Epsilon Theory Podcast

Join host Matt Ziegler as he sits down with Remy Tetot, the mind behind The Mad King newsletter and former co-founder of Real Vision, for a fascinating journey through the intersection of technology, finance, and personal growth. From washing dishes in Spain to revolutionizing financial media with Real Vision, Remy shares his remarkable story of constant reinvention. Learn how he transformed from a self-taught coder into a macro analyst under Raoul Pal's mentorship, helped build Real Vision from the ground up, and navigated both spectacular successes and humbling failures in the crypto markets.

In this episode of The Intentional Investor, host Matt Zeigler interviews Brent Donnelly, a veteran forex trader, financial writer, and mentor. Brent shares his fascinating journey from aspiring journalist to Wall Street trader, and how he eventually combined his love for writing and finance. Brent offers valuable insights for aspiring traders and finance professionals, emphasizing the importance of finding one's unique edge and maintaining perspective in a demanding industry. This conversation explores the intersection of finance, creativity, and personal growth, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in the human side of trading and investing.

Allergies. We either have them or know some one who does. Ranging from life threatening to mildly irritating, they're one of life's constant annoyances. And they're getting worse. We have more allergies now than ever before. Rusty Guinn joins Cursed Knowledge to talk about why allergies are more common, and if there's anything we can do about it.

In this episode of The Intentional Investor, Matt Zeigler sits down with Drew Dickson, founder of Albert Bridge Capital. Drew shares his fascinating journey from self-proclaimed "world's least focused student" to successful investor and writer. Drew's journey illustrates the power of curiosity, relationships, and perseverance in building a meaningful career in finance. His story will inspire anyone looking to grow personally and professionally while navigating life's ups and downs.

The Intentional Investor with Matt Ziegler welcomes Mike Green, a veteran investor and financial thinker. In this wide-ranging conversation, Green offers a candid look at his journey in the financial world, blending personal anecdotes with thoughtful analysis of markets and investing. His stories highlight the unpredictable nature of both markets and life, and the importance of continuous learning and adaptation. This episode provides a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a seasoned investor, offering lessons applicable to both financial markets and life in general.

On this episode of the Intentional Investor, Matt Zeigler welcomes legendary investor and entrepreneur Jim O'Shaughnessy. Jim shares fascinating stories from his childhood, including memories of his influential grandfather, his early interest in magic, and how rejection shaped his mindset. The discussion covers Jim's journey into investing, his thoughts on education and critical thinking, and his experiences on Wall Street. Jim offers insights on topics like the power of journaling, the importance of empiricism, and his excitement for AI and new technologies.

Join Matt Zeigler as he sits down with Eben Burr, a financial professional with a fascinating journey from the D.C. punk rock scene to the world of behavioral finance. Eben shares his unique perspective on investing, shaped by his diverse experiences in music, architecture, and finance. In this episode, we explore: Growing up in Washington D.C. and its influence on Eben's worldview The parallel between punk rock and financial education Eben's transition from architecture to finance The importance of understanding client psychology in investing Strategies for effective risk management and client communication How music and finance intersect in Eben's approach to work and life Whether you're a finance professional, an investor, or simply curious about the intersection of diverse life experiences and career paths, this conversation offers valuable insights and a fresh perspective on intentional investing.

In the latest episode of Breaking News, we are joined by Epsilon Theory Co-Founder Rusty Guinn. We cover the latest developments in the 2024 election and explore how narratives are shaping the political landscape. We delve into the transition from Biden to Harris and examine the strategic implications and how it's pushing us into what we're calling our first "vibe election." We also tackle the Fed's independence and the potential for rate cuts, regardless of who wins. In our Tweet of the Week, we examine how AI-generated images and rapid narrative formation are changing political discourse, potentially disconnecting us from factual reality. We wrap up with a surprising deep dive into Chumbawamba, using their story to reflect on the importance of folk culture and being "more mid" in our increasingly polarized world.

In this episode of The Intentional Investor, Matt Zeigler talks with Grant Williams, a veteran of the finance industry and creator of the popular newsletter "Things That Make You Go Hmmm..." Grant shares fascinating stories from his career journey, from trading Japanese equities in the 1980s to founding Real Vision. He discusses his approach to writing and interviewing, emphasizing the importance of building trust with an audience and focusing on quality content rather than chasing numbers. Grant also reflects on his experiences living and working around the world, the challenges of moving his family internationally, and his passion for sports. Throughout the conversation, he offers valuable insights on communication, community-building, and maintaining curiosity in both investing and life.

In this episode of Breaking News, we cover the recent developments in the Democratic party, with Biden stepping aside and Kamala Harris becoming the presumptive nominee. We discuss how reality seems to be proclaimed rather than acknowledged, and how both parties seem more interested in conflict than actual policy solutions. We also touch on the SEC's case against short-seller Andrew Left and the selective enforcement of rules in finance. We also debate the merits of giving green cards to foreign college graduates and how systems can be exploited by those with money. Finally, we explore the themes in Charlie XCX's album "Brat," relating it to the myth of Narcissus and broader questions of self-worth and community in our current cultural moment.

In this episode of the Intentional Investor, Matt Zeigler speaks with Ryan Krueger, founder of Freedom Day Solutions. Ryan shares his journey from working at a baseball card shop as a child to becoming a successful financial professional. He discusses his philosophy on investing, which focuses on transparency, partnership with clients, and a unique approach to retirement planning called "Freedom Day." Ryan emphasizes the importance of trust, ethical practices, and long-term commitment in his business. He also touches on personal values, such as the influence of his family, his desire to make a positive impact, and his goal of continuing to work and grow rather than retire. Throughout the interview, Ryan's passion for helping others achieve financial freedom and peace of mind is evident, as is his dedication to building lasting relationships with his clients and team.

In this episode if Breaking News, we discuss the recent assassination attempt on former President Trump and explore its implications within the context of "The Great Ravine" - our term for the current period of political strife and violence. We analyze how media, technology, and politics intersect to shape public narratives, often transforming sadness into anger directed at opponents. We examine the rationality behind this behavior in closed political systems and discuss the challenges of maintaining critical distance. We also discuss the event's impact on the 2024 election and explore themes of nourishment and healing through an analysis of the TV show "The Bear."

In this episode, Matt Zeigler speaks with with Wes Gray, founder of Alpha Architect and ETF Architect. Wes shares his fascinating journey from growing up on a ranch to pursuing a PhD in finance at the University of Chicago, serving in the Marine Corps, and eventually building successful businesses in quantitative investing and ETF infrastructure. He discusses key moments that shaped his career, including early experiences with investing, his time in academia and the military, and how he identified opportunities in the ETF space. Wes provides insights into his entrepreneurial approach, the importance of community and collaboration in investing, and how his businesses have evolved over time. The conversation covers a wide range of topics including quantitative investing strategies, ETF structures, and Wes's philosophy on building innovative financial businesses while maintaining a focus on family and work-life balance.

In this episode of Breaking News we look at the impact of the presidential debate and the role it played in changing the common knowledge about President Biden's fitness for office. We explore the concept of common knowledge and illustrate how public perception shifts when everyone knows that everyone else knows something. We discuss the implications for the 2024 election, the role of media in shaping these narratives, and the potential fallout within the Democratic Party. Intertwining serious political analysis with lighter anecdotes, including a story about the Beastie Boys' early days, we emphasize the importance of community and shared understanding in navigating these turbulent times. Join us as we break down what's making us tick with clear eyes and full hearts.

In this episode, Matt Zeigler talks with Epsilon Theory co-founder Rusty Guinn. Rusty shares his life journey, from growing up in rural Texas to working on Wall Street and eventually co-founding Second Foundation Partners. He discusses his experiences in finance, including roles in investment banking, private equity, and asset management. Rusty reflects on the lessons learned throughout his career, emphasizing the importance of humility, earnestness, and agency. He also talks about his decision to move to a farm in Connecticut, where he now balances his work in finance with homeschooling his children and running an apple orchard. Throughout the conversation, Rusty provides insights into the investment industry, personal growth, and the search for meaningful work and life balance.

In this episode of Breaking News, we examine the current state of the 2024 US presidential election and how it is playing out in the narrative world. We explore the recent Trump trial and its minimal impact on public opinion, as well as growing concerns about President Biden's age and fitness for office. We then shift to reflections on our recent Epsilon Connect conference about being human in an age of AI, highlighting the importance of maintaining humanity and ethics in our use of technology. We also delve into the troubling state of higher education in America, particularly the exorbitant costs and increasing commercialization of college athletics.

In this episode of The Intentional Investor, we sit down with Daniel Crosby, a clinical psychologist turned behavioral finance expert and author of the upcoming book "The Soul of Wealth." We explore Daniel's fascinating journey from punk rock bassist to leading voice in the world of investing psychology, discussing the importance of setting healthy boundaries, letting life's phases run their course, and the art of translating complex ideas into actionable insights. Join us as we dive into the power of narrative, the process of learning and unlearning, and the gift of being present in life's heaviest moments, all while uncovering the parallels between Daniel's work and our own mission to help people navigate the intersection of investing and life.

"Briefly stated, the Gell-Mann Amnesia effect is as follows. You open the newspaper to an article on some subject you know well. In Murray's case, physics. In mine, show business. You read the article and see the journalist has absolutely no understanding of either the facts or the issues. Often, the article is so wrong it actually presents the story backward—reversing cause and effect. I call these the "wet streets cause rain" stories. Paper's full of them. In any case, you read with exasperation or amusement the multiple errors in a story, and then turn the page to national or international affairs, and read as if the rest of the newspaper was somehow more accurate about Palestine than the baloney you just read. You turn the page, and forget what you know."

In this episode of The Intentional Investor, host Matt Zeigler interviews Perth Tolle, founder of the Freedom Index and Life + Liberty Indexes. Perth shares her remarkable journey from growing up in China to launching a freedom-weighted emerging markets ETF strategy, which recently celebrated its 5th anniversary. She discusses her experiences with personal and economic freedom, the importance of objective data in the investment process, and the challenges she faced in bringing her vision to life.

Risks are rising on a variety of fronts across the world. And market players are positioning themselves to profit before they are realized. In this episode of Breaking News, we take a tour of some of the major issues we face in the current challenging environment. We discuss the peculiar announcement by Ireland, Norway, and Spain recognizing the Palestinian state, the potential for total war in the Middle East, Rick Rieder's suggestion for interest rate cuts and the return of Roaring Kitty and the GameStop saga. We also cover President Biden's questionable housing proposal, and the lessons we can learn from Conan O'Brien's appearance on the YouTube show Hot Ones.