Nora and Annika break down complex modern banking topics, ensuring that their guests explain them in a relatable “explain it to your grandma” style. They bring you stories that capture the essence of the evolving fintech landscape, offering a unique blend of tech expertise and passion.

We had the chance to speak with co-host Annika Melchert. She’s a Principal at BCG Platinion based in Dubai, with a passion for modern banking. Annika has worked with several fintechs and incumbent banks on their technology builds, integration strategies, and digital transformations. Her expertise in IT strategy, modern tech architecture, and state-of-the-art banking, combined with her experience supporting generative AI use cases, makes her a key voice in the fintech revolution.

We were eager to learn more about the inspiration behind the podcast, and the exciting future of fintech. Read on for our conversation with Annika Melchert, where she shares insights on the podcast, her work, and what’s next in the world of digital banking.

Can you introduce yourself and give us an overview of your podcast?

Annika: I’m Annika Melchert, Principal at BCG Platinion based in Riyadh, KSA.
Nora: I’m Nora Hocke, project leader at BCG Platinion based in Munich, Germany.

What was the first podcast you ever listened to, and how did it influence your interest in becoming a podcast host?

Annika: I think it was the Morning Briefing from Handelsblatt. It made me realize the value of a podcast, so I started to fall in love with it and listen very regularly.

To the best of your knowledge, what motivated BCG Plantinion to start a podcast focused on fintech?

Annika: I remember very well when Nora and I pitched the podcast to our former lead of Banking at Platinion at that time. We did a few cool cases in the Neobanking and technology cases in Banking, but we wanted to get closer to the world of fintech outside of our direct work. Three seasons, 34 episodes, and 155,000 downloads later – here we are.

Which podcasts do you draw inspiration from, particularly in the fintech space?

Annika: My favourite general one is The Intelligence by Economist and for the fintech space Fintech Insider by 11:FS.

What are the most exciting guests and topics covered in this latest series?

Annika: Alfred Mukudu from AWS (Cloud and fintech in Africa), Jacqueline O’Flanagan (Breaking Barrier: Women in FinTech) and Kirsten Rulf from BCG (AI and how to responsibly use it).

If readers can start on one episode of Fintech Files where should they start?

Annika: It depends on the area of interest. We’ve had amazing German-based guests from Mambu, Solaris or Raisin, but also a strong lineup of international experts from leading companies like Microsoft or Google, up to local fintechs from KSA or Nordics.

Which future fintech trends discussed in your series are you most eager to see come to life?

Annika: Technology enables change for good, and we’ve had the chance to discuss these positive changes based on the complexities and opportunities – for instance for Africa. I am looking forward to more episodes that show how the social impact fintechs enable make the world a better place. And of course: more female founders and women in leadership positions! As we observed in this season, there are already female role models out there!

Listen to Fintech Files on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps >>

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Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

I’ve worked in consumer lending strategy for twenty years via stints in South Africa, Denmark, Hong Kong, and the UK. But even though I’ve seen more lending models in more markets than most, I realised that in my day-to-day job I’d become too busy to put my head and my look around – so that’s what my podcast is.

HTLMTS is a chance for me to chat to interesting people in lending markets from San Francisco to Shanghai and from London to Lagos, hearing how they think through the process of lending money to consumers or business. Our insights are sometimes technical, sometimes strategic, but always, if I am doing my job right, digestible.

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

The first podcast I ever listened to would have been This American Life, but I must have listened to that on their stand-alone app for a year before I really got into podcasts – and that was via my guilty pleasure of cryptozoology and paranormal shows. You see, I also write pulpy adventure thrillers and stories of secret underground worlds and pockets of surviving dinosaurs are the perfect inspiration for those – so I turned to podcasts and have expanded my show rotation ever since.

Why did you decide to start podcasting in the first place?

Like many people in the middle of Covid lockdowns, I grew tired of my corporate life and quit my old job.

And since I didn’t want to simply take a few months off and then return to a similar role, I used my time to learn more about podcasting – thinking that having my own podcast would be a great ‘excuse’ for me to reach out to people beyond my network and ‘get my name out there’. As it happens, I got a new job almost immediately, but by that time I was having so much fun I kept it going.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

I’m inspired by good storytelling. And it’s funny, because at the moment my own show is a weekly interview about a quite specific topic, so I don’t always have all that much wiggle room, but when I think of the impact I’d like to make one day, it’s the shows that find in incredible stories in ordinary lives that I look up to, shows like Heavyweight or Criminal.

So stay-tuned, because I have another, bigger project in the very early stages of planning!

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

I like to think that HTLMTS’s defining characteristic is the diversity of my guests – in our first year, we released 50 episodes with guests from 25 different countries – and so I’ve developed a slight obsession with tracking down people from ever more exotic locations. So, if there was anyone launching a Buy Now Pay Later business in an Antarctic research base, that would be amazing. Or, frankly, anyone from the Australian lending industry… I have previous colleagues, friends, even family, living down there and I haven’t managed to get a bite!

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far as a podcaster?

How approachable people are. I’ve reached out to busy people in strange places, and I would say about 1 in 3 are more than happy to help – and this was true even when I was only getting 20 downloads per show.

Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?

I’m going to cheat and give two. In episode nine I speak to Craig Smith, who is taking the pain and awkwardness out of borrowing from friends and family. It’s GoFundMe, for loans. We get behind the curtain and I think it really reflects what I hope to get out of any interview I do. However, it was also recorded in the entrance hall of our old house, a day or two after we’d moved in before I’d got the hang of all the recording software. So you’ll see it getting more professional as we go on, and so I’d also recommend checking out something like episode 40, where I speak to Allan Tollo about microloans for small holder dairy farmers in Kenya.

Where can the Pod Bible readers find out more about you?

You can start at www.howtolendmoneytostrangers.show (but also just www.htlmts.show if you’re having to type it all in yourself).

Listen to How To Lend Money to Strangers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps.

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The post How To Lend Money to Strangers: Digestible conversations on lending markets appeared first on POD BIBLE.

Bankless

There is no better podcast out there on the topic of decentralised banking. An almost prophetic take on the future of crypto and how our world may look in the years to come as a result. These guys know what they are talking about and have the guests to back it up! Tune in and then try your best to tune out… Listen now >>

Unchained

If there has ever been an authority on crypto news and analysis it would be Laura Shin. Former senior editor of Forbes turned full time crypto media guru, she knows and talks about everything crypto. Her episodes are 1 hour long released every week guest featuring big players in the crypto space and they talk about investments, personal experiences, taxes and much more. Laura knows so much about the topic she has started a second crypto podcast called Unconfirmed and its worth a look too. Shorter episodes to keep you up to date with everything crypto happening right now. Listen now on Acast >> 

Decrypt Daily

If you are new to the crypto space then you have no where else to be other than listening to this podcast. With so much information and miscommunications, Decrypt daily deciphers and simplifies everything into bitesize and understandable quantities. Its host, Mathew Aaron releases 20-30 minute concise and informative episodes every day with no compromise on quality. Listen now >>

The Pomp Podcast

A crypto podcast list without mentioning this one is like leaving Lionel Messi off your ‘Best Football Players of all Time’ list. Anthony Pompliano ‘the crypto sage’ is an investor in the tech sector and entrepreneur. If you are interested in more than just bitcoin, cryptos further applications to daily life is heavily explored on this podcast. With a wide range of high ranking guests and plenty of well thought out content per 1hr episode, open up your podcast app and select a podcast. Listen now >>

Bitcoin Knowledge

This is where it all started. Trace Mayer an extremely early investor at just $0.25 focuses primarily on bitcoin and his knowledge is unparalleled. A true master of his craft, he helps listeners to understand the technology behind the currency as well as more complicated topics like how it is mined using very powerful computers! If you are looking to have a short foray into the world of bitcoin, Trace is your guy! Listen now >>

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Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

Hi I’m Christopher Kris, Director and donut devourer at www.curatorsocial.com. My podcast “Bald Ambition” is all about telling diverse stories, delivering value in the world of influence, digital and social media. I’ve worked with Grammy Award winning artists and helped place brands in front of millions of customers online, however I spend way too much time chatting to our family dogs as if they were human about pretty intense topics, and yes, my psychologist has recommended for me to do this podcast instead.

Bald Ambition is a celebration of diverse talent, success and learnings, within these stories we’re aiming to give our listeners actionables and advice as to how they can achieve the same for themselves. Whether it’s blue tick verification OR creating a million dollar content creation offering on a budget, we’ve done it all for our clients and then some…it’s my absolute honor to pass all of that info on, you’ll just need to put up with my absolutely sad humor in between (see K9 comment above).

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

One of the first podcasts I really enjoy tuning into is Ace the Gram by Tash and Viv who are two amazing humans from here in New Zealand, really good banter and also they dive into some really useful information in relation to social media and influence.

Why did you decide to start podcasting in the first place?

I have loved telling and listening to stories for as long as I can remember, anything that is of value that I have learnt has been through an experience . Whether it was through music or starting up a business, we’re always being told or telling a story. Another key driver for me was to help and facilitate a space where people could dive into their own stories and share them with our listeners as well. I remember chatting with a dear friend Qiana Conley who is an absolute powerhouse in the music industry, she’s worked for the likes of Simon Cowell and is instrumental in the rise of many successful acts we see today. It’s these quiet achievers humbly working in the background doing incredible things that I love hearing about.

Secondly I think we all have the ability to bring out something different in everyone we meet based on who we are. For me, if I can crack that ‘one sentence’ or piece of value that changes someone’s trajectory in business or life, then I’m super happy. No two guests are the same, it’s a real test for me to see if I can get to that moment or piece of gold that will resonate with our listeners while allowing the guest to truly shine.

Lastly and selfishly, I am learning so much myself! I am blown away by the knowledge and insights our guests are sharing. When someone shares their knowledge it’s food for our minds, when they share their stories it’s food for our souls, needless to say i’m well fed each episode!

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

I would really love to interview either The Rock or Sasha Banks (I’m such a wrestling nerd) however I’d probably lose my s(*& and go silent on both. In reality I also have a bad habit of making a mockery of myself with inspirational people I really want to meet, I remember meeting TBOZ of TLC when we did a song together and I fumbled across the hotel room she was in and literally almost fell on my face, I told her I was nervous and I don’t know what I’m doing sorry but I’m a huge fan, she laughed and also realised that adulting was not a thing where i’m from apparently. PS I will definitely be getting her on soon too! She’s a huge inspo and thankfully a dear friend now, so she’s high on the list for sure.

Aside from being super talented, all the above have a uniquely inspirational story, they’ve come from different backgrounds and made such a huge impact in their respective industries changing the game as a result.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far as a podcaster?

Don’t overthink, don’t over prepare….I used to research my guests to the point I forget I’m about to chat to an actual human, connection is everything and I’ve learnt that early on with public speaking and performance. I’ve learnt to have a good amount of information at hand and to have a general idea and flow of where the conversation is going to go, and leave the rest to the actual conversation.

Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?

Episode #3 with Qiana Conley OR Episode #6 with Andrea Romero! Those two women are absolute stars and have done some incredible work that is well worth noting and learning from.

Where can the Pod Bible readers find out more about you?

Christopherkris.com for the podcast OR more on my agency at www.curatorsocial.com! I’m also on IG @christhekris, I’d love to hear from podcasters out there and can’t wait to feature a few of their incredible stories and insights on our future episodes as well.

Listen to Bald Ambition now on SPOTIFY and your favourite podcast app.

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