Our guest this episode is Adam Bornn—Founder and Managing Partner at Parallel Wealth, a Canadian financial planning firm that specializes in helping people retire with confidence. Adam also runs an educational YouTube channel (@ParallelWealth) with over 138,000 subscribers where he shares practical and approachable retirement advice for Canadians.

In this conversation, Dave and Adam dive deep into the world of retirement planning—from understanding the “Go-Go, Slow-Go, and No-Go” phases of retirement to managing taxes through RRSP meltdowns to whether you really need $1 million to retire. Adam shares why retirees need a financial plan, common mistakes people make and how strategies like delaying CPP, TFSAs and even reverse mortgages can play a role in a well-structured retirement.

If you’re planning for retirement—or even just starting to think about it—this episode is packed with insights, myths debunked and practical advice tailored to Canadian listeners.

Show Notes

(00:00) Intro & Disclaimer

(00:55) Intro to Adam Bornn

(03:35) Why Did Adam Specialize in Retirement Planning?

(05:23) Why Retirees Need a Financial Plan

(10:45) The Go-Go, Slow-Go and No-Go Phases of Retirement

(11:57) What is an RRSP Meltdown?

(13:16)  Your Average Tax Rate Should Be Consistent Through Retirement

(14:38) OAS Clawback

(16:07) Do Reverse Mortgages Fit Into Retirement Plans?

(17:08) Annuities

(18:03) The “Die With Zero” Concept

(19:11) Building Generational Wealth

(20:44) People Underestimate How Long They’re Going to Live

(22:44) Single Retirees Are at a Massive Disadvantage

(23:57) When Does Whole Life Insurance Make Sense?

(25:57) Most Retirees Need Stocks in Their Portfolios

(27:33) Should You Plan for Large Late-Life Healthcare Costs?

(29:41) Pre-Retirees Should Do Their Research

(31:28) The Biggest Mistakes Adam Sees Retirees Make

(32:20) Myth: You Need $X Number to Retire

(33:01) TFSAs Add Flexibility for Retirees

(34:56) Conclusion

Our guest this week is Amanda Lang—longtime Canadian business journalist and host of Taking Stock, a weekly business news program on CTV, BNN Bloomberg and CP24.

In this episode, Dave and Amanda dive into the state of Canada’s economy from our productivity struggles and housing crisis to the US tariffs to whether the capital gains tax on real estate needs to change. They also unpack the profound impacts artificial intelligence is already having on the job market, the economy and business formation.

It’s a wide-ranging and thought-provoking episode you won’t want to miss!

Show Notes

(00:00) Intro & Disclaimer

(00:55) Intro to Amanda Lang

(02:48) Lang & O’Leary

(06:12) Canadian Productivity Growth & Losing Top Talent

(09:38) How Can We Solve Canada’s Housing Crisis?

(12:02) Should We Change the Capital Gains Tax on Real Estate?

(15:40) How AI is Going to Change Our Economy

(20:01) The Dangers of New Technology Being Used for Evil

(25:11) Professions at Risk From AI

(27:52) US Tariffs

(30:32) Dave’s Biggest Worry: The US Debt

(36:39) Fewer Young People Are Starting Businesses

(42:16) The Changing Media Landscape

(44:30) Dave Has Only Been to ONE Concert in His Life

(46:24) Worried For Young People Today

(48:44) Can We Get Big Projects Done in Canada?

(51:36) Conclusion

Our guest this week is Bruce Sellery, CEO of Credit Canada—a non-profit credit counselling agency that’s helped millions of Canadians avoid bankruptcy, get out of debt and reclaim control of their financial lives.

In this episode, Bruce joins Dave to talk about the growing debt problem in Canada and the personal stories behind it. They dig into everything from credit scores to the rising cost of kids’ sports to the impact of divorce on your finances. Bruce also shares his own unique journey—leaving a corporate job to become a business journalist and help launch BNN, before becoming a financial educator with a bestselling book and podcast “Moolala.”

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by debt or just want to understand how credit counselling really works, this is a candid, insightful and engaging conversation you won’t want to miss.

Show Notes

(00:00) Intro & Disclaimer

(00:55) Intro to Bruce Sellery

(03:37) Leaving a Corporate Career to Be a TV Reporter and Help Launch BNN

(07:06) Personal Finance vs. Business/Investing News

(09:05) How Bruce Developed His Communication Skills

(12:17) The Grace of a Well-Lived Life

(13:44) The Affordability Crisis in Canada

(16:04) What is Credit Canada?

(17:52) Credit Canada’s Non-Profit Structure

(22:12) What Happens if You Need to Claim Bankruptcy?

(23:30) How Do People Get Into Trouble with Debt?

(29:50) What Impacts Your Credit Score?

(32:28) The Housing-Affordability Crisis’s Impact on Debt Levels

(37:42) Divorce and Debt

(39:30) Kids’ Sports Have Become CRAZY Expensive

(43:56) Conclusion