The Blunt Dollar

Sustainable investing has gone from niche to necessary. But where is it headed next? In this episode, Ignacio sits down with Marina Severinovsky, Head of Sustainability for North America at Schroders, to unpack the shifting ESG landscape. Marina draws from two decades of experience in finance and sustainability to explain how investors can navigate today’s volatile mix of climate risk, political backlash, and growing demand for impact.Topics we cover:🌍 Why sustainable investing isn’t just about values—it’s about identifying long-term risk and opportunity💼 How institutional investors are redefining ESG integration across asset classes💣 The rise (and fallout) of ESG backlash—and why Marina sees it as a “necessary reset”📊 The trouble with ESG ratings and how Schroders builds proprietary sustainability models👩‍💼 Women in sustainable finance, and Marina’s unfiltered advice for building a career in ESGIf you’re into impact investing, long-term market trends, and no-BS insights into how sustainability really works in finance, this one’s for you.Oh, and if you haven't already... subscribe to The Blunt Dollar for more raw and honest finance conversations. New episodes drop every other week! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.And last, but not least, don't forget to follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ignacio-ramirez-moreno-cfa/ Enjoy the episode! Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Listeners should consult a qualified financial professional before making any financial decisions.

In this episode we dive deep into the engine room of sustainability, with a guest who has one of the most unique seats in the house.I sit down with Brian Matt, Head of Sustainability Advisory at the New York Stock Exchange, to unpack what’s really going on behind all the ESG headlines. With two decades of experience in investor relations and sustainability, Brian offers a rare dual lens into both investor expectations and corporate realities when it comes to sustainability strategy, regulation, and storytelling.In this candid and insightful conversation, we cover:🌱 How ESG has evolved from checkbox compliance to value creation📊 What asset managers actually look for in ESG disclosures🧑‍⚖️ Why fiduciary duty and political pressure are reshaping stewardship teams🏛️ How new regulations like CSRD and California climate rules are impacting listed companies📈 And why smaller public companies aren’t necessarily doomed in today’s ESG landscapeIf you like sustainability strategy, investor behavior, and behind-the-scenes capital markets insight, this one's for you.Oh, and if you haven't already... subscribe to The Blunt Dollar for more raw and honest finance conversations. New episodes drop every other week! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.And last, but not least, don't forget to follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ignacio-ramirez-moreno-cfa/ Enjoy the episode! Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Listeners should consult a qualified financial professional before making any financial decisions.

In this episode of The Blunt Dollar, I sit down with Manuel Grenacher, a serial entrepreneur and founder of Unique, a company revolutionizing financial services with agentic AI. Manuel shares his journey from building startups in Switzerland to leading one of the most exciting AI-driven companies in finance today. We dive deep into how AI is reshaping the industry, where the biggest disruption opportunities lie, and why empathy remains irreplaceable by machines.Key topics we cover:🔹 What is agentic AI and how it goes beyond ChatGPT🔹 How Unique is helping financial institutions scale AI adoption🔹 The future of relationship managers in an AI-driven world🔹 Trust, hallucination scores, and responsible AI use in finance🔹 Why mid-sized banks could outperform the giants with AI🔹 The real-world use cases driving the fastest ROI today (KYC, investment insights, and due diligence)🔹 Manuel’s personal journey: from corporate comfort at SAP back to the startup grind🔹 How to stay relevant and thrive in a world where AI becomes a superpowerIf you like conversations about AI innovation, entrepreneurship, and the future of finance, this one's for you.Oh, and if you haven't already... subscribe to The Blunt Dollar for more raw and honest finance conversations. New episodes drop every other week! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.And last, but not least, don't forget to follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ignacio-ramirez-moreno-cfa/ Enjoy the episode! Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Listeners should consult a qualified financial professional before making any financial decisions.

In this episode of The Blunt Dollar, Ignacio sits down with Marlena Lee, Global Head of Investment Solutions at Dimensional Fund Advisors. Marlena leads a 70-person team that bridges deep academic research with practical client education, helping investors navigate the complexities of markets, factor investing, and long-term portfolio construction.With a PhD from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and experience working alongside Nobel laureate Eugene Fama, Marlena shares her unique insights into translating rigorous research into real-world investment strategies. We dive into her career journey, her biggest lessons from Fama, and how she’s helping advisors and investors make smarter decisions today.In this episode, we discuss:🔹 Lessons from working with Eugene Fama and simplifying complex ideas🔹 How Dimensional turns academic research into real-world investing strategies🔹 The critical role of storytelling and empathy in finance communication🔹 Redefining risk and the true meaning of diversification🔹 Why preparation beats prediction when dealing with market uncertaintyIf you're interested in market behavior, smart investing, or the art of financial storytelling, this episode is for you.Oh, and if you haven't already... subscribe to The Blunt Dollar for more raw and honest finance conversations. New episodes drop every other week! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.And last, but not least, don't forget to follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ignacio-ramirez-moreno-cfa/ Enjoy the episode! Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Listeners should consult a qualified financial professional before making any financial decisions.

In this episode of The Blunt Dollar, we’re joined by George Lagarias, Chief Economist at Mazars, for a thought-provoking conversation on financial crises, economic cycles, and the elusive search for stability in global markets. With over 20 years of experience navigating economic turmoil from Athens to London, George offers a deeply reflective and honest perspective on the past, present, and future of capitalism.We kick off with George’s personal experience of living through the Greek and Cypriot debt crises, uncovering how they left generational scars on institutions, job markets, and societal optimism.But this isn’t just about Greece. George unpacks why crises are hardwired into capitalism, how human psychology fuels financial bubbles, and why there’s no such thing as a perfect system.Tune in as we explore:📉 Why financial crises are inevitable in capitalism🇬🇷 The true economic and social cost of Greece’s debt crisis🎢 Regulation, deregulation, and the constant pendulum swing🧠 How fear, greed, and behavioral finance shape markets🎯 What being a Chief Economist actually entails🛠️ Why storytelling is more important than models in economics🔍 The most useful indicator George relies on monthly💥 His best and worst market calls, and what he learned from them🎯 Why predictions are more about probabilities than certainty⚠️ What risks we don’t see coming… and why they matter🌍 How energy innovation and digital currencies could reshape the world🧠 And whether AI will ever replace human economic thinkingGeorge doesn’t sugarcoat, and that’s exactly what makes this such a fascinating listen.Oh, and if you haven't already... subscribe to The Blunt Dollar for more raw and honest finance conversations. New episodes drop every other week! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.And last, but not least, don't forget to follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ignacio-ramirez-moreno-cfa/ Enjoy the episode! Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Listeners should consult a qualified financial professional before making any financial decisions.

In this episode of The Blunt Dollar, I sit down with Oktay Kavrak, Director of Communications and Strategy at Leverage Shares, a leading provider of exchange-traded products (ETPs). With over a decade in the financial industry and a CFA charter under his belt, Oktay shares a wealth of insights into the evolving world of ETPs, including how they’re reshaping modern investing.We explore everything from the rise of active ETPs to the misunderstood role of leverage in trading strategies. Oktay also talks about his personal journey, why he left the comfort of traditional finance roles, and how he’s found fulfillment in a fast-paced, multifaceted position.Here’s what we cover in the episode:📊 The evolution of ETPs and how they differ from ETFs 🧠 Why active ETPs are gaining traction despite passive investing’s dominance 📉 The role of leverage in ETPs and the education gap around complex products 💸 Fee compression in the ETF/ETP space and what it means for product sustainability 🔍 The most overlooked trend in finance today: derivatives-based income strategies 🎓 Oktay’s honest take on the value of the CFA designation 🔥 Career advice for young finance professionals (and why mistakes matter more than wins) 🤖 The future of AI in finance and how it could reshape day-to-day roles 🧠 The real skills that matter in finance today (hint: it’s not advanced math) 🏈 Finding balance: how Oktay recharges outside of the financial worldOktay also shares how he stumbled into his current role, why job titles don’t always reflect day-to-day work, and what people often get wrong about the finance industry.Oh, and if you haven't already... subscribe to The Blunt Dollar for more raw and honest finance conversations. New episodes drop every other week! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.And last, but not least, don't forget to follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ignacio-ramirez-moreno-cfa/ Enjoy the episode! Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Listeners should consult a qualified financial professional before making any financial decisions.

In this episode of The Blunt Dollar, we sit down with Tom Idzorek, CFA, Chief Investment Officer for Retirement at Morningstar and one of the most influential voices in modern financial planning. With a career spanning decades and awards like the Graham and Dodd Award of Excellence under his belt, Tom has consistently pushed the boundaries of how we think about portfolio theory, human capital, and retirement planning.We dive into his co-authored book, Lifetime Financial Advice, and discuss why human capital is an investor’s most overlooked asset—and how incorporating it can drastically change your investment approach. From life cycle finance to robo-advisory and AI, this conversation is packed with insights on the future of wealth management.🔍 Topics we cover:📘 Why financial planning should evolve with life stages, not stay static🧠 The overlooked importance of human capital in investment decisions🤖 How AI and robo-advisors are reshaping financial advice at scale🔄 Dynamic vs. static financial planning models📊 The Popularity Asset Pricing Model: what it is and how it improves on CAPM🧓 The future of retirement planning and why the 4% rule is outdated😬 The psychological traps retirees face—and how to avoid them💡 Why advisors must evolve into coaches powered by AI, not replaced by itWhether you're a finance professional, a curious investor, or just planning your financial future, this episode delivers a masterclass in holistic financial thinking.Oh, and if you haven't already... subscribe to The Blunt Dollar for more raw and honest finance conversations. New episodes drop every other week! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.And last, but not least, don't forget to follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ignacio-ramirez-moreno-cfa/ Enjoy the episode! Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Listeners should consult a qualified financial professional before making any financial decisions.

In this episode of The Blunt Dollar, I sit down with François Trahan, one of the most respected macro strategists on Wall Street.François is a Hall of Fame-ranked Institutional Investor strategist, former head of macro research at Bernstein, BCA, and Wolfe Research, and founder of the Macro Research Institute, a program training investors to understand real-world macroeconomics.But this isn’t just about big calls and big titles. This is a conversation about conviction, cycles, and the brutal honesty required to get markets right.We dive into the moments that made (and nearly unmade) his career, and unpack the lessons behind both his best and worst calls. From the dot-com crash to the GFC, and the behavioral traps that trip up even the smartest investors.We cover:📉 Why macro is more relevant today than ever📚 How history and psychology shaped his biggest insights🧠 The power (and limits) of AI in understanding markets📈 What macro can (and can’t) predict about the future🤝 The surprising truth about how he got hired on Wall Street🎯 Why so many strategists still get it wrong🧪 The importance of applied thinking in a theory-heavy world💡 And why “this time is different” usually isn’tWhether you're a macro nerd, a strategist in training, or just want to understand what really drives the market under the surface, this episode is pure signal.Oh, and if you haven't already... subscribe to The Blunt Dollar for more raw and honest finance conversations. New episodes drop every other week! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.And last, but not least, don't forget to follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ignacio-ramirez-moreno-cfa/ Enjoy the episode! Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Listeners should consult a qualified financial professional before making any financial decisions.

In this episode of The Blunt Dollar, I sit down with Lori Heinel, Global Chief Investment Officer of State Street Global Advisors, who oversees over $4 trillion in assets. With 41 years of experience in finance, Lori brings unmatched depth to the conversation, from leadership and risk management to indexing, AI, and the future of investing.We explore how institutional investors influence markets, the evolving role of the CIO, and why adaptability and curiosity are crucial in today's finance world. Lori also opens up about the journey women in finance still face, the importance of storytelling, and how to lead with empathy in a high-pressure environment.This episode is a masterclass in asset management and leadership from one of the industry’s most seasoned voices.Topics covered:🌍 Lori’s path from liberal arts major to CIO of a $4T asset manager🤝 Leadership philosophy: “Trust but verify”⚖️ Managing risk vs. chasing returns at scale📈 Institutional vs. retail investing — and why the lines are blurring🔄 How personalization and customization are redefining portfolios🤖 The impact of AI on portfolio management and analyst roles👩‍💼 Gender diversity in finance and tips for career advancement🔮 What's next for asset allocation and securitization in a blockchain era💡 Why intellectual curiosity is the ultimate edge in the age of AI🧠 Storytelling, soft skills, and the underestimated power of empathyIf you're a finance professional, an investor, or just someone fascinated by the evolving world of asset management, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Oh, and if you haven't already... subscribe to The Blunt Dollar for more raw and honest finance conversations. New episodes drop every other week! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.And last, but not least, don't forget to follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ignacio-ramirez-moreno-cfa/ Enjoy the episode! Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Listeners should consult a qualified financial professional before making any financial decisions.

In this episode of The Blunt Dollar, I sit down with Wylie Tollette, Chief Investment Officer of Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions. Wylie oversees over $160 billion in multi-asset portfolios and has spent his career bridging investment strategy, operations, and leadership, from CalPERS to Franklin Templeton.But this isn’t just a CIO talking markets. This is a conversation about trust, transparency, and the invisible infrastructure that makes long-term investing work.We dive into Wylie’s unusual path from CPA to CIO and unpack the habits, frameworks, and philosophies that have shaped his career at the highest levels of finance.We cover:📊 How technology is transforming the front and back office🧭 Why transparency is more than a compliance buzzword🏛️ What it’s really like working inside a giant public pension fund🛠️ The tension between risk models and real-world decision-making📚 What operations can teach us about strategy🤝 How to bridge the cultural gap between portfolio managers and tech teams🧠 What keeps Wylie curious after 30 years in the industry🧩 Why asset owners are becoming the real drivers of investment innovationIf you're leading an investment team, rethinking your tech stack, or just curious about the machinery behind global portfolios, this one is packed with insight and clarity.Oh, and if you haven't already... subscribe to The Blunt Dollar for more raw and honest finance conversations. New episodes drop every other week! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.And last, but not least, don't forget to follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ignacio-ramirez-moreno-cfa/ Enjoy the episode! Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Listeners should consult a qualified financial professional before making any financial decisions.