Episodes

  • Why the best companies are scaling faster than ever - Ep 1: The Business Stack of the Future

    Why the best companies are scaling faster than ever - Ep 1: The Business Stack of the Future
    Sep 12 2026
    In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, Owen Rask explores why the business stack of the future may be changing investing faster than most markets really appreciate today. Starting with Stripe’s 2025 annual letter, Owen breaks down four business clocks now speeding up at once: how fast companies can build, distribute, monetise and scale. He explains why APIs, cloud software, AI tools and global payments infrastructure are compressing the path from idea to paying customer. This is not just an AI hype story. Owen looks at what faster growth means for investors, including why power-law winners may pull away harder, why weaker competitors can still launch more easily, and why speed is not the same thing as durability. Using Stripe, Anthropic and WiseTech, he shows how stronger products can create reinforcing flywheels of usage, revenue, talent and trust. He finishes with a practical framework for analysing fast-growing businesses: what has actually become faster, what reinforces the lead, whether the economics improve with scale, whether the infrastructure itself is an advantage, and what headline number you are really looking at. If you want a clearer lens on AI, software infrastructure and modern business economics, this episode is a smart 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 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 episode was sponsored by Stripe. The information in this episode is provided by The Rask Group Pty Ltd and contains general financial product advice only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting, consider whether the information is appropriate for you and consider seeking personal advice from a licensed financial adviser. You can read our Financial Services Guide at ⁠www.rask.com.au/fsg⁠. If a financial product is mentioned, consider the relevant PDS and TMD, where applicable, before making any financial decision. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Returns are not guaranteed and capital may be at risk. The Rask Group Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 1280930 of Rask Licensing Pty Ltd, AFSL 563 907. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    29 mins
  • AI bubble or real boom? What investors should watch

    AI bubble or real boom? What investors should watch
    Sep 10 2026
    Is AI in a bubble, or are today’s soaring share prices backed by real business growth? In this episode of the Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell unpack what an investment bubble actually is and why price, profit and valuation are different things. Using examples from tulip mania, Beanie Babies, NFTs, pandemic-era puppy prices and Pokémon cards, they explain how scarcity, hype and FOMO can push prices far beyond fundamentals. The conversation then turns to AI. Owen walks through the extraordinary spending behind data centres and chips, why NVIDIA has captured so much of the industry’s revenue, and how circular financing between chipmakers and customers can complicate the picture. They also revisit Microsoft after the dot-com crash, when investors waited about 15 years to recover the previous share-price peak. So what happens if the AI bubble bursts? Owen and Gemma explain why the technology is unlikely to disappear, but prices, access and business models could change sharply. They also discuss why selling everything and waiting in cash creates its own risks, especially when the market’s best and worst days often arrive close together. If elevated prices are making you nervous, this episode offers a beginner-friendly framework for thinking about bubbles, diversification and long-term investing without trying to predict the next crash. Episode resources – Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset” – Speak with the Rask Advice team – Ask a question (select the Finance podcast) - ⁠Is AI Profitable Yet?⁠ - ⁠Morgan Housel’s investing talk⁠ - ⁠PriceCharting: Charizard [1st Edition] #4⁠ 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 The information in this episode is provided by The Rask Group Pty Ltd and contains general financial product advice only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting, consider whether the information is appropriate for you and consider seeking personal advice from a licensed financial adviser. You can read our Financial Services Guide at www.rask.com.au/fsg. If a financial product is mentioned, consider the relevant PDS and TMD, where applicable, before making any financial decision. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Returns are not guaranteed and capital may be at risk. The Rask Group Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 1280930 of Rask Licensing Pty Ltd, AFSL 563 907. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Sounds like good money advice... But is it?

    Sounds like good money advice... But is it?
    Sep 3 2026
    Are you a wage slave? Do you WORK for money? (yawn) Do you also think Crypto is an investment? Is your investment strategy "buy low, sell high"? In this live weekly Q&A episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell break down your questions and pull apart 9 money and investing myths people tell you all the time. From "buy low, sell high" and "cash is king" to "rent money is dead money" and "you should always pay off your mortgage before investing", we'll break down what these sayings actually mean, where they fall short and what you should be thinking about instead. What we cover in today's money episode: - Money Advice We Hear All the Time: The common financial sayings and rules that sound sensible at first glance. - What's Actually Wrong With It?: We unpack why some popular money advice can be misleading, incomplete or just plain unhelpful. - Is There Some Truth To It?: Because most money sayings aren't completely wrong. We look at the useful principle hiding underneath the cliché. - What Should You Actually Do?: Practical, sensible alternatives you can apply to your own financial decisions. - Investing, Property, Debt & Spending: Tackling advice around buying the dip, market timing, mortgages, renting, property, debt and building wealth. - Live Community Q&A: Answering your pre-sent and live chat questions on money, investing and personal finance. 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 The information in this episode is provided by The Rask Group Pty Ltd and contains general financial product advice only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting, consider whether the information is appropriate for you and consider seeking personal advice from a licensed financial adviser. You can read our Financial Services Guide at www.rask.com.au/fsg. If a financial product is mentioned, consider the relevant PDS and TMD, where applicable, before making any financial decision. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Returns are not guaranteed and capital may be at risk. The Rask Group Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 1280930 of Rask Licensing Pty Ltd, AFSL 563 907. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    59 mins
  • Is stock picking dead? Scott Phillips on ETFs, AI and the investing edge

    Is stock picking dead? Scott Phillips on ETFs, AI and the investing edge
    Aug 31 2026
    In this episode of Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask sits down with Scott Phillips to unpack one of the biggest investing questions of the moment: is stock picking dead? Scott explains why investing is cumulative, how experience builds pattern recognition over time, and why AI may shrink some information gaps without eliminating the need for judgment. Together, Owen and Scott explore where value is still likely to accrue, why the future remains hard to predict even with better tools, and what that means for investors trying to build long-term wealth. The conversation also gets practical on ETFs. Scott makes the case that broad, low-cost index ETFs should be the default for most Australians, while still arguing that stock picking is far from dead for investors with the temperament, process and patience to do it well. They also discuss Scott’s book, The One Page Investing Plan, and why simple frameworks matter so much for newer investors. The big takeaway is that successful investing does not need to be complicated, but it does require patience, consistency and the ability to stay the course when markets get noisy. Scott’s view is that behaviour may be the real edge: humility, temperament and long-term thinking still matter, even in an AI-shaped market. Episode resources – Scott's Book: The One-Page Investing Plan – 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 26 mins
  • How to boost your super by $100,000

    How to boost your super by $100,000
    Aug 27 2026
    In this special Pearler x Rask live episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell break down the practical strategies that could help you grow your super by an extra $100,000 over your working life. Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit Owen & Gemma look at the three big levers: adding more, earning more and losing less, and how the right strategy can look very different depending on your age, income, time frame and circumstances. What we cover in today's super episode: – The $100k Super Boost: How could you potentially add an extra $100,000 to your super? – Super 101: A quick refresher on how super works and why it matters. – The Three Levers: Add more, earn more and lose less. – The Power of Time: Why starting earlier can make a huge difference. – Making Extra Contributions: How small additional contributions can add up over time. – Your Investment Option: How the way your super is invested can affect your long-term balance. – Fees and Costs: Why what you pay inside super matters. – Age Matters: What you should be thinking about at different stages of your working life. – Real-Life Scenarios: What a $100k boost could potentially look like at different ages. – Live Community Q&A: Answering your pre-sent and live questions! This podcast and video is sponsored by Pearler. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • Factor investing explained: quality, value and growth ETFs with VanEck’s Cameron McCormack

    Factor investing explained: quality, value and growth ETFs with VanEck’s Cameron McCormack
    Aug 26 2026
    In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, Owen Rask sits down with Cameron McCormack, Senior Portfolio Manager at VanEck, to unpack factor investing in a way that actually makes sense for everyday ETF investors. The conversation starts with the basics: what factor investing is, how it differs from broad market-cap investing, and why terms like smart beta, rules-based investing and factor investing are often talking about the same idea. From there, Cameron breaks down the major factor lenses investors are likely to hear about, including quality, value and growth, and explains the types of company traits that sit behind each one. Owen and Cameron then make the discussion practical by walking through real ETF examples such as QUAL and MVW, showing how factor strategies can change portfolio weights, sector exposure and diversification. They also explore when quality can behave defensively, why value can come back into favour in stronger economic environments, and how investors might think about using factor ETFs as core holdings or portfolio tilts rather than chasing complexity for its own sake. If you have ever wondered whether factor investing is just marketing jargon or a genuinely useful next step after index ETF basics, this episode is a clear and grounded guide. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    40 mins
  • How to invest $500 in Australia (step-by-step)

    How to invest $500 in Australia (step-by-step)
    Aug 20 2026
    If you had $500 to invest in Australia every month, where would you actually put it? Join Rask's new platform In this live weekly Q&A episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell break down their top strategies for investing $500/month in Australia today. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to automate your wealth-building habit, we share practical ways to construct a sensible, low-cost portfolio designed for the long haul. What we cover in today's investing episode: - The $500 Portfolio Pick: Owen and Gemma reveal where they’d invest $500 right now. - Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA): Why regular, fixed investments beat trying to time the market. - The Math of $500/Month: How small monthly amounts compound into long-term wealth over 10, 20, and 30 years. - Sensible ETF & Index Strategies: How to keep brokerage low and diversification high. - Live Community Q&A: Answering your pre-sent and live chat questions on money, stocks, and personal finance. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    54 mins
  • 10 ways to access your super

    10 ways to access your super
    Aug 17 2026
    In this episode of Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell unpack 10 legitimate ways Australians can access their super and why the rules matter more than most people realise. From the two most common pathways, retiring after preservation age and turning 65, through to transition-to-retirement strategies, incapacity rules, terminal illness provisions, the First Home Super Saver Scheme, severe financial hardship, compassionate grounds and leaving Australia permanently, this episode gives listeners a practical map of what is possible and what can go wrong. Owen and Gemma also tackle one of the internet's dumbest myths: that super is a scam. Instead, they explain why super is best understood as a tax-effective structure, why your age and employment status change the rules, and why insurance inside super can make fund-switching riskier than people expect. You'll also hear why early access is rarely just a paperwork exercise. The discussion walks through the trade-offs behind each condition of release, why short-term relief can create long-term costs, and how Australians can think more clearly about super without falling for panic, hot takes or comment-section nonsense. If you're approaching retirement, saving for a first home or just trying to make smarter long-term decisions, this is a fast, useful guide to the main conditions of release, the tax advantages of super and the mistakes to avoid before making a move. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    30 mins