Modern Investing Podcast

Message the Host

In this episode, we dive into the future of crypto investing with Maximilian Pace, co-founder and CEO of Animus Technologies, a cutting-edge firm using AI to navigate digital asset markets.

Max shares:

• How Animus Technologies won the prestigious Bitcoin Alpha Competition, securing a $1M investment
• The firm’s innovative long-short crypto strategy—built to perform in both bull and bear markets
• How real-time AI analysis is unlocking smarter decision-making in volatile markets like Bitcoin and Ethereum
• The backstory of Animus’ journey from Silicon Valley idea to a hedge fund backed by institutional-grade capital
• His personal path into crypto, and why he believes this moment marks a turning point in the future of finance

Whether you’re deep into Web3 or exploring digital assets for the first time, this episode delivers actionable insights from a founder on the front lines of AI-driven investing.

About Maximilian Pace:

Maximilian Pace is the CEO and co-founder of Animus Technologies, a digital asset investment firm using machine learning and real-time data analysis to generate alpha in volatile crypto markets. With a background in startup leadership and deep roots in the Silicon Valley innovation ecosystem, Max brings a rare blend of technical depth and strategic vision to the crypto investing space.

Under his leadership, Animus won the Bitcoin Alpha Competition, securing a $1 million investment to launch its first hedge fund. Passionate about financial innovation, Max is focused on building tools that deliver real-world impact and reshaping how investors engage with emerging technologies.

Click Here to Check Out Our Upcoming Online
Investing Events

About Sidepocket:

If you don't have the time to professionally trade and are tired of being at the whim of the market's ups and downs, consider using Sidepocket to automate investing.

Sidepocket monitors the markets 24/7 and automatically rebalances your holdings each month. To maximize returns while protecting against loss. 

That's why Sidepocket applies sophisticated quantitative methods, including tactical asset allocation to systematically minimize these drawdowns and consistently protect and grow your hard earned savings.

To learn more, visit www.sidepocket.com 

Message the Host

In this episode, we’re joined by Cagri Sarigoz, Head of SEO & AI at CitizenShipper, international angel investor, and a rising voice in the Turkish tech and startup scene.

Cagri shares:

• How a local Turkish fintech unlocked U.S. stock investing for him—and many others
• His personal evolution from tech stocks to ETFs and index funds
• A candid look at Turkey’s startup landscape, full of resilience and entrepreneurial drive
• His approach to real estate investing in an inflation-prone, volatile currency market
• Why platforms like Sidepocket caught his attention as a solution to wealth erosion

This episode offers a rare, boots-on-the-ground view of cross-border investing, the Turkish tech scene, and how global investors think about balancing stability and innovation.

About Cagri Sarigoz:

Cagri Sarigoz is a marketing and product leader, currently serving as Head of SEO & AI at CitizenShipper, where he helps drive growth through cutting-edge automation and strategy. Based in Turkey, Cagri is also a prolific angel investor, with interests spanning startups, real estate, and public markets.

He’s known for his ability to connect global ideas with local execution, offering unique insight into the Turkish startup ecosystem while managing a diversified investment portfolio across asset classes. Cagri writes and speaks about productivity, investing, and AI, and is a passionate advocate for financial tools that protect and empower individuals in volatile economies.

Click Here to Check Out Our Upcoming Online
Investing Events

About Sidepocket:

If you don't have the time to professionally trade and are tired of being at the whim of the market's ups and downs, consider using Sidepocket to automate investing.

Sidepocket monitors the markets 24/7 and automatically rebalances your holdings each month. To maximize returns while protecting against loss. 

That's why Sidepocket applies sophisticated quantitative methods, including tactical asset allocation to systematically minimize these drawdowns and consistently protect and grow your hard earned savings.

To learn more, visit www.sidepocket.com 

Message the Host

In this episode, we sit down with DC Palter, an angel investor, startup advisor, and author with over 150 early-stage investments to his name. Drawing from 15+ years of experience and a background in energy engineering, DC offers a unique lens on startup investing—from ethical red flags to navigating deep tech and climate ventures.

DC shares:

• How he transitioned from engineering to startups, and eventually into angel investing after the 2008 crash
• The value of angel groups for evaluating complex deals and managing risk
• Why he focuses on climate tech, energy sustainability, and mission-driven founders
• Insights into founder psychology, startup fraud, and ethical dilemmas in entrepreneurship
• His novel To Kill a Unicorn—a fictional tale inspired by real-world scandals like Theranos

Whether you're looking to deepen your investing strategy, protect yourself from bad actors, or simply learn from someone who's seen it all, this episode delivers hard-earned wisdom with heart.

About DC Palter:

DC Palter is a veteran angel investor, startup advisor, and author who has made 150+ early-stage investments over the past 15 years. Formerly an energy engineer, DC entered the startup world in the 1990s, drawn to the agility and personal impact of early ventures. He joined Tech Coast Angels in 2009, where he developed a reputation for strategic diligence and ethical clarity.

DC specializes in climate tech, sustainability, and complex sectors like life sciences and deep tech, leveraging group investing models to de-risk early-stage bets. In addition to his investing work, he is the author of To Kill a Unicorn, a novel exploring fraud and deception in the startup world, inspired by scandals like Theranos.

Known for his candid perspective, analytical rigor, and commitment to startup integrity, DC brings a rare combination of technical insight and ethical depth to the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Click Here to Check Out Our Upcoming Online
Investing Events

About Sidepocket:

If you don't have the time to professionally trade and are tired of being at the whim of the market's ups and downs, consider using Sidepocket to automate investing.

Sidepocket monitors the markets 24/7 and automatically rebalances your holdings each month. To maximize returns while protecting against loss. 

That's why Sidepocket applies sophisticated quantitative methods, including tactical asset allocation to systematically minimize these drawdowns and consistently protect and grow your hard earned savings.

To learn more, visit www.sidepocket.com 

Message the Host

In this episode, we welcome Matteo Costa—angel investor, Techstars startup mentor, and ETF strategist—for an inside look at how to blend long-term investing with entrepreneurial impact.

Matteo shares:

• His path from consulting and corporate innovation to angel investing
• How working with Techstars shaped his mentoring philosophy
• The structure behind his ETF portfolio for long-term wealth creation
• His passion for impact investing in food tech, sustainability, mental health, and psychedelics
• How he evaluates early-stage companies across sectors of personal and global significance

If you’re exploring the crossroads of entrepreneurship, capital, and conscious investing, this episode delivers clarity, heart, and actionable wisdom.

About Matteo Costa:

Matteo Costa is a startup mentor, angel investor, and ETF strategist with a multidisciplinary background spanning consulting, corporate innovation, and startup co-founding. He serves as a mentor for Techstars, where he supports founders in navigating the startup journey, and actively invests in early-stage ventures across sectors that include climate tech, food innovation, mental health, and psychedelics.

Matteo brings a long-term lens to investing—building a values-aligned ETF portfolio while championing purpose-driven innovation. With a unique ability to bridge institutional thinking and startup agility, he helps founders and investors alike align strategy with mission.

Click Here to Check Out Our Upcoming Online
Investing Events

About Sidepocket:

If you don't have the time to professionally trade and are tired of being at the whim of the market's ups and downs, consider using Sidepocket to automate investing.

Sidepocket monitors the markets 24/7 and automatically rebalances your holdings each month. To maximize returns while protecting against loss. 

That's why Sidepocket applies sophisticated quantitative methods, including tactical asset allocation to systematically minimize these drawdowns and consistently protect and grow your hard earned savings.

To learn more, visit www.sidepocket.com 

Message the Host

In this episode, we sit down with Silvia Lupu, one of the youngest independent female fund managers ever nominated for Fund Manager of the Year (2023), and the visionary currently leading Jevan Capital.

With over a decade of experience across real estate, private equity, tech, and financial markets, Silvia shares:

• Her unique framework for diversified, cross-asset investing
• Why cutting through the noise is critical to spotting undervalued opportunities
• The investing principles that have guided her through cycles and volatility
• What she sees as key shifts in 2024 and how investors can stay ahead
• Her mission to bring clarity, rigor, and long-term thinking into a fast-moving space

This conversation is a masterclass in modern portfolio construction, disciplined decision-making, and strategic foresight—from someone reshaping the landscape of investing for the next generation.

About Silvia Lupu:

Silvia Lupu is the Fund Manager at Jevan Capital, a trailblazer with over 10 years of experience spanning real estate, technology, private equity, and traditional financial markets. In 2023, she was nominated as the youngest independent female Fund Manager of the Year, recognizing both her results and her influence in shaping the future of capital.

Known for her precise, disciplined approach to identifying under-the-radar opportunities, Silvia is passionate about creating portfolios that stand the test of time. She leads with conviction, clarity, and a firm belief that successful investing is equal parts art, science, and leadership.

Click Here to Check Out Our Upcoming Online
Investing Events

About Sidepocket:

If you don't have the time to professionally trade and are tired of being at the whim of the market's ups and downs, consider using Sidepocket to automate investing.

Sidepocket monitors the markets 24/7 and automatically rebalances your holdings each month. To maximize returns while protecting against loss. 

That's why Sidepocket applies sophisticated quantitative methods, including tactical asset allocation to systematically minimize these drawdowns and consistently protect and grow your hard earned savings.

To learn more, visit www.sidepocket.com 

Message the Host

In this episode, we sit down with Patrick McCarthy, Fractional CFO and angel investor in over 200 startups, to explore the intersection of public markets, private equity, and mission-aligned investing.

Patrick shares:

• How a stock trading game in middle school ignited his passion for investing
• The long-term mindset that guides his diversified portfolio
• Why he's bullish on platforms like Sidepocket to democratize access to private markets
• Insights from working with over 50 startups as a strategic financial advisor
• His bold mission: to help 1,000 startups scale and thrive in the next decade

Whether you're a founder raising capital or an investor expanding your exposure, Patrick’s grounded wisdom offers a roadmap to navigating today’s financial frontier with purpose and precision.

About Patrick McCarthy:

Patrick McCarthy is a seasoned Fractional CFO, startup advisor, and angel investor with deep experience across finance, fundraising, and startup operations. As former VP of Finance at SpokenLayer, he led critical initiatives from cap table management to revenue strategy.

He’s advised over 50 startups and invested in 200+ companies across tech, media, and SaaS, all part of his mission to support 1,000 startups in the next 10 years. Known for his blend of value-based investing and hands-on financial leadership, Patrick brings both analytical depth and heart to every founder relationship—and every investment he makes.

Click Here to Check Out Our Upcoming Online
Investing Events

About Sidepocket:

If you don't have the time to professionally trade and are tired of being at the whim of the market's ups and downs, consider using Sidepocket to automate investing.

Sidepocket monitors the markets 24/7 and automatically rebalances your holdings each month. To maximize returns while protecting against loss. 

That's why Sidepocket applies sophisticated quantitative methods, including tactical asset allocation to systematically minimize these drawdowns and consistently protect and grow your hard earned savings.

To learn more, visit www.sidepocket.com 

Message the Host

In this episode, we sit down with Robert Schneider, a veteran entrepreneur and angel investor, to trace his journey from paper routes to leading success in the cannabis industry—and to explore the mindset that’s guided his evolution along the way.

Robert shares:

• How his early entrepreneurial instincts grew into multi-industry success
• The principles behind his angel investing strategy, including his investment in Sidepocket
• His belief in investing not just for returns, but for beauty, impact, and legacy
• Why he’s bullish on founder-led businesses, including his support for his brother’s restaurant venture
• His experience using Sidepocket, praising its user-friendly onboarding and adaptability in volatile markets

This episode is a grounded, insightful take on what it really means to invest with intention—from cannabis to tech to family.

About Robert Schneider:

Robert Schneider is a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and operator with deep experience in the cannabis, retail, and hospitality industries. From launching businesses in his youth to building thriving companies in regulated markets, Robert brings a blend of strategic discipline and creative vision to everything he does.

As an angel investor, Robert focuses on startups that align with his values and long-term vision—supporting platforms like Sidepocket and founder-led ventures, including his own family’s restaurant business. His investment philosophy centers on purpose, resilience, and contribution, with a legacy-minded approach that balances financial performance with positive impact.

Click Here to Check Out Our Upcoming Online
Investing Events

About Sidepocket:

If you don't have the time to professionally trade and are tired of being at the whim of the market's ups and downs, consider using Sidepocket to automate investing.

Sidepocket monitors the markets 24/7 and automatically rebalances your holdings each month. To maximize returns while protecting against loss. 

That's why Sidepocket applies sophisticated quantitative methods, including tactical asset allocation to systematically minimize these drawdowns and consistently protect and grow your hard earned savings.

To learn more, visit www.sidepocket.com 

Message the Host

In this episode, we meet Aharon Herbert, co-founder of CENO AI, whose journey from Bay Area tech student to investor and entrepreneur is a testament to what’s possible when passion meets purpose.

Aharon shares:

• His path from scholarship student to a role in corporate IT at Visa, where he works on projects involving AR/VR and Microsoft integration
• The inspiration behind CENO AI, a platform designed to help users achieve personal goals using generative AI and adaptive planning
• His approach to investing as a young professional: learning, staying conservative when needed, and always staying curious
• Why uplifting others is his deepest motivation — in both tech and life
• How sports, discipline, and community have shaped his entrepreneurial mindset

This episode is an inspiring look at how the next generation of entrepreneurs is blending technology, emotional intelligence, and innovation to create tools that empower people—not just profit.

About Aharon Herbert:

Aharon Herbert is a tech-focused entrepreneur, investor, and corporate IT professional based in the San Francisco Bay Area. He currently works at Visa, where he supports innovation through internal partnerships with teams like Microsoft.

He’s the co-founder of CENO AI, a startup that uses AI-driven goal planning to help users take control of their careers and personal growth. Outside of work, Aharon is a passionate athlete, a student of investing, and someone deeply committed to building products—and communities—that reflect a better future.

Click Here to Check Out Our Upcoming Online
Investing Events

About Sidepocket:

If you don't have the time to professionally trade and are tired of being at the whim of the market's ups and downs, consider using Sidepocket to automate investing.

Sidepocket monitors the markets 24/7 and automatically rebalances your holdings each month. To maximize returns while protecting against loss. 

That's why Sidepocket applies sophisticated quantitative methods, including tactical asset allocation to systematically minimize these drawdowns and consistently protect and grow your hard earned savings.

To learn more, visit www.sidepocket.com 

Message the Host

In this episode, we sit down with Cara Macksoud, FBS®, CEO of Money Habitudes, to explore how your relationship with money shapes your financial outcomes—and what to do if it’s holding you back.

Cara shares:

• How her experience as a Wall Street ETF trader and nonprofit CFO led her to the psychology of money
• The hidden beliefs and behaviors that affect your ability to build wealth
• Why understanding your financial “habitudes” is key to better decisions
• How she helps individuals and professionals reprogram money mindsets
• Tools to improve financial wellbeing through awareness, not just strategy

Whether you're managing wealth, advising clients, or navigating your own financial healing, Cara offers practical, compassionate insights into how to align your habits with your goals—so money can work with you, not against you.

About Cara Macksoud, FBS®

Cara Macksoud is the CEO of Money Habitudes, a Financial Behavior Specialist®, and one of the youngest women to earn a trading seat on the NYSE. Her career spans over a decade in ETF trading, leadership roles in the nonprofit sector, and a deep commitment to financial psychology and education.

She holds a BS in Finance from NYU Stern, completed a graduate certificate in Financial Therapy from Kansas State University, and is an active member of the Financial Therapy Association and AFCPE. Cara now empowers individuals and advisors to understand the emotional side of money—helping people shift not just what they do with money, but how they relate to it.

She lives in Florida with her husband and five kids, where they enjoy warm weather and shark tooth hunts.

Click Here to Check Out Our Upcoming Online
Investing Events

About Sidepocket:

If you don't have the time to professionally trade and are tired of being at the whim of the market's ups and downs, consider using Sidepocket to automate investing.

Sidepocket monitors the markets 24/7 and automatically rebalances your holdings each month. To maximize returns while protecting against loss. 

That's why Sidepocket applies sophisticated quantitative methods, including tactical asset allocation to systematically minimize these drawdowns and consistently protect and grow your hard earned savings.

To learn more, visit www.sidepocket.com 

Message the Host

In this episode, we talk with Clay Risher, Director at boutique investment bank True North Capital Partners, about what it means to be a true fiduciary in an age of algorithms, influencers, and AI-driven hype.

Clay shares:

• His personal evolution from emotional trading to research-backed investing
• Why regulatory ethics matter more than ever (including lessons from celebrity crypto endorsements)
• How value investing and long-term thinking still outperform the noise
• His views on AI in investing — and why he still believes in human judgment
• Why Sidepocket’s model of access + integrity caught his attention

This episode offers a grounded take on modern investing — where data meets wisdom, and technology supports, not replaces, discernment.

About Clay Risher:

Clay Risher is a seasoned investment banker, entrepreneur, and Director of Business Development at True North Capital Partners, where he focuses on M&A, capital raising, and valuation services across finance, tech, and private equity.

With a career spanning executive roles in both public and private companies, Clay has led transformative transactions and strategic initiatives. He’s also an award-winning author and a contributor to REIT Magazine, where he interviews industry leaders and shares insights from the frontlines of modern capital markets.

Clay studied literature and economics at Boston University and completed advanced coursework in finance at Fairfield University. Off the clock, he’s an avid outdoorsman and curious observer of life, always chasing both beauty and truth — whether in architecture, nature, or investing.

Click Here to Check Out Our Upcoming Online
Investing Events

About Sidepocket:

If you don't have the time to professionally trade and are tired of being at the whim of the market's ups and downs, consider using Sidepocket to automate investing.

Sidepocket monitors the markets 24/7 and automatically rebalances your holdings each month. To maximize returns while protecting against loss. 

That's why Sidepocket applies sophisticated quantitative methods, including tactical asset allocation to systematically minimize these drawdowns and consistently protect and grow your hard earned savings.

To learn more, visit www.sidepocket.com