By Steve Conley, Founder, Academy of Life Planning Let me take you back in time—to a moment when the world was very different. A time when people lived in rhythm with nature, with the moon, the seasons, and the cycles of life. A time when knowledge was holistic, sacred, and shared. In those days, life … Continue reading “Reclaiming the Path: How the Rigged System Took Hold—And How We Heal” →

By Steve Conley, Founder, Academy of Life Planning Injustice thrives in silence. Yet far too often, victims of financial wrongdoing struggle to break through the noise of mainstream media. As citizen investigators, many of us face this uphill battle alone—armed with truth, evidence, and purpose, but unsure how to be heard. At a recent Transparency … Continue reading Top 10 Tips for Citizen Investigators to Get Their Stories Listened to by the Press →

As the UK awaits the Supreme Court ruling on the motor finance commission case this July, the financial services industry finds itself on the brink of another seismic shift—one that could reverberate far beyond car showrooms. At its heart, this case isn’t just about discretionary commissions or mis-sold car loans. It challenges the legitimacy of … Continue reading The Motor Finance Scandal: A Tipping Point for Commission-Driven Finance →

Too often, the public narrative around financial support starts—and ends—with the regulated financial adviser. It’s a narrow view that overlooks a growing ecosystem of professionals ready to empower people to take control of their money without pushing products or prioritising profit. The truth is, most regulated advisers are paid to sell. They operate within a … Continue reading Rethinking Financial Help: Why Regulated Advice Isn’t the Only Answer →

By Steve Conley, Founder – Academy of Life Planning This week, the FCA proudly trumpeted its latest scalp: two siblings convicted for insider dealing and money laundering worth just over £1 million. Redinel Korfuzi, a research analyst, and his sister Oerta were found guilty of exploiting confidential information to profit from 13 market trades between … Continue reading £1 Million in the Headlines, £10 Billion in the Shadows: Why the FCA’s War on Financial Crime Rings Hollow →

“We’re a nation losing out because of a risk not taken,” says the outgoing COO of the FCA. But whose risk—and whose reward—are we talking about? In the corridors of profit and power, the revolving doors between politics, regulators, and financial institutions continue to spin—while the rest of the country is told to shoulder more … Continue reading 🎭 A Nation Held Hostage by the Growth Illusion →

“What’s the point of having a regulator if they refuse to regulate?” That question is at the heart of growing public frustration with the UK’s system of oversight—one that promises protection but often delivers silence. The recent scandal involving the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), Bank of America, and insider fraudster Rajesh Ghedia offers a disturbing … Continue reading What Happens When Regulators Fail to Act? →