The Curve

The Curve Platform
  • 4.8 (301)
  • INVESTING
  • UPDATED FORTNIGHTLY

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. What Olivia Dean reveals about the music economy.

    1 DAY AGO

    What Olivia Dean reveals about the music economy.

    This week, we’re doing what any normal finance podcast would do after seeing Olivia Dean live: immediately investigating her business model. From billion-stream hits to sold-out O2 shows, merch, brand deals and the very juicy question of who actually makes the money behind your favourite artist, we unpack how pop stardom turns into serious cash. We also look at the London Marathon’s massive boost to the UK economy, why the UK’s financial glow-up is looking… less glow-y, what reporting season is telling us about AI, Amazon, Google and Microsoft, and the Lululemon boardroom drama that proves even leggings can come with corporate chaos. Plus, we answer a community question on what to do when you want to start investing but your bank account is giving “absolutely not x”. 👉 Want us to do a deeper dive on the economics of having fewer babies? Vote in the poll. (https://form.typeform.com/to/MaWNoNfz) WTF does that mean? A guide to all the jargony bits: Royalties – Money paid when music gets used. Tiny stream, tiny coin. Streaming revenue – Money made from Spotify, Apple Music etc. Billions of plays = actual cash. Record label – The company behind an artist’s music, marketing and distribution. Also: slice-taker. Endorsements – When brands pay famous people to make us want stuff. Shareholder – Someone who owns a bit of a company. Stock / Share – A tiny piece of company ownership. Fiscal drag – A sneaky tax rise via frozen tax brackets. Tax bracket – The income bucket that decides your tax rate. National Insurance – A UK tax for things like pensions and public services. Reporting season – Company report card time. B2B – Businesses selling to other businesses. Market cap – What the stock market thinks a company is worth. S&P 500 – 500 big US companies. FTSE 100 – 100 big UK companies. 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 (00:00:00) Coming up in this episode… (00:01:38) The business of Olivia Dean (00:13:23) Is the UK in a death spiral? (00:29:17) Big Tech’s report card (00:37:13) Lululemon’s identity crisis (00:44:36) The economics of having fewer babies (00:47:26) How to start investing when money feels tight (00:52:55) Thank you for listening! (00:53:33) 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.

    54 min
  2. Why Everyone Needs an Emergency Fund.

    5 DAYS AGO

    Why Everyone Needs an Emergency Fund.

    🌟 WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE 🌟 In this episode of IOU (Some Money Education), we’re talking all about emergency funds - what they are, why they matter, and how much you might want to have set aside. Lucy, Soph and Vic unpack the role an emergency fund can play when life throws something unexpected your way, whether that’s a sudden medical bill, needing to leave a living situation quickly, or covering an essential expense without relying on debt. They also chat through where to keep your emergency fund, how to start building one, and why having that financial buffer can make you feel more in control. Along the way, there are also some memorable listener stories that show just how unpredictable “emergencies” can be. Check out IOU (The Practical Lessons) here: https://thecurveplatform.com/ We’re proud to be partnering with BNZ. There’s an art to starting something new, and like any art form, you need the right tools to make it work. Whether you’re flatting, saving to travel, or making a career move, BNZ has the tools to help you master your money from the get-go. Credits: Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie Hallwright Guest: Lucy Blakiston 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 (00:00:00) Welcome to IOU (Some Money Education)!(00:00:40) Coming up in this episode…(00:01:42) BNZ x The Curve(00:02:09) In the Red or Green?(00:09:59) What is an emergency fund & how much do you need?(00:13:36) Where you should keep your emergency fund?(00:14:36) IOU an Answer(00:23:09) Cash & Burn(00:33:37) Extra Credit(00:37:59) Thank you for joining us for IOU (Some Money Education)(00:38:22) Thank you BNZ!(00:38:52) 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.

    39 min
  3. Claude just disrupted an entire industry.

    26 APR

    Claude just disrupted an entire industry.

    🌟 WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE 🌟 Claude Design just disrupted an entire industry, and markets reacted instantly. We break down what this AI launch actually means, why companies like Adobe and Figma took a hit, and where the opportunity could be for investors as money starts shifting fast. But first… The Curve has had a full rebrand (yes, we’re obsessed, yes we read every comment). Then we get into the oil situation that’s quietly escalating, prices doubling, supply uncertainty, and why this could tip the global economy toward a recession (and what that means for your portfolio). Next: Apple. Tim Cook is stepping down after 15 years, so what happens to one of the world’s most valuable companies now? Is this a risk moment for investors, or the start of a new growth phase? We also unpack why Primark is being spun off into its own company (and how that can unlock value for investors), before ending on Vic’s chaotic comedy night story… which proves not all risks are financial (but equally painful). WTF does that mean? A guide to all the jargony bits: Whipsaw Market – Prices going up and down fast. Chaotic energy. Global Recession – When the whole world’s economy slows down. Not ideal. Commodity – Raw stuff like oil or gold that gets traded globally. Supply Chain – How things get made and delivered. When it breaks = delays + higher prices. Share Price – The cost of owning a piece of a company. Market Cap – Total value of a company. Big number = big company. IPO – When a company hits the stock market for the first time. Valuation – What a company is believed to be worth. Spin-Off – When a company splits into two separate businesses. Subsidy – Government help to lower costs (you pay for it later in taxes). Recurring Revenue – Money a company earns on repeat (subscriptions etc). Investors = obsessed. 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.

    50 min
  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.

    🌟 WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE 🌟 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 (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. The Wild Economics of Bieberchella.

    19 APR

    The Wild Economics of Bieberchella.

    🌟 WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE 🌟 This week, we kick things off with a 9am tequila shot for Lucy’s probation pass (completely normal workplace behaviour, obviously), before diving headfirst into the business of Coachella, where Justin Bieber’s payday, festival profits, and the money machine behind live music all get unpacked. We also get into the truly bizarre Allbirds plot twist as the struggling sneaker brand pivots into AI, plus what the rise in women-owned businesses says about work, wealth, and why more women are deciding to back themselves instead. WTF does that mean? A guide to all the jargony bits: Monopoly – One company dominates the market. Convertible Loan – A loan that can turn into shares. Share Price – Cost of one share. Market Cap – Total value of a company. Sell-Off – Lots of people selling shares fast. Scalping – Buying tickets to resell for more. Monetisation – How a business makes money. Equity – Ownership in a company. 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 (00:00:00) Coming up in this episode…(00:00:56) A 9am tequila shot(00:07:29) Bieberchella and the business of Coachella(00:25:04) Allbirds’ wild pivot to AI(00:34:54) Why more women are backing themselves(00:43:20) A listener call-out (and our response)(00:52:09) Thank you for listening!(00:52:47) 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.

    53 min
  6. How Soph Bought her SECOND Investment Property!

    15 APR

    How Soph Bought her SECOND Investment Property!

    Soph is back with property guru, Peter West to break down the story behind her second investment property, and how she managed to buy it without putting down a brand-new deposit. In this episode, they walk through what actually happened after the first renovation: how the house was revalued, how equity can be released through refinancing, and how that money can be used to help fund the next property. They also unpack key concepts like gross yield, cash flow, and why buying well in the first place makes such a big difference to the outcome of a project. Along the way, Soph shares what surprised her most about going again so quickly, why the second renovation was a little more complicated than the first, and how the numbers ended up stacking up in the end. Peter also explains how they evaluate locations, what they look for in a property with renovation potential, and why buying in the right market at the right time can create opportunities to repeat the process again. If you’ve ever wondered how investors climb the property ladder, how equity actually works in practice, or what it takes to turn one property into two, this episode breaks down the process step by step. Interested in working with Peter? If you’d like to explore investing in property with Pete’s help, email us at hello@thecurveplatform.com and our team will point you in the right direction. Watch the first episode with Peter West Watch part two of the conversation We’ve partnered with BNZ because buying a home isn’t the same for everyone. Their Home Loan Partners can help you understand your options, including the TotalMoney home loan – which lets you use money in connected BNZ TotalMoney transactional accounts (parents can even link their own TotalMoney accounts to their children’s loan) to offset your mortgage and help you get mortgage free faster, while still keeping your money accessible. Whether you’ve got extra help or you’re going it alone, BNZ’s team is there to guide you from search to settlement.   👉 To learn more, head here. Account opening and lending criteria (including minimum equity requirements), terms and fees apply. A low equity premium and an establishment fee of up to $150 may apply. BNZ standard and TotalMoney T&Cs apply to TotalMoney transaction accounts. Details of our fees can be found in our Personal account, service, and facility fees brochure. You can connect up to 50 TotalMoney transaction accounts to one group. Credits: Host: Sophie Hallwright Guest: Peter West 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 (00:00:00) Coming up in this episode…(00:02:59) BNZ x The Curve(00:03:55) Recap: The First Property(00:15:10) How Refinancing Works(00:22:10) Buying Again: The Second Property(00:28:26) The Pros and Cons of Property Two(00:38:20) The Numbers Explained(00:41:28) Could There Be a Third Property?(00:45:14) Real Stories from Pete’s Clients(00:48:46) Your Questions Answered(00:52:31) Final Thoughts(00:53:53) Thank you for listening to The Property Podcast!(00:55:31) 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
  7. We Owe You an Apology.

    12 APR

    We Owe You an Apology.

    🌟 WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE 🌟 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 (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
  8. A Beginner’s Guide to Crypto, With Industry Expert Danielle Lukins.

    8 APR

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

    🌟 WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE 🌟 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 (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
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4.8
out of 5
301 Ratings

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

Information

  • Creator
    The Curve Platform
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    381
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Curve Platform
  • Show Website
    The Curve

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