Planning & Beyond™
Planning & Beyond™ transforms how financial advisors approach client relationships by bridging psychological insights with practical planning strategies. Hosted by Ashley Quamme, a licensed therapist and financial behavior specialist, each episode delivers actionable techniques you can implement in your next client meeting.
Unlike traditional financial planning podcasts that focus primarily on technical aspects, Planning & Beyond explores the behavioral and psychological elements that shape client relationships. Through in-depth conversations with leading experts in behavioral finance, financial psychology, and financial therapy, you'll gain evidence-based strategies to navigate emotional client situations, build lasting trust, and create more meaningful relationships.
Whether you're preparing for discovery meetings, helping clients through major life transitions, or looking to deepen client connections, you'll walk away from each episode with practical tools and confident approaches to enhance your practice. Join a community of advisors who understand that exceptional financial planning goes beyond the numbers.
Topics include:
- Mastering discovery and prospect meetings
- Navigating difficult money conversations
- Understanding client psychology
- Building trust and deepening relationships
- Managing emotional client situations
- Enhancing communication skills
- Developing behavioral finance strategies
- Supporting clients through life transitions
New episodes release bi-weekly. Subscribe now to transform how you connect with clients.
Planning & Beyond™
21. Financial Planning for Women Post-Divorce: Research Insights and Practical Strategies with Michael Kothakota
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In this episode, financial planning practitioner and researcher Michael Kothakota shares evidence-based approaches for supporting women through divorce financial planning. Drawing from his extensive research and practice experience at WolfBridge Wealth, Michael reveals how traditional divorce processes often fail to address individual needs. But, by advisors taking a collaborative approach better outcomes are created not only for the client, but also the advisor-client relationship. Ashley discusses with Michael his research findings on alimony, saving behaviors, and gender differences in financial decision-making post-divorce. Something that every advisor out there should be aware of. Michael provides actionable guidance for advisors working with women navigating these challenging transitions as well as best communication practices. The conversation explores how understanding the psychological dimensions (i.e. the human side) of financial behavior can help advisors create more effective planning strategies that honor both immediate concerns and long-term goals.
Key Takeaways:
- Research shows distinct patterns in how men and women approach finances after divorce - women tend to prioritize emergency savings while men focus on retirement planning.
- Female clients, especially those with caretaking responsibilities, often prioritize immediate needs over future planning post-divorce.
- Rather than labeling client choices as "good" or "bad," effective advisors present options with their consequences non-judgmentally, preserving client autonomy while ensuring informed decisions.
Resources and Guest Information:
Take Action:
- Implement a Non-Judgmental Approach: When working with clients experiencing major life transitions, present options with their consequences rather than labeling choices as "good" or "bad," allowing clients to make decisions aligned with their values without shame.
- Help fellow advisors grow by leaving us a review!
Connect with host Ashley Quamme:
