Personable – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Alex Edmans, Professor of Finance at London Business School, PhD from MIT as a Fulbright Scholar, and former investment banker at Morgan Stanley, joins Personable to challenge everything you think you know about business, universities, and how to think clearly in a world full of misleading data.

In this episode, Alex reflects on losing his father to cancer, being the first in his family to attend university, and how a single day of front page glory at Morgan Stanley convinced him academia could have more lasting impact than any deal. From the broken incentives of the tenure system to the misrepresentation of diversity research, this conversation cuts through the noise and focuses on how to think better, lead better, and live better.

This is an essential listen for anyone interested in business, academia, critical thinking, purpose-driven leadership, and building a life that actually matters.

He discusses:

◽️ Why he walked away from Morgan Stanley the day after his deal hit the front page of the FT

◽️ The tenure system and why top universities are built to punish their best teachers

◽️ Why the McKinsey diversity research falls apart the moment you actually read it

◽️ Grow the Pie - why purpose and profit are not opposites

◽️ How to think clearly in a post-truth world full of statistics designed to mislead you

00:00 Introduction and Alex Edmans background

02:15 Hyrox, Macmillan and losing a parent to cancer

07:30 First-generation student, St Paul's and the scholarship that changed everything

13:45 Morgan Stanley, the front page moment and why it wasn't enough

19:20 Why academia offers something finance never could

25:10 The tenure system and how universities punish great teachers

32:40 Diversity, performance and why correlation is not causation

39:15 Grow the Pie — purpose, profit and the business case for doing good

45:30 May Contain Lies — how to think in a post-truth world

51:20 Confirmation bias, contrary evidence and seeking the truth

57:00 What still drives Alex after tenure, awards and 3 million TED views

1:02:30 One thing every listener should take away

Alex Edmans

◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aedmans/

Harvey Bracken-Smith:

◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith

◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/harveybsmith

◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/harveybsmith_

◽️ Newsletter: https://personable.substack.com/

◽️ Website: https://www.personable.media/

Personable Podcast:

◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/personable.podcast

◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast

◽️ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@personableclips

◽️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api

◽️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111

Additional:

◽️ Fundraising: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org/donate

Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023. 

This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

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Rick Schonberg, Head of Prime at Coinbase and former executive at Goldman Sachs, State Street, LCH, and Tagomi, joins Personable to unpack how crypto becomes institutional, what trust really means in modern finance, and why careers rarely follow a straight line.

In this episode, Rick reflects on graduating into a recession with no job, being fired twice, and how serendipity shaped a career spanning traditional finance, clearing houses, and digital assets. From institutional custody and regulation to stablecoins, trust, and the future of money, this conversation cuts through crypto hype and focuses on how financial systems actually evolve.

This is an essential listen for anyone interested in finance, crypto, careers, institutional trust, and navigating long-term success in volatile industries.

He discusses:
◽️ Graduating into a tough job market and building a career without a linear plan
◽️ Why early “unimpressive” jobs can be the most valuable
◽️ From Goldman Sachs to Coinbase and what drove the transition into crypto
◽️ Institutional custody, regulation, and why trust is the real asset
◽️ Stablecoins, payments, and how crypto reshapes the financial system
◽️ Lessons from being fired, taking risks, and sustaining long-term careers

00:00 Introduction and Rick Schonberg background
02:30 Graduating into recession and early career lessons
07:45 Getting fired, serendipity, and career pivots
14:20 From traditional finance to crypto
20:45 Institutional custody and trust at Coinbase
27:10 Regulation, bad actors, and building credibility
34:50 Stablecoins and the future of payments
41:30 Careers, success, and rejecting influencer mythology
47:55 The future of finance and crypto adoption
54:10 Final advice for graduates and long-term thinking

Rick Schonberg:
◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickschonberg/

Harvey Bracken-Smith:
◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith
◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/harveybsmith
◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/harveybsmith_
◽️ Newsletter: https://personable.substack.com/
◽️ Website: https://www.personable.media/

Personable Podcast:
◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/personable.podcast
◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast
◽️ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@personableclips
◽️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api
◽️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111

Additional:
◽️ Fundraising: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org/donate

Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023. 

This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

Footnote:
Tether, the largest stablecoin issuer, now holds over $100 billion in T-bills. According to data from the Treasury Department, it ranks as the 18th-largest overall holder of US debt, above the UAE ($85 billion).

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Founder and CEO of The Graduate Guide, Peter Wood returns to Personable to break down how graduate careers are changing, why traditional hiring is broken, and what it really takes to build ambition, confidence, and opportunity in a broken labour market.

Since first appearing on the podcast, Peter has scaled The Graduate Guide from a content driven community into a platform tackling the graduate skills gap head on, culminating in its acquisition by The Apprenticeship Group. His work sits at the intersection of education, startups, recruitment, and social mobility, with a clear mission to help people prove what they can do rather than where they come from.

In this conversation, Peter shares what he has learned about ambition, careers, community building, LinkedIn growth, venture capital, and why curiosity may be the most undervalued skill of the next decade.

He explains:
◽️ Why the graduate job market is fundamentally broken
◽️ How ambition gets lost and how to reignite it
◽️ What companies misunderstand about junior talent and AI
◽️ How The Graduate Guide evolved from content to acquisition
◽️ Why apprenticeships and upskilling are the future of work
◽️ How to use LinkedIn intentionally rather than chasing vanity metrics
◽️ What it really takes to stand out in a hyper competitive world

00:00 Returning to Personable and the Graduate Guide’s evolution
02:10 Solving the graduate career crisis
04:00 Why helping everyone is harder than it sounds
07:54 Building community instead of chasing brands
12:06 AI, skills gaps, and the future of junior roles
18:11 Apprenticeships, upskilling, and long term talent
22:20 Curiosity, boredom, and ambition
27:04 Social media, influence, and responsibility
29:26 Entering the VC and startup ecosystem
33:31 Outlasting competition and building momentum
37:56 What Europe needs to succeed in venture capital
40:12 Helping the average person unlock ambition
47:00 How LinkedIn actually works
53:42 Intentionality behind high performing content
1:02:38 Legacy, ambition, and long term purpose
1:09:44 One lesson to take away

Peter Wood:
◽️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petermwood_/?hl=en
◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-m-wood/

Harvey Bracken-Smith:
◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith
◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/harveybsmith
◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/harveybsmith_
◽️ Newsletter: https://personable.substack.com/
◽️ Website: https://www.personable.media/

Personable Podcast:
◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/personable.podcast
◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast
◽️ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@personableclips
◽️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api
◽️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111

Additional:
◽️ Fundraising: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org/donate

Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023. 

This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

Support the show

Send a text

1M Followers & 42.7M likes on Tiktok with 3 videos reaching: 21.2M, 20.8M & 11.5M. Anastasia Garcia is a dancer, model & student. Her passion for dancing propelled her into TikTok stardom during the pandemic and she has become a model & student at UNC. 

Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023.

Connect with Harvey:
Harvey's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith/ 
Harvey's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveybsmith/
Personable Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveybsmithpodcast_/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api

My dad's startup: https://www.thedraft.io/
Donate to the charity we have founded in memory of my mum: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/LouLouRacefoiundation?utm_term=PvByaxmdn

Support the show

Send a text

Meet Andrew Mitson the Chief Learning Officer & Co-Founder of Uplearn a company he scaled to 100,000 signups & a £10m valuation but decided to leave as he didn't feel like he was leaving the impact that he wanted on the World. Andrew is now a startup advisor to companies worth collectively over $100m. Andrew is building Afinity which is helping students to get into their dream university (Over 109k students have visited the platform from 87 countries) and ReHumanity which has a mission to reconnect people to who they really are. Andrew has a drive to give back and donates all of his income over £30k. 

Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023.

Connect with Harvey:
Harvey's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith/ 
Harvey's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveybsmith/
Personable Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveybsmithpodcast_/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api

My dad's startup: https://www.thedraft.io/
Donate to the charity we have founded in memory of my mum: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/LouLouRacefoiundation?utm_term=PvByaxmdn

Support the show

Send a text

In this episode, Drew Neisser, founder of CMO Huddles and Renegade, shares his journey in the marketing industry and provides insights into building a personal brand, creating revolutionary ideas for clients, and navigating the changing landscape of marketing. He emphasizes the importance of experience, expertise, and building a strong network. Drew also discusses the challenges of differentiating in an oversaturated market and the need for creativity and a unique selling proposition. He highlights the value of community-led growth and the power of word-of-mouth marketing. Drew concludes by sharing advice for aspiring CMOs and the importance of making the most of every opportunity. In this conversation, Drew Neisser and Harvey Bracken-Smith discuss various topics related to career paths, successful CMOs, building networks, building a good team, personal branding, and the importance of lifelong learning.

Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023.

Connect with Harvey:
Harvey's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith/ 
Harvey's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveybsmith/
Personable Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveybsmithpodcast_/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api

My dad's startup: https://www.thedraft.io/
Donate to the charity we have founded in memory of my mum: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/LouLouRacefoiundation?utm_term=PvByaxmdn

Support the show

Send a text

Amanda Lamb, one of the longest-serving reporters at WRAL, recently left her role in Jan 2024 to host a podcast Ageless: Opening Doors with Amanda Lamb which is about women redefining themselves after 50. In this episode, we talk about the art of media, podcasting, and reporting. The art of storytelling is essential in the fields of reporting and business alike - Amanda gives a guideline for how to tell a story whilst grabbing and maintaining attention. We also discuss the future landscape of the media with an increase in polarization and a rise in independent journalism with the continued use of social media and short-form content. Amanda shares her ideas for how to break through in a saturated landscape & how to break into the industry. During her time at WRAL Amanda specialised in crime reporting and Hurricanes. From 2019-2024 Amanda was a writer, host & producer for 4 podcasts. Notably "Follow the Truth" which was a 15-episode true crime series about the re-investigation of the 1993 murder of Michael Jordan's father. Amanda has written and published 12+ books. 

Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023.

Connect with Harvey:
Harvey's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith/ 
Harvey's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveybsmith/
Personable Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveybsmithpodcast_/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api

My dad's startup: https://www.thedraft.io/
Donate to the charity we have founded in memory of my mum: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/LouLouRacefoiundation?utm_term=PvByaxmdn

Support the show

Send a text

This episode features Shep Moyle his past experience includes: Former Owner of ShinDigz - $2bn revenue, President of YPO - 34,000 CEOs, Trustee at Duke University & Harvard Business School, Managing Partner Moyle + Partners. Shep provides incredible stories, lessons & insights on the future of education, building a billion-dollar brand, and creating an impactful life that enables success whilst also giving back. 

Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023.

Connect with Harvey:
Harvey's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith/ 
Harvey's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveybsmith/
Personable Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveybsmithpodcast_/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api

My dad's startup: https://www.thedraft.io/
Donate to the charity we have founded in memory of my mum: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/LouLouRacefoiundation?utm_term=PvByaxmdn

Support the show

Send a text

Simon Johnson is the Founder of Aesthetic Strength an online personal training platform. Simon started out aged 16 in his parents' garage doing 1-1 personal training sessions and has now built an online fitness empire centred in Dubai with a team of 10 staff. He has utilised social media generating over 250,000 followers online & has been featured on ITV news, BBC, radio, and Dubai radio as well as talking on the total mental performance and fitness entrepreneur conferences. This is an important watch for anyone interested in fitness, social media, entrepreneurship and 'becoming the best you can be'. 

Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023.

Connect with Harvey:
Harvey's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith/ 
Harvey's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveybsmith/
Personable Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveybsmithpodcast_/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api

My dad's startup: https://www.thedraft.io/
Donate to the charity we have founded in memory of my mum: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/LouLouRacefoiundation?utm_term=PvByaxmdn

Support the show

Send a text

Imagine learning to read at 12 and then dropping out of school for a year and a half only to find out you had ADHD & Dyslexia. What would you do, where would you go, and how would you turn your life around? This is the story of Jonathan Mooney. A man who discovered his different ways of thinking and turned his life around. He went back to school and turned his previous weaknesses into strengths graduating from Brown University with an Honours Degree in English. Jonathan has also written 3 best-selling books. This story has the power to change your life, the way you think and your opinion on the neurologically diverse and how they could be the leaders of tomorrow. 

Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023.

Connect with Harvey:
Harvey's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith/ 
Harvey's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveybsmith/
Personable Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveybsmithpodcast_/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api

My dad's startup: https://www.thedraft.io/
Donate to the charity we have founded in memory of my mum: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/LouLouRacefoiundation?utm_term=PvByaxmdn

Support the show