Prosperity Podcast with Nicole Bremner

Hosted by Nicole Bremner

Business Investing EducationInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

185

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

About the show

The Prosperity Podcast is for ambitious individuals—entrepreneurs and professionals—who want to take control of their finances and create a life of freedom, security and meaning. It’s for those who believe that wealth is about more than just money, it’s about having the freedom to choose how you live, work and give. Whether you’re just getting started or you’re looking to rebalance your approach, this podcast is your guide to building long term, sustainable wealth. We talk about investing wisely, creating multiple income streams and designing a portfolio that reflects your values and your goals. Prosperity Podcast features honest conversations about money—how to grow it, how to keep it and how to enjoy it. Nicole Bremner is an investor, certified financial coach, author and mum of three. Having had a successful career in investment banking, like many women who take a ‘career break’ to have children, she found herself at a crossroads, not entirely sure what path to take next. Combining her financial knowledge with her passion for good architecture and design, Nicole was able to build on her experience and expertise to develop a new career, which fit around her children and spent the next decade building a multi million property portfolio in London. Newly relaunched as Prosperity Podcast , Nicole interviews some of the interesting people she has met while navigating her (sometimes turbulent) voyage through professional and family life. From charity founders and travelling investors to authors and young entrepreneurs, these are the real tales of real people finding their way in business. Join Nicole as she listens to their stories and the lessons they have learned along the way. Instagram: http://instagram.com/nsbremner YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NicoleBremner Facebook: http://facebook.com/nicolesbremner X: https://x.com/nicolebremner/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/NSBremner/

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 15, 2026Episode 1859 min

Bricked It: The Real Deal Chapter Five #185

Send us Fan MailWhy the property millionaires on your feed haven't weathered a storm — and the real, unglamorous story of my own 15 years in property: the accidental wins, the nightmare flat, and the lessons that built the SAFER system.Scroll through Instagram and you'll find no shortage of self-proclaimed property millionaires promising you the pot of gold from a single seminar. This chapter is my answer to all of them.Here's a tip I share early on: run their name through Companies House and look at the actual accounts — the cash reserves, the liabilities. You'll often see a very different picture from the one on the feed. I don't think most influencers have bad intentions; the problem is many of them have never weathered a real storm. They haven't seen what a 15% market drop does to someone who's highly geared. I have.So I tell you my real story — the whole, unglamorous path. Becoming an accidental landlord with a Clerkenwell flat that sold for double (property's easy, right?). The Hackney flat I bought from a distressed seller that became a years-long nightmare: non-paying tenants for 15 months, four trips to court, damp, and roughly £50,000 I'll probably never recover. The Austrian ski apartment I bought while heavily pregnant and couldn't even view. An assisted sale that worked out well for everyone. And how all of it taught me I'm simply too soft to be a landlord.Fifteen years, the wins and the failures, plus the mistakes I've learned from others — that's the foundation the SAFER system is built on.In this episode:The Companies House trick for checking if a "property millionaire" is the real dealWhy influencers who've never weathered a downturn are the most dangerous to followMy accidental-landlord beginnings — and why "property is easy" is a trapThe Hackney flat from hell: 15 months of unpaid rent, four court cases, £50k underwaterWhy blind hope doesn't pay the bills, and how my real track record shaped the SAFER systemA note on the voice: what you're hearing is an AI-generated version of my voice reading my own words. It's me — just not in the room. I'd rather be upfront about that than pretend otherwise. Every word, every lesson, and every mistake is mine.Spotted a too-good-to-be-true pitch lately? Tell me on Substack at nicolebremner.substack.com, where paid subscribers get early access, extended commentary, and the chance to ask me anything.Subscribe wherever you listen so Chapter 6 lands automatically.Next week: Chapter 6 — It's All About People.Support the showDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the host and guest speakers. The view and opinions of the guest speakers do not represent that of the host. Always do your own research.

June 11, 2026Episode 18415 min

Bricked It: It's All About Balance Chapter Four #184

Send us Fan MailWhy a balanced financial life — liquidity, tax, priorities, legacy and your relationship with debt — beats chasing any single asset, and the Freedom Triangle that taught me money was only ever one third of the picture.Too much of anything is dangerous — diet, exercise, even water. Investing is no different. This chapter is about balance, and why it's the foundation of freedom rather than the enemy of it.I break down what a genuinely balanced financial life looks like. Liquidity first: cash is queen, and three to six months of accessible savings is what lets you handle life's surprises without panic-selling. Tax efficiency next — using your ISA allowances, getting advice on whether to hold property personally or through a company. I'm candid here about being on benefits not so long ago, and why I'm now happy to pay tax.Then the part that changed me most: the Freedom Triangle — money, time and place. I'd always believed money alone bought freedom. A week on my partner Paul's boat, sailing from Ibiza to Cartagena with no phone signal, taught me otherwise. It was the first time I'd slept properly in months. It made me ask the question I want you to ask too: are your investments working for you, or are you working for them? What's your real hourly rate — and would the numbers still stack if you costed your time honestly?I finish with legacy and your relationship with debt, including the years I spent shuffling £32,000 of credit card debt between 0% offers, and the mental space that clearing it finally gave me.In this episode:Balanced liquidity: why cash is queen and how much you should keep accessibleTax planning, ISAs, and personal vs. company ownership — plus my own benefits storyThe Freedom Triangle: money, time and place, and the sailing trip that reset meAre your investments working for you? Calculating your true hourly rateLegacy and inheritance (a question I'll answer in Chapter 7), and knowing your honest tolerance for debtA note on the voice: what you're hearing is an AI-generated version of my voice reading my own words. It's me — just not in the room. I'd rather be upfront about that than pretend otherwise. Every word, every lesson, and every mistake is mine.What does balance look like for you? Tell me on Substack at nicolebremner.substack.com, where paid subscribers get early access, extended commentary, and the chance to ask me anything.Subscribe wherever you listen so Chapter 5 lands automatically.Next week: Chapter 5 — The Real Deal.Support the showDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the host and guest speakers. The view and opinions of the guest speakers do not represent that of the host. Always do your own research.

June 8, 2026Episode 18317 min

Bricked It: Forewarned Is Forearmed Chapter Three #183

Send us Fan MailThe five risks every property investor needs to see coming — from chasing shiny pennies and dressing up bad deals to running out of contingency, getting trapped without an exit, and flying too close to the sun.If Chapter 2 was what went wrong, this chapter is how you see it coming.I open with the hardest lesson I learned: mistaking luck for skill. When I started out in Hackney, everything I touched turned to gold — and I believed that was talent. It wasn't. Hackney property prices rose 104% between 2009 and 2016, and I happened to be standing in the right place. Hindsight made that painfully clear.From there I walk through the five risks that catch almost everyone out, mapped to the SAFER system. Shiny Penny Syndrome — chasing the latest strategy whether or not it suits your life (like Maria, who wisely walked away from rent-to-rent). Being honest about a deal's real numbers instead of putting lipstick on a pig. Holding a proper contingency, because every project runs over. Staying flexible on your exit — I tell the story of a South Kensington project that fell from a £5.25m valuation to a £3.2m sale during lockdown. And resisting the urge to scale too fast and fly too close to the sun.I'm not anti-property. I'm pro-property — just no longer evangelical about it. Realistic, awake to what can go wrong, and determined to make you aware too.In this episode:Why mistaking luck for skill is the most dangerous trap of allRisk 1 — Strategy: Shiny Penny Syndrome and choosing what actually fits your lifeRisk 2 — Appraisal: being brutally honest with your numbers (the "yellow cars" problem)Risk 3 — Funding: always hold a 10% contingency and 3–6 months of cashRisk 4 — Exit: planning multiple exits so a market shift can't sink youRisk 5 — Repeat: slow and steady, and knowing when a strategy has stopped workingA note on the voice: what you're hearing is an AI-generated version of my voice reading my own words. It's me — just not in the room. I'd rather be upfront about that than pretend otherwise. Every word, every lesson, and every mistake is mine.Have a risk you keep running into? Tell me on Substack at nicolebremner.substack.com, where paid subscribers get early access, extended commentary, and the chance to ask me anything.Subscribe wherever you listen so Chapter 4 lands automatically.Next week: Chapter 4 — It's All About Balance.Support the showDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the host and guest speakers. The view and opinions of the guest speakers do not represent that of the host. Always do your own research.

June 4, 2026Episode 18212 min

Bricked It: The Road From Where You Are Chapter Two #182

Send us Fan MailThe honest other half of the story: a £120m portfolio, a partner I should never have trusted, the phone call that exposed it all — and the five mistakes that cost me everything before I built the SAFER system.This is the chapter where I tell you what actually happened.My story is a tragedy in two halves. The first — the meteoric rise — is my first book, Bricking It. By 2017 I had a share in a property portfolio of 110 properties across 10 projects, worth around £120 million. From the outside, life looked perfect: the home, the health retreats, the booked-solid speaking diary. Below the surface, my marriage was crumbling and I'd become someone I didn't recognise.Then it unravelled. I'd handed control to a business partner I trusted completely. In September 2018 a fellow investor called me about some transactions that didn't add up, and standing in my perfect kitchen I began reconciling payments that revealed a systematic, long-running fraud. What followed was years of David-and-Goliath battles — debt collectors, bailiffs turning up during the school run, and the slow, public undoing of everything I'd built.I won't pretend it was anything but a very dark place. But I'm still standing, and this chapter is me handing you the lessons so you never have to learn them the way I did.In this episode:The two halves of my story, and why the title of my first book makes me cringe nowWhat £120 million really meant — and the press misquote I want to correctTrusting the wrong partner, and the phone call that exposed a fraudThe five mistakes that cost me everything: giving up control, over-investing in one asset, mistaking luck for skill, having no systems, and failing to bring stakeholders with meWhy "being on the right side of the law" didn't protect me — and how the SAFER system was born from the wreckageA note on the voice: what you're hearing is an AI-generated version of my voice reading my own words. It's me — just not in the room. I'd rather be upfront about that than pretend otherwise. Every word, every lesson, and every mistake is mine.If this one lands close to home, I want to hear from you. Find me on Substack at nicolebremner.substack.com, where paid subscribers get early access, extended commentary, and the chance to ask me anything.Subscribe wherever you listen so Chapter 3 lands automatically.Next week: Chapter 3 — Forewarned Is Forearmed.Support the showDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the host and guest speakers. The view and opinions of the guest speakers do not represent that of the host. Always do your own research.

June 1, 2026Episode 18124 min

Bricked It: There's More to This Than Money Chapter One #181

Send us Fan MailWhy fear of financial loss keeps so many of us awake, why property is never a one-size-fits-all answer, and the first look at my SAFER system for building wealth without the sleepless nights.The serialisation begins here — the Introduction and Chapter 1 of Bricked It, read start to finish.I open with the thing nobody likes to admit: fear of financial loss is what keeps us up at 2am. As Chris Voss puts it, nobody loses sleep over gains — it's loss that burrows in and eats at you. I've lived that fear, from rented accommodation with rats and counting pennies to benefit day, right through to nearly losing millions five years ago. This is the book I wish I'd had then.In Chapter 1, "There's More to This Than Money," I'm honest about what this is and isn't. It isn't sexy. It isn't a £20,000 Instagram course promising passive income (spoiler: there's no such thing). It's a smarter, SAFER system — built like a prefab house, where the magic is in months of preparation before anyone breaks ground. I share three client stories that show what that looks like in practice: Sophie, who found freedom in a Durham cottage near her daughter; Philippa, who learned her dream Thai villa was really a business in need of a plan; and Marnie, who pressed ahead with a rent-to-rent scheme that was only ever going to buy her an expensive headache.In this episode:Why fear of loss drives so many of our money decisions — and how to turn that anxiety into actionThe three reasons this book exists, especially for women worried their money won't lastWhy owning a home is not the same as investing in property, and why no single asset should carry your whole futureDebunking the "passive income" and "other people's money" mythsA first look at the SAFER system and the mindset shift it asks forThree real client stories on getting it right — and getting it wrongA note on the voice: what you're hearing is an AI-generated version of my voice reading my own words. It's me — just not in the room. I'd rather be upfront about that than pretend otherwise. Every word, every lesson, and every mistake is mine.If something here resonates, I want to hear it. Find me on Substack at nicolebremner.substack.com, where paid subscribers get early access, extended commentary, and the chance to ask me anything.Subscribe wherever you listen so Chapter 2 lands automatically.Next week: Chapter 2 — The Road From Where You Are.Support the showDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the host and guest speakers. The view and opinions of the guest speakers do not represent that of the host. Always do your own research.

June 1, 2026Episode 1808 min

Bricked It: How (Not) to lose millions in property - introduction #180

Send us Fan MailThe Prosperity Podcast is back. Over the coming weeks I'm serialising my new book Bricked It chapter by chapter, the honest story of how a property empire worth £120m nearly broke me and what I built from the wreckage.After a long pause The Prosperity Podcast returns and this time it's personal.In 2017 I launched this podcast alongside my first book, Bricking It: From Stay at Home Mum to Millions in Property. The book became an Amazon bestseller, the podcast hit the global top 5% and I was running two property companies with a gross development value north of £120 million. It was a great story, stay at home mum cracks the property code. I believed every word of it.Then the market turned, deals went sideways and some things were definitely not as they were portray by key players. Ultimately I discovered I knew far less than I thought. This episode kicks off a chapter by chapter serialisation of my new book, Bricked It, the story of how I nearly lost it all and the slow, unglamorous work of rebuilding something real.In this episode:Why I disappeared and why I'm coming back with honesty instead of a highlight reelThe difference between Bricking It and Bricked It, making millions vs nearly losing everything"Mistaking luck for skill", why a rising market makes everyone look like a geniusThe personal cost of relentless ambition: marriage, health and identityA first look at the "Safer System," the framework I built after everything fell apartWho this series is for: aspiring and current property investors, women building on their own terms, and anyone rebuilding after a setbackWhat to expect: A new episode every week covering the next chapter of Bricked It AI me reading from the book while AI journalist Chloe asks the pointed questions. Think of it as the director's cut: extra context, honest commentary, and the bits that didn't make the final manuscript. Yes, it's AI me and an AI journalist. Subscribe wherever you listen, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your app of choice. For the deeper conversation, find me on Substack at nicolebremner.substack.com, where paid subscribers get early access, extended commentary and the chance to ask me anything.Next week: Chapter One.Support the showDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the host and guest speakers. The view and opinions of the guest speakers do not represent that of the host. Always do your own research.

February 13, 20269 min

What happens when property stops being an investment and becomes a trap? #179

Send us Fan Mail“Am I holding this because it serves my life…or because I don’t know who I am without it?”In this conversation Nicole Bremner discusses the emotional and psychological challenges faced by property investors when their investments no longer serve them. She emphasises the importance of recognising when to let go of properties that have become burdensome and the identity crisis that can arise from such decisions. Through personal anecdotes and client stories she highlights the need for clarity and choice in property investment, advocating for a mindset shift towards wealth maturity.Takeaways:What happens when property stops being an investment?The frustration of financial coaching often lies in emotional resistance.Property can become a trap rather than an investment.Identity is deeply tied to property ownership for many investors.Market changes can lead to existential crises for property owners.Holding onto unprofitable properties can lead to financial and emotional stress.Letting go of properties can be a form of grief and acceptance.Wealth maturity involves the ability to change one's mind about investments.It's essential to ask if a property serves your life or your identity.Clarity and choice are crucial in navigating property investments.Chapters:00:00 The Frustration of Property Investment02:25 Identity and Property: The Emotional Connection05:16 The Dilemma of Letting Go07:50 Wealth Maturity: The Power of ChoiceSupport the showDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the host and guest speakers. The view and opinions of the guest speakers do not represent that of the host. Always do your own research.

August 12, 2025Episode 17847 min

Unlocking Off Market Property Secrets: A Direct to Vendor Masterclass with Keith Firmin #178

Send us Fan MailMeet Mr DTV, Keith Firmin. He's the mind behind the highly entertaining Instagram account and someone I now call a friend. Starting his career in the Metropolitan Police as so often happens, Keith and his wife Kim, burnt out. Looking for that elusive freedom, they discovered property investing promptly leaving London and settling in the North West and building a property portfolio. Fast forward to today Keith has discovered that his investigative mind, dogged determination and people skills make him exceptionally well suited to direct to vendor, or DTV, property deals. In this episode Keith lifts the lid on his proven DTV strategies explaining exactly how investors can find, secure and profit from off market properties. From spotting hidden gems and crafting compelling letters to negotiating directly with homeowners, Keith shares detailed insights and practical advice for anyone wanting to succeed outside the competitive mainstream property market.We also explore the human element behind property transactions, highlightingwhy empathy, understanding and flexible solutions are key to closing successfulDTV deals. Keith also discusses his personal journey from frontline policeofficer dealing with intense and traumatic experiences to finding freedom and balance in property investing.Whether you’re a seasoned property investor, new to the game or simply curious about alternative investment strategies, this episode offers actionable insights into a highly profitable and rewarding property niche.Keith has just opened the doors to his new training on DTV strategies at www.directtovendor.com. Use the code THEGAVELDROPS15 to get a discount. And tell him you heard about it through the podcast. Thanks :-) 📌Key Highlights:✔️Step by step guide on how to find off market properties✔️Crafting DTV letters that convert✔️Benefits and strategies of buying directly from property owners✔️The critical importance of empathy and flexibility in property negotiations✔️Keith’s transition from policing to property investing and his tips for maintainingresilience and balanceConnect with Keith Firmin:Website: https://www.directtovendor.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/keithfirminpropertyFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100019197225068LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/keith-firmin-property-b3692a153Mobile Number: 07309 686200Connect with Nicole Bremner:Website: https://www.nicolebremner.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nsbremnerFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.bremner.54LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolebremner/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NicoleBremnerSupport the showDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the host and guest speakers. The view and opinions of the guest speakers do not represent that of the host. Always do your own research.

May 24, 2025Episode 17714 min

This Week In Wealth: What's going on with bonds? Warning sign, rare opportunity or both? #177

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of This Week in Wealth I discuss our inaugural Women's Investment Boardroom, the current state of the markets and double click on the implications of rising bond yields. I also ask if the volatility of Bitcoin means it's classified as an investment, speculation, or gambling. The main discussion centres around the importance of understanding bond yields and their impact on the economy, particularly in light of the Bank of England's recent rate cuts while bond yields increase. Takeaways:The importance of community in investing and finance.Market trends can be influenced by various factors, including bond yields.Bitcoin's volatility raises questions about its classification as an investment.Understanding bond yields is crucial for making informed financial decisions.Rising bond yields indicate investor concerns about government debt and inflation.The relationship between base rates and bond yields can be complex.Fixed income investments are often overlooked but are essential for a balanced portfolio.2025 may present unique opportunities for bond investors.Staying informed about economic indicators is vital for all investors.As always drop me an email with any questions or comments. Support the showDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the host and guest speakers. The view and opinions of the guest speakers do not represent that of the host. Always do your own research.

May 20, 2025Episode 17647 min

Broadcast journalism and life at sea: Dr Judy Aslett’s take on sailing, storytelling and social impact #176

Send us Fan MailI've waited a long time to interview my longtime friend Dr Judy Aslett on the Prosperity Podcast. A former foreign correspondent for Channel Four, Judy is a seasoned journalist, documentary filmmaker and co-creator of the popular YouTube channel Sailing Fair Isle. Together with her partner Steve, they dive into the realities of life on a boat, the art of powerful storytelling and creating meaningful change across the globe. Judy shares her journey from reporting on post apartheid South Africa to documenting one of the world’s most confronting topics, female genital mutilation (FGM). Having spent over 25 years working in Africa, Judy reflects on the challenges of ethical journalism, how she and Steve transitioned from news desks (and Steve behind the camera) to sailboats and why their documentary work still centres on giving others a voice. This conversation also touches on lockdown life at sea (which is where I first stumbled across their YouTube channel), adapting to global uncertainty and how they’ve built an engaged audience through honest, professional and, sometimes emotional, storytelling. Whether you’re fascinated by media, activism or sailing the world, this episode blends adventure with insight and purpose. Key Highlights: Living through lockdown on a boat with no water maker, income, or internet The ethics of journalism and whose voices really matter Behind the scenes of Sailing Fair Isle and making high quality content Plans for their next sailing chapter and why Judy's heading back to Europe - yay!! Connect with Dr Judy Aslett: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SailingFairIsle LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-judy-aslett-18119132/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Judy-Aslett-100009837011683/ Connect with Nicole Bremner: Website: https://www.nicolebremner.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nsbremner Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.bremner.54 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolebremner/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NicoleBremner 🔥 Inspired by this episode? Share it with someone Support the showDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the host and guest speakers. The view and opinions of the guest speakers do not represent that of the host. Always do your own research.