Ever been gripped by a podcast that dives into real-life dramas? What if I told you the world of high finance is teeming with even wilder stories of ambition, epic blunders, and often, well-connected MBAs crashing and burning? After a decade behind the scenes at the Federal Reserve and a recent exit from leveraged finance, I realized I had a unique perspective to share. I'm here to unpack the seemingly complex world of finance, revealing how even the 'smartest' minds can make the most baffling errors, and why those spectacular falls from grace make for truly compelling listening.

This podcast is where I bring those years of access and scrutiny to light—no jargon, no sugarcoating. Just sharp analysis, cautionary tales, and the personalities behind the billions lost.

Cheers,

Cherise


From the Fed’s Front Lines to Wall Street's Blind Spots

I didn’t set out to become a storyteller of financial misfires. But after closing over 200 failed banks during the financial crisis while at the San Francisco Fed, it became clear: the real stories-the messy ones, the overlooked ones—weren’t being told.

That front-row seat to systemic unraveling sparked a relentless curiosity. Later, in Debt Capital Markets, I found myself knee-deep in portfolio reviews where accounting outcomes and underwriting assumptions often told two very different stories. It was a masterclass in how numbers can be technically accurate yet paint vastly different pictures, depending on who's holding the brush. That experience taught me to dig deeper, ask better questions, and never take a spreadsheet at face value.

Across my career, I’ve had access few ever do:

  • Worked with two future Treasury Secretaries

  • Dissected media spin, regulatory reviews, and academic deep dives

  • Analyzed top-tier data from Bloomberg, S&P, and Moody’s

  • Reviewed 600+ lender presentations spanning industries from aerospace to apparel

This podcast is where I bring those years of access and scrutiny to light—no jargon, no sugarcoating. Just sharp analysis, cautionary tales, and the personalities behind the billions lost.

Everything I share is based on public record, real cases, and lived experience. No secrets spilled—just blind spots exposed.

Need deeper insights into market blind spots? Explore 77 Spider's custom research capabilities

Questions or media inquiries? Contact Cherise