Episode

From philosophy to finance: Jay Smith’s unconventional path to becoming a top advisor

Podcast

Behind the Advice

Published

Mar 18, 2026

Duration seconds

1553

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Summary

This week, Brenda speaks with Jay Smith, senior portfolio manager at CIBC Wood Gundy. Jay talks about his early career as an academic, how a PHD in philosophy prepared him for the world of finance, and how he talked his way into a job at Merrill Lynch in the 1970s. He also shares some lessons he’s learned over his five decades in the investment industry and how those experiences have shaped the investment strategy he uses today.