Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Blueprint: An FPA NexGen® Podcast

In this episode of The Blueprint: An FPA NexGen® Podcast, we sit down with Caleb Brown, CFP®, CEO of New Planner Recruiting, practicing financial advisor, and adjunct faculty at the University of Georgia.

Caleb shares his unique journey from struggling new grad to becoming a leader in placing next-generation talent at fee-only RIAs.

We cover:

• How Caleb balances three careers at once
• Why the CFP® designation remains the gold standard
• Common mistakes job seekers and firm owners make during hiring
• What candidates should really look for in a first job (hint: it’s not just salary!)
• The evolving career paths in financial planning and why the RIA channel continues to grow

Whether you’re a student, career changer, or firm owner, this episode is packed with insights on career growth, practice management, and building a meaningful career in financial planning.

Connect with Caleb: New Planner Recruiting | New Planner Podcast

Listen in and get practical takeaways for your career in financial planning!

In this episode of The Blueprint: An FPA NexGen® Podcast, we sit down with Dominic Monk, CFP®, CIMA®, and partner at The Hedley Hoeger Group at Baird.

Dominic shares his journey from growing up without financial stability to becoming a leader in wealth management—and why he always knew he wanted to be a financial advisor.

We dive into:

• His early start in financial planning through Ohio University’s CFP® program
• The power of mentorship and intentional career planning
• His transition from client assistant to partner
• How his team integrates advanced planning and life coaching to serve high-net-worth families
• Why designations like the CFP®, CIMA®, and CPWA® have helped build confidence and credibility
• The reality of partnership—beyond the title

If you're thinking about ownership, building multi-generational relationships, or bringing more meaning to your planning process, this one’s for you.

In this episode, we’re joined by Landon Warmund, CFP®, CSLP® and 2025 FPA NexGen Chair.

Landon shares his journey from Kansas State student to building his own independent financial planning practice, with a focus on serving school district employees and navigating student loan planning. He discusses the early challenges of growing a book of business, including grassroots marketing, direct mail, and client education.

Landon also highlights his passion for developing student communities and broadening access to financial planning at schools without CFP® programs. He talks about the importance of being intentional with your time, leaning on your network, and creating space for balance through routines and personal interests like his local running club.

His commitment to thoughtful planning comes through clearly in this wide-ranging conversation.

On this episode of The Blueprint, hosts Deshawn Peterson and Mike Zarrelli sit down with Colin Day, CFP®, a Financial Planner at Mercer Advisors and active FPA leader. Colin opens up about his journey from working in banking to becoming a nationally recognized voice in the financial planning profession.

He shares his experiences navigating burnout, finding the courage to pivot, and discovering the power of vulnerability in both leadership and life.

Colin also discusses his role within FPA, his advocacy for mental health in the profession, and the importance of making room for authenticity in an industry that often favors polish over realness.

Whether you're a new planner figuring out your path or a veteran rethinking what success looks like, Colin’s story is a refreshing reminder that growth begins when you start showing up as yourself.

In this episode of The Blueprint, hosts Deshawn Peterson and Mike Zarrelli sit down with Paul Gaudio, CFP®, a client advisor at Crestwood Advisors and NexGen Chair of FPA New England.

Paul opens up about his early skepticism toward designations like the CFP®, how industry involvement shaped his career, and why taking out the trash at his first job helped him stand out. He shares reflections from FPA's Gathering, discusses the power of mentorship, and explores how staying “comfortably uncomfortable” fuels growth.

Plus, Paul talks about running marathons, prioritizing wellness, and building authentic connections in an industry that often defaults to networking over drinks.

Whether you're a student, a new planner, or someone looking to lead with purpose, Paul’s story is a reminder to stay curious, stay committed, and keep running toward the next big thing.

In this episode, hosts Deshawn Peterson and Mike Zarrelli sit down with Victoria O’Tool, a finance major and President of the FPA student chapter at the University of Alabama. Victoria shares her inspiring journey from being a self-described introvert to becoming a bold student leader and advocate for financial planning.

She discusses how solo travel and public speaking pushed her outside her comfort zone and into a growth mindset. Victoria details how she revitalized her FPA chapter—growing it from 15 members to 88 paid members in under a year—through strategic marketing, digital signage, speaker events, firm visits, and a robust mentorship program.

Victoria also opens up about her personal path to discovering financial planning through early conversations with her father, a military upbringing, and her relentless drive to make a meaningful impact in people’s lives. Her story illustrates the power of taking initiative, seeking mentorship, and embracing discomfort as a catalyst for personal and professional growth.

In this episode of The Blueprint: An FPA NexGen® Podcast, hosts Mike Zarrelli and Deshawn Peterson sit down with Noah Gay, Associate Advisor at Savant Wealth Management, to explore what it really looks like to launch a career in financial planning in 2025.

Noah shares his transition from a small-town community college student to a University of Illinois graduate, emphasizing the pivotal role mentorship played in discovering the financial planning profession. He reflects on the often-overlooked human side of the job—behavioral coaching, emotional support, and becoming a trusted resource for clients through life’s ups and downs.

Beyond the desk, Noah talks about how powerlifting with his wife helps him stay grounded and recharge during busy seasons, especially while preparing for the CFP® exam. His insights into time management, burnout prevention, and defining success on your own terms offer valuable takeaways for any next-gen advisor navigating the early stages of their career.

In this episode of The Blueprint: An FPA NexGen® Podcast, Mike and Deshawn sit down with Hannah Moore, CFP®, founder of Amplified Planning and creator of The Externship.

Hannah shares her journey, professional challenges, and the purpose behind her work.

You’ll hear about:

• How simple client conversations can have transformational impact
• Building scalable systems without losing human connection
• The burnout moment that changed everything
• Why the first five years in this profession matter most — and how we can do better

Whether you're looking to grow in your career, expand your impact, or support the next generation of planners, Hannah's story will leave you inspired.

Learn more about The Externship below:

amplifiedplanning.com/externship

#FPA #NextGen #FinancialPlanning #CareerJourney #FinancialWellness #TheBlueprintPodcast

In this episode of The Blueprint, hosts Mike Zarrelli and Deshawn Peterson sit down with Gloria Garcia-Cisneros, CFP®, a Wealth Manager at LourdMurray, to discuss her journey as a first-generation professional in the financial planning industry.

Gloria shares how her personal experiences shaped her career, from navigating personal finance as a first generation immigrant to becoming a CFP®. She opens up about overcoming imposter syndrome, building confidence, and finding mentorship in a male-dominated industry.

She also breaks down her career transitions across different-sized firms, the importance of social capital in professional growth, and how young advisors can advocate for themselves.

In this episode of The Blueprint: An FPA NexGen® Podcast, hosts Deshawn Peterson and Mike Zarrelli sit down with Alayna Woodall and Adam Taylor, two Virginia Tech seniors majoring in financial planning. They discuss their journey into the profession, their experiences with Virginia Tech’s Financial Planning program, and the mentorship and networking opportunities that helped shape their career paths. The conversation also dives into CFP exam prep, job hunting, internships, and the value of FPA Next Gen involvement. Ultimately, the episode takes an exciting turn where Alayna and Adam interview Mike and Deshawn with pressing questions from a student's perspective.

In today's episode of The Blueprint, we sit down with Cody Garrett, CFP®, a career changer whose journey from music to financial planning is spectacular to hear. Cody shares his insights on the transformative power of giving without expecting in return, drawing from one of his favorite books: The Go-Giver by Bob Burg. We dive into his passion for music—ranging from Motown gospel to big band jazz—and explore how these influences shape his personal and professional life. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about kindness, authenticity, and the rhythms that inspire Cody’s approach to life and financial planning.

In this episode of The Blueprint: An FPA NexGen® Podcast, hosts Deshawn Peterson and Mike Zarrelli are joined by Julie Johnson and Jack Heintzelman, two financial professionals passionate about fostering the next generation of advisors. The conversation delves into the importance of advocating for oneself, cultivating next-gen talent, and bridging the gap between seasoned professionals and emerging advisors. Julie shares her experiences as a former advisor turned coach, emphasizing the value of curiosity and collaboration in leadership. Jack recounts his journey into financial planning, highlighting how mentorship, continuous learning, and relationship-building have been crucial in his career development. Together, they explore strategies for firms to support young talent and the critical role of trust in client relationships.

Key themes include:

• The evolving landscape of financial advising.
• Building pathways for young professionals.
• The impact of mentorship and continuous professional growth.

In this episode of The Blueprint: An FPA NexGen® Podcast, hosts Deshawn Peterson and Mike Zarrelli sit down with Colin Overweg, founder and CEO of Advize Wealth Management, to explore his journey from insurance sales to establishing a successful independent advisory firm. Colin shares how his frustrations with outdated financial industry practices and clunky brokerage systems inspired him to launch a client-centric, technology-forward wealth management service.

Colin offers a candid look at the challenges he faced, including cashing out his 401(k) and moving back in with his parents to reduce costs as he built his firm from the ground up. He dives into his innovative flat-fee model, designed for high-income young professionals, and reflects on the unique difficulties of balancing client relationships with business operations.

Colin also discusses the power of content creation, sharing how platforms like TikTok have helped him connect with new clients and expand his reach. Looking forward, he's excited about the potential of online courses and other scalable services to make financial planning accessible to more people. Colin wraps up the episode with valuable advice for aspiring financial planners: follow your curiosity, stay authentic, and never stop learning.

In this episode of The Blueprint, Deshawn Peterson and Mike Zarrelli chat with Kimberly Mamaril of Los Olas Capital Advisors about her career journey and lessons learned along the way. Kim highlights the importance of betting on yourself, especially when you consider that others are betting on you as well. She discusses her vision to elevate the financial planning profession to the level of doctors and lawyers, pushing the industry upward. Kim also opens up about her personal story, including how she passed the CFP® exam only to be let go from her firm the next day, proving that career paths aren't always linear—but believing in yourself can pave the way for future success.

In this episode of The BluePrint: An FPA NexGen® Podcast, we’re excited to have Blake Pinyan, CFP®, EA, and 2024 President of FPA NexGen, as our guest. As a financial planner at Anchor Bay Capital and a dedicated leader in the NexGen community, Blake offers a unique blend of professional expertise and a passion for fostering growth in the financial planning profession.

Blake shares his journey, insights into his leadership vision for FPA NexGen, and what it means to create meaningful change in the industry. He also encourages listeners to take bold steps, offering the key message of putting yourself out there. You don't have to have all the answers. Growth comes from stepping into opportunities, embracing challenges, and learning as you go.

Whether you’re an emerging planner or a seasoned professional, this episode is full of actionable advice on leadership, growth, and making an impact in the financial planning space. Don’t miss it!

In this captivating episode of The Blueprint: An FPA NexGen® Podcast, we are excited to host Jolisa Gonzalez, a visionary Latina professional who is making significant strides in the financial industry.

Jolisa talks about the importance of pro bono work and her relationship with SER - an organization that focuses on supporting, educating, and recharging individuals in the latino community through the power of financial planning.

In addition to her research and professional contributions, Jolisa reveals her role in creating engaging video content for her firm. She explains how video has become a powerful tool for communicating complex financial concepts, connecting with clients, and enhancing the firm’s outreach efforts. Jolisa shares her experiences and strategies for producing high-quality, informative videos that resonate with a diverse audience.

Throughout the episode, Jolisa also reflects on how her Latino heritage shapes her approach to both her professional work and content creation. She emphasizes the importance of diversity and representation in financial communications and the role of multimedia in making finance more accessible and engaging.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into the intersection of finance, research, and digital media. Tune in to learn how Jolisa Gonzalez is leveraging her skills and background to drive innovation in financial services and reach a broader audience through compelling video content.

In our final installment of the "FPA NexGen® Gathering" series, check out Nichole Graham, our 2024 NexGen Gathering Co-Chair, as she ask questions from the audience for Michael Kitces.

Join us for the third installment of the "FPA NexGen Gathering" series, as Riley Saunders steps from behind the booth to interview attendees of Gathering, specifically those that are 2nd generation financial planners. 

Riley is a second generation CFP® and wants to uncover how other 2nd generation financial planners navigate having family in the business. 

At the top of the video, Riley speaks with Deshawn Peterson about lessons learned from both his father and figures outside of the financial planning industry.

Later, Chris Wise discusses the impact on his life when it came to passive family financial socialization, the ripple effect of keeping finances one-sided in a partnership, and the importance of having grit in the world of personal finance.

Eliana Carrier shares her holistic approach to financial planning, balancing personal authenticity with professional customs, and the unique experience of attending conferences with her father.

Jason Kane offers career guidance for those with relatives in the industry, highlighting the benefits of broadening one's professional perspective by gaining experience with different companies, rather than just following in a relative's footsteps.

Amanda Diaz speaks on the need to set boundaries at work with her Mom, the importance of making financial planning accessible to a younger clientele, and embracing authenticity at your practice.

Allyson Flournoy reflects on her Mom's resilience while studying for the CFP®, her own "full circle" moment, and how her friends' successes are a source of inspiration in her life.

Join Mike and Deshawn as they sit down with students who are studying financial planning at their respective universities.

In today's episode, you will find our second issue of the "FPA NexGen® Gathering" series. Deshawn and Mike were lucky enough to meet students who were willing to share their unique perspectives that come from being new to the field of financial planning. Whether it's the importance of finding a mentor in your career, why they chose to be in the field of financial planning, or the lessons obtained by attending FPA's NexGen® Gathering conference, you won't want to miss this episode.

These students truly are the next generation!

In today's episode of The Blueprint: An FPA NexGen® podcast, we get to hear first hand from attendees of FPA's NexGen® Gathering conference.

Deshawn and Mike sit down with several financial planners from all over the country and ask a few questions on why they decided to go to Gathering, what shaped their views towards finance, and why community or "finding your tribe" is critical towards forward progress in your career.

Further reflections from attendees dove into the lessons they have already retained while at NexGen® Gathering and what they plan to carry over to their respective firms.

We are dividing all our interviews from the conference into four parts, to be gradually released every day this week, as part of the "FPA NexGen® Gathering" series.

In this engaging episode of The Blueprint: An FPA NexGen® Podcast, we sit down with Lizbeth G. Menjivar-Muñoz, an Investment Consultant at Fidelity. Lizbeth masterfully juggles the demanding world of finance with the joys and challenges of motherhood.

Lizbeth opens up about her journey into the financial sector, sharing how she carved out her path in a competitive industry and what motivates her to excel at her role.

Lizbeth shares heartfelt anecdotes about the balancing act of managing her career while being a devoted mother. Lizbeth discusses the strategies she employs to maintain a healthy work-life balance, how she navigates the complexities of working in a high-stakes field while ensuring quality time with her family, and the personal growth she’s experienced through these dual roles.

Listeners will find inspiration in Lizbeth’s ability to merge career success with personal fulfillment. Her practical advice and candid reflections provide a valuable perspective for anyone striving to harmonize professional ambitions with family life.

Tune in for an episode full of insights, personal stories, and practical tips on managing the delicate balance between a demanding career and a fulfilling home life.

Welcome to "The Blueprint: An FPA NexGen® Podcast," where hosts Deshawn Peterson, CFP® and Mike Zarrelli, CFP®, EA, invite you into the dynamic world of financial planning.

In the intro episode, they share their vision for the podcast: a platform to explore the journeys and experiences of the next generation of financial planners.

Mike and Deshawn dive into their own personal stories, emphasize the podcast's mission to inspire, and educate listeners through candid conversations.

Mike and Deshawn also speak with Riley Saunders, CFP®, the podcast's producer. They highlight his role in creating content and fostering meaningful discussions that resonate with both aspiring and established financial planners. 

In this trailer episode, listen as our co-host, Mike Zarrelli, CFP®, EA, details what he hopes to achieve by starting a new podcast with FPA NexGen®.