I met Mark Hedderman at the FAAA Congress in Perth, and it didn't take long to realise we were aligned. Beyond the Irish accent, Mark brings a deeply human view of financial advice – one shaped by family, his own experience, and a belief that money is the vehicle, not the destination.

In this week's episode of It's Never About Money, we explore why financial advice needs to move beyond numbers and net worth, and towards wellbeing, health, purpose and connection. Mark shares how his family's story – including his father's cancer diagnosis just months into retirement – reshaped how he thinks about success and legacy.

We talk about reimagining retirement as a time for unrealised dreams, not an end point, and how advisers can help improve health and life outcomes by asking better questions. Mark also explains how his firm is redesigning its advice model – reducing the focus on money and building in preventative health, social connection and family-wide conversations.

We finish with a powerful reminder of what great advice really looks like: someone who cares about you first, the money second – and who helps you live well, not just retire wealthy.

Because in the end, it's never just about money.

FIND OUT MORE:

https://hedderman.ie/

ABOUT IT'S NEVER ABOUT MONEY:

Joe Stephan is a Financial Planner with Stephan Independent Advisory, based in Melbourne, Australia: https://siadvisory.com.au/

It's Never About Money is powered by Stephan Independent Advisory: https://itsneveraboutmoney.com.au

It's Never About Money is a proud supporter of Cufa: https://www.cufa.org.au/

Sleep shapes every part of my life, yet I used to think about it only when it stopped working. This week, I had the chance to sit down with Associate Professor Simon Joosten, one of Australia's leading clinician scientists in respiratory and sleep medicine, to explore why sleep matters so much and what we can all do to protect it.

Simon combines deep clinical experience with world class research, and our conversation opened my eyes to just how interconnected sleep is with memory, mood, attention and long-term health. We talked about why consistent timing can matter even more than total hours slept, the hidden risks of chronic sleep restriction, and the reason natural light still runs our internal clock. He explains why waking up during the night is completely normal, why sleep becomes harder to "fix" when life is stressful, and how predictable routines remain the most powerful tool we have to support high quality sleep. We also explored chronotypes, individual differences, the impact of modern technology, and the tension between our personal rhythms and the structures of work and school that run to a fixed timetable.

If you have ever wondered why you feel flat, foggy or emotional after poor sleep, or why your best ideas appear after a solid night, this conversation makes the science clear. More importantly, it offers practical steps anyone can take to build healthier sleep habits in a world that constantly pulls us away from rest.

I learned a lot from this one, and I think you will too.

ABOUT IT'S NEVER ABOUT MONEY:

Joe Stephan is a Financial Planner with Stephan Independent Advisory, based in Melbourne, Australia: https://siadvisory.com.au/

It's Never About Money is powered by Stephan Independent Advisory: https://itsneveraboutmoney.com.au It's Never About Money is a proud supporter of Cufa: https://www.cufa.org.au/

What if science could show you how long and how well you'll live?

In this conversation, Joe Stephan speaks with Heather Holmes, Co-Founder and CEO of Halo, a longevity and healthspan assessment tool helping people understand how genetics, lifestyle, and environment shape their future wellbeing.

They explore how Halo combines data with human insight - turning family health history, lifestyle habits and environmental influences into practical knowledge that can improve both health outcomes and financial decisions.

Heather shares the personal experiences that inspired her to create Halo, including the loss of a patient during her time in healthcare and her father's declining health and financial decision-making. Together, they discuss the link between health and money, why genes aren't destiny, and how understanding your "healthspan" can transform how you plan for the years ahead.

FIND OUT MORE:

Halo: https://www.halohealthspan.com/

ABOUT IT'S NEVER ABOUT MONEY:

Joe Stephan is a Financial Planner with Stephan Independent Advisory, based in Melbourne, Australia: https://siadvisory.com.au/

It's Never About Money is powered by Stephan Independent Advisory: https://itsneveraboutmoney.com.au

It's Never About Money is a proud supporter of Cufa: https://www.cufa.org.au/

Stop saying "I'm not a runner."

Use this reframe instead: "I'm a Grade 1 runner."

This changes it from being an all-or-nothing proposition. It is also redefining what success looks like. For a Grade 1 runner, simply getting outside once or twice a week without hurting themselves is a success. That simple reframe can be enough to change behaviour, and build confidence and momentum.

Bevan James Eyles, in my latest conversation for It's Never About Money, struck me as someone full of practical advice like this. Having wrestled with the question of willpower his whole career, I asked him: why is it that one person can find the willpower to train for an elite Ironman, while others struggle to exercise at all?

FIND OUT MORE:

>🎧 Listen to Episode here: https://itsneveraboutmoney.com.au/why-willpower-isnt-enough-and-what-really-builds-habits-bevan-james-eyles/ ABOUT IT'S NEVER ABOUT MONEY:

Joe Stephan is a Financial Planner with Stephan Independent Advisory, based in Melbourne, Australia: https://siadvisory.com.au/

It's Never About Money is powered by Stephan Independent Advisory: https://itsneveraboutmoney.com.au It's Never About Money is a proud supporter of Cufa: https://www.cufa.org.au/

At the 2025 FAAA Congress, I walked the floor with one question in mind. How does money influence health? What followed was a series of thoughtful, honest and sometimes surprising conversations with advisers from across Australia.

In this roaming special, you will hear from nine advisers who work at the intersection of finance, behaviour and wellbeing. Together, they reveal how financial stress quietly erodes health, how clarity changes the way people live, and why good advice often becomes a health intervention long before clients realise it.

We talk about avoidance, overwork, life transitions, grief, retirement, identity and the surprising ways people use money to rebuild their wellbeing. Each adviser brings a different angle, but they all arrive at the same conclusion. When people understand their financial position and feel safe in their decisions, they sleep better, work less, feel more in control and reclaim time for the things that matter.

This episode is a reminder that financial advice is not only about growing wealth. It is about supporting the conditions for a good life.

Featuring: Shannon Victor, Kelly King, Bianca Musico, Mark O'Flynn, Sarah Leslie, Rob Pyne, Jordan Vaka, Nathan Fradley and Martin McGrath.

Listen to this special episode to hear what they each had to say.

ABOUT IT'S NEVER ABOUT MONEY:

Joe Stephan is a Financial Planner with Stephan Independent Advisory, based in Melbourne, Australia: https://siadvisory.com.au/

It's Never About Money is powered by Stephan Independent Advisory: https://itsneveraboutmoney.com.au

It's Never About Money is a proud supporter of Cufa: https://www.cufa.org.au/

Hormones influence every system in the body. So why are they so often overlooked in mainstream healthcare? In this episode, Dr Ceri Cashell joins Joe Stephan to bust myths, explore why hormone health is decades behind, and share practical steps for protecting your wellbeing.

We cover:

• Why "sex hormones" is a misleading term
• The mental health conditions that may be hormone-related
• How poor hormonal balance can derail your work and relationships
• Environmental factors quietly disrupting your health
• What to ask your GP if you suspect hormone issues

FIND OUT MORE:

• Healthy Hormones: www.healthyhormones.au
• Dr Ceri Cashell: www.drcericashell.com

ABOUT IT'S NEVER ABOUT MONEY:

Joe Stephan is a Financial Planner with Stephan Independent Advisory, based in Melbourne, Australia: https://siadvisory.com.au/

It's Never About Money is powered by Stephan Independent Advisory: https://itsneveraboutmoney.com.au It's Never About Money is a proud supporter of Cufa: https://www.cufa.org.au

In this episode of It's Never About Money, Joe speaks with neuroscience strategist and executive coach Hannah Conkey, Founder & CEO of Mind Pilot. Hannah works with CEOs and executive teams to rewire the way they think, feel, and lead — helping them optimise decision making, improve wellbeing, and unlock new levels of performance.

Together, they explore:

• Why most of our thoughts are just old processes on autopilot, and how to rewire them
• The hidden influence of environment and biology on financial and life decisions
• Breaking the "hustle first" mindset with practical daily resets
• The one-question reset that creates momentum for change

Hannah also shares her personal story from high-level corporate roles and a serious car accident, to heart surgery during COVID and the loss of her mother and how those experiences fuel her mission to help people live with more clarity, resilience, and purpose.

👉 Listen now and start designing the environment, habits, and mindset that will help you make better decisions — in money and in life.

FIND OUT MORE:

🔗 Mind Pilot Website

🔗 Hannah on LinkedIn

ABOUT IT'S NEVER ABOUT MONEY:

Joe Stephan is a Financial Planner with Stephan Independent Advisory, based in Melbourne, Australia: https://siadvisory.com.au/

It's Never About Money is powered by Stephan Independent Advisory: https://itsneveraboutmoney.com.au It's Never About Money is a proud supporter of Cufa: https://www.cufa.org.au/

Over the years, It's Never About Money has quietly become one of the most meaningful things I do. Not because of how often I publish or how many people listen, but because of what it allows me to explore: curiosity, health, purpose, legacy, and how money fits into all of it.

This episode is a little different.

In this opening episode, I talk about how the podcast started, what I have learned through the mic, and why this season, focused on health, feels especially important.

I also share a few personal reflections, including being named a finalist for the FAAA Professional Adviser of the Year, and how the conversations on this show have made me a better listener, adviser, and human being.

It is a slower, more personal episode for anyone who wants to reconnect with what matters most, rethink their relationship with money, and approach life with a clearer sense of purpose and perspective.

ABOUT IT'S NEVER ABOUT MONEY:

Joe Stephan is a Financial Planner with Stephan Independent Advisory, based in Melbourne, Australia: https://siadvisory.com.au/

It's Never About Money is powered by Stephan Independent Advisory: https://itsneveraboutmoney.com.au It's Never About Money is a proud supporter of Cufa: https://www.cufa.org.au/

On this episode of It's Never About Money, I am joined by Daron K. Roberts, a former NFL coach and award-winning college professor. Named as a "Top 20 Global Speaker" in 2024, Daron's clients range from professional sports teams to Fortune 100 companies.

Join us as Daron shares his inspiring journey from law student, to NFL coach, to being a "Top 20 Global Speaker". This episode explores the challenges of major life transitions, the value of genuine support, and the importance of aligning professional pursuits with personal passions. Daron's reflections on family, identity, and reconnecting with his heritage add depth to a conversation packed with insights on personal growth, building meaningful connections, and navigating career pivots with intention and authenticity. Enjoy!

FIND OUT MORE:

• Connect with Daron on LinkedIn
• Follow Daron on Instagram
• Visit Daron's website

ABOUT IT'S NEVER ABOUT MONEY:

Joe Stephan is a Financial Planner with Stephan Independent Advisory, based in Melbourne, Australia: https://siadvisory.com.au/

It's Never About Money is powered by Stephan Independent Advisory: https://itsneveraboutmoney.com.au

It's Never About Money is a proud supporter of Cufa: https://www.cufa.org.au/

On this episode of It's Never About Money, I am joined by Philip Pryor, CEO and founder of Family Business Central. With over 28 years of experience advising family businesses across New Zealand, Australia, London, and New York, Phil blends his expertise in family psychology, change management, and business strategy to help families thrive personally and professionally.

In our conversation, Phil discusses how family harmony and strong relationships are crucial to both business success and personal well-being. We explore themes like the interplay between money and family dynamics, the importance of fairness versus equality, and how to set foundations for meaningful legacies. Phil also shares practical strategies for addressing intergenerational conflicts, building robust family governance, and fostering deeper connections within families.

This episode is packed with insights for families navigating wealth, succession, and relationships. Whether you're running a business or simply looking to strengthen your family ties, there's something here for everyone.

FIND OUT MORE:

• Listen to Phil on the Netwealth podcast: https://www.netwealth.com.au/web/insights/between-meetings/philip-pryor/
• Visit Family Business Central's website: https://www.familybusinesscentral.com/resources/

ABOUT IT'S NEVER ABOUT MONEY:

Joe Stephan is a Financial Planner with Stephan Independent Advisory, based in Melbourne, Australia: https://siadvisory.com.au/

It's Never About Money is powered by Stephan Independent Advisory: https://itsneveraboutmoney.com.au

It's Never About Money is a proud supporter of Cufa: https://www.cufa.org.au/