The Finance Geeks Podcast

In this episode of The Finance Geeks, Warren Shute and Paul Cleworth continue the conversation in part two of their deep dive into the 2027 pension and inheritance tax changes. If part one set the scene, this episode explores what happens when those changes start to interact — and where the real impact begins to show for financial planning. They take a closer look at how pensions, inheritance tax...

In this episode of The Finance Geeks, Warren Shute and Paul Cleworth kick off the first part of a two-part conversation, unpacking the upcoming pension and inheritance tax changes arriving in April 2027 and why they matter more than many people realise. With the rules around pensions and estate planning set to shift, they explore what’s changing and how it could impact the way wealth is passed on...

In this episode of The Finance Geeks, Warren Shute and Paul Cleworth climb aboard the markets at cruising altitude to tackle a question that always comes up when things are flying high: should investors be worried? With headlines shouting about record levels, it’s easy to feel like a drop could be just around the corner. But is that fear justified, or are investors simply reacting to being at new...

In this episode of The Finance Geeks, Warren Shute and Paul Cleworth explore how financial planning goes far beyond numbers. They discuss the importance of aligning wealth with what truly matters to clients, helping them build a life of purpose, not just a bigger portfolio. Whether someone is early in their career or approaching retirement, the question remains the same: what is all this for? The...

In this episode of The Finance Geeks, Warren Shute and Paul Cleworth explore how artificial intelligence is starting to reshape the financial planning profession. From speeding up research to improving efficiency, they break down where AI is already making an impact and why it’s becoming harder for planners to ignore. The conversation looks at both sides of the equation. On one hand, AI can automa...

In this episode of The Finance Geeks, Paul and Warren dive into what is described as one of the hardest challenges in financial planning: helping people move from building wealth to actually enjoying it. While accumulation is often driven by clear goals, structure and habit, the shift to spending and living can feel far less certain. The conversation explores why this transition is so difficult, a...

In this special episode of The Finance Geeks, Paul and Warren bring a live session recorded in collaboration with the Personal Finance Society, delivering the kind of high-energy, practical discussion they’re known for. Drawing on decades of experience building successful financial planning businesses, they share what’s helped them generate strong growth while still maintaining a genuine balance b...

In this episode of The Finance Geeks, Warren Shute and Paul Cleworth break down the formula behind why intelligent people often make poor financial decisions. They explore the key ingredients, including ego, overconfidence and hindsight bias, and how these can distort even the most rational thinking. The conversation looks at how behavioural factors like recency bias, anchoring and herd behaviour...

In this episode of The Finance Geeks, Warren and Paul explore one of the ongoing challenges of financial planning: trying to create long-term strategies in a world where the rules keep changing. From shifting tax policies to evolving pension legislation, the conversation looks at how advisers can guide clients through uncertainty while keeping plans focused on what really matters. The geeks discus...

What happens when you’ve trained for years, crossed the finish line of financial freedom… and realise the road keeps going? In this episode of The Finance Geeks, Warren Shute and Paul Cleworth explore what comes next after the traditional markers of success have been ticked off. If income, assets, and independence were the race you were running, what happens when the medal is around your neck? Thi...

In the first episode of Season 4, Warren Shute and Paul Cleworth tackle the question clients are always asking, even when they don’t say it out loud: “Will I be OK?” This isn’t a spreadsheet question. It’s an emotional one. Clients don’t want certainty or perfect predictions. They want reassurance they can trust, delivered with honesty. They want to know they’re not lost, that they can orient them...

In this episode, Warren Shute and Paul Cleworth deliver a post-Budget forecast tailored for financial planners. With the dust settling after Rachel Reeves’ first Autumn Budget, they break down what’s changing — and what isn’t — across taxation, pensions, welfare, and public spending. It’s not just about the announcements, but the implications for client conversations and strategic planning. They e...

In this episode of The Finance Geeks, Warren Shute and Paul Cleworth unpack the often-overlooked world of inheritance tax planning. With IHT thresholds frozen and the value of estates rising, they explore the real impact this has on clients — and the critical role advisers play in helping reduce the burden. From early-stage planning to knowing when to act, they emphasise that mitigating inheritanc...

In this episode of The Finance Geeks, Paul and Warren explore the treasure-filled dungeons of client finances — where large cash reserves are tucked safely away, guarded by caution and a desire for security. With interest rates offering a short-term haven and market headlines often sounding alarm bells, it’s no surprise many clients prefer the comfort of cash. But is that the best long-term plan?...

In this episode of The Finance Geeks, Paul Cleworth and Warren Shute fire up the speculation engine ahead of the Autumn Budget 2025. With the economic pressure mounting and a fiscal gap to fill, they explore the rumours and forecasts swirling around Rachel Reeves’ first major fiscal statement — and what financial planners should be doing right now to prepare. From possible changes to capital gains...

In this episode of The Finance Geeks, Paul and Warren pull on their running shoes and take on the longevity challenge — asking what it really means to financially plan for clients who might live to 100 (or beyond). The traditional retirement playbook is being stretched, and planners can’t assume the finish line is fixed at 65 plus 20 years. So, what changes when the race is longer than we ever tra...

In this episode of The Finance Geeks, Paul and Warren climb aboard the topic of annual reviews and ask whether this long-standing part of the planning timetable is still on the right track — or whether the whole process is starting to run out of steam. Are these meetings still a valuable stop on the client journey, or just a legacy carriage rolling along out of habit? Rather than sticking to a fix...

In this episode, Paul and Warren step into creative territory, asking a big question that’s facing more and more financial planners: should content creation be part of your role in 2025? With digital platforms becoming the first place clients look for credibility and connection, planners are increasingly expected to show up — not just with technical knowledge, but with a voice, a message, and a wa...

In this episode, Warren Shute and Paul Cleworth take to the riverbank to explore the evolving role of the modern financial planner. Like a great rowing coach, today’s adviser isn’t just there to shout instructions — they’re guiding from the sidelines, helping clients find their own rhythm, set the pace, and steer toward a meaningful destination. They discuss the delicate balance between giving tec...

In this episode, Warren Shute and Paul Cleworth walk you through what really happens in a first client meeting — and how to make sure yours feels less like a cold sales pitch and more like the start of an empowering journey. Think of it as your client’s first step onto the Yellow Brick Road — and you're there as their guide, helping them find clarity, courage, and confidence about their future. Wa...

In this episode, Warren Shute and Paul Cleworth share what it really takes to attract the right clients to your financial planning business—without resorting to pushy tactics or broad marketing blasts. They unpack how getting crystal clear on who you want to serve helps you become a magnet for the clients who truly value your work. From mastering referrals to managing expectations and building tru...

Leap into this retro platformer–inspired episode with Warren Shute and Paul Cleworth as your pixelated protagonists. Starting in the “Solo Start” world, you dash across blocks labelled “Capacity Limits” and collect “Client Coins". Discover why a single character can’t conquer every level alone and learn to spot the flashing “Power-Up” icons—signals it’s time to recruit allies and build a party str...

In this episode of The Finance Geeks, Paul Cleworth and Warren Shute survey the seismic fault lines that can undermine even the most seasoned advisory practices. They uncover the top ten mistakes—such as assumptions that skip proper discovery, communication cracks that widen client doubts, and the tremors caused by overpromising outcomes—that can destabilise your planning from the ground up. Wheth...

In this episode of The Finance Geeks, Warren Shute and Paul Cleworth roll out the measuring tape on retirement income planning—proving that the best strategies are tailored to fit, not pulled straight off the rack. They explore how personalised planning, shaped around an individual’s goals, mindset, and spending habits, leads to a more comfortable financial future. From refining the classic 4% rul...

In this episode of The Finance Geeks, Warren Shute and Paul Cleworth explore the impact of Trump's tariffs on market volatility and the broader economic landscape. They unpack the difference between risk and volatility, highlighting why investors often confuse short-term market fluctuations with long-term financial danger. The conversation dives into how behavioural biases shape client perceptions...