In this episode of Bridging the Gap, Matt and Derrick Kinney dive into the power of emotional connection in financial advising. Derrick, known as “America’s Financial Educator” and author of the bestselling book Good Money Revolution, is dedicated to helping people build wealth while living a meaningful life. He opens up about his personal journey, sharing how his childhood experiences of frequent relocations shaped his approach to relationships. His high school campaign for student body president taught him the importance of making people feel valued, a lesson that carried into his career as a financial advisor. Derrick highlights how caring about what matters to clients was key to building trust and success in his practice.

The conversation shifts to the importance of truly understanding clients’ emotional needs, not just their financial situations. Derrick shares how advisors can uncover underlying concerns by paying attention to patterns in client interactions and crafting stories that resonate with their emotions. This deeper connection fosters loyalty and trust, moving beyond the numbers to create lasting relationships. He also touches on his commitment to education and how it ties into his mission of making a larger impact on society.

To stand out in a crowded market, Matt and Derrick stress the value of specialization, advising financial professionals to become experts in niche areas. They outline practical strategies to strengthen client relationships, like regular check-ins and personalized advice. The episode closes with powerful takeaways: practice boldness daily, inspired by Bohemian Rhapsody; use structured checklists for stability; incorporate charitable actions into your business; and always engage clients by focusing on their feelings and concerns to build genuine, lasting trust.  

Timestamps From This Episode

[12:43] Provide clear, effective solutions to high-net-worth clients’ critical problems. Avoid labeling yourself as a ‘financial advisor’; address relatable problems to engage meaningfully.

[21:11] Stressing the significance of seeking specialists for specific problems and noting that financial advisors often overlook potential opportunities by not concentrating on specialized expertise. Address relatable problems to foster connection; refrain from stating you’re a financial advisor.

[29:09] While credentials are important, true success relies on effective communication and addressing core problems. Addressing individual interests fosters strong client relationships.

[34:44] Focus on identifying and solving each client’s individual problems rather than providing a multitude of services.

[36:24] We excelled in providing clients with consistent, personalized support through scheduled communications, ensuring they felt connected across our various Texas offices.

[42:08] Advisors must ask probing, thoughtful questions to effectively uncover and understand clients’ underlying money beliefs and decision-making processes. Effective financial advisors should prioritize active listening, ask insightful questions, and provide targeted, minimal advice. Advisors provide the most value through active listening.

Host

Matt Reiner, CFA, CFP®

I’ve been fortunate to be around the wealth management business for over 25 years. Along with this, I’m also the CEO of a tech startup. These experiences have given me a bird’s eye view of both the technology and financial services spaces.

Guest

Derrick Kinney, Certified Financial Educator and author

I’m on a mission to help every American create the lasting wealth and meaningful life you deserve.
Derrick is known as “America’s Financial Educator” — and takes that title very seriously. He's a Certified Financial Educator and the author of the Wall Street Journal and USA Today national bestseller, Good Money Revolution. He has been interviewed by countless media outlets like FOX News, CNBC, CNN, FOX Business, Yahoo Finance!, PBS, and the Wall Street Journal.