In this episode, Todd Simkin, a trader at Susquehanna International Group (SIG), shares insights into the making of great traders. Topics include navigating challenges in trading, trader development programs, the evolution of trading, educating and improving traders, developing trading skills and mindset, overconfidence and overreliance on intuition, and the importance of different views and communication in trading.

Jonny Matthews, ex hedge fund trader, shares his journey and wisdom in the finance industry. He discusses the importance of macroeconomic factors, forming independent opinions, and taking risks. He reflects on the 2008 financial crisis and trading strategy, emphasizes the significance of macro considerations in trading, and shares cautionary advice for trading in Japan. His blended approach to trading, focusing on futures, outright positions, and options, is also highlighted.

This week we talk with Robert Van Eyden, author of Badass Trader. Robert discusses the challenges and mindsets of traders in the market, the evolution of technical analysis, the importance of risk management and adaptability, the significance of trading approach and mindset, the danger of information overload, the impact of a terrible trade, and the importance of keeping trading simple.

Life, markets and trading, often tries to wear you down, challenging your confidence, and shattering your self-belief. This week's guest on the AlphaMind Podcast takes us on a unique journey, deviating from our usual guests. Once you hear what she has to say, you'll hopefully recognise its relevance not only to your trading but also to much broader and deeper aspects of your work and life.Maria Iliffe-Wood is a seasoned Executive Coach and specialist in Leadership Development. She is the author of two books, one aimed at coaches, focusing on developing their coaching presence, a vital skill in coaching and other high-performance fields. However, it's her recently published second book, 'A Caged Mind,' that inspired us to invite Maria to the AlphaMind podcast.At AlphaMind, our primary focus is  on  individuals who take on the role of traders, and other challenging high performance roles, in the complex and uncertain worlds they inhabit, and how they can bring the best of themselves to their work and these challenges. They face constant tests from the outside world which seek to expose their weaknesses, undermine their processes and behaviours, and attempting to hinder them from achieving the sort of high-performance they are potentially capable of.  This battle largely happens within them, and this is where the real battle for success happens.Maria's book delves into her own journey through life, grappling with her own challenges and life's trials. She shares her throughs and reflections on her travails, from the perspective of someone who has come through her difficult challenges, and emerged on the other side, a stronger, better and far happier person for it. Maria's story is all of our stories, and thus encourages introspection about one's own life journey and the obstacles faced. Her experiences can be applied to you and your own work, enabling you to embrace to reflect upon how you can embrace you own innate wisdom and bring it to every aspect of your professional life.The full title of Maria's book is: "A Caged Mind: How Spiritual Understanding Changed a Life". It can be purchased on Amazon at this link here.To find out more about Maria, and her work supporting and helping writers, visit her website at https://www.iliffe-wood.co.uk/________________________________________________________________________________________________AlphaMind: Powering Performance in Global MarketsAlphaMind brings powerful change, growth and development to people and businesses within global markets.Driven by a deep understanding of how markets work, and how people and businesses function within them, we partner with clients to create personal performance improvements that elevate returns across their trading activities.Go to the AlphaMind website to know more.

In this captivating podcast episode, Co-host Steven Goldstein delves into the intriguing world of trading and markets, offering insightful thoughts and reflections. Drawing from his extensive experience spanning nearly four decades, Steven explores what the markets truly need from you as a trader in order for it to emerge victorious, at the expense of you the trader.Prepare to embark on a journey deep into the intricacies of the 'Inner Game' of trading. Steven's wealth of knowledge and expertise, acquired through his roles as a trader at the forefront of markets and as a performance coach working closely with traders from various market segments, enables him to provide a unique and enlightening perspective.Throughout the episode, listeners gain exclusive access to Steven's valuable insights, shaped by his unwavering proximity to the pulse of markets, and which also provides us with a glimpse of some of the topics and themes, covered in his new book, 'Mastering the Mental Game of Trading', which will be released in January 2024. Whether you're an experienced trader or someone fascinated by the intricate workings of financial markets, this episode promises to captivate your attention and offer a fresh understanding of the complex dynamics at play within traders, as they tackle the challenge of the markets. AlphaMind: Powering Performance in Global MarketsAlphaMind brings powerful change, growth and development to people and businesses within global markets.Driven by a deep understanding of how markets work, and how people and businesses function within them, we partner with clients to create personal performance improvements that elevate returns across their trading activities.Go to the AlphaMind website to know more.

Clive Ponsonby graduated from Cambridge University as a Mathematician and then ventured into the dynamic and unpredictable world of Spot FX trading in the 1990s. This move was unconventional for someone with a highly academic background, transitioning to an environment dominated by fast-paced, streetwise, and quick-witted traders, many of whom hailed from non-academic backgrounds.Clive developed a deep passion for this wild world and quickly applied his own skills and abilities to excelling in this space. Over the next two decades, Clive thrived in FX trading, securing positions at some of the world's leading Investment Banks. His journey started at Bankers Trust, a renowned hub of trading talent in the 1980s and 1990s, followed by the Swiss Banking giant UBS, and finally culminating at JP Morgan, where he served as an Executive Director of FX trading until his departure from the banking world in 2018.In this interview, Clive candidly shares his experiences as a trader, delving into the challenges of applying various types of analysis in the trading process. He also explores the essential mindset, behaviours, and attitudes necessary for effective analysis in trading, while expressing his passion for the exhilarating trading floor atmosphere, particularly during significant events like the monthly Non-Farm Payrolls.Clive recounts some fascinating stories from across his career in major market-making roles, trading spot FX, forward FX, non-deliverable forwards, and rates products for various banks, including JP Morgan where he led a global team across three different time zones. Clive still trades on his own account, he also provides outstanding regular research as a currency fellow at ‘Hedder’, where he contributes exceptional research as a currency fellow at 'Hedder,' providing high-quality analysis of currency markets. Hedder provide world-beating institutional-quality research which is available both to retail investors and high-end market, assisting them in making well-informed trading decisions. You can find out more about Hedder and the research work he does there at this link.AlphaMind: Powering Performance in Global MarketsAlphaMind brings powerful change, growth and development to people and businesses within global markets.Driven by a deep understanding of how markets work, and how people and businesses function within them, we partner with clients to create personal performance improvements that elevate returns across their trading activities.Go to the AlphaMind website to know more.

In the enticing world of trading, where money, glory, and glamour beckon, millions are drawn each year, hoping to strike it rich. Yet, only a fraction ever truly succeed, and even those who do often emerge battered, bruised, and occasionally traumatized.In this week's podcast, we have the privilege of speaking with someone who has traversed the unpredictable landscape of trading, enduring numerous ups and downs along the way. Meet David Hale, a seasoned proprietary trader with over two decades of experience. David's firsthand account is chronicled in his self-published book, 'Cash Rules: Reminiscences of a Prop Trader.' Unlike the glossy portrayal often associated with trading, David presents an unvarnished and honest perspective.During our conversation, David delves into the dizzying heights of triumph and the heart-wrenching lows of failure, recounting tales of immense gains and devastating losses. He fearlessly explores the depths of despair and the arduous journey to recovery. Additionally, David generously shares his insights and experiences on how one can truly make money in the world of prop trading. His refreshingly candid book sets the tone for our conversation, where authenticity takes center stage.David bravely acknowledges his own flaws and candidly discusses how they have often exacted a toll over the years. It's a rarity to encounter a trader willing to confront their weaknesses head-on. However, we all possess our own imperfections, and it is those who acknowledge and comprehend how these flaws impact their trading that tend to have a far greater chance of success.If you're captivated by David's story, I encourage you to explore his book, 'Cash Rules: Reminiscences of a Prop Trader.' Available in both paperback and Kindle formats, it offers an insightful and thought-provoking read. To get your copy, simply visit this Amazon website link.You can follow David on his Twitter Account at https://twitter.com/CREAMtraderAlphaMind: Powering Performance in Global MarketsAlphaMind brings powerful change, growth and development to people and businesses within global markets.Driven by a deep understanding of how markets work, and how people and businesses function within them, we partner with clients to create personal performance improvements that elevate returns across their trading activities.Go to the AlphaMind website to know more.

In this episode, we dive deep into the concept of 'Radical Responsibility' with Mandi Rafsanjani, a performance coach who specializes in trading psychology. Mandi defines Radical Responsibility as an extreme form of accountability, where one takes full ownership of their actions and the outcomes, even in the face of external events beyond their control. Mandi first came across this concept while working with trading legend Linda Raschke, who demonstrated exceptional resilience and adaptability in dealing with setbacks - a common occurrence in the world of trading. Inspired by Linda's approach, discusses with us how practicing Radical Responsibility can help traders develop the emotional fitness required to navigate the highs and lows of the market.In this vibrant conversation, we explore the nuances of Radical Responsibility and its relevance to trading, and its connections to building self-awareness, developing a mindset for high performance trading, and reframing challenges as opportunities for learning and growth.Whether you're a trader or not, the concept of Radical Responsibility has something to offer in terms of taking ownership of your life and achieving your goals. So join us as we explore this powerful mindset and how it can revolutionise your approach to trading. And if you're interested in learning more about Mandi Rafsanjani and her Performance Coaching services, check out her website at these links:https://www.highperformancetrading.com.au/https://www.tradingpsychology.com.au/ You can also follow or connect with Mandi on Twitter @MPX_TraderAlphaMind: Powering Performance in Global MarketsAlphaMind brings powerful change, growth and development to people and businesses within global markets.Driven by a deep understanding of how markets work, and how people and businesses function within them, we partner with clients to create personal performance improvements that elevate returns across their trading activities.Go to the AlphaMind website to know more.

This week’s AlphaMind podcast episode on fear and greed in trading features a true expert on the subject - Dr. Ken Long. Though retired from the US Army after 25 years’ service where he attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Ken is still actively teaching as an Associate Professor at US Army Command & General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He is currently supervising multiple master’s theses focused on applying AI to military decision making. Ken's trading journey began in the 1990s when he started investing in mutual funds. Since then, he's become an exceptional big-picture thinker and tactical trader. He has also applied his love of trading, teaching, and inspiring others, by delivering a series of workshops for the Van Tharp Institute. But that's not all, Ken has also completed a Ph.D in Organisational Development, and teaches at several universities including Colorado Tech University and City University, Seattle. Aside from being a teacher, student, and active trader, Ken is also a proud father of three, a husband, a martial artist, and youth football coach. But it's his insights on fear and greed in trading that share with you in this podcast. In our hour and a half interview, Ken shares his views, genius, and wisdom on the topic in a way that is sure to inspire and enlighten. You can find out more about Ken Long at his website Tortoise Capital Management You can follow him on Linkedin hereAlphaMind: Powering Performance in Global MarketsAlphaMind brings powerful change, growth and development to people and businesses within global markets.Driven by a deep understanding of how markets work, and how people and businesses function within them, we partner with clients to create personal performance improvements that elevate returns across their trading activities.Go to the AlphaMind website to know more.

In this episode, we chat with Cory Mitchell, who has been a successful prop trader for some twenty years. Cory shares his reflections on the development of what it takes to deliver consistent and profitable trading results over a long period of time, and he offers some invaluable thoughts on trading and dealing with the challenges of making decisions in the moment and coping with those voices in our heads that can hold us back. Cory started trading with a local prop firm in Canada, after graduating college two decades ago. Helping to pave the way for others in the trading world, he's written extensively on the subject, been a regular contributor on Investopedia and has also coached traders.In this episode of the podcast, we discuss psychological aspects of trading and strategies that can be implemented to overcome such obstacles. His honest and powerful reflections on what it takes to sustain a successful career as a trader have resulted in an incredible interview with plenty of valuable information for all types of traders from any market.You can find out more about Cory and his training and mentoring business for traders Trade That Swing at https://tradethatswing.com/You can follow Cory on Twitter at https://twitter.com/corymitc________________________________________________________________________________________AlphaMind Podcast Sponsor: The Society of Technical Analysts (The STA):The Society of Technical Analysts provide world beating technical analysis education programmes and offer outstanding membership services with regular talks and meetings. Their Home Study Course is based on the Diploma Programme they deliver to students at the London School of Economics and has been created by many of the leading minds in the field of technical analysis.AlphaMind Podcast listeners can obtain a 10% discount on the Society of Technical Analysts world-beating Home Study Course at this link: bit.ly/3r3TawOAlphaMind LinksTwitter: Steve Goldstein - Mark RandallTo know more: https://linktr.ee/AlphaMind101Our Newsletter: https://alphamind101.substack.com/AlphaMind: Powering Performance in Global MarketsAlphaMind brings powerful change, growth and development to people and businesses within global markets.Driven by a deep understanding of how markets work, and how people and businesses function within them, we partner with clients to create personal performance improvements that elevate returns across their trading activities.Go to the AlphaMind website to know more.