Managing Your Practice

What role should marketing play in the growth of a modern advisory business? In this episode, Dimensional's Head of Practice Management, Catherine Williams, sits down with Lauren Hong, founder and CEO of Out & About Communications and host of The Out & About Podcast, and Megan Carpenter, co-founder and CEO of Ficomm Partners and host of Growth Leaders of Wealth Management Podcast, to explore how branding, communications, and strategy intersect in today's evolving financial advisory landscape. They discuss the importance of developing an authentic brand, aligning marketing initiatives with broader business goals, and balancing emerging tools like artificial intelligence with the relationship-driven nature of financial advice. The conversation also covers practical considerations for advisors, including how to evaluate outsourcing, the role of testimonials under new regulations from the Securities and Exchange Commission, the role of marketing in mergers and acquisitions, and how firms can strategically allocate resources to support long-term growth.

How can advisors better meet their clients' needs and preferences when it comes to insurance and annuities? In the first episode of a new miniseries exploring the key services advisors can offer to strengthen their practice, Head of Practice Management Catherine Williams sits down with DPL Financial Partners Founder and CEO David Lau. They discuss what DPL is doing in the insurance space, dispel common misconceptions about annuities, and challenge advisors to think more critically about how these tools fit into a holistic client offering.

What's really driving mergers and acquisitions in the financial advice industry today? In this episode, Dimensional's Head of Practice Management, Catherine Williams, is joined by Chris Frieden and Brian Hamburger for a conversation on M&A, succession planning, and the role of outside capital in the industry. They unpack how buyer expectations are evolving, why preparation matters long before a transaction, and where firm owners can create or protect long-term value. The discussion offers practical perspective for advisors thinking about growth, transition, or independence in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Cue the podcast takeover! In this year-end roundtable, Dimensional Practice Management Regional Directors Stephen de Man, Livia Ramirez, Mark Colaço, and Peter Wozniak share the top practice management themes and advisor insights from 2025. Covering human capital, operations, and firm growth, the team highlights what resonated most with advisors this year and closes with a forward-looking conversation on what to prioritize heading into 2026.

Dave Butler, Co-CEO of Dimensional Fund Advisors, is a longtime leader who helped formalize his firm’s guiding principles. He discusses crafting inclusive principles during rapid growth. He explains how principles shape culture, enable autonomy, guide M&A realignments, and strengthen intergenerational dialogue and client trust.

Join Dr. Suzanne Peterson, a partner at CRA | Admired Leadership and a leadership researcher with over 20 years of experience, as she reveals the secrets behind admired leaders. Discover the key behaviors that foster trust and engagement within organizations. She argues leadership can be learned by anyone through authentic choices and effective communication. Tune in to explore how 'fanship' inspires followership, the balance between talent and skill in hiring, and practical tips for developing future leaders.

Dave Alison is the President of Prosperity Capital Advisors and CEO of Alison Wealth Management, while Ian Karnell is the CEO and co-founder of VastAdvisor.ai, specializing in AI for financial advisors. They delve into how AI reshapes financial advisory, enhancing productivity and client relations. Discover practical AI applications, from improving client acquisition and compliance to reducing advisor workload. They also discuss the importance of governance and retaining the human touch in client relationships amidst technological advancements.

Jill Schlesinger, an Emmy-award winning business analyst for CBS News and author of The Great Money Reset, shares her insights on navigating career pivots. She discusses the emotional and financial aspects of change, emphasizing the importance of empathy and trust in advisor-client relationships. Jill reflects on her transition from financial advisor to media expert and explores how the pandemic reshaped workplace dynamics. Listeners gain valuable strategies for achieving financial independence and meaningful reinvention, making it a must-listen for anyone considering change.

Join Aaron Hasler, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of SkyView Partners, and Matt Crow, CEO of Mercer Capital, as they dive into the intricate world of advisory firm succession. They tackle financing options and the essential generational dynamics that shape successful transitions. From debunking myths to highlighting strategic insights, the conversation reveals how early planning and clear communication can pave the way for lasting legacies. Discover the emotional and financial complexities involved in nurturing future leaders and making internal successions work.

Catherine Williams sits down with Mark Sparvell, author of Good Brain Bad Brain and head of social learning initiatives at Microsoft. Together, they explore the neuroscience behind leadership, emotional intelligence, and the human capacity to thrive amid stress and change. Catherine and Mark discuss how understanding the brain's survival wiring—and learning how to reframe stress—can unlock motivation, improve firm culture, and foster better decision-making as firms face time and capacity constraints.