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Advisor Talk

Advisor Talk

By: PPI - The advisor's premier partner for insurance
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Advisor Talk is the premier podcast for insurance advisors where we dive into the real-world challenges and opportunities facing today’s advisors — from underwriting to succession planning, team building, and practice management.Copyright 2025 PPI - The advisor's premier partner for insurance Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Unlocking Your Team's Talent
    Dec 10 2025

    In today’s episode – “Unlocking Your Team’s Talent” - we uncover the most common mistakes leaders make, and explore practical coaching methodologies designed to bypass emotional triggers and cultivate real change.

    For many financial advisors and firm leaders, developing talent is one of the greatest and most frustrating challenges. Whether you’re building your existing team’s skills or developing the capabilities of your future successor, when it comes to coaching or delivering performance feedback, it often feels like you’re navigating a minefield. You try to be direct—you point out what went wrong—but instead of getting the desired fix, you're met with resistance, defensiveness, or a breakdown in motivation.

    The question we’re going to explore today is: How do I give feedback that actually works.

    Today, we’re incredibly fortunate to be joined by a leadership expert who has spent over 15 years directly supporting financial advisors in both the carrier and independent channels. Not only does she understand your business and your challenges, she understand the path to building deep, productive relationships.

    Our guest is Amal Masri, the CEO of Fix the Broken Rung, a leadership accelerator that helps companies rapidly develop high-potential talent. Amal is a specialist in organizational development and performance focused on helping leaders bridge generational, cultural, and gender differences to maximize team impact.

    In this episode, Amal will transform your approach to coaching. So, let’s get into it. Here’s “Unlocking Your Team’s Talent” with Amal Masri.

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    23 mins
  • The Art of Advanced Underwriting
    Nov 12 2025

    In today’s episode—“The Art of Advanced Underwriting”—we’re diving into the critical skills that give advisors more influence over their client’s underwriting outcomes.

    Let’s be honest—it's frustrating when you have a deserving client, but the initial medical evidence suggests health issues that could lead to a significant rating or an outright decline.

    The question we’re going to explore today is: Rather than accepting a frustrating underwriting outcome, how can you actively manage the narrative of your client’s health and truly advocate for them?

    To help us answer that, we’re joined by Romeo Vitagliano—the VP of Advanced Underwriting at PPI, a top MGA in Canada. Romeo began his career as an advisor 44 years ago, transitioned to a roll as an underwriter and later served as the Chief Underwriter at Met Life, giving him a unique perspective from both sides of the insurance application.

    Today, Romeo brings that same passion and expertise to the field. He works in an Advanced Underwriting capacity, helping advisors evaluate and position insurance applications in the most favourable way. And that’s where today’s conversation begins.

    In this episode, we’ll explore:

    • Why an advisor’s field underwriting is the most powerful tool for securing a competitive offer before a rating or decline is even considered, and
    • The strategies for uncovering 'context'—the crucial details that help humanize a medical case for the carrier’s underwriter.

    So let’s get into it. Here’s “The Art of Advanced Underwriting” with Romeo Vitagliano.

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    27 mins
  • Flourishing in the Age of AI
    Oct 29 2025

    In today’s episode—“Flourishing in the Age of AI”—we’re diving into one of the most pressing and complex topics facing advisors today: the rise of artificial intelligence.

    Let’s be honest—AI is changing everything. It can process data faster than any human, analyze patterns with astonishing precision, and even generate client-ready reports in seconds.

    If you’re feeling uncertain—or even a little fearful—about what AI means for your role, your relationships, and your relevance, you’re not alone. Many advisors are asking: Where do I fit in a world where machines can do so much?

    To help us answer that, we’re joined by Edmund Chien—a public speaker and coach for financial professionals who specializes in applying the principles of behavioural finance to help advisors elevate their success in the affluent market.

    Edmund brings a unique perspective. He’s built and managed a $70 million book of business comprised of multi-millionaire households, focused mainly on multiple generational family portfolios. His philosophy is simple but powerful: genuine care, emotional goodwill, and understanding the human journey are the keys to thriving—not just surviving—in the age of AI.

    And that’s where today’s conversation begins.

    In this episode, we’ll explore:

    • How behavioural finance can help advisors deepen client relationships in an AI-driven world
    • Why emotional intelligence is more valuable than ever
    • And how you can position yourself not just as a data interpreter—but as a trusted guide in your clients’ financial lives

    So let’s get into it. Here’s “Flourishing in the Age of AI” with Edmund Chien.

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    21 mins
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