BWD: In The Know

In episode 59 of BWD In The Know, James Walker welcomes financial planner Anthony Flynn back for a second conversation, one that moves beyond the technical side of financial advice and into something far more personal.

After exploring identity in their first discussion, James and Ant turn to beliefs: where they come from, how they change and how much of what we think is truly our own. From childhood and education to media, social influence and the fear of being judged, they question the stories we tell ourselves and the forces that shape them.

This is not a conversation about having all the answers. It is about being willing to question them.

In this episode, James and Anthony discuss:

• Why Anthony sees beliefs as stories shaped by identity
• How early experiences and schooling can influence the way we think
• Ego, evidence and the difficulty of changing your mind
• Social pressure, media narratives and the ethics of influence
• Why fear of judgement can limit the freedom to be yourself
• The gap between appearing successful and feeling free
• How leaders can admit uncertainty without losing credibility
• The value of awareness, stillness and asking better questions
• How financial planners can read discomfort and understanding in client meetings
• Anthony’s five Cs for interpreting body language in context

James and Ant do not always arrive at neat conclusions. Instead, they explore the contradictions we all live with — wanting freedom but fearing its consequences, seeking truth while also wanting acceptance, and learning to be a little more aware of the influences around us.

Whether you work in financial planning, lead a team or simply want to better understand your own thinking, this episode offers plenty to reflect on.

00:00 Welcome Back and Exploring Beliefs

03:02 Identity, Labels and First Impressions

06:43 What Is a Belief?

08:33 Schooling, Conditioning and Conformity

12:13 Does Education Suppress Free Thinking?

14:18 Are You Really Thinking for Yourself?

18:09 COVID, Compliance and Social Pressure

23:04 Media Narratives and Confirmation Bias

25:35 MKUltra and Psychological Operations

32:39 The Ethics of Manipulation

35:44 Chase Hughes and Reading Behaviour

40:23 Ancient Wisdom and Fear

42:01 Freedom and Speaking Your Mind

44:22 What Is Anthony Afraid Of?

47:42 The Fear of Being Truly Judged

49:21 Leadership and Feeling Like a Fraud

52:41 Authenticity Without Suffering

54:17 Finding Comfort in Not Knowing

55:27 Edward Bernays and Persuasion

59:25 Awareness as an Antidote to Influence

61:11 Social Media and Emotional Manipulation

64:11 News, Politics and Perception

68:08 Body Language in Client Meetings

70:25 Anthony’s Five Cs Framework

71:06 Breathing, Blinking and Nonverbal Signals

74:22 Spotting Discomfort in Practice

75:22 Closing Reflections

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of BWD In The Know, Ellie Corkill hosts the latest instalment of her mini-series, The Human Side of Wealth Management.

Ellie is joined by Aneka Beneby, Senior Portfolio Manager and CFA Charterholder, for a conversation about ambition, motherhood, self-belief and how our definition of success can change throughout our careers.

Aneka shares her journey from growing up in the Bahamas and discovering financial markets almost by chance, to building a career in investment management and making the move to London with a six-month-old baby. She reflects on some of the biggest decisions and challenges she has faced along the way, and the lessons she has learnt about taking risks, putting yourself forward and building a career that feels meaningful beyond titles and promotions.

In this episode, they discuss:

• Aneka’s journey from the Bahamas into investment management, from starting as an assistant to a CEO to becoming a portfolio manager
• Making the move to London with a young baby and why some of the biggest opportunities can come when the timing feels far from perfect
• Ambition, self-awareness and why women shouldn’t feel they have to shrink themselves in order to be liked
• Achieving a major promotion and still feeling flat, and how this forced Aneka to rethink what success actually meant to her
• The danger of constantly chasing the next achievement, title or piece of external validation rather than learning to enjoy the journey
• Motherhood and career, why there is no perfect time to have children and the different trade-offs that come with starting a family at different stages of your career
• The practical things that helped Aneka navigate motherhood alongside a senior career, from support networks and finances to protecting her time and energy
• Why women no longer necessarily have to choose between having a successful career and having a family, even if balancing the two is not always easy
• Representation, mentorship and why Aneka feels a responsibility to be the role model for others that she was fortunate enough to see growing up
• Taking opportunities before you feel ready, from moving countries to appearing on Bloomberg and delivering a TEDx talk, and how doing hard things can build confidence over time

This is an open and honest conversation about ambition, family, career progression and learning to define success on your own terms.

Whether you work in wealth or investment management, are navigating your own career progression, thinking about how family fits alongside ambition, or simply find yourself constantly asking “what’s next?”, this episode is well worth a listen.

00:00 Introduction

00:29 From the Bahamas to finance

02:46 Moving to London

05:04 Confidence and doing hard things

07:25 Ambition and being “too ambitious”

10:00 Representation in a male-dominated industry

12:14 The flat feeling after promotion

15:00 Redefining success

19:02 Motherhood and career trade-offs

21:21 Building a support system

27:10 Returning to work after maternity leave

31:04 Why representation matters

33:55 Bloomberg and the full-circle moment

38:58 TEDx and acting in spite of fear

43:05 Self-talk and managing the inner critic

47:38 Advice to younger Aneka

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 57 of BWD In The Know, James Walker is joined by multi-award-winning financial planner Hazel Bowen FPFS TEP for the latest conversation in the Future Fit Financial Planning series.

Hazel's route into the profession was anything but straightforward. Growing up in a working-class household in Norwich, moving from state school to private education on a bursary and later building a successful career in financial planning have all shaped how she thinks about opportunity, leadership and belonging.

Diagnosed as autistic and with ADHD as an adult, Hazel speaks openly about the relief that came with understanding herself differently, the value - and limitations - of labels, and why being neurodivergent cannot simply be treated as something an individual should learn to "fix".

In this episode, James and Hazel discuss:

• Hazel's upbringing and the impact class and belonging had on her early life
• Why learning to back yourself can matter more than looking like the "finished article"
• Her unconventional route from leaving A-levels to becoming a financial planner
• Servant leadership and why creating a genuine sense of belonging matters
• Hazel's experience of receiving an autism and ADHD diagnosis as an adult
• Why labels can provide understanding without needing to define someone
• The importance of curiosity over assumption when leading different people
• Why reasonable adjustments can benefit both the individual and the business
• Masking, direct communication and becoming more comfortable with who you are
• Why "clarity is kindness" when giving feedback
• The difference between cultural fit and cultural enrichment
• Why diversity of thought makes teams and businesses stronger
• How experience can become a leadership blind spot when curiosity disappears

This is an open and deeply personal conversation about neurodiversity, leadership and what it really takes to create workplaces where different people can thrive.

Above all, it is a reminder that good leadership does not require having all the answers. Sometimes it starts with being curious enough to recognise that the person opposite you may experience the world very differently.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Future Fit Leadership

01:01 Childhood, Class and Belonging

05:25 Self-Belief and Backing Yourself

07:57 Representation and Speaking Openly

10:43 Finding a Career in Financial Planning

13:38 Servant Leadership and Creating Belonging

15:53 Hazel's Autism and ADHD Diagnosis

21:20 Relief, Labels and Understanding Yourself

27:07 Identity and Communication Differences

35:33 Curiosity and Proper Conversations

38:41 Reasonable Adjustments and Better Performance

44:35 Preparing for Better Conversations

48:32 Masking and Becoming More Yourself

56:12 Why Clarity Is Kindness

62:31 Directness, Honesty and Respect

67:07 Diversity of Thought and Cultural Enrichment

71:43 Curiosity, Experience and Future Leaders

75:25 One Wish: Joy and Belonging

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of BWD In The Know, Ellie Corkill hosts the latest instalment of her mini-series, The Human Side of Wealth Management.

Ellie is joined by Sarah Roughsedge, Chartered Financial Planner, author and founder of Eva Wealth, for a conversation about women and wealth, financial confidence and why the traditional advice model hasn’t always worked for everyone.

Sarah shares her unconventional journey into financial services, having originally trained as a neuroscientist before changing direction and becoming a financial planner. She reflects on the experiences that led her to recognise how often women were being left out of financial conversations, and why she decided to build an approach designed to make money and investing feel more accessible.

In this episode, they discuss:

• Sarah’s unconventional career journey from neuroscience into financial planning, and how her original training still influences the way she works with clients today
• Why women have historically been left out of core financial conversations and how this can affect confidence around money and investing
• How financial services has traditionally communicated differently with men and women, and why language and approach matter
• Moving beyond products and performance to understand a client’s values, behaviours, priorities and wider life
• Why clients going through divorce, bereavement and other major life changes may need more time and space before making financial decisions
• Challenging the idea that women are naturally more cautious investors, and why confidence and understanding can be more important than capability
• The role of financial coaching alongside traditional advice and how understanding behaviour can help clients make better decisions
• Making financial guidance more accessible to people who may not fit the traditional wealth management model
• The growing role of AI and technology in financial advice, what it could replace and where trust and human relationships will continue to matter
• Sarah’s wider mission to improve women’s financial confidence through her book, Smart Money, Strong Women, and her upcoming app, MyWealthVault

This is an open and thought-provoking conversation about women and wealth, the psychology behind financial decision-making and how the advice profession can continue to evolve to better serve the individual sitting in front of you.

Whether you work in wealth management or financial planning, are interested in the future of advice, or simply want to better understand the relationship between money, confidence and behaviour, this episode is well worth a listen.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Sarah and Evo Wealth

04:01 Creating a Women-Centric Financial Proposition

07:16 Building a Differentiated Financial Service

11:02 Women in Finance and the Boys Club Mentality

16:50 The Evolution of Financial Advice Delivery

21:34 The Importance of Giving Women Space to Decide

25:09 Building a Community for Women in Finance

26:15 The Need for Ongoing Support for Women Clients

27:16 Traditional Advice vs. Personalized Approach

28:29 Sarah's Book: Smart Money Strong

30:26 Content of the Book and Its Benefits

33:28 The Journey of Publishing the Book

35:06 The New Financial App as a Personal Coach

39:11 Launching the App and Community Feedback

40:17 The Role of Coaching in Financial Advice

41:45 The Future of Advice, Technology, and Trust

43:30 The Human Element in Financial Advice

45:31 The Impact of AI and Technology

46:51 The Next Steps for Evo Wealth

50:30 Advice for Advisors on Tailoring for Women

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of BWD In the Know, Ellie Corkill hosts the latest instalment of her mini-series, The Human Side of Wealth Management.

Ellie is joined by Louisa Braywood, Investment Manager, for a conversation about financial confidence, authentic relationship-building and making investing feel more accessible to women.

Louisa shares her unconventional journey into wealth management, beginning her career at just 18 and learning the industry from the ground up. She reflects on developing her technical knowledge, becoming Chartered and discovering that the client-facing, human side of investment management was where her real passion lay.

In this episode, they discuss:

• Louisa’s unconventional route into wealth management, starting her career at 18 and building confidence through experience and professional qualifications
• Why money is never just money, but represents family, freedom, security and the future
• The importance of empathy, emotional intelligence and understanding behavioural biases when supporting clients
• How AI and technology can make investing more accessible without replacing the value of human relationships
• Why the investment gap is not a capability issue, but often a confidence and exposure issue
• Involving both partners in financial conversations and supporting clients through divorce, bereavement and other significant life events
• Removing unnecessary jargon and making conversations about money and investing easier to understand
• Building visibility through LinkedIn, personal brand and putting yourself outside your comfort zone
• Approaching networking authentically and creating more engaging, inclusive professional events
• Louisa’s ambition to become the person women recommend when they need support with their finances

This is an open and engaging conversation about women and wealth, building genuine relationships and why the most effective investment management goes far beyond portfolios and performance.

Whether you work in wealth management, are developing your career in the profession, or want to understand how investing can become more accessible, relatable and human, this episode is well worth a listen.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Louisa and episode overview

02:54 Early career, qualifications, and client-facing roles

07:05 The importance of technical knowledge and relationship skills

10:49 Impact of AI and robo-advice on personalised service

15:12 Encouraging women to invest and increasing financial confidence

16:59 Changing industry perceptions and making finance accessible

18:57 Supporting women through life transitions and emotional moments

21:00 The importance of understanding clients’ emotional backgrounds

23:03 Addressing confidence gaps and social influences on women’s investing

24:49 The significance of early pension and savings education

26:46 Learning from industry mentors and shadowing experiences

28:54 Building relationships through in-person and virtual meetings

31:02 Networking strategies and leveraging social media

33:07 Hosting inclusive events and fostering community

35:04 Differentiating oneself in a competitive industry

36:55 Advice for less confident networkers and introverts

39:11 Industry changes needed to attract more women

40:51 Encouraging young women to pursue careers in finance

43:02 Louisa’s vision of success and personal branding

44:57 Final advice to her younger self and closing remarks

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Future Fit Financial Planning, James Walker is joined by Sarah Soar, Founder of Estelle: Health is Wealth and former CEO of Hawksmoor Investment Management, to explore why the future of leadership isn't just about managing wealth, but managing health.

Drawing on four decades in financial services and executive leadership, Sarah shares how her experiences of leading through significant organisational change ultimately inspired the launch of Estelle: Health is Wealth; a business built on a simple but powerful belief: the health of your leadership team is your greatest business asset, and one of your biggest business risks.

Together, they discuss:

• Sarah's journey from CEO to entrepreneur
• Why health management belongs in the boardroom
• The hidden cost of stress, burnout and poor decision-making
• Building healthier, higher-performing leadership teams
• Why prevention delivers better business outcomes than intervention
• The role of breathwork, movement and nervous system regulation
• Why the future of leadership starts with healthier people

Whether you're leading a financial planning business, advising clients or simply looking to perform at your best, this episode offers a fresh perspective on sustainable leadership and long-term success.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

01:16 Sarah Soar's 40-year career in wealth management

03:54 Leading through COVID and a major acquisition

04:18 From aspiring doctor to accidental stockbroker

07:00 Discovering yoga and managing pressure

12:47 What yoga really is (and isn't)

16:25 Why daily practice changed everything

18:20 Leaving corporate life and training as a yoga teacher

22:10 Why leaders switch off when they hear the word "yoga"

27:10 Introducing the idea of "Health Management"

31:00 Fight or flight vs rest and digest

35:20 Burnout, business risk and prevention

40:40 Looking after your body like your most valuable asset

43:00 Why corporate culture normalises unhealthy behaviour

47:20 The business case for investing in people

53:00 Faster business, greater pressure and modern leadership

55:10 Why many wellbeing programmes only scratch the surface

59:10 The financial cost of burnout

01:01:20 Making alternative approaches mainstream

01:04:15 Better decisions through calmer leadership

01:07:45 From Wealth Management to Health Management

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some careers follow a carefully mapped-out route. Others take an unexpected turn.

In this episode of Future Fit Financial Planning, James Walker is joined by James Connor, Founder & CEO of Connor Broadley, to explore the journey from professional footballer to business owner, and the principles that have shaped nearly two decades of independent financial planning.

From earning just £250 in their first month of trading to building one of the City's most respected wealth management firms, James reflects on the importance of client relationships, long-term thinking and staying true to your values, even as the profession continues to evolve.

Together, they discuss:

• James' journey from Millwall Football Club to financial planning
• Why client relationships should always come before commercial growth
• Building Connor Broadley with patience, purpose and clear principles
• Industry consolidation and what independent firms should protect
• Succession planning and preparing businesses for the future
• Technology, infrastructure and attracting the next generation of clients
• What leadership, resilience and partnership really look like over the long term

Whether you're a financial planner, adviser, business owner or simply interested in building a business with lasting values, this episode offers an honest conversation about growth, integrity and creating something that stands the test of time.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marie Smith: Confidence, Community and Creating Meaningful Change

In this episode of BWD In the Know, Ellie Corkill hosts the latest instalment of her mini-series, The Human Side of Wealth Management.

Ellie is joined by Marie Smith, Relationship Associate Partner at Cooper Parry Wealth, for a conversation about confidence, community, inclusive leadership and creating meaningful change within the financial planning profession.

Marie shares her journey from starting in an administrative role to progressing through paraplanning, advice and leadership. She reflects honestly on experiencing imposter syndrome, the importance of mentorship and advocacy, and how learning to recognise her own strengths helped shape her career.

In this episode, they discuss:

·      Marie’s journey from administration and paraplanning into financial advice and leadership

·      Overcoming imposter syndrome and building confidence throughout your career

·      Why you do not need to feel 100% ready before taking your next step

·      The difference between mentoring talented people and actively advocating for them

·      How leaders can recognise those who may not naturally shout the loudest

·      Why firms need to develop diverse talent rather than simply recruit it from elsewhere

·      What the Women in Finance Charter means and how firms can turn commitments into meaningful action

·      Building professional communities and the story behind SheRocks Business

·      How strengths-based leadership can help people thrive and progress

·      Why empathy, active listening and storytelling will become even more valuable as AI develops

·      The human skills advisers need to continue demonstrating their value

·      Marie’s advice for people beginning their careers in financial planning

This is an open and thoughtful conversation about confidence, representation, leadership and the importance of creating environments in which people can succeed.

Whether you work in wealth management, are developing your career in financial advice, or are interested in how the profession can become more inclusive and human, this episode is well worth a listen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 51 of BWD In the Know, Ellie Corkill hosts the second episode of her mini-series, The Human Side of Wealth Management.

Ellie is joined by Emmelia Powell, Financial Adviser, for a conversation on building trust, finding your voice and creating a more personal, human version of financial advice.

Emmelia shares her journey into the profession, from starting out in banking to entering financial advice after having three children, completing her exams and building a career that works around both her family and her clients.

In this episode, they discuss:

• Emmelia’s journey into financial advice and how she found a career that fits
• Why financial advice can be such a powerful profession for women and working mums
• Building trust with clients and why good advice starts with doing the right thing
• Supporting sports professionals, business owners and younger clients
• Why no two financial plans should ever look the same
• The role of empathy, patience and lived experience in client relationships
• Building a personal brand and the value of being visible online
• How AI and technology are changing the advice profession
• What the next generation of advisers need to succeed
• Why the future of advice needs to be more human, relatable and personal

This is a thoughtful and honest conversation about trust, visibility, motherhood, client relationships and the realities of building a career in financial advice.

Whether you work in wealth management, are building a career in advice, or are interested in how the profession can continue to evolve, this episode is well worth a listen.

00:00 Introduction to Emmelia Powell and the episode’s focus on the human side of wealth management

02:45 Emmelia’s background and why she transitioned into financial advice

03:10 Balancing career growth and family life in wealth management

04:46 Internal narratives and challenges faced by women entering the industry

05:34 Experiences shaping Emmelia into her current advising style

06:55 Embracing continuous exploration and innovation in financial advice

07:22 Challenging industry stereotypes and traditional client approaches

09:10 How Emmelia’s client-centric philosophy influences her niche focus on sports professionals

10:04 Benefits of niche specialisation and understanding client nuances

12:31 Differentiating client approaches based on individual needs and circumstances

15:22 Insights into working with athletes, timing of advice, and financial planning nuances

17:36 The importance of early financial education and behaviour in wealth management

19:56 Personalisation, emotional anchors and why money management is human at its core

23:02 Building trust and openness: creating a safe environment for clients

24:04 Balancing empathy with challenging clients effectively

26:38 Influences and role models underpinning Emmelia’s professional development

28:44 Building personal brand online, authenticity and sharing your story

33:29 The role of AI in advice: tools, limitations and enhancing client service

36:26 Tips on using AI thoughtfully while maintaining a personal voice

38:23 The future of AI in wealth management and the human touch’s enduring importance

43:11 Soft skills essential for new advisers in a tech-driven landscape

45:00 Making wealth management appealing to the next generation and industry diversity

52:55 The benefits and challenges of niching: advice for aspiring specialists

56:43 Encouragement for early-career advisers to find their voice and gain visibility

59:58 Key takeaway: the importance of personalised, human-centric financial advice

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special 50th episode of BWD In The Know, James is joined by Ann-Marie Atkins, Head of Entrepreneurs at Evelyn Partners, for a conversation about what really sits behind long-term success in financial planning.

Known as one of the UK's leading advisers in the entrepreneur and business owner space, Ann-Marie reflects on the experiences, values and lessons that have shaped her career.

Ann-Marie's journey into financial services and the challenges she faced early in her career

• Confidence, emotional intelligence and communication in advice
• Why excellence matters more than perfection
• Building trust with clients and professional introducers
• Collaboration in delivering better outcomes
• Leadership, mentoring and high-performing teams
• AI, technology and the future of advice
• The growing importance of holistic financial planning

This episode is a reminder that the best advisers don't simply provide advice — they bring people, expertise and ideas together to help clients make better decisions.

If you're a financial planner, adviser or leader looking to build trust, improve your impact and future-proof your career, this episode is for you.

00:00 Introduction

00:28 Ann-Marie's Journey Into Financial Services

01:23 Building Confidence & Finding Your Voice

03:29 Fairness, Honesty & Authenticity

04:39 Learning Through Mistakes & Self-Reflection

05:42 Overcoming Fear & High-Stakes Situations

06:42 Understanding Your Core Values

08:36 Childhood Influences, Ambition & Competitiveness

09:16 Sport, Teamwork & Resilience

09:59 Being Taken Seriously in Financial Services

11:24 Mentors, Role Models & Career Development

13:19 Early Leadership Lessons

14:33 Managing Mistakes & High Standards

16:54 Why Collaboration Matters

17:42 Delivering Better Outcomes for Complex Clients

21:29 The Problem with Siloed Advice

24:28 The Risks of Disconnected Planning

27:11 Building Trust Over Time

28:44 Creating High-Performing Teams

30:28 A Client-First Culture

31:35 Excellence, Not Perfection

35:52 AI, Technology & The Future of Advice

44:17 The Future of Collaborative Advice

50:53 Authenticity as a Competitive Advantage

66:14 Closing Thoughts

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.