In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, welcomes Leo Anzoleaga, Senior Vice President of Residential Lending at Luminate Bank.

Leo breaks down what's really happening in today's housing market, from fluctuating mortgage rates to persistent inventory shortages, and how these dynamics are impacting buyers across different stages of life. He explains why today's real estate environment cannot be painted with a single national brush and how regional factors, hybrid work models, and demographic shifts continue to shape local markets.

More importantly, Leo shares how a Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist approaches lending differently. Rather than treating a mortgage as a standalone transaction, he views it as an integrated part of a client's overall financial plan aligned with taxes, investments, estate planning, and long-term goals.

In this conversation, Leo discusses:

1. The real story behind today's mortgage rate fluctuations

2. Why inventory shortages are tied more to new construction than resale

3. The financial psychology of giving up ultra-low pandemic mortgage rates

4. How mortgage planning can help advisors retain assets under management

5. Creating additional investable assets through strategic financing decisions

6. The opportunity cost conversation around paying cash vs. leveraging debt

7. Strategies to engage millennial and Gen Z clients before wealth transfers occur

8. Innovative client events that build education, trust, and next-generation relationships

Leo also shares real-world case studies of how mortgage modeling can help advisors quantify opportunity costs and provide clients with neutral, data-driven decision frameworks.

For advisors looking to integrate mortgage strategy into their planning conversations—and deepen collaboration with lending professionals—this episode offers actionable insights.

Guest Links

Website: https://www.luminate.bank

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

Recommend a Podcast Guest

👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWXHTV7

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The Smarter Planner Podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals or services mentioned.

In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, welcomes Mickie Kennedy, founder of eReleases, a company that helps small businesses, authors, and startups build credibility and visibility through strategic press release distribution.

With nearly three decades of experience, Mickie explains what a press release really is and what it isn't. While many advisors assume PR is expensive, outdated, or ineffective, Mickie breaks down how the right story, placed in the right channel, can lead to meaningful media coverage, stronger SEO, and increased trust with prospective clients.

In this conversation, Mickie shares:

• What makes a press release newsworthy (and why most fail)
• Why human-interest stories outperform corporate announcements
• How local media can be one of the most powerful and overlooked channels for advisors
• The role of press releases in SEO and AI-driven search results
• How media coverage builds long-term credibility, improves conversion rates, and reduces client churn

Mickie also discusses why advisors don't need to appear "big" or overly polished to attract media attention and how authenticity, personal stories, and even contrarian viewpoints can help advisors stand out. He outlines practical ways advisors can start exploring PR without a massive budget and why consistency matters more than a single press hit.

Guest Links

Website: https://www.ereleases.com

Free PR Masterclass: https://www.ereleases.com/plan

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

Recommend a Podcast Guest

👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWXHTV7

____________________________________________________________________________The Smarter Planner Podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals or services mentioned.

In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath welcomes Michael Kitces, Chief Financial Planning Nerd at Kitces.com.

In this conversation, Michael shares research-backed insights on what truly drives productivity in advisory firms and what surprisingly does not. Drawing on data from hundreds of advisory firms, he explains why revenue per advisor is one of the most consistent and meaningful ways to measure productivity across business models.

Michael discusses:

• Why technology alone rarely delivers the productivity gains advisors expect

• How team structure, delegation, and role clarity create real leverage

• The optimal size of advisory teams and why productivity often declines as teams grow too large

• How hiring the right support staff can dramatically increase capacity and revenue

He also challenges advisors to rethink pricing, sharing why fee compression is largely a myth and why many above-average advisors undervalue their work. Michael explains how pricing is a lever advisors are allowed and encouraged to use to build sustainable, scalable firms that reflect the true value they deliver.

Guest Links
Website: https://www.kitces.com
Podcast: Financial Advisor Success Podcast
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/michaelkitces

Recommend a Podcast Guest
👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWXHTV7