How do you actually build an investment portfolio, and what is the simplest way to start?

In this episode of The Wallet, Emilie Bellet (Vestpod) is joined by Caroline Brady (Net Purpose, ex BlackRock) to break down portfolio building in plain English, from asset allocation and diversification to the difference between stocks and funds. We also cover how ESG and impact investing fit into long-term investing without overcomplicating it.

Financial news is everywhere. Markets, interest rates, crypto, AI, pensions, gold, recessions, bubbles. For many people, it creates more stress than clarity, and often leads to reactive money decisions they later regret.

In this episode of The Wallet, Vestpod founder Emilie Bellet is joined by Kalpana Fitzpatrick, Digital Editor at MoneyWeek, to unpack how financial news is made, why it can feel overwhelming, and how to consume it without panic.

Let’s be honest — “start investing” has probably been sitting on your to-do list for months (or years). You know it’s important, but it can feel confusing, risky, or just… something future-you will figure out.

The truth? You don’t need thousands of pounds or a finance degree to begin. You can start investing with as little as £100 — and doing it today can make a real difference to your financial future.

This is your simple, no-jargon guide to getting started.

For years, the world of investing has felt like a closed club, historically dominated by men. The imagery surrounding stock markets—the shouting, the fast-paced trades, the risk-taking—has often alienated women from these financial conversations. Yet, despite this, recent research shows that women not only make great investors but often outperform their male counterparts. So why does the myth persist that women aren’t as savvy in the investing world?

We’ve all heard about the gender investment gap, and it rightly riles us up. But here’s the reality: this isn’t just a personal issue—it’s deeply systemic. It didn’t happen overnight; it’s the result of generations of inequality, where women have been shut out of financial conversations and opportunities.  The system wasn’t built with women in mind, and it shows.

Notes (and some links I looked up) on crypto context and practicalities for other newbies who cannot tell the difference between bitcoin and blockchain. Consider it a beginner’s guide to the beginner’s session that Clara so patiently and eloquently ran through!