The Curve

Over 300,000 jobs have gone in the US alone in the first four months of 2026, up 30% on last year. The people losing them are disproportionately women in white collar roles. The people profiting? Anyone with money in the stock market. This week we get into the real AI story: not just who's at risk, but how AI is quietly making the wealth divide wider. Plus: fuel reserves in Australia and New Zealand are down to about 38 days - what actually happens if we run out? A meme stock just made a $60 billion hostile bid to buy eBay at four times its own size. And Uber quietly reported results that show it's becoming so much more than a taxi app…

We mentioned this episode from Shameless Media on AI and why you can't afford to ignore it, click to listen. (https://open.spotify.com/episode/0uxRRZHvLgX2pRRx9wgnUR?si=bcd4a9cfc6a443da)

We're hiring a junior podcast editor based in London, if that's you (or someone you know), check out the full job description here. (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/thecurveplatform_job-description-activity-7458168667277733888-GW2Z?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAADhXtnMBLOOxJqfuLwCDBajV9VKw09qFvkc)

Want to know exactly how much you should have in your emergency fund and where to put it? We did a whole episode on it, listen here. (https://youtu.be/aVKxGY3DeUw?si=sijFE23CtGuJYTNE)

Wondering whether an investment actually lines up with your values? 👉 Submit your money and morals question to The Ethical Hotline: https://form.typeform.com/to/BZHujjGM

WTF does that mean? A guide to all the jargony bits:

Hostile Takeover - When one company tries to buy another without asking nicely first. Very awkward. Very public.

Meme Stock - A share that goes viral on the internet, not because the company is doing well, but because people collectively decide to make it go up.

Short Selling - Betting a share price will go down and making money when it does. The hedge funds doing this to GameStop got burned badly.

Market Cap - The total value of a company. GameStop's is $12 billion. eBay's is $45 billion. One of these is trying to buy the other.

Reporting Season - When companies publicly share how much money they made or lost. Like a school report card, but the whole world is watching.

Credits:

Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie Hallwright

Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby

Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro

⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠

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Chapters

00:00:00 Coming up in the episode...
00:00:00 Pathfinder x The Curve
00:01:23 We're running out of fuel. Seriously.
00:12:38 The meme stock trying to buy eBay
00:27:19 Pathfinder x The Curve
00:28:01 The richer you are, the more you love AI
00:41:18 Uber is becoming the app for everything
00:50:01 "Should I move my emergency fund?"
00:54:09 Thanks for being here!
00:54:47 Financial Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

This week, Soph sits down with Lily from Pathfinder (https://pathfinder.kiwi/) to untangle the delightfully messy world of ethical investing aka, what happens when your money wants to grow, but your conscience would also like a word. Lily shares her own money story, from growing up in a household where “ordinary” was basically a swear word, to becoming the main earner in her family, to realising that financial independence is about so much more than just having cash in the bank. Together, they unpack why women are so drawn to values-led investing, why “good” and “profitable” don’t have to be mortal enemies, and how to think critically about tricky investing dilemmas like Tesla, tech companies, weapons, climate, conflict and greenwashing. It’s thoughtful, nuanced, occasionally existential, and proof that money and morals can sit at the same table, even if they argue over the bill.

👉 Got a money-and-morals dilemma? Submit your ethical investing question to our Ethical Hotline for Lily to unpack (https://form.typeform.com/to/BZHujjGM).

Credits:

Host: Sophie Hallwright

Guest: Lily Richards

Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby

Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro

⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠

For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction to the episode
00:01:51 Meet Lily from Pathfinder
00:05:37 Lily’s personal money story
00:12:31 Lily’s career journey
00:16:31 The moment things clicked
00:20:54 What financial independence really means
00:23:14 Lily’s unique family setup
00:27:37 How ethics shaped Lily’s life
00:30:26 Why ethical investing feels so complicated
00:36:19 When an investment no longer feels right
00:39:30 Primary vs secondary markets, explained
00:42:42 How to decide if an investment aligns with your values
00:47:48 Simple ways to reflect on your values
00:52:33 Submit your money and morals questions
00:57:07 Thank you for listening!
00:57:32 Financial disclaimer

Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

This week, we’re doing what any normal finance podcast would do after seeing Olivia Dean live: immediately investigating her business model. From billion-stream hits to sold-out O2 shows, merch, brand deals and the very juicy question of who actually makes the money behind your favourite artist, we unpack how pop stardom turns into serious cash. We also look at the London Marathon’s massive boost to the UK economy, why the UK’s financial glow-up is looking… less glow-y, what reporting season is telling us about AI, Amazon, Google and Microsoft, and the Lululemon boardroom drama that proves even leggings can come with corporate chaos. Plus, we answer a community question on what to do when you want to start investing but your bank account is giving “absolutely not x”.

👉 Want us to do a deeper dive on the economics of having fewer babies? Vote in the poll. (https://form.typeform.com/to/MaWNoNfz)

WTF does that mean? A guide to all the jargony bits:

Royalties – Money paid when music gets used. Tiny stream, tiny coin.

Streaming revenue – Money made from Spotify, Apple Music etc. Billions of plays = actual cash.

Record label – The company behind an artist’s music, marketing and distribution. Also: slice-taker.

Endorsements – When brands pay famous people to make us want stuff.

Shareholder – Someone who owns a bit of a company.

Stock / Share – A tiny piece of company ownership.

Fiscal drag – A sneaky tax rise via frozen tax brackets.

Tax bracket – The income bucket that decides your tax rate.

National Insurance – A UK tax for things like pensions and public services.

Reporting season – Company report card time.

B2B – Businesses selling to other businesses.

Market cap – What the stock market thinks a company is worth.

S&P 500 – 500 big US companies.

FTSE 100 – 100 big UK companies.

Credits:

Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie Hallwright

Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby

Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro

⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠

For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Website⁠⁠

⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Newsletter⁠⁠

Chapters

00:00:00 Coming up in this episode…
00:01:38 The business of Olivia Dean
00:13:23 Is the UK in a death spiral?
00:29:17 Big Tech’s report card
00:37:13 Lululemon’s identity crisis
00:44:36 The economics of having fewer babies
00:47:26 How to start investing when money feels tight
00:52:55 Thank you for listening!
00:53:33 Financial disclaimer

Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

In this episode of IOU (Some Money Education), we’re talking all about emergency funds - what they are, why they matter, and how much you might want to have set aside. Lucy, Soph and Vic unpack the role an emergency fund can play when life throws something unexpected your way, whether that’s a sudden medical bill, needing to leave a living situation quickly, or covering an essential expense without relying on debt. They also chat through where to keep your emergency fund, how to start building one, and why having that financial buffer can make you feel more in control. Along the way, there are also some memorable listener stories that show just how unpredictable “emergencies” can be.

Check out IOU (The Practical Lessons) here: https://thecurveplatform.com/

We’re proud to be partnering with BNZ. There’s an art to starting something new, and like any art form, you need the right tools to make it work. Whether you’re flatting, saving to travel, or making a career move, BNZ has the tools to help you master your money from the get-go.

Credits:

Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie Hallwright

Guest: Lucy Blakiston

Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby

Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro

⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠

For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Website⁠⁠

⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Newsletter⁠⁠

Chapters

00:00:00 Welcome to IOU (Some Money Education)!
00:00:40 Coming up in this episode…
00:01:42 BNZ x The Curve
00:02:09 In the Red or Green?
00:09:59 What is an emergency fund & how much do you need?
00:13:36 Where you should keep your emergency fund?
00:14:36 IOU an Answer
00:23:09 Cash & Burn
00:33:37 Extra Credit
00:37:59 Thank you for joining us for IOU (Some Money Education)
00:38:22 Thank you BNZ!
00:38:52 Financial Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

Claude Design just disrupted an entire industry, and markets reacted instantly. We break down what this AI launch actually means, why companies like Adobe and Figma took a hit, and where the opportunity could be for investors as money starts shifting fast. But first… The Curve has had a full rebrand (yes, we’re obsessed, yes we read every comment). Then we get into the oil situation that’s quietly escalating, prices doubling, supply uncertainty, and why this could tip the global economy toward a recession (and what that means for your portfolio). Next: Apple. Tim Cook is stepping down after 15 years, so what happens to one of the world’s most valuable companies now? Is this a risk moment for investors, or the start of a new growth phase? We also unpack why Primark is being spun off into its own company (and how that can unlock value for investors), before ending on Vic’s chaotic comedy night story… which proves not all risks are financial (but equally painful).

WTF does that mean? A guide to all the jargony bits:

Whipsaw Market – Prices going up and down fast. Chaotic energy.

Global Recession – When the whole world’s economy slows down. Not ideal.

Commodity – Raw stuff like oil or gold that gets traded globally.

Supply Chain – How things get made and delivered. When it breaks = delays + higher prices.

Share Price – The cost of owning a piece of a company.

Market Cap – Total value of a company. Big number = big company.

IPO – When a company hits the stock market for the first time.

Valuation – What a company is believed to be worth.

Spin-Off – When a company splits into two separate businesses.

Subsidy – Government help to lower costs (you pay for it later in taxes).

Recurring Revenue – Money a company earns on repeat (subscriptions etc). Investors = obsessed.

Credits:

Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie Hallwright

Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby

Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro

⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠

For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Website⁠⁠

⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Newsletter⁠⁠

Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.