What does private equity actually look like from the inside?

On this episode of the High School to Wallet Podcast, we sit down with CJ Smith of MidOcean Partners to break down the world of private equity and his journey from studying economics at Colby College to working in investment banking at UBS and eventually spending nine years in private equity.

CJ explains what private equity firms actually do after acquiring a company, how MidOcean works with management teams to grow its businesses, and what makes a company worth investing in. We also discuss the differences between private equity, hedge funds, and asset management, the role of investment banking and consulting in breaking into private equity, and whether an MBA is really necessary.

Most importantly, CJ shares advice for high school students interested in finance, including why curiosity, networking, persistence, and being willing to fail can be more valuable than having the perfect résumé.

If you’re interested in finance, investing, entrepreneurship, or building a career in private equity, this episode is packed with practical advice from someone working in the industry today.

Leena opens up about navigating Wall Street as a woman and immigrant, what it really means to manage a perpetual endowment, and how the Foundation blends financial returns with real-world impact across health, arts, and the environment. She also shares her views on AI's effect on entry-level finance roles, why she's bullish on biotech for the next decade, and the timeless habits — reading widely and rising early — that she built as a teenager and still relies on today.

Whether you're a high school student curious about finance, a college student preparing for Wall Street, or simply interested in what it takes to lead at the highest levels of institutional investing, this episode is packed with wisdom, honesty, and actionable advice.

Topics covered:

• Breaking into finance from a non-traditional background
• What a foundation CIO actually does day-to-day
• Liquidity management and long-term portfolio thinking
• Impact investing and biotech as a growth sector
• AI's impact on entry-level finance careers
• The habits and mindset that drive long-term success

In this episode of the High School Wall Street podcast, we sit down with Jason Karp, the founder and CEO of HumanCo, to discuss his remarkable evolution from a high-stakes hedge fund leader to a pioneer in health-focused private equity. Jason shares his journey from the "Top Gun" environment of elite firms like SAC Capital—where he worked for legendary investor Steve Cohen—to the pivotal moment a health crisis forced him to rethink the entire American food system. He reveals how the same analytical rigor used to manage multi-billion dollar funds eventually led him to co-found Hu Kitchen and later launch HumanCo, a holding company dedicated to scaling mission-driven brands that prioritize human health over corporate shortcuts.

Listeners will gain an inside look at the "messy" but rewarding world of operating private companies, from the logistical challenges of running a restaurant to the "fiduciary responsibility" of delivering massive returns for investors while staying true to a clean-label mission. Jason dives deep into the differences between public market trading and long-term private equity building, offering a masterclass on how to maintain "moral clarity" in business. Whether he’s discussing his "try before you buy" investment rule or why he believes AI will never replace the importance of real food and human relationships, Jason provides a blueprint for the next generation of leaders who want to build profitable businesses that actually make the world a better place.

What does an investment banker actually do when a company is in trouble? On this episode of the High School Wall Street Podcast, we sit down with Barak Klein, Managing Director at Moelis & Company. From his early days at Wharton to navigating the 2008 financial crisis at a hedge fund, Barak shares the "no-nonsense" reality of a career in finance. We dive into the world of capital structure advisory, the high-stakes creativity behind the AMC and Carvana deals, and why "soft skills" like active listening are the secret to surviving 100-hour work weeks. Whether you're a "zygote" preparing for sophomore internships or just curious about the world of elite boutiques, this masterclass in restructuring is a must-listen.