The Curve

🌟 WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE 🌟At 10, Devika was doing night shifts caring for her nan. Fast-forward and she’s one of the tiny handful of female CEOs on the NASDAQ, building life-changing dementia tech while anonymous investors critique… her handbags. In this episode, she shares the real story behind her “why”: caring for her grandma, building a booming care startup, being bullied out of the business she created, surviving an abusive relationship, sobbing on Old Street while her face covered every Tube station, and then - plot twist - meeting the love of her life in Ibiza wearing five-day-old underwear. We dig into resilience, misogyny, motherhood, leadership, and her mission to transform dementia care for every family. It’s raw, heartfelt, unexpectedly funny, and a hug for anyone who’s ever thought, “I don’t know if I can get up again.”(We do touch on domestic abuse, grief and mental health - please listen gently.)Devika’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devikawood/?originalSubdomain=ukAyla Care: https://www.ayla-care.com/Women in Health: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wealth-women-in-health🚗 Thinking about a new car but not ready to drop the cash all at once? Our mini-episode with Lexus explains car financing in plain English (and yes, we made it fun): ⁠https://youtu.be/klxsa-upYH4?si=mStDjeNaPWvERlt_ Credits:Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie HallwrightProducer & Editor: Emily RigbySocial & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Investing Club⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠(00:00:00) Episode Preview(00:01:12) Quick Disclaimer(00:01:23) The Curve x Lexus(00:02:24) Who is Devika Wood?(00:09:12) Devika’s Grandma & Her ‘Why’(00:17:16) Co-Founding Vida at 26(00:30:27) Rock Bottom(00:34:15) The biggest Learning Devika Has Had(00:40:52) Devika’s Mission Now(00:41:54) Devika’s Message to Mums(00:44:36) Thank You For Listening!(00:45:01) Financial DisclaimerDisclaimer: 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.

🌟 WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE 🌟The Economist recently dropped an article called The Cost of Dating Your Boss, and naturally we had to dive into the juicy numbers: from why dating upwards can boost your salary to why the breakup can cost you big time. But before we get into workplace romance economics, there’s plenty more on the agenda: Nvidia’s highly anticipated result and what it means for the AI hype cycle, Warren Buffett suddenly going off-brand and splashing billions on Google, the world’s first Hermès handbag hedge fund (finally, an investment we can emotionally justify), and the UK’s ticket-resale ban that’s already hammering StubHub and Viagogo. And of course, we still manage to squeeze in Vic’s birthday celebrations, a wildly unhinged clothing haul confession, and even a surprise call from a listener on the Curve Hotline. Buckle up, it’s a big week and we cover a lot.Episodes mentioned in this podcast:The art of making money from handbags, with Meg Randell: https://youtu.be/5E3KEAxbUj0?si=MtHwZn9JtjtAZXudGoogle’s Chief Technologist on the Future We’re All Heading Toward: https://youtu.be/kQ3dKKSFbWI?si=S0lZb-pndYtqrmQZWTF does that mean? A guide to all the jargony bits:Financial Results – A company’s money report card.Forward-Looking – Share prices based on vibes about the future.Taking Profits – Cashing in while you’re ahead.Diversification – Not putting all your money in one basket.Exuberance – The market getting a bit too hyped.Bubble – Prices inflated by excitement… until they pop.Hedge Fund – A riskier, spicier investment fund.Shorting – Betting something will drop.Withdrawing Guidance – “We actually have no idea what’s happening.”Credits:Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie HallwrightProducer & Editor: Emily RigbySocial & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Investing Club⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠(00:00:00) Coming up in this episode…(00:01:09) We did something naughty(00:03:02) Nvidia’s results & Vic’s big market call(00:12:36) Warren Buffett’s surprise move…(00:19:42) The world’s first… handbag hedge fund?!(00:23:40) The UK cracks down on ticket reselling(00:28:27) The Economist on The Cost of Dating Your Boss(00:31:32) One last thing before we wrap...(00:34:55) Thanks for tuning in!(00:35:34) Financial disclaimer(00:36:02) OuttakeDisclaimer: 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.

We asked for your financial horror stories, and wow, did you deliver. In this episode, we read (and listen to) real money mistakes from our community, from missed investing wins to term-deposit disasters, stock-picking heartbreaks, property nightmares and everything in between. We break down what went wrong, what we can all learn from it, and why these stories will genuinely make you better with money. Huge thank you to everyone who sent theirs in. And while you’re here, drop your thoughts (or your own money mishaps) in the comments, we read them all.🚗 Thinking about a new car but not ready to drop the cash all at once? Our mini-episode with Lexus explains car financing in plain English (and yes, we made it fun): ⁠https://youtu.be/klxsa-upYH4?si=mStDjeNaPWvERlt_Credits:Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie HallwrightProducer & Editor: Emily RigbySocial & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Investing Club⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠(00:00:00) Welcome to Raising the Curve(00:00:35) The Curve x Lexus(00:01:35) Your Stories Are In (Thank You!)(00:02:11) The Investment She Didn’t Make… and Still Regrets(00:03:44) The Term-Deposit Timing Mix-Up(00:07:12) The Stock Pick That Went Downhill Fast(00:10:23) The Property “Partnership” That Cost Her Big(00:17:56) When a Scammer Pretends to Be Your Son(00:21:49) The Ponzi Scheme That Wiped Out Generations(00:28:23) What We Learned From All This(00:28:41) Thanks for Listening(00:29:06) Financial DisclaimerDisclaimer: 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.

This week’s Curve Weekly starts with Soph’s financial dilemma of the month - a perfect storm of overspending, £5 left in the bank, and a 4% phone battery in Mayfair. Then, just as we got rolling, Vic’s mic cut out (classic), so yes… this is take two. Once the tech drama settled, Vic breaks down why the market is down 2%, what’s spooking investors, and how the AI bubble ties into it. We also dive into that viral “Did women ruin the workplace?” headline and unpack why the real problem is a system that was never built for women to thrive. Then it’s onto Trump threatening to sue the BBC for $1B - what happened, why it matters, and why the media world is slightly sweating. And finally, we look at what Brits are really using ChatGPT for… and let’s just say the answer might surprise you.WTF does that mean? A guide to all the jargony bits:Market Drop – When the stock market has a tiny sulk.AI Bubble – When AI stocks get too hyped.Diversification – Don’t put all your money eggs in one basket.S&P 500 – The 500 biggest US companies in one group.CapEx – Big-ticket spending by companies.Government Shutdown – When the US government can’t agree and… stops.The Fed – The US interest-rate boss.Defamation – Saying something untrue and getting sued for it.Algorithm – The puppet master deciding what you see online.50:30:20 Rule – A simple budget split: needs, wants, investing.Credits:Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie HallwrightProducer & Editor: Emily RigbySocial & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Investing Club⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠(00:00:00) Coming Up In Todays Episode… (00:01:03) Soph’s Financial Dilemma (00:07:09) The Market Is Down 2% (00:15:46) Did Women Ruin The Workplace? (00:22:32) Trump Sues The BBC (00:29:06) Brits Are Using This For Chat Gpt? (00:33:00) Before We Go… (00:34:51) Thank You For Listening! (00:35:29) Financial Disclaimer (00:35:57) OuttakeDisclaimer: 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.

If AI still feels like a scary robot in the corner, this chat will calm your nerves and fire up your curiosity. Natalie Piucco (Google’s applied-AI whiz) breaks down where AI is really headed - think helpful life assistant that sorts your calendar, shopping and bills - and why that future could be worth backing with your pounds (or dollars). We cover simple ways to spot opportunities in everyday life (what are you and your mates actually using?), how to dip a toe in with an ETF before picking any “spicy” single stocks, and Nat’s golden rule: confidence comes after you start, not before. TL;DR: pop on your “investor glasses,” chuck in a tenner, and let AI’s next chapter work for you.🚗 Thinking about a new car but not ready to drop the cash all at once? Our mini-episode with Lexus explains car financing in plain English (and yes, we made it fun): https://youtu.be/klxsa-upYH4?si=mStDjeNaPWvERlt_CreditsHosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie HallwrightProducer & Editor: Emily RigbySocial & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Investing Club⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠Disclaimer: 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.

Warren Buffett (aka the GOAT of investing) is sitting on a jaw-dropping $382 billion in cash. Yep, the man who literally buys companies is taking a breather, and Vic breaks down what that means for the rest of us (hint: things might be a tad overpriced). We also chat about bitcoin’s big dip (Soph’s thrilled), why AMD’s results weren’t enough to keep investors happy, and how gold’s having its main-character moment again. Plus, we celebrate the UK finally adding financial literacy to the school curriculum (goodbye, recorder lessons), unpack the mass Kiwi move to Australia, and somehow veer into royal neighbours, countryside dreams, and near-misses with Lorde.WTF does that mean? A guide to all the jargony bits:Bear Market – When stocks fall and vibes are low. Bull Market – When prices rise and everyone’s buzzing. Valuation – What a company thinks it’s worth.Cash Pile – A giant stack of money waiting for action.Berkshire Hathaway – Warren Buffett’s money empire.Revenue Growth – When sales go up. Yay, more money!Correction – A market “oops” before it (hopefully) recovers.Defensive Stocks – Boring-but-reliable companies.Safe Haven – Where nervous investors hide their cash (hi, gold).Bitcoin – The drama queen of digital money.Crypto – Internet money. Risky but exciting.IPO – A company’s stock market debut.Credits:Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie HallwrightProducer & Editor: Emily RigbySocial & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Investing Club⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠(00:00:00) Coming up In Today's Episode... (00:00:55) Catch Up (00:06:21) A Few Quick Headlines (00:12:01) Why Warren Buffett Is Sitting on a Mountain of Cash (00:19:55) The UK Finally Adds Money Lessons to the School Curriculum (00:26:57) An Update on the Strava IPO (00:28:01) The Great Kiwi Exodus (00:29:27) Wrap-Up (00:30:11) Thanks for Listening! (00:30:50) Financial Disclaimer (00:31:18) OuttakeDisclaimer: 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.

🌟 WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE 🌟Part two gets spicy. We break down the four stages of the property cycle (recovery, boom, cool-off, slump), why interest rates and prices move like a seesaw, how different countries can be in totally different seasons, and the biggie: your time horizon (think 7-10 years) matters more than crystal-ball timing. You’ll learn how to spot where your market is, when using equity makes sense (and when leverage can bite), and why personal finances beat FOMO every time. Expect practical insights on how interest rates, human behaviour, and timing shape the market - plus the kind of friendly arguing that somehow makes economics feel like reality TV.🔔 We’ve made you a FREE handy little Property Cycle PDF - it’s got all the key takeaways, tips, and what to watch for in the market. It’s totally free, grab it here.We’re proud to be partnering with BNZ, whose Home Loan Partners understand that no two journeys to home ownership are the same. With expert guidance, backed by BNZ’s research team, they’re here to help you make sense of interest rates, affordability, and timing - so you can navigate your property journey with confidence, no matter what stage you’re at.👉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:Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie HallwrightProducer & Editor: Emily RigbySocial & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro⁠⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠⁠For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Investing Club⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠⁠Chapters:0:00 – Welcome to part two!1:09 – BNZ x The Curve1:57 – Vic’s vibrating bracelet4:04 – Our first thoughts and different approaches to property7:24 – Why it’s key to understand the stages of the property cycle14:08 – Spotting the lull in the cycle19:15 – How property cycles differ around the world24:01 – The role of FOMO in property markets25:31 – The fear of overpaying26:13 – Recap of the stages of the cycle35:16 – Grab our free PDF summary!36:07 – Final thoughts42:08 – Thanks for tuning in43:43 – Financial disclaimerDisclaimer: 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.

🎃 WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE 🎃Happy Halloween from the trading floor (aka our studio) where Steven and Victor break down this week’s AI mayhem. We chat the $5T milestone and what chip demand really means, why a certain chatbot’s rumored mega-IPO could suck oxygen (and cash) from the room, PayPal’s new ChatGPT checkout moment, and earnings tea from Microsoft, Alphabet and Meta. Big takeaway: excitement is high, portfolios can quietly get AI-heavy, and rebalancing is your best friend: S&P 500 girlies, you’re already getting plenty of exposure. It’s educational, a little unhinged, and very watchable.WTF Does That Mean? A Guide to All the Jargony Bits:AI Boom - Everyone’s losing it over artificial intelligence.Chips - The brain of AI. Not the potato kind.IPO - A company’s first day on the stock market.Valuation - What we think something’s worth.Earnings Season - When companies spill their financial tea.Diversification - Don’t bet it all on one shiny stock.Correction - The market’s hangover.Long-Term Investor - The chill one who doesn’t panic.CreditsHosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie HallwrightProducer & Editor: Emily RigbySocial & Digital Manager: Lucy MunroChapters:0:00 - Coming Up in Today’s Episode...0:52 - Welcome to the Trading Floor!4:06 - The First $5 Trillion Company on the Stock Market9:54 - How AI Companies Are All Interconnected23:19 - OpenAI Prepares for an IPO35:31 - PayPal x ChatGPT37:08 - It’s Earnings Season!41:57 - Wrap-Up43:21 - Thanks for Listening!44:01 - Financial Disclaimer44:29 - Outtake⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Investing Club⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠Disclaimer: 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.

🌟 WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE 🌟Ever wondered why the property market feels like it’s having mood swings? Soph and Vic break down the property cycle through the lens of the seasons - from the buzz of spring recovery to the chill of a winter slump - and explain how interest rates, supply, and demand shape each stage. You’ll learn how local “microclimates” impact prices, why you can’t really time the market, and how to read the signs of what’s coming next. Oh, and we’ve also designed a very professional seesaw diagram to explain the whole thing - let’s just say the art world isn’t calling. We’ll be back next month with part two, diving deeper into how long these cycles actually last, where we are right now, and what to watch for if you’re planning to buy or sell.We’re proud to be partnering with BNZ, whose Home Loan Partners understand that the housing market moves in complex cycles and global trends. With access to economic insights, local market knowledge, and years of experience, they’re here to help you navigate your own property journey with confidence - no matter what stage you’re at.👉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:Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie HallwrightProducer & Editor: Emily RigbySocial & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Investing Club⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠Chapters:0:00 – What’s Coming Up This Episode...1:00 – BNZ x The Curve1:49 – Welcome to the Property Series3:52 – How Market Cycles Really Work10:16 – The Property Seasons: From Summer Booms to Winter Slumps16:21 – How Property Cycles Differ Around the World26:36 – Recap: Seasons, Supply & Demand, and What Shapes the Market39:59 – Wrapping Up + See You Next Month for Part Two41:04 – A Big Thank You to BNZ!42:39 – Financial DisclaimerDisclaimer: 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.

🌟 WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE 🌟Why are fashion giants breaking up with beauty? This week, we dig into Kering’s $4B “it’s not you, it’s me” moment as it sells its beauty division to L’Oréal - and what that says about the state of luxury right now. Then we jump from catwalks to Korean skincare as Kylie Jenner’s casual TikTok shout-out turns a niche LED mask brand into a $6B sensation (seriously, one post!). There’s also gold’s not-so-glam fall (its biggest drop in a decade) and the return of meme-stock madness with Beyond Meat’s wild week on Wall Street. Plus, a sisterly lesson in latte logic, and a PSA on scams that proves: even the smartest among us can get duped.🎧 Listen to our latest episode on Gold🎧 ⁠Listen to our episode with Tracy HallCreditsHosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie HallwrightProducer & Editor: Emily RigbySocial & Digital Manager: Lucy MunroLeave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Investing Club⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠Chapters0:00 – Coming up…1:03 – Catch up & financial check-in4:50 – Gold takes a tumble11:48 – Beauty’s big breakup20:17 – The return of the meme stock29:32 – Warner Bros for sale?!33:52 – Soph’s bonus story39:12 – Before we go…40:20 – Thanks for listening!40:58 – Financial disclaimerDisclaimer: 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.