Caesar sits down with Samir Kaji, founder and CEO of Allocate, to discuss how the greatest generational wealth transfer of all time is revolutionizing the world of venture capital investing. Samir explains how hyper personalization and data-driven intelligence are factoring into that revolutionary shift. He breaks down how Allocate offers family offices and individual investors access to highly curated private capital funds and direct investment opportunities in a clearly laid-out portfolio that they can pull up at any given time. Samir also explains why he embraced the entrepreneurial path and launched Allocate after decades in banking in Silicon Valley. Wealth creation opportunity is his focus at Allocate. Samir shares how his own family background influences that mission, and the role his father played in developing his business mindset. He advises listeners that startup founders have to be resilient, and that as a founder, you are constantly putting out fires. Leaving First Republic Bank to found Allocate put Samir outside his comfort zone. But he shares the inspiring experience of developing a company he believes in. Samir also digs into his personal investing strategies. For Samir, money is about securing flexibility, and he now has his sights set on earning enough money to make an impact. He admits to making mistakes early on, but what he learned now informs his work at Allocate. Samir encourages listeners to cultivate an insatiable curiosity and says he views each and every day as an opportunity to learn more.

Ralph Hamers is a true game-changer in finance. As former CEO of ING and UBS, he’s been a pioneer in digital and mobile banking, witnessing firsthand how technology has reshaped finance—from transformations in trading and retail banking to the latest advancements in AI and wealth management.In this episode, Ralph shares his unique insights on how tech has revolutionized the financial landscape and where it’s heading next. He discusses leading digital revolutions at two of the world’s largest banks, why AI is set to be the next major disruption in wealth management, and how personalized finance will continue to evolve.Ralph also reveals what excites him about his new advisory role at Arta Finance and how AI can empower everyday investors to manage their wealth like never before.Interesting links from this episodeFollow Ralph on LinkedIn

Caesar is joined by Brett King, renowned futurist, founder, and bestselling author, to explore the future of banking and finance in the age of digital transformation and AI. Brett shares personal stories of entrepreneurial resilience, including the critical moments that shaped his career. We dive deep into the digitization of banking, the rise of mobile wallets, the role of AI in financial advisory, and the eventual decline of traditional banking models like physical branches.Brett discusses the evolution of the financial sector, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in fintech, and explores how artificial intelligence will drive the next wave of automation and personalization in finance. From the impact of real-time payments to the future of wealth management, Brett's insights give a glimpse into the technological innovations reshaping our financial systems.We also touch on Brett’s personal journey, his approach to balancing work, life, and finances, and his bold vision for the future, including his latest focus on health tech and longevity. Whether you're a fintech enthusiast, banking professional, or simply interested in the future of finance, this episode offers a fascinating look at the intersection of technology and financial services.

Caesar is joined by Wells Fargo and S&P Global Board Member Maria Morris as she chronicles key moments in her decades-long career that illustrate her drive and financial savvy. Maria has been breaking glass ceilings from an early age. She advises listeners to trust their instincts and be their own advocates as she shares her journey from a young professional at MetLife, Inc., with no industry experience, to becoming Executive Vice President and Head of Global Employee Benefits three decades later.A seasoned leader and innovator, Maria steered MetLife's $16 billion acquisition of American Life Insurance Co. and expanded the Global Employee Benefits business to dozens of new countries. She explains how she builds a symbiotic leadership team and stresses the importance of lateral career moves that provide new perspectives on customer engagement. Highlighting the unparalleled impact of developing sponsors, Maria emphasizes that successful sponsorship is about building relationships based on personal and professional bonds.Maria reflects on the key financial principles instilled in her by her Italian immigrant father and shares how she began deferring compensation in her final years at MetLife. Retiring after 33 years, she secured the financial freedom to reinvent herself without financial worry. Celebrating the accessibility of investment banking today, Maria underscores the importance of curating data and seeking financial advice from trusted sources when deciding where to invest.This episode offers not only inspiring anecdotes from Maria’s leadership roles at MetLife but also uplifting guidance for professionals at any stage of their careers looking to take the next step.

Caesar sits down with Rahul Roy-Chowdhury, CEO of Grammarly and former Google executive, to discuss the pivotal moments that have shaped his illustrious career. Rahul’s journey is a testament to the power of introspection, bold decision-making, and the pursuit of meaningful impact.Rahul shares how he transitioned from academia to tech, driven by a desire to make a tangible difference in people's lives. Despite initial success in AI research, he found more fulfillment in the tech industry, starting as a software engineer and eventually leading the Chrome browser team at Google. His story highlights the importance of tuning out external noise and listening to one’s inner voice when making major life decisions.The episode also covers Rahul’s move from Google to Grammarly, motivated by a mission to improve lives through better communication. He discusses the challenges and rewards of leading a smaller company during a transformative period, particularly in the context of AI advancements. Rahul’s leadership style, focused on clarity, transparency, and responsibility, has been crucial in navigating this transition.Beyond his professional achievements, Rahul emphasizes the importance of aligning financial decisions with life goals, valuing experiences over material possessions, and fostering a sense of gratitude and responsibility in his children. His personal finance philosophy revolves around simplicity, consistency, and focusing on what truly matters.Tune in to hear Rahul’s reflections on his career, financial beliefs, and the lessons he imparts to his children about money and responsibility. This episode is a rich blend of personal anecdotes, practical advice, and deep insights into leading a purpose-driven life.

Former tech leader Gokul Rajaram discusses the importance of being helpful in career growth. He emphasizes focusing on the company's mission, working with high-caliber professionals, and seeking new challenges. Rajaram shares insights on career decisions, transitioning from ads to fintech, and engaging with invested companies as an investor.

Brandon Bouier, founder of the Data Investing Community and early Arta member, sits down with Caesar to share insights from the pivotal moments that defined his remarkable career journey. From leaving a stable government job during the 2009 recession to transitioning into the tech world, Brandon’s path is a testament to the power of embracing the unknown and living without regrets.Brandon recounts his bold decision to move from Las Vegas to Seattle for a new opportunity, despite his family’s concerns. Unwilling to live with the nagging question of “what if,” he took a leap of faith that would expose him to the world of technology and ignite his desire to pivot from government work to the private sector.The conversation delves into Brandon’s initial struggles with imposter syndrome and how encouragement from colleagues at the White House’s U.S. Digital Service finally gave him the confidence to make the leap into tech. He also shares invaluable lessons he’d impart to his younger self about taking responsibility for one’s life path, staying patient and focused on goals, and maintaining financial discipline.Brandon credits his ability to take calculated risks, combined with the support of his wife’s direct approach to discussing finances as a team, as key factors in his success. His story serves as an inspiration for being thoughtful about risks while remaining unafraid to defy conventions in pursuit of one’s dreams.

In this week’s episode, Caesar hosts Diya Jolly, Chief Product Officer at Xero. Early in the conversation, Diya shares her wisdom on the importance of following one's internal compass, emphasizing that true direction comes from within rather than succumbing to external pressures. She points out several times in her career when her family and loved ones encouraged her to do something different than what she wanted to do. Despite it all, Diya stayed her course based on her instincts and created a path that fueled her interests and further developed her skills.Combining logic and creativity, Diya followed her gut and entered the engineering world because she wanted to build things. Sticking to her passion, Diya secured roles at leading tech giants, notably Google. Diya candidly recounts her initial hesitation to join Google, a decision she nearly passed on. However, she embraced the opportunity, resulting in a remarkable tenure exceeding seven years, during which she ascended to multiple leadership roles.Diya also opens up about the impactful role that money plays in our lives and careers, sharing relatable stories from her own experiences.This episode highlights the importance of embracing the journey towards greater ambitions rather than solely fixating on the destination ahead. 

Karim Temsamani, the CEO of Cardlytics and previous President of Google in Asia, joins Caesar for an eye-opening conversation about personal growth, career changes, and the mindset he had that pushed him to make these pivotal changes throughout his life.Karim shares what factors went into his decision-making for every career shift, from taking his first position after college in a country he wasn’t from to eventually working and running various businesses in nine countries. Karim stresses that he believes no one should make a career change strictly based on the financial aspect. While money and your financial situation can play a role in career decisions, he wants people to understand that the best way to make career changes is based on interest, the ability to work with great people and family, and the opportunity to learn something new. Karim shares that his decision to leave Google in Hong Kong was made based on wanting to try something new and be closer to family. This episode tells the story of different factors that should influence career changes and how money isn’t everything.

CEO and Co-Founder of Coda, Shishir Mehrotra, sits down with Caesar for an eye-opening conversation about career choices, investments, and how these choices can impact the bigger picture. Shishir shares the most pivotal moments in his career that led him to where he is now as a mentor, CEO, and investor. From starting his first company, Centrata, to turning down an offer at Google for Microsoft, to eventually finding his way back to Google and YouTube, every step he took was a lesson learned. The conversation shifts from Shishir’s career path to how he got involved in angel investing and what he teaches others about investing in companies and investing in career choices. He stresses the importance of considering the big picture and pursuing investments and careers that you’re passionate about because they tend to yield the best results. Shishir’s ability to envision the future and challenge conventions has helped lead him to where he is today. This episode tells the story of breaking the mold and how great things can come from one great conversation.