In this episode, Rob Pyne sits down with Zac Leeson, Senior Financial Adviser and HPH Solutions Next-Generation Leader, to explore how the client experience has evolved from being investment-centric to truly life-centred. Zac shares the practical tools, processes, and conversations that help clients connect their financial decisions to what really matters, and reflects on what makes great advice both meaningful and sustainable.

In this special roundtable episode of The Trusted Adviser Podcast, Rob Pyne is joined by four technologists who are transforming the way advice firms approach technology and AI: Pat Gardner (Collins SBA / Rubica) – on avoiding the “Salesforce plus-plus fallacy” and how Whisper Flow is changing the way advisers interact with AI. Nick Downey (Direct Wealth / Halosoft) – on building Meeting Ally and Advice Ally, the secret to managing 40+ acquisitions, and why process and accountability are the true foundations for AI adoption. Stephen Bell (Captegra) – on using process mining to cut through “workflow spaghetti” and how Zoom has become a powerful all-in-one hub for communication, documents, and automation. Glenn Elliott (Meldus) – on using Cursor to accelerate proposals, presentations, and branded content, and the one killer question firms should ask every vendor: “How has AI transformed your own business in the past three years?” Together, they unpack what’s working, where advice firms are getting stuck, and the practical steps to take when adopting new technology. From AI-powered file notes to full-scale workflow redesigns, this episode is a deep dive into the future of advice tech.

In this episode of The Trusted Adviser podcast, Rob Pyne speaks with Rob Jones, co-founder of Peloton Partners and a leading authority on pricing and profitability in financial advice. Rob shares why many firms leave money on the table, the limitations of traditional benchmarking surveys, and what his unique data reveals about capacity, adviser pay, and the real drivers of profitability. If you want to understand how to price advice fairly and build a more sustainable, profitable business, this conversation is packed with practical insights.

In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, Rob Pyne speaks with Ben Calder, Managing Director of Calder Wealth Management, about the recent merger with Coastal Advice Group. Ben shares the backstory of how years of collaboration and cultural alignment with Dan Brown led to one of Australia’s fastest-growing financial advice businesses. They discuss the role Merchant Investment Management played in bringing the deal to life, the challenges of integration, and the opportunities the merger creates for clients, staff, and the future of the business

In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, Rob Pyne speaks with Glenn Elliott, co-founder of Practifi and founder of Meldus, about how AI and automation are reshaping the advice profession. Glenn shares insights from his journey building Practifi, the importance of open platforms and APIs, and the practical ways agentic AI is already transforming CRM data, compliance, and client engagement. A must-listen for advice firms wanting to future-proof their technology and unlock new levels of productivity.

In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, Rob Pyne sits down with Nick Perrett, CEO at Yarra Lane Group, to explore how his firm is leveraging AI agents and robotic process automation (RPA) to transform operations across financial planning, tax, and professional services. Nick shares how bots like “Henry” and “Grace” are automating everything from review prep to data entry, running 24/7 inside their Microsoft environment and freeing up valuable human time. They dig into the real numbers, implementation process, cultural impacts, and what this all means for the future of advice delivery. Whether you’re curious about getting started or wondering how far automation can go in a professional advice firm, this is a must-listen episode.

In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, Rob Pyne speaks with Andrew Dunbar and Abbie Gellatly from Apt Wealth Partners—an award-winning advice firm known for its strong culture and focus on talent development. They unpack how Apt is preparing for the future of financial advice through structured graduate pathways, transparent career progression, leadership development, employee ownership, and a flexible benefits program that drives engagement and retention. If you’re looking to build a future-ready advice business, this conversation is full of practical takeaways.

What does it take to grow a financial planning firm beyond the founder? In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, Rob Pyne speaks with Philip Palaveev, CEO of The Ensemble Practice, about what it really means to lead a team-based advice business. Philip unpacks why leadership is more burden than privilege, how to shift from founder-led to team-driven models, and what it takes to embed vision and trust into culture. 👉 Listen as Philip shares: Why the best leaders stop seeking personal validation and start coaching others How to make the leap from individual to team performance The difference between ownership, leadership and management — and why titles don’t define influence This conversation is a masterclass in next-generation leadership, succession planning, and building a firm that outlasts any one person.

In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, Rob Pyne speaks with Terri Reid—business coach, consultant, and former financial planner—about the human side of leadership in advice firms. They explore the tensions advice principals face as they grow their businesses, from stepping back as the chief problem solver to building strong team cultures. Terri shares practical tools for empowering staff, improving communication, and reframing leadership at all levels. A valuable conversation for any advice leader wanting to build a business that performs well and feels good to be part of.

In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, Rob Pyne speaks with Stephen Bell — former adviser, Enzumo founder, and now the driving force behind Captegra and Hivrs. They explore how financial advice firms can shift from clunky tech stacks to streamlined process-driven systems, the power of Salesforce as a source of truth, and the realistic role of AI in advice delivery. Stephen shares his vision for real-time, electronic SOA generation and how automation can free up advisers to do more of what matters — all while staying compliant. A must-listen for any firm ready to modernise their workflows.

In this episode, Rob Pyne is joined by David Sharpe, Chair of the Financial Advice Association of Australia and Principal of Globe Financial Planning. David shares his personal journey into financial advice and offers a front-row view of the critical reform efforts shaping the profession today. From CSLR and DBFO to education pathways and red tape reduction, this is a candid and insightful conversation about professional leadership, policy advocacy, and the future of accessible, high-quality financial advice in Australia.

In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, Rob Pyne sits down with Neil Kendall, Managing Director of Tupicoffs and former Chair of the FPA, to explore how forward-thinking advice firms can leverage technology to lift compliance, protect client data, and deliver a better client experience. Neil shares how his firm uses AI-powered tools like Theta Lake for full-spectrum compliance monitoring, MyProsperity for secure data aggregation, and Salesforce FSC to maintain live, daily balance sheets for every client. From reducing PI premiums to automating training insights and boosting cyber resilience, Neil’s approach is a blueprint for modernising financial advice.

In this episode, Rob Pyne sits down with Keith Barrett, Managing Director of Reverb Media, to explore the power of public relations in financial services. With a background in journalism and two decades in the media industry, Keith shares how strategic storytelling and well-executed PR can help financial planning firms stand out, build trust, and engage meaningfully with both clients and industry. From thought leadership to crisis management, Keith explains how long-term brand building can drive real business outcomes.

New to The Trusted Adviser Podcast? This short trailer gives you a quick feel for the show — what it’s about, who it’s for, and why it’s worth following. Hosted by Rob Pyne, each episode features honest conversations with industry leaders in financial advice.

In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, Rob Pyne is joined by Anthony Warr and Bianca Musico from Warr Hunt — a firm renowned for its leadership in mentoring, team development and succession planning. Bianca reflects on her journey to becoming the FAAA Certified Financial Planner of the Year in 2024, while Anthony shares the foundational principles that have positioned Warr Hunt as a multiple finalist for Professional Practice of the Year. Together, they unpack the firm’s unique "diamond team" structure, their use of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), and how they’ve embraced technology to enhance client experience. Bianca also opens up about her podcast Cracking Mum Maths and her mission to empower more women in finance. Whether you’re mentoring the next generation, building your team, or rethinking your firm's direction, this is an episode filled with practical insights and inspiration.

In this episode of The Trusted Adviser Podcast, host Rob Pyne is joined by James Damicoucas and Tom Bernard from Frontier Advisers to explore the growing accessibility of private markets for financial advisers. They discuss the rise of evergreen funds, key investment structures, and how advisers can integrate private equity, private debt, unlisted property and infrastructure into client portfolios. The conversation covers liquidity considerations, risk-return profiles, and essential due diligence steps for advisers looking to diversify beyond traditional asset classes. Tune in for expert insights on navigating private markets and making informed investment decisions.

  In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, Rob Pyne sits down with Eliza De Pardo, founder and director of De Pardo Consulting, to discuss the key insights from her latest white paper, 10 Fast Track Insights: Clearing the Pathway for Growth. With over two decades of experience advising financial firms in the U.S. and Australia, Eliza shares practical strategies for tackling compensation challenges, aligning leadership teams, improving hiring practices, and leveraging technology effectively. They also dive into the critical role of human capital in driving business success, the impact of workplace culture on growth, and how firms can avoid the pitfalls of poor decision-making. Whether you're leading a financial planning firm or looking to refine your business strategy, this episode is packed with valuable insights to help you build a high-performing team and achieve sustainable growth.

  In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, host Rob Pyne sits down with Cameron Passmore, CEO and Portfolio Manager at PWL Capital and co-host of the Rational Reminder Podcast, to discuss the journey of PWL Capital, its commitment to evidence-based investing, and the firm's recent OneDigital transaction. Cameron shares the key milestones that have shaped PWL’s success, from embracing a client-first philosophy and integrating financial planning with investment management to navigating industry shifts toward fee-based advice. He also delves into the importance of company culture, attracting top talent, and structuring a firm for long-term growth. Key topics covered:✅ The evolution of PWL Capital from 1996 to today✅ Shifting to fee-based advice and embracing evidence-based investing✅ The power of team culture in financial planning firms✅ Lessons from content marketing and podcasting in growing an advice business✅ Insights into the OneDigital partnership and what it means for the future of PWL Whether you’re a financial planner, business owner, or simply interested in what it takes to scale an advisory firm while staying true to core values, this episode is packed with actionable insights. 🎧 Listen now and gain valuable lessons from Cameron’s 30-year journey in financial advice!

In this episode, host Rob Pyne sits down with Paul Shepherd and Teneale Laister from Alman Partners, an award-winning financial planning firm. They explore what it takes to build a successful and sustainable financial planning business by focusing on team culture, leadership frameworks, succession planning, and client service excellence. Paul and Teneale provide an in-depth look at their staggered generational ownership structure, their commitment to building a strong team culture through the Heartstyles framework, and how their "AP Way" methodology ensures consistency and accountability across the business. For financial planning business owners seeking to create a high-performance firm driven by strong leadership, an empowering culture, and sustainable growth, this episode delivers valuable insights!

In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, host Rob Pyne sits down with Nick Downey and Sam Patterson from Direct Wealth to discuss the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the financial planning industry. As leaders at the forefront of AI adoption, Nick and Sam share how Direct Wealth leverages AI to enhance efficiency, scale advice delivery, and personalise client interactions like never before. The conversation dives deep into AI's potential to revolutionise workflows, address inefficiencies, and elevate the financial planning profession by augmenting—not replacing—advisers. From real-life applications to philosophical insights about the future of work, this episode offers a masterclass on integrating technology with human expertise to deliver better outcomes for clients and businesses alike.