Recessions are often talked about in the news and typically the result of lagging economic output caused by any number of reasons. But is a recession always bad? Join Peter Ward as he chats with Kevin Headland and Macan Nia, co-chief investment strategists with Manulife Canada, to find out more about recessions. Learn what a recession is, what it isn’t and everything in between.

Rewards for better choices – that’s the concept behind behavioural life insurance. Join Peter Ward as he chats with special guest Matthew Gibson about the evolution of life insurance and how small changes can make a big difference to your overall health and longevity.

As we settle into the new year, what better time than to hear from the experts on some of the economic themes for 2024. Join your host, Peter Ward as he chats with Manulife Co-chief investment strategists, Kevin Headland and Macan Nia on what they see unfolding this year. Peter will get an update on equities, fixed income and some of the bigger market moving events that may end up shaping 2024.

The grocery store can be a confusing place - a maze of shelving and eye-catching products all competing for your wallet. Join Peter Ward as he chats with Kristen Teixeira, a health and wellness consultant, on how to get the biggest bang for your buck. Learn about the psychology behind store layout, money saving tips and where to find the healthiest, most nutrient dense foods. Just in time for your New Year’s resolutions!

You may have started an RESP for your children or grandchildren before they were born, and now it’s time to flip these hard-earned savings into an education and a future. Join Peter Ward as he talks to Manulife tax expert Curtis Davis about the important aspects of an RESP, including what to do if higher education isn’t an option.

Welcome to part two of the conversation between Peter Ward and Canadian cybersecurity expert Gary Morabito. In this episode, learn about the implications of artificial intelligence and its impact on increasingly sophisticated digital fraud. Is that video you’re watching the real deal or a carefully constructed fake? Can you trust what you’re watching or listening to on social media? Tune in as Peter and Gary take a deep dive into ‘the deep fake’.

Join Peter Ward as he speaks with Canadian cybersecurity expert Gary Morabito about some of the risks facing everyday people and small business owners. Hackers and scams are becoming more sophisticated, and the increasing volume of cyber attacks makes the threat of a data breach all too real. Tune in to find out how to safely navigate our online world.

Canadians carry a lot of debt, and the reasons why may not be all that surprising. For 15 years low interest rates made the cost of borrowing cheap. But now that interest rates are on the rise, so too is the cost of borrowing. In this episode, Peter Ward sits down with David Frazer from Manulife Bank to talk about how we got here and some tips for managing debt.

Canadian real estate is expensive and buying a home is becoming really difficult for many younger Canadians. As a parent, you may feel the need to step in and help. Before you do, there may be some important considerations to be aware of. Join Peter Ward as he chats with Curtis Davis from Manulife’s Tax and Retirement planning team on some of the strategies to help your kids get on the first rung of the property ladder.

When it comes to investing, equities tend to get all the headlines – even though bonds make up a core part of an investor’s overall portfolio. How much do you really know about this investment class? Join Peter Ward as he speaks with Co-chief investment strategist Kevin Headland about all things bonds. Learn the different parts that make up a bond, the different types of bonds and how they can fit into your overall portfolio.

The impact of poor mental health on Canadian productivity is staggering. It’s estimated that 30 out of every 1,000 Canadian employees miss work each week because of mental health issues. But promising new treatment options offer hope. Join Peter Ward for an in-depth discussion with pharmacist Sandra Hanna of Personalized Prescribing, a company using genetic mapping to identify the best medication choice - helping people get back to living full, productive lives more quickly.

Nobody wants to think about it, but having an estate plan is important. It can be a key factor in controlling how and when your assets are distributed. Join Peter Ward as he speaks with tax expert John Natale about everything estate planning.

Don't miss this episode of the Solutions to Go podcast, where Peter Ward and Planright advisor Tyler Martin discuss the merits of life insurance, including term and permanent insurance. Learn why it’s better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it. Listen now!

Looking for value beyond Canada. In this episode Peter Ward chats with Manulife co-chief investment strategists Kevin Headland and Macan Nia about opportunities around the globe - the good, the bad and the unknown. As proud Canadians, sometimes we tend to be overly skewed towards Canadian equity in our portfolios, but it’s a big world out there! Tune in to find out more.

When it comes to saving for the future, what’s better - a TFSA or an RRSP? Spoiler alert! They’re both good, but for different reasons. Listen to Peter Ward’s conversation with tax expert John Natale to learn more about these registered accounts and how it makes sense to use them. Consider your tax bracket - each type of account has unique benefits for higher and lower earning years. Understand effective strategies for using an RRSP and a TFSA during retirement. Learn about the Home Buyers’ Plan and why it may not be the only helpful home-buying option.

In this episode Peter Ward talks with Tyler Martin about the value of seeking advice. Sometimes we literally don’t know what we don’t know, and when reaching out to a trusted professional can save both time and money. When it comes to financial matters, the skillset and wisdom of an advisor can help you reach your goals. Learn about: • The value an advisor brings to the table. • The big picture - how advisors focus on holistic advice. • How advisors help to tailor a plan to your specific needs.

Copyright Manulife. This podcast, including case studies and support materials,  is for general information purposes only and is not specific to any one individual or case. This podcast shouldn’t be relied on for specific financial, legal, tax, accounting or other advice. Opinions expressed are those of Manulife and are subject to change based on legislative, case law, market and other conditions that may change during the course of recording and publishing this podcast. Manulife isn’t responsible for any losses arising from any use of the information in this podcast. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (Manulife) is the issuer of Manulife insurance contracts, contracts containing Manulife segregated funds and the guarantor of any guarantee provisions therein.  Manulife Investment Management is a trade name of Manulife.

Copyright Manulife.  Commentary is for general information purposes only and shouldn’t be relied on for specific financial, legal or other advice and does not constitute an offer or an invitation by or on behalf of Manulife Investment Management to any person to buy or sell any security.  Opinions expressed are those of Manulife and/or the sub-advisor of Manulife Investment Management and are subject to change based on market and other conditions. Manulife isn’t responsible for any losses arising from any use of this information.  Manulife mutual funds are managed by Manulife Investments, a division of Manulife Investment Management Limited. Manulife Investment Management Limited (formerly named Manulife Asset Management Limited).  Manulife Investment Management is a trade name of Manulife Investment Management Limited.Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the fund facts and prospectus before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.This information does not replace or supersede KYC (know your client) suitability, needs analysis or any other regulatory requirements.