Market Maker

Private credit is one of the fastest-growing areas in global finance but what actually is it, and why is everyone talking about it?

In this episode of the Market Maker Podcast, we break down private credit in simple terms: how it works, why it’s grown into a $3 trillion market, and the key players driving it, including Blackstone and Blue Owl.

We also go deeper into:

Why private credit exploded after the 2008 financial crisis

How it differs from traditional bank lending and public debt

What a Business Development Company (BDC) is

Why institutional investors are pouring money into it

The risks, defaults, and whether this could become a systemic issue

Private credit offers higher returns than traditional debt but with that comes important trade-offs around liquidity, transparency, and risk. We explore whether the concerns you’re seeing in the media are justified or overblown.

If you’ve seen headlines about private credit and want a clear, no-nonsense explanation, this episode is for you.

⏱️ Timestamps:

(00:00) What is private credit?
(00:58) How it works (simple explanation)
(03:19) Why it’s grown so fast
(05:48) Inside Blackstone Strategy
(11:05) Blue Owl & BDCs explained
(15:31) The risks & “financial crisis” debate

📩 Got questions? Drop them in the comments, we’ll be jumping in to answer.

This week, we unpack what’s really happening in IPO markets.

From a Hong Kong listing surging nearly 400%, to breaking down how IPOs actually work (including the “green shoe” mechanism), to Revolut’s long-term IPO ambitions — and why UK listings like RAC are being delayed.

If you’re trying to understand how companies go public and what’s driving today’s market, this is a simple, real-world walkthrough.

(00:00) IPO market overview
(02:41) Hong Kong’s IPO surge
(12:05) How IPOs work (green shoe explained)
(20:58) Revolut & fintech vs banks
(29:01) UK IPO struggles & RAC delay

*****

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What’s driving markets right now? In this episode of the Market Maker Podcast, we break down the Fed’s policy split, oil prices surging above $120, and the growing risk of stagflation. We also analyse Big Tech earnings, why Google outperformed Meta, and the escalating AI battle between OpenAI, Anthropic, and major tech giants. If you want clear insights on markets, inflation, and where things are heading next, this episode has you covered.

(00:00) Intro & Market Overview
(01:52) Fed Decision & Rate Outlook
(11:29) Oil Surge & Geopolitics
(19:19) OPEC, UAE & Supply Dynamics
(25:14) Big Tech Earnings Breakdown
(33:39) AI Race & OpenAI Concerns

Find out more about our role-specific simulations for attraction, training and assessment in early careers in finance at www.amplifyme.com

What happens when an AI model is considered too powerful to release?

In this episode of the Market Maker Podcast, we unpack one of the most bizarre and important stories in tech right now, as Anthropic’s Mythos model sparks debate about whether AI companies are building the future or just mastering the art of hype.

From a strange moment involving an AI sending emails while its creator was eating a sandwich, to the wider implications for cybersecurity and global power, this story raises bigger questions than it answers.

We also explore the potential collapse of LIV Golf after billions in Saudi investment and what it tells us about the limits of capital when strategy doesn’t deliver results.

Finally, we break down the news that Apple CEO Tim Cook is stepping down after 15 years, what his legacy really is, and what the shift to a product-focused successor could mean for the next era of the world’s most valuable company.

If you want to understand the stories moving markets without the noise, this is the place.

(00:00) Intro & Topics in Focus
(02:27) What is Claude Mythos
(09:02) Hype or Real?
(13:55) LIV Golf Crisis
(22:24) Tim Cook Exit
(28:35) Apple Succession Plan

*****

Find out more about simulations for attraction, training and assessment at www.amplifyme.com

Communication is one of the most valuable skills in finance and professional careers, yet it’s rarely taught.

In this episode of the Market Maker Podcast, Anthony Cheung speaks with James Percy-Smith, founder of The Elocution Coach, about how students and professionals can develop powerful communication skills that accelerate their careers.

They break down the four stages of becoming a confident speaker, why pressure and repetition are essential for improvement, and how better communication can transform your performance in interviews, presentations, and the workplace.

If you want to speak with confidence, perform better in interviews, and influence people at work, this episode shares practical techniques you can start using immediately.

(00:00) The #1 Career Skill
(01:19) Why Most People Speak Poorly
(02:40) The 4 Stages of Great Speakers
(06:16) The Pressure Practice Trick
(10:09) Beating Virtual Interviews
(15:36) Authentic vs Role Playing
(20:08) Explaining Complex Ideas
(26:12) Speak With Authority
(33:13) Body Language Secrets
(37:33) Famous Speakers Broken Down
(39:39) The Ingredients of Charisma
(43:21) The 5-Minute Speaking Habit
(46:48) Final Advice

Join the waiting list for James' new book! www.jamespercysmith.com/book