Exchanges with Evan Lucas

Evan Lucas

Welcome to Exchanges the podcast where trends, economics, markets and financial behaviour meets everyday life. Each week, I sit down with leading thinkers, business leaders, and policymakers to unpack the ideas, data, and decisions shaping our future from inflation to housing, leadership to innovation, trends to technology through the lens of human behaviour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 6 days ago

    Exchanges with Amy Auster: Should we HECS the home?

    It's one of the most provocative policy questions in Australia right now should we put a HECS-style scheme on the family home? This week on Exchanges, we sit down with Amy Auster CEO of the Policy Institute of Australia to to discuss this very idea. Amy unpacks the deep complexities and inequities baked into Australia's transfer and pension systems, and makes the case for innovative reforms that could fundamentally reshape the way we think about housing equity, intergenerational wealth, and fiscal responsibility. From the growing divide between those who inherit wealth and those who don't, to the sustainability of a system that can't keep carrying the weight it's being asked to carry we exchange the hard questions and offers the kind of fresh thinking that our housing debate desperately needs. To find out more about Amy and her work go here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyauster/ Website: https://www.policyinstitute.org.au/ Paper: Home truths: The case for rebalancing toward better means testing _________________________________________ Today's episode is sponsored by Mitrade a multi-regulated CFD trading platform, founded in Melbourne, that lets you access over 900 financial instruments — from gold and forex to indices and stocks — all in one place, with no commission. Trading CFDs carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Please consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. AFSL 398528. https://mytd.cc/yxTv _________________________________________ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Economic Policy and Fairness 02:40 The Growth of the Social Safety Net 05:28 Means Testing and Equity in Transfer Programs 08:30 Revisiting the Age Pension and Asset Tests 10:40 Proposed Retirement Contribution Scheme 12:24 Risks and Perceptions of Borrowing Against Assets 14:13 Challenges in Implementing Policy Changes 16:04 Tax Cuts and the Transfer System 19:35 Inflation and Fiscal Discipline 21:30 Redistributing Savings for Budget Repair 23:37 Case Study: Judy and Housing Wealth 26:54 Normalising Asset Utilization in Retirement Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2. 8 July

    Exchanges with Bernadette Schwerdt: The Digital Businessperson

    In a world where the rules of business are being rewritten in real time, what does it actually take to build something that lasts? This week on Exchanges, I sit down with Bernadette Schwerdt for a practical and energising conversation about entrepreneurship, online business growth, and what it really means to build with resilience. Bernadette shares her insights from interviewing Australia's leading CEOs in digital enterprise, on leveraging digital platforms effectively, the power of strategic partnerships, and how AI is transforming the way smart businesses think about marketing. To find out more about Bernadette go here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernadetteschwerdt/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bernadetteschwerdt/ Website: https://bernadetteschwerdt.com.au/ _________________________________________ Today's episode is sponsored by Mitrade a multi-regulated CFD trading platform, founded in Melbourne, that lets you access over 900 financial instruments — from gold and forex to indices and stocks — all in one place, with no commission. Trading CFDs carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Please consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. AFSL 398528. https://mytd.cc/yxTv _________________________________________ Chapters 00:00 The Fascination with Entrepreneurship 05:22 The Rise of Online Entrepreneurship 12:18 Navigating Partnerships in Business 18:06 Marketing in the Digital Age 28:00 The Impact of AI on Entrepreneurship https://mytd.cc/yxTv Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. 25 June

    Exchanges with Petar Petrov: Is AI the Next Bubble?

    This week on Exchanges, we sit down with Peter Petrov about the state of AI investment and whether the boom we're living through is built to last. Drawing comparisons to past market bubbles including the dot-com era Peter unpacks the dynamics driving AI valuations, the risks that aren't getting enough attention, and what the next few years could look like for AI companies and investors alike as they come to market for the masses. _________________________________________ Today's episode is sponsored by Mitrade a multi-regulated CFD trading platform, founded in Melbourne, that lets you access over 900 financial instruments — from gold and forex to indices and stocks — all in one place, with no commission. Trading CFDs carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Please consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. AFSL 398528. https://mytd.cc/yxTv _________________________________________ Chapters 00:00 The Current State of AI Investment 05:03 Comparative Analysis: Dot Com Bubble vs. AI Boom 10:04 The Role of Major Players: NVIDIA and the AI Infrastructure 14:54 The Future of AI Companies: IPOs and Market Dynamics 20:01 Survival of the Fittest: Competition in the AI Space 25:08 The Future of AI: Predictions and Concerns Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. 15 June

    Exchanges with Ben Westgarth: Drone(ing) the skies

    The skies are changing and so is the future of national security. This week on Exchanges, we sit down with Ben Westgarth, CEO and CTO of Department13, for a fascinating and timely conversation about drone technology, counter-drone systems, and what it really takes to protect Australia in an increasingly complex world. Ben pulls back the curtain on how counter-drone systems actually work, why the ability to develop and adapt rapidly is now a strategic necessity, and what Australia's current defence capabilities look like and where they need to go. From the technology shaping modern warfare to the broader question of national resilience, this is an Exchange that connects cutting-edge innovation with the very real stakes of keeping a nation safe. To find out more about Ben click here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-westgarth-1992a618/ Website: https://department13.com/ To find out more about Evan click here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-lucas-44a25316/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evanlucas_/ Website: www.evanlucas.com.au Chapters 00:00 The Journey into Drone Technology 01:56 Australia's Tech Landscape and Support 04:17 Department 13: Technology Overview 05:47 Future Resilience and Drone Evolution 09:40 Drones in Society: Opportunities and Risks 11:24 Illegal Drone Flights and Public Awareness 13:21 Government Spending and Infrastructure Needs 15:20 Learning from Cybersecurity Regulations 18:24 Subscription Model for Drone Monitoring 22:27 Public Misunderstandings of Drone Technology 25:57 AUKUS and Defense Spending Perspectives 30:55 The Limitations of Drone Jamming 34:26 Vision for Australia's Sovereign Capability Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. 8 June

    Exchanges with Natalie MacDonald: Purpose, Brand & the Future of Work

    What does it take to leave a successful career behind and build something entirely your own? This week on Exchanges, we sit down with Natalie MacDonald for an honest and energising conversation about reinvention, purpose, and what the future of work really looks like. Natalie shares her journey from media to entrepreneurship, the lessons she learned along the way, and why building a strong personal brand has never mattered more than it does right now. We explore the transformative impact AI is having on the workplace, what it means to build a career with genuine purpose at its core, and why supporting underrepresented communities isn't just the right thing to do it's essential for building a better, more innovative future of work. To follow Natalie click here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-macdonald/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natalie_workingatit/ Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/working-it-6475264103727403008/ Website: https://www.workingatit.com.au/ To follow Evan click here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-lucas-44a25316/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evanlucas_/ Website: www.evanlucas.com.au Chapters 00:00 The Journey of Natalie MacDonald 01:19 Transforming Work Environments 03:18 Building a Personal Brand on LinkedIn 10:06 Monetizing Expertise and Overcoming Barriers 15:34 The Impact of AI on Employment 19:15 Creating a Supportive Workforce 23:41 The Future of Work: Hybrid Models 27:29 Entrepreneurship in the Modern World 32:46 Empowering Caregivers and Building Community Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. 31 May

    Exchanges with Graeme Cowan: The Leadership of Care

    What if the most powerful thing a leader can do is simply make people feel safe? This week on Exchanges, I sit down with Graeme Cowan co-founder of R U OK Day for a conversation about what the future of work looks like. Graham shares his own journey through mental health challenges, what it taught him about leadership, and why psychological safety isn't just a buzzword it's the foundation of every high-performing team. We explore what genuine care looks like inside organisations, how to build teams that are truly resilient, and the growing role AI is playing in reshaping leadership as we know it. To Follow Graeme click here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/graemecowan1/ Website: https://graemecowan.com.au/lets-connect/ Website: https://wecare365.com.au/ To Follow Evan click here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-lucas-44a25316/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evanlucas_/ Website: https://evanlucas.com.au/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Graham Cowan's Leadership Journey 02:34 Founding R U OK? and Mental Health Advocacy 05:22 The Power of Storytelling in Normalising Mental Health 11:57 Overcoming Resistance to Psychological Safety 12:52 Leading Like a Scientist: Hypotheses and Rapid Testing 14:56 The Role of Care in Leadership and AI's Impact 18:38 The Importance of Caring in Organizational Culture 19:06 Leadership's Role in Employee Engagement 20:41 Challenges of Traditional Leadership in Modern Workplaces 22:17 AI's Disruption and Opportunities for Leaders 28:27 Work-Life Balance and Reflection in a Digital Age Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. 20 May

    Exchanges with Chris Foster-Ramsey: Housing your lending

    Welcome to season 5 of The Exchanges Podcast! This week on Exchanges, we sit down with mortgage expert Chris Foster-Ramsay for an honest and practical conversation about what the 2026 rate rises mean for everyday Australians and what you can actually do about it. Chris walks us through the smartest refinancing strategies available right now, how to get your household budget working harder under pressure, and what the future of the housing market could look like as economic headwinds continue to build. Whether you're struggling with mortgage stress or simply trying to make smarter financial decisions in an uncertain environment, this episode is packed with expert insight you can put to work immediately. To find out more about Chris go here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fosterramsay/ Website: https://www.fosterramsay.finance/ To follow Evan go here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-lucas-44a25316/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evanlucas_/ Website: https://evanlucas.com.au/ Chapters 00:00 Navigating Economic Changes: The Impact of Rate Rises 03:01 Shifting Borrower Mindsets: From Capacity to Repayment 05:50 Budgeting Under Pressure: Household Financial Strategies 08:46 Mortgage Prison: Understanding the Risks 11:52 Refinancing in a Rising Rate Environment 15:05 Government Schemes and First Home Buyers 17:52 The Importance of Loan Valuation and Equity 20:46 Do's and Don'ts in Financial Management 26:04 A Vision for Family and Community Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. 8 May

    Exchanges with Amanda Rose: Power Politics

    This week on Exchanges, I sit down with Amanda Rose for a wide-ranging exchange about leadership, politics, the forces reshaping society around us and tribalism. Because what does real leadership look like in a world that's changing faster than our institutions can keep up? Amanda shares her perspective on what effective leadership actually looks like today, the power of grassroots movements to drive meaningful change. From the corridors of politics to the future of how we power our world, this Exchange connects the dots between big ideas and the decisions that affect all. To find out more about Amanda go here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theamandarose/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandarosemedia/ Website: https://www.amandarose.com.au/ To follow Evan go here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-lucas-44a25316/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evanlucas_/ Website: https://evanlucas.com.au/ ------------ This episode is brought to you by Moorr the lifestyle by design property app for all investors. Go to moorr.com.au to find our MOORR ----------- Chapters 00:00 The Essence of Leadership Today 05:27 The Political Landscape and Leadership Challenges 12:29 Tribalism and Its Impact on Society 18:01 Welfare and Economic Incentives 20:26 The Role of Technology in Employment 28:28 Energy Policy and Leadership 33:36 A Vision for Change Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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4.9
out of 5
55 Ratings

About

Welcome to Exchanges the podcast where trends, economics, markets and financial behaviour meets everyday life. Each week, I sit down with leading thinkers, business leaders, and policymakers to unpack the ideas, data, and decisions shaping our future from inflation to housing, leadership to innovation, trends to technology through the lens of human behaviour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Evan Lucas
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Evan Lucas
  • Show Website
    Exchanges with Evan Lucas

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