The Advisors Edge Podcast
Tired of the same boring financial services podcasts? The Advisors Edge Podcast breaks the mold. This isn’t just another show about theory and outdated advice. We’re bringing you the real stories, the cutting-edge tech, and the bold strategies that will give you the competitive edge you need to dominate in today’s fast-paced industry.
Hosted by insiders who know the game, each episode delivers conversations with top leaders, innovators, and disruptors from across the financial services world. Whether it’s AI, fintech, valuations, regulatory compliance, or cybersecurity—we’re covering it. If you’re a financial advisor, RIA, or leader in this space, this is where you’ll find the strategies that actually move the needle.
You won’t just leave with more information—you’ll leave with a blueprint to sharpen your skills, elevate your business, and stay ahead of the competition. If you want to play it safe, go listen to something else. If you’re ready to win, welcome to The Advisors Edge.
The Advisors Edge Podcast
S1E32 | The Death of AUM? How Subscription Planning Is Reshaping the Future of Financial Advice - feat. Daniel Friedman, CEO of WMGNA
Most advisors talk about holistic planning.
Daniel Friedman built the system to deliver it.
In this episode of The Advisors Edge Podcast, hosts Chad Ramberg and Rob Jacomen sit down with Daniel J. Friedman, CEO & Founding Partner of WMGNA — one of the earliest pioneers of subscription-based planning, tax-integrated financial advice, and multi-generational client service.
Daniel drops some of the most important insights the RIA world needs right now:
👉 Why tax-first planning is the new advisory advantage
👉 Why “holistic” has become an empty buzzword (and how to fix it)
👉 How advisors can stop losing the next generation
👉 Why most RIAs miss the biggest driver of client trust
👉 How subscription planning transforms access, value, and differentiation
👉 And what it takes to truly “wow” clients in a crowded advisory landscape
This episode is a masterclass for advisors who want to build deeper trust, deliver real clarity, and evolve beyond outdated AUM-only models.
If you advise clients, lead an RIA, or serve in a financial planning or compliance role—you need this episode.
👇 Connect with Our Guest:
Daniel J. Friedman, CEO & Founding Partner of WMGNA
Website: https://wmgna.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danjfriedman/
👇 Follow Us:
📲 Advisors Edge Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-advisors-edge-podcast/
🔗 Connect with the Hosts:
Rob Jacomen, Founder, Alchemy Content Lab and MGA Distribution Growth Engine™ OS
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-jacomen/
Chad Ramberg, President, Box Professional Insurance
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-ramberg-71278533/
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🛡️ Special thanks to Box Professional Insurance for sponsoring our show—because great leaders have a backup plan they can depend on.
Box Professional specializes in helping RIAs protect their businesses with tailored coverage, so you can focus on growth while they handle the risk.
🔗 Learn more at: https://www.boxproinsurance.com
Box Professional Insurance — Build boldly. We’ll protect what matters.
📞 Book a RIAview™ Risk Strategy Call: https://calendly.com/d/z3t-b6h-xt5
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⏱ Timestamps
(Fully aligned with the transcript)
00:00 – Welcome to the Advisors Edge Podcast
00:20 – Meet Daniel Friedman, CEO & Founding Partner of WMGNA
01:05 – The origin of WMGNA & early days of financial advice
03:00 – Daniel’s start in insurance & financial services
05:15 – When life insurance drove everything—but planning didn’t
08:00 – How Daniel and Brian built their own firm from scratch
09:45 – Media, press, and showing up as a thought leader
11:50 – The clients WMGNA serves & what makes them ideal
13:45 – Why taxes, not investments, are the real differentiator
15:50 – The truth about proactive vs. reactive tax planning
16:20 – The birth of the subscription model (before anyone else did it)
17:50 – Why subscription + tax integration builds instant credibility
18:45 – CPAs vs. RIAs: who clients really trust
20:10 – Multi-generational planning: how to keep the kids
22:00 – Engaging the next generation before the money moves
23:25 – The WOW Guarantee — risk reversal in financial planning
24:50 – Why 64% of clients consider leaving their advisor
26:00 – The meaning behind “restylement” and redefining retirement
29:00 – Creating a subscriber-based community inside an advisory firm
30:00 – Subscription-in-a-box and the future of financial planning
32:00 – Thoughts on XYPN, AUM, and the next evolution of the RIA space
33:45 – Final thoughts: servant leadership, clarity, and client-first mindset
35:00 – How to reach Daniel + Closing
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