Transition To RIA Podcast

Brad Wales has carved out a very specific lane: he helps financial advisors understand the why and how of moving to the Registered Investment Advisor model. The Transition To RIA Podcast takes a question-and-answer approach, with each episode tackling a specific concern that advisors face when considering independence. Episodes are refreshingly concise, typically running 14 to 27 minutes, and they publish semimonthly. Wales draws from hundreds of real questions he has received from advisors over the years. Topics get granular in the best way possible -- what is the minimum AUM you need to start your own RIA, how to evaluate an existing RIA to join versus registering your own, the differences between 1099 models and W-2 employee structures, custodian selection criteria, and the portfolio management tools available in modern RIA tech stacks. With 141 episodes and a 4.8 rating on Apple Podcasts, the show has found its audience among wirehouse advisors who are curious about going independent but overwhelmed by the logistics. Wales does not push a one-size-fits-all answer. He walks through the tradeoffs honestly, including episodes about common transition mistakes and why the timing of your move matters more than most people realize. If you have been at a broker-dealer for years and keep hearing about the RIA model without fully understanding what the switch actually involves day-to-day, this podcast removes the mystery. It is the kind of show you binge when you are seriously considering a career move.