The AlphaMind Podcast

In this insightful episode, we sat down with Adam Birkett, the Global Trading Lead at Cargill Ocean Transportation division, which trades physical and derivative cargo, freight, and shipping products globally across all major markets, to delve into the profound concept of "The Power of Non-Attachment in Trading."

Adam has spent nearly his entire career at Cargill Ocean Transportation. He has been a trader, led a major trading team, worked in Risk Management, and then transitioned to becoming the lead for the trading side of the business, overseeing over 80 traders across multiple centres worldwide.

At the core of our conversation lies a fundamental principle: the ability of traders to distance themselves from ego-driven impulses and negative outcomes while making critical decisions amidst market turbulence. Adam eloquently describes how seasoned traders master the art of non-attachment, disentangling their identities from their trading activities, whilst also candidly acknowledging how challenging this is to do and sustain in real-time.

Adam discusses how, by detaching from ego-based desires and fears of negative outcomes, traders can achieve greater mental clarity and emotional equilibrium. This enables them to navigate the unpredictable waters of the market with a calmer, more rational mindset. Adam emphasizes the importance of staying true to one's trading process and not succumbing to impulsive reactions to market fluctuations and unfavourable outcomes.

In this enlightening chat, Adam illustrates his views with real-world examples from his extensive experience, speaks candidly about his own humbling episodes in his career, and shares some insights into the work they do at Cargill to aid better decision-making and performance across their highly successful business.

AlphaMind: Powering Performance in Global Markets
AlphaMind brings powerful change, growth and development to people and businesses within global markets.

Driven by a deep understanding of how markets work, and how people and businesses function within them, we partner with clients to create personal performance improvements that elevate returns across their trading activities.

Go to the AlphaMind website to know more.

Susquehanna International Group (SIG) is renowned as one of the world’s leading global proprietary trading firms, highly esteemed for its entrepreneurial ethos and meticulous analytical decision-making processes. Founded with a mindset rooted in entrepreneurship, SIG engages in trading various listed financial products and asset classes across the globe on a daily basis. The company attracts top-tier talent, employing both quantitative and discretionary approaches to maintain its position at the forefront of the industry.

They combine a profound understanding of specialized markets and traded products with a rigorous decision-making methodology grounded in probabilistic thinking, game theory, and a keen focus on signal detection and low-latency performance. This approach solidifies SIG's commitment to maintaining their eminent standing in the trading world.

In this episode, we had the privilege of sitting down with Todd Simkin, currently the CEO of their Re-insurance business and a veteran at Susquehanna since 1997. Todd has played pivotal roles within the company, from being a trader to overseeing the day-to-day operations and even spearheading firm-wide education and trader development programmes.

Todd is possibly one of the pre-eminent minds in the world of trading, possessing a deep understanding of what contributes to the making of great traders. We were honoured that he was willing to converse with us and share with our audience some of his reflections and insights into what goes into the creation of successful traders.

AlphaMind: Powering Performance in Global Markets
AlphaMind brings powerful change, growth and development to people and businesses within global markets.

Driven by a deep understanding of how markets work, and how people and businesses function within them, we partner with clients to create personal performance improvements that elevate returns across their trading activities.

Go to the AlphaMind website to know more.

In today's episode, we had the privilege of sitting down with Jonny Matthews, a true luminary in the finance industry boasting an impressive 28-year track record. Jonny's journey commenced during the legendary 'Liar's Poker' era at Salomon Brothers. 

Jonny later ascended to prominence as a Portfolio Manager, adeptly overseeing up to $500 million in assets at the renowned hedge fund Brevan Howard. Before his tenure at Brevan Howard, Jonny honed his craft at Citibank, where he mastered equity derivatives trading , ultimately ascending to the role of Managing Director and leading a substantial trading team.

Remarkably, Jonny remains an active trader today, driven by his unwavering focus on macroeconomic trends and their profound influence on the markets.

In addition to his illustrious career, Jonny shares his profound market wisdom through his widely acclaimed newsletter, presently known as "Macroscope," soon to be rebranded as "Super Macro."

Join us as we embark on Jonny Matthews' extraordinary journey, gaining exclusive insights into the dynamic world of markets, trading, and the rollercoaster ride that is an integral part of a trader's life at the pinnacle of the financial world.

You can follow Jonny on his twitter feed @supermacro 

AlphaMind: Powering Performance in Global Markets
AlphaMind brings powerful change, growth and development to people and businesses within global markets.

Driven by a deep understanding of how markets work, and how people and businesses function within them, we partner with clients to create personal performance improvements that elevate returns across their trading activities.

Go to the AlphaMind website to know more.

This week we talk with Robert Van Eyden, author of Badass Trader: How to Trade Your Way to Riches

Robert is a true veteran of the markets with over three decades of invaluable experience in the dynamic world of markets, predominantly in his home country, South Africa.

Robert's remarkable journey has seen him excel as an analyst, trader, investor, lecturer, and wealth manager. Currently he serves as the CEO of IG Markets South Africa.

The central premise of "Badass Trader" revolves around the tantalizing notion that as barriers to entry for traders have diminished, the doors have been opened to a realm of untapped potential and virtually boundless earning capabilities for people keen to develop their own trading practice.

However, there is a twist, and that is that though it appears deceptively easy is, it is in truth, a hazardous journey fraught with challenges and dangers which very few are able to successfully navigate.

That is why Robert says, ‘trading is the hardest way to make easy money’.

Within the pages of "Badass Trader," Robert delves deep into the crux of the matter, dissecting the hurdles that obstruct the path to success. Drawing from his wealth of experience, he generously imparts the mindsets, mantras, and principles that can safeguard traders from the snares laid out by the unpredictable markets.

Tune in now to hear Robert talk about his own painful experiences in markets and what he learned from them, that inspired him to write ‘Badass Trader’.

Robert Social Media Links are 
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-j-van-eyden-67635b19/
Twitter: @TheBadAssTrader

AlphaMind: Powering Performance in Global Markets
AlphaMind brings powerful change, growth and development to people and businesses within global markets.

Driven by a deep understanding of how markets work, and how people and businesses function within them, we partner with clients to create personal performance improvements that elevate returns across their trading activities.

Go to the AlphaMind website to know more.

Life, markets and trading, often tries to wear you down, challenging your confidence, and shattering your self-belief.

This week's guest on the AlphaMind Podcast takes us on a unique journey, deviating from our usual guests. Once you hear what she has to say, you'll hopefully recognise its relevance not only to your trading but also to much broader and deeper aspects of your work and life.

Maria Iliffe-Wood is a seasoned Executive Coach and specialist in Leadership Development. She is the author of two books, one aimed at coaches, focusing on developing their coaching presence, a vital skill in coaching and other high-performance fields. However, it's her recently published second book, 'A Caged Mind,' that inspired us to invite Maria to the AlphaMind podcast.

At AlphaMind, our primary focus is  on  individuals who take on the role of traders, and other challenging high performance roles, in the complex and uncertain worlds they inhabit, and how they can bring the best of themselves to their work and these challenges.

They face constant tests from the outside world which seek to expose their weaknesses, undermine their processes and behaviours, and attempting to hinder them from achieving the sort of high-performance they are potentially capable of.  This battle largely happens within them, and this is where the real battle for success happens.

Maria's book delves into her own journey through life, grappling with her own challenges and life's trials. She shares her throughs and reflections on her travails, from the perspective of someone who has come through her difficult challenges, and emerged on the other side, a stronger, better and far happier person for it.

Maria's story is all of our stories, and thus encourages introspection about one's own life journey and the obstacles faced. Her experiences can be applied to you and your own work, enabling you to embrace to reflect upon how you can embrace you own innate wisdom and bring it to every aspect of your professional life.

The full title of Maria's book is: "A Caged Mind: How Spiritual Understanding Changed a Life". It can be purchased on Amazon at this link here.

To find out more about Maria, and her work supporting and helping writers, visit her website at https://www.iliffe-wood.co.uk/
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AlphaMind: Powering Performance in Global Markets
AlphaMind brings powerful change, growth and development to people and businesses within global markets.

Driven by a deep understanding of how markets work, and how people and businesses function within them, we partner with clients to create personal performance improvements that elevate returns across their trading activities.

Go to the AlphaMind website to know more.

In this captivating podcast episode, Co-host Steven Goldstein delves into the intriguing world of trading and markets, offering insightful thoughts and reflections. Drawing from his extensive experience spanning nearly four decades, Steven explores what the markets truly need from you as a trader in order for it to emerge victorious, at the expense of you the trader.

Prepare to embark on a journey deep into the intricacies of the 'Inner Game' of trading. Steven's wealth of knowledge and expertise, acquired through his roles as a trader at the forefront of markets and as a performance coach working closely with traders from various market segments, enables him to provide a unique and enlightening perspective.

Throughout the episode, listeners gain exclusive access to Steven's valuable insights, shaped by his unwavering proximity to the pulse of markets, and which also provides us with a glimpse of some of the topics and themes, covered in his new book, 'Mastering the Mental Game of Trading', which will be released in January 2024.

Whether you're an experienced trader or someone fascinated by the intricate workings of financial markets, this episode promises to captivate your attention and offer a fresh understanding of the complex dynamics at play within traders, as they tackle the challenge of the markets. 

AlphaMind: Powering Performance in Global Markets
AlphaMind brings powerful change, growth and development to people and businesses within global markets.

Driven by a deep understanding of how markets work, and how people and businesses function within them, we partner with clients to create personal performance improvements that elevate returns across their trading activities.

Go to the AlphaMind website to know more.

Clive Ponsonby graduated from Cambridge University as a Mathematician and then ventured into the dynamic and unpredictable world of Spot FX trading in the 1990s. This move was unconventional for someone with a highly academic background, transitioning to an environment dominated by fast-paced, streetwise, and quick-witted traders, many of whom hailed from non-academic backgrounds.

Clive developed a deep passion for this wild world and quickly applied his own skills and abilities to excelling in this space. Over the next two decades, Clive thrived in FX trading, securing positions at some of the world's leading Investment Banks. His journey started at Bankers Trust, a renowned hub of trading talent in the 1980s and 1990s, followed by the Swiss Banking giant UBS, and finally culminating at JP Morgan, where he served as an Executive Director of FX trading until his departure from the banking world in 2018.

In this interview, Clive candidly shares his experiences as a trader, delving into the challenges of applying various types of analysis in the trading process. He also explores the essential mindset, behaviours, and attitudes necessary for effective analysis in trading, while expressing his passion for the exhilarating trading floor atmosphere, particularly during significant events like the monthly Non-Farm Payrolls.

Clive recounts some fascinating stories from across his career in major market-making roles, trading spot FX, forward FX, non-deliverable forwards, and rates products for various banks, including JP Morgan where he led a global team across three different time zones.

Clive still trades on his own account, he also provides outstanding regular research as a currency fellow at ‘Hedder’, where he contributes exceptional research as a currency fellow at 'Hedder,' providing high-quality analysis of currency markets. Hedder provide world-beating institutional-quality research which is available both to retail investors and high-end market, assisting them in making well-informed trading decisions.

You can find out more about Hedder and the research work he does there at this link.

AlphaMind: Powering Performance in Global Markets
AlphaMind brings powerful change, growth and development to people and businesses within global markets.

Driven by a deep understanding of how markets work, and how people and businesses function within them, we partner with clients to create personal performance improvements that elevate returns across their trading activities.

Go to the AlphaMind website to know more.

In the enticing world of trading, where money, glory, and glamour beckon, millions are drawn each year, hoping to strike it rich. Yet, only a fraction ever truly succeed, and even those who do often emerge battered, bruised, and occasionally traumatized.

In this week's podcast, we have the privilege of speaking with someone who has traversed the unpredictable landscape of trading, enduring numerous ups and downs along the way. Meet David Hale, a seasoned proprietary trader with over two decades of experience. David's firsthand account is chronicled in his self-published book, 'Cash Rules: Reminiscences of a Prop Trader.' Unlike the glossy portrayal often associated with trading, David presents an unvarnished and honest perspective.

During our conversation, David delves into the dizzying heights of triumph and the heart-wrenching lows of failure, recounting tales of immense gains and devastating losses. He fearlessly explores the depths of despair and the arduous journey to recovery. Additionally, David generously shares his insights and experiences on how one can truly make money in the world of prop trading. His refreshingly candid book sets the tone for our conversation, where authenticity takes center stage.

David bravely acknowledges his own flaws and candidly discusses how they have often exacted a toll over the years. It's a rarity to encounter a trader willing to confront their weaknesses head-on. However, we all possess our own imperfections, and it is those who acknowledge and comprehend how these flaws impact their trading that tend to have a far greater chance of success.

If you're captivated by David's story, I encourage you to explore his book, 'Cash Rules: Reminiscences of a Prop Trader.' Available in both paperback and Kindle formats, it offers an insightful and thought-provoking read. To get your copy, simply visit this Amazon website link.

You can follow David on his Twitter Account at https://twitter.com/CREAMtrader

AlphaMind: Powering Performance in Global Markets
AlphaMind brings powerful change, growth and development to people and businesses within global markets.

Driven by a deep understanding of how markets work, and how people and businesses function within them, we partner with clients to create personal performance improvements that elevate returns across their trading activities.

Go to the AlphaMind website to know more.

In this episode, we dive deep into the concept of 'Radical Responsibility' with Mandi Rafsanjani, a performance coach who specializes in trading psychology. 

Mandi defines Radical Responsibility as an extreme form of accountability, where one takes full ownership of their actions and the outcomes, even in the face of external events beyond their control.

 Mandi first came across this concept while working with trading legend Linda Raschke, who demonstrated exceptional resilience and adaptability in dealing with setbacks - a common occurrence in the world of trading. 

Inspired by Linda's approach, discusses with us how practicing Radical Responsibility can help traders develop the emotional fitness required to navigate the highs and lows of the market.

In this vibrant conversation, we explore the nuances of Radical Responsibility and its relevance to trading, and its connections to building self-awareness, developing a mindset for high performance trading, and reframing challenges as opportunities for learning and growth.

Whether you're a trader or not, the concept of Radical Responsibility has something to offer in terms of taking ownership of your life and achieving your goals. So join us as we explore this powerful mindset and how it can revolutionise your approach to trading. 

And if you're interested in learning more about Mandi Rafsanjani and her Performance Coaching services, check out her website at these links:

https://www.highperformancetrading.com.au/
https://www.tradingpsychology.com.au/

 You can also follow or connect with Mandi on Twitter @MPX_Trader

AlphaMind: Powering Performance in Global Markets
AlphaMind brings powerful change, growth and development to people and businesses within global markets.

Driven by a deep understanding of how markets work, and how people and businesses function within them, we partner with clients to create personal performance improvements that elevate returns across their trading activities.

Go to the AlphaMind website to know more.

This week’s AlphaMind podcast episode on fear and greed in trading features a true expert on the subject - Dr. Ken Long. Though retired from the US Army after 25 years’ service where he attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Ken is still actively teaching as an Associate Professor at US Army Command & General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He is currently supervising multiple master’s theses focused on applying AI to military decision making. 

Ken's trading journey began in the 1990s when he started investing in mutual funds. Since then, he's become an exceptional big-picture thinker and tactical trader. He has also applied his love of trading, teaching, and inspiring others, by delivering a series of workshops for the Van Tharp Institute. But that's not all, Ken has also completed a Ph.D in Organisational Development, and teaches at several universities including Colorado Tech University and City University, Seattle. 

Aside from being a teacher, student, and active trader, Ken is also a proud father of three, a husband, a martial artist, and youth football coach. But it's his insights on fear and greed in trading that share with you in this podcast. In our hour and a half interview, Ken shares his views, genius, and wisdom on the topic in a way that is sure to inspire and enlighten.

 You can find out more about Ken Long at his website Tortoise Capital Management 

You can follow him on Linkedin here

AlphaMind: Powering Performance in Global Markets
AlphaMind brings powerful change, growth and development to people and businesses within global markets.

Driven by a deep understanding of how markets work, and how people and businesses function within them, we partner with clients to create personal performance improvements that elevate returns across their trading activities.

Go to the AlphaMind website to know more.