Tag: Financial Advocacy
Mastering the Art of Listening with Matt Halloran (Ep. 40)

Mastering the Art of Listening with Matt Halloran (Ep. 40)

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What if you could transform your conversations by simply listening more?

In this episode, Greg DuPont flips the script and welcomes his usual host, Matt Halloran, as the guest of honor. Matt has dedicated years to mastering the art of listening and shares insights from his new book on how we can better connect with others.

In this rich discussion, Matt delves into the epidemic of loneliness exacerbated by digital living, revealing how engaged listening can help bridge gaps in human connection. Discover practical techniques like the “dramatic pause” that you can apply today to improve your communication skills and make others feel truly heard.

Matt and Greg discuss: 

  • (02:01) The epidemic of loneliness and its origins
  • (05:21) Techniques for engaged listening and their impact on relationships
  • (07:50) The power of “holding space” during conversations
  • (10:00) How listening can transform sales and professional interactions
  • (16:00) The science behind why humans need connection
  • And more

Tune in for a conversation that might just change the way you communicate, both personally and professionally.

Resources: 

Connect with Greg DuPont:

Connect With Matt Halloran:

About Our Guest:

Matt Halloran is a co-founder and chief relationship officer at ProudMouth, the world’s leading influence accelerator for financial advisors. Matt is an in-demand speaker who has appeared on over 1,000 podcasts and given hundreds of speeches. He hosts ProudMouth’s Top Advisor Marketing Podcast, where he and industry leaders empower advisors to become trusted, recognized authorities. Matt is the author of The Social Media Handbook for Financial Advisors, the first social media book for financial services. His latest book, “Shut the F Up and Listen,” is available now!

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Defined Benefit Plans: A Secret Weapon for Small Business Owners with Brad Barlow (Ep. 39)

Defined Benefit Plans: A Secret Weapon for Small Business Owners with Brad Barlow (Ep. 39)

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What if your financial future could change in ways you never imagined?

In this episode, Greg DuPont sits down with Brad Barlow, an actuary and “secret weapon” for business owners. They delve into the world of defined benefit plans and how these often-overlooked tools can be game-changers for people who’ve built a thriving business and now find themselves catching up on retirement savings. Greg and Brad explore the surprising flexibility and potential tax benefits these plans offer, particularly for small business owners and independent contractors. Learn how Brad transitioned from a Fortune 500 consultant to a specialized advisor helping folks maximize their retirement savings quickly and efficiently. This episode digs into specifics, including the mechanics of plan setup and the financial advantages that come with savvy retirement planning.

Greg and Brad discuss:

  • (5:12) How defined benefit plans can be beneficial for business owners
  • (8:20) Recent changes in pension law that benefit smaller plan sponsors
  • (12:45) The interplay between investment strategies and contribution limits
  • (24:20)Unique applications of defined plans for diverse professional profiles
  • And more

Connect with Greg DuPont:

Connect With Brad Barlow:

About Our Guest:

Bradford Barlow, Jr., FSA, EA

With over 20 years of experience as a successful actuary and retirement plan consultant, “Brad” Barlow is well-versed in the financial services industry.

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Evolving Investment Landscapes: Are You Ready for the 21st Century? (Ep. 38)

Evolving Investment Landscapes: Are You Ready for the 21st Century? (Ep. 38)

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Are you investing like it’s still the 20th century or have you embraced the new approaches of the 21st century?

In this episode, Greg DuPont talks about the transformation of investment practices and the evolving financial landscape. He challenges the outdated norms of passive investing and introduces listeners to emerging opportunities in private equity, real estate, and the evolving crypto sphere. Through insightful discussions, Greg highlights the potential risks of conventional approaches and advocates for strategies that can better navigate today’s tumultuous markets.

Greg discusses: 

  • (03:25) The transformation of market structures and its implications
  • (09:33) The rise of private equity and its impacts
  • (13:27) Navigating private debt opportunities
  • (18:37) A fresh perspective on cryptocurrency
  • (20:45) Opening meaningful conversations as a financial advocate
  • And more

It’s time to consider rethinking your investment strategies. Tune in and explore pathways to financial growth and resilience.

Resources: 

Connect with Greg DuPont:

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Understanding How to Plan for Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) (Ep. 34)

Understanding How to Plan for Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) (Ep. 34)

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Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are a crucial and essential aspect of retirement planning, yet how they work is an often misunderstood concept.

How do RMDs impact your financial strategy, and what can you do to manage them effectively? Are there ways that attorneys can better serve their clients by understanding the nuances of RMDs?

In this episode, host Greg DuPont defines and explains the concept of RMDs, their significance, and strategies for managing them effectively to benefit your financial plan. He emphasizes the importance of proactive planning in order to take these payments into account and not be surprised later down the line. He also unpacks the important role of attorneys in educating and in guiding their clients through these financial decisions.

Greg discusses: 

  • Definition and Importance: What RMDs are and why they matter in retirement planning
  • Tax Implications: How RMDs affect taxable income and the potential for higher tax brackets in retirement
  • Strategies for Management: Options like Roth conversions and other methods to minimize tax impact
  • Role of Attorneys: How estate planning attorneys can help clients navigate RMDs and improve their financial outcomes
  • And more!

 

Connect with Greg DuPont:

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How to Be a Financial Advocate for Your Clients with Mike Ringel (Ep. 12)

How to Be a Financial Advocate for Your Clients with Mike Ringel (Ep. 12)

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Financial planning is not just about numbers and calculations. It is also about understanding your client’s values, goals, and dreams so that you can assist them in achieving them through sound financial strategies.

Whether you are an attorney, a CPA, or a financial advisor, you need to have the skills and mindset of a financial advocate to serve your clients well.

In this episode, Greg DuPont sits down with Mike Ringel, CPA, RICP®, CDFA®, CExP™, Financial Coach at Wealth Design Group, to dive into the secrets of financial advocacy. They explore the importance of embracing a consultant mindset, the value of specialized knowledge in financial planning, and the need to create holistic financial plans that align with your clients personal values.

Greg and Mike discuss: 

  • Mike’s transition from being a CPA to becoming a financial advisor and the challenges he faced along the way
  • The importance of viewing yourself as consultants rather than salespeople
  • Focusing on uncovering clients’ real issues and helping them achieve their desired state
  • The shift in the legal industry towards providing holistic financial guidance
  • The purpose of Mike’s practice, which is to empower families to discover purpose, freedom, and abundance in their lives through investing and financial planning
  • Mike’s experience in working with solo and small law firms to help them protect, grow, and eventually exit their businesses
  • And more!

 

Connect With Michael Ringel:

Connect with Greg DuPont:

About Our Guest:

As the son of a college professor (Dr. Herbert Ringel, Ph.D., Physics), Michael’s passion for teaching began at a very early age. While his father wanted him to pursue the same noble profession, Michael’s mathematical mind and entrepreneurial spirit led him down a different path. After pursuing his CPA and MBA, he explained to his father that he would be pursuing a career in teaching and education, except in a nontraditional setting. He decided to teach families about money and investing.

Since 2004, Michael’s has been working with business owners, divorced women, families with children with special needs, and typical families to build confidence around their money.

Michael’s philosophy is to guide each family to discover for themselves what is important to their family, both personally and financially. Then, Michael shares with each family a variety of financial strategies that are prudent for them. He shares with them what may be financially possible for them in the future. It is only then when they agree upon a prudent strategy, that financial products and services are recommended to fulfill each strategy. Michael’s academic approach to financial planning has served his clients well.

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The Role of Influence in The Mindset Pillar of Financial Advocacy (Ep. 11)

The Role of Influence in The Mindset Pillar of Financial Advocacy (Ep. 11)

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Switching the mindset from selling to influencing is a game-changer.

The top advisors in the financial industry don’t sell – they let people come in pre-sold. 

This approach helps build trust and, eventually, strong relationships with clients.

What steps can estate planning attorneys take to become more influential with their clients?

In this episode, Greg DuPont and Matt Halloran share the sixth pillar of financial advocacy: Mindset with a shift into the importance of being influential. They explore the art of influence over sales and the importance and power of effective listening as attorneys. Greg and Matt also delve into building trust and the importance of authenticity and humility.

Greg and Matt discuss: 

  • How top advisors focus on building influence rather than selling
  • Greg’s journey of transitioning from using convincing arguments to being more influential
  • The need for experts to present their views in an easily understandable way for people to accept
  • The difference between sales and influence
  • The importance of stepping into your authority and using a humble approach to build trust in professional relationships
  • The challenge of gaining trust as a financial advisor in a world of readily available information and the importance of providing insight over opinion
  • And more!

Resources: 

Connect with Greg DuPont:

Connect with Matt Halloran:

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The Fourth Pillar of Financial Advocacy: Wealth Accumulation (Ep. 8)

The Fourth Pillar of Financial Advocacy: Wealth Accumulation (Ep. 8)

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Embarking on the journey towards financial security and prosperity requires more than simply making decisions. It also requires strategies to multiply and maximize wealth.

In this episode, Greg DuPont explores the fourth pillar of financial advocacy: Wealth Accumulation. He shares the three big secrets behind it along with valuable insights on how to optimize savings strategies and engage in valuable conversations with your clients. Greg emphasizes the importance of tackling debt and taxes to maximize wealth accumulation.

Greg discusses: 

  • The three secrets of wealth accumulation
  • The drawbacks of relying solely on 401(k) for savings and the need to consider alternative investment options
  • The need to take more risks for higher returns in a pre-tax environment and how shifting to an after-tax world can reduce the required rate of return
  • The goal of Wealth Solutions Network to help the general public with their finances
  • The potential to cut down debt repayment time by being systematic with compound interest and alternative solutions to traditional retirement savings
  • And more!

Resources: 

Connect with Greg DuPont:

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The Third Pillar of Financial Advocacy: Wealth Enhancement (Ep. 6)

The Third Pillar of Financial Advocacy: Wealth Enhancement (Ep. 6)

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The concept of wealth enhancement goes beyond accumulation.

It’s about having the mindset of empowerment and protecting wealth to achieve personal goals. 

What are the essential factors to consider when it comes to clients?

In this episode, Greg DuPont talks about the third pillar of financial advocacy, wealth enhancement, as well as three secrets about it. He explores the importance of prioritizing a simple, fulfilling life and leaving a legacy and the role of math in wealth enhancement, focusing on understanding values and communicating results effectively. In addition, Greg touches on the power of savings and the potential of alternative assets when diversifying.

Greg discusses: 

  • The three secrets of wealth enhancement
  • Why people in retirement want a simple lifestyle and to leave behind a legacy, not an extravagant lifestyle
  • The role of math and communication in wealth enhancement when it comes to influencing and assisting clients
  • Why the investment world’s math can be disingenuous
  • An explanation of the Monte Carlo tool and its connection to gambling casinos
  • The importance of enhancing our wealth to protect ourselves from external risks
  • The importance of diversifying investments beyond traditional asset classes
  • The role of financial advocates in addressing known risks and providing resilience for unknown risks
  • And more!

Resources: 

Connect with Greg DuPont:

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The First Pillar of Financial Advocacy: Wealth Management (Ep. 3)

The First Pillar of Financial Advocacy: Wealth Management (Ep. 3)

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Financial advocacy is divided into six fundamental pillars that teach attorneys how to serve their clients better in their financial affairs.

Wealth management, wealth preservation, wealth enhancement, wealth accumulation, wealth transfer, and the financial advocacy mindset.

In this episode, Greg DuPont talks about the first of the six pillars of financial advocacy, wealth management. Greg highlights why attorneys need to have valuable conversations with clients about their wealth while exploring how his team can help you find the answers to your questions.

Greg discusses: 

  • His definition of wealth management 
  • His evolution as a wealth manager, from being a captive agent to realizing the importance of low-cost fixed index investing and structures that drive the outcome
  • Reasons why members of his network don’t need to have all the financial answers for their clients
  • The licensing component needed to fulfill the wealth management pillar
  • The three S’s for the average investor 
  • How his back office can provide investments solutions and support for members of the network
  • Why he believes that traditional wealth management doesn’t work and how his system focuses on using the right tools to preserve wealth
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Greg DuPont:

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