The Tension

What do we gain—and what do we give up—when we chase independence or influence? In this episode, Travis sits down with Lincoln Rock, Vice President at 49 Financial and a standout Gen Z leader, to unpack one of life’s most formative tensions. From navigating early parenthood and supporting a spouse in med school, to choosing an uncomfortable job path in pursuit of long-term impact, Lincoln offers a raw and insightful take on what it...

Can you be driven to succeed and satisfied with where you are? In this deeply personal episode of The Tension, EVP David Farrell unpacks his own journey through burnout, success, self-worth, and learning how to let go.

From the early chase of impact, income, and independence to the emotional toll of unchecked ambition, David opens up about anxiety, identity, and how a sabbatical helped him rediscover what really matters. It's a...

What happens when your perfectly laid plans unravel? In this episode of The Tension, Travis sits down with Chase Bertrand—husband, father, and top financial advisor—to explore the lifelong challenge of navigating the gap between what we hope for and what actually unfolds.

From chasing a Division I football dream to sitting in post-surgery recovery at 24, Chase opens up about identity, ambition, setbacks, and faith. He shares candid ...

Can you really "have it all"? And if so… how do you do it all?

In this episode, Travis sits down with Co-Founder Kyle Sims to unpack the real-life pressure of trying to get it all done, in all the roles—leader, parent, spouse, friend. Kyle shares the story of navigating the hardest season of his life: launching 49 Financial’s Dallas office, raising and adopting children, and losing his father—all in the same year.

Together,...

In this honest and reflective episode, Travis sits down with Greg Rosner, Vice President at 49 Financial, overseeing Charlotte and Jacksonville, to explore a relatable tension: How do you honor the legacy of your parents while still forging your own identity?

Greg shares the impact of growing up with a father in his 70s, and the lessons learned watching his dad lose his vision, even while launching a school and finishing a book. We ...

Is having certainty before decision-making necessary? What if confidence comes from movement, not certainty? In this episode, we’re joined by Tim Rodgers, MVP of Northwest Arkansas and Kansas City at 49 Financial, as we unpack the tension between risk and reward, the dangers of negative hypotheticals, and the power of focusing on reasonable probability. Whether you're facing a career choice, a business opportunity, or a major ...

How can advisors move from founder-led growth through referrals to becoming trusted advisors to the clients they want to serve?  Sean Johnson, CEO and Founder of Madison, joins Luke Winskowski and Dan Wanous to share lessons learned from elite professional services firms that advisors can employ to become trusted advisors to the clients they want to serve. 

In This Conversation:

Sean Johnson, CEO and Founder, Madison

Luke Wi...

Growing a financial advice business is hard. In the early days, you pour everything into bringing on your first clients.  But as the demands of running the business grow, how do leading advisors continue their growth journey? Advisor Growth and Marketing Expert Meg Carpenter joins Luke Winskowski and Dan Wanous to have the conversation on how intentional advisors can manage the Growth Tension.

In This Conversation:

• Meg ...

The wealth management industry has a talent crisis. So why aren’t we talking more about developing next-generation advisors? Next-Gen advisor advocate Jamie Hopkins joins Travis Penfield and Dan Wanous to have the conversation on how intentional advisors can manage the Next-Gen Tension.

In This Conversation:

• Jamie Hopkins, Chief Wealth Officer of WSFS Bank, CEO of Bryn Mawr Capital Management, and Founder of FinServe F...