Do Business. Do Life. — The Financial Advisor Podcast — DBDL cover art

Do Business. Do Life. — The Financial Advisor Podcast — DBDL

Do Business. Do Life. — The Financial Advisor Podcast — DBDL

By: Brad Johnson
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About this listen

"Do Business. Do Life." is a weekly podcast dedicated to helping the independent financial advisor create unlimited growth and freedom in their business AND life.

Having been a coach for the top 1% of independent financial advisors for 15+ years, Brad Johnson has seen far too many leaders in financial services sacrifice their marriages, health, relationships, and everything else that matters to walk across an industry stage recognizing their "success." That model is broken, and Brad's on a mission to fix it.

Join Brad as he distills the best advice from top thought leaders and applies it to the world of independent financial advising. Get actionable tips/tactics on sales, marketing, entrepreneurship, business growth, lead generation, hiring, training, team building, company culture, core values, work/life integration, family, relationships, and more!

"Do Business. Do Life." is way more than just another podcast for financial advisors. It's an experience. It's a community. And more than anything, it's a movement. #DBDL

Want to discover what it truly means to succeed as a financial advisor? Subscribe to Do Business, Do Life OR visit https://bradleyjohnson.com/

© 2025 Bradley Johnson Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Personal Finance
Episodes
  • 161: Phil Bray - Why Most Financial Advisor Marketing Fails (and What To Do Instead)

    161: Phil Bray - Why Most Financial Advisor Marketing Fails (and What To Do Instead)
    Mar 25 2026
    If you’ve ever felt like the marketing strategies you’re using are confusing, inconsistent, or just not working the way you expected, you’re not alone. Oftentimes advisors end up using the spaghetti on the wall approach with random tactics, increasing social media presence, or copying what other firms are doing without a clear strategy behind it. The result? Wasted time, wasted money, and a pipeline that never gets filled the way you hoped.In today’s episode, I’m speaking with Phil Bray, founder of the Yardstick Agency and one of the UK’s leading marketing experts for financial advisors. Phil began his career as a financial advisor before launching an award-winning marketing firm that now helps advisory businesses across the UK grow through smarter positioning, clearer messaging, and intentional marketing strategies.Phil shares tips and strategies to help advisors build a marketing system that consistently attracts the right clients. From niching down and building a referral engine to leveraging social proof, content, and AI, we explore how advisors can stand out in a crowded market and build a firm that grows intentionally, not accidentally.3 of the biggest insights from Phil Bray…#1.) The Riches Are in the NichesAdvisors who try to market to everyone often struggle to stand out. Phil explains that narrowing your focus—whether it’s dentists, executives, or a specific stage of retirement—makes marketing dramatically easier. When you become the go-to expert for a specific audience, referrals increase and messaging becomes far more powerful.#2.) Most Advisors Think About Marketing BackwardsOne of the biggest mistakes advisors make is jumping straight into tactics before defining their goals. Phil recommends starting with the end in mind, who you want to work with, what growth actually looks like, and then building your marketing plan around those targets.#3.) Referrals Work Best When You Train Clients How to ReferMany advisors hope referrals happen naturally, but Phil believes the best firms intentionally educate clients on who the best referral candidates are, when to introduce them, and how to do it. He emphasizes applying thoughtful appreciation like handwritten thank-you notes or personalized gifts that create a powerful referral engine.FREE GIFTGet Phil's 7-Step Workbook, designed to help financial advisors build online awareness: https://bradleyjohnson.com/161-phil-bray-workbook/SHOW NOTEShttps://bradleyjohnson.com/161FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIALXInstagramLinkedInFOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL:YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebookDISCLOSURE DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations. The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • 160: Solo - The #1 Reason So Many Advisors Stay Stuck with Brad Johnson

    160: Solo - The #1 Reason So Many Advisors Stay Stuck with Brad Johnson
    Mar 18 2026
    If you’re the only advisor in your firm who can close deals, you don’t own a business, you own a job.And I see this happen all the time. Advisors think growth comes from more appointments and closing more deals. So they grind harder. They sell more. Their calendar is always full. But the moment they step away, revenue slows down. That’s not scale. That’s dependency.I break down the real shift you have to make: stop selling products and start selling a proprietary process. Because products can be shopped, a process can’t. And if you stay in the product game, you’re just another commodity.If you want revenue that doesn’t go on vacation when you do, this is where the shift begins.3 of the biggest insights from Brad Johnson…#1.) Products Can Be Shopped. A Process Cannot.If you’re selling annuities, asset management, or life insurance, you’re in a comparison game. When you package and own a proprietary process, you step out of commoditization and into differentiation.#2 .)Sales Is a Transfer of BeliefThe best advisors aren’t pitching spreadsheets. They’re transferring belief in why they exist, how they serve, and why it matters. If you don’t believe it deeply, your prospects won’t either.#3. )You Can’t Scale What You Can’t TransferIf your process lives in your head and depends on your personality, you don’t have a business, you have a bottleneck. A duplicatable, trainable sales process is what makes a firm scalable and ultimately sellable.Triad Sales LabStill the only one closing deals in your firm? We’ll help you build a sales system that doesn’t rely on you. Apply here: https://bradleyjohnson.com/160-triad-sales-lab/SHOW NOTEShttps://bradleyjohnson.com/160FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIALXInstagramLinkedInFOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL:YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebookDISCLOSURE DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations. The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    21 mins
  • 159: Tom Healy - Why Your Advisory Firm Isn’t Attracting A-Players

    159: Tom Healy - Why Your Advisory Firm Isn’t Attracting A-Players
    Mar 11 2026

    If you’ve grown your business beyond a solo practice with a small team, you’ve likely learned the hard way that one bad hire can derail momentum, create internal chaos, and hold your entire business hostage.

    In this episode, I’m excited to have leadership expert, author, and HR strategist Tom Healy on the podcast. Tom has worked with high-performing organizations, including the U.S. Navy, Harvard Medical School, and Fortune 500 companies, and he’s spent decades helping businesses scale the right way — with structure, accountability, and culture at the center.

    We unpack the mistakes founders make when hiring too fast, how poor performers slowly sabotage organizations, and the exact systems you need to have in place to prevent one person from controlling your business.


    3 of the biggest insights from Tom …


    #1.) It’s Okay to Overpay for A-Players

    The cheapest hire is often the most expensive mistake. High performers operate like owners, stay longer, and eliminate the hidden cost of turnover. Paying above market isn’t reckless, it’s strategic.


    #2.) Poor Performers Will Hide When There’s No Accountability

    If you don’t have clear KPIs, you don’t have leverage. Vague feedback creates arguments. Objective metrics create clarity. A-players want coaching. B and C players resist it.


    #3.) No One Should Be Able to Hold Your Business Hostage

    When all knowledge lives inside one person’s head, you’re exposed. Document systems. Build an internal knowledge center. Consider fractional talent. Structure creates freedom.


    SHOW NOTES

    https://bradleyjohnson.com/159


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    DISCLOSURE

    DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations.

    The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for.

    Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies.


    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    55 mins
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