In this special episode of Financial Behavior Thought Leaders, the tables are turned as Dr. Kristy Archuleta steps in to guest host and interviews our regular host, Dr. Mary Bell Carlson. As the founder of the Financial Behavior Keynote Group and a leading voice at the intersection of behavioral finance research and real-world financial planning, Mary shares insights into her speaking journey, her passion for practical applications of research, and the stories that make her keynotes resonate. The episode dives into her keynote, “From Anchors to Action: Practical Behavioral Finance for Financial Planners,” explores foundational behavioral finance concepts, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and triumphs that shape an unforgettable keynote speaker.

The conversation is lively and personal, as Kristy asks about Mary’s path from childhood love of the microphone to her formative experiences presenting financial education worldwide for the Pentagon. Mary discusses how her work has spanned audiences from military groups to mom’s conferences and highlights the importance—and sometimes the challenge—of tailoring presentations to different groups. You’ll get a preview of her widely recommended book, "Anchors, Ostriches, and a Hot Pair of Scissors," and learn how the transition from behavioral finance theory to practical application can empower advisors and their clients. The episode also features a striking story about mental accounting and the emotional labels people place on their money, demonstrating why communication and empathy are central to financial advising. The conversation winds down with a personal revelation about overcoming childhood speech challenges, underscoring the value of resilience and lifelong learning.

Five Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Application in Behavioral Finance:
2. Mary emphasizes the need to move beyond theory, focusing on the practical application of behavioral finance in day-to-day financial planning. She stresses the value of answering the "so what" and "who cares" questions, ensuring that academic insights help advisors and clients in real, tangible ways.
3. Flexibility and Diversity in Speaking:
4. Her speaking journey—kicking off in extraordinary settings like the Pentagon and military bases around the world—demonstrates the importance of adapting content and style for vastly different audiences. Even with experience, Mary acknowledges that speaking to new groups can be a growth opportunity full of trial and error.
5. Labeling Money and Mental Accounting:
6. A memorable client story about "mental accounting" reveals how the ways clients label their money can dramatically impact financial decisions. By understanding and respecting the meaning behind those labels (for example, an “emergency fund”), advisors can help clients make progress that aligns with their values and emotional needs.
7. Building Communication Skills Is an Ongoing Journey:
8. Through both research and personal anecdotes, Mary illustrates that effective financial advising is less about diagnosing biases in others and more about connecting with empathy, listening deeply, and communicating without judgment. Communication techniques are tools for connection, not correction.

In this episode of the Financial Behavior Thought Leaders podcast, Dr. Mary Bell Carlson welcomes Danika Waddell, CFP®, MS, RLP, a human-centered financial life planner known for her unique approach to ongoing client engagement and holistic life planning. Danika Waddell brings her heartfelt story of how she entered the world of financial planning—a journey that began with degrees in math and psychology, winding through career shifts before finding the perfect balance between analytical rigor and values-driven guidance. The conversation dives deep into what it means to go beyond traditional, technical financial advice and truly help clients align their money with their purpose and life changes over time.

Together, Mary and Danika explore why modern financial planning isn’t just about creating beautiful plans or offering technical recommendations. They discuss the crucial “human side” of advising—empowering clients to articulate their deepest values, revisit those goals regularly, and hold themselves accountable to the life they most want to live. Danika Waddell shares real-life stories from her practice, provides a behind-the-scenes look at her keynote speech, and offers simple, actionable shifts any advisor can use to make their client relationships more impactful and lasting. The episode closes with a personal note on living your own values as an advisor—illustrating why authenticity matters when inspiring others to pursue their dreams.

Five Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Human-Centered Advice:
2. Danika advocates moving “beyond the three questions” of initial client discovery to maintain meaningful engagement throughout a client’s life. She explains that technical expertise is just table stakes: true impact comes from ongoing conversations about clients’ values, goals, and life transitions.
3. From Advisor as Expert to Client as Expert of Their Own Life:
4. Financial professionals are trained to be technical experts, but Danika stresses the importance of shifting the focus—putting the client in the driver's seat as the expert on their own values and priorities. This mindset empowers clients and leads to more authentic, lasting transformation.
5. Why Financial Plans Don’t Get Implemented:
6. Technical plans often sit unused because they aren’t connected to real motivation. Advisors need to revisit clients’ original goals and values regularly, reflecting clients’ own words back to them. This accountability can be a catalyst for clients to make changes, as illustrated by Danika’s moving example of a client re-evaluating his work-life priorities.
7. Adapting in an AI-Driven World:
8. With the rise of AI and automated planning tools, delivering a “standard” financial plan is no longer a differentiator. Danika argues that what will set advisors apart is their ability to integrate deep, ongoing behavioral work—focusing on values, dreams, and emotional support, which technology simply can’t replicate.
9. Simple, Actionable Tools for Any Advisor:
10. No matter where you are in your career, adding just one new human-centered question, tool, or reframing technique can deepen your client relationships. Danika’s keynote and approach are designed to help advisors at every level immediately make their client work more meaningful and effective.

Tune in for insights, practical applications, and inspiration from one of the leading voices on blending technical mastery with the art of human connection in financial planning. Discover how you—and your clients—can create lives aligned with your deepest values, not just your bottom line.

On this episode of Financial Behavior Thought Leaders, host Mary Bell Carlson welcomes the dynamic Deirdre Van Nest, renowned keynote speaker, coach, and storyteller within the financial services industry. The conversation dives deep into Deirdre’s unique journey—overcoming a paralyzing fear of public speaking to become a sought-after speaker who specializes in leveraging emotional intelligence and storytelling for powerful business results.

Through candid anecdotes and practical insights, Deirdre unpacks the principles behind her keynote, “Getting to the Yes Quicker,” sharing tangible strategies and real-life success stories that illustrate how authentic connection leads to trust, likability, and client conversion.

The episode provides a behind-the-scenes look at what makes a keynote speaker truly unforgettable, the challenges and triumphs that shaped Deirdre’s approach, and actionable ways financial professionals can transform their communication, deepen client relationships, and grow their practices. Listen for insights on emotional intelligence, the power of vulnerability, and the impact of personal narrative in business.

Key Takeaways

1. Overcoming Fear Unlocks Growth:
2. Deirdre’s journey began with a vow to avoid public speaking after a humiliating experience in her youth. Her eventual decision to confront that fear—by hiring a speaking coach and facing vulnerability head-on—not only transformed her career, it reignited her passion and enabled her to help others do the same. Her story demonstrates that personal growth starts when we challenge our own limitations, and that authenticity is the foundation of impactful communication.
3. Emotional Intelligence and Human Connection Matter More Than Ever:
4. With rapid advances in technology such as AI, the human elements of financial advising—emotional intelligence, empathy, and connection—are increasingly critical. Deirdre and Mary explore how advisors who excel at building genuine relationships will stand out, as clients value trust and relatability over pure technical expertise.
5. The “Why I Care” Personal Story is a Game-Changer:
6. Sharing a personal "why I care" story can dramatically accelerate trust and likability. Deirdre recounts a pivotal moment when revealing her authentic reason for caring about her audience resulted in immediate credibility—even from skeptical, analytical top producers. This shift marked a turning point in her business and is a replicable strategy for financial professionals: when crafted and delivered well, personal stories lead prospects to say “yes” faster.
7. Practical Success Stories Prove the Power of Storytelling:
8. The episode features compelling examples—from new advisors converting prospects at community events to elite producers boosting their conversion rates from 85–90% to 100%. Deirdre's clients have used intentional storytelling in everything from one-on-one meetings to video introductions, consistently finding that prospects come in ready to work with them, referrals increase, and business grows. Storytelling isn’t just for speeches—it’s a practical tool that works in everyday advisory interactions.
9. Authenticity, Adaptability, and Partnership Are Essential On—and Off—Stage:
10. Beyond speaking skills, Deirdre’s personal journey—including living on a boat and embracing an adaptable lifestyle—mirrors her approach to working with event hosts and teams. She emphasizes flexibility, partnership, and a commitment to making each event extraordinary. Her story offers inspiration for both life and career: embracing change, staying adaptable, and bringing your full self to any endeavor leads to more meaningful impact and memorable experiences.

Whether you’re an advisor, event planner, or someone seeking to strengthen your influence and...