Informed Choice Radio Personal Finance Podcast

In today's episode, we have two very special guests joining us, James Ellis and Jason Shaw, the founders of Elevated Food for Life. Elevated Food for Life is a groundbreaking platform that can be best described as the Netflix of healthy recipe sites. With over 200 mouthwatering recipes and an extensive library of video instructions, this platform is revolutionising the way we approach healthy cooking. James Ellis, a nutritionist, and Jason Shaw, a professional chef, joined forces to create Elevated Food for Life. James, who left a successful career on Fleet Street, pursued his passion for health by becoming a clinical nutritionist and gaining an MSc in Nutrition. He's also a health coach and conditioning coach, with a keen interest in biohacking, enabling him to achieve a metabolic age 22 years younger than his actual age. Jason Shaw, our other guest today, developed his culinary skills in the kitchens of the acclaimed Trust House Forte Hotel in Bramhope, Leeds. Over the years, he has worked alongside some of the biggest names in the business, including culinary legends Marco Pierre White, Gordon Ramsey, and Raymond Blanc. Now, an industry consultant, Jason brings his wealth of experience and expertise to Elevated Food for Life. During our conversation, James and Jason will take us behind the scenes of Elevated Food for Life and explain how they developed this innovative platform. We'll delve into the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, exploring the nutritional aspects and discussing how to save money on quality ingredients. If you've ever felt overwhelmed in the kitchen or struggled to find healthy recipe ideas, this episode is for you. James and Jason are here to inspire and educate us on the art of healthy cooking and the importance of nourishing our bodies. So, without further ado, let's dive into my conversation with James Ellis and Jason Shaw, the founders of Elevated Food for Life, in episode 597 of Informed Choice Radio.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Allison Baggerly, the author of Money Made Easy and the founder of Inspired Budget. Allison is a former teacher turned money coach who has helped countless women break free from the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle and take control of their finances. During our conversation, Allison shared her personal story of how she and her husband paid off over $111,000 of debt on two teachers' salaries while raising their family. Her insights into goal-setting, sticking to a budget, and staying motivated throughout the process were incredibly valuable. We talked about the importance of identifying your "money pattern" and developing a plan to pay off debt, save money, and invest for your future. Allison's book, Money Made Easy: How to Budget, Pay Off Debt, and Save Money, is a must-read for anyone looking to improve their financial situation. Whether you're just starting out or you're a seasoned pro, her insights and strategies will help you achieve your financial goals. I hope you enjoy this episode of Informed Choice Radio and find it as valuable as I did. Here's my conversation with Allison Baggerly in episode 596 of Informed Choice Radio.

In this episode, I’m speaking with Karen Mooney, the Founder and CEO of Sara Eden, the UK’s leading matchmaking agency. Karen started Sara Eden back in 1988 after hearing from too many friends about the difficulties they faced in finding a partner. Since then, she has been responsible for thousands of marriages and long-term relationships, becoming a trusted adviser to her clients along the way. In this episode, Karen shares her insights on the matchmaking industry, her clientele of successful professionals and retired professionals up to their late 80s, and how her business has changed since the pandemic. Karen also talks about the importance of financial compatibility in relationships and how she helps her clients navigate this often tricky topic. So, whether you’re single and looking for love or just interested in learning more about the matchmaking industry, you won’t want to miss this episode. Here’s my conversation with Karen Mooney in episode 595 of Informed Choice Radio.

Our guest today is Countess Jennifer Walderdorff, a fashion merchandising and retail expert, and the author of “Look at the Labels”. Jenn’s passion for fashion was instilled in her by her Nigerian parents and she’s always had a natural sense of style. After working part-time while studying, Jenn began her career in Fashion Retail Merchandise Planning, before starting her own successful company, Cheeky Poppins Shoe Clips. Jenn eventually left London for Italy to pursue her dreams in the fashion industry and while there, she wrote her book “Look at the Labels”. In this episode, we will be discussing the role of fashion in the global economy, how to make ethically responsible fashion choices, and what it means to be a toxic shopper. So, sit back, relax, and let’s dive into the world of fashion with Countess Jennifer Walderdorff, in episode 593 of Informed Choice Radio.

In this episode, we’re joined by Charlie Lamdin, the founder of BestAgent.co.uk and a renowned economic and political commentator in the housing market. Charlie left a successful career in the city to become a tech founder, and he has a passion for uncovering the truth about how the property market functions. His dream is to end homelessness (something we discuss later in this episode), and he’s a straight-talking, eloquent, and forthright voice in the industry. In this episode, Charlie shares his unique insights into the property market, gained from his twenty years on the inside of the estate agency world as a supplier of tech to agents of all sizes across the country. He’ll also discuss how he aims to undermine all the backhanded conduct in the property sector with his new national property website, BestAgent.co.uk, which is weighted in favour of home movers, rather than estate agents. Charlie is a consumer champion for home-movers and shares his insights with his followers across all social media platforms on the “Moving Home with Charlie” channels. So, if you’re thinking about buying or renting a property or simply interested in the housing market, you won’t want to miss this episode. Stay tuned for an informative and thought-provoking discussion with Charlie Lamdin, in episode 592 of Informed Choice Radio.

In today’s episode, we have a very special guest – Peter Komolafe, an author, and finance expert with a story that will inspire you to take charge of your finances. Peter is more than an expert in money; he has been through the ups and downs of financial instability, and his personal experience gives him a unique perspective on the subject. In this episode, we’ll learn more about his incredible journey and how he overcame financial challenges to become a successful executive in a Fortune 100 company. We chat about Peter’s journey from homelessness to financial success, the mistake that drew him into financial services, coping with the cost of living crisis, and much more. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your finances, this episode is for you. Peter’s journey is an inspiration, and his practical advice will help you take the first steps towards financial security. So, grab a pen and paper, and get ready to take some notes! Here’s my conversation with Peter Komolafe, author of The Money Basics, in episode 591 of Informed Choice Radio.

Would you like to repay your mortgage faster? For many homeowners, that's the dream, especially during this period of rising interest rates. But mortgage overpayments can be complicated, with terms and conditions to navigate and sometimes complex calculations to understand the best approach. My guest on the podcast today aims to simplify mortgage overpayments, with his app Sprive. Sprive is designed to create smart overpayments that chip away at your mortgage balance, reducing lifetime interest costs and bringing that repayment date closer. Jinesh Vohra is CEO and founder of the fintech firm Sprive, following a career at Goldman Sachs managing global teams. In this episode, I chat with Jinesh about the inspiration for Sprive, what drives the ambition to pay off a mortgage faster, and how to make this possible during the cost of living crisis. Here’s my conversation with Jinesh Vohra in episode 590 of Informed Choice Radio.

What's the secret to taking every Friday off, so you can spend more time with your family and doing the things you love? My guest on the podcast today is Dustin Serviss, and he appears to have cracked the code for work/life balance! Dustin built a wildly successful businesses in the wealth and lifestyle design space. He's a Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Life Underwriter, Chartered Investment Manager, and Certified Health Specialist. In this conversation, we chat about his secret for never working on a Friday, how this is linked to his money mindset, and the importance of a 'never retire' strategy. Here's my conversation with Dustin Serviss in episode 589 of Informed Choice Radio.

The Bank of Mum and Dad is becoming a major casualty of the cost-of-living crisis, as parents are under growing strain to support their adult children. That’s according to new research from law firm Irwin Mitchell, which found 6 in 10 are currently financially supporting adult children, with more than a third saying they would not be able to make ends meet without this support. Joining me in this episode is Christine Thornley, Head of the Tax, Trusts and Estate team in the firm’s Manchester office. I chat with Christine about why so many adult children are still financially dependent on their parents, the impact of this financial burden on our own plans, and the importance of seeking expert advice before giving money to adult children. Here’s my conversation with Christine Thornley from Irwin Mitchell in episode 588 of Informed Choice Radio.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the government’s auto-enrolment policy. Since its introduction in 2012, more than 10 million people have been automatically enrolled into a workplace pension scheme. But, with a cost of living crisis and challenging economic times ahead, what are employers and pension providers able to do to support continued saving? My guest today is Jason Green, Head of Research at Benefits Guru, an independent technical resource to support advisers and employers. We chat about how auto-enrolment works, things employers need to consider about their workplace pension schemes, and why financial wellness is becoming a key part of the pensions conversation. Here’s my conversation with Jason Green from Benefits Guru in episode 587 of Informed Choice Radio.

What happened when a GP went on a mission to learn about money management? My guest today is Dr Nikki, aka The Female Money Doctor, a financial empowerment coach for women. As a Certified Money Coach, Nikki is helping women from all over the world to improve their mental health and well-being, through getting organised with their finances and building wealth for the future they truly deserve. Dr Nikki is also a GP with over 13 years of experience as an NHS doctor and women’s health specialist, and in that role she sees first hand the impact poor money management skills have on the mental health of her patients and colleagues. During this conversation, we chat about the link between money management and our health, the impact of the current cost of living crisis, and some steps we can all take to boost our incomes during these difficult times. Here’s my conversation with Dr Nikki aka The Female Money Doctor, in episode 586 of Informed Choice Radio.

Welcome to the Metaverse. You may have come across augmented reality before, but what happens when this cutting edge technology becomes an ordinary part of our daily lives? My guest on the podcast today is Marcel Stotzel, portfolio manager of the FTSE 250 listed Fidelity European Trust PLC. Marcel covers European Software and IT Services as an analyst, and we have a good conversation about investment opportunities in the emerging Metaverse space. Did you know that 10% of luxury sales are forecast to be entirely digital by 2030? It seems clear that the world is changing, and Europe is conveniently positioned to take advantage of the opportunities created by the Metaverse. Here’s my conversation with Marcel Stotzel, portfolio manager of the Fidelity European Trust PLC, in episode 585 of Informed Choice Radio.

With 60% of UK adults not having a valid Will in place, a charity campaign coming up later this year is more important than ever. Will Aid is a special partnership between the legal profession and nine of the UK’s best-loved charities. Together, they raise vital funds for these wonderful causes, while ensuring that people in the UK gain the reassurance of knowing they have a professionally written Will. I’m joined today by Lauren Smith, a solicitor at Taylor Bracewell, and supporter of the Will Aid scheme. Here’s my conversation with Lauren in episode 584 of Informed Choice Radio.

We need to get smarter about home energy consumption. With rising wholesale prices and concerns about the capacity of the National Grid, could your battery electric vehicle be part of the solution to a smart energy future? In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Mark Harrison from dcbel, who are bringing to Europe their smart home energy technology. dcbel sits at the nexus of residential solar power, electric vehicle charging and prosumer-centric energy systems. Its AI-driven sustainable energy technology puts the power into the hands of customers to fuel their car, home, and lifestyle with solar energy. I’m fascinated by new technology, especially where it has the prospect to save money, lead to a more sustainable future, and secure access to energy in an increasingly uncertain world. Here’s my conversation with Mark Harrison from dcbel in episode 583 of Informed Choice Radio.

The world of energy is changing, with a dramatic shift towards sustainability. At the same time, the price of wholesale energy went through the roof as the economy returned to normal levels of activity post-pandemic. Joining me for this episode is Tom Holl, co-manager of the BlackRock Energy and Resources Income Trust plc and a member of BlackRock's Natural Resources team. Tom is responsible for the nutrition strategy, the gold and mining sectors, and co-manages a number of the team's gold and mining portfolios as well as income strategies. Mining and energy companies lie at the heart of the global economy, helping fuel economic activity. Mining companies provide the resources to build new infrastructure, while energy companies drive growth. In this conversation, I chat with Tom about the factors behind current high prices, the three transition 'buckets' in the energy sector, and why the UK has some amazing opportunities during this transition. Here's my conversation with Tom Holl, co-manager of the BlackRock Energy and Resources Income Trust, in episode 582 of Informed Choice Radio.

How can we make our lives easier? My guest on the podcast today is Chris Westfall, a business coach, author and speaker. In his latest book, Chris writes about ways to make your work life work for you. Easier is the hold-your-handbook on coaching, leadership and resilience, offering insights on creating the future of work, finding connection and guidance, and finding ways to make everything in life easier. Chris Westfall is one of the most sought-after coaches and keynote speakers in the world. He has helped launch over five dozen businesses and has appeared on ABC News, NBC TV, and CNN. His clients have appeared on Shark Tank, Dragons Den in Canada and Shark Tank - Australia. In our conversation today, we talk about turning frustration into transformation, why service and creation are our purpose on earth, and what makes self-leadership essential. Here's my conversation with Chris Westfall, author of Easier, in episode 581 of Informed Choice Radio.

Anyone who began working 20 or 30 years ago has witnessed astonishing changes in the workplace during their career. When the global pandemic hit, older workers fortunate enough to retain their jobs once again had to navigate enormous upheaval, virtually overnight. Working from home, often in isolation, over-fifties found themselves facing daunting technological and social challenges. My guest on the podcast today is Kerry Hannon, author of In Control at 50+: How to Succeed in the New World of Work. Kerry Hannon is a leading authority and strategist who has spent more than three decades covering all aspects of careers, business, personal finance, and retirement as a columnist, editor, and writer for leading media companies. In her new book, In Control at 50+, Kerry illustrates how COVID-19 changed the nature of work, provides a compellingly optimistic vision of the future, and highlights opportunities and specific action steps for achieving success. Here’s my conversation with Kerry Hannon, author of In Control at 50+, in episode 580 of Informed Choice Radio.

Private equity was once an investment niche. Today, the wealth controlled by its leading firms surpasses the GDP of some nations. My guest on the podcast today is Sachin Khajuria, author of the first true insider’s account of private equity, revealing what it takes to thrive among the world’s hungriest dealmakers. A former partner at Apollo, Sachin gives readers an unprecedented view inside this opaque global economic engine, which plays a vital role underpinning our retirement systems. He brings the traits, culture, and temperament of the industry’s leading practitioners to life through a series of vivid and unvarnished deal sketches. Here's my conversation with Sachin Khajuria, author of Two and Twenty: How the Masters of Private Equity Always Win, in episode 579 of Informed Choice Radio.

What part should gold play in your investment portfolio? My guest today is Adrian Ash, director of research at BullionVault, the world’s largest online marketplace for gold, silver, platinum and palladium. Looking after £3 billion of precious metal for more than 100,000 customers, BullionVault offers private investors access to the whole bullion market with online trading, instant settlement, and low-cost storage in secure vaults. Winner in April 2022 of a third Queen’s Award for Enterprise, BullionVault has been a full member since 2008 of professional trade body the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) and was chosen in 2017 as online vaulted bullion partner of the mining-industry backed World Platinum Investment Council. During our conversation today, we talk about the factors influencing the price of gold, why silver is called The Devil’s Metal, and what Russia’s invasion of Ukraine means for the palladium market. Here’s my conversation with Adrian Ash, director of research at BullionVault, in episode 578 of Informed Choice Radio.