Today we catch up with Samantha Russell, Chief Evangelist at FMG, to talk about how AI is reshaping the way people search for financial advice—and what that means for advisors. With most Google searches now ending in AI summaries instead of clicks, and more people turning to tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity, visibility strategies have to change. Samantha breaks it down: focus on real reviews, build credibility through third-party mentions, and format content in a natural, Q&A style that AI can easily surface.

Samantha also shares how advisors can use AI to save time without sounding generic—or getting flagged for compliance. Instead of relying on AI to write full posts, she suggests using it for outlines, headlines, and brainstorming. FMG’s new AI tools are built with compliance in mind and adapt to each advisor’s voice over time. Her advice? Don’t wait—lean in now, and let AI work for you.

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We sit down with Mohan Gurupackiam, Chief Information Officer at Steward Partners, to explore how smart tech strategy can fuel advisor success. Mohan explains why Steward avoids one-size-fits-all solutions, instead building a flexible stack shaped by advisor feedback, evolving business models, and demographic trends. With a strong data foundation and a focus on usability and cost efficiency, the firm prioritizes tools that align with how advisors actually work.

Mohan also shares how Steward is streamlining operations through custodian-agnostic platforms, transparent workflows, and AI tools like StuBot that simplify support and training. Rather than replacing advisors, he sees AI as a way to eliminate friction and boost efficiency, especially in research and portfolio construction. His approach is grounded in listening, staying nimble, and keeping the advisor-client relationship at the center of every tech decision.

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In today’s episode we speak with Rich Boghosian, co-founder and CIO of PeakAlts, about how RIAs and family offices can gain smarter access to private markets. Drawing on his background in private equity and investment banking, Rich explains PeakAlts’ investor-first approach, which emphasizes alignment, independence, and institutional-level diligence—without placement fees or manager conflicts.

Rich breaks down why alternative investments are becoming essential in today’s market, how proper manager selection drives results, and where he’s seeing opportunities across private equity, private credit, secondaries, and co-investments. He also discusses how PeakAlts simplifies the advisor experience through backend technology, education, and long-term partnership.

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Today we sit down with Kirstie Eustace, Chief Administrative Officer at Steward Partners, to discuss how the firm preserves its culture while expanding nationwide. Kirstie shares how Steward’s values—like partnership, excellence, and respect—are intentionally reinforced through clear communication and shared responsibility. She highlights talent management as a key driver of cohesion across more than 30 states, along with efforts to maintain consistency in employee experience and advisor engagement.

Kirstie also talks about attracting and developing the next generation of advisors, from internal mentorship to multi-generational teams. Today’s advisors, she notes, prefer collaborative, multi-disciplinary environments over going it alone. With a focus on transparency, onboarding, and leadership by example, Kirstie emphasizes that culture isn’t just maintained from the top—it’s upheld by everyone at the firm.

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Today we catch up with Jeff Gonyo, Head of Wealth Management at Steward Partners, during the firm’s annual symposium. Jeff explains how Steward’s culture of ownership, advisor autonomy, and bottom-up support model attracts top advisors leaving traditional wirehouses. With a ten-person transition team and full-service infrastructure, Steward provides a smooth path to independence—empowering advisors to reclaim their entrepreneurial spirit while offering equity ownership to every full-time employee.

Jeff also outlines Steward’s long-term strategy, including next-gen advisor development, internal mobility, and a growing M&A division that preserves advisor identity. He emphasizes the firm’s investment in AI and multi-custodial technology to meet evolving client expectations and support advisors through the coming generational wealth transfer. His advice to advisors: look for a partner that values your brand, supports your growth, and gives you a real stake in the future.

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