How To Find A Financial Advisor
by Sean Kernan
Can working with a TOP ADVISOR be a mistake?
About this podcast
Finding a trustworthy financial advisor often feels daunting. Everywhere you look, from banks to online platforms, there seems to be someone offering financial advice. I'm Sean Kernan, and with over 20 years of experience in the industry, I've dedicated my career to navigating this complex landscape.
My podcast, "How To Find A Financial Advisor," aims to demystify the process and guide you toward making informed choices.
The financial industry is crowded with professionals from various backgrounds. These range from insurance agents and bankers to accountants and even family members, each offering their own perspective on your financial planning.
Through my podcast, I help you understand who you can trust and why. It's crucial to separate the good advice from the bad, and that's where I come in.
Having supervised other financial professionals for most of my career, I have seen the inner workings of the industry. This experience has given me a unique vantage point on what makes financial advice truly valuable.
On the podcast, I draw on these insights to clear up common misconceptions about financial advisors. We delve into everything from determining if you need one at all to spotting warning signs that should make you reconsider your choices.
Our discussions are straightforward and aim to cut through the noise. With every episode, you'll gain clearer insights into what a reliable financial advisor should offer. The goal is to empower you with the knowledge to choose wisely.
Each episode tackles a different aspect of finding a financial advisor. We explore how to evaluate their credentials, understand their strategies, and align their services with your financial goals. This is essential for anyone looking to secure their financial future.
"I love learning about the good, the bad, and the ugly of financial advice" is more than just a saying for me. It's a professional mantra that drives the content of this podcast. By sharing both positive experiences and cautionary tales, I help listeners navigate the complex world of financial planning.
Listening to "How To Find A Financial Advisor" is like having a seasoned expert guide you through a maze. My aim is not just to provide answers but to equip you with the right questions to ask. This ensures you engage with financial advisors from a position of strength and knowledge.
We also discuss the practical side of financial advising. This includes how to effectively communicate with your advisor and set realistic expectations. Understanding these dynamics can significantly enhance the advisor-client relationship.
Join me, Sean Kernan, on this journey through the financial advisory landscape. Whether you’re establishing a new financial plan or refining an existing one, this podcast is your guide to doing it right.
Tune in to transform your approach to choosing a financial advisor. With each episode, you'll move closer to finding someone who genuinely cares about your financial interests.
Episodes
The newest 20 of 29 episodes
- Can working with a TOP ADVISOR be a mistake? · 15 minThe Shook Research / Forbes awards scandal of 2026 exposed some of the risks for relying on using one source to validate that an advisor is right for you…
- The FASTEST and EASIEST way to confirm that your financial advisor is NOT running a scam · 4 min · Season 6 Episode 3Sean recounts a thread in one of his Facebook groups where a member was dealing with a case of fraud, and didn't know where some of his money was. Sean recommends asking two…
- What if I am wrong? DIY wills gone wrong · 26 min · Season 5 Episode 5Sean and Ben often ask themselves if they're actually helping their clients, or if they may have made a mistake. Ben had a client who was certain he could handle his estate…
- If your financial advisor only recommends annuities, they aren't a financial planner or advisor · 10 min · Season 6 Episode 1Sean explains why someone who specializes in pushing annuities could be dangerous for your financial well-being — and the three red flags you need to be aware of.
- When you should definitely NOT invest in an annuity! · 5 min · Season 5 Episode 4If you want to invest in an annuity, you need to have a solid reason to use this long-term financial vehicle. And you should definitely have a financial advisor helping you…
- Why you would want a CFP financial advisor — and 3 reasons it may not matter as much as you think · 9 min · Season 5 Episode 3Sean talks about why you may or may not want to work with a Certified Financial Planner as your financial advisor. A CFP license holder might be the best advisor for you. But…
- Pros & Cons of working with a newer financial advisor · 8 min · Season 5 Episode 2Sean gives you the ups and downs of hiring a less-experienced financial advisor.
- When you would NOT want a fee-only financial advisor · 11 min · Season 5 Episode 1Sean discusses the situations when you want a financial advisor who's paid on commission, and why fee-only shouldn't be a hard, fast limit for you.
- How to Think About Costs · 40 min · Season 4 Episode 5Sean and Ben chat about a simple question with a complicated answer: How much does it cost to do a Roth conversion? There are many ways to answer "How much will this cost?" and…
- How to upgrade your financial advisor — at half the cost and twice the value · 8 min · Season 4 Episode 3Sean discusses why you may be unhappy with your financial advisor and what to do in that situation. He's happy to help you navigate finding a new advisor who's a better fit for…
- Dirty little secrets of financial advisor compensation models · 18 min · Season 4 Episode 2Sean shares five secrets some financial advisors don't want you to know about in regards to their fees.
- The WRONG questions to ask a potential financial advisor · 5 min · Season 4 Episode 1Sean talks about questions that you absolutely do not want potential financial advisors to answer without asking a dozen questions back at you.
- The 80/20 rule · 24 min · Season 3 Episode 5Sean and Ben discuss the 80/20 rule, or the Pareto Principle. Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto observed in 1906 that 80% of the land in Italy was owned by 20% of the population…
- Beware of must-have lists for your financial advisor · 12 min · Season 3 Episode 4Sean addresses common must-have ideas around hiring a financial advisor, and why they can make you miss out on your ideal advisor.
- Financial Advisor Fees - a surprisingly simple question to see if you're a good fit for an advisor · 8 min · Season 3 Episode 3Sean discusses the simple question to ask potential financial advisors, to see if they might be a good fit for you.
- How to get 18 potential fit financial advisors in 24 hours · 4 min · Season 3 Episode 1Sean brings up a case study of a relatively young couple looking for financial advisors. He can help you find financial advisors who could be a good fit for you. Don't hesitate…
- Compared to what? · 34 min · Season 2 Episode 5Sean and Ben talk about the dangers of asking "Compared to what?" In Dallas in summer, it's hot. "Compared to what?" Compared to Alaska? Jupiter? your normal temperature? A…
- The secret of interviewing a potential financial advisor · 10 min · Season 2 Episode 4Sean discusses the super secret question you should ask any potential financial advisor. In fact, it's so secret, he mentions it 20 seconds into the episode!
- What does "I am a fiduciary" even mean? · 9 min · Season 5 Episode 1Sean defines "fiduciary" with a little help from the Eternal Source of Truth - Wikipedia. Then he talks about financial advisors who are or aren't fiduciaries, and what that…







