When the idea for Finance Friends first came about, it wasn’t a fully formed strategy, a business model, or even a clear roadmap. It was a simple pitch:
“Fabian, you know basically everyone in this industry… let’s share their stories!”
A show that would go beyond numbers and market movements, and instead focused on the people, the stories, and the lessons that shape careers in financial services.
I brought this idea to Fabian, and together we began shaping what Finance Friends could become. A small project with the hope of starting conversations that mattered. We didn’t know how quickly it would grow, or how strongly it would resonate with listeners across the finance community, but as the seasons have continued, our simple idea has turned into a platform for connection, storytelling, and inspiration.
Where We Began
The first episodes were recorded with minimal resources, minimal experience with podcast equipment, a lot of enthusiasm, and a shared belief that stories could cut through the complexity of finance. We leaned on candid conversations with professionals who had both lived experience and insights to share. What we found early on was that people didn’t just want technical commentary, they wanted authenticity. They wanted to hear about challenges, failures, resilience, and growth.
How Far We’ve Come
Fast forward to today, and Finance Friends has evolved into something much bigger. We’ve welcomed high-profile guests from across the industry and beyond including: athletes, fund managers, executives, each with their own unique perspective on success, leadership, and navigating high-pressure environments.
Some major highlights include Fabian’s interviews with Chris Judd, living AFL legend and the founder of Cerutty Macro Fund, sharing lessons from elite sport and leadership, and Grant Hackett, reflecting on the transition from Olympic champion to CEO of GDG, a $2 billion ASX-listed company. These episodes have sparked conversations about performance, strategy, and translating lessons from sport into business.
The community has grown too. What started as a small audience is now a growing network of professionals, students, and curious minds who tune in not only to learn about finance, but to feel connected to the people behind the titles. With over 3,000 followers across all our social accounts, the Finance Friends community is thriving, engaged, and hungry for more stories that inspire and educate.
Where We’re Headed
We’re only just getting started. The vision for Finance Friends is to continue bridging the gap between finance and real human experience. That means more conversations with leaders who inspire, more opportunities for our audience to engage, and expanding across new platforms and formats.
Season four is already underway and we can’t wait to share with you all what we have planned. Our goal is to continue raising the bar, bringing listeners the stories and strategies that rarely get shared publicly, and building a space where the finance community can feel seen and heard.
The Heart of It
At its core, Finance Friends has always been about connection. From the first pitch to Fabian, to now sitting across from Olympians, AFL Icons, and executives, the essence hasn’t changed: we want to tell stories that matter. Stories that not only make sense of the finance world, but also inspire people to approach their careers, their teams, and their lives with curiosity, resilience, and purpose.
The journey so far has been an exciting one, and the best part is, it’s only just beginning.
Article written by:
Sienna Bartolomeo
Podcast Producer of Finance Friends and Marketing Associate at RIVA Recruitment
