Advertise on podcast: The ifa Show

On this episode of The ifa Show, host Mikaela Henschel speaks with Brighter Super senior manager of adviser growth Nicky Leis about the government's proposed new class of adviser and how it could affect the advice gap, super funds and the advisers already in the profession.  Leis spent more than a decade as a financial adviser before joining Brighter Super, where she now works closely with advisers and licensees across the country, giving her a view of the reform from both the practice and super fund side.  Listen as they discuss:  The problem the new class of adviser is meant to solve, and the limits proposed on what it can advise on.  How Brighter Super has structured its advice offer, from education and general guidance through to personal advice and referrals to external advisers.  Leis' response to advisers who worry the reform could be a shortcut around the education requirements.  Why more members engaging with their super could lead to more demand for professional advice, and a new way for people to enter the profession.  Important information from Brighter Super:   This podcast contains general information only and does not take into account any person's objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this information, consider your own objectives, financial situation and needs and, where appropriate, seek advice from a licensed financial adviser.      Brighter Super Trustee (ABN 94 085 088 484) (AFSL 230511) (the Trustee) as trustee for Brighter Super (ABN 23 053 121 564) (RSE R1000160) (the Fund). Brighter Super may refer to the Trustee or the Fund as the context may be. Brighter Super products are issued by the Trustee on behalf of the Fund.    New Class of Adviser  Information is current as at 24 September 2026. The New Class of Adviser framework discussed in this podcast is proposed and remains subject to legislation and final regulatory settings. Advice services  Brighter Super's financial advisers are employees of Brighter Super, however, they provide financial services as Authorised Representatives of Industry Super Fund Services Limited (IFS) (ABN 54 007 016 195, AFSL 232514). For more information, please see brightersuper.com.au/advice.   Awards  Brighter Super has received the Adviser-Ready Fund Certification from Chant West and the Financial Advice Association Australia and was named Best Fund: Advice Services at the 2026 Chant West Super Fund Awards. For more information, please see brightersuper.com.au/awards.   Research  Brighter Super and Investment Trends 2025 Retirement Income Report. Based on a national survey of 3,679 Australians aged 40 and over, conducted between August and September 2025. For more information, please see 2025-26 State of Retirement report.

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Mikaela Henschel sits down with TruWealth Advice founder and principal financial adviser Natallia Smith to talk about the emotional side of advice, and why it often matters more than the numbers.  Smith came into advice from psychology, and she works almost entirely with women going through divorce, bereavement and retirement. Many of her clients arrive at a hard time in their lives, and a lot of her work happens before any strategy is discussed, in earning enough trust for someone to open up.  Listen as they discuss:  Why how a client feels matters more than the information you give them.  How stress and grief limit a client's capacity to take in complexity, and why a slower pace works better.  The shame that stops many women from seeking advice, and how to normalise it.  What advisers without a psychology background can apply in their next client meeting.  Why building a practice around one type of client can grow it rather than shrink it.

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Shy-ann Arkinstall is joined by independent financial adviser Andrew Saikal-Skea to dig into the complexities of being independent under the law and how this translates into his referral frameworks.  Spanning licensing decisions and risk advice, Andrew explains how being independent influences how he chooses the right professionals to partner with as referral arrangements become more challenging and more necessary by operating as independent.  Listen as they discuss:  What it actually means to be independent under the Corps Act. How you can still deliver risk advice without breeching independence.  The potential impact of proposed lead generation reforms.  Why independence is both a spectrum and a hard-line rule.  Click here to submit your nomination for the ifa Excellence Awards 2026.

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Alex Burke is joined by Marin Wealth financial adviser Hannah Elliot to break down her time as a Professional Year (PY) adviser and her frustrations with the lack of guidance in the process.  Hannah explains why the lack of structure in the Professional Year made it a more stressful process and the impact this is having on smaller practices struggling to retain emerging talent.  Listen as they discuss:   How shadowing advisers is the best experience a PY can get on the job.  Why a lack of structure can lead to PYs being perceived as liabilities for firms.  The importance of financial literacy and how it can be raised through social media.

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Alex Burke speaks with Kanish Chugh, the head of ETF sales at PIMCO, about how changes to tax regulations and the global market environment in recent years have triggered a move away from the traditional 60/40 portfolio and shifted how advisers are utilising fixed income assets and ETFs.  Kanish explores how advisers should be thinking about fixed income ETFs within their clients' portfolios, as well as diving into the case for active management in a space where investors are leaning more toward passive strategies.  Listen as they discuss:  How the phasing out of bank hybrids is impacting strategies.  The benefit of ETFs for self-managed super funds.  Opportunities for advisers in fixed income ETFs.

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Alex Burke speaks with Blake Briggs, chief executive of the Financial Services Council, about proposals put forward in professional body's recent white paper of the future of advice licensing.  Blake explains the rationale behind the proposals aimed at making advice more sustainable, as well as addressing the industry's response to the $25,000 levy for each Australian Financial Services licensee as proposed by the FSC.  Listen as they discuss:  What measures could be put in place to enhance compliance and reduce the CSLR costs.  How the influx in capital is driving consolidation across advice.  Why it's important for professional associations to work together on advocacy initiatives.

In this episode of the ifa Show, host Alex Burke talks to Challenger's general manager retirement distribution, Adrian Aardoom, about Australia's retirement income system and advisers' role in it.  Adrian discusses the diminishing levels of retirement confidence across the country, the typical flaws in how Australians think about retirement and the ways in which the traditional advice process makes retirement income conversations needlessly difficult.  Tune in to hear: The key factors driving the decline in retirement confidence What's missing or left out of traditional approaches to retirement modelling The ideal time for advisers to introduce the retirement income conversation

In this episode of the ifa Show, host Alex Burke talks to Marshan Consulting director Ben Marshan about AI in advice: where it works, what the risks are and how advisers can use it without running afoul of ASIC or the OAIC. Ben discusses the rapid evolution of AI tools and the novel risks they introduce, particularly with regards to advisers' privacy obligations. He also explains the principles of responsible AI use recently introduced by the Financial Planning Standards Board and the ASIC letter that stopped him in his tracks.  Tune in to hear: Why AI adoption requires thorough testing and ongoing training A case study about what not to do when using AI in advice What ASIC wants practices to focus on when developing AI policy

In this episode of the ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Nathan Fradley of Fradley Advice to take a look at all of the big topics that are impacting the financial advice profession, from AI and data security to AML/CTF and the CSLR. Nathan breaks down why AI is both a powerful tool and worthy of some scepticism, how some of the change flowing through the sector is going to change the way that advisers work with their clients, and whether the Delivering Better Financial Outcomes reforms will improve how the profession operates. Tune in to hear: Why data security is a vital consideration despite some links in the chain falling short. Whether there is any way to fix the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort to serve its intended purpose. Why, despite cost, levies and reform fatigue, financial advice is still a great career.

In this episode of the ifa Show, host Keith Ford speaks with Charlotte O'Meara, general manager of Falcon Financial Advisers, about her move away from her former role as head of responsible investment at Challenger to running an advice practice. Charlotte unpacks the differences between being on the product provider side of the financial services sector and the advice side, how her understanding of client needs has evolved, and the expertise she can transfer across. Tune in to hear: How Falcon is planning to accelerate its growth strategy with the "Falcon engine". What the biggest challenges of shifting to a whole new side of the industry are. How the firm is applying better processes, technology, and structured pathways for the next generation of advisers.

In this episode of the ifa Show, host Keith Ford speaks with FAAA general manager of policy, advocacy and standards Phil Anderson about the spate of consultations that the government is undertaking in the financial advice space. Phil breaks down what is in the education reform proposal, the options put forward to deal with the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR) cost blow out, as well as the potential action on superannuation switching and lead generation in the wake of the Shield and First Guardian scandal. Tune in to hear: Why the FAAA supports more a flexible pathway for prospective financial advisers. What the CSLR consultation gets right – and what it gets wrong. Whether any of the potential changes to super and lead generation would have actually helped avoid a fund failure disaster.

In this episode of the ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Paul Luu, financial adviser and life insurance specialist at Evalesco and Principal Edge, to unpack the scale and causes of Australia's underinsurance problem. Paul explains how risk advice fits within a holistic planning framework and outlines the "minimum effective dose" philosophy – structuring just enough cover to meaningfully protect clients and their families without over‑insuring or blowing up the budget. Tune in to hear: Why dedicated risk specialists are increasingly important inside advice practices. The real‑world consequences of underinsurance for clients. How advisers can reframe the conversation to better connect insurance to long-term legacy outcomes.

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by financial adviser Jayde Jenkins to unpack the realities of starting and running an advice business, and why the idea of launching a firm can be appealing for many advisers but doesn't always deliver the outcomes they expect. Jayde explores the pressures of business ownership, from operational demands to personal trade-offs, and why stepping away from running a firm can sometimes be the right decision. Tune in to hear: How the appeal of independence can quickly be outweighed by the realities of running a business. Why moving between roles and structures can provide valuable perspective and lead to better long-term fit. The importance of aligning your role with your strengths.

In this episode of the ifa Show, host Keith Ford speaks with Unbound Financial founder Charmaine Hall about how she has embedded AI across her financial advice business to reclaim time, cut costs, and deepen client relationships. Charmaine dives into the risks, boundaries, and ethics of AI in advice, stressing the importance of accuracy checks, not over‑trusting AI, and putting tight security and data‑handling controls in place. Tune in to hear: How AI can enhance the human side of advice. Why advisers need to look beyond simply generating file notes to reap the benefits. Balancing the use of AI with ethical concerns.

In this episode, host Keith Ford speaks with Michael Khouri, principal adviser at Better Financial Planning and host of the 'Sharing More Than the Sheets' podcast, about the value that a financial adviser's podcast can have for both their firm and their clients. Michael explains that although he originally launched his podcast to find new clients, it quickly evolved into a passion project focused on helping people with practical money topics rather than technical product discussions. Tune in to hear: Why podcasts can be a powerful tool for trust and vetting. How episodes can be used as follow-up resources and tools for referral partners. The importance of efficiency in advice businesses so advisers can help more Australians.