Category: Podcast
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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Building Momentum Through Systems, Training, and Delegation (Ep. 90)

Building Momentum Through Systems, Training, and Delegation (Ep. 90)

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Growth is possible, even in a slower market, when advisors focus on what matters most.

In this episode, Jeremy Houser checks in with listeners on personal and professional wins while sharing how his team continues to outperform the broader industry. He breaks down the tools, training, and strategies that have helped advisors thrive in 2025 and beyond, even as the market cools.

Jeremy discusses:

  • How his team achieved 15% growth year-over-year despite the fixed indexed annuity market declining 5% in Q1
  • The critical role of advisor trainings, masterminds, and personal development resources like book lists and mindset work
  • Leveraging technology and AI tools for efficient marketing, faster client communication, and content creation, including replacing costly agencies
  • The value of delegation in building strong advisor teams, including examples of growing from solo shops to teams of 19+
  • How consistency in content, authenticity, and strategic use of social media drive trust, visibility, and client engagement
  • And more!

Connect with Jeremy Houser:

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Beyond Financial Planning: Integrating Real Estate and Legacy with Mark Taylan, CRPC (Ep. 89)

Beyond Financial Planning: Integrating Real Estate and Legacy with Mark Taylan, CRPC (Ep. 89)

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Financial advising can extend far beyond numbers—it’s about building trust, adapting strategies, and planning for a meaningful legacy.

In this episode, Jeremy Houser speaks with Mark Taylan, CRPC, Founder and Managing Director at Advisors360 LLC, about his journey in blending real estate expertise with financial planning to create a client-focused legacy. They discuss Mark’s unique approach to integrating personal values and long-term vision into his practice while training the next generation of advisors.

Mark discusses:

  • Building trust and connection with clients by crafting a compelling founder story
  • The role of real estate as a significant asset in shaping financial strategies
  • The importance of planning for legacy and training the next generation of advisors
  • How focusing on growth-oriented planning reshaped his independent practice and helped his mindset to scale
  • The impact of joining Advisor Mentorship Program to his business
  • The value of using workshops and a podcast to connect with and educate clients
  • And more!

Connect With Mark Taylan:

Connect with Jeremy Houser:

About Our Guest:

Mark Taylan has a 22+ year track record of guiding clients through some of the most challenging financial markets. His extensive experience with traditional Wall Street firms, big banks, and independent brokerage firms has been instrumental in identifying the best solutions for his clients. Through this journey, he has learned that no single investment firm or strategy is consistently superior to the others. Over his many years as a financial advisor, Mark has faced real-life challenges, including helping clients transition through different phases of their lives, navigating personal tragedies, and celebrating achievements. He considers it a privilege to have walked alongside many clients to the end of their lives and to continue their legacies with their loved ones.

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Building Trust Through Emotionally Intelligent Financial Conversations with Ashley Quamme (Ep. 88)

Building Trust Through Emotionally Intelligent Financial Conversations with Ashley Quamme (Ep. 88)

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Financial advice isn’t just about the numbers. It’s about understanding the people behind them.

In this episode, Jeremy Houser sits down with Ashley Quamme, LMFT, FBS®, CFT™, founder of Beyond the Plan®, to explore the emotional and behavioral aspects of financial advising. They explore how financial professionals can use emotional intelligence to build stronger relationships with clients, improve decision-making, and enhance trust. Ashley shares insights from her therapy background and practical strategies for virtual and in-person advisory work.

Ashley and Jeremy discuss:

  • The importance of collaborative language in client conversations and why it matters
  • The shift from therapy to financial services and the valuable crossover of skills
  • How body language and facial cues play a vital role in virtual meetings
  • Strategies for financial advisors to enhance trust with high-net-worth clients, even in online settings
  • The role of a Financial Behavior Officer in advisory practices and how it transforms client relationships
  • And more!

Resources: 

Connect With Ashley Quamme:

Connect with Jeremy Houser:

About Our Guest:

Ashley Quamme, LMFT, FBS®, CFT™, is the Owner of Beyond the Plan®, a consulting practice that partners with firms to integrate financial psychology into their practice. In addition to her work with advisory firms, she is a speaker and host of Planning & Beyond™, a podcast where she explores the intersection of financial planning and human understanding, bringing practical strategies and insights to advisors and financial professionals.

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