's money moment and the early days of SMArtX (03:15) - Is SMArtX a TAMP, a fintech platform, or something else entirely? (04:37) - What actually makes technology “enterprise-grade” (06:24) - Why UMA architecture changes everything (09:26) - The hidden infrastructure powering modern advisory platforms (12:20) - The rise of the advisor-built enterprise platform (15:15) - Why portfolio accounting engines matter so much (19:05) - How SMArtX and Milemarker fit together (21:00) - Why the entire industry is moving toward unified infrastructure (22:24) - AI, orchestration layers, and the future of connected systems (25:51) - Turning hand-drawn ideas into live AI-powered workflows (27:31) - AI guardrails, security, and enterprise data protection (28:34) - Aaron's predictions for the next three years of wealth tech (30:27) - Eliminating “toil” inside advisory firms (32:13) - Aaron's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways The next generation of advisory firms will behave more like technology companies. Advisors increasingly want flexible infrastructure that lets them combine best-of-breed tools into a unified client experience instead of operating inside rigid “walled garden” ecosystems. Real-time experiences depend on invisible infrastructure. Portfolio accounting, reconciliation, trading order sequencing, and data normalization may not sound exciting, but they are the foundational systems that make modern advisory experiences possible. AI's biggest impact may be removing operational friction rather than replacing advisors. Aaron repeatedly returns to the idea of eliminating “toil”—the repetitive operational work that slows firms down and distracts advisors from relationships and growth. Clean, secure, accessible data is becoming the real competitive advantage. AI tools are only as useful as the infrastructure and guardrails surrounding them. Firms with reconciled data and strong architecture will be positioned to move significantly faster than firms still trapped in disconnected systems. Quotes "We're in a new space where the people who are open to technology, open to building, really are the ones who win." ~ Aaron Wormus "Most advisors want to become advisors so they can help people. They want to go out and solve problems. They don't want to spend all their time rebalancing stuff or using spreadsheets." ~ Aaron Wormus "Being able to have that reconciled data, being able to know that the data is good, being able to provide that data into different systems, that's really where that key component is." ~ Aaron Wormus Links  Aaron Wormus on LinkedIn SMArtX Advisory Solutions Fidelity Investments  Charles Schwab  Goldman Sachs  Claude Red Notice Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Episode 144: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Tim Gavin, Chief Strategy Officer & Chief Compliance Officer at MCF. Tim helps lead the firm's long-term strategic direction across operations, compliance, advisor support, technology, and growth initiatives. Kyle and Tim discuss what sustainable growth actually looks like inside a modern advisory firm. Tim explains why organic growth creates stronger long-term enterprise value, how firms should think about operational capacity before scaling, and why successful change management starts with team buy-in—not software purchases. They also explore AI adoption, technology fatigue, client experience design, and the growing divide between firms that strategically invest in technology and firms that fall behind. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:26) - Tim's money moment (02:51) - Why compliance can become a strategic advantage (03:56) - MCF's acquisition of Wealth Planning Corporation (05:37) - Defining intentional growth (07:31) - Measuring operational efficiency and capacity (09:53) - Organic growth vs. inorganic growth (12:41) - The hidden operational risks of scaling too quickly (14:41) - Why change management is harder than buying technology (17:30) - Building a tech stack that actually supports growth (21:38) - AI adoption, due diligence, and compliance concerns (23:33) - Responsible AI use and protecting client trust (26:34) - Tim's outlook on the future of financial services (28:31) - Why client experience is the real product (29:42) - Tim's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Organic growth compounds differently than acquisition growth. Firms that build referral systems, operational consistency, and advisor enablement create more durable enterprise value over time. Scaling exposes operational weaknesses. Growth only works when firms proactively manage advisor capacity, workflows, onboarding systems, and internal communication. Technology should reinforce strategy—not dictate it. Tim emphasizes evaluating tools through the lens of client impact, operational fit, and long-term scalability rather than reacting to hype cycles. Great client experience extends beyond meetings. The real question is how clients feel between interactions—whether they trust the plan, understand what's happening, and feel connected to the firm even when they're not actively engaging. Quotes "We don't want to grow just to grow. It's about how many clients we can impact and provide real value to them." ~ Tim Gavin "Everybody wants to talk about acquiring a firm. But at the end of the day, to really say you have scale, it means having systems in place that can generate organic growth." ~ Tim Gavin "You have to revisit your processes very frequently because technology changes constantly." ~ Tim Gavin Links  Tim Gavin on LinkedIn MCF Advisors Salesforce  Power BI Think and Grow Rich Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Episode 143: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Scott Schwartz. Scott is one of the Managing Partners and a Wealth Management Advisor at OnePoint BFG Wealth Partners. With more than 40 years of experience in helping clients achieve their financial planning goals, Scott has created tailored financial plans that empower clients to make informed decisions. Scott talks with Kyle about what it takes to build a modern, scalable wealth management firm. He shares how his team thinks about growth, why alignment and shared equity matter more than titles, and what it looks like to create a firm designed for long-term impact rather than short-term recognition. Scott also explores the realities of scaling firms to a national level and the role of technology and AI as powerful force multipliers for efficiency and better client experience, not as replacements for advisors. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:21) - Scott's money moment (07:59) - The history and evolution of the Bleakley Financial Group (10:40) - Rebranding Bleakley Financial Group to OnePoint BFG Wealth Partners (13:37) - The turning point at which Scott began building a scalable firm  (18:19) - Transitioning from a 1099 model to a W-2 firm  (24:57) - OnePoint's growth goals and expansion strategies (30:55) - What it takes to become a national firm (33:42) - The role of technology in OnePoint's growth (38:25) - Scott's outlook on the future of the financial services industry (41:39) - Scott's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Never underestimate the power of relationships. At the end of the day, trust and consistency drive long-term success more than any strategy or product ever will.  Don't just build income, build infrastructure. Scaling a business requires moving beyond individual production. Invest in systems, people, and processes that support growth. Build with legacy in mind. Short-term wins matter, but the real impact comes from building something sustainable and meaningful over time. AI is an efficiency engine, not a relationship substitute. It can streamline processes and reduce operational burden, but it can't replace trust, empathy, or meaningful conversations. Quotes "We want to grow your business much faster than you could on your own." ~ Scott Schwartz "My clients work with me because they feel trust and they feel comfort. They know they don't have to follow what's going on every day. They just know that they trust me and they know that we're going to do our level best to make sure they have the outcome they want." ~ Scott Schwartz "We're here to take the anxiety out of money for our clients. Our clients are busy, good people. They don't want to worry about money." ~ Scott Schwartz Links  Scott Schwartz on LinkedIn OnePoint BFG Wealth Partners Northwestern Mutual Joe Duran  Rise Growth Partners Kyle Wesley Practifi The Psychology of Money Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Jason covers a busy week in RV and camping news as Washington's Department of Natural Resources will fully close four campgrounds for the 2026 season and reduce services elsewhere; California proposes three new state parks in the Central Valley; An update on the potential Lippert (LCI) and Patrick Industries merger includes a letter from Senator Mike Lee seeking details due to antitrust concerns; RV shipments fell in March, and more. 'Get free shipping on orders over $99 at Etrailer: https://www.etrailer.com/vehicle-finder.aspx?etam=p0001 ****************************** Connect with RV Miles:  RV Miles Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvmiles Shop the RV Miles Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/rvmiles RV Miles Mailing List: https://rvmiles.com/mailinglist Mile Marker Membership: https://rvmiles.com/milemarkers Tickets for HOMECOMING go on sale for Mile Marker members on April 1st and for the general public on May 1st. Learn more at: https://RVMiles.com/homecoming 00:00 Intro 00:28 Washington Campground Cuts 01:41 California Park Expansion 02:46 Alabama Gulf RV Resort 03:47 Sponsor Etrailer 04:33 Merger Antitrust Scrutiny 08:28 RV Shipments Slide 09:26 Airstream Parts Policy 10:08 Airstream F1 Track Tow 10:32 Grand Design Roof Upgrade 11:18 Fantasy Raises Money 12:09 Outro

Episode 142: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Nate Angelo, CEO of Composition Wealth. Nate brings a diverse background spanning institutional investing and advisory leadership, with a focus on building firms that balance growth, culture, and client experience. His career reflects a commitment to thoughtful leadership and long-term value creation in the RIA space. Nate talks with Kyle about how to grow with purpose in today's wealth management landscape. He shares how leaders can build purpose-driven careers, lead with conviction and humility, and navigate transformational change without losing cultural integrity. Nate also discusses how data, AI, and integrated technology can enhance client experience while reinforcing that real success still comes down to human connection, trust, and empathy. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:36) - Nate's money moment (04:38) - Nate's early career development at Russell Investments (07:44) - Why personal context should come before financial strategy  (09:53) - Nate's transition from institutional investing to advising  (13:05) - Foundational leadership skills: mindset, mentors, and risk (19:40) - Building a brand with meaning and resonance  (24:27) - Defining growth beyond traditional metrics (30:33) - Maintaining consistency in inorganic growth (35:19) - How accountability and rigor shape better acquisition decisions  (38:37) - Differentiating through technology and client experience (43:32) - Integrating tax services for seamless advice  (47:46) - The move toward holistic client relationships (51:19) - Using frameworks to manage uncertainty and client emotions  (54:32) - Nate's outlook on the future of wealth management (57:41) - Nate's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Growth only matters when it's tied to purpose. Growth for the sake of growth is empty. The real question leaders should ask is: Are we growing in a way that actually improves the lives of the people we serve? Growth becomes meaningful when it's intentional, disciplined, and tied directly to impact. Start with the person, not the spreadsheet. Data and optimization matter, but they should never come first. The most effective decisions result from understanding values, emotions, and behaviors before applying financial frameworks.  Holistic advice is no longer optional. Clients today want a single, trusted relationship, not a fragmented network of professionals. Integrating services like tax and estate planning is becoming table stakes. The future is AI-powered, but human-led. AI will handle more of the repetitive, operational work. But empathy, trust, and human understanding will become even more valuable and more differentiating. Quotes "If I can leave a little mark in this space, it's really to help financial advisors never lose sight of the intimate relationship they have with clients and the ability to impact their lives." ~ Nate Angelo "We're in the business of managing human psychology and helping people stay engaged and invested. And there's a real strategic decision in doing nothing with your portfolio and just bringing your emotional level back to a rational state." ~ Nate Angelo "We as humans long to be seen, heard, and known. And technology is going to power the advisor and that relationship and interaction in unique and dynamic ways." ~ Nate Angelo Links  Nate Angelo on LinkedIn Composition Wealth Russell Investments RBC Wealth Management Brock Moseley Corsair Capital The Go-Giver Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Jason and Abby answer a listener question about affordable travel-day lunches before discussing common RV purchases new RVers don't need to buy immediately: RV-specific toilet paper, pricey hiking boots/outdoor clothing, tent-camping gadgets, camping memberships, and more. Plus, one state is getting 3 new state parks, while another is shuttering state park campgrounds to keep their system afloat.  *Get links and more in the show notes at https://RVMiles.com/406 *Support RV Miles and independent RV journalism

Get 30% off your next mattress at https://rvmattress.com/rvmiles with code RVMILES at checkout Lippert Components and Patrick Industries are in talks about a potential merger that could reshape RV manufacturing. The Bureau of Land Management is moving toward banning dispersed camping across nearly 14,000 acres near Zion National Park, replacing much of it with two proposed campgrounds totaling 230 sites. Ford recalls about 1.4 million 2015–2017 F-150s for a transmission range sensor issue and RAM recalls 65,000 2025–2026 pickups for an instrument panel software error. Fuel prices dipped amid Middle East developments, and several states announced gas tax holidays, while the EPA is issuing another E15 summer waiver. An Arkansas RV lot arson investigation,  ⁨Blu Tech's new Waterstop leak shutoff system, and  KOA's 2026 camping report showing shifting demographics and glamping growth. ****************************** Connect with RV Miles:  RV Miles Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvmiles Shop the RV Miles Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/rvmiles RV Miles Mailing List: https://rvmiles.com/mailinglist Mile Marker Membership: https://rvmiles.com/milemarkers Tickets for HOMECOMING go on sale for Mile Marker members on April 1st and for the general public on May 1st. Learn more at: https://RVMiles.com/homecoming 00:00 Headlines and Intro 00:25 New Studio Update 01:06 Lippert Patrick Merger Talk 03:28 Zion Area Dispersed Ban 05:43 Sponsor RV Mattress 06:34 Ford and Ram Recalls 08:18 Fuel Prices and E15 10:26 Arkansas RV Lot Arson 11:19 WaterStop Leak Device 12:36 KOA Camping Report 13:20 Podcast and Community Wrap

Episode 141: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Erik Brenner, CEO, President, and Founding Partner at Hilltop Wealth and Tax Solutions. With more than 30 years of experience, Erik has assisted thousands of individuals in integrating retirement, tax, and estate strategies. At Hilltop, he blends leadership and client advisory responsibilities, shaping the firm's future vision and strategies while providing personalized financial guidance to select clients. Erik talks with Kyle about what happens when advisory firms stop treating tax and wealth management as separate conversations and start thinking holistically. He discusses the strategic decisions that helped transform Hilltop, including integrating in-house tax services, rethinking the client experience, and doubling down on education-driven growth. Erik also shares how to run great seminars and use technology to keep up with business complexities. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:06) - Erik's money moment (03:30) - Hilltop's one-stop model: Integration of tax and wealth management (07:13) - How Hilltop manages large wealth with tax problems (09:35) - How the SECURE 2.0 Act impacts generational wealth (16:37) - Using seminars as a modern growth engine (20:28) - What makes a 5-star seminar experience (23:39) - Managing tech across multiple business lines (25:29) - Navigating the transition from being an advisor to a CEO (27:33) - Erik's outlook on the future of the financial industry (29:03) - Erik's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Don't outsource critical expertise that directly affects client outcomes. If a core part of your value—like tax strategy—is outside your control, alignment becomes difficult. Integrate tax and wealth management to deliver truly holistic advice. When strategy and execution live under one roof, decisions become more coordinated, proactive, and impactful for clients. For many retirees, taxes are their biggest expense. Plan accordingly. Investment returns matter, but unmanaged tax exposure can quietly erode wealth faster than most clients realize. Education builds trust faster than selling ever will. Whether it's seminars or client meetings, people lean in when they feel informed, not when they feel pitched. Teach first, and the business follows. Quotes "For most of our clients who are into retirement, taxes are their number one expense." ~ Erik Brenner "If you don't know the right questions to ask about how laws are changing, even the most powerful AI won't be able to help you." ~ Erik Brenner "Marketing is about getting the ball rolling. You want to get that ball rolling, but you do not want the snowball to melt." ~ Eric Brenner Links  Erik Brenner on LinkedIn Hilltop Wealth and Tax Solutions Holistiplan The Personal CFO Revolution Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

In this episode of the RV Miles Podcast, Jason and Abby discuss severe spring storms and the importance of weather awareness for RVers, especially around tornadoes and high winds. They break down reports that major RV component manufacturers Lippert Components and Patrick Industries are in talks for a merger, and how that could further consolidate the supply chain and reduce competition across RV construction and delivery. They also review KOA's 2026 camping report, highlighting declines in frequent camping, Gen Z participation, and camping families with kids, alongside increasing costs and shifting demographics.  *Get links and more in the show notes at https://RVMiles.com/406 *Support RV Miles and independent RV journalism

This week, Jimmy and Tyler catch up on two very different 4Runner projects — and somehow both of them involve things that were bent, broken, or seized in ways nobody’s seen before. Jimmy’s 4Runner “Samantha” is making progress. He spent the week fabricating temporary shock towers out of scrap steel, getting the shocks roughly mounted, and articulating the suspension to figure out how much travel he’s actually working with. The verdict: he needs to raise the shocks about a half inch, the bump stops are in the right ballpark, and the Panhard bar collision he was worried about looks like it won’t be an issue once the setup is dialed. He also talks through the surprisingly useful difference between working with metal vs. wood — and why metal scrap is genuinely hard to throw away. Tyler’s 4Runner “The Mule” went to Jason at OCD Innovations for a full teardown, and what they found was wild. The pinion bearing had seized and welded itself to the housing — which is what caused the axle lockup and the subsequent catastrophic failure. The good news: the Mile Marker hubs actually survived and held. The not-so-good news: basically everything else needed replacing — lower links (bent aluminum), upper link bracket, CV joints (Metal Cloak), steering kit (Sidetrack Off Road), DOM tubing for the track link and Panhard bar, and a driveshaft joint that exploded and saved the front diff case in the process. The one remaining unknown is the rear diff. Jason is being thorough — almost comically so — and the mule is back on four wheels, running under its own power. Registration still has to happen, which means blinkers, safety inspection, and a Switch-Pros wiring job are all still on the list. They also get into a deep conversation on lithium battery setups — starter battery vs. auxiliary battery, how alternators interact with lithium BMS shutoffs, and why Tyler is landing on a Dakota Lithium battery with a DC charger as his power management strategy. Off the trail: Jimmy went and saw *Project Hail Mary* in theaters and loved it (verdict: great home watch, doesn’t require the big screen). He ran a 10K at the Run Rockland event and surprised himself with a 9:45/mile average. And both Jimmy and Tyler took a moment to geek out over the Big Boy steam locomotive #4014 rolling through Roseville — 1.2 million pounds, 133 feet long, 7,000 horsepower, and apparently enough to stop traffic and make kids forget trains exist in favor of radio towers. SnailTrail4x4 Discord: https://discord.gg/yFyFFkQbuyCome hang out with us on the SnailTrail4x4 Discord — it’s the easiest way to connect with Tyler and Jimmy directly, chat with fellow offroad enthusiasts, and get first access to Group Buys and Treasure Hunt token drops. Group Buy for the Devos LightRanger 500We reached out to Devos, and they are in. Here’s how the discount tiers work: 10 people → 15% off (~$60/light) 20 people → 20% off (~$56/light) 30+ people → 25% off (~$52/light) These retail at $70. To get in, just send us your email and how many units you want. You can email us at jimmy@snailtrail4x4.com or tyler@snailtrail4x4.com, or DM us on Instagram. Deadline: April 30th. Want to learn more about the LightRanger 500? Click Here: https://www.devosoutdoor.com/products/lightranger-500 MORRFlate Giveaway at 900 Reviews on Apple Podcast. But our next giveaway is when we reach 800 reviews; we are giving away an OnX Elite Membership. We will also give away an OnX Elite membership when we get to 850. However, when we reach 900 Reviews, we are teaming up with MORRFlate for a $1000 MF Product Giveaway. Go over to Apple Podcasts to leave your review now and become eligible to win. Congratulations to A13XMONT, who won a set of tires from Yokohama Tire! Call us and leave us a VOICEMAIL!!! We want to hear from you even more!!! You can call and say whatever you like! Ask a question, leave feedback, correct some information about welding, say how much you hate your Jeep, and wish you had a Toyota! We will air them all, live, on the podcast! +01-916-345-4744. If you have any negative feedback, you can call our negative feedback hotline, 408-800-5169. 4Wheel Underground has all the suspension parts you need to take your off-road rig from leaf springs to a performance suspension system. We just ordered our kits for Kermit and Samantha and are looking forward to getting them. The ordering process was quite simple, and after answering the questionnaire, we ensured we got the correct and best-fitting kits for our vehicles. If you want to level up your suspension game, check out 4Wheel Underground. SnailTrail4x4 Podcast is brought to you by all of our peeps over at irate4x4! Make sure to stop by and see all of the great perks you get for supporting SnailTrail4x4! Discount Codes, Monthly Give-Always, Gift Boxes, the SnailTrail4x4 Community, and the ST4x4 Treasure Hunt! Thank you to all of those who support us! We couldn’t do it without you guys (and gals!)! SnailSquad Monthly Giveaway For the Month of April, we are giving away Gift Boxes. Its Gift Box month and two luck indiviuals will win a one of our gift boxs. These are jam packed with goodies from tools to whiskey smokers. They are always different and always random. If you want a chance to win, sign up for the Giveaway Tier on Irate4x4 Congrats to Roger Lutz on March’s Giveaway. We gave away the new Devos LightRanger500. This little light is jam-packed with features, from red, orange, and white lights to a motion sensor. It would be perfect for inside a tent, under a canopy, or just general use around the vehicle. If you want a chance to win, sign up for the Giveaway Tier on Irate4x4 Listener Discount Codes: SnailTrail4x4 –SnailTrail15 for 15% off SnailTrail4x4 MerchMORRFlate – snailtraill4x4 to get 10% off MORRFlate Multi Tire Inflation Deflation™ Kits4WheelUnderground – snailtrail 10% offIronman 4×4 – snailtrail20 to get 20% off all Ironman 4×4 branded equipment!Sidetracked Offroad – snailtrail4x4 (lowercase) to get 15% off lights and recovery gearSpartan Rope – snailtrail4x4 to get 10% off sitewideShock Surplus – SNAILTRAIL4x4 to get $25 off any order!Mob Armor – SNAILTRAIL4X4 for 15% offSummerShine Supply – ST4x4 for 10% offBackpacker’s Pantry – Affiliate LinkLaminx Protective Films – Use the Link to get 20% off all products (Affiliate Link) Show Music: Outroll Music – Meizong Kumbang Midroll Music – ComaStudio

February's new RV retail registrations fell 24% year over year, and motorhomes are worse... Fifth-wheel startup  @axiom-rv  reports strong early sales, expansion, and a workforce now over 100. The RV Industry Association approved factory-included TPMS on all new towable RVs starting with 2028 model year. Ford recalls about 422,000 Expeditions, Navigators, and Super Duty trucks for potential windshield wiper arm failure, and  @OutdoorsyRV   shares expansion updates and a move into autonomous taxi rentals.  Get Liquified at https://liquifiedrv.com ****************************** Connect with RV Miles:  RV Miles Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvmiles Shop the RV Miles Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/rvmiles RV Miles Mailing List: https://rvmiles.com/mailinglist Mile Marker Membership: https://rvmiles.com/milemarkers Tickets for HOMECOMING go on sale for Mile Marker members on April 1st and for the general public on May 1st. Learn more at: https://RVMiles.com/homecoming 00:00 Intro 01:07 February Sales Breakdown 04:24 Sponsor Message 05:11 Axiom Fifth Wheel Growth 05:58 TPMS Required 2028 07:15 Ford Wiper Recall 08:01 Montana Sign Fees 08:37 Fuel Price Outlook 09:06 Outdoorsy Summit Recap 12:42 Wrap Up And Thanks

Episode 140: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Anne McPhail, Managing Director at Novare Capital Management. With more than 30 years of experience across corporate banking and wealth management, Anne brings deep experience in wealth management, with a focus on guiding clients through major life transitions and building advisory relationships rooted in trust, empathy, and long-term perspective.   Anne talks with Kyle about what it truly means to serve clients through life's most important and often most difficult moments. She shares how genuine empathy and thoughtful financial strategy come together to create meaningful client relationships, how leading advisory firms deliver a consistent, high-touch experience at scale, and how Novare develops the next generation of advisors without compromising trust. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:43) - Anne's money moment (04:18) - Novare's life transition playbook (07:13) - Scaling personalized service across the firm (09:06) - Anne's advice for young wealth professionals (11:19) - Developing the next generation of advisors (18:28) - Staying current in a changing industry (21:17) - Integrating planning into every aspect of clients' lives (25:00) - Building trust that lasts through life's uncertainties (25:56) - Philanthropy, community, and relationship building (30:37) - Anne's outlook on the future of financial services (33:50) - Anne's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Lead with empathy before expertise. When clients face major life transitions—loss, divorce, uncertainty—they don't want spreadsheets. They want reassurance. Great leaders and advisors meet people where they are emotionally before guiding them analytically. Build systems that deliver consistent excellence. Scaling a high-touch experience isn't about doing more. It's about doing things intentionally. Clear processes, defined roles, and shared standards create consistency across every client interaction. Pair experience with a fresh perspective. Blending seasoned professionals with next-gen talent creates both trust and innovation. It allows firms to evolve without losing credibility. The value isn't in the plan, but in the conversation. Financial plans change. Life changes. What matters most is the ongoing dialogue and adaptability, not the static document. Quotes "You cannot manage a client or a family's money if you do not know their goals and objectives." ~ Anne McPhail "The mistake that a lot of firms make is meeting with a client who's lost their spouse, and the first thing they do is prepare a financial plan and give a Monte Carlo analysis. That's completely overwhelming to someone." ~ Anne McPhail "When you're trying to develop centers of influence, look for people who are about your age and stage of life who are trying to build their careers alongside you." ~ Anne McPhail Links  Anne McPhail on LinkedIn Novare Capital Management Wells Fargo eMoney Advisor Charles Schwab Charlotte Family Housing Good Friends Charlotte Arts+ Theo of Golden Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

In episode 405 of RV Miles, Jason and Abby take a closer look at RV rentals and fleet operations on Outdoorsy, featuring an interview with Brent Ward of Escape RV Rental, an approved vendor at Disney's Fort Wilderness. Brent shares how he grew from one travel trailer to 44 units in Florida, and more than 200 across related companies, plus how deliveries, guest support, insurance, and concierge services work for both operators and renters.  Also in this episode: a listener question about when a weight distribution hitch is really necessary, new RV registration data showing a 24.12% drop in sales, and an RVIA standards update that will require tire pressure monitoring systems on all RVs starting with the 2028 model year. *Get links and more in the show notes at https://RVMiles.com/405 *Support RV Miles and independent RV journalism

Episode 139: Kailash Duraiswami is the Chief Technology Officer at Milemarker, where he leads the development of data infrastructure and AI-powered solutions for modern advisory firms. With a unique blend of financial expertise and deep technical knowledge, Kailash brings his passion for innovation, data strategy, and scalable technology to help wealth management firms thrive in a multi-platform world. In this episode, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Kailash about his unconventional path from launching an RIA straight out of college to building tech that transformed data operations for financial firms. They unpack the challenges firms face with fragmented data, the importance of centralized infrastructure, and how AI will reshape wealth management. They discuss why firms need to reclaim ownership of their data, how to avoid becoming an “accidental CTO,” and how Milemarker is building scalable, simplified tech solutions for advisors navigating a multi-platform, AI-enabled world. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (03:17) - Kailash's money moment (08:20) - What is Pantenix? (11:34) - The value of a data warehouse (13:55) - Kailash's thoughts on cloud-based infrastructure (15:40) - The importance of data platforms (19:53) - Why becoming a CTO should be intentional (23:54) - AI in wealth management (26:10) - The advantage of building your own language models (33:15) - Why CTOs in RIAs need to understand wealth management (37:26) - Why all-in-one platforms limit user experiences (40:27) - Kailash's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Centralize your data to maximize AI and operational efficiency. Without consolidating your firm's data into a single, accessible environment, it's nearly impossible to generate meaningful insights or leverage AI effectively. Fragmented data limits your ability to scale and innovate. You don't have to become an “accidental CTO”. Many firm leaders end up spending too much time wrestling with tech. Outsourcing specialized functions—like data architecture and infrastructure—can free up your time to focus on clients and growth, while still driving innovation. Owning your data is not the same as using cloud-based tools. Just because your systems are in the cloud doesn't mean you own your data. True ownership means having control over how and where your data is stored, accessed, and used to make decisions. AI is only as smart as the data it has access to. For AI to deliver meaningful outcomes—like intelligent agents or predictive analytics—it needs clean, well-structured, and centralized data. Start with solid infrastructure before diving into advanced AI capabilities. Quotes "What we're doing here, as a help to your technology footprint, is enabling you to see and understand your business in ways you've never done before. And that requires very sophisticated technology." ~ Kailash Duraiswami "You must have your data in one place to really make use of AI because the conclusions that the model can make or the recommendations are all subject to what data is presented to it." ~ Kailash Duraiswami  "The biggest thing we are making here is building a tool that is advisor-centric and executive-centric. And that means simplicity. Above all, the boldness of what we have here is to do less in an excellent way." ~ Kailash Duraiswami  Links  Kailash Duraiswami on LinkedIn Orion Advisor Solutions Black Diamond Tamarac Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

In RV Miles episode 404, Jason and Abby share spring shakedown updates after discovering a leak caused by a missed winterization step, forcing them to postpone their first trip of the season amid severe weather. They take a look at practical RV driving tips for safety and confidence, including knowing your rig's dimensions, reviewing routes, going slower, lane strategy, following distances, and more. In Fresh Tank / Black Tank, the FTC's increased enforcement against deceptive dealer fees and advertising, a new Zion park-and-ride shuttle option, and a cookbook recommendation. *Get links and more in the show notes at https://RVMiles.com/404 *Support independent RV journalism and unlock great perks by becoming a Mile Marker

Episode 138: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Michael Vedders, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Enterprise Resources at NorthRock Partners. In his role, Michael is responsible for extending NorthRock's reach and reputation. With more than a decade of experience in marketing and leading complex organizational projects, Michael has helped build teams, launch major branding initiatives, produce compelling creative, develop multi-channel planning, and use insights to inform strategy. Michael talks with Kyle about how wealth management firms can build deep client relationships at scale. He discusses the importance of storytelling in creating a strong brand narrative, how NorthRock's personal office business model works, and why the future belongs to firms that use data and automation to serve more people and build deeper human connections. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:38) - Michael's money moment (04:58) - Michael's frustration with traditional wealth management (07:24) - What marketing really means in wealth management (10:02) - How to build trust and deeper client relationships (12:48) - The "quarterback" model of financial advice (16:42) - How NorthRock manages deep relationships at scale (21:52) - NorthRock's personal office business model (22:54) - Michael's outlook on the future of financial advice (29:03) - Redefining performance beyond returns (30:57) - Michael's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Don't rush to promote. Get your story right first. It's tempting to jump straight into marketing tactics, but without a clear, compelling story, even the best campaigns fall flat. Take the time to define what truly sets you apart before amplifying your message. If you want deeper client relationships, create space for them. You can't force meaningful connections, but you can design for them. Offload technical tasks to specialists so advisors can focus on what matters most. Use technology to create time, not just efficiency. AI and automation aren't the end goal. The real opportunity is what you do with the time they create. The best firms will reinvest that time into deeper relationships and better service. The future belongs to firms that balance tech and humanity. Efficiency through data and automation is table stakes. The real edge comes from using that efficiency to deepen human connection, not replace it. Quotes "Marketing is the privilege of telling the story, the story of your firm and what differentiates you. You can spend a lot of money and generate a lot of activity without results if you don't provide a clear story for people first." ~ Michael Vedders "Deep relationships lead to better advice." ~ Michael Vedders "The future of our industry belongs to those who can create efficiencies and space through data and automation, and then use that space to serve people more effectively and deepen relationships." ~ Michael Vedders Links  Michael Vedders on LinkedIn NorthRock Partners Think Again Switch Unreasonable Hospitality Love Does The Ideal Team Player Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

In episode 403 of the RV Miles podcast, Jason and Abby share spring RV prep tips that go beyond flushing the water system, including doing a nearby campground “spring shakedown” to wash the rig, check seals, test smoke detectors, and more. Abby explains RV Miles' rebranded, curated newsletter now publishing four times a week (podcast, news, national parks, and a weekend “Road Signs” edition) and, in the tank segment, they discuss a planned 2,300-site RV park near Abilene, a cougar under an RV in British Columbia, Abby's bread-baking mishaps, and a recommendation to read Project Hail Mary before seeing the movie. Ross from  @RVTIPSANDTRAVELS  has done a couple great de-winterizing videos, this general one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VMN0o9GLxg And this one for folks with a tankless water heater: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L27Me5ggTlw The giant RV parn near Abeline: https://www.bigcountryhomepage.com/news/big-rv-park-bigger-water-needs-abilene-makes-exception/ *Get links and more in the show notes at https://RVMiles.com/403 *Support independent RV journalism and unlock great perks by becoming a Mile Marker

Episode 137: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Verity Larsen, Founder & CEO at Versoft Consulting. Versoft partners with RIAs to help navigate complex technology decisions, system conversions, and data strategy. Verity talks with Kyle about the realities behind data lakes in wealth management and why maintaining clean, accurate data is harder than it looks for RIAs. From the myth of "clean data" to the hidden costs of data lakes, Verity shares a behind-the-scenes look at why so many firms struggle to turn data into actionable insights. She also explores the limitations of AI, the operational disconnects that quietly slow firms down, and what it truly takes to make data work for growth and better decision-making. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:00) - Verity's money moment (04:33) - The challenge of validating data in system conversions (08:40) - What it takes for an RIA to maintain clean data (13:28) - The disconnect between management and staff workflow (16:43) - Common reasons people hire Versoft (20:53) - How people can make the most of their current technology (26:27) - Why systems calculate the same metrics differently (32:01) - The limits of AI in data and system management (37:43) - The truth about data lakes: adoption vs. actual results (40:11) - What firms should be doing with their data lakes (42:28) - The next best step after centralizing data (44:47) - Verity's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Start with the outcome, not the infrastructure. It's tempting to jump on trends like data lakes or AI, but without a clear use case, you'll end up with expensive systems that don't deliver value. Your data isn't as clean as you think. Many firms assume their data is accurate until they attempt to migrate or validate it. Taking the time to clean and fully understand data upfront can prevent months or even years of frustration down the line. Data consolidation without a plan is a dead end. Bringing all your data into one place is only step one. The real value comes from how you use it, whether that's improving client experiences or driving better business decisions. Growth comes from visibility. When your data is structured and accessible, it becomes a powerful tool for identifying opportunities, improving profitability, and intentionally scaling your business. Quotes "A lot of people have been talking about collecting their data into a single source. They start with that initiative, but they don't actually think about what they want to do with that information once it's all together." ~ Verity Larsen "Most people assume that their data is clean. So, they think that validating that data is going to be easy, and it's not." ~ Verity Larsen "If you are looking to change systems or expand data warehousing services, make sure you scrub your data in advance so your source data is accurate, you know what you have, and you know what problems to expect if that data is moved into a different system." ~ Verity Larsen Links  Verity Larsen on LinkedIn Versoft Consulting SS&C Advent Joshua Brown Ritholtz Wealth Management Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

In this week's episode, Jason recaps his visit to Vail, Colorado, and the drive out of the mountains in a blizzard on the way home. Plus, we answer a listener's question about why campsite length listings on Recreation.gov are so confusing. *The  RVing With Joe video with Ember: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHUEXj4Xtns *The episode with Jason: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5xy5dBMEo4 *Aspen Jacobsen's "We'll Create Better": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qq4eWoh_e4g Get links to all the past podcast episodes mentioned at https://RVMiles.com/402 *Support independent RV journalism and unlock great perks by becoming a Mile Marker

Episode 136: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Nicole McMullin, Senior Vice President of Product at Wealth.com. Nicole is a seasoned product leader with a proven track record of building and scaling high-performing product organizations. She brings deep experience in product strategy, cross-functional leadership, and translates customer needs into meaningful outcomes.  Nicole talks with Kyle about the intersection of consumer fintech and advisory technology and how modern fintech principles can transform the advisor-client experience. She explores how new tools, AI workflows, and integrated platforms are helping advisors move away from manual processes and toward more proactive, emotionally intelligent conversations with clients. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (03:09) - Nicole's money moment (09:42) - What advisory firms can learn from consumer fintech (12:58) - Nicole's 'aha' moment at Wealth.com (13:37) - Wealth's new tax planning strategy (14:44) - Addressing fragmentation in wealth management (16:26) - What attracted Nicole to join Wealth.com (21:46) - How advisors should evaluate new technology (23:33) - Nicole's outlook on the future of wealth management (27:56) - How Wealth.com provides the best wealth management experience (30:16) - Nicole's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Financial planning, estate strategies, and tax modeling can be incredibly complex. But the most effective tools translate that complexity into something clients immediately understand.  Great financial advice is still deeply human. The role of technology is to support that relationship by translating emotional client conversations into actionable insights, strategies, and next steps in real time. Many advisors give excellent recommendations. But clients don't always follow through. Technology that helps advisors turn recommendations into immediate actions can dramatically improve client outcomes. The biggest challenge in advisor technology isn't capability, it's fragmentation. Platforms that consolidate data from multiple tools into one cohesive view of a client's financial life create far more value. Quotes "Advisors really are that emotional support system, and the product needs to empower clients and advisors to have that conversation." ~ Nicole McMullin "Platforms like Wealth.com have the ability to almost instantaneously take the emotional conversation, translate it, and allow the advisor to show how it may change their plan, investment strategy, and tax strategy." ~ Nicole McMullin "Allowing advisors to have that magical moment of taking a person where they are today and immediately translating that and showing them the output of where they're going can go a long way in empowering advisors." ~ Nicole McMullin Links  Nicole McMullin on LinkedIn Wealth.com Dan Bolton Square Nitrogen Jump AI Zocks Charles Schwab Goldman Sachs Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow Cash App Wealthfront Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

In episode 401 of the RV Miles podcast, Jason and Abby read Mile Marker survey responses about destinations inspired by the show, and with fuel prices rising, they revisit practical ways to cut fuel costs: proper tire inflation, avoiding interstate-adjacent stations, watching state-line price differences, and more. Jason critiques an overbuilt, tightly packed campground near Iowa City, Abby calls out daylight saving time, and celebrates learning “piecemeal” is the correct term, and Jason fresh-tanks a new route-checking app, RV Route Finder. Get links to all the past podcast episodes mentioned at https://RVMiles.com/401 *Support independent RV journalism and unlock great perks by becoming a Mile Marker

Episode 135: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jessica Perez, VP of Growth at Milemarker. Jessica brings a boots-on-the-ground perspective to the wealth management technology space, working directly with advisory firms to help them unlock the full potential of their data.  Kyle and Jessica recap key lessons from the Orion Ascent conference, where the central theme was “Relentless”—a mindset focused on continuous improvement across technology, client experience, and firm operations. They discuss how advisors can avoid the overwhelm that often follows large industry events and instead identify one or two meaningful priorities to pursue. Jessica also shares her perspective on evaluating technology partners, embracing innovation like AI without chasing every trend, and focusing on the changes that truly move an advisory firm forward. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:28) - Orion Ascent recap (03:15) - How advisors can apply a relentless mindset without getting distracted (07:29) - The "AI frenzy" and improving client experience through smarter technology (10:29) - How AI conversations are shaping advisor technology strategy (13:24) - From tinkering to transformation (15:02) - Evaluating whether technology vendors are true partners (20:11) - Why data sharing and integration matter more than ever (25:08) - Turning conference inspiration into real firm improvements (38:43) - Jessica's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Be ruthless about technology partners that don't truly help your business. If a platform doesn't share data well, integrate with your ecosystem, or actively help improve your client experience, it's worth reevaluating that relationship—even if switching tools feels painful. Technology vendors should function as partners in growth, not just software providers.   Don't chase every new idea after a conference—pick a few and pursue them relentlessly. Industry events flood advisors with dozens of new tools and ideas, but trying to implement everything leads to distraction. Instead, identify one to three ideas that meaningfully improve your firm and focus on executing those relentlessly throughout the year.   “Relentless” improvement is more about mindset than technology. The real takeaway from Orion Ascent wasn't just AI or new fintech announcements—it was the mindset of continuous improvement. Firms that consistently ask how they can serve clients better, improve workflows, and elevate their teams are the ones that ultimately win.   Quotes “Relentless means find a theme, find a thing that matters that you can relentlessly pursue.” ~ Jessica Perez “If you are not actively in play right now, thinking about how your firm can handle AI to serve your clients, you're gonna have a lot of problems.” ~ Jessica Perez Links  Jessica on LinkedIn Orion Ascent Jordan Hutchison Chip Kispert Future Proof T3 The Challenger Sale by Matthew Dixon The Activator Advantage by Matthew Dixon Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

In episode 400 of the RV Miles podcast, we celebrate nearly nine years of the show, and reflect on how the show and our RV life have evolved since 2017. To mark the milestone, we're offering up five RV trip ideas based only on places we've visited: a first-time RV trip to the Black Hills/Badlands, a spring wildlife-focused Yellowstone trip, scenic drives with Durango as a base including the Million Dollar Highway and Mesa Verde, a national parks power trip linking Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Devils Tower, Badlands and Wind Cave (plus options like Glacier or Theodore Roosevelt), and a slow-travel route from Astoria, Oregon to Seattle via Olympic National Park.  *Support independent RV journalism and unlock great perks by becoming a Mile Marker

Episode 134: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Chip Kispert, Founder & Managing Partner at Beacon Strategies. Chip has spent decades building and leading one of the country's most trusted wealth management partners, helping shape its national footprint through intentional M&A, strong partner alignment, and disciplined operational systems. His career reflects a deep commitment to sustainable growth, advisor development, and long-term enterprise value creation. Kyle and Chip explore what it takes to build durable advisory businesses while embracing innovation. They discuss the power of structured peer roundtables, how firms can move beyond legacy technology assumptions, and why operational rigor becomes more important as firms grow. The conversation also dives into AI adoption—distinguishing native versus enabled tools, addressing internal fear, and establishing formal AI policies—highlighting how thoughtful leadership can turn disruption into long-term enterprise value. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:45) - Chip's money moment (04:23) - What Beacon Strategies does and who it serves (08:03) - Why structured roundtables outperform traditional conferences (11:39) - Why firms are reassessing legacy technology providers (15:19) - Native AI vs. AI-enabled tools (17:27) - Managing fear and uncertainty around AI (22:48) - Avoiding AI overload and creating a formal policy (27:29) - Introducing the Beacon Provider Network (BPN) (31:20) - One area financial services must improve (35:08) - Chip's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Don't adopt AI casually—govern it deliberately. Experimentation is fine, but firms need a formal AI policy to reduce risk, clarify expectations, and prevent tool sprawl. Thoughtful governance creates confidence internally and credibility externally. Distinguish between “native AI” and “AI-enabled” tools. Not all AI is created equal. Leaders must understand whether AI is foundational to a product or simply layered on as a feature. That distinction impacts scalability, data security, and long-term strategic fit. Peer collaboration beats passive learning. Structured roundtables and curated peer groups often produce more actionable insight than traditional conferences. Real progress happens when leaders openly share what's actually working—and what isn't. Operational discipline becomes more important as innovation accelerates. As firms scale and technology multiplies, clarity around standards, vendor evaluation, and internal processes becomes a competitive advantage. Growth without structure creates fragility. Quotes "Most firms don't have any AI policy. They need to have an AI vision and an AI policy to lay out their plans and the information they need, so they know their data is protected. They need to have their guidelines and guardrails, which drive their decisions on how they interact with firms." ~ Chip Kispert "There's a lot of talk about AI, but a true understanding of it is not rich. It's not deep. So, it would be absolutely valuable for the wealth space to really have some AI learning. Everybody can say large language model, but truly understanding it is another world." ~ Chip Kispert "Data management is the foundation of everything. You can have great AI or rules-based engines, but if the data is not good, it doesn't mean anything. All the pretty stuff, the shiny metal lures don't have that much integrity, or their integrity gets questioned by the quality of the data." ~ Chip Kispert Links  Chip Kispert on LinkedIn Beacon Strategies Fidelity Investments Beacon Provider Network Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. Learn more at Turncast.com.

This week we dig into a viral RVTravel.com poll asking: How well built is your RV? The results surprised us—and they raise a bigger question: if so many RVers say their rigs are “well built,” why does the industry's quality reputation feel so rough… and why can't buyers easily choose truly better-built options? Then we're joined by Geneva Long, founder and CEO of Bowlus to talk about reviving a nearly-forgotten 1930s aviation-inspired aluminum travel trailer and turning it into one of the most interesting luxury RV brands on the road today. We get into what “built like an airplane” really means, why lightweight doesn't have to mean flimsy, and why Bowlus may be uniquely positioned for the future of EV towing. Plus: Abby's “black tank” story about everyday kindness (and a parking lot door ding), and Jason's take on the way people talk about travel safety in Mexico—especially Baja. *Support independent RV journalism and unlock great perks by becoming a Mile Marker

Episode 133: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jennifer Goldman, Founder and Strategic Operations Transformer and Integrator at My Virtual COO. Jen is an operations expert with 30 years of experience helping 1,000+ service businesses to thrive.  Jen talks with Kyle about what it really takes to run a profitable, scalable advisory firm. From defining what makes a truly great operator to navigating the messy middle of firm growth, Jen shares practical insights on constellation thinking, building operational leaders, and making hard profitability decisions. She also dives into the emotional and structural crossroads firms face as they scale, the evolving role of technology and AI in operations, and why clean data and strong systems still require human ownership. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (03:33) - Jen's money moment (06:39) - What it takes to be a great operator (08:55) - How "constellation thinking" works (12:19) - Balancing SOPs with creativity in operations (14:42) - The profitability challenges in the growth process (16:57) - What determines whether you should build or join a platform (21:42) - How Jen utilizes AI in her work  (23:01) - Why AI can't replace CRMs (27:27) - Why it's important to have clean CRM data (32:36) - What it takes to build a process for advisors and investors (37:35) - What Jen looks for when engaging with advisors (39:53) - Jen's outlook on the future of the financial services industry (42:51) - Jen's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Think like an operator. Great operators don't work in silos. They practice "constellation thinking"—understanding how a change in one area (people, process, technology, profitability) impacts the rest of the organization. Sustainable growth comes from seeing those connections before making decisions. Progress beats perfection when scaling a business. Operators must act with imperfect information and accept small failures along the way. Waiting for perfect data or perfect conditions slows growth. Progress, iteration, and course correction are what move firms forward. Your growth path depends on how well you've built your team. When firms hit major crossroads, whether to scale into a platform or join one, the deciding factor is often people. Leaders who develop decision-makers and future executives create optionality—those who don't often feel stuck or fatigued. Systems create stability, but creativity keeps operations moving. SOPs and structured processes are essential for consistency, but operators must also stay flexible and creative when reality doesn't follow the playbook. Balancing structure with adaptability is key to running a resilient firm. Quotes "Your data is so important. It's telling you stories. If you don't keep it clean, it's not going to tell you what you need to do next with the business." ~ Jennifer Goldman "Businesses cannot scale unless they're constantly and continuously improving. It doesn't have to be a heavy lift. Just shine a light, make a small change, and keep going." ~ Jennifer Goldman "This clarity around data and understanding, pulling it together, and using it effectively is so important. It allows you to have more touch with the people around you, whether it's clients or the advisor teams." ~ Jennifer Goldman Links  Jennifer Goldman on LinkedIn My Virtual COO The Let Them Theory Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

In episode 398 of the RV Miles podcast, we cover Alliance RV's acquisition of Midwest Automotive Designs, marking Alliance's first move into motorized RVs with Sprinter-based Class B luxury vans. Jason interviews Alliance co-founder Coley Brady about why the deal happened and the possibility of an Alliance-branded Class B that could come as soon as this fall. We discuss National Park Service timed entry reservation changes, including Yosemite, Arches, and Glacier not using timed entry this summer, along with Glacier's alternative measures like parking limits at Logan Pass, shuttle-only access for certain hikes, and reservable shuttle slots. Jason's black tank is the short-lived reopening of the Apostle Islands ice caves (open for one day before conditions changed), and his fresh tank is Axiom RV increasing fifth-wheel ground clearance from six to ten inches while raising questions about the engineering tradeoffs. Abby's black tank focuses on the changing state of podcasting, with exclusivity deals and paywalls involving major platforms; her fresh tank is enjoying the Winter Olympics. *Support independent RV journalism and unlock great perks by becoming a Mile Marker

Episode 132: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Andrew Evans, Chief Executive Officer of Rossby. Before Rossby, Andrew served as Executive Vice President at TAG Advisors and as a Securities Principal at Cambridge Investment Research.  Andrew talks with Kyle about entrepreneurship, growth, and designing better businesses. With a background in musical theater and a career that spans mortgage brokerage and financial advising, Andrew shares the parallels between creative careers and financial services, why repeatable processes beat flashy marketing plans, and how thoughtful design can transform the advisor experience.  In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:39) - Andrew's money moment (04:55) - Parallels between mortgage brokerage and financial advising (07:07) - How Andrew built his early book of business (11:50) - The financial-planning version of a closing credit (13:07) - Redefining traditional conferences with The Unconference (16:41) - How The Unconference generates the best business ideas (19:43) - What it means to drive business forward (25:04) - The concept of "less but better" in business and technology (28:39) - Designing intuitive systems and reducing operational friction (32:22) - Creativity, patience, and building differently (35:16) - Andrew's outlook on the future of the financial services industry (44:13) - Andrew's Milemarket Minute Key Takeaways Whether you're selling a mortgage or a financial plan, technical skills are just the baseline. The real growth comes from mastering interpersonal and psychological engagement and understanding the emotional drivers behind a client's financial decisions. Plan a repeatable process. Growth becomes sustainable when your marketing and operations are simple enough to execute consistently every day. Design for less but better. Complexity is the enemy of efficiency. In leadership and tech, aim for intuitive design that reduces clicks and surprises. Your goal should be to create a "source of truth" for data that lets your team spend less time on administration and more time on high-value work. The best ideas at any conference or meeting rarely come from the person at the podium. They happen in the hallways, over coffee, or during shared activities. Quotes "Nobody gains great ideas by sitting there and being lectured at. It doesn't happen. The best stuff happens in the conversations on the edges." ~ Andrew Evans "You can't satisfy everyone. Whatever you've decided on for your firm's tech stack, someone is going to hate it. So, design for the firm's data integrity first, then let them pick their tools." ~ Andrew Evans "Focus on where your practice's source of truth is. That's where you really need your agent. Keep it focused. Keep it tight." ~ Andrew Evans Links  Andrew Evans on LinkedIn Rossby Financial Raymond James The Unconference Kelsey McKenna Seeds Investor Midquel McClendon Capital Square The Design of Everyday Things Redtail Technology Wealthbox Advisor360 eMoney Advisor The Lord Of The Rings Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

This week on the RV Miles Podcast, we're digging deep into the memory bank to relive some of our biggest mistakes on the road — and yes, there have been plenty. From exploding spaghetti sauce and black tank blunders… to campsite miscalculations, rookie towing moments, and those “what were we thinking?” travel decisions — we've learned a lot the hard way over nearly a decade of RV life. If you've ever made a mistake in your RV (and who hasn't?), this episode is proof you're not alone — and hopefully you'll learn from ours instead of repeating them. *Support independent RV journalism and unlock great perks by becoming a Mile Marker

Episode 131: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Joe Moss, Founder at AdvisorTechBook. With a background in real estate and data analysis, Joe has become a go-to resource for financial advisors looking to optimize their tech stacks.  Joe talks with Kyle about the rapidly evolving world of advisor technology, AI, and personal branding in wealth management. He discusses how financial advisors can simplify their technology, leverage AI effectively, build meaningful personal brands, attract top talent, and grow organically in an industry where relationships matter most. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:26) – Joe's money moment (02:34) – Joe's winding path to fintech (05:47) – How people should evaluate AI in the future (10:16) – The Zero Basis Points theory (12:29) – The importance of data lakes in connecting AI capabilities (18:49) – Why advisors need to tell their own stories (20:41) – Strategies for attracting and retaining the best next-gen advisors (27:35) – The difference between an audience and a community (28:22) – Joe's thoughts about the future of the financial services industry (32:27) – Joe's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Adapt to change, but focus on the fundamentals. The AI and advisor technology landscapes are rapidly evolving. Focus on core principles like accurate data, client relationships, and streamlined workflows. Organic growth starts with personal branding. Share insights, solve problems, and build a reputation as a thought leader. Authentic content attracts clients and top talent. Attract and retain talent by investing in people. Treat your team well, pay them fairly, delegate effectively, and provide a clear mission. The best talent often excels at critical thinking, not just technology. AI is commoditizing technical financial knowledge. Advisors must shift their value proposition from "what I know" to "how I manage the relationship" to stay relevant. Quotes "The entire value of this industry's proposition is going straight to the human relationship. And AI is going to make humans heroes in everything." ~ Joe Moss "The answer to organic growth is organic human content—basically building a personal brand." ~ Joe Moss "Living an amazing life is a journey of self-transformation. If you want to make a lot more money, you need to dump resources into your number one advisor tech, which is your brain." ~ Joe Moss Links  Joe Moss on LinkedIn AdvisorTechBook Dave Ramsey Parker Ence Jump AI Redtail Technology Wealthbox Zocks Mark Gilbert Zero Basis Points  - Podcast Michael Kitces Morgan Housel Samantha Russell Joshua Brown Michael Batnick Peter Mallouk Joe Duran United Capital Financial Advisors Future Proof Citywide Goldman Sachs Root Financial Altruist Alex Hormozi $100M Money Models Ian Karnell VastAssembly The Alchemist Justin Castelli Santiago Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

In episode 396 of the RV Miles Podcast, Jason and Abby discuss the contentious issue of reserving multiple dates at campsites and the implications of no-shows and cancellations while looking at camping trends from  @Thedyrt  's 2026 Camping  Report, shedding light on the state of camping post-pandemic. The Dyrt's 2026 Camping Report: https://thedyrt.com/press/camping-report/ _____ *Support independent RV journalism and unlock great perks by becoming a Mile Marker

Episode 130: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Adam Spiegelman, Founder and Wealth Advisor at Spiegelman Wealth Management, which offers investment and wealth management programs and services for high-net-worth clients. The company's mission is to develop enduring relationships with clients by providing professional guidance for a lifetime of financial security.  Adam talks with Kyle about what it really means to go independent and why freedom, service, and intentional scale matter more in financial services. He shares why he left large firms to build a boutique RIA, the emotional weight of the transition, and how he maintains a human-centric approach in an automated world. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:32) - Adam's money moment (03:18) - Navigating the LPL acquisition of Commonwealth (06:07) - What Adam learned after going independent (08:41) - The reality of independence (10:09) - The challenges and rewards of building a custom technology ecosystem (13:03) - What made Commonwealth technology user-friendly (17:53) - Adam's vision for Spiegelman Wealth Management (20:20) - What great service actually looks like in practice (22:31) - Adam's growth strategies (26:04) - Adam's outlook on the future of the wealth management industry (28:30) - Adam's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Freedom creates clarity, but also responsibility. Going independent removes bureaucracy but also challenges leaders to own every decision, especially in technology and operations. Great service lives in the small, thoughtful moments. Picking up the phone, anticipating confusion, and proactively helping clients through stressful situations often matter more than flashy offerings. Growth doesn't have to mean “bigger”. Staying intentionally small can be a competitive advantage when relationships, trust, and responsiveness are the core product. AI will change the work, but not remove the human role. As modeling and analysis become commoditized, judgment, empathy, and contextual thinking become even more valuable. Quotes "I talked to dozens of recruiters, firms, and advisors. And I did all this due diligence with one purpose in mind: to scare me out of wanting to go independent. And no one could scare me. I knew in my heart that this was the absolute right thing to do." ~ Adam Spiegelman "I learned a long time ago that this business is not just about lining my pockets. It's not about money and fees, it's about relationships." ~ Adam Spiegelman "People want to take more charge of their finances. Gone are the days of pension plans and the government providing all that support." ~ Adam Spiegelman Links  Adam Spiegelman on LinkedIn Spiegelman Wealth Management Fidelity Investments A Gentleman in Moscow Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Episode 129: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Mitch Hamer. Mitch is the Founder & Lead Advisor at Intersecting Wealth, where he partners with families to navigate their financial lives with clarity and intention. With an approach rooted more in psychology and behavior, Mitch helps clients step back from the things that get far too much attention and focus on the priorities that are often overlooked.  Kyle and Mitch unpack the real alpha inside modern advisory work. They also discuss the challenges of scaling a highly personalized service, the importance of building a multi-generational firm to serve multi-generational clients, and the self-aware entrepreneurial path that focuses on alignment, work-life balance, and finding your own unique way in the industry. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:55) - Mitch's money moment (03:32) - Mitch's journey from options trading to wealth advisory (09:16) - Why advisors say planning is everything (12:08) - The challenges of scaling highly personalized service (15:38) - What it takes to start an RIA without an established book of business (22:03) - The difference between a strategist and a technician (25:40) - How Intersecting Wealth builds a multi-generational firm (29:35) - The future of Intersecting Wealth (31:26) - Mitch's take on the future of the financial services industry (34:27) - Intersecting Wealth's tech stack (35:34) - Mitch's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Planning, not returns, is where trust is built. Advisors often feel pressure to deliver higher returns, but most client anxiety comes from uncertainty around spending, legacy, and purpose. Behavioral insight is a real advisory skillset. Advisors who understand behavior, fear, emotion, and decision-making are positioned to add more value than technical portfolio expertise alone. Don't confuse activity with value. Spending too much time on complex, non-scalable technical work can prevent growth. Realize that your greatest contribution might be in the human element, the listening, strategizing, and having hard conversations with clients. Quotes "I realized that the value-add was the conversations away from investments. And that's the reason why I ended up doing really deep advanced planning across the financial planning spectrum." ~ Mitch Hamer "When you're sitting across from a family, and you're starting to unpack what they're trying to accomplish or what makes them nervous, it's often verbalized as 'I'm uncomfortable with risk'. But what I'm seeing them verbalize is 'I don't really know what my plan is.'” ~ Mitch Hamer "You can't overlay tech on trust. It's not going to be a tech platform that moves advisors over. It's going to be a service model that wins them." ~ Mitch Hamer Links  Mitch Hamer on LinkedIn Intersecting Wealth Cboe Global Markets John Marshall Goldman Sachs Morgan Stanley Merrill Lynch Stratos Wealth eMoney Advisor RightCapital Income Lab Wealthbox Money Together Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Episode 128: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Tyson Ray, CEO, Founding Partner, and Senior Wealth Advisor at FORM Wealth Advisors. Tyson helps financial advisors exit their businesses with clarity, confidence, and no regrets. He's been recognized as a Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisor, AdvisorHub Advisors to Watch, and Barron's Top 1200 Advisor.   Kyle and Tyson discuss what it takes to build a successful wealth advisory practice that balances growth, client care, and community impact. Tyson shares the strategies, leadership mindset, and values that have guided his career to success. He also discusses his SPACE (See, Prepare, Act, Commit, Exit) framework, which reveals how advisors can exit their practice confidently and fully compensated, while keeping their clients' interests first and foremost. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:12) - Tyson's money moment (05:48) - Valuable lessons Tyson learned during the early stages of his career (07:26) - How to build a career that lasts a lifetime (10:23) - The power of structure, boundaries, and accountability in scaling a firm (13:51) - The SPACE framework (21:29) - The importance of building a multi-generational team (30:07) - How Tyson finds and trains his team members  (32:52) - Why you should “never enter data twice” (34:59) - Tyson's outlook on the future of the industry (40:36) - Tyson's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Great leadership begins with humility. The best leaders don't pretend to have all the answers. They listen, learn, and grow alongside their teams. Don't let fear define your future. If you know a change is necessary for growth, don't let fear hold you back from what is ultimately the right thing for your firm's long-term health and your own personal well-being. Invest in the next generation of advisors. Intentionally recruit and mentor younger team members to build a truly multi-generational firm—one where clients feel confident their advisor won't retire before they do, and where modern, responsive service comes naturally. Make space for succession. You cannot effectively plan for your future or your firm without intentionally creating the time and mental room to do it. The succession process is not just about selling or retiring; it's about seeing a vision, committing to the necessary actions, and exiting with confidence and purpose. Quotes "You can't let fear prevent you from doing what's right." ~ Tyson Ray "The reason most of us don't do planning for ourselves is that we don't create the space to do it." ~ Tyson Ray "How to build your business is to hire caretakers of what you've built to free you up, because most likely, you are the rainmaker." ~ Tyson Ray Links  Tyson Ray on LinkedIn FORM Wealth Advisors Total Succession Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Episode 127: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Matt Regan, President at Wealthcare. With more than two decades in the financial services industry, Matt has helped build several transformative business models, including launching the retail brokerage and OpenIPO system at WR Hambrecht+Co. His work has consistently focused on scaling world-class organizations with a strong commitment to the client experience. Kyle talks with Matt about building scalable, sustainable advisory businesses at the intersection of technology and operations. Matt shares his journey into wealth management, the evolution of Wealthcare from planning software to a full-service platform, and how standardized systems drive organic growth and enterprise value. They dive into affiliation models, M&A strategy, talent challenges, and the future of advice in an AI-driven world—especially for emerging advisors and smaller clients. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:44) - Matt's money moment 0. (03:58) - Wealthcare's origin story (06:20) - Wealthcare's affiliation model (12:24) - Common pitfalls in M&A (14:04) - The talent gap and finding Gen 2 successors (15:33) - Matt's thoughts about the future of M&A (19:34) - What it takes to build a firm from $0 to $100M in today's market (22:47) - The role of AI in serving HENRYs (High Earners, Not Rich Yet) (26:50) - Why soft skills are the new hard currency (28:27) - Matt's outlook on the future of the industry (32:37) - Matt's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Standardization creates enterprise value. A repeatable operating system is what turns an advisory practice into a real business. Consistency across planning, investments, client service, and operations becomes your biggest growth lever. Tech-enabled platforms only matter if the tech actually supports the advisor's workflow. A true tech platform is not a stack of tools. It's a single operating system that connects planning, investments, trading, and service in one experience.  "Date before you marry" might be the future of advisor M&A. Affiliation provides an opportunity for advisors to integrate systems, see the culture, and test-fit a partner long before selling the firm. It reduces regret and increases alignment. Not every acquisition is a good acquisition. Great M&A means buying businesses you can meaningfully improve. Quotes "What the founder of this firm preached was that you should do things in a very systematic, repeatable way. It's the only way you scale. It's the only way you grow organically." ~ Matt Regan "[Being a financial advisor] takes an incredible amount of resilience and aggressive dedication to building a business. And it's not for the faint of heart." ~ Matt Regan "Progress empowers the people who work for us here and creates career paths and a valuable professional life for Wealthcare's employees. I care deeply about the people who work here. And I want to see them not only succeed financially, but become happy people." ~ Matt Regan Links  Matt Regan on LinkedIn Wealthcare Capital Management Wells Fargo Fidelity Investments Orion Advisor Solutions Charles Schwab Morgan Stanley The Passenger Blood Meridian Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Episode 126: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Sarah Simmer, Partner and Senior Wealth Advisor at Heritage Wealth Advisors. Sarah delivers customized wealth management and tax planning services to individuals and families, with a special focus on multi-generational households. Sarah talks with Kyle about what world-class client experience truly requires, especially for ultra-high-net-worth families. She shares the tactical side of scaling a white-glove firm, highlighting the importance of rigorous client segmentation, the courage to have difficult fee conversations, and how to use data to determine exactly who you should and shouldn't be serving.  In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (03:10) - Sarah's money moment (06:11) - How Sarah's mother influenced her career in wealth management (09:13) - How an auditor's mindset translates to serving high-net-worth families (10:30) - What client experience means for ultra-high-net-worth families (13:16) - How Sarah uncovers and manages client expectations (17:55) - Why proactively discussing fees can reinforce value (22:46) - How Heritage scales white-glove service to ultra-high-net-worth clients (30:03) - How a scaled white-glove service feels personalized (34:08) - Sarah's outlook on the future of the financial services industry (36:22) - Sarah's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Client experience is not a deliverable. It's the whole relationship.  The client's perception is the reality. Leaders need a consistent feedback loop to ensure the experience matches the intent. Audit-trained minds bring hidden superpowers. Learning how to learn quickly and diagnose problems is often more valuable than specific industry knowledge.  Don't fear the fee conversation. While many leaders shy away from this topic, proactively raising it allows you to realign expectations. If the client hesitates on the fee, it's an immediate signal that there is a disconnect in the perceived value of the service being delivered. Providing white-glove services at scale requires a personalized approach. White-glove service feels impossible to scale unless you define exactly who fits in which bucket. Quotes "At the end of the day, we're a people business, so the client's experience is their reality. We can think we're doing a fantastic job, but if the client has a terrible experience through all of it, we're not going to stay in business." ~ Sarah Simmer "If you believe in the value you're providing to your clients, you shouldn't be scared to check in with them on how that fee feels." ~ Sarah Simmer "If we can focus on making the information and the story we're trying to get to the client more aligned with the types of experiences they enjoy, that's the goal." ~ Sarah Simmer Links  Sarah Simmer on LinkedIn Heritage Wealth Advisors PwC Dee Ann Remo KPMG International McKinsey A Bit Much Northanger Abbey Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Episode 125: In this special New Year's 2025 episode, Kyle Van Pelt brings together four standout voices to explore why wealth technology still feels broken—and what actually fixes it. Jeremy Nelson explains how rising client complexity demands centralized planning and operational tech that can truly scale. Art Ambarik shares how fragmented data and poor transitions create bottlenecks that distract advisors from clients. Kylie Felker shows how efficient systems make room for unreasonable hospitality and deeply human service. And Terry Parham Jr outlines how impact, efficiency, and effectiveness improve when firms own and streamline their data. Together, these conversations reveal how better integration—not more tools—is the path forward. In this episode: (00:00) – Intro (00:30) – Jeremy Nelson on rising client complexity and why centralized tech is essential for scale (03:25) – Art Ambarik on data bottlenecks, advisor transitions, and removing operational friction (08:30) – Kylie Felker on using efficient systems to create unreasonable hospitality for clients (15:30) – Terry Parham Jr on evaluating wealth tech through impact, efficiency, and effectiveness Links  Jeremy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-my-element-wealth/  Element Wealth: https://myelementwealth.com/ Art Ambarik on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-ambarik-cfp%C2%AE-75359457/  Perigon Wealth Management: https://www.perigonwealth.com/  Kylie Felker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyliekotowskifelker/  Foster Victor Wealth Advisors: https://fostervictor.com/  Terry Parham Jr on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tepjr/  Innovative Wealth Building: https://innovativewealthbuilding.com/  Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Living in Key West is amazing… and also totally weird.This week we're talking about the everyday stuff locals deal with:• Things are crazy expensive even though there's literally a road to us• Amazon Prime taking 5 days• No Target, Walmart, or Costco• Having to go to Miami for real medical care• All the strange little island quirks that make Key West… Key WestIf you've ever wondered what real life at Mile Marker 0 is like, this episode tells it exactly how it is.Share this with your friends who dream of moving to the Keys

Sleepytime Trio formed in 1995 in Harrisonburg, Virginia, originally as a side project of Maximillian Colby. Known for their volatile, emotional sound and chaotic live shows, they quickly became a defining force in the late 90s post-hardcore scene, sharing stages with bands like Hot Water Music, Frodus, and Shotmaker. After a hiatus in 1998, members went on to form acts like Engine Down, Rah Bras, and Milemarker before reuniting to tour again. Their definitive discography, remixed by J. Robbins and remastered by TJ Lipple, showcases all their studio recordings and captures the raw energy that made them legendary. In 2024, Solid Brass Records partnered with Sleepytime Trio and their longtime label, Lovitt Records, to work on a vinyl discography to memorialize this important band. The definitive Sleepytime Trio discography to date is packaged in a single pocket gatefold LP sleeve with complete lyrics. It also includes an 8-page zine/booklet featuring an extensive show list, behind-the-scenes notes, photos, and memories from friends of the band. There is a BONUS insert also included in this pressing only! I got Drew on the Zoom and this is what we chat about: 911 His thoughts on still touring Fan tattoos The meaning of 4 AM Friday Their album artwork Writing songs with no lyrics Never having bad shows Ink and Dagger Why they chose to be on different labels with their releases Butterscary Flies re issuing Memory Minus Plus Minus Drive Like Jehu And a ton more Go buy their vinyl here

The House Past Mile Marker One One Seven***Narrated by Heather Thomas***Licensed under CC-by-NC***Pine Street Market***Written by: Liz Adair and Narrated by: Alicia Atkins***Support the show at patreon.com/creepypod***Sound design by: Pacific Obadiah***Title music by: Alex Aldea