Dollars and Dirhams

At 33, Rickson Dsouza applied for more life insurance on his own life. The underwriter rated him up so heavily that the policy was built to expire at 67. The message between the lines was hard to miss. They did not expect him to live much longer. That was his rock bottom. Rickson was 138kg, working six and seven-day workweeks, and had just lost his father at 59 to uncontrolled diabetes. This episode of Dollars & Dirhams is the full story of what he did next. Host Anselm Mendes sits down with Rickson Dsouza, life insurance specialist at Continental, USA Today bestselling author of Take Control, and a two-time finisher of the Marathon des Sables, the 250km ultramarathon across the Sahara. They get into the health turnaround from 138kg to 75kg, why he prefers blend over balance, how he rebuilt his business after a hostile takeover, what a right-fit client really looks like, the truth about the three-day workweek, using AI as a thought partner, and the hero moment every advisor remembers, showing up with a check when a family needs it most. Whether you advise clients for a living or you are simply rethinking how you work, there is a lot here.

AI will not replace financial advisors. Advisors who ignore it will. Panos Leledakis, founder of IFA Academy, joins Anselm Mendes to talk about AI, human behaviour, and where advice is heading. Panos has spent more than 25 years rethinking what an advisor does. In this conversation, he explains why the brain freezes under fear, why most insurance arguments fail, and how AI can help an advisor earn trust instead of pushing harder. He also shares the 2003 story that set him on this path, and the practical tools he uses every day.

Dollars & Dirhams, Episode 25
Sumeet Gill sits down with Invesco’s Global Head of Research for a conversation that moves from gold and precious metals to US equity concentration, Middle East diversification, AI in investment research, and what a sensible 10-year portfolio looks like right now. No forecasting theatre. No soft answers. Just a clear-eyed read on where the evidence points.
Guest: Benjamin Jones, Global Head of Research | InvescoHost: Sumeet Gill, Vice President, Investments | Continental
WHAT WE COVER
🔹Gold and precious metals in 2025: why reserve managers are building positions, what the shift away from US Treasuries actually means, and where Benjamin Jones sees gold, silver, and copper prices heading into 2026
🔹US equity concentration: the top ten S&P 500 names, slowing earnings growth in AI, and why valuation is starting to matter again after years on the sidelines
🔹The case for looking outside the US: UK, Europe, parts of Asia, and the Middle East as regions where the growth-to-valuation ratio is more compelling today
🔹Private equity, alternatives, and the breakdown of traditional correlations between asset classes
🔹AI in investment research: where it genuinely helps, where it produces convincing nonsense, and why critical thinking is still the edge a good analyst has
🔹Building a 10-year portfolio today: valuation tilt, defence spending exposure, inflation-resilient assets, and the value of having skin in the game
NOTES AND DISCLAIMERThis episode is a general discussion for informational purposes only. Nothing shared here constitutes financial advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Investment outcomes vary by individual circumstances, jurisdiction, and market conditions. Regulatory and underwriting conditions differ across regions. Always consult a qualified financial adviser before making investment decisions.

Dollars & Dirhams, Episode 23The GCC is becoming a base for high-net-worth wealth, and insurance is evolving with it. In this episode, Abhishek Datta (Vice President, Continental) speaks with Mark Bensman (Chief Distribution Officer, Manulife Global High Net Worth) about what is changing in how high-net-worth families think, plan, and execute. We cover 🔹Why the GCC is now a major growth engine for high-net-worth planning 🔹What it takes to place large cover at the top end 🔹How AI is changing underwriting, and the buying experience Notes This episode is for general discussion and educational purposes. It is not financial advice. Product availability and terms vary by jurisdiction and underwriting.

Bad financial decisions can cost you years. The right ones? They can change your life.
In this episode, Adnan Raj, Relationship Manager at Continental, sits down with Kevin Sebastian, Creative Director at Audire Media, to break down money myths, smart investments, and how to stay ahead financially.
Host: Adnan Raj, Relationship Manager at Continental.Guest Speaker - Kevin Sebastian, Creative Director at Audire Media

Why are women some of the best investors but still hesitate to take charge of their finances? 
In this episode of Dollars & Dirhams, Meeta Gupta, Founder & CEO of Moolah Literacy, sits down with Sumeet Gill, VP of Investments at Continental, for a no-nonsense talk about:
 ✔️The hidden edge women have in investing ✔️How to bridge the confidence gap in financial decisions ✔️Breaking cultural barriers & changing mindsets ✔️The real impact of financial literacy on women’s lives
This isn’t just a money conversation—it’s a movement. 

What happens when life throws you into a battle you never imagined?
Deliane's story isn't just about breast cancer; it's about the moments no one prepares you for and how a few critical choices can protect not just your health but also your family, your finances, and your future.
This is more than a story of survival. It's a call to think beyond the 'what ifs' and ensure you're ready, no matter what life brings.
💗 Listen in, feel inspired, and take away lessons that could change how you protect what matters most.
And if you believe stories like this need to be heard, subscribe and ring the bell. We share more human stories that matter.

What happens when a young man lands in Dubai in 1977 with nothing but ambition and ends up redefining an entire industry?
In this heart-to-heart, Andrew Cole (Sales Director at Continental) sits down with Ashok Sardana, the founder of Continental Group, to unpack a story that’s part grit, part vision, and all heart.
🔹Expect more than just business talk. Ashok opens up about the real moments behind the milestones—the early struggles, the family lessons, and the values that still drive him today.
This isn’t just another industry chat. It’s an invitation to reflect, rethink, and get inspired to take control of your own financial story—no matter where you are in the journey.
🎧 Listen in now and tap into decades of lived wisdom from someone who’s walked the talk. And if you enjoy stories that blend business with life lessons, hit subscribe and ring the bell. We’ve got more like this coming.

Corporate tax has been the topic of discussion since its announcement in January 2022. While there are many questions regarding its implementation, why is there a corporate tax in the UAE, and why is it now? Should all organisations start gearing up today for a smooth transition tomorrow? What are the exemptions, incentives, and implications for corporates, free zones, and SMES? How can an organisation reduce its tax liability with incentives?
 
Listen to our guest speaker, Aunali Jaffer Merchant, as he simplifies corporate tax. Aunali Merchant is an expert in core tax with 10 years of experience in the UAE and GCC region. He says corporate tax is often seen negatively, but that is not the case, and he explains why in this podcast of Dollar Dirhams and our two financial cents. 

Many organisations are still exploring the dynamics of hybrid work from home or work onsite, with most companies favouring the hybrid working model. With this in mind, how are companies coping to keep their employee happiness index high? What are the employees looking for in their job? What corporate culture are employees seeking to be a part of, and why is it so important? What are the more efficient ways to work around budgetary brackets to keep employees happy? Does better medical insurance make a big difference to employees seeing new roles? 
 
Making things more “customer-friendly” and efficient was a key factor that led Ms. Sara Maria Boueri to challenge the status quo, making her a pioneer in the field. Listen to what our guest speaker says about her journey and how she transformed her workplace from the 5th most disengaged organisation to being certified as a “Great Place to Work” in 6 months. Leave a comment, share, and subscribe to our podcast for interesting updates on everything related to financial planning.