Shows
Fintech MavericksCristina Cordova on Building Stripe, Notion & Linear Before They Were CoolWelcome to a new episode of Fintech Mavericks! đď¸ Today, weâre diving into what it takes to scale world-changing products from zero to obsession-worthy.Hosted by fintech journalist and Fintech Is Femme founder Nicole Casperson, alongside Drew Glover, co-founder of Fiat Growth, this episode features an operator whoâs helped shape the fintech ecosystem as we know it:Cristina Cordova, COO at Linear, previously Head of Platform & Partnerships at Notion, and one of Stripeâs first 20 employees, where she built foundational partnerships that fueled the companyâs early hypergrowth.From cold-emailing global media companies at...2025-08-0656 minFintech MavericksData Donât Lie: Cartaâs Peter Walker Spills the Startup Trends Youâre MissingWelcome to a live episode of Fintech Mavericks! đď¸ Recorded at the Fintech Summit, this conversation brings sharp insight and refreshing transparency straight from the heart of the startup economy.Nicole Casperson and Drew Glover are joined by Peter Walker, Head of Insights at Carta, where he translates data from over 45,000 U.S. startups into narratives that founders, operators, and investors can actually use.From debunking VC myths to revealing what Carta data shows about AI hype, Series A expectations, and the new rules of fintech GTM, Peter unpacks whatâs real and whatâs noise in todayâ...2025-07-3051 minFintech MavericksThe Investorâs Experiment: How Laura Bock Bets on Whatâs Next in FintechWelcome back to Fintech Mavericks! đď¸This week, hosts Nicole Casperson and Drew Glover sit down with Laura Bock, Partner at QED Investors, one of the most active and forward-thinking VC firms in fintech today.With a background in biophysics and a career that spans global finance and data-driven investing, Laura brings a rare blend of scientific rigor and startup intuition to every deal she backs. In this episode, she breaks down why venture capital is âone giant experiment,â the founder red flags she can spot in seconds, and how to tell a story that investors canât sto...2025-07-2349 minFintech MavericksFrom NFL to Fintech: How Kevin Jurovich Is Monetizing the Knowledge EconomyIn this episode of Fintech Mavericks, Nicole Casperson and Drew Glover sit down with Kevin Jurovichâformer NFL player, wealth manager, and now founder of hubbleâfor a powerful conversation about the evolving value of expertise in the digital age.Kevinâs journey is anything but traditional. After navigating the highs of professional sports and the fast-paced world of wealth management, he turned his sights to fintech, building hubble: a platform that helps everyday experts monetize their hard-earned knowledge through paid one-on-one calls, resources, and content.With a 125,000+ strong founder community and a pre-seed round fueled...2025-07-1658 min
Humans of FintechFighting FinCrime Smarter: Trisha Kothari on Building Unit21 and Outpacing FraudstersIn this episode of Humans of Fintech, host Nicole Casperson sits down with Trisha Kothari, Co-Founder and CEO of Unit21, for a deep dive into one of fintechâs most urgent (and misunderstood) frontiers: fraud and compliance.From uncovering flaws in legacy systems to building a platform trusted by top fintechs, Trisha has made it her mission to stop financial crimeâwithout making it harder for teams to do their jobs.She shares what the early fintech boom got wrong about compliance, how AI is changing the FinCrime landscape, and why collaborationânot isolationâis the secr...2025-07-1434 minFintech MavericksBacking Bold Founders: How Haley Bryant Is Changing Early-Stage VCIn this episode of Fintech Mavericks, Nicole Casperson and Drew Glover sit down with Haley Bryant, Principal at Hustle Fund, for a high-energy conversation on backing overlooked talent, building fast with purpose, and redefining what makes a founder investable.Haley brings deep operator experienceâfrom scaling teams at Apple to helping agencies growâand now channels that drive into writing early-stage checks at one of the most founder-first funds in the game. She shares why fancy rĂŠsumĂŠs are overrated, what makes a great pitch before thereâs traction, and the key moves every startup should make in...2025-07-0944 minHumans of FintechLeading the Climate Fintech Movement with Bhuva ShaktiIn this episode of Humans of Fintech, host Nicole Casperson sits down with Bhuva Shakti, founder of Bhuvaâs Impact Global and Chief Sustainable Innovation Officer at Wallet Maxâ˘, for a conversation about the intersection of fintech, climate, and innovation.With more than 30 years of experience in digital finance, Bhuva has helped companies navigate complex financial landscapesâwhile pushing for solutions that put both people and the planet first. Now, sheâs at the forefront of the Climate Fintech movement, using AI-powered tools to build a more inclusive and sustainable financial system.Bhuva shares how her work...2025-07-0747 minFintech MavericksOwning the Story: Ryan Breslow on Leadership, Legacy & the Power of LoveIn Episode 2 of Fintech Mavericks Season 2, hosts Nicole Casperson and Drew Glover sit down with Ryan Breslow, Founder and returning CEO of Bolt, for a raw and revealing conversation about founder identity, public perception, and what it really takes to rebuild after controversy.Known for pioneering one-click checkout and stirring up headlines with his unfiltered takes, Ryan is back at the helm of Bolt with a bold new vision: turning the company into fintechâs everything app. He opens up about the infamous loan saga, why his real regret was trusting the wrong investors, and how heâs re...2025-07-0249 minFintech MavericksReimagining Generosity: Adam Nash on Building Fintech with PurposeIn this episode of Fintech Mavericks, Nicole Casperson and Drew Glover kick off Season 2 with none other than Adam Nash, Co-Founder and CEO of Daffyâa platform transforming how we think about giving.From leading product at LinkedIn to scaling Wealthfront into a major fintech player, Adam has long been at the intersection of innovation and impact. Now, with Daffy, heâs bringing that expertise to charitable givingâdesigning a platform that makes generosity easier and habitual.In this conversation, Adam breaks down why donor-advised funds are the future of giving, how behavioral economics shaped Daffyâ...2025-06-2554 minHumans of FintechBreaking Barriers in Credit with Angel Rich, CEO of CreditRichIn this special episode of Humans of Fintech, recorded live at the Fintech Is Femme Leadership Summit 2025, host Nicole Casperson sits down with Angel Rich, Founder and CEO of CreditRich, for a powerful conversation on purpose-driven leadership, strategic disruption, and building a billion-dollar impact in fintech.Dubbed âthe next Steve Jobsâ by Forbes and honored with a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, Angel is behind the first Black woman-owned neobank and has led CreditRich to groundbreaking partnerships with Experian, Visa, and Equifax. But her path hasnât been easy. From raising just $200K while competitors raised millions to levera...2025-05-0829 minHumans of FintechRedefining Wealth-Building in Latin America with Carlos DĂaz of RUUTIn this in-person episode of Humans of Fintech, host Nicole Casperson sits down with Carlos DĂaz, Co-Founder of RUUT, Mexicoâs largest Registered Investment Advisor, for a candid conversation about access, inclusion, and reimagining investing for a new generation.RUUT serves many first-time investors, with an average user age of just 24. The platform already manages $4 million in assets and has helped clients earn more than $100,000 in returns. With Carlos recently crowned the winner of the Nasdaq Trailblazer Contest, RUUTâs mission is catching the attention of global fintech leaders.Carlos shares the frustrations that spark...2025-05-0125 minFintech MavericksScaling Inclusion: The Fintech Legacy Elizabeth Gore Is BuildingIn this episode of Fintech Mavericks, Nicole Casperson and Drew Glover sit down with Elizabeth Gore, Co-Founder and President of Hello Alice, for a powerful live conversation recorded at the Fintech Is Femme Leadership Summit at The Times Center Mainstage.Elizabeth has helped grow Hello Alice into a $130 million fintech platform serving over 1.5 million small business ownersâproviding access to capital, education, and community to the entrepreneurs who need it most. Under her leadership, the company has distributed more than $50 million in grants, built partnerships across sectors, and stood firm in its mission, even in the face of...2025-04-3030 minFintech MavericksLeading with Purpose: The Next Chapter of Ellevest with Emily GreenIn this episode of Fintech Mavericks, Nicole Casperson and Drew Glover sit down with Emily Green, Head of Wealth Management at Ellevest, to talk about bold pivots, purpose-driven leadership, and the future of wealth for women.Since joining Ellevest in 2017, when the company had just $40 million AUM, Emily has helped scale the platform to over $2 billion, all while staying rooted in one mission: getting more money in the hands of women.Emily unpacks Ellevestâs recent decision to sunset its robo-advisory product and transition clients to Betterment, allowing the firm to double down on high-impact we...2025-04-2345 minHumans of FintechClosing the Financial Gender Gap with Anna-Sophie Hartvigsen of Female InvestIn this episode of Humans of Fintech, host Nicole Casperson sits down with Anna-Sophie Hartvigsen, Co-Founder of Female Invest, for an inspiring conversation about financial empowerment, global community-building, and what it takes to challenge a male-dominated industry from the ground up.What began as a frustration with the lack of women in finance events has since become a movement. Since 2019, Female Invest has reached more than 90,000 members in over 120 countriesâoffering tools, education, and support to help women invest with confidence. With endorsements from icons like Emma Watson and Hillary Clinton, the platform is making massive waves in...2025-04-1732 minFintech MavericksBuilding, Breaking, and Rebuilding Fintech with Simon Taylorđ˘ What happens when a bank insider becomes one of fintechâs boldest builders and most trusted voices?In this episode of Fintech Mavericks, Nicole Casperson and Drew Glover sit down with Simon Taylor, Head of Content & Strategy at Sardine, and the mind behind some of fintechâs most influential platforms - from Fintech Insider to Fintech Brainfood.Simonâs journey spans traditional finance, blockchain R&D at Barclays, co-founding the game-changing 11:FS, and now shaping strategy at Sardine. Heâs advised regulators, launched top-rated podcasts, and helped define the conversation around what fintech can and should be.2025-04-1641 minFintech MavericksTeaching the Next Generation to Build Wealth - with Tanya Van CourtđąWhat if the key to closing the wealth gap starts with teaching kids how to save, spend, and investâbefore they even hit high school?In this episode of Fintech Mavericks, Nicole Casperson and Drew Glover sit down with Tanya Van Court, Founder and CEO of Goalsetter, the award-winning fintech platform empowering families to build generational wealth through financial literacy.Tanyaâs path to fintech wasnât typicalâshe went from leading digital strategy at Nickelodeon to building a banking and education app that puts kids and parents at the center. With innovative features like âLearn Before...2025-04-0945 minHumans of FintechFinancial Literacy for the 99%: Empowering Communities with Ashley FoxIn this episode of Humans of Fintech, host Nicole Casperson sits down with Ashley Fox, Founder and CEO of Empify, for a powerful conversation on financial literacy, community empowerment, and what it means to challenge Wall Streetâs status quo.Ashley shares how her experiences as a former Wall Street analyst led her to launch Empifyâa platform committed to delivering financial education and resources to underserved communities. With a mission to reach the 99% that traditional finance has long ignored, Ashley is reshaping how everyday people access, understand, and build wealth.This episode unpacks her entr...2025-04-0731 minFintech MavericksScaling Smart: Sophia Goldberg on Building Ansa & Raising $20M with 95% Female Investorsđł What if businesses could launch their own digital wallets to keep customers engaged and drive new revenue?In this episode of Fintech Mavericks, Nicole Casperson and Drew Glover sit down with Sophia Goldberg, Co-Founder & CEO of Ansa, the payments startup redefining how merchants interact with their customers. Since launching in 2022, Ansa has been making waves, earning a spot on The Informationâs 50 Most Promising Startups of 2023. Their stored value wallet solution is giving businesses a powerful way to boost retention and increase revenue.Sophia, a self-proclaimed âpayments nerdâ, is also the author of The Field Guide to...2025-04-0246 minFintech MavericksThe Power of Instant Money: Orumâs $82M Journey with CEO Stephany Kirkpatrickđ¸ What if getting paid instantly was the norm?In this episode of Fintech Mavericks, Nicole Casperson and Drew Glover sit down with Stephany Kirkpatrick, Founder & CEO of Orum, the company redefining how money moves with instant access to all major payment rails. Since launching in 2019, Orum has raised $82M+ and built an API that enables seamless, real-time payouts for businesses and consumers alike.With a background as a Certified Financial Planner and the daughter of an immigrant, Stephanyâs mission is deeply personal: ensuring that financial access is no longer a privilege but a standard. She s...2025-03-2634 minHumans of FintechNY Fintech Week & The Future of Fintech with Jon ZanoffIn this episode of Humans of Fintech, host Nicole Casperson sits down with Jon Zanoff, the Founder of Empire Startupsâbetter known as the "Mayor of Fintech" in NYC. For over 15 years, Jon has been at the forefront of the fintech community, bringing together founders, investors, and banking leaders through the countryâs largest fintech meetup and the highly anticipated New York Fintech Week.But this year, thereâs something even bigger on the horizon. Nicoleâs Fintech Is Femme Leadership Summit is back, and itâs redefining fintech as we know it. Following the success of last yearâ...2025-03-2042 minFintech MavericksBeyond the Deal: How Super.com is Redefining Travel, Retail & Fintech with Hussein Fazalđ Fintech Mavericks is back with another game-changing conversation!In this episode, Nicole Casperson (Fintech Is Femme) and Drew Glover (Fiat Growth) sit down with Hussein Fazal, Co-founder & CEO of Super.com, the mobile commerce giant thatâs reshaping travel, retail, and fintech.What started as a simple hotel deal app has exploded into a savings-driven platform with 30M+ users, $2B+ in sales, and $150M+ in funding. Husseinâs journey is a masterclass in scaling, from bootstrapping his first company (Ad Parlor, which later sold for $100M+) to building Super.com into a fintech powerhouse. Donât miss th...2025-03-1939 minFintech MavericksRedefining Wealth Tech and Pet Insurance with Alinea Invest & WagmoWelcome to the first-ever episode of Fintech Mavericks! đď¸ Recorded live from Brex HQ in NYC, weâre kicking off Womenâs History Month with a powerhouse convo about disruption, innovation, and the future of fintech.Hosted by fintech journalist and Fintech Is Femme founder Nicole Casperson, alongside Drew Glover, co-founder of Fiat Growth, this episode brings together two incredible founders who are flipping their industries on their heads:⨠Eve Halimi, Co-founder & CEO of Alinea Investâempowering Gen Z women to take control of their wealth, with over 90% female users and explosive growth.⨠Christie Horvath, Founde...2025-03-1241 minFintech MavericksFintech Mavericks Trailer - Sponsored by BrexJoin fintech journalist Nicole Casperson and prolific investor Drew Glover as they chat with some of the most innovative fintech founders around. Each week, weâre diving into the strategies and insights behind scaling a business while staying true to purposeâand, of course, making a profit. Sponsored by Brex.âş Brex has been redefining how financial services and software work together since 2017âbuilt by founders, for founders. They know runway is everything, so they designed a banking experience that helps startups make every dollar count. With no minimums, no transaction fees, and 20x the standard FDIC protection, Brex giv...2025-03-0402 min
Humans of FintechFintech Mavericks Mini-Series Trailer - Sponsored by BrexâFintech Mavericksâ Podcast Mini-Series â Join fintech journalist Nicole Casperson and prolific investor Drew Glover for an exciting 8-part podcast mini-series, Fintech Mavericks. Together, theyâll dive deep into the success strategies and valuable insights from some of the most innovative fintech founders who are going against the grain to create a brighter financial future for all. Sponsored by Brex.âş Listen to Fintech Mavericks on Apple Podcast, Spotify & YouTube.âş Brex has been redefining how financial services and software work together since 2017âbuilt by founders, for founders. They know runway is everything, so they designed a banking experience tha...2025-02-2802 minHumans of FintechS7 Ep6: How Candidly Delivered Nearly $1 Billion in Student Loan Savings, with Laurel TaylorStudent loan debt is a major issue in the United States, affecting millions of Americans. Nicole sits down with Laurel Taylor, CEO and Founder of Candidly, to discuss how her company is using technology to empower individuals and help them navigate the complexities of student loan repayment. Laurel shares her personal journey and the challenges she faced in bringing her idea to life. She explains how Candidly uses AI to go beyond simple debt by helping users achieve financial wellness. On track to deliver nearly a billion dollars in student loan debt savings, Candidly is o...2023-12-2141 minHumans of FintechS7 Ep5: Nina Mohanty on the Immigrant Experience and Financial Inclusion
In this episode, Nicole sits down with Nina Mohanty, the founder of Bloom Money, a platform that provides financial options for immigrants. Nina shares her personal experience as a first-generation immigrant and discusses the importance of diversity in the fintech industry. She also chats with Nicole about the need for financial inclusion and explains how Bloom Money is working to serve distinct communities better, reflecting on her own upbringing and how it shaped her mindset towards money. 00:01:24 - A Multicultural Upbringing in Silicon Valley00:06:06 - The Immigrant Experience: Challenges and Privilege...2023-11-0836 minHumans of FintechS7 Ep4: Breaking Barriers with Fintechâs Most Powerful Women (Live from Money 20/20)
Meet fintechâs most influential women in the industry. Sasha Pilch, Principal at Fin Capital, Emma Zhang, Founder and CEO of Pactfi, and Kathryn Petralia, Co-Founder of Keep Financial, join Nicole live from Money 20/20 to discuss the importance of female representation and empowerment in fintech.With women making up less than 30% of the fintech workforce and only 8% holding leadership roles, something needs to change. These inspiring women share their experiences and insights on how to break through the barriers and create a more inclusive industry.From the importance of storytelling and confidence to the need fo...2023-11-0141 minHumans of FintechS7 Ep3: Breaking Fintech Barriers and Trusting the Journey, with Anaid Chacon
Trust is a crucial element in the fintech industry, and Anaid Chacon, SVP of Product Development at Argyle, knows just how important it is to establish trust with customers. In this episode, she and Nicole discuss the challenges of building trust in fintech and how incorporating behavioral finance elements into Argyle's product helps to create a more trustworthy experience for its users. Anaid also shares her personal journey with fintech and the importance of authenticity and diversity in the fintech space. And later, she divulges why women should stop worrying about knowing everything before diving he...2023-10-2536 minHumans of FintechS7 Ep2: Banks, Fintech, and the Latin American Landscape: A Candid Conversation with Cristina Ciaravalli
In this candid conversation, Nicole takes a beat to talk with Cristina Ciaravalli about her storied career in the fintech industry, from her early beginnings working for Goldman Sachs to meeting and falling in love with tech startup, Plaid. The two chat about the differences between working for an organization like Goldman versus working for fintech startups and discuss what, exactly, drew Cristina to Plaid. Then, they pivot into dissecting how regulation makes banking as a service fundamentally different from fintech, before diving into the latest trends in fintech in Latin America.  Plus, Cristina divulges why...2023-10-1833 minHumans of FintechS7 Ep1: Poker Power Play: Bridging the Gender Gap, with Jenny Just
Did you know that less than 7% of poker players are women? Jenny Just, the founder of Poker Power Play App, is on a mission to change that. In this episode, she and Nicole discuss the importance of women's representation in the poker world and how playing poker can develop valuable skills for both personal and professional growth. Jenny shares her vision of creating a gender-neutral poker app and her goal of having half of all poker players be women. They also explore the role of women in decision-making around money and the need for more fi...2023-10-1146 minHumans of FintechS6 Ep6: Zach Anderson Pettet on the Future of Fintech, Money 2020, & Beyond
Join Nicole as she chats with fintech aficionado Zach Anderson Pettet. From the importance of diverse experiences to the irony of investment apps, theyâre tackling it all so that you donât have to. Zach delves into his personal journey with fintech, revealing how his early financial struggles shaped his interest in fintech and beyond.  Then, Nicole and Zach touch upon the Money 20/20 conference, with Zach giving a behind-the-scenes look at content curation. Plus, why does Zach feel people in fintech need to lighten up, stop taking it quite so seriously, and have a l...2023-09-2743 minHumans of FintechS6 Ep5: Overcoming Your Financial Baggage, with Alejandra Rojas
In this episode, Nicole chats with Alejandra Rojas, founder of The Money Mindset Hub, about why itâs so critical for women to acknowledge and address all of the emotional baggage and trauma money brings with it. Alejandra explains why approaching money from a clearer mindset enables women to seize opportunities in an otherwise male-dominated space and to level up in new ways where finances wonât automatically trigger an emotional response. By creating a safe space where people can feel safe to discuss their issues with finances, Alejandra believes women can unlock their true entrepreneurial prowess....2023-09-1344 minHumans of FintechS6 Ep4: A Global Perspective on Embedded Finance, with Ahon Sarkar
What does the future of embedded finance look like in countries experiencing a financial revolution, with cultural norms so different from our own?General Manager to Helix, Ahon Sarkar, chats with Humans of Fintech host Nicole Casperson about the homogeneity of cultural spending across the world, including the rising appetite for greater access to wealth management in India, South Korea, and India. Plus, Ahon and Nicole discuss the challenges niche embedded finance companies face in creating a sustainable business model and generate a few potential solutions to solve the drop-off problem. 0:00 In...2023-08-3048 min
Humans of FintechS6 Ep3: Feminism, Fintech, and OnlyFans, with CEO of OnlyFans, Keily Blair
We get it, we get it. When you hear the word âOnlyFans,â feminism isnât exactly the first word that comes to mind. Keily Blair, CEO of OnlyFans, is here to explain why it should.In this live event, she and Nicole discuss the implications of fintech being a predominantly male industry and why the inclusion of women throughout the design process is so important. Then, Keily explains how OnlyFans is ensuring that women have an equal seat at the table, from the C-Suite down and how the $250 billion creator economy is presenting new challenges to the...2023-08-1621 min
Humans of FintechS6 Ep2: The First Wealth Management App for Couples, with Plenty Co-Founder & CEO, Emily Luk
How much money do you need to have a child? What, exactly, should your finances look like before you consider buying a house? How much should you save for a wedding?  You shouldnât have to pay $1000 or more to find out the answers to these questions from a financial plannerâ and Emily Luk, CEO and Co-Founder of Plenty, has designed the first platform designed with couples' finances in mind.She and Nicole chat about the current state of wealth management for couples and how, with over 65% of millennial couples partnering up, itâs more relevant...2023-08-0231 min
Humans of FintechS6 Ep1: Unpacking the Gender Gaps in Fintech, with Tracey Davies and Scarlett Sieber
In this live event, Nicole sits down with Tracey Davies (President of Money20/20) and Scarlett Sieber (Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at Money20/20) to talk about their unique experiences within the fintech industry. What are the gaps in diversity and inclusion theyâve been witness to, and what are they doing to ensure their platform is used to progress the industry forward? Nicole also chats with Scarlett and Tracey about why having a psychological safety net at work helps companies to take advantageous risks and why the cult of perfection stops companies from doing more than...2023-07-1939 min
Humans of FintechS5 Ep6: B2C Fintechâs Greatest Misconceptions, with Katie Perry
On todayâs pod, Nicole and guest speaker, Katie Perry, GM of B2B for the fintech app Public, are breaking down the biggest misconceptions surrounding B2C in fintech.Is B2C in Fintech still alive and thriving? What are the advantages of having a diversified perspective in the fintech market? And how can we build a better industry by encouraging women to break down barriers and fill leadership positions within the B2C community? Plus, find out how Public is aiming to make investing more accessible by providing education and context to empower the...2023-06-2137 min
Humans of FintechS5 Ep5: Dismantling the Double Standards Women in the Workplace Face, with Author Julia Boorstin
Did you know that studies show female-founded startups yield higher profits and sell a year earlier than male-founded companies? In this live event, Nicole speaks with CNBC Senior Correspondent Julia Boorstin about her latest book, âWhen Women Lead.â Juliaâs book covers groundbreaking and deeply researched studies revealing the common characteristics that help top female leaders thrive in the workplace, and sheâs breaking them down live.Then, stay tuned for a round of audience-fielded questions. Buy Juliaâs Book, âWhen Women Leadâ:https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN...2023-06-0741 min
Humans of FintechS5 Ep4: NYT Bestselling Author Daniel Crosby Talks Behavioral Finance
How can we account for the messiness of human beings when designing fintech apps? New York Times bestselling author and Chief Behavioral Officer to Orion, Daniel Crosby, stops by the studio to chat with Nicole about behavioral finance and the role it plays in fintech.  As a former Ph.D. psychology grad, Danielâs knowledge of the role that human behavior plays in financial decisions is second to none. He explains how we can use those behavioral decisions to help people spend money in ways that will incite joy instead of judgment and to destigmatize the f...2023-05-2441 min
Humans of FintechMartin Toha, CEO of Array, on Empowering Consumers and Embracing Inclusion in Fintech
In this special episode sponsored by the embedded fintech products platform, Array, Nicole chats with founder Martin Toha about how Array is building a platform to help both clients and their customers own their financial future.Plus, Nicole and Martin also dive into an important conversation around why an intentional, early investment in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) can drive impact and value internally and externally.   Want to know how to make DEIB part of your organizationâs DNA? Tune in to find out! Follow Array: Website: https://array.c...2023-05-2335 min
Humans of FintechS5 Ep3: Rewriting the Asian American Narrative in Fintech, with Liang Zhao
 Did you know that 1 in every 124 Asian women in the workplace is a leader vs. 1 in every 50 white males?  Liang Zhao, CEO of the marketing consulting agency, Vansary, does, and thatâs why sheâs making it her personal mission to ensure underrepresented groups have an equal seat at the leadership table.  Liang sits down to speak with Nicole about what her experience as an Asian American has been like in the fintech space, including why the culture of internalization has made it difficult for Asian Americans to recognize when they...2023-05-1035 min
Humans of FintechS5 Ep2: Representing the Communities Fintech Serves with Helen Min
If youâre creating a fintech product that serves everyone but donât have people building it who represent the groups youâre trying to help, how do you ever expect it to succeed? In this live event, Nicole talks with Phenomenal Venturesâ Co-Founder, Helen Min, about her thoughts on fintechâs biggest problems, including the lack of representation for women within the fintech community. She also shares why you should double down on telling your brandâs story through consistent messaging and explains why verticalized fintech applications are something to get excited ab...2023-04-2642 min
Humans of FintechS5 Ep1: How Stash CEO Liza Landsman is Making Economic Stability Accessible to All
Industry powerhouse and Stash CEO Liza Landsman is in the studio to chat with Nicole about how sheâs using FinTech to disrupt the bottleneck between economic sustainability and the average consumer.  Liza unpacks how the average consumer can benefit from Fintech and why, by using less coded, more accessible language, apps like Stash are breaking down barriers and encouraging those in poverty to achieve financial stability.  Plus, Nicole and Liza chat about the importance of representation in the Fintech sector and the psychology behind getting people to save more and buy le...2023-04-1236 min
Humans of FintechS4 Ep14: Virtual Event: Building The Fintech Community Through Real Talk
What happens when two of the most stellar names in fintech host a virtual event? Time to find out.Nicole Casperson (Fintech is Femme)Â and Alex Johnson (Fintech Takes)Â throw open the doors for this community-building online event, tackling the real questions around fintech inclusivity, if B2C fintech is dead (or should be), and how Gen Z and missional values must align when it comes to choosing a career path.Plus youâll also hear questions from the audience, including the unsexy parts of banking that fintech needs to get into next.2023-03-2253 min
Humans of FintechS4 Ep13: Commentary - SVB: The Shaky Foundation Built On Under Representation
In this commentary episode, Nicole gets straight into talking about the topic of the moment: Silicon Valley Bank.Digging below the story, Nicole offers searing analysis on the root causes and asks the important questions.You'll also hear her take on herd mentality and how fintech must do better.And if you love listening to Humans of Fintech, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/humansoffintechThank you so much!You can keep up-to-date with everything Humans of Fintech at https://workweek.com...2023-03-1511 min
Humans of FintechS4 Ep12: Why A Fintech Company Is Going Back To Basics In The Classroom
How come they teach math and sex-ed at school but not money?CJ MacDonald is CEO and Founder of Step, the next generation financial services company helping teens and young adults achieve financial independence and knowledge at an earlier age. Nicole and CJ discuss why getting into schools at the earliest age creates the building blocks to financial stability, how savings bonds led to an aha moment, and how it all starts with a bank account.Follow CJ:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjmacdonald/Twitter: https://twitter.com/CJM...2023-03-0829 min
Humans of FintechFireside Chat: Katie Palencsar - VC Investor At The Anthemis Group
Katie agrees to step into the spotlight for this quickfire round of questions.Find out whoâs on her fintech soundtrack, the best advice she ever received and so much more in this fireside chat with NicoleFollow Katie:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiepalencsar/Twitter: https://twitter.com/damekatiepAnd if you love listening to Humans of Fintech, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/humansoffintechThank you so much!You can keep up-to-date wi...2023-03-0203 min
Humans of FintechS4 Ep11: What Katie Did Next. The VC Investor Backing Female Fintech Founders
How do you smash down common misconceptions around female fintech founders? Katie Palencsar is the startup founder turned investor, determined to bring equity into VC investments.Katie is an investor at the Female Innovators Lab Fund within the Anthemis Group, the global platform cultivating change in the financial system by investing in, growing, and sustaining businesses committed to resiliency, transparency, access and equity.Nicole and Katie discuss why sheâs hell bent on shattering the misconceptions around female fintech founders, why itâs time to bring men back into the conversation, and how to respond to a...2023-03-0134 min
Humans of FintechS4 Ep10: Commentary - Why Financial Inclusion IS Fintech
How can your fintech product prioritize inclusion, generate profitability, and serve people who need financial tools?In this quick breakdown Nicole defines what inclusion really means in the space, gives examples from Annie Jean-Baptisteâs best settling book, and how to capture a larger market share by creating more inclusive products for people of color, women and other underrepresented groups.Plus, youâll also get Nicoleâs insights on how Google are building inclusivity into their products at the design stage.And if you love listening to Humans...2023-02-2712 min
Humans of FintechFireside Chat: Alison Staloch - CFO at Fundrise
Join Nicole and Alison in this lightning round of questions, covering everything from music to inspirational advice.Get to know Nicole's inspirational podcast guest even better in this 5-minute fireside chat.Follow Alison:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisonstaloch/And if you love listening to Humans of Fintech, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/humansoffintechThank you so much!You can keep up-to-date with everything Humans of Fintech at https://workweek.com/brand/wtfintech/2023-02-2304 min
Humans of FintechS4 Ep9: The Regulator Who Fell Into Fintech To Build A Better System
From medicine to regulations and headlong into Fintech, meet the CFO building a better financial system.Alison Staloch is CFO at Fundrise, Americaâs largest direct-to-investor alternatives investment platform, since 2012.Nicole and Alison, dig into why a career in medicine left her cold, how she navigated a course through regulations and policy at the US Securities And Exchange Commission, and why Fundriseâs ethos for empowering its customer is her north star.Plus, youâll also hear the best piece of advice Alison was given and why Fintech outsiders should dive into the indust...2023-02-2230 min
Humans of FintechFireside Chat: Vered Frank - Head of Marketing at Seeds Investment
Vered is under the spotlight in this quickfire round of questions.Discover her fintech soundtrack, the best advice she ever received and more in this fireside chat with Nicole.Follow Vered:Â LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veredfrank/You can keep up-to-date with everything Humans of Fintech at https://workweek.com/brand/wtfintech/And if youâve enjoyed Humans of Fintech why not try: Chicks of FinTwit, Tech Unlocked, Breaking Banks or Fintech InsiderThank you so much!
2023-02-1605 min
Humans of FintechS4 Ep8: How To Align Money With Meaning, Vered Frank, Seeds Investor
From traditional finance to fintech and back again, Vered Frank is the CMO helping investors find meaning and connection.She is Head of Marketing at Seeds Investor, empowering financial advisors to deliver a more meaningful investment experience.Nicole and Vered talk robo investment advisors, the disconnect between earning and spending, and how Vered found her fintech sweet spot.Follow Vered:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veredfrank/And if you love listening to Humans of Fintech, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com...2023-02-1538 min
Humans of FintechS4 Ep7: The First-Time Fintech Founders Creating Community On Their Terms
What happens when youâre frozen out of financial conversations because of gender and ethnicity? You start your own conversationEve Halimi and Anam Lakhani are the first-time founders behind Alinea Invest, the community-driven money app with financial education, news, stock & crypto investing.Nicole, Eve and Anam explore why so many women arenât taught how to save and invest, the importance of non-predatory platforms and how Alinea got funded, despite investors not getting the problem or seeing the need for a solution.Follow Eve:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eve...2023-02-0837 min
Humans of FintechFireside Chat: Michelle Tran - Head of Enterprise Sales and SVP at Vestwell
Hold on tight as Michelle answers a lightning round of questions from Nicole in this fireside chat.Get personal with 3 minutes, you donât want to miss!And if you love listening to Humans of Fintech, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/humansoffintechThank you so much!Follow Michelle:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellektran/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MkateMamaYou can keep up-to-date with ev...2023-02-0203 min
Humans of FintechS4 Ep6: The Fintech Entrepreneur Empowering Women Against Bro Culture
Michelle Tran is building a community, meeting fintech bro culture head on. Find out why she will no longer be talked over.Michelle Tran is the Head of Enterprise Sales and SVP at Vestwell, a platform working to close the savings gap. Sheâs also the Founder of NYC Fintech Women and Dreamers // Doers, a collaboration and mentorship community.Nicole and Michelle get into her inspiring family story of immigration in tough circumstances, why sheâs determined to keep on giving back, and the aha moment when she found herself talked over at a pitch meet...2023-02-0138 min
Humans of FintechS4 E5: Commentary - The Female Founder Funding Gap
Itâs 2023 and still female founders are facing tough challenges getting recognized and funded. Why? Nicole explores the topic in this 5-minute commentary episode.Join Nicole as she dives into recent research showing the difficulty female founders have getting funding from male-founded VC firms. She gets into the numbers around this issue and some solutions to changing up the status quo.And if you love listening to Humans of Fintech, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/humansoffintechThank you so much!...2023-01-3006 min
Humans of FintechS4 Ep4: Meet The Unconventional Fintech Founder Changing The VC World
From struggling to read to becoming a highly successful VC and Founder, this is the unique story of Drew Glover.Drew is Co-Founder of Fiat Ventures and Fiat Growth, helping fintech startups scale through mentorship and investment. He grew up overcoming learning difficulties, thanks to his own determination and an encouraging mom, and is now a successful investor and mentor.Nicole and Drew get into how his success as an athlete helped him become the best communicator, why admitting your weaknesses is the key to self-growth, and why he believes fintech investment will unlock opportunities...2023-01-2533 min
Humans of FintechFireside Chat: Meg Nakamura - Co-founder and CEO of Apto Payments
Get to know Meg a little better, as Nicole unleashes this lightning round of questions.From Fintech songs, to Megâs biggest supporter - this is 3-minutes you canât miss!And if you love listening to Humans of Fintech, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/humansoffintechThank you so much!Follow Meg:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/megnakamuraYou can keep up-to-date with everything Humans of Fintech at https://workweek.com/brand/wtfintech/An...2023-01-1902 min
Humans of FintechS4 Ep3: How Apto Payments is Moving The Needle Through Trust, With Meg Nakamura
You donât get a hall pass for making mistakes with peopleâs money.Meg Nakamura is the Co-founder and CEO building trust through fintech. Find out how.Apto Payments is the next-generation cards and payments platform that helps companies design and launch successful card programs in as fast as a day. Meg and Co-founder Greg Kidd are building a company with community and trust at its core.Nicole and Meg talk about how Megâs Japanese upbringing influenced her approach to business, why you only get one chance to handle peopleâs finances...2023-01-1830 min
Humans of FintechS4 Ep2: Yoni Assia: The eToro Founder Disrupting Traditional Finance
This is a special one. Yoni Assia is the Founder and CEO of eToro, discover his vision for Fintech and why investment is for everyone.eToro is the worldâs leading social investment platform. Founded in 2007 with a mission to open the world's markets to everyone -everywhere.Nicole and Yoni sit down to talk about the power of connection, why education is so key to successful investment, and how fintech will flip traditional finance on its head sooner rather than later.And if you love listening to Humans of Fintech, please leave me a...2023-01-1134 min
Humans of FintechS4 Ep1: Meet The Fintech Founder Bringing Equity To Credit Invisible Customers
Welcome to the first episode in this brand new season. This is a special one.Kristy Kim is a South Korean immigrant and the founder of TomoCredit, the fintech company offering the smartest consumer credit card that doesnât require a credit score for approval.Nicole and Kristy get into conversation about how Kristy solved her own credit problem, how she went all founding a startup, and how a sense of humor helps in every aspect of life.And if you love listening to Humans of Fintech, please leave me a 5-star review on...2023-01-0432 min
Humans of FintechHumans of Fintech - Season 4 Trailer
The world of fintech is dominated by the same old voices, drowning out diverse founders and operators. Step forward Humans of Fintech. The podcast elevating the stories of diverse leaders at the forefront of change in our industry.Hosted by me, Nicole Casperson, journalist and founder of the Fintech Is Femme. This show shines a spotlight on those underrepresented fintech founders, zoning in on how theyâre leading their companies and creating change.Youâll hear how leaders like Kristy Kim of TomoCredit, Founder of eToro Yoni Assia, and women in fintech icon Michelle Tran are...2022-12-2101 min
Humans of FintechS3 Ep15: The Importance of Leadership In Fintech, With Tracy Schroeder, MainStreet
Tracy Schroeder is democratizing R&D Tax Credits, and finding her home in Fintech.As VP of Strategy and Growth at MainStreet, sheâs part of the companyâs mission taking the guesswork out of tax credits and passing the savings onto small businesses and startups.Nicole and Tracy talk why Fintech isnât the cool kids club everyone thinks it is, how surrounding yourself with a diverse network is key to growing as a leader, and why education will always be a core part of the MainStreet mission.And our sponsor MainStreet is mak...2022-12-0530 min
Humans of FintechS3 Ep14: How Dani Fava Feels About Embedded Finance And Carving Out Her Own Place in Fintech
What does embedded finance mean to Dani Fava? It means providing a more secure future for millions of Americans. Find out how.Dani is Group Head of Product Innovation at Envestnet, transforming the way financial advice and wellness are delivered. Their mission is to empower advisors and financial service providers with innovative technology, solutions and intelligence to make financial wellness a reality for everyone.Nicole and Dani talk hacking software to buy back 20 minutes of her day, how financial micro moments could change the future, and how Dani carved out her own space in the...2022-11-3032 min
Humans of FintechS3 Ep13: Live from Money 20/20: Financial Inclusion Is The Only Thing Keeping Fintech From Failing
Live from Money 20/20 Nicole is joined on stage by two stellar guests, moving the needle on financial inclusion.Nicole is in conversation with Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President at Womenâs World Banking and Shivani Siroya, CEO and Founder at Tala.The panel gets into 720 billion reasons for financial equity, helping women and marginalized people across the globe get access to financial products, and how to build a business with empathy. This is a special episode you wonât want to miss.And our sponsor MainStreet is making it easy to find thous...2022-11-2334 min
Humans of FintechS3 Ep12: Xsolla: The Video Game Business Leveling Up Engagement Through Fintech
Find out how Chris Hewish is bridging the gap between game monetization and customer expectation.Chris is President of Xsolla, the video game business engine that helps indie and global gaming companies solve the complexities of distribution, marketing, and monetization. Nicole and Chris dive into the lightbulb moment he realized 40% of the global gaming market couldnât transact in their favorite games, how helping everyone get a piece of the pie is possible through smart Fintech, and why engaging customers is a win for everyone.And our sponsor MainStreet is making it easy to...2022-11-1631 min
Humans of FintechS3 Ep11: How Lyanne Alfaro is Helping Latino Founders Tell Their Stories
Growing up surrounded by Latino entrepreneurs, but only seeing white faces in the media, Lyanne knew it was time to tell a different story.From business journalist to creator of the Moneda Moves Newsletter, and Program Manager at Google, itâs no surprise Lyanne was recently named one of TIME X NextAdvisorâs 25 Most Influential Voices of New Money.Championing fintech, money and culture, Lyanne is putting Latino founders firmly on the map.Nicole and Lyanne talk growing up in the US as an immigrant, the underrepresentation of LatAm founders, and why companies shou...2022-11-0934 min
Humans of FintechS3 Ep10: Why Only Fans is The Creator Platform You Canât Ignore
The creator economy has found a new space and itâs not holding back. Itâs time to re-think Only Fans and redefine its place in the creator economy. Nicole tears up the rule book with a high signal tear through at why fintech needs to be there for creators and small business owners, Amrapali Ganâs leadership at Only Fans, and highlights from Money 2020.Quick, sharp and straight to the point.And our sponsor MainStreet is making it easy to find thousands of dollars worth of R&D Tax Credits. You only need to...2022-11-0710 min
Humans of FintechS3 E9: How Rex Salisbury is Building a Fintech Community With Authenticity
Only when youâve done your time in startups can you offer the kind of support Rex has created for other fintech founders. Find out how.Nicole and Rex dive into why conversation is the key to understanding a founderâs goals, why bringing together is a major high point to his working day, and why writing the second biggest check leads to way more collaboration.And our sponsor MainStreet is making it easy to find thousands of dollars worth of R&D Tax Credits. You only need to plug MainStreet into your payroll and let...2022-11-0228 min
Humans of Fintech2. Nasdaq Data Link Newsbites: How Storytelling Impacts Equity in Fintech
Join Nicole as she gets into media representation and its link to diversity and equity. Youâll hear Nicoleâs unique takes on how those stories impact investment and why outdated, prejudice stereotypes are still all too common in Fintech and the media.WTFintech and Nasdaq Data Link are teaming up to give one lucky fintech company a whole lot of attention. You can enter to win a full Nasdaq VIP guest experience that includes special promotion of your business! Visit nasdaq.com/wtfintech to enterAnd if you love listening to Humans of F...2022-11-0109 min
Humans of FintechS3 Ep8: Suze Orman and Devin Miller - Creating Emergency Safety Nets Through SecureSave
What happens when one of the most famous financial experts in the US teams up with a highly successful founder? They change the world.Suze Orman, host of the Women & Money podcast and bestselling author, joins one of her co-founders Devin Miller, an entrepreneur and former COO of Guidant Financial, to talk SecureSave. This is the work benefit that provides emergency savings solutions to help employees prepare for lifeâs unexpected moments.Nicole, Suze and Devin talk about what it feels like living paycheck to paycheck, why secure employees are more productive, and Suzeâs miss...2022-10-2649 min
Humans of Fintech1. Nasdaq Data Link Newsbites: No More Fintech Apps
Join Nicole as she explores the latest Fintech trends and news in this bitesize episode.Find out why so many Fintech founders believe education is the tide that lifts everyone and why weâve had enough of Silicon Valley tactics when it comes to fintech apps.WTFintech and Nasdaq Data Link are teaming up to give one lucky fintech company a whole lot of attention. You can enter to win a full Nasdaq VIP guest experience that includes special promotion of your business! Visit nasdaq.com/wtfintech to enterAnd if you love li...2022-10-2610 min
Humans of FintechS3 Ep7: Meet The COO Fighting For Fintech Equity, With Dr Iyandra Smith Bryan
Dr Iyandra Smith Bryan has enough energy and experience to achieve anything, but it was in fintech she really found her place in the world. Nicole and Iyandra get into the kind of conversation youâre going to want to grab a pen and paper for. Iyandra is the C-Suite exec who loves problem solving. She also believes in true authenticity and questioning the rules. In this no-holds barred conversation, she and Nicole tackle everything from wearing heels, to her role as COO at Quantfury, plus how sheâs inspiring other women in fintech to step u...2022-10-1938 min
Humans of FintechS3 Ep6: Why US Latino Fintech Businesses Will Create The Next Big Unicorns
When one in four startups are founded by US Latinos, itâs no wonder theyâve attracted the attention of big investment. Laura Moreno Lucas explains why.Laura is a partner at Lâattitude Ventures, an early-stage institutional fund that invests in technology and technology-enabled businesses led and owned by US Latinos.Nicole and Laura get into the importance of networks, how education is rebuilding trust in financial institutions, and how underrepresented communities are succeeding, despite the challenges.And our sponsor MainStreet is making it easy to find thousands of dollars worth of R&D Ta...2022-10-1237 min
Humans of FintechS3 Ep5: Why We Donât Need More Fintech Apps But We Do Need More Fintech Education
You heard it here first. Nicole takes you on a 10-minute tear down on whatâs going on in Fintech, and why weâre missing the point about Kimâs crypto Ad fine.Join Nicole as she digs into the latest Fintech stories and trends and offers her unique take on what we really need to focus on, including no more fintech apps.Quick, sharp and straight to the point.And our sponsor MainStreet is making it easy to find thousands of dollars worth of R&D Tax Credits. You only need to plug M...2022-10-1010 min
Humans of FintechS3 Ep4: How Altro is Helping Build Credit Through Community Driven Solutions
When you donât have a credit history, accessing even the most basic financial services is almost impossible.Find out how Michael Broughton is providing a unique solution.Michael grew up in Japan and Korea before returning to the United States, where he founded Altro, the free credit service helping people build credit through recurring payments and subscriptionsNicole and Michael talk about the innate discrimination of the credit score system, especially for people of color and those in the LGBTQ+ community. Youâll also hear how Altro effectively functions as a not-for-profit to p...2022-10-0533 min
Humans of FintechS3 E3: How Erin Papworth is Providing Financial Health For All Through Nav.it
If financial service providers were honest theyâd admit, itâs mostly about selling products. But if youâre unsure how these products work, how do you know you need them?Erin Papworth already has a lifetimeâs experience in fintech and is working to educate and empower a whole generation to make the best financial decisions possible and improve financial health outcomes.She and Nicole get into conversation about the real truth around financial services, Nav.itâs behavioral science-backed approach, and why getting back to basics is key for future success.And our sp...2022-09-2833 min
Humans of FintechS3 E2: Luxus: How Dana Auslander is Creating Equity In Luxury Assets
Dana, through her company Luxus, has blown the world of luxury asset investment wide open. And sheâs not stopping there. Find out how this fintech founder is smashing down barriers.Luxus partners with the worldâs premium brands, offering fractional ownership of assets including jewelry, rare watches and precious gems.Nicole and Dana get into conversation about Danaâs experiences opening investment doors for women, why luxury investments should be fun, and why hiring amazing people is at the heart of her long term strategy for success.And our sponsor MainStreet is making...2022-09-2133 min
Humans of FintechS3 E1: How Vrinda Gupta is Building Financial Equity Through Sequin Finance
When youâre rejected by the financial product youâre helping to build, you know you need to learn (and change) the system. Find out how Vrinda is doing just that.Welcome to season 3 of Humans of Fintech, the show that brings you the stories of diverse leaders and how theyâre transforming the industry from the inside out.Nicole and Vrinda get into how it felt watching her mom live in fear of being financially frozen out, what it was like to be denied a credit card from the company she was working for, and ho...2022-09-1434 min
Humans of FintechHumans of Fintech - Season 3 Trailer
The world of fintech is dominated by the same old voices, drowning out diverse founders and operators. Step forward Humans of Fintech. The podcast empowering the stories of diverse leaders at the forefront of change in our industry.Hosted by me, Nicole Casperson, journalist and founder of the WTFintech? newsletter. This season shines a spotlight on those underrepresented fintech founders, zoning in on how theyâre leading their companies and creating change.Youâll hear from leaders like finance icon Suze Orman, Founder of Sequin Vrinda Gupta, and L'Attitude Ventures Partner Laura Lucas who are brin...2022-09-0801 min
Humans of FintechS2 E15: How to Crack Business Growth With a Social Conscience, With Lara Hodgson, Now.
How do you crack business growth and become an advocate for under-represented groups? Lara has the secret sauce that sets her apart as an entrepreneur and activist.Lara and her Co-Founder Stacey Abrams are behind Now, an invoice payment solution that redefines when businesses get paid. Nicole and Lara get into conversation about how they started Now to solve their own problem, why it takes intention to be an advocate for people whose voices are often left out, and the story of their entrepreneurial journey.Youâll also hear why Lara and Staceyâs dif...2022-08-1039 min
Humans of FintechS2 E14: How Sofiat Abdulrazaaq is Empowering Women in Fintech to Take Their Opportunities
How do women in fintech, particularly women of color, make change happen? Goodfynd Co-Founder Sofiat, believes in leading by example. Hereâs how sheâs shaking up the industry.Sofiat is the Co-Founder of Goodfynd, the platform helping mobile businesses grow and customers quickly find their favorite food outlets. In 2007 she was a student at Virginia Tech, scene of a horrific school shooting.Nicole and Sofiat dive into conversation about why being vulnerable and honest is where change happens, how keeping trauma inside only means youâll pass it on through your leadership, and the import...2022-08-0340 min
Humans of FintechS2 E13: Why Embedded Finance Is Becoming Personal, With Ahon Sarkar, Helix
How do you bring embedded finance products to millions of people whoâve fallen between the financial cracks? Find out how Ahon Sarkar is building infrastructure through empathy.With almost 20% of the US population still underbanked, basic banking is as far as it goes. Even with the crazy advancements made in fintech, too many are still struggling to access the financial services they need.Join Nicole as she gets into conversation with Ahon, whoâs on a mission to bring humanity to finance with Helix, helping fintech brands build personal banking experiences.Youâll hea...2022-07-2738 min
Humans of FintechS2 E12: Edison Partners: How Jennifer Lee Became A Successful Fintech Investor And Found Her Place in The World
In an industry where so few AAPI women make it into the private equity world, whatâs the secret to Jennifer Leeâs success? She shares her story.Nicole and Jennifer get into why Jennifer wanted to change the world right from early childhood, what it feels like to be awarded a bunch of industry accolades, and how sheâs working to lift other women, especially from under-represented groups.Youâll also hear how self-reflection has led to her colossal success and why itâs important to bring all your human and vulnerable elements into business2022-07-2039 min
Humans of FintechS2 E11: Aura: Where Health And Financial Stability Meet, With Kelsey Willock
How do you stay financially stable without sacrificing your mental or physical health? Through a platform that looks after your whole life, not just your money.Kelsey Willock is a first-time founder, crushing entrepreneurship with her platform, Aura. From her own experiences of feeling financially vulnerable, sheâs building a platform to help others reach their goals.Nicole and Kelsey get into why sheâs helping users gain wealth wellness, what it felt like to leave education in heavy debt, and the truth about rising together as women in leadership.Youâll also hear K...2022-07-1331 min
Humans of FintechS2 E10: How The Pinwheel API is Building a Fairer Financial System
For most Americans, the financial system is broken. But Kurtis Lin is working to fix it. Find out how his company, Pinwheel, is creating financial equity.Nicole and Kurtis get into the weeds of how feeling like an outsider inspired him to find belonging through fintech. Youâll hear Kurtisâ uncomfortable truth about Asian Excellence and how itâs shaped him as a leader, plus why Kurtis wants companies who arenât moving the dial on financial equity to step back and give him room.Youâll also discover how Pinwheel is building a fairer financial...2022-07-0638 min
Humans of FintechS2 E9: How NatureTrak is Turning Cannabis Compliant Through Fintech
Cannabis banking is still a baby, but Jontae James is on a mission to help banks stay compliant and safe through NatureTrakâs state-of-the-art platform. Heâs proud to be disrupting the industry and ready or not, heâs here to shake up fintech and cannabis.A proud child of the 80s, Jontae had already grown and sold his first company at the age of 28. An entrepreneur from the start, he went from working in venture capital to creating âbank-to-seedâ cannabis compliance fintech for banks. Nicole and Jontae get straight into it. Youâll hear how th...2022-06-2936 min
Humans of FintechS2 E8: Why Diana Cabrices is Not a Girl Boss
But she is the Vice President of Enterprise Development at Snappy Kraken and believes sales in fintech needs more female voices. Find out how sheâs making a difference.Diana Cabrices is in the business of helping financial advisors with automated growth programs and client engagement through the award-winning Snappy Kraken platform.Nicole and Diana dive straight into conversation talking about Dianaâs background as a first generation immigrant and the early experiences that shaped her perspectives around female empowerment. Youâll also hear why fintech needs to lose the âgirl bossâ epithet, how women leaders ca...2022-06-2243 min
Humans of FintechS2 E7: Why Trevor Marshall Gave Up Percussion to Change Lives Through Fintech
Trevor Marshall is CTO at Current, the challenger bank giving companies like Stripe and Chime a run for their money.Trevor was always going to be a classical percussionist, itâs what he worked so hard for and why he moved to NYC to study. But after an economics lesson, became a math class, which became a computer science course, he knew things had changed.Nicole and Trevor dig into how he has helped Current become one of the most influential platforms in the industry, how music relates to coding and technology, and why being a...2022-06-1533 min
Humans of FintechS2 E6: How an Alternative Investment Founder is Helping Others Find Financial Freedom, With Milind Mehere of Yieldstreet
How it started: With Milind receiving poor financial advice as a newly arrived student.How itâs going: $2 billion worth of deals closed through his company, YieldStreet. Nicole and Milind get into conversation about what it feels like to be on the outside of the industry as a young, ambitious entrepreneur, how the worst financial advice started a spark, and why you should always be grateful for the person who first believed in you.Youâll also hear how Milind and YieldStreet are crushing product content and brand awareness, and why alternative assets are b...2022-06-0836 min
Humans of FintechS2 E5: How a Navy Vet is Driving Innovation at Nasdaq, With Brandis DeSimone, Head of Data Sales
On 9/11 2001 Brandis DeSimone was attending the US Naval Academy, decades later sheâs using everything she learnt during this horrific time to transform financial services for good.Militaristic terms get thrown around on Wall Street way too easily. The need to destroy the competition, getting bombed with orders or the battle to survive. But Brandis knows first hand how different it really is from active service and is using her influence to cut through the aggression and the egos.Nicole and Brandis get into what itâs like watching the evolution of a fintech company from...2022-06-0133 min
Humans of FintechS2 E4: The Tech Nerd Changing Banking, With Anabel PĂŠrez of NovoPayment
Anabel PĂŠrez is a CEO obsessed with bringing financial services to new people and new places. Find out how sheâs solving the complex problem of financial inclusion with NovoPayment.Trained as a lawyer and with a full career in banking, Anabel is leveraging Banking as a Service (BaaS) to solve issues around inclusion. With her company NovoPayment she has expanded into 12 countries, has more than 72 deployments and touches more than 12,000 platform users across the Americas.Nicole and Anabel get into why learning is a process Anabel will never tire of, being recognized with the...2022-05-2538 min
Humans of FintechS2 E3: Why Penelope is Building Bright Financial Futures with Jean Smart.
Growing up in LA, Jean watched her immigrant parents work tirelessly to provide for their family and employees. But when it came to retirement they left themselves vulnerable.Despite owning a grocery store and restaurant, like many small business owners, they failed to invest in their own retirement. This left a huge impression on Jean whose mission, through Penelope, is to make sure every SMB owner has a bright financial future.Nicole and Jean get into why SMBs are the backbone of the US economy, why they remain an untapped source in the Fintech industry...2022-05-1833 min
Humans of FintechS2 E2: Henry Yoshida, CEO at Rocket Dollar | Fintech Founder | Retirement
Growing up, Henry believed successful people won because they knew the rules. Now heâs rewriting those rules, making sure more people win when it comes to retirement investment.Retirement is a hot topic and how we invest and prepare for it is crucial. Through his company, Rocket Dollar, Henry has created a platform that lets people invest tax-advantaged retirement dollars into private alternative investments, like venture capital and crypto.Nicole and Henry talk about what itâs like growing up outside the dominant culture, how he felt working in traditional firms like Merrill Lynch, and...2022-05-1137 min
Humans of FintechS2 E1: Shruti Joshi, COO of Facet Wealth | Fintech | Financial Planning
When fintech is used right, it can bring outsiders in from the cold. Meet Shruti Joshi, bringing humanity to financial planning.Welcome to season 2 of Humans of Fintech, where Nicole Casperson digs deeper into the humans behind the headlines.Kicking off episode 1, Nicole and Shruti discuss the importance of empowering people with financial knowledge, how money (wrongly) defines identity, and Shrutiâs own feelings of feeling like an outsider. Shruti shares how Facet Wealth is turning traditional financial planning on its head, putting human wellness at the center.Youâll also hear why she...2022-05-0434 min
Humans of FintechS1 E21: Flori Marquez, Co-Founder of BlockFi | Fintech | Crypto
For someone who never felt ready to become a founder, Flori Marquez has nailed that niche. Bringing crypto investing into the real world, find out BlockFi is redefining banking.When traditional marketing around crypto investing is aimed at one demographic, itâs tough to bring equity into that space. But Flori and Co-Founder Zac Prince are changing the mood by providing credit services to markets with limited access to simple financial products.Nicole and Flori get into what itâs like to stand out as a woman in the fintech space, how being a generalist was...2022-05-0256 min
Humans of FintechHumans of Fintech - Season 2 Trailer
How did you find your way into Fintech? I bet it wasnât a conventional path. Every single leader I interviewed last season fell into this industry because, one way or another, they didnât fit traditional finance or tech norms. Every one had a unique story.    Iâm Nicole Casperson, and on this season of Humans of Fintech weâre bringing you stories of diverse leaders who were once outsiders, and how they since found belonging in our industry.If youâve ever felt on the outside of fintech, youâre no t alone. I want...2022-04-2701 min
Humans of FintechInternational Women's Day 2022 Special
Celebrating women and the pursuit of equity on this International Womenâs Day, meet some of the most inspiring women in Fintech, with WTFintech? host, Nicole Casperson.Hear from highly successful and influential operators in the Fintech space, each striving towards greater representation and working at the highest level.Nicole brings a selection of highlights from the showâs first season, from women motivated by success, mentoring those on the journey and working out what legacy to leave the next generation of women in Fintech,You can keep up-to-date with everything WTFinech? at http...2022-03-0804 min
Humans of FintechWelcome to the WTFintech Podcast
WTFintech? is a podcast for fintech professionals who want to shape the future of the industry with innovation and inclusion. Hosted by Nicole Casperson, fintech reporter-turned-creator, WTFintech? gives fintech professionals the news and analysis they need to get ahead in their careers â and hosts interviews with founders and investors you wonât hear anywhere else.
2021-11-2903 min