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CEOWorld Magazine, Medium André Stewart is nominee for Los Angeles Times CFO & CEO Leadership Award in 2021.His latest Book: Epitome of the Mind: Unlock Your Full Potential for Better Health, Prosperity and Happiness, April 15.2023André Stewart is the founder and CEO of InvestFar Capital, Residual Roads Business Institute, and InvestFar, the first mobile app that lets you purchase, renovate, sell, or manage an investment property remotely globally. Have you ever felt overwhelmed or depressed? Been homeless, unemployed, or on government assistance? That was André's life path before entering the world of finance.Previously a commercial banker at Wells Fargo, Silicon Valley Bank and a private bank named OneWest Bank as an advisor to CEOs of startups, major tech companies, and high net worth individuals, everything changed when at the age of thirty-three, his doctor ordered him to quit. The stress was literally killing him, leaving André on the brink of cardiac arrest. André then discovered the knowledge of real estate investing and was able to achieve financial independence in less than seven months in that industry. Residing in Los Angeles, California, André is now on a mission to help others from all walks of life discover mental awareness and financial independence.His book, The Real Estate Investing Diet: Harnessing Health Strategies to Build Wealth in Ninety Days(August 2, 2022; Amplify Publishing) André shares practical tools and techniques for gaining financial independence and generating long-term wealth through real estate investing―without using your own personal credit or up front capital.Whether you have a bank account in the negative or a million dollars to invest, this book will not be like any other real estate guide you've read before. André not only gives you every single tool to make money in any real estate economic climate, but he also does so while navigating an unprecedented modern economy. If you want to be financially free in an unparalleled time in the history of any country, this is the book for you.© 2025 All Rights Reserved© 2025 BuildingAbundantSuccess!!Join Me on ~ iHeart Media @ https://tinyurl.com/iHeartBASSpot Me on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/yxuy23baAmazon Music ~ https://tinyurl.com/AmzBASAudacy: https://tinyurl.com/BASAud
Elizabeth Gore has always believed that all entrepreneurs deserve equitable access to capital. But pursuing that mission landed her in the middle of a federal class action lawsuit. This week on SUPERWOMEN, I'm joined by Elizabeth Gore, co-founder and president of Hello Alice, which has helped 1.6 million small businesses and distributed over $65 million in grants. She talks candidly about being sued for funding Black business owners, surviving the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, and a health scare that nearly took her out. Through it all, Elizabeth shares the lessons she's learned about resilience, leadership, and staying rooted in purpose—even when the stakes couldn't be higher. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Elizabeth Gore, co-founder and president of Hello Alice (06:37) Building an AI platform before it was mainstream (09:29) Getting sued for funding Black entrepreneurs (13:18) How they lost ⅔ of their Series C funding (15:03) The health crisis that stopped her cold (20:23) Learning to truly rest as a founder (28:48) What's next for women and AI in business (31:37) The decision that nearly broke Hello Alice (33:43) Raising millions without a CFO (36:03) What Elizabeth would do if everything fell apart Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This Day in Legal History: Treaty of Fort PittOn September 17, 1778, the Treaty of Fort Pitt—also known as the Treaty of Fort Pitt or the Delaware Treaty—was signed between the newly independent United States and the Lenape (Delaware) Nation. It was the first formal treaty between the United States and a Native American tribe, signaling an alliance during the Revolutionary War against British forces. The treaty, negotiated at Fort Pitt (present-day Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), promised military collaboration, mutual defense, and provisions for supplies and protection for the Lenape people. In a striking and largely symbolic provision, the treaty even entertained the idea of creating a 14th state within the Union to be governed by Native Americans.Though the treaty framed the Lenape as equal partners, its promises were quickly eroded by reality. The United States failed to deliver many of the resources it pledged, and the idea of a Native-governed state was abandoned almost as soon as it was proposed. Lenape leaders had agreed to the treaty in part out of necessity, caught between colonial and British expansion and hoping to safeguard their people's survival. Instead, they faced encroachment, displacement, and repeated betrayals.Within a few years, American militias and settlers would violate the treaty's terms, seizing land and disregarding Lenape sovereignty. The alliance never materialized in the way it was envisioned. The treaty, once a beacon of potential cooperation, became an early example of the fragility of Native-American treaties with the United States. It set a precedent for broken agreements that would recur throughout American expansion.A Senate report released by Democrats on September 17, 2025, criticized KPMG LLP for failing to act on warning signs at Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, and First Republic Bank prior to their 2023 collapses. The auditors issued clean reports just weeks before the banks failed due to rising interest rates and liquidity issues, yet they allegedly ignored key red flags such as massive asset devaluations, governance concerns, and internal risk assessments. Lawmakers said KPMG adopted an overly narrow view of its responsibilities and maintained close, long-term relationships with the banks, raising questions about its objectivity. The report highlighted a revolving door between KPMG and the banks, with executives and audit staff frequently moving between roles. KPMG defended its audits, saying it followed U.S. standards and criticized the report as out of step with other investigations, which have not blamed auditors for the failures.Senator Richard Blumenthal called for substantial reform to the audit industry, citing “willful blindness” by KPMG and a failure to protect the public. Though the Senate subcommittee's report is unlikely to spur immediate regulatory changes—especially given the political instability at the PCAOB—it proposed new oversight tools, including mandatory auditor rotation and a whistleblower office. The report also recommended making audit enforcement investigations public sooner, arguing that long delays leave investors unaware of potential problems. KPMG, meanwhile, noted it had improved its audit practices and achieved its best regulatory inspection in 15 years.KPMG Dismissed Red Flags at Regional Banks, Senate Review FindsA New York state judge dismissed two terrorism-related charges against Luigi Mangione, who remains accused of second-degree murder in the killing of health insurance executive Brian Thompson. Justice Gregory Carro ruled that prosecutors failed to provide sufficient evidence that Mangione acted with the intent to intimidate health workers or influence government policy—criteria necessary for charges under the state's terrorism statute. While the judge acknowledged the seriousness of the crime, he clarified that not all non-traditional crimes qualify as terrorism.Mangione, 27, still faces nine other charges in the state case, including multiple counts of criminal possession of a weapon and a charge for possessing false identification. He has also been indicted federally, where the U.S. Justice Department is seeking the death penalty. The state court's decision does not impact the federal terrorism case, which remains active. Thompson, a former CEO at UnitedHealthcare, was shot outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel in December 2024 during a company event.The case has drawn national attention, particularly as concerns grow over politically motivated violence following the recent killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Public reaction to Mangione has been sharply divided, with some viewing him as a vigilante figure amid frustration with rising healthcare costs. Supporters even rallied outside the courthouse, holding signs and wearing themed attire. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and no trial dates have been scheduled.Luigi Mangione wins dismissal of terrorism counts in US insurance executive's killing | ReutersSeveral major U.S. law firms that reached agreements with President Donald Trump earlier this year are now representing clients in lawsuits against his administration, despite concerns that the deals would deter such actions. At least four of the nine firms that made arrangements with the White House—Latham & Watkins, Willkie Farr & Gallagher, Skadden Arps, and Milbank—have since taken on cases involving challenges to Trump-era policies on immigration, transgender rights, tariffs, and environmental regulations.The firms' deals with the Trump administration, reached in March and April, came in response to executive orders targeting firms seen as opposing the president's agenda or promoting diversity policies he opposed. As part of the agreements, the firms pledged nearly $1 billion in pro bono legal work for causes aligned with the administration. Critics feared the arrangements would chill dissent and limit the firms' independence, but court records show several firms continued to litigate against the government.Legal experts suggest these firms are balancing risk with professional obligations, especially in high-profile cases involving long-standing clients or influential attorneys. For example, Latham represents Danish energy company Orsted in a lawsuit over a halted wind project, and Willkie is defending Virginia school districts in a transgender rights dispute. Milbank is involved in litigation over Trump's tariff powers and sanctuary city policies, led by prominent attorneys Neal Katyal and Gurbir Grewal. Skadden has partnered with a nonprofit to represent an immigrant woman denied a special visa.Four firms successfully challenged the legality of Trump's executive orders in court, with rulings finding they violated First Amendment protections. The administration has appealed. Meanwhile, Reuters has reported that other top firms have reduced pro bono and diversity initiatives, cautious of possible political retaliation.Some law firms that cut deals with Trump take cases opposing his administration | ReutersTesla has reached a confidential settlement with the family of Jovani Maldonado, a teenager killed in a 2019 crash involving a Tesla Model 3 operating on Autopilot. The case, which was set to go to trial next month in Alameda County, adds to a string of fatal crash lawsuits the company has quietly resolved to avoid jury trials. The Maldonados alleged that Tesla's driver-assistance system failed to detect slowing traffic and that the car struck their Ford Explorer at 70 mph, ejecting and killing 15-year-old Jovani. According to the lawsuit, the Tesla driver had no hands on the wheel at the time of impact, and the family claimed Tesla misled the public about the safety and capabilities of its Autopilot technology.Although Tesla argued the technology worked as designed and blamed the driver, it continues to settle similar cases even after Elon Musk publicly stated in 2019 that he opposed settling “unjust” lawsuits. The company has also recently settled other high-profile fatal crash suits, including ones involving distracted drivers and cases with alcohol-related elements.These legal battles come as Tesla faces mounting scrutiny over Autopilot and its marketing practices. The California DMV is pursuing an administrative complaint accusing Tesla of exaggerating its software's capabilities, with a ruling still pending. Tesla has three more fatal Autopilot crash trials scheduled in the next six months, including one in Houston involving injured police officers.Tesla Settles Another Fatal Crash Suit Ahead of Jury Trial (1) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe
John Batchelor 09-03 segment 3.mp3 Guest: John Cochrane at the Hoover Institution. Federal Reserve Independence and Financial Regulation John Cochrane explores the complex debate on whether financial regulation should be integrated with or separated from monetary policy and less independent of Congress. He raises concerns about the Fed's independence, its failure to foresee the Silicon Valley Bank collapse, and the "too big to fail" phenomenon. Cochrane also discusses the risks of the Fed monetizing debt, its stance on stablecoins, and how its actions influence fiscal policy. 1906 PEKING
SHOW SCHEDULE 9-3-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR GOOD EVENING: The show begins in Beijing, watching the trio of Xi, Putin and Kim review the display of offensive weapons and offensive battalions. FIRST HOUR 9-915 John Batchelor 09-03 segment 1.mp3 Guest: Colonel Jeff McCausland, United States Army retired artilleryman, CBS News, Dickinson College visiting professor, and Diamond 6 Leadership and Strategy CEO. Global Geopolitics and Military Displays Colonel Jeff McCausland discusses a Beijing military parade featuring Xi Jinping, Kim Jong-un, and Vladimir Putin, interpreting it as a message of strength and innovation, not peace, while downplaying the US role in WWII. He also covers the static battle lines in Ukraine, European proposals for a military force, and US involvement in Middle East conflicts in Yemen and Gaza, noting a tactical agreement with the Houthis. 915-930 : John Batchelor 09-03 segment 2.mp3 Guest: Colonel Jeff McCausland, United States Army retired artilleryman, CBS News, Dickinson College visiting professor, and Diamond 6 Leadership and Strategy CEO. Pentagon's Evolving Mission and Global Order Colonel Jeff McCausland discusses the new national military strategy emphasizing homeland defense as the primary mission for the Department of Defense, shifting from an international "cop on the beat" role to a domestic one. This is reflected in increased border forces and Caribbean operations. McCausland also touches on China's ambition to establish a new global order, returning to its perceived historical position as a superpower, utilizing organizations like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.930-945 John Batchelor 09-03 segment 3.mp3 Guest: John Cochrane at the Hoover Institution. Federal Reserve Independence and Financial Regulation John Cochrane explores the complex debate on whether financial regulation should be integrated with or separated from monetary policy and less independent of Congress. He raises concerns about the Fed's independence, its failure to foresee the Silicon Valley Bank collapse, and the "too big to fail" phenomenon. Cochrane also discusses the risks of the Fed monetizing debt, its stance on stablecoins, and how its actions influence fiscal policy. 945-1000 John Batchelor 09-03 segment 4.mp3 Guest: John Cochrane of the Hoover Institution. Reforming the Federal Reserve's Role John Cochrane addresses proposals to reorganize the Federal Reserve, questioning whether it should become more political or have its scope narrowed to monetary policy, his preferred option. He criticizes the Fed'spandemic response, specifically its decision to print trillions of dollars for deficits, which he argues was a choice leading to the 2022 inflation. Cochrane also examines the wisdom of Quantitative Easing (QE), suggesting it had limited economic impact but expanded the Fed's political influence. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 John Batchelor 09-03 segment 5.mp3 Guests: Gordon Chang and General Blaine Holt, US Air Force General, retired. China's Historical Revisionism and Autocratic Alliances Gordon Chang and General Blaine Holtdiscuss China's military parade, led by Xi Jinping, which falsely claims Chinese victory over Japan in WWII, omitting the US and Allied contributions. Holt views the parade as theater for a crumbling Belt and Road Initiative, not a united front. They note India's absence from the parade due to animosity with China. Despite appearances, Putin and Kim Jong-un also have underlying animosity towards Xi Jinping, making their alliance one of expediency, not unity.1015-1030 John Batchelor 09-03 segment 6.mp3 Guests: Gordon Chang and Peter Huessy, President of Geostrategic Analysis, a fellow at the National Institute for Deterrent Studies. China's Nuclear Ambitions and Arms Control Challenges Peter Huessy describes China's nuclear weapons as tools for coercion and hegemonic goals, a stark contrast to the US view of deterrence. He notes China's rapid nuclear buildup, exceeding Soviet Union rates during the Cold War. Huessy and Gordon Chang discuss the imminent expiration of the New Start treaty with Russia and the absence of arms control talks with China, which has historically aided proliferation. This signals a "brave new world" with zero legal restraint on nuclear weapons.1030-1045 : John Batchelor 09-03 segment 7.mp3 Guests: Gordon Chang and Captain James Fanell, United States Navy retired, intelligence officer for the Seventh Fleet and for the Indo-Pacific Theater. Pacific Tensions: Philippines, China, and US Naval Strategy Captain James Fanell and Gordon Chang analyze China's strategic ambition to subjugate the Philippines, building militarized islands in the South China Sea. Fanell highlights Scarborough Shoal as a critical "cork in the bottle," potentially used by China as a military base. He notes the Philippines' new forward operating base with anti-ship missiles in the Bashi Channel as a counter. Fanell suggests a reinvigorated US Navymorale and a shift in the Pentagon's approach to deter China.1045-1100 John Batchelor 09-03 segment 8.mp3 Guests: Gordon Chang and Rebecca Grant, Vice President of the Lexington Institute. Venezuela, Guyana, and US Deterrence in the Caribbean Rebecca Grant discusses Guyana'sburgeoning oil wealth and Venezuela's threatening territorial claims under Maduro, who also opposes democracy. She and Gordon Chang analyze a significant US Navy presence off Venezuela's coast, including destroyers and a Marine Expeditionary Unit, as a strong deterrent against Maduro's actions and his alliances with Russia and China. Grantindicates improving morale and combat readiness within the US Navy, emphasizing its vital role in global operations. THIRD HOUR John Batchelor 09-03 segment 9.mp3 Guest: Brett Arends of Market Watch (Return on Investment). Bond Market Anxiety and Federal Reserve Pressures Brett Arends explains the bond market's current unhappiness stems from unsustainable national debt and uncertainty surrounding President Trump's tariffs. He clarifies that the Fedcontrols short-term rates, while the bond market sets long-term rates. Arends warns that Trump's pressure on the Fed to cut short-term rates could paradoxically cause long-term rates, including mortgage rates, to rise, hurting the economy and exacerbating market nervousness. He emphasizes the need for fiscal sustainability. 1100-1115 : John Batchelor 09-03 segment 9.mp3 Guest: Brett Arends of Market Watch (Return on Investment). Bond Market Anxiety and Federal Reserve Pressures Brett Arends explains the bond market's current unhappiness stems from unsustainable national debt and uncertainty surrounding President Trump's tariffs. He clarifies that the Fedcontrols short-term rates, while the bond market sets long-term rates. Arends warns that Trump's pressure on the Fed to cut short-term rates could paradoxically cause long-term rates, including mortgage rates, to rise, hurting the economy and exacerbating market nervousness. He emphasizes the need for fiscal sustainability. 1115-1130 John Batchelor 09-03 segment 10.mp3 Guest: Brett Arends of Market Watch. Addressing Bond Market Turmoil Brett Arends explains that the troubled bond market stems from unsustainable national debt and recent court rulings questioning President Trump's tariffs. He advises Donald Trump to support Federal Reserve independence, abandon attacks on Jerome Powell and Lisa Cook, and work with Congress on tariffs to ensure fiscal sustainability and calm market anxieties. Arends notes that gold's all-time high reflects a lack of market confidence.1130-1145 John Batchelor 09-03 segment 11.mp3 Guest: Bob Zimmerman who keeps the website Behind the Black. New Discoveries in Space and Planetary Science Bob Zimmerman highlights new solar research using the European Space Agency's Solar Orbiter probe, improving predictions of solar events that impact Earth's technology. He discusses the uniqueness of stars, Juice's Venus flyby en route to Jupiter, and Mars' chaotic mantle structure. Zimmermanemphasizes Mars' ample near-surface ice, making it attractive for colonization, and presents an exoplanet found in an accretion disc, challenging planetary formation theories.1145-1200 John Batchelor 09-03 segment 12.mp3 Guest: Bob Zimmerman who keeps the website Behind the Black. NASA Unionization and SpaceX Milestones Bob Zimmerman addresses the recent executive order by President Trumpeliminating unions at NASA and other agencies, arguing that government unions are inefficient and costly. He then praises SpaceX's achievements, including a Falcon 9 first stage completing its 30th flight—a new reuse record. Zimmerman notes SpaceX is significantly reducing launch costs and enabling new space technologies like Starlink, also mentioning the reuse of a Starship super heavy booster. FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 John Batchelor 09-03 segment 13.mp3 Guest: Simon Constable writing for The Wall Street Journal and other distinguished publications. European Politics, Commodities, and Digital Identity Debates Simon Constable reports on pleasant weather in the South of France and seasonal produce. He reviews commodity prices, noting gold's all-time high, coffee's surge, and orange juice's decline. Constable discusses political crises in France, with President Macronfacing a no-confidence vote, and the UK, where Keir Starmer struggles with spending cuts and migration. He advocates for digital national ID cards as the only reasonable solution to migration.1215-1230 : John Batchelor 09-03 segment 14.mp3 Guest: Simon Constable writing for The Wall Street Journal and other distinguished publications. The Rise of AI in Romance Simon Constable shares surprising polling data from the Kinsey Institute on romantic engagement with AI. He reveals that 16% of single adult Americans romantically interact with AI, with Gen Z being the most likely cohort at 33%. Furthermore, 44% of single Americans dating AI believe emotional support from an AI partner is superior to human support, highlighting a stark generational shift in romantic relationships.1230-1245 John Batchelor 09-03 segment 15.mp3 Guest: Janatyn Sayeh from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Iran's Nuclear Dilemma and Regional Threats Janatyn Sayeh discusses the looming snapback mechanism of the 2015 JCPOA, which could reinstate UN sanctions on Iran if it fails to comply with demands. Iran's non-compliance has its currency hitting new lows, yet Tehran threatens regional war and exiting the NPT if sanctions return. Sayeh notes Iran seeks rearmament, primarily from China, with Belarus and North Korea acting as potential intermediaries for Russian weapons.1245-100 AM John Batchelor 09-03 segment 16.mp3 Guest: Ivana Stradner from the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. Autocracy and Protests in the Western Balkans Ivana Stradner reports on mass protests in Belgrade demanding snap elections following a fatal accident and criticizing President Alexander Vučić's autocratic regime, which she likens to "Belarus 2.0". Vučić is accused of corruption and suppressing free media, while fostering close military and economic ties with China and Russia to maintain power and "blackmail" the West. Stradner expresses concern over the repression against Serbian people.
Scott Aleali joins Brandon Sedloff on The Distribution to share his journey from early beginnings at Silicon Valley Bank to leading the private equity business at Citizens Private Bank. He reflects on the collapse of SVB and First Republic, the creation of Citizens Private Bank, and how his team is building a differentiated service model for private equity and venture capital clients. Scott also provides insight into industry trends, the rise of new liquidity solutions, and his own experience as a podcast host creating content for the private markets community. They discuss: Lessons learned from the failures of Silicon Valley Bank and First Republic How Citizens Private Bank was created and its focus on private equity and venture capital clients The importance of differentiation and returning capital in today's private markets New liquidity solutions for investment professionals and why the middle market is underserved Scott's journey into podcasting and the role of content creation in building authentic connections This episode offers valuable perspective for private markets professionals navigating an evolving financial landscape. Links: Scott on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottaleali/ Fund Fanatics Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/lu/podcast/fund-fanatics/id1810788445 Citizens Private Bank - https://www.citizensbank.com/private-banking/overview.aspx Brandon on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bsedloff/ Juniper Square - https://www.junipersquare.com/ Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:04) - Scott's career and background (00:06:33) - The SVB and FRB failures (00:13:13) - Advice for delivering harsh news (00:14:42) - The founding of Citizens Private Bank (00:17:19) - The landscape of CPB today (00:31:12) - Scott's view of the market today (00:34:46) - What makes for a differentiated strategy/GP? (00:44:32) - Building the Fund Fanatics podcast and its impact on the business
What does it mean to supervise a bank? And why does it matter who holds that power? In this episode, Sean H. Vanatta joins us to explore the hidden machinery behind American finance, as told in his new book Private Finance, Public Power: A History of Bank Supervision in America (Princeton UP, 2025), co-authored with Peter Conti-Brown. Spanning nearly 150 years, the book traces the evolution of bank supervision from a patchwork of state-level oversight to a complex, layered system involving federal agencies, private actors, and political discretion. Sean takes us from the wildcat banks of the 1830s to the rise of the Federal Reserve, through crises, reforms, and the quiet work of bank examiners who shaped the rules behind the scenes. We discuss why supervision differs from regulation, how discretion has become central to managing financial risk, and what the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in 2023 reveals about the enduring tension between private profit and public responsibility. Along the way, Sean shares stories of forgotten institutions, colourful characters, and the surprising role of gender and civil rights in shaping financial oversight. Whether you're a policymaker, historian, or simply curious about how money and power interact, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on the institutions that quietly govern our financial lives. Tune in for a rich and engaging journey through the history and current state of banking politics.The interview on "Plastic Capitalism" is available here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
What does it mean to supervise a bank? And why does it matter who holds that power? In this episode, Sean H. Vanatta joins us to explore the hidden machinery behind American finance, as told in his new book Private Finance, Public Power: A History of Bank Supervision in America (Princeton UP, 2025), co-authored with Peter Conti-Brown. Spanning nearly 150 years, the book traces the evolution of bank supervision from a patchwork of state-level oversight to a complex, layered system involving federal agencies, private actors, and political discretion. Sean takes us from the wildcat banks of the 1830s to the rise of the Federal Reserve, through crises, reforms, and the quiet work of bank examiners who shaped the rules behind the scenes. We discuss why supervision differs from regulation, how discretion has become central to managing financial risk, and what the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in 2023 reveals about the enduring tension between private profit and public responsibility. Along the way, Sean shares stories of forgotten institutions, colourful characters, and the surprising role of gender and civil rights in shaping financial oversight. Whether you're a policymaker, historian, or simply curious about how money and power interact, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on the institutions that quietly govern our financial lives. Tune in for a rich and engaging journey through the history and current state of banking politics.The interview on "Plastic Capitalism" is available here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/american-studies
What does it mean to supervise a bank? And why does it matter who holds that power? In this episode, Sean H. Vanatta joins us to explore the hidden machinery behind American finance, as told in his new book Private Finance, Public Power: A History of Bank Supervision in America (Princeton UP, 2025), co-authored with Peter Conti-Brown. Spanning nearly 150 years, the book traces the evolution of bank supervision from a patchwork of state-level oversight to a complex, layered system involving federal agencies, private actors, and political discretion. Sean takes us from the wildcat banks of the 1830s to the rise of the Federal Reserve, through crises, reforms, and the quiet work of bank examiners who shaped the rules behind the scenes. We discuss why supervision differs from regulation, how discretion has become central to managing financial risk, and what the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in 2023 reveals about the enduring tension between private profit and public responsibility. Along the way, Sean shares stories of forgotten institutions, colourful characters, and the surprising role of gender and civil rights in shaping financial oversight. Whether you're a policymaker, historian, or simply curious about how money and power interact, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on the institutions that quietly govern our financial lives. Tune in for a rich and engaging journey through the history and current state of banking politics.The interview on "Plastic Capitalism" is available here
What does it mean to supervise a bank? And why does it matter who holds that power? In this episode, Sean H. Vanatta joins us to explore the hidden machinery behind American finance, as told in his new book Private Finance, Public Power: A History of Bank Supervision in America (Princeton UP, 2025), co-authored with Peter Conti-Brown. Spanning nearly 150 years, the book traces the evolution of bank supervision from a patchwork of state-level oversight to a complex, layered system involving federal agencies, private actors, and political discretion. Sean takes us from the wildcat banks of the 1830s to the rise of the Federal Reserve, through crises, reforms, and the quiet work of bank examiners who shaped the rules behind the scenes. We discuss why supervision differs from regulation, how discretion has become central to managing financial risk, and what the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in 2023 reveals about the enduring tension between private profit and public responsibility. Along the way, Sean shares stories of forgotten institutions, colourful characters, and the surprising role of gender and civil rights in shaping financial oversight. Whether you're a policymaker, historian, or simply curious about how money and power interact, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on the institutions that quietly govern our financial lives. Tune in for a rich and engaging journey through the history and current state of banking politics.The interview on "Plastic Capitalism" is available here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/public-policy
What does it mean to supervise a bank? And why does it matter who holds that power? In this episode, Sean H. Vanatta joins us to explore the hidden machinery behind American finance, as told in his new book Private Finance, Public Power: A History of Bank Supervision in America (Princeton UP, 2025), co-authored with Peter Conti-Brown. Spanning nearly 150 years, the book traces the evolution of bank supervision from a patchwork of state-level oversight to a complex, layered system involving federal agencies, private actors, and political discretion. Sean takes us from the wildcat banks of the 1830s to the rise of the Federal Reserve, through crises, reforms, and the quiet work of bank examiners who shaped the rules behind the scenes. We discuss why supervision differs from regulation, how discretion has become central to managing financial risk, and what the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in 2023 reveals about the enduring tension between private profit and public responsibility. Along the way, Sean shares stories of forgotten institutions, colourful characters, and the surprising role of gender and civil rights in shaping financial oversight. Whether you're a policymaker, historian, or simply curious about how money and power interact, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on the institutions that quietly govern our financial lives. Tune in for a rich and engaging journey through the history and current state of banking politics.The interview on "Plastic Capitalism" is available here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/economics
What does it mean to supervise a bank? And why does it matter who holds that power? In this episode, Sean H. Vanatta joins us to explore the hidden machinery behind American finance, as told in his new book Private Finance, Public Power: A History of Bank Supervision in America (Princeton UP, 2025), co-authored with Peter Conti-Brown. Spanning nearly 150 years, the book traces the evolution of bank supervision from a patchwork of state-level oversight to a complex, layered system involving federal agencies, private actors, and political discretion. Sean takes us from the wildcat banks of the 1830s to the rise of the Federal Reserve, through crises, reforms, and the quiet work of bank examiners who shaped the rules behind the scenes. We discuss why supervision differs from regulation, how discretion has become central to managing financial risk, and what the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in 2023 reveals about the enduring tension between private profit and public responsibility. Along the way, Sean shares stories of forgotten institutions, colourful characters, and the surprising role of gender and civil rights in shaping financial oversight. Whether you're a policymaker, historian, or simply curious about how money and power interact, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on the institutions that quietly govern our financial lives. Tune in for a rich and engaging journey through the history and current state of banking politics.The interview on "Plastic Capitalism" is available here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/finance
What does it mean to supervise a bank? And why does it matter who holds that power? In this episode, Sean H. Vanatta joins us to explore the hidden machinery behind American finance, as told in his new book Private Finance, Public Power: A History of Bank Supervision in America (Princeton UP, 2025), co-authored with Peter Conti-Brown. Spanning nearly 150 years, the book traces the evolution of bank supervision from a patchwork of state-level oversight to a complex, layered system involving federal agencies, private actors, and political discretion. Sean takes us from the wildcat banks of the 1830s to the rise of the Federal Reserve, through crises, reforms, and the quiet work of bank examiners who shaped the rules behind the scenes. We discuss why supervision differs from regulation, how discretion has become central to managing financial risk, and what the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in 2023 reveals about the enduring tension between private profit and public responsibility. Along the way, Sean shares stories of forgotten institutions, colourful characters, and the surprising role of gender and civil rights in shaping financial oversight. Whether you're a policymaker, historian, or simply curious about how money and power interact, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on the institutions that quietly govern our financial lives. Tune in for a rich and engaging journey through the history and current state of banking politics.The interview on "Plastic Capitalism" is available here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What does it mean to supervise a bank? And why does it matter who holds that power? In this episode, Sean H. Vanatta joins us to explore the hidden machinery behind American finance, as told in his new book Private Finance, Public Power: A History of Bank Supervision in America (Princeton UP, 2025), co-authored with Peter Conti-Brown. Spanning nearly 150 years, the book traces the evolution of bank supervision from a patchwork of state-level oversight to a complex, layered system involving federal agencies, private actors, and political discretion. Sean takes us from the wildcat banks of the 1830s to the rise of the Federal Reserve, through crises, reforms, and the quiet work of bank examiners who shaped the rules behind the scenes. We discuss why supervision differs from regulation, how discretion has become central to managing financial risk, and what the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in 2023 reveals about the enduring tension between private profit and public responsibility. Along the way, Sean shares stories of forgotten institutions, colourful characters, and the surprising role of gender and civil rights in shaping financial oversight. Whether you're a policymaker, historian, or simply curious about how money and power interact, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on the institutions that quietly govern our financial lives. Tune in for a rich and engaging journey through the history and current state of banking politics.The interview on "Plastic Capitalism" is available here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When someone speaks with a deep of understanding of the banking and finance systems, is widely respected, and then expresses a strong but debatable view, about a developing asset class, we think it's important to hear that voice and to challenge and distil its key messages. So in this episode we welcome back a former guest who appeared on the MMP in March 2023 during the banking storm, during with Silicon Valley Bank and then Credit Suisse. His conclusion was unequivocally that this was no repeat of the 2008 GFC, as has been proven. In addressing his recent report from Oliver Wyman, titled “private credit is reshaping wealth portfolios”, we wanted to challenge him on several issues, including; Is it that innocuous? Is this a trend which will serve big private asset firms at the expense of individuals? How about bad times and souring loans? Does the loss of liquidity matter? Are we swapping risks from the regulated banking sector to the unregulated world of the giant private market firms? And so Huw and I face off in a discussion on the risks and opportunities that are the hallmarks of this fast-growing slice of the investing world. The Money Maze Podcast is kindly sponsored by Schroders, IFM Investors, World Gold Council and LSEG. Sign up to our Newsletter | Follow us on LinkedIn | Watch on YouTube
Bank Nerd Corner is back with Kiah Haslett returning … not just as co-host, but as an official member of Fintech Takes! That's right, big news: Bank Nerd Corner will soon be its own podcast feed, with Kiah hosting (and Alex dropping in monthly as a guest). Kiah's podcast launches this September alongside her new weekly newsletter, Fintech Takes Banking! If you're listening to this episode, you basically asked for it (sign up at fintechtakes.com/banking/newsletter-subscription). Now, onto Bank Nerding! First up, the topic that's going to end up on my tombstone when I die: open banking. We dig into the CFPB's sudden flip on open banking. JPMorgan Chase tried charging for data access, the Bureau hit pause on litigation, and now an accelerated rulemaking process is underway. Will banks get the green light to price data, or did Chase just overplay its hand? Is this the beginning of monopoly pricing in disguise? Next, Kiah schools Alex (and the rest of us) on why crypto firms are suddenly obsessed with national trust charters (what they are, why they matter, and how they could function as narrow banks in disguise). Stablecoin reserves, custody rules, and OCC oversight are all on the table. And finally, the Palmer Luckey-backed digital bank Erebor enters the chat, promising to be the new Silicon Valley Bank for startups, crypto, and defense companies. Their pitch: political connections will fast-track their national bank charter with the OCC. But can political connections really expedite a de novo charter without wrecking regulators' credibility? Sign up for Alex's Fintech Takes newsletter for the latest insightful analysis on fintech trends, along with a heaping pile of pop culture references and copious footnotes. Every Monday and Thursday: https://workweek.com/brand/fintech-takes/ And for more exclusive insider content, don't forget to check out my YouTube page. Follow Kiah: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khaslett/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/khaslett Follow Alex: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJgfH47QEwbQmkQlz1V9rQA/videos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexhjohnson Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/AlexH_Johnson
Sam Bankman-Fried BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.Sam Bankman-Fried, once hailed as the face of crypto innovation, remains a prominent headline-maker more than a year deep into his high-profile downfall. In just the past few days, news broke that the Bureau of Prisons transferred him from New York's MDC Brooklyn to Oklahoma, which serves as a federal transfer hub, in preparation for his placement at another lockup where he will continue serving a 25-year sentence for engineering what prosecutors call one of the largest financial frauds in U.S. history. This move followed his request to remain in New York during an appeals process; however, officials decided his appeal did not warrant his continued stay. A brief stint in solitary confinement for an unauthorized video interview with Tucker Carlson added a layer of intrigue, but insiders say the transfer is more about routine procedure than punishment, according to ABC News.His living arrangements in jail also sparked some viral chatter with Business Insider and NBC News reporting that Sam Bankman-Fried found himself sharing dorm-style digs with none other than Sean “Diddy” Combs, after the rapper was remanded on unrelated federal charges. The pair are part of a small group of high-profile inmates housed together for heightened security, drawing tabloid comparisons to the facility's notorious reputation and previous famous residents like R. Kelly and Ghislaine Maxwell.On the business front, lingering fallout from his FTX empire continues to reverberate. Newly revealed filings and FEC disclosures show that Democratic super PACs Future Forward and Women Vote finally refunded $4.4 million in donations linked to Bankman-Fried, but only after the Justice Department applied serious pressure. The repayments went into the FTX bankruptcy recovery estate—a long-delayed move closing a chapter in campaign finance intertwined with one of crypto's most notorious scandals, as reported by Sludge.Hollywood continues to circle Bankman-Fried's story, with perhaps the most sensational development coming from The Hollywood Reporter, which announced that Lena Dunham is now adapting Michael Lewis's bestseller Going Infinite about the rise and fall of the FTX founder for the big screen. Apple Studios and A24 are producing, signaling that Sam's notoriety remains potent cultural currency, promising to resurrect his story in a new, dramatic light.Meanwhile, the regulatory ripple effects of his actions persist. The collapse of FTX was a key driver behind the Federal Reserve's now-concluded special oversight program for banks dealing with crypto assets, a decision recounted by The Indian Express. This move closes a regulatory loop that began with the losses Bankman-Fried's platform triggered across signature banks and Silicon Valley Bank, reshaping how traditional banking connects with the digital asset sector.On social media, discussion has reignited over Bankman-Fried's role in the broader crackdown on crypto executives, highlighted by instant reactions to new enforcement actions against other market players. And in culture, references to his incarceration—even in standup comedy, as with Caleb Zeringue's Edinburgh show—attest to his continuing pop-culture imprint.No unconfirmed reports have emerged recently regarding a change in his legal status or possible new charges. As of now, Sam Bankman-Fried remains a cautionary symbol of ambition turned notoriety, his story still unfurling in law, media, and pop intrigue.Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta
Alan Miegel is co-founder and CEO of BetterComp, a modern compensation management platform for larger companies to manage compensation datasets to set market-priced salary benchmarks. Alan and his cofounders started the company in 2019 with founder funding, then raised angel funding as convertible debt from his friends in the tech industry. They shipped their first “minimum sellable product” in 2020 and grew revenues steadily, doubling every year from $1M in 2022 to almost $10M in revenue in 2025. BetterComp now has over 80 employees and 200 customers. In July of 2025, BetterComp raised a combined $33 million in growth equity funding from Ten Coves Capital and venture debt from Silicon Valley Bank. Alan and his cofounders still own a majority of the company. Now they have more resources and support to build on what has worked so far, enabling them to grow even faster and become a market leader. Quote from Alan Miegel, cofounder and CEO of BetterComp “Early on I didn't pay myself anything. Then I paid myself enough just enough to max out my 401k contribution, with no taxable income. I made a promise to my founders, my co-founders that I was going to pay them before I paid myself. “I always paid my co-founders more than I made. That's still the case now. As the CEO, you think of it like you are the last one to get paid in this equation. You're not doing this to make money now, you're doing this to make money down the line. “And you ask a lot of other people to make sacrifices, you ask them to make less than what they're used to making, so you have to put them first. Because if they see you putting yourself first, they're not gonna think they're the most important thing in the business, which they are..” Links Alan Miegel on LinkedIn BetterComp on LinkedIn BetterComp website Founderpath Ten Coves Capital Union Square Advisors The Practical Founders Podcast Tune into the Practical Founders Podcast for weekly in-depth interviews with founders who have built valuable software companies without big funding. Subscribe to the Practical Founders Podcast using your favorite podcast app or view on our YouTube channel. Get the weekly Practical Founders newsletter and podcast updates at practicalfounders.com.
Episode 392 of The VentureFizz Podcast features Damien Lewke, Founder & CEO of Nebulock. Damien is purpose built for this company, which is a statement he's heard from one of his investors that being Will Lehman. When you hear about Damien's background story, it's hard to argue. Damien's path to where he is today has been very thoughtful, methodical, and intentional. It's a path that allowed him to learn and understand as much as possible about cybersecurity. In addition, he has worn several different hats throughout his career (I'm talking Solutions Architecture… Product Marketing… Product Management… and other roles) that have all put him in a strong position to lead a venture backed startup. Nebulock is an autonomous threat hunting platform designed from scratch for behavior-based detection. By connecting directly to identity, endpoint, and cloud telemetry, Nebulock continuously hunts threats, surfaces hidden anomalies, and automatically increases your detection coverage. The company announced $8.5M in funding, including their seed round led by Bain Capital Ventures alongside Decibel VC, Zetta Venture Partners, In-Q-Tel, and several angel investors. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 02:57 Being a Solo Founder 05:03 Damien's Background & Playing Soccer in Germany 07:35 The Impact of Sports on Entrepreneurship 09:50 Career Beginnings 12:08 Transition to CrowdStrike 17:11 Joining Palo Alto Networks 19:08 Pursuing Further Education at MIT 21:38 Product Management at Arctic Wolf 23:45 Founding Nebulock 27:22 What is Threat Hunting? 29:57 Details about Nebulock 32:17 State of the State at Nebulock & Looking Ahead 40:46 3 Lessons Learned Since Founding a Company 43:34 Personal Insights and Recommendations Episode Sponsor: As a longtime champion of the local startup ecosystem, Silicon Valley Bank supports innovative companies with the solutions and financing they need through every stage of growth. With more than 1,500 bankers and relationship advisors, and $42B in loans as of Q2 2024 – SVB delivers the right people, service and resources to support your entire financial journey. Learn more at SVB.com.
Episode 391 of The VentureFizz Podcast features Joseph Krause, Co-Founder & CEO of Radical AI. There are many benefits with the platform shift to AI, but one of the clear benefits that I'm seeing is how some of the most brilliant minds are working on incredibly meaningful and challenging problems. While yes, there is a need for lots of applications, even another photo sharing app, I've always strongly believed that the best entrepreneurs should leverage their intellect to work on something that could actually change the world. Meet Joseph, an entrepreneur who has built his career for this moment. He has a bias for action and a go-big or go home approach with a startup that is looking to completely reconstruct the scientific process and if successful, it will replace multi-national corporations like Dow Chemical. Radical AI is building a self-driving lab which will accelerate materials R&D to tackle the world's most pressing problems. Through the integration of artificial intelligence, engineering, materials science, and applied research, Radical AI is changing the way materials are designed, developed, and discovered. The company announced a $55M Series Seed+ led by RTX Ventures, joined by NVentures (NVIDIA's VC arm), noa, Infinite Capital, Eni Next (Eni's VC arm), AlleyCorp and many others. In this episode of our podcast, we cover: * The details of Radical AI recommendations with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) for the 2025 National AI Research and Development Strategy Plan. * Joseph's background story and experience in academia, DEVCOM Army research lab, & the National Guard. * How a cold email landed him a position in venture capital and his time at AlleyCorp. * The full story of Radical AI and how they are addressing material science challenges with an innovative approach. * The Self-Driving Lab concept and why Radical AI is a generation-defining opportunity. * Building a culture of action and hiring plans. * And so much more. Episode Sponsor: As a longtime champion of the local startup ecosystem, Silicon Valley Bank supports innovative companies with the solutions and financing they need through every stage of growth. With more than 1,500 bankers and relationship advisors, and $42B in loans as of Q2 2024 – SVB delivers the right people, service and resources to support your entire financial journey. Learn more at SVB.com.
What if one could prepare their business for a future that doesn't exist yet? With technology evolving at an exceedingly fast pace and AI gaining momentum over the past few years, businesses are having to adjust on the fly or risk being left behind. However, one company, is helping business leaders and CEOs prepare for these technological advancements. That company is Singularity University and I recently caught up with Aaron Vaccaro, the president of Singularity UniversityAaron talks about his background, what the Singularity University does, shifting peoples mindsets, generative AI tools, biological computing and more.More about Singularity University:Since its founding in 2008, Singularity University (SU) has hosted programs and experiences designed for professionals seeking to transform their organisations through exponential technology education and new mindsets. All participants leave their SU experience with the tools, skills, and knowledge they need to prepare for the future of tech.With over 100 experts in various fields who present and speak at SU events around the world, attendees are privileged to the insights of the world of tech, biotech, and more. Among those discussions, they even discuss the endless possibilities of the future, and what leaders and businesses can expect five, even ten years down the road.With a great backing of investors such as the WestRiver Group,Globant AI Powerhouse, Silicon Valley Bank, and Anima Educacao, SU has earned the support of some of the tech industry's largest names across borders. Notably, since its founding, Google and NASA have been among the companies to support SU and its endeavors.
What if one could prepare their business for a future that doesn't exist yet? With technology evolving at an exceedingly fast pace and AI gaining momentum over the past few years, businesses are having to adjust on the fly or risk being left behind. However, one company, is helping business leaders and CEOs prepare for these technological advancements. That company is Singularity University and I recently caught up with Aaron Vaccaro, the president of Singularity University Aaron talks about his background, what the Singularity University does, shifting peoples mindsets, generative AI tools, biological computing and more. More about Singularity University: Since its founding in 2008, Singularity University (SU) has hosted programs and experiences designed for professionals seeking to transform their organisations through exponential technology education and new mindsets. All participants leave their SU experience with the tools, skills, and knowledge they need to prepare for the future of tech. With over 100 experts in various fields who present and speak at SU events around the world, attendees are privileged to the insights of the world of tech, biotech, and more. Among those discussions, they even discuss the endless possibilities of the future, and what leaders and businesses can expect five, even ten years down the road. With a great backing of investors such as the WestRiver Group,Globant AI Powerhouse, Silicon Valley Bank, and Anima Educacao, SU has earned the support of some of the tech industry's largest names across borders. Notably, since its founding, Google and NASA have been among the companies to support SU and its endeavors. See more podcasts here.
Episode 390 of The VentureFizz Podcast features Maya R. Said, Sc.D., Founder & CEO of Outcomes4Me. Maya believes that in our lifetime, we will get to a point where we can either cure or control cancer. That is a bold statement and one of major importance. As we kick off our interview, she shares the reasons why it could happen. In order to get there, however, it is certainly going to take a lot of brilliant founders and innovative companies, but when you have founders like Maya who are building companies like Outcomes4Me, you can see why there is hope. For this podcast, I am blessed to speak with so many amazing people, who are all very intelligent, driven, and optimistic… but Maya is in a league of her own. Her academic credentials are beyond next level and what she accomplished within the healthcare industry makes her uniquely qualified to build a company that is contributing to this mission of either curing or controlling cancer. Outcomes4Me is the first and only end-to-end, AI-driven patient empowerment platform that helps patients with cancer take a proactive approach to their care from diagnosis throughout every stage of life and care. Its direct-to-patient platform integrates clinical guidelines, genomics, trial matching, and symptom tracking to help patients navigate through a cancer diagnosis with confidence and clarity. The company recently announced a $21M round of funding from new investor - Salica Investments, with participation from all existing investors: Labcorp Venture Fund, Forecast Labs, Northpond Ventures, Sierra Ventures, Asset Management Ventures, IRA Capital, and Merstal LTD. In this episode of our podcast, we cover: * Maya's background story and her experience in academia at MIT. * Her transition into industry and the various leadership roles she held. * The full story of Outcomes4Me including how the platform works and how they help patients, plus their plans looking ahead. * The importance of data to speed up innovation and the drug development process. * The impact of TV advertising * The overarch theme of what she has learned while building a company. * Fundraising advice * And more Episode Sponsor: As a longtime champion of the local startup ecosystem, Silicon Valley Bank supports innovative companies with the solutions and financing they need through every stage of growth. With more than 1,500 bankers and relationship advisors, and $42B in loans as of Q2 2024 – SVB delivers the right people, service and resources to support your entire financial journey. Learn more at SVB.com.
Kirk changes his tune on housing as he moves towards purchasing a new home. Today we explore how homeownership is often more of an emotional choice than a smart financial investment, with many people misunderstanding the real cost compared to renting. We talk about the burden of property taxes, why paying off a mortgage early might not always make financial sense, and the social pressures around owning a home. We shift gears to a surprising discovery in credit reporting systems—a “Human Trafficking Request” option—which leads us to reflect on the serious issue of human trafficking, especially in border areas, and how complex and unexpected some financial topics can be. We also talk property taxes, economic growth, and more! Today we discuss... Buying a home isn't just about numbers—it's emotional, from nesting instincts to worrying about what neighbors think. Contrary to popular belief, owning a home often isn't a great financial investment; it's mostly a personal expense. There's a sweet spot where owning beats renting, but for expensive properties, renting often comes out cheaper. Paying off a low-interest mortgage early might feel good, but financially, investing that money elsewhere often makes more sense. You never really “own” a home because ongoing costs like taxes and maintenance keep coming. A bizarre credit bureau feature for removing human trafficking info—raises a lot of questions about what's on our reports. Trying to freeze or check credit reports online turned into a frustrating experience with errors and security concerns. A “chart crime” was discussed involving misleading silver price charts that artificially suggest massive future price spikes. Everyone, including experts, has biases, and the best investing involves independent thinking free from crowd influence. Warren Buffett's investment strategy of avoiding Wall Street noise by focusing on fundamentals is highlighted, though his recent performance is debated. The US stock market has outperformed international markets over the past two decades, with Europe's regulatory environment hindering growth. Government remains the largest job growth sector in the US, followed by healthcare, while mining, logging, and wholesale trade experience declines. The overarching advice is to think independently and critically about economic and investment data rather than relying solely on common narratives or biased sources. Silicon Valley Bank's collapse risked systemic damage due to concentrated wealth in California's tech sector and the bank's insolvency. Banks face difficulty raising liquidity quickly without selling assets at steep unrealized losses, causing stress in both banking and real estate markets. Tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia are performing well in earnings season, while healthcare and oil services sectors lag. Caution is advised against chasing recent market gains, with better opportunities expected in the fall after potential market pullbacks. Today's Panelists: Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Douglas Heagren | ProCollege Planners Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneytreepodcast Follow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/money-tree-investing-podcast Follow on Twitter/X: https://x.com/MTIPodcast For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/kirk-changes-his-tune-on-housing-731
Many people accumulate their wealth in a bank or a long-term investment, and this may create problems. But there is a different strategy. In this new episode of the Common Sense Financial Podcast, host Brian Skrobonja goes over the Build Banking strategy and how you can consider a different banking paradigm using specially designed life insurance policies that allow you to start banking on yourself. Most people know that banks use other people's money to generate profits. This process is known as Fractional Reserve Banking, which is basically the bank using the spread between interest rates to profit. For banks, it goes a little deeper. Banks can loan out the money they have on deposit to people, and those dollars are then deposited again, which begins the cycle anew. This process acts as a money-printing machine within the economy. Banks aren't currently required to hold any reserves to cover their customer's deposits. The result of Fractional Reserve Banking is the expansion of the money supply which contributes to increased inflation. Silicon Valley Bank recently found itself in trouble and was unable to cover its liabilities leaving depositors to rely on the government to bail them out. It's not realistic to be able to bypass the banking system entirely, but there are ways to take control of how you save and store money with a personal bank-like strategy. Build Banking uses a specially designed whole life insurance policy that's built on the inherent tax-favored nature and unique capabilities of those policies. What makes Build Banking different is the design allows for rapid cash accumulation with uninterrupted tax-free growth, while having access to cash without having to rely on banks or Wall Street, but you have to set aside your preconceptions around life insurance. The challenge is the language around life insurance policies and how most people understand what they are capable of. With traditional banking, you either accumulate money and spend or borrow and then repay it. The Build Banking method offers a different strategy with a specially designed life insurance system that allows you to take back some of the control. Not all policies are the same and loan features can vary greatly, so it's important to work with a professional with experience in this area. The main benefit of the Build Banking strategy is the ability to have your money remain in the policy and continue to grow uninterrupted, while simultaneously using a policy loan from the insurance company for personal use. A business owner has an extra advantage because they can leverage the loan in their business, creating both an internal and external return. This strategy also gives the policy owner a lot of control over how and when the loan is repaid because of the nature of the life insurance policy. Mentioned in this episode: BrianSkrobonja.com BuildBanking.com BUILD Banking™️ is a DBA of Skrobonja Insurance Services, LLC. Benefits and guarantees are based on the claims paying ability of the insurance company. Not FDIC insured. Results may vary. Any descriptions involving life insurance policies and its use as an alternative form of financing or risk management techniques are provided for illustration purposes only, will not apply in all situations, may not be fully indicative of any present or future investments, and may be changed at the discretion of the insurance carrier, General Partner and/or Manager and are not intended to reflect guarantees on securities performance. The term BUILD Banking™️, private banking alternatives or specially designed life insurance contracts (SDLIC) are not meant to insinuate that the issuer is creating a real bank for its clients or communicating that life insurance companies are the same as traditional banking institutions. This material is educational in nature and should not be deemed as a solicitation of any specific product or service. BUILD Banking™️ is offered by Skrobonja Insurance Services, LLC only and is not offered by Madison Avenue Securities, LLC. nor Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC. Any references to protection, safety or guarantees, generally refer to fixed insurance products, never securities or investments. Insurance guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims paying abilities of the issuing carrier. Skrobonja Insurance Services, LLC does not provide tax or legal advice. The opinions and views expressed here are for informational purposes only. Please consult with your tax and/or legal advisor for such guidance. Securities offered only by duly registered individuals through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC. (MAS), Member FINRA & SIPC. Advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals through Skrobonja Wealth Management (SWM), a registered investment advisor. Tax services offered only through Skrobonja Tax Consulting. MAS does not offer Build Banking or tax advice. Skrobonja Financial Group, LLC, Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC, Skrobonja Insurance Services, LLC, Skrobonja Tax Consulting, and Build Banking are not affiliated with MAS. The firm is a registered investment adviser with the state of Missouri, and may only transact business with residents of those states, or residents of other states where otherwise legally permitted subject to exemption or exclusion from registration requirements. Registration with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any state securities authority does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. This website is solely for informational purposes. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital. No advice may be rendered by Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC unless a client service agreement is in place. Skrobonja Financial Group, LLC provides links for your convenience to websites produced by other providers of industry related material. Accessing websites through links directs you away from our website. Users who gain access to third party websites may be subject to the copyright and other restrictions on use imposed by those providers and assume responsibility and risk from use of those websites. Any references to protection, safety or lifetime income, generally refer to fixed insurance products, never securities or investments. Insurance guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims paying abilities of the issuing carrier. This is intended for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions, nor should it be construed as advice designed to meet the particular needs of an individual's situation. Our firm is not permitted to offer, and no statement made on this site shall constitute tax or legal advice. Our firm is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or any governmental agency. The information and opinions contained here in provided by third parties have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed by our firm. Any media logos and/or trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners and no endorsement by those owners of Brian Skrobonja is stated or implied. The awards, accolades and appearances are not representative of any one client's experience and is not indicative of future performance. Each of these awards have set criteria for their nominations and eligibility requirements. “Best Wealth Managers” and “Future 50 Company” are annual surveys conducted by Small Business Monthly. The winner is chosen by an online vote of the general public and no specific criteria is utilized to determine the winner other than number of votes. Some voters may not be clients of Brian Skrobonja and Skrobonja Financial Group. These awards are not representative of any one client's experience and is not indicative of future performance.
In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, host Young Han sits down with Jason Mok, VP and GTM leader at Brex and a devoted single dad. Jason currently serves as GM of Brex's Startups business and oversees Strategic Partnerships. Before Brex, he was an Operating Partner and GM at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), where he led the firm's first $400M Seed Fund, and spent 16 years at Silicon Valley Bank championing early- and growth-stage founders. Jason's story spans decades of leadership in banking, venture capital, and fintech—but at the heart of it is a father navigating the complexities of work, legacy, and raising good humans. In this episode, Jason opens up about teaching his kids about money, setting boundaries between work and family, and how success as a parent isn't about control—it's about the relationship you build as they grow up. ✨ All episodes of The Girl Dad Show are proudly sponsored by Thesis, helping founders go further, together. Takeaways Jason Mok is a single dad and fintech exec at Brex Brex offers a financial stack for startups and enterprises Jason's path includes SVB, a16z, and years of startup advisory Parenting requires consistent self-reflection Teaching kids about money is non-negotiable Being present matters more than being perfect Self-care supports strong parenting and leadership Boundaries between work and family take real intention Legacy is built through quality relationships, not just career wins
Episode 389 and today's guest is Jeff Taylor, serial entrepreneur and Founder of Monster.com. About a month ago, the combined entity of Monster & CareerBuilder filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. It signaled the end of an era and a 31 year run for Monster which is pretty extraordinary. A reflective tribute was added to LinkedIn by Jeff and after reading his post, I immediately reached out, as the story of Monster needed to be told and documented. Thus, I went long form for this interview, a la Joe Rogan style, to bring you the most detailed account of Monster.com from an initial dream to a top 11th or 12th website in the world & a major consumer brand. An initial dream, you might ask… yes… it's true. Jeff dreamt of the idea, the brand, and the mascot… which received tremendous pushback from multiple parties in the early days. It's this story and so many others that we uncover: * The early building blocks of the internet and how groundbreaking Jeff and Monster.com was in terms of being the 454th dot com and posting the first jobs and resumes on the internet. * The debatable too-early acquisition of Monster in the very early innings of the dot com bubble by TMP Worldwide. * Stories of the hypergrowth years at Monster. * Behind the scenes of the, what was first considered a failure then turned iconic - When I Grow Up - Super Bowl commercial. * And what I found to be the most shocking story… which we lead with - the paper napkin agreement between Jeff Taylor and Reid Hoffman for Monster.com to acquire LinkedIn. Wow - can you imagine what might have happened if Monster's board didn't turn the deal down? In addition to the deep dive into the legendary story of Monster, we also discuss Jeff's background story, other companies he's built like Eons, and his current company called BoomBand - which is reinventing the resume and building a new AI talent marketplace. The company is still in stealth mode but expects to launch its product late fall. Episode Sponsor: As a longtime champion of the local startup ecosystem, Silicon Valley Bank supports innovative companies with the solutions and financing they need through every stage of growth. With more than 1,500 bankers and relationship advisors, and $42B in loans as of Q2 2024 – SVB delivers the right people, service and resources to support your entire financial journey. Learn more at SVB.com.
The Capitalism and Freedom in the Twenty-First Century Podcast
Hoover Institution fellow Jon Hartley and former FDIC Vice Chair Thomas Hoenig discuss Tom's career as an economist, as Vice Chair of the FDIC, President of the Kansas City Fed, topics including the global financial crisis, banking regulation, Glass-Steagall, Too Big To Fail, moral hazard, lender of last resort powers, Basel III, the Dodd-Frank Act, capital requirements, deposit insurance after the Silicon Valley Bank regional banking crisis, and quantitative easing. Recorded on June 10, 2025. ABOUT THE SERIES: Each episode of Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century, a video podcast series and the official podcast of the Hoover Economic Policy Working Group, focuses on getting into the weeds of economics, finance, and public policy on important current topics through one-on-one interviews. Host Jon Hartley asks guests about their main ideas and contributions to academic research and policy. The podcast is titled after Milton Friedman‘s famous 1962 bestselling book Capitalism and Freedom, which after 60 years, remains prescient from its focus on various topics which are now at the forefront of economic debates, such as monetary policy and inflation, fiscal policy, occupational licensing, education vouchers, income share agreements, the distribution of income, and negative income taxes, among many other topics. For more information about the podcast, visit: https://www.hoover.org/podcast/capitalism-and-freedom?utm_source=podbean&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=cf21_podcast
North Korean hackers targeting crypto projects with unusual Mac exploitUS probes negotiator suspected of taking crypto ransomware moneyPalmer Luckey and Peter Thiel Back New Bank Erebor to Fill Gap Left by Silicon Valley Bank
Peter Thiel and other investors are creating Erebor Bank to replace Silicon Valley Bank for startups and venture-backed companies. Coinbase acquired Liquifi to streamline token launches and compliance, following its earlier purchase of Deribit. Blockchain security firm SlowMist reported a rise in psychologically manipulative crypto scams, including fake browser extensions and tampered hardware wallets. The US Securities and Exchange Commission is considering a simplified process for listing crypto exchange-traded funds, allowing issuers to file an S-1 registration and potentially list within 75 days if there is no objection.Learn more on this news by visiting us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
When the Silicon Valley Bank crisis erupted in early 2023, Larry Roseman was already well-acquainted with market upheaval. A member of the CFO class appointed around 2020—just as the pandemic began—Roseman had weathered previous storms. He began his career amid the dot-com collapse, then advanced through the 2008 financial crisis. “Scar tissue helps,” he tells us.So when he landed in Palm Springs for a tennis tournament and learned SVB was in freefall—taking all of Thumbtack's cash with it—his weekend plans were immediately sidelined. “Literally getting on the plane and landing, and the whole thing sort of blowing up,” Roseman recalls. “I was holed up in the hotel room for days,” working through how to ensure payroll and access to capital.That crisis became a defining moment. “That was the catalyst for us,” he tells us. Roseman used it to pivot the business away from growth-at-all-costs and toward sustainable, profitable growth. In just a few years, Thumbtack went from -$60 million in EBITDA to +$60 million.His ability to adapt comes from a varied career path—public accounting at Ernst & Young, investment banking at Bear Stearns and JPMorgan, and operational finance at eBay, where he helped spin off PayPal. At Thumbtack, a national home services marketplace, he's scaled the finance team tenfold and implemented a discipline around contribution margin, hire rate, and CAC.“The P&L doesn't lie,” Roseman tells us—especially in times of crisis, when it's clarity, not comfort, that defines the leader.
In a world racing into the AI era, security, privacy, and trust are under pressure like never before. Chief Security Officers are facing a whole new battlefield, with laws rapidly taking shape — especially in the U.S. and California. Big changes are on the horizon, like California's new SB 468 bill, pushing for stronger protections around high-risk AI systems, while the EU's AI Act moves in a similar direction. So, what does this mean for CISOs today — and how should they prepare? Join us with Nick Shevelyov and Punit Bhatia, a seasoned cybersecurity leader, former Chief Security Officer at Silicon Valley Bank, and the author of Cyber War and Peace. With years of experience defending innovation and building digital trust, Nick shares real stories, powerful lessons from history, and sharp insights into where the future is heading. This is your sneak peek into the conversation — stay tuned for the full episode.
Episode 384 of The VentureFizz Podcast features Thomas “TK” Kinsella, Co-Founder & Chief Customer Officer of Tines. The success of Tines is not based on luck. The company's co-founders experienced a major problem that wasn't being being solved by existing platforms and after talking to peers who were also dealing with the same problem, they decided to do something about it. But, it wasn't just an idea that got them to where they are today. This team was uniquely qualified to build the next generation solution based on TK's and his Co-Founder & CEO, Eoin Hinchy's many years of experience in the cybersecurity industry, plus a history of working together for something like 15+ years at Deloitte, eBay, and DocuSign. Tines empowers teams to build, run, and monitor their most mission-critical and sophisticated workflows. The company recently announced a $125M round of funding at a $1.125B valuation and is co-headquartered in Dublin and Boston. In this episode of our podcast, we cover lots of great topics like: * A discussion about the cybersecurity industry and the platform shift to AI. * TK's background story growing up in Dublin and some mutual geeking out on rugby. * Starting his career in cybersecurity at Deloitte where he met Eoin, plus lots of details about what they worked on at eBay and DocuSign. * Getting Tines started from the early days and all the details about the platform today. * Why they hired a top designer as one of the first employees in the company and the importance of making products that are easy to use. * Details on the latest round of funding and what's next. * And so much more. Episode Sponsor: As a longtime champion of the local startup ecosystem, Silicon Valley Bank supports innovative companies with the solutions and financing they need through every stage of growth. With more than 1,500 bankers and relationship advisors, and $42B in loans as of Q2 2024 – SVB delivers the right people, service and resources to support your entire financial journey. Learn more at SVB.com.
Market Recap and Upcoming Economic Indicators - June 5th Edition In this episode of Dividend Cafe, host Brian Szytel from Newport Beach TBG HQ discusses the market's downturn on June 5, with the DOW closing down 108 points, the S&P down half a percent, and the Nasdaq down eight-tenths of a percent. Bond yields slightly rose, with the 10-year yield up three basis points to 4.39%. The episode examines recent economic data, including higher-than-expected initial jobless claims and a decline in Q1 productivity, attributing some of the economic softening to tariffs and trade balance shifts. Brian also touches on the complexities of international trade deals and the implications of Treasury bonds on financial institutions like Silicon Valley Bank. He wraps up by discussing the anticipated non-farm payroll numbers coming out soon. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:45 Economic Indicators and Employment Data 01:37 Trade Balance and GDP Insights 03:13 Treasuries and Interest Rates Discussion 04:29 Intergovernmental Debt Explanation 05:12 Conclusion and Upcoming Events Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com
The Capitalism and Freedom in the Twenty-First Century Podcast
Jon Hartley and Randal Quarles discuss Randy's career as a lawyer and in policy (including his time as Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Regulation) and topics such as the global financial crisis, Glass-Steagall, banking regulation, lender of last resort, Basel III, the Dodd-Frank Act, capital requirements, the potential relaxation of Treasuries in the Supplementary Leverage Ratio (SLR), deposit insurance after the Silicon Valley Bank regional banking crisis, and stablecoin regulation. Recorded on May 29, 2025. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS: Randal Quarles is the Chairman and co-founder of The Cynosure Group. Before founding Cynosure, Mr. Quarles was a long-time partner of the Carlyle Group, where he began the firm's program of investments in the financial services industry during the 2008 financial crisis. From October 2017 through October 2021, Mr. Quarles was Vice Chairman of the Federal Reserve System, serving as the system's first Vice Chairman for Supervision, charged specifically with ensuring stability of the financial sector. He also served as the Chairman of the Financial Stability Board (“FSB”) from December 2018 until December 2021; a global body established after the Great Financial Crisis to coordinate international efforts to enhance financial stability. In both positions, he played a key role in crafting the US and international response to the economic and financial dislocations of COVID-19, successfully preventing widespread global disruption of the financial system. As FSB Chairman, he was a regular delegate to the finance ministers' meetings of the G-7 and G20 Groups of nations and to the Summit meetings of the G20. As Fed Vice Chair, he was a permanent member of the Federal Open Market Committee, the body that sets monetary policy for the United States. Earlier in his career, Mr. Quarles was Under Secretary of the U.S. Treasury, where he led the Department's activities in financial sector and capital markets policy, including coordination of the President's Working Group on Financial Markets. Before serving as Under Secretary, Mr. Quarles was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs, where he had a key role in responding to several international crises. Mr. Quarles was also the U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund, a member of the Air Transportation Stabilization Board, and a board representative for the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. In earlier public service, he was an integral member of the Treasury team in the George H. W. Bush Administration that developed the governmental response to the savings and loan crisis. Jon Hartley is currently a Policy Fellow at the Hoover Institution, an economics PhD Candidate at Stanford University, a Research Fellow at the UT-Austin Civitas Institute, a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity (FREOPP), a Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, and an Affiliated Scholar at the Mercatus Center. Jon is also the host of the Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century Podcast, an official podcast of the Hoover Institution, a member of the Canadian Group of Economists, and the chair of the Economic Club of Miami. Jon has previously worked at Goldman Sachs Asset Management as a Fixed Income Portfolio Construction and Risk Management Associate and as a Quantitative Investment Strategies Client Portfolio Management Senior Analyst and in various policy/governmental roles at the World Bank, IMF, Committee on Capital Markets Regulation, U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, and the Bank of Canada. Jon has also been a regular economics contributor for National Review Online, Forbes, and The Huffington Post and has contributed to The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, USA Today, Globe and Mail, National Post, and Toronto Star, among other outlets. Jon has also appeared on CNBC, Fox Business, Fox News, Bloomberg, and NBC and was named to the 2017 Forbes 30 Under 30 Law & Policy list, the 2017 Wharton 40 Under 40 list, and was previously a World Economic Forum Global Shaper. ABOUT THE SERIES: Each episode of Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century, a video podcast series and the official podcast of the Hoover Economic Policy Working Group, focuses on getting into the weeds of economics, finance, and public policy on important current topics through one-on-one interviews. Host Jon Hartley asks guests about their main ideas and contributions to academic research and policy. The podcast is titled after Milton Friedman‘s famous 1962 bestselling book Capitalism and Freedom, which after 60 years, remains prescient from its focus on various topics which are now at the forefront of economic debates, such as monetary policy and inflation, fiscal policy, occupational licensing, education vouchers, income share agreements, the distribution of income, and negative income taxes, among many other topics.
00:02:34;18 - 00:05:33;00Colorado's Gender Identity Policy for Youth CampsColorado mandates youth camps, including Christian Camp Idra Hagee, to allow facility use based on self-declared gender identity, sparking controversy. The camp's failed lawsuit for a religious exemption underscores tensions between state policy and religious freedom, with critics arguing it prioritizes feelings over safety. 00:20:38;15 - 00:24:54;16UN Treaty on AI-Generated Child PornographyA proposed UN treaty may permit AI-generated child sexual abuse imagery as “harm reduction” for pedophiles. Critics condemn it as morally reprehensible, arguing it fuels demand and strains law enforcement, contrasting with U.S. laws in 38 states targeting such material. 01:15:45;25 - 01:22:44;06Trump Administration and Digital Control Grid ConcernsFears grow that the Trump administration is building a digital control grid using AI, digital IDs, and stablecoins, centralizing financial control and enabling mass surveillance. Missing $21 trillion in government funds and crypto-friendly policies heighten concerns of a technocratic super-surveillance state. 01:26:13;18 - 01:28:13;08German Pensioner's Speech Crime ConvictionA 73-year-old German pensioner faces 75 days in prison for repeating the banned phrase “Alles für Deutschland,” linked to National Socialist slogans. His inability to pay a €4,500 fine highlights Germany's strict speech crime laws and their chilling effect on free expression. 01:35:03;06 - 01:38:43;14Georgia Mother Arrested for Leaving Kids Home AloneAlexandra Woodward faces five years in prison for briefly leaving her 8- and 10-year-old sons alone in Georgia. Despite their safety, the father's 911 call led to her arrest, exposing state overreach and inconsistent laws on child autonomy versus gender decisions. 02:09:55;23 - 02:14:27;16Escalation Toward World War IIIGerald Celente warns of World War III risks, citing Germany's $1 trillion defense budget, troop deployments near Russia, and missile supplies to Ukraine. He criticizes the military-industrial complex for enriching elites while economies stagnate, ignoring consumer-driven growth. 02:17:45;28 - 02:19:57;07Gaza Conflict and Lack of OutrageOver 100,000 deaths in Gaza, including 50,000 children, per Lancet, draw little celebrity or media outrage, unlike Vietnam War protests. Celente condemns U.S. backing of Israel's actions, including West Bank settlements, as war crimes ignored by the West. 02:33:25;28 - 02:38:42;19Commercial Real Estate and AI Bubble CollapseCelente predicts a commercial real estate crash due to 54% office occupancy and expiring leases, risking bank failures like 2023's Silicon Valley Bank. He also foresees an AI bubble burst, akin to the 2000 dot-com crash, potentially collapsing equity markets and boosting gold prices. 02:54:31;20 - 02:58:16;21Israel's Samson Option and Middle East TensionsCelente highlights Israel's “Samson Option,” a nuclear strategy to destroy enemies if threatened, escalating Middle East tensions. He labels Israel an apartheid state, per Human Rights Watch, and criticizes U.S. support for its Gaza actions and potential Iran conflict, risking global catastrophe. Follow the show on Kick and watch live every weekday 9:00am EST – 12:00pm EST https://kick.com/davidknightshow Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to https://davidknight.gold/ for great deals on physical gold/silver For 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to https://trendsjournal.com/ and enter the code KNIGHT Find out more about the show and where you can watch it at TheDavidKnightShow.comIf you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-showOr you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-david-knight-show--2653468/support.
00:02:34;18 - 00:05:33;00Colorado's Gender Identity Policy for Youth CampsColorado mandates youth camps, including Christian Camp Idra Hagee, to allow facility use based on self-declared gender identity, sparking controversy. The camp's failed lawsuit for a religious exemption underscores tensions between state policy and religious freedom, with critics arguing it prioritizes feelings over safety. 00:20:38;15 - 00:24:54;16UN Treaty on AI-Generated Child PornographyA proposed UN treaty may permit AI-generated child sexual abuse imagery as “harm reduction” for pedophiles. Critics condemn it as morally reprehensible, arguing it fuels demand and strains law enforcement, contrasting with U.S. laws in 38 states targeting such material. 01:15:45;25 - 01:22:44;06Trump Administration and Digital Control Grid ConcernsFears grow that the Trump administration is building a digital control grid using AI, digital IDs, and stablecoins, centralizing financial control and enabling mass surveillance. Missing $21 trillion in government funds and crypto-friendly policies heighten concerns of a technocratic super-surveillance state. 01:26:13;18 - 01:28:13;08German Pensioner's Speech Crime ConvictionA 73-year-old German pensioner faces 75 days in prison for repeating the banned phrase “Alles für Deutschland,” linked to National Socialist slogans. His inability to pay a €4,500 fine highlights Germany's strict speech crime laws and their chilling effect on free expression. 01:35:03;06 - 01:38:43;14Georgia Mother Arrested for Leaving Kids Home AloneAlexandra Woodward faces five years in prison for briefly leaving her 8- and 10-year-old sons alone in Georgia. Despite their safety, the father's 911 call led to her arrest, exposing state overreach and inconsistent laws on child autonomy versus gender decisions. 02:09:55;23 - 02:14:27;16Escalation Toward World War IIIGerald Celente warns of World War III risks, citing Germany's $1 trillion defense budget, troop deployments near Russia, and missile supplies to Ukraine. He criticizes the military-industrial complex for enriching elites while economies stagnate, ignoring consumer-driven growth. 02:17:45;28 - 02:19:57;07Gaza Conflict and Lack of OutrageOver 100,000 deaths in Gaza, including 50,000 children, per Lancet, draw little celebrity or media outrage, unlike Vietnam War protests. Celente condemns U.S. backing of Israel's actions, including West Bank settlements, as war crimes ignored by the West. 02:33:25;28 - 02:38:42;19Commercial Real Estate and AI Bubble CollapseCelente predicts a commercial real estate crash due to 54% office occupancy and expiring leases, risking bank failures like 2023's Silicon Valley Bank. He also foresees an AI bubble burst, akin to the 2000 dot-com crash, potentially collapsing equity markets and boosting gold prices. 02:54:31;20 - 02:58:16;21Israel's Samson Option and Middle East TensionsCelente highlights Israel's “Samson Option,” a nuclear strategy to destroy enemies if threatened, escalating Middle East tensions. He labels Israel an apartheid state, per Human Rights Watch, and criticizes U.S. support for its Gaza actions and potential Iran conflict, risking global catastrophe. Follow the show on Kick and watch live every weekday 9:00am EST – 12:00pm EST https://kick.com/davidknightshow Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to https://davidknight.gold/ for great deals on physical gold/silver For 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to https://trendsjournal.com/ and enter the code KNIGHT Find out more about the show and where you can watch it at TheDavidKnightShow.comIf you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-showOr you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-david-knight-show--5282736/support.
Summary In this insightful episode, Marc Schein interviews Snehal Antani, the CEO and co-founder of Horizon3.ai, about his entrepreneurial journey, the evolution of his company, and the future of cybersecurity. Snehal shares how Horizon3.ai grew from a handful of engineers working in a basement to a cutting-edge firm revolutionizing autonomous penetration testing. He walks listeners through the different startup phases, emphasizing how critical it is to develop a repeatable sales process, retain customers, and build operational excellence at scale. Snehal discusses the complex challenge of preserving organizational culture during rapid growth, highlighting mistakes made during their first hyper-growth phase and the importance of investing in strong, well-indoctrinated management. He explains how a thoughtful approach to onboarding managers as cultural ambassadors ultimately led to a more stable, scalable team. He offers a candid perspective on venture funding—detailing both the pitfalls of dealing with inexperienced investors and the value of bringing on seasoned operators as board mentors. Snehal uses his experience with crises, including the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and the loss of his father, to underline the importance of developing "muscle memory" within leadership teams. He compares this to special operations units, where preparation and planning allow for excellence under pressure. The episode shifts into technical terrain with a compelling explanation of autonomous penetration testing. Snehal shares how Horizon3.ai developed a system capable of autonomously discovering vulnerabilities and compromising environments without human input—essentially transforming cyber warfare into an algorithmic domain. He compares pen testing to chess, where well-defined opening and closing moves are followed by dynamic midgames. Finally, Snehal forecasts a future in which cyberattacks will be AI-powered and nearly instantaneous. He warns that most current defensive tools are designed for human-centered responses, which will soon be obsolete. As evidence, he cites Horizon3.ai's autonomous agent compromising a bank in under five minutes—twice as fast as the previous year. He predicts the first deepseek-enabled cyberattack within 90 days, calling it a wake-up call for the industry. Key Points Startup Phases: Snehal outlines the four key startup phases: building value, repeatable sales, scaling operations, and achieving operational excellence. Culture During Hypergrowth: The key to scaling culture is hiring the right management and giving them time to assimilate before they scale their teams. Autonomous Pen Testing: Horizon3.ai's agent can autonomously discover and exploit vulnerabilities without human involvement. Crisis Leadership: True leadership is tested during crises; muscle memory and planning are essential for executive teams. AI-Powered Cyber Threats: Snehal predicts that the next wave of cyberattacks will be powered by open-weight AI models capable of adaptive exploitation. Key Quotes "You want to build that muscle memory as a CEO as early as possible… so you can stack excellence upon excellence." "PowerPoint is cheap. YouTube videos are cheap. Let our results do the talking." "My primary competitor is mediocre consultants." "Every defensive tool in the market today is designed for humans at the center—and every one of them will be rendered obsolete." "The future of cyber warfare will be algorithms versus algorithms, and humans by exception." About Our Guest Snehal Antani is the CEO and co-founder of Horizon3.ai, a pioneering cybersecurity company that leverages artificial intelligence to autonomously conduct penetration testing. Before founding Horizon3, Snehal served as the first Chief Technology Officer for the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), where he was instrumental in leading initiatives in data analytics, cloud/edge computing,
Episode 381 of The VentureFizz Podcast features Mike Massaro, CEO of Flywire, a global payments enablement and software company. This is the full lifecycle story of an idea to a pillar publicly traded tech company in the Boston tech scene and it has it all. An international founder who discovered a major problem while trying to pay his tuition at MIT, to Mike joining the company after its Series A, an evolving business model from consumer to B2B, navigating choppy near death experiences to scaling aggressively, then raising multiple rounds of venture funding to an IPO, and more! It really is an inspirational story for all entrepreneurs to hear, as it is never an easy up & to the right story. There is so much that goes into building a successful company and this one does not disappoint. Chapters 00:00 Intro 02:17 Learning to Lead & the Importance of Communication 04:51 Mike's Background & Getting Started in Tech at edocs 15:00 Carrier IQ 19:47 The early days of Flywire 19:52 Navigating the Go-to-Market Strategy 29:52 Moving into the Role as CEO of Flywire 31:55 Challenging Times 35:09 Scaling the Company & Playing Long Ball 39:17 Expanding into New Industries 41:47 The Impact of COVID-19 45:20 Flywire IPO 50:06 Looking Ahead: Growth and Innovation 51:42 Building a Strong Company Culture 57:12 The Importance of a Strong Board of Directors 59:50 Hiring for Leadership Roles 01:02:13 Apps, Books, & Fun Episode Sponsor: As a longtime champion of the local startup ecosystem, Silicon Valley Bank supports innovative companies with the solutions and financing they need through every stage of growth. With more than 1,500 bankers and relationship advisors, and $42B in loans as of Q2 2024 – SVB delivers the right people, service and resources to support your entire financial journey. Learn more at SVB.com.
Episode 380 of The VentureFizz Podcast features Eduardo Torrealba, CEO & Co-Founder of Lumafield. As part of my conversation with Eduardo, we talk about the importance of working on hard things. Yes, it's hard to build things that seem impossible at the time but it is that level of difficulty that attracts the top talent across engineering and other functional areas to join the company. And, it is that level of difficulty that once you establish product market fit, it can been highly defensible and really difficult to copy. And, it is that level of difficulty that attracts the best investors to fund a company with the hopes that it can be an industry defining company, especially when there is hardware involved. Take Lumafield, a pioneering developer of accessible X-ray CT technology, recently announced a $35M Series B round of funding led by Spark Capital, along with previous investors Lux Capital, Kleiner Perkins, DCVC, Future Shape and angel investors like Tony Fadell - yes that Tony Fadell, the inventor of the iPod and Founder of Nest. When you have an industry leader like Tony, who after seeing their product & vision and ended up committing to an investment into the company after a 30 minute meeting, you know you are on to something big, as he understood the problem first hand based on his experience. In the video version of our podcast, there is a brief video showing Lumafield's platform in action, as you need to see it to truly appreciate the complexity yet the obvious use case it has when building physical products. In the show notes, I have also included a fun video from Lumafield with Tony where they take a look at the evolution of the iPod by looking at the inside of different generations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EC6BQPowf7w In this episode of our podcast, we cover: * Eduardo's background story and his initial journey into entrepreneurship with an IoT soil moisture sensor company called Oso Technologies. * Joining Formlabs and what he worked on in the earlier days of the company and what he learned during the company's growth to a billion dollar valuation. * The full story of Lumafield in terms of how the team came together and the problem they are solving. * The fundraising process and the current state of the company, plus future plans ahead. * Lessons learned from building companies and raising capital. * The importance of a strong company pitch. * And so much more Episode Sponsor: As a longtime champion of the local startup ecosystem, Silicon Valley Bank supports innovative companies with the solutions and financing they need through every stage of growth. With more than 1,500 bankers and relationship advisors, and $42B in loans as of Q2 2024 – SVB delivers the right people, service and resources to support your entire financial journey. Learn more at SVB.com.
In this episode, Dan dives into the real edge that separates pros from amateurs: tracking. Whether it's your fitness, sleep, screen time—or your trades—if you don't measure it, you can't improve it. Dan breaks down how consistent tracking leads to better performance, the concept of trading expectancy, and why journaling your wins and your mistakes is the fastest way to real growth. He also explains a common and destructive habit: averaging down, and why it's like giving a raise to your worst employee. This is your call to get serious about trading—like a professional, not a gambler. What You'll Learn: Why journaling and data tracking are essential for trading success The true meaning of trading expectancy and how to use it Why small losses are part of the game—and how to make them count Why doubling down on losers is the fastest way to blow up your account The difference between being a trader and a gunslinger Why TradeTrak exists (and how it eliminates your excuses) Want more trading insights? Get my Free Chart of the Day: Stock Trading & Technical Analysis Education & Courses - Stock Market Mentor Join Stock Market Mentor for just $7 for your first 14 days: Member Signup - Stock Market Mentor Don't forget to subscribe, and follow us on: X: https://x.com/DanFitzpatrick X: https://X.com/Scottrades IG: @realstockmarketmentor
Episode 379 of The VentureFizz Podcast features Graham Brown, Managing Partner at Lerer Hippeau. It seems like just yesterday when I first interviewed Graham seven years ago back for Episode 32 (https://soundcloud.com/venturefizz/episode-32-graham-brown-partner-at-lerer-hippeau) when Lerer Hippeau was announcing its sixth fund. This puts Graham in elite company as one of the very few people who have made a repeat appearance on The VentureFizz Podcast – which I'm sure is an incredible honor for Graham to achieve… just kidding obviously. But in all seriousness… in that first interview, we discussed Graham's background (he's actually a fellow native of New Hampshire) and the early innings of his career, so in this interview, we were able to get much deeper into other topics around startups and fundraising. As you might know, Lerer Hippeau is one of the top early stage VC firms in the country and they recently announced another new fund, that one being LH Fund IX, a $200M fund which is exclusively focused on early stage companies. In this episode of our podcast, we cover: * How to land a job in venture capital. * How our original interview discussed AI seven years ago and what Graham is excited about in terms of this platform shift. * The renewed interest in energy startups and the innovation in this sector. * What he's looking for out of a first meeting with an entrepreneur & the process of getting funded. * PLG versus founder led sales and advice on avoiding entrepreneurial envy. * The latest on the NYC tech ecosystem. * And so much more Episode Sponsor: As a longtime champion of the local startup ecosystem, Silicon Valley Bank supports innovative companies with the solutions and financing they need through every stage of growth. With more than 1,500 bankers and relationship advisors, and $42B in loans as of Q2 2024 – SVB delivers the right people, service and resources to support your entire financial journey. Learn more at SVB.com.
The health tech fundraising environment shows promise. More deals are occurring alongside modest growth in total funding, suggesting a shift toward realistic valuations. In this episode, Julie Ebert, managing director of Healthcare and Life Sciences for Silicon Valley Bank, discusses the key findings from their annual Future of Health Tech report, highlighting the growth of AI adoption in healthcare as well as the increasing focus on specialty value-based care models. She noted a third of health tech companies that have raised money have an AI component, and half of the investment is in the administrative use of AI. Julie also explains that value-based care is moving from primary care to specialties due to these areas being complex and costly. Finally, she emphasizes that Silicon Valley Bank is playing a bold role in providing transparency to companies by offering working capital solutions and releasing reports that allow companies to have the knowledge to move forward. Tune in and learn about the current landscape of health tech investment and the future of value-based care! Resources: Connect with and follow Julie Ebert on LinkedIn. Follow Silicon Valley Bank on LinkedIn and visit their website. Read this year's SVB's Future of Healthtech report here.
In today's financial landscape, innovation is more than just a buzzword—it's a driving force separating industry leaders from those left behind. Finding, nurturing, and scaling the right technologies has become a specialized skill set all its own. Joining us today is Ryan Falvey, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Restive. Ryan has spent the last 15 years at the forefront of identifying and championing market-changing innovations in financial technology. His track record speaks for itself—since 2015, he's invested in 40 early-stage fintech firms that have collectively grown to represent approximately $3 billion in aggregate equity value. Before founding Restive, Ryan led the development of the Financial Solutions Lab, a groundbreaking partnership between JPMorgan Chase and the Financial Health Network. His experience also includes developing payment solutions with leading tech companies at Silicon Valley Bank and serving as Strategy Group Lead at Enclude Solutions, where he oversaw global strategy consulting for mobile-enabled financial products. “We're not investing in fintech apps — we're investing in infrastructure,” Falvey explains early on. That distinction underscores a larger trend he sees in the market: a move away from flashy consumer-based apps toward foundational financial APIs. It also focuses on backend tooling and embedded finance capabilities. Falvey's insights aren't theoretical — they're rooted in his day-to-day decisions as an investor. At Restive, he's helping startups through early product development. He emphasizes practical scalability and regulation-ready business models. “You don't build a consumer business by launching an app anymore,” he says. “It's not about the app — it's about access, context, and integration.” From fintech regulation to platform economics, Falvey shares grounded wisdom. He focuses on how successful startups are navigating today's uncertain investment landscape. What's emerging is a more nuanced strategy for funding — one that prioritizes durability over disruption.
Episode 378 of The VentureFizz Podcast features two of the Co-Founders of Copley - David Henriquez, CEO and Sean Marshall, Chief Operating Officer. It is just a necessity for any thriving tech ecosystem. You need companies that scale and people from those companies take their learnings and go off to start their own company. HubSpot has been a big feeder of alumni who have gone off to start companies and you are starting to see the next wave with founders coming from Toast and now Klaviyo. What's even better is when you see the founders of these anchor tech companies fund the next generation of entrepreneurs. David & Sean were part of the hypergrowth scale up years at Klaviyo that ultimately led to a pillar public tech company in the Boston tech area. David held a variety of engineering & sales engineering roles, whereas Sean led global sales. Now, they are building a new company with a third Co-Founder & CTO, Mike Torra called Copley. It is an AI-Powered Content Optimization Platform that allows marketers to quickly create, test & deploy content everywhere. Copley recently announced a $4.8M pre-seed round of funding led by Asymmetric and Underscore. And yes, the founders of Klaviyo - Andrew Bialecki and Ed Hallen are investors… plus Tom Ebling & Jeffrey Barnett of Demandware which was acquired by Salesforce. In this episode of our podcast, we cover: * Startup fundraising advice for first-time founders and the importance of building long term relationships with investors. * The background stories for both David and Sean. * The explosive growth years at Klaviyo. * The full story of Copley in terms of the problem they are solving and their unique approach to finding early adopter customers. * GTM advice for early stage startups and the importance of storytelling. * And so much more. Episode Sponsor: As a longtime champion of the local startup ecosystem, Silicon Valley Bank supports innovative companies with the solutions and financing they need through every stage of growth. With more than 1,500 bankers and relationship advisors, and $42B in loans as of Q2 2024 – SVB delivers the right people, service and resources to support your entire financial journey. Learn more at SVB.com.
When you hear the term self-made, you might think of grit, long nights, and entrepreneurial tenacity. But in Suneera Madhani's case, it's a generational story—one forged in gas station aisles, sharpened in corporate boardrooms, and carried forward in billion-dollar exits. Suneera's latest company, Worth AI, has attracted funding from top-tier investors like Silicon Valley Bank, Ingeborg Investments, DeepWork Capital, and Florida Funders.
When people think of how early-stage companies finance their initial growth, venture capital and private equity are often the first things that come to mind, but growth and venture debt have become increasingly prominent in the financial landscape, especially in the wake of the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. Ross Ahlgren, a portfolio manager in the growth debt team at BlackRock, joins Oscar to help us understand the current themes driving growth and venture debt opportunities, how his team identifies and evaluates emerging trends, and the role of relationships and local presence shaping the future of this market.Go back and listen to episode 120 "Why Are These Events Different to 2008?" where we break down what happened at Silicon Valley Bank in 2023.00:00 Introduction to Venture and Growth Debt01:31 Understanding Venture and Growth Debt02:45 The Role of Venture Debt in Company Expansion04:28 Misconceptions and Risk-Reward in Venture Debt07:13 Impact of Silicon Valley Bank Collapse13:32 Regional Differences in Venture Debt15:01 Investment Opportunities and Risks18:53 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsFollow The Bid on Spotify & Apple Music, and subscribe to us on YouTube. This content is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or a solicitation. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the listener. Reference to the names of each company mentioned in this communication is merely for explaining the investment strategy and should not be construed as investment advice or investment recommendation of those companies. In the UK and Non-European Economic Area countries, this is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. In the European Economic Area, this is authorised and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. For full disclosures go to Blackrock.com/corporate/compliance/bid-disclosuresventure debt, debt financing, growth capital, business growth, financial support, investment capital, the bid, blackrock investment strategies, finance landscapeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Ben Beller, Partner at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP Ben Beller, Partner at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, joins the podcast to walk through how companies can strategically navigate bankruptcy and restructuring during M&A. Drawing from experience on major cases like FTX and Silicon Valley Bank, Ben shares practical insights into Chapter 11 processes, planning strategies, liability management transactions, and how buyers can successfully acquire distressed assets. A must-listen for corporate development professionals, acquirers, and M&A legal teams looking to build competency around distressed transactions. Things you will learn: The differences between Chapter 7, 11, and 13 bankruptcies and when to use each How liability management transactions work and their growing role in restructuring What buyers need to know about acquiring businesses in bankruptcy _______________ What is the Buyer-Led M&A™ Virtual Summit This isn't just another webinar—it's an interactive experience designed to give you the tools and strategies to lead your M&A deals with confidence. This half-day event brings together corporate development leaders and M&A experts to explore Buyer-Led M&A™, showing how you can take control of every stage of the deal. Register Now ________ This episode is sponsored by FirmRoom. The World's Most Intuitive Virtual Data Room With AI Contract Analysis No Per-Page Fees. No B.S. Just Smarter, Faster Deals. Get started with your free trial today! ________ Episode Timestamps: [00:04:00] Ben Beller's background and major bankruptcy cases (FTX, SVB, Mallinckrodt) [00:07:30] Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 11 – key differences [00:11:30] Signs companies should begin planning for bankruptcy [00:14:00] Prepackaged vs. prearranged vs. freefall bankruptcies [00:17:30] Importance of lender relationships and communication [00:22:00] Role of private credit and debt trading in distressed situations [00:28:00] Liability management transactions explained: dropdowns, up tiers, and more [00:35:00] Trends in liability management and how they defer bankruptcy [00:41:00] M&A in bankruptcy: How buyers can seize opportunities [00:46:30] Understanding stalking horse bids and auction dynamics [00:54:30] Common mistakes in buying businesses out of bankruptcy [01:01:00] Bankruptcy reform trends and cost implications
In President Donald Trump's recent joint address to Congress, he said, "To unshackle our economy, I have directed that for every one new regulation, ten old regulations must be eliminated." Elon Musk, whom Trump has assigned to execute this vision, has argued that it is time to get rid of all regulations, or as Musk said, “regulations, basically, should be default gone.”Joining Bethany and Luigi to discuss this intensified commitment to deregulation and laissez-faire capitalism is Sam Peltzman, perhaps the leading living expert on the economics of regulation. Peltzman is the Ralph and Dorothy Keller Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business and director emeritus of the Stigler Center, which sponsors this podcast and is named after his mentor, Nobel-Prize laureate George Stigler. Together, the three of them chart a historical perspective on regulation, from Stigler's ideas of regulatory capture to the unintended consequences of deregulatory efforts over time to today's “chainsaw” approach to gutting federal agencies. To understand the costs and benefits of regulation, they discuss how federal agencies have recently intervened in markets, if the private sector could not have accomplished these interventions more efficiently, and if these interventions did more harm than good. Their case studies include the funding, testing, and rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine, the regulation of cryptocurrencies, the management of the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, and the role of the government in addressing climate change. In the process, they answer the trillion-dollar question: Are Trump's deregulation efforts actually efficient?Episode Notes:Revisit our recent episode with Federico Sturzenegger, the Argentinian Minister for State Transformation and DeregulationRead the op-ed Bethany mentions writing in the wake of the financial crisis: Who Wants a 30-Year Mortgage?At the end of the conversation with Peltzman, Luigi asks him about his recent academic papers tracing marriage and happiness. Read these papers on the Stigler Center's Working Paper archives: The Socio-Political Demography of Happiness (2023) and The Anatomy of Marital Happiness (2025)