The 401(k) Marketing Podcast

Everything around advisors is moving fast, and Patrik Delaney has spent twenty-five years watching the industry shift under their feet. In this conversation, he and Rebecca dig into what is driving those changes, why traditional education is no longer enough, and how the most successful advisors are learning to inspire behavior rather than just explain it. Pat breaks down how demographic pressure, AI, and participant expectations are reshaping advisory work. More importantly, he explains why the qualities of great coaches, like curiosity, courage, and compassion, may matter more for advisors going forward than technical skill alone. Listeners can expect insights on: The rise of coaching-based communication in financial adviceWhy younger investors seek emotional connection as much as expertiseHow AI may change advisor responsibilitiesThe Grow framework for encouraging real behavior changeAnd more! Resources: The Next Wave of Advice Connect With Patrick Delaney: T. Rowe PriceLinkedIn: Patrick Delaney Connect With Rebecca Hourihan: rebecca@401k-marketing.com (619) 230 – 5464401(k) Marketing LinkedIn: Rebecca HourihanLinkedIn: 401(k) MarketingFacebook: 401(k) MarketingYouTube: 401(k) MarketingSchedule a meeting with 401(k) Marketing About Our Guest: Patrick Delaney is an insights director within U.S. Intermediaries – Advisor Engagement, the group focused on helping financial professionals understand and adapt to the changing face of wealth in the United States. Patrick has been with T. Rowe Price since 2000, beginning in Retirement Plan Services. Prior to his current role, Patrick developed and delivered practice management content for financial professionals designed to help them learn, sell, and better serve their corporate retirement plan clients Patrick earned a B.A. in economics from Gettysburg College. He is a Series 7 and 63 registered representative and state-registered broker-dealer.

Standing out online has never been harder. With endless content competing for attention, how do you make sure your voice is the one people remember? In this episode, Rebecca Hourihan welcomes back Laura Garfield, Founder of Idea Decanter, to talk about the growing “visibility war” and why video has become increasingly important for many advisors. They explore how AI-generated content is flooding the market, why authentic storytelling still wins, and how advisors can measure ROI beyond vanity metrics. Laura also shares her 3-2-1 Countdown framework for creating effective video and practical ways to start without becoming a full-time content creator. Laura shares key insights: Why AI-generated “slop” is crowding digital platforms and raising the bar for authentic contentHow personal stories and lived experiences help advisors stand out from automated marketingThe 3-2-1 Countdown framework: Prepare, Record, Convert for an effective video strategyHard vs soft metrics to evaluate ROI, from engagement data to client feedbackWhy starting with one strong homepage video can anchor an entire marketing planAnd more! Resources: Find Your #Finfluence: A Financial Advisor’s Guide to Stand Out & Succeed with Video by Laura Garfield Connect With Laura Garfield: LinkedIn: Laura Garfieldlaura@ideadecanter.com Idea Decanter Connect With Rebecca Hourihan: rebecca@401k-marketing.com (619) 230 – 5464401(k) Marketing LinkedIn: Rebecca HourihanLinkedIn: 401(k) MarketingFacebook: 401(k) MarketingYouTube: 401(k) MarketingSchedule a meeting with 401(k) Marketing About Our Guest: Laura Garfield spent her teenage years idolizing Jane Pauley and Katie Couric. A thirst for learning and a love of writing had her hooked on broadcast journalism – where you didn’t have to know everything except how to ask the right questions. After graduation, Laura landed her first news gig at a tiny TV station in Hastings, Nebraska. Over the span of more than a decade, she worked her way up through stations in Omaha and New Orleans to a position at CBS News in New York and then CNN in Atlanta. Along the way, she has written a book, worked as a foreign correspondent, and has lately been drawn to the emerging possibilities of digital storytelling. Instead of a company relying on a big ad spend, with the Internet, you can be a broadcaster of your own brand. Laura believes that all you need to pull it off is a talented content marketing team (like Idea Decanter!) to help you craft your message.

Confidence alone won’t make you a better communicator. What if the key to connecting with others lies in understanding them first? How do you shift from speaking at people to truly engaging with them? What role does listening play in building trust and deepening relationships? In this episode, Rebecca Hourihan interviews Matt Mosich, a communications expert who has helped hundreds of professionals speak with enhanced clarity and confidence. He shares why the best communicators prioritize awareness over confidence, how to become a better listener, and the framework for asking questions that reveal what kind of communicator someone is. Matt also explores how communication shapes company culture and offers practical strategies to stop losing your train of thought during important conversations. Rebeca and Matt discuss: Why awareness matters more than confidence when it comes to effective communication and connection with othersHow listening serves as a form of love and why great communicators ask questions rooted in genuine curiosityThe three Ps framework: prepare, prompt, and pivot to understand who you’re speaking to and adapt in real timeHow company culture is shaped by collective communication and why leaders must model vulnerability and accountabilityBuilding a personal FAQ to practice responses and never lose your train of thought, using the point-reason-point methodAnd more! Connect With Matt Mosich: The Mosich GroupLinkedIn: Matt Mosich Connect With Rebecca Hourihan: rebecca@401k-marketing.com (619) 230 – 5464401(k) Marketing LinkedIn: Rebecca HourihanLinkedIn: 401(k) MarketingFacebook: 401(k) MarketingYouTube: 401(k) MarketingSchedule a meeting with 401(k) Marketing About Our Guest: Matt Mosich is the President and Owner of The Mosich Group and a communications coach who helps professionals strengthen how they speak, listen, and connect. His approach is shaped by years in wealth management, leadership development, and deep study of communication frameworks. Matt works with individuals and executive teams to refine message clarity, build awareness, and create more collaborative cultures. He is known for his practical tools, such as the Three Ps framework and the Personal FAQ process, which help clients communicate with intention in any setting.

Some conversations hit closer to home, especially when your guest is your mom. In this refreshingly candid episode, Rebecca Hourihan sits down with her mother for a conversation that moves from garden centers and white minivans to the heart of what it means to lead with confidence in uncertain times. From generational shifts to TikTok … Read More Read More

Most retirement plan advisors spend their days working in their practice, reacting to client emails, putting out fires, and chasing deadlines. But what if you carved out just 2 hours a month to work on your practice instead? In this high-energy episode, Randy Fuss of Fuss Success Builders joins Rebecca Hourihan to unpack the real … Read More Read More

Becoming the go-to expert in your niche isn’t just for influencers; it’s for retirement plan advisors, too. In this episode of the 401(k) Marketing Podcast, Rebecca Hourihan shares how advisors can become micro-influencers through education, storytelling, and strategic content. From quick videos to compliance-friendly guides, she explains how to build trust and credibility before you … Read More Read More

What makes startup 401(k) plans the new frontier for retirement savings? Join Rebecca Hourihan as she sits down with Kevin Spaeth from PenChecks to explore the modern twists redefining 401(k) plans. They delve into the impact of auto-enrollment and escalation, the role of safe-harbor rules, state-mandated IRA programs, and the introduction of strategic tax incentives … Read More Read More

As the retirement landscape continues to evolve, understanding how new legislation and emerging technologies impact employers and employees is more important than ever. In this episode, Rebecca chats with Will Hansen, Executive Director of the Plan Sponsor Council of America, to discuss the latest shifts in retirement planning and policy, and what they mean for … Read More Read More

What if your 401(k) followed you from job to job as effortlessly as your favorite playlist? Join host Rebecca Hourihan as she sits down with industry experts Spencer Williams and Neal Ringquist from the Retirement Clearinghouse to explore this game-changing innovation. Discover how the Portability Services Network is tackling the challenge of maintaining retirement savings … Read More Read More

Join Rebecca Hourihan in this engaging episode of the 401(k) Marketing Podcast as she shares insightful strategies to elevate your 401(k) advisory practice from good to great. Explore Rebecca’s five dynamic techniques to stand out on social media, boost your engagement, and solidify your presence in the retirement plan community. Rebecca discusses: The impact of … Read More Read More

Are you keeping up with the AI wave in the financial services industry? Rebecca Hourihan chats with Spencer X. Smith from AmpliPhi Digital about the transformative power of AI in the retirement plan industry. Get ready to explore how AI has quickly evolved from a niche technology to an everyday tool for financial advisors. Spencer … Read More Read More

Rebecca Hourihan sits down with Mike DiCenso, a renowned expert in institutional retirement plans, wealth management, and fintech innovation. Discover Mike’s profound insights on tackling modern challenges in the retirement plan advisory space and how to leverage them for success. Mike discusses: The importance of strategic planning and the pitfalls of abandoning strategies too soon … Read More Read More

In this episode, we talk with Brandon Helms, MarshBerry Vice President on the five key strategies for financial advisors to build more value in their businesses. The conversation covers the importance of organic growth, differentiation strategies, succession planning, M&A opportunities, and understanding client demographics. Brandon emphasizes the need for advisors to think like stewards of … Read More Read More

Rebecca Hourihan speaks with Blake Allison, founder and CEO of LifeCents, on the evolving concept of financial wellness, its challenges, and how it impacts both employers and employees. He emphasizes the need for personalized financial wellness programs and critiques overly complex, one-size-fits-all programs, advocating instead for tailored approaches that consider each employee’s unique financial situation, … Read More Read More

Rebecca Hourihan is joined by Laura Garfield, co-founder of Idea Decanter, to discuss the evolution and significance of short-form content and video marketing, particularly for financial advisors. Laura emphasizes the importance of adapting to your audience’s evolving preferences, leveraging video for effective communication, and utilizing AI tools to enhance video production. Gain insight and actionable … Read More Read More

Rebecca Hourihan shares seven practical suggestions designed to smooth out your prospecting pipeline and drive consistent growth for your business. Rebecca discusses innovative ways to enhance communication with AI tools, emphasizes the importance of high-quality design in your marketing materials, and offers invaluable tips for maintaining meaningful connections with prospects and clients. Rebecca touches on: … Read More Read More

In this episode, Rebecca is honored to welcome Nevin Adams, a legendary figure in the retirement planning industry. With a career spanning nearly five decades, Nevin has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of retirement plans. His wealth of experience and knowledge is undeniable as he shares his insights and future projections. Dive … Read More Read More

Rebecca Hourihan reflects on a decade of retirement plan marketing. She emphasizes the challenges of change, the evolution of marketing strategies from cold calling to leveraging social media, and the necessity of maintaining a visible and professional online presence. Rebecca also touches on the importance of creating tailored content, and discusses the critical role of … Read More Read More

Did you know that approximately 10-12% of plan sponsors actively shop their plan every year? Tune in to Rebecca Hourihan’s conversation with Eric Ryles, Vice President, of Customer Solutions at ALM Media, LLC (parent company of Judy Diamond Associates). They explore ways to improve prospecting and enhance client retention, as well as telltale signs a … Read More Read More

Are you tired of manual payroll processes eating up your time and resources? What if there was an efficient way to streamline payroll integration with your 401(k) recordkeeping? Learn how Payroll Integrations connects you to leading payroll systems and automates data transfer through APIs. Rebecca Hourihan and guest Jeff Kayajanian, principal and chief revenue officer … Read More Read More