“Everything flows, out and in; everything has its tides; all things rise and fall; the pendulum-swing manifests in everything.”— The Kybalion, The Law of Rhythm We’ve been here before.Lehman. Brexit. COVID. Car finance. SJP. QROPS. Each crisis sparks an outcry.Each outcry invites regulation.Each regulation eventually becomes red tape.And then… deregulation begins again. JB Beckett, in … Continue reading 🌀 The Clock Keeps Ticking: Breaking the Cycle of Regulatory Amnesia
Tag: writing
Pisces or Aquarius? The PFS Spends £1 Million—But Whose Future Are They Funding?
“We’re building a profession,” they say. But are we still just dressing up distribution in a new robe?” This week, the Personal Finance Society (PFS), under the influence of its parent body the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII), announced a £1 million initiative to recruit “new blood” into financial planning. They’ve called it Pathway to the … Continue reading Pisces or Aquarius? The PFS Spends £1 Million—But Whose Future Are They Funding?
🚀 Beyond the Essay: Why AI Should Elevate Our Thinking, Not Replace It
By Steve Conley | Academy of Life Planning A recent study from MIT’s Media Lab sent ripples through the AI and education communities. It claimed that using ChatGPT to write SAT-style essays resulted in the lowest brain engagement among participants compared to those using Google Search or working unaided. EEG scans showed diminished neural activity, … Continue reading 🚀 Beyond the Essay: Why AI Should Elevate Our Thinking, Not Replace It
When the Good Guys Get Attacked: Navigating Suspicion in Victim Support Groups
“In times of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” — George Orwell The Challenge of Helping When you’ve devoted your life to helping victims of financial crime, you expect resistance from institutions—the banks, the regulators, the legal walls that protect the powerful. You don’t expect resistance from the victims themselves. But that’s … Continue reading When the Good Guys Get Attacked: Navigating Suspicion in Victim Support Groups
AI Won’t Wait — And Neither Should You
When it comes to preparing for an AI-powered future, Gen Z has been left hanging.Schools aren’t teaching it. Employers aren’t training for it. Policymakers are watching from the sidelines. And yet, AI is transforming the world of work — right now. According to a recent Gallup and Walton Family Foundation report, while 43% of Heartland … Continue reading AI Won’t Wait — And Neither Should You
🌍 The GAME Plan Goes Global: Now Available in Spanish
At the Academy of Life Planning, we believe that life planning is a universal right—not a luxury. That’s why we’re proud to announce a major milestone in our global mission. 🎉 The GAME Plan training course is now available in Spanish! As part of our commitment to building a truly collaborative, international community of life … Continue reading 🌍 The GAME Plan Goes Global: Now Available in Spanish
Is This the Next Post Office Scandal? Why We Must Stand Up for Investment Fraud Victims
On Monday 12th May, I’ll be attending an urgent summit at the House of Commons: “Another Post Office Scandal? More Than Ten Years of Injustice for Investment Fraud Victims vs HMRC”, hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Investment Fraud & Fairer Financial Services. This summit couldn’t be more important—or more overdue. Across the … Continue reading Is This the Next Post Office Scandal? Why We Must Stand Up for Investment Fraud Victims
PwC’s Global Business Model: A House of Cards Failing British Expats in the QROPS Scandal
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), long regarded as one of the prestigious "Big Four" accountancy firms, is facing unprecedented scrutiny across the globe. While recent headlines highlight scandals from Australia to China, the UK’s financial landscape tells a similarly alarming story—particularly for British expatriates who have suffered catastrophic financial losses through QROPS (Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes). This … Continue reading PwC’s Global Business Model: A House of Cards Failing British Expats in the QROPS Scandal
A Light in the Darkness: The Relentless Pursuit of Justice by Ian Davis
In honour of Ian Davis (1961–2023), a volunteer with the Transparency Task Force and a courageous advocate for justice. Ian Davis lived a quiet life in Dunshalt, Fife, before everything changed. A diligent, intelligent man, Ian placed his trust—and his life savings—into what he believed was a safe, regulated investment: London Capital & Finance. Like … Continue reading A Light in the Darkness: The Relentless Pursuit of Justice by Ian Davis
Discovering Our Talents: Turning Adversity into Purpose through the GAME Plan
In the Academy of Life Planning’s GAME Plan—Goals, Actions, Means, Execution—the Talents session plays a pivotal role in the “Goals” stage. It follows the Personal Values Assessment, where individuals explore “Who I Am.” In Talents we explore, “Why I’m Here.” Together, these form the cornerstone of authentic living and purposeful planning. The Talents session answers … Continue reading Discovering Our Talents: Turning Adversity into Purpose through the GAME Plan
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