The retirement industry will get a loud and unfiltered look at itself during the Leafhouse National Retirement Symposium in Austin, Texas this week.
With a promise to take a straightforward look at addressing critical industry issues, the two-day event features a lineup of industry heavyweights along with some unconventional keynotes. Like, really unconventional keynotes in radio personality, comedian, actor and podcaster Adam Carolla; author, motivational speaker and consultant Eric Maddox; artist, illustrator and activist Anthony Freda; and Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider.
“This is going to be one for the ages,” LeafHouse President and CEO Todd Kading told 401(k) Specialist. “People ask me, ‘How can LeafHouse be more unfiltered?’ They are going to find out. We have lost the luxury of waiting for big brand mentality to give way to quality loyalty. Adapt and adopt to the future cannot wait for everyone to get comfy. The time is now. Creative disruption is happening whether people like it or not.”
Kading added that this year’s LeafHouse National Retirement Symposium is all about getting straight to the facts. “With the theme ‘Unfiltered: The Raw Truth,’ we’re bringing groundbreaking insights and addressing challenges head-on. Dee Snider, as the iconic frontman of Twisted Sister, and Adam Carolla, the most downloaded podcaster in history, embody this spirit. Both are known for their unapologetic, bold voices—Dee as an unabashed fighter for freedom of speech and Adam as a sharp, unfiltered commentator. Their fearless approach aligns perfectly with our focus on disrupting the status quo and fostering real conversations that drive meaningful change.”
“Their fearless approach aligns perfectly with our focus on disrupting the status quo and fostering real conversations that drive meaningful change.”
LeafHouse’s Todd Kading
On Wednesday, Carolla will speak on cutting through the noise and staying authentic while Maddox will teach attendees how to win trust through empathy-based listening. Freda will provide “Confessions of a Thought Criminal” on Thursday before a session titled, “Unfiltered and Untamed: A Candid Talk with Dee Snider.”
Industry thought leader and author Nevin Adams will emcee the symposium while Leafhouse Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy Kassandra Hendrix and Kading will also spend plenty of time on stage.
In addition to a pre-conference session from WIPN on “Building Your Brand by Being Yourself,” sessions Wednesday also cover the topics of personalized reenrollment, and panel discussion on disrupting the target date industry and product innovation.
Among the many topics on Thursday’s agenda are panels titled, “Fear of Failure or Failure Due to Fear,” “The Rise of FinTech,” “Efficient Markets vs. Moats: Competing Forces in Modern Business Strategy,” and “Retirement Multiverse: New Dimensions of Planning and Innovation.”
The event’s popular “Retireside Chat” will feature Prime Capital Financial’s Scott Colangelo, Kading and OneDigital’s Jania Stout discussing “Collaboration vs. Competition.” That’s followed by a panel discussion titled, “Public Access to Private Markets: A CEO Discussion,” with Franklin Templeton’s Yaqub Ahmed and Jenny Johnson joining Kading before Kading gives his own “Unflitered” address.
SEE ALSO:
• Unlocking Individuality: Is Your 401(k) Managed Account Tailored to You?
• Why the Retirement Industry Needs to Embrace Change, Get Better at Working Together: LeafHouse Event
Veteran financial services industry journalist Brian Anderson joined 401(k) Specialist as Managing Editor in January 2019. He has led editorial content for a variety of well-known properties including Insurance Forums, Life Insurance Selling, National Underwriter Life & Health, and Senior Market Advisor. He has always maintained a focus on providing readers with timely, useful information intended to help them build their business.
