The Wealth Exchange

Hosted by Nicola Wealth

Business NewsInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

100

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

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.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 13, 202616 min

Credit Opportunities Explained: Leverage, Risk & Returns

What if you could enhance returns from fixed income without taking on traditional interest-rate exposure? And what role does leverage play in both the opportunity and the risk? Host Jasmine Marichic, Wealth Advisor | Client Relationship Manager, sits down with Ben Jang, Portfolio Manager | Head of Fixed Income, to unpack the Nicola Credit Opportunities Fund and the thinking behind its approach to return-seeking fixed income. You'll hear: • Why this strategy is not a cash alternative or traditional bond replacement • How shorting, or selling borrowed, government bonds can provide a different approach to leverage • How credit spreads, rather than interest-rate movements, drive much of the return opportunity • Why periods of market stress and widening credit spreads can create both risks and opportunities • How the fund manages leverage, volatility, drawdowns, and recovery periods • How the strategy can complement traditional bonds, mortgages, private debt, and cash If you're thinking about the role fixed income plays in your portfolio, and whether there are ways to seek additional returns while managing interest-rate exposure, this episode is for you. It offers a closer look at an alternative approach to credit investing, including the risks investors need to understand.

August 6, 202629 min

Women Are Inheriting Trillions, But Not the Confidence to Match

When it comes to the future of wealth, one of the most significant financial shifts of our time is already underway. In this episode of The Wealth Exchange, Chris Warner, Wealth Advisor and Practice Management Lead | Client Relationship Manager, sits down with Cassandra Cross, Wealth Advisor | Client Relationship Manager, to explore how women are increasingly shaping the future of wealth - and what it means for individuals, families and future generations. Drawing on insights from Cassandra's recent article, Women Are About to Control More Wealth Than Ever Before, But Many Still Don't Feel Financially Confident , they discuss the forces driving this historic shift, how many women are building wealth in different ways, and why financial confidence has less to do with knowledge than may people think. You'll hear: Why women are expected to inherit nearly 70% of the largest wealth transfer in history The key trends driving women's growing influence over wealth & financial decision making Why confidence - not capability - is often the biggest barrier to financial engagement The hidden cost of delaying important financial decisions How thoughtful financial planning can help navigate major life transitions with greater clarity and purpose Why wealth planning is about more than growing assets - it's about creating flexibility, choice, and a lasting legacy As women continue to shape the future of wealth, this conversation explores what this historic shift means for individuals, families, and the next generation of financial decision-makers.

July 27, 202641 min

Private Equity Unpacked: What Really Drives Investor Outcomes

When it comes to private equity, how you invest can be just as important as what you invest in. In this episode of The Wealth Exchange, Robert Olsen, Head of Private Capital, sits down with Kazuki Nadomi, Portfolio Manager | Private Equity and Venture Capital, and Sunny Lee, Senior Director | Private Equity, to explore a key question facing investors today: Are traditional private equity structures still the best fit for individual investors? Drawing on insights from their recent article, "The Evergreen Revolution: Rethinking How Private Equity Fits Within a Portfolio", they examine how private equity has traditionally been accessed, why the investor experience can differ significantly from headline return figures, and how newer evergreen structures are reshaping access to the asset class. You'll hear: Why private equity structure can matter as much as manager selection The differences between traditional closed-end funds and evergreen private equity vehicles How evergreen private equity structures differ from traditional fund models Why headline IRRs don't always reflect the full investor experience What investors should evaluate when considering private capital opportunities As private equity becomes more accessible to individual investors, this conversation explores why understanding structure, liquidity, and portfolio fit is essential when evaluating private capital opportunities.

July 17, 202619 min

Markets, Volatility, and the Value of Diversification - Q2 2026 Market Commentary

Markets proved more resilient this quarter, despite ongoing inflation concerns, geopolitical tensions, and elevated interest rates. In this episode of The Wealth Exchange, Ben Jang, Portfolio Manager | Head of Fixed Income joins Jasmine Marichic, Wealth Advisor | Client Relationship Manager, to explore what drove the market rebound, where risks remain, and why diversification continues to matter in an environment where traditional portfolio relationships are changing. From AI-driven market leadership and reopened IPO markets to Canadian opportunities, fixed income, and portfolio construction, Ben shares practical insights for long-term investors navigating uncertainty. You'll hear: Why markets remained resilient despite ongoing economic and geopolitical headwinds How equities, fixed income, and real assets performed through the second quarter What higher interest rates mean for diversification and income How to think about geopolitical risk without reacting to every headline Why maintaining a balanced, diversified portfolio remains critical in today's market As the year unfolds, this conversation offers timely perspectives on navigating uncertainty, managing risk, and staying focused on long-term investment goals.

July 6, 202630 min

Are Markets Giving A False Sense of Diversification?

Many investors believe they're diversified, but beneath the surface, today's market is increasingly driven by a small number of companies. In this episode of The Wealth Exchange, Ben Jang, Portfolio Manager & Head of Fixed Income, joins Sean Oye, Head of Public Assets, to examine how the rapid rise of AI is reshaping today's markets, concentrating performance among a small group of companies and prompting investors to rethink what true diversification looks like. You'll hear: Why owning an index fund doesn't always mean you're truly diversified How AI is influencing companies across many industries, not just technology Why the price you pay matters just as much as the quality of the company you're buying Practical ways to build a more resilient portfolio, from looking beyond the biggest market leaders to investing in high-quality businesses with different drivers of growth Why staying diversified doesn't mean avoiding AI, it means understanding where your risks are and balancing them thoughtfully If you're wondering whether your portfolio is more concentrated than you realize, this conversation offers practical insights on staying invested, managing risk, and building resilience in an increasingly AI-driven market.

June 25, 202642 min

Canada's Productivity Challenge - What Investors Need to Know

Canada has all of the ingredients for growth: talent, capital, resources, and innovation. So why has Canadian productivity lagged behind many of its global peers for decades? In this episode of The Wealth Exchange, Ben Jang sits down with Pedro Antunes, Chief Economist at Signal 49 Research, to explore the forces sharping Canada's economic future. They examine the opportunities and challenges facing the Canadian economy. The conversation spans productivity growth, business investment, and AI adoption, along with interprovincial trade barriers, energy infrastructure, and economic competitiveness. You'll hear: Why productivity is the foundation of long-term economic prosperity What's driving Canada's productivity gap How AI and technology adoption could transform growth The economic impact of interprovincial trade barriers Why energy, infrastructure, and investment matter for competitiveness What Canada must do to strengthen productivity over the next decade Whether you're an investor, business owner, or simply following the policy and macro picture, this conversation offers valuable insights into the trends shaping Canada's economy, productivity, competitiveness, and long-term growth outlook.

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 f lexibility 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.