In this powerful episode of Insight is Capital, host Pierre Daillie sits down with Shana Sissel, CEO and Founder of Banríon Capital Management, widely known as the “Queen of Alternatives.” From breaking barriers in the world of alternative investments to surviving and thriving through profound personal adversity, Shana’s story is one of resilience, purpose, and innovation. She reveals how Banríon was built by advisors, for advisors — an open-architecture platform designed to help wealth managers make sense of alternatives and scale their use effectively. Shana and Pierre dig deep into what makes advisors successful, why emotional intelligence (EQ) matters more than ever, and how Banríon is redefining the bridge between asset managers and advisors. The conversation takes a personal and moving turn as Shana recounts launching her firm while battling stage-four cancer and the unexpected loss of her fiancé. Her perspective on perseverance, purpose, and leadership transforms this episode into an unforgettable masterclass in both business and humanity.

What if the U.S. economy is already sprinting off a cliff—and just hasn’t looked down yet? In this riveting conversation, BCA Research’s Peter Berezin joins Pierre Daillie to unpack whether markets are living through their Wile E. Coyote moment: running on optimism while gravity—the reality of stagflation, slowing growth, and political interference—waits below. 🎙️ Episode Summary In this episode of Insight Is Capital, BCA Research’s Chief Global Strategist Peter Berezin offers a sobering yet strategic take on today’s markets. From stagflation and tariffs to AI hype and fiscal fragility, Berezin breaks down why the next 12–18 months could reshape everything investors think they know about “soft landings.” He discusses: Why stagflation risk is rising as inflation edges higher and employment weakens.How political meddling and trillion-dollar deficits could push the Fed into impossible choices.Why the housing market, not GDP, is the clearest gauge of monetary pain.Where investors can still find safety—in gold, yen, defense, and healthcare—and why “waiting to see the whites of the recession’s eyes” might be the smartest move right now.Plus: the AI paradox—huge promise, uncertain profits, and eerie echoes of the 2000 tech crash.

Private markets aren’t just the playground of institutions and the ultra-wealthy anymore. In this episode, we dig into how access to private credit, equity, and real assets is opening up—and why that shift is changing the way Canadian advisors build portfolios. Raphaëlle Gauthier-Grenier, Senior Director, Investment Solutions – Private Investments at National Bank Investments, and Ross Neilson, Principal at Apollo Global Management, join us for a candid look at the surge of private investing in Canada. Together, we unpack what’s driving the momentum, how new fund structures are breaking down barriers, and where private markets really belong in a modern portfolio. From the rise of evergreen fund structures to the behavioral edge of illiquidity, we unpack:Why private markets are gaining momentum with advisors and investors. How fund design and distribution partnerships are breaking down barriers.The role of private credit, equity, and real assets in building resilient, diversified portfolios.Canadian-specific trends in advisor adoption and product scrutiny. If you’re an advisor or investor wondering how to balance opportunity with liquidity in a modern portfolio, this episode delivers the insights you need.

“Things are priced for perfection—but the world isn’t perfect.” — Ilan Kolet What does it take to navigate a world where the U.S. is no longer the default safe haven? In this powerful episode, Pierre Daillie is joined by Ilan Kolet, Institutional Portfolio Manager on Fidelity Investments Canada’s Global Asset Allocation Team, to break down Fidelity’s latest asset allocation moves—and the four-pillar process guiding them. From trimming U.S. equities to boosting exposure to Europe and gold, to reassessing the Canadian market after a decade-long underweight, Kolet reveals how Fidelity is tactically rebalancing amid macro volatility, political headwinds, and shifting global capital flows. 📉 We unpack weakening U.S. labor data, 🇨🇦 Canada’s slow productivity renaissance, the potential loss of USD tailwind status, and why gold has emerged as a strategic diversifier in a fractured geopolitical landscape. Whether you're an advisor, institutional allocator, or just looking to sharpen your portfolio perspective, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

Canada invented ETFs — but how did they grow into a trillion-dollar force, and where are they headed next? Pierre Daillie sits down with BMO ETF leaders Alain Desbiens and Tammy Cash to reveal the untold stories, the lessons learned, and what the future holds for advisors and investors. Episode Summary In this in-depth conversation, Pierre Daillie is joined by Alain Desbiens, Vice Chair at BMO ETFs, and Tammy Cash, Director of Distribution Strategy at BMO ETFs and Global Co-President of Women in ETFs. Together, they trace the remarkable journey of exchange-traded funds in Canada—from their early days as a disruptive upstart, to their current role as an essential building block in portfolio construction. Alain shares candid reflections on being one of BMO’s first ETF wholesalers and the skepticism he faced when ETFs were dismissed as a “trend.” Tammy recalls her path into the industry, her passion for democratization of investing, and her leadership in Women in ETFs, a global movement empowering women across financial services.The discussion covers the resilience it took to build the industry, the role of education and advisor partnerships, and how tools and technology are reshaping the advisor-client experience. Both leaders also look ahead to 2030, envisioning an ETF marketplace that is larger, more competitive, and increasingly shaped by innovation in active strategies, alternatives, and digital distribution. This is more than a story about the ETF industry — it’s about people, purpose, and the power of advice.

CRM3 (Total Cost Reporting) isn’t just another compliance box to check—it’s the biggest shift in cost transparency Canadian advisors have ever faced, and how you handle it could define your client relationships for years to come. In this episode of Insight is Capital, host Pierre Daillie sits down with three leading voices to unpack the realities—and the opportunities—of Total Cost Reporting (TCR/CRM3). Joining the conversation are Arnie Hochman, Senior Vice President & General Counsel at SIMA, Dr. David Lewis, Behavioural Scientist, Consultant & Independent Director, and Steve Braugiroux, Associate Vice President, Dealer Relations at National Bank Together, they break down why TCR matters, what advisors need to prepare for, and how transparency—far from being a threat—can actually deepen trust and strengthen the advisor-client relationship. From the mechanics of cost disclosure to the psychology of investor perception, this discussion explores how advisors can transform a regulatory requirement into a defining moment of value delivery. 🔑 Four Key Takeaways • Transparency Builds Trust - Research shows clients often overestimate hidden fees. When full costs are revealed, trust in advisors actually increases, making them more willing to pay for advice. • TCR Is a System Overhaul - Unlike CRM2, TCR requires advisors and dealers to report on costs they don’t directly control—demanding a new ecosystem of data sharing between managers, dealers, and service providers. • Advisors Must Get Ahead of the Conversation - Waiting until January 2027 to explain statements will create confusion and mistrust. Proactive education now will turn compliance into confidence.An • Opportunity for Better Advice - TCR creates a level playing field for comparing costs, paving the way for deeper portfolio conversations, fee budgeting, and demonstrating the true value of advice—especially in areas like asset allocation and behavioral coaching.

In a market climbing a wall of worry, Alfred Lee, Deputy CIO at Q Wealth Partners, breaks down what’s really driving resilience in equities, the pitfalls of the 60/40 portfolio, and why private markets may hold the key to asymmetric opportunities. Summary Alfred Lee joins us for a deep dive into the future of portfolio construction, the limitations of legacy models, and the overlooked opportunities in private markets. With over two decades of experience—from building BMO’s ETF platform from the ground up to shaping Q Wealth’s investment platform—Alfred brings a candid, data-driven perspective on how advisors can navigate today’s uncertain environment. Our conversation ranges from the rise of independence in Canada’s wealth management industry, his role as Deputy CIO at Q Wealth Partners, one of Canada's leading independent advisor platforms where he has been for almost one year, to his views on navigating markets in the context of the push-pull dynamics between fiscal expansion and monetary caution. Alfred also shares his conviction that investors need to evolve beyond the traditional 60/40 and embrace a more diversified, resilient approach—one that integrates private equity, private debt, and liquid alternatives alongside public markets. This is a must-listen for advisors and investors looking to position portfolios for an era where fundamentals matter again, resilience is paramount, and opportunity often lies beyond the obvious.

In this episode of 'Insight is Capital,' Mark Robinson, the 'sh*tty leadership guy', and founder of The Sh*tty Leadership Series, joins us for a terrific conversation. With over 30 years of experience in leadership, Mark discusses the pitfalls of ego-driven management and the importance of honest, reflective leadership. We dive into the impact of fake perfection, ego, and micromanagement on team dynamics and innovation. Mark also shares practical advice on how leaders can improve by asking the right questions and fostering a culture of safety and growth. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just starting your career, this episode provides valuable insights to help you lead like a real human, not just a manager.

What do advisors do when markets feel like a giant game of Jenga—top-heavy, fragile, and unpredictable with every move? Ahmed Farooq, Senior VP and Head of ETF Distribution at Franklin Templeton Canada joins us to explore how smart ETF design, active fixed income, and global diversification are helping advisors rebuild sturdier portfolios for an increasingly uncertain world. 🎧 Summary: In this episode, host Pierre Daillie welcomes Ahmed Farooq, for a wide-ranging, insight-packed conversation on the evolution of ETF usage by Canadian advisors. From navigating tariff turmoil and Mag-7 concentration risk to building smarter income solutions and global diversification strategies, Ahmed shares a front-line perspective from the road across Canada. He explains how Franklin Templeton is responding to market demand with low-cost passive offerings, factor-based ETFs like their Low Volatility High Dividend suite, and precision-focused actively managed fixed income solutions that are reshaping how advisors approach portfolio construction. With advisors seeking both protection and income, Farooq explains why it's time to get comfortable with complexity—because simplicity in this market can be costly.

🎯 "Investors Aren’t Just Asking ‘Will I Have Enough?’—They’re Asking ‘Will I Be Okay?’" In this episode of Insight is Capital, we're joined by Sam Febbraro, SVP of Wealth Solutions at Canada Life and President & CEO of Canada Life Investment Management Ltd.. With fresh insights from Canada Life’s 2025 Abacus Data survey in hand, Sam offers a compelling look at how Canadians are thinking about their investments, what’s driving client confidence (and where it breaks down), and why the role of the advisor has never been more important—or more human. 📝 Summary Sam Febbraro reveals how today’s investors are navigating a complex web of economic uncertainty, inflation pressures, and shifting priorities. It’s no longer just about performance—it’s about resilience, safety, and purpose. Drawing on the latest investor sentiment data, Sam explains why financial advisors must evolve from product-focused strategists to trusted navigators and educators. He outlines the power of segregated funds to deliver peace of mind and estate efficiency, underscores the importance of bridging the financial literacy gap, and calls on advisors to boldly articulate their value in a post-CRM3 world.

In this episode, Pierre Daillie sit down with Eli Yufest, Executive Director of The Canadian ETF Association (CETFA), for a sharp and revealing conversation about the future of Canada’s ETF industry. Yufest gets right down to it: beyond the Canadian ETF industry's assets under management, more than $230 billion of Canadian investor capital has left the country—straight into U.S.-listed ETFs—and he’s sounding the alarm on what’s at stake if that trend continues. With ETFs now pushing close to $600 billion in assets under management at home, CETFA is stepping up with a full-court press—launching bold educational campaigns, ramping up advocacy efforts, and pushing for smart policy changes. From regulatory risks and investor misconceptions to a tidal wave of U.S. share-class products set to flood the market, this episode digs into the real pressures threatening Canada's investment ecosystem—and the plan to keep it thriving. What if the biggest threat to Canada’s financial future isn’t inflation or interest rates—but our own indifference to homegrown ETFs?