New Planner Podcast

What if you could experience multiple financial planning firms, real client meetings, and industry experts all in one internship? In this episode, Hannah Moore, CEO of Guiding Wealth Management and creator of the Amplified Planning Externship, shares how a unique program started during the pandemic and quickly grew into one of the most recognized learning experiences for aspiring financial planners. Listen in to learn how the Externship works, what participants actually do during the eight-week program, and why the community and real-world exposure make such a big impact on career direction. You'll learn who the Externship is for, what skills participants develop, and what to expect this year in terms of timing, pricing, and registration. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/727erpwe

What happens when your career doesn't go according to plan? Today, James Conole and Erin Varghese join the show to share their very different paths into the financial planning profession. They talk about career setbacks, getting fired, starting over, and ultimately finding the right firm and culture to grow their careers. Listen in to learn how Erin transitioned from banking into financial planning, why starting at a small RIA can accelerate your learning, and how James went from being fired to starting his own firm from scratch. You'll also hear what it takes to build a strong company culture, attract top talent, and embrace imposter syndrome to become a better advisor. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/yxa685fy

What does it really take to leave a stable, high-level career and start over in financial planning? In this episode, Lisa Schaefer shares her journey from working in public policy to becoming a financial advisor. You'll learn how mentorship played a critical role in her transition, why starting with the Series 65 helped her test the waters, and how she navigated the uncertainty of breaking into a completely new industry. Listen in as Lisa opens up about the realities of taking a pay cut, working in a high-pressure, commission-based environment, and ultimately finding the right firm fit that prioritized mentorship and long-term growth. You'll hear about the pivotal moments that helped her make the leap and get practical insights for anyone considering a career change into financial planning. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/bdz8p7dm

How do you build confidence and a successful advisory business when you're just starting in financial planning? In this episode, financial planner Landon Warmund shares his journey into the profession, from growing up with a father who was a financial planner to developing his own path in the industry. You'll learn how an early curiosity about money, a chance discovery of a CFP program in college, and a willingness to put in the reps helped Landon begin building his own client base shortly after graduation. Listen in to hear how he found traction by focusing on a niche serving teachers, nonprofit employees, and clients navigating specific retirement plans, as well as the challenges he faced during his first few years in the business. Landon also opens up about how long it took to feel confident in client conversations, why professional communities played such a pivotal role in his growth, and why helping clients achieve loan forgiveness has become one of the most rewarding parts of his work. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/2mb7vp72

What would make someone walk away from a 21-year engineering career and a good salary to start a financial planning business from scratch? In this episode, Aubrey Williams of Open Path Financial opens up about the personal and professional journey that led him to leave engineering and pursue financial planning full-time. You'll learn how his role gradually shifted from technical work to management and financial decision-making, sparking an interest in personal finance that would ultimately change his career path. Listen in as Aubrey explains how a difficult life transition pushed him to educate himself about money, which eventually led him to help others in similar situations. He walks through the steps he took to launch his firm—including starting as a financial coach while still working full-time, building a client base from scratch, and finding his niche within communities of engineers and DIY investors. He also shares how speaking at events, creating content, and embracing an advice-only hourly model helped him grow his practice to $20K per month in revenue, and why combining the emotional side of money with clear financial guidance can truly change people's lives. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/3k3jd64r

What happens when a retired military officer and his son decide to build a financial planning firm together and do it their own way? In this episode, Joe and Spencer Turkal, co-founders of Sierra Hotel Financial, share how they transitioned from the insurance channel to launching an independent firm aligned with their long-term philosophy and values. You'll learn how they evaluated their next move, divided responsibilities based on complementary strengths, and built a client experience rooted in clarity and structure. They also break down how they charge, their three-meeting planning process, the tools they use, and why they chose to remain a virtual firm serving military families. This conversation is packed with insights on succession, adaptability, client acquisition, and how contrasting strengths can become a competitive advantage. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/3abyz4p6

Tamsie Black, Annie Gray, and Marianne Alamos are recent graduates who have stepped into their first full-time financial planning roles at Wealthway Financial Advisors, and they join the show today to share their journeys into the profession. If you're interested in navigating the transition from student to professional, building confidence early, and preparing for the CFP exam, this episode is for you! Listen in as Tamsie, Annie, and Marianne talk about how each of them discovered financial planning, why they chose it as a career, what excites them most about the profession, and what drew them to Wealthway. You'll hear about gaining early exposure to client meetings and building confidence, CFP study processes and exam goals, and managing the shift from college to full-time work. They also offer practical advice for new planners just starting in the profession. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4aDpAEd

Brennon Holleb is a Financial Planning and Wealth Management student at Virginia Tech, and he joins the show today to share why he chose to pursue a career in financial planning. If you're interested in how to intentionally prepare for a financial planning career from the very beginning, or what top students are doing to stand out in today's competitive hiring landscape, this episode is for you! Listen in as Brennon shares how his grandparents introduced him to saving, investing, and the stock market—even arranging a meeting with their financial advisor when he was just 13. You'll learn why he chose to pursue the Virginia Tech financial planning program, the intentional steps he's taking to become a strong entry-level candidate, what he hopes to find in a full-time role after graduation, and his advice for other aspiring planners. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3Mt0Pm9

Matt Higbie is the Managing Director of Birchwood Capital, and he joins the show today to talk about his transition from investment banking to financial planning. If you're interested in what it takes to pivot into financial planning from a high-demand field, navigate a major pay cut, or build your skills in a fully virtual advisory model, this episode is for you! Listen in as Matt shares how he began his career in investment banking before realizing he wanted a more client-centered path, ultimately leveraging his network to secure his first financial planning role—even while taking a significant pay cut to make the transition. You'll hear what his early responsibilities looked like, how he learned the business, and the benefits and drawbacks of developing as an advisor entirely in a virtual environment. Matt also opens up about the challenges he's faced over the past year and how he's preparing himself for continued growth and long-term success. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4rCnAmQ

Robert Jeter is the owner of Back Bay Financial Planning & Investments, and he joins the show today to talk about his career journey to becoming a financial planner and firm owner. If you're interested in understanding how to navigate career decisions, grow within a firm, or eventually make the leap to starting your own, this episode is for you. Listen in as Robert shares how he first became interested in financial planning while in college, what he hoped to find in his first job, and how he convinced his parents that the profession was far different from the stockbroker stereotype. He also talks about beginning his career in a specific channel, finding early success, leveraging mentors, and ultimately working his way up to partner in an existing firm before deciding to leave and launch his own. You'll hear how he now gives back to the profession and practical tips for new planners entering the field. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4bkex4Z

David Tenerelli is a financial advisor at Values Added Financial, and he joins the show today to share his transition from middle school band director to a career in financial planning. You'll hear about his pivotal decision to leave after 10 years for a new opportunity, why—despite his experience—he chose not to start his own firm, and what ultimately shaped his path forward. Listen in as David talks about how he discovered his passion for personal finance early on, yet initially dismissed financial planning as a career because of the sales-driven stereotype often associated with advisors. You'll hear how he eventually embraced the idea of becoming a CFP, landed his first position, developed his technical and client-facing skills, and advanced within his firm. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4sJpof0

Sten Morgan is the Founder of Legacy Investment Planning and the Elite Advisor Network, and he joins the show to share his journey to becoming a firm owner. If you're interested in what it really takes to find your place in the profession, build a thriving firm, and expand your impact through leadership and coaching, this episode is for you. Listen in as Sten opens up about why he began his career as an intern in the insurance channel, what kept him there for so many years, and what prompted a search for the right fit across several firms. You'll hear how he came to the decision to start his own firm, how he grew the business, and the mistakes he made along the way. Sten also shares why he launched a coaching network, as well as how it helps other advisors streamline their path to success. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4qNDxWA

Travis Hibbard is a financial advisor at Fiduciary Financial Advisors, and he joins the show to share his transition from engineer to financial advisor after 18 years in a large manufacturing company. If you're interested in making a mid-career transition, leveraging financial independence to create flexibility, or understanding the real-world decisions involved in starting a firm, this episode is for you. Listen in as Travis shares how guidance from his mother, a financial planner, set him on a path toward financial independence and made his transition into the profession smoother. He also walks through the key decisions involved in launching his own firm—including choosing the right channel and operating structure—along with the pros and cons of his setup, how he found clients, and key lessons he learned along the way. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4qh3MVv

Emily Koochel is the Manager of Financial Wellness at eMoney Advisor, and she joins the show to share how she found her way in the financial planning world. If you're interested in exploring non-linear career paths in financial planning, blending education and technology, or understanding how fintech is shaping the future of the profession, this episode is for you. Listen in as Emily shares how she was drawn to financial planning for its blend of numbers and people, and how a mentor encouraged her to pursue a master's degree before starting her career at a small firm. She also talks about becoming increasingly interested in the relational side of the profession, which led her to earn another degree and spend time teaching in a CFP program. You'll hear about her current role in fintech, where she helps firms scale through technology, and her thoughts on where fintech is headed next. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/45d8laU

Andrew Sivertsen is a shareholder and Senior Financial Planner at The Planning Center, Inc., and he joins the show today to share how he found financial planning through one of his siblings and has never looked back. If you're interested in discovering financial planning through a non-traditional path, balancing work and CFP coursework, or growing into ownership and leadership within a firm, this episode is for you! Listen in as Andrew shares how he began his career studying biology before finding his way into financial planning by following in his brother's footsteps. You'll hear how he started in a part-time role, transitioned to full-time work, and balanced going back to school while earning his CFP designation. Andrew also reflects on developing both technical and client-facing skills, becoming a shareholder, and how he now gives back by mentoring newer planners at his firm. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4q5Hnu2

Mark Hansen is a financial advisor at Second Comma, and he rejoins the show today to talk about the ups and downs he has experienced—and how he has shifted his business—since last being on the show two years ago. If you're interested in strengthening your value proposition, reducing client churn, or learning from the real-world lessons of an advisor-turned-entrepreneur, this episode is for you! Listen in as Mark shares how a period of losing clients pushed him to change his business model, hire a coach, and get hyper-clear on his value proposition and service offering. He also opens up about the lessons he learned through the decisions he made, including the mistakes that contributed to an unsustainably high churn rate. Don't miss hearing key insights from Mark's entrepreneurial journey, as well as what any business owner can take away from the challenges he faced and the growth that followed. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/48zziYI