Cashing in is great, but we think banking on yourself is even better. That terrifying plunge into entrepreneurship is real, but you shouldn’t let the fear of the unknown sideline your ambition. Today’s guest can attest to exactly that. Doone Roisin, founder of The Female Startup Club, is on The Pay Off this week giving a masterclass on being bold, building community, and beating the odds. In this episode, Doone opens up about her liberating decision to become a full-time entrepreneur, her slightly mischievous tactics for getting a CEO's attention and why she’s spending plenty of her time “talking to smart women”. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We hear it constantly on this podcast: ETFs are the most powerful tool for building wealth today. But what separates a good ETF from a bad one, and how do you even start? Sebastian Mullins is the Head of Multi-Asset and Fixed Income at Schroders Australia and joins The Pay Off to provide the ultimate guide on becoming an investing powerhouse. Sebastian breaks down what an ETF is, how to harness the power of compounding for beginners, and the real cost of "sitting on the sidelines" in today's market. From Active vs. Passive ETFs, why the traditional 60/40 portfolio is broken, and what a truly modern, diversified portfolio looks like now, Sebastian offers practical advice on how to start investing and what excites him most about the near financial future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How do you build a billion-dollar beauty empire based on high-end imitation? For our guest today on The Pay Off, Shelley Sullivan, founder of ModelCo and the explosive mass-market brand MCoBeauty, imitation wasn't just flattery—it was a calculated, brilliant, and controversial marketing strategy. Shelley's journey began with an entrepreneurial spark, launching a modelling agency at 21 before spotting a gap and revolutionising the industry with "tan-in-a-can" and the first heated lash curler. But it was MCoBeauty, launched in 2016 with a "luxe for less" mandate, that became a massive disruptor, recently valued at over $1 billion. In this conversation, Shelley opens up about the strategic genius and the intense pressure of her business model, her decision to sell her remaining stake in the company and the power of intuition. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It was a statement that broke the internet—and simultaneously hit the nail on the head. “It is extremely difficult to be a 30-year-old in Australia right now” was the powerful sentiment which sent today’s guest viral online… So let’s talk about it. Advertising giant, podcaster and media personality, Russel Howcroft, joins The Pay Off today for some real talk. Russel doesn't mince words: he explains exactly why it's never been tougher for young people to get ahead financially right now. From the clever tactics companies use to get you to spend your cash to how Gruen changed the trajectory of his career, Russel shares the best advice and most engaging anecdotes we could pack into one episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sometimes life can feel picture perfect – until it doesn’t. In this episode of The Pay Off, Sylvia sits down with financial advisor, professional wealth coach, and author, Gemma Mitchell, to talk about financially rebuilding from the ground up when inevitable curveballs—like divorce or sudden job loss—get thrown our way. Gemma, who built what looked like the 'perfect life'—the job, the house, the investments—only to have it crumble with a sudden divorce at 28, shares her raw, personal journey and how she’s rewriting her money story. Gemma dives into the simple, non-negotiable steps we should all take right now to kick off our own Money Reset, as detailed in her new book, The Money Reset.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
With a successful business history like his, you pretty much afford yourself bragging rights for life. And yet, Adam Schwab is unbelievably humble when it comes to discussing his entrepreneurial journey, crediting compounding luck, an incredible team and a loyal customer base of 8-million people to his ongoing success. On this episode of The Pay Off, the Luxury Escapes Co-Founder and co-host of the podcast, ‘The Contrarians’, speaks candidly about his journey through business so far. From a sneaky side hustle in Law School, to subleasing backpacker apartments and eventually, scaling to a luxury travel company, it’s clear Adam’s main passion lies in creating value and delivering on happiness, with a side of impressive profit to go with it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On a podcast about money, it’s not uncommon to hear about ‘bonds’. We’re taking a slightly different approach… We’re talking about sisterly bonds. This week’s guests on The Pay Off are sisters and co-founders, Ali & Gaby Rosenberg, whose strong sisterly bond has allowed them to create the successful Fintech company Blossom. In this episode, Ali & Gaby share the ups and downs of their journey creating a company, the heartfelt reason behind calling the app ‘Blossom’, how they’re helping both people and the planet as well as their advice to future entrepreneurs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
With anxiety at an all time high when it comes to the cost of living, the size of your super, and the money in your bank account, is a stress-free financial future an achievable reality? In this episode of The Pay Off, Sylvia sits down with financial advisor, wealth expert, and author, James Wrigley, to talk about replacing that paralysing financial fear with confident, actionable choices. As laid out in his essential new book, Retire Life Ready, James is helping shift the rhetoric from one of sacrifice to one of real empowerment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
He’s a man who unashamedly loves dragons, wizards and fairies… But it would be the inner demons which would spark the greatest change in his life. Luke Bateman is the man making SERIOUS noise on social media, sparking an absolute frenzy across BookTok for his authentic and honest passion for fantasy books. He’s now running his own company, signed a two book deal and has launched his own podcast, In The Good Books. It didn’t always look like this though - Luke’s battled depression, addiction and a complete loss of identity. His story is an important one to tell, and he’s joining The Pay Off this week to do exactly that. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
She went from being a banking executive to a Senator determined to fix the system. But is the political fight worth it? On this episode of The Pay Off, Sylvia is joined by Senator Jane Hume, the former financial sector powerhouse who stepped off the corporate ladder and into the Senate. Her mission? To correct the systemic failures that are costing Australian families—and particularly women—billions. Senator Hume has made recent headlines with the Tackling the Gender Super Gap Bill, a legislative push designed to empower couples to overcome the 'motherhood penalty' through tax-free super splitting. In this episode, she talks about her leap into politics, the motherhood penalty and the current Australian political climate. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Financial freedom is a mindset, not a milestone. Today’s guest is Queenie Tan, the financial guru helping people reframe their relationship with personal finance. Through her platform, ‘Invest with Queenie’ and recently published book ‘The Fun Finance Formula’, Queenie is on a mission to prove your money doesn’t have to be a source of stress or deprivation, and instead, a wealth of opportunity. Growing up, Queenie saw the extremes of both her father's frugality and her mother's belief that money was for enjoying life, which led to a personal struggle with finding balance. Now, her work is guided by the "three Fs"—Foundation, Fun, and Freedom—a framework she uses to help people balance their budgets and lives.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Simple principles to transform your financial habits - that’s what this podcast is all about. It’s also a philosophy our next guest on The Pay Off is sharing with the world. Ben Nash is a financial advisor, best-selling author, and the man behind Pivot Wealth. He’s all about making smart moves with your money, so that you don’t have to sacrifice your lifestyle or give up on your dreams. In the episode, Ben talks about the 5% rule, investment strategies, the most common questions he receives on social media, the foundations of a good ETF and the risk vs. reward argument around Crypto. Ben’s new book, Virgin Millionaire; the step-by-step guide to your first million and beyond is out now on Amazon|Audiobook. If you want some help with your money and investing, you can book a call with Pivot Wealth here. Disclaimer: The information contained in this episode is general in nature and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Therefore, you should consider whether the information is appropriate to your circumstances before acting on it, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a finance professional.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Retirement isn't an end—it's the start of your most epic chapter. So, forget everything you thought you knew about retirement because Bec Wilson is here to redefine it. In today’s episode, Bec gives a step-by-step guide crafting a retirement which isn't just about ceasing work, but about beginning a new, purpose-filled chapter. Bec also talks about why young Aussies should care more about their Super, how you can plan for an epic post-work life and the question on everyone’s lips: at what age can I actually retire? She also gives an exclusive sneak peek into her latest project, the Epic Retirement Tick.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What does it take to rebuild your career after navigating one of the toughest storms? This week on The Pay Off, Sylvia sits down with Christine Holgate, the former CEO of Australia Post and Group Executive Chairman of Team Global Express. Christine’s career has been marked by both incredible success and immense public scrutiny. But what many people don’t know is that she went from sitting on the brink of homelessness to becoming one of the most powerful women in business. In this episode, Christine speaks about life when she didn’t have a dollar to her name, identifying strategic problems within AusPost, the impacts of Cartier-Watch Gate and her advice for people facing setbacks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
You likely know Sam Wood as the handsome bloke from The Bachelor in 2015 or maybe you’ve seen the popularity of his 28 by Sam Wood workouts online… Today, you’re about to see a new side to Sam. In this episode, Sam talks about the impact of losing his mum at just 15-years-old, how he fell into the fitness world because he had “no other options”, the genuine ROI by looking after your health, his take on modern masculinity and what’s next for his business. This chat is way more than a conversation about saunas and ice baths… It’s YOUR reminder that life is short and sometimes you’ve got to take the risk. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Traditional 9-5 jobs are getting the sack. The challenge is no longer just landing a job—it’s staying relevant, employable, and ahead of the curve. How do we future-proof our careers when the rise of AI makes us fear becoming replaceable? In today’s episode, Sylvia chats to Bianca Hartge-Hazelman, the Co-founder, Editor and CEO of Financy HQ about the gender pay gap, the rise of AI and why you need to start networking. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Boost Juice, Shark Tank and Survivor Australia all have one thing in common… Janine Allis. She’s the uber successful business mogul with the impressive resume to match, and today, she’s sharing all of her insights on The Pay Off. In this episode, Janine shares a few unexpected (and unbelievable) travel stories from her 20s, her thoughts on ‘imposter syndrome’ , how Boost Juice went from an idea to a 900-store business and what makes for a successful business pitch.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
“A Lululemon ambassador and influencer”. That’s how some media outlets described today’s podcast guest, Milly Rose Bannister, earlier this year after she appeared at Parliament House to break down the Federal Budget for young people… Milly is the founder of the Gen Z mental health charity ALLKND… Funny that this undeniably impressive undertaking didn't get a mention in her introduction or title? (Note: Sarcasm present). In today’s episode, Milly unpacks her passion for helping young people find their purpose and their people, reducing anxiety and eliminating the loneliness epidemic which has its grip firmly on the younger generation. Milly's Instagram: www.instagram.com/millyrosebannister/ ALLKND's free mental health training: www.allknd.org/goodmatetraining Cause Club volunteering events: www.allknd.org/causeclub Mental health helplines: allknd.org/help See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sometimes, the best way to talk about something difficult is to find a way to laugh about it. That's exactly what my guest today, Mark Humphries, does. He’s a master of using satire to tackle tough topics, from the political arena to the current economic climate. Mark is on The Pay Off to discuss his new documentary, SOLD! Who Broke the Australian Dream?, which looks at the growing housing crisis issue. In this episode, Mark talks about his personal drive to explore this topic, why it’s not just about buyers but also renters, his advice for anyone pursuing a career in comedy and unheard stories from the Logies.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It’s official - were deep in an affordability crisis. So, can someone explain why young people are still paying so much tax and struggling to get a foothold in the housing market? We’re all ears. Cost-of-living pressures are through the roof, homeownership feels out of reach, and "bracket creep" is quietly eroding our hard-earned dollars. Leading the charge for a fairer system is Allegra Spender, the Independent MP for Wentworth. In this episode, Allegra talks about her bold tax reform plan, why she's standing as a 'teal' independent, negative gearing and the controversy surrounding flexible work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.