Wondering how to break into financial planning and build a long-term career in the field? Victor Colella, Wealth Advisor, and Courtney Cubbin, Senior Financial Advisor, at Woodward Financial Advisors both join the show today to share how they entered the profession, found mentorship, and steadily advanced their careers from the ground up.

Listen in as Courtney explains how her love for numbers and working with people led her to an internship, her role at Woodward, and the challenges she overcame to advance, while Victor recounts how his father’s career inspired him to transition from consulting and insurance sales to joining an RIA. You'll learn how they navigated career decisions, as well as valuable insights on building confidence, professional development, and more.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/432kAXu

Looking for a community that actually supports you as a new financial planner? Blake Pinyan, Senior Financial Planner and Tax Manager at Anchor Bay Capital, joins the show today to talk about the NexGen community of the Financial Planning Association—a community geared towards meeting the needs of younger and newer planners. If you're interested in finding support as a new planner, expanding your network, or getting involved in a thriving professional community, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Blake shares how he got involved, what makes NexGen unique, and the real impact it’s had on his career. He highlights upcoming programs, in-person events, and the value of the online community for connection, learning, and professional growth. Whether you’re looking to expand your network or find your footing in the industry, don't miss hearing how new planners can join and use NexGen to enhance their careers.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4mbzvpO

Brent Weiss is the Co-Founder and Head of Financial Wellness at Facet, and he joins the show today to share how his career journey took him from student athlete at Notre Dame to financial planner. If you're interested in discovering how to break into financial planning, navigate startup environments, or grow your role in a fast-changing firm, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Brent shares how a canceled personal finance course during his final semester led him to independently research financial planning and ultimately pursue it as a career. He explains how he landed his first position in the field, why he made the leap to join a startup, and how his role has evolved since then. You'll also hear the lessons he's learned from his journey so far, insights on career development, and more.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/vndrenrb

Amanda Bearden is a financial advisor at Pesta & Pesta Wealth Management, and she joins the show today to share her journey from starting as an art major to becoming a financial planner. If you're interested in changing career paths, gaining hands-on experience through a rotational program, or learning how to navigate the early stages of a planning career, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Amanda shares what sparked her interest in financial planning and why she decided to change her major. She discusses how she leveraged a family connection to land a two-year rotational program at a large Midwest-based RIA, as well as the valuable experiences she gained during that time. You'll hear the challenges she faced, her tips for new planners, and more.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3S2ujGF

Daniel Whitt is a senior advisor at Pandowealth, and he joins the show today to share his unique journey from working in the non-profit sector to successfully transitioning into the financial planning profession. If you're interested in making a career change into financial planning, growing within a firm, or learning how to succeed as a new planner, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Daniel shares how he began his CFP coursework while living in Nepal, passed the exam, and landed his first role as an associate financial planner in a firm that turned out to be a great fit. He discusses how he has worked his way up and grown alongside the firm and shares tips on career growth, as well as advice for new planners entering the profession.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3EDosod

Mike Zarrelli is a financial advisor at FSA Wealth Partners based out of Rockville, MD. He joins the show today to share why he got into financial planning—even though he was initially encouraged to pursue accounting instead. If you're interested in learning how to grow your career in financial planning, leverage transferable skills from previous jobs, or gain confidence in business development, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Mike shares why he chose financial planning over accounting, how he landed his first role, and how his responsibilities evolved as he advanced within his firm. He also walks through what he was looking for in a role, how he strategically moved up the career ladder, and how his background in the restaurant industry helped him develop key skills.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/2nde9xhc

Mallory Kretman is a partner and wealth manager for Laurel Wealth Planning, where Felix Kopycinski serves as an associate wealth manager, and they both join the show today to share their respective career journeys. If you're interested in learning how to grow into leadership roles, navigate the early stages of your career, or better understand the hiring process from both the employer and candidate perspectives, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Mallory and Felix share their unique journeys into financial planning, including Mallory’s path from an art degree to becoming a partner at her firm and Felix’s early inspiration for the profession rooted in his upbringing. You'll hear about the hurdles of hiring and how Mallory eventually found the right fit, as well as Felix's experience starting his career at Laurel and the challenges he's navigating as a new planner. Don't miss their key insights on the hiring process, what makes a successful match, and more.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4j7PClG

What if you could gain real-world experience, learn from top industry experts, and watch a financial plan come together in real time? Today’s guest, Hannah Moore, is here to share a unique opportunity that can help you do just that. The creator of The Amplified Planning Externship, Hannah joins the show to discuss why she started it, how it works, and the valuable experience it offers aspiring financial planners.

Listen in to hear what’s new for the 2025 Externship, as well as exciting updates from the previous year. You'll learn how you can sign up for the Externship and take the next step in building your career. If you're interested in gaining real-world financial planning experience, learning from industry experts, and developing the skills needed to succeed as a planner, this episode is for you!

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3FzbZSy