---
title: "Behavior-Based Investment Strategies with Jonathan Blau"
description: "In this episode, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jonathan Blau, President and CEO at Fusion Family Wealth. In this episode, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jonathan Blau,…"
url: https://www.milemarker.co/podcast/behavior-based-investment-strategies-with-jonathan-blau
updated: 2025-06-03
---
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Episode 96 · Jun 3, 2025 · 35 min

# Behavior-Based Investment Strategies with Jonathan Blau

 [**Jonathan Blau***President & CEO, Fusion Family Wealth*](https://www.milemarker.co/podcast/guests/jonathan-blau)

 [Apple Podcasts ↗](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-connected-advisor/id1691759257) [Spotify ↗](https://open.spotify.com/show/0Lw8kHGnS1JJBMZLPYxc9S)

## About this episode

In this episode, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jonathan Blau, President and CEO at Fusion Family Wealth. Known as a “trusted advisor to trusted advisors,” Jonathan brings decades of experience partnering with accounting and law firms to offer comprehensive financial guidance. His approach is grounded in behavioral finance, and he’s known for cutting through complexity with clarity and insight.

Kyle and Jonathan talk about behavioral finance, how Fusion Family Wealth disrupts traditional investment strategies, and what it takes to stand out as an independent financial advisor. Jonathan offers a unique perspective on investing, challenging conventional wisdom around risk and safety. He also shares his passion for philanthropy and his work with Sunrise Day Camp, an organization supporting children with cancer and their families.

In this episode:

-   (00:00) - Intro

-   (02:05) - Jonathan's money moment

-   (04:08) - Why Jonathan chose to go independent

-   (05:59) - Redefining the investor problem: volatility vs. purchasing power

-   (12:10) - The impact of media on investor decision-making

-   (18:06) - Strategies for organic growth

-   (19:50) - Jonathan's thoughts on the future of the industry

-   (21:14) - Sunrise Day Camp and Jonathan's philanthropic work

-   (23:31) - Jonathan's boating journey

-   (25:45) - Leveraging technology for behavioral finance and coaching at scale

-   (29:28) - Jonathan's Milemarker Minute

**Key Takeaways**

-   Behavioral finance plays a vital role in helping clients stay grounded, especially during market volatility. It empowers them to tune out fear-driven headlines and avoid impulsive, fad-based decisions.

-   As technology and AI reshape the financial landscape, the heart of wealth management remains unchanged: human connection and the behavioral insight that builds long-term trust and value.

-   Great financial advising goes beyond numbers — it’s about understanding people. Advisors must offer not only strategic guidance, but also emotional support as clients face life’s financial complexities.

-   The industry is evolving toward greater flexibility, giving advisors the freedom to work within large firms, operate independently, or design hybrid models that reflect their unique strengths and values.
**Quotes**

"Stocks are safe. Real estate is safe. Bonds are risky. We have to tell people something that's both counter-cultural and counterintuitive." ~ Jonathan Blau

"Inflation is the disease of money. Bonds are the carriers of the disease." ~  Jonathan Blau

"We need to own real assets that have the ability to appreciate and counter inflation, not put assets in paper assets that lead to the diminution of that purchasing power itself." ~ Jonathan Blau

**Links**

-   [Jonathan Blau on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanblau1/)

-   [Fusion Family Wealth](https://www.fusionfamilywealth.com/)

-   [Diamond Consultants](https://www.diamond-consultants.com/)

-   [Mindy Diamond](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindydiamond/)

-   [Merrill Lynch](https://www.ml.com/)

-   [UBS](http://www.ubs.com/)

-   [Goldman Sachs](https://www.goldmansachs.com/)

-   [Same as Ever](https://www.amazon.com/Same-Ever-Guide-Never-Changes/dp/0593332709)

-   [How Not To Invest](https://www.amazon.com/How-Not-Invest-numbers-behaviors/dp/1804091197)

**Connect with our hosts**

-   [Milemarker.co](https://www.milemarker.co/)

-   [Kyle on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylevanpelt/)

-   [Jud on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/judmackrill/)

**Subscribe and stay in touch**

-   [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/connected/id1691759257)

-   [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/0Lw8kHGnS1JJBMZLPYxc9S)

-   [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@milemarkerinc)

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**Promos**

## The write-up

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[Listen to this week’s episode.](https://open.spotify.com/episode/01e18uP2WHauIbRkkEpa29)

## Episode 096

On this week’s episode of The Connected Advisor, I speak with [Jonathan Blau](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanblau), President and CEO at [Fusion Family Wealth](https://www.fusionfamilywealth.com/). Known as a “trusted advisor to trusted advisors,” Jonathan brings decades of experience partnering with accounting and law firms to offer comprehensive financial guidance.

We discuss behavioral finance, how Fusion Family Wealth disrupts traditional investment strategies, and what it takes to stand out as an independent financial advisor. Jonathan offers a unique perspective on investing, challenging conventional wisdom around risk and safety. He also shares his passion for philanthropy and his work with Sunrise Day Camp, an organization supporting children with cancer and their families.

## Key Takeaways

**Behavioral finance plays a vital role in helping clients stay grounded, especially during market volatility.** It empowers them to tune out fear-driven headlines and avoid impulsive, fad-based decisions.

**As technology and AI reshape the financial landscape, the heart of wealth management remains unchanged: human connection and the behavioral insight that builds long-term trust and value.**

**Great financial advising goes beyond numbers—it’s about understanding people.** Advisors must offer not only strategic guidance, but also emotional support as clients face life’s financial complexities.

## Quotes

> “Stocks are safe. Real estate is safe. Bonds are risky. We have to tell people something that’s both counter-cultural and counterintuitive.”
> — Jonathan Blau

> “Inflation is the disease of money. Bonds are the carriers of the disease.”
> — Jonathan Blau

> “We need to own real assets that have the ability to appreciate and counter inflation, not put assets in paper assets that lead to the diminution of that purchasing power itself.”
> — Jonathan Blau

## Links & Resources

**Featured:**

-   [Jonathan Blau on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanblau)

-   [Fusion Family Wealth](https://www.fusionfamilywealth.com/)

**Companies Mentioned:**

-   [Diamond Consultants](https://www.diamond-consultants.com/)

-   [Merrill Lynch](https://www.ml.com/)

-   [UBS](https://www.ubs.com/)

-   [Goldman Sachs](https://www.goldmansachs.com/)

**Books Mentioned:**

-   Same as Ever by Morgan Housel

-   [How Not To Invest](https://www.hownottoinvest.com/) by Ben Carlson

## Connect With Our Hosts

-   [Milemarker.co](https://www.milemarker.co/)

-   [Kyle on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylevp)

-   [Jud on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/judbergman)

## Subscribe and Stay in Touch

-   Apple Podcasts

-   [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/nextmile)

-   [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@milemarkerinc)

If you’d like to schedule a time to talk with me about anything we cover on our podcast or Milemarker, click here for 15 minutes.

*— Kyle Van Pelt*

 [**Jonathan Blau***President & CEO, Fusion Family Wealth*](https://www.milemarker.co/podcast/guests/jonathan-blau)

Next Mile

Conversations with the people building the next era of wealth management, hosted by Kyle Van Pelt. New episodes every Tuesday.

[Get the newsletter →](https://www.milemarker.co/resources/newsletter) [Talk to Milemarker →](https://www.milemarker.co/contact)

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