6d ago

What happens when you hire a private investigator with Richard James

When you think of a private investigator, you probably picture stakeouts, disguises and scenes straight out of a crime drama. The reality is far less glamorous, and far more interesting. In this episode of Money and a Good Life, we sit down with Richard James, Director and Principal Investigator of RIVICA Investigations & Covert Solutions. With more than 30 years of experience across UK law enforcement, Australian anti-corruption agencies and private investigations, Richard has seen it all. We explore what private investigators actually do, when people seek their help, and how evidence is gathered legally and ethically. Richard shares insights into everything from workplace fraud and surveillance to digital privacy, counter-surveillance and the realities of modern investigations. Along the way, we discuss what happens when evidence is obtained unlawfully, the emotional challenges clients face when seeking answers, and what decades of investigating human behaviour has taught Richard about trust. Whether you're curious about the profession, concerned about privacy, or simply fascinated by human nature, this conversation offers a rare glimpse into a world most of us only see on television. In this episode, we cover: What private investigators really do (and what TV gets wrong) The types of cases that lead people to hire an investigator Why ethics and legality are critical in investigations Workers' compensation fraud and workplace investigations Digital privacy, mobile phones and encrypted messaging apps Counter-surveillance and signs someone may be monitoring you What makes a great investigator Lessons about trust, deception and human behaviour What to do if you suspect something isn't right The realities and costs of hiring a private investigatorHere's to your Good Life. And thanks for listening. You can find us at https://www.tribecafinancial.com.au/ Our guest: Richard James, Director and Principal Investigator of RIVICA Investigations & Covert Solutions Connect with Richard: Richard James | LinkedIn Visit Richard’s website website: Private Investigator Melbourne | RIVICA Investigations Our hosts: Ryan Watson, CEO, Tribeca Financial Follow Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/r-watson/ Stephanie Coombes, podcast expert and media strategist Follow Steph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-coombes-62903825/ Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd, ABN 54 604 005 209 trading as Tribeca Financial has been appointed as a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No.1008603) of My Dedicated Advisory. My Good Life ® is a registered trademark of Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd. Advice given in this podcast is general in nature and is not intended to influence decisions about investing or financial products. Our listeners should always seek their own professional advice that considers their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions. Tribeca Financial acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.

50 min

May 18

Retirement planning beyond the numbers with Brad Fox

For most people, the one thing they worry about in retirement is money. Have I saved enough? Can I afford to stop working? When can I access my super? But what if that's the wrong place to start? In this episode of Money & a Good Life, Steph and Ryan sit down with Brad Fox Managing Director of Smart Brave Consulting, Chairman of Tribeca Financial, and one of the most respected voices in Australia's financial services industry to rethink what retirement actually means. Brad believes retirement is a phase of life that raises big questions about identity, purpose, time, and meaning. And while the money matters, the mindset matters more. What we talk about: What retirement is actually about beyond "the moment you stop working"Why starting with a narrow financial definition is limiting and sometimes harmfulHow retirement looks wildly different depending on the personWhy there's no single "right" version of retirementWhat separates people who thrive in later life from those who struggleOdyssey Planning—a tool developed at Stanford for approaching retirementWhy Odyssey Planning is so powerful for this life transitionThe process of imagining three different five-year futuresWhy prototyping your retirement is better than locking into one big irreversible decisionWhy engaging imagination is an important and often missing part of retirement planningFactors beyond finances that create a "good" retirementWhy longevity and happiness aren't just about moneyAutonomy, contribution, and growth as major drivers of wellbeingHow people keep learning and growing once their career stops structuring their livesIf you've been thinking about retirement purely through a financial lens, this conversation will challenge you to think bigger about purpose, identity, and what you actually want the next chapter to look like. Here's to your Good Life. And thanks for listening. You can find us at https://www.tribecafinancial.com.au/ Our guest: Brad Fox, Chairman Tribeca Financial, Managing Director Smart Brave Consulting Connect with Brad: linkedin.com/in/bradfox1 Visit Brad’s website: smartbraveconsulting.com Our hosts: Ryan Watson, CEO, Tribeca Financial Follow Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/r-watson/ Stephanie Coombes, podcast expert and media strategist Follow Steph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-coombes-62903825/ Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd, ABN 54 604 005 209 trading as Tribeca Financial has been appointed as a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No.1008603) of My Dedicated Advisory. My Good Life ® is a registered trademark of Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd. Advice given in this podcast is general in nature and is not intended to influence decisions about investing or financial products. Our listeners should always seek their own professional advice that considers their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions. Tribeca Financial acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.

56 min

May 4

Feeling safe with money again with Bec Allan

Have you ever noticed that you can do everything right with money but still feel like you're getting nowhere? You do the budgets. You save. You try to be disciplined. And yet, somehow, it still feels hard. Like you're second-guessing yourself. So what's going on? In this episode of Money & a Good Life, Steph and Ryan welcome back Bec Allan—money coach and mortgage broker who works with people who aren't necessarily bad with money, but feel stuck, overwhelmed, or quietly stressed about it, even when things look fine on paper. Bec explores why money can feel so difficult, especially when the world feels uncertain, and what we can actually change to make things feel easier. What we talk about: Bec's story from earlier in life, when she was pregnant with her daughterWhether Bec is seeing more money anxiety at the momentWhy behaviour matters more than knowledge for most peopleHow people can have the best budget in the world and still not follow itWhat financial safety actually feels likeHow to stay calm when things feel out of controlMaking money feel simpler when it usually feels complicated and overwhelmingWhere to start if you want to strip things backOne habit or shift that tends to have the biggest impact for clientsIf you're doing the "right" things financially but still feel stressed, anxious, or like you're getting nowhere, this conversation will help you understand why, and what to do about it. Here's to your Good Life. And thanks for listening. Find us at www.tribecafinancial.com.au Our guest: Bec Allan, Mortgage Broker and Money Coach Connect with Bec on LinkedIn Follow Bec on Instagram Visit Chamberlain & Co’s website Our hosts: Ryan Watson, CEO, Tribeca Financial Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn Stephanie Coombes, podcast expert and media strategist Connect with Steph on LinkedIn Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd, ABN 54 604 005 209 trading as Tribeca Financial has been appointed as a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No.1008603) of My Dedicated Advisory. My Good Life ® is a registered trademark of Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd. Advice given in this podcast is general in nature and is not intended to influence decisions about investing or financial products. Our listeners should always seek their own professional advice that considers their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions. Tribeca Financial acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.

33 min

Apr 20

Retiring early and actually living your life with Christine Wagner & Steve Kruk

Early retirement sounds like the dream. No alarm clock. No commute. No bosses. But for some people, it also feels out of reach. And even if you could retire early, would you actually know what to do with your time? Because it turns out, stopping work is the easy part. Figuring out how to live well without it, that's where things get interesting. In this episode of Money & a Good Life, Steph and Ryan sit down with Christine "Wags" Wagner and Steve Kruk, a couple who both spent more than three decades at Ford before retiring in their 50s with teenage daughters, busy lives, and no intention of slowing down. They loved their jobs. But they realised they didn't want to wait any longer to actually live their lives. What we talk about: Why they walked away from long, successful careers they actually enjoyedWhy early retirement is as much about emotional readiness as financial preparednessWhether they had a plan to get outWhy people don't treat time with enough respectHow retirement gives you a clear sense that your days are finiteThe confronting reality of 7,300 days in a 20-year retirementWhy most people avoid thinking about finite time altogetherThe weird social reactions to early retirementBeing in the "hobby phase" and what that actually entailsFinding yourself busier than you were while workingPersonal goals they're trying to hitSetting collective and independent goals to balance big aspirations with day-to-day lifeHow new interests emerge (gardening, learning guitar, curating plants)The importance of investing in relationships and friendshipsLearning to spend money as a practiced skillRecognising that without health, life quality deterioratesTalking positively and proudly about being retiredIf you've ever questioned your own timeline or wondered whether early retirement is realistic, this conversation will challenge your assumptions and show you what's possible. Here's to your Good Life. And thanks for listening. Find us at www.tribecafinancial.com.au Our guest: Chrstine Wagner & Steve Kruk Our hosts: Ryan Watson, CEO, Tribeca Financial Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn Stephanie Coombes, podcast expert and media strategist Connect with Steph on LinkedIn Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd, ABN 54 604 005 209 trading as Tribeca Financial has been appointed as a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No.1008603) of My Dedicated Advisory. My Good Life ® is a registered trademark of Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd. Advice given in this podcast is general in nature and is not intended to influence decisions about investing or financial products. Our listeners should always seek their own professional advice that considers their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions. Tribeca Financial acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.

40 min

Apr 6

Why we make irrational money decisions (and how to stop) with Evan Lucas

We all like to think we're rational when it comes to our finances. But the truth is, most of our money decisions are driven by emotion, family history, and psychology. So does that mean we're trapped by our brains? Forced to make illogical decisions from now until eternity? Not necessarily. In this episode of Money & a Good Life, Steph and Ryan sit down with Evan Lucas, behavioural finance specialist, media commentator, author of Mind Over Money, and host of the podcast Exchanges with Evan Lucas to explore how our emotions and cognitive biases affect our money decisions and why we sometimes act against our own best interests. If you've ever wondered why you keep making financial decisions you know aren't ideal, or how to build better financial habits that actually stick, this conversation reveals the psychology behind the patterns and how to change them. What we talk about: What behavioural finance is in simple terms and why it mattersCommon irrational financial decisions that sensible people makeWhy we continue making financial decisions we know aren't idealWhat's happening psychologically in those momentsWhat delayed return decisions are and why they're importantHow much of our financial behaviour is shaped by family history, heritage, and economic environmentBehavioural patterns across generations, how baby boomers handle finances differently to Gen XSeparating short-term market noise from long-term financial strategyFor people in their 40s or 50s juggling mortgages, ageing parents, and teenage kids—one financial behaviour Evan wishes more people would adoptWhat Evan has learned about how people really want to engage with money through his career communicating complex financial ideasIf you've ever self-sabotaged with money or struggled to stick with good financial habits, this episode will help you understand why it happens and what you can do about it. Here's to your Good Life. And thanks for listening. Find us at www.tribecafinancial.com.au Our guest: Evan Lucas, behavioural finance specialist, media commentator, author of Mind Over Money, and host of the podcast Exchanges with Evan Lucas Follow Evan on Instagram Connect with Evan on LinkedIn Visit Evan’s website Our hosts: Ryan Watson, CEO, Tribeca Financial Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn Stephanie Coombes, podcast expert and media strategist Connect with Steph on LinkedIn Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd, ABN 54 604 005 209 trading as Tribeca Financial has been appointed as a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No.1008603) of My Dedicated Advisory. My Good Life ® is a registered trademark of Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd. Advice given in this podcast is general in nature and is not intended to influence decisions about investing or financial products. Our listeners should always seek their own professional advice that considers their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions. Tribeca Financial acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.

46 min

Mar 23

Cashflow hacks #2 with Matthew Rea

Today we're revisiting a topic that's greatly improved lives, including Steph's. It's probably the easiest change you can make to your finances with the greatest impact: cashflow. In this episode of Money & a Good Life, Steph and Ryan bring back Matt Rea to go through the fundamentals of cashflow and dig a little deeper into how it actually works in practice. If you've ever felt broke despite earning a good salary, struggled with lifestyle creep, or wondered why money feels so hard to manage, this conversation will give you the practical framework to change that. What we talk about: What cashflow actually is (and what people usually get wrong about it)Quick 101 on how to set up a cashflow systemUnderstanding what it costs you to liveSeparating fixed costs from discretionary expensesThe power of automating your finances"Pay yourself first" and what to do with surplus cashflowSetting up your own pool of discretionary moneyCan you be financially healthy without natural discipline?What happens when clients can't stick with a cashflow systemThe difference between earning more money and managing money betterWhy someone on a good salary can still feel constantly brokeWhy lifestyle creep feels invisible while it's happeningIf you want practical, actionable steps to take control of your money without feeling restricted, this episode breaks it down clearly. Here's to your Good Life. And thanks for listening. You can find us at https://www.tribecafinancial.com.au/ Our guest: Matthew Rea, Senior Adviser/Partner, Tribeca Financial Connect with Matt here Learn more/book a meeting here Our hosts: Ryan Watson, CEO, Tribeca Financial Connect with Ryan here Stephanie Coombes, podcast expert and media strategist Connect with Steph here Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd, ABN 54 604 005 209 trading as Tribeca Financial has been appointed as a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No.1008603) of My Dedicated Advisory. My Good Life ® is a registered trademark of Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd. Advice given in this podcast is general in nature and is not intended to influence decisions about investing or financial products. Our listeners should always seek their own professional advice that considers their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions. Tribeca Financial acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.

32 min

Mar 9

What to expect in your first 100 days with a financial adviser with Rachael Holder

For a lot of people, working with a financial adviser feels intimidating. Do I need advice? Am I "bad with money"? What actually happens? In this episode of Money & a Good Life, Steph and Ryan sit down with Rachael Holder Tribeca Adviser with psychology training and behavioural finance expertise to demystify the process. Rachael walks through the first three months of working with an adviser, explaining what happens, why it matters, and how it transforms your finances and wellbeing. If you've ever wondered what good financial advice should feel like, this conversation provides the roadmap, from building foundations to creating your plan to establishing the ongoing partnership where real transformation happens. What we talk about: When financial advice makes sense for your situationWhy people who think they're "terrible with money" usually aren'tWhy advisers start with your story before numbersExploring values, family situation, money mindset, hopes and fearsHow women carry guilt or feel behind and how to reframe itProviding clarity and reducing the emotional load around moneyUncovering short, medium, and long-term goalsThe "what does a good life look like for you?" conversationWhat information and documents you'll need to provideTurning insights into actionable strategiesWhy technical skill and trust both matterWhat it means for advisers to act in your best interestsHow regulation protects clientsUsing cashflow modelling to visualise your futureWhat clients discover when advisers "look under the bonnet"Tailoring strategies to your capacity and comfort with riskWhat a Statement of Advice (SoA) is and why it mattersHow the relationship evolves after the plan is in placeWhy real transformation happens after the first few monthsManaging decisions as they arise, school fees, redundancy, health eventsThe role of accountability and emotional supportNavigating difficult topics like wills and estate planningWhy years 1-3 build foundations and years 4+ deliver compounding benefitsThis episode removes the nervousness around the unknowns of engaging with an adviser and shows what good advice should feel like, both the qualitative side and the quantitative side. Here's to your Good Life. And thanks for listening. Find us at www.tribecafinancial.com.au Our guest: Rachael Holder, Connect with Rachael on LinkedIn Learn more about Rachael here Our hosts: Ryan Watson, CEO, Tribeca Financial Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn Stephanie Coombes, podcast expert and media strategist Connect with Steph on LinkedIn Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd, ABN 54 604 005 209 trading as Tribeca Financial has been appointed as a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No.1008603) of My Dedicated Advisory. My Good Life ® is a registered trademark of Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd. Advice given in this podcast is general in nature and is not intended to influence decisions about investing or financial products. Our listeners should always seek their own professional advice that considers their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions. Tribeca Financial acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.

53 min

Feb 23

Sea changes, marriage and riding the waves of midlife with Kate Halfpenny

Midlife is supposed to be the time when things settle down. The kids grow up, careers feel stable, and life gets a little simpler. Right? Well, that's not always how it plays out. Careers shift, marriages strain, parents age, health changes, and suddenly you're rewriting the script entirely. In this episode of Money & a Good Life, Steph and Ryan sit down with Kate Halfpenny — columnist for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, founder of Bad Mother Media, and author of Boogie Wonderland, to talk about what happens when midlife doesn't go to plan. Kate's memoir shares her sea change after COVID, her husband's struggle with alcoholism, navigating empty nesting and perimenopause, and starting a business in her mid-fifties after 40 years as an employee. This conversation mirrors what many of our listeners are experiencing — the messy, beautiful, challenging reality of midlife transformation. What we talk about: What drew Kate to journalism and her decades-long careerThe financial reality of being a writer that people misunderstandWhat inspired her to write Boogie WonderlandThe sea change decision post-COVID and the gap between expectation and realityRealities people should consider before making a sea changeHow midlife forces you to work out what you really want and go get itStarting Bad Mother Media in her mid-fifties after being an employee for 40 yearsWhy she chose the name "Bad Mother Media"What she's learned from running her own businessCreating a life on her own schedule with no boss, no 9-5Writing a book late in life while managing clients and a businessWhat she hopes people take away from her storyIf you're navigating midlife transitions, career changes, relationship challenges, or simply wondering how to thrive when life doesn't follow the script, this conversation offers honest insight and hope. Here's to your Good Life. And thanks for listening. Find us at www.tribecafinancial.com.au Our guest: Kate Halfpenny, Columnist & Author Follow Kate on Instagram Connect with Kate on LinkedIn Visit Kate’s website Buy Kate’s book – Boogie Wonderland Our hosts: Ryan Watson, CEO, Tribeca Financial Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn Stephanie Coombes, podcast expert and media strategist Connect with Steph on LinkedIn Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd, ABN 54 604 005 209 trading as Tribeca Financial has been appointed as a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No.1008603) of My Dedicated Advisory. My Good Life ® is a registered trademark of Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd. Advice given in this podcast is general in nature and is not intended to influence decisions about investing or financial products. Our listeners should always seek their own professional advice that considers their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions. Tribeca Financial acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.

43 min

Money & a Good Life

What happens when you hire a private investigator with Richard James

Retirement planning beyond the numbers with Brad Fox

Feeling safe with money again with Bec Allan

Retiring early and actually living your life with Christine Wagner & Steve Kruk

Why we make irrational money decisions (and how to stop) with Evan Lucas

Cashflow hacks #2 with Matthew Rea

What to expect in your first 100 days with a financial adviser with Rachael Holder

Sea changes, marriage and riding the waves of midlife with Kate Halfpenny

About

Information

You Might Also Like

Money & a Good Life

Episodes

What happens when you hire a private investigator with Richard James

Retirement planning beyond the numbers with Brad Fox

Feeling safe with money again with Bec Allan

Retiring early and actually living your life with Christine Wagner & Steve Kruk

Why we make irrational money decisions (and how to stop) with Evan Lucas

Cashflow hacks #2 with Matthew Rea

What to expect in your first 100 days with a financial adviser with Rachael Holder

Sea changes, marriage and riding the waves of midlife with Kate Halfpenny

About

Information

You Might Also Like