This week on The Financial Planner Life Podcast, we’re celebrating Neurodiversity Celebration Week with an inspiring conversation featuring Dan Buckland, a financial planner who has ADHD, dyslexia, and dyscalculia.

Dan’s story is one of self-doubt, resilience, and transformation. Growing up, he was told by teachers he’d “never amount to anything.” Like many neurodivergent individuals, the traditional education system left him with limiting beliefs about his potential. Fast forward to today—he’s a successful financial planner with St. James’s Place, proving that thinking differently is an asset, not a weakness.

In this episode, we dive into:
✅ How neurodivergence can be a strength in financial planning
✅ The impact of school experiences on self-belief and career choices
✅ How St. James’s Place Academy supported Dan’s transition into finance
✅ The power of self-acceptance and working with—not against—your brain
✅ Why anyone can become a financial planner with the right mindset and support

If you've ever doubted yourself because you don’t fit the mould, this episode is for you. Your differences might just be your biggest advantage.

Begin your financial planning career journey today

Whether you are looking to become a paraplanner, administrator, mortgage and protection adviser or financial planner, the Financial Planner Life Academy is for you.

With limited entry-level job roles, giving yourself the best financial planning career education, will not only kick start your financial planning journey with relevant qualifications and skills, but it’ll also help you achieve success much faster.&nbs

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If you're looking to start your career in Financial Planning, check out the Financial Planner Life Academy here

Reach out to Sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or career development.

Hiring Missionaries, Not Mercenaries with Guy Skinner

In this episode of Financial Planner Life, we welcome back Guy Skinner, founder of Citygate Financial Planning, to discuss what it really takes to build a sustainable, mission-driven financial planning firm.

Key Takeaways:

🔹 Why ‘Missionaries, Not Mercenaries’ Is the Hiring Philosophy That Works
Guy shares why he prioritises hiring people with purpose over those who simply chase numbers. He believes that a team driven by values - not just financial incentives - creates better client outcomes and a stronger business.

🔹 The Blueprint for Growth: Focusing on Young Legal Professionals
Instead of chasing high-net-worth clients, Guy built his business by helping newly qualified solicitors - young professionals who had just doubled their salaries but lacked financial guidance. This niche allowed him to scale rapidly, bringing in 139 clients in his first year.

🔹 How Clear Communication and Visuals Transform Client Relationships
Guy explains how sketching financial concepts in real time helps clients truly engage with their plans. This simple but effective approach ensures clarity and builds trust.

🔹 Bridging the Advice Gap with Technology
With only 8% of the UK population receiving financial advice, Guy is exploring how AI and digital tools can scale financial guidance and make advice more accessible to younger generations.

Why Listen?

If you’re a financial planner looking to build a business that lasts - or a firm owner struggling with hiring the right people - this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply today.

Begin your financial planning career journey today

Whether you are looking to become a paraplanner, administrator, mortgage and protection adviser or financial planner, the Financial Planner Life Academy is for you.

With limited entry-level job roles, giving yourself the best financial planning career education, will not only kick start your financial planning journey with relevant qualifications and skills, but it’ll also help you achieve success much faster.&nbs

Be sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within Financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON!

If you're looking to start your career in Financial Planning, check out the Financial Planner Life Academy here

Reach out to Sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or career development.

🚀 How Do We Attract and Develop the Next Generation of Financial Planners?

In this episode of Financial Planner Life, I sit down with Carla Brown, President of the Personal Finance Society (PFS) and Founder & CEO of Oakmere Wealth Management, to discuss the biggest challenges and opportunities in financial planning today.

🎯 We cover:

✅ The PFS Professional Map – A clear framework for career progression in financial planning.

✅ The real skills gap – Why technical knowledge alone isn’t enough & the need for relationship-building and sales skills.

✅ The importance of protection planning – Why financial planners should focus beyond AUM.
✅ The 46% increase in under-25s joining the profession – But why we still need more young talent and more womenin the industry.
✅ How PFS Power Webinars and Wealth and Women, originally a PFS mini-series and now an independent podcast, are driving real impact in financial planning.

Financial planning is an incredible career—but we need clearer pathways, better training, and more support for new entrants if we want the profession to thrive.

Begin your financial planning career journey today

Whether you are looking to become a paraplanner, administrator, mortgage and protection adviser or financial planner, the Financial Planner Life Academy is for you.

With limited entry-level job roles, giving yourself the best financial planning career education, will not only kick start your financial planning journey with relevant qualifications and skills, but it’ll also help you achieve success much faster.&nbs

Be sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within Financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON!

If you're looking to start your career in Financial Planning, check out the Financial Planner Life Academy here

Reach out to Sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or career development.