Explore every episode of the podcast Beyond Referrals
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Decline of Institutional Trust and the Rise of Personal Brand w/ Kristoff Hart | Beyond Referrals Episode 20 | 29 Jul 2026 | 01:11:14 | |
IN THIS CONVERSATION, YOU'LL LEARN:
Kristoff Hart is the founder of bellhart. and one of the most differentiated voices on trust, creativity, and digital presence for high trust service professionals. He has worked at the highest levels of media and marketing, The Chosen, House of David, Warner Music Group, Bruno Mars, and brings that outside-in perspective to finance, legal, real estate, and accounting. Learn more at kristoffhart.com or hightrustcreative.com. Connect with Kristoff on LinkedIn or Instagram at @kristoffhart. Also check out Kristoff's newsletter. Connect more with Emily: Want to be on the show or nominate someone? Reach out to hello@wonderlabstrategy.com | |||
| The Old Playbook Is Dead, Next Gen Advisors Are Building Differently w/ Mando Sallavanti | Beyond Referrals Episode 19 | 22 Jul 2026 | 00:54:02 | |
IN THIS CONVERSATION, YOU'LL LEARN:
Mando Sallavanti III is a CFP® and CEPA® and the founder of Freedom Path Wealth. He is one of the top 25 planning fee producers at MassMutual, has built a 50,000+ LinkedIn following, and serves a nationwide client base of high-earning sales professionals and entrepreneurs. He also runs Followers to Fact Finders, a coaching community where he teaches advisors the exact strategies that built his practice - he’s built all of this in his 20’s. Learn more about Followers to Fact Finders at followerstofactfinders.com/checkout To connect with Mando, find him on LinkedIn. Connect more with Emily: Want to be on the show or nominate someone? Reach out to hello@wonderlabstrategy.com | |||
| Behind the Scenes of $4.5B LiveWell Capital w/ Ben Beshear | Beyond Referrals Episode 10 | 20 May 2026 | 00:46:02 | |
IN THIS CONVERSATION, YOU'LL LEARN:
Ben Beshear is the founder of LiveWell Capital, a $4.5 billion AUM ensemble firm operating across 15 cities and one of the strongest brands built within Northwestern Mutual. He started at NM as an intern in 1999 and has spent the last two decades building something that goes far beyond a book of business. To connect with Ben, find him on LinkedIn. Connect more with Emily: Want to be on the show or nominate someone? Reach out to hello@wonderlabstrategy.com | |||
| Turn Presence Into a Business Superpower w/ Kurt Kersey | Beyond Referrals Episode 9 | 13 May 2026 | 00:49:16 | |
In this conversation you’ll learn:
Kurt Kersey is a speaker, coach, and connector known for his ability to make everyone in the room feel like the most important person in it. He has built real authority, credibility, and deep relationships everywhere he goes, through intentionality, presence, and a genuine commitment to putting other people first. To connect with Kurt, reach out to him on LinkedIn. Connect more with Emily: Want to be on the show or nominate someone? Reach out to hello@wonderlabstrategy.com | |||
| The Most Impactful Strategy on Referrals You’ll Ever Hear w/ Dan Allison | Beyond Referrals E8 | 06 May 2026 | 00:52:13 | |
In this conversation, you'll learn:
Dan Allison is the founder of Feedback Marketing Group and one of the most sought-after voices on organic growth and referral psychology in the financial services industry. He's keynoted over 1,000 conventions on six continents and trained hundreds of thousands of advisors worldwide. Before financial services, Dan co-founded a mental health company serving children in crisis, scaling it to 75 facilities and hundreds of employees in five years through organic referrals alone, before an eight-figure exit. That experience gave him a ground-level understanding of why people actually refer, which became the foundation of his work. His new book, The Organic Growth Revolution, is out now. Grab it here. To connect with Dan, reach out to him on LinkedIn. Connect more with Emily: Want to be on the show or nominate someone? Reach out to hello@wonderlabstrategy.com | |||
| Build an Asset, not a Book of Business w/ Nathan Donohue | Beyond Referrals E7 | 29 Apr 2026 | 00:47:46 | |
In this conversation, you'll learn:
Nathan Donohue is the founder of Sonoran Ridge Capital, a private investment firm focused on acquiring and operating niche service businesses. He previously built Consilio Wealth Advisors into one of the fastest-growing independent RIAs, scaling to approximately $500M in AUM through organic growth alone before a successful exit in 2025. Most recently, he served as Founding Go-To-Market Lead at Vitals AI, an advisor intelligence platform providing practice benchmarking and data visibility for financial advisors. Nathan is an active member of Entrepreneurs' Organization, where he has served on the board as both MyEO Chair and Forum Chair. He brings a builder's perspective to entrepreneurship through acquisition, having lived both sides of buying, building, and exiting businesses. To connect with Nathan, reach out to him on LinkedIn or visit the Sonoran Ridge Capital website. Connect more with Emily: Want to be on the show or nominate someone? Reach out to hello@wonderlabstrategy.com | |||
| How Advisors Are Winning With Video w/ Nate Hoskin | Beyond Referrals E6 | 22 Apr 2026 | 00:50:12 | |
Video marketing can create incredible results and build trust at scale. In this episode, Emily sits down with Nate Hoskin to talk about what actually makes video work, why so much content falls flat, and how to show up in a way that feels natural and builds real trust. In this conversation, you'll learn: -Why video and content are part of your fiduciary duty as an advisor -What separates the advisors who fall flat from those who see success with video (it's not what you think) -Why genuine intent and strategy are the most critical pieces of a content strategy -Business advice we don't subscribe to Nate Hoskin is a CFP® and the CEO and co-founder of SageContent, the all-in-one video content platform for financial advisors. He started his own RIA at 22 during COVID and built it entirely through short-form video, with zero traditional selling. Today, he has 250,000 followers and over 200 million views across social media. He's been named to Investopedia's Top 100 Most Influential Financial Advisors, won Wealth Management's Rising Star of the Year, and made Inno Colorado's 25 Under 25. At SageContent, he and his co-founder Nick Meyer are building the tech and coaching stack that helps advisors build trust at scale with video, the same playbook Nate used to build his own firm from nothing. To connect with Nate and his team, reach out to him on LinkedIn or visit the SageContent website. Connect more with Emily: -Free Advisor Brand Assessment Want to be on the show or nominate someone? Reach out to hello@wonderlabstrategy.com | |||
| The most important business decision you'll make this year | Beyond Referrals E5 | 15 Apr 2026 | 00:12:30 | |
Learn why selecting a niche is crucial for business growth. Discover actionable steps to define your niche and attract the right clients. In this conversation, you'll learn: - Why most advisors struggle to choose a niche and what it’s actually costing them - How to identify a niche that aligns with your experience, relationships, and market demand - The difference between competing for clients and attracting the right ones - How clearer positioning leads to stronger messaging and better-fit clients - Why trying to serve everyone is usually what’s holding your growth back Connect more with Emily: -Free Advisor Brand Assessment Want to be on the show or nominate someone? Reach out to hello@wonderlabstrategy.com | |||
| The Hidden Costs of Referral Only Growth | Beyond Referrals E4 | 06 Apr 2026 | 00:15:43 | |
Discover the hidden costs of relying solely on referrals for business growth. Learn why a diversified approach is crucial for sustainable success. In this conversation, you'll learn: - Why referrals feel like growth but can quietly create inconsistency behind the scenes - How relying only on referrals puts your positioning and messaging out of your control - The real reason your client base can feel scattered or misaligned - The difference between passive growth and intentional growth, and why you need both - Simple ways to start taking control of who you attract and how your business grows Connect more with Emily: -Free Advisor Brand Assessment Want to be on the show or nominate someone? Reach out to hello@wonderlabstrategy.com | |||
| AI is giving your clients personalized, intelligent advice. Now what? | Beyond Referrals E3 | 06 Apr 2026 | 00:22:07 | |
Discover how AI is reshaping the advisor-client relationship and what that means for financial advisors. Learn to adapt and thrive in the new landscape. In this conversation, you'll learn: - How AI is already changing the way clients think, research, and show up to conversations - Why access to information is no longer where advisors create value - What clients actually need from advisors in an AI-driven world - How to shift from giving generic advice to offering deeper, more strategic guidance - Why staying visible and clearly positioned matters more than ever Connect more with Emily: -Free Advisor Brand Assessment -Emily's YouTube Channel Want to be on the show or nominate someone? Reach out to hello@wonderlabstrategy.com | |||
| The Widening Competitive Gap | Beyond Referrals E2 | 06 Apr 2026 | 00:19:35 | |
Emily discusses the critical need for financial advisors to adapt to AI, digital visibility, and niching to stay competitive in the evolving wealth management industry. She highlights the widening gap between those who embrace change and those who don't, offering practical steps to future-proof your practice. In this conversation, you'll learn: - Why a gap is forming between advisors who adapt and those who don’t - How AI is shifting your role from information provider to strategic guide - Why specialization is becoming non-negotiable for growth - The real impact your digital presence has on attracting the right clients - What to focus on now to stay competitive in a changing market Connect more with Emily: -Free Advisor Brand Assessment -Emily's YouTube Channel Want to be on the show or nominate someone? Reach out to hello@wonderlabstrategy.com | |||
| Welcome to Beyond Referrals | Beyond Referrals E1 | 06 Apr 2026 | 00:15:39 | |
Emily explores how the traditional referral-based growth model in client service firms is becoming obsolete in the digital age. She discusses strategies for adapting to industry disruption, leveraging digital marketing, and building trust in a hyper-connected world. In this conversation, you'll learn: - Why the traditional referral-driven growth model is starting to break down- How client expectations have shifted in a digital-first world- What today’s clients actually look for before they ever reach out- Why relying only on relationships is no longer enough to stay competitive- The key shifts needed to build trust and grow in today’s environment Connect more with Emily: -Free Advisor Brand Assessment -Emily's YouTube Channel Want to be on the show or nominate someone? Reach out to hello@wonderlabstrategy.com | |||
| Content That Converts: How Advisors Turn Posts Into Pipeline w/ Patrick Di Cesare | Beyond Referrals Episode 18 | 15 Jul 2026 | 00:52:43 | |
IN THIS CONVERSATION, YOU'LL LEARN:
Patrick Di Cesare was a firefighter who started posting personal finance content during COVID because he genuinely cared about it. That content went viral. He built a brand called Basic Financial Literacy to over 600,000 followers and caught the attention of NerdWallet, QuickBooks, ADP, and Intuit, not for logo placements but for marketing strategy. That's how BFL Advisor Marketing was born. To connect with Patrick, find him on Instagram at @basicfinancialliteracy or on LinkedIn. Connect more with Emily: Want to be on the show or nominate someone? Reach out to hello@wonderlabstrategy.com | |||
| Episode Trailer | 30 Mar 2026 | 00:03:48 | |
You used to build your business on referrals. The world is different now. Beyond Referrals is a space for leaders rethinking growth, trust, and strategy, so they can build firms with greater leverage, clarity, and long-term relevance that endure today and into the next generation. Connect more with Emily: -Free Advisor Brand Assessment -Emily's Instagram -Emily's YouTube Channel -Wonderlab Strategy Want to be on the show or nominate someone? Reach out to hello@wonderlabstrategy.com | |||
| Back to Basics: The Habits, Mindset and Disciplines That Build Lasting Success w/ Dave Resseguie | Beyond Referrals Episode 17 | 08 Jul 2026 | 00:59:05 | |
IN THIS CONVERSATION, YOU'LL LEARN:
Dave Resseguie is the founder of The Resseguie Group and one of the most impactful voices in financial services leadership. He has worked with managing partners, managing directors, and advisors across his career, and the stories of people who return to him years later to say "I'm here because of you" are the measure of what he has built. To connect with Dave, find him on LinkedIn or visit The Resseguie Group. Connect more with Emily: Want to be on the show or nominate someone? Reach out to hello@wonderlabstrategy.com | |||
| Win at Home FIRST: The Message Every High Achiever Needs to Hear w/ Cory Carlson | Beyond Referrals Episode 16 | 01 Jul 2026 | 00:52:25 | |
IN THIS CONVERSATION, YOU'LL LEARN:
Cory Carlson is the author of two bestselling books. Win at Home First was named by Forbes as one of the seven books everyone on your team should read. Rise and Go is a practical guide to getting back up quicker after life's challenges. He hosts the Win at Home First podcast, ranked in the top 1.5% globally, and co-founded RISE, a nationwide community of 100+ male business leaders committed to excelling at work and at home. Learn more at corymcarlson.com or connect with Cory on LinkedIn. Connect more with Emily: Want to be on the show or nominate someone? Reach out to hello@wonderlabstrategy.com | |||
| Trust Your Intuition & Build Something Big w/ COO of The Chosen Adam Swerdlow | Beyond Referrals Episode 15 | 24 Jun 2026 | 00:43:39 | |
IN THIS CONVERSATION, YOU'LL LEARN:
Adam Swerdlow started his career selling copiers, became a financial advisor at Northwestern Mutual where he built a successful book of business, co-founded a training and coaching company for financial advisors that was eventually acquired, then served as Chief Operating Officer of The Chosen, the most watched Christian TV series in history. Today he runs Alpine Consulting as a fractional COO for growth-stage organizations. To connect with Adam, find him on LinkedIn or visit Alpine Consulting. Connect more with Emily: Want to be on the show or nominate someone? Reach out to hello@wonderlabstrategy.com | |||
| Know Your Identity & Grow Your Business w/ David DeCelle | Beyond Referrals Episode 14 | 17 Jun 2026 | 00:47:54 | |
IN THIS CONVERSATION, YOU'LL LEARN:
David DeCelle is the CEO of Model FA and co-founder and CEO of WealthReach. He has consulted with firms representing over $400 billion in AUM and is co-author of The Organic Growth Revolution alongside Dan Allison. To connect with David, find him on LinkedIn. Learn more about The Model FA and WealthReach. 📖 David’s Book: The Organic Growth Revolution is a must-read for advisors → grab your copy here Connect more with Emily: Want to be on the show or nominate someone? Reach out to hello@wonderlabstrategy.com | |||
| What's Coming with Advisor Talent and How to Prepare w/ McCall Fen | Beyond Referrals Episode 13 | 10 Jun 2026 | 00:49:43 | |
IN THIS CONVERSATION, YOU'LL LEARN:
This episode is especially valuable for managing directors, managing partners, recruiters, and leadership offices responsible for developing advisor talent. McCall Fen is the founder of Growth Suite Consulting, a recruiting and talent firm specializing in financial services. She has built a reputation for bringing exceptionally strong candidates to firms across the industry, and for helping firm leaders think more intentionally about culture, retention, and the talent landscape ahead. To connect with McCall, find her on LinkedIn. Connect more with Emily: Want to be on the show or nominate someone? Reach out to hello@wonderlabstrategy.com | |||
| Why You’re Not Winning on LinkedIn w/ LinkedIn Ghostwriter Evan Kuterbach | Beyond Referrals Episode 12 | 03 Jun 2026 | 00:51:53 | |
IN THIS CONVERSATION, YOU'LL LEARN:
Evan Kuterbach is a LinkedIn strategist and entrepreneur who helps business owners turn their LinkedIn presence into real pipeline and revenue. He's generated over $80K for a single client in four months and has accumulated over 200 million views across his content. To connect with Evan, find him on LinkedIn and his website. Connect more with Emily: Want to be on the show or nominate someone? Reach out to hello@wonderlabstrategy.com | |||
| Unfiltered Entrepreneurship Pt. 1: What I'm Learning Building Wonderlab | Beyond Referrals Episode 11 | 27 May 2026 | 00:32:35 | |
IN THIS EPISODE:
No guest this week, just Emily, a mic, and an unscripted Q&A format that turned into part lessons, part honest storytelling, part therapy. This is the first installment of what will be an ongoing Unfiltered Entrepreneurship series. Connect more with Emily: Want to be on the show or nominate someone? Reach out to hello@wonderlabstrategy.com | |||