Money & a Good Life

Most people think financial advice is about investments, returns and building wealth.

While those things matter, they're often only part of the story. Some of the biggest benefits of advice come from having clarity, confidence and a plan that supports the life you want to live.

In this episode, we sit down with Thabojan Rasiah to explore the real value of financial advice and why money is often just the vehicle, not the destination. From defining what matters most to making major life decisions with confidence, it's about helping people use money in a way...

Estate planning is one of those things we all know we should do… but many of us keep putting it off.

The problem? When estate planning goes wrong, the consequences can be deeply personal.

Families stop speaking. Loved ones are left to make difficult decisions without guidance. Vulnerable people can be left unprotected. And disputes that could have been avoided end up costing families emotionally and financially.

In this episode of Money and a Good Life, we sit down with Susan Bonnici, Principal Estate Planning Lawyer at Aitken Partners, to unpack what estate pl...

We all like to think life follows a bit of a plan.

You build something over time. You find your rhythm. You get comfortable with where things are heading. And then, sometimes, life shifts. Not always in a dramatic way, but enough to make you rethink what comes next. 

In this episode, Mike Larkan shares the story behind a life that’s been anything but linear. From decades in television to building something new, his experience is less about a single turning point and more about how everything adds up over time. 

We talk...

When you think of a private investigator, you probably picture stakeouts, disguises and scenes straight out of a crime drama.

The reality is far less glamorous, and far more interesting.

In this episode of Money and a Good Life, we sit down with Richard James, Director and Principal Investigator of RIVICA Investigations & Covert Solutions. With more than 30 years of experience across UK law enforcement, Australian anti-corruption agencies and private investigations, Richard has seen it all.

We explore what private investigators actually do, when people seek their help, and how evidence is gathered legally...

For most people, the one thing they worry about in retirement is money.

Have I saved enough? Can I afford to stop working? When can I access my super?

But what if that's the wrong place to start?

In this episode of Money & a Good Life, Steph and Ryan sit down with Brad Fox Managing Director of Smart Brave Consulting, Chairman of Tribeca Financial, and one of the most respected voices in Australia's financial services industry to rethink what retirement actually means.

Brad believes retirement is a phase of life that...

Have you ever noticed that you can do everything right with money but still feel like you're getting nowhere?

You do the budgets. You save. You try to be disciplined. And yet, somehow, it still feels hard. Like you're second-guessing yourself.

So what's going on?

In this episode of Money & a Good Life, Steph and Ryan welcome back Bec Allan—money coach and mortgage broker who works with people who aren't necessarily bad with money, but feel stuck, overwhelmed, or quietly stressed about it, even when things look fine on paper.

Be...

Early retirement sounds like the dream. No alarm clock. No commute. No bosses.

But for some people, it also feels out of reach. And even if you could retire early, would you actually know what to do with your time?

Because it turns out, stopping work is the easy part. Figuring out how to live well without it, that's where things get interesting.

In this episode of Money & a Good Life, Steph and Ryan sit down with Christine "Wags" Wagner and Steve Kruk, a couple who both spent more than three decades at...

We all like to think we're rational when it comes to our finances.

But the truth is, most of our money decisions are driven by emotion, family history, and psychology.

So does that mean we're trapped by our brains? Forced to make illogical decisions from now until eternity? Not necessarily.

In this episode of Money & a Good Life, Steph and Ryan sit down with Evan Lucas, behavioural finance specialist, media commentator, author of Mind Over Money, and host of the podcast Exchanges with Evan Lucas to explore how our emotions and cognitive biases...

Today we're revisiting a topic that's greatly improved lives, including Steph's.

It's probably the easiest change you can make to your finances with the greatest impact: cashflow.

In this episode of Money & a Good Life, Steph and Ryan bring back Matt Rea to go through the fundamentals of cashflow and dig a little deeper into how it actually works in practice.

If you've ever felt broke despite earning a good salary, struggled with lifestyle creep, or wondered why money feels so hard to manage, this conversation will give you the practical framework to...

For a lot of people, working with a financial adviser feels intimidating. Do I need advice? Am I "bad with money"? What actually happens?

In this episode of Money & a Good Life, Steph and Ryan sit down with Rachael Holder Tribeca Adviser with psychology training and behavioural finance expertise to demystify the process.

Rachael walks through the first three months of working with an adviser, explaining what happens, why it matters, and how it transforms your finances and wellbeing.

If you've ever wondered what good financial advice should feel like, this conversation provides...

Midlife is supposed to be the time when things settle down.

The kids grow up, careers feel stable, and life gets a little simpler. Right?

Well, that's not always how it plays out.

Careers shift, marriages strain, parents age, health changes, and suddenly you're rewriting the script entirely.

In this episode of Money & a Good Life, Steph and Ryan sit down with Kate Halfpenny — columnist for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, founder of Bad Mother Media, and author of Boogie Wonderland, to talk about what happens when midlife doesn't go to...

Most people think that working in finance means having your money life sorted. But today's guest proves that even the experts aren't immune to burnout, financial stress, and major setbacks.

For more than 20 years, Bec Allan built a career inside Australia's major banks. She climbed the ranks, built a reputation, and did everything "right."

But behind the scenes, she was exhausted, stretched thin, and carrying the weight of being a single mum trying to hold everything together — including $80,000 of personal debt.

In this episode of Money & a Good Life, Steph and Ryan sit do...

Banking and global markets can sound distant, sometimes even irrelevant.

But the reality is, bonds, interest rates and currencies shape almost everything in your day-to-day life. Your mortgage, your super, your cost of living, even airfares.

In this episode of Money and a Good Life, we’re joined by Anthony Kritikides, Managing Director and Global Head of Institutional Sales at CBA Global Markets. Anthony sits at the centre of global financial markets, helping some of the world’s largest institutions navigate volatility, manage risk, and plan for what’s next.

Together, we zoom out to...

Sometimes Millennials get a bad wrap for how they manage their money.

The narrative has been that they don't save and they'd rather spend on travel or avocado toast than build wealth.

But is that really true?

In this episode of Money & a Good Life, Steph and Ryan sit down with Jake Boulter, Senior Adviser at Tribeca and a Millennial who grew up in a family spanning four generations, from Boomers to Gen Z.

Jake shares what Millennials really think about money, how their approach differs from other generations, and why...

How do we make sure young people are leaving school ready to face the real world, not just academically, but financially as well?

Because right now, the stats aren't great. Nearly half of all Australian adults are considered financially illiterate. But when it comes to young people? Things look even more concerning.

Only 28% of teenage boys and just 15% of teenage girls demonstrate essential financial literacy skills.

In this episode of Money & a Good Life, Steph and Ryan sit down with Dr Vivianne Nikou, Principal of Alphington Grammar School and passionate advocate for education...

For a lot of people, retirement is a big financial unknown. 

Do I have enough super? Am I doing enough? Am I too late? What if I get there and hate it? 

In this episode of Money & a Good Life, Steph and Ryan sit down with James Wrigley, Melbourne based financial advisor, part-owner of First Financial, and author of Retire Life Ready, to talk about building wealth, shaping a retirement that actually feels good, and navigating the critical years just before you retire. 

James is known for making money matters simple and relatable. Wit...

When a relationship ends, dividing up the finances can be one of the most stressful and confusing parts of the process. 

Who owns what? What's been disclosed? What's being hidden? And what happens when something just doesn't feel right? 

In this episode of Money & a Good Life, Steph and Ryan sit down with Julie Garis, founder of Simple Split Financials and forensic accountant with many years of experience to talk about the financial side of separation and divorce that most people don't understand until they're in it. 

Julie helps people going through separation und...

When you think about financial advice, what comes to mind? Numbers? Spreadsheets? Maybe superannuation or investments?

But the best financial advice goes way beyond the money.

In this episode of Money & a Good Life, Steph and Ryan sit down with Sean Birch - Financial Adviser & Director, former accountant, and someone who understands that financial planning is really about people, family, and legacy.

Sean (or Birchy, as he's known) has that rare combination of a numbers brain and high emotional intelligence. He's built deep, long-standing relationships with his clients because he understands that advice...

Have you ever felt stuck in your career? Like you're meant for something more but unsure how to make the leap?

Or maybe you've tried to pivot before, only to end up right back where you started, frustrated and unfulfilled.

In this episode of Money & a Good Life, Steph and Ryan sit down with Natalie Tran, Business and Career Transition Coach and founder of Transition With Purpose to talk about navigating career change without burning out or losing momentum.

Natalie knows firsthand how complex career transitions can be. Starting as a Chartered Accountant...

A lot of people start a business to create more freedom. More time, more flexibility, and more money.

But instead, they end up overworked, underpaid, and overwhelmed.

In this episode of Money & a Good Life, Steph and Ryan sit down with Betsy Westcott—financial wellness coach, keynote speaker, and media regular—to talk about how to actually become the boss of your business instead of feeling like it runs you.

Betsy shares her Money Boss framework, the five steps to getting your business finances sorted, and why so many business owners neglect their own...

If your money situation is making you feel hopeless, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Money & a Good Life, Steph and Ryan sit down with Mel Browne—bestselling author, financial educator, and someone who knows exactly what it's like to hit financial rock bottom and come out the other side.

In her 30s, after a divorce, Mel had nothing. No rental bond. No money for wages. No business cashflow. She was living in a "frat house" with five flatmates and five-figures of debt, wondering how to start over in her late 30s.

In this episode of Money and a Good Life, hosts Stephanie Coombes and Ryan Watson sit down with author, educator, and advocate Tammy Casselson to talk about her lived experience of financial abuse. 

From the outside, Tammy’s relationship looked perfect. But behind closed doors, she endured years of coercive control, including financial abuse that left her and her children facing homelessness. 

Tammy shares her very personal story of survival, the red flags to look out for, and the role that community, support, and financial literacy play in breaking the cycle of abuse. She also disc...

How often do you catch yourself saying, “I’ll do that one day”? 

One day you’ll travel. One day you’ll make time for yourself. One day you’ll chase the dream you’ve been putting off. 

But what if one day never comes? 

In this episode of Money and a Good Life, we’re joined by Kate Christie — time management specialist, bestselling author, and creator of The Life List. After losing her children’s father to cancer, Kate realised she could no longer defer joy. She set out to design a life on her terms — and...

Most of us don’t want to think about what happens if we lose a partner. It’s uncomfortable. It feels far away. But Lahra Carey’s story shows why it’s a conversation we can’t afford to avoid. 

In this episode of Money & a Good Life, Steph and Ryan sit down with Lahra - entrepreneur, media strategist, and crisis expert to talk about the sudden death of her husband, Ben, and the financial mess that followed. 

Ben was a lawyer. Smart, successful. But he died without a valid will. Lahra was left grieving, raising thre...

Private school can offer great opportunities... but it also comes with a steep price tag. Do you ever wonder how families afford it?

In this episode, we investigate the real costs of private education and how to manage them. Whether you're already paying private school fees or just starting to think about your children's future education, this conversation will help you get your head around the planning, saving and investing strategies that make it possible.

We're joined by Pete Higgins, Senior Adviser and Partner at Tribeca Financial, who's not just an expert on financial planning...

The truth is, for a lot of couples, money is one of those conversations people try to avoid. But here's the thing - that's not a great idea. You should be talking about money, how you manage it, and yes, even what happens if you break up. 

In this episode of Money & a Good Life, Steph and Ryan sit down with Rob Devlin, Head of Advice and Partner at Tribeca Financial, to tackle one of the most crucial yet avoided topics in relationships: money. 

Rob brings his unique blend of financial expertise and emotional intelligence to...

Is the 5-day workweek outdated?

With burnout on the rise and workplaces scrambling to retain talent, the 4-day workweek is gaining serious momentum. But does it actually work? And how do we design workplaces where people feel fulfilled, not just productive?

In this episode of Money & a Good Life, Ryan and Steph dive deep into the future of work with Christian Miran - an expert in organisational transformation and the architect behind Medibank's groundbreaking 4-day workweek pilot.

Christian brings over 20 years of experience transforming how organisations think, feel, and connect. 

This c...

When you hear the word vulnerability, what comes to mind? 

For a long time, vulnerability was seen as a weakness. Something to hide if you wanted to succeed in your career, in sport, or even in life. But what if being vulnerable is actually one of your greatest strengths? 

In this episode of Money & a Good Life, hosts Ryan Watson and Stephanie Coombes sit down with Brad Fox, former AFL player, business mentor, and Chairman of Tribeca Financial to explore how vulnerability can unlock growth, build resilience, and deepen connection. 

Together, they unpack: 

If you’re a regular listener to our podcast, you know that we like to take a bigger picture when it comes to money; looking at the impact it has on our lives and the good (and sometimes) not so good that can come with it.  

Well today we’re going to talk about a subject that’s definitely on the good side of the money topic – investing! And who better for Steph to grill than her fellow co-host and Tribeca CEO Ryan. 

Having confessed that her knowledge of investing is limited to boring dates with bloke...

We all go into relationships hoping for the best. But sometimes, despite our best efforts, things don't work out as planned.

If you're facing a separation or divorce, you're already dealing with enough emotional upheaval. The last thing you need is financial chaos on top of it all.

In this episode of Money and a Good Life, hosts Ryan and Steph tackle this difficult but important topic with Angela Harbinson, founder of The Separation Guide – a tech platform designed to make separation easier on everyone involved.

Angela brings both professional expertise and personal in...

What truly makes a life well lived? It’s a big question, but one worth unpacking. 

Speaker, author, and coach Anna Glynn joins us again to explore the big principles that underpin your Good Life, including how to discover your true purpose and what it really means to thrive. Anna specialises in sustainable high-performance, and her insights are backed by research that can help you live with more intention and fulfillment. 

Anna guides us through practical strategies for building a life that feels genuinely meaningful. We dive deep into the concept of purpose - not just...

Have you ever found yourself in a money disagreement with your partner and wondered, “How did we even get here?”

In this episode of Money & a Good Life, Ryan and Steph sit down with returning guest Suzanne Alexander—Certified Financial Coach and founder of Mindful Finances—to unpack the real reasons couples clash over money. Spoiler: it’s not just about the numbers.

Suzanne explains how our earliest experiences shape our “money stories,” and how those stories can quietly influence our relationships. From emotional triggers to avoidance patterns, she shares why financial conversations can feel so loaded—and...

The empowering conversation that can give your aging parents more independence, dignity, and joy in their later years.

Australia’s population is aging. It’s projected that in the next 30 years the proportion of people over 65 will reach 22 per cent. What this means is more and more middle-aged Australians (those typically 45 - 64 years old) will find themselves thrust into the role of managing the care for parents or elderly relatives.

But there’s a problem. Many of us shy away from the conversation about what those elderly years are going to look like – and the options...

Are you feeling undervalued at work? Wondering if there's a higher-paying job or a more fulfilling career path out there for you?

In this episode of Money & a Good Life, hosts Ryan and Steph are joined by career change expert Leah Lambart from Relaunch Me to explore high-paying jobs in Australia, the skills in demand, and how you can successfully transition into a more lucrative role.

With years of experience helping professionals negotiate better salaries, pivot industries, and redefine success, Leah unpacks:

Are you thinking about making that big move overseas to work, or are you already settling into expat life? How good would it be to get a firsthand account of what to expect and prepare for, as well as the bonus of finding out what financial considerations you need to factor in?  Well this next 20 minutes is all for you! 

Joining Ryan and Steph on the Money & a Good Life couch today is Daniel Nel, who worked remotely with Tribeca from South Africa before taking the plunge in 2023 to move down under and join the team in Me...

A few years ago Sacha French was going to her job as a radio producer thinking it was going to be just like any other day. Everyone was acting normally. Well, as normally as can be expected when you’re working with radio stalwarts Hughesy and Kate. But this was NOT going to be a normal day for Sacha. 

At one point in the show, Hughesy and Kate called her into the studio, gave her a birthday card, and got her to read it out loud live on air. What was written inside would change the course of...

We’re all about taking positive actions on this podcast when it comes to decisions around your money, career and future. But in this week’s episode, we thought we’d look at the other side of the coin. What is the cost of taking no action?

Helping us tackle this question from both a financial and life perspective is Chairman of Tribeca Brad Fox, who’s experiences as a professional AFL player (and current local senior coach), business mentor, and President of the Association of Financial Planners, makes him an expert on enabling decision making. 

Given...

If retirement is on your mind, how does it make you feel? Excited. Nervous. Daunted. All of the above.

If you have mixed feelings about retirement, you’re not alone. That’s because many people are unsure of what their life after work will look like… and if they’ll be ready. Will I have enough money? What are the choices I really have? Will I find a new purpose? How do I make sure my retirement years are secure and fulfilling?

As Head of Advice and a Partner at Tribeca, Rob Devlin relishes answering these bi...

So you’re doing OK financially. You’ve been streaming our podcasts and you’re ready to start talking to a financial planner to help manage and maximise your money. Well get cosy and listen up.

In this week’s value-packed episode, Ryan and Steph are joined by the super impressive Matt Hale (a regular in Australia’s Top 50 influential advisers) to identify what you need to look for (and avoid) in a financial planner. 

They leave no stone unturned as they dive into:

What’s your earliest memory with money? Was it when the tooth fairy paid you a visit?  Or when you were given your first lot of pocket money. Maybe it was when you heard your parents utter that priceless phrase: ‘money doesn’t grow on trees you know!’ 

Why’s all this important? Our views and reactions to money are formed from the ripe young age of just seven. So all these experiences and memories – what we call our money stories – can have a long-lasting impact on how we approach our finances. Both positively and negatively.  

To help Ryan an...