The Polestar Podcast

Disclaimer The information provided in the podcast is designed for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or on any specific security or investment product.   About the Guest – Keith Allan Keith Allan is a Portfolio Manager with Harness Investment Management. Harness has engaged in a strategic partnership with VELA W...

Episode Highlights  2025 felt volatile — yet most major markets finished strongly positive. Canada’s TSX surged, powered by banks, energy, and precious metals. The 2025 April tariff sell-off: what felt alarming vs. what truly mattered. Why disciplined diversification outperformed emotional reactions. What the investment team is watching as 2026 begins. About the Guest – Keith Allan Keith Allan is...

Episode Highlights   Strong YTD for equities: Clients who stayed invested captured the 2025 bull market. Valuations are high, but room remains: Tech/AI leadership and retail flows can still support gains. The market and the economy don’t move in lockstep: Softer labour data and mixed inflation don’t directly dictate stock moves. Rates are uncertain: One cut behind us; future cuts are data-dependen...

Discover how a spark of inspiration in Paris led Nicole Smith to launch Flytographer, now connecting travelers with photographers in 350+ cities worldwide. Learn how she made the bold leap from a 13-year career at Microsoft to building a global brand from scratch. Hear Nicole’s candid take on the risks, resilience, and pivots required to keep Flytographer alive during the pandemic. Find out why em...

Episode Highlights  Markets rebounded in Q2 despite economic and geopolitical uncertainty VELA client portfolios outperformed major indices Active management and diversification drove stronger returns Investor sentiment often misaligns with market performance Outlook remains optimistic heading into late 2025 ...and more.       About the Guest – Keith Allan Keith Allan is a Portfolio Manager with H...

Podcast Highlights: Explore the impact of technology on society and consumer interactions. Discover the growing importance of intersecting business and philanthropy in natural ways for consumers to engage.  Learn how business practices are evolving in relation to consumer expectations of sustainability.  Gain insight into consumerism, highlighting changes in buying behaviours and trends over the p...

Key highlights from this episode: Why Q1 2025 wasn’t as negative as it seemed—and what the TSX’s performance tells us How investor biases like recency and confirmation shape market sentiment The real impact of interest rates and what potential cuts could mean ahead Market volatility: separating tweet-driven noise from economic fundamentals Practical ways to stay resilient during uncertainty ...and...

Podcast Highlights: Explore BDC's unique approach to business banking and personalized client support. Discover the range of services offered by BDC, including funding, venture capital, and advisory services. Learn about current lending practices and the challenges faced by Canadian business owners today. Gain valuable insights into how BDC can help unlock potential for growth and innovation in yo...

Podcast Highlights: Explore the entrepreneurial spirit that drove Ali to start SideDrawer. Discover the challenges and triumphs faced during the company's growth. Learn about the innovative solutions SideDrawer provides for document management. Gain insights into the importance of adaptability in the startup landscape.   About the Guest – Ali M. Qureshi Ali Qureshi is the Co-Founder of SideDrawer,...

Key highlights of this episode: Market Reality vs. Headlines Long-Term Investment Discipline Hedging Against Volatility Political Uncertainty & Markets Investor Psychology Matters   About the Guest – Keith Allan Keith Allan is a Portfolio Manager with Harness Investment Management. Harness has engaged in a strategic partnership with VELA Wealth and provides discretionary portfolio management for m...

Podcast Highlights: Learn about essential considerations for building your estate plan and gain insights into the key trends that lead to estate litigation. Discover WESA, its significance, and its purpose in BC. You will also hear compelling stories of how this Act has been enforced and the outcomes of these proceedings. Gain insight into navigating the challenging waters of estate litigation and...

This episode highlights: Navigating market uncertainty Tariffs, trade & Canada’s economy Bullish opportunities in the U.S. market Strategies to protect your portfolio The importance of common sense over panic   About the Guest – Keith Allan Keith Allan is a portfolio manager at Harness Investment Management. Harness has engaged in a strategic partnership with VELA Wealth and provides discretionary...

Key highlights of this episode: How tech giants like NVIDIA and Microsoft drove explosive market growth in 2024. Debunking myths about speculative growth and highlighting the solid fundamentals behind last year’s success. What interest rates drop mean for your portfolio—and why cash might no longer be king. How the new political landscape could shape opportunities in U.S. and Canadian equities. Pr...

About the Guest – Morgyn Chandler Morgyn Chandler is the Managing Partner at Hammerco Lawyers and leads the firm's civil sexual assault group. She is a forceful advocate with a successful track record of winning exceptional results for her clients. With over a decade of litigation experience, Morgyn has a reputation for successful resolution based on persuasive and astute legal strategies. She bel...

Kevin Parton and Keith Allan cover the latest in financial markets with some compelling highlights: Q3 Market Trends : How did the typically quiet summer months shape up, and what might that mean for Q4? Interest Rate Shifts : With new cuts in Canada and the U.S., they discuss the potential impact on holiday spending and the broader economy. TD Bank's Record Fine : A major headline in finance—how...

In this episode of the Polestar Podcast, we will talk about: Ricky Zhang's Journey : From passionate traveler to founding Prince of Travel, a leading platform for Canadians to maximize credit card rewards for luxurious travel. Practical Tips : Advice on optimizing credit cards and rewards programs to get the most value from travel spending. Unlocking Premium Travel : Ricky shares how to convert po...

Podcast Highlights: Discover Skipper Otto's values on sustainability and the importance of preserving Indigenous finishing practices. Explore how Skipper Otto has reimagined the "farm-to-table" experience to connect customers to the stories of fishing families. Listen to Sonia discuss the role of a system-oriented approach in enabling sustainable practices and how it was essential to becoming a B-...

Podcast Highlights: Discover the begining of the Flavelle family's ownership of Purdys Chocolatier in 1963, initiated by Charles Flavelle and Eric Wilson. Karen shares her journey into business, influenced by her father's success from a young age, leading her to pursue her passion for business and marketing. Learn about Karen’s determination to become a part of the family business despite initial...

Podcast Highlights: ·       Listen to Andrew Ladd, a former NHL player and current performance coach, talk about his journey from childhood to the NHL.  ·       Discover how his competitive nature and ambition to win played a crucial part in his NHL success and continue to be one of the pillars that drives him forward to success today. ·       Learn about his personal experience with injury and me...

This episode covers: Market Movements -  A deep dive into the S&P 500's performance, Canadian market trends, and the continued dominance of tech stocks. Interest Rates - Insights into Canada's recent rate cut, its impact on fixed income markets, and comparisons with the US Federal Reserve's stance. Investment Strategies - The role of cash as an asset class, private and alternative asset performanc...

Podcast Highlights: ·       The inspiring journey of Jonny Imerman, fighting and beating cancer and co-founding Imerman Angels to help the cancer community with ongoing support. ·       The impact of Imerman Angels and how it’s helped approximately 38,000 people through their cancer journeys. ·       Dive into the creation of CLŌZTALK; a B-Corp-certified T-shirt company Jonny co-founded with his b...

Podcast Highlights: The inspiring journey of tenured Lawyer Digby Leigh and his family. Dive into Digby's remarkable 40+ year legal career and his visionary quest to revolutionize efficiency and pricing structures in the legal industry. The creation of the “Frank Fee” model - a step away from the traditional hourly legal pricing model. How the Frank Fee model has built confidence and transparency...

Podcast Highlights: Explore how market sentiment reacts to speculation about interest rate movements and its influence on investor decision-making. Learn the importance of staying resilient during market pullbacks, maintaining a long-term perspective, and seizing opportunities to acquire discounted assets. Discover the significance of disciplined investing habits like dollar-cost averaging and div...

Key highlights of this episode: Morgan Housel's unique journey to acclaimed financial writer, highlighting the value of hard work and the impact of early life experiences on career choices. The importance of balancing optimism and pessimism in wealth management. Insights into behavioral finance, emphasizing the psychological aspects of money management and the power of understanding human behavior...

In this episode of the Polestar Podcast, you'll learn: how VELA Wealth, Harness Investment Management, and Purpose Investments collaborate to unlock unique opportunities, why traditional portfolio strategies are being challenged, how alternative investments can revolutionize your portfolio, the power of diversification with private assets like equity, debt, and real estate.   About the Guest – Kei...