Month: July 2025
Numbers into Clarity: How Steve Goldstein Empowers Advisors with Retirement Analyzer (Ep. 93)

Numbers into Clarity: How Steve Goldstein Empowers Advisors with Retirement Analyzer (Ep. 93)

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What began as a clunky Excel-based solution has transformed into a tool used by thousands of advisors to help clients make informed financial decisions with clarity and precision.

In this episode, Jeremy Houser sits down with Steve Goldstein, CFP®, ChFC®, Founder of Thomas Gold Solutions, to explore how Retirement Analyzer has evolved over 15 years into a highly detailed yet accessible financial planning software. 

They discuss how user feedback, thoughtful development, and a focus on simplicity help advisors deliver more confident and customized client experiences.

Steve discusses:

  • How Retirement Analyzer developed from a vague spreadsheet tool into a detailed, client-focused software solution
  • The importance of simplifying financial concepts for clients while giving advisors full control over plan depth
  • How new features like client portals and docu trackers foster stronger advisor-client collaboration
  • The role of community feedback in shaping ongoing updates, features, and training opportunities
  • Why focusing on planning outcomes, not products, creates longer-lasting client relationships
  • And more!

Connect With Steve Goldstein:

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About Our Guest:

Steve, a graduate of Drexel University in Philadelphia, resides in Western Pennsylvania. He began his career in the financial industry 1983, where he worked on Wall Street for 22 years trading stock and index options in New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago. Steve was a Partner at Liberty Capital Group through the late 1990s and a Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing of a large FMO from 2008 to 2010. 

In 2010, Steve teamed with partner Brooke Thomas to purchase Cravens & Associates and form Thomas Gold Solutions. His experience as an advisor is an asset when creating software solutions that help advisors and clients understand the value of the financial planning process. Steve and Brooke work continuously to keep the Retirement Analyzer software cutting edge with updates and new functionality. Steve holds his CFP® and ChFC® designations.

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Unstoppable Ascent: Rod Mims on Athene’s Rise to the Top (Ep. 92)

Unstoppable Ascent: Rod Mims on Athene’s Rise to the Top (Ep. 92)

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From launching a retail annuity business to becoming the leading annuity distributor, Athene’s journey is a masterclass in growth and adaptability.

This week, Jeremy Houser sits down with Rod Mims, EVP and Head of Retail at Athene USA, to explore the strategies and pivotal decisions that fueled their rapid ascent.

This episode pulls back the curtain on technology breakthroughs, the power of people and culture, and the “silver tsunami” driving unprecedented annuity demand. They also dive into what it truly takes to sustain growth while delivering meaningful value to clients and partners.

Rod discusses:

  • The founding story of Athene’s retail business and lessons from scaling up from $10 billion to $36 billion in annual premium
  • The role of technology, especially moving from paper applications to 90% electronic processing and piloting paperless carrier-to-carrier transfers
  • The importance of building strong strategic partnerships and maintaining operational efficiency to support exponential growth
  • The impact of demographic shifts, interest rates, and volatility on the future of the fixed index annuity industry
  • How Athene fosters a high-retention, engaged culture through communication, leadership training, and employee feedback
  • And more!

Connect With Rod Mims

Connect with Jeremy Houser:

About Our Guest:

Rod Mims serves as the Executive Vice President and Head of Retail Sales at Athene USA. In his role, he is responsible for overseeing Athene’s retail annuity business and driving continued growth through the development of strong partnerships.

Mr. Mims joined Athene in 2011 and served as Senior Vice President and National Sales Manager until he assumed his current role, bringing extensive institutional experience and strategic initiative to continue the successful execution of the organization’s growth plans.

Prior to joining Athene, he was the National Sales Manager for Genworth Financial, with responsibility spanning its bank, wirehouse, and independent broker-dealer channels.

Mr. Mims received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, accompanied by a degree in Marketing and Supply Chain Management. He graduated from the GE Management Development Institute- Crotonville and completed Executive Education from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.

About Athene:

Athene is a leading retirement services company that specializes in helping its customers retire with confidence and is a solutions provider to institutions. As a company, Athene is driven to do more and is never satisfied with the status quo. Athene strives to create innovative financial solutions and has a strong team to serve our policyholders and our communities.

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From Practice to Enterprise: Scaling with Intention with Duncan MacPherson (Ep. 91)

From Practice to Enterprise: Scaling with Intention with Duncan MacPherson (Ep. 91)

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Growth in financial advising demands a balance between serving current clients effectively and exploring transformative strategies for business development.

This week, Jeremy Houser engages Duncan MacPherson, founder and CEO of Pareto Systems, to uncover principles for scaling a financial advisory practice while enhancing client relationships. From mastering practice management to leveraging technology like AI, Duncan provides actionable insights to redefine value and elevate advisory practices.

Duncan discusses:

  • Strategies to strengthen client advocacy by focusing on existing relationships
  • The evolution from organic growth to scalable, team-oriented practices
  • The significance of creating structured processes to enhance business efficiency
  • The importance of balancing emotional intelligence with technological advancements
  • Steps for crafting a robust exit strategy that maximizes business value and legacy
  • And more!

Resources: 

Connect With Duncan MacPherson:

Connect with Jeremy Houser:

About Our Guest:

Driven by a deep passion for unlocking potential, Duncan MacPherson steers Pareto Systems in his role as CEO. Together with financial professionals and visionary firms, he is committed to designing businesses that achieve both profitability and purpose.

Duncan, alongside his team, leverages the unique ‘The Blue Square Method’ – a methodology inspired by best practices – to guide professionals toward discovering their ‘Blue Square.’ This represents the ideal state where their business activities are in perfect harmony with their passion and purpose.

As a speaker in high demand, he travels extensively throughout North America and around the world, conveying dynamic and fact-rich presentations that have made him a popular spokesperson for the Financial Services industry.

His expertise in demystifying business development and marketing in the financial world has universal appeal, from the high-level advisor to the successful wholesaler, to corporate financial institutions. His primary goal is to help Professionals achieve liberation and order in their businesses through step-by-step methodology and execution.

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