Australian Finance Podcast
Rask
The Australian Finance Podcast is your guide to sorting out your finances, one episode at a time. Owen Rask, Chief Investment Officer, & Gemma Mitchell, Senior Financial Adviser, bring you actionable strategies and knowledge that you can put into practice today. Save money, invest better and live life on your terms.~~New to the show? We recommend that you head back to our Starter Pack series of the podcast in Jan/Feb 2024, to get your head around some really important concepts! More advanced listeners might enjoy our other show, The Australian Investors Podcast.~~SHOW NOTES: https://www.raskmedia.com.au/podcasts/australian-finance-podcast/~~DISCLAIMER: The information in this podcast series is general financial information/advice only. That means, the advice does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the advice is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on the information. In addition, you should obtain and read the product disclosure statement (PDS) before making a decision to acquire a financial product. If you don’t know what your needs are, you should consult a trusted and licensed financial adviser who can provide you with personal financial product advice. Please read our Terms of Service and Financial Services Guide on www.rask.com.au/fsg.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 2, 2026 • 57min
The four stages of wealth: What to focus on at each stage
Jess Brady, financial adviser-turned-money educator and author of Get Growing, shares her four-stage gardening framework for wealth. She outlines Sprouted, Grounded, Thriving and Abundant in short, practical chunks. They discuss why money feels overwhelming, common behavioural “weeds” that stall progress, and simple routines to match your actions to your current stage.
7 snips
Feb 26, 2026 • 36min
Rewarding yourself, ETF losses and walking away from golden handcuffs – Q&A
They talk about how to actually reward yourself after hitting financial milestones and avoid extreme saving guilt. They cover dealing with ETF and share losses, why beginners feel losses more deeply, and when people sell too soon. They explore escaping high-pay but unsatisfying jobs, negotiating time over pay, and practical steps for retirement timing and building buffers before quitting.
Feb 23, 2026 • 26min
Unclaimed money: Are you leaving free money on the table?
They explore why billions in unclaimed funds exist and where that money sits. Learn the three quick places to search in Australia and a 10-minute checklist to find lost super, bank accounts, shares and insurance payouts. Hear real-life discovery stories and why this should be part of your yearly financial health routine.
8 snips
Feb 19, 2026 • 45min
AI & your money, super strategies and SMSF ETF risks – Q&A
They explore how AI tools like ChatGPT can help with money organisation and where they can mislead. They compare pre-tax and post-tax super contribution strategies and timing. They unpack SMSF risks around ETF custodial ownership and practical HIN versus custodial differences. They also explain target date funds and when super tax rules matter near retirement.
Feb 16, 2026 • 41min
Super stats: How does your superannuation compare?
They break down Australian superannuation statistics and what average versus top 10% balances really mean. You’ll hear why median figures matter more than averages and how career breaks and part-time work shape outcomes. Practical levers are covered like contributions, fees, insurance and investment settings. There’s also guidance for people ahead on super and reminders about checking lost funds and annual reviews.
17 snips
Feb 12, 2026 • 37min
Baby on the way? Money tips, leave & childcare costs
James Phelan, Senior Adviser at Rask Advice who helps families with practical budgeting and parental leave planning. He covers planning for income changes and one-off baby costs. He explains sequencing employer and government leave. He breaks down childcare subsidies, waitlists and fees. He shares tips for managing shared money, super impacts and low-effort systems for early parenting.
16 snips
Feb 9, 2026 • 49min
Dare to be wealthy – with Mel Browne
Mel Browne, author and ex-financial adviser who helps women build financial confidence, challenges how we talk about money. She explores why ‘wealthy’ feels loaded, the gap between rich and wealthy, gendered investing language, a new framework for debt, and how systems and small actions shape long-term financial control.
16 snips
Feb 5, 2026 • 41min
Executor of an estate and first home buyer trade-offs – Q&A
Practical steps for someone named executor of an estate, including paperwork and when to call professionals. Trade-offs on keeping an apartment as an investment versus selling to reduce mortgage and tax timing considerations. How couples can balance contributions when one partner knows more about investing. Choosing legal and tax structures before picking investments like ETFs.
Feb 1, 2026 • 59min
Is FIRE still possible in 2026? Ft. Dave Gow
Dave Gow, founder of Strong Money Australia and author on financial independence, shares blunt, practical thinking about reaching FIRE in 2026. He discusses boosting income over tiny savings, when property or shares serve freedom best, staged transitions out of work, and why time and purpose matter more than net worth.
9 snips
Jan 29, 2026 • 41min
The King's private school, renovation loans and mortgage vs super – Q&A
They debate the financial and emotional trade-offs of private schooling and whether status outweighs measurable benefits. They explain who to consult and how renovation lending and construction-style loans actually work. They outline tax rules and structures for kids’ investment accounts as they turn 18. They weigh redirecting extra mortgage payments into after-tax super and the practical cash-flow and timing pitfalls.
