Demystifying the Escalating Cost of Education and the Power of 529 Plans with Tricia Scarlata

Bill Sweet, chief financial officer, and Bill Artzerounian, director of tax services at Ritholtz Wealth Management, say that a thousand dollars saved in taxes creates more client satisfaction than six-figure investment gains. That’s why it’s more important than ever for firms to embed tax planning directly into wealth management.In this episode, Bill and Bill talk with Ben and Julie about:The importance of investing in artisan tax planning as a financial advisory practiceWhy wealth firms are pulling tax work in-houseThe tax landmines in the One Big Beautiful BillOverlooked issues in estate planning and inheritance taxesCatch up on previous episodes: https://www.morningstar.com/views/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Stephanie Drescher, chief client and product development officer at Apollo Global Management, says it’s up to advisors to educate clients on how to strategically tap into the potential of this market.In this episode, Stephanie talks with Ben and Julie about:Making the most of the multi-trillion-dollar opportunity in private marketsWhat’s behind their accelerating democratizationThe shift from “managing to the lowest fee to achieving the greatest outcome"Why less-liquid private investments are a good fit for long-term retirement fundsCatch up on previous episodes: https://www.morningstar.com/views/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Are bonds boring? That’s their reputation—and it’s a big part of why investors embrace them.But Steve Laipply, global co-head of iShares fixed-income ETFs at BlackRock, thinks there’s also a lot more excitement to bonds than we give them credit for.In this episode, Steve talks with Ben and Julie about:ETFs’ role in transforming investor access to bondsThe value of bond ETFs in providing liquidity, transparency, and price discoveryHow fixed-income ETFs fared during the covid-19 market turmoilRecent innovations in the fixed-income spaceCatch up on previous episodes: https://www.morningstar.com/views/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Schwab’s Rob Williams and Inga Rachwald join Ben and Julie to unpack why retirement income is first and foremost a planning challenge—one that demands balancing emotional biases, clear goals, and smart investment choices. Together, they explore how advisors can reframe conversations around income, broaden clients’ understanding of risk, and apply practical strategies that connect portfolios to real-life outcomes. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Visit the Big Picture in Practice website: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/podcasts Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Morgan Stanley CIO Jim Caron explains how Trump’s tariff-funded fiscal policy could impact market volatility, sector trends, and investor portfolios. Visit the Big Picture in Practice website: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/podcasts Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Explore with BNY Wealth’s Sinead Colton Grant how private markets, risk tolerance, and asset allocation shape wealth strategies in today’s volatile market.Visit the Big Picture in Practice website: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/podcasts Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Grayscale’s Dave LaValle and John Hoffman share how advisors can navigate crypto’s rapid evolution, from understanding the technology and ETF parallels to preparing for regulatory shifts and AI-driven innovation as digital asset adoption accelerates.Visit the Big Picture in Practice website: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/podcasts Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Additional resources:Read a summary of this episode: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/blog/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice/evidence-driven-financial-advisor-valueCatch up on previous episodes: https://www.morningstar.com/views/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice Questions or ideas? Email us at [email protected]. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Additional resources:Read a summary of this episode: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/blog/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice/advisor-engagement-strategiesCatch up on previous episodes: https://www.morningstar.com/views/podcasts/big-picture-in-practiceSubscribe to our newsletter: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/research/big-picture-in-practice-newsletter Questions or ideas? Email us at [email protected]. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.