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.

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.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to Decoding Growth

00:37 – Why challenge the status quo matters in retirement innovation

02:24 – Introducing Nevin Adams: a voice of reason and change

03:16 – The legal lens: how regulation shapes progress

07:15 – AI and the future of retirement services

10:08 – Guardrails, compliance, and the evolution of trust in AI

13:16 – Personalization and financial wellness at scale

15:47 – Generational shifts and comfort with digital tools

18:14 – Convergence and new business models

21:12 – The real fear around money and financial conversations

23:16 – Underappreciated ideas and the future of access

27:13 – Retirement income, defaults, and the language of innovation

31:01 – Education gaps and financial literacy challenges

33:28 – Connecting technology, trust, and incremental learning

35:01 – How to bring innovators and legacy institutions together

37:19 – Where the industry should focus next

40:19 – Improving access, participation, and outcomes

45:22 – Making retirement transitions easier and smarter

49:00 – Nevin reflects on impact, influence, and legacy

53:46 – The kindest lessons and leaders who shaped his path

57:39 – Closing thoughts: why this work truly matters

58:13 – Subscribe and stay connected with Decoding Growth

🎙️ About the Show

Decoding 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

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 healthcare claims drop 19% without coaching, how AI is enabling true personalization, and why speaking in English (not industry jargon) might be retirement's biggest innovation opportunity.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Introduction & The Retirement Tech Map

3:15 Defining Financial Wellness

8:45 Todd's Journey to Financial Finesse

12:30 The Unbiased Coaching Model

17:20 Measuring Success: Healthcare Claims Data

23:45 Beyond the 401(k): Breaking Down Silos

29:10 Platform vs. Point Solutions

34:25 Personalization & AI Innovation

40:15 Evaluating Financial Wellness Providers

46:30 The Engagement Challenge

51:40 Starting with the End User

56:20 Speaking English: The Innovation Gap