--- title: "What It Takes to Build the Next Generation of Talent" description: "In this special Christmas 2025 episode, Kyle Van Pelt brings together four standout voices to explore what it takes to identify, attract, develop, and retain…" url: https://www.milemarker.co/podcast/what-it-takes-to-build-the-next-generation-of-talent updated: 2025-12-23 --- [Now playing](https://www.milemarker.co/podcast) [Podcast**Next Mile**](https://www.milemarker.co/podcast) [Episodes](https://www.milemarker.co/podcast)[Guests](https://www.milemarker.co/podcast/guests) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@milemarkerinc) [Apple](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-connected-advisor/id1691759257) [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/0Lw8kHGnS1JJBMZLPYxc9S) Episode 124 · Dec 23, 2025 · 32 min # What It Takes to Build the Next Generation of Talent [Apple Podcasts ↗](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-connected-advisor/id1691759257) [Spotify ↗](https://open.spotify.com/show/0Lw8kHGnS1JJBMZLPYxc9S) ## About this episode In this special Christmas 2025 episode, Kyle Van Pelt brings together four standout voices to explore what it takes to identify, attract, develop, and retain the next generation of talent. Daniel Spurgeon shares how firms can spot potential early and create intentional career pathways instead of reactive hires. Kristen Oziemkowski explains what today’s young professionals are really looking for—and how purpose, culture, and clarity drive attraction. Eric Kittner highlights the power of mentorship, in-person learning, and real responsibility in developing talent. And Matt Matrisian makes the case that long-term growth, trust, and investment are essential to retention. Together, these conversations offer a practical roadmap for building teams that thrive well into the future. In this episode: - (00:00) - Intro - (00:54) – Daniel Spurgeon on identifying potential early and building intentional career pathways - (07:32) – Kristen Oziemkowski on attracting young professionals through purpose, culture, and clarity - (16:53) – Eric Kittner on developing the next generation through mentorship and real responsibility - (24:52) – Matt Matrisian on retaining talent by investing in growth, trust, and long-term vision **Links** - [Daniel Spurgeon on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-spurgeon-cfp%C2%AE-87314441/) - [Commonwealth Financial Services](https://cfswv.com/) - [Kristen Oziemkowski on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-oziemkowski-3414962a/) - [The Mather Group](https://www.themathergroup.com/) - [Eric Kittner on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/erickittner) - [Moneta Group](https://monetagroup.com/) - [Matt Matrisian on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-matrisian/) - [Signature Estate & Investment Advisors](https://www.seia.com/) **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) **Produce game-changing content with Turncast** Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at [Turncast.com](https://www.turncast.com/). ## The write-up [Listen to this week’s episode](https://open.spotify.com/episode/2ZnnxenEvAiOMEeB8u46qu) ## Episode 124 In this special Christmas 2025 episode, I’m joined by four standout voices to explore what it takes to identify, attract, develop, and retain the next generation of talent. [Daniel Spurgeon](https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-spurgeon-cfp%C2%AE-87314441/) shares how firms can spot potential early and create intentional career pathways instead of reactive hires. [Kristen Oziemkowski](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-oziemkowski-3414962a/) explains what today’s young professionals are really looking for—and how purpose, culture, and clarity drive attraction. [Eric Kittner](https://www.linkedin.com/in/erickittner) highlights the power of mentorship, in-person learning, and real responsibility in developing talent. And [Matt Matrisian](https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-matrisian/) makes the case that long-term growth, trust, and investment are essential to retention. Together, these conversations offer a practical roadmap for building teams that thrive well into the future. #### In this episode: - (00:00) - Intro - (00:54) – Daniel Spurgeon on identifying potential early and building intentional career pathways - (07:32) – Kristen Oziemkowski on attracting young professionals through purpose, culture, and clarity - (16:53) – Eric Kittner on developing the next generation through mentorship and real responsibility - (24:52) – Matt Matrisian on retaining talent by investing in growth, trust, and long-term vision #### Links - [Daniel Spurgeon on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-spurgeon-cfp%C2%AE-87314441/) - [Commonwealth Financial Services](https://cfswv.com/) - [Kristen Oziemkowski on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-oziemkowski-3414962a/) - [The Mather Group](https://www.themathergroup.com/) - [Eric Kittner on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/erickittner) - [Moneta Group](https://monetagroup.com/) - [Matt Matrisian on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-matrisian/) - [Signature Estate & Investment Advisors](https://www.seia.com/) #### **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://youtu.be/aYs0r9GZELE) **While there, please don’t forget to Download, Like, and Subscribe.** If you’d like to schedule a time to talk with me about anything we cover on our podcast or [Milemarker](https://www.milemarker.co/), [click here for 15 minutes](https://meetings.hubspot.com/kyle-van-pelt). Kyle Van Pelt 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) ## Keep listening Ep. 170 · Nov 10, 2026 · 27 min ### [Building a Boutique at Scale with Leah Sciabarrasi](https://www.milemarker.co/podcast/building-a-boutique-at-scale-with-leah-sciabarrasi) Leah Sciabarrasi, Crestwood Advisors Ep. 157 · Aug 11, 2026 · 27 min ### [The Power of Radical Hospitality in Financial Advice with Libby Buckley](https://www.milemarker.co/podcast/the-power-of-radical-hospitality-in-financial-advice-with-libby-buckley) Libby Buckley, Parable Wealth Partners Ep. 122 · Dec 10, 2025 · 32 min ### [Beyond Referrals: Transforming Advisor Growth with Eden Ovadia](https://www.milemarker.co/podcast/beyond-referrals-transforming-advisor-growth-with-eden-ovadia) Eden Ovadia, FINNY