Podcasts · Education

Wall Street Diaries

Wall Street Mastermind

300 episodes

Wall Street Mastermind provides 1-on-1 coaching to students who are trying to break into investment banking, helping you land the top 1% jobs on Wall Street that pay six-figures straight out of school. It’s led by Sam Shiah, a former investment banker (Morgan Stanley Tech) and private equity investor (GI Partners).

More about the show

Not only have we maintained a 90%+ success rate over the years, we even offer a money back guarantee - meaning if you work with us and don’t get at least one investment banking offer, we will refund your entire investment in our program. Interested in learning more?

Book a virtual coffee chat with our team to see if you’re a good fit: www.wallstmastermind.com/apply?utm_source=podcast

Episodes page 1 of 6

  1. S4 Ep7: Why UK Banking Recruiting Is Harder Than Harvard

    · 51 min

    On this episode, Max talks with Emilie Carrel, UK CEO of Edge Skills and a former investment banker in London. Emilie has personally helped more than 100 students land offers at banks like Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan,…

  2. S4 Ep6: The Most Unique Finance Job

    · 43 min

    On this episode, Max talks with Sam Morell, senior production analyst on CBRE's Debt and Structured Finance team in Nashville, closing over $1B in loan volume across 50+ transactions a year. Sam's path wasn't…

  3. S4 Ep5: The Podcast Industry Is Undermonetized

    · 42 min

    On this episode, Max talks with Michael Paretzky, co-founder and CEO of Podstock, an analytics and operations platform used by some of the biggest names in podcasting. Michael left M&A consulting after testing the…

  4. S4 Ep4: How to Network Into Wall Street With No Connections

    · 47 min

    Veronica Shay went from internal audit in Eastern Europe to product manager at a fintech startup to AVP at Aeon Group in Manhattan — with no target school, no legacy connections, and no traditional finance background.…

  5. S4 Ep3: Is IB 60% Luck?

    · 1 h 07 min

    Matt Winterholler didn't take the traditional path into finance. He completed ten internships before landing his first offer, broke into banking from a non target school, and eventually left Mizuho to join a fast…

  6. S4 EP2: Wall Street Success Is 50% Luck

    · 54 min

    Andrew spent over 12 years at Goldman Sachs investing the firm's own balance sheet across public equities, high-yield credit, real estate, and venture capital before leaving to found 8FIGURES, an AI native investment…

  7. S4 EP1: Black Hawk Pilot Takes Over Wall Street

    · 55 min

    Frank Van Buren flew Black Hawk helicopters on combat missions in Beirut and Central America before walking into an investment banking associate role at Wells Fargo. What happened in between? A chance conversation on a…

  8. S3 EP10: AXOM Partners--The Hottest AI Investment Bank

    · 1 h 09 min

    AI isn’t replacing analysts. But it is separating the ones who adapt from the ones who don’t. Brandon Hightower is the co-founder of Axom Partners, the boutique M&A firm Forbes called Big Tech’s go-to dealmaker for AI…

  9. S3 EP9: This CFO is Hiring MORE Workers Despite AI

    · 41 min

    Scott McDermott went from PwC in Ireland to CFO of a global AI company, with stops at Netgear for 14 years, the Arlo Technologies IPO at $1B+ on the NYSE, Fitbit’s European finance build, and interim CFO at Cornerstone…

  10. S3 EP8: The Private Equity Mindset That Gets You Promoted

    · 1 h 15 min

    Nick started at Goldman Sachs TMT in San Francisco, spent 6 years at Francisco Partners rising from associate to VP, and now co-manages S20 Capital, a late stage tech secondaries fund. In this episode, we get into…

  11. S3 EP7: AI is Booming. But WHY is it booming?

    · 40 min

    AI isn't new. The concepts behind it go back to the 1960s. So why is everything changing right now? Asif Moosani has been inside this world longer than most. From coding at IBM to banking at Lazard to investing in AI…

  12. S3 EP6: Prove Me Wrong: Picking an Investor is Harder than Picking a Spouse

    · 1 h 37 min

    Eric majored in exercise science and planned to go into medicine. When that didn't work out, he applied to every rotational business program he could find and got screened out of all of them because of his major. A…

  13. S3 Ep5: What's More Exciting than Private Equity?

    · 48 min

    Most investment bankers follow the same script: 2 years of banking → PE → MBA → repeat. Emma Jacobsen didn't. After landing a spot in Bank of America's elite tech IB group, she walked away from PE to join Nuro, one of…

  14. S3 Ep4: How to Win the "Army's Heisman Trophy"

    · 1 h 08 min

    Nick spent over a decade in the 75th Ranger Regiment before walking into Meta with zero coding experience. Now he's at Harvard Business School and building in defense tech. In this episode, he breaks down exactly how…

  15. S3 Ep3: Get a Real Estate Investing Job

    · 1 h 23 min

    In this episode of Wall Street Diaries, Max sits down with Taylor, a real estate investor who has helped deploy over $1.7B into multifamily acquisitions. Taylor breaks down how real estate investing actually works,…

  16. S3 Ep 2 : Want a Promotion? Do the Job Before You Have It

    · 57 min

    rivate equity isn’t about finding “great” companies. It’s about finding the right company for your fund. In this episode of Wall Street Diaries, we talk about why the exact same deal can be a perfect fit for one PE…

  17. S3 Ep 1: Google Rejected Me. Here's What I Did Instead.

    · 1 h 41 min

    Matt Huang did everything “right.” Investment banking. Consulting. Corporate strategy at Google. In this episode, we break down what banking teaches you, why target schools can feel like pressure cookers, how…

  18. Will AI Kill Investment Banking Analyst Jobs?

    · 18 min

    Artificial intelligence is advancing faster than anyone expected. Some people believe AI will replace most white-collar jobs in the next few years, including investment banking analysts. Others think it will simply…

  19. S2 Ep08: He Hung Up on His Goldman Associate?

    · 1 h 22 min

    Most students think investment banking is the finish line. In this episode of Wall Street Diaries, Nathan walks through why that assumption quietly breaks down. He shares what the job at Goldman Sachs actually felt…

  20. S2 Ep07: Investment Banking? Go Study Engineering!

    · 1 h 21 min

    In this episode of Wall Street Diaries, we break down how an investment banker thinks, and why an engineering mindset often matters more than pure finance knowledge. We talk about systems thinking, constraints, and…

  21. S2 Ep06: From $30 in the Bank to Investment Banking

    · 1 h 50 min

    In this episode of Wall Street Diaries, Max Johnson breaks down what investment banking actually trains you for, and why many students misunderstand the real value of an IB career. Drawing from his path from…

  22. S2 Ep05: Living in Your Car to Tech CEO

    · 1 h 42 min

    Investment banking interviews aren’t about memorizing perfect answers. They’re about how you think, communicate, and handle pressure in real time. In this episode of Wall Street Diaries, we break down how IB…

  23. S2 Ep04: Is Sales & Trading Better than Investment Banking?

    · 1 h 36 min

    S2 Ep04: Is Sales & Trading Better than Investment Banking? by Wall Street Mastermind

  24. S2 Ep03: Is Chemical Engineering the Best Investment Banking Major_

    · 1 h 44 min

    S2 Ep03: Is Chemical Engineering the Best Investment Banking Major_ by Wall Street Mastermind

  25. S2 Ep02: How a Non-Target Grad Became a VP at Jefferies

    · 1 h 19 min

    This week features Carson, a Vice President at Jefferies, who built a long-term career on Wall Street by taking a path most people overlook. Coming from a non-target background, Carson worked his way into investment…

  26. S2 Ep01: He Left Investment Banking and Private Equity to Save the World

    · 1 h 29 min

    Season 2 Episode 1 of Wall Street Diaries is here! It features @KevinYangImpact went from valedictorian at Michigan Ross to investment banking at Guggenheim TMT, private equity at Vector Capital, and ultimately into…

  27. Episode 365: How Jordan Broke Into an Elite Boutique From a Non Target School After Failing on His Own

    · 40 min

    Our student Jordan was attending a non-target liberal arts college and had been unsuccessful at recruiting on his own formonths. Not knowing how to structure his networking calls or answers in interviews, he knew…

  28. Episode 364: Never Miss a Cost of Equity Question During Your Investment Banking Interview

    · 9:52

    In this episode, we dive deep into the cost of equity, an essential WACC component frequently tested in investment banking interviews. You'll discover how to calculate it using CAPM and why it's crucial for valuing a…

  29. Episode 363: How to calculate WACC? (Weighted Average Cost of Capital)

    · 11 min

    In this episode, we break down how to calculate WACC, one of the most common technical questions in finance interviews. You'll learn what each component means, from the cost of equity to the after-tax cost of debt.…

  30. Episode 362: How Christian Landed a Bulge Bracket Offer Within 2.5 Months Despite Being an Engineer With No Finance Background

    · 50 min

    Our student Christian came to us as an astronautical engineering major not knowing anything about finance or having relevant experience. He had taken a gap year and after seeing a few friends go through the recruiting…

  31. Episode 361: Answering Morgan Stanley's interview question on a DCF (Discounted Cash Flow)!

    · 12 min

    In this episode, I walk through what a DCF is, one of the most common terms asked about in investment banking interviews. You'll learn how to project future cash flows, estimate terminal value, and determine the…

  32. Episode 360: How to Explain an LBO in a PE and IB Job Interview

    · 8:05

    Need to explain an LBO in a private equity or investment banking interview? In this episode, we break it down in the simplest way possible. We’ll show you how to explain an LBO step by step, draw parallels to real…

  33. Episode 359: How Jaime Broke Into Credit Suisse Despite Being a Non-Native English Speaker That Started Late at a Non-Target School

    · 33 min

    Our student Jaime had moved to the US from Colombia two years prior and had barely spoken any English. He discovered IB through a finance club but didn't know how to go about the recruiting process. A WSMM alumni…

  34. Episode 358: Do investment bankers really work 100 hours a week?

    · 11 min

    In this episode, we break down the truth behind the 100 hour myths and sensationalized headlines. The reality is more nuanced think of it like a bell curve, with some intense weeks, some lighter ones, and most falling…

  35. Episode 357: How Robin Went From Being a Refugee and First Gen College Student to Becoming a Bulge Bracket Banker

    · 59 min

    Our student Robin had been a refugee from Nepal and was a first generation college student at a small college. He transferred to Virginia Tech his sophomore year but had no finance experience at all. An investment in…

  36. Episode 356: How to Break Into Investment Banking From a Non-Target School

    · 17 min

    Breaking into investment banking from a non-target school is absolutely possible but you need to be strategic. In this episode, we walk you through exactly what it takes: from building a standout resume to gaining…

  37. Episode 355: Can Non-target Students Break Into Investment Banking?

    · 12 min

    Can non-target students break into investment banking? The answer is yes—but it takes the right mindset and approach. In this episode, we break down the real challenges non-target students face and share the advice…

  38. Episode 354: Ranking The Best 10 Investment Banking Internships!

    · 15 min

    Picking the right internship early can help shape your career trajectory. In this episode, we rank the 10 best options for breaking into banking, from boutique investment banks to private equity internships and even a…

  39. Episode 353: How Aidan Became One of the First Students From His Non-Target School to Break Into Investment Banking Without an MBA

    · 37 min

    Our student Aidan came to us as a sophomore athlete majoring in economics at a non-target school. He had known he wanted to do IB for a while but most of the guidance he received dissuaded him from breaking in as an…

  40. Episode 352: How to Create a Resume for Goldman Sachs

    · 14 min

    If you’re aiming for Goldman Sachs or any top investment bank, your resume has to be flawless. In this episode, we break down exactly how to structure it, the key sections you need, what to include under education and…

  41. Episode 351: How Zolio Became the First Person From His Non-Target School to Break Into JPMorgan

    · 36 min

    Our student Zolio came to us as a non-target school student having little guidance on the recruiting process. A couple of alumni got him interested in IB, but he had little knowledge of any finance concepts or how to…

  42. Episode 350: "Why You're Struggling To Break Into Banking "

    · 13 min

    Breaking into investment banking is brutally competitive, yet a few common mistakes can quietly kill your chances. In this episode, we dive into why candidates struggle to get offers: the type of school you go to, the…

  43. Episode 349: Investment Bankers Are Quitting to Take These Jobs

    · 13 min

    What comes after investment banking? In this episode, we unpack the world of exit opportunities from the coveted buy-side roles to strategic positions in industry. We explore Private Equity, Growth Equity & Venture…

  44. Episode 348: How Aakaash Stood Out Against the Highly Competitive Candidate Pool at Wharton and Got an Elite Boutique Offer

    · 1 h 04 min

    Our student Aakash came to us as a sophomore at UPenn who was feeling behind on the investment banking recruiting process. At the time, his friends had already lined up freshmen internships, whereas he had only…

  45. Episode 347: Is Investment Banking Worth It?

    · 12 min

    In this episode, we break down the real pros and cons of life on Wall Street. From the money, prestige, exit opportunities, and steep learning curve to the gruelling hours and constant unpredictability. We explore…

  46. Episode 346: Strategies for Entry into Investment Banking

    · 23 min

    Didn’t land an IB offer right away? Don’t worry, there are multiple ways to break in. This video covers three proven strategies: starting in a similar finance job and recruiting for full-time, delaying graduation to…

  47. Episode 345: How Mike Got an Offer From Blackstone Private Equity and Goldman TMT

    · 32 min

    Our student Mike came to us as a sophomore at a non-target school looking primarily for investment banking and buy-side opportunities. Although he had family with a background in finance that had tried to help him…

  48. Episode 344: The TRUTH about Investment Banking

    · 12 min

    Ever wondered what investment bankers actually do? This podcast cuts through the myths and hype to break down the real job,. We’ll compare IB to real estate, walk through the daily grind (yes, a lot of PowerPoint),…

  49. Episode 343: How Min Secured an Offer from Lazard and Evercore From a Non Target School

    · 30 min

    Our student Minwoo came to us as a sophomore at a non-target school not knowing much about the investment banking recruiting process. After hearing a Goldman managing director guest speak at his school event, he…

  50. Episode 342: Banking Salaries Truths Part 2

    · 11 min

    In this episode, we go beyond the numbers to discuss the real cost of an investment banking salary, the sacrifice of work-life balance with unpredictable hours and the demanding environment. But we’ll also explore the…

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