A Better Way to Money

The Truth About That Financial Advisor Conversation You’ve Been Avoiding

July 23, 2026·28 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Most people picture a financial advisor behind a mahogany desk, running spreadsheets for people with serious money. Jonathon Gais grew up thinking the same thing—until he became one. Now, as VP of Client Experience and Personalized Planning at Northwestern Mutual, Jonathon shapes how NM advisors across the country think about financial planning. His core message: You don’t need to have it all figured out before you talk to an advisor. The right one helps you make smarter choices—and becomes the reason you finally start.Host Jennifer Borget sits down with Jonathon for an honest look at what a real planning conversation sounds like; why starting to plan today, even when everything isn’t perfectly in place, is always better than waiting; why protection is the blind spot most people in their 30s miss; and what it takes to close the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it. The right time to start isn’t when everything lines up. It’s now. Download your free Family Finances workbook and start preparing for your first financial advisor session TODAY: https://www.northwesternmutual.com/podcast/Connect With Jonathon GaisLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathongais/Connect With Northwestern MutualFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/northwesternmutualInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/northwesternmutual/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/northwestern-mutual/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@northwesternmutualEpisode Page: https://www.northwesternmutual.com/life-and-money/a-sneak-peek-into-what-a-real-financial-advisor-conversation-looks-likeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/a-better-way-to-money-podcast/

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