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Lead-Lag Live

Business & Economics Podcasts

Welcome to the Lead-Lag Live podcast, where we bring you live unscripted conversations with thought leaders in the world of finance, economics, and investing. Hosted by Melanie Schaffer each episode dives deep into the minds of industry experts to discuss current market trends, investment strategies, and the global economic landscape. In this exciting series, you'll have the rare opportunity to join Melanie Schaffer as she connects with prominent thought leaders for captivating discussions in real-time. The Lead-Lag Live podcast aims to provide valuable insights, analysis, and actionable advice for investors and financial professionals alike. As a dedicated listener, you can expect to hear from renowned financial experts, best-selling authors, and market strategists as they share their wealth of knowledge and experience. With a focus on topical issues and their potential impact on financial markets, these live unscripted conversations will ensure that you stay informed and ahead of the curve. Subscribe to the Lead-Lag Live podcast and follow @leadlagmedia on X to stay updated on upcoming live conversations and to gain exclusive access to a treasure trove of financial wisdom. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn from the best and brightest minds in the business. Join us on this journey as we explore the complex world of finance and investments, one live unscripted conversation at a time. Be sure to like, comment, and share the Lead-Lag Live podcast with your network to help others discover these invaluable insights. Stay tuned for the latest episode of the Lead-Lag Live podcast, and remember to turn on notifications so you never miss a live conversation with your favorite thought leaders. Happy listening!

Location:

United States

Description:

Welcome to the Lead-Lag Live podcast, where we bring you live unscripted conversations with thought leaders in the world of finance, economics, and investing. Hosted by Melanie Schaffer each episode dives deep into the minds of industry experts to discuss current market trends, investment strategies, and the global economic landscape. In this exciting series, you'll have the rare opportunity to join Melanie Schaffer as she connects with prominent thought leaders for captivating discussions in real-time. The Lead-Lag Live podcast aims to provide valuable insights, analysis, and actionable advice for investors and financial professionals alike. As a dedicated listener, you can expect to hear from renowned financial experts, best-selling authors, and market strategists as they share their wealth of knowledge and experience. With a focus on topical issues and their potential impact on financial markets, these live unscripted conversations will ensure that you stay informed and ahead of the curve. Subscribe to the Lead-Lag Live podcast and follow @leadlagmedia on X to stay updated on upcoming live conversations and to gain exclusive access to a treasure trove of financial wisdom. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn from the best and brightest minds in the business. Join us on this journey as we explore the complex world of finance and investments, one live unscripted conversation at a time. Be sure to like, comment, and share the Lead-Lag Live podcast with your network to help others discover these invaluable insights. Stay tuned for the latest episode of the Lead-Lag Live podcast, and remember to turn on notifications so you never miss a live conversation with your favorite thought leaders. Happy listening!

Language:

English


Episodes
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Diversification Is Misunderstood: Alex Shahidi on Inflation Risk, Portfolio Balance, and Investing Into 2026

2/5/2026
In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Alex Shahidi, Managing Partner and Co-Chief Investment Officer at Evoke Advisors, to break down why markets heading into 2026 are forcing investors to rethink diversification, risk, and portfolio construction. With inflation remaining sticky, political uncertainty rising, and stocks and bonds often moving together during inflation shocks, Alex explains why the traditional 60/40 framework falls short and what true diversification actually looks like in an environment defined by wide-ranging macro outcomes. Throughout the conversation, we discuss how his work around balanced asset allocation and risk parity has evolved from theory into practice, including the thinking behind the RPAR ETFs available at RPAR Risk Parity ETF. , the broader research and conversations he hosts each week on Insightful Investor , and how this framework is implemented in real client portfolios at Evoke Advisors . Alex also shares perspectives he’s written about through his Forbes Finance Council contributions and the ideas explored more deeply in his book: Risk Parity: How to Invest for All Market Environments and Balanced Asset Allocation: How to Profit in Any Economic Climate. In this episode: – Why inflation uncertainty changes how diversification actually works – How stocks and bonds can fail at the same time during inflation shocks – What investors misunderstand about risk parity and balance – Why assets like commodities and gold need meaningful weight to matter – How to think about portfolio construction when outcomes are highly uncertain Lead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise. Start your adventure with TableTalk Friday: A D&D Podcast at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts! Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgB6B-mAeWlPM9KzGJ2O4cU0-m5lO0lkr&si=W_-jLsiREjyAIgEs Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

Duration:00:12:35

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Discipline vs Mania: Seth Cogswell on 1999 Parallels, AI Excess, and Why Risk Is Being Ignored

2/5/2026
In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Seth Cogswell, Managing Partner at Running Oak Capital, to break down why today’s market feels increasingly speculative and why disciplined investing is being left behind. From meme-style factor leadership and zombie-company outperformance to extreme concentration and AI spending risk, Cogswell explains why chasing returns tends to end the same way and how investors can position for when the cycle turns. In this episode: – Why the last eight months looked like a speculative outlier – How high volatility and low quality leadership distorts portfolios – How AI spending can flip from narrative to accountability – Where discipline fits when clients still want growth exposure Lead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise. #stockmarket #MarketBubble #AI #RiskManagement #PortfolioConstruction #Macro #Investing Start your adventure with TableTalk Friday: A D&D Podcast at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts! Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgB6B-mAeWlPM9KzGJ2O4cU0-m5lO0lkr&si=W_-jLsiREjyAIgEs Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Sign up to The Lead-Lag Report on Substack and get 30% off the annual subscription today by visiting http://theleadlag.report/leadlaglive. Support the show

Duration:00:32:51

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Equity Isn’t Ownership: Kaitlyn Walsh on Stock Options, Tax Traps, and the Mistakes Employees Regret

1/21/2026
In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Kaitlyn Walsh, Wealth Advisor and Equity Analyst, to break down what employees actually own when they receive stock options and why misunderstanding equity compensation can lead to costly mistakes. From incentive stock options and vesting schedules to fair market value, AMT exposure, and record-keeping errors, Walsh explains the decisions that matter most before, during, and after an equity grant and why timing, taxes, and planning can make or break outcomes. In this episode: – Why stock options are not the same as owning shares – How strike price and fair market value really work – The biggest vesting and exercise mistakes employees make – When stock options can trigger unexpected tax bills – Why poor record keeping can cost real money years later Lead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise. #StockOptions #Equity #PersonalFinance #WealthPlanning #TaxPlanning #FinancialEducation #Investing #Money Start your adventure with TableTalk Friday: A D&D Podcast at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts! Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgB6B-mAeWlPM9KzGJ2O4cU0-m5lO0lkr&si=W_-jLsiREjyAIgEs Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

Duration:00:15:08

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Why Power Is the Real Bottleneck in AI, Drones & Telecom | KULR CEO

1/21/2026
In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, Melanie Schafer sits down with Michael Mo, CEO of KULR Technology Group (NYSE: KULR), to explore why energy reliability is emerging as the critical constraint behind AI, robotics, drones, telecom infrastructure, and next-generation data centers. Fresh off CES and following KULR’s newly announced $30M telecom battery supply agreement, Mo explains how high-power, high-safety battery systems are becoming mission-critical as electrification accelerates. From NASA-proven thermal technologies to lithium-ion replacements for legacy lead-acid systems, KULR is positioning itself at the center of multiple multi-year secular growth trends. The conversation covers AI data center power resilience, UAV and drone electrification, telecom backup systems, and why battery safety, reliability, and domestic supply chains matter more than ever as power demand explodes. In this episode: – Why power—not chips—may be the next AI bottleneck – KULR’s NASA-derived battery safety and thermal technologies – The Cooler One platform and growth across drones, robotics, and aviation – Replacing lead-acid batteries in telecom with lithium-based solutions – Energy-as-a-Service and reducing total cost of ownership – AI data center battery buffers and GPU-level power protection – Scaling execution with a debt-free balance sheet and strong cash position Lead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the leaders shaping markets at the intersection of technology, energy, and investing. Subscribe for insights that cut through the noise. #AIInfrastructure #EnergyStorage #BatteryTechnology #Drones #Telecom #DataCenters #Electrification #KULR #MarketOutlook #CleanEnergy #Investing Start your adventure with TableTalk Friday: A D&D Podcast at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts! Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgB6B-mAeWlPM9KzGJ2O4cU0-m5lO0lkr&si=W_-jLsiREjyAIgEs Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

Duration:00:14:46

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Global Rotation Underway: Hervé Van Caloen on Japan’s Revival, Semiconductors, and Defense Spending

1/21/2026
In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Hervé Van Caloen**, Owner and Portfolio Manager at **Mercator Investment Management, to break down why global markets outside the United States are entering a powerful new phase of leadership. From Japan’s aggressive stimulus and corporate reform push to structural dominance in semiconductors, defense technology, space, and energy infrastructure, Van Caloen explains how capital is rotating toward regions and industries aligned with long-term geopolitical and economic realities. In this episode: – Why Japan’s stock market continues to hit record highs – How semiconductors have become global oligopolies with pricing power – Why defense and space spending are entering a multi-year upcycle – How infrastructure and electricity demand are driven by AI growth – Why global diversification may matter more as U.S. valuations stretch Lead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise. Start your adventure with TableTalk Friday: A D&D Podcast at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts! Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgB6B-mAeWlPM9KzGJ2O4cU0-m5lO0lkr&si=W_-jLsiREjyAIgEs Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

Duration:00:15:03

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Inside Xtrackers XAIX: Why Most AI ETFs Get It Wrong and How XAIX Does It Better

1/21/2026
Artificial intelligence is driving one of the largest capital spending cycles in market history, yet most AI investment strategies focus on surface level exposure rather than true innovation. In this Lead-Lag Deep Dive, Melanie Schaeffer sits down with Aram Babikian of Xtrackers to examine how AI investing is evolving and why research intensity and patent activity may matter more than headlines. The discussion breaks down the structure behind XAIX, an AI focused ETF designed around companies that are actively building, protecting, and monetizing innovation. Babikian explains how patent filings and R and D spending act as forward looking signals, why unexpected companies like major banks appear in AI portfolios, and how this approach differs from more crowded thematic strategies. They also explore how XAIX fits alongside broader technology exposure, the tradeoffs between concentration and diversification, and how advisors think about incorporating AI into portfolios amid volatility, regulation, and rapid technological change. In this episode: Why AI investing is not the same as buying tech stocks How patent activity and R and D spending identify true innovators Why non tech companies can be major AI beneficiaries How XAIX differs from broader thematic AI exposure How investors think about sizing AI allocations responsibly Lead-Lag Deep Dive is a weekly series that breaks down the forces reshaping global markets. Each episode goes beneath the surface of one critical theme, examining how strategies are built, where risks hide, and what matters most for investors across cycles and asset sizes. Subscribe for research-driven insight beyond the noise. #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #ThematicInvesting #ETFS #PortfolioStrategy #Finance #MacroTrends Start your adventure with TableTalk Friday: A D&D Podcast at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts! Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgB6B-mAeWlPM9KzGJ2O4cU0-m5lO0lkr&si=W_-jLsiREjyAIgEs Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

Duration:00:20:29

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The Bailout Economy: Luke Lloyd on AI, Liquidity, and Why Retirement Thinking Is Broken

1/16/2026
In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Luke Lloyd, President and CEO of Lloyd Financial Group, for a candid conversation on markets, mindset, and the economic forces shaping investor behavior. From why retirement is not a finish line but a reinvention, to how AI, government liquidity, and bailouts are reshaping wealth outcomes, Lloyd explains why investors must adapt both financially and psychologically to a system increasingly driven by intervention rather than pure capitalism. In this episode: – Why retirement is about purpose, not an age or account balance – How AI accelerates the wealth divide and changes labor markets – Why government bailouts now shape market cycles – The role of liquidity in driving risk, speculation, and asset prices – Why owning assets matters more than timing markets Lead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise #LeadLagLive #StockMarket #AI #LukeLloyd #FederalReserve #Psychology #MarketOutlook #Macro #RetirementPlanning Start your adventure with TableTalk Friday: A D&D Podcast at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts! Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgB6B-mAeWlPM9KzGJ2O4cU0-m5lO0lkr&si=W_-jLsiREjyAIgEs Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

Duration:00:17:42

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How Geopolitics and National Security Are Changing Tech Investing

1/13/2026
In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Aram Babikian, Head of Xtrackers Wealth at DWS, to explore how rising geopolitical tensions are reshaping technology investing and why national security has become a core investment lens. From US–China decoupling and critical technologies to AI, quantum computing, and supply-chain risk, Babikian explains how investors can gain exposure to future-facing innovation while actively de-risking portfolios from geopolitical entanglements. In this episode: – What “critical technologies” mean for investors – How US–China competition is changing capital flows – Why geopolitical risk now matters in portfolio construction – How the CRTC ETF screens for national security alignment – Why some mega-cap tech names are excluded—and others included – How to think about strategic tech as a core allocation Lead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise. #Geopolitics #NationalSecurity #AIInvesting #TechnologyStocks #ETFInvesting #MarketRisk #PortfolioStrategy #CriticalTechnologies Start your adventure with TableTalk Friday: A D&D Podcast at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts! Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgB6B-mAeWlPM9KzGJ2O4cU0-m5lO0lkr&si=W_-jLsiREjyAIgEs Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

Duration:00:20:19

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Research & Selectivity: Davis Advisors Market Outlook & Active ETFs

1/12/2026
In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, Michael Gayed sits down with Dodd Kittsley, Co-CIO of Davis Advisors, to discuss why fundamental research and selectivity are becoming increasingly critical as markets transition into a period of normalized interest rates. From Davis Advisors’ 60-year history of “eating their own cooking” to the evolution of active equity ETFs, Kittsley explains how a high-conviction, benchmark-agnostic investment philosophy can help investors compound capital over the long term—especially in a richly valued market. From the “time arbitrage” embedded in their discipline to their views on AI-driven growth and undervalued financials, Kittsley outlines why what investors don’t own may matter just as much as what they do in the next market cycle. In this episode: – Why Davis Advisors pioneered the active equity ETF space nearly a decade ago – The benefits of high-conviction, concentrated portfolios that ignore benchmarks – How “picks and mortars” technology is reshaping financials like Capital One – Valuation discipline in an overvalued market and the risks of unsustainable dividends – The “time arbitrage” advantage of long-term ownership and owner-operator focus Lead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise. #ActiveETFs #FundamentalInvesting #MarketOutlook #Equities #Valuation #LongTermInvesting #PortfolioStrategy Start your adventure with TableTalk Friday: A D&D Podcast at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts! Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgB6B-mAeWlPM9KzGJ2O4cU0-m5lO0lkr&si=W_-jLsiREjyAIgEs Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Sign up to The Lead-Lag Report on Substack and get 30% off the annual subscription today by visiting http://theleadlag.report/leadlaglive. Foodies unite…with HowUdish! It’s social media with a secret sauce: FOOD! The world’s first network for food enthusiasts. HowUdish connects foodies across the world! Share kitchen tips and recipe hacks. Discover hidden gem food joints and street food. Find foodies like you, connect, chat and organize meet-ups! HowUdish makes it simple to connect through food anywhere in the world. So, how do YOU dish? Download HowUdish on the Apple App Store today: Support the show

Duration:00:48:58

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Fixed & Equity Income Strategies for 2026 | Rates, Rotation & Returns

1/12/2026
In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, Michael Gayed sits down with Jay Hatfield, CEO and Portfolio Manager at Infrastructure Capital, to discuss how investors should approach fixed income and equity income strategies for 2026 as markets adapt to a changing interest rate environment. From Federal Reserve rate cuts and inflation trends to credit spreads, preferreds, and equity sector rotation, Hatfield explains why income investors may need to rethink traditional allocations—and where the most compelling risk-adjusted opportunities may emerge in the next market cycle. In this episode: – How Fed rate cuts could reshape fixed income returns – Why high-yield bonds and preferreds may outperform investment grade – Equity income opportunities beyond mega-cap tech – Small caps, sector rotation, and valuation discipline – How to position income portfolios for 2026 and beyond Lead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise. #FixedIncome #EquityIncome #Investing2026 #InterestRates #MarketOutlook #IncomeInvesting #WealthManagement #PortfolioStrategy Start your adventure with TableTalk Friday: A D&D Podcast at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts! Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgB6B-mAeWlPM9KzGJ2O4cU0-m5lO0lkr&si=W_-jLsiREjyAIgEs Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Sign up to The Lead-Lag Report on Substack and get 30% off the annual subscription today by visiting http://theleadlag.report/leadlaglive. Support the show

Duration:00:36:56

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Hype vs Reality: Kai Wu on AI CapEx Risks, Market Concentration, and the Next Phase of AI Investing

12/24/2025
In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Kai Wu, Founder and CIO of Sparkline Capital, to break down how the AI investment cycle is evolving as scrutiny rises and market enthusiasm becomes more selective. From hyperscaler spending and data center economics to market concentration and fading euphoria, Wu explains why investors need to rethink where real AI returns may come from and why the next winners may not be the obvious names. In this episode: – Why massive AI capex is starting to worry investors – How market concentration amplifies downside risk – The productivity debate behind AI adoption – Why AI adopters may outperform AI infrastructure plays – How to position portfolios for the next phase of AI investing Lead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise. #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #StockMarket #MarketRisk #TechStocks Start your adventure with TableTalk Friday: A D&D Podcast at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts! Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgB6B-mAeWlPM9KzGJ2O4cU0-m5lO0lkr&si=W_-jLsiREjyAIgEs Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

Duration:00:17:46

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After the Rate Cuts: Jay Hatfield on Why Income, Small Caps, and Credit Could Lead Into 2026

12/24/2025
In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Jay Hatfield, CEO of Infrastructure Capital Advisors, to break down what the Fed’s latest rate cuts mean for markets, income investors, and portfolio positioning heading into 2026. From a potential melt-up toward 7,000 on the S&P 500 to why preferreds, high yield credit, and small-cap value could outperform as rates fall, Hatfield explains how investors can navigate a market caught between easing policy, slowing growth, and lingering inflation uncertainty. In this episode: – Why Fed cuts historically favor risk assets and income strategies – How preferred stocks and high yield credit could see upside beyond yield – Why small caps benefit from rotation away from mega-cap tech – How dividend and equity income strategies reduce portfolio volatility – What Jay expects for inflation, rates, and markets into 2026 Lead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise. Start your adventure with TableTalk Friday: A D&D Podcast at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts! Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgB6B-mAeWlPM9KzGJ2O4cU0-m5lO0lkr&si=W_-jLsiREjyAIgEs Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

Duration:00:15:40

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Why Buy and Hold Is Failing: Building Portfolios for Volatility, Regime Shifts, and the Next Market Cycle

12/23/2025
In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Greg Babij, Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer at Sundial, to explore why traditional buy-and-hold strategies may struggle in a market defined by faster cycles, rising volatility, and structural change. From the rise of zero-day options to the importance of tactical exposure, tail hedging, and trend following, Babij explains how portfolios can be designed to survive growth, recession, inflation, and deflation without relying on predictions. In this episode: – Why buy and hold may no longer deliver the same results – How zero-day options are changing market behavior – The difference between prediction and probability-based investing – Why tactical and non-correlated strategies matter more now – How to construct portfolios that adapt across market regimes Lead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise. Start your adventure with TableTalk Friday: A D&D Podcast at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts! Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgB6B-mAeWlPM9KzGJ2O4cU0-m5lO0lkr&si=W_-jLsiREjyAIgEs Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

Duration:00:13:29

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The Truth About Risk Parity: Alex Shahidi on Building a Real Balanced Portfolio

12/18/2025
Markets sit near record highs even as economic signals send mixed messages, and many portfolios are more concentrated today than ever. In this Lead-Lag Deep Dive, Melanie Schaeffer sits down with Alex Shahidi, CO-CIO at Evoke Advisors, to break down what risk parity really is and why traditional frameworks like 60 40 may leave investors exposed. Shahidi explains how growth and inflation cycles historically drive long term returns, why diversification is often misunderstood, and how a true balanced allocation uses equities, commodities, gold, treasuries, and inflation linked bonds to weather very different market regimes. He also discusses the philosophy behind the RPAR Risk Parity ETF and why more advisors are reconsidering how they approach portfolio construction. In this episode: Lead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise. #LeadLagLive #Investing #PortfolioStrategy #GlobalMarkets #RiskManagement #MacroTrends #AssetAllocation #Finance #MarketOutlook #ETFStrategies Start your adventure with TableTalk Friday: A D&D Podcast at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts! Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgB6B-mAeWlPM9KzGJ2O4cU0-m5lO0lkr&si=W_-jLsiREjyAIgEs Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

Duration:00:21:28

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The AI Brokerage Era: How Automation, Custom Indexing, and Agentic Tools Are Changing Investing

12/16/2025
In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Stephen Sikes, Chief Operating Officer at Public, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming retail investing, brokerage platforms, and portfolio construction. From AI-powered research to custom-built indexes and the rise of agentic brokerage, Sikes explains how new tools are giving individual investors access to capabilities once reserved for institutions and what risks and responsibilities come with that shift. In this episode: – How AI research tools are changing how retail investors analyze stocks – What it means to build custom indexes using natural language – The rise of agentic brokerage and automated portfolio management – Where AI can help investors and where human judgment still matters – Why the next generation of brokerages may look nothing like the last Lead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise. Start your adventure with TableTalk Friday: A D&D Podcast at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts! Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgB6B-mAeWlPM9KzGJ2O4cU0-m5lO0lkr&si=W_-jLsiREjyAIgEs Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

Duration:00:17:00

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The Advisor Marketing Blind Spot: Mike Barrasso on Intent Data, AI Outreach, and Finding Clients Before They Call

12/15/2025
In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Mike Barrasso, Co-Founder and CEO of WealthReach, to uncover one of the biggest blind spots in advisor growth: knowing who is researching you before they ever reach out. From intent data and website visitor identification to compliant AI-driven outreach, Barrasso explains how advisors can stop wasting marketing spend and start engaging prospects at the exact moment they are actively looking for help. In this episode: – Why over 90 percent of advisor website traffic disappears without a trace – How intent data reveals who is actively researching wealth management topics – The difference between cold prospecting and warm, high-probability outreach – How AI can personalize compliant emails at scale for advisors – Why better data changes how advisors grow in a competitive market Lead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise. #LeadLagLive #WealthManagement #FinancialAdvisors #AI #MarketingStrategy #FinTech #DigitalMarketing #Markets Start your adventure with TableTalk Friday: A D&D Podcast at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts! Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgB6B-mAeWlPM9KzGJ2O4cU0-m5lO0lkr&si=W_-jLsiREjyAIgEs Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

Duration:00:18:32

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Emerging Markets: Brendan Ahern on Internet Growth and Single Stock ETFs

12/11/2025
Emerging markets are changing fast. Old economy sectors like banks and energy no longer define the space. Instead, growth is being driven by internet platforms, tech enabled consumer companies, and new economy business models reshaping how investors approach EM exposure. In this Lead-Lag Deep Dive, Melanie Schaffer sits down with Brendan Ahern, Chief Investment Officer at KraneShares, to break down how this transformation is unfolding and what investors need to understand about both broad EM strategies and single stock levered ETFs. Ahern explains the mechanics of daily leveraged ETFs, why fundamentals for companies like Alibaba, Mercado Libre, Pinduoduo, JD and others may be misunderstood, and how concentrated growth exposure differs from traditional EM allocations. He also discusses how investors should think about volatility, sizing, and the macro factors that create both opportunity and risk across emerging markets. In this episode: - How single stock levered ETFs actually work and why daily resets matter - Why EM fundamentals are shifting toward internet platforms and tech enabled services - The temptation and the risk in overweighting individual EM growth names - How KWEB and KEMQ isolate growth that broad EM indices miss - How to size and risk adjust aggressive EM exposures inside a diversified portfolio Lead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise. #LeadLagLive #EmergingMarkets #Stocks #Investing #TechGrowth #ETFStrategies #MarketOutlook #Finance #MacroTrends Start your adventure with TableTalk Friday: A D&D Podcast at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts! Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgB6B-mAeWlPM9KzGJ2O4cU0-m5lO0lkr&si=W_-jLsiREjyAIgEs Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

Duration:00:12:07

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The New Cash Strategy: How TRSY Helps Investors Navigate Today’s Yield Landscape

12/9/2025
Short term yields have shifted, liquidity matters more than ever, and investors are rethinking how to manage cash efficiently. In this Lead-Lag Deep Dive, Melanie Schaeffer sits down with Aram Babikian to break down the purpose of TRSY, why its structure is different from traditional cash vehicles, and how investors are using it in today’s rate environment. They explore why liquidity, cost, and transparency are shaping cash decisions, how TRSY compares to CDs, money markets, and ultra short bond funds, and what its treasury-only structure means for both risk and potential tax advantages. Babikian also explains how the short duration profile, competitive expense ratio, and intraday tradability create flexibility for investors who need cash options without sacrificing yield. In this episode: • Why TRSY offers a different approach to short term cash management • How intraday liquidity can help investors react to market volatility • How expense ratios impact yield preservation in a higher rate world • Key differences between TRSY, CDs, money markets, and ultra short bond funds • The potential tax benefits tied to treasury backed income Lead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise. Start your adventure with TableTalk Friday: A D&D Podcast at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts! Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgB6B-mAeWlPM9KzGJ2O4cU0-m5lO0lkr&si=W_-jLsiREjyAIgEs Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

Duration:00:09:39

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Global Food Risk: How Brazil’s New Potash Supply Could Reshape Fertilizer, Commodities, and Agriculture

12/8/2025
In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Matt Simpson, CEO of Brazil Potash (NYSE: GRO), to break down how the Autazes project could transform fertilizer security for Brazil and shift the balance of power in global agriculture. From navigating permits and construction milestones to securing long-term offtake agreements for more than 90 percent of expected production, Simpson explains how domestic potash supply could reduce Brazil’s reliance on imports and strengthen global food stability at a time when commodity markets remain volatile. In this episode: – Why fertilizer supply is tightening as global agriculture demand accelerates – How domestic Brazilian potash could reduce geopolitical and logistics risk – What the Autazes project means for future pricing, imports, and food security – How infrastructure partnerships are cutting project Capex and speeding timelines – Why growth in fertilizer demand could reshape commodities in 2025–2027 Lead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise. Start your adventure with TableTalk Friday: A D&D Podcast at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts! Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgB6B-mAeWlPM9KzGJ2O4cU0-m5lO0lkr&si=W_-jLsiREjyAIgEs Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

Duration:00:09:55

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Weekly Income ETFs Explained: GraniteShares + Top Creators Break Down the New Income Investing Boom

12/4/2025
In this special Lead-Lag Live webinar sponsored by GraniteShares, Michael Gayed brings together some of the biggest YouTube creators in the income-investing space for a fresh, free-flowing conversation on weekly dividends, options-based income ETFs, yield strategies, and the rise of “living free from your brokerage account.” Featuring leaders from across the ETF and income-investing world, this session dives into: If you’re looking to build income, understand the mechanics of modern ETF strategies, or learn from creators who have built massive communities in this space — this conversation is packed with practical insight. #GraniteShares #YieldBoost #Dividends #ETFs #Investing Start your adventure with TableTalk Friday: A D&D Podcast at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts! Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgB6B-mAeWlPM9KzGJ2O4cU0-m5lO0lkr&si=W_-jLsiREjyAIgEs Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Sign up to The Lead-Lag Report on Substack and get 30% off the annual subscription today by visiting http://theleadlag.report/leadlaglive. Support the show

Duration:00:35:01