Make Better Wealth Decisions: How Financial Advisor's Blind Spots Can Hurt Your Investments in a Rapidly Changing World

Ever wonder how professional portfolio managers actually make wealth decisions on your behalf? In this episode, we sit down with Onno Rutten , portfolio manager at MacKenzie Investments, to explore what it really takes to navigate today’s changing investment landscape—especially when it comes to resources , deglobalization , and niche market strategy . You’ll learn: Why recency bias is holding bac...

Are your wealth decisions based on reality—or outdated assumptions? Most investors stick with traditional strategies like 60/40 portfolios or chase headlines, but today’s markets—especially in resources—demand something far more nuanced. In this episode, we go inside the mind and process of Onno Rutten, Vice President and Portfolio Manager at MacKenzie Investments, who manages mutual funds and ETF...

Have you ever considered music royalties as part of your investment portfolio? Most investors stick to the usual suspects—stocks, bonds, mutual funds—because that’s what they know. But what if you’re missing out on a high-performing, low-volatility income stream that’s been hiding in plain sight? In this episode, we dive into music royalties as a powerful and underutilized alternative asset. You’l...

Are you really diversified — or just following outdated portfolio models? If you've never considered music royalties as part of your investment strategy, you're not alone — but you're likely missing out. In this episode, John talks with David Vankka, President and CFO at ICM Asset Management and lead manager of the Crescendo Music Royalty Fund. They explore how this niche asset class delivers surp...

Who really gets access to good financial advice — and who’s left behind? Financial resilience shouldn't be a privilege. In this episode, we explore how underserved and underrepresented communities — from LGBTQ+ individuals to visible minorities — are often excluded from the guidance they need most. You’ll discover: Why traditional financial systems overlook the people who need them most How organi...

Are you only thinking about financial literacy in terms of dollars and cents—and missing the people behind the numbers? This episode dives deep into how financial literacy and empowerment are evolving in Canada, especially for marginalized, neurodivergent, and underserved populations. John welcomes William Moores , President of CAFE (Canadian Association for Financial Empowerment) , to discuss how...

Are you trusting your financial advisor to guide you through uncertainty — without ever questioning their integrity? In an era defined by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA) , it’s not just strategy that matters. It’s who you trust to deliver it. In this episode, we explore why honesty and integrity are non-negotiable traits in financial advisors and how these character quali...

Do you really need a financial planner—or can you do it yourself and still build lasting wealth? If you’ve ever second-guessed the value of hiring a certified financial planner, this episode might change your perspective. In this deeply personal and practical conversation, consultant and speaker Doug Dvorak shares how decades of professional success didn’t protect him from making common financial...

Are you asking the right questions before taking financial advice? Most people assume their financial advisor is giving well-researched guidance — but is it actually backed by data, or just dressed-up sales? In this episode, we explore the major difference between selling financial products and offering evidence-based financial planning . With insight from expert Jason Watt, we unpack how financia...

What if the most important wealth decision you ever make isn’t about what you invest in—but when and why ? In this compelling episode, financial educator Jason Watt breaks down the myths and evidence around RRSP vs TFSA decisions, why deferring CPP to age 70 may be the smart default, and how flawed planning assumptions can destroy wealth faster than a bad investment ever could. You’ll discover: Wh...

Who gets real financial advice—and who gets left behind? In this episode of Make Better Wealth Decisions , we dive into the powerful mission behind the Canadian Foundation for Financial Planning (CFFP) . John De Goey shares how this volunteer-driven organization is tackling one of the biggest blind spots in financial services: the lack of access to quality advice for underserved communities . You’...

Are wealth decisions only for the wealthy? What happens when financial planning is out of reach for the communities that need it most? In this episode, we dive deep into the launch of a bold new initiative changing that reality— the Canadian Foundation for Financial Planning (CFFP) . Financial resilience isn't about having more—it's about knowing more. John welcomes Carolyn Fallis, Chair of the CF...

Is investing the best way to build wealth—or is there something more powerful? This week, we unpack a different perspective: how networking —not just investing—can have the greatest long-term impact on your wealth, career, and life. Inspired by The Ripple Effect by David Tsubouchi, this episode looks at how meaningful relationships, community service, and helping others can open doors money alone...

Is your networking strategy helping—or quietly holding back—your wealth and purpose? In this episode, former cabinet minister and author David Tsubouchi reveals why integrity-based networking is more powerful than any LinkedIn strategy or business card blitz. Drawing from his new book The Ripple Effect , he shares how real relationships—not transactions—drive real success. This isn’t just about cl...

Are you still thinking of real estate as only something you own physically? If so, you might be missing out on one of the most powerful—and underutilized—tools for building a better investment portfolio: private real estate . In this episode, we break down how institutions and hedge funds have been using it for decades, and how you can access it with as little as $20,000. In this episode, you’ll l...

Are your investments actually working for you—or just following the herd? If you’ve ever dismissed private real estate or alternative investments as “too complex” or “illiquid,” you might be leaving serious returns on the table. In this episode, Jason Jogia—CIO and co-founder of Avenue Living—shares how his firm built an $8 billion real estate portfolio by leveraging vertical integration, accessin...

Do you really know if your financial advisor is giving you facts—or just repeating lies they believe are true? In this episode, we break down the essential difference between misinformation and disinformation , and how both are deeply embedded in the Canadian financial services industry. Drawing on a conversation with a veteran media journalist and supported by academic research, we explore how mi...

Is modern journalism helping or hurting your ability to make informed decisions? Legendary Canadian broadcaster Steve Paikin joins the conversation to explore the shifting role of journalism in an era defined by disinformation, industry complacency, and political volatility. From moderating federal debates to closing out The Agenda , Steve reflects on the integrity of his craft—and what happens wh...

Do you base your investment decisions on today’s headlines — or centuries of history? If you’re making wealth decisions without reflecting on capital market history, you could be flying blind. In this episode, we explore why understanding the past—like Japan’s 33-year market recovery and the stagflation of the 1970s—should shape how you invest during today’s volatile economy. You’ll learn: How pas...

Are your portfolios actually protecting clients—or just following outdated advice? Despite advancements in behavioral finance, most advisors still follow legacy strategies that ignore how real investors actually behave under stress. In this episode, Philip Toews joins us to challenge the conventional 60/40 portfolio and offer a behaviorally informed alternative that can help investors stay resilie...

Are your financial decisions really smart—or just emotionally comfortable? In this episode, we explore the surprising ways we deceive ourselves when it comes to money, investing, and decision-making. Inspired by a conversation with author Mark Robinson, we dive deep into the psychology behind self-sabotage in wealth-building. You’ll learn: Why overconfidence and ego-protection lead to poor financi...

Are your financial decisions based on facts—or ego? In this hard-hitting conversation with Mark Robinson (a.k.a. The “Shitty Leadership Guide”), we unpack how our self-deception, optimism bias, and avoidance of uncomfortable truths undermine our ability to lead, invest, and grow wisely. Whether you're a financial advisor, business leader, or just someone trying to make smarter decisions, this epis...

Are you relying only on stocks and bonds to protect your portfolio? You might be missing a key piece. This episode explores why structured products are often overlooked in traditional finance—and how they can play a pivotal role in helping you make better wealth decisions. Whether you're managing risk or aiming for long-term financial stability, this strategy deserves your attention. In this episo...

Do you really understand structured notes—or are you missing out on one of finance’s most flexible tools? Structured notes have exploded in popularity, yet remain misunderstood by many investors. This episode breaks down how they work, why they’re so adaptable, and how they help balance risk and return in volatile markets. In this conversation with Matthew Thomas, Director at National Bank Financi...

Is marriage really a wealth decision — or just a romantic one? In today’s episode, you'll uncover the uncomfortable truth about how who you marry shapes your financial future — and why using a mediator, not a courtroom, is critical if things go wrong. If you’ve never thought about marriage as one of your biggest wealth decisions, you’re not alone — but this episode will give you the perspective (a...