This week, Michael Carmody, VP of National Accounts at DPL Financial Partners, talks with Raymond Gettins. Ray is a financial professional with more than 35 years of industry experience, and the director of United Advisor Group (UAG). UAG is an Independent RIA created by independent investment professionals to deliver the best products and solutions for each advisors’ client. Michael and Ray talk about what true independence really looks like for financial advisors. They explore the myths surrounding the RIA space, how UAG empowers advisors through its advisor-owned model, and how UAG's partnership with DPL, leveraging their technology and support, has created a seamless path for advisors to embrace independence.

This week, DPL Founder & CEO David Lau talks with Megan Carpenter, CEO & Co-Founder of Ficomm Partners. For 20 years, Meg has partnered with advisory firms and wealth management businesses to help leadership teams uncover meaningful growth opportunities through the power of marketing and PR. From her early days as a marketing intern to her role as an influential entrepreneur, Meg has witnessed—and helped shape—the industry’s evolution, guiding firms of all sizes to clarify their value, deepen client relationships, and build scalable marketing engines that drive organic growth. David and Megan talk about why marketing is no longer a "nice to have" but a core business function. Meg also discusses the importance of intentional marketing as a commitment and long-term investment, how repeatable and scalable organic growth is a significant factor in maximizing enterprise valuation, and the trends and opportunities for smaller, entrepreneurial firms.

his week, Patrick Perry, RVP of Member Success at DPL, talks with Joseph (Jody) Goss, Managing Partner and Private Wealth Advisor at William Joseph Capital Management. Jody has been in the financial services business for nearly three decades and has helped hundreds of individuals and families transition from working to retirement. At William Joseph Capital Management, Jody helps financial service professionals build and grow their practices. Jody talks with Patrick about how partnering with DPL helps their clients better understand the value of annuities, delivers holistic planning solutions, and supports advisors in the transition to independence. He highlights how DPL provides the expertise, technology, and marketing materials needed to make the transition from broker-dealer to independence seamless.

This week, Ross McGoodwin talks with Andrew Gearhart, Partner and Wealth Advisor at Waverly Advisors. Waverly is a fee-based fiduciary RIA managing more than $18 billion in assets across nearly 40 offices nationwide. With a career that began in the insurance industry at MassMutual, Drew went on to earn his CFP designation and build deep expertise in holistic financial planning. Over the years, he has helped guide Waverly’s transformation from a regional firm of 40 employees into a national presence of nearly 300, emphasizing culture, client-first fiduciary service, and strategic growth through mergers and acquisitions. Ross and Andrew discuss Waverly’s M&A growth, its culture-driven philosophy, and the importance of holistic planning that goes beyond asset management. They highlight how DPL partnerships empower advisors to evaluate insurance and annuities within a fiduciary, fee-only framework, supported by technology that simplifies integration. They also explore how innovation and collaboration are reshaping client service and fueling sustainable advisor growth.

This week, Jonathan Barth, VP of Member Success, talks with Daylin Huff, RIA Consultant at DPL. Daylin joined DPL as a Sales Support Associate but has grown into his role as a consultant. He works with DPL member firms to help them discover the benefits of commission-free annuities and ensure they have a great experience on the platform. Jonathan and Daylin discuss what member success truly means at DPL. They highlight how the firm helps advisors transition from a broker-dealer to an advisory model and provides solutions to integrate legacy annuity books seamlessly. Daylin also shares the common pain points of breakaway advisors and how DPL's innovative solutions address them.

This week, Blake Phillips talks with Jackson Bradley, RVP of Member Success at DPL. Jackson is passionate about helping advisors organically grow their AUM while improving client outcomes. Before joining DPL, Jackson led the startup of MDM CPG and served as an internal wholesaler for Lincoln Financial Group. Together, Jackson and Blake discuss why Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) are increasingly embracing annuities. They explore what's driving this shift and how firms like DPL are helping to rewrite the annuity narrative. Jackson also shares real-world insights on RILAs and how DPL provides the support, resources, and technology to help RIA firms confidently integrate annuities into their fiduciary frameworks.

This week, Logan Cheatham talks with Matt Robinson, Internal Consultant at DPL. They explore how advisors can help clients optimize existing annuities, leverage commission-free solutions, and better understand the benefits of a 1035 exchange. Matt also shares his review processes, key discovery tools on DPL's platform, and how fiduciaries can deliver greater value by reducing costs, improving income payouts, and managing client annuities more efficiently.

This week, Willie Jones talks with Ross McGoodwin, Regional Vice President of Member Success at DPL Financial Partners. Ross helps DPL members find the best insurance solutions for their clients by working with the nation's top insurance carriers to deliver low-cost, commission-free insurance products. Ross and Willie discuss how MYGAs provide competitive and guaranteed returns for retirement savers. He highlights how these straightforward, fixed annuities provide a stable anchor in retirement and complement other fixed-income strategies.

John Thiel is the founder of Indivisible Partners and the former head of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he spent 27 years leading one of the most recognized names in financial services. Known for championing holistic, client-centric planning and advisor development, John brings deep industry expertise, a commitment to fiduciary excellence, and a vision for building modern, advisor-owned platforms that prioritize trust, transparency, and meaningful client outcomes. This week, David Lau talks with John about his journey from Wall Street leadership to launching Indivisible Partners. They dive into the shifting landscape of financial advising—from product sales to comprehensive, personalized planning—and explore how Thiel’s new firm is reimagining the advisor-client relationship. With an emphasis on customization, cutting-edge technology, advisor ownership, and long-term impact, they discuss the importance of risk management, succession planning, and building scalable platforms for the future of RIAs.

This week, Kameron McRay talks with Sam Johnson, Vice President of Business Development at DPL. Sam is an expert in leveraging commission-free insurance to create meaningful value for investors. He collaborates closely with carrier partners, supporting both their work with DPL and the broader RIA and advisory marketplace. Drawing on deep industry experience, Kameron and Sam explore the transformation of the advisory annuity landscape. They discuss the shift from commission-based products to advisory-friendly solutions that align with fiduciary models, eliminating surrender schedules and unnecessary fees. They covers the rise of fixed index and registered index-linked annuities, advancements in digital applications, and integration with advisor workflows. Sam also shares insights on the future of the industry, including better post-issue support and deeper tech integration, as annuities continue to gain traction among RIAs.

This week, Ross McGoodwin talks with Brennan Decima, Managing Director of Decima Wealth Consulting. Brennan specializes in creating tailored strategies that empower clients to achieve financial goals and preserve wealth across generations. His approach blends in-depth knowledge of tax planning, estate planning, investment management, and risk mitigation to offer comprehensive solutions that address both current needs and long-term aspirations. Ross and Brennan discuss how breakaway advisors can leverage advisory annuities for principal protection and retirement income planning, especially in today's volatile markets and uncertain tax environment. Brennan highlights how DPL's innovative tools and technology have streamlined his transition to a fiduciary model.

In this episode, DPL Founder and CEO, David Lau, talks with Daniel Crosby, Chief Behavioral Officer at Orion Advisor Solutions. Daniel helps individuals and organizations thrive at the intersection of psychology and finance. As a New York Times bestselling author, psychologist, and behavioral finance expert, Daniel has dedicated his career to empowering others with actionable insights on money, meaning, and mindset. David talks with Daniel about the psychological drivers behind investor behavior, common mental pitfalls that can lead to costly mistakes, and the practical framework advisors can use to build resilient client portfolios. From Orion's popular Protect, Live, Dream platform to the four meta-biases that influence people's decisions and actions, Daniel explains how advisors can proactively support clients through volatility and why financial advising is just as much about managing emotions as managing wealth.

In this episode, Amy Arnett, VP of Insurance Solutions at DPL Financial Partners, talks with Angel Melgoza, Director of Financial Planning at Your Financial Pharmacist. Angel advocates financial literacy and believes anyone can achieve financial success with the right plan and guidance, no matter their stage of life. He takes the complexities of a financial plan and converts them into simple and intentional solutions. Amy and Angel discuss asset and income protection. They cover the importance of disability income insurance in financial planning, the ideal client for such coverage, the rule of thumb on disability income insurance, and how to address potential gaps in group disability insurance.

Social Security is a foundational piece of retirement income, but it is often not enough to cover all expenses. With people living longer and costs rising, annuities provide guaranteed lifetime income that helps bridge the gap and reduce the risk of outliving one's resources. Understanding the various annuity options helps advisors create a retirement plan that offers stability and flexibility. In this episode, Willie Jones talks with Ashley Hammond about how financial advisors can help clients bridge the Social Security income gap using annuities. They explore strategies for maximizing retirement income, managing risk, and using qualified funds to get clients guaranteed income for life.

Annuities are often misunderstood, even among financial advisors. Many dismiss them as expensive, complex, or unnecessary and fail to recognize their true value in a retirement portfolio. But for many retirees, annuities can deliver a steady, guaranteed income, regardless of market fluctuations. This week, DPL's Regional Vice President, Jackson Bradley, and Sales Desk Manager, Willie Jones, talk about the misconceptions about annuities, specifically lifetime income. They discuss how annuities can be a powerful retirement tool and how advisors can leverage these products to create a personal pension for their clients and provide much-needed peace of mind in retirement.

This week, DPL’s CEO David Lau sits down with Matt Regan, President and CEO of Wealthcare. With over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, Matt has played a key role in driving innovative business models and building top-tier organizations. Before leading Wealthcare, he served as Chief Operating Officer at Wescott Financial, was a Founding Partner at WR Hambrecht+Co, and worked as a Consultant for Vanguard. In this conversation, Matt shares how Wealthcare’s powerful planning software, investment solutions, and hands-on support help advisors make the leap to independence and scale their businesses. He also offers valuable insights into emerging industry trends and how advisors can grow more efficiently in a competitive landscape.

Financial advisors and investors are starting to see Registered Index-Linked Annuities (RILAs) as more than just another annuity product. They're a compelling alternative to bonds and other fixed assets, offering higher potential returns, better risk-adjusted performance, and greater upside participation. As more people explore the full potential of RILAs, it's becoming clear that they aren't just an annuity option—they're changing the game in retirement planning. In this episode, Joel Melchior talks with Jeffrey Oberg, Consultant at DPL Financial Partners. Jeffrey is passionate about helping advisors find best-in-class growth and income solutions for their clients. With nearly 10 years of financial services experience as an advisor and a wholesaler, Jeffrey brings a breadth of experience across products and services to DPL. Joel and Jeffrey explore the world of RILAs. They discuss how RILAs work, how they compare to other financial products, and where they fit within a client's portfolio. Jeffrey also talks about the risks and benefits of RILAs and why they are the fastest-growing segment of the annuity market. In this episode: 01:14 - Jeffrey's background and career 03:04 - What are RILAs and how do they work? 06:53 - What liquidity looks like on an advisory RILA 08:15 - Where RILAs fit in a portfolio 09:22 - The ideal client profile for RILAs 14:43 - RILAs vs other buffered products 15:25 - Jeffrey's final thoughts

More advisors are using MYGA ladders as a strategic way to balance safety, yield, and flexibility in their client's portfolios. Laddering MYGAs can enhance diversification and manage interest rate risk, ensuring clients aren't locked into a single-rate environment. With the right tools, laddering MYGAs is easier than ever. DPL Financial Partners streamlines the process, offering advisors one-stop access to compare rates, apply online, and manage policies over time. In this episode of Advisor Revelations, Blake Phillips, Regional VP of Member Success at DPL, talks with DPL Internal Consultant Tyler Caummisar about MYGA ladders and why they are becoming a go-to strategy for advisors looking to optimize their clients' portfolios. From comparing MYGAs to traditional instruments like CDs and treasuries to understanding how laddering can diversify assets and mitigate interest rate risk, Tyler discusses how DPL's cutting-edge platform simplifies researching, purchasing, and managing annuities.

In the past, annuities have been overlooked because of their high fees, illiquidity, and complex cost structures. They became unattractive due to a lack of transparency, fine print on returns, and hidden costs. However, the annuity landscape has transformed in recent years. Modern annuities like those provided by DPL Financial Partners offer clients transparent, efficient, and flexible solutions tailored to their modern financial goals. In this episode, DPL Consultants Logan Cheatham and Joel Melchior talk about the new age of annuities. They discuss how annuities have evolved from high-cost, illiquid, and complex products to streamlined, low-cost, and transparent solutions that align better with modern client goals.

Retirement is a financial journey that requires thoughtful and strategic planning long before the golden years arrive. This is especially crucial during the fragile decade when even small missteps can have huge consequences. As retirees face longevity, inflation, and market risks, having a solution that addresses these challenges ensures a worry-free and financially secure retirement. In this episode, DPL Consultants Nate Johnson and Matt Robinson talk about spending trends and risk management in retirement. They highlight the complex nature of retirement planning due to individual needs and risk tolerances and discuss how the fragile decade, inflation, and longevity influence retirement plans.