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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

Send a text

Doug Perlman breaks down the media rights gold rush, why private equity is flooding into sports, and how NIL is transforming college athletics—drawing from deals across the NFL, Ryder Cup and NASCAR.

Doug Perlman is the Founder and CEO of Sports Media Advisors, a boutique advisory firm specializing in media rights, strategy, and transactions across professional sports. Since launching SMA in 2009, he has advised major leagues, teams, media networks, and private equity firms on high-value broadcast and digital rights deals. Previously, Perlman served as EVP of Media at the NHL and later as President of IMG Media North America. He began his career at Proskauer Rose LLP. A Sports Business Journal “Forty Under 40” Hall of Fame inductee, Perlman holds a JD from the University of Virginia School of Law and a BA from Duke University.

In this episode, Doug Perlman revealed:
◽️ The founding story and core services of Sports Media Advisors (SMA)
◽️ How private equity firms are increasingly investing in sports, from major leagues to emerging ones like pickleball
◽️ Building trust through long-term relationships and handling failures in the sports industry  
◽️ Strategies for maintaining a lean team while handling high-quality clients and deals  
◽️ The evolution of NIL in college sports, from initial ideals to pay-for-play realities and future settlements

⏱ Timestamps
00:00 Intro  
00:56 How Doug got started in sports  
02:31 Someone Doug worked with at IMG  
03:00 What Doug’s company does  
05:33 Are sports teams too expensive now?  
06:04 What other sports people are investing in  
07:13 How Doug got big-name clients  
07:38 Why people trust Doug’s company  
09:09 How Doug keeps strong relationships  
10:09 What Doug does when something goes wrong  
11:39 Doug’s first big deal  
13:30 How Doug learned new skills  
16:21 Doug’s dream client  
18:27 What keeps Doug excited about work  
20:53 Why his team is small  
23:05 What NIL is and why it matters  
26:39 Why NIL is tricky  
29:46 Will people still like college sports?  
31:44 What the Olympics can teach us  
33:29 Why sports is like buying juice  
35:08 How Doug knows what something is worth  
37:20 Doug’s tips for making deals  
39:34 Why hard work matters  
42:09 A question Doug doesn’t get often  
42:54 Doug’s best advice ever  
45:12 One big lesson from Doug  
46:29 Host shares his thoughts  
47:34 Outro  

📌 Resources
Doug Perlman
◽️ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-perlman-0405877/

Harvey Bracken-Smith:
◽️ Website: www.personable.media
◽️ 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

Lia Forcina shares how she went from a newspaper job ad to managing $100M+ - revealing what she learned from Steve Cohen, why AI is killing junior roles, and the “3-unit rule” that’s kept her profitable every single year.

Lia Forcina is a partner and portfolio manager at LGR Capital in London. She previously held roles at BlueCrest Capital, SAC Capital (now Point72), and Morgan Stanley. Lia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Rome Tor Vergata (110/110 cum laude) and a Master’s degree in Statistics and Econometrics from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. 

In this episode, Lia Forcina revealed:
◽️ How a random newspaper ad and a bar conversation launched her into Morgan Stanley
◽️ The ski accident that forced her out of banking - and into a trading desk that changed everything
◽️ What it was really like working under Steve Cohen and Mike Platt - and why their intensity isn’t for everyone
◽️ Her “3-unit rule” for cutting losses - the risk strategy that’s kept her profitable every single year
◽️ Why AI is wiping out junior roles - and how it’s forcing portfolio managers to evolve fast

-

⏱ Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:45 How Lia got her job
05:30 Her work now and before
06:40 Working at SAC and meeting Steve Cohen
09:15 Why learning from older people helps
11:57 When to stop losing money
15:50 What keeps her working hard
18:00 How AI helps her work
20:57 Using AI her way
22:35 How she checks success and risk
25:17 Her secret: cut losses fast
26:41 Advice for new investors
29:11 Why Steve Cohen and Michael Platt are special
31:26 How to tell real ideas from noise
33:28 Why hedge funds beat banks
35:39 Can anyone be a great investor?
37:00 How to learn investing alone
39:41 Her view on tariffs
42:49 Her thoughts on AI changing jobs
45:33 Her worry about no AI rules
47:02 Investing US vs Europe
50:15 Biggest growth areas
52:36 Wrong ideas about her
53:21 Best advice she got
54:41 Question she’s not asked
55:28 Why she has strong opinions
56:45 Her thoughts on cancel culture
58:07 Personal story about honesty
1:01:44 Her message: talk to each other
1:04:34 What she wants next
1:05:53 How she wants to be remembered
1:06:45 Her biggest lesson: handle pain
1:07:16 Outro

📌 Resources
Lia Forcina 
◽️ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lia-forcina-17352459 

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

Dylan Robbins shares how one strategic pivot scaled Lucra to $100M+, why second-time founders have an edge and why flawless execution still trumps big ideas.

Dylan Robbins is the Founder and CEO of Lucra Sports, a gamification technology company valued at over $100M. Lucra powers competitive experiences across consumer and B2B platforms. Before founding Lucra, Dylan worked at Goldman Sachs and AQR Capital Management. He previously co-founded Lifetime Vintage (acquired in 2023) and Verre Vert. He holds a B.S. in Economics from Duke University and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business.

In this episode, Dylan reveals:
◽️ Why startups are "10% idea, 90% execution" (and his 1,500-idea testing system)
◽️ Why second-time founders have an edge (even after failed ventures)
◽️ How Duke/Stanford shaped his journey (and why peers over coursework)
◽️ His "life is short" philosophy with daily phone reminders
◽️ Why company culture beats profits: "If my team loves work, we've won"

-

⏱ Timestamps
00:00 - Intro  
00:50 - Dylan’s background: Duke, Stanford, Goldman  
03:15 - How Lifetime Vintage started  
04:24 - Writing down one idea every day  
06:02 - Working with his wife  
07:38 - What separates successful founders  
08:40 - How COVID boosted the business  
10:15 - Life after selling his company  
11:42 - Staying motivated as a founder  
15:00 - Who shouldn’t be an entrepreneur  
16:57 - What Lucra started as  
18:30 - Realizing the bigger opportunity  
20:26 - The pivot to B2B  
21:57 - Bootstrapping vs raising VC  
23:59 - Focusing vs constantly changing  
25:04 - Balancing innovation with execution  
28:39 - Managing ambition and life balance  
30:04 - Second-time founder advantage  
31:12 - How to build credibility  
33:20 - What success means to Dylan  
35:01 - Creating a great startup culture  
38:33 - Rapid-fire Q&A starts  
38:33 - Best advice he’s received  
38:53 - A question he’s never asked  
39:14 - What he loves about startups  
39:45 - What happiness means to him  
40:23 - His personal philosophy  
41:14 - Compartmentalizing stress  
42:19 - Handling uncertainty  
42:55 - Lessons from entrepreneurship  
44:14 - A day he’d relive  
45:35 - Knicks vs baby debate  
46:10 - What’s next for Dylan  
47:00 - How he wants to be remembered  
47:42 - One takeaway for listeners  
48:22 - Host’s closing thoughts  
49:00 - Final thanks  
49:18 - Outro  


📌 Resources
Dylan Robbins
◽️ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-robbins-56338b63/

Harvey Bracken-Smith:
◽️ Website: www.personable.media
◽️ Email: ADD COMPANY EMAIL
◽️ 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

Charlie and Jack Bracken, sons of World Cup winner Kyran Bracken, reveal how rejection, rivalry, and relentless training shaped their rise through Saracens and England’s youth ranks.

Charlie and Jack Bracken are professional rugby players for Saracens and sons of Kyran Bracken, England’s 2003 World Cup-winning scrum-half. Both brothers began at St Albans Rugby Club and progressed through the Saracens academy while representing England at age-grade levels.

Charlie, a scrum-half, made his Saracens debut in 2022 and has 14 England U20 caps. Jack, a wing/fullback, made his U20 debut in 2024 with a hat-trick and went on to win the U20 World Championship. Together, they share the highs, lows, and mindset shifts that fuel their journey—on and off the pitch.

In this episode, Charlie and Jack revealed:
◽️ How backyard games with their World Cup-winning dad kickstarted their rugby obsession
◽️ The moment Jack walked away from football to chase his England dream—and delivered a U20 World Cup hat-trick
◽️ How Charlie turned Oxford rejection into motivation to double down on rugby at Loughborough
◽️ What really happens when you lose a challenge at Saracens (yes, Charlie did sing live on Instagram)
◽️ Why they believe mental toughness—not raw talent—is the “untrained 50%” that separates good from great

-

⏱ Timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:06 Charlie on starting rugby
02:26 Jack on rugby getting serious
02:55 Jack choosing rugby over football
04:00 Charlie on school and rugby
05:19 Are players born or made?
07:01 Saracens culture explained
08:49 Jack joining Saracens rebuild
10:27 Jack’s big game in Championship
11:19 Charlie’s path to main team
13:08 Charlie choosing England over Ireland
15:22 Charlie improving kicking skills
17:59 Charlie’s passing stats
18:35 Playing for England feelings
20:42 Jack’s England youth and World Cup
22:16 Importance of mental strength
24:02 Need for mindset training
25:08 Staying strong after bad games
27:31 Hard work inspiring others
29:23 Handling pressure in games
30:54 Focusing on present moment
32:36 Henry Pollock’s impact
35:16 Rugby’s future growth
37:15 Talking about being outgoing
38:52 Saracens dice roll punishments
41:37 Balancing university and rugby
43:39 Plans after rugby
45:56 Legacy and how to be remembered
47:52 Questions they wish asked
49:18 Habits they had to change
50:50 Messages on gratitude and life
52:07 Motivational questions between brothers
55:20 Rugby idols they admire
57:36 Goals to join first team
58:58 Long-term rugby dreams
59:13 How they want to be remembered
1:00:12 Key takeaways for listeners
1:03:17 Final thoughts
1:04:10 Outro

📌 Resources
Charlie Bracken
◽️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charliebracken9/?hl=en-gb

Jack Bracken
◽️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jbracken_/

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

Support the show

Send a text

While others pursued Wall Street, Ladi Balogun built Nigeria’s 7th largest bank - unpacking how he scaled to 15M customers, navigated CEO term limits, and built a $5B institution by betting on Africa’s financial future.

Ladi Balogun is the Group Chief Executive Officer of FCMB Group Plc, a leading Nigerian financial services holding company operating in banking, asset management, pensions, and fintech. From 2007 to 2017, he served as CEO of First City Monument Bank, overseeing its expansion from 200 staff to over 15 million customers, the acquisition of Finbank, and the launch of UK operations. He previously worked at Citi in New York and Deutsche Bank in London, and today leads digital banking platform Rova while chairing FCMB Pensions and Credit Direct. His focus is scaling inclusive finance across African markets.

In this episode, Ladi reveals:
◽️ How leaving manufacturing led to building Nigeria’s 3rd largest bank—and why others missed the moment
◽️ Why “strategic naivety” was his secret weapon in scaling from 200 to 10,000 employees
◽️ How Nigeria’s CEO term limits forced him to think bigger—and launch a financial ecosystem
◽️ How digital banking became a lifeline for millions during economic instability
◽️ The single infrastructure reform he believes could ignite a 9% GDP explosion across Africa

-

⏱ Timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:10 Harvard MBA benefits
03:40 FCMB bank overview
05:30 Banking business segments
06:39 Investment vs commercial banking
07:33 CEO career path
09:20 Specialist vs generalist
11:19 Bank growth story
12:15 Team and naivety
14:06 Early goals: survival
15:40 Niche market focus
17:30 Digital banking strategy
19:55 CEO term limits Nigeria
20:17 Nigeria as headquarters
22:00 Customer growth figures
22:59 Balancing optimism and realism
25:53 Risk and return basics
27:23 What customers want
30:10 Providing certainty to clients
32:51 Role change: CEO to group
34:50 Leadership from sidelines
36:36 Culture of excellence 2.0
39:00 Leadership style evolving
40:53 Nigeria safety and community
43:15 Corruption realities
48:43 Nigeria investment returns
50:46 Growth obstacles
55:45 Handling high interest rates
58:32 AI’s impact on Africa
1:00:52 Future plans
1:02:54 Legacy hopes
1:03:50 Key takeaway
1:05:47 Outro

📌 Resources
Ladi Balogun
◽️ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ladi-balogun-1828a724 

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

Former Morgan Stanley MD turned startup CFO explains why the rise of AI marks a once-in-a-generation shift—and how it’s forcing Wall Street and Silicon Valley to collide like never before.

Ted Tobiason is CFO of Vimo and former CFO of electric scooter pioneer Lime. A Wall Street veteran, he served as MD at Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank leading their Tech ECM divisions, following early career roles at Bear Stearns and Robertson Stephens. He holds a Princeton degree and Columbia MBA, and plays lead guitar in The Dirty Spoon Band.

In this episode, Ted Tobiason reveals:
◽️ Why banking analysts today work smarter (but face different challenges) than the 90s "all-nighter era"
◽️ How managing bankers is like coaching NBA playoffs - energy strategy matters more than hours
◽️ Government tech’s $1 trillion opportunity everyone’s ignoring
◽️ The "hot rock" theory of market bubbles - and what it predicts about AI
◽️ Why he’ll take curiosity over credentials every time when hiring

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⏱ Timestamps
00:00 Intro  
00:46 Breaking into Investment Banking  
02:12 Why He Stayed in New York  
03:10 Is Banking Still Worth It?  
05:48 Why Banking Is a Black Box  
06:40 What It Takes to Succeed in Banking  
10:15 How Good Managers Prevent Burnout  
12:00 Moving from Banking to Tech  
15:12 What Tariffs Actually Do  
16:07 Why China Won on Manufacturing  
19:40 Is AI Real or Just Hype?  
21:14 How AI Compares to Crypto and NFTs  
25:48 How to Spot Real vs Fake Trends  
28:53 Purpose vs Profit at Lime  
32:48 What Vimo Actually Does  
36:47 Why States Choose Vimo  
39:51 What Ted Does as CFO  
44:08 How to Win Big Deals  
46:21 The Craziest IPO Story  
48:36 How Real Investors Avoid Hype  
50:26 What Makes a Good Banker  
54:42 Why Humility Beats Ego  
57:45 What’s Next for Ted  
59:00 How He Thinks About Legacy  
1:02:19 Final Takeaway  
1:03:43 Outro  

📌 Resources
Ted Tobiason
◽️ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-tobiason-46301b1/
◽️ Dirty Spoon Band: https://wearedirtyspoon.com/
◽️ Dirty Spoon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedirtyspoonband/

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

Two 22-year-old founders reveal how they’re risking everything to build Scran, the TikTok-inspired app revolutionizing London’s dining scene before Big Tech takes over.

Maisie Roberts and Bertie Kinnings, UX Design graduates from Loughborough University, co-founded Scran, a Gen Z restaurant app combining TikTok-style discovery with booking. Maisie’s AI design expertise (Itsu, Orgueil Capital) powers Scran’s recommendation algorithm, while Bertie’s VR/AR background (BMW, Goldsmiths) shapes its immersive experience. They're building up Scran's socials to grow worldwide, balancing cutting-edge tech with viral appeal.

In this episode, Maisie and Bertie reveal:
◽️ The hidden UX flaw in OpenTable that made their app inevitable
◽️ The 3-word test for Scran-approved restaurants (and why vibes = reviews)
◽️ Why they’re exploiting the second-mover advantage in social dining
◽️ Their WhatsApp guerrilla tactic for building a beta tester army
◽️ How Hinge’s UI inspired their swipe-worthy restaurant discovery

-

⏱ Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:31 Bertie’s story: UX, VR and Trackman
01:31 Maisie’s story: jewelry, UX and AI bootcamp
02:54 How they turn ideas into real, usable designs
05:20 What is Scran
05:57 The Gen Z problem they’re solving
07:02 Starting fast and why it mattered
08:54 Building as a couple
10:46 Their biggest early mistake
12:56 What success looks like for Scran
14:35 How the app works: content, bookings, community
16:30 The WhatsApp hotline and early fanbase
17:20 Trends vs substance
18:52 Their biggest challenge: team, funding, tech
21:10 Who inspires them: Hinge, WeWork, TikTok
23:33 How they actually build: Figma to dev
24:31 Is university worth it in 2025
28:29 Why they’re staying in London
30:38 UK vs US mindset: support vs doubt
32:57 Misconceptions about them
34:34 Posting online: fear and doing it anyway
36:48 Social media helped build confidence
39:38 Their brand strategy: be real, not perfect
43:44 What they’d do differently
48:38 Using Instagram to get partnerships
50:03 What Scran Approved really means
54:30 How they avoid short-term hype
56:05 The Scran badge idea
59:58 What’s next: MVP and beta launch
01:03:17 Long-term vision and legacy
01:05:40 Final takeaway from Maisie
01:06:16 Final takeaway from Bertie
01:07:12 Outro

📌 Resources
Scran
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scran.london/?hl=en 

Maisie Roberts 
◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maisieroberts

Bertie Kinnings
◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bertiekinnings1 

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