Markets and Mindsets

How Much Should You Risk?

Want to be on the show? Send us a question, a voice note or a quick video to marketsandmindsets@ig.co How much of your income should you invest when you are just getting started, without leaving yourself short when life gets expensive? In our final episode of the Markets and Mindsets series, the team are joined by Finn, a newer investor with some experience in smaller cryptocurrencies who wants to understand how much to invest in relation to his income and wider finances. The conversation explores why there is no universal percentage that works for everyone, and why time horizon, liquidity needs and life stage should shape the decision. The team discuss the importance of keeping a savings buffer, starting early, investing regularly and avoiding situations where you may be forced to sell during a market downturn. They also examine the balance between enjoying money today and preparing for future costs, the value of tax-efficient accounts and employer pension contributions, and how diversification and regular investing can reduce the pressure of trying to time the market. In this episode: Why time horizon, life stage and liquidity needs should determine how much you invest Why starting early can make small, regular contributions meaningful through compounding How automating investments can build discipline and reduce emotional decision-making Why maintaining a cash buffer helps prevent forced selling during a downturn How crypto volatility can distort expectations of risk in other markets Why housing costs and the cost of living make fixed investment percentages unrealistic How ISAs, LISAs and workplace pensions can improve long-term outcomes How to balance enjoying money today with future financial goals and expenses Why diversification matters when indexes are concentrated in a few companies or sectors Why waiting for the perfect entry point can cost returns, and regular contributions can make downturns easier Chapters 00:00 – Introduction: Knowing Your Risk 01:17 – Meet Finn: How Much Should a Beginner Invest? 02:10 – Time Horizons, Liquidity and Life Stage 03:51 – Starting Early and the Power of Compounding 04:36 – Regular Investing and Automating the Habit 06:26 – Keeping a Buffer and Avoiding Forced Selling 09:10 – ISAs, LISAs, Pensions and Tax-Efficient Investing 12:06 – Balancing Money Today with Future Financial Goals 16:29 – Market Timing, Diversification and S&P 500 Concentration 19:37 – Final Takeaways Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to Markets and Mindsets for more conversations exploring the psychology behind better investing. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a rating or share it with someone looking to become a more thoughtful investor. Capital at risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you originally invested. This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice.

Are You Trading for Thrills or Returns?

Want to be on the show? Send us a question, a voice note or a quick video to marketsandmindsets@ig.co How much risk can you genuinely afford to take and how much loss can you emotionally tolerate? In Episode 13 of Markets and Mindsets, the team is joined by Jimmy, an investor with around a decade of experience who is beginning to explore more active trading, technical analysis and a more structured approach to the markets. Jimmy shares his enjoyment of gambling and risk-taking, and asks how to preserve the fun of trading without getting carried away. The conversation explores the difference between risk capacity and risk tolerance, why a widely quoted percentage is not automatically the right target, and how position sizing should reflect both your wider finances and your emotional response to loss. The team also examines the difference between trading for recreation and trading for return, why being right can feel as rewarding as making money, and how community, transparency and a supportive process can turn short-term excitement into more sustainable motivation. In this episode: Why understanding risk is essential to both trading success and enjoyment How life stage, liquidity needs and the cost of living can affect risk decisions The difference between risk capacity and risk tolerance Why a commonly quoted 2% risk limit is a ceiling rather than a target How to translate percentages into a real monetary loss you can understand Why trading for recreation requires a different mindset from trading for return How limiting account funding and position size can keep recreational trading controlled Why return-focused trading requires a repeatable process and careful review Why the consequences of a loss matter more than the number alone Why stepping away is the right choice when trading stops feeling sustainable Chapters 00:00 – Introduction: Knowing Your Risk 01:20 – Meet Jimmy: Investing, Trading and Risk-Taking 02:11 – Gambling, Enjoyment and the Appeal of Risk 04:18 – Risk Capacity and Risk Tolerance 05:30 – Why 2% Is Not a Target 06:20 – What Are You Optimising For? 07:13 – Recreational Trading vs Return-Focused Trading 10:51 – Why Position Size Shapes the Emotional Response 12:31 – Thinking About the Consequences of a Loss 19:10 – When to Step Away Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to Markets and Mindsets for more conversations exploring the psychology behind better investing. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a rating or share it with someone looking to become a more thoughtful investor. Capital at risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you originally invested. This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice.

Can Stress Make You a Better Trader?

Want to be on the show? Send us a question, a voice note or a quick video to marketsandmindsets@ig.co What is trading doing to your body, not just your portfolio? In Episode 12 of Markets and Mindsets, the team are joined by Rich, a former international athlete and professional trader with two decades of experience across market-making, hedge funds and emerging markets. Rich reflects on the physical and psychological toll of trading through major market events, including the financial crisis, the Swiss franc de-pegging and periods of extreme volatility. The conversation explores the difference between short, sharp bursts of adrenaline and the longer-lasting build-up of cortisol, and how both can influence decision-making, focus, sleep and behaviour. The team also discusses when stress can improve performance, why routine and a documented process can reduce pressure, and the practical warning signs that trading may be taking over your life. From diet, exercise and sleep to position sizing, time away from the screen and stress-testing your portfolio, the episode examines how traders can protect their health while continuing to engage with the markets they love. In this episode: The physical and psychological toll that trading can place on the body The difference between adrenaline and cortisol Why adrenaline narrows attention and encourages faster decisions Why prolonged stress can cause cortisol to build up over time How stress can sometimes support flow, focus and faster execution The four steps for turning stress into a performance aid How routines and documented processes can reduce uncertainty How cold water and stepping away from the screen can help create a reset The importance of diet, exercise and sleep for trading performance How position sizing should change with volatility and emotional state Chapters 00:00 – Introduction: What Trading Does to Your Body 06:16 – Adrenaline vs Cortisol 08:11 – How Adrenaline Changes Vision and Decision-Making 11:24 – How Cortisol Builds Up Over Time 14:52 – Using Stress to Enhance Performance 20:23 – Documenting Your Trading Playbook 24:18 – Memory, Stress and the Value of a Trading Journal 26:00 – Diet, Exercise and Sleep 32:27 – Position Sizing for Volatility and Emotional State 35:41 – Warning Signs That Trading Is Taking Over Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to Markets and Mindsets for more conversations exploring the psychology behind better investing. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a rating or share it with someone looking to become a more thoughtful investor. Capital at risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you originally invested. This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice.

How to Stop Chasing Your Losses?

Want to be on the show? Send us a question, a voice note or a quick video to marketsandmindsets@ig.co How do you keep trusting your process when several trades in a row go against you, and every instinct tells you to win the money back? In Episode 11 of Markets and Mindsets, the team are joined by Luke, who has spent 13 years working closely with active traders and has experienced his own shift from short-term, instinctive trades towards a more structured approach built around the S&P 500, position sizing and risk management. Luke shares the emotional pull that follows a losing streak, even when the strategy and risk controls are behaving exactly as expected. The conversation explores why losses feel more powerful than gains, how fight-or-flight responses can trigger revenge trading, and why a good process can still produce a bad outcome. From reducing position size and creating clear trading rules to changing your physical environment, speaking to other traders and protecting your sleep, the episode offers practical ways to reset, avoid paralysis and make the next decision on its own merits. In this episode: How a string of stopped-out trades can challenge confidence in a good process Why losses often feel more painful than equivalent gains feel rewarding Why anxiety can push traders towards overactivity and revenge trading How reducing position size after a losing streak can limit emotional pressure Why a morning routine and market plan can support slower, clearer thinking How to leave yesterday’s result behind while still learning from it The difference between a good process with a bad outcome and a genuinely bad process Why trading can become isolating and how conversation creates useful challenge Why position size and stop placement should reflect the market’s volatility Why standardised position sizes can reduce inconsistent, emotional decisions Chapters 00:00 – Introduction: Loss, Anxiety and the Revenge Trade 00:23 – Meet Luke: From Vibes-Based Trading to a Structured Process 02:45 – The Emotional Pull After a Losing Trade 04:23 – Why Losses Weigh More Heavily Than Gains 07:41 – Anxiety, Fight-or-Flight and Revenge Trading 08:54 – Building Rules for a Losing Streak 10:21 – Detachment: Leaving Yesterday Behind 13:23 – Good Process, Bad Outcome 22:41 – Position Sizing, Volatility and Stop Placement 28:41 – Resetting After a Run of Losses Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to Markets and Mindsets for more conversations exploring the psychology behind better investing. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a rating or share it with someone looking to become a more thoughtful investor. Capital at risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you originally invested. This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice.

How to Avoid Taking the Market Personally?

Want to be on the show? Send us a question, a voice note or a quick video to marketsandmindsets@ig.co When a trade goes against you, how do you tell the difference between rational conviction and an emotional attempt to win the money back? In Episode 10 of Markets and Mindsets, Paul, Emma and Isar are joined by Andy, an experienced investor and trader with a background in equities, options and higher-risk strategies. Together, they explore why losses often feel more powerful than gains and how those emotions can shape the decisions that follow. Andy shares how losing positions can leave him feeling sad rather than angry, why he sometimes steps back from options when markets turn against him, and how strong conviction can lead him to add to a falling position. The team examine where thoughtful reassessment ends and revenge trading begins. The conversation also explores portfolio concentration, position sizing, the emotional rush of short-term trading, the influence of market-moving news and why self-awareness is essential when deciding whether the facts still support a trade, or whether emotion has taken over. In this episode: Why losses tend to feel more powerful than equivalent gains How loss can trigger overtrading, paralysis or revenge trading Why reviewing a loss can become a valuable learning tool How different traders experience and express trading emotions Why sadness can be as important to recognise as anger or frustration The difference between long-term investing and shorter-term trading psychology How portfolio concentration can amplify emotional swings Why position sizing and risk limits matter when conviction is high How to decide whether adding to a losing position is rational or emotional Why a revenge trade often begins when the facts change but your view does not Chapters 00:00 – Introduction: Loss, Anxiety and the Revenge Trade 01:38 – Meet Andy: From Equities to Options 02:21 – Recognising the Emotional Impact of a Loss 05:03 – Position Sizing, Risk and Concentration 06:20 – The Emotional Rush of Short-Term Trading 08:13 – The Pull of Always-Open Markets 11:06 – How a Loss Influences the Next Decision 11:46 – Doubling Down: Conviction or Emotion? 15:46 – What Is a Revenge Trade? 17:04 – When the Facts Change but Your Mind Does Not Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to Markets and Mindsets for more conversations exploring the psychology behind better investing. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a rating or share it with someone looking to become a more thoughtful investor. Capital at risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you originally invested. This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice.

Is Doing Nothing a Skill?

Want to be on the show? Send us a question, a voice note or a quick video to marketsandmindsets@ig.co Does stepping away from the buy button feel unproductive, even when there is no good trade to make? In Episode 9 of Markets and Mindsets, the team respond to a question from Andrew, an experienced trader who struggles with the urge to stay occupied, chase the buzz of execution and keep placing trades. The conversation challenges the idea that trading is the only productive part of being a trader. Using examples from golf, theatre and elite sport, the team explain why research, rehearsal, journaling and self-analysis are all part of building a process you can trust when it is time to execute. They also explore how to redirect the need for action into smaller, constructive tasks, why improving away from the screen can strengthen future decisions, and when the most productive choice may simply be to walk away and look after your wellbeing. In this episode: Why the urge to stay busy can lead traders into unnecessary decisions How overtrading affects experienced traders as well as beginners Why not placing a trade is still an active decision How golf practice provides a useful analogy for trading preparation Why research, journaling and reflection are productive trading activities How rehearsing away from the market can improve execution Why breaking a large skill into smaller components supports mastery How to create “little victories” when the market offers no clear opportunity Why you can influence your process even when you cannot influence the market Why exercise, rest and time away from the screen can improve performance Chapters 00:00 – Introduction: The Overtrading Trap 01:15 – Andrew’s Question: Chasing the Buzz of Trading 02:11 – What Golf Can Teach Traders About Practice 04:14 – The Illusion of Productivity 04:52 – Why Not Trading Does Not Mean Doing Nothing 05:09 – Research, Journaling and Reflection 06:09 – Rehearsal vs Execution 07:21 – Breaking Skills Down Through Mastery-Based Learning 08:18 – Finding Little Victories During Difficult Periods 10:00 – Productive Ways to Step Away from the Trade Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to Markets and Mindsets for more conversations exploring the psychology behind better investing. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a rating or share it with someone looking to become a more thoughtful investor. Capital at risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you originally invested. This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice.

Can Trading Less Make You Better?

Want to be on the show? Send us a question, a voice note or a quick video to marketsandmindsets@ig.co Can placing fewer trades actually help you learn more and become a more disciplined trader? In Episode 8 of Markets and Mindsets, Paul and Isar are joined by Aoife, an experienced investor preparing to move into active trading. After noticing how easily she overtrades on a demo account, Aoife asks how to build better habits before real money is on the line. The conversation explores why demo trading cannot fully recreate the emotional weight of a live position, how the urge to stay busy can create an illusion of productivity, and why making fewer, smaller trades may actually help you learn faster. The team also explain the difference between open-loop and closed-loop learning, and how structured reflection can turn each trade into useful feedback. From journaling and voice notes to alarms, quarterly letters and clearer time horizons, the episode shares practical ways to reduce impulsive decisions and build a repeatable process before pressing the button. In this episode: Why demo accounts are useful for mechanics but limited for understanding emotion How using very small amounts of real money can make decisions feel more meaningful Why traders often mistake activity for productivity How boredom and a bias toward action can lead to unnecessary trades The difference between open-loop and closed-loop learning Why trading less can sometimes help you learn faster How time horizons should shape the way you manage investments and trades How journaling before and after a trade builds self-awareness How alarms and written reminders can create a pause before acting How smaller positions can provide realistic experience without creating major consequences Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction: The Overtrading Trap 00:14 – Meet Aoife: Moving from Investing into Trading 01:01 – Why Demo Accounts Can Encourage Overtrading 03:23 – Starting Small with Real Money 03:53 – The Illusion of Productivity 04:50 – Open-Loop vs Closed-Loop Learning 06:28 – Why Trading Less Can Help You Learn Faster 06:51 – Time Horizons and the Urge to Meddle 10:31 – Journaling Before and After a Trade 13:06 – Using Alarms and Simple Systems to Pause Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to Markets and Mindsets for more conversations exploring the psychology behind better investing. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a rating or share it with someone looking to become a more thoughtful investor. Capital at risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you originally invested. This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice.

Was It a Bad Trade, or Just Bad Luck?

Want to be on the show? Send us a question, a voice note or a quick video to marketsandmindsets@ig.co How do you know whether a losing trade came from a bad decision, or simply a good process with a bad outcome? In Episode 7 of Markets and Mindsets, Paul and Emma are joined by Tony, a newer trader focused mainly on gold and EUR/USD, to explore one of the easiest habits for traders to fall into: overtrading. The conversation examines “resulting” - judging the quality of a decision purely by its outcome - and why one winning or losing trade is rarely enough to tell you whether your process is working. The team share practical ways to slow down decision-making, build a repeatable routine and judge trades over a meaningful sample rather than reacting to one result. They also discuss position sizing, acceptance, backtesting and why both full-time and part-time traders benefit from having a clear process before pressing the buy button. In this episode: Why overtrading can affect traders at every stage of their journey What “resulting” means and why outcomes can distort your judgement The difference between a good process with a bad outcome and a bad process with a good outcome Why one trade is not enough evidence to judge a strategy How writing down your reasons for entering a trade improves discipline Why a repeatable process is essential for consistent results How routines can help both full-time and part-time traders slow down emotional decisions Why position sizing should reflect your tolerance for losses and uncertainty How smaller trades can help rebuild confidence while testing a strategy Why acceptance often comes with time, perspective and distance from the trade Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction: The Overtrading Trap 01:15 – Meet Tony: Trading Gold and EUR/USD 01:57 – When a Bad Outcome Doesn’t Mean a Bad Trade 02:21 – Understanding “Resulting” 04:10 – Why Your Trading Process Should Be Written Down 05:21 – Following the Plan and Accepting the Outcome 07:20 – Building Confidence Through a Repeatable Process 09:42 – Trading Plans, Routines and Atomic Habits 10:40 – Judge the Process Over a Series of Trades 13:05 – Position Sizing and Emotional Tolerance Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to Markets and Mindsets for more conversations exploring the psychology behind better investing. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a rating or share it with someone looking to become a more thoughtful investor. Capital at risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you originally invested. This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice.

Should You Trade Yourself, Not the Market?

Want to be on the show? Send us a question, a voice note or a quick video to marketsandmindsets@ig.com What happens to your decision-making when every market move triggers adrenaline, stress and the pressure to react? In Episode 6 of Markets and Mindsets, Paul and Emma are joined by Axel, IG’s Chief Technical Analyst, to explore the physical and emotional demands of trading. Drawing on decades of experience, Axel explains why even seasoned traders cannot simply switch off emotion, and why your physical state can have a direct impact on your decisions. From adrenaline and fatigue to meditation, breathwork and knowing when not to trade, the conversation looks at the routines that support discipline and long-term consistency. The team also discuss how trading stress can spill into family life, why traders should think like high-performance athletes, and why your trading style needs to fit your psychology. In this episode: Why trading affects your body as well as your mind How adrenaline and stress show up during fast-moving markets Why Axel scores his physical and emotional state every morning How personal readiness can determine whether you should trade Why fatigue can weaken risk discipline and stop-loss execution How trading stress can affect family life away from the screen Why traders should treat themselves like high-performance athletes How diet, exercise, standing desks, meditation and breathwork support performance Why your trading style should fit your psychology How overtrading and oversized positions can damage consistency Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction: What Trading Does to Your Body 00:32 – Axel’s Approach to Mindset and Physical Readiness 02:22 – Meet Axel: Decades in the Markets 04:05 – Why Experience Doesn’t Eliminate Emotion 04:29 – The Daily Readiness Score 06:00 – Knowing When Not to Trade 07:37 – Adrenaline, Intraday Trading and Stop Discipline 09:00 – How Trading Stress Affects Life at Home 12:43 – Trading Longevity, Physical Setup and Meditation 15:05 – Overtrading, Position Size and Long-Term Discipline Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to Markets and Mindsets for more conversations exploring the psychology behind better investing. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a rating or share it with someone looking to become a more thoughtful investor. Capital at risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you originally invested. This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice.

How to Tune Out the Noise?

How do you stay confident in your own trading decisions when social media is constantly telling you that someone else has found the next winning trade? In Episode 5 of Markets and Mindsets, Paul and Emma are joined by Valentyn to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing modern traders: filtering out information overload. From trading influencers and paid signal groups to confirmation bias and emotional decision-making, the conversation explores how social media can influence your mindset long after you've entered a position. The team also share practical strategies for avoiding distractions, managing trades with confidence, and building habits that help you stick to your plan instead of reacting to every headline or viral post. Want to be on the show? Send us a question, a voice note or a quick video to marketsandmindsets@ig.com In this episode: Why social media creates information overload for traders The psychology behind trading influencers and "too good to be true" success stories How confirmation bias can reinforce poor trading decisions Why your job is done once you've entered a well-planned trade The difference between managing a trade and "babysitting" it Practical ways to reduce emotional decision-making while trading How alerts, routines and habits can improve discipline Why social media platforms are designed to keep you emotionally engaged The importance of questioning paid signals and online trading advice How to build confidence by trusting your own process Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction: Trading Through the Noise 01:15 – Valentyn's Question: Staying Focused During a Trade 03:05 – Trading Courses, Fake Screenshots & Influencers 04:33 – Once You're in a Trade, Trust Your Plan 06:04 – Information Overload & Confirmation Bias 08:01 – Managing a Trade vs Babysitting It 10:57 – Why Social Media Fuels Emotional Trading 12:07 – Building Better Trading Habits 13:26 – Testing Trading Signals & Learning to Be Skeptical 14:56 – Key Takeaways: Trust Your Process, Not the Algorithm 16:13 – Final Reflections Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to Markets and Mindsets for more conversations exploring the psychology behind better investing. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a rating or share it with someone looking to become a more thoughtful investor. Capital at risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you originally invested. This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice.

Who Can You Trust Online?

From viral trading tips to AI-generated success stories, social media has transformed the way many people discover investing ideas. But how do you separate genuine insight from clickbait? In Episode 4 of Markets and Mindsets, Emma and Paul are joined by Luke to explore the opportunities and dangers of learning about investing online. They discuss the rise of trading influencers, why hindsight can create unrealistic expectations, and how building a trusted community can help you become a more confident investor. Whether you learn through online groups or face-to-face conversations, the episode highlights why developing your own process will always matter more than following someone else's. Want to be on the show? Email marketsandmindsets@ig.com with your questions. In this episode: Why social media often highlights winners while ignoring losers How hindsight bias creates unrealistic investing expectations The risks of trading advice from influencers and online "gurus" Why transparency matters when evaluating trading content How to use social media as research, not investment advice The importance of taking ownership of your trading decisions Why community can improve both learning and trading psychology The differences between learning online and in-person How trading alone can affect confidence, emotions and decision-making Practical advice for finding trustworthy support as a developing trader Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to Markets and Mindsets for more conversations exploring the psychology behind better investing. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a rating or share it with someone looking to become a more thoughtful investor. This podcast is provided for educational and informational purposes only. The content presented is not intended as personal investment advice or a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any particular securities or investments.

• Chapters

When Should You Take Profit?

Why do so many investors sell their winning trades too soon, while holding onto losing positions for far too long? In Episode 3 of Markets and Mindsets, the team are joined by experienced trader David to explore one of the most common psychological traps in investing: knowing when to let your winners run. From managing emotions after a string of losses to building trading strategies that remove impulsive decision-making, this episode dives into the habits that separate disciplined investors from emotional ones. Whether you're just starting out or have years of experience, the conversation offers practical techniques to help you build confidence, trust your process and make better decisions over the long term. In this episode: Why investors often cut winning trades too early The psychology behind holding onto losing positions How previous losses can influence future decisions Why position sizing can reduce emotional decision-making The importance of defining your exit strategy before entering a trade How stop losses and profit targets can help build discipline Why journaling your trades improves long-term performance How experienced traders recover after difficult periods The role routines and mindset play in better decision-making Why successful investing is about consistency, not perfection Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 01:14 – David's trading dilemma: exiting winners too early 02:36 – Why investors bank profits too quickly 05:12 – Stop losses, scaling out and protecting gains 06:16 – Do experienced traders ever stop struggling? 07:35 – Trading journals and building a strategy 09:04 – Position sizing and managing emotions 11:34 – Learning without reinforcing bad habits 13:32 – Practical ways to build better trading discipline 15:58 – Creating routines for better decisions 16:38 – Final thoughts Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to Markets and Mindsets for more conversations exploring the psychology behind better investing. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a rating or share it with someone looking to become a more thoughtful investor. This podcast is provided for educational and informational purposes only. The content presented is not intended as personal investment advice or a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any particular securities or investments.

Is FOMO Ever Healthy?

When does taking a calculated investment risk become gambling? In Episode 2 of Markets and Mindsets, the team are joined by Jack to explore one of the most common challenges investors face: separating disciplined decision-making from emotional investing. Together, they unpack the psychology behind FOMO, confirmation bias and impulsive trading, discussing how our emotions can influence everything from stock selection to knowing when to sell. Through honest reflections and practical advice, the conversation highlights why having a process matters far more than trying to predict every market move. In this episode: The difference between healthy and unhealthy FOMO Why missing an opportunity doesn't mean you've failed How confirmation bias can influence your investment decisions The dangers of impulse trading and chasing market hype Why taking responsibility for every trade is essential The value of trading journals, voice notes and reviewing your decisions How to define your risk before entering a position The debate between technical analysis and long-term investing Why conviction matters, but so does knowing when to change your mind Practical ways to build better investing habits and avoid emotional decision-making Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 01:03 – Jack's investing journey and the question of healthy vs unhealthy FOMO 04:18 – Why missing a trade is part of investing 07:09 – Conviction, hype and investing in AI stocks 12:07 – Confirmation bias and knowing when to sell 16:45 – Trading journals and creating accountability 23:42 – Investing, gambling and avoiding impulse trades 29:37 – Long-term investing vs technical analysis 37:05 – Managing drawdowns and defining your risk 43:20 – Final lessons on discipline and decision-making Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to Markets and Mindsets for more conversations exploring the psychology behind better investing. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a rating or share it with someone looking to become a more thoughtful investor. This podcast is provided for educational and informational purposes only. The content presented is not intended as personal investment advice or a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any particular securities or investments.

How to Tell Real Opportunity from FOMO

Ever watched an investment surge and wondered if you've already missed your chance? In the first episode of Markets and Mindsets, the team are joined by Emma to unpack one of the biggest psychological challenges investors face: knowing the difference between genuine opportunity and fear of missing out. Drawing on Emma's own investing experiences, the conversation explores how emotions can shape our decision-making, why social media hype isn't always a reliable signal, and the practical habits that can help investors stay disciplined when markets move quickly. From momentum trades and trading journals to position sizing and managing risk, this episode is packed with actionable insights for anyone looking to become a more confident investor. In this episode: Why FOMO can lead investors into poor investment decisions How to distinguish genuine market opportunities from social media hype What drives momentum trades in markets like gold and silver Why it's important to have an exit plan before entering a position Practical ways to remove emotion from your investing decisions How stop losses, alerts and position sizing can help manage risk Why experienced traders keep journals, and how voice notes can be an effective alternative Lessons learned from real trades in gold, silver and oil Why choosing not to trade can sometimes be the smartest decision How mistakes can become one of the most valuable parts of your investing journey Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 01:01 – Emma's investing journey and the challenge of FOMO 02:17 – Opportunity vs hype: knowing when you've missed the move 03:18 – Social media, algorithms and investment decisions 05:16 – Building rules before placing a trade 06:37 – Stop losses, alerts and managing risk 07:47 – Trading journals and reviewing your decisions 11:15 – Lessons from gold, silver and oil trades 15:04 – Why sometimes the best trade is no trade at all 17:44 – Final thoughts Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to Markets and Mindsets for more conversations exploring the psychology behind better investing. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a rating or share it with someone looking to become a more thoughtful investor. Disclaimer: This podcast is provided for educational and informational purposes only. The content presented is not intended as personal investment advice or a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any particular securities or investments. All discussions regarding the model portfolio are illustrative and for educational purposes. Your capital is at risk. The value of shares, ETFs and ETCs can fall as well as rise, which could mean getting back less than you originally put in.

Markets and Mindsets Trailer

Markets & Mindsets. Most trading content is about charts and setups. Markets & Mindsets is about something more important: you. Hosted by Isar Bhattacharjee, Paul Cooper & Emma Binns: this is the podcast that flips the lens from the trade to the trader. Each week, real traders and investors join as guests, send voice notes, or call in to unpack the psychological side of the markets: the confidence, discipline, and mindset that actually separate consistent performers from everyone else. Boredom trades. Revenge trading. FOMO. Overtrading. Sticking to a plan when everything in you wants to break it. These are the conversations most trading content skips and the ones that make the biggest difference to long-term success. No jargon. No shame. Just honest, direct conversation about the mental game of trading and investing. The hosts share practical ways to trade smarter, safer, and with a better relationship to the markets. New episodes every Monday and Wednesday.