Episodes
March 12, 2020
Emergency Podcast: Preparing for a Recession
On today's emergency edition of Animal Spirits, we discuss the severe disruption being caused by the coronavirus, why it's ok to overreact but not panic, how to prepare for a recession and why personal finances are more important than portfolio...
March 11, 2020
Oil's 1987 Moment (EP.129)
On this week's episode we talk about the carnage in the stock market, the huge drop in oil prices, going from the fear of missing out to the fear of being in, why moves in the markets feel like they're happening faster than ever, some context...
March 9, 2020
A Random Watch Down Wall Street: The Founder
On this week's business movie re-watch, we discuss The Founder, the Michael Keaton movie from 2016 about Ray Kroc and how he built McDonald's into an empire from humble beginnings. Find complete shownotes on our blogs... Ben Carlson’s Michael...
March 4, 2020
The Emergency Rate Cut (EP.128)
On this week's show we discuss the wild moves in the stock market, the emergency rate cut by the Fed, the chances the coronavirus leads to a recession, the crazy move lower in interest rates, Robinhood's issues, the industries most impacted...
March 2, 2020
Talk Your Book: Investing in Commodities
On this week's Talk Your Book Michael and Ben talk all things commodities with Yale's Geert Rouwenhorst and John Love from USCF Investments. Find complete shownotes on our blogs... Ben Carlson’s Michael Batnick’s Like us on And feel free to...
Feb. 26, 2020
Michael's Worst Investment Ever (EP.127)
On this week's episode, we discuss the impact of the coronavirus, ramifications of the asset management mergers because of commission-free trading, why the top 1% isn't static, why bond yields are so low, cashing out your 401k to pay for business...
Feb. 19, 2020
What Makes People Happier Than Money (EP.126)
On this week's show we discuss the wealth inequality problem, how to get more people invested in financial assets, who gets hit the hardest during the next market crash, overcrowding in the private markets, concentration in the U.S. stock market,...
Feb. 17, 2020
A Random Watch Down Wall Street: Margin Call
On this edition of a Random Watch Down Wall Street we re-visited Margin Call, the 2011 fictional movie about the 2008 financial crisis from the perspective of the various employees at an investment bank that is potentially going under. We discuss...
Feb. 12, 2020
Everybody's Trading (EP.125)
On this week's show, we discuss the rise of TikTok Tesla traders, material signs of wealth, the generational wealth gap, why so much money is going into bond funds, why NYC is the enemy of personal finance, the Coronavirus and much more. Find complete...
Feb. 10, 2020
Talk Your Book: How To Create Income in Your Portfolio
On today's show, we talk with John Schonberg, portfolio manager of the Covered Bridge Fund. John explains how they derive income in this strategy by selling covered calls, and how this could fit into an overall portfolio. Find complete shownotes on...
Feb. 5, 2020
Do Economies Need to Go Bust? (EP.124)
On today's show we discuss the amazing run by Tesla's stock, why markets aren't like casinos, Ray Dalio's beef with the WSJ, Zeri Hedge getting banned from Twitter, sports gambling as the next stock-picking, why more risk doesn't always equal higher...
Jan. 29, 2020
Apocalyptic Thinking (EP.123)
On this week's show, we discuss living for today, why millennials own such a small piece of the real estate pie, why investors trade more than they used to, why older people will be working longer, FIRE backlash, the Fed's role in stock valuations,...
Jan. 22, 2020
The Short Squeeze (EP.122)
On this week's show we discuss Tesla's wild ride, fixing the US retirement system, why financial literacy doesn't always work, why the Fed isn't to blame for everything in the markets, long-term market return expectations, where are all the start-ups...
Jan. 15, 2020
The 10 Best Jobs in America (EP.121)
On this week's episode we discuss Vanguard vs Mark Zuckerberg, do people value work over family, chances of a recession in 2020, Apple AirPods as a business, why are there so many mattress stores, Sapphire Reserve is raising rates, the plant-based...
Jan. 8, 2020
Millennials on Communism (EP.120)
On this week's episode, we discuss Ben's new book , the future of the publishing world, how markets respond to geopolitical uncertainty, why this bull market lacks euphoria, risks & opportunities from an aging population, how many people actually...
Jan. 1, 2020
Everybody's Busy (EP.119)
On this week's show we discuss working nights and weekends, why people are "busy" all the time, why we don't enjoy innovation as much as we should, tech bros vs finance bros, low stakes conspiracy theories, energy stocks and much more. Find complete...
Dec. 25, 2019
The Best Decade in Human History (EP.118)
On this week's show we talk about the one year anniversary of the bear market, the Christmas Eve miracle bottom, the new Peter Lynch interview, why it never pays to be a pessimist, the illiquidity premium, recessionary vs non-recessionary bear markets...
Dec. 23, 2019
A Random Watch Down Wall Street: Trading Places
We re-watched the 1980s finance classic Trading Places with Eddie Murphy, Dan Aykroyd and Jamie Lee Curtis to discuss how markets have changed since then, the most iconic scenes, and how well this movie aged. Find complete shownotes on our...
Dec. 18, 2019
Shopping Under the Influence (EP.117)
On this week's show we discuss some of the best charts of the decade from YCharts, the different types of Twitter accounts, when ETFs will surpass mutual funds, the new Bob Iger book, the best memes of 2019, how much does the Tooth Fairy get these...
Dec. 16, 2019
Talk Your Book: The Case for Tactical Equity
On today's show we talk with Corey Hoffstein of Newfound Research about all things tactical, including their new ETF, ROMO. Find complete shownotes on our blogs... Ben Carlson’s Michael Batnick’s Like us on And feel free to shoot us an email...
Dec. 11, 2019
Murder of the American Dream (EP.116)
On this week's show we discuss the economy Paul Volcker inherited at the Fed, a decade without a recession, how to raise kind children, the appeal of annuities, avoiding a mid-life crisis, banana art and much more. Find complete shownotes on our...
Dec. 9, 2019
A Random Watch Down Wall Street: Boiler Room
On this episode Michael and Ben rewatch the Wall Street classic, Boiler Room to discuss how things have changed in the industry since 2000, early Microsoft millionaires, cold-calling stock pitches and much more. Find complete shownotes on our blogs......
Dec. 4, 2019
It's What It Is (EP.115)
On this week's show we discuss the coming generational wealth transfer, some good economic news, The Irishman, too many contrarians, hedge fund money, investment banking as a career, 529 investing, one of the best things about parenting and much more....
Dec. 2, 2019
Talk Your Book: Elimination Alpha – How to XOUT Your Portfolio Losers
On this edition of Talk Your Book we chatted with Will Rhind and David Barse about the new GraniteShares XOUT U.S. Large Cap ETF and thinking about finding winners by avoiding losers in your portfolio. Find complete shownotes on our blogs... Ben...