Shows
The Blunt DollarLarry Siegel: What 1,000 Years of Markets Taught Us About the FutureFew people have shaped the way we think about long-term investing and finance like Laurence Siegel. From his early collaboration with Roger Ibbotson on the landmark "Stocks, Bonds, Bills, and Inflation" study to leading investment research at the Ford Foundation and the CFA Institute Research Foundation, Larry has spent decades connecting financial history, data, and practical insight into how markets truly work.In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore what centuries of economic and stock market history can teach us about the future, how seemingly obscure ideas like tontines and medieval water mills reveal deep investing truths, and...
2025-10-141h 00The Blunt DollarMarcie Frost: The Woman Running Half a Trillion DollarsIn this episode of The Blunt Dollar, we sit down with Marcie Frost, CEO of CalPERS, the largest public pension fund in the U.S., managing over $500 billion in assets for more than 2 million public sector workers.From a childhood marked by poverty to the pinnacle of public finance, Marcie’s journey is a masterclass in grit, purpose, and principled leadership. She opens up about the personal experiences that shaped her view of retirement security and the operational pressures of leading a fund under constant political and media scrutiny.We cover a wide range of to...
2025-10-071h 10The Blunt DollarOrlando Gemes: Why 80% of Hedge Funds FailIn this episode of The Blunt Dollar, I sit down with Orlando Gemes, Founding Partner and CIO of Fourier Asset Management, a credit hedge fund focused on uncovering repeatable alpha through a highly data-driven approach to convertible arbitrage. Orlando’s background spans from fixed income at Deutsche Bank to leading structured credit at Hermes and running his own shop at Fairwater Capital. Now, he’s building something truly unique with Farrier.We talk about what makes convertibles so compelling, how he’s assembling a PhD-led quant team from scratch, and what it really takes to launch an emergi...
2025-09-301h 03The Blunt DollarJames Eagle: The LinkedIn Legend Who Turned Yield Curves into ArtToday’s guest is James Eagle, data visualization pioneer, LinkedIn top voice, and former investment writer with a two-decade run at firms like HSBC, Fidelity, and Vontobel. James left the institutional world to become a full-time content creator and data storyteller, making finance clearer and more human through the power of visuals.In this episode, we unpack his incredible journey from pitchbooks to pixels, why most financial communication still misses the mark, and how we might be able to save ourselves from the chaos of information overload — one chart at a time.Here’s what we cov...
2025-09-231h 08The Blunt DollarStephen White: Why Most Financial Marketing Is BrokenIn this episode of The Blunt Dollar, I sit down with Stephen White, co-founder of Markets Recon and former marketing lead at BlackRock and eVestment, to unpack nearly two decades of insights from the intersection of finance, strategy, and storytelling.From launching billion-dollar investment strategies to now building a tech platform that reimagines how allocators absorb research, Stephen brings a fresh, human take on everything from active management to fintech innovation. This conversation goes deep into what it really means to work in finance with integrity, purpose, and an eye toward broader impact.We talk...
2025-09-1656 minThe Blunt DollarWilliam Kelly: The One Skill Every Young Finance Pro Must MasterIn this episode of The Blunt Dollar, I sit down with Bill Kelly, a true veteran of the asset management world with over 40 years of experience and former CEO of the CAIA Association. From co-founding Boston Partners to steering CAIA into a global standard for alternatives education, Bill has seen (and shaped) the evolution of the investment industry from the inside out.We dive into the lessons he’s learned leading both scrappy startups and established institutions, why investor education matters more than ever, and the opportunities and risks in today’s democratising private markets.Here...
2025-09-091h 00The Blunt DollarRhodri Preece: Why Gen Z Trusts TikTok More Than Wall StreetIn this episode of The Blunt Dollar, I sit down with Rhodri Preece, Senior Head of Research at CFA Institute, to explore how digital forces, new generations, and AI are reshaping the investment landscape. Rhodri has spent nearly two decades at CFA Institute leading global research initiatives, covering everything from ESG and transparency to the rise of social media influencers in finance.We discuss:📱 The powerful impact of “finfluencers” and how Gen Z is learning (and sometimes mislearning) about investing online🎯 Why personalization, data, and digital engagement are becoming non-negotiable for financial firms🤖 How...
2025-09-021h 01The Blunt DollarClaudia Sahm: The Wild Birth of the Sahm Rule (and How It Broke)In this episode of The Blunt Dollar, I sit down with Claudia Sahm, a renowned economist, recession expert, and creator of the famous Sahm Rule, one of the most closely watched early indicators of U.S. recessions. Claudia spent over a decade at the Federal Reserve, later advised the White House, and now serves as Chief Economist at New Century Advisors. We explore her fascinating career path, the story behind the Sahm Rule, and why good economic policy must blend rigorous data with empathy and an eye for dignity.Here’s what we cover:
2025-08-261h 00The Blunt DollarMorgaine Conway Grim: Why Finance Needs More Stories and Fewer SpreadsheetsIn this episode of The Blunt Dollar, Ignacio sits down with Morgaine Conway-Grim, founder and CEO of Hawks and Doves, a finance education company making investing fundamentals accessible to everyone. Morgaine’s path to finance began not on Wall Street, but at a reception desk, before she went on to work at some of the largest financial institutions in the world. In 2024, she launched Hawks and Doves to cut through jargon and empower both institutions and individuals with capital markets fluency.We cover Morgaine’s career leap from corporate finance to entrepreneurship, her philosophy on finan...
2025-08-191h 02The Blunt DollarEric Jaffe: The Secret Macro Insight That Gives Investors An EdgeIn this episode of The Blunt Dollar, I sit down with Eric Jaffe, CEO of BCA Research, the world’s largest independent provider of macro investment research. We unpack Eric’s unconventional path from the Pentagon to GLG and now the helm of BCA, where he’s steering a 76-year-old firm into its next phase of growth, all while keeping that contrarian spark alive.We also dive deep into how macro shocks, geopolitics, and AI are reshaping the future of investment research, and why conviction matters more than ever.Here’s what we cover:🎯 Wh...
2025-08-121h 02The Blunt DollarSteven Grey: The Hedge Fund Manager Who Reads 400 Pages a DayIn this episode of The Blunt Dollar, I sit down with Steven Grey, founder and managing principal of Grey Value Management, where he oversees the Grey Value Opportunity Fund.Steven’s career spans hedge funds, family offices, and global micro investing, and includes a stint launching Albright Capital with former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. But beyond the accolades, Steven is a fiercely independent thinker who dives deeper into company research than most of Wall Street combined.We dig into what separates real investing from the illusion of it, why discipline and character still matter mo...
2025-08-051h 11The Blunt DollarDavid Stevenson: The Shocking Flaws in Today’s Asset Management GameIn this episode of The Blunt Dollar, I sit down with David Stevenson, one of the UK’s most candid financial commentators. David writes the Adventurous Investor column for the Financial Times, runs a popular Substack, and is also the founder of ETF Stream. From his days as a BBC producer to sitting on multiple investment trust boards, David has a fascinating multi-decade career that straddles journalism, fintech, and asset management.We cover a ton of ground, including:📚 How David’s time at the BBC shaped his blunt, evidence-based approach to communicating finance
2025-07-2959 minThe Blunt DollarManish Singh: How the Market’s Herd Mentality Can Destroy Your FortuneIn this episode of The Blunt Dollar, I sit down with Manish Singh, Chief Investment Officer at Crossbridge Capital and a veteran global macroeconomist with nearly two decades of experience steering multi-asset portfolios. From his engineering roots in Mumbai to building an investment philosophy rooted in patience, trust, and historical perspective, Manish shares how he balances data-driven rigor with deep human insight.We explore:✅ The surprising ways an engineering background shapes investment thinking 🛠️✅ Why history, from the European revolutions of the 1800s to COVID panic, remains a critical guide for modern markets
2025-07-221h 00The Blunt DollarJason Pereira: What AI Can’t Replace in Financial Advice (Yet)In this episode of The Blunt Dollar, we sit down with one of the most prolific voices in the financial planning space: Jason Pereira. A financial planner, fintech strategist, professor, podcaster, and tireless advocate for professional standards, Jason joins Ignacio to talk through the present and future of financial advice.With over 750 pieces of content under his belt and multiple roles shaping the Canadian and global advisor landscape, Jason doesn’t hold back in this wide-ranging conversation on technology, regulation, and what it really means to serve clients in a world reshaped by AI.In th...
2025-07-1552 minThe Blunt DollarVincent Kaufmann: The CEO Using Quiet Diplomacy to Shake Big BusinessIn this episode of The Blunt Dollar, I sit down with Vincent Kaufmann, CEO of the Ethos Foundation, a leading voice in sustainable finance and corporate governance in Switzerland. With over two decades at Ethos, Vincent shares an insider perspective on why active ownership matters, the real tools investors have to drive ESG change, and the fine line between meaningful impact and greenwashing. This is a masterclass on ESG from someone who's lived it from the inside.🎯 How shareholder engagement can push even giants like Nestlé and Holcim to adopt real sustainability targets
2025-07-0858 minThe Blunt DollarElsa Razborsek: The Surprising Parallels Between Dating Fails and Bad TradesElsa Razborsek joins The Blunt Dollar for a deep, nuanced conversation on nonlinear careers, women in finance, and the behavioural biases that shape both our portfolios and personal lives. From Goldman Sachs analyst to health coach and back to finance, Elsa’s journey is anything but typical, and it’s exactly that winding path that fuels her insights today.In this episode, we talk about:🔄 Career pivots and the power of nonlinear paths👩💼 Navigating visibility, ambition, and bias as a woman in finance🧠 Coaching insights on stress, burnout, and sustainable high performance📉 Behavioural f...
2025-07-011h 08The Blunt DollarJulia Carreon: The Shocking Truth About Financial Illiteracy on TikTokIn this episode of The Blunt Dollar, we sit down with Julia Carreon, a digital transformation powerhouse with leadership experience at Wells Fargo and Citi, to dissect the crossroads of finance, technology, and generational change. Julia brings her signature candor and deep industry knowledge to a conversation that spans everything from AI and gamification to social media misinformation and the trust crisis in banking.We explore what it truly takes to modernize wealth management for Gen Z and millennials, and why the clock is ticking for traditional players.🎯 Why big banks are struggling to k...
2025-06-2458 minThe Blunt DollarMarina Severinovsky: The Real Reason Your Portfolio Needs a Climate PlanSustainable investing has gone from niche to necessary. But where is it headed next? In this episode, Ignacio sits down with Marina Severinovsky, Head of Sustainability for North America at Schroders, to unpack the shifting ESG landscape. Marina draws from two decades of experience in finance and sustainability to explain how investors can navigate today’s volatile mix of climate risk, political backlash, and growing demand for impact.Topics we cover:🌍 Why sustainable investing isn’t just about values—it’s about identifying long-term risk and opportunity💼 How institutional investors are redefining ESG...
2025-06-171h 05The Blunt DollarBrian Matt: The Real Talk on ESG From Inside the NYSEIn this episode we dive deep into the engine room of sustainability, with a guest who has one of the most unique seats in the house.I sit down with Brian Matt, Head of Sustainability Advisory at the New York Stock Exchange, to unpack what’s really going on behind all the ESG headlines. With two decades of experience in investor relations and sustainability, Brian offers a rare dual lens into both investor expectations and corporate realities when it comes to sustainability strategy, regulation, and storytelling.In this candid and insightful conversation, we cov...
2025-06-101h 05The Blunt DollarManuel Grenacher: The Rise of Agentic AI, and the Fall of Traditional FinanceIn this episode of The Blunt Dollar, I sit down with Manuel Grenacher, a serial entrepreneur and founder of Unique, a company revolutionizing financial services with agentic AI. Manuel shares his journey from building startups in Switzerland to leading one of the most exciting AI-driven companies in finance today. We dive deep into how AI is reshaping the industry, where the biggest disruption opportunities lie, and why empathy remains irreplaceable by machines.Key topics we cover:🔹 What is agentic AI and how it goes beyond ChatGPT🔹 How Unique is helping financial institut...
2025-06-031h 01The Blunt DollarMarlena Lee: What a Nobel Prize Winner Taught Me About Beating the MarketIn this episode of The Blunt Dollar, Ignacio sits down with Marlena Lee, Global Head of Investment Solutions at Dimensional Fund Advisors. Marlena leads a 70-person team that bridges deep academic research with practical client education, helping investors navigate the complexities of markets, factor investing, and long-term portfolio construction.With a PhD from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and experience working alongside Nobel laureate Eugene Fama, Marlena shares her unique insights into translating rigorous research into real-world investment strategies. We dive into her career journey, her biggest lessons from Fama, an...
2025-05-271h 09The Blunt DollarGeorge Lagarias: What the World Gets Wrong About Financial CrisesIn this episode of The Blunt Dollar, we’re joined by George Lagarias, Chief Economist at Mazars, for a thought-provoking conversation on financial crises, economic cycles, and the elusive search for stability in global markets. With over 20 years of experience navigating economic turmoil from Athens to London, George offers a deeply reflective and honest perspective on the past, present, and future of capitalism.We kick off with George’s personal experience of living through the Greek and Cypriot debt crises, uncovering how they left generational scars on institutions, job markets, and societal optimism.But t...
2025-05-201h 09The Blunt DollarOktay Kavrak: The Truth About Leveraged ETPs Nobody Tells YouIn this episode of The Blunt Dollar, I sit down with Oktay Kavrak, Director of Communications and Strategy at Leverage Shares, a leading provider of exchange-traded products (ETPs). With over a decade in the financial industry and a CFA charter under his belt, Oktay shares a wealth of insights into the evolving world of ETPs, including how they’re reshaping modern investing.We explore everything from the rise of active ETPs to the misunderstood role of leverage in trading strategies. Oktay also talks about his personal journey, why he left the comfort of traditional finance roles, and ho...
2025-05-1353 minThe Blunt DollarThomas Idzorek: How to Future-Proof Your Money in the Age of UncertaintyIn this episode of The Blunt Dollar, we sit down with Tom Idzorek, CFA, Chief Investment Officer for Retirement at Morningstar and one of the most influential voices in modern financial planning. With a career spanning decades and awards like the Graham and Dodd Award of Excellence under his belt, Tom has consistently pushed the boundaries of how we think about portfolio theory, human capital, and retirement planning.We dive into his co-authored book, Lifetime Financial Advice, and discuss why human capital is an investor’s most overlooked asset—and how incorporating it can drastically change your inve...
2025-05-061h 06The Blunt DollarFrancois Trahan: You’re Getting Markets Wrong, And Here’s Why.In this episode of The Blunt Dollar, I sit down with François Trahan, one of the most respected macro strategists on Wall Street.François is a Hall of Fame-ranked Institutional Investor strategist, former head of macro research at Bernstein, BCA, and Wolfe Research, and founder of the Macro Research Institute, a program training investors to understand real-world macroeconomics.But this isn’t just about big calls and big titles. This is a conversation about conviction, cycles, and the brutal honesty required to get markets right.We dive into the moments that made...
2025-04-291h 16The Blunt DollarLori Heinel: What It’s Really Like to Manage $4 TrillionIn this episode of The Blunt Dollar, I sit down with Lori Heinel, Global Chief Investment Officer of State Street Global Advisors, who oversees over $4 trillion in assets. With 41 years of experience in finance, Lori brings unmatched depth to the conversation, from leadership and risk management to indexing, AI, and the future of investing.We explore how institutional investors influence markets, the evolving role of the CIO, and why adaptability and curiosity are crucial in today's finance world. Lori also opens up about the journey women in finance still face, the importance of st...
2025-04-2253 minThe Blunt DollarWylie Tollette: What Most Investors Get Totally Wrong About RiskIn this episode of The Blunt Dollar, I sit down with Wylie Tollette, Chief Investment Officer of Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions. Wylie oversees over $160 billion in multi-asset portfolios and has spent his career bridging investment strategy, operations, and leadership, from CalPERS to Franklin Templeton.But this isn’t just a CIO talking markets. This is a conversation about trust, transparency, and the invisible infrastructure that makes long-term investing work.We dive into Wylie’s unusual path from CPA to CIO and unpack the habits, frameworks, and philosophies that have shaped his career at the h...
2025-04-151h 06The Blunt DollarSébastien Page: What Federer Taught Me About MarketsIn this episode of The Blunt Dollar, I sit down with Sébastien Page, Chief Investment Officer at T. Rowe Price, where he oversees over $500 billion in assets and leads a global team of investment professionals.But today’s conversation isn’t about markets. It’s about leadership, psychology, and what makes people thrive under pressure.We dive into Sébastien's latest book, The Psychology of Leadership, and unpack the habits, mindsets, and mental models that separate high performers from the rest.We cover:🧠 Why measurable goals can backfire🎯 How to develop master...
2025-04-081h 12The Blunt DollarEric Sim: The Branding Strategy Every Finance Professional NeedsIn this episode of The Blunt Dollar, I sit down with Eric Sim, former UBS Managing Director turned author, educator, and personal branding expert. Eric’s journey is anything but typical. He started helping his father at a hawker stall in Singapore and rose to one of the top roles in global banking. Then he pivoted again to build a personal brand that reaches millions on LinkedIn.We talk about:📈 How Eric built a personal brand while still working in investment banking📉 Why many finance professionals make branding mistakes (and how to fix them)
2025-04-011h 06The Blunt DollarDavid Blanchett: The One Retirement Risk Nobody Talks AboutIn this episode of The Blunt Dollar, I sit down with David Blanchett, Head of Retirement Research at PGIM and one of the most respected voices in financial planning. From his early start as a certified financial planner at 21 to becoming a go-to name in retirement income research, David has spent his career challenging outdated assumptions and building better models to help people retire smarter.We get into why most retirement plans are based on flawed assumptions, how retirees actually spend their money (hint: it’s not how models say they do), and why the 4% rul...
2025-03-251h 04The Blunt DollarByron Gilliam: What Crypto Can Learn from Wall Street (And Vice Versa)In this episode of The Blunt Dollar, I sit down with Byron Gilliam, market strategist at BlockWorks and the writer behind one of the most engaging daily newsletters in finance. Byron spent 25 years trading global equities across financial hubs like Frankfurt, London, Paris, and New York before making the jump into crypto.We talk about what led him to shift from trading to writing, how explaining crypto to traditional finance professionals changed his perspective, and why financial markets keep making the same mistakes.We also cover: 🚀 How speculation in crypto compares to past...
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