UWA131-Behind the Veil Part 2 - Unwoke.Academy

In this episode, Jonathan Broadbent, host of Unwoke.academy, discusses the America First policy statement released by Donald J. Trump on February 21st, encouraging listeners to explore previous episodes for deeper context. Drawing from his extensive background in retirement plan administration, particularly with 401k plans, Broadbent raises concerns about the infiltration of 'woke' ideologies into Wall Street, which led to his broader advocacy for transparency and accountability in the financial industry.


He emphasizes the shift in focus toward plan compliance and fee reduction, advocating for transparent, conflict-free retirement plans. His company, structured to avoid cross-selling and hidden compensation models, maintains objectivity and delivers better education to employers and employees alike. He contrasts this with traditional financial advisors who often profit through higher fees and conflicting incentives—highlighting that while advisors may earn 1% on large assets, his firm typically earns 0.20%, aligning better with client interests.


Broadbent unpacks the concept of unfunded liability, explaining it as the gap between retirement expectations and actual savings, and urges listeners to prioritize fee negotiation—a critical but often neglected component, especially in small plans. He exposes industry practices such as kickbacks, finders’ fees, 12b1 commissions, and illegal incentives tied to moving 401k plans to banks, all of which inflate costs and erode savings. Sharing a story about uncovering hidden fees for a law firm that led to legal action, he illustrates the systemic complexity and resistance from those benefiting from opaque fee structures.


Despite facing regulatory scrutiny for challenging financial norms and confronting ideological trends, Broadbent remains steadfast in his commitment to defend American values and offer support to HR professionals and benefits specialists seeking to reform their retirement plans.

Categories: Money

Starring: Jonathan Broadbent