Better Financial Futures
A podcast exploring financial education, empowerment, and practical money wisdom for everyday life. Hosted by John Boatman, bringing 30 years of financial expertise to help listeners make smarter choices.
Rich vs Wealthy: Will Rainey
Will Rainey left a corporate investment career in Hong Kong to spend more time with his young daughters. The money stories he made up at bedtime grew into a blog, then into Grandpa’s Fortune Fables, a children’s book that has now sold around 30,000 copies. From his home in Northern Thailand, Will explains why kids need to see the difference between looking rich and being wealthy.
Connect with Will
Website: https://www.bluetreesavings.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-rainey-bluetree/
Grandpa’s Fortune Fables: https://www.bluetreesavings.com/grandpas-fortune-fables
Franki...
Redundancy to Revenue: Jordan Japal
Jordan was made redundant three times, once during a period of poor mental health that kept him out of work for six months. Rather than chase another job, he started his own business. Now he’s earning more than he did in employment, with the freedom to go fishing on a Friday morning.
Connect with Jordan
Website: https://saxsales.co.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-sax-playing-sales-guy/?isSelfProfile=false
John and Jordan discuss:
Rising redundancies in 2026 and why many people are turning to self-employmentLearning the value of money through ch...Keep It Simple: Money & Mindset with Olympian Chris Cook
Olympic finalist Chris Cook once invested his life savings in a business he hadn't researched, and lost it within weeks. He tells John Boatman how that mistake, along with lessons from elite swimming, changed how he thinks about money.
Find out more about Chris at https://www.chriscookgb.com/
They discuss:
Are We Ready for a Cashless Britain? with Shaun Bartle
In this episode of Better Financial Futures, John Boatman welcomes back Shaun Bartle for a conversation about financial education, the changing nature of money and what a more cashless future could mean for people across the UK.
Shaun reflects on why understanding your own finances starts with discipline, from knowing where your money is going to thinking longer term about saving, investing and building assets. Drawing on his background in accountancy, business and property, he explains how learning how money moves has shaped his own approach to financial security.
...
Starting Young, Building Smart with Imogen Pickton
In this episode of Better Financial Futures, John Boatman is joined by 23-year-old business owner and LinkedIn specialist Imogen Pickton for an honest and engaging conversation about financial education, entrepreneurship, personal branding and building a business from a young age.
Imogen shares how she started her business at just 18 while completing her A-levels during the pandemic, and how putting herself out there on LinkedIn opened the door to opportunities she had never expected. She reflects on how little financial education she received at school, the importance of developing good money habits early, and the...
The Hidden Money Problem in Music with Kwame Kwaten
In this episode of Better Financial Futures, John Boatman is joined by music industry executive, entrepreneur and long-time friend Kwame Kwaten for a fascinating conversation about money, royalties, financial education and building a sustainable career in the creative industries.
Kwame shares his remarkable journey from performing with D Influence and supporting Michael Jackson, to discovering million-selling artist Shola Ama in a London tube station and working with some of the biggest names in music. Along the way, he reflects on the financial lessons he learned, the challenges many artists face with money management, and why financial education...
Breaking the Zero with Andrew King
In this episode of Better Financial Futures, John Boatman is joined by long-time friend Andrew King for an honest and engaging conversation about money, pensions, financial education and creating additional income streams.
Andrew shares his journey from the corporate tech world into business ownership and network marketing, reflecting on how little financial education most people receive growing up and how that shaped his early relationship with money. The conversation explores the importance of starting a pension early, the reality of retirement planning, and why relying on a single income stream may no longer be enough for many...
Lessons from a lifetime in Financial Services with Robert Harris
In this episode of Better Financial Futures, John Boatman is joined by former financial adviser Robert Harris for a thoughtful conversation about money, financial education and the lessons learned from more than 60 years in financial services.
Robert shares how his relationship with money was shaped early in life by his mother’s practical approach to saving and budgeting, from cash envelopes to building society accounts. The conversation explores how attitudes to money have changed over the decades, from cash wages and shillings to contactless payments and digital banking.
John and Robert also discuss the importance of...
Tax Made Simpler with Steve Roberts
In this episode of Better Financial Futures, John Boatman is joined by accountant Steve Roberts for a practical and accessible conversation about tax, budgeting, pensions and the importance of understanding your finances.
Steve shares how his early relationship with money was shaped by watching his mother carefully budget household finances using envelopes for different expenses, teaching him the value of living within your means. From there, the conversation explores why money education is still missing for many young people, how parents often fill that gap, and why so many people enter working life without really understanding t...
Financial Independence with Helen Goad
Find out more about Helen's work at:
https://calmmindacademy.co.uk/river-walk-audio
https://calmmindacademy.co.uk/relax-a-busy-mind
In this episode of Better Financial Futures, John Boatman is joined by Helen Goad for an honest and insightful conversation about money anxiety, mindset and financial independence.
Helen shares both her professional experience helping people work through anxiety, fears and overwhelm, and her personal experience of rebuilding financially after a relationship breakdown. Together, John and Helen explore how our upbringing can shape our beliefs about money, why the brain often catastrophises financial...
Women, Wealth and Financial Confidence with Abi Porter
In this episode of Better Financial Futures, John Boatman is joined by fellow financial adviser Abi Porter for a thoughtful conversation about financial anxiety, education, budgeting and why money advice should feel more accessible.
Abi shares her journey from teaching into financial services, explaining how both careers are rooted in the same goal: helping people move from where they are now to where they want to be. Together, John and Abi explore the lack of financial education in schools, the importance of knowing your numbers, and why so many people still feel nervous about...
Understanding Money with Shaun Bartle
In this episode of Better Financial Futures, John Boatman is joined by accountant, business leader, and property investor Shaun Bartle for a wide-ranging conversation about money, mindset, and financial education.
Together, they explore why so many people feel anxious talking about money, why financial education is still missing from schools, and how understanding the history of money can help people make better decisions today. Shaun shares insights on everything from the barter system and the gold standard to inflation, interest rates, savings, debt, and digital money.
The conversation also turns practical, with honest advice...
Getting started in property investment with Neil Stewart
In this episode of Better Financial Futures, host John Boatman is joined by property investor, mentor, and author Neil Stewart. With a background in IT and self-employment, Neil shares how he turned to property as a way to build long-term income after realising he had no pension safety net.
Together, John and Neil explore the realities of getting on the property ladder, the difference between buying a home and buying an investment, and why financial education around money and property is still lacking in schools. They discuss interest rates, equity, risk, legal processes, and the emotional...
Why Financial Education Matters with Gemma Hunt
Episode Summary
In the very first episode of Better Financial Futures, host John Boatman shares the personal experiences that shaped his passion for financial education, from redundancy and debt to three decades in financial services. He is joined by broadcaster, author, and long-time friend Gemma Hunt, who brings honesty and warmth to a conversation about money, education, and confidence.
Together, John and Gemma explore how early experiences shape financial habits, why money is still a difficult topic for many people, and how greater financial awareness can help individuals feel more in control of...
