The Psychology of Prospecting: How VRGL Helps Advisors Win More Clients

On this episode of the Modern Financial Advisor Podcast, Mike Langford welcomes Kyle Zasky, the new CEO of VRGL, for his first-ever podcast appearance. The two dive deep into why so many advisors struggle with client acquisition and how VRGL’s proposal and analytics platform is designed to change that. Kyle shares candid insights on the emotional hurdles advisors and prospects face, the importance of establishing trust quickly, and why tools that demonstrate value before conversion are the future of advisor growth. They also explore: Why most advisors are stuck in a comfort zone that limits growthThe “organ rejection” risk for new CEOs and how Kyle overcame itHow AI is both exciting and anxiety-inducing for advisorsWhy great advisors are part portfolio strategist, part therapist Whether you’re an advisor looking to sharpen your edge or a wealth management exec planning for scalable growth, this conversation delivers actionable perspective on what it takes to thrive in the modern RIA landscape. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 01:19 Guest Introduction: Kyle Zasky 01:52 The Human Element in Financial Advice 03:27 Kyle's Journey to CEO of VRGL 08:20 Building Trust and Rapport 14:15 VRGL's Role in Client Acquisition 24:53 The Psychology of Financial Advising 30:55 Psychology of Financial Advisors 31:56 Addressing the Shortage of Financial Advisors 32:38 Reaching Younger Demographics 33:06 Expanding Financial Services Downstream 36:07 The Role of AI in Financial Advisory 38:50 The Importance of Human Touch in Financial Advisory 40:55 Building a Sustainable Financial Advisory Career 50:02 Navigating the FinTech Landscape 55:24 Future of Financial Advisory 01:00:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Redefining Advisor Growth: Dan Zitting on Eliminating Friction and Building Client Confidence

Join Mike Langford in this eye-opening episode of the Modern Financial Advisor Podcast as he chats with Dan Zitting, CEO of Nitrogen Wealth, formerly Riskalyze. They discuss the evolving landscape of financial advising, emphasizing the importance of a strong digital presence, the role of AI in enhancing advisor-client interactions, and actionable strategies to tackle slow organic growth in the industry. Dan offers fresh perspectives from his software and tech background, sharing insights on reducing advisor friction, leveraging AI for better client meetings, and the necessity of adapting sales motions for younger generations. Key Themes: The strategy behind Riskalyze’s rebrand to NitrogenUsing Net Promoter Score (NPS) to measure advisor successWhy risk tolerance is more than just age-based assumptionsHow AI and agentic workflows are transforming client meetingsRethinking referrals, sales motion, and digital trust building Don’t miss this engaging conversation on how modern advisors can deliver clarity, confidence, and scalable growth in an ever-evolving landscape. Chapters: 00:00 Understanding Modern Sales Motion 00:43 Introduction to the Podcast 02:14 Conversation with Dan Zitting Begins 03:13 Rebranding from Riskalyze to Nitrogen 06:10 Challenges and Opportunities in Wealth Management 15:48 The Importance of Digital Presence 22:32 Adapting to Changing Client Behaviors 30:53 Injecting Value into Client Conversations 31:47 Understanding Client Risk and Confidence 33:14 The Importance of Advisor-Client Relationships 36:11 Engaging the Next Generation of Clients 38:59 Realistic Risk Communication 48:35 AI and the Future of Financial Advising 53:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

From Dumb Money to Dynamic Insights – How Pebble is Reinventing Portfolio Conversations with AI

In this episode of the Modern Financial Advisor Podcast, Mike Langford is joined by Justin Whitehead, Co-Founder and CEO of Pebble Finance, for a deep dive into one of the most compelling use cases of AI in wealth management. Justin shares how a personal investing misstep in China sparked the idea for Pebble, and how his team is transforming the way advisors communicate portfolio insights with clients. From translating complex data into plain-English narratives to helping advisors deliver family-office-level service at scale, Pebble is redefining what it means to be truly client-centric. If you’ve been eye-rolling at yet another “AI-powered” solution, this one will make you rethink everything. Key themes: Why most portfolio reports fall flat—and how Pebble brings them to lifeHow AI can bridge the ignorance gap and strengthen client trustWhy the future of wealth management will be won at the retail levelThe overlooked power of dynamic, advisor-branded newslettersHow Pebble helps scale personalized conversations—without compliance headaches Whether you’re a financial advisor, wealth exec, or fintech innovator, this conversation is packed with practical insights and big-picture thinking you won’t want to miss. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 01:22 Guest Introduction: Justin Whitehead 01:50 The Evolution of Video Conferencing 03:29 AI in Financial Advisory: Pebble Finance 03:52 The Pandemic's Impact on Retail Investing 05:27 Justin's Personal Investment Story 11:25 Challenges in Financial Advisory 12:43 The Role of Technology in Financial Advisory 23:24 Understanding Pebble's Approach 31:30 Exploring Dynamic Newsletters for Advisors 33:29 AI in Financial Advisory: Compliance and Innovation 34:37 Ensuring Data Privacy and Compliance 39:52 Challenges and Strategies for Technology Adoption 52:38 The Future of Wealth Management 01:01:56 Closing Thoughts and Farewell

Why Serving Business Owners is the Secret Sauce to Building a Vibrant Wealth Management Firm

In this illuminating episode of the Modern Financial Advisor Podcast, host Mike Langford sits down with Jason Early, CEO of RISR, to discuss how targeting business owners can massively elevate a financial advisor's practice. The discussion covers why treating a privately held business as just another asset is a missed opportunity, and how business owners, who control a significant portion of private wealth, are an untapped client segment. Learn how RISR's technology helps advisors understand and manage the complexities of business owner clients, moving beyond typical financial advice to drive substantial assets under management and deliver significant value. Don't miss the actionable insights on succession planning, risk management, and leveraging the unique needs of business owners to grow your advisory business. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Financial Advisors and Business Assets 00:34 Welcome to the Modern Financial Advisor Podcast 00:38 Introducing Jason Early and RISR 02:24 Myth Busting: Business Owners and Wealth 04:25 The Complexity of Business Owners' Financial Needs 05:21 The Evolution of Financial Planning 06:34 The Importance of Comprehensive Financial Advice 07:54 Connecting with Business Owners 10:35 The Role of Financial Advisors in Business Succession Planning 13:00 Understanding the Business Owner's Perspective 16:26 The Riches in Niches Strategy 24:07 The Confidence and Competence Gap 28:49 Blue Oceans vs. Red Oceans 29:30 The Importance of Tools for Business Advisors 29:55 How RISR Works for Advisors 30:58 Financial and Qualitative Insights for Business Owners 33:02 The Growing Trend of Private Company Ownership 38:51 Advisors' Role in Business Succession and Exit Planning 47:19 The Complexity and Opportunity of Working with Business Owners 51:04 The Rise of Solopreneurs 53:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Why a Financial Advisor’s CRM Choice May Be Much More Important Than Which Broker-Dealer They Choose

In this episode of the Modern Financial Advisor Podcast, host Mike Langford is joined by Adrian Johnstone, CEO of Practifi, to discuss the pivotal role of CRM systems in financial advisory firms. They explore the debate between the importance of custodial systems versus CRMs, emphasizing the value of maintaining rich client relationships. The discussion also covers the concept of viewing technology as an investment rather than an expense, the scalability of CRM systems, and the potential future of AI in the industry. Perfect for advisors looking to gain insights on leveraging technology to enhance their client relationships and operational efficiency. Chapters: 00:00 The Debate: Custodial System vs. CRM 00:44 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 01:53 The Importance of Client Relationships 04:24 The Role of CRM in Client Records 17:15 Technology Adoption in Financial Advisory 25:37 The Value of Technology in Financial Services 26:18 Technology as an Investment, Not an Expense 27:06 Maximizing Technology's Potential 32:14 The Future of Technology in Financial Advisory 34:23 Human Connection in the Age of Technology 40:41 Scalability and Integration in Financial Technology 51:44 The Importance of Standardized Integration 54:04 Conclusion and Final Thoughts