

The Perfect RIA
Matthew Jarvis, CFP® & Micah Shilanski, CFP®
Welcome to The Perfect RIA podcast, the ultimate resource for advisors who want to master time management, optimize advisor-client interactions, achieve unparalleled profitability, and maximize value in their practice. Hosted by industry experts Matthew Jarvis, CFP®, and Micah Shilanski, CFP®, this podcast is your blueprint for success.
Matthew and Micah don't talk theory; they share what has worked for them in the real world. They cut through the noise to deliver practical advice that you can implement immediately so you can make the most of your time—allowing you to spend more of it outside the office.
Whether you're a seasoned advisor or just starting out, The Perfect RIA podcast equips you with the tools and knowledge you need to excel. Tune in and transform your advisory practice into a powerhouse of success.
Matthew and Micah don't talk theory; they share what has worked for them in the real world. They cut through the noise to deliver practical advice that you can implement immediately so you can make the most of your time—allowing you to spend more of it outside the office.
Whether you're a seasoned advisor or just starting out, The Perfect RIA podcast equips you with the tools and knowledge you need to excel. Tune in and transform your advisory practice into a powerhouse of success.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 26, 2026 • 33min
Understanding Growth Metrics in a Bull Market With Michael Belluomini and Liam Heffernan
Liam Heffernan, a Carson Wealth leader focused on integration, due diligence, and talent retention. Michael Belluomini, a Carson Wealth executive who shaped coaching and M&A strategy. They discuss equity swaps and minority-stake deals. They dig into culture-first acquisitions, separating net-new asset growth from market gains, and practical diligence steps for smooth transitions.

Mar 23, 2026 • 29min
Encore Episode: You Are Only Cheating Yourself
Matt and Micah are exploring the pivotal role of robust processes in enhancing the effectiveness of financial advisors. They challenge the conventional wisdom that efficiency alone leads to success, advocating instead for a more nuanced approach. The duo delves into the dangers of skipping critical steps, the impact of emotional attachment on decision-making, and the importance of maintaining objectivity in practice management. They emphasize how these factors can significantly influence the success and growth of a financial advisory practice. Throughout the discussion, Matt and Micah stress the importance of diligence, critical analysis, and unwavering accountability for financial advisors. They provide insights on harnessing the power of strategic deadline-setting and intentional calendar planning to drive practices forward. The conversation also touches on the need for continuous refinement and adaptation of processes as practices evolve. Encore Episode: You Are Only Cheating Yourself Resources in today's episode: - Micah Shilanski: Website | LinkedIn - Matt Jarvis: Website | LinkedIn - Learn More about our Coaching Programs

Mar 19, 2026 • 31min
From Struggle to Seven Figures: Aaron Schmerling's Journey
In this episode of the TPR podcast, host Matthew Jarvis interviews Aaron Schmerling, a successful financial advisor who shares his journey from struggling in the industry to achieving significant growth and success. Aaron discusses the importance of financial planning, the challenges of client retention, and the necessity of implementing systems to enhance client relationships. He emphasizes the value of being uncomfortable in order to grow, the significance of delivering value to clients, and the benefits of specializing in a niche market. Aaron also talks about his prospecting efforts, building a team, and the process of tearing down and rebuilding his practice to ensure continued growth. He concludes with a commitment to launch a podcast aimed at serving the international community. From Struggle to Seven Figures: Aaron Schmerling's Journey Resources in today's episode: Resources: - Matt Jarvis: Website | LinkedIn - Aaron Schmerling: Website | LinkedIn - Learn More about our Coaching Programs

Mar 16, 2026 • 25min
Encore Episode: When Value Adds Go Wrong
Two advisors recount mishaps that turned well-intended value adds into logistical nightmares. They dig into timing, data quality, and outsourcing errors that cost credibility. Practical planning topics include team capacity, calendar timelines, and testing materials internally. They also stress plain language, useful personalization, and copying proven formats that actually get results.

Mar 12, 2026 • 27min
The Future of Financial Advisory Practices With Scott DiGiammarino
Scott DiGiammarino, advisor and dealmaker at J.P. Partners who structures liquidity events and advises on practice valuation. He discusses how buyers strip out market growth to judge true performance. He explains what makes a practice sellable and why organic growth, product mix, and systems drive higher multiples. They also cover generational transitions, hiring challenges, and creative deal structures.

Mar 9, 2026 • 32min
Encore Episode: The Perfect Surge Dates
In this episode, Jamie discusses the concept and implementation of Surge, as well as when is the most appropriate time for Surge meetings. Surge is a time-blocking strategy that allows advisors to optimize their schedules and deliver value to clients. Jamie shares the origins of Surge and how it has evolved over the years within their office. She's also sharing a detailed surge schedule that includes specific months for surge periods based on when it works best for the client and allows them to be at their best. Encore Episode: The Perfect Surge Dates

Mar 5, 2026 • 31min
Maximizing Productivity with AI and Delegation With Kyle Willis
Kyle Willis, VP of Growth at Belay and delegation expert, explains blending AI tools with human assistants to boost productivity. He outlines hands-on workflows where AI captures notes and assistants prioritize and follow up. The conversation highlights training, trust-building, phased handoffs, and practical routines that make delegation reliable and scalable.

Mar 2, 2026 • 31min
It's The End Of The World… What Do We Do? [Episode 349]
They tackle frantic clients wanting to move to cash after doomsday newsletters. They cover when email fails and why picking up the phone matters. They explain how to prep calls, use opening scripts, and probe for emotional roots. They discuss aligning advice with clients' goals and validating extreme fears while finding practical options.

Feb 23, 2026 • 28min
Why Every Advisor Needs to Create Content [Episode 348]
In this episode, Micah and Matthew discuss the critical role of content creation for financial advisors. They emphasize that all advisors produce content, but the best ones have systems in place to utilize it effectively. The conversation covers the importance of internal training, overcoming barriers to content creation, and the necessity of consistency and iteration in building a content library. They also highlight the significance of engaging with clients through content and provide actionable steps for new advisors to start creating their own content. Why Every Advisor Needs to Create Content [Episode 348] Resources in today's episode: Resources - Micah Shilanski: Website | LinkedIn - Matt Jarvis: Website | LinkedIn - Learn More about our Coaching Programs

Feb 19, 2026 • 27min
The Ethics of Business Transitions With Brian Hanks
Brian Hanks, founder of Dental Buyer Advocates and author on buying dental practices. He discusses transparency during business transitions and why honesty with staff protects goodwill. He explains why brokers hide sales and offers practical phrasing to inform teams. He also talks about using books to attract clients and the discipline needed to succeed in business.


