When we think about insurance, most of us picture paperwork, premiums, and things going wrong. But behind every policy is something far more meaningful: real people, real families, and real moments where life suddenly changes, and the right cover becomes the difference between crisis and stability.

In this episode, Naomi sits down with Jacqui Lennon, Chief Technology and Transformation Officer at Zurich Insurance Australia, to explore the deeply personal side of insurance — the part we don’t talk about enough. Jacqui has seen first-hand working with customers at their most vulnerable: illness, injury, loss, recovery, and everything in between. She’s encountered what happens when people do have the right cover… and when they don’t.

Together, they dive into:

• The life moments where insurance steps in and holds things together

• Real client stories that show how a claim can change someone’s path, from medical crises to unexpected life twists

• Why GoFundMe shouldn’t be your financial plan

• The emotional decisions we make about insurance, and why so many women put it off

• What the four major covers — Life, TPD, Trauma, and Income Protection — are actually designed to protect

This episode is all about understanding the heart behind the cover — how insurance supports you when the rest of life feels uncertain, and why building this safety net is one of the most powerful gifts you can give yourself and the people you love.

If you’ve never been to a live podcast recording, picture this: fifty powerhouse women, a packed pub, a few glasses of wine, and a whole lot of laughter, energy, and inspiration flying around the room. We recorded this podcast in one take, with a LIVE audience - the audio fed straight into our computers.

This was recorded the day after Melbourne Cup, and we packed out the room with 50 incredible women from the Balmain Rozelle Chamber of Commerce who were ready to swap champagne flutes for goal sheets and channel their 2026 ambitions.

With The Power by Snap! as our pop culture reference, we turned up the volume (literally) on what it means to set goals that align with your values, habits, and vision for the year ahead. We went through a couple of activities live which you can find in the resources below and talked about the importance of setting your goals early, and making sure they are SMART.

Now while the concept of setting SMART goals sounds simple, turning broad intentions into clear, measurable goals is often the hardest part and where most of us get stuck.

Then came the magic moment: we asked everyone in the room to write down their 2026 goals. Some focused on fitness and wellbeing (including a future yoga teacher in the making), others on home renovations or creating more balance with family, and some were focused on growing businesses, increasing income, or taking brave steps into new ventures.

Different goals, same thread — each reflected courage, clarity, and the determination to make next year count.

Keep the momentum going with our free downloads:

• 📝 Goal Setting & Values Activity Sheet – https://www.thinkbowl.com.au/wheel-of-life-her-mindset-matters?qr=view

• 🎯 DL Flyer + QR Code –

• Start my second business in Europe and Asia Pacific before the new year, website and media packs by end of January and first clients in Feb and continue to expand with incremental and measurable goals
• My goal is to set my SMART goals for 2026 - sitting here today I realize I need to spend time on clarifying this
• Increase income within the next 12 months by $100,000
• To build my team to senior roles so I can have time off with my kids during school holidays
• Sell house in February for $xxm
• My Goal is to drop down to working 5 days a week by June 2026
• Make $10,000 per month net by the end of the year
• A better understanding of my finances being a single women in my 50’s
• Renovate our house by Dec 2026
• Home Renovation finished by Christmas
• Get married in September in Whistler
• Do yoga teacher training by September 2026

🎧 Press play and feel the power. Because when women back themselves, set direction, and share the journey — that’s when the real magic happens.

👉 Listen now, and use the QR code in the flyer to send us your 2026 goals.

For most of us, opening our super statement lands somewhere between “mildly overwhelming” and “absolutely not today.” In this very real and surprisingly empowering episode, Helene opens her actual superannuation statement live on the podcast — giving all Avoiders a soft place to land.

Naomi walks through the 6 key things your super statement is trying to tell you — Fees, Investments, Performance, Contributions, Insurance, and Beneficiaries — breaking down what they mean in simple language, why they matter, and how to turn a yearly dread into a moment of clarity.

Together, they unpack why our brains avoid financial information, how curiosity rewires money confidence faster than you think, and the small mindset shifts that turn “free-falling” into taking back control of your future self.

This week’s pop-culture throwback is Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’” (1989/1990) — the perfect anthem for the emotional rollercoaster of pretending you’re fine while things feel chaotic underneath. Just like Tom, many of us look calm while quietly avoiding the numbers… until today.

By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly what to look for on your super statement, why even one small action counts, and how awareness always costs less than avoidance. Your future self will thank you.

Ever caught yourself wondering whether to stay, renovate, or move - but felt unsure where to even start? Before you call the agent or start planning that kitchen makeover, this episode of Her Money Matters is a great place to start.

I’m joined by professional Property Valuer Belinda Botzolis, who takes us inside the world of property valuations. We cover off what they really mean, how they’re done, and why understanding your home’s true worth can help you make every decision with more clarity and confidence.

Inspired by Flo Rida’s hit “My House”, we’re talking about what it really means to own, love, or leave your home, and how a proper valuation can help you decide whether to marry it, spruce it up, or move on.

We’ll break down why valuations differ from real estate appraisals, the surprising factors that influence your home’s value, and the practical steps you can take to get the most accurate result. Whether you’re refinancing, renovating, downsizing, or just curious, this episode will help you make informed choices about your biggest asset.

🎧 So kick back, press play, and welcome to your house — because knowing what it’s worth is the first step in shaping your financial future.

Let’s be honest: Christmas shopping can bring out the best and worst in us. One minute you’re full of festive cheer, the next you’re panic-buying matching pyjamas, random gadgets, and “funny” mugs that no one actually needs and it all just ends up wasted, in landfill.

In this episode, we unwrap why we keep giving our kids shitty Christmas presents and how to stop this perpetual pattern. We’ll dive into the psychology of giving (spoiler: it’s more about us than them), why buying “stuff” makes us feel momentarily generous, and how to rewire our thinking so gifts become meaningful, not mindless.

We cover off three buckets of gifts depending on your budget:

• <$100

• $100 - $500

• $1,000+

So listen in to discover gifts that will help your kids into the future, or why the gift of giving to charity can be so fulfilling. We do have lots of fun in this episode and we will have you laughing, reflecting, and maybe cancelling that Amazon cart. The best gift you can give this year isn’t necessarily something they’ll open… it’s something they’ll grow from.

So pour the eggnog, crank Mariah, and let’s make this the year we end the reign of crappy Christmas gifts — for good. 🎄

In this episode of Her Money Matters, we’re diving into one of the most accessible and empowering ways to invest — Exchange Traded Funds, or ETFs.

Whether this is your first time hearing the term, or you’ve already got a few on your radar, this episode will break it all down — what ETFs are, how they work, and how you can use them to build a diverse, affordable portfolio.

Naomi is joined by Jessica Leung, Portfolio Manager at Global X, to explore the ins and outs of ETFs, including:

• What makes ETFs different from managed funds and individual shares
• How to choose and buy ETFs
• Real examples like the Global X Australia 300 ETF (A300) and Global X US 100 ETF (U100)
• The risks to be aware of — and how to manage them
• Why ETFs have become one of the fastest-growing investment options in Australia

And yes — we even have a little fun with Madonna’s Material Girl along the way.

💬 Want to learn more about your own investment comfort zone? 👉 Take the Risk Profiling Questionnaire on our website to understand what kind of investor you are: 🔗 https://www.hermoneymatters.com.au/resources

📊 Keen to explore the latest ETF insights and trends? Download the Global X Australian ETF Landscape Report here: 🔗 https://www.globalxetfs.com.au/australian-etf-landscape/

Divorce is one of those life events that no one plans for, but many of us face. In Australia, almost 50,000 couples separate each year, and the average age for divorce sits squarely in the mid to late 40s. It’s a big emotional and financial shift, and while it can feel daunting, understanding the process can make all the difference.

In this episode, I’m joined by family lawyer Sam Lewis, Founder of Lewis Family Lawyers. Sam walks through the entire divorce process, explaining what you need to consider, why it is so important to be clear upfront what outcome you are seeking, and she walks through the legal process: building your balance sheet, assessing both financial and non-financial contributions, considering adjustments like income and health, and making sure the final split is fair and equitable. We also explore a client story that shows how these steps play out in real life — and the small, practical actions that can make a big difference along the way.

Divorce doesn’t apply to everyone, however ~45% of marriages end in divorce. So, whilst this episode might not directly apply to you, but it may be helpful for you to know in case you need to support a friend or family member got through the process. If you would like to connect with Sam for legal support, her details are samantha@lewisfamilylawyers.com.au or the website https://lewisfamilylawyers.com.au/.

For money coaching and financial guidance during separation, reach out to me at naomi@hermoneymatters.com.au or visit hermoneymatters.com.au. And if you found this episode helpful, please share it with someone who might need it and follow Her Money Matters on your favourite podcast platform, because no one should have to go through this alone.