The Joyful Frugalista

In this episode, Serina Bird interviews Hala Batainah, who shares her journey from studying computer science to becoming a leader in ICT, innovation and executive coaching. Hala discusses her tech industry experience, her role in shaping Canberra's innovation ecosystem (including as Chair of the Canberra Innovation Network), and her insights on change management and money mindset. The conversation...

In this episode, financial services veteran and founder of Life Sherpa, Australia's leading online personal advice service, Vince Scully discusses the realities of retirement, busts common myths, and offers practical advice on planning for a secure and fulfilling retirement.  Vince is the author of three books, including his latest (coauthored with Glen James) 12 Months to Retire Right: The Step-b...

In this episode, financial services veteran and founder of Life Sherpa, Australia's leading online personal advice service, Vince Scully discusses the realities of retirement, busts common myths, and offers practical advice on planning for a secure and fulfilling retirement.  Vince is author of three books, including his latest that he has coauthored with Glen James: 12 Months to Retire Right: The...

In this episode, Serina Bird chats with economists Catie Bradbear and Melissa Bray about their book ' Power in Numbers: Australian Women in Economics ', published by Melbourne University Press. Catie and Mel share insights about the contributions of  16 Australian women in economics, including women in senior leadership positions and women in history.  Takeaways Women now head several major Federa...

In this episode, Serina Bird chats with economists Catie Bradbear and Melissa Bray about their book ' Power in Numbers: Australian Women in Economics ', published by Melbourne University Press. Catie and Mel share insights about the contributions of  16 Australian women in economics, including women in senior leadership positions and women in history.  Takeaways Women now head several major Federa...

In this episode, Serina Bird interviews her husband Neil about their frugal lifestyle and how they manage money in their relationship. Neil talks about his new love - their new car! - and drills down on the financial and safety considerations behind that purchase. Neil also talks about cruising, tips for international travel and how to eat in while living in a hotel.  Takeaways Neil and Serina met...

In this episode, Serina Bird interviews her husband Neil about their frugal lifestyle and how they manage money in their relationship. Neil talks about his new love - their new car! - and drills down on the financial and safety considerations behind that purchase. Neil also talks about cruising, tips for international travel and how to eat in while living in a hotel.  Takeaways Neil and Serina met...

Serina is joined by returning guest Lacey Filipich, award‑winning financial educator, author and founder of Money School. Together they unpack why financial literacy is still so challenging for many Australians, why it's a global problem, the difference between financial counselling and financial advice, and how finfluencers are reshaping the landscape: for better and worse. Lacey also discusses a...

In this episode, Serina Bird chats with bestselling author and entrepreneurship expert Bernadette Schwerdt about the secrets behind Australia’s most successful online founders. Drawing on insights from her latest book, Secrets of the New Online Entrepreneurs , Bernadette shares the mindset shifts, digital strategies, and real‑world stories that reveal how everyday people are building extraordinary...

In this episode, Serina Bird chats with bestselling author and entrepreneurship expert Bernadette Schwerdt about the secrets behind Australia’s most successful online founders. Drawing on insights from her latest book, Secrets of the New Online Entrepreneurs , Bernadette shares the mindset shifts, digital strategies, and real‑world stories that reveal how everyday people are building extraordinary...

In this episode, Serina Bird chats with Captain FI about how the financial independence movement has shaped his life, the importance of intentional spending, and how to achieve financial freedom while maintaining a balanced life. Key topics Captain FI's journey from aviation to FI The importance of intentional spending and lifestyle choices Building passive income streams through investing and onl...

Serina sits down with award‑winning urban designer, housing expert and author Lucinda Hartley to unpack Australia’s broken path to home ownership — and why the old rulebook no longer works. Drawing on insights from her new book Finding Home, Lucinda explains why housing has become so unaffordable, how the Great Australian Dream was shaped by post‑war policy (and even anti‑communist sentiment), and...

Serina sits down with award‑winning urban designer, housing expert and author Lucinda Hartley to unpack Australia’s broken path to home ownership — and why the old rulebook no longer works. Drawing on insights from her new book Finding Home, Lucinda explains why housing has become so unaffordable, how the Great Australian Dream was shaped by post‑war policy (and even anti‑communist sentiment), and...

In this episode, Serina is joined by  Jessica Brady , financial educator, founder, podcaster and now author of Get Growing: A No‑Nonsense Guide to Cultivating Wealth and Financial Freedom. Jess has spent more than two decades helping Australians transform their relationship with money through human, neuroscience‑informed coaching. Her book uses a gardening metaphor to help us understand our financ...

In this episode, Serina is joined by Jessica Brady , financial educator, founder, podcaster and now author of Get Growing: A No‑Nonsense Guide to Cultivating Wealth and Financial Freedom. Jess has spent more than two decades helping Australians transform their relationship with money through human, neuroscience‑informed coaching. Her book uses a gardening metaphor to help us understand our financi...

Serina welcomes back the incomparable  Kate Toon : award‑winning author, digital marketing educator, SEO queen, community builder, and now three‑time published author. Kate joins the show to talk about her new book, Six Figures in Sales, which outlines an approach that features selling with heart, humour and humanity. 💡 Key Takeaways Sales has a bad reputation, but selling doesn't have to be like...

Serina welcomes back the incomparable Kate Toon : award‑winning author, digital marketing educator, SEO queen, community builder, and now three‑time published author. Kate joins the show to talk about her new book, Six Figures in Sales, which outlines an approach that features selling with heart, humour and humanity. 💡 Key Takeaways Sales has a bad reputation, but selling doesn't have to be like...

Sheridan Riles from Lost River in country New South Wales shares her insights on rural living, upcycling, frugal living, and community resilience. In this podcast, she talks about sustainable living, managing costs in rural Australia, and the importance of women in farming and community building. 🔑 Key topics Rural living challenges and community resilience Upcycling and sustainable home decor Co...

Sheridan Riles from Lost River in country New South Wales shares her insights on rural living, upcycling, frugal living, and community resilience. In this podcast, she talks about sustainable living, managing costs in rural Australia, and the importance of women in farming and community building. 🔑 Key topics Rural living challenges and community resilience Upcycling and sustainable home decor Co...

In this podcast, Serina chats with Emma Edwards, writer, podcaster, financial behaviour educator, and author of The Wardrobe Project: A Year of Buying Less and Liking Yourself More and founder of The Broke Generation. Together, they explore the emotional side of clothing, the stories we attach to our wardrobes, and the surprising ways fashion becomes tangled with identity, self‑worth, and money. E...

Serina sits down with Emma Edwards, writer, podcaster, financial behaviour educator, and author of The Wardrobe Project: A Year of Buying Less and Liking Yourself More. Together, they explore the emotional side of clothing, the stories we attach to our wardrobes, and the surprising ways fashion becomes tangled with identity, self‑worth, and money. Emma shares how a year‑long no‑buy challenge trans...

In this episode of The Joyful Frugalista, Serina sits down with someone who has inspired her especially when it comes to startups and angel investing. Nick McNaughton describes himself as “retired,” though anyone who knows him would say he’s simply entered a new, more self‑directed chapter of creativity and exploration. After decades as one of Canberra’s most influential innovation leaders (invest...

In this episode of The Joyful Frugalista, Serina sits down with someone who has inspired her especially when it comes to startups and angel investing. Nick McNaughton describes himself as “retired,” though anyone who knows him would say he’s simply entered a new, more self‑directed chapter of creativity and exploration. After decades as one of Canberra’s most influential innovation leaders (invest...

James Wrigley , one of Australia’s most-followed financial advisers and author of Retire Life Ready: Practical Steps to Build Your Wealth and Live Your Ideal Retirement, joins The Joyful Frugalista to chat about demystifying retirement planning and challenge what a “good retirement” really looks like. With over two decades of experience helping Australians take control of their finances, James sha...

James Wrigley , one of Australia’s most-followed financial advisers and author of Retire Life Ready: Practical Steps to Build Your Wealth and Live Your Ideal Retirement, joins The Joyful Frugalista to chat about demystify retirement planning and challenge what a “good retirement” really looks like. With over two decades of experience helping Australians take control of their finances, James shares...