The Curve

The Curve Platform

The Curve is a platform to learn more about money. To change the stereotype that these conversations are typically boring, and only for men in suits. Victoria has worked in the finance and investing world for 13 years, and Sophie is a total novice. Learn alongside her as she asks all the questions you're thinking, but might feel a little embarrassed to ask. This podcast will give you all the tools and knowledge to achieve financial freedom, as well as (hopefully) having a laugh along the way. New episodes every Monday and Wednesday!  Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice

  1. How to Invest Without Ignoring Your Values.

    21 HR AGO

    How to Invest Without Ignoring Your Values.

    This week, Soph sits down with Lily from Pathfinder (https://pathfinder.kiwi/) to untangle the delightfully messy world of ethical investing aka, what happens when your money wants to grow, but your conscience would also like a word. Lily shares her own money story, from growing up in a household where “ordinary” was basically a swear word, to becoming the main earner in her family, to realising that financial independence is about so much more than just having cash in the bank. Together, they unpack why women are so drawn to values-led investing, why “good” and “profitable” don’t have to be mortal enemies, and how to think critically about tricky investing dilemmas like Tesla, tech companies, weapons, climate, conflict and greenwashing. It’s thoughtful, nuanced, occasionally existential, and proof that money and morals can sit at the same table, even if they argue over the bill. 👉 Got a money-and-morals dilemma? Submit your ethical investing question to our Ethical Hotline for Lily to unpack (https://form.typeform.com/to/BZHujjGM). Credits: Host: Sophie Hallwright Guest: Lily Richards Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro ⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠ For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction to the episode 00:01:51 Meet Lily from Pathfinder 00:05:37 Lily’s personal money story 00:12:31 Lily’s career journey 00:16:31 The moment things clicked 00:20:54 What financial independence really means 00:23:14 Lily’s unique family setup 00:27:37 How ethics shaped Lily’s life 00:30:26 Why ethical investing feels so complicated 00:36:19 When an investment no longer feels right 00:39:30 Primary vs secondary markets, explained 00:42:42 How to decide if an investment aligns with your values 00:47:48 Simple ways to reflect on your values 00:52:33 Submit your money and morals questions 00:57:07 Thank you for listening! 00:57:32 Financial disclaimer Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

    1hr 17min
  2. Frances Cook on Why You Don’t Need to Be Perfect With Money.

    22 APR

    Frances Cook on Why You Don’t Need to Be Perfect With Money.

    Frances Cook knows a ridiculous amount about money, but in this episode, she proves that knowing the rules and living them perfectly are two very different things. We get into the real stuff: the money habits shaped by childhood, the scarcity mindset that lingers long after your bank balance changes, why financial independence matters so much in relationships, and how she actually manages her money behind the scenes. There’s talk of KiwiSaver revelations, index funds, business risks, “enough” numbers, and the fact that sometimes even the finance gurus are just out here winging it with a direct debit and a dream. If you’ve ever felt like you should be better with money by now, this is the reset: it’s not about perfection, it’s about direction. Frances’ Links Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/) Website (https://www.francescook.co.nz/) YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@MakingCentsPod/videos) Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/2xL5BpCt2pKJDlPN0SgbCc) TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknz) Substack (https://substack.com/@francescooknz) Credits: Host: Sophie Hallwright Guest: Frances Cook Editor: Lana Byrne Producer: Emily Rigby Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro ⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠ For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ Chapters 00:00:00 Coming up in this episode… 00:00:56 Welcoming Frances 00:03:21 Frances’ money story 00:11:11 The moment pay rises stopped feeling enough 00:13:28 The KiwiSaver switch that changed everything 00:17:13 Why money mindset matters more than people think 00:20:00 How Frances thinks about splitting her money 00:24:32 How she manages money with her husband 00:32:16 Frances’ investing strategy explained 00:39:29 Why she avoids crypto 00:43:19 What “enough” looks like for Frances 00:50:51 The reality of building a business with her husband 00:54:28 Frances’ quick-fire money advice 00:55:13 Where to follow Frances 00:55:27 Thank you for listening 00:55:52 Financial disclaimer Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

    56 min
  3. We Owe You an Apology.

    12 APR

    We Owe You an Apology.

    We start this episode with a public apology… and that’s all we’re saying on that for now. Once we’ve addressed the situation, Vic and Soph get into what’s actually moving markets this week: oil prices swinging wildly as ceasefire hopes creep in, why airline stocks are suddenly perking up, and the slightly chaotic world of prediction markets (aka: investing or betting… still unclear). They also break down why Universal Music is catching takeover attention (turns out owning Taylor Swift’s back catalogue is a pretty nice business), how weight loss pills could send the GLP-1 trend into overdrive (and boost a whole bunch of unexpected industries along the way), and why Elon Musk vs OpenAI is shaping up to be the courtroom drama no one asked for but everyone will watch…. strap on in! WTF does that mean? A guide to all the jargony bits: Stagflation – High prices + low growth. Economy = struggling. Prediction Markets – Betting (sorry… “investing”) on future outcomes. Insider Trading – Making money from secret info. Very illegal. Takeover – One company buying another. Big money moves. Shareholder – Someone who owns a piece of a company. Royalty Revenue – Earn money every time something’s used (like a song). Hedge Fund – High-risk investing aiming for big returns. Long / Short – Long = wins if it goes up. Short = wins if it goes down. GLP-1 Drugs – Weight loss drugs turned investing trend. Forward-Looking Markets – Markets move on future expectations, not now. Credits: Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie Hallwright Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro ⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠ For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ Chapters 00:00:00 Coming up in this episode... 00:01:12 We Need to Apologise… 00:04:14 Watch us on YouTube! 00:06:01 War, Oil & What It Means for Markets 00:20:22 Why Universal Music Is in Play 00:33:05 The GLP-1 Boom Just Got Bigger 00:40:13 Musk vs OpenAI Begins 00:43:51 We’ve Decided the New Schedule! 00:45:05 Thanks for Listening! 00:45:43 Financial Disclaimer Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

    46 min
  4. A Beginner’s Guide to Crypto, With Industry Expert Danielle Lukins.

    8 APR

    A Beginner’s Guide to Crypto, With Industry Expert Danielle Lukins.

    If you’ve ever thought “I should probably understand crypto… but I have no idea where to start”, this episode is for you.  Sophie sits down with Danielle Lukins, founder of Crush Circle (https://crushcircle.com/applynow?utm_source=Substack) and a trusted crypto educator and expert to break everything down in a way that actually makes sense, even if you’re a total beginner. They cover what crypto is (in plain English), the difference between Bitcoin and other coins like Ethereum, Solana and XRP, and why people are starting to see this as a serious investment. Danielle explains how crypto works, what blockchain actually means, and the real-life ways it could change things like banking, payments, and moving money globally (this part = slightly mind-blowing). They also get into how crypto goes up and down, why it moves in cycles, and why some people think now could be an interesting time to start learning (and potentially investing) while prices are lower. Plus: where to start, how to keep it simple, common beginner mistakes, and how to build confidence without going all in. Danielle’s Links Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/cryptocrushshow/) CrushCircle.com (https://crushcircle.com/applynow?utm_source=Substack) LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-lukins-944137234/) YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@CRYPTOCRUSHSHOW) Credits: Host: Sophie Hallwright Guest: Danielle Lukins Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro ⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠ For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ Chapters 00:00:00 Episode Introduction 00:02:49 Meet Danielle Lukins & Crush Circle 00:07:06 Crypto vs Bitcoin Explained 00:07:53 Danielle’s First Bitcoin Investment at 17 00:14:05 Why Crypto Is Male-Dominated 00:16:44 What Crypto Actually Is (and How It Works) 00:19:35 Understanding Different Cryptocurrencies 00:21:52 Borrowing Money Using Crypto 00:26:24 The Future of Crypto 00:30:39 How to Start Investing in Crypto 00:33:47 The Role of Bitcoin 00:35:26 Why Bitcoin Is So Volatile 00:39:32 Danielle’s Outlook on Bitcoin 00:48:18 How Danielle Buys and Sells Crypto 00:50:14 Where to Buy Crypto 00:51:51 Common Beginner Mistakes 00:53:24 Why Danielle Focuses on Education 00:54:33 How to Stay Up to Date 00:56:31 Thank You For Listening! 00:56:56 Financial Disclaimer Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

    57 min
  5. How Much Is “Enough”, with Simran Kaur.

    1 APR

    How Much Is “Enough”, with Simran Kaur.

    What does “enough” actually look like when it comes to money and why is it so weirdly hard to answer? In this episode, Sophie sits down with Friends That Invest (https://friendsthatinvest.com/) founder Simran Kaur to talk about growing up with a scarcity mindset, how our childhood shapes the way we spend and save, and why having more money doesn’t magically fix your relationship with it. Simran also breaks down how she built a seven-figure portfolio before 30, what’s actually in it, and the simple formula she uses to figure out her “enough number. Expect an honest conversation about money shame, investing, identity, the financial habits we inherit from our parents, and practical advice that might finally help you put a number on what “enough” looks like. Sim’s links: friendsthatinvest.com Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/friendsthatinvest/) YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@ms.simrankaur) Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/friends-that-invest/id1529887342) Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/4jWkbLYqVv93FjLkAcvZ1y?si=e044232efa4c424b) Credits: Host: Sophie Hallwright Guest: Simran Kaur Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro ⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠ For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ Chapters 00:00:00 Episode preview 00:01:05 Meet Simran Kaur 00:02:46 From optometry to building a business 00:06:22 How Sim got into investing 00:09:45 The start of Friends That Invest 00:12:29 Understanding your relationship with money 00:14:56 Sim’s earliest money memory 00:17:43 Moving from India to New Zealand 00:21:26 How Sim’s money mindset changed 00:25:02 What being “rich” really means to Sim 00:28:12 Sim’s first investment 00:29:33 Inside Sim’s investment portfolio 00:33:49 Private investing, angel deals and property 00:34:50 What does “enough” actually look like? 00:38:46 How to figure out your own “enough” number 00:41:56 Sophie calculates her number 00:44:22 Thank you for listening! 00:00:00 Financial disclaimer Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

    45 min
  6. Untangling Shared Property & Wealth After a Relationship, with Sarah Falanitule.

    25 MAR

    Untangling Shared Property & Wealth After a Relationship, with Sarah Falanitule.

    What happens when you’ve spent years building wealth and property alongside a partner, and then find yourself needing to untangle those assets and start again? In this episode, Sophie sits down with BNZ’s Sarah to talk about navigating shared finances when life takes an unexpected turn. They discuss the emotional side of separating assets, why making decisions sooner rather than later can help you regain financial control, and how leaning on your network can make the process far less overwhelming. The conversation also dives into practical property insights, from what first-home buyers often overlook (insurance, maintenance, and the real cost of home ownership) to what makes a strong investment property and the common pitfalls to watch for. Plus, Sarah shares how she’s rethinking her own wealth strategy, why she’s started diversifying into shares, and explains the concept of offset mortgages in a refreshingly simple way. And to wrap it all up, we end with a powerful poem that beautifully brings the episode full circle, reminding us that our financial choices are ultimately about how we choose to live our one wild and precious life. We’re proud to be partnering with BNZ, who know that home ownership isn’t a straight line. Sometimes life throws curveballs, and BNZ is all about supporting you through the hard stuff, not just the highlights. Whether you’re planning ahead or needing a bit more support right now, BNZ’s home loan experts have the tools and people ready to help you find a way. 👉 To learn more, head here. (https://www.bnz.co.nz/personal-banking/home-loans/mobile-mortgage-managers?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=spotify&utm_campaign=thecurve&utm_content=ep11) BNZ home loans are subject to our lending criteria (including minimum equity requirements), terms and fees. An establishment fee of up to $150 may apply. This podcast contains general information only – not financial or professional advice. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers and not necessarily BNZ. BNZ is not liable for any losses resulting from the content Credits: Host: Sophie Hallwright Guest: Sarah Falanitule Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro ⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠ For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ Chapters 00:00:00 Coming up in the episode... 00:03:01 BNZ x The Curve 00:04:03 Meet Sarah & what we’re diving into 00:05:20 The career moment that changed everything 00:09:16 Untangling property and assets with a partner 00:23:45 Rebuilding wealth on your own 00:26:21 Investing beyond property 00:42:00 Confidence knocks & rethinking your money strategy (plus Sarah’s mortgage setup) 00:46:31 First home vs investment property: what to know 00:48:06 Property mistakes Sarah wouldn’t make again 00:49:23 Tips for buying property right now 00:51:28 Setting yourself up for the life you actually want 00:54:09 A poem to bring it all together 00:56:45 Thank you for listening to The Property Podcast 00:58:19 Financial disclaimer Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

    59 min
  7. The brand no one saw coming back.

    22 MAR

    The brand no one saw coming back.

    Sophie’s away this week, so Vic is joined by the brilliant India Leishman, and honestly, she’s making a very convincing case for a permanent seat at the mic. Together they tackle the very un-sexy reality of rising oil prices and what that could mean for flights, groceries, inflation, and basically the cost of existing, before getting into Gap’s unexpected comeback story, the Jo Malone name-drama that sounds too wild to be true, and why Unilever seems to be betting big on beauty and wellness over your pantry staples. There’s also a helpful breakdown of stagflation for anyone who’s heard the word and nodded politely, plus some solid career advice for getting into finance. A slightly chaotic, very informative catch-up on what’s moving markets right now, and what it might mean for you. WTF does that mean? A guide to all the jargony bits: Stagflation – Slow economy + rising prices. Not a fun combo. Central Bank – Sets interest rates. Runs the money system. Interest Rates – Cost of borrowing. Higher = more expensive. Inflation – Prices go up, your money goes less far. Reporting Season – When companies reveal their results. Revenue – Money a company makes before costs. Share Price – What one share in a company costs. Stock Market – Where shares are bought and sold. Diversification – Spreading your money across investments. Spin-off – A company splitting off part of its business. Non-compete – Stops you starting a similar business. Renewable Energy – Energy that won’t run out (like wind/solar). Credits: Hosts: Victoria Harris & India Leishman Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro ⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠ For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome India! 00:03:56 Oil prices surge 00:20:41 Gap rebounds 00:27:14 Jo Malone vs Jo Malone 00:32:44 Unilever is side-eyeing its food business 00:39:36 Community Question 00:00:00 Thank you for listening to The Curve Weekly! 00:00:00 Financial Disclaimer Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

    47 min
  8. The New Investing Trend We’re Torn On…

    15 MAR

    The New Investing Trend We’re Torn On…

    This week we  get stuck into the rise of prediction markets: the internet’s latest obsession where people are literally putting money on future events and calling it “forecasting.” So… clever investing tool or just gambling in a blazer? 👉 CLICK HERE TO VOTE IN OUR POLL! (https://form.typeform.com/to/fQQYthvs) They also unpack why oil prices are shooting up, what that means for petrol, flights, inflation and basically everything else we spend money on, plus a surprisingly fascinating chat about loneliness as an economic trend and why solo living, solo dining and solo travel are becoming big business. Want to co-host next week’s Curve Weekly with Vic? Apply via the Curve Hotline (https://thecurveplatform.com/pages/the-curve-hotline) and tell us why you’d be a great fit (and where you’re based). Interested in working with Pete? Email us at hello@thecurveplatform.com and we’ll put you in touch! WTF does that mean? A guide to all the jargony bits: Prediction Markets – Platforms where people put money on whether future events will happen. Think betting… but on real-world outcomes. Commodities – Raw materials like oil, gold, or wheat that are traded globally. S&P 500 – An index tracking the 500 biggest companies in the US stock market. Analyst – Someone who studies economic data and companies to predict what might happen next. Insider Trading – Using secret, non-public information to make money in markets. Very illegal. ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) – A bundle of different investments you can buy in one go. Diversification – Spreading your money across different investments to reduce risk. Inflation – When prices go up and your money buys less. Renewable Energy – Energy from sources that don’t run out, like wind or solar. Defense Stocks – Companies that make military equipment or services governments buy. Credits: Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie Hallwright Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro ⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠ For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ Chapters 00:00:00 What’s coming up this week… 00:01:12 Want to co-host The Curve Weekly? 00:03:38 Prediction markets: investing or gambling? 00:22:32 Why oil prices are suddenly surging 00:34:14 The surprising economics of loneliness 00:40:37 Questions from the Curve Community 00:44:00 Thank you for listening! 00:44:38 Financial Disclaimer Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

    45 min

About

The Curve is a platform to learn more about money. To change the stereotype that these conversations are typically boring, and only for men in suits. Victoria has worked in the finance and investing world for 13 years, and Sophie is a total novice. Learn alongside her as she asks all the questions you're thinking, but might feel a little embarrassed to ask. This podcast will give you all the tools and knowledge to achieve financial freedom, as well as (hopefully) having a laugh along the way. New episodes every Monday and Wednesday!  Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice

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