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

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

Quote

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

Links

• Arthur Fratelli on LinkedIn
• “Hold Your Head Up” by Rod Argent
• The Amazing Arthur
• Arthur’s Linktree
• TedX Talk

Connect with Us

• Rusty Vanneman on LinkedIn
• Robyn Murray on LinkedIn

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

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

Quotes

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

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

Links

• Skylar Steinke on LinkedIn
• The Ascent Group
• “Dust in the Wind” by Kansas

Connect with Us

• Rusty Vanneman on LinkedIn
• Robyn Murray on LinkedIn

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

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

Quote

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

Links

• Kim Arthur on LinkedIn
• James Maxwell on LinkedIn
• Main Management
• “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” by Daft Punk

Connect with Us

• Rusty Vanneman on LinkedIn
• Robyn Murray on LinkedIn

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

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

Quotes

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

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

Links

• Dick Fredericks
• Main Management
• Dick Fredericks on LinkedIn
• Rocky OST - “Theme Song”
• The Power of One
• The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves
• Higher Calling: A Guide to Helping Investors Achieve Their Goals

Connect with Us

• Rusty Vanneman on LinkedIn
• Robyn Murray on LinkedIn

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

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

Quotes

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

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

Links

• Wes Gray on LinkedIn
• Wes Gray on Twitter
• Wes Gray on Alpha Architect
• “A Country Boy Can Survive” by Hank Williams Jr.

Connect with Us

• Rusty Vanneman on LinkedIn
• Robyn Murray on LinkedIn

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

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

Quotes

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

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

Links

• Darol Ryan on LinkedIn
• Main Management
• “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey

Connect with Us

• Rusty Vanneman on LinkedIn
• Robyn Murray on LinkedIn

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

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

Quotes

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

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

Links

• Brent Widman
• Your Limitless Coach
• “Lose Yourself” by Eminem

Connect with Us

• Rusty Vanneman on LinkedIn
• Robyn Murray on LinkedIn

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

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

Quote

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

Links

• Tom Lydon on LinkedIn
• Global Trends Investments
• “Messy” by Lola Young

Connect with Us

• Rusty Vanneman on LinkedIn
• Robyn Murray on LinkedIn