Livewire Markets Co-Founder James Marlay’s path into the world of investing is an unconventional one, as he shares with host Douglas Isles on the Investing for Life podcast.  While many go from school to university into corporate life, James chose a path less travelled – working in a remote hotel in a small fishing village in Mexico. “I wasn’t a great student... I’ve never had a really strong vocational drive.” But what he did know was that he was a “doer” and big on “experiencing things”. James eventually found his spark, pursuing a business venture with his fellow Co-Founder, Tom McKay ..read more

“Talking about things, and being open and honest, is actually a sign of strength – not weakness.” This is how our guest in this episode of Investing for Life talks about strength; a different perspective to his invincible, world record-breaking persona in the pool.  Host Douglas Isles has the privilege of speaking with CEO of Generation Life and former Olympic, Commonwealth and World Champion swimmer, Grant Hackett OAM. From the high of winning gold at a home Olympics and holding 16 world records throughout his career, to the discomfort of racing with a partially collapsed lung, Grant’s l ..read more

"Death affects 100% of the population, so it's an issue in which we are all invested." Today's Investing for Life episode covers one of our most taboo topics. But, despite the subject matter, the conversation balances the dark with the light. Host Douglas Isles is joined in the studio by comedian, interviewer, and unwavering campaigner – Andrew Denton (who is quick to point out that Doug "left out sex symbol" among his list of titles.) While it’s not without a few laughs, their conversation focuses on Andrew’s advocacy and lobbying work around voluntary assisted dying in his role as founding d ..read more

"What is the truth of performance?"  It's a question as relevant in the world of sport as it is in the worlds of business and investing. And it’s a question that drives everything former Wallaby Ben Darwin does with his team at GAIN LINE Analytics. Ben is our guest on this week’s episode of the Investing for Life podcast. After suffering a career-ending neck injury in the 2003 Rugby World Cup semi-final, Ben went on a journey of self-discovery. Starting that fateful match, Ben finally felt like he was “where he wanted to be”. But, as he describes in this episode to host Douglas Isles, jus ..read more

In this episode of the Investing for Life podcast, host Douglas Isles interviews a guest who has had one of the more unique life journeys.  It started on an 800-acre potato farm on the Victorian border, before continuing in Adelaide as a teacher, up to the skyscrapers of Hong Kong with McKinsey and – at one point – across four countries in 12 months with two children under three. Today, Davina Stanley is the co-author of The So What Strategy: a book she wrote based on over 25 years’ experience helping professionals clarify and communicate complex ideas.  So, what is her ‘so what’? Wh ..read more

In this episode of the Investing for Life podcast, host Douglas Isles interviews a guest who has always taken a "nothing to lose, give it a go" attitude, and drawn on his own grit and determination to overcome a multitude of barriers.  This amazing story starts in a tiny town in the middle of the Indian jungle where Ali Mohammed spent his early years. His career began as a technician in the Indian Air Force, where he became a qualified aeronautical engineer, moved up the ranks and, along with his wife and two young twins, ultimately emigrated to Australia in 2004.  But life in Austra ..read more

In this episode of the Investing for Life podcast, host Douglas Isles interviews a guest who opted not to follow the crowd, and made her mark as a female founder within a male-dominated industry. Today, she passionately advocates for and encourages the next generation of women to find their own path.  Dominique Gill has 20 years’ experience in the construction industry. After beginning her career in architecture, in 2016 she became the founder and managing director of Urban Core: the first female-founded construction start-up of its kind, and one of the fastest-growing companies in the co ..read more

In this episode of the Investing for Life podcast, host Douglas Isles interviews a guest who put purpose and passion ahead of a traditional career path, unlocking an ongoing journey of positive community impact and social change.  David Williams has more than two decades’ experience across the private and for purpose sectors, most recently at Social Ventures Australia, spanning diverse roles from global senior management to field operations and delivery. His experiences partnering with people in Australia and around the world to generate positive community outcomes has transformed his app ..read more

Today’s guest on the Investing for Life podcast believes winning her battle with breast cancer saved her life in more ways than one. Esteemed academic leader Professor Catherine Bennett (BHSc, MAppEpid, PhD and GAICD) shares her remarkable story with host Douglas Isles. Following a diverse and distinguished career in public health practice research, academic governance and teaching, Catherine now holds the role of Alfred Deakin Professor and Inaugural Chair in epidemiology at Deakin University. However, it hasn’t always been easy. Catherine lost both parents at a young age, suffered from poor ..read more

In this episode of the Investing for Life podcast, host Douglas Isles interviews a guest with infectious enthusiasm, entrepreneurial drive and vision. Anthony (‘Ant’) Millet is Global Partner and co-lead of Global Capital at Antler, providing institutional grade access to Global Venture Capital from the earliest of stages, through heavily curated, diversified, unique and proprietary portfolios.  But it wasn’t always smooth sailing. Ant made an incredibly difficult, emotional decision to leave an illustrious investment banking career in 2008 to join the family business, quickly running out ..read more