If you still think ETFs are boring, this episode will change your mind. Sefian Kasem, Global Head of ETF and Indexing Investment Specialists at HSBC Asset Management, joins the show to unpack how ETFs have evolved into the real engine room of portfolio construction.

With over 100 billion in AUM and a PhD in mathematical finance, Sefian bridges the gap between macro strategy and product design. From the rise of faith-based ETFs to the blurring lines between active and passive, this is a masterclass in modern investing.

Here’s what we cover:

📉 What it’s like to launch your career during the Global Financial Crisis and the lessons it teaches

🧱 Why ETFs are no longer just wrappers but building blocks for institutional and retail portfolios

🧠 How the active versus passive debate is missing the point entirely

🕌 The rise of Sharia compliant and ESG blended ETFs and what that says about value based investing

🌎 Why Europe’s ETF market is catching up to the US through innovation not imitation

If you're into asset allocation, ETF design, or future proofing your strategy, 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 Lucy Walker, fintech founder, former fund researcher, and boardroom powerhouse, for a deep dive into the future of fund research and distribution. Lucy shares the story behind building AM Insights, a sleek mobile-first platform born out of frustration with clunky legacy systems. We talk entrepreneurship, sales effectiveness, and the community she built almost by accident, that’s now 400 plus women strong.

🔹 From managing £1B to founding AM Insights: why Lucy left institutional comfort for startup chaos

🔹 The painful inefficiencies of traditional fund research tools and what AM Insights is doing differently

🔹 What makes a great fund salesperson today (hint: it’s not a long deck or a bottle of red)

🔹 How personalization and AI are transforming how fund selectors work

🔹 Building “Women in Distribution”: How a single LinkedIn post sparked a thriving community of women in finance

If you’re into fintech innovation, fund selection, and honest career pivots in asset management, 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 Phil Rosen, a former Business Insider reporter turned media entrepreneur, whose journey from literary fiction to launching one of the fastest-growing finance newsletters in the game is anything but typical.

Phil is the cofounder of Opening Bell Daily, a high-impact financial newsletter read by investors around the world and syndicated by Inc. Magazine and Bloomberg Terminals. He also hosts Full Signal, a show that breaks down market trends and interviews top thinkers in finance and tech.

We discuss the tectonic shift in financial media, how AI is reshaping content creation, and what it takes to build a sustainable voice in a noisy digital world.

✅ From Business Insider to building an independent media empire 📈
✅ Why volume still wins and how to scale without burning out 🔥
✅ Legacy media’s trust problem and the rise of individual brands 🧱
✅ How AI is changing the game and how Phil uses it daily 🤖
✅ Storytelling, stoicism, and simplifying finance for real people 📚

If you like media disruption, creator-led finance, and sharp takes on the future of content, 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.