In this episode of The Purpose-Focused Advisor, Rob sits down with Mitchell Kraus, a fourth-generation financial professional and founder of Capital Intelligence Associates. Mitchell brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for helping clients lead meaningful lives through purpose-driven financial planning and philanthropy. Mitchell shares his unique approach to wealth management, blending continuous learning with a heartfelt commitment to his clients. From navigating multi-generational business dynamics to inspiring impactful charitable giving, Mitchell embodies the spirit of a true purpose-focused advisor.

Key Takeaways:

• Asking Deep Questions to Build Meaningful Client Relationships (06:23) – Building strong client relationships starts with understanding their values, goals, and unique circumstances through intentional and thoughtful questioning.
• Understanding Wealth as More Than Finances (09:11) – True wealth encompasses social, physical, and emotional well-being, not just financial assets.
• The Power of Philanthropy to Inspire Joy and Growth (15:07) – Integrating charitable giving into financial plans can inspire joy, purpose, and even financial growth for clients.
• Overcoming Capacity Challenges with Technology and Team Building (27:51) – Leveraging technology and building a team can help advisors focus on what they do best—serving clients with excellence.
• The Importance of Continuous Learning in a Changing Industry (31:19) – Staying updated and curious in a rapidly evolving financial landscape is critical for serving clients effectively.

Mitchell Kraus: "There is so much more to wealth than financial wealth. It’s about creating joy, not just more stuff.”

Rob Brown: "In a world that’s always changing, staying curious and committed to growth is how we keep leading the way for our clients.”

About Mitchell Kraus: Mitchell Kraus has been helping clients plan for their financial future since 1993. He and his father, Arthur, established Capital Intelligence Associates in 2003 as a comprehensive resource for independent, unbiased advice and trusted financial guidance. Mitchell is passionate about helping his clients live their best lives and is the host of the Giving Intelligence Podcast, where he delves into his passion for philanthropic planning.

Connect with Mitchell Kraus:

Website: https://www.capintelligence.com/

Email: mkraus@capintelligence.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchellkraus/

Episode References:

• Truest Fan Coaching
• Business Optimization Scorecard

Connect with Rob Brown:

Website: http://truestfan.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/truestfan/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@truestfancoaching

In this episode of The Purpose Focused Advisor, Rob Brown welcomes Whit Lanier, founder of Amplify Reviews, to discuss how financial advisors can leverage client testimonials and endorsements to enhance their marketing strategies. Whit shares insights into the SEC’s updated marketing rule, which now allows compliant use of client reviews. The episode is packed with actionable advice for advisors to build trust, strengthen client relationships, and gain a competitive edge.

Key Takeaways:

• SEC Marketing Rule Explained (02:28) – Whit breaks down the November 2022 SEC guidelines that now permit testimonials and endorsements for advisors, highlighting compliance best practices.
• Overcoming Hesitations (07:51) – Advisors often resist reviews due to regulatory concerns or fear of feedback. Whit explains why this is the perfect opportunity to gain a competitive edge.
• The Power of Reviews (12:45) – Asking for feedback strengthens client relationships and uncovers valuable insights that can improve client service.
• Lessons from Healthcare (15:01) – Whit shares his experience introducing reviews in the healthcare industry and the positive impact it had on doctors’ practices.
• Immediate Benefits of Reviews (25:41) – Reviews improve SEO, increase referral conversions, and position advisors as trusted experts online.

Whit Lanier: "People like working with people they know. A great review bridges that gap."

Rob Brown: "Asking for feedback isn’t just about reviews—it’s about showing clients you care what they think."

About Whit Lanier: Whit Lanier is the CEO and co-founder of Amplify Reviews – a platform focused on helping financial advisors embrace online reviews on their own terms. A serial entrepreneur, Whit’s previous start-up was the leading healthcare technology vendor that enabled hospitals to publish verified patient ratings and reviews. That company was acquired at the end of 2014, and by 2021 the platform had processed over 60 million patient reviews for 400 of the country’s largest health systems.

Connect with Whit Lanier:

Website: https://www.amplifyreviews.com/

Email: whit@amplifyreviews.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitlanier/

Episode References:

• Truest Fan Coaching
• Business Optimization Scorecard

Connect with Rob Brown & Phil Calandra:

Website: http://truestfan.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/truestfan/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@truestfancoaching

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/truestfan

In this heartfelt Thanksgiving special of The Purpose Focused Advisor, Rob Brown, and Phil Calandra discuss how gratitude can transform life and business. They highlight how being thankful can lead to growth, strengthen relationships, and encourage purpose-focused leadership. Sharing their own traditions and moments of gratitude, Rob and Phil offer valuable insights and practical strategies for leading with purpose. This episode emphasizes gratitude as a key to achieving a fulfilling and successful life, both personally and professionally.

Key Takeaways:

• Journaling Gratitude Daily (03:26) — Journaling what you’re thankful for not only uplifts your mood but also helps you focus on purpose-driven actions.
• Gratitude is a Growth Strategy (14:07) — Expressing genuine appreciation to clients and team members fosters trust, loyalty, and motivation—key drivers for personal and professional growth.
• Clients First (17:05) — Handwritten notes and charitable gifts in clients’ honor are simple yet powerful ways to show gratitude and strengthen bonds.
• Gratitude for Team Members (18:31) — A culture of gratitude within your team boosts morale and motivates everyone to perform at their best.
• The Gratitude Challenge (21:33) — Commit to 30 days of intentional gratitude, whether by creating a gratitude list, posting on social media, or having personal conversations to express appreciation.

Rob Brown: "When you focus on your purpose, everything else follows, including profits."

Phil Calandra: "If you're expressing gratitude, it's not just towards your clients; you better be telling your team you're grateful as well."

Episode References:

• Truest Fan Coaching
• Business Optimization Scorecard

Connect with Rob Brown & Phil Calandra:

Website: http://truestfan.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/truestfan/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@truestfancoaching

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/truestfan

In this milestone episode, Rob Brown and Phil Calandra reflect on 99 episodes of The Purpose-Focused Advisor, emphasizing the essential lessons that have helped financial advisors reach new levels of success. They highlight the importance of intentionality, delivering an exceptional client experience, and building strong teams. Drawing from their combined decades of experience, Rob and Phil showcase actionable strategies for advisors to grow purposeful practices while maintaining authenticity and client-centric focus.

Key Takeaways:

• Intentionality Drives Success (5:00): The most successful advisors have a clear vision of their business goals and the clients they want to serve.
• Delivering an Exceptional Client Experience (12:25): A consistent, intentional client experience fosters long-term trust and business growth.
• The Power of Signature Solutions (19:00): Crafting a unique framework for solving clients’ problems is a game-changer for advisors.
• Tailoring Client Interactions (15:04): Not every client needs the same level of engagement; understanding client needs is key.
• Building the Right Team (26:00): Success hinges on hiring the right people and placing them in roles where they excel.

Rob Brown: “When you’re intentional, you’re not just building a business—you’re creating a legacy that reflects your values.”

Phil Calandra: Whether you’re building a lifestyle practice or scaling a team, clarity in how you serve clients makes all the difference.”

Episode References:

• Truest Fan Coaching
• Business Optimization Scorecard

Connect with Rob Brown & Phil Calandra:

Website: http://truestfan.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/truestfan/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@truestfancoaching

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/truestfan

In this episode of The Purpose-Focused Advisor, Rob Brown sits down with Kalli Fedusenko, founder of Kalli Collective, a digital marketing agency dedicated to helping financial advisors build brands with impact and purpose. Kalli reveals powerful strategies to stand out in today’s crowded market, from creating a seamless client journey to crafting authentic branding that speaks directly to clients' needs. If you’re a financial advisor aiming to build stronger, more memorable client connections, this conversation will provide actionable insights to help you shape a brand that genuinely reflects your values and expertise.

Key Takeaways:

• Define Your Voice – Know your unique strengths and ideal client to create authentic, standout messaging.
• Map the Client Journey – Guide clients from first contact to advocacy with clear, intentional steps.
• Get Personal with Content – Skip the templates; craft messages that truly connect with your clients.
• Consistency is Key – Regular, meaningful touchpoints keep you top of mind.
• Turn Traffic into Action – Use your website to drive real engagement, not just clicks.

Kalli Fedusenko: "Creating a client journey map isn’t just a marketing exercise; it’s essential to know where your clients are coming from and what steps they need to take to become advocates."

Rob Brown: "Advisors often feel there’s nothing unique about them—that everyone’s using the same products, same tech. But your uniqueness lies in how you approach client challenges. That’s your superpower."

About Kalli Fedusenko: Kalli Fedusenko is the founder of Kalli Collective, a digital marketing agency that specializes in helping financial advisors build meaningful brands and connect with their ideal clients. With a background in mass communications and extensive experience in content strategy, social media marketing, and digital advertising, Kalli is passionate about bringing authenticity and data-driven insights to every campaign. She’s known for her approachable, witty style and her ability to simplify complex marketing strategies for financial professionals.

Connect with Kalli Fedusenko:

Email: info@kallicollective.com

Marketing Scorecard: https://kallicollective.com/marketing-quiz/

Website: https://kallicollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kallimarie/

Episode References:

• Truest Fan Business Optimization Scorecard
• Truest Fan Coaching

Connect with Rob Brown & Phil Calandra:

Website: http://truestfan.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/truestfan/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@truestfancoaching

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/truestfan

In this episode of The Purpose-Focused Advisor, Rob Brown talks with John Richardson of Capital Planning Group, a financial planner with nearly 20 years of experience. John is also an active leader in the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA). John shares his passion for intentional living, servant leadership, and building authentic relationships in both life and business. He explains how being purpose-focused can elevate financial advising, making it more impactful for clients as well as more personally fulfilling. You'll be inspired by John’s strategies for staying present, delegating tasks, and balancing business with personal growth. His approach, grounded in faith, authenticity, and service, offers a fresh take on success.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding and living out your purpose leads to greater productivity and impact because you’re consistently working on the things that matter most to you and your clients.
• Being fully present in each moment, whether with clients, family, or during personal time, allows you to make the most of every interaction and deepen relationships.
• Authenticity in financial advising helps build trust and encourages clients to open up about their personal and financial goals, fostering long-term, meaningful partnerships.
• Using color-coded time blocking not only organizes your schedule but also ensures your priorities align with your values, helping you stay focused on what truly matters.
• Delegating non-core tasks allows you to focus on your strengths and the areas where you add the most value, ultimately improving client relationships and business outcomes.

John Richardson: "I constantly try to attract people who are just as enthusiastic about life as I am, because life is better when we do it together. We're not called to do life alone."

Rob Brown: "When you have greater purpose, you end up with greater productivity. Your results accelerate because you're always working around the things that are really important to you."

About John Richardson: John D. Richardson has been providing sound financial advice for his clients since 2005. The primary focus of John's financial planning and investment advisory business is helping people align their financial decisions with their values and financial truth so that they can live their best life. John is an active leader with the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA). John, his wife Kelly, and their fun-loving rescue dog Piper live in Brentwood, TN. For fun, John enjoys playing table-top strategy board games.

Connect with John Richardson:

Email: JohnRichardson@FinancialGuide.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnrichardsonnashville/

Episode References:

• Truest Fan Coaching

Connect with Rob Brown & Phil Calandra:

Website: http://truestfan.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/truestfan/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@truestfancoaching

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/truestfan

In this episode of The Purpose Focused Advisor podcast, Rob Brown interviews Knight Colman, a second-generation partner at Colman Knight Advisory Group. They explore Knight's journey into the financial planning industry and the vital role of intentional succession planning. Knight shares his perspective on the unique challenges and opportunities that Gen 2 advisors face, emphasizing the importance of understanding and building on the firm's foundational values. The conversation delves into how engaging clients through deeper conversations can transform their financial paths by aligning their lives with their financial goals. Rob and Knight also discuss the collaborative dynamic between first and second-generation advisors, underscoring the crucial role of trust and communication in the success of financial advisory practices.

Key Takeaways:

• Gen 1 advisors should start succession conversations early to ease transitions for Gen 2 partners.
• Gen 2 partners need to align with the firm's core values while modernizing processes to uphold the original mission.
• Automating systems and adopting new technologies can enhance client engagement without losing the personal touch.
• Reframing how clients view new processes can strengthen relationships by emphasizing the firm's commitment to their overall well-being.
• The real value in financial advising is deep client engagement, where aligning life goals with financial planning creates a transformative experience.

Knight Colman: "There is a different skill set necessary for starting a firm from nothing and taking a firm that already has really established beautiful pieces, and I would say, almost enhancing it, or breathing new life energy into it in a different way."

Rob Brown: "Be happy for your clients, be curious, and really want to dig deep. Your career and your business, and the things you're doing for your clients, will go a long way."

About Knight Colman: Knight Colman, a Gen 2 partner at Colman Knight Advisory Group, holds his CFP® and Certified Financial Transitionist® designations. The firm’s integral methodology and mission to connect the practical elements of finance with the human side of money align with his values. Knight began his career at JP Morgan developing his talents in asset management and operations. At Colman Knight, he specializes in financial planning, investment management and oversees daily operations.

At Kenyon College, he earned a B.A. with a double major in economics and political science. He is an avid sports fan, holds a third-degree blackbelt in Kenpo Karate, and serves underprivileged communities advocating financial literacy and volunteering as a CFP® Board Mentor.

Connect with Knight Colman:

Website: https://www.colmanknight.com/

Email: knight@colmanknight.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/knight-colman-cfp%C2%AE-728156114/

Episode References:

• Truest Fan Coaching

Connect with Rob Brown:

Website: http://truestfan.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/truestfan/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@truestfancoaching

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/truestfan