Shows
Don't Do ThatDon’t Do That: Don’t Stop Listening to Your Clients with Matt Schulte, eMoney AdvisorIn this inspiring and heartfelt episode of Don’t Do That, Kelly Waltrich sits down with Matt Schulte, the longtime head of financial planning at eMoney Advisor, who recently retired after 25 remarkable years. Together, they explore what it takes to build a world-class financial planning platform, the power of advisor-driven innovation, and why staying close to your clients is the ultimate competitive advantage.Kelly and Matt cover:00:00 Don’t Stop Listening to Your Clients00:45 Meet Matt Schulte, Head of Financial Planning at eMoney Advisor01:17 Early Days at eMoney: From Minn...
2026-01-2352 minDon't Do ThatDon’t Do That: Don’t Build Your Identity Around Being Needed with Dani Fava, Carson GroupIn this candid and deeply thoughtful episode of Don’t Do That, Kelly Waltrich sits down with Dani Fava, Chief Strategy Officer at Carson Group, to unpack leadership, AI, career growth, and one of the most common (and dangerous) professional traps: building your identity around being needed.Dani shares how Carson is using AI to radically increase advisor capacity, why data infrastructure is the real foundation of innovation, and what it actually takes to build a scalable, valuable firm. But the heart of the conversation lands on Dani’s powerful “Don’t Do That” lesson - why being indi...
2026-01-0936 minDon't Do ThatDon’t Do That: Don’t Skip the Sounding Board with Matt Ackermann, Integrated PartnersIn this candid, hilarious, and deeply insightful episode of Don’t Do That, Kelly Waltrich turns the microphone on longtime friend and industry creative force Matt Ackermann. Known for asking the questions, Matt opens up about his unconventional career path - from financial journalism and multimedia storytelling to shaping brand, culture, and content inside one of the fastest-growing RIAs in the industry.At its core, this conversation is about ownership: owning your enthusiasm, owning your growth, and owning the need for people who can protect you from yourself. If you’re in financial services - or any indu...
2025-12-1938 minDon't Do ThatDon’t Do That: Don’t Ignore Your Instincts with Jack Devine, The Arkin GroupIn this powerful and wildly insightful episode, Kelly Waltrich sits down with Jack Devine, former CIA spymaster, intelligence expert, and the man who helped shape some of the most pivotal moments in modern geopolitical history. Jack opens up about the guardrails of intelligence work, the chaos of today’s global landscape, how wealth managers can navigate uncertainty, and why, despite everything, he believes we are heading toward a more stable world.He also shares stories from the field, what Hollywood gets wrong, what it gets surprisingly right, and the one operation he’s most proud of (hint: it c...
2025-12-121h 00Don't Do ThatDon't Do That: Don’t Lie to Reporters (They’ll Find Out) with Jimmy Moock, StreetCredWhat happens when you inflate your firm's numbers in a press release? Jimmy Moock, Managing Partner at StreetCred, has a simple answer: reporters will check, you'll get caught, and the damage will spread fast. In this episode, Jimmy and host Kelly Waltrich cut through the noise to reveal what actually makes news in financial services and what should stay in the drafts folder.Kelly and Jimmy cover:00:00 – How Kelly and Jimmy met during their Orion days 01:32 – The client-PR dynamic 04:36 – The Fosberry Flop: Eric Clark's thought leadership genius 08:38 – Has fintech...
2025-11-2139 minDon't Do ThatDon't Do That: Don't Confuse Activity with Strategy with Lara Galloway, Elevation PointWhat happens when talented advisors spend significant money on marketing but see little to no results? For Lara Galloway, Head of Growth at Elevation Point, the culprit is a common misconception: mistaking activity for strategy. Volume won't fix a lack of vision, and good intentions paired with tactical execution but no underlying plan leave money on the table.In this episode, Lara and host Kelly Waltrich explore how RIAs can build intentional growth strategies that actually move the needle. They discuss why so many firms invest heavily in marketing without clear goals, how to identify your ideal...
2025-11-0648 minDon't Do ThatDon't Do That: Don't Fall in Love with a Job Before Doing Your Due Diligence with Graham Thomas, The Compound MediaWhat's the career mistake that can derail your confidence, drain your energy, and impact every area of your life? For Graham Thomas, Chief Revenue Officer at The Compound Media, it's falling in love with a job before asking the hard questions.In this episode, host Kelly Waltrich sits down with her friend and industry peer Graham to discuss the evolution of digital media, the power of relationship building, and the lessons learned from career missteps. They explore what makes Compound Media unique, from the genuine personalities behind the shows to the disciplined content creation process and why...
2025-10-2948 min
NewsRamp Marketing, Advertising & PR PodcastNavigating Marketing's Identity Crisis with Intention.lyMarketing is facing challenges with proving effectiveness, understanding AI, and outdated playbooks. Intention.ly, led by Founder & CEO Kelly Waltrich, offers innovative AI-powered marketing strategies to help fintech and financial services clients adapt by focusing on what works for their business and audience.
2025-10-2102 minDon't Do ThatDon’t Do That: Don’t Mistake Activity for Achievement with Nate Lenz, ConcurrentWhat does it take to build a platform that attracts entrepreneurial advisors while simultaneously making strategic acquisitions that most firms wouldn't even consider?In this episode, host Kelly Waltrich sits down with Nate Lenz, CEO and Co-Founder of Concurrent, to discuss scaling with purpose, avoiding the trap of busyness, and why the best growth strategies often come from solving problems you see right in front of you.Nate shares Concurrent’s unconventional path, from launching a minority equity investment program to acquiring a $10B retirement plan consulting business to targeting platform consolidation as their next ma...
2025-10-1738 minDon't Do ThatDon’t Do That: Don’t Misinterpret Fiduciary Duty with Matt Sonnen, Coldstream Wealth Management and COO SocietyWhat’s the one operational mistake that can quietly erode margins and stall growth? For Matt Sonnen, COO of Coldstream Wealth Management and creator of The COO Society, it’s misinterpreting fiduciary duty, a trap that leads RIAs to overserve clients at the expense of profitability.In this episode, host Kelly Waltrich sits down with Matt to unpack lessons from his career as a COO and consultant to advisory firms. They dive into the realities of running a scalable, profitable RIA, from client segmentation and cost-to-serve to building processes before buying technology to managing change through mergers and...
2025-09-2933 minDon't Do ThatDon’t Do That: Don’t Burn Bridges; Build Authentic Relationships with Ryan Marcus, Binah Capital GroupWhat does it really take to succeed in financial services—and in life? On this episode of Don’t Do That, Kelly Waltrich welcomes Ryan Marcus, Chief Business & Engagement Officer at Binah Capital Group, a financial services enterprise empowering RIAs and independent wealth managers.Ryan’s journey is anything but linear: from professional baseball, to launching a corporate travel business, to building firms alongside industry leaders like Brian Hamburger. His story proves that grit, perseverance, and genuine relationships outweigh any credential on paper. Today, Ryan is channeling his passion into transforming wealth management through Binah's RIA network while...
2025-09-1239 minDon't Do ThatDon’t Do That: Stop Losing Leads; Align Marketing and Sales for Better Outcomes with Michelle Winkles, Mission WealthWhat happens when marketing generates hundreds of leads but conversion rates stay stubbornly low?In this episode, Kelly Waltrich sits down with Michelle Winkles, Partner and Chief Marketing Officer at Mission Wealth, to dive into the messy reality of digital marketing for RIAs. From her seat overseeing marketing for a national firm with $14 billion in AUM and 200+ team members, Michelle has learned what it really takes to make digital lead generation work.This isn't your typical "how to get more leads" conversation. Michelle shares why she believes the biggest mistake firms make is treating marketing...
2025-09-0539 minDon't Do ThatDon’t Do That: Don’t Miss the Moment with Winston Justice, SageSpring Private WealthWhat’s the one mistake that can quietly rob you of fulfillment in both business and life? For Winston Justice, CEO of SageSpring, it’s failing to be present.In this episode, host Kelly Waltrich sits down with Winston to unpack his extraordinary journey - from protecting quarterbacks in the NFL to leading a $7.8B wealth management firm. Along the way, Winston shares how lessons from football, entrepreneurship, and finance shaped his leadership philosophy, and why accountability, resilience, and adaptability matter just as much in the boardroom as they do on the field.He also reve...
2025-09-0222 minDon't Do ThatDon’t Do That: Stop Kidding Yourself About the Future of Your Business with Patti Brennan, Key FinancialHost Kelly Waltrich sits down with her longtime friend and industry icon Patti Brennan, CEO of Key Financial, to talk about leadership, culture, growth, and why clarity about the future of your business is non-negotiable.Patti shares her remarkable journey from ICU nurse to building a nationally recognized wealth management firm with over $2.7B in AUM, and the lessons that shaped her along the way—from serving on the pioneering eMoney Advisor board, to steering her team through the 2008 financial crisis, to creating a culture where love, laughter, and accountability fuel long-term success.Kelly and Pa...
2025-08-2238 minDon't Do ThatDon’t Do That: Don’t Knock on the Door Without a Key with Joe Steuter, Intention.lyWhat’s the one trait that can make or break your growth journey? For Joe Steuter, Partner at Intention.ly, it’s resourcefulness — and he’s learned it from a lifetime of solving problems, starting with early mornings on a dairy farm in Nebraska.In this episode, host Kelly Waltrich sits down in-person with her friend and business partner to unpack the lessons from 20+ years in financial services, including how to communicate with intention, stand out in a sea of sameness, and hire marketers who can actually deliver results.From growing Carson Group from $800M to $42B...
2025-08-1858 min
NewsRamp Finance and Fintech PodcastIntention.ly Launches AI Service Line for Financial Services Growth, Under Armour Faces Challenges in TurnaroundIntention.ly has introduced AI services to help financial companies improve marketing and sales through efficient AI tools. CEO Kelly Waltrich stresses the importance of quick AI adoption for staying competitive. Meanwhile, Under Armour Inc. struggles with a faltering turnaround, facing challenges in North America, tariffs, and rising expenses which have led to a significant drop in shares and skepticism from analysts about achieving growth.
2025-08-1203 minNewsRamp Marketing, Advertising & PR PodcastRevolutionizing Marketing with AI: Stories of ONAR Holding Corp. and AI Maverick IntelONAR Holding Corp. is leading the way with its Cortex platform using AI for optimized ad campaigns, while AI Maverick Intel focuses on AI-powered customer acquisition. Additionally, Kelly Waltrich of Intention.ly shares common marketing mistakes in fintech and how to avoid them. ONAR also partners with IQSTEL to launch a multiagentic infrastructure, enhancing its AI capabilities.
2025-08-0804 minDon't Do ThatDon't Do That: Don't Guess What They Want; Ask What They Need with Mark Forman, OptifinoAre you chasing marketing metrics but still feeling disconnected from your audience? On this episode of Don't Do That, Kelly Waltrich welcomes Mark Forman, CMO of Optifino, a company rooted in one simple but transformative concept: truly knowing your audience through genuine human connection. Mark shares how his journey from poetry major to marketing leader taught him that the best marketers combine technical expertise with deep empathy for the humans they serve.This conversation explores why marketers, firm leaders, and founders should ditch assumptions about their audience and instead build real understanding through direct conversation. F...
2025-08-0742 minDon't Do ThatDon't Do That: The Best "Don't Do That" Moments from Industry LeadersWhat if the secret to success isn't what you should do, but what you absolutely shouldn't?What do brilliant jerks, head trash, and the "parent thing" have in common? They're all career killers that successful leaders have learned to avoid—the hard way.Kelly Waltrich curates the most eye-opening "Don't Do That" moments from 20+ industry titans who've made every mistake so you don't have to. This isn't your typical highlight reel—it's a rapid-fire collection of expensive lessons learned, toxic patterns exposed, and blind spots revealed.In just 21 minutes, you'll get decades of coll...
2025-08-0421 minDon't Do ThatDon’t Chase Recognition; Be Worth Knowing with Chris Schembra, 7:47Are you chasing achievement but still feeling disconnected?On this episode of Don’t Do That, Kelly Waltrich welcomes Chris Schembra, founder of 7:47, a company rooted in one simple but transformative concept: human connection through gratitude. Chris shares how a bowl of pasta and one powerful question sparked a global movement bringing people together in meaningful ways.This conversation explores how marketers, leaders, and founders can ditch performative storytelling and instead build real community, uncover deeper “whys,” and lead with vulnerability. From emotional intelligence to overcoming burnout, this is a masterclass in building purpose-driven connections.
2025-07-2547 minDon't Do ThatDitch the Weekly Scorecard and Focus on What Matters with Sara Baker, Allworth FinancialAre you beating yourself up over work-life balance every single week?On this episode of Don't Do That, Kelly Waltrich sits down with Sara Baker, Head of M&A at Allworth, for a candid conversation about leadership, career pivots, and redefining balance. With a background that spans corporate law, financial services, and M&A, Sara shares her unique perspective on navigating growth, both professional and personal.Kelly and Sara cover:00:00 Introductions and Sara’s new role at Allworth01:00 How a career in law led to a passion for solving business problems...
2025-07-1840 minDon't Do ThatDon't Abandon Your Vision to Keep the Peace with Chris Shuba, Helios Quantitative ResearchAre you compromising your company's vision to avoid difficult conversations?On this episode of Don't Do That, Kelly Waltrich sits down with Chris Schuba, CEO and Founder of Helios, for an honest discussion about the challenges of maintaining your entrepreneurial vision while building a team. Chris shares his unique approach to "insourcing" investment management for financial advisors, the dramatic origin story behind his company name (involving a near-death experience at sea), and his biggest leadership lesson learned the hard way. From the importance of loving problems over solutions to the reality of entrepreneurial struggles, this conversation digs...
2025-06-1332 minDon't Do ThatDon't Let the Noise Drown Out Your Inner Voice with Penny Phillips, Journey Strategic WealthAre you letting everyone else's opinions shape your decisions? On this episode of Don't Do That, Kelly Waltrich sits down with Penny Phillips, Founder of Journey Strategic Wealth, for a brutally honest conversation about entrepreneurship, motherhood, and building a financial advisory firm. Fresh off maternity leave with a three-month-old, Penny shares her unfiltered thoughts on the evolving financial services landscape, the challenges of being a woman in leadership, and why listening to too many opinions can derail your success. From the irony of independent advisors rolling up to PE-backed firms to the importance of trusting your instincts o...
2025-06-0628 minDon't Do ThatDon’t Pick Up Other People’s Trash with Heather Fortner, SignatureFDAre you walking around with a bag full of other people's opinions about who you should be?On this episode of Don't Do That, Kelly Waltrich sits down with Heather Fortner, CEO of SignatureFD, for a refreshingly honest conversation about authenticity, leadership, and the messy reality of balancing it all. Heather shares her journey from trying to be everything to everyone to embracing her quirky, authentic self, and why that shift has made all the difference in her leadership and life. Kelly and Heather cover:01:07 The evolution of SignatureFD's "Net Worthwhile" messaging and p...
2025-05-3037 minDon't Do ThatDon’t Compare Yourself to the Average with Jamie Hopkins, WSFS, Bryn Mawr Capital ManagementIs benchmarking your business by the "industry average" holding you back? In this episode of Don't Do That, Kelly Waltrich sits down with Jamie Hopkins, Chief Wealth Officer at WSFS Bank, to discuss leadership, talent development, and why average benchmarks might be limiting your growth potential. Jamie shares his experience transitioning from frequent travel to a more balanced life, his work with the FinServ Foundation helping young professionals enter the financial industry, and why he believes comparing yourself to averages is a recipe for mediocrity. Throughout their conversation, Kelly and Jamie explore the changing landscape of...
2025-05-1738 minDon't Do ThatDon’t Create an Echo Chamber with Marwa Zakharia, MZ Global ConsultingAre you creating a culture where your team feels comfortable giving you honest feedback?As a seasoned Turnaround and Growth CEO, Marwa leads organizations through pivotal stages of their development across various industries, with a specialization in financial services and technology. Marwa’s approach combines deep operational insight with innovative strategies, empowering teams to execute on a clear vision while tackling complex market dynamics, particularly in the fast-evolving fintech space.Kelly and Marwa cover:01:22 Marwa's background as a "business nerd" 02:52 Her diverse industry experience and people-first leadership 04:05 How they...
2025-05-1236 minDon't Do ThatDon’t Go At It Alone with David Wood, Gateway Financial PartnersAre you trying to build your advisory business without the right support systems?In this episode of Don't Do That, David Wood, Chief Visionary Officer at Gateway Financial, joins Kelly Waltrich to discuss why advisors shouldn't go it alone in today's changing financial services landscape, particularly as scale becomes increasingly important for success.During the episode, David highlights the impact of implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) at his firm, shares his perspective on firm culture amid industry consolidation, and explains why advisors need partners to thrive in a rapidly evolving environment with unprecedented opportunity.
2025-05-0233 minDon't Do ThatStop Hiring Experts and Micromanaging Them with Molly McClure, intellifloDo you trust the experts you hired?In this episode of Don't Do That, Kelly Waltrich is joined by Molly McClure, Head of North America Marketing at intelliflo. Molly shares her experience building intelliflo's U.S. marketing presence from the ground up, the importance of balancing creativity with data-driven results, and why events like Future Proof Festival are game-changers for financial services branding. Molly's "Don't Do That" message: Stop hiring experts and then not trusting them to do what they do best.Kelly and Molly discuss:00:56 Molly's background and nearly 20 years i...
2025-04-2541 min
WealthTech on DeckStrategies for Sustainable Business Growth with Randy LambertIn this episode, Jack Sharry talks with Randy Lambert, EVP and Head of RIA Solutions at Intention.ly. Randy shares how his experience scaling Orion informs his work helping FinTech and RIA firms streamline operations, align marketing, and enhance client engagement. He highlights the importance of eliminating silos, implementing intelligent automation, and transforming operations from a cost center to a strategic growth engine.In this episode:
(00:00) - Intro
(01:39) - Randy’s journey at Orion
(07:10) - The transition to Intention.ly
(11:54) - Integrating marketing, sales, and operations
(14:41) - Growing and scaling RIAs
(18:43) - Bridging the...
2025-04-2229 minDon't Do ThatStop Waiting for Your Turn to Talk with Jack Sharry, SEI LifeYieldAre you listening to understand, or just listening to respond?In this episode of Don't Do That, Kelly Waltrich is joined by Jack Sharry, who shares his journey from LifeYield to Managing Director at SEI following their December acquisition. Jack discusses his excitement about building the industry's first full Unified Managed Household (UMH) platform, reveals the philosophy behind his book on authentic and ethical persuasion, and explains why truly listening is one of the most powerful skills anyone can develop.Kelly and Jack discuss:01:20 Jack's journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship with LifeYield
2025-04-1837 min
In the SuiteEP 94 From CMO to CEO: How Kelly Waltrich is Redefining Intentional Growth Strategy in Fintech and Financial Services at Intention.ly (Don't Do That Podcast)Send us a textIn this debut episode of the Don’t Do That podcast, host Kelly Waltrich—CEO and Co-Founder of Intention.ly—sits down with her friend, partner, and colleague Tina Powell for a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about building businesses, leading with heart, and the hard-won lessons that fuel long-term growth.Kelly shares how her unconventional path—from selling to her grandmother as a kid to running marketing at two of fintech’s fastest-growing firms—shaped her vision for Intention.ly. She opens up about why she launched this podcast, what it means to be a foun...
2025-04-0333 minDon't Do ThatDon’t Do All the Decision-Making Yourself with with Adrian “AJ” Johnstone, PractifiAre you carrying the weight of every business decision on your shoulders?In this episode of Don't Do That, Kelly Waltrich chats with Adrian “AJ” Johnstone, CEO and co-founder of Practifi, about the delicate balance of leadership decision-making. AJ shares his journey of leading Practifi back to its roots serving RIAs and why growth should be purposeful rather than pursued at all costs. With refreshing candor, AJ discusses the privilege of supporting financial advisors who help clients achieve their personal outcomes while offering practical advice about building strong teams and making confident decisions in the face...
2025-04-0328 minDon't Do ThatStop Avoiding the Hard Conversations with Jason Early, RISRAre you tiptoeing around what really needs to be said?In this episode of Don’t Do That, Jason Early, CEO and founder of RISR, joins Kelly Waltrich to talk about why tough conversations are so important. “Bad news doesn’t get better with time,” Jason points out, and saying the thing that needs to be said often leads to breakthrough moments.During the episode, Jason highlights the growing industry challenge that led him to found RISR, shares his approach to recruiting and hiring, and explains the importance of assuming positive intent during difficult discussions.Kel...
2025-03-2822 minDon't Do ThatDon’t Wait to Start Marketing with Mark Gilbert, ZocksWhat if AI could give you back nine hours a week—would you take it?Mark Gilbert, CEO and founder of Zocks, joins host Kelly Waltrich for a conversation about the transformative potential of AI, a platform that actually delivers on its promise of saving advisors time, and the costly mistake of waiting too long to build marketing momentum. During the discussion, Mark explains how Zocks is helping advisors reclaim up to nine hours per week by eliminating the tedious administrative tasks they hate: meeting prep, documentation, follow-up, and data entry. Mark and Kelly also exp...
2025-03-2022 minDon't Do ThatAvoid Hiring Brilliant Jerks with Ainslie Simmonds, BNYAre you compromising your company's culture by hiring brilliant jerks? In this episode of Don't Do That, host Kelly Waltrich is joined by Ainslie Simmonds from BNY to discuss the importance of hiring for culture, avoiding toxic influences, and the power of loving the problem rather than the answer. Ainslie shares her journey from the fintech world to starting a fintech within BNY Mellon, outlining her insights on innovation, advisor productivity, and cultural transformation. She emphasizes the key to success is surrounding yourself with the right people and avoiding those who may be talented yet da...
2025-03-1831 min