A podcast series that takes a deep dive into debt, its role in our lives, and how we can make better decisions about it.
Australians are more in debt than ever before. A third of us are under financial stress. But how much do we actually know about debt? And why don't we talk about it more often?
Created by The Banking and Financial Services Oath (The BFSO) Young Ambassadors, the series aims to start a national conversation about what debt is and how we might make better decisions about it.
"Debt stood out to us as somethings that's a challenge for everyone, but young people in particular," said Iqra Bhatia, a BFSO Young Ambassador, "because debt is part of life, and it will be part of our future."
In this concise, four-part series, hosted by The Ethics Centre and the BFSO's Cris Parker, hear from financial advisors, journalists, finfluencers, psychologists and historians about the psychology, the history, the marketing and the future of debt.
Because managing debt might be a part of life, but it's not black and white.
Available to listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
This podcast is a project from The BFSO's Young Ambassadors initiative. Our work is made possible by donations including the generous support of Ecstra Foundation - helping to build the financial wellbeing of Australians.
Episodes
The Psychology of Debt
How we make decisions about debt is shaped by more than just numbers on a spreadsheet; our childhood experiences, values and beliefs play a huge role. What role does shame and guilt play in the decisions we make about debt?
Australians are obsessed with buying their own home - more so than anywhere else in the world. Why? And what does this mean for our level of debt?
Hear from:
- Jess Brady, who has fourteen years of experience in the financial services industry and is the co-founder of the platform Ladies Talk Money - dedicated to supporting women from all walks of life in their journey toward financial freedom.
- Fiona Guthrie, CEO of Financial Counselling Australia who has been involved with the consumer movement for over 30 years.
- Rebecca Huntley, one of Australia's foremost researchers on social trends.
- Nathalie Spencer, a behavioural scientist specialising in financial capability.
Listen to Episode 1 on Apple or Spotify now.
Read more about the ethical themes of this episode: Housing affordability crisis: The elephant in the room stomping young Australians
The History of Debt
Today, most of us just accept that debt is a part of life, but how did we get here? In this episode we talk to financial journalist Alan Kohler and lecturer in philosophy Dr Alex Douglas, about how debt as we know it today came to be and what role it has in our society.
Hear from:
- Alex Douglas, a senior lecturer in philosophy in the School of Philosophical, Anthropological, and Film Studies at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland and author of the book, The Philosophy of Debt.
- Alan Kohler, who has been a financial journalist for 46 years. He currently works for the ABC and recently started a new publication – The Constant Investor.
Listen to Episode 2 on Apple or Spotify now.
Read more about the ethical themes of this episode:
It's time to consider who loses when money comes cheap
Ethics Explainer: Trust
Big Thinker: Plato
Big Thinker: Socrates
The Marketing of Debt
Debt as a concept can be unpalatable. It can mean mortgages, decades long contracts and a total loss of freedom. But for some people, debt isn’t synonymous with restriction and constraint; it’s an opportunity. But the way debt is sold to us influences the way we perceive it. And in the new world order of buy now pay later, how is the way debt is marketed to us shifting?
Hear from:
- Finfluencer Natasha Etschmann, who shares how she saves, invests and makes money through her ‘@tashinvests’ channels on TikTok and Instagram.
- Adam Ferrier, a consumer psychologist, advertising creative and founder of the agency Thinkerbell.
- Fiona Guthrie, CEO of Financial Counselling Australia who has been involved with the consumer movement for over 30 years.
- Jonathan Shapiro, senior reporter at the Australian Financial Review.
Listen to Episode 3 on Apple or Spotify now.
Read more about the ethical themes of this episode:
How can financial advisers rebuild trust?
Radical transparency
What makes a business honest and trustrworthy?
The Future of Debt
We know that debt can be emotional. That sometimes it’s neutral. That debt is often necessary. And that debt has a long, long history. But what’s the future of debt? Will credit cards disappear from our lives? Will our concept of work itself change? In the context of a costly climate future, what are we going to have to let go of as a society? How do we need to adapt?
Hear from:
- Brett King, a futurist, author, host of a globally-recognised radio show, and the Founder and Executive Chairman of neo-bank Moven.
- Alan Kohler, who has been a financial journalist for 46 years. He currently works for the ABC and recently started a new publication – The Constant Investor.
Listen to Episode 4 on Apple or Spotify now.
Read more about the ethical themese of this episode:
Is political apathy to blame for the widening wage gap?
Why the future is workless
Ethics explainer - Universal Basic Income