Poor Kid Makes Millions Trading, Fights Inequality with Gary Stevenson

Poor Kid Makes Millions Trading, Fights Inequality with Gary Stevenson

Author: Paul Ollinger March 29, 2024 Duration: 1:04:14
Gary Stevenson grew up in tough, working class East London. Despite setbacks in high school (having to do with the distribution of illicit substances), his gift for mathematics landed him a spot at London School of Economics (alma mater of Mick Jagger, Margaret Thatcher, and George Soros) where he attended with the sons and daughters of the global elite. His skill at a card game won him a job on Citibank’s trading desk and he went on to earn multi-million dollar—er, pound sterling—bonuses in his early 20s. Gary eventually become Citi’s top trader but the game started to take a physical toll on him. The stress, pressure, and moral conflict of betting against poor people—at least that’s how he saw it—led him to leave trading and begin to address growing income inequality around the globe. In this fast-paced and insight-rich conversation, Gary and Paul discuss:

Gary's new memoir, The Trading Game: A Confession.

The risks of trading currency

How he felt when he got his first bonus of $750,000 

Bias against working-class people

Why he knew it was time to quit the industry 

The positive role of short-sellers in a market

His YouTube challenge, Gary’s Economics


Hot to tax billionaires more


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Paul Ollinger has worn a few different hats-stand-up comedian, tech executive, and now, the curious host of Reasonably Happy with Paul Ollinger. This isn't a lecture series or a dry self-help guide. Instead, it feels more like pulling up a chair for a series of genuinely engaging talks that wander into the places where our daily lives, careers, and inner worlds collide. The conversations, which feature authors, thinkers, and various creatives, are refreshingly candid. They dig into the practical and philosophical questions about what it actually means to build a life that feels both successful and satisfying. You'll find that each episode of this podcast approaches big themes-money, purpose, and the pursuit of contentment-with a blend of wit and thoughtful depth. The underlying idea isn't about finding a perfect, Instagram-ready version of happiness, but something more grounded and attainable. It's for anyone who's ever wondered if there's a smarter, more meaningful way to navigate the pressures of business and culture without losing sight of what matters. Tuning in, you get the sense that Paul is figuring it out alongside his guests, making the insights feel earned and relatable. The result is a consistently interesting exploration of how we can all aim for a life that feels reasonably, and authentically, well-lived.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Reasonably Happy with Paul Ollinger
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