Inside the minds of short sellers.
This week, California's wildfires spark a deeper dive into the state's ongoing crisis: mismanagement, a questionable climate agenda that's burning billions without results, and, of course, Gavin Newsom's fire-proof hair gel. Meanwhile, Trump is using his tiny hands to grab something new for a change. This time, he's eyeing control of Greenland, the Panama Canal, and even Canada. Oh, and Mark Zuckerberg really wants you to think he's got "masculine energy" — bragging about his martial arts skills on Joe Rogan, ditching Facebook's fact-checkers, and calling for “more aggression” in our “neutered” corporate culture. And if you were worried that Siri was snitching, you would be correct. Apple agreed to pay $95 million to settle claims that Siri secretly recorded users and shared their private chats with advertisers. In case you didn't think this episode could get weirder, we're also taking a detour into raccoon sanctuaries, Lego tariffs, and why male chess players can't handle deodorant - or women. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Intro 00:45 - California Wildfires 09:29 - Sex Toy Cyber Attacks 12:33 - Trump's Land Grabs 19:11 - Pakistan Airlines' Wild Ad 23:25 - Zuck Goes Full Bro 28:08 - Controversial Chess Rules 31:45 - Siri Snitches 36:40 - NYC's Congestion Pricing 42:51 - Freddy's Property Tax Loophole? 47:39 - See Ya Next Time!
In our exclusive interview, Whitney Tilson, former hedge fund manager turned first-time political candidate, shares his perspective on the challenges facing New York City and the bold solutions he believes are necessary. Tilson presents his case for why fresh leadership is needed — promising to tackle crime, affordability, and economic decline with a pro-business, no-nonsense approach. From cutting violent crime by 50% to building ample affordable housing units, Tilson is doubling down on big ideas and data-driven solutions. As a self-identified political outsider, Tilson shares how his decades of business expertise and advocacy work (from NYC education reform to raising $18M for Ukraine) uniquely position him to lead the city back to prosperity. But can a first-time candidate overcome entrenched political interests and an uphill battle for voter turnout? In this episode, we explore: Making NYC a friendly place for small businesses The challenges of NYC's affordability and housing crises Strategies for cutting crime and reforming bail policies Lessons from Houston's success in tackling homelessness Why business-friendly policies are critical for NYC's comeback and more
Luigi Mangione is finally in custody but that hasn't stopped health insurers from dialing back recently proposed changes to its anesthesia coverage. Hunter Biden has officially been pardoned by his old man, which makes parents around the world feel at ease about coddling their own children. And they say Gen Z is a f**ked up generation… As if Fartcoin hadn't already broke everyone's Stupidity Meter, Bryan Johnson – a real-life Benjamin Button – has launched a betting market for his nighttime erections. Perhaps a wrong way bet on Bryan Johnson's NTE is what sent Mangione off the rails. Drones have been spotted swarming New Jersey, begging the question of; Why the hell is anyone interested in New Jersey? Undoubtedly a fair question, making the tin foil hat theories all the more legitimate. Following the election, Mark Zuckerberg has come groveling back to The Don, presumably to ask that he call off the cage match with Trump's new bestie. And as a holiday parting gift, Carson shares a bloody story to prove just how disingenuous Bloomberg can be when it comes to reporting on short selling. From all of us here at Zer0es TV, we'd like to wish everyone a Happy Holidays!
This week, the Zero Fucks Given crew is back! Carson is rubbing his perfect election predictions in everyone's face while we recap the news stories you may have missed while doom scrolling online. From Chamath's quest to "Make America Healthy Again" to North Korean soldiers discovering premium internet content for the first time, we've got the headlines you didn't know you needed. It hasn't been long since Trump's re-election, but he's already out here drafting his cabinet for the sequel administration — let's just say it's already shaping up to be a circus act. Oh, and Spirit Airlines somehow outdid itself by becoming the literal target of a sky-high drive-by shooting. Just another day in the aviation hell that is a Spirit Airlines flight. Meanwhile, Freddy reacts to two Brazilian influencers who prove that vanity is, in fact, buoyant (except when it's not). Plus, our financial hot take: Why MicroStrategy's new ETF is leverage inception on steroids — and a sign we've officially entered 2024 chaos mode. All that and more! TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Intro 00:58 - Trump 2.0 05:39 - The Fate of Gary Gensler 09:33 - Trump's Treasure Hunt 15:24 - Chamath Goes Full RFK Mode 20:44 - North Korea's Hardened Soldiers 24:50 - Naur Social Media For Australia 27:47 - Influencer Tragedy In Brazil 32:48 - Cohoes Gets Served 37:13 - Spirit Flight From Hell 40:38 - Microstrategy Goes Big 44:04: Outro and Episode Disclaimer
The God complex amongst Tech Billionaires has reached a boiling point. To be fair, Elon has taken a page out of the Zer0es playbook and clearly gave zero fucks with his jiggly puff dance at a recent Trump rally. Zuckerberg, on the other hand, is just trying way too hard and it's apparently caused him to forget the true fate of Julius Caesar. As promised, we have a special announcement here at ZFG and it comes by way of our very first sponsor. South Korea has finally announced that it will abandon the ban on short selling, but not until March of 2025. And just when short sellers thought they were given some breathing room, Spain proves that retardation – or corruption – runs through the highest levels of its market regulators. Speaking of corruption, NYC Mayor Eric Adams has been caught with his hand in the proverbial cookie jar. And after a long hiatus of Freddy's corner of terrible business ideas, we get real-time footage of a new idea that arguably lands at the top of the list. Disclaimer Unless the context indicates otherwise, the terms “Muddy Waters”, “we”, “us”, “our” and similar terms refer to Muddy Waters Asia LLC and its respective affiliates, including Muddy Waters Capital LLC. The information provided in this podcast is being furnished for informational purposes only, and does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, including any securities issued by any investment vehicle managed by Muddy Waters. References to the “Vietnam Fund” or the “New World Order Fund” refer to the Muddy Waters New World Order Fund LP (the “Fund”), which is a private fund being offered pursuant to Rule 506(c) of the Securities Act of 1933. The information presented is subject to a more complete description and does not contain all of the information necessary to make an investment decision in the Fund, including but not limited to, the risk factors, fees, and the investment strategies of the Fund. Any offering will only be made pursuant to additional documents, including the relevant offering memorandum, a copy of the limited partnership agreement, memorandum and articles of association, or similar organizational documents of the Fund and a subscription agreement, all of which must be read in their entirety. No offer to purchase interests will be made or accepted prior to receipt by an offeree of these documents, the completion of all appropriate documentation, and the meeting of eligibility (and such other) requirements as may be determined by Muddy Waters. U.S. persons must, among other requirements, be “accredited investors” and “qualified purchasers,” as defined in the applicable securities laws, before they can invest in the Fund. Please see www.muddywatersasia.com for more information.
In this episode of ZFG, Carson and the team our reactions to the presidential debate, how a PhD student's cat fooled Google Scholar, Palantir CEO's odd announcement of their S&P 500 inclusion, the sketchy AI health app claiming to diagnose STIs, and much more. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Intro 00:40 - The Cat Turned Academic Star 05:14 - Presidential Debate Recap 09:01 - Palantir's S&P 500 Inclusion 12:39 - HeHealth Shuts Down 15:18 - Nathaniel Rothschild Invest In Tennor 18:52 - Russia's "Safe Haven: 21:30 - A Slithering Surprise 24:32 - Poisoning the Competition 27:28 - Paris Olympics Recap 33:22 - Outro
In a thrilling return of our Short Story format, Carson Block of Muddy Waters Capital sits down with Edwin Dorsey, Author of The Bear Cave. In this episode, Carson and Edwin break down the charges and allegations underlying the Government's complaint against activist short seller Andrew Left. Edwin begins by questioning the Government theories of Andrew's trades in the stock of General Electric (GE). He then goes on to give an example of another prominent hedge fund manager, Dan Loeb of Third Point LLC, and his activities surrounding Herbalife (HLF) in 2013. As Carson shares, there are a myriad of factors that go into a sophisticated investor's trading activities, only one of which is the investor's own price objective. Carson then explains why this case is paramount for the future of the sell-side industry, their use of price targets, and all the garbage that goes into Wall Street's infamous valuation models. Can the SEC really conjure up a new rule that could require Andrew, and possibly other short sellers, to hold positions for five days after publishing a report? Carson analyzes this possibility under the First Amendment explaining why he doesn't believe any court would grant such an unconstitutional proposal. Will this episode have long-lasting impacts for the behavior of short activists? And what might it mean for the spirit versus the letter of the law as it pertains to investors, corporations, and regulators?
When it comes to the woke agenda, few understand that the Republican Party is the true support system behind the LGBTQ community. Some might say that Freddy is just trying to rag on the US political process but he's simply providing the facts – Republicans crashed the Grindr app due to a spike in Milwaukee. Elon Musk continues his exodus from California, announcing that he's moving X and SpaceX to Texas. And while Gavin Newsom thought it'd be a good idea to take a public swipe, Musk reminded him that if you come at the King, you best not miss. China, still struggling to stabilize its stock market, has taken a page out of its 2015 playbook by again targeting short selling. Bill Hwang was found guilty on ten out of eleven charges, leaving only one question; Was Bill in Milwaukee during the RNC to perform on-the-ground research for his lengthy stay in prison? And while Gavin Newsom has taken executive action against homeless encampments in California, it appears pirates and nudists are still welcome to slug it out in the streets of San Francisco. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Intro 00:27 - A wild week in U.S. politics 05:06 - Rudy falls at RNC 08:25 - Elon's California breakup 13:08 - China cracks down on short selling 18:20 - Hwang found guilty in fraud trial 28:34 - San Fran nudists fight pirate guy 31:27 - Outro
The other pitched Poober. They are not the same. And just in case there were any lingering debate over who's cooler – Freddy Brick or Mark Zuckerberg – it's all been settled over 4th of July wakeboarding. Freddy and Carson go on to discuss President Biden's disastrous debate performance and whether it marked the end of his re-election campaign. Politics aside, Carson points to the cheating scandal at Nathan's July 4th Hot Dog Contest as the singular moment that will mark the decline of our empire. And while Freddy tried to give his best King George impression from Hamilton by asking, “What have you won?”, we can at least rest easy that our national forests are safe from investment bankers. The US Supreme Court has had a busy few weeks and its most recent Chevron Deference ruling has Carson pondering what this might mean for the Securities Exchange Commission and hedge fund regulation. Blackstone's SRT's are giving off vibes of credit crises of the past, while the drop in commercial real estate values are uncovering increasing cases of mortgage fraud. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Intro 00:41 - US vs. UK 08:13 - Hot Dog Eating Contest Scandal 12:12 - Investment Banker Caught In Treesome? 13:54 - Supreme Court Updates 20:43 - Blackstone Gets Risky? 27:17 - Real Estate Crackdown 33:40 - Outro
The ongoing feud between James Fishback and Greenlight Capital has been ratcheted up to a whole new level. For the first time in history, a portfolio manager at a multi-billion-dollar firm was awarded a $800k bonus due to his generating ~$100 million in profits. I guess any publicity is good publicity, but James, the math doesn't add up… Amidst elevated fears over Russian hooligans at Euro 2024, Freddy provides a bit of clarity of what not to do when supporting your favorite football club. Despite the SEC finally cracking down on the MMTLP fraud, the glue sniffers still refuse to accept reality. At what point do Bill Hwang's attorneys break out the Jerusalem Syndrome defense? And inside stories of the Archegos collapse reveal just how unfamiliar everyone is with Richard Handler's game. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 01:04 - Greenlight's macro lawsuit 04:51 - Euro 2024 hooligans 07:59 - SEC's Meta Materials fraud fine 11:36 - The latest court drama - from Jerusalem to New York
Just when short sellers thought they were in the clear, Roaring Kitty has re-emerged, dealing a major blow to those taking aim at GameStop (GME). Where did Gill get the funds for such a massive position? That's where the plot thickens… North Korea has apparently given up on its aspirations for an ICBM, that doesn't explode immediately upon launch, after finding success with slinging trash-filled balloons. Citadel and BlackRock have announced plans for a Texas-based server farm, but Carson expresses skepticism about the true value-add for market participants and society as a whole. Carson then revives an old story of a former New York Yankee slugger whose shown no shame for his forearm workouts. And apparently, the name Joshua carries special significance in the world of legal academia. Some are just intellectually dishonest, while others prefer corruption and sexual misconduct.
In this week's ZFG speed run, the crew covers everything from free vodka for hobos, to RFK, Jr's brain worms, and Bill Hwang's trial. For those still living in California, we've finally discovered where all your hard-earned tax dollars have been going – you've been buying rounds at the bar for the homeless. Independent Presidential candidate, RFJ, Jr. reveals what's been behind, let's just say some of his more conspiratorial claims – worms have been gnawing away at his frontal lobe. A couple of Stifel employees have taken the whole “naughty maid” script just a tad too far. To be fair, the whole hobos-in-a-hotel idea probably worked better than the latest Furry convention. But in a bizarre twist, Krista spices things up a bit with her own recollection of a cuddly friend after moving to San Francisco. The Archegos trial has begun, and it's provided a glimpse into the true reason behind Bill Hwang's “aggressive” trading style – he just couldn't get enough of SpongeBob SquarePants. And apparently, all this talk of naughty maids and furries has Freddy dimming the lights before we can wrap the show.
Time to get strapped in for this week's ZFG speedrun. Ok, to be fair, it's probably not our best choice of phrasing to use ‘strapped in' with Harvey Weinstein at the top of this week's episode. However, the good news for any of his jailhouse prey is that karma has come in the form of a gangrenous d*ck. Carson then weighs in on the recent passage of a bill to force the sale of TikTok. While the data collection aspect is one area of concern, Carson highlights the psychological warfare being waged on behalf of the CCP. Or, as Freddy states, “About f*cking time!” South Korea demonstrates that, once again, they have little imagination for cracking down on fraudulent actors. So, of course, regulators are finding new ways to combat “illegal short selling.” Speaking of short sellers, Trump Media's CEO Devin Nunes has been bitch slapped by a formal statement from Citadel. Unlike South Korea, B. Riley Financial has a found a rather unique way in finding buyers for its bonds. And given the ZFG commitment to bringing our viewers the hardest-hitting footage of world events, Freddy closes out with a glimpse at how the people of Tel Aviv are handling the ongoing chaos.
Coming at you with a new spin on the ZFG format, Krista, Freddy, and Carson thought we'd like to get up close and personal. No, seriously Krista, we can see your browser history in the reflection of your glasses… All kidding aside, this new format is punchier and a bit more organized than our usual journey now that Krista can read the cue cards directly on her screen. The SEC is cracking down on the internal use of messaging apps, but that might not be the biggest concern for its Texas-based employees. Freddy is still doing his best Russell Crowe impersonation from A Beautiful Mind, and the new close-up gives us a first-row seat into his lightbulb moment for a new business idea. Krista leads the Rate Forecasting Circle Jerk. Journalists try kicking a billionaire when he's, well, not down. California has come up with new ways to grab money from the rich. And Carson proposes a new segment titled, Guys Who've Done Well in One Part of Life Thinking that They Know Everything About Another Part of Life and Sharing That Faux Wisdom with Everybody. Ok, so it's a working title…
The only thing better than watching Alex Karp coming unhinged on CNBC is the fact that one of its co-founders, who's also the Chairman of the Board of Directors, has been the one recklessly dumping Palantir stock. Is Peter Thiel a short-seller in disguise?! Surprise, surprise, more crypto has gone missing. Perhaps James Howells could've taught P. Diddy a thing or two about the proper way to dispose of a sensitive hard drive. Who knows, maybe the raids will turn up empty. But just in case, his lawyers should probably go with the Lego defense come time for the lineup. And have you ever thought of gifting a warthog as a pet? Hunting Somali pirates from a yacht is probably the safer bet...
Ever wonder what the children of Texas do in their spare time? After a weekend where Carson and Freddy visited a friend's ranch, the crew takes a minute to acknowledge the political and societal differences throughout our nation. Maybe throwing axes and dodging ricocheting bullets aren't your cup of tea. Just be aware, going for a stroll on a beach in California is just as dicey with grandma on patrol. Grandma's beach lecture isn't the only baffling story of this week's episode, as we find out that your cuddly childhood Build-A-Bear Workshop has a dark and dirty side. Ok, well, not as dirty as Vince McMahon but that's an extremely high bar to clear. And if that doesn't have you sick to your stomach, just wait until you hear what those restaurant toothpicks are truly designed for.
When things start and stop working all at the same time. Carson opens our latest episode with a personal struggle that plagues middle-aged men around the globe. As can be expected here on ZFG, we're asking the hard-hitting questions – Which 5th grader has Gary Gensler assigned to manage the SEC's cyber security protocols? Freddy, struggling with a bout of insecurity, seeks to set the record straight on SFO's favorite rabbit. The metaverse continues to prove that it's nothing more than a breeding ground for incels, but recent headlines appear to raise serious questions about the legality of serving one's country in Call of Duty. And while we pride ourselves on asking the tough questions, our public service announcements just might save all of humanity. Krista wraps by revealing her first impression of Freddy's dwarfism which, with the benefit of hindsight, seems to be a complete non-issue in comparison to her roid rage.
Happy New Year! Freddy starts 2024 off with a bang. Not only has he reverted to his 'no shoes' policy, but he kicks things off with yet another new business idea. For those of you who have yet to settle on a New Years' resolution; might we suggest brushing up on your history? The History Channel, Wikipedia, there's a wide variety of sources. But if we're brutally honest, South Park might be one of the best places to start. And in the spirit of the holidays, Carson and Freddy announce a fresh sighting of Frank Timis. After failing miserably as a heroin trafficker, he's trying his hand with African Agriculture Holdings (AAGR). Carson reveals how he survives the depths of boredom - hint, it's not responding to Krista. And for all the crap they give Elon Musk, Carson and Freddy give credit where credit is due.
If you ever find yourself questioning your intellectual capabilities, just remember, Josh Mitts is still a Professor of Law at Columbia Law School. Whatever your feelings about his past work, there's zero question about the complete lack of academic rigor, accountability, accuracy, intellectual honesty – whatever the hell you want to call it – in his latest research paper Trading on Terror?. Fret not, your favorite short seller is hot on his trail and Carson lays into Mitts' self-anointed status as Academic Rambo. London has a new exhibit at the Science Museum and its relation to science is about as true as Mitts' research. In brighter news, Freddy goes on to explain why he's walked back his love for Robbie Williams faster than the Fed turned its back on ‘Higher For Longer.' And as we close out the year, Jeffrey Ubben is the unquestionable leader for Retard of The Year. As a parting note, we'd like to wish everyone a Happy Holidays. Be sure to tune in next year. You won't want to miss our new lineup of Woke Santa Claus, Contra-indicators with Jeffrey Ubben and as always, Monster Alpha!
Although the Shark of Wall Street (“Carson”) isn't donning his trucker sweater, he does have another colorful shirt for this week's podcast. For those of you who've seen Episode 33 of ZFG (Stocks and Cocks at Fashion Week), it needs no explanation. But by some twist of the imagination, might he be trying to tell us that he actually enjoyed his TSA touch-up? Freddy had a good time in Mexico, which makes you wonder why he's so sensitive to sitting down. Speaking of bizarre stories, we get a first-hand review of Rob Copeland's new book, The Fund. Ever wonder what it's like working at Bridgewater, the world's largest hedge fund? Freddy gives us a complete download. Well, at least a two-thirds download. And with ski season upon us, Freddy shares a cautionary tale from a Swedish cross-country skier. If you ever find yourself in 18th place of a ski race, please raise the white flag BEFORE your dick freezes off.
If at all possible, try to divert your attention away from the t-shirts. The first rule of T-Shirt Club is: you do not talk about the damn t-shirts! The larger issue at hand isn't Freddy trying to revive the puffer style from the 1980s, it's the onerous regulations placed on private funds, particularly in light of the absurd proclamations frequently spewed by Cathy Wood. On a lighter note, does anyone remember the childhood dream of becoming an astronaut? Carson shares a few excerpts from a NYT article that might make you reconsider. South Korea demonstrates its lack of creativity with yet another short selling ban. The incels at ApeFest discover a whole new meaning behind 'laser eyes.' Freddy has another business idea for football hooligans-in-training, but being English and all, he's forgiven for not knowing that axe throwing is a Loggersport that's been around since the 1940s. And Carson pushes back against the incompetence of yet another law professor.
Leonardo DiCaprio is back in the news and it's not for his latest movie, Killers of the Flower Moon. Sure, with his endless stream of 25-year-old girlfriends, we could be forgiven for thinking he's just another Pay Pig. But after further consideration, Carson and Freddy think there might be some master plan at work. Was Vittoria searching for Leo's stash of Skittles or just looking to add a little spice to the hors d'oeuvres? Speaking of having it stuck to you, John Paulson recently made headlines with a former business associate going for his own reach-around. Freddy unveils the latest crypto scam and, with Gen Z relying on TikTok for its news, there's very little question as to why degenerates continue to fall for the SBF's of the world.
There's been a new addition to the offices at Muddy Waters headquarters and it's only the start of a major makeover to the conference room. Carson explains how he came across a stash of conference room chairs, which come from a very special place in financial history. Freddy goes on to share his ideas for how they might freshen up the artwork. After a lengthy debate, we're still not entirely sure which state wins in a sporting event – drunk or high. Leave us a comment with your vote! Along the way, we learn more about Carson's personal life. Everything from getting ghosted on two different job offers, to his topless beer drinking days in California, and even his Dad's cannabis ice cream scare. The crew wraps up with a discussion on a research paper and whether physical appearance is a determining factor for performance – both in bed and the P&L column.
For starters, let's all give Krista a big round of applause for finally nailing an intro. No, seriously, because that's about the only thing she stays on track with, in this week's ZFG. In what began as a discussion about fashion, or lack thereof, the focus quickly shifts to Freddy's foot fetish, which knows no bounds. And, as bizarre as that sounds, it pales in comparison to Bryan Johnson's quest to relive his awkward teen years. At this point, you're probably feeling a bit queasy and wanting to bail. Don't. Hold on tight, just as ferociously as the TSA agent, once he got Carson's ass in his grasps. Have no fear, we did promise a weekly installment of Freddy's Business Idea of The Week. And if you're ever in San Francisco, just remember, it's 1-800-Call-Freddy for a good time.
After two weeks away, the ZFG crew is back, and with some very important news - Tiger Global is back! With the NASDAQ roaring back in 2023, the Golden Levered Benchmark Boy is back in the black, as well. And to demonstrate the rigorous analysis that has gone into generating this terrific rebound in performance, Freddy shares a few anecdotes from eavesdropping on a recent conversation in Silicon Valley. And, no, we know what you're thinking - he wasn't out there pitching Poober to SoftBank, whose pockets are now lined with fresh bagholder cash. Pickleball is tearing apart communities almost as fast as it has the dignity of those who play it. Microphones on cox is a terrible idea. Carson goes on to reveal his best short idea following the Jets disaster on Monday Night Football. Freddy finds a place for OnlyFans in American politics. And Krista revisits her dreams of Hobby Horsing, only to admit that she's a solid six decades past the prime age for competitors.
After holding down the fort for the summer, Krista welcomes Freddy and Carson back from vacation. Freddy kicks things off with his Business Idea of The Week, which unfortunately appears to be a mainstay for Season Two of Zero Fucks Given. Krista, still in a vacation mindset – just kidding, she wasn't allowed to leave the office – has been all too eager to tell her friends about Hobby Horsing, the newest Olympic sporting event. After recalling the fantastic coverage of Crispin Odey, Carson shares one of his favorite articles from his Californian summer – the dick that just kept on dicking. With the news of Saudi Aramco's CEO being named to BlackRock's Board of Directors, due to his and I quote, “understanding of the global energy industry and the drivers of the shift towards a low carbon economy.”, Carson opens the floor for any suggestions on who should be named to Muddy Waters' Board of Hypocrisy. And just for good measure, Freddy wraps up with a second business idea, one that could potentially turn around Inotiv's (NOTV) collapsing stock price – the Black Macaque Beef Jerky.
Coming to you from the masterminds behind Poober and eBay for human organs, we bring you the Toasted Zebra! Inspired by Carson's own wife, Freddy introduces their latest business idea - the Lululemon of women's drinking helmets. Once the excitement fades, Krista and Freddy take us down a long line of depressing news developments. From touchdown dances celebrating the takeout of one of Muddy Waters' short targets, to the PGA/LIV golf merger, and Instagram's algos promoting child pornography; it's been a rough few weeks. While Crispin Odey has run out of second, third or even tenth chances, we do learn that not everyone is out of strikes. The Luckin Coffee founder is back with, yes, another coffee chain.
The crew is back from Institutional Investor's award ceremony and Krista is still beaming from her nomination. Although she doesn't quite remember the events of that night, Freddy reminds her that Boaz Weinstein robbed her of true fame, though we suspect the judges were taking a page out of the Clarence Thomas playbook. Carson broaches the topic that's been on every investor's radar: How to manage your portfolio around the unknown known event of a potential US default? Carson and Freddy have gone back and forth on the appropriate way forward, but there is something they agree on – should the US default on its debt, which serves as the bedrock for global financial markets, no one has any idea how things will unfold. To get his point across, Carson shares the lessons of an old acquaintance who, just like our status as the global reserve currency, always found a way to threaten a perfect situation. And just in case you thought this looming risk of default has scared investors away from worthless shitcos, have no fear, there's been a recent sighting of a Glenn Close impersonator.
At long last, the man at the heart of the Kenyan chess scandal has been brought to justice! Freddy, never one to put too much effort into his footwear, finds it comical that the size-11 sneakers weren't spotted beneath the burka. The real question comes from whether it's necessary to separate men and women for chess tournaments. Bodybuilding competitions? Absolutely. But chess? Perhaps the answer lies with Matt Moulding who is eager to lend a hand with some of his protein. After getting through current events, Carson vents about the complete lack of professionalism from the cabal of award-winning PhD journalists. How in the world did two comedians prank Jerome Powell? All it took was a phone call from King Zevinsky. As if Krista's pop quiz on world events wasn't going poorly enough, we come to find out that Pablo Escobar will forever be remembered in the history books for his hippo sanctuary. And for all of you wondering what exactly going on with the current banking crisis… Carson has a parting gift.
What do gerbils, Richard Gere and the Dalai Lama have in common? It might have something to do with cuckolding but at the very least, we can definitively say that they're fun-loving creatures. Freddy goes on to explain his own religious beliefs and how his current views may have been shaped by a majestic fjord. In keeping with this theme of beauty, Carson details his latest trip to California where, unfortunately, policy makers are doing everything in their power to suck the fun out of an all-time classic treat. Don't get too down, Carson has an important retraction to make and it has a little something to do with one of the most popular segments on ZFG. And speaking of retractions, Freddy reveals what we all suspected from the debacle with his learner's permit… Krista, in fact, has no clue how to sign.
For anyone who missed the 93rd Academy Awards earlier this month, Krista leads off with a masterpiece that deserved to be on the short list to win Best Documentary Short Film. In a pleasant twist from revealing the shortcomings of employees at Muddy Waters, we learn that Krista is proficient with sign language. Many find such a skill worthy of celebration, but we come to find out it was Krista's interpretation of Freddy's learner's permit that led him to believe he had earned his driver's license. With the not-so-sudden downfall of Credit Saudi, Carson laments the final ZFG segment of Credit Suisse First Loss. While the crew revels in the downfall of Silicon Valley Bank (“SVB”), Freddy confesses to making a shameless plea to SVB by detailing another one of his business ideas. Not to be outdone, Carson goes on to share his learnings from the weekend – a glorious and infamous creature popularly known as the Cheetard. And as a parting gift from the esquire himself, Carson provides a few excerpts from an old book he co-authored on ‘Doing Business in China'… For Dummies.
In light of the recent mini-crisis across the US banking sector, Carson Block sits down with Soren Aandahl of Blue Orca Capital for a special episode of Zero Fucks Given. Shortly after the news dropped, Carson went into scramble mode, trying to find an opposing view on the prudence of the Silicon Valley Bank bailout. Soren, happy to enter the debate, believes policy makers made the right decision in a very difficult situaiton. Moral hazard concerns aside, he argues that the measures deployed were necesary to prevent a run on all regional banks. Carson pushes back, given the incestuous nature of SVB, and why regulators could have both sent a message on risk taking, while also calming the nerves of panicky depositors. The pair go on to debate the long-term implications but both are in agreement that the messaging may have done more damage than the cure.
Beyond any stretch of rational thinking, one of Freddy's business ideas from 2022 still seems to be alive and kicking. With his fresh new swag, Carson lends his support to a reimagined Poober and tries to attract SoftBank's interest with one of the largest TAMs in the market today. Brendan Schlong probably has some regrets about his dust up with Muddy Waters on his Pantheon Resources bet, but he's not to be outdone by the Sheep of Wall Street, the apparent heir to Neil Woodford's ‘contra' throne. Carson is back on his soap box about the latest episode of ‘Fed Kardashians,' but finds solace that someone finally took a stand with a porn zoom bomb of Fed Governor Christopher Waller's virtual event. For anyone looking for a job at MWC, please list your disabilities as it'll surely help the firm with its woke ESG initiatives.
Freddy is back, and we quickly find out that he spent his entire time away in the fetal position, with nightmares of failing another driver's test. Carson goes on to console him, while lamenting the reality that his dreams of being the Andrew Carnegie of penis museums has been dealt a major setback. As Krista and Carson reveal, there are really only two litmus tests for working at Muddy Waters – you can either pronounce Reykjavik or you can ride a bike – pick your poison. Just how scary is Microsoft's new AI chatbot? Like any relationship, give it enough time and Sydney will be giving you some serious Fatal Attraction vibes. And what is with the Federal Reserve fulfilling Chamath's claim to “really fuck shit up?” Carson believes that it's just one giant competition to see which Fed member will be the landmark piece at his reimagined museum.
Ross Gerber continues his victory over short sellers tour by dropping in on the Muddy Waters team and reminiscing over how Carson once felt like Ethan Hawke at the kitchen table in Training Day across from him and Cathie Wood. Ross, who lives in LA, makes a convincing case that they would've found southern California much less annoying to live in than the Bay Area. The team then unanimously pleads for Ross to send unwanted former Victoria's Secret models to Austin. The Muddy Waters team then explodes in disagreement over the aesthetics of the Cyber Truck with Freddy clearly in the wrong. Finally, Ross gives some parenting advice to Carson as to which stock he should buy for his son to win the child's lifelong respect.
With Freddy on a vacation tour of Europe's most sun-kissed penitentiaries, and the gang in Texas trapped at home by a classic Austin ice-storm, it's remote week at Zer0es. Freddy brings us the latest in Scottish prison politics; the Zer0es crew tactfully declines to learn more. Then it's time for business. Calling in from the East Coast, Roddy Boyd breaks down last week's hootenanny at Occupy the SEC. The crew takes a zaftig Lady Justice as a symbol for the everyday American's love of conspiracies, and we hear about Robinhood's romance with the gullible. Carson reflects on the lure of feel-good beliefs, and Krista laments the disappearance of an old chain of New York strip clubs. Finally, Roddy and Carson wonder whether financial education might be the way to walk grandma away from the slot machine.
Elon Musk is at it again and he's fired up his incels to occupy the SEC. Worried about missing it? Have no fear, the Zer0es crew will have their man, Roddy Boyd, on the ground to give you an inside look at Drooler's Paradise. Not to be outdone, Freddy digs up an old business idea for college textbooks, and this one might actually stick. What has camels so pissed off that they've taken a page out of the Occupy movement? Much like Musk's incels, they seem to be fed up with the endless beatings. On an unfortunate note, Krista reveals she's been contemplating a departure from her seat atop Zer0es. The only question is, will Kenny G match Freddy's proposal to make her the Queen? And in a parting gift, Carson provides his official legal analysis of California's proposed wealth tax. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In our first episode of 2023, Krista and Freddy lead off by expressing their admiration for Carson's Greek God-like beach bod. After cleaning up their drool, the crew tries their hand with a new format. In what some might describe as an explicit news station, the trio revisit a handful of stale stories that fail to live up to Carson's standard for 'breaking news.' Freddy lays out his belief that Krista is far more qualified for the Republican Party than George Santos, but that all hinges on whether or not she continues to shave her armpits. Why are Chinese equities rallying to begin the year? It's unclear what's more embarrassing, that Tiger Global dumped their holdings at the lows or the idea of bringing a sex doll home to meet mom. And just to make sure that Freddy doesn't miss out on yet another terrible idea, he's put his name down for the brand-new Taliban sports car. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
As we stare down the final days of 2022, Carson is channeling his inner David Goggins and extolls the benefits of waking up at 4am. With all the extra time to think, Carson ties together his biggest schadenfreude moments of the past, present, and what that might mean for 2023. Could he be on to a groundbreaking story? For Freddy, he's thoroughly enjoyed the rolling blow-ups in SPACs, crypto and the unbearable Venture Capital industry. If there's one thing for certain, Carson and Freddy both agree that the compliance box-checking industry holds perhaps the greatest growth potential over the years to come. And in complete 2022 fashion, where we've been inundated with Freddy's endless list of terrible business ventures, Carson reveals their latest idea for an app called Spotter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Maybe it's a case of too many holiday cocktails, but Krista just can't seem to handle a simple introduction. After much humming and hawing - not to mention forgetting that tomorrow is NOT Christmas - the crew gets underway. If one thing's for certain, it's that the lazy French don't have a sliver of motivation, at least not compared to the Germans. Filled with holiday spirit, Carson takes a trip down memory lane as he recalls several near misses over the years. Whether it was bailing on a project with an angry Frenchman or nearly hiring a manic depressive superfan of Crazy Horse, there's a lot that Carson and Freddy can be thankful for. From everyone here at Zer0es TV, we'd like to wish you all a Happy Hanukkah, a very Merry Christmas, and a healthy and prosperous New Year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Maybe it's a case of too many holiday cocktails, but Krista just can't seem to handle a simple introduction. After much humming and hawing - not to mention forgetting that tomorrow is NOT Christmas - the crew gets underway. If one thing's for certain, it's that the lazy French don't have a sliver of motivation, at least not compared to the Germans. Filled with holiday spirit, Carson takes a trip down memory lane as he recalls several near misses over the years. Whether it was bailing on a project with an angry Frenchman or nearly hiring a manic depressive superfan of Crazy Horse, there's a lot that Carson and Freddy can be thankful for. From everyone here at Zer0es TV, we'd like to wish you all a Happy Hanukkah, a very Merry Christmas, and a healthy and prosperous New Year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
After a few weeks off, the crew is back, and Freddy is clearly in a mood. COP27, England's inability to score a goal against the US, the intellectual dishonesty of Venture Capitalists, it all comes bubbling to the surface. No VC discussion is complete without covering the recent FTX implosion. How much scrutiny should fall on the backers of Sam Bankman-Fried? Surprisingly, Carson is a tad more sympathetic than a fired-up Freddy Brick. Krista has a special message for Muddy Waters' IT provider, and while she prefers to beat around the bush, Carson makes it simple... Fuck you! And in sticking with the cheery holiday spirit for this week's podcast, Carson and Freddy share their disdain for sell-side analysts and their coverage of Muddy Waters' most recent short call on DLocal Ltd. (DLO). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In the latest podcast, the Muddy Waters trio is joined by a special guest, Andrew Left of Citron Research. The group discusses Kanye's recent run-in with the Jewish community. Andrew then shifts the conversation towards more pleasant memories of Raging Bull and how Jordan Belfort just barely missed the heydays of the Dot-Com bubble. The looming question for everyone is; should we stop evaluating performance and simply look at the PM's hair quality? Bill Ackman and Jeff Ubben - great hair. Steve Cohen, Stan Druckenmiller and Jim Simons - shit hair. Then again, maybe it's not the hair and all we need to search for is the infamous 'Post-Chin.' Chin implants or not, Andrew shares his recollection of his announcement to abandon activist short selling, which Freddy points out, might have come at the absolute worst time in all of history. As everyone reflects on the challenges of this business, it's been great visiting with Andrew for nothing other than the laughs.
The crew is back and unbeknownst to Carson, Krista has taken over running not only the show but the entire Muddy Waters operation. It might just be the newfound popularity on Instagram, but Krista is beaming with confidence and accepts Freddy's challenge to trial a new snake wine. Are there any ethical issues with blowing up your dead grandma? There just might be another business opportunity with that. Despite Chamath's lack of accountability with his own performance, he seemingly draws the line with anal beads. And it's that mention of anal beads that has Carson recalling a colorful Twitter interaction, which Freddy believes can be turned into a new segment on Zer0es.
Robin is back, and the crew reveals their stand-in for his frequent absences. Carson celebrates Krista's creativity and Freddy appreciates just how accurate the blow-up resembles his look, at least above the waist... With geopolitical tensions rising, Carson lays out the intellectual dishonesty of a recent foreign affairs panel. And in that same vein, Freddy raises the concern level surrounding Putin's failure in Ukraine, political opponents falling out of windows, his increasing isolation both internally and abroad, and the potential for it all to spiral into something far more draconian. Fake Rabbis, 4-minute planks, drunk teachers, and Chamath fucking shit up. It all pales in comparison to Elon's new venture of digging tunnels, a technology that's only been around since 1843 with the completion of the Thames Tunnel in London.
Batman & Robin take a back seat to another rock star by the name of the Acid Capitalist. In this week's podcast, the crew is joined by Hugh Hendry who's channeling his sixth sense. What has Hugh seeing dead people? In his words, the missiles of financial destruction have been launched, and we don't mean Freddy's ICBM. Krista finally reveals what she's been doing on the weekends, and her penchant for shrooms in the dessert takes Freddy by complete surprise. Hugh then provides his thoughts on China, which triggers Carson and Freddy's memory of an old scheme run by officials of the Ministry of Railways. As Hugh recounts his time as a macro manager, he lays out his belief for why the strategy has been so underwhelming over the past 15 years. And of course, no war story is complete without a full recount of Hugh sitting on a geyser in those final moments of the Global Financial Crisis.
Robin has returned from Vietnam and it's clear that Bruce Wayne and Krista are thrilled to have him back. Brimming with optimism from his trip to Ho Chi Minh City, Freddy suggests a new twist to investing by proposing his idea for Fraud Tank. Do Americans have it all wrong with their work schedules? Carson and Freddy share their experiences of the typical week for an expat in Hong Kong and Shanghai. And with news of the new audit deal, Krista is wondering if Chinese scams will become a thing of the past. Carson isn't convinced and questions whether the SEC will even be granted access to those results. The crew wraps up by breaking down the Bed, Bath & Beyond saga and when we consider relative P&Ls, we may have to come to grips with the reality that gingers are now taking over the world of finance.
After a month in sunny California, Carson is back in the studio while Freddy has jumped across the Atlantic. In a pleasant turn of events, Freddy is finally allowed to sit in his family's fancy dining room. Despite the blistering heat in Austin, TX, Carson shows his appreciation for the diversity and peacefulness of living in a blue city within a red state. Krista marvels at Carson's trimmed down look which unfortunately comes on the heels of a stressful vacation. Was Nancy Pelosi's Taiwan trip reckless in poking the bear? All this geopolitical tension has Freddy back to researching an ICBM which, to no surprise, is still highly illegal. AMTD Digital (HKD) is the latest in a long line of Chinese IPO scams and the ongoing saga has Freddy teasing an upcoming discussion on the Zer0es platform. And Carson wraps up this week's episode by providing an update on the firm's latest short reports.
In this week's episode, Freddy is back from sabbatical, but Carson is dialing in from sunny California. Given his new trucker look, there are serious questions as to whether Freddy really contracted Covid while he was away, or if it was just a mistaken case of Monkeypox. Krista fills us in on a new breed of door-knocking snakes in Texas and its hunt for her dog has her shopping for AR-15s. Elon Musk is back in the news and, after pissing off Democrats, he's now drawn the ire of The Donald. Does Musk's ultimate trump card involve Melania? And now that Muddy Waters has published a new short report in the ESG space, Freddy and Carson reveal the firm's ESG plan to save the whales. Watch ‘Zer0 F**ks Given' on Zer0es TV or listen on Spotify and Apply Music to stay up to date on all the short selling and market developments that matter most. Find out more by visiting the home of short-selling: www.zer0es.tv
With his business ideas falling apart at the seams, Freddy has taken a page out of Elon Musk's playbook and gone MIA this week. In his absence, Soren Aandahl of Blue Orca Capital joins Carson to discuss this week's most pressing issues. Soren shares his childhood memories of a Japanese orphanage where kids used to pluck his hair for further examination. Martin Shkreli is finally out from behind bars, and he's wasted no time in offering up his equity analysis. Did Bill Hwang really break any securities laws leading up to and during the implosion of Archegos? Soren and Carson debate the merits of the DOJ's arguments and whether Bill's actions were really any different from the Reddit crowd. Watch ‘Zer0 F**ks Given' on Zer0es TV or listen on Spotify and Apply Music to stay up to date on all the short selling and market developments that matter most. Find out more by visiting the home of short-selling: www.zer0es.tv
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