Category: Finance
Stop Copycatting: How Eric Ryan Built Authority With Originality ​​[EXPLICIT]

Stop Copycatting: How Eric Ryan Built Authority With Originality ​​[EXPLICIT]

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NOTE: This episode contains explicit language. Please be advised.

What happens when you stop copying the crowd and start owning your voice?

In this episode of Rise Above The Noise, host Matt Halloran sits down with Eric Ryan; “America’s Sweetheart,” host of Goodnight America, and founder of Offensively Creative. 

Eric shares how a bonsai tree newsletter taught him the art of entertaining before selling, why originality always beats imitation, and the surprising power of audacity in building influence.

Their conversation dives into what it really takes to stand out in today’s noisy landscape: from doing the research that most people skip, to leaning into your quirks, to creating experiences your audience won’t forget. 

If you’ve ever wondered how to move beyond copycat content and truly Rise Above The Noise, Eric’s playbook is one you’ll want to keep close.

What to expect:

  • The origin story of “America’s Sweetheart” and why bold branding matters
  • How humor and creativity can turn even bonsai trees into big business
  • Why research and preparation separate amateurs from professionals
  • The hidden cost of copycat marketing, and what to do instead

It’s time to Rise Above The Noise. 

Listen to this episode, and then subscribe to our Playbook library for exclusive access to insights from top industry leaders like Eric Ryan.

Connect With Us:

→ ProudMouth

→ LinkedIn: ProudMouth

→ Facebook: ProudMouth

→ X: ProudMouth

→ YouTube: ProudMouth

→ LinkedIn: Matt Halloran

→ X: Matt Halloran

Connect With Eric Ryan:

→Offensively Creative

→LinkedIn: Eric Ryan

→ Goodnight America on YouTube

Resources:

→ Ogilvy on Advertising

→ The Big Idea by George Lois                                                                                                                

→ Alchemy by Rory Sutherland

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Podcasting Is a Lifestyle: How Christopher Hensley Built Authority by Showing Up

Podcasting Is a Lifestyle: How Christopher Hensley Built Authority by Showing Up

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What happens when a financial advisor treats podcasting like a lifestyle?

In this episode, we meet Christopher Hensley: veteran financial advisor, early podcast pioneer, and the voice behind Money Matters. With over a decade of hosting under his belt, Christopher shares how a shoestring opportunity at a Houston radio station evolved into a global platform for education, authority, and authentic storytelling.

From landing high-profile guests to refining a repeatable guest strategy, Christopher walks us through the lessons, missteps, and momentum that shaped his influence. If you’re a financial professional or any expert who wants to stop blending in and start building trust, this is your blueprint.

What to expect:

  • How podcasting transformed Christopher’s career and client pipeline
  • Why guest strategy and credibility go hand in hand
  • Tips for blending personal passion with business strategy
  • A behind-the-scenes look at the “showmanship” behind a powerful podcast

It’s time to rise above the noise. 

Listen to this episode, and then subscribe to our Playbook library for exclusive access to insights from top industry leaders like Christopher Hensley.

Connect With Us:

→ ProudMouth

→ LinkedIn: ProudMouth

→ Facebook: ProudMouth

→ X: ProudMouth

→ YouTube: ProudMouth

→ LinkedIn: Matt Halloran

→ X: Matt Halloran

Connect with Our Guest:
 🔗 LinkedIn: Christopher Hensley 

🌐  Money Matters Podcast

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Podcasting Power: Building Trust by Speaking to Real Life, Featuring Dan Haylett

Podcasting Power: Building Trust by Speaking to Real Life, Featuring Dan Haylett

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Some voices rise above the noise because they are willing to speak truth instead of chasing clicks. 

In this conversation, host Matt Halloran sits down with Dan Haylett, Director of TFP Financial Planning and host of the Humans Versus Retirement podcast, to uncover how Dan built one of the UK’s most impactful retirement podcasts by being unapologetically himself and focusing on the real human side of retirement. 

Dan also reveals how he’s created a marketing ecosystem (that’s helping build an owned audience) with podcasting at its center. 

What to expect:

  • The pivotal moments that shaped Dan’s content journey
  • How honesty and authenticity have created deeper trust with listeners
  • How podcasting has “completely changed” TFP Financial Planning’s process of taking on new clients
  • Why solving “human problems” matters more than spreadsheets in retirement

It’s time to rise above the noise. 

Listen to this episode, and then subscribe to our Playbook library for exclusive access to insights from top industry leaders like Dan Haylett.

Connect With Us:

→ ProudMouth

→ LinkedIn: ProudMouth

→ Facebook: ProudMouth

→ X: ProudMouth

→ YouTube: ProudMouth

→ LinkedIn: Matt Halloran

→ X: Matt Halloran

Connect with Our Guest:
 🔗 LinkedIn: Dan Haylett 

🌐 https://www.humansvsretirement.com/

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From Stage to Strategy: Mitch Slater’s Path to Influence

From Stage to Strategy: Mitch Slater’s Path to Influence

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Mitch Slater’s voice didn’t just rise above the noise. It cut through it with purpose. 

From shadowing Larry King and going on air with Howard Stern to leading UBS’s national digital sales communication strategy, Mitch’s story is a masterclass in evolving with intention. 

But this isn’t just about media moments or name-dropping. It’s about the grit, heart, and reinvention it takes to go from performer to advisor to influencer.

In this episode, Matt Halloran dives deep into Mitch’s winding road to influence, how he turned setbacks into springboards, and the non-negotiable habits that helped him earn trust and stay relevant for decades.

What to expect:

  • A behind-the-scenes look at Mitch’s early media career (yes, Alec Baldwin and Bruce Springsteen make cameos)
  • How to use storytelling and listening to build lasting trust
  • What it really means to move from advisor to authority to influencer
  • A playbook for keeping your edge and your humanity as your platform grows

It’s time to rise above the noise. 

Listen to this episode, and then subscribe to our Playbook library for exclusive access to insights from top industry leaders like Mitch Slater.

Connect With Us:

→ ProudMouth

→ LinkedIn: Matt Halloran

→ X: Matt Halloran

→ LinkedIn: ProudMouth

→ Facebook: ProudMouth

→ X: ProudMouth

→ YouTube: ProudMouth

Connect with Our Guest:
 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchslater/
 🌐 https://www.ubs.com

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Finding Your Voice Starts With Finding Yourself, Featuring Matt Reiner

Finding Your Voice Starts With Finding Yourself, Featuring Matt Reiner

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Have you ever felt like your voice is getting drowned out, no matter how hard you try? 

Matt Reiner knows that feeling well.

 In this raw and revealing episode, Matt Halloran sits down with this advisor, speaker, and founder to unpack the emotional and strategic journey of building a brand that stands out in the financial services industry.

From battling imposter syndrome in a family business to creating authentic content that actually connects, Matt Reiner shares the pivots that helped him go from blending in to building real influence. 

This conversation dives deep into the mindset shifts, content strategy, and personal growth required to build a “Future Proof” career — one that resonates beyond metrics and truly makes an impact.

You’re about to discover:

  • Why imposter syndrome often fuels the best creators
  • The personal work that leads to professional clarity
  • How content helped Matt build community and attract opportunity
  • Why failure, not success, unlocked his confidence

It’s time to rise above the noise. 

Listen to this episode, and then subscribe to our Playbook library for exclusive access to insights from top industry leaders like Matt Reiner.

Connect With Us:

→ ProudMouth

→ LinkedIn: Matt Halloran

→ X: Matt Halloran

→ LinkedIn: ProudMouth

→ Facebook: ProudMouth

→ X: ProudMouth

→ YouTube: ProudMouth

 Connect With Our Guest:

→ Matt Reiner                                                                                                                             

→ Matt Reiner on LinkedIn

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Tax Famous: Influence Starts with Intention, Featuring Steven Jarvis

Tax Famous: Influence Starts with Intention, Featuring Steven Jarvis

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Some people wait to be noticed. Others build a strategy so their voice can’t be ignored.

In this episode, host Matt Halloran talks to Steven Jarvis, widely known as “the least boring CPA you’ll ever meet,” to uncover how he went from another face in a massive firm to becoming tax famous, an influencer in a niche most people avoid. 

This conversation is for anyone who’s tired of blending in and ready to build a brand that truly resonates.

Steven opens up about the turning points that helped him rise above the noise; what he’s learned from failing forward; and the specific, repeatable strategies that helped him become a sought-after speaker, creator, and trusted expert. From content consistency to performance mindset, this episode is a masterclass in brand-building through authenticity.

You’re about to discover:

  • Why being polarizing can be the key to building authority
  • How Steven leverages conferences, podcasts, and emails to grow his audience
  • The myth of originality and why repetition matters more
  • What tax professionals and entrepreneurs must unlearn to gain traction

It’s time to rise above the noise. 

Listen to this episode, and then subscribe to our Playbook library for exclusive access to insights from top industry leaders like Steven Jarvis.

Connect With Us:

→ ProudMouth

→ LinkedIn: Matt Halloran

→ X: Matt Halloran

→ LinkedIn: ProudMouth

→ Facebook: ProudMouth

→ X: ProudMouth

→ YouTube: ProudMouth

 Connect With Our Guest:

→ Retirement Tax Services

→ LinkedIn: Steven Jarvis

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From Zero to Trusted: Samantha Russell’s Guide to Standing Out

From Zero to Trusted: Samantha Russell’s Guide to Standing Out

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When Samantha Russell entered financial services, she didn’t wait for permission to be seen; she created the spotlight herself. 

In our debut episode of Rise Above the Noise, host Matt Halloran sits down with one of the industry’s most influential voices to uncover how she built her brand, cultivated loyal fans, and helped transform how advisors approach marketing in a highly regulated world.

From launching Twenty Over Ten with zero contacts to becoming FMG’s Chief Evangelist, Samantha shares the behind-the-scenes stories and battle-tested strategies that shaped her journey. She opens up about raising her visibility through content, breaking the “speak like an advisor” trap, and navigating compliance without silencing authenticity.

You’re about to discover:

  • The mindset shift that helped Samantha rise above the noise
  • Why your work doesn’t speak for itself and what to do instead
  • How to turn fans into clients without sounding salesy
  • Messaging mistakes advisors still make (and how to fix them)

🎧 Want to build influence without burning out?

First, listen to this episode. Then subscribe to our Playbook library for exclusive access to insights from top industry leaders like Samantha Russell.

Connect With Us:

→ ProudMouth

→ LinkedIn: Matt Halloran

→ X: Matt Halloran

→ LinkedIn: ProudMouth

→ Facebook: ProudMouth

→ X: ProudMouth

→ YouTube: ProudMouth

 Connect With Our Guest:

→ FMG Website

→ Samantha Russell on LinkedIn

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