Insights from the team, for your prosperity.

We are a team with creative ideas, veteran industry wisdom and, most of all, a desire to connect with you in your journey.

On this page you will find our podcast and our regular written publications. To receive these insights into your inbox as they come out, click below to subscribe to our mailing list.


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From Generation to Generation

From Generation to Generation

A dad-daughter podcast focused on the three kinds wealth - character, intellectual and financial. Aspira co-founder Chris sits down with his daughter Brittany (Boomer and Gen Z) and guests to ask the questions you can't Google about family and wealth. Wisdom is traded, perspectives are challenged and honest thoughts confessed.

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Special Market Dispatch - November 2023

Special Market Dispatch

November 2023 // Markets & Investing

Chris Raper, CIM, CFP® | Co-Founder, Senior Wealth Advisor, Cross-Border Specialist

Chris's quick take: interest rate hikes are done, inflation is due south and investors are fearful – a wonderful mix for markets to rally. "Friends, …based on the evidence I am seeing, I am getting increasingly bullish – don't let the Halloween spooks scare you out of your stocks." 

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Investment Marathon

Investment Marathon #13

September 2023 // Markets & Investing

Alex Vozian, CFA, Co-Founder, Associate Portfolio Manager

  • Canadian and U.S. markets update - The "20!30! Buy" Strategy
  • Performance update
  • Featured holding – Intuit Inc (INTU)
  • Two ways to worry less about the stock market news – Fight and Flight

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Quarterly-compass-alex-vozian-aspira-wealth

Quarterly Compass #2

October 2023 // Markets & Investing

Alex Vozian, CFA, Co-Founder, Associate Portfolio Manager

  • Broad Market Observations
  • Investment Insights from Chris
  • Worry Journal - top worries of market participants and business leaders in 2023
  • Playbook of Opportunities – how we seize the current opportunities
  • Sector Positioning for The Dividend Value Discipline TM
  • Investment Performance - 9 months of 2023.

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Investment Marathon

Investment Marathon #13

September 2023 // Markets & Investing

Alex Vozian, CFA, Co-Founder, Associate Portfolio Manager

  • Canadian and U.S. markets update - The "20!30! Buy" Strategy
  • Performance update
  • Featured holding – Intuit Inc (INTU)
  • Two ways to worry less about the stock market news – Fight and Flight

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Quarterly Compass

Quarterly Compass #1

July 2023 // Markets & Investing

Alex Vozian, CFA, Co-Founder, Associate Portfolio Manager

  • WORRY JOURNAL - top worries of market participants and business leaders in 2023
  • PLAYBOOK OF OPPORTUNITIES – how we seize the current opportunities
  • BROAD MARKET OBSERVATIONS
  • SECTOR POSITIONING FOR THE DIVIDEND VALUE DISCIPLINE
  • INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE

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Aspiras Special Market Dispatch

Aspira's Special Market Dispatch - Transitions

June 2023 // Markets & Investing

Chris Raper, CIM, CFP® | Co-Founder, Senior Wealth Advisor, Cross-Border Specialist

This is not Chris's usual missive - this dispatch focuses on transitions, specifically:

  1. The Market Transition
  2. Chris's Transition
  3. Your Transition

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2023 Wealth Insights

Investment Marathon #12 • June 2023
Alex Vozian, CFA, Co-Founder, Associate Portfolio Manager

  • New distraction – U.S. debt ceiling crisis
  • Canadian and U.S. markets update
  • Performance update
  • A holding we own – Lincoln Electric (LECO)
  • Team's personal update – family, community, bears, tulips, dancers, cliffs, soccer, studying, and jazz!

The Strategist: Estate Planning with Blended Families • May 2023
Clarke White | CFP®, CRPC® (USA), Financial Planner

  • Introduction
  • Non-Blended Families
  • Blended Families
  • The Big Picture
  • How Can We Help?

The Quarterly Opportunity Update • April 2023

Audio Version

Chris Raper, CIM, CFP® - Co-Founder, Senior Wealth Advisor, Cross Border Specialist

  • The Markets – Key Observations Post the U.S. Banking Crisis
  • Q1 2023 Performance Recap – Aspira Wealth Strategies
  • Banks Versus Oil Producers – A Canadian Perspective
  • Key Takeaways & Behaviour That Has Served Us Well
  • Postscript - Prospective Clients - The Aspira Wealth Approach

Investment Marathon #11 • March 2023

Alex Vozian, CFA, Co-Founder, Associate Portfolio Manager

  • Investment World Has Changed A Lot
  • Canadian and U.S. markets update
  • Performance update
  • Featured holding - CDW Corporation (CDW)
  • Bench strength & Artificial Intelligence

Aspira's Special Market Dispatch - Capitalizing on the Chaos • March 2023

Chris Raper, CIM, CFP® | Co-Founder, Senior Wealth Advisor, Cross Border Specialist

  • Collapse and takeover of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank
  • What we know, what is unknowable and questions that are running through our minds
  • How to help yourself today

The Strategist: The Benefits of Consolidation for Canadian and Cross-Border Clients • February 2023

Clarke White | CFP®, CRPC® (USA), Financial Planner

  • Introduction
  • An Example
  • Benefits of consolidation
  • Aspira Wealth Services
  • Update on the Team

Investment Marathon #10 • January 2023

Alex Vozian, CFA, Co-Founder, Associate Portfolio Manager

  • Canadian and U.S. markets update
  • Performance update
  • ATS Corporation (ATS . TO ) – one of our holdings
  • Dream job!
  • How we help

The Quarterly Opportunity Update • January 2023

Audio Version

Chris Raper, CIM, CFP® - Co-Founder, Senior Wealth Advisor, Cross Border Specialist

  • The Markets – Take Comfort In The Overwhelming Pessimism
  • Dividend Gushers & The 2022 Performance Recap
  • Tumbling Titans – There Are Better Alternatives
  • The Wrap Up & Key Takeaways
  • Postscript I – The Aspira Wealth Approach

Where We Landed For 2022 • Jan 2023

Chris Raper - Co-Founder, Senior Wealth Advisor, Cross Border

  • Investment returns of Internally Managed Mandates
  • All major indexes in Canada and US declined in 2022
  • One prediction for the future

2022 Wealth Insights

Investment Marathon #9 • November 2022

Alex Vozian, CFA, Co-Founder, Associate Portfolio Manager

  • Canadian and U.S. markets update
  • Performance Update
  • Cummins Inc. (CMI) – one of our holdings
  • 1st Anniversary! What did you enjoy the most?

Special Dispatch • November 2022

Joanne Kaban, CFP, Co-founder, CIM, RIS

Alex Vozian, CFA, Co-founder, Associate Portfolio Manager

  1. We are thrilled to share some exciting news about our colleague and co-founder, Chris Raper.
  2. Chris was included in Canada’s Top Wealth Advisors – Best in Province 2022 list by Report on Business magazine and SHOOK Research.
  3. We would like to thank our clients for their trust and Aspira Wealth team for their support.

The Strategist: Helping the Next Generation • November 2022

Clarke White | CFP®, CRPC® (USA), Financial Planner

  • Exploring the First Home Savings Account
  • Common Questions
  • Comparing the Options
  • Update on the team

The Quarterly Opportunity Update • October 2022

Audio Version

Chris Raper, CIM, CFP® | Co-Founder, Senior Wealth Advisor, Cross Border Specialist

  • The Markets – Blow-off Tops!
  • Our March North Continues – The Q3 2022 Recap
  • Takeaways and Our own Euro Style energy crisis
  • Ukraine – Are We Ahead of Ourselves?
  • The Aspira Wealth Approach
  • The Dividend Value Discipline™ Methodology

Market Dispatch • September 2022 

Chris Raper, CIM, CFP® | Co-Founder, Senior Wealth Advisor, Cross Border Specialist

  • Fixed income and equity markets have been hit hard.
  • Where are we different?
  • When will it get better?
  • The opportunities we are presented with.

Investment Marathon #8 • September 2022

Alex Vozian, CFA, Co-Founder, Associate Portfolio Manager

  • Creative and adaptive
  • Canadian and U.S. markets update
  • The investment opportunity is still strong
  • Mueller Industries (MLI) – one of our holdings
  • In plain white!

Investment Marathon #7 • July 2022

Alex Vozian, CFA, Co-Founder, Associate Portfolio Manager

  • Why tortoises outlive tigers
  • Canadian and US market update
  • The investment opportunity got better
  • Microsoft – a holding we own
  • Personal update

The Quarterly Opportunity Update • July 2022

Audio Version

Chris Raper, CIM, CFP® | Co-Founder, Senior Wealth Advisor, Cross Border Specialist

  • The Markets – We Are in Recession, Inflation Has Peaked For 2022 and Our Structural Deficit In Energy Remains
  • Canada’s Energy Patch Continues to Shine – The Q2 Recap
  • The Looming Supply Deficit in Metals & Key Takeaways
  • Our Approach
  • The Dividend Value Discipline™ Methodology

Timely Market Dispatch – Inflation Peaking, Fear Is Extreme, Opportunity Knocks • June 2022                    

Chris Raper, CIM, CFP® | Co-Founder, Senior Wealth Advisor, Cross Border Specialist

  • Inflation Is Peaking
  • Fear Is Extreme On Both Wall St & Main St
  • Select Companies Are Really Attractive

The Strategist: Planning Through Volatility • June 2022                    

Clarke White | CFP®, CRPC® (USA), Financial Planner     

  • Understand
  • Design
  • Manage & Measure
  • Implement & Invest
  • Update on the team

Investment Marathon #6 • May 2022

Alex Vozian, CFA | Co-Founder, Associate Portfolio Manager

  • Why 2022 market decline is a long-awaited opportunity for long term investors
  • Performance update
  • MasterCard ‐ a holding we own
  • Busy spring of 2022 ‐ fundraising, dance festival, Raymond James conference, and Victoria Day parade

Market Dispatch – The Fear Is Palpable • May 2022

Chris Raper, CIM, CFP® | Co-Founder, Senior Wealth Advisor, Cross Border Specialist

  • Yes, April was a down month – that is not all bad.
  • We are approaching peak fear levels and look who is buying.
  • Recession fears – evidence that suggests much of it may already be priced in.

The Quarterly Opportunity Update • April 2022

Audio Version

Chris Raper, CIM, CFP® | Co-Founder, Senior Wealth Advisor, Cross Border Specialist

  • The Markets – Disruption!
  • Accessing Canada – Adaptive Tactics & The Q1 Recap
  • Proactive Questions & A Shifting World Order
  • Our Approach
  • The Dividend Value Discipline™ Methodology

Investment Marathon #5 • March 2022

Alex Vozian, CFA, Associate Portfolio Manager

  • Hope and Compassion for Ukraine
  • Canadian and U.S. market update
  • Performance Update
  • Our holding - Tractor Supply (TSCO)
  • A Book I Have Read - “The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World”

The Strategist: Cross Border Financial Planning • March 2022

Benjamin Clark, Client Service Associate
Shubham Sharma, B.B.A, Client Service Specialist

  • What is Cross-Border Financial Planning?
  • Top 5 challenges of cross-border investors.
  • Who is it for?
  • How can we help?
  • Update on the team

Market Dispatch – War Tactics • February 2022

Chris Raper, CIM, CFP®, Senior Wealth Advisor, Portfolio Manager

  • Our hearts and prayers are with the Ukraine and the Russian people
  • Conviction # 1 has not changed - investor behaviour will continue to be the #1 determinant of lifetime returns
  • Conviction #2 may seem all too obvious – war is destructive – it increases the demand for energy and materials
  • What is the impact on energy markets?
  • What is the likely impact on corporate Canada?
  • What’s the impact on interest rates?
  • What about gold?

The Quarterly Opportunity Update • January 2022

Audio Version

Chris Raper, CIM, CFP ®, Senior Wealth Advisor, Portfolio Manager

  • The Markets – Inflation, Bias The Upside
  • The Dividend Value Discipline™ - Socially Responsible Investing Update
  • Key Takeaways & 2021 Performance Recap
  • Our Approach
  • Methodology and return objectives of our core program - The Dividend Value Discipline™

Investment Marathon #4 • January 2022

Alex Vozian, CFA, Associate Portfolio Manager

  • Canadian and U.S. market update
  • Our holding - Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)
  • Keeping you "in the market"
  • Bonus: Hummingbird photography

Timely Market Dispatch • January 2022

Chris Raper, CIM, CFP®, Senior Wealth Advisor, Portfolio Manager

  • Investment returns of internally managed strategies for the year 2021
  • Bold predictions for 2022

2021 Wealth Insights

The Strategist • December 2021

Clarke White, CFP®, Financial Planner

  • The Spousal Loan Strategy – A Practical Way To Reduce Your Household Taxes
  • Where is the benefit?
  • What is a prescribed rate loan strategy?
  • So what is the catch?
  • Where do I start?

Investment Marathon #3 • November 2021

Alex Vozian, CFA, Associate Portfolio Manager

  • Canadian and U.S. market update
  • Our holding - KLA Corporation (KLAC)
  • Book - “Think Again - The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know” - by Adam Grant
  • Protecting you against inflation
  • Bonus: Bull Painting

The Quarterly Opportunity Update • October 2021

Audio Version

Chris Raper, CIM, CFP®, Senior Wealth Advisor, Portfolio Manager

  • The Markets – The Big Picture
  • The Dividend Value Discipline™ - Pool Corporation
  • The Complement Strategies - The Tax Advantaged Preferred Share (TAPS) ,The Keep More Income (KMI), The Global Active Macro ETF (GAME), The Next Cycle Resource Fund (NCRF)
  • The Wrap Up – Buckle Up, It Is October
  • Our Approach
  • The Dividend Value Discipline™ Methodology

Investment Marathon #2 • October 2021

Alex Vozian, CFA, Associate Portfolio Manager

  • Canadian and U.S. market update
  • Our holding - NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA)
  • Book - Atomic Habits, by James Clear - “An easy & proven way to build good habits & break bad ones.”
  • Enforcing discipline
  • Bonus: A moment of joy - Painting a bear with ... a fork

Investment Marathon #1 • September 2021

Alex Vozian, CFA, Associate Portfolio Manager

  • Canadian and U.S. market update
  • Our holding - Constellation Software (CSU.TO)
  • Book - "Principles", by Ray Dalio
  • Working towards your long-term financial goals in a sustainable (responsible) manner.
  • Bonus: A moment of joy - “Baba Yaga” farm stand

The Strategist • August 2021

Clarke White, CFP®, Financial Planner

  • The Financial Planning Crunch
    • Life Expectancy Crunch
    • The Expense Crunch
    • Inflation Crunch
  • Update on the Team
    • We are back to in-person meetings!
    • New team members - Shu Sharma and Yui Onishi

Quarterly Market Commentary • July 2021

Chris Raper, CIM, CFP®, Senior Wealth Advisor, Portfolio Manager

  • The Big Picture - leading economic indicators
  • The Dividend Value Discipline™
    • New holding - Simpson Manufacturing Company (SSD)
    • New holding - Muller Industries (MLI)
    • Rent cheque (dividend) increases
  • The Global Active Macro ETF (GAME) Strategy
  • The Tax Advantaged Preferred Share (TAPS) Strategy
  • The Keep More Income (KMI) Strategy
  • The Next Cycle Resource Fund (NCRF)
  • Q2 2021 performance

The Quarterly Opportunity Update • June 2021

Audio Version

Chris Raper, CIM, CFP®, Senior Wealth Advisor, Portfolio Manager

  • Recent Rent Cheque Increases
  • The Markets - Canada’s Next Supercycle Is Underway
  • Keep More Income – Float Your Canadian Boat
  • The Wrap Up – Our GAME Compass Points North & Across The Pond
  • Our Approach
  • The Dividend Value Discipline™ Methodology

Quarterly Market Commentary • April 2021

Chris Raper, CIM, CFP®, Senior Wealth Advisor, Portfolio Manager

  • The Big Picture - leading economic indicators
  • The Dividend Value Discipline™
    • New holding - PayPal (PYPL)
    • New holding - CDW Corp (CDW)
    • New holding - Independent Bank Group (IBTX)
    • Rent cheque (dividend) increases
  • The Global Active Macro ETF (GAME) Strategy
  • The Tax Advantaged Preferred Share (TAPS) Strategy
  • The Keep More Income (KMI) Strategy
  • The Next Cycle Resource Fund (NCRF)
  • Q1 2021 performance

The Quarterly Opportunity Update • March 2021

Audio Version

Chris Raper, CIM, CFP®, Senior Wealth Advisor, Portfolio Manager

  • The Markets – Caveat Emptor, The Trend Has Shifted
  • Need & Opportunity – Our Strategies Expand
  • Rising Interest Rates & Why They Matter
  • Our Approach
  • The Dividend Value Discipline™ Methodology

The Strategist • February 2021

Larissa Ruditsch, B.B.A, CFP®, Associate, Wealth Advisor

  • Safeguarding Your Gift to Adult Children When Buying a Home
  • Scenarios:
    • Gifting them with a sum of money.
    • Parents own a secondary home in which they allow their child to live
    • A shared ownership structure
  • Update on the Team: A full year of pandemic life - new ways of keeping busy

Quarterly Market Commentary • January 2021

Chris Raper, CIM, CFP®, Senior Wealth Advisor, Portfolio Manager

  • The Big Picture - leading economic indicators
  • The Dividend Value Discipline™
    • New holding - American Tower (AMT)
    • New holding - Williams Sonoma (WSM)
    • New holding - Northern Trust (NTRS)
    • New holding - Amphenol (APH)
    • Rent cheque (dividend) increases
  • The Global Active Macro ETF (GAME) Strategy
  • The Tax Advantaged Preferred Share (TAPS) Strategy
  • The Keep More Income (KMI) Strategy
  • The Next Cycle Resource Fund (NCRF)
  • 2020 performance

2009-2020 Wealth Insights

The Opportunity Update

The Strategist

Quarterly Market Commentary

Chris' Timely Market Dispatches