In this episode of Advisor Talk, Frank LaRosa sits down with Joe Greco, Director of Elite Advisor Successions, for a candid and in-depth look at what’s really happening across the M&A landscape as we move into 2026. With deal volume reaching record highs and consolidation reshaping the broker-dealer world, advisors are facing critical decisions about succession, valuation, and long-term strategy. Frank and Joe break down why the current environment is creating urgency - yet also unprecedented opportunity - for advisors who prepare early and understand how buyers are evaluating practices. They discuss the rising interest in dual monetization, the risks advisors often overlook in partial PE sales, and the emotional hurdles that frequently derail deals at the finish line.

In this episode of Advisor Talk, Frank LaRosa sits down with Matt Hicken of Bill Good Marketing for a deep dive into one of the most misunderstood topics in the industry: the difference between branding and marketing - and why advisors need both. Matt breaks down what a brand actually is (hint: it’s what your market thinks and feels about you), how advisors can shape that perception with intention, and why marketing is the communication engine that carries your message forward. Together, Frank and Matt explore how brand identity, messaging, and consistency work together to help advisors show up clearly in a crowded landscape.

In this Advisor Talk episode, Brian Lutz and Sue Cheema break down one of the most overlooked advantages advisors have today: truly leveraging social CRM to listen, engage, and convert in a modern, data-driven world. Drawing from real examples and decades spent navigating the evolution of social platforms, Brian and Sue explain how today’s conversations across LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, and beyond can become powerful sources of insight - not just noise. They discuss how to differentiate “insights” from actionable insights, how sentiment analysis can validate strategic decisions, and how hyper-personalized outreach dramatically increases conversion.

In this episode of Advisor Talk, host Frank LaRosa sits down with Brian Mora, Senior Vice President of Experienced Advisor Recruiting at Ameriprise Financial, for a candid discussion that challenges outdated perceptions of one of the industry’s fastest-growing firms. From its roots as American Express Financial Advisors to its evolution into a 2025 powerhouse, Brian walks through how Ameriprise transformed through two decades of investment in technology, culture, and advisor support. He and Frank unpack what’s really behind Ameriprise’s momentum - why advisors are joining in record numbers, how its integrated tech stack drives 11% average organic growth, and what makes the firm’s ramp-up experience different from the rest.

In this episode of Advisor Talk, Brian Lutz, Chief Marketing Officer of Elite Consulting Partners, sits down with Sue Cheema, Chief Information Officer of Elite Consulting Partners and JEDI Database Solutions, for a lively debate on whether generative AI is truly the next big bet in financial services - or if advisors should proceed with caution. From ChatGPT and Gemini to custom-built systems like Elite's Genie, Brian and Sue break down how AI is already reshaping the way advisors ideate, automate, and scale their practices. They explore compliance challenges, data integrity, prompt engineering, and the evolving trust dynamic between human advisors and machine learning models.

In this milestone 250th episode of Advisor Talk, Frank LaRosa and co-host Stacey Frank take a look back at how it all started - from recording in Frank’s office with a single camera and a pair of Marshalls chairs to hosting some of the biggest names in the financial-services industry. They discuss the timeless conversations that shaped Advisor Talk - including W-2 vs. 1099, succession planning, private equity, and the rise of AI and data-driven business decisions - while reflecting on lessons learned, funny behind-the-scenes stories, and how authenticity continues to drive the show’s success. Frank and Stacey also look ahead to the next 250 episodes with new guests and fresh topics.

Welcome to a Hot Mic bonus episode of Advisor Talk with Frank LaRosa, featuring Frank and Stacey in an unfiltered conversation about the uncomfortable truths behind business growth.

In the third installment of our Raymond James investment-banking series, host Frank LaRosa brings together Ken Grider (Senior Managing Director, Raymond James Investment Banking) and a roundtable of Raymond James advisors - Lisa Detanna, Zac Hersman, Ryan Bass, Will Deupree, Cody Hilbun, and Mike Tutcher - to share how they’re practically weaving investment-banking capabilities into their wealth practices.

In Part 2 of this Advisor Talk conversation, Frank LaRosa and Ken Grider dive deeper into the IBex education program and the Masterclass initiative that help Raymond James advisors learn to speak the language of business owners. Frank and Ken also share real-world success stories, revealing how advisors who embraced this model saw major increases in revenue and client satisfaction. Whether you’re a seasoned independent or an advisor exploring new ways to grow, this episode shows how to integrate investment banking insight into your client strategy.

In this episode of Advisor Talk, Frank LaRosa, CEO of Elite Consulting Partners, sits down with Ken Grider, Senior Managing Director, Investment Banking at Raymond James, to explore how financial advisors can bridge the gap between wealth management and investment banking. From cultural insights within Raymond James to the evolution of their advisor-banker collaboration model, this conversation is a roadmap for advisors looking to scale their practices and serve business-owner clients more effectively.

In this episode of Advisor Talk, Executive VP of Sales Stacey Frank and Chief Information Officer Sue Cheema explore how financial advisors can turn their data into one of their most powerful growth tools. From optimizing your tech stack to improving client retention, they break down how JEDI Database Solutions helps advisors and RIAs enhance every stage of the customer journey - from initial lead to lasting loyalty. Stacey and Sue discuss why CRM systems are far more than digital filing cabinets, and how automation, data hygiene, and consistent client communication directly impact both client experience and firm valuation. Whether you’re building your business or preparing for succession, this episode reveals how using data strategically can deepen relationships, streamline operations, and future-proof your firm for long-term success.

In this episode of Advisor Talk, Frank LaRosa speaks with Rob Sechan, CEO and Co-Founder of NewEdge Wealth, about the evolution of the independent advisor model. With more than $72 billion in assets serviced (as of June 30, 2025) across NewEdge Capital Group, NewEdge has become a platform that attracts experienced advisors serving high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients.

In this episode of Advisor Talk, Brian Lutz, Chief Marketing Officer at Elite Consulting Partners, sits down with Angela Wolf, founder of Angela Wolf Video, to explore how financial advisors can use video to strengthen trust, boost engagement, and enhance their brand visibility online. Angela shares expert insights on how video fits into today’s digital marketing ecosystem - from short-form social clips to high-production brand videos - and offers actionable advice for advisors ready to bring their message to life.

Financial advisors, are hidden constraints preventing your practice from scaling? In this episode of Advisor Talk, Frank LaRosa is joined by Jon Randall, Founder & CEO of eXtraordinary Coaching, to break down the three biggest constraints holding advisors back from growth: capacity, revenue per client, and lack of quality new clients. From rethinking capacity beyond the owner, to raising the floor on client minimums, to positioning advisory services for true profitability, Jon and Frank share real-world insights on how the most successful practices scale from $1M to $10M+ in revenue.

Financial advisors, are you overlooking one of the most powerful tools to truly understand your clients - sentiment analysis? In this episode of Advisor Talk, Brian Lutz, Chief Marketing Officer of Elite Consulting Partners, is joined by Sue Cheema, Chief Information Officer of JEDI Database Solutions, to explore how AI, natural language processing, and social CRM are transforming the way advisors measure client engagement, brand perception, and competitive positioning. From analyzing emotions in client emails to tracking online conversations around your firm, to uncovering the real drivers of loyalty and retention, this discussion reveals why sentiment analysis may be the hidden advantage in building deeper client relationships and stronger practices.

Financial advisors, are you stuck managing a “book of business” instead of building a real business? In this episode of Advisor Talk, Frank LaRosa is joined by Duncan MacPherson, Founder & CEO of Pareto Systems, to unpack how the Pareto Principle (80/20 Rule) and the Blue Square Method can help advisors elevate client experience, increase enterprise value, and embrace the future with confidence. From resetting relationships during a transition, to strengthening fee worthiness, to understanding how AI will liberate - not replace - advisors, this conversation provides the playbook for breaking plateaus and building long-term sustainability.

Financial advisors, is your CRM setting you up for growth - or holding your business back? In this episode of Advisor Talk, Jim Primiani, Chief Technology Officer, and Sue Cheema, Chief Information Officer at Elite Consulting Partners, break down how to future-proof your CRM and tech stack. From scalability and system adoption to AI integration and data hygiene, they explain why treating your CRM as a true data warehouse can boost efficiency, improve valuations, and prepare your firm for both growth and succession. You’ll also hear how “Elite Genie,” their AI-powered tool, is helping advisors make faster, smarter decisions.

Financial advisors, are you wondering if there’s ever a “perfect” time to leave your firm? In this episode of Advisor Talk, Frank LaRosa and Stacey Frank break down the timing of advisor transitions - from Q4 planning and client schedules to deferred comp and firm incentives. They share why the myth of a “perfect” time often holds advisors back, and how to evaluate your clients’ lives, your personal calendar, and firm offers when deciding to move. You’ll also hear real stories of advisors who used holiday parties, summer barbecues, and other creative strategies to successfully announce their transition.

Financial advisors, are you overwhelmed by too many technology options? In this episode of Advisor Talk: JEDI Series, Vince Leto, Director of RIA Consulting, and Sue Cheema, Chief Information Officer of JEDI Database Solutions, break down how custodial partnerships, CRM systems, and data hygiene can transform RIA practices. From simplifying tech stacks to boosting valuations through better integrations, this conversation shows why the right technology strategy is critical for advisor growth and succession planning.

Financial advisors, are you considering a transition? Too many advisors get misled by inflated recruiting deal numbers and vague promises. In this episode of Advisor Talk, Frank LaRosa and Stacey Frank break down how to negotiate financial advisor transitions the right way. Whether you’re weighing a move, negotiating with multiple firms, or just trying to understand the real economics behind a transition, this conversation breaks down why the right information (not the biggest number) is critical for long-term success.