In this episode of Fast Forward STL, host Keith Alper sits down with Adam Birenbaum, chief executive officer of Focus Partners Wealth. Adam shares his intern-to-CEO story at the St. Louis-based wealth management firm, explains why comprehensive financial planning beats old-school brokerages, and weighs in on AI’s role in the industry. The conversation shifts to civics, where Adam makes a passionate case for merging the city and county as the region’s make-or-break issue. Watch on YouTube, and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. Love the show? Be sure to follow or subscribe.

This episode is sponsored by Royal Banks of Missouri and supported by Cardinals Nation. Discover how your business can reach new heights with treasury management services from Royal Banks of Missouri! Their local specialists offer customized banking solutions designed to maximize efficiency, streamline operations, reduce fraud risk, and set your business up for success. Learn more.

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You may also enjoy these articles from SLM:
St. Louis Business 500: Q&A with Adam Birenbaum, Focus Partners Wealth
St. Louis Magazine‘s latest business coverage
More podcasts from St. Louis Magazine
Subscribe to St. Louis Magazine‘s Business newsletter
Shop St. Louis Magazine podcast merch

In this episode of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/fast-forward-stl/">Fast Forward STL,</a>&nbsp;host Keith Alper sits down with Adam Birenbaum, chief executive officer of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.focuspartners.com/locations/st-louis-financial-advisors">Focus Partners Wealth</a>. Adam shares his intern-to-CEO story at the St. Louis-based wealth management firm, explains why comprehensive financial planning beats old-school brokerages, and weighs in on AI&rsquo;s role in the industry. The conversation shifts to civics, where Adam makes a passionate case for merging the city and county as the region&rsquo;s make-or-break issue. Watch on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGmdXtX9NEhHsFKPnlX-sLmL">YouTube</a>, and listen on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fast-forward-stl/id1862226079">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6GMNrMGxJcajuyAsnAAkTa">Spotify</a>, or your favorite podcast platform. Love the show? Be sure to follow or subscribe.
This episode is sponsored by&nbsp;<a href="http://royalbanksofmo.com/">Royal Banks of Missouri</a>&nbsp;and supported by&nbsp;<a href="http://cardinalsnation.com/">Cardinals Nation</a>.&nbsp;Discover how your business can reach new heights with treasury management services from Royal Banks of Missouri! Their local specialists offer customized banking solutions designed to maximize efficiency, streamline operations, reduce fraud risk, and set your business up for success.&nbsp;<a href="http://royalbanksofmo.com/">Learn more.</a>
New to podcasts?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/how-to-listen/">Follow these instructions</a>&nbsp;to start listening to our shows, and hear what you&rsquo;ve been missing!
Want more?&nbsp;Check out all of&nbsp;St. Louis Magazine&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/">podcasts</a>.
You may also enjoy these articles from&nbsp;SLM:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.stlmag.com/business/adam-birenbaum-focus-partners-wealth/">St. Louis Business 500: Q&amp;A with Adam Birenbaum, Focus Partners Wealth</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.stlmag.com/business/">St. Louis Magazine&lsquo;s latest business coverage</a></li>
<li><a href="http://stlmag.com/podcasts">More podcasts from&nbsp;St. Louis Magazine</a></li>
<li><a href="https://info.stlmag.com/st-louis-business-newsletter">Subscribe to&nbsp;St. Louis Magazine&lsquo;s Business newsletter</a></li>
<li><a href="https://store.stlmag.com/collections/podcast">Shop&nbsp;St. Louis Magazine&nbsp;podcast merch</a></li>
</ul>

Fast Forward STL is a business and innovation podcast hosted by entrepreneur, investor, producer, and CEO of The Nitrous Effect companies, Keith Alper. Each episode features leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators doing remarkable work connected to St. Louis and the greater region. Together, they explore ideas, stories, and strategies that shape growth, spark curiosity, and occasionally make you say, “I didn’t know that.” From bold startups to legacy organizations reinventing themselves, the conversations dig into how people build, create, and solve real problems, and why it matters to our city’s future. The goal is simple: learn, explore, and help move St. Louis fast forward through business, leadership, and innovation.

Fast Forward STL&nbsp;is a business and innovation podcast hosted by entrepreneur, investor, producer, and CEO of The Nitrous Effect companies, Keith Alper. Each episode features leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators doing remarkable work connected to St. Louis and the greater region. Together, they explore ideas, stories, and strategies that shape growth, spark curiosity, and occasionally make you say, &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t know that.&rdquo; From bold startups to legacy organizations reinventing themselves, the conversations dig into how people build, create, and solve real problems, and why it matters to our city&rsquo;s future. The goal is simple: learn, explore, and help move St. Louis fast forward through business, leadership, and innovation.