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 that builds well-rounded, resilient young people.

Viv shares how schools and parents can work together to create financially confident adults, what financial education looks like at different ages, and the practical skills every 18-year-old should have before they leave school.

What we talk about:

• The concerning statistics on youth financial literacy in Australia
• Why teenage girls lag behind boys in financial knowledge
• How digital money is changing young people's understanding of finances
• At what age children should start learning about money
• Making financial concepts relevant and engaging for different age groups
• The biggest challenges schools face delivering financial education
• Money conversations parents should be having with their kids
• Changes needed in Australian financial education

If you're a parent, educator, or simply care about the next generation's financial wellbeing, this conversation offers practical guidance and real solutions.

Here's to your Good Life. And thanks for listening.

Find us at www.tribecafinancial.com.au

Our guest:

Dr Vivianne Nikou, Principal of Alphington Grammar School - School website

Connect with Alphington Grammar on LinkedIn

Our hosts:

Ryan Watson, CEO, Tribeca Financial

Follow Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/r-watson/

Stephanie Coombes, podcast expert and media strategist

Follow Steph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-coombes-62903825/

Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd, ABN 54 604 005 209 trading as Tribeca Financial has been appointed as a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No.1008603) of My Dedicated Advisory. My Good Life ® is a registered trademark of Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd.

Advice given in this podcast is general in nature and is not intended to influence decisions about investing or financial products. Our listeners should always seek their own professional advice that considers their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions.

Tribeca Financial acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.

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. With over two decades of experience and a strong following on social media (over 200,000 across TikTok and Instagram), he helps thousands of Australians take control of their finances and get retirement-ready.

What we talk about:

• Reframing what retirement could look like for your life
• Addressing the anxiety people feel in their 50s about "leaving it too late"
• Financial advice as more than numbers, it's about living well now and later
• Where to start if you're picking up Retire Life Ready today

If you're unsure about retirement, worried you're not doing enough, or wondering if it's too late to get on track, this conversation will show you that you're not alone, and there's always a path forward.

Here's to your Good Life. And thanks for listening.

You can find us at https://www.tribecafinancial.com.au/

Our guest:

James Wrigley, Financial advisor, part-owner of First Financial, author of Retire Life Ready

Learn more about James: Website | LinkedIn | TikTok: @iamjameswrigley | Instagram: @iamjameswrigley

Buy ‘Retire Life Ready’ by James Wrigley here.

Our hosts:

Ryan Watson, CEO, Tribeca Financial

Follow Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/r-watson/

Stephanie Coombes, podcast expert and media strategist

Follow Steph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-coombes-62903825/

Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd, ABN 54 604 005 209 trading as Tribeca Financial has been appointed as a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No.1008603) of My Dedicated Advisory. My Good Life ® is a registered trademark of Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd.

Advice given in this podcast is general in nature and is not intended to influence decisions about investing or financial products. Our listeners should always seek their own professional advice that considers their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions.

Tribeca Financial acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.

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 understand their complete financial picture, especially when things feel murky, hidden, or unclear. She knows this work intimately - not just professionally, but personally, having navigated her own divorce.

What we talk about:

• What forensic accounting actually is and how it fits with family law
• Real examples of how Julie helps people in divorce cases
• What Julie learned from her own divorce and financial separation
• Common ways people try to hide assets during separation
• Creative strategies Julie has uncovered in her investigations
• Working with private investigators and valuing businesses
• What to do when something just "feels off" about your partner's finances
• Advice for someone who suspects their spouse is hiding assets
• When to bring in a forensic accountant
• How to protect yourself financially before and during divorce
• Common myths and misconceptions about financial settlements
• Why Julie does this work and what drives her

If you're going through separation, preparing for one, or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers practical guidance for one of life's most challenging financial transitions.

Here's to your Good Life. And thanks for listening.

You can find us at https://www.tribecafinancial.com.au/

Our guest:

Julie Garis, Forensic Accountant at Simple Split Finances

Connect with Julie on LinkedIn here

Learn more about Julie here

Our hosts:

Ryan Watson, CEO, Tribeca Financial

Follow Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/r-watson/

Stephanie Coombes, podcast expert and media strategist

Follow Steph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-coombes-62903825/

Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd, ABN 54 604 005 209 trading as Tribeca Financial has been appointed as a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No.1008603) of My Dedicated Advisory. My Good Life ® is a registered trademark of Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd.

Advice given in this podcast is general in nature and is not intended to influence decisions about investing or financial products. Our listeners should always seek their own professional advice that considers their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions.

Tribeca Financial acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.

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 isn't just about managing assets, it's about protecting what matters most.

This conversation explores the emotional, human side of financial advice that most people don't talk about, but where some of the most powerful work happens.

What we talk about:

• How Sean transitioned from accounting to financial advice
• What he loves about the work and times he's made a real difference
• "Living legacy" - what it means and how it differs from traditional estate planning
• Real examples of helping families create living legacies (home ownership, investment education, business mentorship)
• How to involve children in financial planning in age-appropriate ways
• Supporting people who inherit and are scared of "getting it wrong"
• Facilitating delicate conversations between parents and adult children about money
• Why young adults listen to advisers when they tune out their parents
• Building trust with the next generation while respecting family dynamics
• Making financial planning relevant for young people (crypto, ethical investing, super)
• The "sandwich generation" juggling aging parents and children
• Australia's $3.5 trillion intergenerational wealth transfer over the next 20 years
• Preparing families for gradual wealth transition versus sudden inheritance
• Making money a source of connection, not conflict
• The role of adviser as advocate, protector, and trusted third party

If you've ever wondered what truly excellent financial advice looks like, this conversation will show you it's about so much more than the numbers.

Here's to your Good Life. And thanks for listening.

You can find us at https://www.tribecafinancial.com.au/

Our guest:

Sean Birch, Senior Adviser & Director

Connect with Sean on LinkedIn here

Learn more about Sean here

Our hosts:

Ryan Watson, CEO, Tribeca Financial

Follow Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/r-watson/

Stephanie Coombes, podcast expert and media strategist

Follow Steph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-coombes-62903825/

Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd, ABN 54 604 005 209 trading as Tribeca Financial has been appointed as a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No.1008603) of My Dedicated Advisory. My Good Life ® is a registered trademark of Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd.

Advice given in this podcast is general in nature and is not intended to influence decisions about investing or financial products. Our listeners should always seek their own professional advice that considers their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions.

Tribeca Financial acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.

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, she's pivoted twice, once unsuccessfully, and once through a messy but transformative journey that led her to become a personal trainer and yoga instructor while building her coaching brand.

Now with over 17 years in corporate finance and 10+ years in coaching, she helps professionals move from misaligned roles into purpose-driven careers and businesses.

What we talk about:

• Natalie's two career pivots, one that didn't work and one that did
• What those experiences taught her about reinvention
• The types of people who seek help transitioning careers
• Whether you need all the answers before making a leap
• Why clarity comes through action, not just reflection
• Interesting career changes Natalie has witnessed
• The biggest mistakes people make rebranding themselves on LinkedIn
• First small steps for someone stuck but terrified to leave their stable job
• Managing redundancies and involuntary career change
• The mindset shift needed when change isn't your choice
• Advice for anyone overwhelmed but dreaming of change

If you're feeling stuck, uncertain, or ready for something different, this conversation will show you that reinvention is rarely tidy—but it's always worth it.

Here's to your Good Life. And thanks for listening.

You can find us at https://www.tribecafinancial.com.au/

Our guest:

Natalie Tran, Career Transition Coach

Visit Natalie’s website here

Follow Natalie on Instagram, Facebook & LinkedIn

Our hosts:

Ryan Watson, CEO, Tribeca Financial

Follow Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/r-watson/

Stephanie Coombes, podcast expert and media strategist

Follow Steph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-coombes-62903825/

Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd, ABN 54 604 005 209 trading as Tribeca Financial has been appointed as a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No.1008603) of My Dedicated Advisory. My Good Life ® is a registered trademark of Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd.

Advice given in this podcast is general in nature and is not intended to influence decisions about investing or financial products. Our listeners should always seek their own professional advice that considers their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions.

Tribeca Financial acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.

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 financial wellbeing while building something successful.

What we talk about:

• How to know if your idea is worth turning into a business
• Bad reasons for jumping into business (and why they matter)
• Why the promise of freedom often becomes a trap of overwork
• The biggest reasons business owners end up stressed and underpaid
• Betsy's five-step Money Boss framework for getting control
• The step most people get stuck on
• How the nervous system and psychology shape our money decisions

If you're running a business and feeling like it's running you, this conversation will help you take back control.

Here's to your Good Life. And thanks for listening.

Our guest:

Betsy Wescott, qualified Financial Advisor, Mortgage Broker and Certified Money Coach.

Follow Betsy: https://www.instagram.com/betsywestcott/

Connect with Betsy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsywestcott/

Visit Betsy’s website: https://www.betsywestcott.com/

Our hosts:

Ryan Watson, CEO, Tribeca Financial

Follow Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/r-watson/

Stephanie Coombes, podcast expert and media strategist

Follow Steph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-coombes-62903825/

Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd, ABN 54 604 005 209 trading as Tribeca Financial has been appointed as a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No.1008603) of My Dedicated Advisory. My Good Life ® is a registered trademark of Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd.

Advice given in this podcast is general in nature and is not intended to influence decisions about investing or financial products. Our listeners should always seek their own professional advice that considers their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions.

Tribeca Financial acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.

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.

But instead of giving up, Mel chose to face her financial fears head-on. By her 40s, she'd completely turned things around and achieved financial independence.

Now she helps others do the same, calling out BS in the finance world, challenging traditional advice, and helping women take control of their money without shame.

What we talk about:

• Mel's journey from financial rock bottom to financial independence
• The practical first steps she took to turn things around
• Her 30-day financial detox concept and becoming a "conscious consumer"
• Why credit card points aren't worth it (despite the marketing)
• Her new book's controversial claim: budgets don't work
• Why women in their 40s and 50s say "I don't have 30 years for compound interest" but men never do
• The ageism that limits women's financial potential
• The lost superannuation that couples never consider
• What women in their 40s and over should be doing differently
• Moving from financial dire to financially well

If you're feeling overwhelmed by your finances or wondering if it's too late to turn things around, this conversation will show you it's not.

Resources:

Mel’s case study – Do credit card points add up

Mel’s books – purchase here

Money & a Good Life – Cashflow hacks episode

Here’s to your Good Life. And thanks for listening.

You can find us at https://www.tribecafinancial.com.au/

Our guest:

Mel Browne, Financial educator, bestselling author, and entrepreneur

Visit Mel’s website

Follow Mel on Instagram, Facebook & LinkedIn

Our hosts:

Ryan Watson, CEO, Tribeca Financial

Follow Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/r-watson/

Stephanie Coombes, podcast expert and media strategist

Follow Steph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-coombes-62903825/

Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd, ABN 54 604 005 209 trading as Tribeca Financial has been appointed as a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No.1008603) of My Dedicated Advisory. My Good Life ® is a registered trademark of Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd.

Advice given in this podcast is general in nature and is not intended to influence decisions about investing or financial products. Our listeners should always seek their own professional advice that considers their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions.

Tribeca Financial acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.

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 discusses her book, The Grimmest of Fairy Tales, which offers both a confronting and hopeful look at rebuilding after family violence.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that financial abuse can happen to anyone — and that healing and independence are possible with the right support.

In this episode, we cover:

• How coercive control and financial abuse creep in over time
• The devastating financial and emotional toll of abuse
• Why leaving can be the most dangerous time for survivors
• The importance of financial literacy and open conversations about money
• The role of community, empathy, and education in recovery

Resources and Support:

• Tammy’s website
• The Grimmest of Fairy Tales (book)
• CWES – Centre for Women’s Economic Safety
• Good Shepherd Financial Abuse Hub | Call 1300 050 150
• 1800 RESPECT – 1800 737 732
• Beyond Blue – 1300 22 46 36
• Kids Helpline – 1800 55 18 00

Here’s to your Good Life. And thanks for listening.

You can find us at https://www.tribecafinancial.com.au/

Our guest:

Tammy Casselson, author, educator, advocate, and survivor

Connect with Tammy on LinkedIn here.

Follow Tammy on Instagram here.

Our hosts:

Ryan Watson, CEO, Tribeca Financial

Follow Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/r-watson/

Stephanie Coombes, podcast expert and media strategist

Follow Steph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-coombes-62903825/

Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd, ABN 54 604 005 209 trading as Tribeca Financial has been appointed as a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No.1008603) of My Dedicated Advisory. My Good Life ® is a registered trademark of Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd.

Advice given in this podcast is general in nature and is not intended to influence decisions about investing or financial products. Our listeners should always seek their own professional advice that considers their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions.

Tribeca Financial acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.