What's Trending: Can Unemployment Predict the Next Recession?

Strategic partnerships are often misunderstood in the advisory world, especially when they’re treated as transactional referral arrangements instead of long-term professional relationships. In this episode of The Rare Advisor, host Aaron Grady is joined by practice management consultant Allan Oehrlein to break down what true strategic partnerships really look like and why trust, alignment, and consistency matter more than lead counts. Together, they explore how advisors can identify the right partners through their best clients, evaluate fit using clear criteria, and intentionally design relationships that enhance the client experience.

Market volatility has a way of sneaking up on people. One day, everything feels calm. The next, headlines are blaring and clients start asking questions that sound a lot like fear.

Mark Mersman sits down with longtime friend and advisor marketing expert Matt Halloran, Chief Evangelist at Zocks, to unpack how artificial intelligence is reshaping financial advisor marketing, client experience, and growth. From freeing up time through smarter systems to using AI-powered insights for better content, niching, and follow-up, Matt shares real-world examples advisors can learn from today. The conversation also covers why advisors still struggle to differentiate themselves, how trust is built in a tech-driven world, and why podcasting, events, and niche marketing remain powerful when done correctly. If you’re thinking about how to grow smarter—not just faster—this episode delivers practical insights worth considering.