Explore every episode of the podcast The Next Level Advisor

In this episode of The Next Level Advisor, Ed brings together expert guests Steve Sussel, Managing Director at Marshall Stevens, and Mike Sorenson, Director of Institutional Relationships, to discuss the imminent 2026 tax sunset and its impact on estate planning. With time running out before a 50% reduction in the estate tax exemption, they share insights on recent rulings like Connelly vs. US and how business owners can avoid the rush and prepare for these sweeping changes. Learn why acting now is critical, as 2025 brings urgency and 2026 could present an estate planning emergency.

Curious about the future of life insurance policy reviews? 

In the latest episode of The Next Level Advisor, Ed sits down with Barry Flagg, the inventor and founder of Veralytic, to discuss how his groundbreaking approach is revolutionizing life insurance policy reviews. Together, they explore the evolution of this process and how Veralytic is changing the industry from the inside out.

On this episode of The Next Level Advisor Podcast, Ed Morales is joined by the team at NextPoint Financial to discuss how advisors can use leverage to maximize their clients' opportunities. Through their unique approach to premium financing, estate planning, and risk mitigation, they help advisors transform their approach to complex planning.

The way your clients approach long-term care coverage could mean the difference between a life of security, and one of uncertainty and risk.

In our latest episode of the Next Level Advisor Podcast, we sit down with long-term care specialist Virginia Barausky to discuss the critical importance of incorporating long-term care planning into your clients' financial strategies.

Tom Worthington has worked with countless advisors and business owners to help them save on taxes. Today, he shares some key insights into one of the most valuable strategies he employs: cash balance plans. Both advisors and business owners will walk away from this conversation understanding why cash balance plans are such a powerful tool for tax savings.

Why do business owners need estate planning? What's at stake, and what are the opportunities? 

We're joined again by Andrew Weinhaus on The Next Level Advisor Podcast as he shares about the value of estate planning for business owners in 2024. 

How does an organization disrupt an industry? Today on The Next Level Advisor Podcast, we're joined by Jason Borek, Chief Growth Officer of The Pinnacle Group. Hear him share how Pinnacle's unique approach to the industry has reshaped the way many advisors do business.

Today we're joined by Scott McHenry, President and Chief Actuary of McHenry Advisors, as he shares about the power of cash balance plans. If you're an advisor with business owners who are looking for tax savings, this is a strategy you need to be aware of.

On today's episode of The Next Level Advisor, we're joined by Morgan Christiansen, VP of Distribution at The Pinnacle Group. Morgan has worked with countless advisors to provide them with invaluable insight into the annuity marketplace, and today, he's here to pass that insight on to our listeners.

What should advisors know about family limited partnerships?

Andy Weinhaus, a leading estate planning attorney, joins us to answer that question and many more. Learn how he works with Pinnacle's advanced planning team to help advisors provide crucial family limited partnership planning for their clients in preparation for the 2026 estate tax sunset.

Change is on the horizon -- are business owners ready? Today on the Next Level Advisor Podcast, we're joined by Steven Susel, Managing Partner of Marshall & Stevens Incorporated, a leading business valuation firm, as he shares some crucial insight into how business owners can set themselves up for success when positioning the value of their business from an Estate Tax perspective. 

On today's episode, hosted by Edgar Morales, we hear from Andrew Weinhaus, who is counsel to NextPoint Solutions and the managing member of The Law Office of Andrew Weinhaus. Andrew brings over three decades of expertise to the table, with a laser focus on estate planning, tax strategies, and business succession for closely held entities. 

In the discussion, Andrew shares some key reasons why estate planning is such a critical (and timely) topic for financial advisors today. Tune into our discussion to get an insider's look at one of the most important topics in today's financial landscape. 

On this week's episode of The Next Level Advisor, we hear firsthand how a simple annuity appraisal from the Pinnacle team can uncover some incredible opportunities. Our host, Morgan Christiansen, is joined by Dave Fastenberg, Pinnacle's business consultant, as he shares his personal experience with the appraisal process and the impact it made on his retirement income.

With harsher quarantine measures upon us once more, now is a good time to revisit strategies for keeping connected with clients and coworkers alike. Morgan Christiansen, Pinnacle's VP of Retirement Services, joins James Slaughter, founder of Sierra Ridge, to discuss how the latter maintained connections through innovative virtual methods.

When you're dealing with something as sensitive as estate planning, it's crucial that all parties involved are on the same page. On this week's episode, estate planning attorney Stephanie Prestridge emphasizes the importance of the estate planning attorney and advisor working together for the benefit of their clients, and outlines the ways in which she promotes transparency and collaboration in her own practice.

The term "genuine connection" is thrown around a lot in the financial services industry, but what does it mean to actually have one with your clients? Jennifer Lee, founder of Modern-Wealth, discusses the personal motivations that drive her approach to financial advising, exploring how building relationships from a perspective of empathy creates a solid foundation for planning opportunities.

What's the purpose behind the work we do as advisors? For Greg Hammond, author, financial coach, and co-founder of Hammond Iles Wealth Advisors, the notion of a "purpose" goes far beyond just establishing a goal; instead, his version of "purpose" focuses on the larger impact he can make on the lives of others - and what drives value in his own life. Hear Greg discuss the importance of finding the purpose behind your practice, as well as how you can extend the notion of purpose to empower your clients' financial decisions.

What are the benefits of starting an independent firm? On this week's episode, Jason sits down with the founders of Insurance Planning Advisors to discuss the factors that influenced the four of them to form an independent firm, covering everything from core values to work philosophy.

George Thompson's virtual prospecting strategies go far beyond typical advice. In this week's episode, he walks us through his holistic methods for growing your business and creating an environment designed for success.

It's official: we're all living in the "new normal" - so what's next? Barry Fadely, founder of Madison Financial Strategies, discusses how his practice has made the move to a virtual setting, and gives valuable insight on how identifying a niche clientele - in his case, first responders - can create new business opportunities.

In a virtual marketplace, there's no such thing as the "accidental customer;" every connection you make with clients is very intentional, and that means your brand needs to be as well. Terri Trespicio, a Manhattan branding specialist, shares tips for making sure your messaging is relevant, timely, and sensitive in a radically changed environment.

In today's environment, what strategies are going to make a lasting difference in your clients' lives? Chris Puffer, a well-established advisor from Louisville, shares his unique approach to tax diversification and how it's created unparalleled opportunities in his practice. He also shares how his team has taken advantage of the virtual environment to grow their business and connect with clients.

Brad Ewing, a financial advisor from Baton Rouge, had many reservations about premium financing - and his concerns were well-deserved. But soon after discovering a conservative, secure approach to the controversial strategy, he landed one of the largest cases in his career. Hear his discussion with Jason Borek, Chief Distribution of the Pinnacle Group, as he shares how he moved from skepticism to success.

For over thirty years, Paul Pillion, President of BPP & Associates and Pinnacle Branch Manager, has worked alongside business owners in the executive benefits space. He knows the questions to ask and the strategies to implement, but most importantly, he knows that creating good relationships is the key to effective planning. Listen to his conversation with Jason Borek, Chief Distribution Officer of The Pinnacle Group, as they discuss how you can leverage your relationships when talking to your business-owner clients.

As an advisor, you work in an industry that is filled to the brim with opportunities to expand your offerings through collaboration. But when it comes to networking, where do you start? Hear our discussion with Lawrence Adamo, a successful advisor from California, as he shares how he's grown his business through the diverse strategic partnerships he's formed. He'll be joined in the conversation by Jason Borek of The Pinnacle Group, who will share how you can implement a similar strategy to begin networking.

If you have business owner clients who took out SBA loans, there are critical next steps they may need to make. Jason Borek, Chief Distribution Officer of the Pinnacle Group, speaks with Doug Mueller, President of Mueller Prost, as he shares how his team can provide much-needed guidance in these times.