Financial Planning – Behind the Curtain Finance With Thomas Manetta

How AI Is Changing the Future of Financial Advice with Fernando San Martin (Ep. 21)

By Behind The Curtain Finance | June 5, 2026

AI gets talked about everywhere these days, but what does it actually look like when it becomes a practical tool for financial planning?

In this episode, Thomas Manetta welcomes Fernando San Martin, Senior Product Manager of Hazel by Altruist, for a conversation about the rapid changes taking place in financial planning. Fernando shares his journey from co-founding Thyme to joining Altruist, along with insights into how AI-powered tools are helping advisors uncover planning opportunities, save time, and deliver a better client experience.

Thomas and Fernando discuss:

How Hazel’s AI-powered tax planning tool identifies planning opportunities
Why tax planning has become an essential part of financial advice
The impact of AI on advisor productivity and client service
The future of financial planning technology
And more!

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About our Guest:

Fernando San Martin is the Senior Product Manager of Hazel at Altruist. Originally from Spain, Fernando has built his career at the intersection of finance, software, data, and artificial intelligence. Before joining Altruist, he co-founded Thyme, an AI-powered financial planning platform designed to help advisors deliver more efficient and impactful advice. Following Altruist’s acquisition of Thyme, Fernando joined the team to lead the development of Hazel, helping advisors leverage AI-driven insights across tax planning, financial planning, and client engagement. He is passionate about using technology to improve financial outcomes while preserving the human relationships that make advice meaningful.

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Building the Future of Advice with Jason Wenk (Ep. 11)

By Behind The Curtain Finance | September 23, 2025

What happens when the infrastructure of financial services finally catches up to the modern world of cloud, APIs, and AI?

In this episode of Behind the Curtain Finance, host Thomas Manetta sits down with Jason Wenk, founder and CEO of Altruist, the first fully integrated digital custodian designed for independent advisors. Together, they explore how technology is reshaping financial services, from APIs and microservices to agent-based AI support like Hazel and paraplanners.

Thomas and Jason discuss:

Why legacy financial infrastructure holds advisors back, and how vertical integration changes the game
The role of APIs and cloud-native architecture in building seamless advisor and client experiences
How AI agents may transform operations, scale, and client outcomes in the next 24 months
Why the future of advice depends on empathy, authenticity, and human connection, even in a tech-driven world
And more!

Resources:

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Connect with Jason Wenk:

About our Guest:

Jason Wenk is the founder and CEO of Altruist, the first custodian built intentionally from the ground up to support independent financial advisors who want to do the best possible work for their clients with as few conflicts as possible.

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Building Trust First: The Real Foundation of Financial Planning (Ep. 7)

By Behind The Curtain Finance | July 22, 2025

Trust and alignment form the bedrock of effective financial planning, but how do you build these foundations with clients?

In this episode, Thomas Manetta shares his journey from traditional financial advisory roles to founding Manetta Wealth Management, where he prioritizes conflict-free and transparent client relationships. He explores the essential components of financial planning, emphasizing simplicity, transparency, and long-term client alignment.

Thomas discusses:

[00:04:00] The shift from product-pushing in institutional settings to alignment-focused, comprehensive advice as an independent advisor
[00:07:52] How trust, established through transparent investment planning, sets the tone for all other aspects of client relationships
[00:09:07] How many clients don’t realize the fees they’re paying and benefit from being empowered with knowledge and transparency
[00:13:05] How emotional reactions to markets can derail long-term growth and the advisor’s role is to maintain perspective
[00:15:23] The future of advisory work is shifting from just investment strategy to planning around taxes, estates, and cash flow management
And more!

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Authenticity Over Automation (Ep. 6)

By Behind The Curtain Finance | July 8, 2025

AI may reshape financial services—but it will never replace empathy.

This week, Thomas J. Manetta shares how owning his firm redefined his identity, strengthened client bonds, and sparked a deeper purpose. With automation rising, it’s the human touch that sets advisors apart. This episode explores why genuine relationships are the future of advisory services.

Thomas discusses:

[00:07:53] How AI will streamline investment, tax, and estate planning, but cannot replace the emotional intelligence and advocacy of a human advisor
[00:02:42] The power of alignment—between advisor, client, and custodian—is a foundation for authentic and trust-based relationships
[00:02:00] How launching his firm led to personal transformation and stronger client connections, marked by vulnerability and mutual respect
[00:06:26] How advisors should prioritize intention and empathy in planning processes, integrating emotional care with financial advice
[00:13:38] The emerging shift in the profession toward human-centric, authenticity-led practices, and how tech like ChatGPT can help clients find aligned advisors
And more!

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