Ticker Talk

National Stock Exchange of Australia

Forget the jargon and the charts, Ticker Talk is the podcast that lifts the lid on the people, passions, and personalities driving the financial markets. Hosted by Matt and Max, each episode steps beyond the numbers to uncover the human stories behind the trades, trends, and turning points shaping today’s economy. From traders and founders to baristas with hot takes and regulators with cooler heads, everyone has a story, and every market move has a motive. Expect insights, lessons, and a few secrets along the way… all delivered with a wink and a dose of dry humour.

  1. Oct 27

    The Board Skills Matrix Retail Investors Want

    Is there a boardroom club that doesn’t serve retail shareholders? And what should everyday investors demand from the companies they own a piece of? In this episode, we speak with Rachel Waterhouse from the Australian Shareholders Association (ASA), an organisation that has spent more than six decades backing retail investors and holding boards and companies to account. She shares why governance matters as much as financial performance, where she thinks the proposed changes to the ASX Corporate Governance Principles are heading, and what retail investors should look for in the boardroom. Chapters:00:00 Introduction 00:18 Rachel's background and path to the ASA 03:38 The "ASA" name problem 04:51 Data-driven marketing lessons 07:08 Who is the typical retail investor? 09:56 ASX Corporate Governance Principles 11:37 Diversity of thought and the board skills matrix 14:45 Why independent board reviews matter 15:41 Is there a boardroom club? 17:03 "If not, why not" and governance vs performance 18:03 Proxy advisers and your voting responsibility 20:05 Companies in the headlines 21:33 Red flags, investor fears and policy Whether you invest through a self-managed super fund, ETFs, managed funds or direct shares, you’re an owner of the companies you invest in. This conversation is a practical look at how to use that ownership well. If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe for more conversations about investing, governance and the Australian market.

  2. Oct 13

    Joe Hockey (Part 2): Red Tape, Capital and Australia's Future

    Joe Hockey says rising government debt and a welfare bill larger than income tax could change how capital is taxed in Australia. Here's the full conversation, including what he learned from losing the Treasurer's job in front of the whole country. In Part 2, former Treasurer and former Ambassador to the United States Joe Hockey talks about his time in politics and his life since. He covers government debt, the "age of entitlement", why capital is moving to lower-tax jurisdictions, and what he'd tell a government serious about cutting red tape. He also tells the story of arriving in Washington as a new ambassador, why he reached out to Donald Trump's campaign when no one thought Trump would win, and how he built Bondi Partners from a card table in a basement during COVID. In this episode: 00:00 Introduction01:21 Australia as a Financial Centre: Where It Stands04:46 Government Debt, Bond Markets and Capital Taxes07:10 Where Wealth Is Moving: Singapore, Florida, Low-Tax Hubs13:15 Losing the Treasurer's Job and the Prime Ministership13:56 Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull and Brutal Politics17:35 Arriving in Washington: The Charity Dinner Story19:42 Reaching Out to Trump Before He Won21:16 Trump 2.0 vs Trump 1.0, and Mark Carney23:41 Building Bondi Partners and the 1941 Fund27:00 The Perth Bears and AI in Rugby League30:37 The Prop: Hockey and the Queen32:29 Rapid Fire Questions Whether you follow Australian politics, financial markets, or the personal stories behind the people who've shaped our economy, this conversation is worth the full watch. This podcast and the information in it is provided for information purposes only. The National Stock Exchange of Australia Limited (NSXAL) is the holder of an Australian Market Licence and operates a financial market but under no circumstances is the podcast or the information within it, to be used for, or considered as an offer to, become a participant of or trade on NSXAL or undertake any other activity or purchase or sell any financial product or as a solicitation or recommendation to purchase sell, offer to purchase or sell any financial product. While NSXAL is of the view that the sources of the information contained in the podcast are reliable, NSXAL does not represent or guarantee that this information is accurate, complete or timely and is not liable for any claims, losses or damages arising from or occasioned by any inaccuracy, delay error, omission or from the use of the information or from actions take in relation to the information. Reproduction or redistribution of the podcast is prohibited unless expressly permitted in writing by NSXAL.

  3. Sep 29

    Why He Thinks Markets Are About To Reverse

    What happens when investors start demanding more transparency from the companies and markets they trust? In this episode, Joe Hockey joins the conversation about where his family originated from, how he talked his way into a career in politics and reflects on his career in Australian politics, financial markets and economic policy and why he believes transparency and integrity could become increasingly important to the future of stock exchanges. Hockey shares stories from his early political career, his experience during Australia's recession of the early 1990s, and his time as Minister for Financial Services. He also discusses competition between exchanges, the importance of efficient capital raising, the impact of technology and why he believes investors may increasingly look to exchanges for greater transparency and credibility. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:42 Family Origins 03:48 Sydney University Politics And The Birth Of The Varsity Party 08:21 Working As A Lawyer Through The 90s Recession 11:29 Beating An "Unbeatable" Independent In North Sydney 12:09 The Campaign Bus Story 14:47 Becoming One Of John Howard's Youngest Ministers 15:36 The HIH Collapse And The Royal Commission 16:49 Pushing The ASX To Buy The Sydney Futures Exchange 18:58 Why Capital Will Drift Back To Trusted Exchanges Whether you're interested in Australian politics, financial markets, or the personal stories behind the people who've shaped our economy, this one's worth the full watch. Tune into the next episode for more of Joe Hockey's political career, the stories, the decisions, and what he'd do differently This podcast and the information in it is provided for information purposes only. The National Stock Exchange of Australia Limited (NSXAL) is the holder of an Australian Market Licence and operates a financial market but under no circumstances is the podcast or the information within it, to be used for, or considered as an offer to, become a participant of or trade on NSXAL or undertake any other activity or purchase or sell any financial product or as a solicitation or recommendation to purchase sell, offer to purchase or sell any financial product. While NSXAL is of the view that the sources of the information contained in the podcast are reliable, NSXAL does not represent or guarantee that this information is accurate, complete or timely and is not liable for any claims, losses or damages arising from or occasioned by any inaccuracy, delay error, omission or from the use of the information or from actions take in relation to the information. Reproduction or redistribution of the podcast is prohibited unless expressly permitted in writing by NSXAL

  4. Sep 15

    From Macquarie to Running Australia's Oldest Jeweller

    Irene Deutsch started out sorting share applications on the floor at midnight during one of Australia's biggest bank floats. Decades later, she's the CEO of the country's oldest jeweller. This episode traces one of the more unexpected career journeys in Australian finance.In this episode of Ticket Talk, we sit down with Irene Deutsch, CEO, Managing Director and proprietor of Fairfax & Roberts, Australia's oldest jeweller. Before jewellery, Irene spent decades in banking and broking, starting at Macquarie Bank in a tiny sales team, moving to Goldman Sachs and later working at ANZ, before an unexpected turn led her to run one of Sydney's most storied heritage brands Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:15 Growing up in Sydney as the daughter of a Holocaust survivor 02:14 University, Japanese studies and her first jobs 06:28 Starting out in a tiny Macquarie Bank sales team 11:43 The move to Goldman Sachs 14:19 Leaving banking to run Fairfax & Roberts 16:30 Inside Australia's oldest jeweller 18:19 Buying diamonds, gemstones and the lab-grown disruption 21:19 Why jewellery beats banking for her now 26:08 Rapid fire round Subscribe to Ticker Talk for more honest conversations with leaders who've built careers, businesses and industries from the inside out. This podcast and the information in it is provided for information purposes only. The National Stock Exchange of Australia Limited (NSXAL) is the holder of an Australian Market Licence and operates a financial market but under no circumstances is the podcast or the information within it, to be used for, or considered as an offer to, become a participant of or trade on NSXAL or undertake any other activity or purchase or sell any financial product or as a solicitation or recommendation to purchase sell, offer to purchase or sell any financial product. While NSXAL is of the view that the sources of the information contained in the podcast are reliable, NSXAL does not represent or guarantee that this information is accurate, complete or timely and is not liable for any claims, losses or damages arising from or occasioned by any inaccuracy, delay error, omission or from the use of the information or from actions take in relation to the information. Reproduction or redistribution of the podcast is prohibited unless expressly permitted in writing by NSXAL.

  5. Sep 2

    What Makes a Truly Great Chairman?

    If you care about how real decisions get made in Australian boardrooms, and what separates merely competent directors from truly great chairs, this episode is a rare inside look. David Gonski shares what he’s learned across decades on major boards, in education and in the arts, from judging the Archibald Prize to helping steer iconic companies like Westfield, ASX and Coca‑Cola Amatil. We explore how he moved from law into becoming a trusted adviser to some of the country’s most successful business leaders, why trust matters more than transactions, and how art, education and even a simple pen shape his thinking about leadership in the age of AI. Chapters 00:00 Introduction00:32 Transitioning from Law to Business Advisory02:46 The 1987 Financial Crisis and Business Resilience03:33 Why Public Service Matters Outside of Business05:43 Adjudicating the Archibald Prize 19 Times07:23 Art, Human Perspective, and the Limits of AI08:41 A Lesson in Perception from Artist Arthur Boyd11:25 What Makes an Effective Board Chairman16:24 Why Serving on Public Boards Is Harder Today17:58 Inside Westfield: Working with Sir Frank Lowy21:44 The Analog Pen: Personal Reflection on Original Thought23:36 Rapid Fire Questions: Leadership, Walking, and Persistence This podcast and the information in it is provided for information purposes only. The National Stock Exchange of Australia Limited (NSXAL) is the holder of an Australian Market Licence and operates a financial market but under no circumstances is the podcast or the information within it, to be used for, or considered as an offer to, become a participant of or trade on NSXAL or undertake any other activity or purchase or sell any financial product or as a solicitation or recommendation to purchase sell, offer to purchase or sell any financial product. While NSXAL is of the view that the sources of the information contained in the podcast are reliable, NSXAL does not represent or guarantee that this information is accurate, complete or timely and is not liable for any claims, losses or damages arising from or occasioned by any inaccuracy, delay error, omission or from the use of the information or from actions take in relation to the information. Reproduction or redistribution of the podcast is prohibited unless expressly permitted in writing by NSXAL.

  6. Aug 18

    From Brain Surgeon’s Son to Corporate Leader l Part 1

    In this episode, David Gonski shares how his family uprooted their lives to move to Australia, why he didn’t follow in his father footsteps into neurosurgery, and how great teachers and mentors reshaped his path from debating student to young M&A partner and, eventually, adviser to some of the country’s most influential business leaders. If you’re interested in leadership, education, career pivots or the human side of corporate Australia, this conversation offers grounded, thoughtful insights without the spin. 00:00 Introduction00:24 Growing up in Cape Town and moving to Australia03:52 No sporting talent but mentors who saw more07:36 Sydney Grammar and his father's career reinvention09:56 The decision that broke his father's heart10:46 An unexpected obsession with architecture12:17 Choosing law over the courtroom15:10 Finding his real mentor, Kim Santo16:52 His first deal and making partner at 2519:00 Why he walked away from practising law This podcast and the information in it is provided for information purposes only. The National Stock Exchange of Australia Limited (NSXAL) is the holder of an Australian Market Licence and operates a financial market but under no circumstances is the podcast or the information within it, to be used for, or considered as an offer to, become a participant of or trade on NSXAL or undertake any other activity or purchase or sell any financial product or as a solicitation or recommendation to purchase sell, offer to purchase or sell any financial product. While NSXAL is of the view that the sources of the information contained in the podcast are reliable, NSXAL does not represent or guarantee that this information is accurate, complete or timely and is not liable for any claims, losses or damages arising from or occasioned by any inaccuracy, delay error, omission or from the use of the information or from actions take in relation to the information. Reproduction or redistribution of the podcast is prohibited unless expressly permitted in writing by NSXAL.

  7. Aug 5

    The Biggest Myth Retail Investors Believe

    In this conversation, Geoff Wilson uses a striking compounding example to explain why starting early and spending time in the market can matter far more than trying to perfectly time every investment. In part two of this discussion, Geoff reflects on launching Wilson Asset Management with $1 million in 1998, developing his stock selection framework and navigating the opportunities and excesses of the dot-com boom. He explains why earnings growth, management quality and a clear catalyst sit at the centre of his investment approach and why he is comfortable selling early rather than allowing greed to take over. Geoff also shares his concerns about Australia’s shrinking public markets, the policies discouraging active investment and the emotional mistake he believes many retail investors make. Follow for more conversations with leaders across investing, business and Australia’s financial markets. 00:00 Introduction 00:43 Welcome back to Geoff Wilson 01:40 Starting WAM with $1 million 08:54 Navigating the dot-com boom 11:16 Geoff Wilson’s stock selection framework 15:00 One.Tel, catalysts and selling early 16:12 From fund management to philanthropy 20:59 The worthless share certificates lesson 23:25 The idea that sparked Future Generation 25:29 Building a pro bono investment model 29:19 Australia’s shrinking public markets 33:16 Why Geoff Wilson speaks out 35:28 The investing advice he wishes he followed 38:22 The biggest retail investor myth 39:29 Closing thoughts This podcast and the information in it is provided for information purposes only. The National Stock Exchange of Australia Limited (NSXAL) is the holder of an Australian Market Licence and operates a financial market but under no circumstances is the podcast or the information within it, to be used for, or considered as an offer to, become a participant of or trade on NSXAL or undertake any other activity or purchase or sell any financial product or as a solicitation or recommendation to purchase sell, offer to purchase or sell any financial product. While NSXAL is of the view that the sources of the information contained in the podcast are reliable, NSXAL does not represent or guarantee that this information is accurate, complete or timely and is not liable for any claims, losses or damages arising from or occasioned by any inaccuracy, delay error, omission or from the use of the information or from actions take in relation to the information. Reproduction or redistribution of the podcast is prohibited unless expressly permitted in writing by NSXAL.

  8. Jul 21

    How Geoff Wilson Went From Failing Year 12 to Founding Wilson Asset Management

    How did Geoff Wilson go from failing Year 12 and knowing almost nothing about the stock market to founding one of Australia’s most recognised investment management companies? In Part One of this Ticker Talk conversation, Wilson Asset Management founder and chairman Geoff Wilson reflects on his unconventional journey into finance. He shares how his upbringing in Melbourne shaped his appetite for risk, the early investment that first captured his attention and the unexpected career decisions that eventually led him from science into stockbroking. Then came the opportunity that changed everything: an offer of $10 million to begin managing money independently. CHAPTERS 00:00 - Intro 00:41 - Geoff Wilson’s childhood and family background 02:50 - From aspiring vet to studying science 04:09 - Failing Year 12 and starting again 06:18 - His family’s connection to the stock market 07:18 - Geoff’s earliest investing lessons 11:08 - Graduating into a difficult job market 14:02 - The unexpected move into finance 16:51 - London, New York and the 1987 crash 19:09 - Why stockbroking was “killing” him 21:57 - The $10 million opportunity 23:52 - What’s coming in Part Two Subscribe to Ticker Talk for more conversations with leading Australian investors, executives and business figures. This podcast and the information in it is provided for information purposes only. The National Stock Exchange of Australia Limited (NSXAL) is the holder of an Australian Market Licence and operates a financial market but under no circumstances is the podcast or the information within it, to be used for, or considered as an offer to, become a participant of or trade on NSXAL or undertake any other activity or purchase or sell any financial product or as a solicitation or recommendation to purchase sell, offer to purchase or sell any financial product. While NSXAL is of the view that the sources of the information contained in the podcast are reliable, NSXAL does not represent or guarantee that this information is accurate, complete or timely and is not liable for any claims, losses or damages arising from or occasioned by any inaccuracy, delay error, omission or from the use of the information or from actions take in relation to the information. Reproduction or redistribution of the podcast is prohibited unless expressly permitted in writing by NSXAL.

About

Forget the jargon and the charts, Ticker Talk is the podcast that lifts the lid on the people, passions, and personalities driving the financial markets. Hosted by Matt and Max, each episode steps beyond the numbers to uncover the human stories behind the trades, trends, and turning points shaping today’s economy. From traders and founders to baristas with hot takes and regulators with cooler heads, everyone has a story, and every market move has a motive. Expect insights, lessons, and a few secrets along the way… all delivered with a wink and a dose of dry humour.

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