Australian Finance Podcast

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 Centrelink entitlements
- Modelling cash flow during parental leave
- Childcare costs and subsidies
- Property decisions before and after kids
- Insurance and wills
- The psychology of financial independence within couples

If you’re expecting, thinking about your second child, or simply planning ahead, this episode is essential listening.

Episode Resources
Get financial planning

Show partner resources

Join Pearler using code “RASK” for $15 of Pearler Credit

Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith

View Betashares range of funds

Rask resources

All services

Financial Planning

Invest with us

Access Show Notes

Ask a question

We love feedback!

Follow us on social media:

Instagram: @rask.invest

TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Got a retirement money question? Send it through here.

Resources for this episode

ATO: Transition to Retirement

APRA Super Fund Performance Dashboard

Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”

Ask a question (select the Finance podcast)

Show partner resources

Join Pearler using code “RASK” for $15 of Pearler Credit

Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith

View Betashares range of funds

Rask resources

All services

Financial Planning

Invest with us

Access Show Notes

Ask a question

We love feedback!

Follow us on social media:

Instagram: @rask.invest

TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 first ever investment and what it taught him
- Two bold ETF portfolios with zero “vanilla” thinking
- How to invest when you don’t have a strong view on the US market

If you enjoy learning about ETFs, portfolio construction and macro themes, subscribe to the Australian Finance Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Key Takeaways
- Most Australian portfolios remain US-heavy
- Market concentration risk is elevated
- Emerging markets deserve serious consideration
- Factor tilts (momentum, value) can shift portfolio dynamics
- Thematic investing requires discipline and long time horizons

Resources for This Episode
- Betashares ETF fund pages - view all the ETFs
- Robot backflip video referenced

Show partner resources

Join Pearler using code “RASK” for $15 of Pearler Credit

Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith

View Betashares range of funds

Rask resources

All services

Financial Planning

Invest with us

Access Show Notes

Ask a question

We love feedback!

Follow us on social media:

Instagram: @rask.invest

TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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, Grounded, Thriving and Abundant– Why trying to “skip stages” slows your progress

– The biggest mistakes people make at each stage

– How to identify where you are right now

– The number one “weed” sabotaging most people’s progress

If you like this Australian Finance Podcast episode on building wealth in stages, you'll love our series. Don't forget to subscribe for weekly shows on Apple (hyperlinked with this https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/australian-finance-podcast/id1454193127), Spotify (hyperlinked with this https://open.spotify.com/show/0KEsqdQgVCL6BKomPoNVOz), YouTube (hyperlinked with this https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvOPFdkhCBIK2Y5QbDtOZXA), or wherever you get your podcasts!

Follow us on Instagram (hyperlinked with this https://www.instagram.com/rask.invest/) and TikTok (hyperlinked with this https://www.tiktok.com/@rask.invest) for more investing insights.

Topics Covered

– Why Does Money Feel So Hard?

– “Am I the Problem?” (The Hot Iron Theory)

– The Gardening Framework for Wealth

– The Four Stages of Wealth Explained

– Stage 1: Sprouted

– Financial Mindfulness

– Stage 2: Grounded

– Financial Security

– Stage 3: Thriving

– Financial Independence

– Stage 4: Abundant

– Financial Freedom

– What Happens When You Skip Stages

– Common Money “Weeds” That Stall Progress

– How to Identify Your Stage Honestly

– How Long You Should Spend Managing Your Money Each Week

– Matching Your Money Actions to Your Stage

Resources for this episode

Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”

Ask a question (select the Finance podcast)

Show partner resources

Join Pearler using code “RASK” for $15 of Pearler Credit

Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith

View Betashares range of funds

Rask resources

All services

Financial Planning

Invest with us

Access Show Notes

Ask a question

We love feedback!

Follow us on social media:

Instagram: @rask.invest

TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Australian Finance Podcast, subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube for more weekly episodes.

Got a question for a future Q&A? Send it through here.

Topics Covered

– How to reward yourself after reaching financial milestones

– Avoiding the trap of extreme saving & money guilt

– Managing early investing nerves and ETF losses

– When (and why) people sell shares too early

– Why losses feel bigger than they are when you're just starting

– Feeling stuck in a high-income job you don’t like

– What “golden handcuffs” are & how to escape them

– Retirement timing vs super access vs pension age

– Building optionality and buffers before quitting a job

Resources for this episode

How to build a values-based money system

Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”

Ask a question (select the Finance podcast)

Show partner resources

Join Pearler using code “RASK” for $15 of Pearler Credit

Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith

View Betashares range of funds

Rask resources

All services

Financial Planning

Invest with us

Access Show Notes

Ask a question

We love feedback!

Follow us on social media:

Instagram: @rask.invest

TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices