Behavioral finance legend Carl Richards explains what great financial planners actually get paid for, and why human connection is becoming the most valuable skill in advice.

In this episode of Don’t Shoot the Messenger, Chris Ball sits down with Carl Richards (author of The Behavior Gap and The One-Page Financial Plan, and former New York Times “Sketch Guy”) to talk about the real craft of advice: trust, communication, and meaningful relationships.

📌 Featured resource
Carl’s community for planners: The Society of Advice → https://www.thesocietyofadvice.com/

🎧 Listen on @HoxtonLifePodcast

💬 Question for you: What do you think advisors will need to double down on in the next 5 years, technical skill or human connection?

#HoxtonWealth #FinancialPlanning #BehaviouralFinance

If you want to see what life in Hoxton Wealth is like, please visit: / @hoxtonlife

For more information on Hoxton Wealth careers, please https://www.careers-page.com/hoxtonwealth.com

For my videos by Chris, please visit his Youtube: ⁨@ChrisBallHoxton⁩

In this episode of Don’t Shoot the Messenger, Chris sits down with Adam to break down what it really looks like to start in advice from scratch, build a client book, and make the leap from a network model into a larger practice without losing your entrepreneurial edge.

Adam joined Hoxton Wealth in March last year and brought over a significant book of business. He started with no prior experience, cut his teeth in mortgages and protection, and over time transitioned into full wealth management. We talk honestly about the messy middle: confidence, structure, support, and why so many advisors feel stuck doing everything themselves.

We cover:
- How Adam started in advice with no prior experience
- The reality of being advisor, admin, and paraplanner all at once
- The moment you realise solo growth has a ceiling
- How to retain independence while plugging into a bigger team
- Where new business really comes from: referrals, leads, and professional connections
- The fundamentals that separate great advisors: responsiveness, delivery, client-first thinking
- Advice for anyone in a network or solo setup wondering what is next

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If you want to see what life in Hoxton Wealth is like, please visit: / @hoxtonlife

For more information on Hoxton Wealth careers, please https://www.careers-page.com/hoxtonwealth.com

For my videos by Chris, please visit his Youtube: ⁨@ChrisBallHoxton⁩

Why does property feel easier than stocks for so many people, even smart, high-earning professionals?

In this episode of Don’t Shoot the Messenger, Chris sits down with Lámidé Elizabeth, an ex-investment banker turned entrepreneur and investor to unpack the real psychology behind property vs stock market investing.

We cover:
- Why property feels more “understandable” than stocks
- The psychological comfort of bricks and mortar vs market volatility
- Property vs stocks from a risk, liquidity, and cash flow perspective
- UK vs Dubai vs South Africa property opportunities
- The dangers of being asset-rich but cash-poor
- Why diversification matters more than choosing sides

This content is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, investment advice, or a recommendation to buy or sell any financial product or asset.

All views expressed are personal opinions based on experience and general discussion. Individual circumstances vary, and investing involves risk, including the potential loss of capital.

You should always seek independent professional advice before making any financial or investment decisions.

Past performance is not indicative of future results.

If you want to see what life in Hoxton Wealth is like, please visit: / @hoxtonlife

For more information on Hoxton Wealth careers, please https://www.careers-page.com/hoxtonwealth.com

For my videos by Chris, please visit his Youtube: ⁨@ChrisBallHoxton⁩

Pete Matthew is the founder of Meaningful Money, one of the most established personal finance platforms in the UK.

What started in 2010 with a cheap camera and a simple idea has grown into:

• Over 10 million views
• 145,000 subscribers
• Nearly 700 videos
• A business generating consistent enquiries and long-term client trust

In this episode of Don’t Shoot The Messenger, Chris Ball sits down with Pete to unpack how video and content can transform the way financial advisers build credibility, attract clients, and grow sustainably.

They discuss:

• Why YouTube builds trust before the first meeting
• How consistency beats perfection in content creation
• The moment Pete realised video was changing his business
• Why advisers do not need expensive equipment to start
• How content improves client conversations, not just marketing
• The reality behind monetisation and funnels in financial services

This conversation is essential listening for advisers who want to grow without chasing, communicate more clearly, and build long-term trust at scale.

If you want to see what life in Hoxton Wealth is like, please visit: / @hoxtonlife

For more information on Hoxton Wealth careers, please https://www.careers-page.com/hoxtonwealth.com

For my videos by Chris, please visit his Youtube: ⁨@ChrisBallHoxton⁩

In this conversation, Chris sits down with Jamie McNish, Regional Director at Hoxton Wealth London, who previously led an £11 billion office with over 250 advisors at St. James’s Place (SJP). Jamie shares hard won lessons from decades working across Tenerife, Madrid, Dubai, Singapore and the UK, and what he looks for in truly exceptional advisers.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Advisor performance and career growth
  
  
• The habits that separated the top 10 per cent of SJP advisors from the rest
  
  
• Why work ethic and consistency still decide who wins in advice
  
  
• How to build momentum in your first 6 to 12 months as a planner
  
  
• Prospecting, networking and niche
  
  
• Why social media alone will not build your advice business
  
  

The traits Jamie looks for when bringing advisors into Hoxton’s UK business
Why community, collaboration and accountability matter more than ever
How the Hoxton platform removes friction so advisors can spend more time with clients

If you want to see what life in Hoxton Wealth is like, please visit: / @hoxtonlife

For more information on Hoxton Wealth careers, please https://www.careers-page.com/hoxtonwealth.com

For my videos by Chris, please visit his Youtube: ⁨@ChrisBallHoxton⁩

Will AI replace financial advisers, paraplanners, and investment analysts, or just change how the best ones work?

In this episode, Chris and JJ explain exactly how AI is reshaping financial planning careers and what you need to do to stay ahead.

In this episode of Don’t Shoot the Messenger, Chris and JJ cover how AI is already being used inside a $3.5 billion advice business, and what it means for your job, your clients, and the future of smaller firms.

They cover:
Will AI really replace financial advisers, or just the ones who refuse to use it
Why human judgment, empathy, and trust still sit at the centre of great advice
How Hoxton is using AI for training, file notes, customer service, and knowledge systems
Which roles are most at risk (admin, basic paraplanning, investment analysis)
Practical ways advisers and business owners can start using AI every day

If you’re a financial planner, paraplanner, or running an advice firm, this episode will show you how to use AI as an advantage instead of seeing it as a threat.

Don’t Shoot the Messenger is a podcast for financial advisers who want to sharpen their skills, grow faster, and build a world-class career in a rapidly changing industry.

If you want to see what life in Hoxton Wealth is like, please visit: / @hoxtonlife

For more information on Hoxton Wealth careers, please https://www.careers-page.com/hoxtonwealth.com

For my videos by Chris, please visit his Youtube: ⁨@ChrisBallHoxton⁩

Most financial planners say they want more clients…
…but they’re still relying on referrals, cold calls, and hope.

In this episode, Chris sits down with Alan Turner, Group Marketing Director at Hoxton Wealth, to break down the exact advertising and marketing system that helped the firm scale across the UK, UAE, USA, Australia, and beyond.

They cover:
- Why ads matter now more than ever
- How to structure Top, Middle, and Bottom of Funnel campaigns
- Mistakes financial planners make when targeting
- The truth about ad agencies (and when to use one)
- Why compliance scares people, and how to navigate it
- The “follow-up failure” costing advisers thousands

If you want more volume, more consistency, and predictable growth, this episode gives you a blueprint.

If you want to see what life in Hoxton Wealth is like, please visit: / @hoxtonlife

For more information on Hoxton Wealth careers, please https://www.careers-page.com/hoxtonwealth.com

For my videos by Chris, please visit his Youtube: ⁨@ChrisBallHoxton⁩

In this episode of Don’t Shoot the Messenger, Chris and Jacob have one of their most honest conversations yet, about tough times.

Because behind every success story, there’s usually a stretch of life that felt impossible.

The late nights. The setbacks. The near-misses. The moments you almost gave up.

Chris and Jake open up about their own struggles, from sleeping on floors and living off takeaway rice to facing financial pressure, burnout, and personal loss, and how those experiences shaped who they are today.

If you’re in a tough spot right now, this episode might be exactly what you need to hear.

If you want to see what life in Hoxton Wealth is like, please visit: / @hoxtonlife

For more information on Hoxton Wealth careers, please https://www.careers-page.com/hoxtonwealth.com

For my videos by Chris, please visit his Youtube: ⁨@ChrisBallHoxton⁩