Podcasting is big in Canada. Nearly 15 million Canadian adults—some 45 per cent—listen to podcasts, according to a 2023 survey.
It’s no surprise that family office executives and advisors are big fans, whether they’re hosting them, sharing insights as guests or just listening.
Their tastes run the gamut. While many advisors gather insights on investment trends or client strategies, others tune in to unwind and be entertained.
Take Christopher Foster, CEO and director of Toronto-based Foster & Associates Financial Services Inc., who tunes in to his guilty pleasure, the All In podcast, which tackles current events, market analysis and personal anecdotes.
“It features legit tech billionaires who geek out on technology, politics and business—it’s a peephole into the crazy libertarian tech ecosystem that gave us Elon Musk and Peter Thiel,” says Foster.
For Keith McLean, co-founder and partner at Chamberlain Family Office Advisors in Toronto, tracking where his preferred market analysts, Lyn Alden and Darius Dale, are being interviewed is a favourite pastime.
“I regularly do searches for Alden’s appearances on various podcasts to make sure I am listening to her updates,” he says. “I have followed Dale on various podcast appearances over the past several years. His new Pro to Pro podcast only has a couple of episodes, but it is a must-listen.”
Steve Legler, the Montreal-based family legacy guide who co-hosts Let’s Talk Family Enterprise, says he’s amazed at the popularity and pick-up of podcasts.
“I really didn’t appreciate how powerful podcasts were until I started hosting episodes of Let’s Talk Family Enterprise five years ago,” he says. “It’s not just their reach and the fact that they’re free, but the format is fantastic for this space, because you get to feel like a fly on the wall of people having a discussion about a meaningful subject.”
With the family office world evolving at such a fast pace, he says, “it has become a great way to hear a variety of voices on important topics, allowing newcomers and veterans to learn from each other.”
Canadian Family Offices reached out to ask family office executives and advisors about their favourites:
Acquired podcast: “I enjoyed their story of Hermès, a fascinating history up to present day of this iconic brand,” says Russel Baskin, a Toronto-based family business consultant and coach at Trella Advisory Group.
All-In: This U.S. business and technology podcast hosted by four venture capitalists covers current events, market trends, political issues and industry insights, says Dan Riverso, CEO and CIO at Jesselton Capital Management in Toronto. Keith McLean adds: “Those exposed to the Mag 7, or who have broader technology interest in semiconductors, quantum computing, software, artificial intelligence, bitcoin, the geopolitics of technology development, etc., should be listening.”
ARC Energy Ideas: Peter Tertzakian and Jackie Forrest from the ARC Energy Research Institute in Calgary explore trends that influence the energy business. “Energy production—be it coal, oil, gas, nuclear or renewable—is critical to the economic growth and geopolitical importance of Canada,” says McLean. “I have not found another thinker on energy that parallels Peter Tertzakian, and Jackie Forrest adds a valuable and differentiated perspective to Peter’s. It is a must-watch/listen for anyone who’s interested in energy investing or the political success of Canada.”
Beyond the Family Business: This podcast is hosted by Luke Hansen-MacDonald, president and principal of the single-family office HanMac Capital, based in Halifax. Explores lessons, strategies and stories from the world of family business.
BNN Bloomberg Podcast: Smart Wealth™ with Thane Stenner: This podcast is produced by BNN Bloomberg’s Brand Studio in partnership with Vancouver-based Stenner Wealth Partners of CG Wealth Management. Host Thane Stenner, senior portfolio manager and senior wealth advisor, discusses why being wealthy is not the same as being rich.
Capital Decanted: Produced by the CAIA Association and hosted by its CEO, John Bowman, it “provides insight into the alternative investment ecosystem and how such investments can be used to manage financial risk,” says Don Steele, founder and CEO of Sterling Family Capital in Burlington, Ont. “For me, it provides that depth I need to connect action to aspiration for my clients.”
Capital Allocators With Ted Seides: Hosted by Seides, an allocator and asset management expert, this podcast offers interviews with leaders in the institutional investing industry. “Seides is a very good interviewer and extracts a lot of value for practitioners,” says McLean. “The topics in this podcast tend to tilt towards private markets, but he also has great macro and risk management interviews.” Dan Riverso also recommends this podcast.
Do Good to Lead Well: This podcast is hosted by Toronto-based leadership coach and author Craig Dowden, who has dedicated his career to understanding the science and practice of positive leadership.
Flirting With Models: A more technical podcast, this is a must-listen for those who utilize quantitative strategies for risk management and investing, says McLean. “Corey Hoffstein is the CIO of Newfound Research and susses out very insightful and digestible information from some of the best minds in quantitative investing and risk management,” he says.
FOX Family Office Exchange CEO Series: In this podcast, host Peter Moustakerski, CEO of Family Office Exchange, explores issues affecting family offices, in discussions with subject-matter experts, family members and trusted advisors. FOX is a Chicago-based membership organization that brings together family members, family office executives and professional advisors.
Inspired Nonprofit Leadership with Sarah Olivieri: This podcast features interviews with non-profit leaders and examines budgeting, leadership issues and the impact of charitable giving.
Let’s Talk Family Enterprise: “I host half the episodes and really enjoy that,” says Steve Legler. He and Richa Arora, senior family advisor with KPMG Family Office in Toronto, host this monthly Family Enterprise Canada podcast.
Macro Voices: “Macro Voices is one of the best macroeconomic interview podcasts in the market,” says McLean. “Erik Townsend is a smart investor and a very good interviewer; he gets the best minds in investing on his podcast and is able to extract valuable information in 30- to 45-minute discussions.”
NEXT With TIGER 21: This U.S.-based podcast highlights the paths to success by those who have travelled them, and where they are headed next.
Odd Lots: Bloomberg reporters Joe Weisenthal and Tracy Alloway examine topics in finance, markets and economics. “This podcast covers very specific topics with well-informed guests,” says McLean.
One Minute Governance with Matt Fullbrook: The Toronto-based host, who labels himself a “governance nerd,” offers bite-sized nuggets of wisdom for the boardroom.
PhilanthroTHINK: A new podcast series from Carleton University’s Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership (MPNL) program just launched with its first episode. They will feature wealth creators, philanthropic leaders and innovative thinkers discussing the real challenges, opportunities and strategies shaping the sector both at home and abroad.
Pro to Pro hosted by Darius Dale: McLean calls him “one of the most interesting independent market analysts/investment strategists.” Dale only recently released his own podcast, but “his quantitative and risk management approach to broad market exposures is exceptional,” McLean adds.
Safe Space With Francesco Lombardo: Safe Space is a podcast for family business leaders and next gens exploring the financial, human and social capital of family businesses, hosted by British Columbia-born author and advisor Lombardo.
Serious Coin hosted by Toronto-based Kelly Willis Green: She conducts candid conversations about the financial, emotional and lifestyle implications of affluence.
The Artisan with Arthur Salzer: The founder and CEO of Northland Wealth Management hosts this occasional series focusing on finance and family enterprise.
The Decibel: The Globe and Mail’s weekday look at issues affecting Canadians.
The Economics of Everyday Things hosted by journalist Zachary Crockett: This U.S.-based podcast, which examines everyday financial choices and amazing stories in bite-sized episodes, is recommended by Martha Simmons, co-chief operating officer of Forthlane Partners, a Toronto-based multi-family office.
The Inheritance Podcast, and Private Capital: These complementary podcasts are both hosted by Joe Reilly, who interviews thought leaders about inheritance and the stewardship of significant wealth and the deployment of financial and non-financial capital, says Sterling Family Capital’s Don Steele.
The Purposeful Planning Podcast: This program, produced by the U.S.-based Purposeful Planning Institute and hosted by John A. Warnick, is aimed at advisors and “does an excellent job of connecting the technical with the humanistic and psychosocial aspects of wealth,” says Steele.
The Startup Women Podcast with Startup Canada CEO Kayla Isabelle: This monthly podcast, a partnership with the Business Development Bank of Canada, is useful for female entrepreneurs.
The Unlimited Podcast with Brian Ginsler: The president and CEO of Toronto-based Ginsler Wealth interviews investment managers and other investing and financial experts, discussing topics relevant to successful families. Riverso says he enjoys Ginsler’s unique interview style.
The Family Business Podcast with Russ Haworth: Offers a comprehensive look at governance, succession planning, family business, next generation, family wealth and sustainability from Haworth, who is based in Britain.
Wealth of Wisdom Podcast with Tom McCullough, co-founder, chairman and CEO of Toronto’s Northwood Family Office, and Keith Whitaker: In each episode, McCullough or Whitaker, authors of the book Wealth of Wisdom: The Top 50 Questions Wealthy Families Ask, interview one of the more than 50 top global thinkers on family wealth who contributed essays to the book.
We Study Billionaires: In addition to weekly interviews with top investment minds, listeners will find two sub-channels in this feed: Bitcoin Fundamentals and Richer, Wiser, Happier, says McLean. “Bitcoin Fundamentals is a must listen for anyone interested in learning about Bitcoin,” he says. “The host, Preston Pysh, is exceptionally knowledgeable and interviews the most interesting people in the space.” Richer, Wiser, Happier is an interview series that covers the backgrounds and long-term learnings of the best minds in investing.
Women in Leadership and Entrepreneurship: Heather Barnhouse, a partner in Dentons’ Edmonton office, hosts this podcast, which explores women in leadership and entrepreneurship, and the ecosystem that supports them.
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