The Small Change Big Gains Podcast

Hosted by Jalal Midani, Amy Dietz, Sean Durkin

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Apr 2026

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About the show

Life. Money. Action Welcome to Small Change, Big Gains The podcast where we explore how small, intentional decisions can lead to major results in your financial life and personal growth. Whether you’re looking to invest smarter, develop better habits, or simply find balance, we’ll learn together how minor shifts can make a big impact. Join us as we unravel experiences, explore practical tips, and hear inspiring stories Let’s make it happen, one small change at a time towards Big Gains Both from humble beginnings, Sean and Amy have built a successful, industry leading wealth management and financial advisory practice. From a town of no more than 1500 in Ontario, Amy has been featured on BNN Bloomberg and is an impactful mentor in Women in Capital Markets. After finding success with Campbell’s Soup, Sean took his career to the next level by getting into the investment world and quickly rose to become an effective & favourite investment manager. ************* The information contained herein has been prepared by Amy Dietz and/or Sean Durkin, Wealth Advisors at NBF. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of NBF. The opinions, endorsements, and recommendations expressed in my profile do not necessarily reflect those of National Bank Financial. This site and electronic communications will be monitored by National Bank Financial for compliance purposes. National Bank Financial - Wealth Management (NBFWM) is a division of National Bank Financial Inc. (NBF), as well as a trademark owned by National Bank of Canada (NBC) that is used under license by NBF. NBF is a member of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) and the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF), and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NBC, a public company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: NA). The particulars contained herein were obtained from sources we believe to be reliable, but are not guaranteed by us and may be incomplete. The opinions expressed are based upon our analysis and interpretation of these particulars and are not to be construed as a solicitation or offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of NBF.

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60 recent

April 28, 202617 min

Episode 74 -How to Keep More of Your Money| Business-owners | Senior Level Executives | Lottery Winners

How to Keep More of Your MoneyTax Planning & the Annual Wealth Review for Business OwnersFor experienced business owners, keeping more of your money isn’t about last‑minute tax decisions, it’s about having a clear annual review process that connects your business, personal wealth, and long‑term plans.In this episode, we discuss how business owners approach tax planning as part of an annual wealth and tax review, rather than a one‑time filing exercise. This is the type of review many established business owners use to ensure their structures, cash flow, and planning remain aligned as their wealth grows.We cover:How business owners think about tax planning across the yearReviewing business income in the context of total personal wealthCompensation structure, corporate cash, and retained earningsWhy where your wealth is held matters over timeEstate and succession considerations that protect flexibilityHow an annual tax and wealth checklist helps create consistencyThis conversation is designed for business owners who already have advisors and want a practical, repeatable way to review their financial picture each year without overcomplicating it.Free Annual Tax & Wealth Review Checklist for Business OwnersWe’ve created a Free Annual Tax & Wealth Review Checklist based on the framework discussed in this episode.To receive the checklist:📩 Please email charmi.shah@nbc.ca with the subject line “Annual Checklist”, and we’ll send it to you directly.Who this episode is for:Business owners, incorporated professionals, and family business owners who want clarity, structure, and consistency in how they plan for taxes and long‑term wealth.

November 16, 202525 min

Episode 73- Top 5 Equity Mistakes Founders Make

*****National Bank Financial - Wealth Management (NBFWM) is a division of National Bank Financial Inc. (NBF), as well as a trademark owned by National Bank of Canada (NBC) that is used under license by NBF. NBF is a member of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) and the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF), and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NBC, a public company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: NA).I have prepared this report to the best of my judgment and professional experience to give you my thoughts on various financial aspects and considerations. The opinions expressed represent solely my informed opinions and may not reflect the views of NBF.The opinions, endorsements, and recommendations expressed in my profile do not necessarily reflect those of National Bank Financial. This site and electronic communications will be monitored by National Bank Financial for compliance purposes.

November 4, 202524 min

Episode 72- Estate Planning: What is Equal vs What is Fair w/ Jessica Elie of Loopstra Nixon LLP

We sat with Jessica Elie to discuss the concepts of equal vs. fair when doing your estate planning. Often, the way we divide up our assets for our beneficiaries may be equal, but not fair due to different family & economic structures or situations of the beneficiaries. Many families have children that are probably more successful than other children in the same family. Punishing those successful kids for their success (by limiting how much or what they inherit) may be problematic when it comes to inheriting assets. Tune in to listen how Jessica Elie suggests you approach this very common scenario with compassion, care, & fairness. *****National Bank Financial - Wealth Management (NBFWM) is a division of National Bank Financial Inc. (NBF), as well as a trademark owned by National Bank of Canada (NBC) that is used under license by NBF. NBF is a member of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) and the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF), and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NBC, a public company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: NA).I have prepared this report to the best of my judgment and professional experience to give you my thoughts on various financial aspects and considerations. The opinions expressed represent solely my informed opinions and may not reflect the views of NBF.The opinions, endorsements, and recommendations expressed in my profile do not necessarily reflect those of National Bank Financial. This site and electronic communications will be monitored by National Bank Financial for compliance purposes.

November 2, 202527 min

Episode 71- How is the Canadian Industrial sector doing in 2025- With Maxim Sytchev of National Bank Capital Markets

We sat with Managing Director, Maxim Sytchev of National Bank Capital Markets, to chat about the Canadian Industrial sector and how the companies that make up this group are doing in light of everything happening in 2025 and beyond. The securities or sectors mentioned in this episode are not suitable for all types of investors and should not be considered as recommendations. Please consult your Wealth Advisor to verify whether the security or sector is suitable for you and to obtain complete information, including the main risk factors. Some of the securities or sectors mentioned may not be followed by the analysts of NBF.National Bank Financial - Wealth Management (NBFWM) is a division of National Bank Financial Inc. (NBF), as well as a trademark owned by National Bank of Canada (NBC) that is used under license by NBF. NBF is a member of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) and the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF), and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NBC, a public company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: NA).I have prepared this report to the best of my judgment and professional experience to give you my thoughts on various financial aspects and considerations. The opinions expressed represent solely my informed opinions and may not reflect the views of NBF.The opinions, endorsements, and recommendations expressed in my profile do not necessarily reflect those of National Bank Financial. This site and electronic communications will be monitored by National Bank Financial for compliance purposes.

September 28, 202517 min

Episode 70- What is the difference between the Bank of Canada & The Fed?

In this episode- we talk about the difference in mandates between the two central banks and how this crucial difference affects the economy & investors.

July 20, 202524 min

Episode 69- Downsizing your home? Things to know & consider

Things to know before downsizing your home. Downsizing your home to save money and simplify your life? This podcast is for you....Things you wish you'd known before downsizing. - it will probably cost you more than you anticipated- you may need new furniture, new art, and there may be fees that you haven't considered? -you may not get the location you always wanted-plan as early as possible- 5 years before pulling the trigger is ideal -speak to a professional or advisor when thinking about downsizing

June 22, 202525 min

Episode 68- What To Do If You Win $50 Million!

Do not go buy a Lambo first thing...

June 1, 202516 min

Episode 67- Mad Money! What to do with your MONEY when you're mad

Don't let market chaos or political drama derail your investments! Learn why staying calm and thinking long-term is key to financial success in volatile times. Tune in for expert tips to keep your money rational and thrive! 📈💡 #investingtips #podcast#marketvolatility#staycalm

May 26, 202526 min

Episode 66- Here is why you're retiring wrong. Retirement regrets no one is talking about

Sean, Amy, & Jalal discuss why many of us are not happy in our so-called "golden years" & what the top regrets are for retirees: 1) Not structuring your money to make you more money2) Not having a supportive social circle 3) Forgetting to dream 4) Retiring too early 5) Not keeping up with your hobbies They also discuss why the thought of going to the beach everyday, or travelling all the time, or spending our days golfing is not realistic and can get boring VERY fast. We're still human and we still require purpose. Diversifying our time is key to a happy retirement.

April 27, 202523 min

Episode 65- What is happening in the stock market- Quick chat with our CIO, Martin Lefebvre

📢 Had a great chat with Martin Lefebvre, Chief Investment Officer of National Bank Investments here at National Bank of Canada about the current market environment and what it means for Canadian investors and the public. Amongst the many things we discussed, we focused on questions that many of us are asking 🧐 1️⃣ Given the economic and political environment in the US, how do you see things playing out for Canadian investors 🇨🇦📊? 2️⃣How can investors be proactive in navigating the market turbulence we've seen in the last few weeks and in the coming weeks💡? Spoiler Alert…his words of wisdom were 💬…"this is not time to be a hero"- loved that 🚀⚖️.