We recorded an episode this week, edited it, and were ready to publish, then realised we hadn't done the topic justice. This is a short explanation of why we paused, and an open invitation to share your experience so we can cover this topic properly.

If you'd like to share your experience or perspective, please feel free to leave a comment wherever youre listening or watching, you can email us at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]), leave a voice note on the Curve Hotline (https://thecurveplatform.com/pages/the-curve-hotline?srsltid=AfmBOopCf5wEepE-DTLGLkXkjbftJnk4kAfWjqM8BwMJV2KGhPeDEEoq), or DM us on any of our socials.

Credits:

Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie Hallwright

Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby

Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro

⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠

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Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

Over 300,000 jobs have gone in the US alone in the first four months of 2026, up 30% on last year. The people losing them are disproportionately women in white collar roles. The people profiting? Anyone with money in the stock market. This week we get into the real AI story: not just who's at risk, but how AI is quietly making the wealth divide wider. Plus: fuel reserves in Australia and New Zealand are down to about 38 days - what actually happens if we run out? A meme stock just made a $60 billion hostile bid to buy eBay at four times its own size. And Uber quietly reported results that show it's becoming so much more than a taxi app…

We mentioned this episode from Shameless Media on AI and why you can't afford to ignore it, click to listen. (https://open.spotify.com/episode/0uxRRZHvLgX2pRRx9wgnUR?si=bcd4a9cfc6a443da)

We're hiring a junior podcast editor based in London, if that's you (or someone you know), check out the full job description here. (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/thecurveplatform_job-description-activity-7458168667277733888-GW2Z?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAADhXtnMBLOOxJqfuLwCDBajV9VKw09qFvkc)

Want to know exactly how much you should have in your emergency fund and where to put it? We did a whole episode on it, listen here. (https://youtu.be/aVKxGY3DeUw?si=sijFE23CtGuJYTNE)

Wondering whether an investment actually lines up with your values? 👉 Submit your money and morals question to The Ethical Hotline: https://form.typeform.com/to/BZHujjGM

WTF does that mean? A guide to all the jargony bits:

Hostile Takeover - When one company tries to buy another without asking nicely first. Very awkward. Very public.

Meme Stock - A share that goes viral on the internet, not because the company is doing well, but because people collectively decide to make it go up.

Short Selling - Betting a share price will go down and making money when it does. The hedge funds doing this to GameStop got burned badly.

Market Cap - The total value of a company. GameStop's is $12 billion. eBay's is $45 billion. One of these is trying to buy the other.

Reporting Season - When companies publicly share how much money they made or lost. Like a school report card, but the whole world is watching.

Credits:

Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie Hallwright

Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby

Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro

⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠

For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠

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• 00:00:00 Coming up in the episode...
• 00:00:00 Pathfinder x The Curve
• 00:01:23 We're running out of fuel. Seriously.
• 00:12:38 The meme stock trying to buy eBay
• 00:27:19 Pathfinder x The Curve
• 00:28:01 The richer you are, the more you love AI
• 00:41:18 Uber is becoming the app for everything
• 00:50:01 "Should I move my emergency fund?"
• 00:54:09 Thanks for being here!
• 00:54:47 Financial Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

This week, Soph sits down with Lily from Pathfinder (https://pathfinder.kiwi/) to untangle the delightfully messy world of ethical investing aka, what happens when your money wants to grow, but your conscience would also like a word. Lily shares her own money story, from growing up in a household where “ordinary” was basically a swear word, to becoming the main earner in her family, to realising that financial independence is about so much more than just having cash in the bank. Together, they unpack why women are so drawn to values-led investing, why “good” and “profitable” don’t have to be mortal enemies, and how to think critically about tricky investing dilemmas like Tesla, tech companies, weapons, climate, conflict and greenwashing. It’s thoughtful, nuanced, occasionally existential, and proof that money and morals can sit at the same table, even if they argue over the bill.

👉 Got a money-and-morals dilemma? Submit your ethical investing question to our Ethical Hotline for Lily to unpack (https://form.typeform.com/to/BZHujjGM).

Credits:

Host: Sophie Hallwright

Guest: Lily Richards

Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby

Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro

⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠

For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠

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⁠Newsletter⁠⁠

• 00:00:00 Introduction to the episode
• 00:01:51 Meet Lily from Pathfinder
• 00:05:37 Lily’s personal money story
• 00:12:31 Lily’s career journey
• 00:16:31 The moment things clicked
• 00:20:54 What financial independence really means
• 00:23:14 Lily’s unique family setup
• 00:27:37 How ethics shaped Lily’s life
• 00:30:26 Why ethical investing feels so complicated
• 00:36:19 When an investment no longer feels right
• 00:39:30 Primary vs secondary markets, explained
• 00:42:42 How to decide if an investment aligns with your values
• 00:47:48 Simple ways to reflect on your values
• 00:52:33 Submit your money and morals questions
• 00:57:07 Thank you for listening!
• 00:57:32 Financial disclaimer

Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

This week, we’re doing what any normal finance podcast would do after seeing Olivia Dean live: immediately investigating her business model. From billion-stream hits to sold-out O2 shows, merch, brand deals and the very juicy question of who actually makes the money behind your favourite artist, we unpack how pop stardom turns into serious cash. We also look at the London Marathon’s massive boost to the UK economy, why the UK’s financial glow-up is looking… less glow-y, what reporting season is telling us about AI, Amazon, Google and Microsoft, and the Lululemon boardroom drama that proves even leggings can come with corporate chaos. Plus, we answer a community question on what to do when you want to start investing but your bank account is giving “absolutely not x”.

👉 Want us to do a deeper dive on the economics of having fewer babies? Vote in the poll. (https://form.typeform.com/to/MaWNoNfz)

WTF does that mean? A guide to all the jargony bits:

Royalties – Money paid when music gets used. Tiny stream, tiny coin.

Streaming revenue – Money made from Spotify, Apple Music etc. Billions of plays = actual cash.

Record label – The company behind an artist’s music, marketing and distribution. Also: slice-taker.

Endorsements – When brands pay famous people to make us want stuff.

Shareholder – Someone who owns a bit of a company.

Stock / Share – A tiny piece of company ownership.

Fiscal drag – A sneaky tax rise via frozen tax brackets.

Tax bracket – The income bucket that decides your tax rate.

National Insurance – A UK tax for things like pensions and public services.

Reporting season – Company report card time.

B2B – Businesses selling to other businesses.

Market cap – What the stock market thinks a company is worth.

S&P 500 – 500 big US companies.

FTSE 100 – 100 big UK companies.

Credits:

Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie Hallwright

Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby

Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro

⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠

For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠

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⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Newsletter⁠⁠

• 00:00:00 Coming up in this episode…
• 00:01:38 The business of Olivia Dean
• 00:13:23 Is the UK in a death spiral?
• 00:29:17 Big Tech’s report card
• 00:37:13 Lululemon’s identity crisis
• 00:44:36 The economics of having fewer babies
• 00:47:26 How to start investing when money feels tight
• 00:52:55 Thank you for listening!
• 00:53:33 Financial disclaimer

Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

In this episode of IOU (Some Money Education), we’re talking all about emergency funds - what they are, why they matter, and how much you might want to have set aside. Lucy, Soph and Vic unpack the role an emergency fund can play when life throws something unexpected your way, whether that’s a sudden medical bill, needing to leave a living situation quickly, or covering an essential expense without relying on debt. They also chat through where to keep your emergency fund, how to start building one, and why having that financial buffer can make you feel more in control. Along the way, there are also some memorable listener stories that show just how unpredictable “emergencies” can be.

Check out IOU (The Practical Lessons) here: https://thecurveplatform.com/

We’re proud to be partnering with BNZ. There’s an art to starting something new, and like any art form, you need the right tools to make it work. Whether you’re flatting, saving to travel, or making a career move, BNZ has the tools to help you master your money from the get-go.

Credits:

Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie Hallwright

Guest: Lucy Blakiston

Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby

Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro

⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠

For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠

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⁠Newsletter⁠⁠

• 00:00:00 Welcome to IOU (Some Money Education)!
• 00:00:40 Coming up in this episode…
• 00:01:42 BNZ x The Curve
• 00:02:09 In the Red or Green?
• 00:09:59 What is an emergency fund & how much do you need?
• 00:13:36 Where you should keep your emergency fund?
• 00:14:36 IOU an Answer
• 00:23:09 Cash & Burn
• 00:33:37 Extra Credit
• 00:37:59 Thank you for joining us for IOU (Some Money Education)
• 00:38:22 Thank you BNZ!
• 00:38:52 Financial Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

Claude Design just disrupted an entire industry, and markets reacted instantly. We break down what this AI launch actually means, why companies like Adobe and Figma took a hit, and where the opportunity could be for investors as money starts shifting fast. But first… The Curve has had a full rebrand (yes, we’re obsessed, yes we read every comment). Then we get into the oil situation that’s quietly escalating, prices doubling, supply uncertainty, and why this could tip the global economy toward a recession (and what that means for your portfolio). Next: Apple. Tim Cook is stepping down after 15 years, so what happens to one of the world’s most valuable companies now? Is this a risk moment for investors, or the start of a new growth phase? We also unpack why Primark is being spun off into its own company (and how that can unlock value for investors), before ending on Vic’s chaotic comedy night story… which proves not all risks are financial (but equally painful).

WTF does that mean? A guide to all the jargony bits:

Whipsaw Market – Prices going up and down fast. Chaotic energy.

Global Recession – When the whole world’s economy slows down. Not ideal.

Commodity – Raw stuff like oil or gold that gets traded globally.

Supply Chain – How things get made and delivered. When it breaks = delays + higher prices.

Share Price – The cost of owning a piece of a company.

Market Cap – Total value of a company. Big number = big company.

IPO – When a company hits the stock market for the first time.

Valuation – What a company is believed to be worth.

Spin-Off – When a company splits into two separate businesses.

Subsidy – Government help to lower costs (you pay for it later in taxes).

Recurring Revenue – Money a company earns on repeat (subscriptions etc). Investors = obsessed.

Credits:

Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie Hallwright

Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby

Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro

⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠

For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠

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⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Newsletter⁠⁠

Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

Frances Cook knows a ridiculous amount about money, but in this episode, she proves that knowing the rules and living them perfectly are two very different things. We get into the real stuff: the money habits shaped by childhood, the scarcity mindset that lingers long after your bank balance changes, why financial independence matters so much in relationships, and how she actually manages her money behind the scenes. There’s talk of KiwiSaver revelations, index funds, business risks, “enough” numbers, and the fact that sometimes even the finance gurus are just out here winging it with a direct debit and a dream. If you’ve ever felt like you should be better with money by now, this is the reset: it’s not about perfection, it’s about direction.

Frances’ Links

Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/)

Website (https://www.francescook.co.nz/)

YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@MakingCentsPod/videos)

Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/2xL5BpCt2pKJDlPN0SgbCc)

TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknz)

Substack (https://substack.com/@francescooknz)

Credits:

Host: Sophie Hallwright

Guest: Frances Cook

Editor: Lana Byrne

Producer: Emily Rigby

Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro

⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠

For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠

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⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Newsletter⁠⁠

• 00:00:00 Coming up in this episode…
• 00:00:56 Welcoming Frances
• 00:03:21 Frances’ money story
• 00:11:11 The moment pay rises stopped feeling enough
• 00:13:28 The KiwiSaver switch that changed everything
• 00:17:13 Why money mindset matters more than people think
• 00:20:00 How Frances thinks about splitting her money
• 00:24:32 How she manages money with her husband
• 00:32:16 Frances’ investing strategy explained
• 00:39:29 Why she avoids crypto
• 00:43:19 What “enough” looks like for Frances
• 00:50:51 The reality of building a business with her husband
• 00:54:28 Frances’ quick-fire money advice
• 00:55:13 Where to follow Frances
• 00:55:27 Thank you for listening
• 00:55:52 Financial disclaimer

Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

This week, we kick things off with a 9am tequila shot for Lucy’s probation pass (completely normal workplace behaviour, obviously), before diving headfirst into the business of Coachella, where Justin Bieber’s payday, festival profits, and the money machine behind live music all get unpacked. We also get into the truly bizarre Allbirds plot twist as the struggling sneaker brand pivots into AI, plus what the rise in women-owned businesses says about work, wealth, and why more women are deciding to back themselves instead.

WTF does that mean? A guide to all the jargony bits:

Monopoly – One company dominates the market.

Convertible Loan – A loan that can turn into shares.

Share Price – Cost of one share.

Market Cap – Total value of a company.

Sell-Off – Lots of people selling shares fast.

Scalping – Buying tickets to resell for more.

Monetisation – How a business makes money.

Equity – Ownership in a company.

Credits:

Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie Hallwright

Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby

Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro

⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠

For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠

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⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Newsletter⁠⁠

• 00:00:00 Coming up in this episode…
• 00:00:56 A 9am tequila shot
• 00:07:29 Bieberchella and the business of Coachella
• 00:25:04 Allbirds’ wild pivot to AI
• 00:34:54 Why more women are backing themselves
• 00:43:20 A listener call-out (and our response)
• 00:52:09 Thank you for listening!
• 00:52:47 Financial Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

Soph is back with property guru, Peter West to break down the story behind her second investment property, and how she managed to buy it without putting down a brand-new deposit. In this episode, they walk through what actually happened after the first renovation: how the house was revalued, how equity can be released through refinancing, and how that money can be used to help fund the next property. They also unpack key concepts like gross yield, cash flow, and why buying well in the first place makes such a big difference to the outcome of a project. Along the way, Soph shares what surprised her most about going again so quickly, why the second renovation was a little more complicated than the first, and how the numbers ended up stacking up in the end. Peter also explains how they evaluate locations, what they look for in a property with renovation potential, and why buying in the right market at the right time can create opportunities to repeat the process again. If you’ve ever wondered how investors climb the property ladder, how equity actually works in practice, or what it takes to turn one property into two, this episode breaks down the process step by step.

Interested in working with Peter? If you’d like to explore investing in property with Pete’s help, email us at [email protected] and our team will point you in the right direction.

Watch the first episode with Peter West (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzO2l0TCHj0&utm_source=chatgpt.com)

Watch part two of the conversation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFSjDzI1Tmw&utm_source=chatgpt.com)

We’ve partnered with BNZ because buying a home isn’t the same for everyone. Their Home Loan Partners can help you understand your options, including the TotalMoney home loan – which lets you use money in connected BNZ TotalMoney transactional accounts (parents can even link their own TotalMoney accounts to their children’s loan) to offset your mortgage and help you get mortgage free faster, while still keeping your money accessible. Whether you’ve got extra help or you’re going it alone, BNZ’s team is there to guide you from search to settlement.

👉 To learn more, head here. (https://www.bnz.co.nz/personal-banking/home-loans/mobile-mortgage-managers?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=spotify&utm_campaign=thecurve&utm_content=ep12)

Account opening and lending criteria (including minimum equity requirements), terms and fees apply. A low equity premium and an establishment fee of up to $150 may apply. BNZ standard and TotalMoney T&Cs apply to TotalMoney transaction accounts. Details of our fees can be found in our Personal account, service, and facility fees brochure. You can connect up to 50 TotalMoney transaction accounts to one group.

Credits:

Host: Sophie Hallwright

Guest: Peter West

Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby

Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro

⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠

For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠

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⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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⁠Newsletter⁠⁠

• 00:00:00 Coming up in this episode…
• 00:02:59 BNZ x The Curve
• 00:03:55 Recap: The First Property
• 00:15:10 How Refinancing Works
• 00:22:10 Buying Again: The Second Property
• 00:28:26 The Pros and Cons of Property Two
• 00:38:20 The Numbers Explained
• 00:41:28 Could There Be a Third Property?
• 00:45:14 Real Stories from Pete’s Clients
• 00:48:46 Your Questions Answered
• 00:52:31 Final Thoughts
• 00:53:53 Thank you for listening to The Property Podcast!
• 00:55:31 Financial Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

We start this episode with a public apology… and that’s all we’re saying on that for now. Once we’ve addressed the situation, Vic and Soph get into what’s actually moving markets this week: oil prices swinging wildly as ceasefire hopes creep in, why airline stocks are suddenly perking up, and the slightly chaotic world of prediction markets (aka: investing or betting… still unclear). They also break down why Universal Music is catching takeover attention (turns out owning Taylor Swift’s back catalogue is a pretty nice business), how weight loss pills could send the GLP-1 trend into overdrive (and boost a whole bunch of unexpected industries along the way), and why Elon Musk vs OpenAI is shaping up to be the courtroom drama no one asked for but everyone will watch…. strap on in!

WTF does that mean? A guide to all the jargony bits:

Stagflation – High prices + low growth. Economy = struggling.

Prediction Markets – Betting (sorry… “investing”) on future outcomes.

Insider Trading – Making money from secret info. Very illegal.

Takeover – One company buying another. Big money moves.

Shareholder – Someone who owns a piece of a company.

Royalty Revenue – Earn money every time something’s used (like a song).

Hedge Fund – High-risk investing aiming for big returns.

Long / Short – Long = wins if it goes up. Short = wins if it goes down.

GLP-1 Drugs – Weight loss drugs turned investing trend.

Forward-Looking Markets – Markets move on future expectations, not now.

Credits:

Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie Hallwright

Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby

Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro

⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠

For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Website⁠⁠

⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Newsletter⁠⁠

• 00:00:00 Coming up in this episode...
• 00:01:12 We Need to Apologise…
• 00:04:14 Watch us on YouTube!
• 00:06:01 War, Oil & What It Means for Markets
• 00:20:22 Why Universal Music Is in Play
• 00:33:05 The GLP-1 Boom Just Got Bigger
• 00:40:13 Musk vs OpenAI Begins
• 00:43:51 We’ve Decided the New Schedule!
• 00:45:05 Thanks for Listening!
• 00:45:43 Financial Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.