Big-picture thinking, career clarity, and the kind of honest advice you won’t find in textbooks... 🚀

Welcome to the TWELFTH episode of The Smart Money Show! This week, we’re joined by Michael Brown, an award-winning market analyst and Senior Research Strategist at Pepperstone, whose work spans global macro, cross-asset strategy, and real-time market insight. From supporting over 50,000 clients across five offices to broadcasting market insights to thousands each week, his role is as fast paced as it is impactful.

Recorded live at Pepperstone’s London HQ, this in-person episode goes beyond the data. We explore Michael’s journey into finance, his early fascination with markets, and how he carved out a voice in the crowded world of research and financial media.

From decoding the macro landscape to building trust through clarity and consistency, Michael shares how he approaches research, handles high-stakes news cycles, and balances technical depth with clear communication. Whether you're a student trying to break into finance or an investor curious about how top analysts form their views, this episode is full of practical insights and career wisdom.

Guest Contacts:

Micheal Brown - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-r-brown/

Pepperstone - https://pepperstone.com/en-gb/

Chapters:

0:00 - Welcome 🎙️

2:06 - An Unconventional Path into Finance 🚀

4:33 - The University Degree: A "Filtering Mechanism"? 🤔

8:34 - First Role & The Pivot to Research ✍️

10:29 - The Reality of a Career in Markets: Beyond the 9-to-5 ⏰

13:50 - Navigating Crises: COVID vs. Predictable Events 🌪️

17:35 - The Macro Analyst's Framework 🧠

22:40 - Identifying Long-Term Market Themes 📈

26:16 - How to Break into Macro Research 🎓

29:14 - A Day in the Life at Pepperstone ☕️

36:13 - The Underrated Skill for Career Success 🤝

37:55 - Final Reflections: Proudest Moments & Advice ✨

40:34 - Biggest Takeaway & Outro 👋

As always, stay tuned to us weekly as we bring you unheard insights, professional guests and a few laughs! 💚

Check out our work and connect with us here: https://linktr.ee/thesmartmoneyshow

Please be advised, none of our episodes constitute as financial advice and we will never attempt to do so.