June 9, 2025 • 25 mins
Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes of a finance podcast? Host Fabian and producer Sienna pull back the curtain to share the Finance Friends journey and preview an extraordinary new season featuring sports stars who've conquered the finance world.
Want the inside scoop on which sports stars are joining us? Follow Finance Friends Podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok for daily updates and subscribe on your favourite podcast platform to be first in line when Season 3 drops in just a few weeks!
Got questions or ideas for future episodes? Send us a DM @financefriendspodcast!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:05):
Welcome to the Finance Friends podcast.
Whether you have followed usfrom the beginning or you're a
new listener, we are excited tohave you here.
Finance Friends gives ourlisteners a seat at the table
with successful finance industryleaders.
Follow us on our socials atFinance Friends Podcast, linked
in the description box of thisepisode, and stay tuned for
(00:29):
weekly episode releases.
Welcome to the Finance FriendsPodcast and we are rounding up
season two and what a joy it'sbeen.
We've interviewed someincredible guests and I hope
you've enjoyed listening to allthe episodes.
Today's episode we're going to.
I've got the lady behind thescenes that does everything for
(00:52):
the podcast Sienna.
Welcome, sienna.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Hi, thank you.
This feels weird actually beingin the episode.
I'm normally just listening.
Speaker 1 (00:59):
No, that's fine.
So Sienna is the producer,director, scriber, videographer,
photographer everything thatgets done on this podcast.
Sienna pretty much doeseverything.
So thank you for all your work,Sienna.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
You're welcome.
I mean this has been amazingfor me on the sidelines really
getting this season out,especially from season one to
season two, the big jump, and Ithink that's why we're kind of
doing this episode.
We've gotten so many newlisteners come in in season two
and we kind of just want them toget to know you and us and the
(01:35):
podcast as a whole.
So, yes, it's really exciting.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
Well, it is exciting, and what's more exciting is the
launch of season three.
We've had some massive guestson.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Season 3.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
Major, major definitely so household names
that, especially if you followfootball.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
If you follow the AFL .
Speaker 1 (01:54):
I won't mention who's going to be on the podcast.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Not yet.
We want to keep it a secret.
Not yet we're keeping it asecret.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
But you know, we do have someone that well.
Sienna was Idle Idle.
Yeah, do have someone that well.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
Sienna was Idol yeah, Idol yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
Well, let's not go into too much detail.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
We can't give too much away.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
We can't give that away, but we do have lots of
incredible people.
But so what have I most enjoyedabout?
Well, what have you mostenjoyed about Season 2, Sienna?
Speaker 2 (02:19):
Season 2 was incredible.
I think we had so many amazingguests and I feel like everybody
says that but sitting in andlistening in to all of their
stories and their careers andhow they shaped their lives
still and a university studentand learning from these such
(02:45):
like, such successfulprofessional people who, you
know, are just kind of likeeveryone else and really are
disciplined, motivated it's beenso insightful, yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
Yeah, and I think the key themes that I heard from
our guests included that yourfirst opportunity in the finance
industry isn't going to be theperfect opportunity, but it is
about getting your foot in thedoor, and a lot of people just
said just get your foot in thisdoor.
(03:17):
We had a few guests actuallythat started in a contact center
on the phones and they didn'tknow what they wanted to be.
You know longer term.
And the other key theme wasyour career's not linear.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
So, even though you might become a I don't know a,
you know you might work in anoperations team supporting a
team in India, right to end upthe head of marketing as an
example.
Like you know, it's not linear.
So just be open to take on newchallenges, be open to learning
(03:53):
and work hard.
I think is a common theme,would you agree?
Speaker 2 (03:55):
Yeah, 100%.
I think if you guys listeninghad listened to last week's
episode, which was Natalie, shespoke a lot about that and I
resonated with her a lot becauseshe, you know, she started off
studying journalism and thenended up working for AMP and in
marketing and in finance,essentially, um.
So like that idea that all ofthese people we've interviewed
(04:18):
through season two have reallychopped and changed their
careers is inspiring and also abit comforting, because you
don't have to know it all Like.
A lot of our listeners arestudents and I think it's
comforting for them to hear thatyou're not going to start with
the pinnacle job.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
It comes with work and changing and different
experiences and even when we hadDavid on the podcast David
Werdiger, he talks about havingthree careers to date, changing
and different experiences.
And even when we had David onthe podcast David Werdiger, he
talks about having three careersto date.
You know his dad, you know, wasrunning a family business and
his expectation was to be in thebusiness.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
And you know he wanted to do his own thing, so
he was in software computing andnow he you know he works with
very successful families aroundsuccession planning and family
dynamics, which is reallyinsightful.
So it is important just to beopen.
I know about my career to dateas well.
I've only sort of I would say,maybe a third of the way through
(05:16):
my career that I started infinancial planning and worked in
private wealth and now I'm inrecruitment.
So just being open to learn andtake on new challenges and you
know your career will evolveDefinitely.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
Be open to that Definitely, and I think a lot of
our listeners are new.
So, fabian, do you want to kindof give them a rundown of your
career and where you started and, I guess, all the experiences
that brought you to this momentin your career and also just
hosting a podcast Like what'shappened?
How did you know?
(05:53):
How did it all come about?
Speaker 1 (05:54):
Yeah, it's been a bit of a whirlwind.
We've come a long way sincelaunching the podcast in October
2024.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Yeah, from season one .
Speaker 1 (06:04):
Yeah, from season one .
So it's always something I'vewanted to do.
I love, you know, I lovetalking to people.
I love meeting people.
I've emceed a few events.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
Fabian knows everyone Absolutely.
He can't walk down the street.
He knows everyone.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
They don't know me, but I know them.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
No, sometimes it's the opposite.
Speaker 1 (06:21):
Fabian's the next celebrity here Definitely.
Definitely on Collins Street.
I know most people on CollinsStreet, outside of Collins
Street, I'm not sure about that.
And then the famous bars thateveryone goes to, the finance
bars like Garden State.
Anyway, we digress a little bit.
So me, I always loved maths,always loved business.
(06:43):
I remember telling this storythat you know, my mum's really
good with maths and numbers andmoney.
And I remember my mum taught mea skill she would work out the
bill of the grocery bill beforewe got to the counter to know if
it fell within her budget ornot, and she'd only buy things
(07:04):
within her budget.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
Yeah, and so I learned to actually calculate
the cost of the grocery billbefore we got to the counter and
I would guess to see roughly,you know, within a dollar of you
know $150 bill.
So I'd always be obsessed withmoney and budgeting.
And then I'd always go intobusinesses, and you know a cafe,
(07:27):
and look at the way theyoperate and think to myself,
well, they could be doing thisbetter or they could be saying
that better, or they could be,you know, upselling this item.
So business has always beensort of part of my DNA.
Maths has been part of my DNAand I used to play when I was in
high school.
I'd play a game with myworkmates and I'd say sorry, my
(07:51):
schoolmates, and say that I'llbe able to calculate the
equation before you cancalculate it on the calculator
within reason.
Nothing too crazy, and that wasmy goal to always work it out
before they could do it on thecalculator.
So I've definitely gonedownhill on the multiplication
front point.
But, yeah, I still love maths.
So I ended up doing a financedegree at university and in my
(08:12):
last year of university I workedat ANZ in a foreign exchange
role at the airport.
So I just did FX, foreignexchange for people that were
going overseas.
Speaker 2 (08:22):
Yep.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Actually served some pretty well-known professionals
and well-known people sportspeople- Can you tell us who?
Who came through?
Brian Lara came through.
Okay, brian Lara is a famouscricketer from the West Indies.
Pretty cool, very much a coolcat Served Gary Ablett oh wow,
(08:43):
junior and Gary Ablett Seniorwas there.
This was right before he movedto the Gold Coast, so there was
a lot of talk about him movingto the Gold Coast.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
You caught him on his flight there?
Yeah, actually.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
I caught him on his flight to the US and who I
served Eric Banner.
So a couple of very famouspeople, so not as famous as who
we've got on the podcast forseason three.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
Oh, you've got to wait for season three.
Speaker 1 (09:09):
Yeah, quite famous.
So I really enjoyed that andactually at the time I wanted to
.
So this was 2010, 9, 10, duringthe global financial crisis,
and I was working at ANZ.
I was trying to get a financialplanning role within ANZ and
then I couldn't because of youknow, the current environment,
economic environment.
(09:29):
So my manager at the time saidwell, why don't you have a
conversation with my financialadvisor?
He might have an opportunity.
So I ended up working at thefinancial planning firm, was in
an administration role.
Again, you don't start doingthe best role.
I actually took a massive paycut, like at the bank.
At the time.
I was earning like $85,000because I was working shift work
and I went to a role gettingpaid, I think, about $34,000.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
Wow, I think some yeah, that's a great point Like
a lot of people, you know thatsaying you have to take two
steps back to then take twosteps forward, and it's so true
when you're starting out yourcareer.
Speaker 1 (10:03):
Yeah, exactly, take one step back and two or three
steps forward, and that was agoal.
Like you know, I could havestayed in that role and earned a
decent salary, but ultimately Iwanted to learn and grow and
develop and that was moreimportant than short-term income
.
And I think a lot of my advicewould be and my advice is always
to young professionals I meetprioritize learning, growth, the
(10:26):
right organization, over income.
Money will come, you don't haveto worry.
If you work hard, you studyhard, you're driven, money will
come, but you don't have toworry.
If you work hard, you studyhard, you're driven, money will
come, but you've got to get theright environment, the right
learning, to be able to prosperthat.
So then, I joined their work tothat firm for about four years
(10:47):
before I joined another firm asan independent financial advice
firm IFA another firm as aindependent financial advice
firm, ifa, as they're known asand I ran their investment
portfolio.
So I would recommend I'drecommend Direct Equities,
australian Global ETFs, and I'dgive advice to our clients
around their portfolios.
And we were dealing withclients.
(11:07):
Average client had about twoand a.5 million of investable
assets that we would give adviceon.
Loved that and I thought, well,I'm doing it here, maybe I can
do this in the UK.
So I ended up moving to Londonand I worked for a Swiss bank
Julius Baer in private wealth inthe private wealth division and
it was great, great experience,learned so much.
(11:28):
We dealt with clients allaround the world, so a lot of
Middle Eastern clients that were, you know, worth billions of
dollars Wow, we had, you know.
We did payments globally.
We helped them buy propertiesin the Cayman Islands.
We set up offshore trusts.
We did a wide-ranging.
(11:49):
There was a wide range of taskswe did for them and Pure Play
Private Bank for them, andobviously investment management
is part of that.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
Then I came back and how long were you in the UK for?
Speaker 1 (12:02):
Just over two years in the UK, loved it.
London's a great city.
I highly recommend it.
I'm actually heading to Londonshortly to catch up with some
old work colleagues and friends.
That's amazing, greatexperience.
Traveled lots through Europe,highly recommend.
If you get the opportunity tolive abroad, do it.
Then I came back and I was likewell, time to come back.
(12:25):
And, you know, make my parentsproud, find a wife, have a
family that's the goal.
Still not the case eight yearslater.
But anyway, let's move on.
And then I started.
I wanted to be in a more clientpeople as much.
Speaker 2 (12:41):
You're a people person.
Speaker 1 (12:42):
I want to be in front of people and I noticed that
when I was at Julius Bear, likewithin the first month, I knew
all 200 people in the office.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (12:50):
And everyone's like how do you know that person?
I've been here three years I'venever spoke to that person.
I'm like, well, why haven't youspoke to them?
You know, I want to understandwhat they do and how they do it,
and that sort of led me torecruitment.
So I started working at anotherfirm for about two and a half
years, and that was great a halfyears ago.
(13:11):
So now I provide recruitmentservices to investment
management firms, private wealthfirms, and that's anywhere from
people with two, three yearsexperience up to very senior
people that lead teams.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Yeah, that's amazing.
I think you were saying before,like you knew everyone in the
office and it's same here, likewe were in a shared office and
you know everyone, and actuallya lot of people we've bumped
into have become guests on thepodcast.
So it's really, it's reallyinteresting.
I think that's a big theme ofseason two as well, like
(13:46):
everybody stresses network.
So yeah, so I mean your careerjourney has been amazing and
then I guess it kind of led youto here to the podcast.
So what I what was?
I mean, what sparked theinitial idea of these podcasts
and what was kind of yourintention with it from the
beginning?
Speaker 1 (14:05):
yeah, it's great question and and thanks for
asking the question, sienna.
So I have great conversationswith incredible people.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
Every day.
Speaker 1 (14:14):
Every day and I need to, you know, bite myself to
think, wow, like I'm having aconversation with this person
who might lead a team of 30people and, you know, has, you
know, grown their career andvery well respected, and might,
you know, be part of aninvestment management firm that
manages over, you know, growntheir career and very well
respected, and might, you know,be part of an investment
management firm that managesover, you know, a billion
(14:36):
dollars?
Right, and there's a seniorleader and I'm having a
conversation with that personand I feel that, you know, these
people offer a lot and it'sunfortunate that a lot of
younger professionals coming up,whether it be students or the
young professionals, don't getto hear from these people, don't
get a seat at the table.
So what I want to do is sharethe conversations I have with
(15:00):
the people that don't get tohear these conversations,
because I know I didn't have amentor growing up.
You know my parents didn't workin finance.
You know didn't finish highschool, so for me it was.
You know, give our listenersopportunity to listen to someone
they aspire to be and whatlearnings can they get from that
(15:21):
person to help better theircareer and whether it might be.
You talk about networking.
How important networking is.
It might be about.
Let's not focus on how muchmoney you're going to make
tomorrow.
Let's focus on learning, growthand development.
That's really important.
So for me, that's the premisesof the podcast is, and also I
(15:41):
love interviewing people so Ican do what I love and let other
people listen in and share theexperiences that I get to
experience every day.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
Yeah, that's amazing.
I remember, because we startedthe podcast in October of last
year, in 2024, and I pitched theidea to you because you know
everyone and you know you haveso many conversations with so
many people about starting arecruitment podcast, because I
(16:12):
started off working as a marketsolely a marketing associate for
Reva and then, you know, youexpressed to me that you have
had this idea for ages, that youknow you want to share all
these conversations that you'rehaving every single day with
these amazing people.
And here we are.
So it's really really exciting,yeah, and it's been amazing to
(16:35):
be a part of behind the scenesand watch it kind of grow
through the last, especially thelast season.
Speaker 1 (16:40):
Well, I can guarantee this podcast wouldn't exist if
it wasn't for you, Sienna.
So thank you.
You've showed lots ofinitiative and you've done
everything.
So I do the easy part.
I call the guests and say, hey,you want to be on the podcast,
and I interview the guests.
You do everything else.
So without you it definitelywouldn't be possible.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
Thank you.
No, it's been an amazingjourney, Even just learning I
mean, I'm learning myself how itall operates and it's really
been like a surreal experiencewith someone, with my experience
which is next to none, when Istarted to be able to do this
and, you know, bring somethingto life that you're so
(17:19):
passionate about, I feel sopassionate about, especially as
a student.
So, yeah, it's been a realprivilege working on this
podcast with you.
Speaker 1 (17:27):
Yeah, yeah, awesome.
Should we talk more aboutseason three?
Speaker 2 (17:30):
I think so I think we need to start dropping a little
bit, a little bit of hints nottoo much, yeah, I think it's
important to share the why ofseason three.
Speaker 1 (17:39):
So I'm fortunate enough to get a lot of people
refer me as a as a well-knownrecruitment specialist in the
world of finance, and Iregularly get introduced to
current professional sportspeople and people that have just
finished being a professionalsports person that are seeking
(18:01):
the transition into finance, andthere's a lot of people that
have successfully transitionedfrom the sports field to the
finance field and they've got somuch insight to share around
that transition and how they didit and also how challenging it
is.
It's not easy.
You know you talk aboutidentity.
You know you're used to havinga lot of structure and all of a
(18:24):
sudden you don't have thatstructure.
And there's a few key themesthat emerged and I was like well
, I'd love to share theexperiences of you know, whether
it be a football player,whether it be an Olympian,
whether it be a rugby player whoare all on the podcast in
season three and about theirjourney and what they do now and
(18:44):
how they got there.
And that's really important tocurrent athletes who are
thinking about what's next.
When is the time to startthinking about what's next?
Speaker 2 (18:53):
Yeah, I think important to current athletes,
but just as much reallyimportant to anyone who's
looking to feel motivated, tosee what discipline looks like
Like listening in, even from myperspective.
We have recorded a few of theepisodes already and you know I
(19:15):
learnt so much from these peoplewho had such structured lives,
also were in such high-pressureenvironments for so long, and
how they persevered through allof that and then came out in a
second career and are now, youknow, at the top of that field.
So it's interesting for peoplewho can relate to them, but also
(19:37):
people who just want to learn.
Speaker 1 (19:39):
You know what success takes, I guess, yeah, and I
think the synergies ofprofessional sport and being a
professional in the world offinance was quite common too.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
A hundred percent, yeah, so that's really.
Speaker 1 (19:51):
It was really insightful.
You know, preparation,dedication, achieving the
ultimate goal and again, I don'twant to give too much away, but
one of our guests says that youknow who you know was a gold
medalist won gold.
Speaker 2 (20:07):
One hint, one hint.
Speaker 1 (20:09):
Yeah, I won't say too much more.
But you know, as an athlete,his ultimate goal was to win a
gold medal at the Olympics andhe achieved that.
And now he's very successful inthe world of finance and he
shares a story around.
You know, as a professional, awhite-collar professional,
there's no ultimate goal ofwinning a gold medal.
(20:31):
Yeah, like you, just need tocontinually improve and get
better and not think there hasto be an ultimate goal.
Speaker 2 (20:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (20:39):
Just get better and learn and go with it.
Speaker 2 (20:42):
Yeah, there's no real destination.
It's just about being dedicatedthrough all of it, through all
stages.
Speaker 1 (20:48):
It's almost like the journey is the destination to a
point, whereas you know, as anOlympian, the destination is the
gold medal right.
So when you achieve thepinnacle, it's like well, what's
next?
Speaker 2 (21:00):
Like.
Speaker 1 (21:00):
I've achieved everything I've ever aspired to
achieve.
How can I still be content withwhat's next?
Speaker 2 (21:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (21:09):
So it's okay not to be fully content like of
reaching the pinnacle of a goldmedal, but it's still okay to
then achieve new things andchallenges and learnings and
sharing.
You know this person I won'tgive insight, share the insights
around that and that was, yeah,it was a little bit emotional
(21:31):
as well.
Speaker 2 (21:31):
I mean I will add, this season, I think a lot of
the conversations that you hadwith our guests do, or they did,
get very emotional, because itis such a massive life
transition.
So, you know, not only are wetalking about being disciplined
and structured and, you know,having ambition, but they're
(21:53):
also talking about theirexperience as humans and we can
all relate to having a period ofchange in our lives and trying
to figure out what the next stepis, or wanting a change in even
just career.
So, yeah, I think this seasontouches so many different topics
and it's really, reallyinsightful for so many different
(22:17):
groups of listeners.
So, really exciting.
Speaker 1 (22:21):
Yeah, it is exciting.
I can't wait to drop the namesbecause there's a couple of
people where we record at HubAustralia.
We've got a podcast studio hereand when these guests walk in,
everyone turns their head andsays Fabian, how did you get
that guest on your?
Speaker 2 (22:39):
podcast.
What is he doing here?
Speaker 1 (22:41):
Yeah, exactly right.
So we do have quite a fewpeople in the shared office that
are regular listeners, so Isaid you can't say anything yet.
Yeah, exactly right, so we dohave quite a few people in the
shared office that are regularlisteners.
So I said you can't sayanything yet.
It's a secret.
Speaker 2 (22:50):
Yeah, we've got to get them to sign NDA
non-disclosure agreement.
Speaker 1 (22:54):
Yeah, that's right.
So super excited for Season 3.
Yeah, let's do it.
Speaker 2 (23:01):
Yeah, we'll see you guys.
It won't be too long, a coupleof weeks in between the seasons
so we can get ready to post itand share with you all these
amazing guests.
But yeah, stay tuned.
Speaker 1 (23:15):
Stay tuned.
I'm so tempted to say something, but I won't, I'll hold off.
I'll hold off, but thank you,sienna, I appreciate all your
work.
And the last thing we reallyappreciate if you could follow
us on Instagram to see ourvideos that we post, as well as
follow us on Spotify or ApplePodcasts, because that just
means that we get a greateraudience.
(23:36):
The more followers we have, thehigher we get ranked and the
more people that get to listento our insightful stories and,
most importantly, the incrediblepeople we interview.
Speaker 2 (23:46):
Yeah, and if a conversation particularly
resonates with you, share itwith someone that you know will
appreciate it.
You know, in the next seasonthere's going to be so many
people that you probably alreadyknow and someone you know that
idolises that person.
So it'd be such a help to usbut, you know, just to you and
your network to share theseincredible conversations.
(24:08):
So we're really, really excitedto share it with you guys.
Speaker 1 (24:12):
That's right.
Well, we'd better wrap it upthere.
Speaker 2 (24:14):
So you know we could talk forever about the podcast.
Speaker 1 (24:16):
It's been so much fun .
Thank you all.
I appreciate all your listeningor everyone that's listening
along, and yeah, and alsoprovide feedback.
We love feedback.
Yeah, is there any guests you'dlike on the podcast?
Speaker 2 (24:29):
Definitely, let us know.
Our DMs on Instagram are alwaysopen.
Comment on any of our posts.
If there's someone that youthink would you know be such a
good fit for the podcast, let usknow.
We're keen.
Speaker 1 (24:41):
There's a good chance I might know them too, that's
true, that's true, that's true.
Awesome.
Well, thank you.
Speaker 2 (24:48):
Yeah, we'll see you next season.
Speaker 1 (24:50):
That's right.
Speaker 2 (24:55):
Disclaimer this podcast exists for informational
and entertainment purposes only.
The personal opinions of thespeaker and guests do not
represent the view of any otherparty.
If this recording containsreference to financial products,
that reference does notconstitute advice nor
recommendations and may not berelied upon.
Welcome to the Finance Friends podcast.
Whether you have followed usfrom the beginning or you're a
new listener, we are excited tohave you here.
Finance Friends gives ourlisteners a seat at the table
with successful finance industryleaders.
Follow us on our socials atFinance Friends Podcast, linked
in the description box of thisepisode, and stay tuned for
(00:29):
weekly episode releases.
Welcome to the Finance FriendsPodcast and we are rounding up
season two and what a joy it'sbeen.
We've interviewed someincredible guests and I hope
you've enjoyed listening to allthe episodes.
Today's episode we're going to.
I've got the lady behind thescenes that does everything for
(00:52):
the podcast Sienna.
Welcome, sienna.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Hi, thank you.
This feels weird actually beingin the episode.
I'm normally just listening.
Speaker 1 (00:59):
No, that's fine.
So Sienna is the producer,director, scriber, videographer,
photographer everything thatgets done on this podcast.
Sienna pretty much doeseverything.
So thank you for all your work,Sienna.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
You're welcome.
I mean this has been amazingfor me on the sidelines really
getting this season out,especially from season one to
season two, the big jump, and Ithink that's why we're kind of
doing this episode.
We've gotten so many newlisteners come in in season two
and we kind of just want them toget to know you and us and the
(01:35):
podcast as a whole.
So, yes, it's really exciting.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
Well, it is exciting, and what's more exciting is the
launch of season three.
We've had some massive guestson.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Season 3.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
Major, major definitely so household names
that, especially if you followfootball.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
If you follow the AFL .
Speaker 1 (01:54):
I won't mention who's going to be on the podcast.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Not yet.
We want to keep it a secret.
Not yet we're keeping it asecret.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
But you know, we do have someone that well.
Sienna was Idle Idle.
Yeah, do have someone that well.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
Sienna was Idol yeah, Idol yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
Well, let's not go into too much detail.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
We can't give too much away.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
We can't give that away, but we do have lots of
incredible people.
But so what have I most enjoyedabout?
Well, what have you mostenjoyed about Season 2, Sienna?
Speaker 2 (02:19):
Season 2 was incredible.
I think we had so many amazingguests and I feel like everybody
says that but sitting in andlistening in to all of their
stories and their careers andhow they shaped their lives
still and a university studentand learning from these such
(02:45):
like, such successfulprofessional people who, you
know, are just kind of likeeveryone else and really are
disciplined, motivated it's beenso insightful, yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
Yeah, and I think the key themes that I heard from
our guests included that yourfirst opportunity in the finance
industry isn't going to be theperfect opportunity, but it is
about getting your foot in thedoor, and a lot of people just
said just get your foot in thisdoor.
(03:17):
We had a few guests actuallythat started in a contact center
on the phones and they didn'tknow what they wanted to be.
You know longer term.
And the other key theme wasyour career's not linear.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
So, even though you might become a I don't know a,
you know you might work in anoperations team supporting a
team in India, right to end upthe head of marketing as an
example.
Like you know, it's not linear.
So just be open to take on newchallenges, be open to learning
(03:53):
and work hard.
I think is a common theme,would you agree?
Speaker 2 (03:55):
Yeah, 100%.
I think if you guys listeninghad listened to last week's
episode, which was Natalie, shespoke a lot about that and I
resonated with her a lot becauseshe, you know, she started off
studying journalism and thenended up working for AMP and in
marketing and in finance,essentially, um.
So like that idea that all ofthese people we've interviewed
(04:18):
through season two have reallychopped and changed their
careers is inspiring and also abit comforting, because you
don't have to know it all Like.
A lot of our listeners arestudents and I think it's
comforting for them to hear thatyou're not going to start with
the pinnacle job.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
It comes with work and changing and different
experiences and even when we hadDavid on the podcast David
Werdiger, he talks about havingthree careers to date, changing
and different experiences.
And even when we had David onthe podcast David Werdiger, he
talks about having three careersto date.
You know his dad, you know, wasrunning a family business and
his expectation was to be in thebusiness.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
And you know he wanted to do his own thing, so
he was in software computing andnow he you know he works with
very successful families aroundsuccession planning and family
dynamics, which is reallyinsightful.
So it is important just to beopen.
I know about my career to dateas well.
I've only sort of I would say,maybe a third of the way through
(05:16):
my career that I started infinancial planning and worked in
private wealth and now I'm inrecruitment.
So just being open to learn andtake on new challenges and you
know your career will evolveDefinitely.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
Be open to that Definitely, and I think a lot of
our listeners are new.
So, fabian, do you want to kindof give them a rundown of your
career and where you started and, I guess, all the experiences
that brought you to this momentin your career and also just
hosting a podcast Like what'shappened?
How did you know?
(05:53):
How did it all come about?
Speaker 1 (05:54):
Yeah, it's been a bit of a whirlwind.
We've come a long way sincelaunching the podcast in October
2024.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Yeah, from season one .
Speaker 1 (06:04):
Yeah, from season one .
So it's always something I'vewanted to do.
I love, you know, I lovetalking to people.
I love meeting people.
I've emceed a few events.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
Fabian knows everyone Absolutely.
He can't walk down the street.
He knows everyone.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
They don't know me, but I know them.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
No, sometimes it's the opposite.
Speaker 1 (06:21):
Fabian's the next celebrity here Definitely.
Definitely on Collins Street.
I know most people on CollinsStreet, outside of Collins
Street, I'm not sure about that.
And then the famous bars thateveryone goes to, the finance
bars like Garden State.
Anyway, we digress a little bit.
So me, I always loved maths,always loved business.
(06:43):
I remember telling this storythat you know, my mum's really
good with maths and numbers andmoney.
And I remember my mum taught mea skill she would work out the
bill of the grocery bill beforewe got to the counter to know if
it fell within her budget ornot, and she'd only buy things
(07:04):
within her budget.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
Yeah, and so I learned to actually calculate
the cost of the grocery billbefore we got to the counter and
I would guess to see roughly,you know, within a dollar of you
know $150 bill.
So I'd always be obsessed withmoney and budgeting.
And then I'd always go intobusinesses, and you know a cafe,
(07:27):
and look at the way theyoperate and think to myself,
well, they could be doing thisbetter or they could be saying
that better, or they could be,you know, upselling this item.
So business has always beensort of part of my DNA.
Maths has been part of my DNAand I used to play when I was in
high school.
I'd play a game with myworkmates and I'd say sorry, my
(07:51):
schoolmates, and say that I'llbe able to calculate the
equation before you cancalculate it on the calculator
within reason.
Nothing too crazy, and that wasmy goal to always work it out
before they could do it on thecalculator.
So I've definitely gonedownhill on the multiplication
front point.
But, yeah, I still love maths.
So I ended up doing a financedegree at university and in my
(08:12):
last year of university I workedat ANZ in a foreign exchange
role at the airport.
So I just did FX, foreignexchange for people that were
going overseas.
Speaker 2 (08:22):
Yep.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Actually served some pretty well-known professionals
and well-known people sportspeople- Can you tell us who?
Who came through?
Brian Lara came through.
Okay, brian Lara is a famouscricketer from the West Indies.
Pretty cool, very much a coolcat Served Gary Ablett oh wow,
(08:43):
junior and Gary Ablett Seniorwas there.
This was right before he movedto the Gold Coast, so there was
a lot of talk about him movingto the Gold Coast.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
You caught him on his flight there?
Yeah, actually.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
I caught him on his flight to the US and who I
served Eric Banner.
So a couple of very famouspeople, so not as famous as who
we've got on the podcast forseason three.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
Oh, you've got to wait for season three.
Speaker 1 (09:09):
Yeah, quite famous.
So I really enjoyed that andactually at the time I wanted to
.
So this was 2010, 9, 10, duringthe global financial crisis,
and I was working at ANZ.
I was trying to get a financialplanning role within ANZ and
then I couldn't because of youknow, the current environment,
economic environment.
(09:29):
So my manager at the time saidwell, why don't you have a
conversation with my financialadvisor?
He might have an opportunity.
So I ended up working at thefinancial planning firm, was in
an administration role.
Again, you don't start doingthe best role.
I actually took a massive paycut, like at the bank.
At the time.
I was earning like $85,000because I was working shift work
and I went to a role gettingpaid, I think, about $34,000.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
Wow, I think some yeah, that's a great point Like
a lot of people, you know thatsaying you have to take two
steps back to then take twosteps forward, and it's so true
when you're starting out yourcareer.
Speaker 1 (10:03):
Yeah, exactly, take one step back and two or three
steps forward, and that was agoal.
Like you know, I could havestayed in that role and earned a
decent salary, but ultimately Iwanted to learn and grow and
develop and that was moreimportant than short-term income
.
And I think a lot of my advicewould be and my advice is always
to young professionals I meetprioritize learning, growth, the
(10:26):
right organization, over income.
Money will come, you don't haveto worry.
If you work hard, you studyhard, you're driven, money will
come, but you don't have toworry.
If you work hard, you studyhard, you're driven, money will
come, but you've got to get theright environment, the right
learning, to be able to prosperthat.
So then, I joined their work tothat firm for about four years
(10:47):
before I joined another firm asan independent financial advice
firm IFA another firm as aindependent financial advice
firm, ifa, as they're known asand I ran their investment
portfolio.
So I would recommend I'drecommend Direct Equities,
australian Global ETFs, and I'dgive advice to our clients
around their portfolios.
And we were dealing withclients.
(11:07):
Average client had about twoand a.5 million of investable
assets that we would give adviceon.
Loved that and I thought, well,I'm doing it here, maybe I can
do this in the UK.
So I ended up moving to Londonand I worked for a Swiss bank
Julius Baer in private wealth inthe private wealth division and
it was great, great experience,learned so much.
(11:28):
We dealt with clients allaround the world, so a lot of
Middle Eastern clients that were, you know, worth billions of
dollars Wow, we had, you know.
We did payments globally.
We helped them buy propertiesin the Cayman Islands.
We set up offshore trusts.
We did a wide-ranging.
(11:49):
There was a wide range of taskswe did for them and Pure Play
Private Bank for them, andobviously investment management
is part of that.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
Then I came back and how long were you in the UK for?
Speaker 1 (12:02):
Just over two years in the UK, loved it.
London's a great city.
I highly recommend it.
I'm actually heading to Londonshortly to catch up with some
old work colleagues and friends.
That's amazing, greatexperience.
Traveled lots through Europe,highly recommend.
If you get the opportunity tolive abroad, do it.
Then I came back and I was likewell, time to come back.
(12:25):
And, you know, make my parentsproud, find a wife, have a
family that's the goal.
Still not the case eight yearslater.
But anyway, let's move on.
And then I started.
I wanted to be in a more clientpeople as much.
Speaker 2 (12:41):
You're a people person.
Speaker 1 (12:42):
I want to be in front of people and I noticed that
when I was at Julius Bear, likewithin the first month, I knew
all 200 people in the office.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (12:50):
And everyone's like how do you know that person?
I've been here three years I'venever spoke to that person.
I'm like, well, why haven't youspoke to them?
You know, I want to understandwhat they do and how they do it,
and that sort of led me torecruitment.
So I started working at anotherfirm for about two and a half
years, and that was great a halfyears ago.
(13:11):
So now I provide recruitmentservices to investment
management firms, private wealthfirms, and that's anywhere from
people with two, three yearsexperience up to very senior
people that lead teams.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Yeah, that's amazing.
I think you were saying before,like you knew everyone in the
office and it's same here, likewe were in a shared office and
you know everyone, and actuallya lot of people we've bumped
into have become guests on thepodcast.
So it's really, it's reallyinteresting.
I think that's a big theme ofseason two as well, like
(13:46):
everybody stresses network.
So yeah, so I mean your careerjourney has been amazing and
then I guess it kind of led youto here to the podcast.
So what I what was?
I mean, what sparked theinitial idea of these podcasts
and what was kind of yourintention with it from the
beginning?
Speaker 1 (14:05):
yeah, it's great question and and thanks for
asking the question, sienna.
So I have great conversationswith incredible people.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
Every day.
Speaker 1 (14:14):
Every day and I need to, you know, bite myself to
think, wow, like I'm having aconversation with this person
who might lead a team of 30people and, you know, has, you
know, grown their career andvery well respected, and might,
you know, be part of aninvestment management firm that
manages over, you know, growntheir career and very well
respected, and might, you know,be part of an investment
management firm that managesover, you know, a billion
(14:36):
dollars?
Right, and there's a seniorleader and I'm having a
conversation with that personand I feel that, you know, these
people offer a lot and it'sunfortunate that a lot of
younger professionals coming up,whether it be students or the
young professionals, don't getto hear from these people, don't
get a seat at the table.
So what I want to do is sharethe conversations I have with
(15:00):
the people that don't get tohear these conversations,
because I know I didn't have amentor growing up.
You know my parents didn't workin finance.
You know didn't finish highschool, so for me it was.
You know, give our listenersopportunity to listen to someone
they aspire to be and whatlearnings can they get from that
(15:21):
person to help better theircareer and whether it might be.
You talk about networking.
How important networking is.
It might be about.
Let's not focus on how muchmoney you're going to make
tomorrow.
Let's focus on learning, growthand development.
That's really important.
So for me, that's the premisesof the podcast is, and also I
(15:41):
love interviewing people so Ican do what I love and let other
people listen in and share theexperiences that I get to
experience every day.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
Yeah, that's amazing.
I remember, because we startedthe podcast in October of last
year, in 2024, and I pitched theidea to you because you know
everyone and you know you haveso many conversations with so
many people about starting arecruitment podcast, because I
(16:12):
started off working as a marketsolely a marketing associate for
Reva and then, you know, youexpressed to me that you have
had this idea for ages, that youknow you want to share all
these conversations that you'rehaving every single day with
these amazing people.
And here we are.
So it's really really exciting,yeah, and it's been amazing to
(16:35):
be a part of behind the scenesand watch it kind of grow
through the last, especially thelast season.
Speaker 1 (16:40):
Well, I can guarantee this podcast wouldn't exist if
it wasn't for you, Sienna.
So thank you.
You've showed lots ofinitiative and you've done
everything.
So I do the easy part.
I call the guests and say, hey,you want to be on the podcast,
and I interview the guests.
You do everything else.
So without you it definitelywouldn't be possible.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
Thank you.
No, it's been an amazingjourney, Even just learning I
mean, I'm learning myself how itall operates and it's really
been like a surreal experiencewith someone, with my experience
which is next to none, when Istarted to be able to do this
and, you know, bring somethingto life that you're so
(17:19):
passionate about, I feel sopassionate about, especially as
a student.
So, yeah, it's been a realprivilege working on this
podcast with you.
Speaker 1 (17:27):
Yeah, yeah, awesome.
Should we talk more aboutseason three?
Speaker 2 (17:30):
I think so I think we need to start dropping a little
bit, a little bit of hints nottoo much, yeah, I think it's
important to share the why ofseason three.
Speaker 1 (17:39):
So I'm fortunate enough to get a lot of people
refer me as a as a well-knownrecruitment specialist in the
world of finance, and Iregularly get introduced to
current professional sportspeople and people that have just
finished being a professionalsports person that are seeking
(18:01):
the transition into finance, andthere's a lot of people that
have successfully transitionedfrom the sports field to the
finance field and they've got somuch insight to share around
that transition and how they didit and also how challenging it
is.
It's not easy.
You know you talk aboutidentity.
You know you're used to havinga lot of structure and all of a
(18:24):
sudden you don't have thatstructure.
And there's a few key themesthat emerged and I was like well
, I'd love to share theexperiences of you know, whether
it be a football player,whether it be an Olympian,
whether it be a rugby player whoare all on the podcast in
season three and about theirjourney and what they do now and
(18:44):
how they got there.
And that's really important tocurrent athletes who are
thinking about what's next.
When is the time to startthinking about what's next?
Speaker 2 (18:53):
Yeah, I think important to current athletes,
but just as much reallyimportant to anyone who's
looking to feel motivated, tosee what discipline looks like
Like listening in, even from myperspective.
We have recorded a few of theepisodes already and you know I
(19:15):
learnt so much from these peoplewho had such structured lives,
also were in such high-pressureenvironments for so long, and
how they persevered through allof that and then came out in a
second career and are now, youknow, at the top of that field.
So it's interesting for peoplewho can relate to them, but also
(19:37):
people who just want to learn.
Speaker 1 (19:39):
You know what success takes, I guess, yeah, and I
think the synergies ofprofessional sport and being a
professional in the world offinance was quite common too.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
A hundred percent, yeah, so that's really.
Speaker 1 (19:51):
It was really insightful.
You know, preparation,dedication, achieving the
ultimate goal and again, I don'twant to give too much away, but
one of our guests says that youknow who you know was a gold
medalist won gold.
Speaker 2 (20:07):
One hint, one hint.
Speaker 1 (20:09):
Yeah, I won't say too much more.
But you know, as an athlete,his ultimate goal was to win a
gold medal at the Olympics andhe achieved that.
And now he's very successful inthe world of finance and he
shares a story around.
You know, as a professional, awhite-collar professional,
there's no ultimate goal ofwinning a gold medal.
(20:31):
Yeah, like you, just need tocontinually improve and get
better and not think there hasto be an ultimate goal.
Speaker 2 (20:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (20:39):
Just get better and learn and go with it.
Speaker 2 (20:42):
Yeah, there's no real destination.
It's just about being dedicatedthrough all of it, through all
stages.
Speaker 1 (20:48):
It's almost like the journey is the destination to a
point, whereas you know, as anOlympian, the destination is the
gold medal right.
So when you achieve thepinnacle, it's like well, what's
next?
Speaker 2 (21:00):
Like.
Speaker 1 (21:00):
I've achieved everything I've ever aspired to
achieve.
How can I still be content withwhat's next?
Speaker 2 (21:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (21:09):
So it's okay not to be fully content like of
reaching the pinnacle of a goldmedal, but it's still okay to
then achieve new things andchallenges and learnings and
sharing.
You know this person I won'tgive insight, share the insights
around that and that was, yeah,it was a little bit emotional
(21:31):
as well.
Speaker 2 (21:31):
I mean I will add, this season, I think a lot of
the conversations that you hadwith our guests do, or they did,
get very emotional, because itis such a massive life
transition.
So, you know, not only are wetalking about being disciplined
and structured and, you know,having ambition, but they're
(21:53):
also talking about theirexperience as humans and we can
all relate to having a period ofchange in our lives and trying
to figure out what the next stepis, or wanting a change in even
just career.
So, yeah, I think this seasontouches so many different topics
and it's really, reallyinsightful for so many different
(22:17):
groups of listeners.
So, really exciting.
Speaker 1 (22:21):
Yeah, it is exciting.
I can't wait to drop the namesbecause there's a couple of
people where we record at HubAustralia.
We've got a podcast studio hereand when these guests walk in,
everyone turns their head andsays Fabian, how did you get
that guest on your?
Speaker 2 (22:39):
podcast.
What is he doing here?
Speaker 1 (22:41):
Yeah, exactly right.
So we do have quite a fewpeople in the shared office that
are regular listeners, so Isaid you can't say anything yet.
Yeah, exactly right, so we dohave quite a few people in the
shared office that are regularlisteners.
So I said you can't sayanything yet.
It's a secret.
Speaker 2 (22:50):
Yeah, we've got to get them to sign NDA
non-disclosure agreement.
Speaker 1 (22:54):
Yeah, that's right.
So super excited for Season 3.
Yeah, let's do it.
Speaker 2 (23:01):
Yeah, we'll see you guys.
It won't be too long, a coupleof weeks in between the seasons
so we can get ready to post itand share with you all these
amazing guests.
But yeah, stay tuned.
Speaker 1 (23:15):
Stay tuned.
I'm so tempted to say something, but I won't, I'll hold off.
I'll hold off, but thank you,sienna, I appreciate all your
work.
And the last thing we reallyappreciate if you could follow
us on Instagram to see ourvideos that we post, as well as
follow us on Spotify or ApplePodcasts, because that just
means that we get a greateraudience.
(23:36):
The more followers we have, thehigher we get ranked and the
more people that get to listento our insightful stories and,
most importantly, the incrediblepeople we interview.
Speaker 2 (23:46):
Yeah, and if a conversation particularly
resonates with you, share itwith someone that you know will
appreciate it.
You know, in the next seasonthere's going to be so many
people that you probably alreadyknow and someone you know that
idolises that person.
So it'd be such a help to usbut, you know, just to you and
your network to share theseincredible conversations.
(24:08):
So we're really, really excitedto share it with you guys.
Speaker 1 (24:12):
That's right.
Well, we'd better wrap it upthere.
Speaker 2 (24:14):
So you know we could talk forever about the podcast.
Speaker 1 (24:16):
It's been so much fun .
Thank you all.
I appreciate all your listeningor everyone that's listening
along, and yeah, and alsoprovide feedback.
We love feedback.
Yeah, is there any guests you'dlike on the podcast?
Speaker 2 (24:29):
Definitely, let us know.
Our DMs on Instagram are alwaysopen.
Comment on any of our posts.
If there's someone that youthink would you know be such a
good fit for the podcast, let usknow.
We're keen.
Speaker 1 (24:41):
There's a good chance I might know them too, that's
true, that's true, that's true.
Awesome.
Well, thank you.
Speaker 2 (24:48):
Yeah, we'll see you next season.
Speaker 1 (24:50):
That's right.
Speaker 2 (24:55):
Disclaimer this podcast exists for informational
and entertainment purposes only.
The personal opinions of thespeaker and guests do not
represent the view of any otherparty.
If this recording containsreference to financial products,
that reference does notconstitute advice nor
recommendations and may not berelied upon.
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