How the Iran conflict and other developments could lead to another major financial crisis. What is different today from 2008? Why trying to seed a revolution is so risky. And finally, what can we do to prepare ourselves for the next financial crisis? Show Notes Read Trump's full statement on Iran attacks—PBS News I Predicted the 2008 Financial Crisis. What Is Coming May Be Worse. By Richard Bookstaber—The New York Times The End of Theory: Financial Crises, the Failure of … [Read more...]
552: AI Is Changing Me – and the Case for Good Enough
When is good enough actually good enough? AI is reshaping how I work and live. And a member with a portfolio that's beaten an all-in-one Vanguard LifeStrategy fund for ten years asks whether the complexity is worth it — or whether it's time to simplify. Show Notes The Upswing: How We Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again by Robert Putnam—Simon &Schuster An update on our model deprecation commitments for Claude Opus 3—Anthropic Claude's … [Read more...]
548: What Will Drive Financial Markets in 2026—and How to Make It Your Best Year
We explore the forces likely to shape financial markets in 2026 and how to make better decisions as you pursue your goals this year. Topics covered include: The difference between intentions and resolutions Key behavioral biases and how to overcome them The cautionary tale of a private real estate fund that went public Is the affordability crisis real? The big test for AI in 2026 The financial and economic outlook for the year Show Notes A Slightly Better You … [Read more...]
542 Plus: Why Always ChatGPT, Selling Gold, Model Portfolio Answers, and Funding a Short-term Liability
In Plus episode 542, David shares why he often uses ChatGPT for his AI examples. He discusses his recent trade to sell some gold. He explains the rationale for the small-cap stock ETFs used in the model portfolios, why equity REITs were moved to the Income portfolio, and how similar the new bond ETFs are to the mutual funds they replaced. Finally, we discuss managing FOMO and funding short-term liabilities. … [Read more...]
542: Don’t Take Financial Advice from AI
A concerning example of how AI makes simple financial mistakes, and the right and wrong way to use AI to make financial decisions. Topics covered include: How AI ignores the time value of money A detailed example of ChatGPT misleading by making a simple math mistake Some examples of opportunity costs and sunk costs when making financial decisions Understanding how AI works can help us use it more effectively Show Notes What Kind of a “PhD-level Expert” Is ChatGPT … [Read more...]
538: Forests, Fakes, and the Fight for the Real
From salmon leaping along the Vancouver Island coast to fake bands on Spotify, this episode explores the divide between the physical and digital economy, and what lumber markets, managed forests, and everyday life teach us about staying connected to the real. Topics covered include: How timber investing works and why it is reflective of how industries evolve What percent of economic output is physical versus digital, and how has that changed over the past fifty years How … [Read more...]
536: How to Invest During a Bubble?
From the dot-com boom to today’s AI frenzy, bubbles follow a familiar script. This episode explores how to recognize them, what sustains them, and how to position your portfolio without getting swept up in the hype. Topics covered include: How U.S. stock markets are the most concentrated and most expensive of all time What constitutes a bubble and what sustains it How to invest during a bubble Changes David recently made in his portfolio in response to the AI … [Read more...]
535: Six Principles for Thriving Under Uncertainty and How Big Tech Is Doing the Opposite
A practical framework for making better decisions, managing risk, and finding opportunity in unpredictable environments. We contrast these principles with the massive $2.9 trillion AI data center build-out by Big Tech, which is betting big on a single superintelligence future. Show Notes Inside the relentless race for AI capacity—The Financial Times Inside the AI race: can data centres ever truly be green?—The Financial Times The Kanye/Data Center Crossover by Paul … [Read more...]
531 Plus: AI ETFs, Mortgage REITS, Autocallable Notes ETF, and Trust Preferred Securities
In Plus episode 531, we review the leading ETFs that invest in the AI space. We consider what environments mortgage REITS perform the best, and is now a good time to invest. We analyze the new Calamos Autocallable Income ETF. Finally, we explore what trust preferred securities are. … [Read more...]
530: Mining and the Global Race for Critical Minerals with Kinterra Capital
How the investing landscape is being reshaped by the global race for critical minerals. Topics covered in this conversation between FEG's Greg Dowling and private equity firm Kinterra Capital's co-founders, Cheryl Brandon and Kamal Toor include: How mining and mineral processing work What are critical minerals, what is driving the demand for them, and will it continue How the rise of passive management has led to underinvestment in mining How to reconcile care for the … [Read more...]
