Do Business. Do Life. — The Financial Advisor Podcast — DBDL

When clients feel understood, everything gets easier. When they don’t, even the best advice falls flat. In this solo episode, I break down three lessons we can borrow from good doctors that make a huge difference in your meetings as an advisor.Just like in medicine, the best advisors don’t rush to solutions. They slow down, ask better questions, and explain things in a way people can actually follow. I’ll walk through why diagnosing before you prescribe matters, how your “bedside manner” shows up in financial conversations, and why a real plan is something you build with clients over time—not something you hand them once and hope for the best.If you’ve ever left a meeting thinking, “I know I gave them good advice, so why didn’t it land?” these three simple ideas will help you connect better, simplify your process, and create a better experience for every person you serve.3 of the biggest insights from Brad Johnson…1.) Diagnose Before You PrescribeClients don’t want another advisor pushing their “favorite product.” They want someone who seeks to understand—who asks layered questions, listens deeply, and helps both spouses feel heard. This is the foundation of trust and the secret behind higher conversions.2.) Simplify the Complex with Better Bedside MannerPlanning jargon and 80-page printouts don’t impress clients—they overwhelm them. The advisors who win are the ones who translate complexity into simple, relatable frameworks and make clients feel comfortable, safe, and cared for.3.) Build a Planning Journey, Not a One-Time PlanDelivering a plan is not the finish line, it’s the starting line. When you walk clients through decisions one step at a time and commit to ongoing planning, you avoid overwhelm, deepen your relationship, and increase lifetime value.SHOW NOTEShttps://bradleyjohnson.com/150FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIALXInstagramLinkedInFOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL:YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebookDISCLOSURE DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations. The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies. TP12254981392See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What do fighter pilots and financial advisors have in common?More than you might think—especially when it comes to performing under pressure.In this episode, I sit down with Carey Lorhenz—the first female F-14 Tomcat fighter pilot in U.S. Navy history—to talk about how the Navy trains people to perform in high-stakes environments without leaving success to chance. We get into simulation training before live reps, checklists built for people under pressure (because even really smart people forget things), and why debriefing is one of the fastest ways to build trust and alignment on a team.If you’re building an advisory team, trying to develop younger advisors, or tired of repeating the same mistakes as a firm, this episode gives you a playbook you can actually use.3 of the biggest insights from Carey…#1.) Training Should Look More Like SimulationIn the Navy, pilots don’t get thrown into real situations and told to figure it out. Carey explains why so much time is spent in academics and simulators—and why skipping this step is where a lot of advisor training breaks down.#2.) Checklists Exist Because People ForgetChecklists aren’t about being rigid. They’re about performing when pressure is high. Carey breaks down how the Navy designs checklists for stressed humans—and why the same thinking applies to client meetings and important conversations.#3.) The Debrief Is Where Teams Actually Get BetterCarey walks through a simple five-question debrief that builds trust, surfaces blind spots, and transfers knowledge fast—so teams improve week over week instead of repeating the same mistakes.SHOW NOTEShttps://bradleyjohnson.com/149FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIALTwitterInstagramLinkedInFOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL:YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebookDISCLOSURE DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations. The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What do you do when doing the right thing gets you fired?That’s the question at the center of this conversation with Keith Leverentz. Keith started his career as a high school science teacher before being recruited into a captive financial firm. He quickly became the number one producer in the organization—but he was doing something most advisors weren’t. He was putting clients first, even when it meant recommending solutions that were less profitable for the company.In 2012, that decision cost him everything. He lost his business, his clients, his niche, and spent a season wondering if he’d ever get back on his feet.Keith didn’t just bounce back. He rebuilt—this time with intention. Today, he leads a 25-person firm that’s on pace for more than $65M in new assets this year. He’s done it by building a real team, integrating his entire family into the business, and putting purpose, generosity, and client outcomes at the center of everything.If you’re a founder who’s been knocked down—or you’re carrying a weight that feels heavier than it should—Keith’s story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible on the other side.3 of the biggest insights from Keith Leverentz…#1.) The Cost of Doing What’s Right (And Why It Paid Off Later)Keith was the #1 producer in his captive agency — until he refused to sell products that weren’t in his clients’ best interest. That decision got him fired. Keith explains the ethical dilemma that forced him out, the fear and isolation that followed, and how starting over with nothing eventually led to building a 25-person firm. If you’ve ever felt tension between growth and integrity, this part will hit close to home.#2.) Why Most Advisors Feel Overwhelmed (And How to Fix It)Keith explains why hiring an Executive Assistant dropped his stress by 40% — and why this role is one of the most overlooked leverage points in advisory firms. He also breaks down a hard truth about his own business: the org chart was “a mile wide and an inch deep.” This section is a masterclass on why founders become bottlenecks, how poor structure slows growth, and what it actually takes to scale beyond yourself.#3.) Why Undercharging Holds Advisors BackKeith shares how he realized he was undercharging — and why raising fees actually improved client outcomes instead of hurting relationships. You’ll hear how expanding planning capabilities, trusting a bigger team, and clearly communicating value allowed him to move up-market with confidence. If you’re worried about fee pressure, higher-net-worth clients, or whether you’re “ready” for the next level, this section reframes the entire conversation.SHOW NOTEShttps://bradleyjohnson.com/148FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIALTwitterInstagramLinkedInFOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL:YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebookDISCLOSURE DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations. The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Every advisor is looking back at the year — what worked, what didn’t, and what’s worth carrying into 2026. So I pulled the analytics, reviewed the conversations, and rounded up the five moments that advisors like you rewatched the most.Each clip reveals something different: how to build real structure inside your firm, how to scale yourself out of the bottleneck, how to create a compelling workshop experience, how to master your message, and how elite performers think about growth.If you want a quick way to reset your focus, sharpen how you lead, and build more freedom into your business next year, this episode will give you the clearest lessons from across the show in 2025. These are the ideas advisors trusted the most — and they can help you tighten your model, strengthen your team, and build a business that runs without burning you out.3 of the biggest insights from the episode…1.) Structure Is a Growth Multiplier, Not a Corporate ExerciseYour business can only scale as quickly as your structure allows. Ladders, levels, delegated authority, and consistent titles aren’t bureaucracy — they’re clarity. And clarity is what frees a founder from becoming the bottleneck.2.) You Can Duplicate Yourself Faster Than You ThinkWhether it’s sales or marketing, the advisors who scale the fastest stop relying on personality and start relying on process. When you systematize your approach, you unlock the ability to build a team that produces without you.3.) Mastery Comes from Focus, Not Doing MoreJordan. Kobe. Elite advisors. The common thread? They ignore the noise and obsess over the few skills that drive 80–90% of results. Growth isn’t adding more, it’s deleting what no longer serves the next level.SHOW NOTEShttps://bradleyjohnson.com/147FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIALXInstagramLinkedInFOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL:YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebookDISCLOSURE DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations. The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies. TP 12254981392See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As a coach to independent financial advisors, I see a lot of advisors struggling with the same issue—they blend in with the advisor down the street. And when prospects can’t see what makes you unique, it becomes a lot harder for them to understand why they should choose you over anyone else.That’s why I loved today’s conversation with Glenn Street. Glenn built one of the most differentiated businesses I’ve ever seen—Street Characters, the company behind many of the most iconic mascots in the NFL, NHL, MLB, and major college sports. But the real lesson from this episode isn’t about mascots. It’s about how he picked a niche, went deep, and created a level of expertise and service that big competitors couldn’t match.Glenn didn’t try to be everything to everyone. He focused on a narrow lane, understood his customers better than anyone else, and delivered a product and experience no one else in his space could touch. Advisors can do the exact same thing—especially in a market where most firms look and sound identical. When you specialize with intention, understand your audience on a deeper level, and build a brand that feels unmistakably yours, you become the advisor people talk about, remember, and seek out.3 of the biggest insights from Glenn Street…#1.) Niching Down in a Commoditized IndustryOne of the things I loved about Glenn’s story is how he didn’t try to compete with the Disneys of the world. He found a narrow lane—sports mascots—and went deeper than anyone else. That’s exactly what most advisors need today. When you pick a niche and truly understand the people you serve, you stop blending in and start becoming the advisor everyone talks about.#2.) Core Values Don’t Matter Unless You Actually Live ThemA lot of firms have core values, but very few bring them to life the way Glenn does. His team starts and ends their day with them. They use them to make decisions, solve problems, and hold each other accountable. It’s a simple reminder that culture isn’t something you write, it’s something you practice.#3.) The Right Incentives Turn Good Teams Into Great OnesGlenn has built a culture where A-player behavior is recognized and rewarded—whether that’s through peer shoutouts, clear performance targets, or a team trip to Mexico when they hit their goals. These aren’t random perks; they’re intentional systems that reinforce what “great” looks like. SHOW NOTEShttps://bradleyjohnson.com/146FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIALTwitterInstagramLinkedInFOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL:YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebookDISCLOSURE DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations. The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies. TP11254981386See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.