My Risk Adviser

Every week, Phil and Trent dig into the My Risk Adviser Facebook group to pull out the most interesting questions and debates from real risk advisers dealing with real problems. This week the iExtend and Zurich conversation is front and centre, and it is a lot more layered than the noise suggests. Is what Zurich is doing actually illegal? Is the backlash coming from the right people for the right...

Zurich’s pricing changes are being framed as aggressive, but from an actuarial lens, they’re a response to worsening pool dynamics. Duration-based discounting pulls forward profitability, while lapse-supported pricing assumptions break down when persistency improves among higher-risk cohorts. The result is predictable. Loss ratios expand and repricing follows. From an advice perspective, this is w...

Most advisers aren’t short on CPD. They’re just not capturing what’s already happening. We’ve all seen the cycle. End of year hits, Kaplan gets opened, and hours get ticked off quickly just to get it done. The requirement gets met, but it rarely reflects how advisors are actually improving day to day. Meanwhile, the real development is happening in team discussions, client strategy conversations,...

The insurance industry's worst-kept secret is finally out. Clearview has been sold to Zurich for $415 million. In this episode, Trent and Phil break down the deal, what it means for existing policyholders, and speculate on what Zurich might do with the Clearview brand next. But before the speculation, they take a walk through the history of every major Australian life insurer acquisition over the...

Most advisers say they want innovation. Fewer actually sit down and map where their time is bleeding. Marc Fabris has worked across advice, corporate, digital strategy and now as founder of Risk Hub and Life Insurance Guide. He has seen where the friction lives. This conversation is not about shiny tools. It is about removing process drag. We talk about why most practices have never properly mappe...

TPD was built for “total” and “permanent”, but the market drifted into grey areas. More subjectivity. More debate. More claims that, in hindsight, never really matched what the words were supposed to mean. We sat down with Gerard Kerr, Chief Executive, Individual Business at Acenda, to talk about their severity TPD and why it exists alongside the traditional own and any occupation options. The shi...

In this episode of My Risk Adviser, Trent is joined by Neha to unpack what the first quarter of the Professional Year really looks like. Not the glossy version. The real one. They cover: What the Professional Year actually is, and why it exists Why starting your PY later can sometimes be the smarter move What changes between Quarter 1, 2, and 3 Presenting advice under supervision, then on your own...

A cheap premium in year one can feel like a win. Until you look a few years down the track and realise the price has quietly crept up. Durational discounting has changed how life insurance is priced, recommended and kept in force. Big upfront discounts make policies easy to sell, but they also build in a loyalty tax that hits clients who do the right thing and stick around. Phil and Trent talk thr...

In this episode of My Risk Adviser, Phil Thompson and Trent Bacon sit down with Gabi Varnier, National Underwriting Manager at PPS Mutual, to lift the lid on how underwriting decisions are really made. They explore why underwriting is not about saying no, but about finding a way to offer cover, and how experience, judgement and data all come together behind the scenes when complex cases are assess...

In this episode of My Risk Adviser, Phil Thompson and Trent Bacon dig into what is actually happening in the insurance advice market, and why risk advice is becoming more specialised than ever. With fewer advisers writing the majority of new insurance business, increasing product complexity, tougher underwriting, and rising premiums, the traditional approaches to risk advice are being challenged....

Join Phil Thompson and Trent Bacon as they relaunch the "My Risk Adviser" podcast, diving into the world of financial advising. This episode explores adviser journeys, industry trends, and the future of advice. Whether you're a seasoned adviser or just starting out, gain insights from industry leaders and learn about the latest developments in the field. Don't miss out on this engaging discussion!...

We’re kicking off Season 5 with Paul Milbourne , tackling the pitfalls of group insurance tenders and why they often fall short of delivering real value. Paul shares his expert insights on: ✅ How tender fatigue is eroding insurer accountability ✅ The misalignment between price and value in large-scale deals ✅ Why better data transparency and benchmarking are key to improving client outcomes If...

Sue Viskovic dives deep into the operational backbone of successful advice firms and shares how defined processes aren’t just about compliance—they’re key to scalable, high-quality service. In our conversation, Sue discusses the findings from the Advice Operations Research Report , revealing how documented workflows and smarter processes directly boost EBIT. The report uncovers the secrets of high...

Kylie Denton has spent 34 years in the financial services industry, and her insights on leadership and emotional intelligence are transforming how advisers connect with clients. From working in underwriting and claims management to developing a structured, emotionally intelligent framework for financial advisers, Kylie highlights the critical role emotional intelligence plays in fostering meaningf...

Peter Stathis, aka The Life Insurance Guy , is on a mission to tackle the gap in financial advice around life insurance. His focus? Helping advisers and clients understand that financial protection isn’t just an afterthought—it’s the backbone of any solid financial plan. As Peter puts it, “It’s not your client’s job to tell you what they don’t want. It’s your job to explain why they need it.” With...

Join us for an eye-opening episode featuring Nathan Fradley, a multi-award-winning independent specialist adviser at Nathan Fradley Specialist Financial Advice, known for his mastery in guiding clients through emotionally and technically complex situations. From divorce and aged care to estate management, Nathan dives into the unique challenges and delicate nuances involved in handling finances un...

When Deline Jacovides, Founder & Financial Planner at Mazi Wealth, started her business, she knew that success required more than just hard work—it needed smart processes. In this episode, Deline takes us behind the scenes of how she left a steady corporate job to pursue her dream of entrepreneurship. She shares the key moments that tested her resolve, from navigating financial uncertainty to...

Ashleigh Campbell shares her story of transitioning from accounting to financial advice, driven by a passion to work with people, not just numbers. From discovering financial advice through podcasts to reaching out to industry professionals on LinkedIn, Ashleigh’s journey shows the power of curiosity and community. If you’re considering a career switch or starting out in financial advice, her insi...

In this episode, we explore key strategies with David Haintz, partner at Merchant Australia, on mastering growth in the financial advice industry. From understanding the importance of M&A in today’s market to leveraging the Rule of 40 for business success, David shares his decades of experience. Whether you're running a boutique firm or looking to scale, this episode is packed with actionable...

In our latest episode, we chat with Laura Kelly, a financial adviser who’s navigated her career from big banks to boutique firms. Laura shares her key takeaways on how culture, values, and the ability to wear many hats can shape your career. We discuss why she believes small businesses offer unparalleled learning opportunities and how trusting your instincts is crucial when making career decisions...

In this episode, we chat with James Wrigley, a financial adviser who’s taken an unconventional path to success by turning financial advice into viral TikTok content. James takes us through his fascinating journey from traditional advisory roles to becoming a digital content creator with a massive following. Learn how his background in finance laid the foundation for his unique approach to social m...

In this episode, we chat with Scott Reid, the managing director and insurance adviser at Abbotts Personal Insurance. Scott takes us on his fascinating journey from being a bank adviser to launching his own insurance business. Learn how Scott’s background in corporate banking shaped his approach to financial planning, the challenges he faced, and why he believes specialisation in insurance advice c...

In this episode, we dive into the innovative world of online wills with Aaron Zelman, co-founder of Willed and award winner of the IFA Risk Adviser of the Year. Aaron shares his journey from a passionate life insurance adviser to a tech entrepreneur, driven by the need to simplify end-of-life services. Discover how Willed is revolutionising estate planning by offering a streamlined, affordable, an...

In this episode, Bruno Muraca, CEO of AFRM Claims Advocacy, discusses the complexities of managing insurance claims and the dual purpose of AFRM. They alleviate financial stress for clients while saving time and money for advisers. Bruno highlights the impact of reinsurers and the complexity of retrospective claims, the importance of the code of practice for claims assessments, and how AFRM mainta...

Discover how Patricia Garcia, Director of Your Vision Financial Solutions, Co-Founder of Integrated Finance, and Director of FAAA, masterfully manages three different companies. Learn about her journey from biotechnology to finance, and how she balances the demands of multiple businesses while empowering women to achieve financial independence. Patricia shares her strategies for effective time man...