Evan Harp sat down with LPL Financial’s Timothy Podell to discuss his career, his love of munis, and the Exchange conference.
Evan Harp: Tell me about your career.
Tim Podell: My grandfather and dad were both brokers, so I am a third-generation broker. 2025 represented my 30th year as a broker. The scary thing is, of course, I am 60… so… half my life — haha, yikes!
I am old-school. Most of my clients I have had for many years. They continue to refer me constantly to family and friends. I can barely keep up with referral biz. I do portfolios by hand, dependent on the client and their individual needs and objectives.
I utilize large-cap stocks, ETF’s, CEF’s, for growth and income in my qualified and retirement accounts. I am a muni nut…I have been doing them for 30 years. My truck’s license plate is MUNIS.
For taxable accounts, trusts, etc., I generally only use individual investment-grade muni bonds, but tend to use an ETF or CEF for a little kicker in income, usually PCQ and NAC.
Podell on Investment Philosophy and Challenges
Harp: What is your practice philosophy?
Podell: I do not outsource my client’s hard earned money to a third party for a fee. I do not believe in charging a fee just to have an account. This is their money, not mine to take every year. I am an old school, hands-on transactional broker.
Harp: What’s the biggest challenge you had to overcome, and how did you do it?
Podell: In the late 1990’s the evolving of e-trade and other DIY platforms came to fruition. Also in the early 2000’s the infiltration of SAM, Russell, and other managed money fee-based platforms started. I overcame both the same way, by providing my clients with exceptional service and trusted advice.
Exchange Is Right Around the Corner
Harp: What are you looking forward to about the Exchange conference?
Podell: I am attending this event to learn and discover all the new ETF’s available for me to use in my day to day portfolio management, as well as portfolio construction. I am also attending to network with fellow brokers and people in the industry. It is my experience that if I can bring just one or two good ideas back with me, it is well worth it.
Harp: Who is another financial advisor that inspires you?
Podell: I like Steven Cohen, David Tepper, and Dan Loeb. Mike Jennings hired me at AG Edwards in 1995. He has since retired, but was probably the biggest inspiration besides my father. I also lived down the street from Charlie Munger for many years. I would have to include him as well, with our rare but motivating chats in the neighborhood.
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