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 Thursday! 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. Find Your Spending Pillars and Never Feel Guilty About Money Again.

    2 days ago

    Find Your Spending Pillars and Never Feel Guilty About Money Again.

    Most money advice tells you to spend less and save more. But what if the real answer is just spending better? This week Sophie sits down with Fran (aka Martha Stewish), chartered accountant and personal finance creator you're going to want to follow, to talk through one of the most practical frameworks we've covered on the show. We dig into how to figure out your authentic spending code: the personal values that should be driving every financial decision you make, and why ignoring them is probably why you feel stuck. We also get into why deprivation always backfires, how she saves 35% of her salary without feeling restricted, and the simple habit shifts that actually move the needle, whatever you're earning. This one will make you look at your bank statement completely differently. Fran’s links: Tiktok (https://www.tiktok.com/@martha30s) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/martha.stewish/) Substack (https://marthastewish.substack.com/) YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@martha.stewish) Credits: Host: Sophie Hallwright Guest: Martha Stewish Producer: Emily Rigby Editor: Isabella Reeve 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 Intro & Who is Fran (aka Martha)? 00:00:52 The Gap in Personal Finance Content 00:03:47 How Fran Thinks About Building Wealth 00:05:12 Growing Up With Frugal Fraser 00:06:24 What Is Your Authentic Spending Code? 00:08:49 Fran's Four Spending Pillars 00:12:44 Emotional Spending & Money Guilt 00:17:58 How Fran Balances Saving & Living 00:20:27 Blocking Out the Noise & The Rich Girl Wish List 00:27:34 Where Do You Start? 00:32:02 Quick Fire Questions 00:38:00 Thank You For Listening 00:38:24 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.

    39 min
  2. SpaceX Is Set to Be the Biggest IPO in History.

    5 days ago

    SpaceX Is Set to Be the Biggest IPO in History.

    This week Vic's flying solo (miss you Soph!!), and she's brought the big stories. SpaceX has officially filed to go public, and it could be the largest IPO in history at a $2 trillion valuation. But is the hype justified? Vic breaks down what SpaceX actually is, what you'd be buying, and how everyday investors can get involved. Plus, Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI gets thrown out of court in under two hours, and the reason why is more embarrassing than the loss itself. Shakira just won a €55 million tax battle with the Spanish government, and there are some surprisingly practical takeaways for anyone who spends time across different countries. And finally, the latest US jobs data tells a more complicated story than the headlines suggest, and what it really means for your career in the age of AI.  Back to regular programming next week! We're hiring a junior podcast editor based in London, if that's you (or someone you know), check out the full job description here. (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/thecur...) Wondering whether an investment actually lines up with your values? 👉 Submit your money and morals question to The Ethical Hotline: (https://form.typeform.com/to/BZHujjGM) WTF does that mean? A guide to all the jargony bits: NASDAQ – A US stock exchange. Basically where all the big tech companies live. Retail Investors – Everyday investors. You and me. Valuation – What people think a company is worth. Revenue – Money coming in. Not the same as profit. Statute of Limitations – Waited too long to sue? Case dismissed. Tax Resident – The country that gets to tax you. Dividends – Getting paid just for owning shares. The 4% Rule – Withdraw 4% a year in retirement and your money should last 30 years. 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... 00:01:05 Pathfinder x The Curve 00:01:35 The Space X IPO 00:12:06 Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI: case closed 00:15:29 Pathfinder x The Curve 00:16:28 How Shakira beat a €55 million tax bill 00:20:19 Is AI actually killing jobs? The truth is complicated 00:25:39 Community question: Can you really retire on dividends alone? 00:28:27 Thank you for listening! 00:29:06 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.

    30 min
  3. How to Invest Without Ignoring Your Values.

    6 May

    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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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

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 Thursday! 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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