Episodes
June 18, 2025
We Have to Talk About Sports Betting (EP. 417)
On episode 417 of Animal Spirits, Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson discuss valuations not mattering, volatility is the new normal, all-time highs in rich people, bubble behavior in AI, gambling is off a...
June 16, 2025
Talk Your Book: Investing in High Yield Munis
On this episode of Animal Spirits: Talk Your Book, Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson are joined by Steve Hlavin, Portfolio Manager at Nuveen to discuss the muni market structure, the best states for ...
June 11, 2025
A Bubble is Coming (EP. 416)
On episode 416 of Animal Spirits, Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson discuss the stock market bet of the century, the most interesting market environment ever, positive trends in retirement saving, Europe is ...
June 9, 2025
Talk Your Book: Where to Find Higher Dividend Yields
On this episode of Animal Spirits: Talk Your Book, Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson are joined by Todd Mathias, Head of U.S. Product Strategy & Development at Franklin Templeton to discuss US outperform...
June 7, 2025
Talk Your Book: The Joneses Aren't That Happy
On this episode of Animal Spirits: Talk Your Book, Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson speak with Daniel Crosby about his book, The Soul of Wealth . Find complete show notes on our blogs... Ben Carlson’s ...
June 4, 2025
Will AI Take All Our Jobs? (EP.415)
On episode 415 of Animal Spirits, Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson discuss why technical analysis matters in a downturn, why stockpicking is so hard, do we need a recession, Jamie Dimon is worried about gov...
June 2, 2025
Talk Your Book: Valuation Still Matters
On this episode of Animal Spirits: Talk Your Book, Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson are joined by Scott Blasdell, Portfolio Manager and Don San Jose, Chief Investment Officer of the U.S. Value Team at J.P. ...
May 28, 2025
Most Stocks Suck (EP.414)
On episode 414 of Animal Spirits, Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson discuss long-term bond yields rising, why government debt won't fall, where all the dry powder is coming from, how often you should expect bear...
May 26, 2025
Talk Your Book: Investing in Goldminers
On this episode of Animal Spirits: Talk Your Book, Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson are joined by Ima Casanova, Portfolio Manager for the active gold and Precious Metals Strategy and Senior Analyst for the ...
May 24, 2025
Talk Your Book: The Nasdaq 100 of Crypto
On this episode of Animal Spirits: Talk Your Book, Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson are joined by Samir Kerbage, CIO of Hashdex to discuss price action in 2025, narratives around price action, how the index is ...
May 21, 2025
Is Financial Education Working? (EP.413)
On episode 413 of Animal Spirits, Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson discuss: how retail became the smart money, why long-term investing caught on, where the money is coming from to buy the dips, chances of re-testin...
May 14, 2025
Winners and Losers From the Stock Market Rally (EP.412)
On episode 412 of Animal Spirits, Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson discuss the China trade deal, retail was right, Wall Street was wrong, price vs. sentiment, markets saved us from a recession, record stock buybacks, 4...
May 12, 2025
Talk Your Book: Will China Win the Trade War?
On this episode of Animal Spirits: Talk Your Book, Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson are joined by Brendan Ahern, CIO at KraneShares to discuss an update on China's economy, China real estate, the AI race with China...
May 7, 2025
There Will Never Be Another Warren Buffett (EP.411)
On episode 411 of Animal Spirits, Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson discuss Warren Buffett's legacy, no one can guess where the market is going, a 9 day win streak for stocks, Americans love to buy the dip, the next recession is going to be wild, Wall Street is very bearish, retail is bullish, Bi…
May 5, 2025
Talk Your Book: The CLO Playbook
On this episode of Animal Spirits: Talk Your Book, Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson are joined by Shiloh Bates, Partner and CIO of Flat Rock Global to discuss the relationship between income and volatility, how CLOs pe...
April 30, 2025
The Most Confusing Rally of All Time (EP.410)
On episode 410 of Animal Spirits, Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson discuss: a wild month of stock market performance, bear market rallies, a shift in tariffs, Amazon fighting back, an update on earnings, thoughts on conference...
April 28, 2025
Talk Your Book: Equal Weight Investing
On this episode of Animal Spirits: Talk Your Book, Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson are joined by Nick Kalivas, Head of Factor & Core Equity Product Strategy at Invesco to discuss the research behind equal weighting, conce...
April 26, 2025
Talk Your Book: Derek Thompson Feels Like He's Taking Crazy Pills
On this episode of Animal Spirits: Talk Your Book, Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson speak with Abundance author Derek Thompson about his new book, what it means in the current environment, why the supply chain is so import...
April 23, 2025
So Bearish It's Bullish (EP.409)
On episode 409 of Animal Spirits, Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson discuss: some 1929 and 1932 comparisons, the impact of tariffs on small businesses, supply chain problems are coming, putting the dollar's move into perspectiv...
April 21, 2025
Talk Your Book: Interest Rates Go Kablooey
On this two-part episode of Animal Spirits: Talk Your Book, Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson speak with Jason Greenblath of American Century Investments about short duration fixed income, remaining active during recessions, in...
April 19, 2025
Talk Your Book: How Not To Invest Like Buffett
On this special two-part episode of Animal Spirits: Talk Your Book, Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson speak with Barry Ritholtz to discuss his new book, How Not To Invest. Barry is the co-founder and Chief Investment Officer of...
April 16, 2025
The Dollar Dump (EP.408)
On episode 408 of Animal Spirits, Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson discuss: the tariff tantrum, why a falling dollar matters, yields are rising, betting markets on recession predictions, sentiment is falling off a cliff, buyin...
April 14, 2025
Talk Your Book: Elevator Growth in Mid Caps
On this episode of Animal Spirits: Talk Your Book, Michael Batnick , CFA and Ben Carlson , CFA are joined by Matt Bartolini, CFA, CAIA, Managing Director at State Street Global Advisors and Head of SPDR Americas Research Team...
April 9, 2025
The Stock Market Crashed. Now What? (EP.407)
On episode 407 of Animal Spirits, Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson discuss the chaos surrounding tariffs, Dan Ives getting cautious, possible affects on the economy, fake headlines moving markets, cabanas are getting out of co...