Shows
Total SuccessionHow to Rethink Your Exit When Succession Doesn't Go as PlannedSuccession planning doesn't always go the way you expect… and when it falls apart, that moment can reveal the truth you've been avoiding. Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour break down why plans derail, how to trust your gut over external pressure, and what founders should do when people or expectations start to crumble. You'll learn why a broken plan can ultimately protect your legacy, strengthen client care, and open the door to a better path forward. Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour discuss what to do when your succession plan falls apart, and how advisors ca...
2025-12-2317 min
Total SuccessionHow Faith and Fit Shape a Better Succession Plan with Brian ChurchSuccession planning isn't just a business strategy, it's an identity shift. Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour are joined by Brian Church to explore the emotional and practical realities founders face as they scale, surrender control, and redefine their best vocational life. You'll hear hard-won lessons from Advisory DNA's journey, why advisors must seek trusted community, and how letting go can actually lead to more clarity, freedom, and growth. Brian Church kicks things off by sharing Advisory DNA's origin story, the inspiration behind its creation and the gap he was trying to fill with it...
2025-12-1653 min
Total SuccessionBefore the Deal, Have the Talk: Why Succession Begins With the People You LoveSuccession planning doesn't start with lawyers, valuations, or deal terms (or at least, it shouldn't!)... It starts at home. Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour address the topic of deeply personal conversations advisors need to have with their spouse or partner long before any transition becomes real, from aligning on "age and number" to navigating fears about the future. They discuss how to get on the same page, what to do when you're not, and why the most important succession agreement you'll ever sign is the unspoken one with the person who knows you best....
2025-12-0921 min
Total SuccessionThe Next Wave of Succession: Why Advisors Are Rejoining Bigger Firms to Regain Freedom with Alex GossAdvisors are rethinking what they want their future to look like, and the old model of "go independent and grind forever" is losing its shine. Co-hosts Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour, along with Alex Goss of NewEdge Advisors, unpack the new realities of succession – from soaring valuations and G2 buyout challenges to burnout driving many advisors toward bigger, better-resourced firms. You'll hear about how deal structures are shifting, what buyers actually want, and why the real question isn't just how you'll exit… but what life will look like after you do. Alex Goss kicks the...
2025-12-0252 min
Total SuccessionDe-Risking Your Practice: How to Build a Resilient Business Through Succession PlanningWhen your business depends on you, it's not just exhausting… It's risky! Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour reveal the hidden traps that quietly drain your firm's value and share how real succession planning can protect your clients, your legacy, and your freedom. You'll learn what it means to de-risk your practice, so it can run – and THRIVE – even when you're not there. In this episode, Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour look at the hidden risks of what drains your value, stalls your succession, and puts your clients at risk when you aren't there. The concept of de-ris...
2025-11-2522 min
Total SuccessionSuccession for Independent Advisors: 4 Key Valuation Drivers with Nate LenzWith a looming 100,000-advisor shortage, senior principals are failing to plan their own exit while misunderstanding what truly motivates the next generation of wealth managers. Nate Lenz, CEO of Concurrent, joins us to break down the entitlement mindset, the flaw of chasing rainmakers, and to share the key drivers of valuation that will help you with succession planning. Nate shares his succession background and a couple of industry developments he has witnessed up close and personal. According to a McKinsey study, there will be a shortage of about 100,000 advisors by 2034. Nate lists a couple of downsides t...
2025-11-1846 min
Total SuccessionHow To Mentor the Next Generation: A 5-Stage Path to Building Advisor Talent from WithinToo many founders make a critical mistake when it comes to succession: seeking a successor who's a clone of themselves. Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour break down why letting go of that idea is the key to building a sustainable legacy. Tune in to learn about the role of loyalty and the owner's responsibility to the next generation of advisors (G2), and to hear the hardest team-building lesson learned by Tyson. Tyson Ray kicks things off by stressing the importance of loyalty and the owner's responsibility of grooming the team, so that members can...
2025-11-1125 min
Total SuccessionThe Next-Gen Blueprint: How To Identify, Empower, and Retain Talent for a Flawless Succession with Brittany AndersonTyson Ray and Kim Cochenour are joined by Brittany Anderson of Sweet Financial to dive into why the so-called "Queen Bee Syndrome" actually kills value and impedes succession. Tune in to learn how to strategically identify your firm's leadership gaps, explore powerful external options, and find high-value next-gen advisors who are empathetic self-starters ready to lead their firm. Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour explore potential external succession options. Brittany kicks things off by sharing how her journey in the wealth planning space started 17 years ago. She goes over why leadership development is such a critical piece...
2025-11-0451 min
Total SuccessionExternal Succession: Decoding Aggregators, Integrators, and the Private Equity PlayTyson Ray and Kim Cochenour dive deep into the topic of external succession. You'll hear what it means to sell your practice to an outside party (like an aggregator or private equity firm), and the difference between an integrator and an aggregator, as well as why you should consider exploring external succession. You'll walk away with more clarity and knowledge and a crucial reminder: You don't have to do succession alone, but you absolutely have to do it! Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour explore potential external succession options. "External succession is something that everybody should explore...
2025-10-2832 min
Total SuccessionThe Future of Succession: What Retirement, M&A, and Private Equity Mean for Advisors with Dean SmithThe financial advisory industry is facing unprecedented change as succession, consolidation, and private equity reshape the landscape. Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour sit down with Wealth Enhancement Group's Dean Smith to explore what's driving the surge in M&A activity. If you're an advisor wondering how retirement and succession will impact your future or why you may be underestimating both the value of your business and the complexity of succession, this conversation is for you. Co-hosts Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour are joined by Dean Smith of Wealth Enhancement Group to address an unprecedented industry change...
2025-10-2140 min
Total SuccessionInternal Succession Strategies: Building a Plan That Truly WorksIs internal succession really the "ideal" advisors imagine it to be? Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour unpack the realities of selling to team members, family, or merging with another group – and why alignment alone isn't enough. If you care about protecting your clients, your team, and the legacy you've built, this conversation will help you see internal succession in a whole new light. In this episode, Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour talk all things internal succession. Tyson sees internal succession as "the ideal that everybody sets out for, but doesn't necessarily take the time to really implement or bu...
2025-10-1422 min
Total SuccessionSuccession and Exit Planning: What 40% of Advisors Must Face in the Next 7 Years with Nick ArellanoWhat's the difference between a smart succession and a rushed exit? Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour are joined by Nick Arellano to discuss why treating your firm like a house sale is risky, and how valuation, growth, and planning shape your future. This conversation will help you approach succession and exit planning – something 40% of advisors will face over the next 5-7 years – with clarity, confidence, and long-term vision. Tyson Ray, Kim Cochenour and guest Nick Arellano look at the elements of a smart succession and what makes for a successful business exit. Nick shares his background, whil...
2025-10-0752 min
Total SuccessionThe Succession Illusion: Why Your First Choice Might Not Be the Right OneAre you choosing your successor out of clarity, or just comfort? In this episode, Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour unpack the hidden traps of succession, from mistaking loyalty for leadership to assuming one person can wear all the hats you do. Packed with hard truths and practical takeaways, this conversation will challenge your assumptions and help you build a succession plan that actually works. Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour look at how picking your successor isn't as obvious as you may think. Kim kicks things off by stressing how having familiar and loyal team members doesn't...
2025-09-3020 min
Total SuccessionSuccession Done Right: Bryan Sweet on Starting Early & Planning AheadWhat if succession wasn't the end of the road, but the start of something greater? In this episode, Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour sit down with Bryan Sweet of Sweet Financial to uncover the lessons from his 47-year journey. Hear about how early planning, team buy-in, and focusing on your unique abilities create a smoother transition – and how to approach succession not just as an exit, but as an opportunity for growth, freedom, and lasting impact. Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour explore successful succession, the importance of team buy-in, and exiting into opportunity with Bryan Sweet. Bry...
2025-09-2342 min
Total SuccessionIt's All in Your Head: Unlocking the Value Trapped in the Founder's BrainIs your firm's future trapped inside your head? Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour explore why founders who keep critical knowledge, instincts, and processes to themselves risk slowing down growth – and putting succession at risk. From documenting systems to transferring decision-making skills, they share practical ways to build a business that lasts beyond the founder. Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour talk about one of the biggest challenges founders have, and that can hinder succession plans: keeping everything in their head. For Tyson, not only is there a lot trapped in the founder's brain, but there's also technology no...
2025-09-1619 min
Total SuccessionThe New Era of Succession Planning: AI, M&A, and Legacy Leadership with Ray SclafaniHow will AI, private equity, and shifting demographics reshape the future of financial advisors? In this episode, Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour sit down with Ray Sclafani of ClientWise to explore the intersection of technology, leadership, and succession in a rapidly changing industry. From building legacy firms to preparing the next generation of advisors, this conversation reveals what it takes to thrive in a time of transformation. Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour welcome Ray Sclafani of ClientWise to touch upon industry insights, AI, succession, and more. Ray kicks things off by sharing his experience at ClientWise...
2025-09-0954 min
Total SuccessionYou Can't Replace Yourself with Yourself, How To Rethink Next-Gen LeadershipWhen it comes to succession, are you searching for a clone or the right complement? In this episode, Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour unpack why the best successors don't look just like you but bring different strengths that make the business stronger. From mentorship to letting go of control, they share real-world lessons on how to make succession a smoother, smarter transition. In this episode, Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour look at whether succession actually means finding a "clone", a younger version of yourself. Kim and Tyson kick the conversation off by discussing why...
2025-09-0223 min
Total SuccessionSuccession Starts Sooner Than You Think: Lessons From 30 Years in the Industry with Duncan MacPhersonWhat's REALLY holding advisors back from tackling their own succession plan? Duncan MacPherson joins Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour to unpack the mindset, systems, and blind spots that keep even the most well-intentioned professionals from preparing for the future. You'll walk away with insights on turning wisdom into value and making your business less dependent on you. Guest Duncan MacPherson, CEO of Pareto Systems, kicks things off by sharing his 30+ year journey that includes some marketing that involved… Winston Churchill! Duncan sheds some light on what he sees as the bigger picture of the la...
2025-08-2653 min
Total SuccessionInternal vs. External Succession: Choosing the Right Path to ExitShould you sell your practice to someone on your team or roll it up into a larger firm? In this episode, Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour dive into the emotional, financial, and cultural tradeoffs of internal vs. external succession planning. If you're looking for clarity on one of the most personal decisions you'll ever make as an advisor, this conversation will give you the questions, cautionary tales, and insights you need before making your next move. This episode revolves around one of the most personal decisions every advisor faces: "Should I sell my practice...
2025-08-1918 min
Total SuccessionSuccession Isn't Just a Sale: What Advisors Miss When They Think They're Ready with Peter CampagnaThink you're ready for succession? You might be closer than you think — or further than you realize. In this episode, Tyson Ray, Kim Cochenour, and guest Peter Campagna reveal the blind spots, surprises, and strategic moves that strong advisors need to navigate succession successfully, including what no one tells you about control, integration, and private equity. Advisors often think that they're ready to sell, but they don't know what they don't know. Peter Campagna kicks things off by sharing his journey of how he got to Wise Rhino Group — including why they opted to do things diffe...
2025-08-1238 min
Total SuccessionMel's Story: The Succession Disaster I Bought and What It Taught MeWhat happens when an advisor spends their whole career focused on short-term gains and never plans for succession? Could you be making the same mistake without even realizing it? Tyson Ray shares a personal story that reveals the hidden risks of reactive decision-making and why thoughtful succession planning is critical not just for your exit but for your legacy. This episode of Total Succession Show features co-host Tyson Ray sharing a story that's both personal and a cautionary tale for any advisor listening. The story revolves around a practice Tyson ended up acquiring and the advisor...
2025-08-0536 min
Total SuccessionPurpose-Focused Succession Planning for Financial Advisors with Rob BrownAre you treating your succession like a finish line — or a chance to rediscover your purpose? What if the next chapter of your business and your life could be just as meaningful as the one you're preparing to leave behind? In this episode, Tyson Ray, Kim Cochenour, and guest Rob Brown dive into purpose-driven succession planning, helping advisors shift from urgency and overwhelm to clarity, intention, and legacy-focused decisions. Co-host Kim Cochenour kicks things off by asking two fundamental questions: "Why are you doing this?" and "What's the purpose behind it all?" The purpose of...
2025-07-2942 min
Total SuccessionDon't Forget the Clients: The Most Overlooked Part of Your Exit PlanMost advisors make their succession plan without thinking about a key player: the client. What happens when clients aren't at the center of one's exit? And what are the benefits of including them in the process? In this episode, Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour unpack why a successful succession is about far more than just transferring ownership. Discover common mistakes many advisors make, how to think like your client, why including them in your plan is a must, and 5 key questions that will help you feel the pulse of how client-centric your succession...
2025-07-2219 min
Total SuccessionSuccession, EOS, and the Power of a Plan with Andrea SchlapiaAre you waiting for the "right time" to start your succession planning? Does the word "succession" feel more overwhelming than empowering? In this episode, hosts Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour welcome Ironstone Founder & CEO Andrea Schlapia to talk about how EOS transforms succession from an intimidating afterthought into a practical, energizing business strategy. Discover how structure, vision, and a mindset shift can preserve your legacy, empower your team, and set your advisory practice up for lasting success. Andrea Schlapia kicks off the conversation with Tyson Ryan and Kim Cochenour by explaining why so many...
2025-07-1541 min
Total SuccessionBuild the Bench: Who's Taking Over What You Built?"What would happen to your business if you weren't around tomorrow?" That's the key question that Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour unpack in this episode. From the importance of succession planning to finding and training the next generation of advisors – they share insights that will help you future-proof your firm and build a lasting legacy. Tyson and Kim address the question "What would happen to my business if tomorrow I wasn't around?" As Kim points out, most advisors still have their practice revolving around them. Is that you? Then know that if the business only works wh...
2025-07-0821 min
Total SuccessionM&A and Your Succession Plan: From Industry Hostage to High-Value Exit with Ted MotheralToday, the financial advisors' space is seeing the most robust M&A market in history. A tidal wave of succession planning deals is transforming the advisory landscape, yet many firm owners are unprepared… Hosts Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour welcome Mercer Advisors' Ted Motheral to break down the entire succession planning puzzle, discuss the importance of fit over size, and what drives today's high multiples. If you've been planning your exit strategy, this episode will provide you with valuable insights on the topic. Ted Motheral kicks the conversation off by sharing some of...
2025-07-0151 min
Total SuccessionBuilding a Sellable Business Even If You're Not Selling YetSuccession planning isn't just for advisors who are ready to sell – it's for anyone who wants to build a stronger, more resilient business. In this episode, Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour explain why preparing your firm to run without you makes it more scalable, more valuable, and, ultimately, more sellable, whether you're years away from an exit or just starting to think about it. Tyson and Kim address a topic every advisor needs to hear: How to build a business that's ready to transition – even if you're not planning to sell right now. This is a topi...
2025-06-2420 min
Total SuccessionWhat If You Don't Sell? Rethinking Succession with David PatchenWhat does successful succession really look like in today's advisory landscape? Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour sit down with Dave Patchen to explore the complex dynamics of succession planning – from generational mindsets and private equity pressures to the systems that truly sustain a business. Whether you're planning to sell, pass the torch, or build a lasting legacy, this conversation will help you through value-packed insights and actionable takeaways. Tyson and Kim are joined by Dave Patchen who shares his insights on business succession and the role millennials play in the process. Dave starts his contribution by tal...
2025-06-1752 min
Total SuccessionGrow Your Team or Plan Your Exit? Why Advisors Can't Afford to WaitIf your business can't run without you, it's not built to last…it's as simple as that! Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour dive into the tough but necessary conversations around delegation, team building and preparing for succession. From letting go of control to right-sizing your client base, they reveal the mindset shifts every advisor needs to make to lead with vision – and eventually step back with confidence. Tyson and Kim look at whether it makes sense to grow your team, fire some of your clients or sell your practice. Kim starts the conversation by highlighting the fact...
2025-06-1026 min
Total SuccessionMore Than a Payout: Aaron Hasler on Exit Plans That Build Buy-InWhat if selling your advisory business wasn't the end, rather the beginning of something new? Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour sit down with SkyView co-founder Aaron Hasler to explore the emotional and strategic layers of acquisitions and succession planning. From preparing Gen 2 successors to avoiding common retirement pitfalls – it's a candid conversation about legacy, leadership, and what it really takes to step away with purpose. Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour are joined by SkyView co-founder Aaron Hasler. One of SkyView's strengths is adding capital and fueling the industry with the funds advisors can use for the su...
2025-06-0352 min
Total SuccessionYou Can't Hit a Target You Can't See: Creating a Vision for Your ExitStop your succession planning from becoming a list of regrets! Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour tackle the overlooked, yet vital, element of vision – revealing how advisors often miss defining their own "What's next?" Tune in to learn why, without this foundational piece, tactics are just numbers and how asking "What do I want to do when I grow up?" (even in retirement) is key to a fulfilling transition. Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour address something many advisors skip when it comes to succession planning: VISION. Kim brings up the fact that, while advisors are supposed to be...
2025-05-2723 min
Total SuccessionAlways Be Ready to Sell: Why Scott Danner Built His Firm for the ExitThe world of mergers & acquisitions can be hard to navigate. What should you think about before exiting? How can you get everyone on board, and how can you ensure that everything runs smoothly and leads to business success? In this episode, hosts Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour, alongside Freedom Street Partners founder Scott Danner, explore what it takes to successfully undergo mergers & acquisitions, embracing a growth mindset, and why you should aim at living – and not leaving – a legacy. In today's episode, hosts Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour are joined by Scott Danner, founder of F...
2025-05-2047 min
Total SuccessionSuccession Planning Isn't Optional: How to Exit Your Business on PurposeSuccession planning. Every business needs it, yet most owners don't really think about it. But why is it important to carve out time for business succession planning? Co-hosts Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour talk about Tyson's own journey into succession planning, discuss who benefits from a well-planned succession, and what you can expect from future episodes of the Total Succession Show. As Tyson puts it: "you only exit your business once, so you should create the space to make it happen." The premise of the Total Succession show, hosted by Tyson Ray a...
2025-05-1312 min
Total SuccessionTotal Succession - TrailerSo you've built a business helping others plan their future. But what's the plan for yours? Your future deserves the same attention you give your clients every day. It's time to protect what you've built and prepare for what's next. Welcome to the Total Succession Show, your resource for learning how to exit confidently, be fully compensated, and keep your clients' interests first. Hosted by veteran financial advisor Tyson Ray and co-host Kim Cochenour, each episode will help you navigate the emotional and strategic challenges of succession planning through real- life stories, insights from industry experts, and Tyson's SPACE framew...
2025-05-0501 min
The Purpose Focused AdvisorTyson Ray and Kim Cochenour: Transforming Client Relationships With the Total Relationship ApproachIn this episode of The Purpose-Focused Advisor, Rob Brown, and Phil Calandra talk with Tyson Ray and Kim Cochenour from FORM Wealth Advisors about their unique approach to financial advising, centered on building "Total Relationships" with clients. Tyson and Kim discuss their personal journeys and the philosophy that drives their success—prioritizing client relationships over transactions. They explain how this purpose-focused approach has transformed their practice and can help other financial advisors make a meaningful impact.Key Takeaways: Prioritizing a comprehensive understanding of clients’ personal and financial goals fosters deeper trust and leads to be...
2024-09-1247 min
The Practical MinimalistsTPM March BonusWe have another bonus episode for you today! Today with are chatting with Kimberly Cochenour. Kim is a friend of the show, has 3 kids and a husband, is instrumental in running a non-profit, and is just an all-around fun person to be around. Kim is also an essential oils user and lover. She has a background in integrative medicine and loves using her knowledge in that area when using her oils and today we’re talking with her all about oils + natural therapies. If oils aren’t your thing, feel free to skip this episode. However, we are talking abou...
2017-03-2454 min