In the fast-paced financial industry, firms need resources that can help them manage the complexities in front of them while enabling them to prepare for what lies ahead.
As hosts of SS&C’s Tech It Up podcast, Trent Berry and Jasmin Conner have become familiar guides on this journey. The pair has been on the front lines of industry trends and innovations for the last three years, interviewing a community of thought leaders, influencers and technology experts.
In this post, we put the hosts in the guest seat, asking their perspective on the topics and ideas shaping the industry and grabbing listeners’ attention.
Applying Passion and Expertise: Hosting Tech It Up
Tech It Up began as a way to share in-depth perspectives on trends, challenges and opportunities in the wealth management space. As SS&C’s offerings expanded, so did the podcast. Today, the show covers a broad spectrum of topics across the wealth, asset and alternative landscape.
Trent was the original host of Tech It Up, and over the past three years has become a familiar voice to listeners. As an instructional designer for the Advent Portfolio Exchange® product, Trent has a wealth of experience in public speaking and training, skills that translate naturally to the role of podcast host.
“When I was asked to host the podcast, I said yes right away,” recalls Trent. “It felt like a great opportunity to translate complex ideas into something more relatable—something that could help demystify fintech.”
Jasmin has also become a recognized voice on the podcast. As a sales engineer for SS&C’s Black Diamond platform, she joined Tech It Up shortly after it launched. In her role, she works closely with clients, experience that has given her valuable insight and earned her a reputation as a strong advocate for the needs of the user. Her combination of expertise, dedication and communication skills made her the perfect choice for co-host.
“I’ve always been passionate about listening to the voice of the client and championing service-based leadership,” says Jasmin. “These beliefs guide everything I do.”
Together, Trent and Jasmin have hosted dozens of episodes, giving members of the SS&C Advent community and others in the fintech industry access to a wide range of viewpoints and knowledge from industry and product experts.
FinTech Insights: Practical Guides and Bold Predictions
The podcast’s most popular episodes fall into three main categories: practical how-tos, discussions on industry trends and thought-provoking conversations with leaders who offer a vision for the future.
Both hosts note that artificial intelligence continues to dominate listener interest. The episode “Adapting to Change: The Future of AI in Investment Management” is among the most listened to, as audiences tune in to explore how AI can drive innovation and support future initiatives, as well as learn how to address the challenges firms face when adopting this rapidly evolving technology.
Jasmin points to another pressing topic: the transfer of generational wealth.
“We’re in the middle of the largest intergenerational wealth transfer in history,” she says, “and financial advisors want to know how to prepare to meet the expectations of a new generation.”
The episode “The Great Wealth Transfer: Winning the Next Generation” offers insights into how firms can adapt to this monumental shift and also ranks among the most listened to episodes.
Trent notes that regulatory technology is another topic gaining traction with listeners.
One standout episode, “Bracing for T+1: Navigating the Operational Challenges,” aired as firms were preparing for the T+1 settlement deadline. It helped listeners understand the operational implications of this industry-wide change and how to stay ahead of compliance demands.
Trent says that Tech It Up is kind of a crystal ball, noting, “The podcast helps listeners not just see what's on their desk today, but prepare them for what might be coming down the pike – whether that’s next month, next quarter or the next decade. That's what I hope the value is for those listening.”
Keeping Pace with Interoperability
As SS&C grew and aligned more solutions, the hosts found themselves adapting, adding new topics, solutions and experts to the podcast's lineup of episodes.
While this presented an initial learning curve, over time, the hosts saw a new, more holistic narrative emerge.
“Today, our episodes have evolved from focusing on wealth management topics to telling the broader story of how our technologies work together to solve real problems in the wealth, investment and alternative space,” says Trent. “This mirrors the company’s own journey toward greater cohesion and collaboration.”
Jasmin agrees, noting, “In recent episodes, we’re not just highlighting challenges and solutions for one group of our users; we’re discussing everyday challenges from across the industry so users can understand how our solutions work together to solve real problems.”
As an example, she points to a recent episode on Geneva enhancements. In the podcast, thought leaders share details on new enhancements to the integrated platform and how these developments further connect all aspects of investment management and operations.
Access Fintech Insight That Can Keep Your Firm Ahead
The experience that both Trent and Jasmin have gained at SS&C Advent has given them a valuable perspective that elevates the depth and quality of the show. And, just as they hope listeners benefit from each episode, they’ve found that exploring such a wide range of topics on Tech It Up has enhanced their own knowledge and how they approach their work.
“I’m passionate about the topics we cover on the podcast because they’re directly tied to my work and what our clients care about,” says Jasmin.
Trent agrees, adding, “We hope the podcast helps listeners manage their day-to-day operations while also preparing for the future. That’s what it does for me; it keeps me sharp and forward-thinking in my own role.”
Gain Access to Fresh FinTech Perspectives and Conversations
Every month, Tech It Up offers fresh perspectives and thought-provoking conversations spanning the wealth, asset and alternative management landscape.
You can access the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and via the Advent Tech It Up page.
