What does it actually take to break into finance? Mario Ismailanji, Senior Investment Strategist at SoFi, shares his unconventional path from philosophy major to finance professional, including the impulsive late-night decision that changed everything. He shares why critical thinking beats perfect credentials, how to filter through the noise in a world of constant headlines, and why your portfolio should be a cruise ship, not a jet ski. Mario and Liz explain what investment strategy teams actually do (spoiler: it's not picking stocks), the hidden tax trap of meme stock trading, and how democratized finance has changed the game for retail investors. Whether you're considering a career pivot, building your first portfolio, or just trying to focus on long-term goals, this conversation offers practical wisdom wrapped in relatable stories. Bottom line: your "wrong" major might be exactly right.

For more, read Liz’s column every Thursday at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On The Money⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ by SoFi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and follow Liz on Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@LizThomasStrat⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Additional resources:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On The Money⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Sign up for SoFi's newsletter for intel, insights, and inspo to help you get your money right.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Investing 101 Center⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: At SoFi, we believe investing is for everyone — which is why we’ve created a hub with info for beginners and experts alike. Start exploring to get investment education, advice, resources, and more.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wealth Investing Guide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Information you need to know to make your money work harder for you.

This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SoFi.com/Legal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

©2025 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

What happens when entrepreneurial ambition collides with the demands of your relationships? In this revealing conversation, renowned VC Brad Feld and philanthropist Amy Batchelor share what they’ve learned during 35 years of marriage: including the late-night moment when Amy said “I'm done” after a decade of 100-hour work weeks, and the honest reckoning that followed. From navigating income disparities to establishing true equality in their partnership, Brad and Amy share hard-learned wisdom about setting boundaries, aligning values around money, and defining success beyond the balance sheet. Plus, Brad weighs in on today's AI bubble, the Rule of 40, and why speculation is threatening the startup ecosystem. Whether you're building a company, building a relationship, or trying to figure out how to do both, this conversation offers lessons in what it really takes to have it all–and why "having it all" might not mean what you think.

For more, read Liz’s column every Thursday at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On The Money⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ by SoFi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and follow Liz on Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@LizThomasStrat⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Additional resources:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On The Money⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Sign up for SoFi's newsletter for intel, insights, and inspo to help you get your money right.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Investing 101 Center⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: At SoFi, we believe investing is for everyone — which is why we’ve created a hub with info for beginners and experts alike. Start exploring to get investment education, advice, resources, and more.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wealth Investing Guide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Information you need to know to make your money work harder for you.

This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SoFi.com/Legal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

©2025 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

What separates billion-dollar bets from billion-dollar disasters? Wall Street Journal columnist and author Tim Higgins has spent two decades covering the world's boldest CEOs: from Elon Musk betting his entire fortune on electric cars, to Mark Zuckerberg wagering Meta's future to escape Apple's “perfect mousetrap.” In this episode, Tim reveals the patterns behind high-stakes tech decisions, explains why OpenAI might already be too big to fail, and shares why every innovation cycle – from Detroit's Model T to today's ChatGPT – starts the same way (spoiler: it always looks frivolous at first). You'll learn how to spot transformative technology before it transforms and why “insane” decisions often work. Whether you're trying to separate hype from reality or are simply fascinated by how power players think, this conversation will change how you see today's AI arms race, and what comes next.

For more, read Liz’s column every Thursday at ⁠⁠⁠⁠On The Money⁠⁠⁠⁠ by SoFi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and follow Liz on Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠@LizThomasStrat⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Additional resources:

⁠⁠⁠⁠On The Money⁠⁠⁠⁠: Sign up for SoFi's newsletter for intel, insights, and inspo to help you get your money right.

⁠⁠⁠⁠Investing 101 Center⁠⁠⁠⁠: At SoFi, we believe investing is for everyone — which is why we’ve created a hub with info for beginners and experts alike. Start exploring to get investment education, advice, resources, and more.

⁠⁠⁠⁠Wealth Investing Guide⁠⁠⁠⁠: Information you need to know to make your money work harder for you.

This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www.⁠⁠⁠⁠ SoFi.com/Legal⁠⁠⁠⁠.

©2025 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

CNBC contributor and portfolio manager Jenny Harrington shares how she risked nearly everything by draining her IRA to build her investment firm, had a baby the day the market hit its lowest in 2009, and convinced her husband to join her with zero safety net–all during the worst financial crisis in recent history. Jenny reveals why the “boring” dividend strategy everyone overlooks kept her clients calm when the market crashed, and shares the hard-won wisdom that changed her approach to investing: it doesn't matter which strategy you choose, it matters that you can stay in it. Whether you're navigating volatile markets or making your own high-stakes career bet, this conversation will change how you think about risk, resilience, and building wealth that lasts.

For more, read Liz’s column every Thursday at ⁠⁠⁠On The Money⁠⁠⁠ by SoFi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and follow Liz on Twitter ⁠⁠⁠@LizThomasStrat⁠⁠⁠.

Additional resources:

⁠⁠⁠On The Money⁠⁠⁠: Sign up for SoFi's newsletter for intel, insights, and inspo to help you get your money right.

⁠⁠⁠Investing 101 Center⁠⁠⁠: At SoFi, we believe investing is for everyone — which is why we’ve created a hub with info for beginners and experts alike. Start exploring to get investment education, advice, resources, and more.

⁠⁠⁠Wealth Investing Guide⁠⁠⁠: Information you need to know to make your money work harder for you.

This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www.⁠⁠⁠ SoFi.com/Legal⁠⁠⁠.

©2025 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Beth Pinsker thought she was ready for anything. As a certified financial planner, MarketWatch columnist, and retirement expert, she understands what it means to plan for the future. Then her mom got sick — and suddenly, everything she thought she knew went out the window. In this powerful episode, Beth opens up about the painful choices she faced, the moment she nearly crossed a line, and the three legal documents that could have spared her family months of stress. For anyone who might one day care for a parent — or be cared for themselves — this may be the wake-up call you didn’t know you needed.

For more, read Liz’s column every Thursday at ⁠⁠⁠On The Money⁠⁠⁠ by SoFi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and follow Liz on Twitter ⁠⁠⁠@LizThomasStrat⁠⁠⁠.

Additional resources:

⁠⁠⁠On The Money⁠⁠⁠: Sign up for SoFi's newsletter for intel, insights, and inspo to help you get your money right.

⁠⁠⁠Investing 101 Center⁠⁠⁠: At SoFi, we believe investing is for everyone — which is why we’ve created a hub with info for beginners and experts alike. Start exploring to get investment education, advice, resources, and more.

⁠⁠⁠Wealth Investing Guide⁠⁠⁠: Information you need to know to make your money work harder for you.

This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www.⁠⁠⁠ SoFi.com/Legal⁠⁠⁠.

©2025 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Dan Ives—Wall Street's most colorfully dressed tech bull—shares why the AI party is just getting started. As Managing Director and Global Head of Technology Research at Wedbush Securities, Dan predicts that autonomous vehicles will be so widespread, your kids won't need driver's licenses by 2029, and, he thinks, humanoid robots will be in millions of homes. Unlike the late '90s dot-com bubble built on PowerPoint dreams and venture capital fumes, this revolution is bankrolled by tech giants sitting on mountains of cash. Ives breaks down his “AI 30” stock picks, explains why he'd rather drive a Ferrari (tech stocks) than a beat-up minivan (value stocks), and admits the one thing that keeps him up at night: China.

For more, read Liz’s column every Thursday at ⁠⁠On The Money⁠⁠ by SoFi⁠⁠⁠, and follow Liz on Twitter ⁠⁠@LizThomasStrat⁠⁠.

Additional resources:

⁠⁠On The Money⁠⁠: Sign up for SoFi's newsletter for intel, insights, and inspo to help you get your money right.

⁠⁠Investing 101 Center⁠⁠: At SoFi, we believe investing is for everyone — which is why we’ve created a hub with info for beginners and experts alike. Start exploring to get investment education, advice, resources, and more.

⁠⁠Wealth Investing Guide⁠⁠: Information you need to know to make your money work harder for you.

This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www.⁠⁠ SoFi.com/Legal⁠⁠.

©2025 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This episode originally aired on September 12, 2024.

So you’ve graduated college and landed your first job. But along the way, no one told you about what a 401k is, or how to make a large home goods purchase, or even how to start making your money work for you. To make sure you don’t fumble, SoFi’s Head of Investment Strategy and Host Liz Thomas welcomes back Brandon Copeland, retired NFL player, founder, and now author of the new book, ‘Your Money Playbook: How to Earn More, Build Wealth and Win At Life.’ Brandon discusses his goals in writing a book on personal finance, and his passion for financial education that is accessible to all. The two also talk about the saving and spending habits Brandon developed while in the NFL, the unique syllabus for his University of Pennsylvania Life 101 course, and the importance of having financial accountability buddies in your life.

For more, read Liz’s column every Thursday at ⁠⁠On The Money⁠⁠ by SoFi, and follow Liz on Twitter ⁠⁠@LizThomasStrat⁠⁠.

Notable mentions in the episode:

(00:41) Introduction to The Important Part

(02:18) Why Brandon wrote his book

(08:28) The value of having a financial advisor

(12:14) Investing as the most important thing to get right

(14:30) The appetite for risk for young investors

(17:29) What Brandon learned about personal finance in the NFL

(22:01) Personal finance lessons best learned early

(28:57) How Brandon managed his money in the NFL

(32:31) Key resources for learning about personal finances

(37:55) Life 101: The syllabus

(42:52) Brandon’s transition from football player to CEO/Founder

(45:35) When Brandon decided to educate others on personal finance

(49:02) Key takeaways and conclusion

Recommended reading:

Additional resources:

This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www. ⁠SoFi.com/Legal⁠.

©2024 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This episode originally aired on Feb 20, 2024.

Steve Young is most well known for his NFL accolades, but since his retirement from the 49ers he’s built another type of empire as Partner, Chairman and Co-founder of private equity firm, HGGC. In this episode, SoFi's Head of Investment Strategy Liz Thomas sits down with Steve to discuss his career transition into business, what it takes to evaluate a new investment, and what alternatives can bring to the game.

For more, read Liz’s column every Thursday at ⁠On The Money⁠ by SoFi⁠, and follow Liz on Twitter ⁠@LizThomasStrat⁠.

Notable mentions in the episode:

(00:41) Intro

(03:30) Transitioning from football into business

(08:19) Succeeding by harnessing vulnerability 

(11:29) Steve’s advice for new investors? Be a forever student

(15:08) Private Equity vs. Public Market Investing

(17:05) Investment evaluation starts with the people in charge

(19:48) Staying patient as an investor

(22:20) Don’t just chase the success story

(23:41) How do you know when an investment has failed?

(26:33) The fine art of portfolio construction 

(30:05) Where do alternatives fit into the equation? 

(32:08) The Hot Minute

(34:28) Liz’s Takeaways

Additional resources:

⁠On The Money⁠: Sign up for SoFi's newsletter for intel, insights, and inspo to help you get your money right.

⁠Investing 101 Center⁠: At SoFi, we believe investing is for everyone — which is why we’ve created a hub with info for beginners and experts alike. Start exploring to get investment education, advice, resources, and more.

⁠Wealth Investing Guide⁠: Information you need to know to make your money work harder for you.

This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www.⁠ SoFi.com/Legal⁠.

©2025 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

How does one start a career in investment strategy? For that matter, what IS an investment strategist? In this special episode, host Liz Thomas gets on the other side of the mic in conversation with Brian Walsh, a.k.a. “Dr. Money,” Head of Advice and Planning at SoFi. Brian and Liz discuss her career evolution, from early career pivots, to what she does as an investment strategist, to how to communicate ideas in finance effectively. 

Liz Thomas is the Head of Investment Strategy at SoFi. Prior to SoFi, Liz was the Director of Market Strategy at BNY Mellon Investment Management. As an analyst, she worked at both BMO Global Asset Management as well as Baird. Liz earned her BBA in Finance and Marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and her MBA from Marquette University.

For more, read Liz’s column every Thursday at On The Money by SoFi, sign up for the On The Money newsletter, and follow Liz @LizThomasStrat.

Notable mentions in the episode:

00:00 Introduction

02:10 Growing up in Wisconsin

03:32 Money lessons and values

06:10 Finding finance in college

07:42 Early career

10:27 Pivotal career moments

19:10 What is an investment strategist?

24:31 Career advice

28:07 Career at SoFi

31:55 Experience as a female in a male-dominated industry

35:18 Liz’s financial information diet

40:50 Keeping a level head through market volatility

44:28 Investment role models

48:01 Communicating ideas in finance

51:44 Closing Thoughts

Additional resources:

On The Money: Sign up for SoFi's newsletter for intel, insights, and inspo to help you get your money right.

Investing 101 Center: At SoFi, we believe investing is for everyone — which is why we’ve created a hub with info for beginners and experts alike. Start exploring to get investment education, advice, resources, and more.

Wealth Investing Guide: Information you need to know to make your money work harder for you.

This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www. SoFi.com/Legal.

©2025 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Anthony Noto’s path to becoming CEO at SoFi was anything but linear. But along the way, he learned the lessons and wisdom that helped him lead SoFi to where it is today. In this special episode, host Liz Thomas sits down with SoFi CEO Anthony Noto to talk about his ambitious goals for the company. Anthony and Liz discuss how his time at West Point shaped his leadership style and values, his decision-making framework, and the importance of aligning personal and company goals.

Before his tenure as CEO of SoFi, Anthony Noto served as CFO and COO of Twitter (now X). He began his career as a brand manager at Kraft Foods, spent time as an associate at Lehman Brothers, worked in multiple roles at Goldman Sachs, and was the CFO and executive vice president at the National Football League. Anthony graduated from the United States Military Academy (West Point), and earned his MBA from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. 

For more, read Liz’s column every Thursday at On The Money by SoFi, sign up for the On The Money newsletter, and follow Liz @LizThomasStrat.

Notable mentions in the episode:

00:00 Introduction

01:51 Growing up in Poughkeepsie

06:53 Time at West Point

10:00 Early lessons in leadership

14:50 Developing financial principles

18:39 Early career path

26:25 Leadership style

29:06 Decision-making

32:25 Philosophy on hiring

33:24 Experience as CEO at SoFi

36:11 Thoughts on failure

39:29 Outlook on the future of fintech

41:45 What excited Anthony about joining SoFi

43:16 Lightning round questions

49:05 Closing Thoughts

Additional resources:

On The Money: Sign up for SoFi's newsletter for intel, insights, and inspo to help you get your money right.

Investing 101 Center: At SoFi, we believe investing is for everyone — which is why we’ve created a hub with info for beginners and experts alike. Start exploring to get investment education, advice, resources, and more.

Wealth Investing Guide: Information you need to know to make your money work harder for you.

This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www. SoFi.com/Legal.

©2025 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.