High School to Wall Street

Ep.3 - Scaling Human Health with HumanCo’s Jason Karp: The New Frontier of Private Equity

In this episode of the High School Wall Street podcast, we sit down with Jason Karp, the founder and CEO of HumanCo, to discuss his remarkable evolution from a high-stakes hedge fund leader to a pioneer in health-focused private equity. Jason shares his journey from the "Top Gun" environment of elite firms like SAC Capital—where he worked for legendary investor Steve Cohen—to the pivotal moment a health crisis forced him to rethink the entire American food system. He reveals how the same analytical rigor used to manage multi-billion dollar funds eventually led him to co-found Hu Kitchen and later launch HumanCo, a holding company dedicated to scaling mission-driven brands that prioritize human health over corporate shortcuts. Listeners will gain an inside look at the "messy" but rewarding world of operating private companies, from the logistical challenges of running a restaurant to the "fiduciary responsibility" of delivering massive returns for investors while staying true to a clean-label mission. Jason dives deep into the differences between public market trading and long-term private equity building, offering a masterclass on how to maintain "moral clarity" in business. Whether he’s discussing his "try before you buy" investment rule or why he believes AI will never replace the importance of real food and human relationships, Jason provides a blueprint for the next generation of leaders who want to build profitable businesses that actually make the world a better place.

Ep.2 - Beyond the Balance Sheet: Restructuring, Resilience, and the Art of the Deal with Moelis & Co.’s Barak Klein

What does an investment banker actually do when a company is in trouble? On this episode of the High School Wall Street Podcast, we sit down with Barak Klein, Managing Director at Moelis & Company. From his early days at Wharton to navigating the 2008 financial crisis at a hedge fund, Barak shares the "no-nonsense" reality of a career in finance. We dive into the world of capital structure advisory, the high-stakes creativity behind the AMC and Carvana deals, and why "soft skills" like active listening are the secret to surviving 100-hour work weeks. Whether you're a "zygote" preparing for sophomore internships or just curious about the world of elite boutiques, this masterclass in restructuring is a must-listen.

Ep.1 - From Investment Banking to Building a Finance Company with Matt Milim

In this episode of High School to Wall Street, Tyler and Parker sit down with Matt Milim, a former investment banker, hedge fund investor, and entrepreneur. Matt shares how he broke into investment banking and why it’s one of the most powerful ways to build a foundation in finance early in your career. He then walks through his transition to the hedge fund world, where he spent nearly 14 years analyzing companies and making investment decisions in real time. The conversation takes a deeper turn as Matt explains why he ultimately left Wall Street to start his own business, Probate Advance, and how he navigated the challenges of entrepreneurship—from early failures to scaling the company and eventually selling it. Matt also shares insights on litigation finance, helping people access money during long legal processes, and how his work today connects to real-world impact. In this episode, we cover: *  What investment banking is really like (hours, skills, and learning curve)  *  Hedge funds vs. private equity vs. startups  *  The story behind building and selling Probate Advance  *  Early-stage business challenges and how to overcome them  *  Why persistence is the most important trait for success  *  Advice for high school and college students interested in finance  Whether you’re interested in Wall Street, investing, or starting your own business, this episode is packed with practical insights and real-world lessons.