In this episode, Doug speaks with Michael Scaplen, SVP and Head of Sales and Relationship Management at Axos Clearing. Michael shares how Axos has evolved from its legacy roots into a tech-forward clearing firm, anchored by Axos Complete—a fully integrated ecosystem that unifies banking, investing, and planning. With tools like the Professional Workstation and a real-time client portal, Axos is eliminating operational friction and enhancing the advisor-client experience.
Michael also highlights Axos’ use of AI, biometric logins, and Envestnet integrations to streamline workflows and deliver personalized service. With solutions like tax overlay, private wealth consulting, and Axos Elite Banking, the firm empowers advisors to deepen relationships and grow revenue. It’s a bold vision for the future of clearing—one built on digital-first infrastructure and end-to-end support.
Jeremy Schwartz is the Global CIO at at WisdomTree. WisdomTree works to create a better way to invest, offering a leading product range that offers access to an unparalleled selection of unique and smart exposures.
Today, Jeremy joins Doug to talk about navigating today’s volatile market landscape. They discuss the impact of policy uncertainty, interest rates, and valuations on investor sentiment. While cautioning against reactive decisions, he reinforces the long-term case for equities despite short-term market swings.
Jeremy also discusses WisdomTree’s Equity Premium Income strategy (WTPI), which uses option selling to target a 2.5% monthly income. Designed for flat or choppy markets, WTPI offers a more defensive way to stay invested, with lower volatility than traditional 60/40 portfolios. As demand grows for income-generating strategies seeking downside protection, WTPI stands out as an option for cautious investors.
For standardized performance of WTPI, please visit here.
Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund before investing. For a prospectus or, if available, the summary prospectus containing this and other important information about the fund, call 866.909.9473 or visit WisdomTree.com/investments. Read the prospectus or, if available, the summary prospectus carefully before investing.
You cannot invest directly in an index.
For definition of terms used in this discussion, please see the WisdomTree Glossary.
WTPI Risk information: There are risks associated with investing, including possible loss of principal. The Fund will invest in derivatives, including put options on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (“SPY Puts”). Derivative investments can be volatile, and these investments may be less liquid than securities, and more sensitive to the effects of varied economic conditions. All SPY Puts are exchange-listed standardized options. The SPY Puts are selected to target a premium of 2.5%. THE SPY Puts sold by the Fund may have imperfect correlation to the returns of the Index. Although the Fund collects premiums on the SPY Puts it writes, the Fund’s risk of loss if the price of SPY falls below the strike price and the SPY Puts are exercised as of the Roll Date may outweigh the gains to the fund from the receipt of such option premiums. The sale of cash-secured SPY Puts serves to partially offset a decline in the price of SPY to the extent of the premiums received. The potential return to the Fund is limited to the amount of option premiums it receives; however, the Fund can potentially lose up to the entire strike price of each option it sells. By virtue of its put option sales strategy, Fund returns will be subject to an upside limitation on returns attributable to SPY, and the Fund will not participate in gains beyond such upside limitation. The Fund’s investment strategy is subject to risks related to rolling. To the extent the Fund’s portfolio managers are unable to roll the SPY Puts as described in the Fund’s principal investment strategy, the Fund may be unable to achieve its investment objective. Due to the investment strategy of the Fund, it may make higher capital gain distributions than other ETFs. Please read the Fund’s prospectus for specific details regarding the Fund’s risk profile.
VIX: A key measure of market expectations of near-term volatility conveyed by S&P 500 stock index option prices. It is the premier benchmark for U.S. stock market volatility.
WisdomTree Funds are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC, in the U.S.
Jeremy Schwartz is a registered representative of Foreside Fund Services, LLC.
In this episode, Doug welcomes Paisley Nardini, a portfolio manager and multi-asset strategist at Simplify. Paisley discusses the significance of diversifying portfolios, especially in times of market volatility and uncertainty, and highlights the innovative solutions Simplify offers, such as liquid alternatives, defined outcome strategies, and the use of derivatives.
Paisley delves into the importance of active management in achieving downside protection and the ongoing shift from a traditional 60/40 portfolio model to a 50-30-20 structure, and offers insights into how Simplify supports advisors through education and unique product offerings.
Today, Doug is joined by VanEck’s Fran Rodilosso, Head of Fixed Income ETF Portfolio Management, and Bill Sokol, Director of Product Management, to break down the opportunities in Collateralized Loan Obligations (CLOs) and why they’re gaining traction with investors. They explain how CLOs offer higher yields, low default rates, and floating-rate protection against interest rate volatility, making them a compelling addition to fixed income portfolios.
They also dive into CLO structures, key risks, and why active management is essential for optimizing returns. Learn how VanEck’s CLO ETFs, CLOI and CLOB, provide access to this growing asset class while managing risk. Tune in for expert insights on how advisors can integrate CLOs into diversified portfolios.
Jeff Weniger is the Head of Equity Strategy at WisdomTree. WisdomTree works to create a better way to invest, offering a leading product range that offers access to an unparalleled selection of unique and smart exposures.
Today, Doug and Jeff discuss how WisdomTree’s investment strategies can help investors navigate market volatility in 2025. He highlights the firm’s two key funds—WisdomTree U.S. Value Fund (WTV) and WisdomTree U.S. Quality Growth Fund (QGRW)—and explains how combining value and growth strategies can create a well-diversified, risk-balanced portfolio.
Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund before investing. For a prospectus or, if available, the summary prospectus containing this and other important information about the fund, call 866.909.9473 or visit WisdomTree.com/investments. Read the prospectus or, if available, the summary prospectus carefully before investing.
You cannot invest directly in an index.
For definition of terms used in this discussion, please see the WisdomTree Glossary.
There are risks involved with investing, including the possible loss of principal.
WTV Risk Information: Funds focusing their investments on certain sectors increase their vulnerability to any single economic or regulatory development. This may result in greater share price volatility. While the Fund is actively managed, the Fund’s investment process is expected to be heavily dependent on quantitative models and the models may not perform as intended. Please read the Fund’s prospectus for specific details regarding the Fund’s risk profile.
QGRW Risk Information: Growth stocks, as a group, may be out of favor with the market and underperform value stocks or the overall equity market. Growth stocks are generally more sensitive to market movements than other types of stocks. The Fund is non-diversified, as a result, changes in the market value of a single security could cause greater fluctuations in the value of Fund shares than would occur in a diversified fund. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets and the Index may not perform as intended. Please read the Fund’s prospectus for specific details regarding the Fund’s risk profile.
To learn more about WTV & QGRW’s performance, holding, and other details, please visit WTV Fund page or QGRW Fund page.
WisdomTree Funds are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC, in the U.S
Jason Ozur is the CEO of Lido Advisors, a firm dedicated to providing clients with advanced wealth management and comprehensive, holistic financial services.
Today, Jason shares how the firm skyrocketed from $19B to $30B AUM, emphasizing a client-first approach, strategic M&A, and culture-driven growth. He also discusses expansion plans, AI’s impact on efficiency, and the challenges of scaling while maintaining top-tier service.
In this episode, we have with us Samantha Russell, the Chief Evangelist at FMG Suite. Doug and Samantha unpacked FMG’s 2025 Marketing Guide to explore how financial advisors can turn this year’s challenges into opportunities. From optimizing your website to growing your network, we share the strategies to elevate your marketing game.
Ryan McKee is the Senior Vice President and Head of Emerging Product Specialists at Fidelity Investments.
Fidelity provides a wide range of investment and wealth management services, striving to strengthen the financial well-being of their customers and deliver better outcomes for the clients and businesses.
In this episode, the focus is product innovation and solutions for financial advisors—from active ETFs to new approaches in portfolio customization.
Topics also discussed:
The rapid growth of active ETFs and alternatives, emphasizing their role in aligning with client needs and offering active management within a tax-efficient structure.
Emerging tools like custom SMAs and direct indexing are enabling highly personalized portfolios, with adoption growing and assets projected to reach $1 trillion by 2027.
FinTech innovations such as unified managed accounts (UMAs), simplifying portfolio management by integrating various investment types, boosting scalability for financial advisors.
How technology is making traditionally inaccessible investment options like semi-liquid and illiquid alternatives more manageable, driving greater adoption and usability.
Fidelity supports advisors with specialized teams and resources to integrate these innovative solutions, offering portfolio guidance through platforms like i.fidelity.com/portfolio.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investing involves risk, including risk of loss.
Unless otherwise expressly disclosed to you in writing, the information provided in this material is for educational purposes only. Any viewpoints expressed by Fidelity are not intended to be used as a primary basis for your investment decisions and are based on facts and circumstances at the point in time they are made and are not particular to you. Accordingly, nothing in this material constitutes impartial investment advice or advice in a fiduciary capacity, as defined or under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, both as amended. Fidelity and its representatives may have a conflict of interest in the products or services mentioned in this material because they have a financial interest in the products or services and may receive compensation, directly or indirectly, in connection with the management, distribution, and/or servicing of these products or services, including Fidelity funds, certain third-party funds and products, and certain investment services. Before making any investment decisions, you should take into account all of the particular facts and circumstances of your or your client’s individual situation and reach out to an investment professional, if applicable.
Information provided in this document is for informational and educational purposes only. To the extent any investment information in this material is deemed to be a recommendation, it is not meant to be impartial investment advice or advice in a fiduciary capacity and is not intended to be used as a primary basis for you or your client’s investment decisions. Fidelity and its representatives may have a conflict of interest in the products or services mentioned in this material because they have a financial interest in them, and receive compensation, directly or indirectly, in connection with the management, distribution, and/or servicing of these products or services, including Fidelity funds, certain third-party funds and products, and certain investment services.
Views expressed are through 2/3/2025 and do not necessarily represent the views of Fidelity. Views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and Fidelity disclaims any responsibility to update such views.
Advisorpedia is an independent company and is not affiliated with Fidelity Investments. Listing them does not suggest a recommendation or endorsement by Fidelity Investments.
Fidelity Investment®, provides clearing, custody, and other brokerage services through National Financial Services, LLC or Fidelity Brokerage Services, LLC. Members NYSE, SIPC.
Host, Chris Battaglia, interviews Keiko Honda, an adjunct senior research scholar at Columbia University and a prominent figure in global investment. Keiko shares insights from her experience in management consulting, academia, and leadership roles, including as CEO and CIO of the World Bank’s Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency. They discuss the evolution, challenges, and importance of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing, exploring regional perspectives on ESG, particularly in Japan and the U.S.
The podcast was recorded ahead of the Global Fiduciary Symposium which took place from November 11th to 14th in Tokyo, Japan.
Robert Huntsman is the Chief Data Officer at iCapital, a company dedicated to powering the world’s alternative investment marketplace.
In this episode, Doug and Robert explore the advancement of data management and solutions, highlighting the technology-driven tools transforming private market investing.
Also discussed:
Robert’s role at iCapital, focusing on optimizing data governance, analytics, and AI to improve private market investing.
How wealth advisors are seeking tools to analyze large datasets and make personalized investment recommendations, with iCapital leveraging AI and tools like Alts Decoded to support these needs.
iCapital prioritizing data privacy through encryption, strict governance, and evolving systems to meet changing regulatory requirements, especially around PII.
AI transforming private market investing by automating data extraction, streamlining processes like document reconciliation, and enabling faster, more accurate reporting.
The future of data solutions, combining AI and human expertise to handle increasing data complexity, ensuring scalability and efficiency in alternative investments.
