Personable

Sharon Marcil, Managing Director, Senior Partner and North America Chair of Boston Consulting Group, formerly BCG's Chief Marketing Officer, Board Member of Duke University, named one of the Top 25 Most Influential Consultants by Consulting Magazine, former Goldman Sachs mergers and acquisitions professional, Harvard MBA and Duke economics graduate, joins Personable to reveal why getting the right answer is only where the hard work starts, what the world's biggest CEOs are actually doing with AI right now, and why culture will always eat strategy for lunch. In this episode, Sharon opens up about why 70 percent of CEOs globally are now personally driving the AI agenda, how BCG went from 12 week diagnostic phases to days, and why the companies winning at AI are starting entirely from scratch rather than adding tools to old processes. This is an essential listen for anyone interested in consulting, leadership, AI strategy, building great culture, navigating organisations at scale, and what it really takes to drive change when the hardest part is never the answer itself. She discusses: ◽️ Why 70 percent of CEOs are now personally driving the AI agenda and what that number actually means for every organisation ◽️ Why the companies winning at AI are rebuilding processes from scratch rather than layering tools onto what already exists ◽️ Why engaging the skeptics is the only way to know if change is actually happening and how to do it without losing the room ◽️ How to give honest feedback to the most powerful leaders in the world without damaging the relationship you spent years building ◽️ Why do something you love is the only career advice that has ever really mattered and what it looks like in practice 00:00 Introduction and Sharon Marcil background 02:30 Would she do it all again and what success looked like at 20 versus what it looks like now 07:45 Why consulting is still the right move for ambitious young people in 2026 and what AI is changing about the job 14:20 How BCG stays at the forefront of AI and what the best CEOs are doing differently right now 20:45 How the US competes with China on AI energy data centers and adoption while staying safe 27:10 What a great culture actually looks like and why grow by growing others is the principle that scales 34:50 How to advocate for yourself in high performing teams without undermining the people around you 41:30 Why getting the right answer is only where the hard work starts and what comes after 47:55 How to give honest feedback to powerful leaders and what she learned from the best mentors she ever had 54:10 Legacy what is next and one thing every listener should take away Sharon Marcil: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonmarcil/ Harvey Bracken-Smith: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/harveybsmith ◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/harveybsmith_ ◽️ Newsletter: https://personable.substack.com/ ◽️ Website: https://www.personable.media/ Personable Podcast: ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/personable.podcast ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast ◽️ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@personableclips ◽️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api ◽️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111 Additional: ◽️ Fundraising: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org/donate 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. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

Scott Bok, former CEO and Chairman of Greenhill, former Managing Director at Morgan Stanley, senior business advisor to Mizuho, author of Surviving Wall Street, Wharton and Penn Law graduate, and former Chair of the UPenn Board of Trustees, joins Personable to reveal how he scaled from lawyer to CEO of one of Wall Street's most respected independent advisory firms, what it really takes to build a world class culture from scratch, and why every market crisis is actually the biggest career opportunity of your life. In this episode, Scott opens up about turning down buyers for 25 years before selling Greenhill to Mizuho, why the underdog always has to outwork the favourite, and what four decades on Wall Street taught him about judgment that no AI will ever replicate. From the rise of investment banking out of near obscurity to the fall of Lehman Brothers, this conversation is as honest and historically rich as it gets. This is an essential listen for anyone interested in finance, investment banking, dealmaking, building a career from the ground up, and what it really takes to reach the very top of Wall Street. He discusses: ◽️ Why doing exceptional work is always the only marketing strategy you will ever need ◽️ How he built Greenhill from a handful of people into a firm generating 20 times its original revenue ◽️ Why every financial crisis cleared the path for the biggest accelerations of his career ◽️ What AI will and will not replace in investment banking and where human judgment still wins ◽️ Why the career you can imagine at 22 is not the career you should actually want 00:00 Introduction and Scott Bok background 02:30 How he got started and what Wall Street looked like before anyone knew what it was 07:45 Moving from Morgan Stanley to Greenhill and what the brand gap really meant 14:20 Building a world class culture and why ego kills deals 20:45 AI, technology and where human judgment will always have the edge 27:10 Selling Greenhill to Mizuho and why he turned down buyers for 25 years 34:50 The five major crises, what history teaches and why downturns create the most opportunity 41:30 Skills, education and what young people actually need to build a great career 47:55 Surviving Wall Street, the book and why he decided to write it 54:10 Legacy, writing and what comes next for Scott Bok Scott Bok: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-bok/ Harvey Bracken-Smith: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/harveybsmith ◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/harveybsmith_ ◽️ Newsletter: https://personable.substack.com/ ◽️ Website: https://www.personable.media/ Personable Podcast: ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/personable.podcast ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast ◽️ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@personableclips ◽️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api ◽️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111 Additional: ◽️ Fundraising: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org/donate 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. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

Michael Dempsey, Managing Partner at Compound, former analyst at Crane Partners and CB Insights, NYU graduate, and one of the most respected research driven investors in frontier technology, joins Personable to reveal how he has 5X every fund he has ever run, why he wrote the first check into Runway ML before anyone knew what it was, and how sitting out the biggest bull run in venture history in 2021 turned out to be one of the best decisions he ever made. In this episode, Michael opens up about why he only makes six to eight investments a year and why that restraint is the entire strategy, how he called AI in 2016 when his LPs thought crypto was just for buying drugs on the internet, and why tech has gone from the coolest industry in the world to one of the most hated. From why pure capitalism is not the answer right now to why writing on the internet is the most important thing he has ever done in his career, this conversation is as intellectually sharp and honest as it gets. This is an essential listen for anyone interested in venture capital, frontier technology, AI, deep tech investing, building conviction in a noisy market, and what it really takes to back the right companies before the rest of the world catches up. He discusses: ◽️ How he wrote the first check into Runway ML and why being early is the only edge that truly compounds over time ◽️ Why he sat out the entire 2021 bull run when every other firm was deploying at record speed and why that was the right call ◽️ How he built a research driven firm that treats thesis building as the first class citizen and why most VCs get that completely wrong ◽️ Why tech went from the coolest industry in the world to one of the most hated and what needs to change ◽️ Why writing on the internet is the most important thing he has ever done and what it has taught him about himself 00:00 Introduction and Michael Dempsey background 02:30 Why investing and how public markets shaped the way he thinks 07:45 Compound the thesis driven approach and why research is everything 14:20 How he wrote the first check into Runway ML and what he saw that others missed 20:45 Why he sat out 2021 refused to deploy and how he stayed disciplined under pressure 27:10 How VCs find edge in 2026 and why the old playbook no longer works 34:50 Ethics responsibility and why tech is becoming the most hated industry in the world 41:30 Passive investing dispersion and how retail investors should be thinking about the next decade 47:55 Why writing online is the most important thing he has ever done in his career 54:10 Legacy predictions for 2036 and one thing every listener should take away Michael Dempsey: ◽️ Website: https://www.michaeldempsey.me ◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/mhdempsey Harvey Bracken-Smith: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/harveybsmith ◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/harveybsmith_ ◽️ Newsletter: https://personable.substack.com/ ◽️ Website: https://www.personable.media/ Personable Podcast: ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/personable.podcast ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast ◽️ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@personableclips ◽️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api ◽️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111 Additional: ◽️ Fundraising: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org/donate 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. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

Kirk McKeown, former Head of Proprietary Research at Point72, former Head of Proprietary Research at Glenview Capital, analyst at Tudor Investment Corporation and Hunter Global Advisors, co-founder of Carbon Arc, and holder of degrees from Harvard and MIT, joins Personable to reveal what it actually takes to reach the top of Wall Street, why he never picked a single stock in his entire career, and why taking thousands of at bats is the only thing that separates the elite from everyone else. In this episode, Kirk opens up about getting sober at 26 and rebuilding himself from the ground up, why knowing yourself is the only competitive advantage nobody can take away, and how he went from a chip on his shoulder kid to running proprietary research at one of the most respected hedge funds on the planet. From the democratisation of data to the fourth turning and why a recession is actually good for the world, this conversation is as intellectually sharp and honest as it gets. This is an essential listen for anyone interested in hedge funds, proprietary research, data, building a career in finance, self awareness, and what it really takes to compete at the highest level on Wall Street. He discusses: ◽️ Why he never picked a single stock and still built one of the most respected research careers on Wall Street ◽️ How taking thousands of at bats rather than ten is the only thing that separates elite performers from everyone else ◽️ Why knowing yourself is the single competitive advantage that no technology, no AI and no competitor can ever take away ◽️ How Carbon Arc is democratising data so that small businesses can compete with the giants that have owned it for decades ◽️ Why he believes we are in a bubble right now and says if people are debating whether we are in one that confirms it 00:00 Introduction and Kirk McKeown background 02:30 What it takes to become elite and why the journey never really ends 07:45 Night vision goggles for investors and how he built his research process 14:20 Frameworks, rubrics and why multiple weak inputs beat one strong one 20:45 Self awareness, sobriety and why the best research project he ever did was himself 27:10 Work as identity, external validation and how he figured out who he actually was 34:50 Misinformation, the fourth turning and how to be a critical consumer of information 41:30 Carbon Arc, data sovereignty and democratising decisioning for small businesses 47:55 Bubbles, recessions and why weaker hands need to be shaken out 54:10 The one competitive advantage nobody can ever take away Kirk McKeown: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirk-mckeown-400607214/Harvey Bracken-Smith: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/harveybsmith ◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/harveybsmith_ ◽️ Newsletter: https://personable.substack.com/ ◽️ Website: https://www.personable.media/ Personable Podcast: ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/personable.podcast ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast ◽️ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@personableclips ◽️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api ◽️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111 Additional: ◽️ Fundraising: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org/donate 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. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

Rob Carver, former Head of Fixed Income at AHL Man Group, independent systematic futures trader, visiting lecturer at Queen Mary University of London, research advisor to Stylus Capital, and author of Systematic Trading, Smart Portfolios and Leveraged Trading, joins Personable to reveal how AHL made a billion dollars in a single day during the 2008 financial crisis without changing a single line of code, why he walked away from managing billions to walk his daughter to school every day, and why almost everyone giving you trading advice online has a financial reason to lie to you. In this episode, Rob opens up about why he trusts his system enough to not check his PNL for an entire month, how human psychology creates the exact conditions that make momentum trading work, and why the best trading decision he ever made was to stop making decisions himself. This is an essential listen for anyone interested in systematic trading, quantitative finance, building robust systems, understanding markets, and what it really takes to compete at the highest level and then walk away from it all. He discusses: ◽️ How AHL made a billion dollars in a single day during the 2008 crisis by doing absolutely nothing and letting its system run ◽️ Why almost everyone giving trading advice online has a financial incentive to make you trade more and lose more ◽️ How human psychology creates the exact market conditions that systematic momentum strategies are designed to exploit ◽️ Why he walked away from managing billions at Man Group and what success actually meant to him by the end ◽️ Why the simplest trading system possible still works and what that says about markets and human nature 00:00 Introduction and Rob Carver background 02:30 What it takes to compete at the highest level of quantitative hedge funds 07:45 High frequency trading versus systematic slow trading and why the two worlds are completely different 14:20 Market manipulation spoofing and where the line between edge and illegal actually sits 20:45 How he built a system he trusts enough to not check his PNL for a month 27:10 The 2008 crisis making a billion dollars in a day and why the system did not care 34:50 How human psychology creates the conditions that make momentum trading work 41:30 Why he walked away from Man Group and what his father taught him about success 47:55 How quantitative finance changes the way you see uncertainty in every area of life 54:10 Legacy writing teaching and one thing every listener should take away Rob Carver: ◽️ Website: https://www.systematicmoney.org ◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/investingidiocy ◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-stuart-carver/ Harvey Bracken-Smith: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/harveybsmith ◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/harveybsmith_ ◽️ Newsletter: https://personable.substack.com/ ◽️ Website: https://www.personable.media/ Personable Podcast: ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/personable.podcast ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast ◽️ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@personableclips ◽️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api ◽️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111 Additional: ◽️ Fundraising: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org/donate 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. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

Joseph Mezrich, founder of Metafoura, former Managing Director and Head of Quantitative Equity Research at Nomura, former Managing Director and Head of US Quantitative and Derivatives Research at UBS, former Head of Quantitative Strategies at Morgan Stanley, former Deputy Head of Equity Portfolio Analytics at Salomon Brothers, and holder of a PhD in Mathematical Psychology and degrees from Michigan and MIT, joins Personable to reveal why AI can give you the answer but never the understanding, what four decades on Wall Street taught him about uncertainty, and why the models always break eventually and what you do when they do. In this episode, Joe opens up about publishing one of the earliest applications of machine learning in finance in 1994 when nobody else was even thinking about it, what the culture of Salomon Brothers was really like from the inside, and why humility is still the most important tool any quantitative researcher can have. This is an essential listen for anyone interested in quantitative finance, machine learning, AI, Wall Street culture, building edge in markets, and what it really takes to spend four decades at the frontier of financial research. He discusses: ◽️ Why AI can give you the answer but cannot give you the understanding and why that gap will define the next decade of finance ◽️ How he published one of the first machine learning papers in finance in 1994 and what he sees coming now ◽️ Why the models always break eventually and what you need to have in place for when they do ◽️ What the culture of Salomon Brothers was really like and why nothing on Wall Street has been quite like it since ◽️ Why uncertainty is the central feature of life and how quantitative thinking teaches you to navigate it 00:00 Introduction and Joseph Mezrich background 02:30 Why he left science for Wall Street and what he found when he got there 07:45 The culture of Salomon Brothers and what made it unlike anywhere else on Wall Street 14:20 How quant finance has evolved and where the crowd is not going right now 20:45 Why AI can give you the answer but not the understanding and what that means for finance 27:10 How to build models that survive black swan events and what the 2007 quant crisis taught him 34:50 How quantitative thinking changes the way you see uncertainty in every area of life 41:30 Government regulation AI safety and why the question nobody is answering is the most important one 47:55 Metafoura what he is building and why he started it after four decades on Wall Street 54:10 The wow factor legacy and one thing every listener should take away Joseph Mezrich: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-mezrich-5248b76/ Harvey Bracken-Smith: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/harveybsmith ◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/harveybsmith_ ◽️ Newsletter: https://personable.substack.com/ ◽️ Website: https://www.personable.media/ Personable Podcast: ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/personable.podcast ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast ◽️ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@personableclips ◽️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api ◽️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111 Additional: ◽️ Fundraising: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org/donatePersonable 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. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

Alex Monahan, former quantitative trader at Susquehanna International Group, Stanford graduate, and founder of OddsJam, joins Personable to reveal how he walked away from one of the most prestigious quant firms in the world, turned a sports betting edge into the Bloomberg Terminal for sports betting, and sold it for $160M at just 28 years old. In this episode, Alex opens up about what SIG taught him about markets and edge that nobody else was teaching, why sports betting is one of the only remaining markets where an individual can genuinely beat the house, and why risk is almost always overestimated in your head. From bootstrapping OddsJam from zero to why he now visits college campuses and helps the next generation of founders build what he built, this conversation is as honest and practically useful as it gets. This is an essential listen for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, quant trading, sports betting, building a personal brand, finding product market fit, and what it really takes to go from a corporate job to a nine figure exit before 30. He discusses: ◽️ How he used everything he learned at SIG to turn a sports betting edge into a $160M company ◽️ Why sports betting is one of the only markets left where an individual can genuinely get a mathematical edge ◽️ How he bootstrapped OddsJam from zero to a $160M acquisition in just four years with no outside investment ◽️ Why risk is almost always overestimated in your brain and what that is costing you right now ◽️ Why building a personal brand before you launch your business is no longer optional it is the only edge that scales 00:00 Introduction and Alex Monahan background 02:30 Why he left SIG and what made him bet everything on OddsJam 07:45 The math behind sports betting and why most people lose for the wrong reasons 14:20 Building OddsJam from zero product market fit content and the first customers 20:45 Personal brand social media and why he wishes he had started posting in college 27:10 What makes the best founders and why risk is almost always overestimated 34:50 The $160M sale to Gambling.com what he learned and why he walked away 41:30 AI edge in quant and betting and how non technical people can still compete 47:55 What is next campus tours mentoring and why he cannot stop working 54:10 Legacy purpose and one thing every listener should do before this episode ends Alex Monahan: ◽️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexmonahan ◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/Amonahan ◽️ OddsJam: https://oddsjam.com/ Harvey Bracken-Smith: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/harveybsmith ◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/harveybsmith_ ◽️ Newsletter: https://personable.substack.com/ ◽️ Website: https://www.personable.media/ Personable Podcast: ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/personable.podcast ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast ◽️ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@personableclips ◽️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api ◽️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111 Additional: ◽️ Fundraising: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org/donate 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. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

Emmet Savage, Chief Investor and Co-Founder of MyWallSt, joins Personable to reveal the common set of rules he discovered after the dot com crash wiped him out, how he went on to generate returns of 57,000% on Netflix and 250 fold on Tesla, and why the six golden rules shared by every great investor in history are embarrassingly simple and almost nobody follows them. In this episode, Emmet opens up about watching Dell grow 1,600 fold and dedicating his life to finding the next one, why the dot com crash was the best thing that ever happened to him, and how a phone call from Australia in 1963 started a lifelong obsession with stock investing that changed everything. From why inertia is the biggest enemy of every investor to where the returns of the next decade actually lie, this conversation is as honest and practically useful as it gets. This is an essential listen for anyone interested in stock investing, building long term wealth, understanding the stock market, avoiding common mistakes, and what it really takes to generate life changing returns over time. He discusses: ◽️ The six golden rules shared by every consistently successful investor and why most people break all of them ◽️ How the dot com crash wiped him out and sent him on a mission to read every investing book ever written ◽️ Why he has held Netflix for 25 years and is up 57,000% and still has no plans to sell ◽️ The biggest mistakes young investors make and the simple mindset shift that changes everything ◽️ Where the returns of the next 10 years actually lie and what AI means for the future of investing 00:00 Introduction and Emmet Savage background 02:30 A phone call from Australia in 1963 and how a family missed a life changing investment 07:45 The dot com crash, Dell growing 1600 fold and the obsession that followed 14:20 The six golden rules every great investor shares and how to apply them today 20:45 Index funds versus picking stocks and how to know which is right for you 27:10 Buy what you believe in and why young people have an edge Wall Street does not 34:50 AI, the Blue Ocean Strategy and how MyWallSt found a method returning 19.8% per year 41:30 The Magnificent Seven, SpaceX and where the next decade of returns actually lies 47:55 Why winners will win and the biggest mistake investors make is selling them too early 54:10 Legacy, music and one thing every listener should do before this episode ends Emmet Savage: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmet-savage-7438203/ ◽️ MyWallSt: https://mywallst.com/ Harvey Bracken-Smith: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/harveybsmith ◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/harveybsmith_ ◽️ Newsletter: https://personable.substack.com/ ◽️ Website: https://www.personable.media/ Personable Podcast: ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/personable.podcast ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast ◽️ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@personableclips ◽️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api ◽️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111 Additional: ◽️ Fundraising: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org/donate 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. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

John Fareed, Global Chairman of Horwath HTL, former professional magician, former Marine, and author of From Invisible to Icon, joins Personable to reveal how he went from growing up on food stamps in a small town in Georgia to advising some of the wealthiest individuals on the planet, why being interested will always beat being interesting, and what three completely different careers taught him about preparation, recovery and building relationships that last. In this episode, John opens up about performing magic on stage to thousands of people, what the Marines taught him about discipline and commitment, and why your personal brand already exists whether you manage it or not. From working with billionaires to recovering from a dead bird on stage, this conversation is as honest and wide ranging as it gets. This is an essential listen for anyone interested in personal branding, building relationships at the highest level, hospitality and leisure consulting, and what it really takes to reinvent yourself again and again across an entire career. He discusses: ◽️ Why being interested in others will always outperform trying to be the most interesting person in the room ◽️ How he went from food stamps in rural Georgia to advising billionaires across the globe ◽️ Why your personal brand already exists and what happens when you do not manage it yourself ◽️ What the Marines and professional magic taught him about preparation, recovery and reading the room ◽️ Why being open to everything around you is the single greatest competitive advantage you can have 00:00 Introduction and John Fareed background 02:30 Growing up in rural Georgia, the dream of magic and how it all began 07:45 What magic teaches you about preparation, connection and leaving them wanting more 14:20 Reading the room, recovering from mistakes and why entertainment beats perfection 20:45 The Marines, his grandfather and why he made one of the biggest commitments of his life 27:10 Graduate jobs, big dreams and how to take the first step toward what you actually want 34:50 Horwath HTL, billionaire clients and how to build trust at the highest level 41:30 Economic uncertainty, the hotel industry and how to advise clients when everything is on fire 47:55 From Invisible to Icon, personal branding and why everyone already has one 54:10 Legacy, openness and one thing every listener should take away John Fareed: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfareed/ Harvey Bracken-Smith: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/harveybsmith ◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/harveybsmith_ ◽️ Newsletter: https://personable.substack.com/ ◽️ Website: https://www.personable.media/ Personable Podcast: ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/personable.podcast ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast ◽️ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@personableclips ◽️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api ◽️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111 Additional: ◽️ Fundraising: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org/donate 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. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

Dave Kitson, former Premier League striker with over 400 professional appearances, anonymous author behind The Secret Footballer, the groundbreaking Guardian column and bestselling books that exposed the realities of elite football, twice named Reading Player of the Year, 5.5 million pound club record signing for Stoke City, and now motivational speaker and manager of Maidenhead United Women, joins Personable to reveal how he went from playing pub football at 18 to the Premier League, what he really saw from inside the dressing room, and why culture is the only thing that truly separates great teams from average ones. In this episode, Dave opens up about why he scored 22 goals for Reading and said he should have stopped right there, what the Secret Footballer column taught him about the realities of elite sport that nobody talks about publicly, and why the average manager lasting 14 months is destroying the culture of English football from the inside out. This is an essential listen for anyone interested in football, elite sport, leadership, building culture, management, mental health in sport, and what it really takes to get the best out of people when the pressure is on. He discusses: ◽️ How he went from a pub team at 18 to a 5.5 million pound Premier League transfer and what it really cost him ◽️ Why over 90 percent of academy players never make it and what nobody tells them before they drop out ◽️ Why the best culture cannot be written down and how you always know it when you see it ◽️ How Brentford are consistently beating clubs with ten times their budget and why most clubs will never understand how ◽️ Why effort always beats talent when the culture gets it right and what that looks like in practice 00:00 Introduction and Dave Kitson background 02:30 From pub football to the Premier League and why the level hit him like a slap in the face 07:45 Reading versus Stoke why culture made all the difference and what he lost when he left 14:20 Why the average manager lasts 14 months and what that does to every player around them 20:45 Brentford Brighton and the moneyball approach that is quietly changing English football 27:10 How to build a culture that wins when you have nothing and why most clubs get it completely wrong 34:50 The Secret Footballer what he saw from inside the dressing room and why he finally revealed himself 41:30 Mental health in elite sport the harsh realities and what clubs are still getting badly wrong 47:55 Maidenhead United Women building culture without wages and why not one player has left 54:10 Mentors leadership and one thing every listener should take away Dave Kitson: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-kitson-54ab75202/ Harvey Bracken-Smith: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/harveybsmith ◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/harveybsmith_ ◽️ Newsletter: https://personable.substack.com/ ◽️ Website: https://www.personable.media/Personable Podcast: ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/personable.podcast ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast ◽️ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@personableclips ◽️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api ◽️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111 Additional: ◽️ Fundraising: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org/donate 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. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

Lauren Barnwell, content creator with over 500,000 followers across platforms, filmmaker, former junior and senior class president, state championship volleyball player, and one of the fastest sprinters in her school's history, joins Personable to reveal why most people never reach their potential, how she built a massive audience from a small town where nobody believed in her, and why the only real answer to why you are not where you want to be is that you simply do not want it bad enough. In this episode, Lauren opens up about posting three times a day for four months before anyone cared, how she made a full length film from scratch with nothing but an idea and a camera, and why vision boards are not about wishful thinking but about training your brain to become the person you want to be. From rolling out her own red carpet to building a community that follows her everywhere she goes, this conversation is as honest and energising as it gets. This is an essential listen for anyone interested in social media, content creation, self belief, building something from nothing, and what it really takes to back yourself when nobody else will. She discusses: ◽️ Why most people never reach their potential and the one honest answer nobody wants to hear ◽️ How she grew from 3000 followers with people laughing at her to over 500000 across platforms ◽️ Why vision boards are not wishful thinking and how she uses them to rewire her brain every year ◽️ How she made a full length film from scratch with no budget, no experience and no permission ◽️ Why fake it till you make it is not about lying but about becoming who you were always meant to be 00:00 Introduction and Lauren Barnwell background 02:30 Growing up in a small town and why she was always ready to leave 07:45 Moving around, building identity and developing values without roots 14:20 Social media, authenticity and posting when nobody was watching 20:45 Vision boards, manifestation and training your brain to become who you want to be 27:10 The alter ego, fake it till you make it and why it was never really fake 34:50 Making a film from nothing and why she stopped waiting for permission 41:30 Content creation, discipline and why motivation is the wrong thing to look for 47:55 What is next, acting, producing and the big project she cannot talk about yet 54:10 Legacy, influence and one thing every listener should take away Lauren Barnwell: ◽️ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurenbarnwell ◽️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenbarnwelll/ ◽️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@laurenbarnwell Harvey Bracken-Smith: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/harveybsmith ◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/harveybsmith_ ◽️ Newsletter: https://personable.substack.com/ ◽️ Website: https://www.personable.media/ Personable Podcast: ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/personable.podcast ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast ◽️ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@personableclips ◽️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api ◽️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111 Additional: ◽️ Fundraising: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org/donate 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. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

Rachel Carrell, Founder and CEO of Koru Kids, Rhodes Scholar, DPhil from Oxford, former McKinsey consultant, and mother of three, joins Personable to reveal how having a baby exposed a broken childcare system, why she raised £600k before hiring a single engineer, and what it really takes to build a business that keeps five million hours of children safe. In this episode, Rachel opens up about leaving a high flying career to solve a problem nobody else was tackling, how growing up in a small sheep farming town in New Zealand with zero London network did not stop her building one from scratch, and why being a mother made her a better founder and a better leader. From safety systems and AI innovation to balancing boardrooms with bedtimes, this conversation is as honest and practical as it gets. This is an essential listen for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, parenting, childcare, building a business from nothing, and what it means to solve a problem that actually matters. She discusses: ◽️ Why she left McKinsey and raised £600k with just a PowerPoint and three paying customers ◽️ How Koru Kids delivered five million hours of childcare without a single serious incident ◽️ What corporate life never teaches you about sales, people management and building from scratch ◽️ How she is using AI at every level of Koru Kids including a personalised cookbook for nannies ◽️ Why being a mother of three made her a sharper founder and a more focused leader 00:00 Introduction and Rachel Carrell background 00:21 Why having a baby exposed a broken childcare system 02:20 Taking the leap into entrepreneurship 03:20 Raising £600k before hiring a single engineer 04:43 What McKinsey teaches you and what it absolutely does not 07:20 Focus, product quality and the 1% compound improvement rule 08:46 Entrepreneurship, resilience and the Elon Musk “eating glass” mindset 14:10 Learning, AI and surrounding yourself with smart people 15:48 How AI is transforming every level of Koru Kids 17:56 LinkedIn, distribution and building an audience online 22:03 Parenting, discipline and balancing kindness with accountability 25:45 Balancing motherhood with building a business 27:55 Building a safety system across five million hours of childcare 32:45 Trust, retention and why childcare changes people’s lives 35:22 AI agents, the future of work and what comes next 36:45 What AI cannot replace about human trust and childcare 38:09 One thing every listener should take away Rachel Carrell: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachcarrell/ Harvey Bracken-Smith: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/harveybsmith ◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/harveybsmith_ ◽️ Newsletter: https://personable.substack.com/ ◽️ Website: https://www.personable.media/ Personable Podcast: ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/personable.podcast ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast ◽️ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@personableclips ◽️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api ◽️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111 Additional: ◽️ Fundraising: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org/donate 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. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

Luke Knight, co-founder and co-host of ETN, former private client executive at Rockpool Investments, former private client associate at Fisher Investments UK, and University of Nottingham graduate, joins Personable to discuss the rise of new media, entrepreneurship, and why narrative is everything in business. In this episode, Luke explains why he left finance to build ETN full time at 23 years old, how he and his co-founder engineered virality around their launch, and the realities of building a company from scratch. He shares insights on raising investment, landing sponsors, creating momentum, and why consistency and relationships matter far more than most people realize. Luke also discusses why he believes podcasts and creator-led media are changing the way people consume information, how speaking to elite founders and investors every week has changed the way he thinks, and why many of the world’s most successful people are more normal than they first appear. He discusses: ◽️ Why he left finance to build ETN full time at 23 ◽️ How ETN engineered virality and built momentum from day one ◽️ The psychology behind raising capital and landing sponsors ◽️ Why consistency, relationships, and narrative matter in business ◽️ Why podcasts and new media are changing entrepreneurship and investing 00:00 Introduction and Luke Knight background 02:30 Why Luke started ETN and the opportunity behind new media 06:10 Leaving finance to build ETN full time 09:00 Discipline, consistency, and handling social media pressure 13:00 Why ETN’s live show format works 17:20 Learning from elite founders and investors 18:15 Andreas Klinger and the importance of persistence 22:10 How Luke consumes information and filters signal from noise 27:00 Technology, entrepreneurship, and building companies from scratch 28:40 Raising ETN’s first investment round 32:30 Sponsors, media economics, and monetising ETN 34:45 Why successful people are more normal than most think 39:25 Chris Williamson, curiosity, and authentic conversations 41:45 Why podcasts and new media are becoming the future of information 44:30 The future of social media and creator-led businesses 49:30 Narrative, people, and what makes ideas worth backing 51:40 Quickfire questions: growth, legacy, dream guests, and what’s next 52:20 Final advice and one key takeaway from the episode Luke Knight: ◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/lukeknight ◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-knight01/ETN: ◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/etnshow?s=20 ◽️ YouTube: www.youtube.com/ ⁨@etnshoww⁩ ◽️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/eutncom/ ◽️ Website: https://etnshow.co/ Harvey Bracken-Smith: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/harveybsmith ◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/harveybsmith _ ◽️ Newsletter: https://personable.substack.com/ ◽️ Website: https://www.personable.media/ Personable Podcast: ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/personable.podcast ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast ◽️ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@personableclips ◽️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api ◽️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111 Additional: ◽️ Fundraising: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org/donate 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. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

Ed Tiryakian, NIL insider, Duke University and Fuqua School of Business graduate, former Managing Director at Paine Webber and UBS, Chairman of Legends Sports Group, Managing Director at PE firm Argentum Group, and advisor to NBA and NFL athletes, joins Personable to reveal why NIL has become the biggest financial mess in the history of college sports, what the University of Utah's $500 million private equity deal means for every program in America, and why the system is so out of control that even the richest programs cannot afford it. In this episode, Ed opens up about the Darian Mensah transfer saga and why Duke letting him walk was a missed watershed moment for the entire NIL space, how college athletes are now earning more than NFL draft picks, and why the academic side of the transfer portal is a dirty secret nobody wants to talk about. From billion dollar program valuations to the arms race that nobody can win, this conversation is as honest and as inside as it gets. This is an essential listen for anyone interested in college sports, NIL, private equity, sports business, and what the future of college athletics actually looks like. He discusses: ◽️ Why NIL has become the biggest financial arms race in the history of college sports ◽️ The Darian Mensah story and why Duke should have held him to his contract ◽️ How the University of Utah's $500 million PE deal will change college athletics forever ◽️ Why college athletes are now earning more than NFL draft picks and what that means ◽️ The dirty secret of NIL that nobody on any side of the fence wants to talk about 00:00 Introduction and Ed Tiryakian background 02:30 What is NIL and why it has become a complete mess 07:45 The Darian Mensah story and the legal precedent Duke missed 14:20 The transfer portal, six month free agency and the wild west of college sports 20:45 The picks and shovels of NIL and where the real money is being made 27:10 UNC's $14 million deficit and why even the richest programs are struggling 34:50 Texas football valued at $2.2 billion and what it means for everyone else 41:30 The University of Utah $500 million private equity deal and what comes next 47:55 Why college athletes are now earning more than NFL draft picks 54:10 The academic dirty secret nobody in college sports wants to talk about 1:00:30 Legacy, what is next and one thing every listener should take away Ed Tiryakian: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-tiryakian-9850367/ Harvey Bracken-Smith: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/harveybsmith ◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/harveybsmith_ ◽️ Newsletter: https://personable.substack.com/ ◽️ Website: https://www.personable.media/ Personable Podcast: ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/personable.podcast ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast ◽️ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@personableclips ◽️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api ◽️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111 Additional: ◽️ Fundraising: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org/donate 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. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

Annanay Kapila, former HFT quant at Flow Traders and Tower Research Capital, Cambridge Mathematics graduate, and founder of QFEX, joins Personable to reveal why he walked away from one of the highest paying jobs in finance, what the trading world does not want you to know about how your money is being handled, and why tenacity will always beat talent in the long run. In this episode, Annanay opens up about spotting a $100 billion gap between crypto and traditional exchanges, what Y Combinator taught him about building in public, and why the cultural difference between the UK and the US comes down to one single word. From dark pools and Citadel to the biggest wealth transfer in history, this conversation is as honest and technically sharp as it gets.This is an essential listen for anyone interested in finance, trading, entrepreneurship, building a startup from nothing, and what it really takes to compete in the most cutthroat industry in the world.He discusses: ◽️ Why the smartest graduates in the world are trapped in golden handcuffs and what to do about it ◽️ How he spotted a $100 billion technology gap between crypto and traditional exchanges and built QFEX to fix it ◽️ What Wall Street does not want you to know about dark pools and how your trades are really being handled ◽️ Why the UK and US approach entrepreneurship completely differently and which mindset actually wins ◽️ Why tenacity beats talent every single time and what that means for the next 10 years of your life 00:00 Introduction and Annanay Kapila background 02:30 Why he left HFT and what golden handcuffs really mean 07:45 How he spotted a $100 billion gap and built QFEX 14:20 Building in public, Y Combinator and why your idea is not that special 20:45 UK vs US entrepreneurship and why optimism changes everything 27:10 Trust, credibility and what Coinbase taught him about longevity 34:50 Dark pools, Citadel and the shocking truth about how your money is traded 41:30 Prediction markets, leverage trading and the biggest wealth transfer in history 47:55 Government intervention, personal freedom and where the line should be drawn 54:10 Tenacity, legacy and one thing every listener should take away Annanay Kapila: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annanay-kapila/ Harvey Bracken-Smith: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/harveybsmith ◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/harveybsmith_ ◽️ Newsletter: https://personable.substack.com/ ◽️ Website: https://www.personable.media/ Personable Podcast: ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/personable.podcast ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast ◽️ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@personableclips ◽️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api ◽️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111 Additional: ◽️ Fundraising: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org/donate 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. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

Seth Yakatan, Co-Founder of Katan Associates International, serial entrepreneur who has raised over $1 billion and sold 22 businesses, and one of the most distinctive voices in cannabis and capital markets on LinkedIn, joins Personable to challenge everything you think you know about entrepreneurship, raising money, and what success actually looks like. In this episode, Seth reflects on growing up with a father who came from nothing and became a serial entrepreneur, why he walked away from 14 years in institutional investing, and how a single carousel post on LinkedIn changed the trajectory of his career. From the brutal realities of the cannabis industry to the unspoken rules of closing a deal, this conversation cuts through the noise and focuses on what it actually takes to build, sell, and survive in business. This is an essential listen for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, capital raising, cannabis, LinkedIn growth, and building a career on your own terms. He discusses: ◽️ Why success is less about hustle and more about luck, timing and right place right time ◽️ How he raised over $1 billion and what investors actually look for before writing a cheque ◽️ Why companies are bought not sold and what that means for founders ◽️ The LinkedIn strategy that took him from 20,000 to 38,000 followers and opened unexpected doors ◽️ The future of cannabis in the United States and where the real opportunity lies ◽️ What makes him say no to a deal and how he does due diligence on founders ◽️ Why giving without expectation is the most powerful networking tool you will ever use 00:00 Introduction and Seth Yakatan background 02:15 How he got into entrepreneurship and his father's influence 07:30 Why he stopped believing success is a meritocracy 13:45 How to raise capital and what investors actually want 19:20 Companies are bought not sold, the art of the exit 25:10 How Katan Associates competes with a lean team 32:40 Getting into cannabis and demystifying the industry 39:15 The future of cannabis in the USA and globally 45:30 LinkedIn, authority building and why he started posting 51:20 The strategy behind 38,000 followers and one post a day 57:00 What makes him say no and how he reads founders 1:02:30 Legacy, what is next and one thing every listener should take away Seth Yakatan: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-yakatan/ Harvey Bracken-Smith: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/harveybsmith ◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/harveybsmith_ ◽️ Newsletter: https://personable.substack.com/ ◽️ Website: https://www.personable.media/ Personable Podcast: ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/personable.podcast ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast ◽️ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@personableclips ◽️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api ◽️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111 Additional: ◽️ Fundraising: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org/donate 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. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

Alex Edmans, Professor of Finance at London Business School, PhD from MIT as a Fulbright Scholar, and former investment banker at Morgan Stanley, joins Personable to challenge everything you think you know about business, universities, and how to think clearly in a world full of misleading data. In this episode, Alex reflects on losing his father to cancer, being the first in his family to attend university, and how a single day of front page glory at Morgan Stanley convinced him academia could have more lasting impact than any deal. From the broken incentives of the tenure system to the misrepresentation of diversity research, this conversation cuts through the noise and focuses on how to think better, lead better, and live better. This is an essential listen for anyone interested in business, academia, critical thinking, purpose-driven leadership, and building a life that actually matters. He discusses: ◽️ Why he walked away from Morgan Stanley the day after his deal hit the front page of the FT ◽️ The tenure system and why top universities are built to punish their best teachers ◽️ Why the McKinsey diversity research falls apart the moment you actually read it ◽️ Grow the Pie - why purpose and profit are not opposites ◽️ How to think clearly in a post-truth world full of statistics designed to mislead you 00:00 Introduction and Alex Edmans background 02:15 Hyrox, Macmillan and losing a parent to cancer 07:30 First-generation student, St Paul's and the scholarship that changed everything 13:45 Morgan Stanley, the front page moment and why it wasn't enough 19:20 Why academia offers something finance never could 25:10 The tenure system and how universities punish great teachers 32:40 Diversity, performance and why correlation is not causation 39:15 Grow the Pie — purpose, profit and the business case for doing good 45:30 May Contain Lies — how to think in a post-truth world 51:20 Confirmation bias, contrary evidence and seeking the truth 57:00 What still drives Alex after tenure, awards and 3 million TED views 1:02:30 One thing every listener should take away Alex Edmans ◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aedmans/ Harvey Bracken-Smith: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/harveybsmith ◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/harveybsmith_ ◽️ Newsletter: https://personable.substack.com/ ◽️ Website: https://www.personable.media/ Personable Podcast: ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/personable.podcast ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast ◽️ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@personableclips ◽️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api ◽️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111 Additional: ◽️ Fundraising: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org/donate 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. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

Send a text Rick Schonberg, Head of Prime at Coinbase and former executive at Goldman Sachs, State Street, LCH, and Tagomi, joins Personable to unpack how crypto becomes institutional, what trust really means in modern finance, and why careers rarely follow a straight line. In this episode, Rick reflects on graduating into a recession with no job, being fired twice, and how serendipity shaped a career spanning traditional finance, clearing houses, and digital assets. From institutional custody and regulation to stablecoins, trust, and the future of money, this conversation cuts through crypto hype and focuses on how financial systems actually evolve. This is an essential listen for anyone interested in finance, crypto, careers, institutional trust, and navigating long-term success in volatile industries. He discusses: ◽️ Graduating into a tough job market and building a career without a linear plan ◽️ Why early “unimpressive” jobs can be the most valuable ◽️ From Goldman Sachs to Coinbase and what drove the transition into crypto ◽️ Institutional custody, regulation, and why trust is the real asset ◽️ Stablecoins, payments, and how crypto reshapes the financial system ◽️ Lessons from being fired, taking risks, and sustaining long-term careers 00:00 Introduction and Rick Schonberg background 02:30 Graduating into recession and early career lessons 07:45 Getting fired, serendipity, and career pivots 14:20 From traditional finance to crypto 20:45 Institutional custody and trust at Coinbase 27:10 Regulation, bad actors, and building credibility 34:50 Stablecoins and the future of payments 41:30 Careers, success, and rejecting influencer mythology 47:55 The future of finance and crypto adoption 54:10 Final advice for graduates and long-term thinking Rick Schonberg: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickschonberg/ Harvey Bracken-Smith: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/harveybsmith ◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/harveybsmith_ ◽️ Newsletter: https://personable.substack.com/ ◽️ Website: https://www.personable.media/ Personable Podcast: ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/personable.podcast ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast ◽️ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@personableclips ◽️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api ◽️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111 Additional: ◽️ Fundraising: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org/donate 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. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Footnote: Tether, the largest stablecoin issuer, now holds over $100 billion in T-bills. According to data from the Treasury Department, it ranks as the 18th-largest overall holder of US debt, above the UAE ($85 billion). Support the show

Send a text Nick Jenkins, founder of Moonpig and former Dragon’s Den investor, joins Personable to unpack the darkest moments behind building Moonpig, how close the business came to failure, and what it really takes to keep going after a major exit. In this episode, Nick reflects on his early career trading commodities in post Soviet Russia, the unlikely origins of Moonpig, and the period when even his own investors warned him to stop putting money into the business. From personalization as a competitive moat to the realities of organic growth, fundraising pressure, and selling a company, this conversation cuts through startup mythology and focuses on what actually sustains a business over decades. This is an essential listen for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, surviving near failure, building real businesses, and finding purpose after success. He discusses: ◽️ The early years in post Soviet Russia and lessons from trading ◽️ How Moonpig was born and the period it nearly failed ◽️ Why personalization and organic growth built a defensible business ◽️ Lessons from Dragon’s Den and common founder mistakes ◽️ Selling Moonpig for £120M and finding purpose after the exit 00:00 Introduction and Nick Jenkins background 02:16 Studying Russian and early career in Russia 08:45 Trading, culture, and competitive advantage 13:54 Choosing entrepreneurship over traditional careers 17:09 Organic growth vs venture capital 23:59 Lessons from Dragon’s Den investing 29:25 Distribution, media, and owning the customer 39:49 The origins of Moonpig and near failure 42:49 Selling Moonpig and finding purpose after exit 45:24 Final advice on entrepreneurship as a career Nick Jenkins: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-jenkins1/ Harvey Bracken-Smith: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/harveybsmith ◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/harveybsmith_ ◽️ Newsletter: https://personable.substack.com/ ◽️ Website: https://www.personable.media/ Personable Podcast: ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/personable.podcast ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast ◽️ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@personableclips ◽️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api ◽️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111 Additional: ◽️ Fundraising: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org/donate 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. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Support the show

Send a text Robert Karas, Chief Investment Officer at Bank Gutmann with over 30 years of investing experience, joins Personable to unpack why investors panic, how emotions quietly destroy returns, and what long term success in markets actually requires. In this episode, Robert shares lessons from living through bubbles, crashes, and severe drawdowns, explaining why investor behavior matters more than intelligence or strategy. From confirmation bias and media noise to portfolio construction and discipline, this conversation focuses on the psychological side of investing that determines outcomes over decades. This is an essential listen for anyone trying to understand investor psychology, market fear, and how to stay rational during periods of uncertainty. He discusses: ◽️ Why investors panic and sell at the worst moments ◽️ How emotions and confirmation bias destroy returns ◽️ Lessons from bubbles, crashes, and major drawdowns ◽️ Long term investing vs short term speculation ◽️ Position sizing, discipline, and staying invested 00:00 Introduction and Robert Karas background 01:47 How Robert first got into investing 04:58 The danger of get rich quick mindsets 08:36 Early losses and learning the hard way 12:14 Long term compounding vs short term trading 16:52 Investor psychology and emotional decision making 21:09 Media noise, headlines, and confirmation bias 26:03 Technology, AI, and investing skepticism 31:41 Portfolio construction and position sizing 37:18 Concentration risk and drawdowns 43:07 Why investors sell at the worst moments 49:26 Managing fear during market crashes 55:42 Advice for young investors and careers 1:01:08 Listening, learning, and long term thinking 1:06:37 Legacy, reflection, and final takeaways Robert Karas: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertkaras/ Harvey Bracken-Smith: ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/harveybsmith ◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/harveybsmith_ ◽️ Newsletter: https://personable.substack.com/ ◽️ Website: https://www.personable.media/ Personable Podcast: ◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/personable.podcast ◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast ◽️ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@personableclips ◽️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api ◽️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111 Additional: ◽️ Fundraising: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org/donate 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. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Support the show