Episode Summary

A conversation with Bob Smietana of the Religion News Service looks at how born-again-Christian and radio host Dave Ramsey fits into finance and religion. Sonya Dreizler joins Jeff and Bruce to chat about some of the challenges women face in the financial advice industry and how industry conferences can help.

Episode Notes

Interview with Bob Smietana — 0:45 – 25:45

• How Dave Ramsey advertises himself to the religious community. 
• Questions about the management policies that Ramsey applies to his 900 employees.
• Ramsey’s growth driven by “endorsed local providers” program. 
• ELP provides “red-hot, solid gold” client leads.
• Mission of getting out of debt became confused during Covid-19. 

Interview with Sonya Dreizler — 25:46 – 1:04:00 

• Why financial conference speakers should mimic the nation’s diversity. 
• Dreizler says the industry won’t make progress on diversity if we listen to the same old folks. 
• How to get past excuses and blaming the lack of diversity on a pipeline problem. 
• What led Dreizler to write her “Do Better Series” telling stories of harassment and assault in the financial services industry. 
• Women of color are entering financial services more often, but many are leaving or not moving up.
• How allies can help the financial services business create a more inclusive industry. 

Guest Bios

Bob Smietana is a national reporter for the Religion News Service, which has covered a popular radio host Dave Ramsey, who preaches the gospel of debt-free living. Ramsey, who says he is a born-again Christian, promotes a variety of financial services products, companies and professionals, including financial advisers. Advisers pay an advertising fee to be an endorsed local provider and to be a part of the website directory. 

Sonya Dreizler is a speaker and writer focused on diversity in the financial services industry. The former CEO of a broker-dealer and RIA, in 2019 Dreizler wrote a series of articles called the “Do Better Series,” describing sexual harassment, assault and discrimination in financial services. Her firm, Solutions with Sonya, offers a diversity and inclusion course for financial professionals.