The Blunt Dollar

Ignacio Ramirez Moreno, CFA
undefined
Mar 11, 2025 • 55min

Patrick DeBattista: The Financial Literacy Crisis and the Truth About Money

In this episode of The Blunt Dollar, I sit down with Patrick DeBattista, CFA, CPA, and financial educator, who is on a mission to democratize financial knowledge. With over 200 workshops delivered across Europe, a growing social media presence, and a leading role in Malta’s national initiative on financial education, Patrick is redefining how people approach money.We dive deep into the financial literacy crisis, why only 34% of adults pass a basic financial test, and the shocking misconceptions about money management that even professionals struggle with.Patrick shares his take on:💡 The most harmful financial goal people set and how to reframe it💡 Why younger generations aren’t financially illiterate but just need the right approach💡 The challenge of regulating financial content on social media💡 The emotional side of money and why most financial advisors miss the mark💡 How automation, discipline, and hiding your investing apps can protect you from yourselfWe also talk about Patrick’s viral TikTok moment, the role of AI in the future of finance, and his biggest personal finance regret. Whether you are a retail investor, a finance professional, or just someone looking to get better with money, this episode is packed with insights.🎧 Tune in now because understanding money shouldn’t be a privilege!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.
undefined
Mar 4, 2025 • 1h 7min

Ted Merz: 32 Years at Bloomberg & the Future of Financial Media

Imagine working 32 years at Bloomberg.Now picture shaping how millions of professionals consume financial news.Now imagine:↳ Working closely with Mike Bloomberg.↳ Leading AI-driven initiatives before AI was even a buzzword.↳ Pioneering the integration of Twitter into the Bloomberg Terminal.That’s Ted Merz, CFA.In this episode of The Blunt Dollar podcast, we dive into his journey.From faxes and newspapers to real-time market intelligence, algorithmic trading, and the future of financial media.What was Bloomberg’s secret to staying unchallenged for decades?How did Mike Bloomberg really lead his teams?(Hint: It involves a LOT of sticky notes!)Why is finance media being disrupted by expert influencers and AI?Ted’s stories from the trenches of financial journalism and tech innovation are fascinating. 💖 Some of them will blow your mind.Check out the episode and tell me:Have you ever used Bloomberg Terminal?What was your first impression? 😅 Where do you get more market insights: social media or traditional news?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.
undefined
Feb 25, 2025 • 1h 4min

Reda Farran: Retail Investing, AI & Market Truths

In this episode of The Blunt Dollar, I'm joined by Reda Farran, a seasoned finance professional with over 12 years of experience in the industry. From his early days as a sell-side analyst to his current role at Finimize, where he simplifies complex financial concepts for retail investors, Reda has seen firsthand how markets and investing have evolved.We dive deep into:1) The democratization of finance and how retail investors are reshaping markets.2) How to filter through financial noise on social media and find reliable investment insights.3) The rise of AI in investing, how retail investors should use it, and what it means for the future of finance careers.4) Is the CFA worth it? Reda shares his honest take on whether the credential is still valuable.5) One career and one investing lesson Reda has learned over the years.Plus, we get into the role of soft skills in finance, why simple investment strategies often outperform, and whether investing apps should use confetti animations (you don't want to miss that one).If you're into markets, investing, and finance career insights, this episode is packed with golden nuggets. Tune in now!Oh, and if you haven't already... subscribe to the Blunt Dollar for more raw and honest finance conversations.New episodes drop every week on your favourite podcast platforms!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!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.
undefined
Feb 16, 2025 • 1h 7min

Anthony Cheung: How to Break Into Finance (For Real)

In this episode of The Blunt Dollar, I sit down with Anthony Cheung, Chief Content & Culture Officer at AmplifyME, podcast host, and finance educator, to talk about his journey from a small-town upbringing in a rest home to a career navigating high-stakes financial markets. We get into his early days as a trader, the lessons he learned from working alongside old-school finance pros, and how he now helps students break into the industry without a traditional finance background.We also chat about market narratives, imposter syndrome, the cutthroat nature of trading desks, and whether AI is a threat or a tool for the next generation of finance professionals. And, of course, you won’t want to miss Anthony’s stories about memorizing central bankers in the shower, working in the chaos of the 2008 financial crisis, and what it was like growing up with a cage-fighting older brother.If you're looking for insights on finance, career pivots, and the raw, unfiltered truth of making it in the industry, 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.

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app