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This is the 2nd episode of Personable markets in which I aim to speak to a hedgefund manager, VC or Investment Banker every week on real world market events. Unfortunately, this week the hedge fund manager I was supposed to speak to dropped out at the last minute. Fortunately, a good friend of mine was able to fill the gap to join me on this week’s Personable markets episode...

Luke Sloman who is a third-year Business and Management student at the University of Exeter, currently spending his year abroad at the University of Sydney. Luke grew up in Tokyo until the age of 13 before moving to the UK for boarding school. His academic interests focus on finance-related modules, which complement his broader studies in Business and Management.

In this episode, Luke Sloman reveals:
◽️ Why Japanese PMs frequently resign
◽️ US tariffs’ impact on global markets
◽️ UK’s looming fiscal shortfall crisis
◽️ Gold and Bitcoin as economic hedges
◽️ Retail investors’ growing market influence

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⏱ Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:33 Japan’s political instability
01:34 UK Deputy PM resignation
01:35 Autumn budget concerns
02:19 US Fed rate cut expectations
02:49 Japanese PM resignation trends
03:10 Liberal Democratic Party dominance
05:42 Ishiba’s resignation reasons
06:03 Nikkei 225 and S&P correlation
07:08 US tariffs hit Japanese economy
08:35 Japan’s trade diversification strategy
09:07 Global stock market performance
12:27 UK’s Labour approval drop
13:00 Post-COVID economic struggles
15:57 Migration as UK voter priority
16:25 Labour’s tax hike challenges
18:02 UK’s £50B fiscal shortfall
20:55 UK’s entrepreneurial mindset gap
23:24 Simon Squibb’s startup inspiration
24:30 Harry Stebbings’ VC influence
25:30 UK’s AI potential untapped
27:27 US vs. UK entrepreneurial culture
30:20 Trump’s tariff unconstitutionality ruling
34:09 Silicon Valley Bank collapse
37:22 US $40T debt concerns
38:46 Potential financial crisis looming
42:57 Retail investors’ limited participation
46:55 GameStop retail investor phenomenon
51:37 Citadel’s trading data advantage
53:43 Gold prices hit record highs
54:14 Bitcoin’s 10x growth explained
57:20 Gold as inflation hedge
1:00:12 Bitcoin’s government-backed irony
1:03:12 Department of Defense renamed War
1:05:03 War’s economic implications
1:07:29 Strong US market performance
1:08:00 Final thoughts and outlook
1:08:48 Outro

-

📌 Resources
Luke Sloman:
◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-sloman-87a6742a9 

Harvey Bracken-Smith:
◽️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith
◽️ Instagram: instagram.com/harveybsmith
◽️ X (Twitter): x.com/harveybsmith_
◽️ Newsletter: https://personable.substack.com/

Personable Podcast:
◽️ Instagram: instagram.com/personable.podcast
◽️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast
◽️ TikTok: tiktok.com/@personableclips
◽️ Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api
◽️ Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111

Additional:
◽️ The Draft (Sign up): thedraft.io
◽️ Fundraising: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/LouLouRacefoiundation?utm_term=PvByaxmdn

Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023.

This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always

Support the show

Send a text

Tim McInnerny shares his journey of mastering diverse roles and staying true to the craft of acting.

Tim McInnerny rose to prominence as a versatile actor, uniquely playing two leading roles in the iconic Blackadder series - Lord Percy Percy and Captain Darling - while building a career spanning theater, film, and television. From his early days in school plays to starring alongside legends like Vanessa Redgrave and Judi Dench, Tim has balanced comedy and drama, appearing in projects like Notting Hill, Game of Thrones, and Gladiator 2. A graduate of Oxford University, where he studied English Language and Literature, he honed his craft through the National Youth Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company, always prioritizing truth and authenticity in his performances. 

In this episode, Tim McInnerny discusses:
◽️ Discovering acting through a reluctant school play debut at 14
◽️ Balancing ambition with humility in a competitive industry
◽️ The importance of truth and collaboration in acting
◽️ Navigating the emotional depths of roles like Iago and Hamlet
◽️ Lessons from a 40-year career in theater, TV, and film

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⏱ Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:31 Tim shares school play start
02:09 Acting clicked for Tim early
04:36 Harvey contrasts modern acting motives
05:04 Harvey asks about role competition
05:24 Tim on theater, luck’s role
08:08 Tim’s first London play
09:19 Harvey cites passion-driven acting
11:23 Balancing uniqueness with director’s vision
12:19 Tim on collaboration, script’s role
15:29 Tim’s chameleon-like acting approach
16:20 Tim on accessing self for roles
18:36 Harvey references Game of Thrones
19:42 Tim on controlling role immersion
21:08 Harvey asks about disconnecting roles
23:21 Tim discusses playing Iago
25:24 Harvey relates to life balance
26:25 Tim praises Harvey’s self-awareness
27:01 Tim chose university over drama
29:42 Tim on Oxford theater opportunities
31:33 Harvey shares dyslexia, camera issues
33:02 Tim on Blackadder comedy
36:36 Tim defines humor as wit
38:04 Blackadder’s serious comedy process
40:38 Challenges with Shakespeare’s comedy
41:01 Humor from character truth
47:00 Harvey asks about inspirations
48:31 Tim on Redgrave, Dench, Holm
54:17 Harvey asks about legacy
54:38 Tim values kindness as legacy
55:35 Harvey asks about unasked questions
57:34 Acting as self-examination privilege
58:43 Harvey thanks Tim, recalls meeting
1:00:05 Harvey reflects on deep talk
1:00:11 Outro

📌 Resources
Tim McInnerny:
◽️ IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0570570/

Harvey Bracken-Smith:
◽️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith
◽️ Instagram: instagram.com/harveybsmith
◽️ X (Twitter): x.com/harveybsmith_

Personable Podcast:
◽️ Instagram: instagram.com/personable.podcast
◽️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast
◽️ TikTok: tiktok.com/@personableclips
◽️ Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api
◽️ Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111

Additional:
◽️ The Draft (Sign up): thedraft.io
◽️ Fundraising: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/LouLouRacefoiundation?utm_term=PvByaxmdn

Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023.

This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qua

Support the show

Send a text

Will Judy, a former top scooter rider, shares his journey of building a 24,000-follower community and thriving as a data scientist.

Will Judy rose to prominence as a professional scooter rider, amassing over 24,000 Instagram followers through skill-driven video edits that garnered tens of thousands of views. He earned brand sponsorships for U.S. travel and signature skateboard parts in his name. Alongside his scootering career, he graduated magna cum laude from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in applied mathematics, earning Dean’s List and merit scholar honors. He now maintains a 4.0 GPA in a Master’s in Data Science at the University of Texas and works as a data scientist in marketing analytics. 

In this episode, Will Judy discusses:
◽️ How scootering built lifelong discipline
◽️ Growing a 24,000-follower community
◽️ Balancing passion with academic success
◽️ Lessons from overcoming social pressures
◽️ Transitioning to a data science career

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⏱ Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:32 Will explains why he started scootering
01:24 Growing up active in Seattle
02:02 What drove Will to excel
02:10 Joy of landing new tricks
02:32 Building friendships at skate parks
03:47 Scootering as a unique skill
06:07 Key life lessons from scootering
07:11 Gratitude from diverse friendships
08:46 Common misconceptions about scooter riders
09:15 Lack of corporate sponsorships
10:59 Will’s shift to community focus
12:50 Supportive parents enabled balance
14:08 Choosing college over full-time scootering
16:23 Describing high-stakes scootering jumps
16:27 Risks of advanced scootering moves
17:41 Finding unique spots for tricks
19:22 Parallels to career risk-taking
20:55 Incremental steps for skill mastery
21:48 Patience in achieving big goals
24:32 Embracing discomfort for personal growth
25:39 Benefits of sticking with passions
27:54 Handling negative comments online
32:55 Building a loyal fan base
35:25 Quality over quantity in relationships
37:35 Impacting kids’ life choices positively
42:51 Staying true to scootering roots
46:05 Pursuing music as a passion
51:24 Love for puzzles and problem-solving
53:51 Landing data science job serendipitously
57:10 Legacy in music and sustainability
1:01:39 Future: Music, career, and balance
1:06:51 Outro

📌 Resources
Will Judy:
◽️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/will.judy/
◽️ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willjudyy/
◽️ Highlights: https://youtu.be/ZBB-j4vnHdU?si=q8SAsLtvrqa7JZPy

Harvey Bracken-Smith:
◽️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith
◽️ Instagram: instagram.com/harveybsmith
◽️ X (Twitter): x.com/harveybsmith_

Personable Podcast:
◽️ Instagram: instagram.com/personable.podcast
◽️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast
◽️ TikTok: tiktok.com/@personableclips
◽️ Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api
◽️ Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111

Additional:
◽️ The Draft (Sign up): thedraft.io
◽️ Fundraising: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/LouLouRacefoiundation?utm_term=PvByaxmdn

Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023.

This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. In

Support the show

Send a text

Napa Valley’s Andrea Bartolucci pulls back the curtain on the hidden truths of winemaking, family business, and what it takes to thrive for a century.

Andrea Bartolucci is the proprietor of Madonna Estate and Madonna Vineyards, Napa’s second-oldest vineyard, founded by his Italian immigrant grandfather in 1922. A third-generation vintner, he’s led the family business to focus on organic, high-quality wines, producing 50,000 gallons annually. Now he’s confronting winemaking myths—from why passion trumps profit to how quality grapes, not branding, define great wine.

In this episode, Andrea Bartolucci reveals:
◽️ The SHOCKING prohibition-era winery survival trick!
◽️ Why he stuck with family vineyards!
◽️ The secret to Napa’s best wines!
◽️ How crop insurance saves disaster losses!
◽️ The mindset to outlast Napa competitors!

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⏱ Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:21 Three generations of Bartolucci winemaking
01:24 Surviving prohibition by selling grapes
01:54 Growing up with wine culture
02:10 Life in Napa’s vineyards as a child
03:47 Expanding from 24 to 275 acres
04:31 Quality vs. quantity in winemaking
04:52 Why good grapes make great wine
05:50 Differentiating Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
06:43 Matching grapes to Napa’s climate
07:11 Family legacy: Why kids joined winery
09:45 How vineyards grow under strict regulations
12:10 Producing 50,000 gallons with 120 acres
13:16 Custom crush: Boosting winery income
13:33 Family meetings for winery’s future
16:20 Crop insurance against fires, frost
18:09 Choosing wine: It’s all about taste
19:34 Napa’s cost barrier to new vintners
20:39 Passion drives Andrea’s winery devotion
22:59 Biggest regret: Staying too conservative
23:15 Tractor mishap: A childhood memory
27:04 Why wine doesn’t age forever
28:32 Speeding up wine aging risks
30:08 Location drives Napa wine quality
34:11 Branding vs. real wine quality
35:57 Competing in Napa’s crowded market
37:42 Upgrading barrels for better flavor
40:08 Winemaking mirrors raising daughters
42:57 Farming reality: Nature controls outcomes
44:52 Frost challenges in vineyard history
47:27 Organic farming since 1976
49:08 Grandfather’s advice: Accept gifts gratefully
51:39 Core value: Treat others fairly
52:44 Doubling down through adversity
53:06 One message: Find your passion
53:50 Reliving daughters’ birth moments
54:13 Legacy: Fairness and respect
54:55 What’s next for Andrea
55:12 One takeaway: Love your work

📌 Resources
Andrea Bartolucci:
◽️ Website: madonnaestate.com
◽️ Instagram: instagram.com/madonnaestate

Harvey Bracken-Smith:
◽️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith
◽️ Instagram: instagram.com/harveybsmith
◽️ X (Twitter): x.com/harveybsmith_

Personable Podcast:
◽️ Instagram: instagram.com/personable.podcast
◽️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast
◽️ TikTok: tiktok.com/@personableclips
◽️ Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api
◽️ Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111

Additional:
◽️ The Draft (Sign up): thedraft.io
◽️ Fundraising: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/LouLouRacefoiundation?utm_term=PvByaxmdn

Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023.

This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial

Support the show

Send a text

Duke dropout One Chowdhury pulls back the curtain on the lies we believe about startups, success, and what it really takes to challenge a $300B giant like Salesforce.

One Chowdhury is the CEO of Octolane, a Y Combinator-backed startup that raised $2.6M to build the first self-driving AI CRM. A self-taught coder who left Duke University to pursue his vision, he learned the pain of manual CRM entry during his internship at Mintlify. Now he’s confronting startup myths - from why focus trumps talent to how AI can transform sales workflows, freeing reps from tedious data entry.

In this episode, One Chowdhury reveals:
◽️ The SHOCKING Salesforce flaw reps hate!
◽️ Why he ditched Duke for startups!
◽️ The AI trick outsmarting CRM giants!
◽️ How Octolane’s $2.6M raise happened fast!
◽️ The mindset to beat impossible odds!

-

⏱ Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:32 One’s discovery of Salesforce’s flaws
01:15 The emotional spark: Sales reps’ struggles
02:18 What Salesforce does and why it fails
02:47 Pain of manual CRM data entry
03:30 Why One chose to target Salesforce
04:51 Skepticism from others about his vision
05:06 Overcoming the “impossible” mindset
05:52 Silicon Valley’s hustle: Key lessons
06:30 Mintlify’s influence on One’s approach
07:17 Downsides of startup life exposed
10:33 Mintlify internship: Building AI products
11:50 Learning to ship fast, iterate later
12:46 Octolane’s self-driving AI CRM vision
14:20 How Octolane automates sales workflows
15:45 Early challenges: Gaining customer trust
18:06 Why focus beats shiny AI distractions
21:58 Coding as a superpower for all
23:15 High school project with 300,000 users
25:11 Why Duke was the right choice
26:10 Cultural shock at Duke University
30:34 AI tools like Cursor and Lovable
31:15 Can non-technical founders succeed?
33:00 Grit and discipline fuel Octolane’s rise
36:49 Biggest hurdle to beating Salesforce
39:11 Staying focused for a 10-year mission
40:30 Why Salesforce isn’t the real threat
42:40 Spotting real AI startups vs hype
44:15 Net Revenue Retention: The success metric
46:30 How One raised $2.6M so fast
48:00 Y Combinator’s role in Octolane’s growth
49:30 AI’s real-world impact on sales
58:49 Balancing AI rewards with safety
1:03:13 One’s legacy: Inspiring bold action
1:03:41 Next goal: Switch 100 companies
1:04:14 One’s advice: Focus and agency
1:06:51 Final reflections & takeaways

📌 Resources
One Chowdhury:
◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coffeewithone/

Harvey Bracken-Smith:
◽️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith
◽️ Instagram: instagram.com/harveybsmith
◽️ X (Twitter): x.com/harveybsmith_

Personable Podcast:
◽️ Instagram: instagram.com/personable.podcast
◽️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast
◽️ TikTok: tiktok.com/@personableclips
◽️ Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api
◽️ Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111

Additional:
◽️ The Draft (Sign up): thedraft.io
◽️ Fundraising: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/LouLouRacefoiundation?utm_term=PvByaxmdn

Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023.

This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment

Support the show

Send a text

This is the 1st episode of Personable markets in which I aim to speak to a hedgefund manager, VC or Investment Banker every week on real world market events. In this episode I speak to...

Stephen Roberts who is the founder of Orgueil Capital (an investment vehicle with its North Star to quintuple capital over the next 8-9 year period) & Former Partner at the Hedge Fund Horseman Capital.

In this episode, Stephen Roberts reveals:
◽️ The SURPRISING reason Hang Seng is one of 2025’s top indexes
◽️ Why Nvidia’s sky-high valuation could impact markets
◽️ His Secret to spotting China’s undervalued tech giants
◽️ The impact of Trump’s Fed pressure
◽️ The HIDDEN power of retail investors shaking markets

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⏱ Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:36 Hang Seng's Overlooked Surge
02:54 Alibaba's Cloud Computing Success
03:35 China's Geopolitical Investment Risks
05:00 U.S. Policies Create Global Opportunities
06:19 Nio's Strong China Performance
06:40 China's Online Shopping Trend
07:25 Misconceptions About China Media
09:19 AI Investment Beyond Nvidia
09:58 Nvidia's Competition Risks Exposed
10:49 DeepSeek's Sudden AI Launch
11:43 Mag 7's Continued AI Focus
12:31 Trump's Green Light for Tech
13:57 U.S.-China Trade Deal Prospects
14:39 China's Strength Against Trump
17:18 Trump's Growth Agenda Detailed
19:08 State vs. Fed Relationship
20:55 Fed Holding Rates Spitefully?
21:32 Presidents' Views on Rates
22:58 Rates Conversation Overemphasis
24:21 Finding Market Opportunities Elsewhere
25:49 Consumer Sentiment in U.S.
28:19 GameStop Retail Pump Phenomenon
30:10 Monitoring Retail Investor Sentiment
32:49 Citadel's AI Transcript Analysis
35:47 Nvidia's Singapore Revenue Risks
38:24 AI's iPhone Moment Evolution
40:08 Banks Benefiting from AI
41:08 LP's Long-Term Investment Strategy
44:08 Hedge Fund Failure Rates
45:18 S&P 500's High Risks
47:20 Equal-Weighted S&P Considerations
48:51 Mag 7 Distraction Warning
48:57 Key Trade Recommendations
49:39 Bitcoin's Government Hedge Role
50:56 Defense Stocks Like Palantir
55:02 Luxury Consumer Trends
57:16 Gambling Sector Regulatory Risks
58:25 Luxury's Global Bull Trend
59:05 Hedge Funds on Social Media
1:00:09 Podcasting's Structural Growth
1:00:53 Avoid U.S.-Centric Mindset
1:01:18 Final Market Themes Outlook
1:01:48 Key Risks in Next Months
1:03:08 Outro

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📌 Resources
Stephen Roberts:
◽️ Orgueil Capital: https://www.orgueilcapital.com/our-story

Harvey Bracken-Smith:
◽️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith
◽️ Instagram: instagram.com/harveybsmith
◽️ X (Twitter): x.com/harveybsmith_
◽️ Newsletter: https://personable.substack.com/

Personable Podcast:
◽️ Instagram: instagram.com/personable.podcast
◽️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast
◽️ TikTok: tiktok.com/@personableclips
◽️ Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api
◽️ Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111

Additional:
◽️ The Draft (Sign up): thedraft.io
◽️ Fundraising: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/LouLouRacefoiundation?utm_term=PvByaxmdn

Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023.

This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financi

Support the show

Send a text

Duke basketball phenom Jadyn Donovan pulls back the curtain on the lies we believe about talent, success, and what it really takes to make it at the highest level

Jadyn Donovan is an elite basketball defender and two-time FIBA World Cup gold medalist (U17/U19). The Duke star earned 2025 ACC All-Defensive Team honors while leading the Blue Devils to the NCAA Sweet 16. A former McDonald's All-American who maintained Academic All-ACC status. Now she’s confronting NCAA myths— from why she tracks defensive stops as points scored to how natural talent not enough at the highest level 

In this episode, Jadyn Donovan reveals:
◽️ The SHOCKING last-minute twist that almost kept her from Duke
◽️ The defensive "basketball calculus" only elite players understand
◽️ How her FBI-level film study creates UNFAIR advantages
◽️ The 2 CRUCIAL plays that ended Duke's 2025 championship hopes
◽️ Why her academic focus remains UNTOUCHED by NIL distractions

—

⏱ Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:42 How Jadyn First Fell in Love with Basketball
02:03 The Game That Made Her Realize She Could Go Far
03:27 Being a Young Girl in Basketball & Defying Expectations
05:16 How Duke Entered the Picture (Her Recruitment Story)
06:26 Almost Going to Notre Dame Instead
07:10 What Jadyn Thought Duke Would Be Like vs. Reality
08:31 Why the “Sisterhood” at Duke Is So Special
10:01 Why People Stay at Duke Instead of Transferring
11:11 What Coach Kara Saw in Her Game
12:46 Behind the Scenes: Competing for a Spot Every Week
15:08 Feeling Pressure & How She Became More Free
17:25 How She Stays Disciplined When No One's Watching
19:03 Why She Refuses to Cut Corners
20:13 Breaking Mental Limits & Growing From Year 1 to 2
22:02 Her First Game at Duke & Early Season Highs and Lows
23:33 Biggest Differences Between High School & College Ball
25:06 The “Baby Jadyn” vs. “Mature Jadyn” Mindset Shift
26:35 Becoming One of the Top Defenders in the ACC
27:26 Her Step-by-Step Defensive Strategy & Scouting Process
29:13 Do Players Really Stick to Their Habits in Games?
30:05 What’s the Real Goal of Defense?
31:38 How She Actually Stops Elite Players
33:27 Playing Alongside NBA Prospects Like Cooper Flagg
35:55 Her Honest Take on the WNBA & Making a Living
37:10 The Power of NIL & Players Like Angel Reese
38:09 The Inequality Between Men’s and Women’s Attention
39:58 How She Turns Lack of Support Into Motivation
40:13 Building a Brand Like Caitlin Clark
43:55 Her Honest Take on NIL’s Impact (Good & Bad)
46:51 Learning to Trust the Right People
48:22 What She’s Learned About Money & Investing
50:23 Would She Stay in College Longer Just for NIL?
51:55 Will Duke Women’s Basketball Win a National Title?
52:42 Where Her Fierce Mindset Comes From
54:26 Biggest Misconception About Her
54:47 What She’d Do Differently If She Started Again
55:11 Best Advice She’s Ever Received
56:31 What Happiness Means to Her
58:35 What’s Her Purpose in Life?
59:39 Biggest Life Lesson So Far
1:00:35 How She Deals With Adversity
1:01:21 What’s Next for Jadyn
1:01:54 How She Wants to Be Remembered
1:02:38 Final Reflections & Takeaways

📌 Resources
Jadyn Donovan:
◽️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donovan_jadyn/?hl=en

Harvey Bracken-Smith:
◽️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith
◽️ Instagram: instagram.com/harveybsmith
◽️ X (Twitter): x.com/harveybsmith_

Personable Podcast:
◽️ Instagram: instagram.com/personable.podcast
◽️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast
◽️ TikTok: tiktok.com/@personableclips
◽️

Support the show

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From Apple’s Touch ID to a $650M hedge fund–and from Vietnamese medtech to $80M in DeFi–Makoto Tominaga & Quoc Anh Ngo expose why retail trading is rigged, and how their AI platform OpenQuant is rewriting the rules of crypto, equities, and real estate investing.

Makoto Tominaga is a quant strategist at a $650M hedge fund and former Apple engineer who helped develop Touch ID security. Quoc Anh Ngo (QA) built medical rehab devices in Vietnam before creating DeFi protocols that secured $80M in deposits. Together, they're founding OpenQuant - an AI platform bringing institutional-grade trading tools to retail investors across crypto, stocks and real estate.

Makoto & QA reveal:
◽️ Why 95% of traders fail—and how their AI cracks the code
◽️ From Apple’s biometrics to DeFi security—the hidden link in financial safety
◽️ The $80M DeFi disaster that rewrote their rules for risk
◽️ Why VC money is a trap—and their unconventional funding blueprint
◽️ "Institutional tools break for retail"—Makoto’s law of real-world finance

-

⏱ Timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:23 How Makoto and QA Met
02:33 Why Makoto Joined Forces with QA
05:10 Taking on Hard Problems with AI and Finance
08:20 Why Not Keep the Edge to Themselves?
10:50 Building a Win-Win Business Model
12:27 What Is OpenQuant? (Beginner Explanation)
15:56 How Funds Build Strategies Step-by-Step
17:54 Why Funds Miss Big Opportunities
20:08 How AI Supercharges Research and Strategy
22:44 Helping Everyday Investors Avoid Risky Mistakes
23:44 6 Big Questions from Harvey
25:53 Do All Users Get the Same Info?
27:25 Can Makoto and QA See Everyone’s Trades?
30:12 Privacy and Ethics of Trade Data
32:05 Why Give Risky Tools to Non-Experts?
35:16 Will Hedge Funds Lose Their Edge?
37:08 What Risks Should Users Be Aware Of?
39:33 Why OpenQuant Helps, Not Harms
40:53 Quant vs. Gut Investing – Which Is Better?
44:13 What People Don’t Understand About Crypto
47:53 Rapid Fire: What Drives Makoto and QA
50:50 What Motivates Them
52:13 Best Advice They’ve Received
55:20 How They Handle Stress and Uncertainty
57:07 Questions They’re Rarely Asked
1:01:03 Why Take Big Risks
1:03:20 Final Takeaways for the Listener
1:08:26 Outro

📌 Resources
QA:
◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/q-anh-ngo-361556200/

Makoto Tominaga: 
◽️ Website: https://yseali.fulbright.edu.vn/en/2022-digitization-of-trust/makoto-tominaga/

Harvey Bracken-Smith:
◽️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith
◽️ Instagram: instagram.com/harveybsmith
◽️ X (Twitter): x.com/harveybsmith_

Personable Podcast:
◽️ Instagram: instagram.com/personable.podcast
◽️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast
◽️ TikTok: tiktok.com/@personableclips
◽️ Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api
◽️ Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111

Additional:
◽️ The Draft (Sign up): thedraft.io
◽️ Fundraising: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/LouLouRacefoiundation?utm_term=PvByaxmdn

Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023.

Support the show

Send a text

Citadel Securities’ Chief People Officer, Alex DiLeonardo, reveals how the firm spots outliers early, evaluates talent with surgical precision, and ties every employee’s work directly to CEO-level goals.

Alex DiLeonardo is the Chief People Officer at Citadel Securities, where he leads global talent strategy across recruiting, development, and performance. He previously served as Chief Talent Officer at Activision Blizzard and was a partner at McKinsey & Company, with earlier experience at JPMorgan Chase and Deloitte. Alex holds degrees from Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business and Heinz College, and lectures at Harvard, Wharton, and other global business schools on aligning people systems with business performance.

In this episode, Alex reveals:
◽️ How Citadel Securities identifies high-potential talent and gives them direct project ownership from day one
◽️ Why every employee’s goals are explicitly tied to CEO-level business outcomes
◽️ How AI and automation are reshaping performance management - without losing the human touch
◽️ What makes HR in hedge funds radically different from Fortune 500 companies
◽️ His “capital I” career model - and why nonlinear growth beats fast promotions

-

⏱ Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:42 Becoming Chief People Officer
03:07 People as competitive advantage
03:43 Culture that attracts talent
05:52 Early career growth opportunities
06:45 What talent really wants
10:48 Career as an “I” shape
11:24 Culture from top and bottom
13:43 Values: winning, meritocracy, learning
15:06 Culture vs. performance balance
16:31 Citadel Securities vs Citadel hedge fund
17:14 Graduate recruiting & training programs
18:45 Why Harvey chose Goldman Sachs
21:22 Resume proxies and candidate fit
23:20 Balancing established vs startup culture
24:28 Unique top-down project assignments
25:53 Talent insights from a headhunter’s son
27:31 Strategy amid fast-changing markets
30:20 Living meritocracy: goal ownership
34:19 Avoiding credit-stealing and accountability
35:48 Why share knowledge publicly?
36:58 Leadership beliefs unlearned
38:02 Competitive intensity & mental health
38:32 Values supporting performance
39:18 Assessing potential, long & short term
39:30 AI as an enabler, not threat
40:00 Common HR misconceptions
40:09 Advice for aspiring Chief People Officers
41:36 Question not asked enough
42:31 Favorite restaurant & cycling passion
46:51 Foot off the pedal? Restlessness
48:16 What’s next & desired legacy
49:39 Key takeaway for listeners
51:01 Outro

📌 Resources
Alexander DiLeonardo
◽️ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderdileonardo/

Harvey Bracken-Smith:
◽️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith
◽️ Instagram: instagram.com/harveybsmith
◽️ X (Twitter): x.com/harveybsmith_

Personable Podcast:
◽️ Instagram: instagram.com/personable.podcast
◽️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast
◽️ TikTok: tiktok.com/@personableclips
◽️ Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api
◽️ Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111

Additional:
◽️ The Draft (Sign up): thedraft.io
◽️ Fundraising: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/LouLouRacefoiundation?utm_term=PvByaxmdn

Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023.

Support the show

Send a text

From the NBA to leading Tiger Woods’ foundation, Rick Singer reveals why earning respect, not popularity, is the key to leadership, how elite athletes build lasting influence, and what most CEOs get wrong about impact.

Rick Singer is the former President and CEO of the Tiger Woods Foundation, where he led global education, youth development, and philanthropic strategy for one of the most iconic athletes of all time. Prior to that, he held senior roles at the NBA, IBM, and KemperSports Management, and served as a marketing professor at Duke University. With a career spanning elite sports, corporate leadership, and education, Rick brings hard-earned insights into influence, branding, and building trust at the highest level.

In this episode, Rick revealed:
◽️ Why being respected, not liked, is the trait top performers and great leaders prioritize
◽️ What it was like working directly with Tiger Woods - and how Tiger built trust without words
◽️ The leadership lessons CEOs can borrow from elite athletes and coaches
◽️ How to build a high-performance team culture without micromanaging
◽️ The most common mistake young professionals make when trying to lead early in their careers

-

⏱ Timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:03 Rick’s start in nonprofits
02:46 Poll EV question on nonprofits
03:55 Why Rick chose nonprofit work
05:57 Paying nonprofit workers better
07:06 Measuring nonprofit success
09:24 Fundraising and impact metrics
10:33 Comparing nonprofit to business
11:09 Working with Tiger Woods
13:41 Growth at Tiger Woods Foundation
16:53 Why Rick left the foundation
17:28 Deal making nonprofit vs for-profit
19:17 Rick’s time at IBM
23:24 Digital impact on sports
24:04 AI vs crypto/metaverse
27:33 Balancing profit and passion
30:05 Why sports marketing works
32:29 NBA vs IBM marketing
35:09 Handling backlash (Bud Light)
38:51 Marketing & evolving values
40:47 Importance of values
44:13 Aligning culture and values
49:28 Rick’s key personal values
51:39 Misconceptions about Rick’s work
52:26 Unlearning: being liked vs respected
53:16 Advice for college grads
54:33 Best advice Rick received
55:30 Question Rick hasn’t been asked
56:53 What’s next for Rick
58:00 Rick’s legacy
58:31 Rick’s message: patience
59:36 Outro

📌 Resources
Rick Singer
◽️ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-singer-9a44037/

Harvey Bracken-Smith:
◽️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith
◽️ Instagram: instagram.com/harveybsmith
◽️ X (Twitter): x.com/harveybsmith_

Personable Podcast:
◽️ Instagram: instagram.com/personable.podcast
◽️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast
◽️ TikTok: tiktok.com/@personableclips
◽️ Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api
◽️ Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111

Additional:
◽️ The Draft (Sign up): thedraft.io
◽️ Fundraising: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/LouLouRacefoiundation?utm_term=PvByaxmdn

Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023.

Support the show