Grief isn’t the only cost of loss. 

Melissa Reader discovered this hard truth after living through the unimaginable: becoming a full–time caregiver to her husband, Mauro, whilst raising three young children and keeping their co–owned business afloat. This all came crashing down after Mauro passed away.

In today’s episode, Melissa is here to confront the financial aftershocks of serious illness and death that most of us are completely unprepared for. 

Melissa Reader is the CEO of Violet, a national NFP helping families plan for the later chapters of life, and founder and CEO of Vera, a digital platform supporting families through the ageing journey. Her work sits at the intersection of care, technology and wellbeing, helping people navigate later life with greater clarity, dignity and confidence - long before crisis hits.

Grief isn&rsquo;t the only cost of loss.&nbsp;
Melissa Reader discovered this hard truth after living through the unimaginable: becoming a full&ndash;time caregiver to her husband, Mauro, whilst raising three young children and keeping their co&ndash;owned business afloat. This all came crashing down after Mauro passed away.
In today&rsquo;s episode, Melissa is here to confront the financial aftershocks of serious illness and death that most of us are completely unprepared for.&nbsp;
Melissa Reader is the CEO of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.violet.org.au/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.violet.org.au/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1770092325904000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3bRnuD2a7zaZ3hSKGOluSJ">Violet,</a>&nbsp;a national NFP helping families&nbsp;plan for the later chapters of life, and founder and CEO of&nbsp;<a href="https://vera.guide/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://vera.guide/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1770092325904000&amp;usg=AOvVaw09rP0Y7XPrCX3FhCCQ1C_v">Vera</a>, a digital platform supporting families through the ageing journey. Her work sits at the intersection of care, technology and wellbeing, helping people navigate later life with greater clarity, dignity and confidence - long before crisis hits.

Money is a constant contradiction. You’ve got to spend money to enjoy life but save every cent for the future. 

It’s why Australians are caught between impossible expectations and an economic system that feels stacked against them. So, how do you keep up the juggling act when the stakes just keep getting higher?

In The Pay Off Sylvia Jeffreys sits down with leading experts and entrepreneurs to uncover tips and tricks from some of the sharpest business minds in the game.

You can listen to The Pay Off wherever you get your podcasts, or you can watch every episode on 9Now, search 'The Pay Off 9Now Podcast'

Money is a constant contradiction. You&rsquo;ve got to spend money to enjoy life but save every cent for the future.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s why Australians are caught between impossible expectations and an economic system that feels stacked against them.&nbsp;So, how do you keep up the juggling act when the stakes just keep getting higher?
In The Pay Off Sylvia Jeffreys sits down with leading experts and entrepreneurs to uncover tips and tricks from some of the sharpest business minds in the game.
You can listen to The Pay Off wherever you get your podcasts, or you can watch every episode on 9Now, search 'The Pay Off 9Now Podcast'

Sylvia Jeffreys sits down with leading experts and entrepreneurs to uncover tips and tricks from some of the sharpest business minds in the game.

The Pay Off with Sylvia Jeffreys

The Hidden Costs of Grief with Melissa Reader 

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

 

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&nbsp;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.
&nbsp;In this raw and far-ranging chat, Talitha explains:
<ul>
<li>The myths the diamond industry is based around and the truths they'd rather you didn't hear</li>
<li>The true difference between lab grown and natural diamonds and other FAQs</li>
<li>Her personal investment history and strategy</li>
<li>Her advice for those who run their own business</li>
<li>Her story of entering and maintaining sobriety - what it's meant for her and her message for others who are struggling</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

How Ex-Journo Talitha Cummins Honestly Disrupted the Diamond Industry

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 

Australia is caught in a complicated, fast-moving financial landscape&mdash;what Westpac CEO Anthony Miller calls a "swirling economy." In this episode,&nbsp;Sylvia sits down with the leader of one of the nation&rsquo;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:
<ul data-path-to-node="6">
<li>
The Budget Verdict &amp; 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. 
</li>
<li>
The $1M Housing Reality Check: The stark math behind Australia&rsquo;s supply crisis&mdash; and how regional development and flexible work play a role. 
</li>
<li>
Interest Rates &amp; Consumer Stress: Why Westpac is currently forecasting two more rate rises this year, and how Australian mortgage holders are holding up against the pressure. 
</li>
<li>
The Truth About AI &amp; Unemployment: Why Anthony completely rejects the scary predictions of a 15% unemployment rate
</li>
<li>
Skilled Migration &amp; Nation Building: A look at why a precise, evidence-based immigration debate is vital&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>

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

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

 

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:
<ul>
<li>Does private schooling equate to better outcomes?</li>
<li>How does Australia's school system compare to the other parts of the world?</li>
<li>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</li>
<li>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</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

The Hidden Costs of Grief with Melissa Reader

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The Pay Off with Sylvia Jeffreys

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