Challenge the Standard in Financial Advice

Hosted by Nathan Fradley and Jordan Vaka

Business Management

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Episodes

120

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-AU

About the show

Welcome to the Challenge the Standard podcast - a podcast for financial advisers, by financial advisers. Your hosts, Nathan Fradley and Jordan Vaka, will examine the biases, fixed thinking and status quo in advice. In every episode, we'll dive deep into the world of financial advice, questioning the norms, sparking new ideas and exploring how we could do things better. Our goal is to elevate our professional practices and 'uphold and promote the standards of our profession. So, whether you're a seasoned adviser or a bright new entrant to the Australian market (and beyond), this is where we challenge the standard, together.

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60 recent

June 11, 2026Episode 61 hr 7 min

S8E6 IPOhhhhhhs...

Well, isn't this all very exciting?! Some big new listings hitting the market and it's such fun watching everybody lose. their. goddamned. minds. Rules no longer need apply which, in the world of index investing, is kind of a big deal. So, this week, Nathan and Jordan try (honestly, we really tried) to focus on the client-facing-reality of all the noise your clients are hearing about these big floats. How relevant are they? How worst case could the worst case scenario be? And, crucially, what can we advisers do when confronted by clients either ecstatically embracing Elon-brain, or petrified by the pension plundering? (Sidenote - maybe don't listen to this one in the car with the kids...Jordan has a real moment part of the way through with language that made Nathan blush...) You can now get CPD points for listening to two knuckleheads (and guests!) wax lyrical about financial advice for an hour at a time. Video of relative motion physics mentioned in the ep: I Tested The Law of Relative Motion at 80 km/h! CPD For this Episode: https://quiz.ensombl.com/NATH-26061122-46390001 Thanks again to the team at CPD Check for letting us publish our episodes using their AI-CPD certifying engine. Check out Clayton's episode on the pod for more info. Nathan: advice@nathanfradley.com.au www.nathanfradley.com.au Jordan: jordan@planningsolo.com.au www.planningsolo.com.au LinkedIn: Challenge the Standard in Financial Advice (Podcast): Overview | LinkedIn The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.

June 4, 2026Episode 51 hr 3 min

S8E5 Aged Care II: Retention Boogaloo

We've talked about Aged Care before, but things have changed. Lots of things! There are new rules about how fees are calculated, applied and, most importantly for any government agency, renamed. (Who knew 'hotelling' was a word...look it up though) Nathan's been doing some even more interesting work in this valuable, important space - and written many a CPD piece on it. And even Jordan's getting involved in it now, gingerly stepping on the learning curve and realising it's not quite as steep as he feared. Which is why we're revisiting the topic in this week's episode. Throughout, we're trying to answer the underlying question: if your clients need Aged Care advice (and they will), how will you help them? CPD Quiz thanks to CPD Check: https://quiz.ensombl.com/NATH-26060602-54110001 Nathan: advice@nathanfradley.com.au www.nathanfradley.com.au Jordan: jordan@planningsolo.com.au www.planningsolo.com.au LinkedIn: Challenge the Standard in Financial Advice (Podcast): Overview | LinkedIn The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.

May 28, 2026Episode 41 hr 13 min

S8E4 Fine, We'll Do One On The Budget

Apparently the Federal Government dropped some sort of Budget thingamajig the other day. It's got many people in a lather with the injustice of it all. Dragged into the discussion with their characteristic reluctance to share an uninformed opinion, Nathan and Jordan thought an episode on this epoch-ending disaster* (going by the reaction of some of the panic merchants out there) would be a good idea. Or at least a chance to further expose their vicious leftie sensibilities for their patient, wonderful listening audience. They also enter what hopefully becomes another phrase for the CTS community to use at the various Chicken Little's in their lives. Nathan: advice@nathanfradley.com.au www.nathanfradley.com.au Jordan: jordan@planningsolo.com.au www.planningsolo.com.au LinkedIn: Challenge the Standard in Financial Advice (Podcast): Overview | LinkedIn The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.

May 21, 202645 min

S8E3 Paraplanning

Say it with us...paraplanning. Paraplanning. Paraplanning. Para - planning. What is it, why is it important, who's doing it and how are they doing it? This week's episode - likely the first of a series we'll return to - is all about the noble art of paraplanning. Because Jordan and Nathan know that hitting the kind of collaborative alignment that can occur between a financial adviser and paraplanner is one of the joys of the profession. But they also know that finding that synchronicity takes work and more than a dollop of luck. They also end up quite enjoying whispering the word... Paraplanning... You can now get CPD points for listening to two knuckleheads (and guests!) wax lyrical about financial advice for an hour at a time. CPD For this Episode: https://quiz.ensombl.com/NATH-26052109-04290001 Thanks again to the team at CPD Check for letting us publish our episodes using their AI-CPD certifying engine. Check out Clayton's episode on the pod for more info. Nathan: advice@nathanfradley.com.au www.nathanfradley.com.au Jordan: jordan@planningsolo.com.au www.planningsolo.com.au LinkedIn: Challenge the Standard in Financial Advice (Podcast): Overview | LinkedIn The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.

May 12, 2026Episode 21 hr 18 min

S8E2 CSLR Consultation

We get serious this week. No guest. No banter about dentists or Jordan's latest grievance with... well, you know. Just Nathan and Jordan, a Treasury consultation paper, and a genuine call to action for every financial adviser, business owner, PY, associate, paraplanner etc that'll listen. The Compensation Scheme of Last Resort is broken. Not broken in a subtle, nuanced, needs-a-closer-look kind of way. Broken in a we-are-paying-for-other-people's-fraud-and-the-people-who-caused-it-are-on-a-golf-course kind of way. Treasury has opened a consultation on reforming the CSLR, submissions close 22 May 2026. The big end of town will be lodging submissions. The institutions, the product providers, the fund managers; all of them have people whose entire job it is to argue why this shouldn't be their problem. We need voices too. Lots of them. In this episode Nathan and Jordan have read the paper so you don't have to (although you should), and discuss What the CSLR actually is and why it isn't working the way it was supposed to All eight proposals; what Treasury is asking, what they think, and what you should probably think about before the 22nd The SMSF question that will either make your blood boil or make you think harder than you expected The one proposal that actually fixes the problem rather than just spreading the cost around Why volume of submissions from advisers matters and what happens if we stay quiet How to structure your own submission without it taking all weekend Submissions close 22 May 2026. The window is open. Let's flood it with sense. Challenge the Standard Submission Helper: Download Consultation Paper: Treasury The Treasury guidelines: Submission guidelines FAAA CSLR Hub: CSLR Hub You can now get CPD points for listening to two knuckleheads (and guests!) wax lyrical about financial advice for an hour at a time. CPD For this Episode: https://quiz.ensombl.com/NATH-26051200-20450001 Thanks again to the team at CPD Check for letting us publish our episodes using their AI-CPD certifying engine. Check out Clayton's episode on the pod for more info. Nathan: advice@nathanfradley.com.au www.nathanfradley.com.au Jordan: jordan@planningsolo.com.au www.planningsolo.com.au LinkedIn: Challenge the Standard in Financial Advice (Podcast): Overview | LinkedIn The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.

May 7, 2026Episode 11 hr 12 min

S8E1 Tax Planning with Martin McGrath

We're proud of all our episodes, but the level of useful gold in this one is incredible. Joined by regular guest, Martin McGrath, who seems to enjoy ganging up on Jordan as he attempts to corral the conversation into some sort of structure, they explore the world of tax planning for financial advisers. What is it Why do it Is it really our job How to do it How to do it (badly) And so much in between Share this episode with every other financial adviser you know, because there are at least three tips in here that Jordan and Nathan have shamelessly stolen for their own practices - if everybody else can do the same, what a massive impact. You can now get CPD points for listening to two knuckleheads (and guests!) wax lyrical about financial advice for an hour at a time. CPD For this Episode: https://quiz.ensombl.com/NATH-26050705-36180001 Thanks again to the team at CPD Check for letting us publish our episodes using their AI-CPD certifying engine. Check out Clayton's episode on the pod for more info. Martin: Find out more about Martin LinkedIn Nathan: advice@nathanfradley.com.au www.nathanfradley.com.au Jordan: jordan@planningsolo.com.au www.planningsolo.com.au LinkedIn: Challenge the Standard in Financial Advice (Podcast): Overview | LinkedIn The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.

April 30, 2026Episode 201 hr 14 min

S7E20 The Next Stage with James D'Apice

It's hard to believe that this show has been going long enough to start building traditions, but this is absolutely one of our favourites - our annual check-in with full-time podcaster, part-time lawyer James D'Apice. James was good enough to join us early on in his Gravamen journey, then come back last year to talk about how he's finding the growth path in his second year of operations. Now, in year three, James returns to chat about: The joy, responsibility and depth adding a senior associate has brought to Gravamen How his branding and marketing might seem relatively 'non-traditional' - but are deeply rooted in classic ideas around specialisation Why community is our best defence against the financialisation and artifice of the modern economy (yeah, we still haven't worked out how to stay on topic) The path he's walked to his latest - and perhaps proudest - marketing venture: sponsoring the North Sydney Bears NRLW team. The impact of his recent opportunity to interview the incredible Michael Kirby. These chats and check-ins with James are incredible fun for Nathan and Jordan, and we look forward to checking in again next year. And the year after that. Etc etc. James D'Apice Find James on Linkedin Visit the Gravamen Website Watch James' interview with Michael Kirby here Nathan: advice@nathanfradley.com.au www.nathanfradley.com.au Jordan: jordan@planningsolo.com.au www.planningsolo.com.au LinkedIn: Challenge the Standard in Financial Advice (Podcast): Overview | LinkedIn The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.

April 23, 2026Episode 191 hr 1 min

S7E19 ID, Advising Non-Couples, Scoping and Insurance Bonds

Following a run of outstanding and informative guests, this week we return to our normal programming - Jordan and Nathan mouthing off about a stack of different things - but this time prompted by listener questions! In this week's episode, they cover: The best U2 Album The conflicts that can arise when advising people who's romantic life is over, but have chosen to continue their shared life. Advice Fees from Super How advisers can navigate limits imposed by other, non-qualified, professionals in a clients life Civil mascotts And why is it that we don't really talk about investment bonds It's a fun discussion, zooming in on matters that are relevant to advisers out there. That, and a revealing discussion about sippy cups and why Jordan finds them so discomforting in a conversational setting. Enjoy! CPD Quiz thanks to CPD Check: https://quiz.ensombl.com/NATH-26060603-11560001 Nathan: advice@nathanfradley.com.au www.nathanfradley.com.au Jordan: jordan@planningsolo.com.au www.planningsolo.com.au LinkedIn: Challenge the Standard in Financial Advice (Podcast): Overview | LinkedIn The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.

April 16, 2026Episode 181 hr 20 min

S7E18 Human Side of Advice with Brendan Frazier

In this episode Jordan and Nathan are joined by none other than Brendan Frazier, most well known as host of The Human Side of Money Podcast. The boys discuss How to just get started, and not be a perfectionist The power of questions, but why the words themselves are not the most important aspect in a client engagement. How leaning into the Human side creates a moat in a world of AI (yes of course we talked about AI) This ep has been a long time coming, and its well worth it! Human Side of Money (Apple) Human Side of Money (Spotify) RFG Advisory YouTube Channel Brendan's LinkedIn Nathan: advice@nathanfradley.com.au www.nathanfradley.com.au Jordan: jordan@planningsolo.com.au www.planningsolo.com.au LinkedIn: Challenge the Standard in Financial Advice (Podcast): Overview | LinkedIn The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143. You can now get CPD points for listening to two knuckleheads (and guests!) wax lyrical about financial advice for an hour at a time. CPD For this Episode: https://quiz.ensombl.com/NATH-26042002-08120001 Thanks again to the team at CPD Check for letting us publish our episodes using their AI-CPD certifying engine. Check out Clayton's episode on the pod for more info.

April 9, 2026Episode 171 hr 8 min

S7E17 Special Disability Trusts with Kathy Havers

Our recent episode on collaborating with other advisers - 'Playing Well With Others' - is one we're really proud of. And in that episode, Nathan and Jordan both mention the eye-opening experience of working with one specific financial adviser in a deeply specialist area. Well, this week, that adviser - Kathy Havers of Viridian Advisory - is good enough to come on and introduce us and our listeners to some of the many complexities that arise when helping people with additional needs. From Special Disability Trusts, to Centrelink, to the importance of (good) accountants and lawyers in the process, to the intricacies of guardianship, estate planning and Powers of Attorney - this episode is deep, technical, educational and, surely, useful as hell for all financial advisers out there. Kathy Kathy Havers - Viridian Advisory Kathy Havers | LinkedIn Nathan: advice@nathanfradley.com.au www.nathanfradley.com.au Jordan: jordan@planningsolo.com.au www.planningsolo.com.au LinkedIn: Challenge the Standard in Financial Advice (Podcast): Overview | LinkedIn The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143. You can now get CPD points for listening to two knuckleheads (and guests!) wax lyrical about financial advice for an hour at a time. CPD For this Episode: https://quiz.ensombl.com/NATH-26040808-13560001 Thanks again to the team at CPD Check for letting us publish our episodes using their AI-CPD certifying engine. Check out Clayton's episode on the pod for more info.