Lead-Lag Live

In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Kai Wu, Founder and CIO of Sparkline Capital, to break down why the AI boom may be entering a new phase and why investors concentrated in infrastructure stocks could be taking more risk than they realize.With nearly half of the S&P 500 tied directly or indirectly to AI infrastructure buildout, Kai explains the dangers of crowded positioning, excessive capital spending, and valuation expansion. Drawing on historical technology cycles from railroads to the internet, he outlines why the biggest long-term winners often aren't the builders, but the early adopters who use new technology to gain efficiency and market share.We also dive into enterprise adoption rates, proof-of-ROI versus hype-driven AI mentions on earnings calls, and how to distinguish companies generating measurable productivity gains from those simply telling the story.In this episode:– Why the AI cycle may be shifting from buildout to adoption– How only about 10 percent of firms are currently using AI in production– The valuation risk embedded in infrastructure-heavy portfolios– Why early adopters may outperform the AI builders– How advisors can rethink AI exposure without abandoning the themeLead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise.#AI #StockMarket #SP500 #NVDA #TechStocks #TeslaSupport the show

In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Michael Germano, Founder and Wealth Manager at Key Sage Wealth, to discuss whether markets are entering a major rotation after years of mega-cap tech dominance.From signs of mean reversion and passive-driven distortions to the case for a commodity supercycle and a weakening U.S. dollar, Germano explains why investors may want to rethink concentration risk and reassess exposure to AI-driven valuations.In this episode:– Why mega-cap tech may be “long in the tooth”– How passive flows have created market inefficiencies– The case for a structural commodity supercycle– What a weaker dollar means for portfolios– How wealthy investors compound capital using lending strategiesLead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise.#MarketRotation #Commodities #AI #AssetAllocation #WealthManagementSupport the show

In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Derek Yan, Senior Investment Strategist at KraneShares, to discuss whether humanoid robotics is a real commercialization story or just the next overhyped thematic trade.From factory deployment by Tesla, BMW, and Amazon to China's aggressive industrial push, Yan explains why embodied AI may represent the next structural shift in automation — and how the KraneShares Global Humanoid and Embodied Intelligence ETF $KOID captures the full ecosystem beyond mega-cap names like Nvidia and Tesla.In this episode:– Why humanoid robotics is already entering commercialization– How equal weighting avoids mega-cap concentration– What Morgan Stanley's trillion-dollar projections really mean– Why China exposure is a feature, not a bug– The key milestones that signal mass deployment is comingLead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise.#HumanoidRobotics #EmbodiedAI #ArtificialIntelligence #ThematicInvesting #EmergingTech #ETFSupport the show

In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Grant Cardone for a wide-ranging and unusually candid conversation on Bitcoin, real estate, and what it really means to invest with conviction.Grant is blunt about one thing most people never admit: even after buying Bitcoin for years, he doesn't pretend certainty. He openly talks about the discomfort of drawdowns, the difference between conviction and having a low cost basis, and why buying through volatility matters more than sounding confident online. Rather than selling a perfect narrative, he's honest about doubt, risk, and why not investing at all is the bigger danger.From Bitcoin as a technology of money to real estate as a long-term cash-flow engine, Grant explains how wealthy investors think about scale, units, and holding assets through cycles instead of trading headlines.In this episode:– Why Grant says saving money destroys wealth– How he thinks about Bitcoin without pretending certainty– The difference between conviction and a cheap entry price– Why wealthy investors focus on units, not price– How Bitcoin and real estate play different roles in long-term wealthLead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise.#GrantCardone #Bitcoin #WealthBuilding #InvestingMindset #FinancialFreedom #StockMarket#RealEstate #Crypto 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

In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Ted Oakley, Founder of Oxbow Advisors, to break down why inflation remains sticky, why investors should be skeptical of Federal Reserve guidance, and where real value may be emerging beneath the surface of today's market.With more than four decades of experience advising high-net-worth investors, Ted explains why mega-cap stocks now represent concentration risk, why energy is one of the cheapest areas in the market, and how separating base capital from investment capital helps investors survive volatile cycles.In this episode:– Why Ted says the Fed is consistently late and unreliable– What the latest CPI and PPI data reveal about persistent inflation– Why mega-cap stocks may carry more risk than reward– How energy offers income and value in an uncertain macro backdrop– Why separating base capital from risk capital matters in downturnsLead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise.#Inflation #FederalReserve #EnergyStocks #MarketRisk #IncomeInvesting #StockMarket #Macro #PortfolioStrategy #InvestingStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

This video is sponsored by Quantify Funds and contains discussion of exchange-traded funds sponsored by Quantify Funds. Quantify Funds paid the creator a flat fee for this endorsement and unscripted interview. This compensation gives the creator an incentive to recommend Quantify Funds, resulting in a material conflict of interest.   Quantify Funds did not produce, review, approve, or redistribute this content and is not responsible for the opinions or statements expressed by the content creator. The creator is not a client or investor of Quantify Funds.  Any views expressed are those of the creator and do not necessarily reflect the views of Quantify Funds.This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Investors should consider a fund's investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing.In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with David Dziekanski, Founder and Portfolio Manager at Quantify Funds, to explain how return stacking reframes leverage from a short-term trading tool into something investors can actually buy and hold.From combining Bitcoin and gold to stacking income strategies on top of equities, Dziekanski breaks down how diversification, embedded rebalancing, and structural design can deliver income and exposure without relying on extreme yield or constant investor intervention.In this episode:– Why leverage is dangerous without diversification– How return stacking embeds rebalancing inside the ETF– Why ultra-high yield ETFs often destroy total returns– How income strategies can replace parts of fixed income– Where these products fit in modern portfolio constructionLead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise.#ETFInvesting #PortfolioConstruction #RiskManagement #Leverage #Bitcoin #Gold #StockMarketStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with John Love, President and CEO of USCF, to break down why commodities are re-emerging as a critical part of portfolios as markets face inflation uncertainty, geopolitical risk, and supply fragility.From a historic spike in natural gas driven by extreme weather to renewed risk premiums in oil, gold, and silver, John explains how commodity markets are being reshaped by geopolitics, tariffs, and structural supply dynamics and why broad exposure alone may not be enough.In this episode:– Why natural gas markets proved more fragile than expected– How weather shocks and infrastructure strain drive outsized moves– Why oil continues to carry an elevated geopolitical risk premium– What's fueling record highs in gold and explosive moves in silver– How investors can think about targeted commodity exposure versus broad indexesLead-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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

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 uncertainLead-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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

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 exposureLead-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 #InvestingStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: 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

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 laterLead-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 #MoneyStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

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 stocksHow patent activity and R and D spending identify true innovatorsWhy non tech companies can be major AI beneficiariesHow XAIX differs from broader thematic AI exposureHow investors think about sizing AI allocations responsiblyLead-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 #MacroTrendsStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

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 stretchLead-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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

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 positionLead-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 #InvestingStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

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 marketsLead-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 #RetirementPlanningStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

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 allocationLead-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 #CriticalTechnologiesStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

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 focusLead-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 #PortfolioStrategyStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: 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:

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 beyondLead-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 #PortfolioStrategyStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: 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

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 investingLead-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 #TechStocksStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

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 2026Lead-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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

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 regimesLead-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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

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:Why most portfolios are less diversified than investors thinkHow growth and inflation surprises drive major market cyclesThe role of commodities, gold, and inflation linked bonds in a balanced allocationWhy equal risk contribution matters more than traditional 60 40 mixesHow advisors can use risk parity to build more resilient portfoliosLead-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 #ETFStrategiesStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

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 lastLead-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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

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 marketLead-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 #MarketsStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

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 portfolioLead-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 #MacroTrendsStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

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 incomeLead-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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

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 2025–2027Lead-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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

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:Why weekly dividend ETFs have exploded in popularityThe psychology behind income now vs long-term growthHow YieldBoost works — and how it differs from traditional covered callsMyths and misunderstandings about options-based incomeHow creators and investors actually use weekly distributionsGlobal demand for passive-income toolsHow income ETFs behave in a rate-cutting cycleNew launches from GraniteShares, including semiconductors & gold minersIf 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 #InvestingStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: 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

Join Michael Gayed, Melanie Schaffer, and the OptionsANIMAL team for a conversation about options trading, risk management, and the famous “George Costanza Trade.”In this webinar, they chat about:What the “Costanza approach” really means in tradingHow professional traders manage risk and avoid emotional decisionsHigh-probability setups explained in simple termsOptions strategies that work in volatile marketsActionable tips you can start applying immediatelyWhether you're looking for CE credits, want to improve your trading discipline, or simply want to learn new frameworks from top options educators, this conversation is packed with value.Lead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise#OptionsTrading #OptionsAnimal #LeadLagLive #Investing #FinanceStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Seth Cogswell, Managing Partner at Running Oak Capital, to break down Michael Burry's warnings about depreciation manipulation, inflated AI earnings, and the concentration risk dominating today's market.From the speed of chip innovation to the widening gap between revenue and AI CapEx, Cogswell explains why valuations at the top of the S&P 500 may be far more stretched than investors realize — and why diversified, valuation-discipline strategies could be the antidote to extreme concentration.In this episode:– Why extending depreciation cycles may be inflating mega-cap earnings– How today's top 10 S&P names are valued above the peak of the tech bubble– What investors misunderstand about investing in AI– Why Running Oak has reduced tech exposure despite an AI revolution– How passive flows have hollowed out the core of the U.S. equity marketLead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise.#RunningOak #Markets #TechValuations #AIBubble #PassiveInvesting #RiskManagement #Equities #InvestingStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Alex Shahidi, Co-Chief Investment Officer at Evoke Advisors, to unpack the structural forces reshaping markets — from persistent inflation to weakening growth, rising deficits, and the return of macro volatility.From the limitations of the traditional 60-40 portfolio to the misunderstood mechanics behind risk parity, Shahidi explains how investors can build portfolios that survive multiple economic regimes without relying on forecasts or market timing.In this episode:– Why inflation volatility poses the biggest risk to portfolios today– How the past decade created dangerous concentration in equities– Why most investors misunderstand what true diversification means– How risk parity protects against extreme macro outcomes– How RPAR expresses a balanced, multi-regime investment frameworkLead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise.#RiskParity #Diversification #Inflation #RPAR #Markets #EvokeAdvisors #PortfolioConstruction #MacroInvestingStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Jay Hatfield, CEO of Infrastructure Capital Advisors, to break down what Nvidia's blockbuster quarter means for mega-cap tech, why markets fade after earnings season, and the implications for dividend stocks, preferreds, and small caps as rate expectations shift.From valuation pressure in momentum names to tightening money supply and the path of Fed policy, Hatfield explains where he sees opportunity as volatility resets — and why income strategies may be entering their strongest stretch of the cycle.In this episode:– Why strong tech earnings often lead to short-term market weakness– How Bitcoin and leveraged crypto products spill over into tech volatility– Why dividend-heavy large caps offer resilience in rotation periods– How preferreds and corporate bonds can outperform into 2026– The setup for small-cap value once Fed cuts beginLead-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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

International markets are leading and according to DWS's Aram Babikian, we're still in the early innings. In part 1 of this Lead-Lag Deep Dive Series, Melanie Schaeffer sits down with Aram to explore why Europe and Japan are gaining momentum, what's structurally different this time, and how two key XTrackers ETFs, HDEF and DBEF, are positioned for 2025–2026.They break down:- Why Europe, especially Germany, is entering a new era of investment- Japan's wage growth, inflation stabilization & corporate reforms- How DBEF helps reduce currency-driven volatility- Why advisors are using a 50/50 split between HDEF & DBEF- The global policy shifts creating long-term opportunity- What investors should expect in 2025, 2026 and beyondStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, Michael Gayed sits down with Cole Wenner from KraneShares to break down the rise of humanoid robots and why the theme is moving from cool demos to real-world deployment. Cole explains embodied intelligence, the labor and aging-population pressures driving demand, and where humanoids are likely to show up first — warehouses, factories, hospitals, and eventually the home.They walk through the three parts of the KOID approach: the “brain” (AI and semiconductors), the “body” (motors, sensors, actuators, materials), and the integrators building full robots. Cole also highlights why many of the most investable opportunities sit inside the global components supply chain, where costs are falling fast across LiDAR, motors, and compute.The conversation also covers timelines, pilot programs, cost bottlenecks, and how US strength in AI and China's manufacturing advantage could speed adoption.In this episode:• Why humanoids are becoming practical now• First real-world use cases• The KOID framework: brain, body, integrators• Component companies driving early value• What needs to improve for mass adoptionLead-Lag Live brings you conversations with the people shaping global markets. Follow the show and comment with the first task you'd want a humanoid to handle.#KOID #Robotics #HumanoidRobots #AI #Automation #KraneShares #Investing #TechTrendsStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: 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

In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, Michael Gayed talks with Henry Greene from KraneShares about how recent changes in US–China trade incentives are improving the outlook for China's tech sector and why it matters for investors.They discuss the rise of AI in China — including DeepSeek and Alibaba's Qwen models — and how letting companies train AI on their own data could boost cloud adoption. Henry also explains China's push into robotics and how it fits alongside US leadership in chips and software.To bring it back to portfolios, Henry breaks down why KWEB tends to react strongly to policy headlines, how KLIP uses that volatility to generate monthly income, and simple ways to combine the two depending on your goals.In this episode:• What's changing in US–China trade• China's growing AI ecosystem• Why enterprise fine-tuning matters• How robotics and chips fit into the story• How KWEB behaves during policy shifts• How KLIP turns volatility into incomeLead-Lag Live brings you real conversations with the people shaping global markets. Subscribe for more insights that cut through the noise.#KWEB #KLIP #ChinaTech #AIinChina #EmergingMarkets #Investing #KraneShares #MarketInsightsStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: 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

In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Steven Rossi, Founder and CEO of Worksport, to break down the company's clean-energy transformation — including the long-awaited launch of the COR portable power system and the SOLIS solar tonneau cover.Steven explains how COR's modular batteries, onboard inverter system, and solar integration are designed to create a new category in portable power — one that serves contractors, overlanders, EV owners, and emergency-preparedness users with a scalable nano-grid you can take anywhere. He also shares Worksport's roadmap for growth, manufacturing strategy, and how SOLIS + COR work together as a complete energy ecosystem.In this episode:– How the COR power system works — and why it's built to scale– Why modular batteries and a centralized hub change the game for portability– How SOLIS integrates with COR to create a mobile solar nano-grid– Why Worksport is betting on clean, portable energy as its core business– The growth roadmap ahead as the company pushes into 2025 and beyondLead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise.#Worksport #COR #SOLIS #CleanEnergy #PortablePower #EVTrucks #RenewableEnergyStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

In this episode of Lead Lag Live, I sit down with Brendan Ahern, Chief Investment Officer at KraneShares, to break down the renewed momentum behind emerging markets and the forces driving performance across global tech and e commerce.From valuation gaps and dollar depreciation to sector leadership shifts, Ahern shares how EM growth factors and specifically the KEMQ ETF are positioned to benefit from a structural rebalancing away from overstretched US valuations.In this episode:– Why emerging markets are regaining leadership after a decade of underperformance– How tech and e commerce have reshaped the EM index composition– The valuation divergence between US tech and EM tech– Why ADR volatility distorts fundamentals and why local shares matter– How investors should size EM exposure and position KEMQ in a portfolioLead Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise.#LeadLagLive #EmergingMarkets #KraneShares #GlobalTech #KEMQStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

n this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Brendan Ahern, Chief Investment Officer at KraneShares, to break down the pivotal shift happening inside China's equity markets. A Trump–Xi truce, policy stabilization, and a surge in cloud and AI revenues are driving fresh optimism into Chinese tech — and Brendan explains why global investors are quietly reallocating back into KWEB.From improving CPI and government action on involution to cloud-driven AI monetization, semiconductor risks, and the new wave of international inflows, Brendan lays out the forces reshaping China's market narrative after years of pessimism.In this episode:– Why China's cloud and AI revenue growth is outpacing expectations– How anti-involution policy is stabilizing competition and lifting margins– Why global investors — especially Europe and Asia — are rotating back into China– Where KWEB sees opportunity across online video, entertainment, and emerging tech– Why semiconductor valuations demand caution despite the broader tech rebound– How the Trump–Xi détente may open the door to further policy normalizationLead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise.#LeadLagLive #KWEB #KraneShares #ChinaTech #AI #EmergingMarkets #Investing #MarketsStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down once again with Si Katara, Founder and CEO of TappAlpha, to dive deeper into how daily option overlays are redefining the balance between growth, income, and risk management.Since our last conversation, markets have shifted fast. AI valuations have cooled, volatility has returned, and investors are rethinking how to generate income without sacrificing upside. Si shares how TappAlpha's TSPY and TDAQ ETFs are thriving in this environment, giving advisors and investors precision, flexibility, and true control over their equity exposure.In this episode:– Why volatility-based income is replacing bond-based income as rates fall– How daily options overlays outperform traditional 30-day strategies– The “pilot course correction” analogy that defines TappAlpha's edge– What makes TSPY and TDAQ fundamentally different from other covered call ETFs– How TappAlpha is scaling to new products, including light-levered and weekly-pay ETFsLead-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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, host Melanie Schaffer sits down with Jay Hatfield, CEO of Infrastructure Capital Advisors, to unpack the market's next chapter. From AI valuations and small-cap opportunities to rate cuts and dividend ETFs, Jay breaks down where he's seeing risk and reward as we head into 2025 and 2026.Topics covered:• AI and the “Magnificent 8” valuations• The Fed's next moves and rate outlook• Why small caps and value may shine in 2026• Dividend income ideas: ICAP, SCAP, PFFA• Where investors are getting the narrative wrongLead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise.#MarketOutlook #InvestingInsights #StockMarket2025 #EconomicOutlook #InterestRates #FedPolicy #leadlaglive #jayhatfieldStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

In this exclusive conversation, Michael Gayed, founder of The Lead-Lag Report, sits down with Will Rhind, CEO of GraniteShares, to discuss the booming demand for options-based income ETFs like YieldBoost — funds generating 50% to 150% annual yields through innovative option strategies.They unpack:- Why rates are headed lower (and what it means for investors)- How YieldBoost ETFs work and generate high income- The truth about NAV erosion and downside protection- What a diversified income portfolio could look like in 2025- How investors are rethinking “safe yield” in a new market eraLead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise.#YieldInvesting #OptionsIncome #ETFs #HighYield #Investing #Finance #LeadLagReport #GraniteSharesCompleted Thumbnail (KseniyaStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: 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

In this special Take Your Kid to Work Day edition of Lead-Lag Live, Grade 9 student Ezra Briski steps in as host to explore this year's theme: Lift Up Your Future — how the choices we make today shape the opportunities we have tomorrow. Ezra sits down with Seth Cogswell, Founder and Managing Partner at Running Oak Capital, to discuss why starting early with money and investing can change your entire life's trajectory.In this episode, Seth shares:– Why compounding is like a superpower for people who start young– The lesson: “Easy choices, hard life. Hard choices, easy life.”– How to think of money as a tool, not something to chase– Why discipline matters more than picking the perfect stock– How to avoid “today's impulse” stealing “tomorrow's possibilities”– Why reading and learning from others is the cheat code to growing faster– The importance of minimizing distractions and building real-world confidenceThis episode is about building habits, not hype.It's about learning to value your future self — and taking steps now that make life easier later.Lead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise.#LeadLagLive #SethCogswell #RunningOak #FinancialLiteracy #InvestingYoung #CompoundInterest #Discipline #LiftUpYourFuture #TakeYourKidToWorkDayStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

In this exclusive webinar hosted by Michael Gayed of Lead-Lag Media, Jay Hatfield from Infrastructure Capital shares his market outlook for 2025 — including why he believes the Fed will have to cut rates, why housing hasn't crashed, and why the next market move could surprise to the upside.Jay breaks down:Why the Fed has caused nearly every post-WWII recessionHow inflation is finally cooling (and why CPI is misleading)The real reason the U.S. avoided a recession in 2024His S&P 500 target of 7,000 for 2025Bullish takes on housing, tech, small caps, and preferredsWhy regional banks and credit fears are overblownHis contrarian forecast for the U.S. dollar and Treasury yieldsLead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise.#Markets #Investing #FederalReserve #InterestRates #JayHatfield #MichaelGayed #InfrastructureCapital #StockMarketOutlookStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: 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:

In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Brad Barrie, Co-Founder, Managing Director, and Chief Investment Officer at Dynamic Wealth Group, to unpack how global-macro investing helps investors prepare for uncertainty — not predict it.From his Halloween-candy analogy on diversification to the risks hiding behind record valuations, Brad explains why hope isn't a strategy, why true diversification means non-correlation, and how the Dynamic Alpha Macro Fund aims to thrive when others panic.In this episode:– Why diversification today often means being “badly diversified”– How global macro can hedge against high valuations and volatility– Why the Dynamic Alpha Macro Fund (DYMAX) is built for flexibility– How technicals and fundamentals work together in a macro framework– Why investors need multiple drivers of return, not just hopeLead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise#LeadLagLive #DynamicWealthGroup #GlobalMacro #Investing #Diversification #Markets #DYMAXStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Will Rhind, Founder and CEO of GraniteShares, to discuss how the firm's YieldBoost lineup is rewriting the rules of income investing.From Tesla to Coinbase, GraniteShares has built a new category of weekly-paying ETFs that deliver institutional-style yield strategies to everyday investors — no options experience required. Will explains how the structure works, why investor demand has exploded, and what's next for the YieldBoost lineup.In this episode:– How GraniteShares' YieldBoost ETFs deliver weekly income– Why Tesla's YieldBoost ETF (TSYY) has become a $400M success– The mechanics behind 150% annualized distribution yields– Why investors want weekly income instead of monthly payouts– How GraniteShares is democratizing institutional yield strategiesLead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise.#LeadLagLive  #GraniteShares #YieldBoost #IncomeInvesting #ETFs #Tesla #MarketsStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Father Emmanuel Lemelson, activist investor and Orthodox priest, to discuss the intersection of faith, finance, and speculation in an era of market excess.From calling tops in gold and silver to exposing fraud on Wall Street, Fr. Emmanuel argues that modern markets have become spiritually and ethically unmoored — a “Wild West” driven by greed, memes, and misplaced faith in AI. He shares his candid views on what true stewardship means, why hoarding gold is spiritually toxic, and why investors need humility more than hype.In this episode:– Why “stacking” gold is spiritual hoarding, not investing– How AI mania mirrors the dot-com bubble of the '90s– The moral hazard of speculation and market idolatry– Where Fr. Emmanuel still finds real value in equities like Adobe and Flower Foods– Why faith and finance don't have to be at oddsLead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise.#LeadLagLive #FrEmmanuelLemelson #FaithAndFinance #Markets #Investing #Gold #AI #WallStreet #EconomyStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: 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

In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Jay Hatfield, CEO of Infrastructure Capital Advisors, to discuss why he believes the Fed's latest dovish pivot was inevitable — and what it means for investors heading into 2025.From housing to money supply and the AI-driven growth cycle, Hatfield breaks down the data points that actually matter — and why he sees zero risk of recession, but a real chance of an economic boom.In this episode:– Why the Fed's “weak labor market” narrative hides a deeper policy flaw– How housing and money supply remain the only leading indicators that count– Why the risk of a boom is higher than the risk of a bust– How AI momentum could supercharge growth in 2025– Where Jay's 7,700 S&P target comes from — and why it's not irrationalLead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise.#LeadLagLive #JayHatfield #Fed #InterestRates #HousingMarket #AI #Economy #Investing #MarketsStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Seth Cogswell, Managing Partner at Running Oak Capital, to unpack the strange market dynamic where low-quality, high-debt companies are outperforming — and why that may be setting up one of the biggest long-term buying opportunities in years.From zombie stocks to the passive investing paradox, Seth breaks down why common-sense investing has vanished from today's markets — and how his “buy low, sell high” discipline at Running Oak is bringing it back.In this episode:– Why profitable, high-quality companies are lagging speculative names– What the “buying a Lexus for the price of a Camry” moment means for investors– How passive flows have hollowed out the core of the market– Why most portfolios no longer follow the buy-low, sell-high principle– The mission behind Seth's new educational series Not So Passively AggressiveLead-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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: 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

Tired of choosing between concentration risk and a painful tax bill? Michael sits down with Med Faber from Cambria Investment Management. We break down a smarter option: using a 351 ETF exchange to convert appreciated, concentrated stock positions into a diversified ETF without triggering taxes. Think of it like a 1031 for public equities—contribute eligible positions at launch, receive ETF shares in return, and let the portfolio rebalance inside the tax-efficient ETF wrapper.We walk through:The exact rules that matterWhy your largest position must be under 25% and your top five under 50%Which assets qualify, and why contributions must happen at the seed stage.You'll hear real examples of prior 351 launches, learn about the upcoming U.S. equal weight fund aimed at breaking the market-cap link, and get a clear timeline: indicate interest, submit holdings, pause trading, transfer positions, and receive ETF shares on day one. We also explain the powerful benefit of multiple cost-basis lots embedded in the ETF, which can make future tax management far more flexible.Along the way, we widen the lens to the current market: elevated U.S. valuations, heavy index concentration in the same handful of megacaps, and a stealth rotation in gold and non-U.S. value strategies. If you've been meaning to diversify but taxes keep you stuck, this is the actionable path. Advisors will find a field guide for client conversations—simple analogies that land, common custodian workflows, and prospecting angles for executives, VC distributions, and direct indexing portfolios.#LeadLagLive  #Cambria #USEW  #IncomeInvesting #Markets #InvestingStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: 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

In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Jonathan Shelon, Chief Operating Officer at KraneShares, to unpack how the firm's CLIP ETF delivers monthly income and international diversification — without giving up growth.With covered call strategies back in focus, Jonathan explains why China's tech sector provides more volatility (and therefore more income potential) than traditional U.S. covered call ETFs, and how advisors are blending CLIP with core equity or income portfolios.In this episode:– Why CLIP's monthly distributions stand out from U.S. covered call ETFs– How volatility can be a benefit, not a risk, for income investors– The mechanics behind generating 2% monthly payouts– How CLIP complements both equity and fixed-income allocations– Why KraneShares sees long-term growth in combining KWEB and CLIPLead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise.#LeadLagLive  #KraneShares #CLIP  #IncomeInvesting #Markets #InvestingStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Sam Nofsinger, General Manager of Brokerage at Public, to discuss how the company's new direct indexing feature is bringing institutional investing tools to everyday investors.For the first time, investors can build their own index, own every underlying stock, and optimize for taxes with just $1,000 minimum. Sam explains how fractional shares, automation, and tax-loss harvesting are transforming what used to be a high-net-worth strategy into something anyone can use.In this episode:– What direct indexing is and how it differs from ETFs and mutual funds– Why customization and tax-loss harvesting matter for long-term returns– How Public's technology makes personalized portfolios accessible to everyone– How fractional shares broke down the biggest barriers to entry– Why the future of investing is personal, automated, and tax-efficientLead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise.#LeadLagLive  #Public #DirectIndexing #Investing #WealthManagementStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show

In this Lead Lag Live webinar, Michael Gayed sits down with Jay Hatfield, CEO of Infrastructure Capital Advisors, to break down the current macro landscape, why inflation fears may be overblown, and where the biggest investment opportunities lie as we enter a new market phase.Topics Covered:Why small caps could surge as rate cuts beginThe truth about inflation, the BLS data lag, and money supplyOutlook for the bond market, preferreds, and high-yield creditHow active management can outperform in a cutting cycleWhy “bubbles” might actually be good for investorsSubscribe for more expert market insights and live webinars#FedCuts #Inflation #StockMarket #Investing #JayHatfield #LeadLagLive #InterestRates #Finance #Economy #SmallCaps #Bonds #PreferredStocksStart 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_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: 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: