In this powerful episode, Rob Brown welcomes Adam Koós, founder of Libertas Wealth Management, a nationally recognized advisor and a coach to advisors, who has engineered a path to massive success. Adam shares how he doubled AUM and revenue in just two years by embracing a bold, even controversial idea: “We’re a marketing firm that happens to do financial planning.” But don’t misunderstand, it’s not about hype. It’s about systems, trust, and showing up with excellence.

He unpacks the client-first onboarding, scalable growth strategies, and mindset shifts that help advisors build with joy, scale with integrity, and serve at the highest level. If you want your firm to run like a well-oiled machine that still feels deeply human, this episode will light the path.

Key Takeaways:

• Lead with Systems, Not Silver Bullets (04:20) - Growth isn’t about chasing one breakthrough idea. It’s about building simple, repeatable systems.
• When You Treat Marketing as a Mission, Everything Changes (09:58) - This mindset shift led to explosive growth rooted in trust, visibility, and intention.
• Onboarding Is the Hidden Growth Multiplier (16:01) - Before you worry about more leads, a great onboarding experience lays the foundation for long-term scale.
• Delegate to Scale Without Burning Out (19:53) - Delegation, not hustle, is what creates freedom and sustainable expansion.
• Focus on Consistent Action, Not Distant Goals (21:45) - Success comes from prioritizing daily activity over outcome-based metrics.

Featured Quotes:

Adam Koos: “It’s not our privilege to learn marketing—it’s our responsibility. If you’re doing great work and no one knows about it, what good are you?”

Rob Brown: “Thinking about your big AUM goal won’t get you there. Taking the action that puts you in front of the right people will.”

About Adam Koós: Adam Koós is a nationally recognized financial advisor, fiduciary, and founder of Libertas Wealth Management, ELEVATE, and ADRENALINE Advisor Consulting. With over two decades of experience, Adam specializes in retirement planning, investment strategy, and business exit planning. He’s passionate about helping other financial advisors grow successful practices through proven systems and strategies. Known for his authentic, no-B.S. approach, Adam brings energy, insight, and real-world experience to every conversation.

Connect with Adam Koós:

Libertas Wealth Management: https://www.libertaswealth.com/

Adrenaline Advisor Coaching: https://adrenalineadvisor.com/

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

Episode References:

• The Purpose-Focused Advisor Weekly Newsletter
• The Purpose-Focused Advisor Mastermind
• Executive Coaching with Rob Brown

Connect with Rob Brown:

Website: http://truestfan.com/

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

In this episode of The Purpose-Focused Advisor, Rob Brown sits down with John Kailunas, author of Mission Retirement and founder of Catalyst4Growth and Regal Holdings. With 25+ years of experience and over $4B in AUM/AUA, John shares how advisors can help clients retire with purpose, not just wealth. He unpacks the 10 “missions” of meaningful retirement and reveals how purpose-based planning deepens trust, inspires legacy conversations, and helps advisors stand out by focusing on what truly matters.

Key Takeaways:

• Lead with Listening (05:04) – Great advisors start with presence, not plans—listening deeply lays the groundwork for purpose-driven advice.
• Retirement Needs a Mission (07:02) – Most clients haven’t truly defined what they want in retirement. Help them clarify, and you become more than a planner.
• Purpose Prevents Regret (08:15) - 40% of retirees feel lonely. Helping clients plan for meaning—not just money—can protect them from a purposeless retirement.
• Trust is Built Through Story, Not Spreadsheets (13:42) - Legacy conversations and life stories build deeper client relationships than charts ever will. The more personal the dialogue, the stronger the bond.
• It’s Not Your Money (20:30) - Advisors must remember they’re managing the client’s dreams. Your role is to help them align their resources with the life they truly want.

John Kailunas: “We’re so focused on running that when retirement finally comes, it’s like the merry-go-round suddenly stops—and most people don’t know what to do next.”

Rob Brown: “When advisors connect to a client’s story—not just their portfolio—they build trust that lasts far beyond the next review meeting.”

About John Kailunas: John Kailunas II is a first-generation immigrant and visionary leader in financial services since 1988. With over three decades of experience, he has built a legacy of growth through Apex, Regal Holdings, and now Catalyst4Growth—a professional development platform empowering advisors and entrepreneurs. John’s entrepreneurial drive has earned national recognition, including Investment News’ Hot 100 and Best Practice Management Program awards. A lifelong learner and mentor, he’s also a devoted husband, father, and adventurer who’s traveled to all 50 states and 34 countries.

Connect with John Kailunas:

Website: https://www.catalyst4growth.org/

Mission: Retirement: https://www.amazon.com/Mission-Retirement-Provoking-Purposeful-Fulfilling/dp/B0DWGSHKF9/

Choices and Chances: https://www.amazon.com/Choices-Chances-John-Kailunas-II/dp/1419669966

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-kailunas-ii-966b5a7/

Episode References:

• The Purpose-Focused Advisor Weekly Newsletter
• The Purpose-Focused Advisor Mastermind
• Executive Coaching with Rob Brown

Connect with Rob Brown:

Website: http://truestfan.com/

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

In this episode, Rob Brown sits down with Adam Obrecht, founder of AO Wealth Advisory—a quietly confident leader who’s built a special firm grounded in systems, purpose, and faith… all while serving a client base many advisors overlook.

From day one, Adam was told his strategy wouldn’t work. You can’t build a firm around 30- and 40-year-olds. Faith and business don’t mix. You need older, wealthier clients to grow.

He ignored all of it.

Adam launched AO Wealth with a baby on the way and no backup plan. Fifteen years later, he leads a thriving firm serving 300+ households with remarkable efficiency.

This is a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership every advisor should hear.

Key Takeaways:

• Serve with Strategy (05:26) – Building a practice around 30- to 40-year-olds works when you're intentional about your time, messaging, and service model.
• Purpose Starts Early (14:40) – A mission trip—and a now-lost book on Christian business leaders—sparked the vision for a firm grounded in faith and values.
• Faith in the Volatility (19:33) – When markets shake confidence, Adam blends sound math with spiritual grounding to help clients stay steady.
• Legacy in Motion (21:23) – For Adam, growth means more than numbers. It’s about deepening team capacity, preparing for succession, and staying true to the mission.

Adam Obrecht: “The numbers tell one story, but how you live out your life tells a whole different story.”

Rob Brown: “It wasn’t just a niche—it was a calling. And you built the kind of practice most advisors are afraid to even imagine.”

About Adam Obrecht: Adam is the owner of AO Wealth Advisory, a financial planning firm in Urbandale, Iowa. Adam's career started in agricultural and commercial lending, but quickly shifted to investments. Adam started AO Wealth Advisory in 2010 after time spent as a product specialist for a regional broker-dealer and five years in a CPA firm. Adam is married with two sons.

Connect with Adam Obrecht:

Website: http://aowealthadvisory.com/

Email: aobrecht@aowealthadvisory.com

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

Episode References:

• The Purpose-Focused Advisor Weekly Newsletter
• The Purpose-Focused Advisor Mastermind
• Executive Coaching with Rob Brown

Connect with Rob Brown:

Website: http://truestfan.com/

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

What happens when a former financial journalist brings deep curiosity and compassion into the world of financial planning? In this episode, Rob Brown sits down with Ryan Derousseau, a CFP® who made the leap from writing for Money, Fortune, and Forbes to serving therapists, career changers, and the self-employed. Ryan shares how his path has been shaped by listening more, asking better questions, and putting purpose before products. His work reveals a powerful truth: trust, emotion, and vulnerability are just as vital to planning as any spreadsheet. We’re reminded of how powerful it is when advisors focus on people…not just portfolios.

Key Takeaways:

• Lessons from Journalism (20:09) – Discover how Ryan’s past as a journalist sharpened his ability to ask deeper questions and truly hear what clients are saying.
• The Strategic Pause (24:28) – Silence isn’t awkward, it’s powerful. Ryan shows how waiting just a little longer often uncovers the most honest, meaningful client insights.
• Trust the Journey (26:09) – For new advisors, Ryan offers hard-won wisdom: growth takes time, and the best results come from consistent, purpose-driven effort.
• Niche with Intention (09:46) – Ryan reveals how focusing on therapists helped him refine his message, connect more deeply, and serve self-employed professionals with greater impact.

Ryan Derousseau: "When advisors lead with curiosity and just sit in the discomfort a little longer, that’s where the real trust is built and that’s when the real work begins."

Rob Brown: "It’s not just about the numbers you uncover, it’s about the life you help your clients live because of the planning you guide them through."

About Ryan Derousseau: Ryan Derousseau, CFP®, enables employees, the self-employed, therapists, and career changers to thrive financially so they can focus on what matters most. A former financial writer for Fortune, Money, and Forbes, Ryan blends deep industry insight with a practical, goal-first approach. He helps clients align their business and finances with their values, building stronger practices, better balance, and long-term wealth.

Connect with Ryan Derousseau:

Website: http://www.thinkingcapfinancial.com/ & http://www.unitedfpg.com/

Email: ryan@unitedfpg.com & ryan.derousseau@gmail.com

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

Episode References:

• The Purpose-Focused Advisor Weekly Newdletter
• The Purposed-Focused Advisor Mastermind
• Executive Coaching with Rob Brown

Connect with Rob Brown:

Website: http://truestfan.com/

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

If you’re growing a successful practice but feel disconnected, frustrated, or unsure what’s next… this episode is for you.

This week, Rob Brown shares the story of an advisor with 25+ years of experience who avoided coaching—and even distanced himself from his business partner—because he believed he had nothing left to learn. But one honest conversation about purpose and partnership changed everything. It reignited his passion and gave him a fresh vision for the work he once loved.

Too many advisors feel stuck, not because they’ve run out of skill, but because they’ve stopped asking why they do what they do. They isolate, overthink, and overprotect what they’ve built… while missing the multipliers that are right in front of them.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why years of experience can quietly lead to resistance and isolation
• How fear of being “coached” often masks a deeper desire for clarity
• The mindset shift that reignited one advisor’s energy and vision
• Why partnership isn’t a threat to your independence—it’s a multiplier
• How purpose-driven conversations open the door to new growth at any stage

Closing Thought:

"Your next breakthrough isn’t about doing more, it’s about remembering why you started, and being open enough to grow again."

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Purpose-Focused Advisor Mastermind — A high-level experience for Christian men ready to lead with clarity, faith, and conviction
• Truest Fan: Live, Love, and Lead with Purpose and Impact — Rob’s book on discovering the purpose behind your leadership
• The Purpose-Focused Advisor Newsletter — Weekly encouragement and insights for advisors who want more than just business success

Connect with Rob Brown:

🌐 Website: truestfan.com

💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/truestfan

📅 Schedule a Call: robbrown.as.me/quick-call

If your calendar is full but your business and life feel scattered… this episode is your reset.

This week, Rob Brown continues his powerful solo series with a message every advisor needs to hear: it’s not about doing more—it’s about doing what matters most. If you've ever felt like your goals are out of sync with your calling, or that your daily grind is pulling you away from the life God is calling you to live, you're not alone—and you're not stuck.

In this episode, Rob unpacks Lesson #2 from his book Truest Fan—Put First Things First. He shares practical strategies and real advisor stories that show how purpose-aligned planning can transform your business, your team, and your life.

You’ll also get a sneak peek at his new faith-focused mastermind and a simple 4-step tool to bring clarity to your to-do list this week.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why too many “good” priorities can still leave you off-purpose
• How to connect long-term dreams to short-term actions
• Rob’s 4D Routine—a simple method to clean up your calendar and inbox
• How one advisor reshaped his entire team by getting clear on the next 90 days
• Why putting God first helps everything else fall into place

Closing Thought: “When you put first things first, clarity replaces confusion—and your purpose finally has room to breathe.”

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Purpose-Focused Advisor Newsletter — Weekly encouragement for purpose-driven advisors
• Truest Fan: Live, Love, and Lead with Purpose and Impact — Rob’s book on living a life of intentional faith and leadership
• The Purpose-Focused Advisor Mastermind — A high-level experience for Christian men ready to lead with purpose

Connect with Rob Brown:

Website: http://truestfan.com/

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

If you've ever hit a milestone and still felt like something was missing… this episode is for you.

Rob Brown shares a deeply personal reflection on why even the most successful advisors can lose confidence in their calling—and what it takes to get it back. Whether you're navigating a personal challenge, asking what’s next in your business, or simply feeling off-purpose, this conversation will meet you where you are.

You'll hear the story behind Rob’s new season of work, what God revealed to him in a room full of 5,000 men, and why believing in yourself isn’t just about mindset—it’s about mission.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why self-doubt sneaks in (even during seasons of success)
• How to reconnect with your purpose when the spotlight fades
• A simple daily practice to grow your self-belief through prayer
• What it looks like to lead your business as a form of discipleship

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Purpose-Focused Advisor Newsletter — Weekly encouragement for purpose-driven advisors
• Truest Fan: Live, Love, and Lead with Purpose and Impact — Rob’s book on living a life of intentional faith and leadership
• The Purpose-Focused Advisor Mastermind — A high-level experience for Christian men ready to lead with purpose

Closing Thought:

“When you believe in who God made you to be, you stop chasing success—and start living it.”

Connect with Rob Brown:

Website: http://truestfan.com/

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

What happens when a software engineer trades writing code for serving clients? In this week’s episode, I sit down with Mike Zung, founder of Java Wealth Planning and creator of Beautiful Financial Plan, who left a 20-year tech career to build a thriving advisory practice. Then he went a step further, designing a visually compelling way to help other advisors present financial plans more clearly and effectively. Mike is helping shape the way advisors deliver value. He is redefining what it means to serve with clarity, purpose, and beauty.

Key Takeaways:

• Leaving Tech to Find Purpose (01:44) – Mike’s shift from software development to financial planning shows that meaningful career change is possible when you follow what energizes you.
• Build Tools That Clients Actually Use (15:39) – Creating simple, customized deliverables helps clients stay engaged and ensures they truly understand what matters in their plan.
• Serve a Niche You Understand Deeply (07:30) – Working with clients who share your professional background allows you to speak their language and provide more targeted, effective advice.
• Equity Compensation Is More Than a Perk (10:11) – Helping clients reframe RSUs and stock options as real compensation unlocks better decision-making and long-term planning.
• Advisors Hold a Unique Kind of Trust (24:47) – The depth of trust clients place in advisors is powerful—showing up with presence and empathy can turn planning into life-changing support.

Mike Zung: "You only have so much time with the client. And a lot of people meet with them once or twice a year. So that time is super valuable."

Rob Brown: "You can make such a huge difference in their lives if you just listen and care."

About Mike Zung: Mike Zung, CFP®, is the founder of Java Wealth Planning and a former software engineer with nearly two decades of experience in tech. After years in IT leadership roles, Mike felt called to pursue a path with more direct impact, leading him to personal finance. He became a Certified Financial Planner™ professional after completing his education at the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business. Today, he helps tech professionals make confident financial decisions and live with purpose.

Episode References:

• The Purpose-Focused Advisor Weekly Newdletter
• The Purposed-Focused Advisor Mastermind
• Executive Coaching with Rob Brown

Connect with Mike Zung:

Website: https://www.javawealth.com/ & https://www.beautifulfinancialplan.com/

Email: mike@javawealth.com

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

Connect with Rob Brown:

Website: http://truestfan.com/

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