Australian Finance Podcast

This is a special rewind episode of the Australian Finance Podcast, bringing back one of our favourite Q&A conversations because the questions are still incredibly relevant today.

In this episode, Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell work through practical money decisions that many Australians wrestle with: whether extra cash should go into super or against the mortgage, what to do when you’ve saved a first-home deposit but life changes stall the next step, and how to think about retirement when you’re worried you’re behind.

They also unpack why discipline matters when comparing super with debt reduction, how to weigh flexibility against tax benefits, and what to consider if you’re building wealth outside super before preservation age. There’s also a thoughtful discussion about defined benefit schemes, planning for uncertainty, and why a simple, steady plan can matter more than chasing the perfect answer.

If you’ve ever wondered whether to boost super, hold cash, invest, or rethink the timing of a big financial move, this rewind is full of grounded, plain-English insights. It’s a great one to revisit if you’re trying to make smarter decisions with your next dollar.

Episode resources

– Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”

– Speak with the Rask Advice team

– Ask a question (select the Finance podcast)

Show partner resources

– View VanEck's range of funds

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

– Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith

– Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe

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
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In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, Owen Rask sits down with Hayden Smith from Pearler to unpack why so many money goals fall over before they ever become real habits.

Rather than setting huge targets that feel inspiring for a day and overwhelming for the next six months, Hayden explains why shorter timeframes, smaller milestones and cleaner systems give people a far better chance of following through. They talk through how to turn vague financial intentions into something measurable, why automation matters, and how to reduce the friction around saving and investing.

Owen and Hayden also explore the idea of a research stake - putting a small amount of money to work so you become more curious, more engaged and more accountable to your own future. It is a practical way to build momentum without needing to be perfect from day one.

Along the way, Hayden shares how his thinking has softened on owner-occupied property, why housing still matters in a long-term plan, and how tools like debt recycling may help Australians balance a home with ETF investing. If you want better money habits and money goals that actually stick, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can use straight away.

Episode resources

– Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”

– Speak with the Rask Advice team

– Ask a question (select the Finance podcast)

Show partner resources

– View VanEck's range of funds

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

– Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith

– Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe

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
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In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, Owen Rask sits down with Glen James to talk about buying your first property in Australia when the market feels tougher than ever. Glen explains why so many buyers feel stuck, why the old 20% deposit playbook no longer fits reality for many people, and what first home buyers can do instead of giving up.

The conversation centres on Glen’s new book, The Quick Start Guide to Your First Property, and the practical mindset shift behind it. He argues that buyers need a clear why, a realistic time frame and a willingness to use every legitimate tool available, from the First Home Super Saver Scheme to low-deposit pathways and state-based support. Rather than obsessing over the perfect property straight away, Glen says the goal is to build a workable strategy and keep moving.

Owen and Glen also cover the emotional side of property, why a good mortgage broker can help sooner than most people think, when professional advice is worth paying for, and how parents can better support children trying to enter the market. If you’re feeling priced out, overwhelmed or unsure where to start, this episode offers a grounded, practical guide to taking the next step.

Episode resources

– Buy "The Quick-Start Guide to Your First Property"

– Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”

– Speak with the Rask Advice team

– Ask a question (select the Finance podcast)

Show partner resources

– View VanEck's range of funds

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

– Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith

– Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe

EOFY deals to know about - ending June/July 2026

– 1 free trade per month, for 12 months, for new Pearler customers

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, Owen Rask sits down with James Gil, Head of Product at VanEck, to unpack the relaunch of GOAT and why it matters for ETF investors. Rather than simply buying “AI stocks”, GOAT uses AI inside the portfolio construction process to rank global companies, score signals and build a 150-stock portfolio designed to adapt as markets change.

James explains why VanEck sees GOAT as a new stage of smart beta or “ETF 3.0” that sits between plain-vanilla index investing and traditional active management. The conversation walks through the four-step engine behind the fund: generating signals from huge datasets, scoring those signals, learning from what has worked across market cycles, and validating the model against live conditions.

Owen and James also dig into the difference between GOAT and MOAT, why monthly rebalancing matters, how the portfolio avoids becoming a pure tech bet, and where country and sector tilts are showing up today. They touch on the 21-year simulated track record, why VanEck says the strategy was most resilient in major stress periods, and how investors might use a dynamic ETF alongside more traditional international equity exposures. If you want a practical look at AI-driven ETF investing in Australia, this episode is a great place to start.

Episode resources

– Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”

– Speak with the Rask Advice team

– Ask a question (select the Finance podcast)

Show partner resources

– View VanEck's range of funds

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

– Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith

– Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe

EOFY deals to know about - ending June/July 2026

– 1 free trade per month, for 12 months, for new Pearler customers

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

It is not personal advice. An investment in GOAT involves risks and simulated performance of the index is not indicative of future performance of GOAT.
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In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, Owen Rask speaks with Sarah Court, Chair of ASIC, about what the regulator is seeing across the financial system and why everyday Australians need to pay closer attention to how their money is being handled. Sarah explains ASIC’s role in licensing firms, holding financial institutions to account and stepping in when consumers or investors are at risk.

The core of the conversation focuses on mortgage offset accounts after ASIC uncovered failures at banks that meant some customers were not receiving the interest savings they expected. Sarah explains why these problems matter, why legacy systems and weak processes can create real financial harm, and why banks need to fix the basics instead of assuming customers will spot issues themselves.

Owen and Sarah also talk about scams, risky investments and the importance of slowing down before handing over money. She shares why MoneySmart can be such a valuable resource for Australians who want plain-English guidance on investing, risk, scams and personal finance. If you want a practical reminder to check your offset setup, stay sceptical of fast-talking investment pitches and understand where ASIC fits into the system, this episode is worth your time before it costs you real money.

Episode resources

– Moneysmart

– Investment scam alerts - ASIC

– Professional registers search - ASIC

– Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”

– Speak with the Rask Advice team

– Ask a question (select the Finance podcast)

Show partner resources

– View VanEck's range of funds

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

– Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith

– Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe

EOFY deals to know about - ending June/July 2026

– 1 free trade per month, for 12 months, for new Pearler customers

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