The Hurdle Rate

What makes an opportunity worth the risk? Hosted by Emily Advani, The Hurdle Rate explores the decisions, ideas, and inflection points that shape meaningful careers across finance, technology, business, and the arts. In finance, a hurdle rate is the minimum return required before pursuing an investment. In life and leadership, we all have our own hurdle rates—the standards, risks, and possibilities that determine whether we move forward. Each episode examines the thinking behind pivotal choices: launching a company, changing careers, taking creative risks, or redefining success. With a particular focus on elevating the voices and experiences of women in these fields, the show looks beyond titles and resumes to uncover how bold ideas and meaningful work take shape. The Hurdle Rate is now produced by Grainline Works. Earlier episodes were originally recorded while the show was hosted at the Investment Banking Institute.