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Smarter Planner Podcast

Smarter Planner Podcast

By: Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter
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Educating Financial Advisors on the things they should know (but don't). Host Belle Osvath, CFP®, interviews industry thought leaders and professionals targeting meaningful and useful information to help you to stay at the top of your game. No matter how long you have been in the industry there is always more to learn and interesting people to hear from, so join Belle in her mission to become a smarter planner. This Podcast is sponsored by the Financial Planning Association's National Capital Area chapter (FPA NCA) and will include the latest updates and announcements from the chapter. Find out more at: www.FPANCA.org Economics Personal Development Personal Finance Personal Success
Episodes
  • The Succession Trap: What Advisors Get Wrong About Exiting Their Practice

    The Succession Trap: What Advisors Get Wrong About Exiting Their Practice
    Mar 25 2026

    In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, welcomes Tyson Ray, host of The Total Succession Show and author of Total Succession.

    With decades of experience building and acquiring advisory firms, Tyson shares his personal journey into succession planning—and why what he thought was a solid plan turned out to be incomplete. As consolidation accelerates across the industry and private equity plays a larger role, Tyson explains why advisors must take a more intentional and informed approach to their exit strategy.

    In this conversation, Tyson discusses:

    • Why succession planning is more than a buy-sell agreement

    • The rise of aggregators, integrators, and private equity in the advisory space

    • The hidden trade-offs behind high valuations and earn-out structures

    • How succession decisions can directly impact client outcomes

    • Why advisors must define what they are retiring into, not just exiting from

    • The risks of waiting too long—and losing flexibility and options

    • Strategies for building internal succession through team incentives and structure

    • How multi-generational planning can strengthen client retention

    Tyson also introduces his "SPACE" framework for succession planning:

    • See your future and define what comes next

    • Prepare by identifying what needs to be built or changed

    • Act on a clear plan

    • Commit to decisions and transitions

    • Exit with intention into the next phase of life

    He emphasizes that succession is not just a business decision—it's a fiduciary responsibility. With trillions of dollars in motion and a significant percentage of advisors nearing retirement, the choices made today will shape both client outcomes and the future of advisory firms.

    Guest Links
    Website: https://totalsuccession.com
    Firm: https://formwealth.com
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tysonray

    Recommend a Podcast Guest
    👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWXHTV7

    The Smarter Planner Podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals or services mentioned.
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    20 mins
  • From AUM to Everything: The New Model Winning Clients - Erik Brenner,CFP® [Founder]

    From AUM to Everything: The New Model Winning Clients - Erik Brenner,CFP® [Founder]
    Mar 18 2026

    In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, welcomes Erik Brenner, President and CEO of Hilltop Wealth and Tax Solutions.

    Erik shares how his firm has adopted a "personal CFO" approach inspired by the traditional family office model historically reserved for ultra-wealthy families and adapted it for middle-income clients who face increasingly complex financial decisions.

    Rather than focusing solely on investment management, Erik and his team integrate in-house tax planning, accounting services, and estate coordination into a centralized advisory experience. The goal: simplify the financial lives of clients while proactively mitigating their largest long-term expense; taxes.

    Erik also outlines the operational realities of launching a tax division including hiring the right talent, acquiring existing practices, and aligning incentives so the tax business becomes sustainable rather than a loss leader.

    As advisory services continue to evolve, Erik challenges planners to consider where the industry will be five years from now and whether asset management alone will be enough to stand out.

    Guest Links
    Website: https://hilltopwealthtax.com
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikbrenner

    Recommend a Podcast Guest
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    The Smarter Planner Podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals or services mentioned.
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    21 mins
  • CE Credit Episode: Manager Skill, ESG Data, and the Decisions That Drive Long-Term Returns

    CE Credit Episode: Manager Skill, ESG Data, and the Decisions That Drive Long-Term Returns
    Mar 4 2026
    In this 1 CE-credit episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP® explores two critical components of modern investment analysis: how to evaluate portfolio managers and how ESG data fits into long-term risk and return. In the first conversation, David Marra, founder and managing director of Markin Asset Management, shares a disciplined framework for identifying skilled portfolio managers. He explains how advisors can distinguish true investment skill from luck, evaluate risk management capabilities, and understand the importance of transparency in active management. In the second half of the episode, Liz Simmie, co-founder of Honeytree Investment Management, discusses why ESG data should be treated as core investment intelligence, not a niche screening tool. She explores common misconceptions about ESG investing and explains how environmental, social, and governance data can help identify long-term business risks and opportunities. Listen to the full episode, complete the assessment, and earn 1 CE credit. CE Credit Instructions Listen to the full episode Take the quiz: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FPANCASmarterPlannerPodcast_Quiz Receive 1 CE credit upon completion Links & Resources Part One: David Marra — Evaluating Portfolio Manager Skill David Marra shares a practical framework advisors can use to evaluate portfolio managers and determine whether investment performance reflects skill, strategy, or market exposure. Key topics include: • Why manager selection remains one of the most valuable services advisors provide • Starting with risk metrics such as volatility, maximum drawdown, and downside risk • Evaluating alpha and performance net of fees • Using factor models to separate skill from luck • Assessing the repeatability of an investment process • Why direct conversations with portfolio managers reveal important insights about risk management Key takeaway: Advisors who build portfolios using carefully selected managers can provide differentiated value and better client outcomes. Links Markin Asset Management linkedin.com/in/david-marra-8693b44 Part Two: Liz Simmie — ESG Data and Long-Term Investment Risk Liz Simmie explains why ESG data should be viewed as fundamental business information, not simply an ethical overlay or constraint. Key topics include: • How ESG data such as employee turnover, governance structure, and supply chain diversity impacts financial performance • The history of values-aligned and responsible investing • Why ESG investing is often misunderstood as a return trade-off • How ESG insights can help identify long-term corporate resilience • Honeytree's quantamental investment approach, combining quantitative analysis with fundamental research Key takeaway: Many investors interested in ESG are not sacrificing returns—they are seeking to avoid hidden long-term risks tied to governance, environmental impact, and workforce practices. Links • Honeytree Investment Management • Honeytree ETF — Ticker: BEEZ • linkedin.com/in/liz-simmie-2b59173 Disclaimer The information provided in the Smarter Planner Podcast is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice. The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area (FPA NCA), its board, or its affiliates. FPA NCA does not endorse or recommend any individuals, firms, products, or services mentioned in this podcast. Listeners should consult with a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
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    51 mins
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