Episode Description
In this episode of The Scientiam Show, we sit down with Bhanu Singh, CEO of Dimensional Fund Advisors Australia and Senior Investment Director. Bhanu shares his journey from studying accounting in the US, to unexpectedly landing at Dimensional, to eventually leading the firm in Australia and New Zealand.
We dive into what sets Dimensional apart— from its evidence-based investment philosophy to its culture of long-term thinking. Dr. Katherine Hunt (fresh from the surf!) also shares insights into Dimensional’s ethical commitment to avoiding commissions and resisting the pull of short-term trends. Bhanu reflects on the challenges and rewards of carrying this culture across a global business, highlighting why staying true to principles matters in an industry so often swayed by fads.
Whether you’re an investor, adviser, or simply curious about how one of theworld’s leading asset managers thinks, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.
About the Hosts
Nigel Baker — Founder & CEO of Scientiam, Chartered Accountant, and
CFP® with 20+ years in finance.
Dr. Katherine Hunt — Founder & Head Researcher at Ardentura, finance academic, and former financial adviser. Connect with Katherine for your next event as a keynote speaker.
About Scientiam
Scientiam provides a white-label solution for advice firms to engage thousands of clients who aren’t yet ready for full advice. Our platform helps address key challenges such as improving access to advice, facilitating intergenerational wealth transfer, and effective client segmentation.
Book a call — Email us at support@scientiam.com.au to learn more.
Are today’s investing trends truly unlocking greatertransparency, personalisation, and outcomes for clients, and how can advisers harness them to deliver lasting value?
In this episode of The Scientiam Show, Nigel Baker and Dr. Katherine Hunt explore:
Sharing practical ways to combine evidence, ethics, and technology to keep investment strategies client-focused and future-ready. Whether you’re an adviser, wealth manager, or investor, this conversation will help you navigate these trends with clarity and confidence.About the Hosts:
Nigel Baker — Founder & CEO of Scientiam, Chartered Accountant, and CFP® with 20+ years in finance.
Dr. Katherine Hunt — Founder & Head Researcher at Ardentura, finance academic, and former financial adviser.
Connect with Katherine for your next event as a keynotespeaker.
About Scientiam
Scientiam provides a white-label solution for advice firms to engage thousands of clients who aren’t yet ready for full advice. Our platform helps address key challenges such as improving access to advice, facilitating intergenerational wealth transfer, and effective client segmentation.
📩 Book a call — Email us at support@scientiam.com.au to learn more.
Sustainable investing is more than a trend — but what does it really mean?
In this episode of The Scientiam Show, we take a dive deep into the growing world of sustainable investing, from ESG screening to greenwashing scandals.
Nigel breaks down how to align your investments with your values, the challenges super funds face in ethical investing, and how evidence-based firms like Dimensional and Vanguard approach sustainability with integrity and rigour.
We’ll also explore:
Why investor confidence has been shaken — and how to rebuild it
How to avoid "greenwashed" funds
Real-world ESG examples, metrics & carbon footprint insights
The difference between exclusions vs reduced weightings in portfolios
👉 Want to learn more? Visit the Scientiam website or reach out to Nigel directly at nigel@scientiam.com.au.
In this episode of The Scientiam Show, Nigel Baker sits down with Nick, a creative entrepreneur and founder of Journey Maker, a tech platform reshaping the travel experience through AI and authentic storytelling.
From designing record covers for global stars in London to launching startups in India and Silicon Valley, Nick shares his unconventional journey from advertising to founding a growing ecosystem of businesses across film, branding, and AI-powered travel tech.
🔍 What You’ll Learn:
How AI is revolutionising personalised travel experiences
The power of relentless creativity in entrepreneurship
Why mass tourism is outdated—and how hyper-personalisation creates better travel
Tips for validating and testing business ideas quickly with AI
How AI isn’t replacing jobs—it’s elevating the quality of human work
🚀 Whether you’re a business owner, creative, or tech-curious traveller, this episode is full of insights on navigating change, building smarter, and embracing innovation.
🔗 Stay tuned as we explore how to use AI not just to scale — but to tell better stories, solve real-world problems, and make meaningful connections.
HOST - Nigel Baker
PRODUCER - Andrew O'Brien
In this episode, host Nigel Baker is joined by psychologist and industry expert Dr Katherine Hunt to unpack the mindset barriers holding advisers back — and what it really takes to build the advice practices of the future.
They explore the difference between advisers stuck solving yesterday’s problems and those with a bold vision to help thousands. From aligning your goals with your values tochallenging the industry’s "100-client" mindset, this episode is a powerful call to think bigger.
🔍 Topics covered:
Whether you're an adviser, business owner, or just someone thinking about the future of financial advice — this one's for you.
In this episode, host Nigel Baker is joined by Dr Katherine Hunt to explore one of the most debated topics in the financial advice industry: the future of Statements of Advice (SOAs).
With looming legislative changes, increased scrutiny on compliance, and the rapid evolution of AI tools, how should advisers respond?
This episode dives into:
✅ AI and the automation of SOA workflows✅ Compliance in a post-reform world✅ Why advice quality starts with strategy, not documents✅ The role of tech in scaling meaningful client engagement✅ Practical opportunities for paraplanning firms and licensees
Packed with insights, strong opinions, and practical suggestions — this is a must-listen for forward-thinking financial professionals.
🎧 Listen now and transform the way you think about advice delivery.
🎙️ Episode 2: Reimagining the Client Experience in Financial Advice – with Nigel Baker & Dr Katherine Hunt
In this episode of The Scientiam Show, co-hosts Nigel Baker and Dr Katherine Hunt explore how technology and behavioural research are transforming the client experience in financial advice.
From the deeply human emotions clients face in their very first meeting, to the science-backed strategies that build lasting trust, this episode unpacks the psychology, ethics, and systems that create better outcomes — and how advisers can implement them today.
🔍 What you’ll learn:
Why the first client meeting is one of the most vulnerable moments — and how to approach it with empathy
How staying in touch throughout onboarding dramatically improves client confidence
The ideal first conversation: it’s not about products, it’s about goals and values
How a consistent CCM process can align your entire team and build client trust
Screening for the right clients and servicing them in a meaningful way
The latest tools and innovations enhancing adviser-client relationships
Please see resource links below:
👥 About your hosts:
Nigel Baker is the Founder of Scientiam and CEO of Arch Capital, with 20+ years in wealth management.
Dr Katherine Hunt is an award-winning financial planner and global expert in financial services ethics, with a PhD in Law and Economics and a background in psychology and commerce.
Whether you're a financial adviser or simply interested in how tech and behavioural science can elevate human connection, this episode offers insights you won't want to miss.
Episode 1 – How AI Is Transforming Financial Advice: Ethics, Scale & the Future of Advice
with Nigel Baker & Dr Katherine Hunt | The Scientiam Show
Welcome to the first episode of The Scientiam Show. Join co-hosts Nigel Baker and Dr Katherine Hunt as they dive into how technology is reshaping the financial advice industry — creating better outcomes, improving access, and helping advisers scale with impact and integrity.
Join co-hosts Nigel Baker, Founder of Scientiam and CEO of Arch Capital, and Dr Katherine Hunt, global expert in ethics and financial services, as they unpack how artificial intelligence is reshapingthe future of financial advice.
From scalable advice models to ethical AI adoption, discover how technology is empowering advisers, enhancing client trust, and making financial advice more accessible than ever.
🔍 In this episode, we cover:
• The real impact of AI in financial advice
• Why ethics must lead tech adoption in financial services
• Tools and AI note-takers every modern adviser should know
• How firms can scale without losing the human touch
• The rise of client-first, compliance-smart digital advice
🛠️ Featured AI Tools for Financial Advisers:
Otter Meeting Agent MicrosoftCopilot Fathom AINotetaker scribenote.ioNotion AIParadino Filenote.ai Evernote
💡 Stay ahead of the curve.Follow The Scientiam Show for bold conversations on advice, ethics, fintech, and the tools transforming the industry.
Trailer for the new podcast from Nigel Baker.
Josh Smyth is an Associate Advisor for Arch Capital, a highly qualified independent financial advice company. They are professionals with Chartered Accounting and Certified Financial Planning qualifications who use a rigorous investment philosophy and access to the world's best academic research to ensure client portfolios are commendably constructed using science rather than speculation.
Libby Newman is an Investment Specialist, Strategy and Research with Vanguard Australia. In this role Libby is responsible for supporting Vanguard's distribution team by connecting the adviser community with Vanguard's extensive investment and strategic research.
https://www.vanguard.com.au
HOST - Nigel Baker
PRODUCER - Andrew O'Brien
Ben is a director of a boutique business service chartered accountancy firm with a specific focus on small and medium business.
The services Jennings Partners provides are for business owners who are seeking peace of mind in having a registered finance professional look after their book-keeping, business financials and accounting.
https://www.jenningspartners.com.au
Tim Findlay is an accomplished senior financial professional with over 20 years experience in corporate and commercial lending, sales, relationship management and operations. He is the owner of Cato Advisory located in Young NSW.
After growing up on a farm in Cowra in the NSW Central West, Tim attended Charles Sturt University in Bathurst before embarking on a career in Sydney, Dublin, and London with the likes of the Commonwealth Bank, Deutsche Bank, Merrill Lynch, and Lloyds Banking Group.
In 2022, fuelled by a vision to enhance the synergy between accounting firms and financiers, Tim founded Cato Advisory. His mission is to provide rural and regional businesses with supportive, dynamic, and proactive strategic business finance and advisory services.
www.catoadvisory.com.au
HOST - Nigel Baker
PRODUCER - Andrew O'Brien
Pauline Blight-Johnston is CEO and Managing Director of Helia, Australia’s largest lenders mortgage insurer. An actuary with more than 30 years of global industry experience in wealth management and insurance, Pauline is passionate about driving customer focused innovation and building inclusive working cultures.
Ian is a reformed branding and advertising creative director turned entrepreneur, co-founder of national corporate audiovisual company Scene Change. He studied as a vet, got expelled, and became a corporate AV technician. He was exposed to radioactive megadoses of corporate motivator shtick, and realized they’re generally 99% Showbiz and 1% business experience.
https://ianwhitworth.net/
https://www.scenechange.com.au/
Host - Nigel Baker
Producer - Andrew O'Brien
Brigitta is a Certified Financial Planner & Accredited SMSF Association Specialist Adviser. She speaks four languages and in 2022 was the winner of the Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award, “recognising the highest achiever in the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) Certification Unit, with demonstrable dedication to providing high-quality financial advice”.
Dave Segal and ex Wallaby captain Phil Kearns founded Front Row Group over 20 years ago and have shaped the company into a boutique marketing consultancy firm, offering its clients a range of unique entertaining, hospitality and marketing services.
Ash Cooper has 20 years of highly successful experience as an accomplished business development and relationship builder within the global financial markets sector. He is currently the co founder of Jelly C, a cutting edge digital assets company.
jellyc.io
Host - Nigel Baker
Producer - Andrew O'Brien
Scott Aggett is Australia’s leading property negotiator and founder of Hello Haus, a busines revolutionising the Australian property buying experience. Leveraging his 30 years of experience, including 3,500+ property transactions across three continents, Scott’s expertise helps clients buy homes faster and at the most competitive prices.
https://hellohaus.co/
Host - Nigel Baker
Producer - Andrew O'Brien
With over 25 years experience in the financial sector Anthony is currently Deputy Head of Equities for Perpetual. Prior to joining Perpetual, he worked at Ellerston Capital for six years, where he was the Portfolio Manager for the Ellerston Capital Global Equity Management Fund for. Before Ellerston Capital, Anthony worked as an Analyst at UBS Investment Bank for 8 years.
SPOTIFY: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/hUFZfrbuPLb
APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/money-never-%24leeps-a-new-podcast-by-nigel-baker/id1601730305
Host - Nigel Baker
Producer - Andrew O'Brien
