The Steak & Sizzle Podcast

Episode sixteen of the podcast covers a 'smorgasbord' of topics and is the first episode recorded in video as well as 'live' in the same room. Dylan sets the tone with some data on the disturbing rise in methane levels in the atmosphere last year, despite the covid induced shutdown of the economy, before ending with some details on the highly anticipated Oatly IPO.Jason discusses some recent competing views on hydrogen as an alternative fuel source and whether or not it's a viable solution, or just a distraction, in the long term.Throughout the episode we also finally get to taste and 'critique' many of the alternative meats currently on offer in the UK including from Beyond Meat and Moving Mountains. Catch the video recording on our YouTube channel Steak and Sizzle, or alternatively tune in to our latest episode now on all major podcast platforms or stream via the website here.

Episode fifteen introduces our new educationally focused concept, The Toolbox.Our aim with The Toolbox is to provide you with the basic tools required to start your investment journey.The financial world is often littered with jargon, acronyms and complexity. We hope to cut through that noise and provide a down to earth and simplified overview. With a basic understanding of the structures and their advantages anyone can participate. It has never been easier for retail investors.Future episodes will focus specifically on the most popular account types (General Account, ISA & Pension) in greater detail. This will be supported by a dedicated area of the website (coming soon) that will cover a range of concepts. The ultimate aim of course is to get people investing sustainably!In the news this week we focus on “Sleepy” Joe Biden’s fantastic progress towards his green recovery plan. We also discuss the latest report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) regarding renewable energy in 2020. Dylan also gives us the low down on Seaspiracy, the shocking Netflix documentary slamming the global fishing industry. Tune in to our latest episode now on all major podcast platforms or stream via the website here.

Episode Fourteen Part 2 of the podcast focuses again on the sustainable future of food. In part 1 we discussed how our food systems are responsible for one third of human caused emissions. The negative impact that our well established food system has on the environment is massive. It’s often overlooked when compared to the sexy areas of electrification of the transport and energy systems.In part 2 we discuss the potential solutions that can align our food systems with a sustainable future. Data analytics, alternative proteins, precision agriculture, bio-fertilisers and basic human behaviour can help us move forward towards a sustainable future of food.We discuss some of the companies that are using these technologies and processes in profitable ways. Diversification is also possible using ETF’s and trusts that we have addressed in previous episodes.In the news this week we talk through VW’s power day and the first “green” bond to be offered in Africa. Also a report into removing high carbon sponsorship deals from sport.Tune in now via apple, spotify and more. Alternatively, listen directly via the website here.

Episode Fourteen Part 1 of the podcast focuses on the sustainable future of food. Our food systems are responsible for one third of human caused emissions. Before reaching our plates, our food is produced, stored, processed, packaged, transported, prepared, and served. At every stage, food provisioning releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.Farming in particular releases significant amounts of methane and nitrous oxide, two powerful greenhouse gases.In part 1 we discuss the numbers behind our current food system emissions and the shocking amount of wastage. Also the solutions currently being developed to address these issues. With the world population growing ever larger this is an immediate and crucial part of the fight against climate change.In the news this week we discuss the uncomfortable report from Morningstar that there are more fund managers named Dave in the U.K. than women, as well some encouraging signs from India in terms of their climate ambitions.In Part 2, dropping next week, we discuss the exciting ways investors can get involved in the sustainable future of food.Tune in now via apple, spotify and more. Alternatively, listen directly via the website here.

Episode thirteen of the podcast focuses on the “green” investment platform Sugi. (sugi.earth)CEO and founder Josh Gregory joins us to speak about the platform and their mission to help investors analyse their portfolio’s carbon credentials. Utilising open finance technology, the Sugi app ‘plugs’ into existing pension platforms and provides a convenient and consolidated assessment of the carbon impact of investor’s underlying investments. Josh also gives us the low down on their successful (and still open) crowdfunding round on crowdcube (more details can be found here).This weeks news covers how James Bond could be driving a British built electric car in the near future and a celebration of women for International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day.Tune in to our latest episode to find out more.

Episode twelve focuses on The Impax Environmental Markets Investment Trust.This trust is truly impactful in it’s approach. Seeking to invest in a global portfolio of “Resource Efficiency and Environmental Market” focused companies. These companies are aiming to address the main climate agenda issues including “growing populations, rising living standards, increasing urbanisation, rising consumption, and depletion of limited natural resources”. Investing in services associated with energy efficiency, renewable energy, water, waste and sustainable food and agriculture markets have proven to be profitable. Doing so via a collective structure, such as this trust, can provide investors with diversification. This could be a great way to access these growing mega-trends in a managed way.We give an overview of the trust and focus on two of the underlying companies, including a controversial geothermal power company recently the target of short seller, Hindenburg Research. Also in the news this week is a Yale university study on the “greenest” countries in the world and our thoughts on the latest UK Budget and it’s lack of focus on climate action.Tune in to our latest episode now on all major podcast platforms or stream via the website here.For more information on the Impax Environmental Markets Trust, including the cost, risks and key information, please view their website.

The Steak & Sizzle podcast was started to not only spread the message that investors, at this critical time in history, have the power and opportunity to be involved in creating a sustainable future but also as a call to arms for all of us to start taking the necessary and urgent action required to overcome humanity’s greatest challenge yet. Episode 11 of the Steak & Sizzle Podcast focuses then on some of the more sobering aspects of the climate crisis including, in the words of the great David Attenborough, that the world risks ‘the collapse of everything’ if we don’t act now to deal with the unprecedented threat of climate change.We also discuss a recent report released by Harvard university which suggests that as many as 8 million people per year are dying from fossil fuel pollution as well as some comments from Boris Johnson about “tree hugging tofu munchers”…Finally, we follow up on last week’s SPAC Attack episode by addressing the collapse in the CCIV share price over the past two weeks. CCIV’s confirmed merger with Lucid, the electric car company, has highlighted some of the inherent dangers of investing in the SPAC craze and why investors should be cautious before getting involved.Tune in to our latest episode now on all major podcast platforms or stream via the website here.

Special Purpose Acquisition Companies, commonly referred to as SPACs are the focus of Episode Ten.The last time SPAC listings were so in vogue was the precipice of the 2008 financial crisis. In 2020 the number of new listings totalled almost 4x the number listed in 2017. Whilst SPACs themselves were not the direct cause of the previous crisis, hubris and speculation certainly were. Traits which are now being touted as evidence of a stock market bubble and potential overexuberance in the current market.However, not all SPACs are created equal with recent examples ranging from huge success to complete failure and fraud.  In this episode we try to explain in simple terms what SPACs actually are and what investors should consider and look out for before getting involved. We also discuss a few exciting SPACs that are drawing the attention of investors, particularly in the sustainability space, as well as some of the more pernicious examples over the last few months.Other hot news this week is the first trial of a paper bottle by the world's largest plastic polluter, Coca Cola, as well as our views on the Texas energy crisis and 'frozen wind turbines.'Tune in to our latest episode now on all major podcast platforms or stream via the website here.

In Episode Nine we focus on a range of stories affecting the climate crisis and sustainable investing. With so much in the news this week we abandoned our plans for a “SPAC attack” episode. Make sure you tune in to episode 10 for the return of Dylan’s pet peeve ranting, this time about SPACs. It will be epic.This week we discuss at length what carbon capture really means (It’s not just more trees) and how important it will be for the future. With Elon Musk putting up $100m to X-Prize for carbon capture initiatives, this fledgling industry is a hot topic. The prize may or may not be paid in dogecoins. Other hot news this week is Denmark’s largest ever infrastructure development in the middle of the sea, Lyxor ETF’s new portfolio temperature modelling and sustainable bitcoin mining. Where else would you go for your news?  Tune in to our latest episode now on all major podcast platforms or stream via the website here.

Episode eight (also known as episode eleven) focuses on Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs).This type of collective investment fund is modern and unique, providing access to a wide range of asset classes.In this episode we take a detailed view of what an ETF is and how they can fit into a diversified investment portfolio.It is also possible to take a thematic approach selecting exactly the type of sustainable investor you wish to be. Do you care more about education? Or secure, clean water sources for the world? Or food sustainability for ever growing populations?Also in the news this week is an update on Amazon’s plans for their second headquarters and the UK’s plans for a flying taxi hub. Excited to find out more?Tune in to our latest episode now on all major podcast platforms or stream via the website here.

Episode Seven Part 2 of the podcast focuses on the investing opportunities in Solar Energy.In Part 1 we covered the background of the “King of renewables” and how it will become the worlds leading energy source within the next 5-10 years.Part 2 covers a few of the many opportunities to invest in this exciting trend from solar panel manufacturers to solar farm operators and renewable energy distribution companies.Solar farms are becoming profitable without subsidies, which is providing significant opportunities. We cover this more in an article here (the sun also rises… in the UK).We also focus on an investment that covers both Solar, Wind and Hydro power which presents a degree of diversification. To open the show we discuss the crazy news in the investment world this week. How and why did a reddit group send shares of Gamestop ($GME) shooting up from $10 per share to over $300 in the space of a week? We also discuss the Tesla ($TSLA) Q4 and 2020 year end earnings call and what this means for the future.Access the latest episode on all podcast platforms now!

Episode Seven Part 1 of the podcast focuses on Solar Energy.Known as the “King of renewables”, Solar is set to overtake coal as the worlds primary electricity source by 2025. The IEA recently reported that Solar energy is the “cheapest electricity in history”.In part 1 of this weeks podcast we discuss the background and history of Solar and how technological improvements continue to drive the industry forward. Despite the UK’s temperate climate, Solar has matured to provide between 5-8% (depending on season) of our electricity mix. How does this compare with our closest friends in Europe? Tune in to the latest episode to find out more.In Part 2, dropping next week, we discuss the exciting ways investors can get involved.

Episode six of the podcast focuses on the impact investment platform Tickr. (tickr.co.uk)CEO and co-founder Tom McGillycuddy joins us to speak about the platform and their mission to get young people investing in their future. Tickr have a clear strategy of investing in companies that are making a significant impact in the world. With a range of themes to choose from Tickr will allow you to invest in an impactful way that suits you. They have also recently introduced a unique carbon offset initiative, paving the way for individuals to assess and offset their own footprint on the planet. This weeks news also covers the “One Planet Summit”, which has thrown out significant investment aimed at progressing the Paris Climate Agreement goals. Dylan also gives us a summary of asset class performance for 2020, the craziest of years in a generation.

Episode Five of the podcast focuses on the Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust (SMT).Managed by Baillie Gifford and listed on the FTSE 100, this trust is one of the most exciting around for young investors with a long term vision. In this episode we take a detailed view of the trust and its underlying investments. Significant holdings in Tesla and Nio have been hugely successful in 2020 for the trust, as have other long held investments in Zoom, Amazon, Spotify and Netflix. All shares that have hugely benefited from the crazy effects that Covid have had on our world.Their long term support of Tesla and Elon Musk has also helped them gain access to Space X early funding rounds. Making it one of very few ways investors can access future growth of Space X and their fledgling satellite internet offshoot Starlink. The ability to invest up to 30% of the trusts assets in early stage, unlisted companies make this trust unique and exciting in its approach.What theme’s are they backing to bring them success in 2021 and beyond? How much of their assets are held in Chinese focused investments? What other investments do they hold that can be considered socially responsible?Tune in to our latest episode to find out more.

Episode Four Part 2 of the podcast is the second of our series focusing on wind energy. In this episode we discuss the exciting ways investors are looking to take advantage of this exploding trend and how you can get involved.There are many opportunities to invest in this exciting trend, spanning the entire industry. Turbine manufacturers, wind farm operators to renewable energy distribution companies. Multi-national corporations, to the best of British companies and renewable infrastructure trusts listed here in the UK. Tune in to the latest episode to find out more

Episode Four Part 1 of the podcast focuses on wind energy. On and Offshore wind has become a huge proportion of the renewable energy mix across the globe. In the UK wind energy now supports over 20% of our total energy mix (from a total of approximately 40% for renewables).In part 1 of the podcast we discuss the journey of wind energy generation dating back to the late 1800’s (Yes it is that old!) to the modern age.  Including how this fits in with the UK’s current renewable energy efforts.Tune in next week as we discuss the exciting ways investors are looking to take advantage of this exploding trend and how you can get involved.

Episode three of the podcast focuses on the crazy pace of development in the world of battery manufacturing.Essential to the success of the electrification of the transportation system but also the ability to store and share renewable energy generation. We discuss the progress being made in the west and east and the potential for an arms race developing between the old world and the new.Are you interested in hearing what plans the UK have to ensure battery capacity independence?

Episode two of the podcast focuses on the rise of electric transportation and the inevitable associated decline of the internal combustion engine (ICE).An interesting study from the International Energy Agency (IEA) on the future of electric vehicles forms the basis of our main discussion. Their in depth study published in June 2020 outlines the projected growth in the worldwide fleet.Tesla are leading the way, but there are many other new manufacturers entering the arena in the next few years.We discuss a few of the new world players, such as NIO, Arrival and Canoo. Also debate what the old world manufacturers are doing to catch up.

If you are a new investor, it can sometimes be a daunting task to get started.Episode one of The Steak & Sizzle podcast will take you through the basics of investing and how to get started on your journey.We introduce the concept of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing. Also known as sustainable investing or responsible investing.Investing in companies that make a conscious effort towards carbon reduction or climate action can be beneficial for the planet as well as your own financial futureJoin us for the opening episode and get in touch via the social connections

A new podcast focusing on investing, technology and sustainability.Steak & Sizzle introduce the podcast and their views on why NOW is the right time to be focusing on sustainable investment. In a world powered by technology, everyone can invest and save for their future. But what will the future look like if we do not allocate money to the companies that are making a difference in the world?Making a difference by working towards carbon reduction or combating climate change.The weekly podcast will aim to inform on the relevant matters of the day and over time, introduce ideas that empower you to invest for a better future.A better future for the planet and a better future for you.