In this episode, Steve is joined by Ian Archbold – chartered management accountant, global reward director at Haleon, and (as it turns out) a quietly devoted listener of the show.

Despite knowing his way around a pension spreadsheet better than most, Ian still made the decision to work with a financial advisor. In this episode, he explains why.

What we get into:

- Ian's unexpected career pivot from finance into the world of "reward" — and why he finds it genuinely fascinating.

- Why being good at earning money and being good at managing it are two very different things.

- The moment Ian spotted an investment opportunity during COVID – and why, when it came to it, he didn't act on it.

- The advice that led him to sell his Diageo shares, and why he's glad he did.

- Why Ian decided he wanted someone else handling his finances: time, focus, and the sense that things could be better.

- What he's genuinely looking forward to in retirement – and what concerns him most about leaving a job he actually enjoys.

- A broader conversation about money, happiness, and what financial wellbeing looks like across different stages of life.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review.

We like to believe we make rational financial decisions.

In reality, our choices are shaped by shortcuts, emotions, and invisible mental biases we rarely notice.

In this episode, behavioural scientist Richard Shotton joins us to explore how the mind really works when money is involved — and why understanding these patterns may be more valuable than any investment tip.

We discuss why people misjudge their own financial abilities, why future goals struggle to compete with present comfort, and how small psychological triggers can influence big decisions. Along the way, we explore the gap between intention and action, the power of social influence, and why proof often persuades more than promises.

This conversation isn’t about blaming human behaviour. It’s about understanding it. Because once you see the patterns, you begin to notice them everywhere.

Richard's Website: https://www.richardshotton.com

In this episode of Juggling Mind and Money, Steve and Jess explore Executive Burnout — how it develops, why high performers are particularly vulnerable, and the often-overlooked connection between pressure, identity and financial expectations.

They unpack the subtle progression from being productively “stretched” to chronically “stressed”, and what happens when that line is crossed.

This is an honest and practical conversation for leaders, founders and ambitious professionals.

In This Episode, They Discuss:

• The psychological distinction between being stretched and being stressed
• The warning signs that productivity is starting to decline
• What burnout actually looks like — physically and mentally
• Why executives often wear a “capable mask”
• The isolation that can come with being at the top
• The role of lifestyle pressure and the so-called hedonistic treadmill
• How financial commitments can quietly increase stress
• The impact of technology and constant availability
• Why boundaries and “managing up” matter more than ever
• The importance of recognising your own stress markers early
• Practical principles that help protect long-term performance

Executive burnout rarely happens overnight. It builds gradually — often disguised as ambition, responsibility or drive.

In this episode of Juggling Mind and Money, Steve sits down with Laurentius van den Worm, Head of Investment Strategy at Timeline Portfolios, for a candid conversation about how sensible portfolios are built, why markets test people’s patience, and what to do when your instincts start shouting louder than your plan.

Rather than chasing predictions, they focus on process: why a rules-based approach exists in the first place, how “factors” like value and smaller companies fit into long-term investing, and why the hardest part of financial planning often has nothing to do with spreadsheets and everything to do with human behaviour. 

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What you’ll take away

• A plain-English explanation of value investing (using a simple property analogy you won’t forget). 

• Why some portfolios deliberately tilt towards smaller and cheaper companies, and how profitability can help avoid obvious traps. 

• The real-world issue with momentum strategies: why they can look brilliant on paper… and messy in practice. 

• A clear discussion on the “Magnificent Seven”: why they’ve dominated headlines, what concentration risk actually means, and why extreme reactions (either way) can be costly. 

• A practical, planner-friendly way to handle clients who want to sell out and “buy back in later” when markets feel nervy. 

• How currency moves can change what UK investors experience, and why currency risk is treated differently across growth assets vs defensive assets.

If you want a clearer, more grounded way to think about portfolio construction, market leadership, and investor behaviour, this episode is well worth your time. Watch or listen now, and if you find it useful, subscribe/follow so you do not miss the next one.

In this episode, Steve is joined by Sam Hart, a tax specialist at Rosegate Tax with nearly 30 years in the game, to cut through the noise around inheritance tax and long-term planning.

They explore:

• Why tax planning works best when it starts with your life goals, not the tax bill
• The moving abroad question, and where people often get caught out
• The difference between “leaving the UK” and actually becoming non-resident
• What gifting and trusts can offer, and what to watch out for

As always, it’s not just about the numbers. The conversation keeps coming back to the human side: how money decisions can quietly shape your lifestyle, relationships, and happiness, often in ways you don’t expect.

Links:

Sam's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/samhart1/

Rosegate Tax - https://www.rosegatetax.co.uk/

New Year’s Day 2026. The motivation is high, the To-Do list is long, and reality is quietly waiting round the corner.

In this episode Steve and Jess explore why New Year’s resolutions so often start strong and fade fast, and how to approach goals in a way that feels more realistic, more sustainable, and far less punishing.

They touch on the psychology behind “fresh starts”, the difference between being pushed by discomfort versus pulled by something meaningful, and how small, repeatable actions can beat grand plans.

On the money side, they discuss ways to reduce mental load, build better financial habits, and keep your progress steady even when life gets messy.

It’s thoughtful, practical, and lightly chaotic in the way only New Year’s Day can be.

In Episode 28, Steve is joined by Michael Kothakota, co-founder of Wolf Bridge Wealth, for a grounded conversation on the real value of financial advice beyond returns.

Mike shares how he and his wife launched the firm in the aftermath of the 2008 crisis, and how years of work with clients navigating major life events shaped his view of what good advice actually does for people day to day.

They also explore Mike’s teaching work at Columbia University, and why ethics, judgement, and clear communication matter just as much as technical knowledge.

The discussion then turns to a Vanguard paper from 2025 on the value of advice and what it suggests about reassurance, decision-making, and the human side of planning, especially when markets and emotions are moving at the same time.

Expect practical reflections on trust, client conversations, and the subtle ways great advice can reduce noise and help people make better choices with money.

In this episode of Juggling Mind and Money, Steve is joined by Chartered Financial Planner Luke James for a clear and grounded conversation about the recently released Budget. With Jess away, Luke steps in to help unpack the announcements that matter most to listeners and clients.

They cut through the pre-Budget rumours, explore the psychology behind fear-driven financial decisions and discuss the major changes around salary sacrifice, dividend tax, ISAs, VCTs, property income and the newly introduced mansion tax.

They also highlight what didn’t change, why many measures are delayed and the practical steps listeners can take while current allowances remain in place.