In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, your hosts Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell kick off a 5-part ETF investing mini-series by breaking down what ETFs actually are and why they’ve become so popular. Over this series, you’ll learn how to research, compare and build your own ETF portfolio with confidence. In this first episode, we focus on the foundations and remove the intimidation around getting started. They cover: - What an ETF is (and what it’s not!) - What “exchange traded fund” actually...
May 13, 2026•36 min
In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, your host Gemma Mitchell kicks off Episode 1 of the Christian Hull ‘Hot-Mess Money Makeover’ coaching series. With over six million followers, Christian Hull is no stranger to attention—but managing money behind the scenes is a different story. In this episode, they cover: - Christian’s current financial confidence and stress levels - How Christian’s business works and how he makes money - What his cash flow looks like right now - The money goals he wa...
May 11, 2026•54 min
In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, your hosts Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell unpack more listener questions around investing strategy, superannuation, and navigating today’s economic environment. They cover: – How to split investments inside vs outside super – Whether you’re still eligible for first home buyer grants – How to think about investing during global uncertainty – Super vs ETFs vs property: where should you focus? If you like this Australian Finance Podcast episode, you'll love...
May 07, 2026•48 min
AI can now generate prototypes, content and product ideas at speed — but Figma’s Andrew Hogan says the real edge is still human judgment. In this episode, Owen Rask chats with Andrew about what AI is changing inside teams, why design is becoming more valuable, and how leaders are using better tools to communicate ideas with more clarity. They explore why senior designers may be worth more than ever, how non-designers are increasingly doing design work, and why businesses are taking on bigger pro...
May 04, 2026•49 min
In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, your hosts Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell tackle real listener questions on navigating big financial decisions. They cover: - What to do when you receive a $1m inheritance - How to think about rising insurance premiums in super - The reality of buying a home as a single person today - The key wealth trends shaping Australian households If you like this Australian Finance Podcast episode, you'll love our series. Don't forget to subscribe for weekly shows ...
Apr 30, 2026•37 min
Discover why the traditional path to buying your first home no longer works, the trade-offs modern buyers must make, and how to rethink home ownership in today’s market. In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, your host Gemma Mitchell is joined by Lucinda Hartley, author of Finding Home, to unpack what’s really changed when it comes to buying your first home. They cover: – Why the traditional “rulebook” no longer applies – How first home buyers need to rethink what “home” means – The key tra...
Apr 27, 2026•47 min
In this episode of the Australian Finance Podcast, Owen is joined by Emily from the Rask design team for a practical conversation about money in your 20s. Together they unpack the real questions younger Australians face when life is moving quickly and the pressure to “figure it out” feels intense. Emily shares what changed after moving from New Zealand to Melbourne, learning how Australia’s super system works, trying micro-investing for the first time, and setting a goal for her first ETF invest...
Apr 23, 2026•58 min
In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, your hosts Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell break down sudden wealth events, and what happens when life goes from “normal” to financially complex overnight. They cover: – What counts as a sudden wealth event – Why more money does not always mean less stress – The emotional side of inheritance, guilt, pressure, and decision fatigue – What changes when your wealth jumps quickly – Why structure, tax, protection, and estate planning matter more than ever If yo...
Apr 20, 2026•39 min
In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, your host Owen Rask is joined by Brian Parker, Chief Economist of Australian Retirement Trust (ART), to discuss how ART thinks about runway, portfolio construction, private markets and when volatility becomes opportunity. They cover: - What a chief economist actually does and how ART turns research into portfolio action. - How “super money” is different: time horizon, tax wrapper and the power of compounding. - Geopolitics, inflation and how ART assess...
Apr 16, 2026•57 min
In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, your hosts Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell break down what rising interest rates actually mean for your money — and how you can benefit if you’ve got cash sitting in the bank. They cover: – Why rate hikes aren’t all bad news – Who wins and loses when interest rates rise – How savings accounts really work (and where banks get you) – Why chasing the highest rate isn’t always worth it – Simple, practical tips to make your cash work harder If you like this Au...
Apr 13, 2026•36 min
In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, your hosts Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell dive into a listener Q&A covering real-life money challenges and wins. They cover: – Celebrating a listener hitting $5k in savings early in the year – Whether to focus on mortgage repayments or start investing – How to begin investing with just $2–5k – Financial Infidelity and coming back from gambling debt – How to structure assets for retirement income – What you need to know about changes to credit card su...
Apr 09, 2026•42 min
Mitchel Sneddon sits down with Hayden Smith, co-founder of Pearler, to unpack whether FIRE is still achievable and what actually drives financial independence today. The conversation moves beyond theory into the real levers — spending, income, behaviour and simple ETF investing — and reframes investing as a tool, not the solution. Together they discuss: – FIRE remains achievable, but outcomes are driven by income, spending and family choices, not markets alone – Cutting spending is still the fas...
Apr 06, 2026•38 min
In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, your host Owen Rask is joined by Senior financial adviser at Rask Advice, Chamil Peiris to answer listener questions on estate planning, superannuation and SMSFs. They cover: – What to do with leftover funeral insurance money – Whether you need a will in your 20s – How super beneficiaries actually work – The difference between SMSFs and industry funds for estate planning If you like this Australian Finance Podcast episode, you'll love our series. Don't...
Apr 02, 2026•43 min
In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, your host Owen Rask is joined by Rask Advice Associate Milli Russell to unpack Milli’s journey into financial advice, alongside answering your biggest money questions. They cover: – Milli’s pathway from school to financial planning – What it actually takes to become a financial adviser – How the industry is changing post-Royal Commission – Real-world answers to listener questions on mortgages, ETFs, and investing Topics Covered – Why Milli chose a care...
Mar 30, 2026•46 min
In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, your hosts Pete Wargent of Allen Wargent Property Buyers and Gemma Mitchell from Rask discuss whether first homebuyers should use the 5% deposit scheme. Here’s what they cover: -Criteria for qualifying for the new scheme -The new property price caps -Getting the right loan -Managing cashflows -Retaining a buffer -The benefits of using the 5% deposit scheme -The risk and the drawbacks And their summary thoughts and tips. This episode was originally feat...
Mar 26, 2026•34 min
If you like this Australian Finance Podcast episode, you'll love our series. Don't forget to subscribe for weekly shows on Apple , Spotify , YouTube , or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for more investing insights. Topics Covered – What is PocketSmith and how does it track spending data? – Understanding the Global Spending Map – Mortgage spending trends in Australia vs NZ vs US – Why Australian mortgage costs have doubled in five years –...
Mar 23, 2026•47 min
In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, your hosts Gemma Mitchell and Leigh Gant answer your weekly money and life questions. They cover: – Whether superannuation is really a “gamble” and what happened during past crashes – What the new Super Payday rules mean for when your employer pays your super – What to consider when your fixed home loan rate rolls off – Whether interest-only loans are smart strategy or short-term relief – How to define (and stick to) your ‘enough’ number for stepping b...
Mar 19, 2026•33 min
We are only a couple of months into 2026 and we’ve already seen significant retirement changes announced. These updates could directly impact your super, Age Pension eligibility and contribution strategy. -In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, your host Gemma Mitchell is joined by James O’Reilly- co host on the Australian Retirement Podcast and financial adviser at Northeast Financial Wealth, go through three big retirement changes you need to know in 2026 — and then take you through your ...
Mar 16, 2026•45 min
In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, Owen is away so your host Gemma Mitchell is joined by Mitchell Sneddon (one of our hosts of the Australian Investor Podcast) to answer your weekly investing questions on ETFs and portfolio construction. They cover: – Hedged vs unhedged international ETFs (and when it matters) – Whether ETF fund size and liquidity should influence your choice – How to think about overlap between super investments and investments outside super – Kids investing via minor ...
Mar 13, 2026•37 min
In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, Owen Rask is joined by Alex Luck, financial adviser and co-founder of Everest Wealth Group, for a deep dive into financially preparing for kids. Alex works with many Australians in their 20s to 40s navigating career progression, property decisions and starting families. As a father of two himself, he shares both professional and personal insights into what really matters. This episode covers: - Planning maternity and paternity leave - Understanding Cen...
Mar 09, 2026•1 hr 11 min
In this Friday Q&A episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, Gemma Mitchell is joined by Tahli Cavagnino, Senior Adviser at Rask Advice, to answer some of the most common and nuanced questions people face as they approach retirement. This episode focuses on the decisions that sit right at the transition point, when work is winding down, structures start to matter more, and the tax and timing trade-offs can feel overwhelming. If you found this episode helpful, hit follow on Apple , Spotify ,...
Mar 05, 2026•39 min
Owen Rask and Betashares’ Tom Wickenden construct two themed $100,000 ETF portfolios — one focused on the rise of China and Asia, the other built as an “existential” hedge against US dominance and structural risks. In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, Owen Rask is joined by Tom Wickenden from Betashares to construct two high-conviction $100,000 ETF portfolios — each with a clear macro theme and five-year horizon. We cover: - What Tom has personally invested in recently — and why - Owen’s ...
Mar 04, 2026•1 hr 1 min
In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, Gemma Mitchell sits down with financial adviser, author and host of the Financially Fierce Podcast, Jess Brady. Jess is the author of Get Growing and founder of The Greenhouse education program. Together, they unpack Jess’s powerful framework: the four stages of wealth — and what you should actually focus on at each stage. They cover: – Why money feels overwhelming (and why you’re probably not the problem) – The four stages of wealth: Sprouted, Grounde...
Mar 02, 2026•57 min
In this Friday Q&A episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell tackle the emotional side of money decisions, from learning how to actually enjoy financial progress, to handling early investing nerves, career burnout and retirement timing. This episode is less about spreadsheets and more about behaviour, mindset and realistic trade-offs, especially for people who are doing “well on paper” but still feeling stuck or unsure. If you liked this episode of The Australia...
Feb 26, 2026•36 min
In this episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, your hosts Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell dive into one of the easiest money wins of the year: finding unclaimed money. T hey uncover: – Why billions of dollars are sitting unclaimed in Australia – How to check if any of it is yours (in 10 minutes or less) – The three places to search: ATO, ASIC, and your state government – Why this should be part of your annual financial health check If you like this Australian Finance Podcast episode on finding ...
Feb 23, 2026•26 min
Explore how AI tools like ChatGPT can support (and mislead) your financial planning, understand key differences between pre- and post-tax super contributions, and unpack SMSF concerns around ETF custodial ownership. In this Friday Q&A episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell unpack some of the most common and timely questions we’re seeing right now around AI, superannuation strategies and SMSF investing. With tools like ChatGPT becoming part of everyday decisio...
Feb 19, 2026•45 min
How does your super really stack up? Average vs top 10% super balances explained. In this episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, Gemma Mitchell and Owen Rask break down the latest Australian superannuation statistics and answer the question so many people quietly worry about: Am I behind on super? This episode cuts through the averages, explains what the numbers actually mean, and gives you practical ways to improve your superannuation position whether you’re behind, on track, or already ahe...
Feb 16, 2026•41 min
In this Friday Q&A episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, Gemma Mitchell is joined by James Phelan, Senior Adviser at Rask Advice, to answer the big money questions that tend to come up when a baby is on the way. From planning for income changes to understanding parental leave, childcare costs and shared money dynamics, this episode focuses on practical, real-world decisions new and growing families are navigating right now. If you enjoyed this episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, ...
Feb 12, 2026•37 min
In this episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, Gemma Mitchell is joined by long-time friend of the show, Mel Browne – a multi-time founder, author, and ex-financial adviser with a fresh take on what it really means to be wealthy. With her new book Dare to Be Wealthy hitting shelves, Mel and Gemma dive into some of the biggest mindset blocks, money myths and systemic challenges holding people back – especially women – from feeling in control of their financial lives. From redefining wealth, t...
Feb 09, 2026•49 min
In this Friday Q&A episode of The Australian Finance Podcast , Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell tackle some of the bigger, more complex money questions that tend to show up in mid-life and major transitions. We cover what it really means to be an executor of an estate, how to think through first home and property decisions as a couple, and how investors at different stages can make more confident choices without feeling out of their depth. Owen and Gemma cover: - Where to start when you’re named...
Feb 05, 2026•41 min
