Money Talks

How do you keep investing when the headlines make you want to stop?

In this episode of Money Talks, Mihaela discusses with Patrick Wascht, portfolio manager at BayernInvest Luxembourg. Tune in to learn what investing looks like from the inside, managing assets on behalf of pension funds and institutional investors. Patrick shares how professionals like him deal with uncertainty, market volatility and political events while keeping a clear focus on long-term objectives. From Brexit to inflation peaks, he explains why successful investing is linked to understanding context and managing emotions.

As an individual investor too, Patrick often mentions the importance of having a plan and resisting the temptation to react to every market headline. The conversation also explores the rise of ETFs, the influence of social media on investment behaviour and the relationship between risk and return. While investing does not require a magic formula, it does require patience, consistency and a long-term perspective.

This episode of Money Talks deals with the fundamentals of long-term investing with guest Grégory Guilmin, financial educator and author. From emergency savings and ETFs to diversification and risk management, the conversation breaks down the key principles every investor should understand before entering the market. Clear, practical and jargon-free, the episode focuses on building sustainable investment habits rather than chasing short-term trends.

The discussion also looks at the emotional side of investing: how to deal with volatility, avoid fear-driven decisions and stay focused during uncertain times. Gregory explains why regular investing, geographical diversification and a disciplined strategy matter more than trying to predict the next market move. A practical conversation for anyone looking to invest with greater clarity and confidence.

In this episode of Money Talks, Mihaela speaks with Romain Lucas, founder of Smart Money Growth, about the cost of inaction. Drawing on his experience in finance and financial education, Roman explains why delaying investment decisions can be more expensive than people realise.

The conversation explores why many people hesitate to invest, how education can be more empowering than simply receiving advice, and why financial freedom begins with understanding rather than outsourcing decisions. Romain also reflects on his own investment journey, the role of community in building confidence, and why taking one small first step can matter more than waiting for the perfect moment.

In this episode of Money Talks, Mihaela speaks with two experienced journalists who translate complex developments into stories people can understand: Cordula Schnuer, editor-in-chief of the Luxembourg Times, and Raymond Frenken, managing editor at Investment Officer.

Cordula and Raymond explain why journalism is not a substitute for financial education but an essential part of the learning environment. Good reporting, they argue, equips readers with context, vocabulary and reliable information so they can make their own financial choices.

The discussion explores:

The conversation also offers a look inside the newsroom: from the words journalists would happily ban from headlines to the myths about investing that deserve to disappear.

In this episode of Money Talks, Mihaela discusses with Candi Carrera, former Country Manager of Microsoft Luxembourg turned value-investor and fintech founder. Candi walks us through the foundations of value investing, explaining how investors determine a company’s intrinsic value, why long-term thinking matters, and how patience can outperform market noise.

He details his transition from tech leadership to co-founding an AI-powered companion designed to help investors analyse companies more deeply, interpret financial metrics, detect risks such as earnings manipulation, and understand complex data in natural language.

In this episode of Money Talks, we cross continents with Patrick Augustin, Associate Professor of Finance at McGill University and Academic Director of the new Master in Management of Finance in Luxembourg, a program launched with the support of ALFI, ABBL, and the Ministry of Finance. Patrick shares how this innovative program brings McGill to Europe, filling a gap in Luxembourg’s financial ecosystem by combining world-class teaching with hands-on experience. Students will manage a real investment fund, gaining exposure to the full spectrum of portfolio management — from research and trading to compliance and reporting — in a country that leads the world in investment funds.

The conversation goes beyond academics to discuss what truly drives success in finance: curiosity, adaptability, and mindset. Patrick speaks about financial education, behavioural finance, and the art of taking calculated risks. He explains why investing in oneself is the best long-term strategy and why learning to manage emotions matters as much as mastering financial models. From avoiding procrastination to embracing uncertainty, this episode is packed with insights for anyone looking to grow in their career, or in their personal investing journey.

To learn more about the master programme and the application process, it’s this way: https://www.mcgill.ca/desautels/programs/mmf/program-overview

In this episode of Money Talks, we sit down with Ala Presenti, co-founder of Moniflo and CFO of InvesTRe. Ala shares her journey from growing up in Moldova to becoming a citizen of Luxembourg, and how early lessons in money management shaped her path. She talks about starting with just €50 a month, the importance of aligning investments with personal values, and why security and sustainability guide her financial choices today.

What does it take to go from curious beginner to confident investor? In this episode, we meet Romain Boyer, a finance and strategy professional at ArcelorMittal, a self-taught investor and a new father.

We talk about the fears and myths he had to overcome, his first steps into investing, and why he launched Luxembourg’s first Financial Education Summit.

Romain’s story is proof that you don’t need to be an expert to get started. You just need to be willing to learn.

What happens when a teenager with a camera turns his passion into a business?

Nicolas is proof that you don’t need all the answers to get started. Sometimes the best kind of financial education comes from doing and daring to build something of your own.