Joe Stephan
Money, Meaning and Music
Hi, I’m Joe Stephan – financial adviser, podcaster, educator and musician.
In 2020, the COVID pandemic forced me to pause in a way I hadn’t before. That slowing of the world created space to reflect not only on my work, but on the kind of life I wanted to build.
As a financial adviser, I had spent years helping clients think carefully about their futures… but now I had time to consider my own.
I discovered my core belief is that while money is an essential part of our lives, it isn’t the most important element.
This led to questions about identity, meaning, purpose and fulfilment, and has shaped how I work, the projects I pursue, and the way I live.
Meaning
It’s Never About Money podcast
I created the podcast It’s Never About Money in 2020 to explore the intersection of money and meaning.
Through regular long-form conversations with founders, investors, creatives and leaders, I gather stories, lessons and insights from people pursuing a good life and career, rather than just chasing the dollar.
Over time, the podcast has become a way to understand more about the big topics that fascinate me, from psychology to health and beyond.
Again and again in my interviews, I hear the same thing: money matters, but it’s not the whole story.
Money
Stephan Independent Advisory
At Stephan Independent Advisory, the firm my father Magdy Stephan founded in 1995 and which I now lead with my brother James, our work is inspired by our personal story.
When our father was diagnosed with a terminal illness in 1999, we were forced to confront questions about succession, responsibility and wealth transition far earlier
than we expected. That shaped our mission and the firm we’ve built.
Today, we advise family businesses and private charitable foundations navigating multi-generational wealth. Our focus is on clarity, education and stewardship, helping families approach transition deliberately rather than reactively.
I’ve lectured at RMIT and La Trobe, contributed to adviser wellbeing initiatives with Ensombl, and am a member of the Certified Independent Financial Advisers Association. In 2025, I was honoured to be named a finalist for the FAAA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year award.
I care deeply about the standards and future of the advice profession, and about encouraging more thoughtful conversations within it.
Yo Steps
Music has long been part of how I decompress and explore my creativity. Under my neo-soul alter ego, Yo Steps, I write, play and produce music as a counterbalance to the analytical side of my work, and a reminder that identity shouldn’t be confined to a single label.
My first EP, Rough Steps, was featured on triple j Unearthed in 2022, and I have a new album in the works inspired by a recent trip to Turkey.
For me, creativity isn’t optional – it’s a fundamental part of life.
Book Joe as a Speaker
Across my advisory work, podcasting, music and teaching, the common thread is curiosity and a willingness to ask, “How can we do this better?”.
I speak at conferences, on panels and on podcasts about money, meaning, and what it truly means to build a life that feels fulfilling, rather than simply looks good on a balance sheet.
If you’re looking for a considered, grounded perspective on wealth and purpose, I’d welcome the opportunity to contribute to the conversation.
Enquire about speaking engagements
Book Joe as a Speaker
Across my advisory work, podcasting, music and teaching, the common thread is curiosity and a willingness to ask, “How can we do this better?”.
I speak at conferences, on panels and on podcasts about money, meaning, and what it truly means to build a life that feels fulfilling, rather than simply looks good on a balance sheet.
If you’re looking for a considered, grounded perspective on wealth and purpose, I’d welcome the opportunity to contribute to the conversation.
Enquire about speaking engagements
Testimonials
As featured on:
