The Curve

The Curve Platform
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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. Why now is never the right time to invest.

    11 hr ago

    Why now is never the right time to invest.

    This one is for anyone who has looked at the state of the world lately and thought: maybe I'll just wait until things settle down... Vic and Soph recently spoke at The London Business School and someone in the crowd asked this question… “Given the state of the world - wars, oil, tariffs etc... do you really think it’s a good time to be investing?” And honestly? We know a lot of you are feeling the same way. In this episode we went through the five biggest market crashes of the last 30 years. What actually happened? How long it took to recover? And why when the world is chaotic (like right now), you should be ignoring your instincts when it comes to investing! Soph is joined by Fran (a returning fan-favourite guest). She is a chartered accountant and finance director - the two look at the biggest market crashes the stock market has ever seen, and how to stay the course when every instinct is telling you to not invest right now. Whether you're brand new to investing or deep in the markets and quietly panicking, this one's a reminder that boring, consistent, and long-term strategy always wins. Watch the first episode with Fran here. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlyVoMAasjI&t=407s) 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) Thanks so much to Generate for making this episode possible. Generate has a really impressive 10-year track record, to find out more about their performance click here: generatekiwisaver.co.nz/performance. But remember, a great track record doesn’t guarantee future returns! If you’d like to speak to an advisor, to see if Generate is right for you, you can book time with someone here: generatekiwisaver.co.nz/curve Generate’s Product Disclosure Statement and Financial Advice Provider License can be found here: GenerateKiwiSaver.co.nz/disclosures.  Credits: Host: Sophie Hallwright Guest: Martha Stewish Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro ⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠ (https://thecurveplatform.com/pages/the-curve-hotline) For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ (https://thecurveplatform.com/) ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/thecurveplatform/)⁠⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠ (https://youtube.com/@thecurveplatform?si=nlCWqqqySWOzYlj3) ⁠TikTok⁠⁠ (https://www.tiktok.com/@thecurveplatform)⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ (https://thecurve.co.nz/pages/sign-up-to-the-curve-weekly) Substack (https://thecurveplatform.substack.com/) Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome back, Fran! 00:02:59 The question from London Business School that started it all 00:04:04 Getting your investing mindset right (and why your time horizon is everything) 00:12:06 30 years of the stock market, by the numbers 00:16:31 What does a "crash" actually mean? 00:17:38 The dot-com bubble 00:20:32 The Global Financial Crisis 00:27:58 The COVID crash 00:29:41 The Ukraine war & inflation 00:35:33 Liberation Day & the tariffs 00:36:34 The best thing you can do? Absolutely nothing. 00:41:52 Fran's pension: £48k in, £115k out 00:46:09 On FOMO and why it's your biggest investing enemy 00:53:47 Final thoughts 00:55:45 Thank you for listening! 00:56:12 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. *Morningstar KiwiSaver Survey March Quarter End 2026. The Generate Focused Growth Fund returns have ranked in the top three of NZ Multi Sector Aggressive Category Funds for 10 year returns every quarter since becoming eligible in June 2023. Most recently the fund ranked 2nd out of 10 funds for 10 year returns to 31 March 2026.

    57 min
  2. The Fifa World Cup has a new rule. It's called pay your child support.

    3 days ago

    The Fifa World Cup has a new rule. It's called pay your child support.

    Argentina handed the US a list of 130,000 child support debtors and said: don't let them into the World Cup. Soph and Vic break down why this is so much bigger than football. They also get into 10 years of Brexit and what it's actually cost the average person in wages, housing, and political chaos. Plus, SpaceX has fallen 25% since it IPO'd and Vic didn't buy it. One day before trading, it received the lowest possible ESG rating, all because Elon Musk has almost full decision making control. And the community question this week: you've just got a pay rise. How much should actually go into investments? How to negotiate a payrise with Meggie Palmer: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2wU2as6IcT2g1Q3b8gZsoF?si=7933f108bbe0421e The Art of Asking for More (and Getting It), with Meggie Palmer: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4hEtjvU07tsIcXH16FX3GR?si=22a7b400665b4de4 Submit your money and morals question to The Ethical Hotline: https://form.typeform.com/to/BZHujjGM and if you want to check out any of the questions we've already answered you can find them here! (https://pathfinder.kiwi/pathfinder-x-the-curve/) Credits: Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie Hallwright Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro Editor: Isabella Reeve ⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠ For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ (https://thecurveplatform.com/) ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/thecurveplatform/)⁠⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠ (https://youtube.com/@thecurveplatform?si=nlCWqqqySWOzYlj3) ⁠TikTok⁠⁠ (https://www.tiktok.com/@thecurveplatform)⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ (https://thecurve.co.nz/pages/sign-up-to-the-curve-weekly) Substack (https://thecurveplatform.substack.com/) Chapters 00:00:00 Coming up in this episode… 00:01:18 Pathfinder x The Curve 00:01:44 The UK heatwave's billion-dollar economic impact 00:06:44 Brexit: 10 years on and the economic damage revealed 00:20:35 Pathfinder x The Curve 00:21:34 SpaceX IPO 00:30:48 Argentina's FIFA World Cup rule 00:36:18 Community question: What to do with a 40k pay rise 00:41:32 Thank you for listening! 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.

    43 min
  3. The Honest Truth About Buying Property With Someone You Love.

    24 Jun

    The Honest Truth About Buying Property With Someone You Love.

    Buying property with a partner is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make, but most couples spend more time choosing the kitchen tiles than figuring out what happens if things go wrong. Holly Egerton is a property lawyer who has bought (and navigated the aftermath of) two properties with two different partners. She brings both the personal experience and the legal knowledge, and the combination makes for one of the most honest conversations we've had on this podcast. This conversation is about what most couples never discuss: what happens to the house if the relationship ends, what a prenup actually is (and why you already have one whether you know it or not), and how property can quietly become the reason you stay in a relationship longer than you should. If you're buying with a partner, thinking about it, or just want to understand how to protect yourself financially, this one is worth your full attention. Listen to part one with Holly here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1IlXIaBpV5gidULo4GxB4l?si=9b0fe5b041164b91 Submit your anonymous property curveball story here: https://form.typeform.com/to/DQf0F07b Want to get your own affairs in order? Holly at Succession NZ can help with everything from wills to trust formations. Use code THECURVE at checkout on Succession.nz for a special discount. Holly’s links Succession.nz Instagram TikTok 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. BNZ home loans are subject to BNZ’s lending criteria (including minimum equity requirements), terms and fees. An establishment fee of up to $150 may apply. Credits: Host: Sophie Hallwright Guest: Holly Egerton Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro ⁠⁠ Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠ (https://thecurveplatform.com/pages/the-curve-hotline) For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/thecurveplatform/) ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ (https://thecurveplatform.com/) ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/thecurveplatform/)⁠⁠⁠ (https://youtube.com/@thecurveplatform?si=nlCWqqqySWOzYlj3) ⁠YouTube⁠⁠ (https://youtube.com/@thecurveplatform?si=nlCWqqqySWOzYlj3)⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.tiktok.com/@thecurveplatform) ⁠TikTok⁠⁠ (https://www.tiktok.com/@thecurveplatform)⁠⁠⁠ (https://thecurve.co.nz/pages/sign-up-to-the-curve-weekly) ⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ (https://thecurve.co.nz/pages/sign-up-to-the-curve-weekly) 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.

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

    27 May

    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
  5. SpaceX Is Set to Be the Biggest IPO in History.

    24 May

    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
  6. Why there's no episode today.

    13 May

    Why there's no episode today.

    We recorded an episode this week, edited it, and were ready to publish, then realised we hadn't done the topic justice. This is a short explanation of why we paused, and an open invitation to share your experience so we can cover this topic properly. If you'd like to share your experience or perspective, please feel free to leave a comment wherever youre listening or watching, you can email us at hello@thecurveplatform.com (mailto:hello@thecurveplatform.com), leave a voice note on the Curve Hotline (https://thecurveplatform.com/pages/the-curve-hotline?srsltid=AfmBOopCf5wEepE-DTLGLkXkjbftJnk4kAfWjqM8BwMJV2KGhPeDEEoq), or DM us on any of our socials. 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 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.

    4 min
  7. 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
  8. 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
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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

Information

  • Creator
    The Curve Platform
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    396
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Curve Platform
  • Show Website
    The Curve

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