🧇 The Weekly Waffle – Academy Town Hall Highlights May 16th 2025 📅

Story of the Week

🌱 A Bold New Chapter for Planning — The Governance Charter Consultation Begins! 🗳️✨

The Academy of Life Planning has launched its Governance Charter Project, paving the way for a new professional body dedicated to planners—not advisers—who value independence over industry influence. 🚫🏦 This future member-owned co-operative will champion transparency, integrity, and empowerment, offering a true home for holistic wealth planners ready to shape a more ethical, client-centred profession. 🤝🌍👉 Read more. 🌍

Steve Conley: Editor, The Weekly Waffle

🔥 From Parliament to Purpose — A Week of Action, Advocacy & Awakening 💥📣

This week, we're inviting YOU to help shape the future of ethical, transparent, non-intermediated financial planning as we open our consultation. 🗣️✨ We're also launching Get SAFE — a new charity supporting victims of financial exploitation — and transforming our justice and recovery hub. From confronting betrayal in Parliament to launching the Investment Fraud Committee, calling out broken promises to Hillsborough families, exposing public pension raids, and unveiling the "killing bank" and Lisa’s story — it's been a powerful week of standing up, speaking out, and sparking change. 🚨⚖️🌍

[Steve is the author of 👉 Your Money or Your Life]

Top Stories

🏛️ Victims Took the Floor — But Where Were the Regulators? 🚨💔

On 12 May, survivors of investment fraud filled Parliament for the landmark launch of the Investment Fraud Committee — yet those responsible for the devastation were nowhere to be seen. ⚖️💬 From ex-footballers like Brian Deane and Danny Murphy to citizens like Sue Flood still hounded by HMRC for losses 15 years on, victims shared gut-wrenching truths of systemic failure. Regulators remained silent. Industry stayed absent. But the people showed up — and they spoke powerfully. 🗣️🔥🌟 Read more. 💬✨

🕯️ In Memory of Colin and Ian — Turning Tragedy Into Purpose 💔🌟

Colin Chudley lost £260,000 to a cruel scam—and just weeks later, the unbearable stress claimed his life. His story now echoes in The Sunday Times. At the Justice & Recovery Hub, we stand with victims like Colin, offering support, hope, and healing. 🙏 This work is carried out in honour of Ian Davis, who also lost everything to fraud and took his own life. Their stories fuel our mission to ensure no one faces this pain alone again. ⚖️🕊️🌟 Read more. 💬✨

💼 Fighting Back Against the Fraud Epidemic — A New Model for Justice ⚖️🛠️

Fraud now makes up 40% of all crime in the UK, yet most victims receive no justice, no support, and no path to recovery. 🚫📉 Our latest article reveals how civil recovery, life planning, and peer support are transforming the landscape. At the Justice & Recovery Hub, we empower victims to rebuild, seek redress, and push for reform — all at no cost to those harmed. 💪💙👉 Read More. 💬💔

🙏 Faith or Facade? When Religion Is Used to Sell Finance 💸🕊️

Where does faith end and financial manipulation begin? The troubling case of Trust Financial Planning reveals how "Christian" branding can be used to mask conflicted, profit-driven models — leaving trusting clients betrayed. 🕵️‍♂️💔 In this article, we explore the line between religiosity and authentic spirituality in finance, and why genuine service always puts people before profits. ✨🤝🌟 Read more. 💬✨

🏦 Pension Power Grab? Why the Mansion House Accord Fails the Transparency Test 💥💷 Would your adviser gamble your pension on unproven schemes? Of course not. Yet under the Mansion House Accord, £50bn of our savings is being funnelled into private markets — without solid evidence it benefits savers. 🎰📉 If a regulated adviser did this, it would be mis-selling. When the Treasury does it, it’s called policy. Our pensions aren’t the government’s piggy bank — it’s time to demand transparency, accountability, and a voice for members. 📢🔍👉 Read more. 📈💪

🛑 Hillsborough Law Delayed — Justice Denied Once Again ⏳⚖️

A month has passed since the government’s promised deadline for a statutory duty of candour — and still, no Hillsborough Law. 🧾❌ April 15th came and went in silence, leaving victims of institutional abuse, financial crime, and regulatory failure still waiting for the truth. This isn’t just a delay — it’s a betrayal of justice, transparency, and trust. 🕯️🛑🌟 Read more. 💬✨

💥 Deregulation Disaster — As Scams Soar, Protections Shrink 🧨🔓

One in three wealthy Brits has fallen victim to scams — yet the government charges ahead with deregulating the very industry meant to shield them. 💷🔍 The Mansion House agenda prioritises growth over governance, fuelling rising fraud and eroding public trust. It’s time for a policy U-turn: we need more oversight and policing of finance, not less. 🚨🔐🌟 Read more. 💬✨

🔍 Behind the Curtain — The Hidden Hands Guiding Britain’s Economy 🕴️📊

While headlines focus on petty fraud, the real power lies in elite circles where insiders advise the Chancellor, sit on watchdog boards, and shape policy to serve their own. 🏛️💼 This isn’t conspiracy — it’s captured governance. In our latest piece, we name the names, trace the ties, and call for bold reform to dismantle systemic elitism at the heart of the UK economy. 🛑🧠⚖️✨ Read more. 😅

💼 ISA Reform or Industry Rewrite? Who Gets a Seat at the Table? 🪑📉

The Treasury’s ISA review could be a game-changer for savers — a chance to simplify, improve, and restore faith in the system. 💡💷 But as the roundtable opens, we must ask: who’s really in the room? Will consumer voices be truly heard, or will providers dominate the dialogue once again? 🤔📢 It’s time for transparency — not just consultation theatre. 🎭🗳️🌟 Read more. 💬✨

🚨 YOUR MONEY OR YOUR LIFE — The Sequel No One Asked For 🎬💔

This week in Westminster, I heard harrowing testimonies from victims misled by government-endorsed financial advice — footballers deceived, families destroyed, lives undone. ⚠️📉 Now, with £25 billion in pensions being nudged into risky UK assets under political pressure, the same tragic script is playing out again. When will we learn? This isn’t policy — it’s déjà vu with devastating consequences. 🧾💣🌟 Read more. 💬✨

💥 The Killing Bank — When Profit Comes at the Cost of Life 💣⚰️

Financial crime isn’t just a breach of rules — it can be a matter of life and death. A damning new report, The Killing Bank, reveals the human toll of systemic malpractice: suicides linked to mis-selling, aggressive debt collection, and betrayal by trusted institutions. 💔🏦 Can banks be held accountable under corporate manslaughter law? How many more lives must be lost before regulators act? This is no longer just a financial scandal — it’s a public health emergency and a moral reckoning. 🚨⚖️🌟 Read more. 💬✨

💔 Lisa’s Story — When the System Forgets the People Behind the Paperwork 🏠😢

Peter and Lisa King had a simple, happy life — until illness and rising costs pushed them to the brink. One day, Lisa came home to find Peter preparing to end his life, crushed by relentless pressure from a bank that wouldn’t listen. 🧾💣 This isn’t just one family’s heartbreak — it’s a stark reminder that every financial decision impacts real lives. Lisa’s brave testimony calls us to remember: behind every loan is a human story. ❤️🏡👉 Read more. 📈😅

🚩 The Watchdog or the Wingman? When Regulators Get Too Close 🧐🐾

When regulators start sounding like industry insiders, who’s left defending the public? In my latest article, I unpack a revealing FCA quote: “We’re people just like financial advisers… our objectives are pretty aligned.” 🤝💬 But should they be? As the line between oversight and alliance blurs, we must ask: is consumer protection being sidelined in favour of industry comfort? 🛑🧭🌟 Read more. 💬✨

💬 The Talk That Truly Matters — Planning for Life’s Final Certainty 🕊️📜

We plan for everything—except the one thing guaranteed: death. In Facing Mortality: A Legacy of Empowerment, Not Chaos, I explore how end-of-life planning, inspired by Greg Barnsdale’s Do Not Ignore Your Mortality, is a profound act of love. ❤️✅ It’s not just paperwork—it’s protecting those you care about, preserving dignity, and passing on clarity, not confusion. Start the conversation. Leave a legacy, not a mess. 🗣️💞🌟 Read more. 💬✨

🌟 Your Next Chapter Starts Here — Discover the Significant STORIES System 📖✨ Ready to live with purpose, passion, and clarity? The Significant STORIES System is your guide — a life-mapping journey through your values, talents, dreams, and legacy. 🌈🌳 Rooted in ancient wisdom from the Tree of Life, the Hero’s Journey, Maslow’s pyramid, and the chakras, it helps you explore who you truly are and who you’re becoming. 🔍✅ By the end, you’ll craft a Purpose Statement that becomes your greatest asset — and your guiding light. 💬🔥🌟 Read more. 💬✨

🌍✨ The Timeless Truth: Prisca Theologia & The GAME Plan ✨🌱
Did you know a universal wisdom weaves like a golden thread through every major spiritual tradition? 🧵 From the Shinto creation cycle 🌀 to the Buddhist Eightfold Path 🛕, the i-Ching’s elemental dance 🌿🔥💧🌬️ to the Kabbalistic Tree of Life 🌳—all point to a shared, ancient truth. This is Prisca Theologia 📜💫—the idea that a timeless theology underpins humanity’s quest for meaning across cultures and centuries. Check out the Masterclass recording below.✨ Read more. 💬✨

🌟 Share the Knowledge and Empower Yourself! 🌟 My work is completely "open source," so feel free to copy, share, and spread the word as much as you like—because everyone deserves access to valuable knowledge. Let’s build a community where learning and growth are open to all. 

Thanks for being an Academy subscriber! 🌟 By stepping up to full Academy Membership at just £19 per month, you'll unlock a whole suite of tools, training, and resources—making sure newsletters like this one keep delivering value. We're here to ensure you get the most from your membership while being part of a movement that empowers the underserved. Your journey to financial independence and making a meaningful impact starts here, and we’re excited to walk alongside you. 💪 Ready to take the next step?👉 Join us today!

Downloads

📥 Unlock Your Free Financial Planning Resources! 💼✨

Take control of your financial future with three powerful new downloads! Explore the GAME Plan, your guide to holistic financial well-being. Navigate pricing with the Academy Pricing Guide, designed to help you make informed choices. And if you’re ready to build a career in Holistic Wealth Planning, the Academy of Life Planning Guide is your roadmap to success. These resources are here to empower you—download them today and start your journey with confidence! 📚🚀

Scoreapps

⏱️ Discover Your Potential with Our Free 5-Minute Quizzes!

Take a moment to explore where you stand and how to grow with our quick and insightful quizzes:

1. Financial Activation Scorecard: Measure your Financial Activation Measure (FAM) and discover how financially prepared you are to manage your own finances. Track your progress over time with our tailored empowerment support. 💡
2. Kokoro Scorecard: Find your balance across mind, body, heart, and spirit, and get actionable steps to enhance it. 🌱
3. Holistic Wealth Planner/ Business Readiness Quiz: See how prepared you are to thrive as an independent holistic wealth planner, and identify where the Academy can help you succeed in 2025. 🚀 

Each quiz is free, quick, and designed to set you on the path to growth and success. Try them today! ✨

Member Live Events:

1️⃣ 🎥 Now Available on Demand: CPD Masterclass – Season 2, Episode 6
The Prisca Theologian: Discovering Universal Wisdom for Holistic Life Planning
📅 Recorded Thursday, 15 May 2025 | 🕑 2:00 PM (London time)
📺 Watch now on the AoLP VOD Channel

Unlock the ancient wisdom of Prisca Theologia—the belief in a universal truth at the heart of the world’s spiritual traditions—and learn how it can transform your life planning practice. 🌿📿✨ In this inspiring CPD Masterclass, we explored how the timeless teachings of Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Shamanism, and Hermetic Qabalah can help you:

🔍 Discover:

💫 Ethics and stewardship from the Abrahamic faiths

⚖️ Harmony and mindfulness from Eastern philosophies

🔥 Transformation and purpose from mystical paths

👥 Ideal for:

Holistic wealth planners, life coaches, and changemakers seeking to deepen their practice with spiritually grounded insights.

🛠️ You’ll gain tools to:

Align life planning with soul purpose

Empower clients through values-led strategies

Step confidently into your role as a guide for transformation

💡 Whether you joined live or missed the session, this is your chance to catch up and connect with a new paradigm of planning—one that integrates the financial, emotional, and spiritual.

👉 Watch the recording now on the AoLP VOD channel

Together, let’s reimagine wealth planning as a path to meaningful, purposeful living. 🌍✨

2️⃣ 🚀 Build a Thriving Financial Planning Practice with Peer Mentorship

Success in financial planning takes more than ambition—it requires accountability, strategy, and expert guidance. That’s exactly what our Monthly Peer Mentorship Meeting delivers. Hosted by Steve Conley, this one-hour clinic is a supportive space where experienced practitioners help you overcome challenges, celebrate progress, and stay on track to hit your 2025 net profit goals. Whether you need clarity, motivation, or fresh ideas, this is your chance to connect, learn, and grow within a like-minded community. Your success starts here—let’s build it together. 🌟🤝✨

❓ Missed the last session from Monday?
📥👉 Download the recording now and catch up at your convenience.

💡 Want to upgrade your Membership to enjoy Mentorship benefits?
👉 Visit our website to learn more.

📅 Mentees: We’ll see you next month! Register today!
Next meeting: Monday May 19th 2025 (due to Bank Holiday, and my visit to Westminster) at 10:00 AM (GMT). Mark your calendar, normally for the first Monday of every month at 10 am! 🗓️⏰

🌈 Let’s stay connected, stay inspired, and achieve greatness together! 💪🌟

3️⃣ 🎉 Help Shape the Future of the Academy of Life Planning! 🌍✨

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of the 🛠️ Governance Charter Project—a major milestone as we transition into a 🎓 member-owned co-operative society, under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act. 🤝📜

📘 What’s in the Charter?

🔹 Our mission, vision, and values 💡🌱
🔹 Professional recognition of The GAME Plan diploma 🎯📘
🔹 Member rights, responsibilities, and benefits 🙌📈
🔹 Our democratic governance structure 🗳️🏛️
🔹 How we protect agency, independence & integrity 🧭🛡️

💬 This is YOUR opportunity to shape the Academy’s future! 🫵🚀

We’re calling on all members and supporters to review the draft and share your thoughts. 📝💬

👉 Read the draft and contribute here.

📅 Live Consultation Session:
🗓️ Monday 2nd June
🕑 2:00 PM BST
💻 Join us to discuss the Charter and connect with fellow changemakers!

👉 Register Here!

🌟 Together, we’re building a global movement for:
🌿 Holistic Wealth
💪 Financial Empowerment
🔍 Transparent, Member-Led Financial Planning

Let’s co-create the future of financial planning—for the people, by the people. 🤲💖

4️⃣ 🌟 CPD Masterclass – Season 2, Episode 7: The Contemplative Consultant: Embarking on The Great Journey
📅 Tuesday, 10 June 2025
🕑 2:00 PM (London time)
💻 Live via Zoom | Free to attend

🧭 A Masterclass in Reflection, Healing, and Transformation

Join us for a deeply reflective and empowering session that introduces The Great Journey—a contemplative approach to holistic life planning grounded in ancient wisdom, seasonal rhythms, and archetypal insight.

In this transformative Masterclass, you’ll explore how meditation, mindfulness, and guided visualisation can support both you and your clients through the stages of the Academy’s GAME Plan. Through the Eight Contemplative Pathways, you'll reconnect with purpose, rediscover inner balance, and gain tools to guide others toward wholeness and clarity.

🌿 The Eight Contemplative Pathways:

🔹 Wisdom (North | Winter | Earth): Enter Bran’s hall and find insight in the stillness.
🔹 Inspiration (N.E. | Taste & Smell): Awaken creativity in Ceridwen’s cave.
🔹 Purpose (East | Spring | Air): Follow Olwen’s steps toward fresh beginnings.
🔹 Strength (S.E. | Touch): Forge resilience at Gofannon’s smithy.
🔹 Transition (South | Summer | Fire): Train with Scathach to unlock potential.
🔹 Insight (S.W. | Hearing): Dive deep with Manannan to restore harmony.
🔹 Understanding (West | Autumn | Water): Heal and reflect in Avalon’s orchards.
🔹 Cleansing (N.W. | Sight): Renew in the Cauldron of Rebirth and emerge transformed.

💼 Who Should Attend:

Holistic wealth planners, Life and purpose coaches, Changemakers and guides seeking deeper alignment, Anyone ready to integrate contemplative practice into their professional toolkit.

✨ What You’ll Gain:

✅ A practical framework for applying contemplative pathways in planning sessions
✅ Tools to help clients reconnect with their values, strengths, and deeper truth
✅ A transformative model for navigating life’s transitions with grace and clarity
✅ Greater personal alignment as a guide, mentor, and changemaker

🎁 Free to all participants – registration required

🔗 Register Now to reserve your place and receive Zoom access details.

Let’s journey together through sacred inner landscapes—and emerge as contemplative consultants ready to shape lives of purpose, balance, and fulfilment. 🌈🌍🕊️

🍷🚪 Curtain Call, Town Hall Warriors!

🏆 Scatter freely from the waffle, but oh—plot twist: there's homework. Because of course, there is. 📚 Check out the hyperlinks we’ve tossed around like a trail of digital breadcrumbs. 📎 Consider the gossip mill officially closed for the week.

Could you survive another round of the Academy’s infamous Friday Lunch Bunch?  Join us this week on 👉 Friday, May 16th, 12:00 noon UK 🎟️🕛 or if you’re craving a blast from the past, 👉 browse through our legendary pranks . 🌟

That’s a Wrap for Today’s Broadcast 🎙️ Thanks for tuning in! Until next time!

Keep those waffles waving and your spirits high! 🧇🌟,

Steve 

Academy of Life Planning 🧀

Email: steve.conley@aolp.co.uk

P.S.Buckle up, financial adventurers, and dive into the latest blog from the Academy of Life Planning (AoLP) – your self-proclaimed partner in transformational financial life planning. 🌟📚 Check out their latest post and learn how to turn your financial dreams into reality—or at least a well-organized plan. Happy navigating! 🚀💼  Academy of Life Planning: Your Partner in Transformational Financial Life Planning

P.P.S. If you know anyone who would like to be added to our mailing list, please share this link.

Websites: Steve Conley, Academy of Life Planning, Planning My Life, Financial Life Coach, Steve's Blog.

Copyright the Academy of Life Planning Limited 2024. Contact us by email at info@aolp.co. The Academy of Life Planning Limited is a service sector trading company regulated by the Competition and Markets Authority and Registered in England and Wales number 8016568. Registered office address 9 Franklin Way, Spilsby, Lincolnshire, PE23 5GG, United Kingdom. Information Commissioner's Office reference number ZA502687.

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