Investing Beyond The Comfort Zone | How I Learned to Take Smart Risks as a New Investor
Playing it safe might feel comfortable, but growth begins when you step beyond your limits. In this episode of Loud Investing, Chanel reflects on what it means to take calculated risks as a new investor. From choosing your first assets to managing uncertainty, she explores how courage and strategy work together to build knowledge in the markets.
You’ll Hear Highlights On:
What it means to take a calculated risk in investing.
How to evaluate opportunities using research, not emotion.
How diversification and asset mix protect you from big losses.
Why growth in investing often starts outside your comfort zone.
Actionable Steps You Can Take Toward Your Financial Future:
Research two asset classes you are unfamiliar with and compare their risk profiles.
Start a small, new investment outside your usual comfort zone and track your progress.
Review how much of your portfolio is allocated to low, medium, and high-risk assets.
Read one educational resource per week about risk management.
Reflect on a personal fear you overcame and apply the same mindset to your investing journey.
Key Moments within the Episode:
(00:00) Why taking risks matters for growth
(01:10) How calculated risks differ from reckless ones
(02:25) Learning from early investing mistakes
(03:08) Building courage through small experiments
(04:20) How diversification reduces risk
(05:40) Understanding risk and reward balance
(07:00) The role of confidence in decision-making
(08:15) How research creates certainty in uncertainty
(09:20) Stepping outside your comfort zone as an investor
Helpful Links:
Understanding Investment Risk https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/risk.asp
eToro Academy: Diversification in Investing https://www.etoro.com/investing/how-to-build-a-diversified-portfolio/
eToro Academy: How to Build an Investment Portfolio https://www.etoro.com/academy/courses/building-your-portfolio/
Investment Strategies Explained: eToro Academy https://www.etoro.com/investing/investment-strategies/
How to Choose an Investment Strategy https://www.investopedia.com/investing/investing-strategies/
Understanding Asset Classes https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/wealth-management/asset-class/
Investopedia: What Is Risk Tolerance https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/risktolerance.asp
Understanding Portfolio Diversification https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/diversification.asp
S&P 500 has never suffered a loss over a 20-year period https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/cant-lose-investing-strategy-has-never-lost-money-2017-05-12
Important Disclosures:
This podcast is for information and educational purposes only and should not be taken as investment advice, a personal recommendation or an offer of or solicitation to buy or sell any financial instruments.
This material has been prepared without taking into account any particular recipient's investment objectives or financial situation and has not been prepared in accordance with the legal and regulatory requirements to promote independent research. Past performance is not an indication of future results.
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23:11
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23:11
Investing's 'Emotional Strength Training' | What I Learned About Resilience as a New Investor
Emotions play a bigger role in investing than most people realise. In this episode of Loud Investing, Chanel explores how to handle market ups and downs without losing focus. Discover how to make decisions based on strategy, not emotion.
You’ll Hear Highlights On:
Why emotional control matters more than timing the market.
How confidence grows through experience and small wins.
The link between psychology and market performance.
Why volatility can be an opportunity, not a threat.
Simple ways to build a resilient investor mindset.
Actionable Steps You Can Take Toward Your Financial Future:
Track your reactions to market changes and write down how they affect your confidence.
Read one trusted financial publication instead of scrolling news headlines.
Review your portfolio once a month instead of every day.
Join an investor community to share insights and stay accountable.
Key Moments within the Episode:
(00:00) Understanding the emotional side of investing
(01:42) How new product launches can move stock prices
(02:41) Why quarterly earnings reports matter
(03:12) Reading economic indicators and trends
(04:38) How inflation and interest rates affect your portfolio
(06:04) Staying confident during market volatility
(06:30) Building habits that support financial consistency
(07:25) Making smarter financial decisions through self-awareness
(09:17) Using the eToro community to learn and grow
Helpful Links:
Morgan Housel: The Psychology of Money https://www.collaborativefund.com/blog/the-psychology-of-money/
Spotify Investors: AI DJ Product Announcement https://newsroom.spotify.com/2023-02-22/spotify-debuts-a-new-ai-dj-right-in-your-pocket/
How Company Announcements Affect Stocks https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/155.asp#:~:text=Positive%20news%20will%20normally%20cause,an%20increase%20in%20stock%20prices.
eToro Academy: What Are Earnings Reports https://www.etoro.com/en-us/academy/videos/earnings-made-simple/
Understanding Economic Indicators https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/economics/economic-indicators/
Understanding Interest Rates http://bankofengland.co.uk/explainers/what-are-interest-rates
Inflation Explained https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/explainers/what-is-inflation
Federal Reserve: How Interest Rates Affect the Economy https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/how-does-a-federal-reserve-rate-cut-affect-your-finances-4-things-to-know
eToro Academy: Understanding Market Volatility https://www.etoro.com/stocks/market-volatility/
How to Stay the Course During Market Volatility https://investor.vanguard.com/investor-resources-education/market-volatility
James Clear: The Power of Habits https://jamesclear.com/habits
How to Make Better Financial Decisions https://www.ft.com/content/5ba8bf83-84ad-4ff3-85c3-6d6a6cdfc1ba
Psychology Today: How Emotions Influence Financial Decisions https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psychology-money-and-happiness/202403/how-emotions-impact-your-financial-decisions
eToro Academy: How Inflation Affects Your Investments https://www.etoro.com/academy/summer-school/how-inflation-affects-the-markets/
Important Disclosures:
This podcast is for information and educational purposes only and should not be taken as investment advice, a personal recommendation or an offer of or solicitation to buy or sell any financial instruments.
This material has been prepared without taking into account any particular recipient's investment objectives or financial situation and has not been prepared in accordance with the legal and regulatory requirements to promote independent research. Past performance is not an indication of future results.
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12:45
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12:45
How to ‘Hit Start’ On Investing | A Beginner's Guide to Your First Investing Strategy
Starting can be the hardest part, especially when it comes to investing. In this episode of Loud Investing, Chanel explains how to move from learning to doing, guiding you through the exact steps to go from demo account to real investing. You’ll learn about ETFs, diversification, risk tolerance, and how to build an investment strategy that actually fits your goals.
You’ll Hear Highlights On:
How to move from practicing in a demo account to real investing.
The Core and Satellite strategy that helps balance risk and growth.
Why ETFs are a great starting point for beginner investors.
How diversification protects you from market swings.
The role of psychology in investing and how to manage fear of loss.
How to build an investing habit that sticks.
Actionable Steps You Can Take Toward Your Financial Future:
Open a demo account and practice making trades without risk.
Choose an ETF that tracks a major index like the S&P 500 or FTSE 100.
Start small with a Core and Satellite strategy, using ETFs for stability and a few individual stocks for growth.
Automate your investments through recurring deposits and stick to a schedule.
Track your emotions, notice how you react to gains and losses, and adjust your mindset.
Key Moments within the Episode:
(00:00) Why starting small is the most powerful first move
(01:00) The Core and Satellite investing strategy explained
(03:19) ETFs and how diversification works in your favor
(05:01) Understanding S&P 500 historical performance
(06:13) Behavioral psychology, why we feel losses more than gains
(08:00) How to use Dollar-Cost Averaging to reduce emotional risk
(10:04) Automating your investing strategy
(11:23) The mindset shift from consumer to investor
(12:37) Building the habit of consistency
Helpful Links:
eToro Academy: How to Practice Trading with a Demo Account https://www.etoro.com/trading/demo-account/
Core and Satellite Investing Explained https://www.investopedia.com/articles/financial-theory/08/core-satellite-investing.asp
What Are ETFs? https://www.etoro.com/investing/what-is-etf/
Diversification in Investing https://www.etoro.com/investing/how-to-build-a-diversified-portfolio/
James Clear: The Power of Habits https://jamesclear.com/habits
Morgan Housel: The Psychology of Money https://www.collaborativefund.com/blog/the-psychology-of-money/
Harvard Blog: The Power of Small Wins https://summer.harvard.edu/blog/why-celebrating-small-wins-matters/#What-Are-the-Benefits-of-Celebrating-Small-Accomplishments
S&P 500 Index Overview https://www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/indices/equity/sp-500/FTSE 100 Index Overview https://www.londonstockexchange.com/indices/ftse-100
NerdWallet: Average Stock Market Return (S&P 500 Historical Performance) https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/average-stock-market-return
S&P 500 ETFs https://www.justetf.com/uk/how-to/sp-500-etfs.html
Investopedia: Prospect Theory https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/prospecttheory.asp
Understanding Investment Risk https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/risk.asp
eToro Academy: What Is Dollar-Cost Averaging? https://www.etoro.com/investing/dollar-cost-averaging/
Spotify Shares Drop: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/29/spotify-spot-stock-q2-2025-earnings.html
Important Disclosures:
This podcast is for information and educational purposes only and should not be taken as investment advice, a personal recommendation or an offer of or solicitation to buy or sell any financial instruments.
This material has been prepared without taking into account any particular recipient's investment objectives or financial situation and has not been prepared in accordance with the legal and regulatory requirements to promote independent research. Past performance is not an indication of future results.
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15:24
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15:24
What Kind of Investor Are You? Matching Strategy to Personality
Some people love the thrill of picking stocks. Others prefer to set it and forget it. But when it comes to investing, the real question is what kind of investor are you?In this episode of Loud Investing, Chanel breaks down the psychology of investing styles, from long-term investors to active traders, and how to choose a strategy that fits who you are. You’ll learn what to consider before jumping into the market, how to approach emotion-driven decisions, and why your personality might be your biggest investing edge.
You’ll Hear Highlights On:
- The difference between passive and active investing and which one might suit you best.
- Why matching your money personality to your strategy can help you stay consistent.
- How risk tolerance and time horizon define your ideal investing style.
- Real-life examples of investor types from Warren Buffett and others.
- The link between self-awareness, emotional control, and better investment outcomes.
Actionable Steps You Can Take Toward Your Financial Future
1. Identify your investing personality. Are you cautious, curious, or confident? Reflect on how you handle uncertainty and risk.
2. Define your time horizon. Decide whether you’re investing for short-term goals or long-term growth.
3. Test your strategy. Try a demo (practice) account or small recurring investments to see what feels right.
4. Review and rebalance. Set a regular check-in to make sure your investments still match your goals and mindset.
Key Moments within the Episode
(02:12) The difference between active and passive investors
(04:25) How to know if you’re a hands-on or hands-off investor
(07:40) Warren Buffett’s philosophy on emotional discipline
(09:15) ETFs and why they’re perfect for long-term thinkers
(12:08) The Spotify example: invest in what you believe in
(15:45) Action vs. emotion how to stay rational when markets move
(18:22) The power of self-awareness
(20:05) Power Move of the Week: Know your type, invest your way
Helpful Links
eToro Academy: How to Choose an Investment Strategy https://www.etoro.com/academy/education/how-to-choose-an-investment-strategy/
eToro Academy: Active vs. Passive Investing Explained https://www.etoro.com/academy/education/active-vs-passive-investing/
eToro Academy: Understanding ETFs https://www.etoro.com/academy/education/what-are-etfs/
Warren Buffett Investing Principles https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/11/money-psychology-expert-warren-buffett-agree-on-best-way-to-invest.html
Understanding Risk Profiles https://www.etoro.com/en-us/news-and-analysis/etoro-updates/risk-score-what-it-is-and-how-its-calculated/
How to open a demo account https://www.etoro.com/trading/demo-account/
Important Disclosures
This podcast is for information and educational purposes only and should not be taken as investment advice, a personal recommendation or an offer of or solicitation to buy or sell any financial instruments.This material has been prepared without taking into account any particular recipient's investment objectives or financial situation and has not been prepared in accordance with the legal and regulatory requirements to promote independent research. Past performance is not an indication of future results.
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24:05
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24:05
The Investing Superpower You Didn't Know You Had | Unlock Your Money Mindset
In this episode Chanel dives deep into the gender investment gap, why it exists, how it shows up in our lives, and what can happen when you decide to step into your superpower as an investor.
You’ll hear the story behind the £678 billion gender investment gap, the emotional and cultural barriers that have kept women from investing, and the mindset shifts that can turn fear into financial freedom.
Key Moments within the Episode
(00:36) Gender investment gap overview and UK statistics
(02:27) The gender pay gap and how it affects investment confidence
(03:21) Barriers to investing: confidence and risk awareness
(05:08) Media representation and the power of seeing yourself in finance
(06:03) How neuroscience explains why representation changes beliefs
(08:14) Data shows women outperform men, Warwick Business School study
(11:21) Building confidence through incremental steps
(13:20) The action vs. motion mindset and why starting matters
(15:05) The best time to start is now: overcoming procrastination
(19:11) Breaking the “people like me don’t invest” belief
(23:42) Power Move of the Week: Flip the Fear
(25:18) Own what you love: invest in brands you believe in
Chanel Monteine is a former CNBC London journalist turned entrepreneur who’s bringing you along her investing and money mindset journey.
Join the Loud Investing community
Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/etoro_official
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@loudinvesting
Helpful Links
The Gender Investment Gap: overview and research by Boring Money (2025) https://www.boringmoneybusiness.co.uk/learn/articles/the-gender-investment-gap-increases-for-second-year-in-a-row/
Barriers to investing https://www.etoro.com/academy/education/how-to-start-investing/
Representation and perception https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/03/women-finance-gender-gap/
Wall Street film reference https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094291/
Mirror neurons and representation effect https://positivepsychology.com/mirror-neurons/
On risk management https://www.etoro.com/investing/risk-management/
2018 Warwick Business School study https://www.wbs.ac.uk/news/are-women-better-investors-than-men/
Confidence through incremental steps https://jamesclear.com/continuous-improvement
1% improvement rule (37x growth) https://jamesclear.com/continuous-improvement
First investment regret (Bitcoin 2018) https://jamesclear.com/motion-vs-action
“The best time to start” concept https://www.etoro.com/investing/why-should-i-start-investing/
Risk appetite analogy (mountain climbers vs. hikers) https://www.etoro.com/en-us/news-and-analysis/etoro-updates/risk-score-what-it-is-and-how-its-calculated/
Learn more about how eToro is closing the gender investment gap at https://www.etoro.com/LoudInvesting
Important Disclosures
This podcast is for information and educational purposes only and should not be taken as investment advice, a personal recommendation or an offer of or solicitation to buy or sell any financial instruments.
This material has been prepared without taking into account any particular recipient's investment objectives or financial situation and has not been prepared in accordance with the legal and regulatory requirements to promote independent research. Past performance is not an indication of future results.
About Loud Investing: For Anyone Who Thought It Wasn't For Them
New episodes every Tuesday.
Loud Investing is a podcast by eToro about empowering everyone to close the gender investment gap.
Ever felt like investing is just not for you?
We get it- and you're definitely not alone! Loud Investing is here to change that conversation. Think of us as your supportive friend who's figured out this whole investing thing and wants to share everything they've learned packed with real chat, relatable stories, and down-to-earth advice from people who've been exactly where you are now.
This podcast is for you if you:
Think investing sounds scary or complicated
Want to sort your finances but don't know where to begin
Feel like everyone else has investing figured out (spoiler: they don't!)
Your host is former CNBC London journalist, Chanel Monteine, who swapped the newsroom for entrepreneurship - and had to learn about investing the hard way.
Each week, she shares honest stories, simple exercises you can actually do. .
No jargon, no judgment, just real talk about investing.
Come as you are and get loud with us!
The content discussed is for educational purposes only and is not investment advice. Investing involves risks. The views shared are general in nature and not tailored to any individual. Always do your research before making financial decisions.
Listen to Loud Investing: For Anyone Who Thought It Wasn't For Them, The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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