In today’s episode we talk with Douglas Ferguson, president of Voltage Control, about how financial advisory firms can use facilitation and collaborative leadership to build high-performing teams. Douglas shares how techniques like “connection before content” and intentional meeting design help foster innovation, alignment, and culture—especially during growth or uncertainty.
He also explores how design thinking and prototyping can improve both internal collaboration and client conversations. By approaching challenges with curiosity, visual tools, and a mindset of iteration, advisors can surface better ideas, strengthen relationships, and create more agile, effective organizations.
Today we sit down with Charlie Johnston, board member at Steward Partners and former CEO of Smith Barney. Charlie shares lessons from his 35-year career and explains how Steward balances entrepreneurial freedom with structure as it scales. He emphasizes the board’s active role in upholding culture, compliance, and advisor-first decision-making.
Charlie outlines Steward’s two growth priorities: empowering existing advisors and strategic recruiting. He discusses why the firm appeals to both wirehouse breakaways and independents looking to shed operational burdens. As the firm aims to triple in size, Charlie stresses the importance of preserving culture and staying close to the field—key lessons he brings from leading one of the industry’s largest mergers.
Today we talk with Kevin Knull, CEO of TaxStatus, about how TaxStatus is transforming the way advisors access and utilize client data. Kevin explains how the platform integrates directly with the IRS to give advisors full transparency into a client’s income, accounts, and tax history—empowering them to offer more precise advice. By streamlining data collection and eliminating the friction of onboarding, TaxStatus addresses one of the industry’s biggest pain points: incomplete client information.
Kevin also weighs in on AI’s role in the future of advice, stressing that quality outcomes depend on quality data. With thousands of data points per household, tools like TaxStatus can help advisors scale insights, improve efficiency, and prepare for a future where personalized advice must be both faster and smarter.
Emily Blue, co-founder of Hue Partners, joins us to explore the human side of selling a financial practice. She explains that while advisors often prepare for the financial aspects of M&A, the real challenge lies in navigating identity shifts, fear of losing control, and concern for clients and teams. Tools like journaling and reflection can help advisors stay grounded, while clear, timely communication builds trust through the transition.
Emily also shares key lessons from the field: don’t wait too long to sell, don’t go it alone, and don’t underestimate the value of self-awareness. She urges advisors to stay open-minded about potential partners, think early about their post-sale purpose, and define what success looks like beyond the deal. A well-executed exit, she says, is as much about clarity and intention as it is about valuation.
Today we’re joined by Jim Gold, CEO and Co-Founder of Steward Partners, at the firm’s Annual Symposium to discuss Steward’s growth, culture, and future. After nearly 30 years in the industry, Jim reflects on how a shift in big-firm culture inspired him to build a client- and advisor-first model. Since launching in 2013, Steward has become one of the top RIAs in the world, thanks to strategic moves like launching its own RIA, acquiring a broker-dealer, and offering a multi-custodian platform. With a focus on both M&A and organic growth, the firm is rapidly scaling toward $1 billion in revenue and $100 billion in AUM.
Jim credits Steward’s success to a true equity partnership—advisors collectively own half the firm—and outside investments that validated its value. With over 14 advisor-led committees shaping decisions, Steward keeps its culture advisor-driven while preparing for industry succession through flexible legacy planning and next-gen recruitment. For Jim Gold, maintaining a culture of trust, transparency, and shared ownership is key to staying grounded while aiming higher.
Today we speak with Michael Featherman, Head of Advisor Sales and Wealth Consulting at Envestnet, about helping advisors scale their high-net-worth offerings. Michael introduces Envestnet’s Private Wealth Consulting program, a fully outsourced solution designed to deliver a family office experience for clients in the $5–30 million range. By offloading investment management and layering in services like tax optimization, trust capabilities, and private market access, advisors can focus on deepening client relationships.
Michael also highlights how tools like direct indexing, ESG overlays, and Envestnet’s proposal desk drive hyper-personalization at scale. He shares how younger investors are demanding values-aligned portfolios and how AI is streamlining both marketing and platform development. His core message: time is an advisor’s most limited resource—and outsourcing is the key to unlocking growth.
The information, analysis, and opinions expressed herein are for general information only. The views expressed herein reflect the judgement of the speakers as of the recording date and are subject to change at any time without notice. Information obtained from third party resources are believed to be reliable but not guaranteed. Nothing contained in this document is intended to constitute legal, tax, securities, or investment advice, nor an opinion regarding the appropriateness of any investment, nor a solicitation of any type. Investing carries certain risks and there is no assurance that investing in accordance with the portfolios or strategies mentioned will provide positive performance over any period of time. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Envestnet has entered into a strategic partnership with BlackRock, SSGA, Fidelity, and the affiliated registered investment advisers of Franklin Templeton (each a “Premier Partner”). The Premier Partners will pay Envestnet compensation for this endorsement, which creates an incentive for Envestnet to recommend Premier Partners to you, resulting in a material conflict of interest for Envestnet. For more information regarding the Premier Partner compensation to Envestnet and related conflicts, please see Envestnet’s Form ADV Part 2A.https://www.envestnet.com/sites/default/files/2022-12/EAM-ADV-Part2A.pdf
Investments that utilize an environmental, social and governance (¨ESG¨) strategy carry specific risks that investors should consider before investing in ESG portfolios. Pursuing an ESG investment strategy may limit the types and number of certain issuers for nonfinancial reasons, as a result, may lead to underperforming other funds that do not have an ESG focus. A fund’s ESG investment strategy may result in the fund investing in securities or industry sectors that underperform the market as a whole or underperform other funds that are not ESG integrated or screened for ESG standards.
Neither Envestnet, Envestnet | PMC™ nor its representatives render tax, accounting or legal advice. Any tax statements contained herein are not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding U.S. federal, state, or local tax penalties. Taxpayers should always seek advice based on their own particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor. Client must carefully determine if the use of tax overlay services is appropriate for their circumstances, risk tolerance, and investment objectives. Tax management services are limited in scope and are not designed to permanently eliminate taxes in the account. In providing tax overlay services, Envestnet will allow Client’s account to deviate from Client’s selected investment strategy. Client’s account may experience significant performance differences from the selected investment strategy due to Client’s selection of tax overlay services. Envestnet makes no guarantee that the account’s performance will be within any range of the selected investment strategy or the strategy´s benchmark. If Client subsequently disables tax overlay services this may result in the recognition of significant capital gains.
Today we talk with Andrew Stavaridis, Chief Relationship Officer at Envestnet, about how advisors can better serve high net worth clients. Andrew highlights Envestnet’s investments in UMA, tax overlay, planning tools, and data analytics to help advisors scale, stay compliant, and deliver a more personalized, holistic experience.
He stresses that winning and retaining high net worth clients requires deeper relationship-building, advanced planning, and access to a broad product set—including alternatives. As fee compression continues and DIY platforms grow, Andrew sees a key opportunity for advisors to differentiate through high-touch service and expert guidance in today’s complex, volatile markets.
The information, analysis, and opinions expressed herein are for general information only. The views expressed herein reflect the judgement of the speakers as of the recording date and are subject to change at any time without notice. Information obtained from third party resources are believed to be reliable but not guaranteed. Nothing contained in this document is intended to constitute legal, tax, securities, or investment advice, nor an opinion regarding the appropriateness of any investment, nor a solicitation of any type. Investing carries certain risks and there is no assurance that investing in accordance with the portfolios or strategies mentioned will provide positive performance over any period of time. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Today we talk with Morgan Ludovico, Director of Intermediary Sales at StoneCastle, where we discuss how advisors are engaging the cash conversation and utilizing KEEP by StoneCastle as a powerful driver of organic growth. KEEP is an enhanced savings solution offering up to $100 million in federal insurance per tax ID, competitive rates, full liquidity, and no fees—designed to simplify the advisor-client conversation and capture held-away assets.
Morgan outlines four key opportunities for advisors—held-away, affiliated, institutional, and impact cash—and explains why cash is often the fastest, easiest path to growth. With trillions sitting in uninsured or low-yield accounts, KEEP helps advisors protect client assets, build trust, and expand relationships. Backed by StoneCastle’s singular focus and institutional pedigree, KEEP gives advisors a scalable solution in a volatile market.
Today we sit down with Sharon Watson, Wealth Solutions Strategist at First Command, to talk about about their mission to serve military families through personalized financial coaching. Built for those often overlooked by traditional wealth firms, First Command helps clients build financial readiness through budgeting, risk management, and long-term savings—starting with small-dollar planning and growing alongside them through their careers.
Sharon shares how client feedback, especially from those who left, sparked a digital transformation focused on transparency, customization, and better integration. By adopting tools like MoneyGuidePro and Yodlee, First Command now delivers more flexible, goal-based planning while preserving its personal, face-to-face ethos. From basic literacy to legacy-building, First Command is helping military families turn discipline into lifelong financial security.
Today we talk with Natalie Wolfsen, CEO of Orion, about how advisors can future-proof their practices through smarter tech adoption, AI, and personalized client experiences. Drawing from Orion’s 2025 Wealthtech and Investor Surveys, Natalie highlights that most advisors use just 60% of their tech stack, but many are prioritizing better integration and personalization to drive growth.
Natalie positions AI as a “force multiplier” that deepens advisor-client relationships rather than replacing them. She explains how Orion’s unified ecosystem—including behavioral finance tools, OCIO services, and scalable investment solutions—helps advisors eliminate complexity and focus on what they do best. With a massive generational wealth transfer underway, advisors who embrace technology now will be best positioned to grow and lead.
