The Scams Out to Get You Right Now - and How to Stop Them, with Ben Young (Westpac Head of Scam and Fraud Prevention)

The Scams Out to Get You Right Now - and How to Stop Them, with Ben Young (Westpac Head of Scam and Fraud Prevention)

If you thought an EOFY sale was the biggest threat to your savings right now, this episode will make you think again. Ben Young, Head of Fraud and Scams Prevention at Westpac, pulls back the curtain on the scams he encounters - and fights - every day. From 'flavour of the month' tactics specifically designed for tax time, to emotion-triggering texts, the long cons of investment or romance scams, to the terrifying and uncanny new world of AI-powered deep fake scams - Ben breaks down how they all work, and our best defenses against them.  See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Why Menopause is Corporate Australia’s Hidden Problem, with Mary Coustas

Australian actress and comedian Mary Coustas - and her famous and fabulous alter-ego Effie - have been responsible for decades of laughter. But away from the stage and screen, she's faced struggles shared by millions of other women: a grueling 23-cycle IVF journey, navigating the profound grief of a stillbirth and symptoms of menopause that, surprisingly, were hardest to deal with of all. In this deeply moving, raw, and validating episode of The Pay Off, Mary opens up about all of these experiences, why every woman and every business needs to be menopause-informed, the origins of Effie and her career, and her new menopause focused health start-up Unpause - all in her trademark style of honesty, vulnerability and humour. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

How Ex-Journo Talitha Cummins Honestly Disrupted the Diamond Industry

Being honest has done a lot for Talitha Cummins. It's allowed her to pivot her skills as a prominent television journo into becoming the founder and design director of Australian fine jewelry house The Cut. It's generated sales across the world with zero in paid marketing. It's ruffled the feathers of her competition. It's helped her heal from addiction and it's encouraged countless others to do the same.  In this raw and far-ranging chat, Talitha explains: * The myths the diamond industry is based around and the truths they'd rather you didn't hear * The true difference between lab grown and natural diamonds and other FAQs * Her personal investment history and strategy * Her advice for those who run their own business * Her story of entering and maintaining sobriety - what it's meant for her and her message for others who are struggling   See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Navigating a "Swirling Economy": Westpac CEO Anthony Miller’s Honest Verdict on the Budget, Housing Supply and More

Australia is caught in a complicated, fast-moving financial landscape—what Westpac CEO Anthony Miller calls a "swirling economy." In this episode, Sylvia sits down with the leader of one of the nation’s Big Four banks for an unfiltered, data-backed assessment of the country's economic future. Anthony shares his candid perspective on the structural hurdles holding Australia back and the massive opportunities waiting to be unlocked, including: * The Budget Verdict & Tax Changes: Why Anthony backs the productivity agenda but argues that Capital Gains Tax (CGT) adjustments need a strict carve-out for small businesses and startups. * The $1M Housing Reality Check: The stark math behind Australia’s supply crisis— and how regional development and flexible work play a role. * Interest Rates & Consumer Stress: Why Westpac is currently forecasting two more rate rises this year, and how Australian mortgage holders are holding up against the pressure. * The Truth About AI & Unemployment: Why Anthony completely rejects the scary predictions of a 15% unemployment rate * Skilled Migration & Nation Building: A look at why a precise, evidence-based immigration debate is vital  See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Is Private Education Worth It? with Skye Predavec

It's the question that weighs upon every parent: where do I send my kids to school? But with yearly tuition fees for private schooling reaching truly staggering numbers, another question often follows: is it worth it? In this eye-opening episode, Skye Predavec, researcher behind the Australia Institute's recent report on private schooling unpacks the data and the stark structural realities of our school system, including: * Does private schooling equate to better outcomes? * How does Australia's school system compare to the other parts of the world? * A look at how private fees consistently outpace inflation, and what it will realistically cost to educate a child born today within the private system * Why current trends suggest most Australian high school students will be in private systems within a few decades, and what that means for societal inequality   See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.