The Wealth Exchange

Hosted by Nicola Wealth

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

The Wealth Exchange provides access to the experts on the issues that are important to affluent families and business leaders across Canada. Providing in-depth conversations on a wide range of topics, the podcast has featured change makers, business leaders, subject matter experts and humanitarians from around the globe.

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60 recent

June 12, 202636 min

Solve What Matters: A New Way to Think About Insurance

Insurance is often viewed as a product. But when does it become a strategic planning tool? Host James Atherton, Managing Director | Private Wealth, sits down with Samantha Findlay, Managing Director | Insurance at Nicola Wealth, to explore insurance not as a product, but as a tool for providing flexibility when it matters most. Together, they unpack how to evaluate term versus permanent coverage, when insurance truly adds value to a financial plan, and the key questions to ask, especially for business owners navigating succession and continuity planning. You'll hear: • The difference between term and permanent insurance • How insurance can provide the flexibility to simplify your estate • Real-life examples, from family cottages to business succession • How insurance can help preserve family harmony and avoid forced asset sales • The key questions to ask before accepting any recommendation If you've ever wondered whether insurance is essential or simply overcomplicating your plan, this episode will help you cut through the noise and see when it genuinely adds value.

June 4, 202647 min

A Model for Food Security: Inside Greater Vancouver Food Bank's Distribution Revolution

One in four Canadians experience food insecurity, and in Vancouver, 30% of food bank clients are employed full-time. In this episode, John Nicola sits down with David Long, CEO of the Greater Vancouver Food Bank to explore how the GVFB has transformed itself from a traditional food bank into a modern distribution model focused on fresh food, operational discipline, and long-term impact. You'll hear: • Why Canada has enough food, yet millions still face food insecurity • How the Greater Vancouver Food Bank increased fresh food distribution from 20% to 80% • Why David Long believes food insecurity is a solvable problem • How an entrepreneurial mindset is helping reshape the response • The connection between nutrition, health outcomes, and community well-being • How surplus food can be preserved, processed, and redistributed at scale • How food inflation and an aging population are reshaping demand • The partnerships and infrastructure needed to build the food bank of the future This episode explores how innovative thinking, operational excellence, and strategic partnerships can help address one of Canada's most pressing social challenges. Donate: https://foodbank.bc.ca/ Volunteer: https://foodbank.bc.ca/volunteer/ Watch the full video episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0IaGfcOSQY

May 28, 202645 min

Unpacking the Attributes of Good (And Bad) Financial Advice

Impressive credentials, a polished presentation and strong market opinions can be convincing - but they don't always add up to good financial advice. So how can investors tell the difference? Host James Atherton sits down with Chris Warner, Wealth Advisor | Client Relationship Manager at Nicola Wealth, for a candid conversation about what quality financial planning actually looks like, why bad advice can be surprisingly persuasive, and how investors can better evaluate the guidance they receive. You'll hear: • Why good financial advice is about decision-making over time, not just investment performance • How taxes, risk management, and real-world implementation shape long-term outcomes • The red flags that may signal product-driven or mis-aligned advice • Why confidence and sophistication don't always signal proficiency • How strong advisors help clients avoid costly mistakes and stay accountable • A practical framework investors can use to evaluate their own advisor relationship Whether you already work with an advisor or are considering one, this episode offers a clearer lens into what real financial planning should deliver, and why the quality of advice matters more than ever.

April 30, 202615 min

Stable on the Surface: Q1 2026 Market Commentary

Markets are finding stability, but the risks driving them are quietly shifting. Beneath the calm, questions around valuations, concentration, geopolitics, and diversification are becoming harder to ignore. Join host Jasmine Marichic and Ben Jang, Portfolio Manager | Investment Strategist at Nicola Wealth, as they unpack Q1 2026. You'll hear: • What "normalization" really means in today's market environment • Why strong recent returns may lead to a more muted outlook ahead • How concentration risk and the AI narrative are beginning to shift • Why fixed income may not provide the same diversification as in the past • Where opportunities are emerging beyond traditional public markets • How global market leadership is evolving beyond the U.S.

April 23, 202645 min

When Life Shifts: Protecting Wealth Through Divorce, Inheritance, and Change

Major life events like divorce, inheritance, or changing family dynamics can feel deeply personal, but they often carry immediate legal and financial consequences. How can you make thoughtful decisions when emotions are high and the stakes are long-term? Host Cassandra Cross sits down with Sierra Yanish, Family Lawyer, Mediator, and Arbitrator at BDL Family Law, to explore how personal transitions quickly become legal and financial turning points. Together, they unpack the assumptions, blind spots, and emotional pressures that can shape financial outcomes for years to come. You'll hear: • Why personal milestones can trigger legal consequences sooner than expected • Common misconceptions about divorce, inheritances, and "separate" finances • How emotional decision-making can impact long-term financial security • The importance of cash flow, support structures, and holistic planning • Why slowing down and building the right advisory team can lead to better outcomes If you're navigating a major life transition, or want to be better prepared for one, this episode offers practical, grounded insights to help you protect your financial future and move forward with clarity and confidence.

April 16, 202641 min

The Market Pendulum: Understanding Mean Reversion

Markets can surge for years, but history shows momentum rarely lasts forever. How should investors respond? Host William John sits down with John Nicola, Founder, Executive Chair, and Chief Investment Officer of Nicola Wealth, to explore mean reversion, the idea that over time highs come down and lows move up, and what it means for today's investors. Drawing on decades of experience across public equities, private capital, real estate, infrastructure, and fixed income, John explains why asset classes often drift back toward long-term averages and what typically follows strong market performance. You'll hear: • Why markets can overshoot in both directions after big moves • How investor behavior can amplify market swings • How diversified portfolios and disciplined rebalancing help manage risk • Why patience, long-term thinking, and a balanced approach matter If you want to understand market cycles and how portfolios are managed through ups and downs, this episode gives you a helpful perspective on why patience, diversification, and long-term thinking matter. Watch the full presentation here: https://youtu.be/J7w8zkFzl38

April 9, 202653 min

Beyond The Noise: What's Currently Happening In Private Credit

Private credit is everywhere in the headlines, but are the risks as big as they seem? Host Rob Olsen sits down with Jurgen Van Vuuren, Senior Director & Head, Private Debt, and Stacey Mouadeb, Senior Director, Private Debt to cut through the noise and unpack what's really happening in today's private credit market. You'll hear: What's driving the growth of private credit Why recent negative headlines may be overstating the risks How defaults, recoveries, and diversification actually work Why manager selection and disciplined underwriting matter What today's market environment means for investors If you're looking to better understand private credit and its role in a diversified portfolio, this episode offers a clear, practical perspective grounded in real-world experience. Note for 3:54 Nicola Private Debt Fund (Net of Fees) CAD-hedged 1 year returns: 7.3% 3 year returns: 8.6% 5 year returns: 8.3% 10 year returns: N/A Since Inception return: 8.8% Since inception date: October 31st, 2017 S&P UBS Leveraged Loan Total Return Index 1 year returns: 5.9% 3 year returns: 9.3% 5 year returns: 6.4% 10 year returns: N/A Since Inception return: 5.4% Since inception date: October 31st, 2017 Bloomberg US Corporate High Yield Total Return Index 1 year returns: 8.6% 3 year returns: 10.1% 5 year returns: 4.5% 10 year returns: N/A Since Inception return: 5.0% Since inception date: October 31st, 2017

April 2, 202633 min

A Look Inside Canada's Current Commercial Mortgage Market

Interest rates are up and real estate values have shifted. So where are the opportunities now, and how does real estate debt fit into your portfolio? Host Rob Olsen sits down with Mark Tiu, Director of Mortgage Investments at Nicola Wealth, and Sam Brown, President and Head of Commercial at CMLS Financial, one of Canada's largest commercial mortgage lenders, to share their front-line perspective on today's real estate market. You'll hear: • How higher rates are changing borrower behavior • Where lenders are finding opportunities and where they're cautious • How commercial mortgages can provide steady income and stability • How technology and AI are shaping lending decisions • Why experience, discipline, and diversification matter more than ever In today's higher-rate, more complex market environment, this episode offers practical insight from professionals working closely with Canada's commercial mortgage industry.

March 23, 202640 min

Beyond the Podium: The Fundamentals That Last - A Conversation with Patrick Chan

Excellence is rarely defined by a single moment. More often, it is built quietly over years through discipline, preparation, and the support of a trusted team. In this episode of The Wealth Exchange, Nicola Wealth's Institutional President David Sung sits down with Olympic medalist and three-time world figure skating champion Patrick Chan, for a live fireside conversation recorded at the Arbutus Club in Vancouver. Patrick reflects on the mindset behind elite performance, from the early years of training and the lessons learned through setbacks, to the routines and preparation that help athletes perform under extraordinary pressure. He also shares his personal experience navigating the transition from competitive sport to a new professional chapter as a wealth planning associate at Nicola Wealth. The conversation explores the parallels between high-performance sport and long-term success in other areas of life, including the value of patience, resilience, and maintaining a long-term perspective. Patrick also discusses the importance of mentorship, teamwork, and embracing new identities beyond the arena of competition. For listeners interested in the habits and perspectives that support sustained excellence in sport, career, and life, this episode offers a thoughtful reflection on the journey behind the scenes.

March 18, 202645 min

Capturing Financial Opportunity in the Private Equity Secondaries Market

In private equity, fund timelines have traditionally shaped when investors exit an investment. Today, the secondaries market is creating new ways to provide liquidity while allowing strong assets to be held for longer. In this episode of The Wealth Exchange, Rob Olsen speaks with Sunny Lee about the evolution of private equity secondaries, with a focus on General Partner-led transactions. They discuss what is driving growth in the market, how continuation vehicles work, and how Nicola Wealth evaluates secondaries opportunities across managers, sectors, and vintages.