Episodes

What makes a financial advisor different? According to Andrew Winig, most advisors struggle to answer that question clearly. In this episode of RIA Collective, host Charlie Van Derven sits down with Andrew Winig, founder of Your Elevator Pitch Coach, to discuss one of the biggest challenges advisors face: explaining what they do in a way that people actually remember. Andrew has worked with hundreds of financial advisors and discovered something surprising: Most advisors are different. They j...

Most RIAs don’t think they need a CFO… until they realize they do. In this episode of RIA Collective, host Charlie Van Derven sits down with Damian Lo Basso, Founder of My RIA CFO, to discuss the financial blind spots that hold advisory firms back during transition, growth, and scaling. Damian brings a rare level of experience to the RIA space. After working in investment banking and M&A, he helped build Dynasty Financial Partners’ OCFO program, launched one of the industry’s first outsou...

What does advisor independence actually mean? In this episode of RIA Collective, host Charlie Van Derven sits down with Andree Mohr, President of Integrated Partners, to explore why the move to independence is about much more than business structure. Andree shares her unique journey from starting as a PR intern at 17 years old to becoming president of one of the largest independent firms in the country. Along the way, she explains why the best advisors are not just building businesses, they’r...

What happens when a CRM is built for advisors with AI at its core, instead of having AI bolted on later? In this episode of RIA Collective , host Charlie Van Derven sits down with Thomas Clawson , Co-Founder of Slant , to explore how AI-native CRM technology is changing the way financial advisors manage relationships, automate workflows, and grow their businesses. Thomas shares how Slant evolved from a marketing automation tool into a full CRM after advisors kept asking for more powerful ways to...

What if you don’t actually own your book of business? In this episode of RIA Collective, host Charlie Van Derven sits down with Tyson Ray of FORM Wealth Advisors to break down one of the most misunderstood topics in financial services: succession. Tyson shares the eye-opening realization that many advisors, especially in W2 or hybrid models, may not truly own the goodwill of their clients. That has massive implications when it comes time to sell, transition, or exit your business. He also int...

What does it really take to grow as a financial advisor? In this episode of RIA Collective, host Charlie Van Derven sits down with Dennis Huergo of Wealth Enhancement Group to explore the mindset, career decisions, and experiences that shape successful advisors over time. Dennis shares his journey from military service into financial services, starting in insurance and sales, and eventually transitioning toward true financial planning and independence. Along the way, he reflects on the lesson...

AI is everywhere in financial services, but most advisors are only scratching the surface. In this episode of RIA Collective, host Charlie Van Derven sits down with Sam Sova, Co-Founder of Subatomic AI, to explore how artificial intelligence is moving beyond basic tools and becoming a true collaborative partner inside advisory firms. Sam shares how RIAs can use AI to unify data across CRMs, custodians, portfolio platforms, email, and communication tools. The result is fewer manual tasks, more...

What does the next generation of advisory firms actually look like? In this episode of RIA Collective, host Charlie Van Derven sits down with Jon Henderson, Founder of Echo 45 Advisors, to explore how independent firms are evolving beyond traditional investment management into fully integrated advisory businesses. After spending 20 years at Merrill Lynch, Jon made the leap to independence and built a firm designed for where client expectations are heading - not where they’ve been. That includ...

Most advisors don’t hit a growth ceiling because they lack effort - they hit it because their capacity is broken. In this episode of RIA Collective , host Charlie Van Derven sits down with Dr. Jon Randall , founder of Extraordinary Financial Advisors (XFA) , to unpack what truly holds financial advisors back from sustainable growth - and how to break through it. With more than 20 years of experience coaching hundreds of top advisory firms (including many in the Barron’s Top 100), Jon brings a ra...

What does it really take to build an advisory firm that aligns with your values - and lasts for decades? In this episode of RIA Collective , host Charlie Van Derven sits down with Peter Krull , Founder of Earth Equity Advisors , to explore the long game of independence, entrepreneurship, and purpose-driven investing. Peter shares his journey from Merrill Lynch to launching an independent RIA focused on ESG and sustainable investing - long before it became mainstream. Along the way, he breaks dow...

In this episode of RIA Collective, host Charlie Van Derven sits down with Darren Hinshaw , Managing Director at NBC Securities , to discuss the often-overlooked impact financial advisors have on the stability and wellbeing of society. Darren shares why he believes financial services rank among the most important professions - alongside doctors and spiritual advisors. From helping clients navigate volatile markets to guiding them through life’s biggest transitions, advisors provide the steady han...

Most advisors focus on the next client, the next meeting, the next quarter. But what if the key to long-term success is starting with the end in mind? In this episode of RIA Collective, host Charlie Van Derven sits down with Sam Renken, Financial Advisor at Consolidated Planning, whose unique background - from horse training to financial advising - shaped his philosophy for building a career with purpose, focus, and authenticity. Sam shares how to design your business around the life you actuall...

Independent advisors often think cybersecurity is something “the big firms” need to worry about. But the truth? RIAs are often at greater risk. In this episode of RIA Collective, host Charlie Van Derven sits down with Carmine “Carm” Cicalese, founder of CYBER CIC (“CHICK”) and partner at Digital Privacy & Protection, to unpack what every independent advisor needs to know about protecting sensitive client data, staying compliant, and maintaining client trust. Carm breaks down cybersecurity into t...

Former NFL & NBA performance-nutrition lead Shawn Zell (Fruition Financial, St. Louis) shares how he pivoted from the Rams and Bucks to fiercely independent financial planning—plus what “true client alignment” really looks like. We cover rapid licensing (SIE, 7, 66, 24), rebuilding a modern RIA tech stack, navigating broker-dealer consolidation, fee transparency, and why the best client relationships are relationship-first, not sales-first. Perfect for advisors considering the leap to independen...

Welcome to a high-energy, no-BS conversation with Jen Staben, Financial Advisor at Prime Capital and unapologetic force of nature in financial services. In this episode of the RIA Collective, Jen sits down with host Charlie Van Derven to share how she built a client-first practice her way - and why that meant leaving behind big-name firms, scripts that didn’t sound like her, and a system that prioritized products over people. 💥 Topics Covered: Why Jen left a major national firm to launch her own...

In this engaging episode of RIA Collective , host Charlie Van Derven sits down with Greg Curry, founder of Pillar Financial in Louisville, Kentucky. With nearly three decades of experience spanning accounting, insurance, and independent advisory, Greg shares his unique journey from CPA and institutional product management to building a successful fee-only RIA. The conversation dives into the lessons Greg has learned along the way—why simplicity and operational excellence are critical to client s...

In this insightful episode of RIA Collective, host Charlie Van Derven engages in a captivating conversation with Judd Allen of Judd Allen Financial and the ICG Group. They delve into Judd's strategic transition from a broad financial advisory role to mastering a niche within the automotive sector. Reflecting on his initial uncertainties and the transformative journey to becoming a specialist, Judd shares how his passion for cars and understanding of automotive professionals' unique financial nee...

In this compelling episode of RA Collective, host Charlie Van Derven welcomes Justin Stevens, co-founder of O'Keefe Stevens Advisory, based in Rochester, New York. Justin shares his unconventional journey into the financial services sector, starting from a pivotal internship that steered him away from pre-med to finance, inspired by a family friend's recommendation. Their conversation dives deep into Justin's early career experiences, working in a nurturing family-run business, and the invaluabl...

In this episode of RIA Collective, Charlie van der Ven welcomes Sarah Stanich of Cultivating Wealth, based in Montauk, New York. Transitioning from a vibrant marketing career to founding her own RIA, Sarah shares her journey through the early days of internet advertising, the .com crash, and eventually, the financial sector. Their conversation sheds light on the unique challenges and insights gained from transitioning to an independent financial advisor role, with a special focus on empowering w...

In this insightful episode of RIA Collective, host Charlie Van Derven engages in a thought-provoking conversation with guest Tyson Ray, the founding partner of Form Wealth Advisors. Urging a transition from a riches-focused mindset to a wealth-centered perspective, Tyson underscores the importance of nurturing total client relationships based on wealth, not just riches. Through anecdotes and experiences, Tyson details his journey in the finance industry, his transition towards total relationship...

In this episode of RIA Collective, host Charlie Van Derven invites Michael Rasmussen of United Atlantic Legal Services to share his expertise in aiding financial advisors in their transition to independent practices. Michael, with a background as a chief compliance officer and general counsel for various investment advisors, as well as experience as a regulator with FINRA, provides valuable insights into the complexities of starting an independent RIA. LinkedIn Website

In this episode of RIA Collective, host Charlie Van Derven sits down with Emily Haberkern of Evangelista & Associates to discuss the triumphs and trials of niche marketing within the financial advisory sector. Emily recounts her path to alignment with the firm's values and the unique approach to servicing university employees, emphasizing the importance of specialized knowledge and targeted service in a competitive industry. They tackle the topics of gender dynamics in finance and the benefits o...

In this episode of RIA Collective, host Charlie Van Derven sits down with Sam Kingston from Arch, a SaaS platform serving family offices and RIAs, to discuss the transition of financial advisors from large firms to independent practices. They cover the challenges of data aggregation and investment management for affluent clients, the benefits of early engagement with platforms like Arch, and the technological strides independent advisors are making to provide sophisticated services rivaling thos...

In this episode of RIA Collective, host Charlie Van Derven sits down with financial expert Anthony Mlachnik in a reflective conversation about the complexities and nuances of navigating client-focused transitions in the financial industry. Anthony shares his professional journey, emphasizing the importance of a meticulously professional approach and the virtues of patience in ensuring decisions align with clients' best interests. Anthony Mlachnik LinkedIn Website