Big-picture thinking, career clarity, and the kind of honest advice you won’t find in textbooks... 🚀

Welcome to the TWELFTH episode of The Smart Money Show! This week, we’re joined by Michael Brown, an award-winning market analyst and Senior Research Strategist at Pepperstone, whose work spans global macro, cross-asset strategy, and real-time market insight. From supporting over 50,000 clients across five offices to broadcasting market insights to thousands each week, his role is as fast paced as it is impactful.

Recorded live at Pepperstone’s London HQ, this in-person episode goes beyond the data. We explore Michael’s journey into finance, his early fascination with markets, and how he carved out a voice in the crowded world of research and financial media.

From decoding the macro landscape to building trust through clarity and consistency, Michael shares how he approaches research, handles high-stakes news cycles, and balances technical depth with clear communication. Whether you're a student trying to break into finance or an investor curious about how top analysts form their views, this episode is full of practical insights and career wisdom.

Guest Contacts:

Micheal Brown - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-r-brown/

Pepperstone - https://pepperstone.com/en-gb/

Chapters:

0:00 - Welcome 🎙️

2:06 - An Unconventional Path into Finance 🚀

4:33 - The University Degree: A "Filtering Mechanism"? 🤔

8:34 - First Role & The Pivot to Research ✍️

10:29 - The Reality of a Career in Markets: Beyond the 9-to-5 ⏰

13:50 - Navigating Crises: COVID vs. Predictable Events 🌪️

17:35 - The Macro Analyst's Framework 🧠

22:40 - Identifying Long-Term Market Themes 📈

26:16 - How to Break into Macro Research 🎓

29:14 - A Day in the Life at Pepperstone ☕️

36:13 - The Underrated Skill for Career Success 🤝

37:55 - Final Reflections: Proudest Moments & Advice ✨

40:34 - Biggest Takeaway & Outro 👋

As always, stay tuned to us weekly as we bring you unheard insights, professional guests and a few laughs! 💚

Check out our work and connect with us here: https://linktr.ee/thesmartmoneyshow

Please be advised, none of our episodes constitute as financial advice and we will never attempt to do so.

It’s blockchain, broken down, but BY and FOR students... 💰

Here’s the ELEVENTH episode of The Smart Money Show! This week, we’re joined by Zeya Rabani, a blockchain developer turned CEO who's been working directly in the crypto space since 2019. From smart contracts to smart investments, Zeya’s journey through crypto is anything but ordinary. 💡

Now leading BIT10, a platform building index funds and ETFs for the top 10 cryptocurrencies, he’s making crypto investing more accessible for everyone whether you’re a fresh-faced student or a long-term believer in digital assets. We talk about how he got into the space, break down the basics of blockchain and DeFi, and even get some golden advice for students trying to navigate the crypto wave. 🌊

And that’s not all. Our very own Head of Crypto, Jeremy Orkonoe, joins the conversation to dig deeper into BIT10’s vision, development, and the future of crypto adoption!

Guest Contacts:

BIT10 - https://www.bit10.app/

Zeya - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zeya-rabani/

Chapters:

0:00 - Welcome 🎙️

1:00 - Introducing Zeya Rabani

3:10 - Origin Story: From Web Developer to Blockchain Enthusiast 💡

9:19 - Early Hurdles: Dodging Scams & Overcoming Barriers 🚧

18:01 - How His View of Crypto Has Evolved Over Time 🤔

21:58 - Crypto & Blockchain Basics for Beginners ⛓️

28:44 - How Students Can Get Involved (Without Coding!) 🤝

34:18 - Deep Dive on Bit10 with Jeremy & Zeya 📈

40:24 - The Tech & Strategy Behind Bit10 ⚙️

48:42 - Can Index Funds Bridge Traditional & Crypto Investing? 🚪

52:19 - Zeya's Personal Philosophy & What Needs to Change in Crypto 🛠️

59:03 - Final Reflections & Key Takeaways ✨

1:05:41 - Outro 👋

As always, stay tuned to us weekly as we bring you unheard insights, professional guests and a few laughs! 💚

Check out our work and connect with us here: https://linktr.ee/thesmartmoneyshow

Please be advised, none of our episodes constitute as financial advice and we will never attempt to do so.

Into double digits - here’s the TENTH episode of The Smart Money Show! 🔥

This week, you join Noman and Ali on a tennis court - yes, even they were surprised - serving up a roundtable featuring AlphaPicks. They are a three-man team of market traders, providing investors with high-quality ideas across multiple asset classes. 📝

And guess what, we’ve got the entire team on! Their Head of Macro Trading Strategy, Alex, one of their main investors, Jonathan, and the founder, Jesse, also their Head of Research. With them, we go into their story before AlphaPicks, what led to its inception and a roundtable rally of insights into researching and trading in markets. 📈

Enjoy diving into our longest ever episode - it’s a match winner. 🎾

Guest Contacts:

Alex - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-o-mahony-4333b456/

Jesse - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-williamson/

Kensington Tennis Club - https://www.kensingtontennisclub.com/

Alphapicks - https://www.alphapicks.co.uk/

Chapters:

0:00 - Welcome 🎾

0:46 - Introducing the AlphaPicks Team 📝

2:51 - Origin Stories: Sparking an Interest in Finance 💡

5:37 - The Founding of AlphaPicks & Early Challenges ✍️

8:45 - From a Top Bank to a Startup: Alex's Journey 🏦

10:33 - The AlphaPicks Philosophy: Teamwork, Mindset & Support 🤝

14:54 - Building the Brand: Strategy, Setbacks & Standing Out 🎯

20:47 - Behind the Scenes: How the Team Met & Cross-Pollination 🌐

40:54 - Trading Philosophies & Market Approach 🧠

50:19 - Trading Realities: Myths, Mistakes & Lessons Learned 💥

55:36 - Market Outlook 2025: Key Themes & Current Sentiment 🤔

1:06:44 - Advice for Aspiring Professionals 🎓

1:16:49 - Reflections & Key Takeaways 💌

1:22:39 - Final Thanks 👋

Please be advised, none of our episodes constitute as financial advice and we will never attempt to do so.

Markets moved, headlines hit hard, and May delivered more twists than a Netflix drama… 📉📈

Welcome to the NINTH episode of The Smart Money Show! This week, our Head of Equities, Dylan Ilett, and Head of Crypto, Jeremy Okornoe, break down all the major market-moving headlines from May.

From fresh UK and US economic data to shifting central bank expectations, we’ll cover what the numbers are telling us, and how markets are reacting. We also dig into the latest Trump drama, including rumours of a Saudi oil deal and his ongoing feud with Fed Chair, Jerome Powell.

On the equities side, our experts dissect NVIDIA’s blowout earnings, explore what’s really behind the latest wave of Tesla headlines and question whether investor sentiment is starting to shift on Elon’s empire. 🤔

We’ll also unpack the UK’s latest crypto legislation, what it means for institutions and the wider market, before wrapping up with a lightning round on May’s biggest crypto headlines, key technical levels, and how we’re thinking about Q3 positioning.

Whether you’re into macro, equities, or crypto, this one’s a full-spectrum recap with sharp insights and clear takeaways. Make sure not to miss it! 🔑

Guest Contacts:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-okornoe-1aa902263/ +  @JezzaBTC 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-ilett/

Check out our work and connect with us here:

https://linktr.ee/thesmartmoneyshow

As always, stay tuned to us weekly as we bring you unheard insights, professional guests and a few laughs! 💚

Chapters:

0:00 - Welcome 🎙️

1:00 - Episode Overview 📊

3:17 - UK Economic Data & Political Climate 🇬🇧

7:47 - US Economic Data & Market Uncertainty 🇺🇸

14:45 - The Trump Saudi Deal & Tech Sector Impact 🇸🇦

19:59 - Trump vs. Powell: Dynamics & Future Scenarios ⚖️

26:54 - Tariff Turmoil: Global Impacts & US Court Ruling 🌍

34:45 - Nvidia's Earnings Boom & Tech Market Reaction 💻

38:48 - UK's New Crypto Legislation: Bitcoin Reserve? ₿

42:40 - Tesla's Recent Troubles & Elon's Outlook 🚗

53:53 - Other Crypto News: Institutional FOMO & Altcoins 💎

59:12 - Outro 🎬

Please be advised, none of our episodes constitute as financial advice and we will never attempt to do so

If you’re on Finance TikTok, today’s guest needs no introduction... 👇🏼

Welcome to the EIGHTH episode of The Smart Money Show! We’re joined by none other than Jack Kim, also known as 'The Korean Consultant' - a viral content creator known for breaking down the world of financial services with humour, insights and knowledge. With over 30k followers across TikTok and Instagram, Jack has been on a mission much like ours, demystifying the industry for those looking to break into finance. 🎯

But Jack isn’t just a content creator, by day, he’s a senior consultant at one of the most prestigious consulting firms in the world, and has previously worked at one of the Big 4’s consulting arms. 🤯

In this episode, we will learn what first sparked his interest in the financial services sector, the behind-the-scenes of navigating a top-tier consulting career and the challenges he’s faced (and overcome) along the way both online and in the boardroom.

Whether you're aiming for consulting, curious about content creation, or just love a good career story. This is an episode you won’t want to miss. 🔥

Guest Contacts:

https://www.instagram.com/koreanconsultant/

https://www.tiktok.com/@koreanconsultant?lang=en

Check out our work and connect with us here: https://linktr.ee/thesmartmoneyshow

As always, stay tuned to us weekly as we bring you unheard insights, professional guests and a few laughs! 💚

Chapters:

0:00 - Welcome & Guest Intro 🎙️

3:14 - Jack's Unique Upbringing & Educational Path 🌏

7:43 - Early Finance Aspirations, Challenges & Doubts 🤔

19:30 - University Insights 🎓

33:50 - Navigating the Consulting Career Ladder 🪜

43:40 - Debunking Common Consulting Misconceptions 🧐

49:40 - Key Skills for a Successful Consulting Career 🔑

53:16 - TikTok & Balancing Content Creation 📱

58:03 - Future Plans: Entrepreneurship & EdTech 🚀

59:50 - Jack's Proudest Career Moments ✨

1:01:42 - Advice for His Younger Self 💌

1:04:13 - It's About More Than the "Dream Job" 🌟

1:06:24 - Final Thoughts & Outro 👋

Please be advised, none of our episodes constitute as financial advice and we will never attempt to do so.

To say today’s guest has had a diverse life is an understatement... 👇🏼

Welcome to the SEVENTH episode of The Smart Money Show! We're joined by Harry Billen who started with a maths degree, became a musician featured on national radio, to now working in Investment Banking at Stifel Financial Corp. What’s more, he’s also the co-founder of Mirum, an events business, and is a Chartered Accountant. 🤯

Sitting down with such a fascinating individual (for the 2nd time, after his appearance on our launch episode roundtable 😉) was a pleasure: we discuss how he’s managed to succeed in these different roles within and beyond finance and how he’s managed his career progression, given his unique pathway.

Plus, we also get into key differences between the BUY-SIDE and the SELL-SIDE! As Harry has had the chance to work on both, he drops some crazy anecdotes and worthwhile lessons for aspiring finance professionals! 🫡

Guest Contacts: ⬇️

Life + Finance:

https://www.youtube.com/@hbdoeslife

https://www.tiktok.com/@hbdoeslife

https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-billen-946a3682/

Music:

https://www.tiktok.com/@itsreallyhb

https://linktr.ee/itsreallyhb

https://www.instagram.com/itsreallyhb/

Mirum:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/themirum/posts/?feedView=all

https://www.instagram.com/themirumuk/

https://www.tiktok.com/@themirumuk

Check out our work and connect with us here:

https://linktr.ee/thesmartmoneyshow

As always, stay tuned to us weekly as we bring you unheard insights, professional guests and a few laughs! 💚

Chapters:

0:11 Intro 🎤

0:49 Introducing Harry Billen ✨

1:26 Harry's Journey & Advice 🚀

2:14 Growing Up & Education 📚

4:12 Aiming for Investment Banking 🏦

6:31 Front Office Role & Exposure 📈

9:00 Importance of A-Levels 🤔

12:07 Frustration & Benchmarks 😠

14:18 Deloitte & Internal Moves 🏢

16:40 Getting into Public M&A 🤝

17:55 Overcoming Doubts 💪

20:39 Buy-Side Middle Office Role 📊

22:39 Analyst to Fund Manager & CFA 💡

25:46 Solving Problems at Deloitte 🧠

28:52 Misconceptions of Investment Banking 🤥

30:55 Advice on Finding Your Path 🧭

33:51 Proudest Moment ❤️

36:41 Buy-Side vs. Sell-Side Culture 👔

38:53 Why Bankers Work Long Hours ⏰

41:39 Choosing Buy/Sell-Side Factors ➡️

44:46 Music & Entrepreneurship 🎶

47:18 Starting Mirum Business 💡

49:10 Balancing Passions ⚖️

51:58 Future Plans & Tips 🌟

54:37 Advice to Younger Self 🗣️

55:51 Don't Give Up! 🙌

57:52 Outro 👍

Please be advised, none of our episodes constitute as financial advice and we will never attempt to do so.

Here is the SIXTH episode of The Smart Money Show! 🤩

After last week’s Q1 recap, we’re back to our regular episodes, featuring another accomplished student - Rebecca Knowles. Studying Economics at the University of Nottingham, Rebecca has achieved the dream pathway of a spring week, to a summer internship to landing a grad role at Deloitte. Following her internship last summer, she will be starting as an M&A grad at one of the 'Big Four' in September.

She has thrown herself into an array of roles at Nottingham, being an analyst in the tech, equity and consulting divisions of the Nottingham Economics and Finance Society (NEFS), currently serving as the Consulting director. Beyond this, she’s been a trading researcher, building on her experience as part of the Nottingham Trading and Investment Society.

This is a jam-packed episode, talking through Rebecca’s experience applying and maximising these opportunities, her extensive knowledge of finance and consulting (along with what it takes to succeed in the fields) and her advice on making the most of university societies. Plenty to listen to and learn!

Guest Contacts:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccaknowles204/

Check out our work and connect with us here: ​https://linktr.ee/thesmartmoneyshow

As always, stay tuned to us weekly as we bring you unheard insights, professional guests and a few laughs! 💚

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro 👋

3:05 - Early Life & Finance Shift 📚

8:40 - Internship Application Strategy ✍️

13:26 - Standing Out & Framing Experience 🌟

16:53 - Common Application Mistakes 🤦‍♀️

22:28 - Spring & Summer Internship Mindset 🌱

32:57 - Excelling in Your Summer Internship 👍

40:10 - Understanding Finance Consulting 🤔

44:48 - Consulting Misconceptions & Reality 🤥

47:58 - Essential Skills for Consulting 🛠️

50:04 - Gaining Relevant Student Experience 🎓

53:52 - Extracurriculars & Career Impact 🤝

55:55 - Balancing Commitments & Advice ⚖️

59:53 - Proudest Achievement & Key Takeaway 🎉

1:05:35 - Outro 🫡

Please be advised, none of our episodes constitute as financial advice and we will never attempt to do so.

It's time for a recap of the last few crazy months... 📊

Welcome to the FIFTH episode of The Smart Money Show! In this episode, our Head of Equities, Dylan Ilett, and Head of Crypto, Jeremy Okornoe, recap the latest market trends. Expect thorough research and explanations, focusing on crypto and equity markets.

From Trump's unpredictable moves to Bitcoin's growing role as a strategic asset, we'll break down all the complex stuff. Our research and crypto experts will be with you every step of the way, transforming confusing news into clear insights about what's happening now and what's coming next in the world of finance.

Guest Contacts:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-okornoe-1aa902263/ + @JezzaBTC

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-ilett/

Check out our work and connect with us here: ​https://linktr.ee/thesmartmoneyshow

As always, stay tuned to us weekly as we bring you unheard insights, professional guests and a few laughs! 💚

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro 👋

2:19 - US Economic Data Q1 🇺🇸

3:20 - US Inflation & Rates 📈

5:25 - Under the Radar US News 🤔

6:40 - UK Economic Data Q1 🇬🇧

10:24 - FTSE vs. S&P 📊

14:50 - Bitcoin vs. S&P 🚀

25:27 - Trump's Tariffs 🛡️

31:54 - Trump vs. Powell 🥊

40:02 - Bitcoin Strategic Reserve 🏦

44:50 - Trump & Powell Clash 😠

50:40 - Bitcoin On-Chain Data 🔗

57:58 - Bank Earnings Recap 🏦

1:00:49 - Outro 👍

#podcast​ #finance​ #students​ #episode​ #subscribe​ #weekly​ #conversation​ #laughs​ #followus​ #smartmoney​ #recap #report

Please be advised, none of our episodes constitute as financial advice and we will never attempt to do so.

The number of students just DOUBLED! 🤩

Welcome to the FOURTH episode of The Smart Money Show! What a coincidence - we’ve got four students on the show this week: Young Asians in Finance’s founder, Riyadh Rehman, and COO, Sahil Shahzad! Along with your two favourite hosts, Ali and Noman! 🙌

Riyadh is a Politics student at Queen Mary’s, fresh off a spring week in Investment Banking at Morgan Stanley. Before this, he took a gap year and started YAF, as well as gaining work experience at Morgan Stanley and Greenhill & Co. Alongside him in this episode, Sahil is an Audit Trainee at BDO, choosing the apprenticeship route during his gap year, and is completing the valuable ACA qualification on the side. ✍️

This is a wide-ranging episode, where we ask Riyadh and Sahil to reflect on their starts in finance; the initial interest and motivation, the thought process behind the paths they’ve taken and their advice on applications, having gotten through them successfully. We also talk about their experience running YAF and their passion for social mobility, finishing up with where they see their future going next. 📈

Plenty of advice here to guide your early journey into finance - enjoy!

Guest Contacts:

Riyadh - https://www.linkedin.com/in/riyadh-rehman/

Sahil - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahil-shahzad/

YAF - https://linktr.ee/youngasiansinfinance

As always, stay tuned to us weekly as we deliver you unique and fresh perspectives, professional guests and a few laughs! 💚

Check out our work and connect with us here: https://linktr.ee/thesmartmoneyshow

Chapters:

0:00 Intro 🚀

0:37 Introducing Riyadh & Sahil 👋

1:10 Riyadh's Early Life 💰

5:08 Sahil's Education 📚

10:34 Finance Misconceptions 🤔

13:51 Maths in Finance ➕

16:30 Sahil's Apprenticeship ➡️

21:23 Riyadh's University Path 🎓

25:50 Sahil: Work & Study ⚖️

29:59 Riyadh: Balancing Life 🗓️

33:44 Application Tips 📝

40:43 Learning from Failure 💡

42:30 What is YAF? 🌍

43:44 Riyadh's YAF Inspiration ✨

47:26 Bridging with YAF 🌉

49:54 Barriers for Young Asians 🚧

55:07 Get Involved with YAF 🤝

57:59 Future Plans 🚀

1:00:44 Proudest Moments 🏆

1:02:42 Advice to Self 🧑‍🏫

1:03:17 Biggest Takeaway 💯

1:06:00 Outro 🎉

#podcast #finance #students #episode #subscribe #weekly #conversation #laughs #followus #smartmoney #investments

Please be advised, none of our episodes constitute as financial advice and we will never attempt to do so.

Did someone say our BIGGEST episode yet?!

Welcome to the THIRD episode of The Smart Money Show! 🫡

This week we’re joined by Chris Yiannakou, Head of Loomis Sayles Investments Limited! Chris reflects on an illustrious career spanning over two decades across the EMEA region. From senior positions at UBS and Pioneer Investments to now leading strategic growth and relationship building at Loomis Sayles, he brings a wealth of experience and insight into what it really takes to thrive in investment management.

We’ll be diving deep into his journey through finance, the key lessons he’s learned along the way, and the values that have shaped his long-standing success. From managing high-stakes relationships to navigating changing markets, Chris shares some candid and unheard anecdotes from the buy-side giving our audience a rare glimpse into the career progression of a seasoned professional. 💰

If you’re aspiring to break into finance or level up your long-term career strategy, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Guest Contacts:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-yiannakou-58b33719/

As always, stay tuned to us weekly as we deliver you unique and fresh perspectives, professional guests and a few laughs! 💚

Check out our work and connect with us here: https://linktr.ee/thesmartmoneyshow

Chapters:

00:00 Intro 🚀
2:14 Chris' Background 👨‍💼
3:40 Early Career Influences 🧑‍🏫
7:15 University & Career Prep 🎓
10:52 Student vs. Employer Views 🤔
11:51 First Role & Lessons 💼
13:57 Career Transitions 🔄
22:20 Journey to Loomis Sayles 🏢
34:37 Staying Motivated ⚡️
41:30 Key Career Skills 🔑
44:46 Global Financial Crisis 🌪️
50:23 Maintaining Relationships 🤝
56:16 Hiring Insights 🧑‍
1:12:04 Looking Back 💯
1:16:50 Outro 🎉

#podcast #finance #students #episode #subscribe #weekly #conversation #laughs #followus #smartmoney #investments

Please be advised, none of our episodes constitute as financial advice and we will never attempt to do so.

All opinions and advice given are strictly Chris' own personal views, and not a reflection of Loomis Sayles.