Episode 290

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Published on:

16th Dec 2025

The Algorithm Is Lying To You

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Social media has become part of our everyday lives, but that doesn’t make it trustworthy. The most dangerous part isn’t the misinformation itself–it’s how believable it looks.


In this cautionary episode, Sharran exposes how social media algorithms manipulate what you believe, especially about money. He reveals that most viral financial content isn’t built to help you–it’s built to profit from your clicks. Backed by shocking data from FINRA, Sharran explains why over 70% of online finance posts fail basic compliance standards and how influencers earn more from your attention than your success.


He dives into the psychology of algorithmic incentives, showing how platforms reward confidence over accuracy and how that distorts the truth. You’ll also learn three simple rules to spot fake gurus and protect yourself from misleading advice online. Stop making decisions based on what you see or hear from social media-verify the information from more reliable sources.


“Whoever is shouting loudest–the biggest, loudest advice–about money is often giving the worst advice about money.”

- Sharran Srivatsaa


Timestamps:

02:04 - What FINRA discovered about viral finance posts

02:44 - Why algorithms push bad financial advice

04:31 - The “algorithm economics problem” explained

06:22 - The hidden business model behind finance influencers

09:09 - What good financial content should include

10:35 - The three rules to protect yourself from bad advice

12:43 - Why you should always verify with “boring sources”


Resources:

- The Next Billion by Sharran Srivatsaa - https://sharransrivatsaa.substack.com/

- Acquisition.com -  https://www.acquisition.com/

- Board Member: ARC Multifamily Real Estate Investing - https://arcmf.com/

- Board Member: The Real Brokerage - https://www.joinreal.com/


Connect with Sharran:

- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/likesharran

- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sharransrivatsaa/

- X - https://x.com/sharran

- LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/in/sharran

- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzpl_gT1bVB1iNZl9yQbWuA?sub_confirmation=1

- Threads - https://www.threads.com/@sharransrivatsaa

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About the Podcast

Business School with Sharran Srivatsaa
Business School with Sharran Srivatsaa is the no-fluff, tactical podcast for founders, operators, and underdogs who want to grow with clarity, intention, and results. Hosted by entrepreneur, investor, and operator Sharran Srivatsaa—President and Managing Partner at Acquisition.com—this show cuts through the noise to deliver real-world strategies from someone who's built and exited five companies across multiple industries.

Sharran has helped scale two billion-dollar businesses, served as President of Real (NASDAQ: REAX), and led the 10x growth and sale of Teles Properties to Douglas Elliman (NYSE: DOUG). He brings lessons from Wall Street to Main Street, sharing what actually works—because he’s lived through what doesn’t.

Every episode offers simple, actionable playbooks for those who want to build extraordinary companies without the chaos. Whether you're a scrappy operator, a first-time founder, or a seasoned executive, Business School with Sharran Srivatsaa is your blueprint for building with purpose and winning on your terms.

For more free resources, visit Sharran.com

About your host

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Sharran Srivatsaa

Sharran is a serial entrepreneur, sought after keynote speaker, and a respected thought-leadership resource for publications such as the Wall Street Journal, SUCCESS magazine, Huffington Post and Forbes.

While Sharran has had 5 exits in the last 19 years, and also a several humbling failed investments and business initiatives. He talks all about them on his top rated Spotify podcast, Business School.

Most recently, Sharran led Teles Properties’ unprecedented 10x growth over 5 years and a 4-year consecutive streak on the Inc. 500 fastest growing companies list resulting in its acquisition by national real estate powerhouse Douglas Elliman.

Prior to Teles, Sharran worked at both Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse, where he collaborated with management teams of fast-growing businesses around the country on investment advisory and corporate strategy. Sharran also spent several years building recreational programs in the Caribbean, Middle East, and Hawaii for some of the finest international resorts such as the Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton, also has deep experience working with technology companies such as Lightera (acquired by CIENA) and Obopay, a fast-growth mobile payments company.

Sharran is a Principal at Srilo Ventures, a multi-factor private investment fund that focuses investing in and advising technology companies and operating businesses in the consumer space. Having successfully completed many acquisitions, joint-ventures, management buyouts, mergers, and capital raises, Sharran serves as a director and advisor on numerous company boards.

He is also a member of the Genius Network, the highest-level marketing mastermind in the world led by whizkid Joe Polish, and also a member of Young President’s Organization (YPO).

After competing on the professional tennis tour, Sharran received his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Luther College and his MBA with Honors from Vanderbilt University.