In this episode of Between Meetings, Matt Heine welcomes Professor Lauren Cohen, specialised in behavioural finance and innovation at Harvard Business School. They explore the rise of family offices, the intersection of technology and advice, and how generational shifts are reshaping wealth management. Lauren offers practical advice for advisers and institutions navigating change, and shares stories from his research and work with leading global families and fintechs.

To kick off the new year, this special roundup episode reflects on themes shaping the advice profession as we enter 2026. Drawing on key conversations from 2025, it revisits ideas that resonated most, including AI, client engagement, firm culture, simplicity, growth and more.

It offers a concise year-in-review and a forward-looking view on what advice firms should consider in the year ahead; also provides a thought-provoking snapshot of the profession's direction and what it takes to stay ahead.

In this episode, Matt Heine sits down Eliza De Pardo, a leading consultant to wealth management firms. They explore the differences between the US and Australian advice markets, the key ingredients for firm success, and how technology and marketing are reshaping client growth. Eliza discusses her journey, the importance of strategic leadership, and her new online course, Ignition, aimed at helping firms under $250 million in assets achieve sustainable growth.

Check out below information on the Ignition Program:

IGNITION: From Practice to Powerhouse Launches January 5th, 2026! The first online business growth course built exclusively for advisory firms under $250M AUM. Seven strategic modules covering firm development stages, the challenges and solutions, financial fundamentals, 5 big growth strategies, crafting your client value proposition, building service packages that are profitable and implementation frameworks - plus, access six months of live monthly Q&A sessions with Eliza De Pardo to drive implementation.

Early Action Pricing: Save $500 when you enroll before January 30th. Join the waitlist now.

Enrol January 5th, 2026 at www.depardoconsulting.com

In this episode, Matt Heine sits down with Alex Zaccaria, Co-Founder and CEO of Linktree, to explore how a simple idea became a global digital identity platform. Alex discusses Linktree's early days in the music industry, its explosive user growth, and the challenges of scaling a tech company through rapid change. He shares insights into leading through crises, balancing simplicity with innovation, and why customer obsession has been key to Linktree's success.

They also delve into AI transformation - how Alex is rewiring his business with "AI factories," empowering teams through automation, and rethinking leadership in the age of intelligent tools. A must-listen for anyone building products, teams, or ideas that scale.

Matt Heine welcomes Michael Goodman, President of Wealthstream Advisors Inc., for an in-depth conversation on building and scaling a successful advice firm, recognised as a "Best Place to Work."

Based in Manhattan, Michael reflects on his 29 year journey - from starting the practice solo to managing $1.7 billion in AUM with a 23-person team. He discusses the power of process, workflows and capacity planning, why culture has been his greatest differentiator, and how he has created a widely respected ownership model for staff. They also explore U.S. industry trends including private equity rollups, de-consolidation, and succession challenges, plus how AI and technology are reshaping advice delivery. A must-listen for anyone interested in leadership, growth and the future of financial planning.

Matt Heine chats with Danni Le Grande, Head of IFA Consulting at Finura Group, one of Australia's leading technology consultants for advice firms. With a career spanning licensees, funds management, advice practices, and tech consulting, Danni explains why tech fatigue is real, and how firms can simplify processes to drive better outcomes for clients and teams. They unpack why most tech change fails, the importance of people-first adoption, and how firms can turn technology from a cost into a strategic enabler. Danni also shares insights on data governance, AI in advice, and how the best firms are navigating the shift to independent, scalable business models. Essential listening for advice firms facing growth and efficiency challenges.

00:01:05 - Danni's career journey

Danni shares her 25-year journey across licensees, funds management, advice firms, and now technology consulting at Finura Group.

00:03:20 - Evolution of tech conversations in advice

Reflecting on how advice firms have shifted from Excel sheets and manual processes to navigating complex tech ecosystems.

00:05:15 - Why most tech change fails

Danni explains why choosing technology is easy, but implementing it meaningfully requires empathy, people-first change management, and simplifying workflows.

00:08:45 - From institutional alignment to independence

How the shift to self-licensing has changed technology conversations, with firms now needing to own their tech and process decisions.

00:12:30 - Common inefficiencies and tech 'health checks'

The discovery process Danni's team uses to identify inefficiencies, strip back complexity, and create tailored tech roadmaps.

00:16:50 - Data governance and managing silos

Danni highlights the critical need for firms to understand where their data sits, how it's managed, and why silos can become major risks.

00:21:40 - AI's real-world applications in advice

Why Danni remains conservative on AI, believing firms need to focus on solving real bottlenecks first—such as file notes, onboarding, and client communication.

00:27:10 - Scaling to 180 clients per adviser

Discussing the "Road to 200" strategy and how technology, efficient workflows, and advisory team growth are all key to scaling advice delivery.

00:30:45 - Personal insights and cybersecurity awareness

Danni shares her passion for social engineering awareness in advice firms, recommending resources like the Darknet Diaries podcast.

Matt Heine welcomes Kon Costas, Managing Director of The Principals' Community, for a wide-ranging chat on the future of financial advice. With decades of leadership experience across Westpac, BT and now a national self-licensed adviser network, Kon offers powerful insights on what makes businesses grow, merge successfully, and remain resilient. They discuss trusted leadership, why self-licensing is rising, and how cultural alignment is key to any successful M&A deal. Kon also shares how his team supports 135 advice firms and 1,300+ advisers through governance, CPD and peer-driven growth. A must-listen for anyone navigating change or thinking about the next evolution of advice.

00:01:12 – Entering financial services

Kon Costas shares how his career began in banking with Westpac in 1989, eventually transitioning into financial advice and later leadership and licensee roles.

00:03:13 – Reflecting on industry change

Kon discusses the evolution of financial planning, the Royal Commission, and the ongoing challenge of adviser shortages despite increased professionalism.

00:05:07 – Lessons in change management

Kon reflects on his experience navigating industry change, emphasising transparency, trust, and leading from the front during both tough and growth periods.

00:07:06 – The Principals' Community

Now Managing Director of The Principals' Community, Kon explains its mission to support successful self-licensed practices through governance, education, and scale.

00:11:38 – The rise of self-licensing

Kon explores trends in self-licensing, highlighting flexibility, control, and the importance of capability—while cautioning that cost should not be the primary driver.

00:21:45 – Business performance and growth

He shares key data points from member firms, such as average client load (105 per adviser), profitability benchmarks, and the push for greater efficiency and organic growth.

00:23:47 – M&A trends and traps

Kon unpacks the current M&A landscape, warning against rushed deals and stressing the need for cultural alignment, thorough due diligence, and clear expectations.

00:32:38 – Building the future of advice

He calls for industry-wide collaboration to attract and train the next generation of advisers, boost the profession's reputation, and increase the reach of quality advice.

00:36:24 – Looking ahead

Kon closes with optimism, encouraging advisers to embrace the abundant opportunities ahead, especially with technology enabling broader client reach.

In our milestone 100th episode, Matt Heine interviews his father and founder of Netwealth, Michael Heine, in a rare and wide-ranging conversation spanning decades of business lessons and life experience. Michael recounts how his father arrived in Australia as a stateless prisoner of war with nothing and built a global trading empire. From trading and media to funds management and eventually founding Netwealth, Michael's journey is packed with high-risk plays, hard-won insights, and moments of extraordinary resilience. This is a deeply personal and professional story about legacy, timing, pivoting when needed, and backing yourself—even when no one else will. A must-listen for founders, advisers, and entrepreneurs alike.

00:01:12 – Celebrating 100 episodes
Matt Heine reflects on launching Between Meetings eight years ago and introduces his father, Michael Heine, as the special guest for this milestone 100th episode.

00:02:25 – A family legacy of resilience
Michael shares the remarkable story of his father Walter, a Jewish refugee from Nazi Germany who built Australia's largest trading company after arriving as a prisoner of war with no money or contacts.

00:08:58 – Business at the dinner table
Michael recalls growing up in a household where business was ever-present. Walter lived for his work, and conversations often centred on deals, strategy, and growth.

00:12:57 – Dropping out of university and joining the business
Michael talks about not finishing his degree, starting work with his father, and quickly learning the value of real-world experience over theory.

00:17:12 – Chasing recurring revenue
After years in the trading business, Michael explains why he sought businesses with consistent income streams, which eventually led to the founding of Netwealth.

00:24:45 – Selling Heine Management
Michael details the tough decision to sell the business in 1999, the challenges of listed property trusts, and how the sale freed him to pursue new opportunities.

00:30:48 – The birth of Netwealth
Michael discusses "retiring" for two weeks before launching Netwealth. He describes the early planning, modest goals, and lessons from past ventures that shaped the platform's strategy.

00:38:15 – Building tech from the ground up
He recounts early tech partnerships and why they chose to build their own front-end, emphasising the importance of owning the client experience and data.

00:43:12 – $25 million to first $1B FUA
Michael shares the grit it took to reach Netwealth's first billion dollars in funds under administration. Despite early losses, they stayed focused on long-term vision and strong governance.

00:45:40 – Scaling a business the right way
He reflects on the complexities of scaling, highlighting the need to pair creative leadership with strong financial oversight, and to evolve the team and systems as the company grows.

00:47:49 – The future of technology
Michael shares his excitement for AI and how he sees it transforming business efficiency. He encourages embracing technological change, not fearing it.

00:50:04 – Beyond Netwealth
Michael touches on his continuing involvement in the business and his passion for strategic thinking, admitting that retirement never quite suited him.