- 11
- Episodes
- 3
- Ratings
- Weekly
- Cadence
- 2025
- First episode
About Decoding Growth
Decoding Growth takes you inside the evolving world of retirement, uncovering the business models, go-to-market strategies, and unexpected partnerships transforming the industry. Each episode features candid, no-nonsense conversations with the leaders who are driving change and delivering practical solutions to challenges in access, participation, engagement, and outcomes. From innovation heads at major recordkeepers to CEOs of digital-first retirement platforms, from strategic investors to policy influencers, Decoding Growth brings together retirement heavyweights, tech disruptors, and industry insiders sharing real-world insights and actionable advice. Whether you’re in asset management, fintech, consulting, or benefits technology, this podcast provides the knowledge you need to navigate the future of retirement. Featured Guests Include: Heads of Innovation and Product at major recordkeepers CEOs, COOs, CPOs, CGO/CROs of digital-forward retirement platforms Managing Directors and Heads of DCIO at asset management firms Chief Distribution Officers at aggregators and consulting firms SVPs of Product at RIA platforms and employee benefits providers Venture Capital partners focused on fintech and retirement Strategy Consultants and Directors at retirement research firms Business development, sales leaders, and product leads at payroll, HCM, and benefits tech platforms M&A Advisors and strategic partnership brokers connecting fintechs and incumbents Tune in to Decoding Growth and stay ahead of the trends shaping retirement today and tomorrow.
- Publisher
- Will Prest
- Category
- business · education
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 9 Sept 2025
- Latest episode
- 18 Mar 2026
Latest episodes
11 episodes in the feed.
18 Mar 2026
Modernizing Retirement: Tech, Data, and Wealth Convergence
The retirement industry is entering a new phase of innovation—and the old playbook isn’t working anymore. Technology is changing how retirement platforms are built, how record keepers modernize legacy systems, and how advisors connect retirement planning with wealth management. Instead of massive platform overhauls, the industry is shifting toward modular modernization, orchestration platforms, and embedded retirement infrastructure. In this conversation, Will Prest sits down with Mahesh Natarajan, Chief Revenue Officer at Congruent Solutions, to unpack the forces reshaping the retirement ecosystem—from the rise of retire-tech startups to the role AI will play in operational efficiency and participant outcomes. They explore how record keepers are modernizing without replacing legacy systems, why retirement and wealth management are converging faster than expected, and what embedded finance means for the future of retirement platforms. The discussion also dives into retirement income solutions, enterprise technology strategy, and the growing role of AI in improving plan administration, data workflows, and participant experiences. For founders, advisors, and retirement industry leaders, this conversation offers a clear view of where the industry is heading—and how to position for the next wave of growth. Key Discussion Points 00:55 – Mahesh Natarajan’s background and industry perspective02:11 – What it means to be a “techno-business leader”03:49 – Congruent Solutions and its role in the retirement ecosystem05:07 – The rise of orchestration platforms in retirement technology07:36 – Why record keepers are shifting to modular modernization10:00 – How firms prioritize modernization initiatives13:03 – Micro-transformation strategies for large enterprises14:40 – Retirement income and the decumulation opportunity18:33 – The convergence of retirement and wealth management21:20 – Why data ownership will shape advisor relationships26:00 – Build vs. buy vs. partner in enterprise technology strategy29:00 – Why large enterprises struggle to innovate quickly31:40 – The growth of retire-tech startups and partnerships35:00 – Embedded retirement and new growth rails39:26 – How TPAs and record keepers are evolving43:00 – Where AI will actually impact retirement operations47:00 – Enterprise AI, infrastructure, and industry implications50:00 – Personalization at scale and the future of financial wellness55:12 – Advice for retirement-tech founders56:16 – Industry risks and opportunities ahead When you watch the episode: 👍 Follow the show if you enjoy conversations about how innovation is reshaping financial services💬 Share your biggest takeaway in the comments🔁 Pass this along to someone thinking about the future of retirement technology #RetirementIndustry #Fintech #RetirementPlanning #AIinFinance #WealthManagement #FintechInnovation #RetirementTech #EmbeddedFinance #FinancialServices #DecodingGrowth
21 Feb 2026
The Hidden Intelligence in Plan Documents: Inside PlanPort
Plan documents hold more intelligence than most people realize—if you know how to unlock it. In this episode of Decoding Growth, we explore how PlanPort uncovers the hidden logic, rules, and decisions embedded in SPDs, amendments, and other complex plan materials. Founder David Levine breaks down how AI can interpret dense plan language, reduce manual review time, and support TPAs, record keepers, and advisors with greater accuracy and consistency. We dive into the role of responsible AI, why human oversight still matters, and how PlanPort blends automation with expert judgment to support retirement service professionals at scale. From legacy system challenges to real operational use cases, this conversation reveals how AI can transform workflows without replacing the people behind them. Listen to learn how PlanPort is redefining intelligence within plan documents—and why it matters for the future of retirement services. Key Discussion Points 00:00 Introduction00:23 Meet Your Host: Will Press01:09 Guest Introduction: David Levine02:28 The Origin of PlanPort03:54 Innovations in the Retirement Industry05:46 Real Use Cases of PlanPort14:14 Accuracy and Flexibility in AI25:34 Industry Staffing Challenges29:26 Why Human Oversight Matters33:17 PlanPort’s Middleware Approach36:41 Advice for New Ventures45:36 Customer Feedback & Iteration50:47 Future Trends & Final Thoughts54:19 Closing Remarks #PlanPort #FinTech #RetirementServices #AI #ArtificialIntelligence#DocumentAutomation #TPA #Recordkeepers #FinancialAdvisors#B2BTech #RetirementTech #HumanInTheLoop #DecodingGrowth #Podcast
11 Nov 2025
Bridging the Gap: Lori Hardwick on Connecting Wealth and Retirement
The retirement industry keeps talking about convergence.Lori Hardwick breaks down what it actually takes to make it real.This conversation cuts straight into the structural issues—America’s savings gap, advisor confidence, platform integrations, valuation pressures, and the technology finally capable of scaling access. Lori brings decades of experience as an operator, board member, and founder to explain why this moment is different, what’s newly possible, and where firms are still holding themselves back.You will hear what most leaders learn only after expensive trial and error:00:00 — The real retirement access crisis in America04:20 — The savings gap, Social Security challenges & bipartisan urgency08:45 — Why wealth advisors hesitate: risk, regulation & confidence12:30 — The time-management dilemma: 25 employees, one advisor15:50 — The Sater model: specialists, referrals & shared revenue20:55 — Swell’s turnkey infrastructure & chatbot-powered onboarding25:10 — Tech rails: the new path from payroll → recordkeeper → asset mgmt29:35 — Emergency savings, student-loan matching & plan design innovation34:18 — What retirement can learn from wealth—and vice versa37:45 — Where retire-tech platforms can plug in41:20 — Early-stage founders vs. enterprise due diligence reality45:12 — Riding the rails: integrations with Orion, InvestNet, Pershing49:05 — Founder traits: execution vs. ideas53:25 — Build, buy, or partner? Lori’s framework from inside the big firms56:12 — The legacy tech debt problem nobody wants to talk about01:00:40 — How firms can modernize without breaking the enterprise01:03:50 — Final challenge: who will actually bridge the gap?This isn’t industry commentary.It’s a strategic field guide for enterprises, advisors, founders, and retirement innovators who want to bridge the gap without burning years—or budgets—doing it the hard way.If this episode gave you a new lens on convergence and growth:👍 Hit like🔔 Subscribe for more conversations that cut through the noise💬 Tell us the insight that hit home for you🔗 Share this with someone who needs a clearer view of where the industry is headed#RetirementTech #WealthManagement #Fintech #FinancialInnovation #AdvisorGrowth #DigitalTransformation #FutureOfFinance #401k #RetirementPlans #SaaS
28 Oct 2025
Owning the Friction: The 401Go Story | Dan Beck | Decoding Growth | EP 108
Welcome to Decoding Growth, where unfiltered conversations and bold ideas are reshaping retirement. In this episode, hosts Lisa Kottler and Will Press sit down with Dan Beck, co-founder and CEO of 401GO, to explore how innovation, empathy, and a customer-first mindset are transforming the small business retirement market.While others talk about serving small employers, Dan and his team are actually doing it. From tackling legacy systems to designing technology that reduces friction and humanizes finance, this episode breaks down what it truly means to modernize an industry that’s been slow to evolve.If you’ve ever wondered why so many small businesses still struggle to offer 401(k) plans — and what it takes to fix that — this conversation is your roadmap.⏱ Timestamps00:00 – Welcome to Decoding Growth: The new playbook for retirement innovation00:33 – Introducing Dan Beck, co-founder and CEO of 401GO01:40 – From e-commerce to fintech: Dan’s journey into retirement innovation03:08 – The origin story: when solving his own 401(k) problem sparked a startup05:20 – Why curiosity drives entrepreneurship and change07:14 – Lessons from e-commerce: reducing friction and building better experiences10:08 – Understanding the small business pain point — why complexity kills adoption13:22 – How 401GO’s “own the friction” philosophy reshapes advisor relationships16:18 – Building for small businesses: empathy over industry jargon18:45 – Real-life impact: helping employees save their first dollar21:10 – Human design + tech innovation: the secret to long-term engagement25:04 – Redefining advisor partnerships and distribution models29:28 – Why automation and relationships must coexist32:00 – The danger of legacy thinking and the power of outside perspective35:46 – Bootstrapping vs. venture capital: building for growth with integrity38:25 – Lessons on innovation from startups and legacy firms42:14 – How big companies and fintechs can collaborate instead of compete46:00 – Innovation inside risk-averse industries: how to make it work50:27 – The mindset shift: experimentation, autonomy, and innovation55:19 – What incumbents can learn from startups — and vice versa59:00 – The surprising truth: this industry wants to change1:02:00 – Closing reflections: curiosity, empathy, and the future of 401(k)s💡 Key Takeaways• “Own the friction” — make complexity your responsibility, not your client’s.• Real innovation starts with solving real problems, not chasing shiny tech.• Empathy + automation = sustainable business transformation.• Small businesses deserve better access, clarity, and care in financial services.• The retirement industry is ready to evolve — it just needs better tools.🔔 Join the MovementIf this episode inspired you:✅ Subscribe to Decoding Growth for more unfiltered conversations on innovation.💬 Comment your biggest takeaway — how do you “own the friction” in your business?📢 Share this episode with a colleague ready to rethink how retirement works.Because innovation isn’t about technology — it’s about courage, curiosity, and care. 💬🚀
21 Oct 2025
Peopled’s Bold Bet on Hyper-Personalized Benefits | Anthony Bunnell and Tom Bishop | EP107
Welcome to Decoding Growth — where unfiltered conversations and bold ideas are reshaping the future of retirement and benefits.In this episode, hosts Lisa Kottler and Will Prest sit down with Anthony Bunnell and Tom Bishop, co-founders of Peopled, to unpack how their company is building the new front door for employee benefits. With backgrounds as executives and startup founders, Anthony and Tom bring unique insights into how AI, personalization, and trust can transform how employees engage with their benefits.From solving the problem of benefits confusion to reimagining the advisor’s role in an AI-driven world, this episode cuts through the noise to reveal what true innovation looks like in financial wellness.⏱ Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to Decoding Growth 01:15 – Meet the co-founders of Peopled 04:10 – The problem Peopled is solving in the benefits space 07:45 – How AI is transforming employee engagement 10:32 – “The new front door” for benefits explained 14:55 – Hyper-personalization and trust in financial decisions 19:40 – Scaling the advisor relationship through technology 24:05 – Why alignment—not assets—should define industry success 29:12 – Lessons learned from past startups and regulated industries 33:25 – Building partnerships with recordkeepers and healthcare providers 37:58 – The real future of integration and collaboration 42:10 – Final thoughts: redefining success in financial services🎧 Tune in to explore how “Peopled” is using technology to help individuals make smarter, more confident financial decisions—one conversation at a time.📢 Watch more episodes of Decoding Growth 💬 Subscribe for fresh insights from innovators transforming the retirement landscape.
14 Oct 2025
Break Away from the Herd with Nevin Adams | Decoding Growth | EP106
Welcome to Decoding Growth, where unfiltered conversations and bold ideas are reshaping the future of retirement. In this episode, hosts Lisa Kottler and Will Prest sit down with legendary industry voice Nevin Adams to explore how innovation, regulation, and human behavior intersect in retirement—and where the industry must go next.Nevin shares candid insights on fiduciary risk, the evolving role of AI, financial wellness, and the human side of innovation. Packed with wisdom, humor, and real talk, this conversation challenges old assumptions and inspires fresh thinking about what’s possible in financial services.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Welcome to Decoding Growth00:37 – Why challenge the status quo matters in retirement innovation02:24 – Introducing Nevin Adams: a voice of reason and change03:16 – The legal lens: how regulation shapes progress07:15 – AI and the future of retirement services10:08 – Guardrails, compliance, and the evolution of trust in AI13:16 – Personalization and financial wellness at scale15:47 – Generational shifts and comfort with digital tools18:14 – Convergence and new business models21:12 – The real fear around money and financial conversations23:16 – Underappreciated ideas and the future of access27:13 – Retirement income, defaults, and the language of innovation31:01 – Education gaps and financial literacy challenges33:28 – Connecting technology, trust, and incremental learning35:01 – How to bring innovators and legacy institutions together37:19 – Where the industry should focus next40:19 – Improving access, participation, and outcomes45:22 – Making retirement transitions easier and smarter49:00 – Nevin reflects on impact, influence, and legacy53:46 – The kindest lessons and leaders who shaped his path57:39 – Closing thoughts: why this work truly matters58:13 – Subscribe and stay connected with Decoding Growth🎙️ About the ShowDecoding Growth goes beyond the headlines to reveal the strategies, partnerships, and technologies transforming retirement. Each episode brings together voices driving change and creating a more innovative, inclusive future for the industry.👉 Subscribe for more conversations that challenge convention, inspire leadership, and spark real growth.#DecodingGrowth #NevinAdams #RetirementInnovation #AIinFinance #FinancialWellness #Fintech #PodcastEpisode
7 Oct 2025
The 4% Problem: Fixing Financial Wellness | Liz Davidson and Todd Lacey| Decoding Growth | EP 105
Financial wellness pioneer Liz Davidson, founder of Financial Finesse, and president Todd Lacey join Lisa Kottler and Will Prest to decode the most misunderstood category in workplace retirement. With 15 companies on their tech map but countless definitions, they explore what financial wellness really means, why only 4% of people are truly "financially well," and how the industry must shift from product-first to participant-first thinking. Learn why, with financial coaching, healthcare claims have been shown to drop by 4.5% (compared to rising 19.4% without it), and why speaking in English (not industry jargon) might be retirement's biggest innovation opportunity.CHAPTERS:0:00 Introduction & The Retirement Tech Map3:15 Defining Financial Wellness8:45 Todd's Journey to Financial Finesse12:30 The Unbiased Coaching Model17:20 Measuring Success: Healthcare Claims Data23:45 Beyond the 401(k): Breaking Down Silos29:10 Platform vs. Point Solutions34:25 Personalization & AI Innovation40:15 Evaluating Financial Wellness Providers46:30 The Engagement Challenge51:40 Starting with the End User56:20 Speaking English: The Innovation Gap
30 Sept 2025
Big Brands, Bold Moves: David Musto on the Next Era of Retirement
In this episode of Decoding Growth, hosts Lisa Kottler and Will Prest sit down with David Musto, Chair & CEO of Ascensus, to explore the bold moves shaping the future of retirement. With over three decades of leadership across J.P. Morgan, Prudential, Great-West, and now Ascensus, David brings a rare perspective on how big brands can innovate, adapt, and lead at scale.
24 Sept 2025
How Legal Strategy Fuels RetireTech Growth
Join hosts Lisa Kottler and Will Prest as they dive deep into the legal and compliance landscape shaping retirement technology innovation with ERISA attorney Bonnie Treichel. This episode explores practical strategies for navigating the complex regulatory environment while fostering collaboration between legacy firms and emerging RetireTech companies.Bonnie brings a unique perspective as both an attorney and operator, running two firms while staying at the forefront of industry innovation. From her upcoming book "Your Retirement Sketchbook" to her insights on partnership structures, this conversation reveals how smart legal strategy can accelerate rather than hinder RetireTech growth.Your Retirement Sketchbook: 125 Retirement Planning Lessons from Financial Experts: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Retirement-Sketchbook-Planning-Financial/dp/1804091952/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IYgUDFBD_ZLNwrEnxXZLr1rmQBAEiU2s3nc9YgrwQeMJk6oj5PpfJWCbJQtr7BhYWY7gNZrNmRhtXTFYELwD16TiUhF3qX6zXHj_6z6TVVm53f-EGHFcgbWv-IK5WL7QU65_FsMv7Ri3xQzVIH280GwgqcHNZEx9btrjhAnHYw_HQVAcAHfA1M3N3q1j0gWEB-H-Epz80JRYzDzrhOSOhOodqVJaNeWaVRp3l8I1-1M.KsBEMeSH1H6MnwwhTjIMdfIryJ0FK_OUGyi3GZTBaVI&dib_tag=se&hvadid=713542018012&hvdev=c&hvexpln=67&hvlocphy=9059583&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=16771137218294878157--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=16771137218294878157&hvtargid=kwd-2438321451310&hydadcr=22566_13730726&keywords=your+retirement+sketchbook&mcid=5de30c2c70a0346eb1457cfd6f746d0d&qid=1758660146&sr=8-1
16 Sept 2025
The Four-Wheel Drive Episode with Capital Group’s Ryan Tiernan
Join Lisa Kottler and Will Prest as they sit down with Ryan Tiernan from Capital Group's Workplace Strategic Growth team to explore how a nearly century-old asset manager embraces fintech innovation. This "four-wheel drive episode" dives deep into Ryan's unique perspective as both a former founder and current enterprise innovation leader, revealing how Capital Group scouts, partners with, and scales fintech solutions across the retirement ecosystem.Discover the five critical drivers Capital Group uses to identify opportunities, learn their philosophy for working with startups, and understand how they create value for both emerging ventures and established intermediaries. Ryan shares candid insights about building a culture of curiosity, managing risk in a highly regulated industry, and the evolving role of AI in workplace benefits.Whether you're a fintech founder seeking enterprise partnerships or an established firm looking to innovate, this episode offers practical strategies for navigating the complex world of retirement technology and workplace benefits convergence.
9 Sept 2025
Meet Your Hosts: Lisa Kottler & Will Prest Launch Decoding Growth
Welcome to the premiere episode of Decoding Growth, where industry veterans Lisa Kottler and Will Prest introduce themselves and their mission to transform conversations around retirement technology innovation.In this inaugural episode, discover how two seasoned professionals who've worked at both Fortune 500 companies and scrappy startups are bridging the gap between established retirement plan providers and emerging technology disruptors. Lisa and Will share their personal journeys from corporate executives to entrepreneurs, explain why they coined the term "RetireTech," and reveal their vision for creating an ecosystem where innovation thrives.
28 Jan 1993
How AI Is Transforming Retirement Services (Plan Port Explained)
How do you bring AI into retirement services without sacrificing accuracy, trust, or compliance?In this episode of Decoding Growth, host Will Press sits down with David Levine, founder of Plan Port and principal at Groom Law Group, to explore how AI can support—not replace—human expertise in the retirement and financial services industry.David shares his journey from tech enthusiast to legal expert to FinTech founder and breaks down how Plan Port acts as middleware, integrating with existing systems instead of disrupting them. Together, they discuss the real challenges facing TPAs, recordkeepers, and advisors, including staffing constraints, rising complexity, and the pressure to modernize responsibly.If you’re navigating AI adoption in a regulated industry—or building technology for professionals who demand accuracy—this conversation is packed with practical insights and hard‑earned lessons.🔑 What You’ll Learn:Why accuracy matters more than speed in AI‑driven financial toolsHow AI can close staffing and knowledge gaps without replacing peopleWhat TPAs should ask before buying new retirement technologyThe role of middleware in modern FinTech ecosystemsHow founders can integrate into established infrastructureWhere AI fits—and where humans must stay in control📌 Who this episode is for: TPAs, recordkeepers, advisors, FinTech builders, founders, and anyone interested in the future of AI in retirement services.👉 Subscribe for more conversations on growth, technology, and building durable businesses.#AI #FinTech #RetirementServices #RetirementTech#ArtificialIntelligence #FinancialServices #B2BFinTech#SaaS #WealthTech #TPA #Recordkeepers#HumanInTheLoop #DigitalTransformation#PlanPort #DecodingGrowth #Podcast
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