Episodes

  • Strategies for Sustainable Business Growth with Randy Lambert

    Strategies for Sustainable Business Growth with Randy Lambert
    Apr 22 2025
    In this episode, Jack Sharry talks with Randy Lambert, EVP and Head of RIA Solutions at Intention.ly. Randy shares how his experience scaling Orion informs his work helping FinTech and RIA firms streamline operations, align marketing, and enhance client engagement. He highlights the importance of eliminating silos, implementing intelligent automation, and transforming operations from a cost center to a strategic growth engine. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:39) - Randy’s journey at Orion (07:10) - The transition to Intention.ly (11:54) - Integrating marketing, sales, and operations (14:41) - Growing and scaling RIAs (18:43) - Bridging the gap between the marketing and operations (19:57) - Building a customer success model (22:40) - Randy's final thoughts (24:02) - Randy's interests outside of work Quotes "One of the weakest links in the technology chain is the advisor using the technology." ~ Randy Lambert "The better that an advisory team is able to systematize its operations, the better chance they have of being successful in scaling up." ~ Randy Lambert "When a firm's data is clean, structured, and fully integrated, technology stops being a barrier. It starts to become an enabler." ~ Randy Lambert Links Randy Lambert on LinkedIn Intention.ly Orion Advisor Solutions Eric Clarke Kelly Waltrich Tina Powell Joe Steuter Doug Fritz Connect with our hosts LifeYield Jack Sharry on LinkedIn Jack Sharry on Twitter Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify LinkedIn Twitter Facebook
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    29 mins
  • Delivering Alpha in Private Markets with Ryan VanGorder

    Delivering Alpha in Private Markets with Ryan VanGorder
    Apr 15 2025
    In this episode, Jack Sharry talks with Ryan VanGorder, CEO at Opto Investments, about revolutionizing private markets for wealth managers. Ryan highlights how Opto’s technology simplifies complex private market strategies, helping advisors deliver tailored, scalable solutions to their clients. They discuss the shift from institutional to retail access in private investments and the importance of guided intelligence, customization, and automation. Ryan also shares his passion for adventure racing, drawing parallels between endurance sports and business, emphasizing discipline, adaptability, and teamwork as core values shaping Opto’s culture and approach to client success. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:18) - Exploring Opto’s mission and purpose (02:09) - Ryan's career journey and the founding of Opto Investments (06:33) - Building a business in the retail marketplace (11:14) - Transitioning from institutional to retail private markets (13:32) - Opto's approach to full portfolio analysis (17:35) - Future trends and innovations shaping private markets (18:48) - Ryan's key takeaways (20:13) - Ryan's passion for adventure racing and interests outside of work Quotes "At Opto, we're engineering the future of private markets with a focus on client outcomes and driving capital to the best ideas." ~ Ryan VanGorder "Opto is built and backed by operators who understand the potential in the private markets, not by AUM-focused mega funds or product pushers." ~ Ryan VanGorder "The winners in our space, particularly our market, will heavily invest in technology-based solutions and solving for transparency, scale efficiency, and flexibility. And you're going to do all that while delivering on your client's demands." ~ Ryan VanGorder Links Ryan VanGorder on LinkedIn Opto Investments BlackRock Joe Lonsdale Addepar Connect with our hosts LifeYield Jack Sharry on LinkedIn Jack Sharry on Twitter Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify LinkedIn Twitter Facebook
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    25 mins
  • The Rise of Alternative Investments with Ryan Eisenman

    The Rise of Alternative Investments with Ryan Eisenman
    Apr 8 2025
    This week, Jack Sharry is joined by Ryan Eisenman, Co-Founder and CEO of Arch—a platform built to streamline and standardize private investment operations. With a strong background in private markets, Ryan shares how Arch is leveraging technology to make alternative investing more secure, efficient, and accessible. Ryan breaks down the key trends fueling mainstream adoption and explains how Arch is helping family offices, RIAs, and institutional investors overcome the operational hurdles that come with managing alts. He also shares his perspective on where the market is headed—and how platforms like Arch are unlocking access to a broader range of investors In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:13) – What Arch does and who it serves (03:29) – Ryan’s journey: from Wall Street to startup founder (05:29) – Why alternative investments are booming (11:10) – The story behind Arch’s growth (12:26) – What’s fueling Arch’s momentum (17:42) – Building with feedback: how Arch develops its product (19:22) – What’s next for Arch and the alts market (23:20) - Ryan's interests outside of work Quotes "We want to unlock the ability to make, manage, and track alternative investments without the pain people are used to when they do make those investments." ~ Ryan Eisenman "To work at Arch, you have to love clients and love learning. We want to be doing this for decades, and the way you do this for decades is you invest in customers because customers can be the best advocates for you." ~ Ryan Eisenman "We're continuing to build the operations management automation tools that help people scale their alts businesses. And we're doing it increasingly in partnership with larger firms to support their offerings." ~ Ryan Eisenman Links Ryan Eisenman on LinkedIn Arch Fidelity Investments Goldman Sachs Morgan Stanley Charles Schwab Carta Stripes SpaceX Blackstone KKR Sequoia Capital SEI iCapital Connect with our hosts LifeYield Jack Sharry on LinkedIn Jack Sharry on Twitter Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify LinkedIn Twitter Facebook
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    26 mins
  • Creating Purpose-Driven Leaders with Brooke Elliott

    Creating Purpose-Driven Leaders with Brooke Elliott
    Apr 1 2025
    This week, Jack Sharry talks with Brooke Elliott, Dean of Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Brooke leads the college in developing a compelling, strategic vision while continuing to build upon its distinctive brand and identity. They discuss how the college empowers future leaders through transformative education, research, and innovation. Brooke shares how their purpose-driven approach is embedded in the curriculum, the impact of technology and AI in shaping this mission, and how experiential learning bridges the gap between classroom knowledge and real-world opportunities. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:27) - Helping students discover their purpose (07:59) - Insights from students and alumni (09:25) - Inside the Gies College online program (11:41) - Lessons from teaching online (16:27) - AI’s role in the future of education (19:55) - Will avatars replace faculty? (22:19) - The power of authenticity in teaching (24:42) - What it means to prioritize learners (26:43) - Brooke's interests outside of work Quotes "We want to create amazing leaders who move into business and really have an impact on their community, their state, and their nation." ~ Brooke Elliott "We really believe in expanding access to high-quality education. We serve individuals from all types of different backgrounds. And so, it's diversity in its very broadest sense." ~ Brooke Elliott "Our online programs were intentionally designed to be online. We did not take an existing program and move it to a remote environment. We started a new one and knew that we were going to offer these programs online and serve learners all around the world. And so, every single design choice was made with intention." ~ Brooke Elliott "Education is still the greatest investment an individual can make in themselves and an organization can make in their employee." ~ Brooke Elliott Links Brooke Elliott on LinkedIn Gies College of Business Aaron Schumm Vestwell Frances Frei Connect with our hosts LifeYield Jack Sharry on LinkedIn Jack Sharry on Twitter Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify LinkedIn Twitter Facebook
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    31 mins
  • Redefining Career and Purpose with Steven Miyao

    Redefining Career and Purpose with Steven Miyao
    Mar 25 2025
    In this episode, Jack Sharry talks with Steven Miyao, an Executive Coach at Coaching Metta. Steven equips executives, entrepreneurs, and startups with the skills, strategies, and mindset needed for sustainable success. He helps professionals navigate career transitions, balance family and personal goals, and discover lasting fulfillment. Jack and Steven explore the challenges and opportunities of midlife career transitions, offering insights on how leaders can redefine their purpose and direction. Steven shares his coaching philosophy, the crucial role of understanding one’s ‘why’ before making a career shift, and how he helps financial services executives build a fulfilling second act in their careers In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:15) - What is Coaching Metta? (02:24) - Steven's career journey (06:15) - Steven's nontraditional path to financial services (08:19) - Why Steven shifted to healthcare (11:52) - Steven's coaching practice and the challenges his clients face (13:19) - Helping clients redefine their purpose (17:30) - Steven's coaching process (22:31) - The importance of authenticity in building trust (24:19) - Steven's key takeaways (25:30) - Steven's interests outside of work Quotes "The older I get, it’s more important for me to see other people succeed than myself. It's just so gratifying when you see the impact that you have on others." ~ Steven Miyao "Most people are stuck in the hamster wheel, and they're running and running, but they don't even know why they're running. Oftentimes, it's because of the expectations that they have on themselves. But these expectations are often driven by society, their parents, or their peers." ~ Steven Miyao "A lot of us are going through this midlife. Whenever that point comes where you say to yourself, 'Is this really it?', it's important to take a break and really think about what you want to do, identify your ‘why’, and then pivot if you need to." ~ Steven Miyao Links Steven Miyao on LinkedIn Steven Miyao Vanguard Fidelity Investments Capital Group McKinsey & Company Morgan Stanley Goldman Sachs Frances Frei Midlife Remix Connect with our hosts LifeYield Jack Sharry on LinkedIn Jack Sharry on Twitter Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify LinkedIn Twitter Facebook
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    29 mins
  • How Edward Jones is Redefining Financial Planning with Russ Tipper

    How Edward Jones is Redefining Financial Planning with Russ Tipper
    Mar 18 2025
    Edward Jones is redefining what it means to provide personalized advice. The firm is creating a signature experience where personalized service is not a luxury but an expectation and where the best financial advisors have the tools, capabilities, and technology needed to provide a seamless, sophisticated, and impactful advisory experience. In this episode, Jack Sharry talks with Russ Tipper, General Partner at Edward Jones. Russ leads more than 300 professionals across North America and drives the firm's advisory offerings, including SMAs and UMAs, alternatives, retirement products, and more. Jack and Russ discuss how Edward Jones is doubling down on comprehensive, personalized financial planning, moving beyond point-in-time solutions to ongoing advice. Russ also talks about how the company strategically expands its product offerings, including alternative assets and retirement products, as well as its signature experience and future developments. In this episode: [01:12] - Russ' role at Edward Jones [03:02] - Edward Jones's strategic ambition [05:04] - Personalization at scale [12:24] - Edward Jones' investment in alternative assets [15:19] - Edward Jones' signature experience [19:18] - Future developments and AI integration [22:06] - Russ' career journey [26:04] - Russ’ key takeaways [27:13] - Russ's interests outside of work Quotes "We want to help make our clients’ needs, wants, and wishes a reality." ~ Russell Tipper "Our goal is to help our clients move into an advisory perspective and never be stuck in a brokerage account or a legacy model where they can't move because of friction." ~ Russell Tipper "We want to be a highly curated shelf, but we want to offer a choice. The last thing I want to do is for a client to leave their great financial advisor because of a lack of access to a product that would improve their outcome." ~ Russell Tipper Links Russell Tipper on LinkedIn Edward Jones MoneyGuidePro Envestnet Aladdin by BlackRock J.P. Morgan Porch Software Capital Group Merrill Lynch Connect with our hosts LifeYield Jack Sharry on LinkedIn Jack Sharry on Twitter Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify LinkedIn Twitter Facebook
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    30 mins
  • Wealth as a Service: A New Era in Financial Strategy with Doug Fritz

    Wealth as a Service: A New Era in Financial Strategy with Doug Fritz
    Mar 11 2025
    In this episode, Jack Sharry talks with Doug Fritz, Founder & Executive Chairman of F2 Strategy. A seasoned veteran in the wealth management industry, Doug leads a team of experts at F2 Strategy and is a highly sought-after strategist, helping growth-focused advisory firms make informed decisions about their technology and client experience. Jack and Doug discuss the confluence of marketing and technology in the wealth management industry. Doug talks about true innovation and how firms can implement meaningful technology and marketing solutions that deliver real value to advisors. He also discusses F2 Strategy's expansion and acquisitions, AI-powered efficiencies, and the rise of Wealth as a Service (WaaS) in wealth management. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:36) - Update on F2's recent expansion (03:37) - The confluence of marketing and technology in wealth management (06:27) - Aligning technology with business goals (09:26) - How F2 helps firms with tech and marketing (13:56) - The challenges of being a strategy partner (17:54) - Mitigating risk and ensuring successful technology implementation (19:49) - How F3 defines innovation (21:42) - Wealth as a Service (WaaS) (26:30) - Organic growth and its relationship to Wealth as a Service (29:32) - Doug's interest outside of work Quotes "We're built to be like an advisor would be. We're going to help you build a portfolio of technology, and then we're going to be with you forever as your partner in the execution and implementation of that when you need us." ~ Doug Fritz "It's fun to be helpful to great brands and great people that we work with in new ways and go deeper. Those relationships are everything to us, and they mean the world to us." ~ Doug Fritz "Innovation means getting it done. It isn't about theoretically picking a vendor that's innovative. It's actually getting it done and getting it into production." ~ Doug Fritz Links Doug Fritz on LinkedIn F2 Strategy SEI Fidelity Investments BlackRock State Street Global Advisors Franklin Templeton Connect with our hosts LifeYield Jack Sharry on LinkedIn Jack Sharry on Twitter Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify LinkedIn Twitter Facebook
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    34 mins
  • The Convergence of Workplace and Wealth with Matthew Gray

    The Convergence of Workplace and Wealth with Matthew Gray
    Mar 4 2025
    The shift from pensions to 401(k)s, paired with uncertainty around Social Security, has left many retirees with less income and at risk of outliving their savings. Allianz, in partnership with Empower, is taking the challenge head-on. In this episode, Jack Sharry talks with Matthew Gray, Vice President of Employer Markets at Allianz Life. Matt is responsible for the company's employer markets and defined contribution business. He oversees all aspects of the company’s strategy, distribution, marketing, product development, and more. Jack and Matthew discuss the convergence of workplace and wealth, how 401(k) plans evolve to offer better financial guidance, and how Allianz makes guaranteed lifetime income simple and accessible. Matthew also shares the challenges of retirement planning and how Allianz addresses the growing concern of retirees making less of their income and outliving their savings. In this episode: [01:30] - Matthew's role at Allianz Life [03:08] - How Allianz and Empower revolutionize retirement security [04:49] - Key trends shaping the future of defined contribution plans [09:13] - Allianz's guaranteed income solution [16:35] - The future of guaranteed income solutions [18:10] - The good news about lifetime income solutions [19:25] - Matthew's interests outside of work Quotes "Retirement is about generating more income and generating that income for longer. Unfortunately, the trends from moving from defined benefit plans to defined contribution plans, combined with challenges with social security, all point to maybe people getting less or not getting it for as long." ~ Matthew Gray "Our objective is to make guaranteed lifetime income more accessible and inclusive for a larger number of Americans who really depend on what they can generate from their employer-sponsored plan." ~ Matthew Gray "Lifetime income solutions aren't coming sometime in the future. They're already here. They're already in plans helping people and are available for sponsors and advisors who want to help their participants better prepare for retirement." ~ Matthew Gray Links Mathew Gray on LinkedIn Allianz Life Empower Connect with our hosts LifeYield Jack Sharry on LinkedIn Jack Sharry on Twitter Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify LinkedIn Twitter Facebook
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    22 mins
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