Podcast Summary: The Digital Executive
Episode: Mukarram Mawjood on Global Investing, Risk, and Teaching the Next Generation | Ep 1086
Host: Brian, Coruzant Technologies
Date: July 20, 2025
Guest: Mukarram Mawjood, Chief Investment Officer at Bullionite Asset Group
Main Theme & Purpose
This episode features Mukarram Mawjood, an accomplished global investor and educator, who shares insights on how diverse financial ecosystems have shaped his investment philosophy, the most misunderstood risks in modern asset classes, his mission to foster financial literacy among youth, and the role of technology—especially AI—in trading and investing.
The discussion revolves around bridging cultures in finance, redefining risk, the difference between earning and creating money, and the importance of education and resourcefulness in today's tech-driven investment landscape.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Impact of Diverse Financial Ecosystems on Investment Philosophy
[01:18] Mukarram Mawjood’s Global Investment Mindset
- Cultural Sensitivity: Having lived and been educated in Asia, the Middle East, and the US, Mukarram emphasizes cultural awareness in addressing the diverse investment needs of clients around the globe.
- Bridging Countries: "I always wanted to bridge the US with these certain entities. I had these triangles in my head all the time and I was like, hey, I'd like to bridge these countries together." (01:38)
- Global Ripple Effects: Personal experience with economic crises (e.g., the Malaysia–Indonesia currency crisis of the late ’90s) allows him to anticipate and hedge global risks for clients.
“We don’t create stories in our head just by listening to the news... we’ve experienced how that spreads, and how we can manage that for our clients. And I think that gives our clients a massive, massive edge.” (02:43)
2. Understanding Risk in Modern Asset Classes
[03:39] Rebranding and Risk Perception
- Firm Name Change: Blackstone Commodity Group is now Bullionite Asset Group (aligning investment and educational arms).
- Misunderstood Risk:
“People have been taught that risk means losing money... But risk simply means that there’s a possibility that you can lose money and there is a probability that you can make money.” (04:43)
- Risk Management and Emotional Intelligence:
- Managing risk increases the probability of gains without excessive anxiety.
- “Having that emotional intelligence will give you that edge that you need to be consistently successful... you want to have that edge where you have more winners than losers.” (05:29)
3. Financial Literacy for Youth: The Young Trader of the Year
[06:27] Teaching the Principles of “Creating” Money
- Deep Passion: “It’s always been a goal of mine when it comes to youth literacy with money... I’m not into just teaching when to start a credit card or saving.” (06:31)
- Creating vs. Earning Money:
“If you look at money as something that you’re going to earn, then you’re going to live by a certain set of rules. Whereas creating money, which is what investing and trading is, is completely different to earning money.” (06:56)
- Formative Education: Focuses on ages 16–22; teaches that “time is your currency, not money” and that self-reliance stems from financial understanding.
- Addressing Current Challenges: Empowers kids not just to “make a few million by being a YouTuber,” but to truly understand, manage, and grow their wealth responsibly.
“Not understanding money and how to manage that... is going to ruin their lives if they don’t respect education.” (09:13)
4. AI, Technology, and the Future of Trading
[10:18] Does Tech Level the Playing Field?
- Not a True Leveler:
“Leveling the playing field is a very difficult thing to accomplish just with technology... What the real leveler is education and effort and resourcefulness.” (10:19, 10:37)
- Importance of Resourcefulness and Emotional Intelligence:
- Those who put forth effort and become resourceful can succeed regardless of technological advancements.
- Price Action and Practical Example:
“If you’re in Hawaii... you paddle, you wait in that calm waters waiting for that massive big wave, right? And when that wave starts coming, that wave is that hedge fund, right? What you do is you get on that wave... but you get off before that wave crashes.” (12:08)
- Following price action and being resourceful is crucial for individual investors.
- Trading Is Largely Mental:
“I always say 75% of trading is mental, 25% is skill.” (12:55)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Bridging Global Investment Needs:
“That awareness allows us to bridge the two countries, right? ...Understanding how they work and their sensitivities allows us to be successful in our projects there, especially with international real estate.” (01:28–02:16) -
On Rethinking Risk:
“If ever you’re in a conversation... and someone’s just talking about risk, already there’s a preconceived notion that you’re going to lose money. One of the biggest ways that I help clients... is turning that around and understanding what risk really is.” (04:41) -
On Teaching Youth Financial Literacy:
“Time is your currency, not money. So don’t let anyone else tell you that you should exchange your time for a very small amount of money.” (08:24) -
On AI in Finance:
“Technology is not the leveler. What the real leveler is education and effort and resourcefulness.” (10:37) -
On the Essence of Trading:
“I always say 75% of trading is mental, 25% is skill.” (12:55)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [01:18] Mukarram’s international upbringing and its influence
- [03:39] Rebranding to Bullionite Asset Group and the definition of risk
- [06:27] The story and goals behind the Young Trader of the Year program
- [10:18] The impact of AI and technology on the investment “playing field”
- [12:08] Surfing analogy for following major market moves
- [12:55] The mental aspect of trading
Overall Tone
The conversation is candid, practical, and motivational, emphasizing real-world experience over hype, and advocating for sustained education, resilience, and a growth mindset both in finance and life.
Resources & Contact
- Bullionite Asset Group: bullionite.com
- (For more about the name change and programs, visit the websites shared by Mukarram at the conclusion.)
