Two Quants and a Financial Planner
Two Quants and a Financial Planner bridges the worlds of investing and financial planning to help investors achieve their long-term goals. Join Matt Zeigler, Jack Forehand and Justin Carbonneau as they cover a wide range of investing and financial planning topics that impact all of us and discuss how we can apply them in the real world to achieve the best outcomes in our financial lives.
Episodes
Easy Bubbles. Hard 100 Baggers. Useless AI | 6 Things We Learned This Week
This week’s Weekly Wrap breaks down the biggest investing lessons from our conversations with GMO’s Ben Inker and 100 Baggers author Chris Mayer. We discuss how to think about market bubbles, AI capital spending, earnings risk, IPO supply, SpaceX, long-term compounders, and the founder traits that matter for investors.Main topics coveredBen Inker’s framework for easy bubbles versus hard bubblesWhy
Expensive Market. Record Issuance. Can the Story Still Hold It Up? | 6 Things We Learned This Week
This week’s Excess Returns Weekly Wrap breaks down the biggest investing lessons from Aswath Damodaran, Andy Constan and Tobias Carlisle. We discuss SpaceX valuation, AI capital spending, IPO mechanics, market overvaluation, the shift from buybacks to issuance, and whether value, small caps and equal weight stocks are starting to reverse years of mega-cap dominance.Topics covered:Why Aswath Damoda
When the Fire Hose Meets the Megatrend | The Weekly Wrap
In this episode of the Excess Returns Weekly Wrap, Jack Forehand and Matt Zeigler break down two major conversations with Mike Green and Vanguard's Joe Davis. The discussion connects passive investing flows, mega-cap concentration, AI-driven productivity, fiscal deficits, demographics, and the possibility that markets are being reshaped by forces most investors do not fully understand.Topics cover
The $1.75T IPO No One Can Price | 6 Things That Surprised Us This Week
This week’s Excess Returns Weekly Wrap looks at the market stories that surprised us most, including the potential SpaceX IPO, extreme valuations, market structure, AI disruption, value investing, tech leadership and oil prices. Jack Forehand and Matt Zeigler break down clips from Cameron Dawson, Kai Wu, Jim Paulsen and Dave Nadig on what investors should understand about valuation, index flows, d
They Lose on Purpose — And Still Come Out Ahead | The Weekly Wrap - 5/31/2026
This week’s Excess Returns Weekly Wrap breaks down the best investing insights from Adam Parker, Robert Hagstrom, and Eric Crittenden. We discuss why the market may still be trading on fundamentals, why valuation alone can fail as a stock-picking tool, how modern portfolio theory changed investing, what business-driven investors can learn from Warren Buffett, and why trend following may work by pr
He Studied 100 Years of Bubbles. He Exposed Private Equity's Volatility Illusion | The Weekly Wrap
This week’s Excess Returns Weekly Wrap breaks down the biggest investing lessons from our conversations with Cliff Asness, Andy Constan, Gene Munster, Doug Clinton, and Ben Carlson. Jack Forehand and Matt Zeigler discuss volatility, bubble regimes, AI infrastructure, private equity risk, investor behavior, and why doing nothing is often harder than it looks.Main topics covered:Cliff Asness on why
He Invested Through Five Bubbles. He Wrote the Book on Them | The Weekly Wrap - 5/17/2026
This week’s Excess Returns Weekly Wrap brings together highlights from our interviews with Jeremy Grantham, Andy Constan, Edward Chancellor and Marc Rubinstein to examine AI, bubbles, private credit, market structure and the lessons of past capital cycles.We look at whether AI is creating a new investment bubble, why technological revolutions often disappoint investors even when the technology suc
The S&P 500 is Just 46 Stocks. 89% of the Economy is Flatlining | What We Learned This Week
This week’s Excess Returns Weekly Wrap looks at what Ian Cassel, Chris Mayer, Jim Paulsen and Elena Khoziaeva can teach investors about stock picking skill, inflation risk, AI, software moats, small caps and market concentration. Jack Forehand and Matt Zeigler break down clips on why elite investors can be wrong almost half the time, why today may not be the 1970s or the 1990s, how AI is affecting
Outperformed by Mom | The Weekly Wrap – 5/2/2026
This week’s Excess Returns Weekly Wrap examines what Chris Davis and Rich Bernstein can teach investors about letting winners run, inflation risk, market concentration, dividends, AI, and the difference between economic stories and investment returns. Jack Forehand and Matt Zeigler break down clips on portfolio concentration, the 1960s vs. the 1970s, investor complacency, the Fed’s inflation targe
We Asked David Rosenberg, Chris Bloomstran and Cameron Dawson What This Market Is Getting Wrong
This week’s Excess Returns Weekly Wrap explores one of the most important questions in markets today: what’s really driving this rally, and how fragile is it beneath the surface.We break down the growing concentration in earnings, the role of passive flows, and why multiple top investors see structural risks building even as markets continue to rise.We highlight key insights from David Rosenberg,
We Asked Liz Ann Sonders, Jim Grant, and Brent Donnelly What Investors Miss About This Market
This week’s Excess Returns Weekly Wrap brings together insights from Jim Grant, Liz Ann Sonders, and Brent Donnelly to break down the biggest forces driving markets right now, including war-driven inflation, oil shocks, market resilience, and the evolving role of sentiment and policy reactions. The conversation connects macro history with real-time market behavior to help investors understand what
The Recession Signal Hidden in Walmart | The Weekly Wrap - 4/12/2026
This week’s Excess Returns Weekly Wrap brings together insights from Jim Paulsen, Brent Kochuba, Anthony Wang, and Tom Hancock to break down what’s really driving markets right now—from recession signals and oil shocks to AI economics and options flows. We explore whether current conditions look more like the start of a new bull market or something more fragile beneath the surface.We dive into uni
The 1 in 18,900 Bet | Practical Lessons from Michael Maboussin, Katie Stockton, Ben Hunt, Kuppy and Aahan Menon
This episode of Excess Returns Weekly Wrap brings together the most important ideas from a packed week of interviews, covering AI and base rates, the Magnificent Seven, commodities, macro risks, and practical investing frameworks. Jack Forehand and Kai Wu break down key clips from Michael Mauboussin, Harris “Kuppy” Kupperman, Ben Hunt, Katie Stockton, and Aahan Menon to extract timeless lessons in
The Shock No One Can Price | The Weekly Wrap - 3/29/2026
This episode of Excess Returns Weekly Recap breaks down one of the most complex market environments in recent memory, from the global oil shock and its economic ripple effects to base rates, AI-driven productivity, and private credit risks. Jack Forehand and Matt Zeigler synthesize insights from Bob Elliott, Chris Mayer, Robert, and Larry Swedroe to help investors understand what matters, what’s b
The War No One Can Price | The Weekly Wrap – 3/22/2026
This week’s Excess Returns Weekly Wrap breaks down the biggest market drivers right now, including how markets price (or fail to price) war risk, why volatility signals are flashing unusual warnings, and what options market positioning is telling us about potential downside. Featuring Jared Dillian, Brent Kochuba and D.A. Wallach, the episode also explores how macro regime shifts are changing dive
14% for Tech. 1% for Everyone Else | The Weekly Wrap – 3/14/2026
In this episode, we break down the most important insights from the week on Excess Returns,, with insights from Vitaliy Katsenelson, Jim Paulsen, and Joseph Shaposhnik. Markets today are being shaped by powerful crosscurrents including AI disruption, defense spending, macro policy shifts, and historically high valuations. In this episode, we highlight the biggest ideas from our conversations and e
From AI Hype to Hard Money | The Weekly Market Insight – March 8, 2026
In this episode of Two Quants and a Financial Planner, Jack Forehand and Matt Zeigler highlight the most important investing insights from recent conversations across the Excess Returns podcast network. Drawing on discussions with Andy Constan, Rob Arnott, Kai Wu, Ben Hunt, Rupert Mitchell, Meb Faber and others, the episode connects ideas across macro, markets, AI, credit cycles and valuation. The
The Question No One Asks | What Great Investors Taught Us About Portfolio and Purpose
In this episode, we explore one of the most important but overlooked questions in investing: what is the purpose of your portfolio? Through a series of powerful clips and reflections from Aswath Damodaran, Meb Faber, Ben Hunt, Cullen Roche, Corey Hoffstein, Daniel Crosby, Larry Swedroe, and Wes Gray, we examine how goals like financial freedom, funded contentment, liability driven investing, retir
The Retirement Rule No One Gets Right | Practical Lessons from Bill Bengen
In this episode, we discuss our biggest lessons from our interview with Bill Bengen, the creator of the 4 percent rule, and are joined by special guest Ben Tuscai.We explore how one of the most widely cited ideas in retirement planning was developed, how it is often misunderstood, and how it should actually be used in real-world financial planning. The conversation bridges academic research and pr
The Most Underutilized Concept in Investing | Four Lessons from Michael Mauboussin
In this episode, we kick off our book project, "The Most Important Investing Lesson: What the World’s Best Investors Would Teach You", with a deep dive into the ideas of Michael Mauboussin. We explore his most enduring lessons—concepts that have reshaped how we think about investing, decision making, and life. From base rates to expectations investing, we unpack how Mauboussin’s frameworks can hel
How to Avoid Selling Your Next 100-Bagger | Practical Lessons from Chris Mayer
In this special episode, Matt Zeigler and Bogumil Baranowski take you on a deep-dive mixtape journey through the best moments from their past three years of conversations with author and investor Chris Mayer. From the brutal patience required to ride out dead money periods to why the lack of a catalyst might be a feature, not a bug—this episode is packed with timeless investing wisdom. Whether you
The Fourth Turning is Here. But It Isn’t What You Think | Practical Lessons from Neil Howe
In this episode, Matt Zeigler and Dave Nadig revisit one of the most popular interviews on Excess Returns—our deep-dive conversation with Neil Howe, co-author of The Fourth Turning. But instead of leaning into the usual doom-and-gloom narrative, they unpack the misunderstood lessons at the heart of Howe’s generational theory.From inflation and leadership to passive investing and community, Matt an
When Easy Markets Hide Hard Truths | Practical Lessons from Richard Bernstein
In this episode, we highlight the biggest lessons from our Excess Returns interview with renowned strategist Richard Bernstein. We explore the paradox of today’s markets: why they feel easy, and what hard truths may be hiding beneath the surface. From the risks of narrow market leadership to the role of structural flows and investor complacency, Richard shares practical lessons drawn from decades
QE Myths. Free Trade Lies. Fatal Mistakes | 12 Great Investors Share Their Most Unpopular Beliefs
Some of the most insightful investment conversations start with a single question: “What do you believe that most of your peers disagree with?” In this episode of Excess Returns, Jack Forehand and Matt Zeigler dive into 11 controversial investing takes—from QE and technical analysis to macro obsession and fee structures. You’ll hear nuanced perspectives from top investors who challenge conventiona
20,000 Watched in Silence. Then Buffett Dropped the Bombshell. | What It Means for Berkshire
In this special episode of Excess Returns, Matt Zeigler is joined by Bogumil Baranowski to reflect on one of the most emotional and historic moments in financial history: Warren Buffett’s surprise announcement at the 2024 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting. With commentary from voices who were in the room—and some who weren’t—we explore what it felt like, what it meant, and what comes next for Berk
The Great Distortion: The Hidden Impact of Passive Investing | Practical Lessons from Mike Green
In this episode of Excess Returns, we explore the profound impact of passive investing with one of the most provocative thinkers in the space—Mike Green. Mike has developed a framework that challenges traditional market assumptions, shedding light on how seemingly "passive" investment flows might be actively reshaping markets, valuations, and even systemic stability. Using clips from our interview
Sequence Risk Can Derail Your Retirement: Here is How to Stop It | Practical Lessons from Wade Pfau
In this episode, we dive deep into the fundamentals of retirement planning with one of the most respected researchers in the field—Wade Pfau. Wade is known for blending rigorous academic research with real-world financial advice. We explore his groundbreaking ideas on the 4% rule, sequence of returns risk, annuities, income frameworks, and his innovative Retirement Income Style Awareness (RISA) mo
The Seismic Shift Markets Are Missing | Practical Lessons from Ben Hunt & Grant Williams
In this episode, we dive deep into some of the most thought-provoking ideas from two of the most original minds in investing: Ben Hunt and Grant Williams. Through a curated selection of powerful clips, we explore how markets have transformed from mechanisms of capital allocation to platforms of narrative and speculation. Ben and Grant challenge conventional wisdom, question the stories we tell our
The Diversification Delusion | The Risk that Leaves Both Stocks and Bonds Exposed
In this episode, Jack and Matt revisit one of the most debated topics in investing: the fate of the classic 60/40 portfolio. Drawing on insights from some of the smartest minds in finance—Bob Elliott, Adam Butler, Warren Pies, Rick Ferri, Jared Dillian, Andrew Beer, and Cliff Asness—they explore whether the traditional stock/bond mix still makes sense in today's environment or if investors need to
The Irrecoverable Error: Risk, Ruin, and the Rules of Wealth | Practical Lessons from Guy Spier
In this episode, Matt Zeigler and Bogumil Baranowski dive deep into the timeless investing wisdom of Guy Spier. Drawing from Spier’s interviews on both Excess Returns and Talking Billions, they explore crucial ideas about investing, risk, decision-making, and living a meaningful life. From understanding why letting your winners run can enhance returns to redefining true success, this episode is pa
The Dark Side of Value Investing: Practical Lessons from Aswath Damodaran
Join Matt Zeigler and Bogumil Baranowski as they play our favorite clips from both the Excess Returns and Talking Billions podcast interviews with Aswath Damodaran. This conversation unpacks Damodaran’s timeless insights on navigating uncertainty, embracing the process of investing, and finding comfort in a volatile market. From the ritualistic allure of the Berkshire Hathaway meeting to the pitfa
Tariffs Are Here. The Market is Down. Here is What It Means for Investors
In this episode, dive into the complex world of tariffs, national debt, and economic policies under the current administration. With the S&P down 4% and markets reacting to recent policy shifts, we bring you insights from our previous interviews with Cullen Roche and Andy Constan to break down these pressing issues. This episode is designed for everyday investors and money managers alike, offe
Most Great Traders Failed First: These Key Rules Saved Them | Practical Lessons from Jack Schwager
In this episode, Matt and Jack dive into the timeless wisdom of Jack Schwager, renowned author of the Market Wizards series. Drawing from two insightful interviews with Schwager, they explore key lessons from some of the greatest traders he’s interviewed, like Paul Tudor Jones and Steve Cohen, and unpack how these principles apply not only to trading but also to long-term investing and life. From
75% of Investors Will Disagree with These Ideas: Evidence Says They are True
In this episode, we dive into the most controversial takesfrom our podcast guests. Inspired by a brilliant question from Meb Faber(thanks, Meb!), we’ve compiled insights from top financial minds to explorebeliefs that challenge conventional wisdom. From debunking dividend hype toreimagining the role of options and AI in investing, this episode is packedwith thought-provoking perspectives. Main Top
The Great Moderation is Over: Here is What Comes Next | Practical Lessons from Liz Ann Sonders
In this episode, we break down key lessons from our conversation with Liz Ann Sonders, Chief Investment Strategist at Charles Schwab, exploring timeless investment principles and market dynamics that remain relevant regardless of current market conditions. From the end of the "Great Moderation" era to practical insights about market timing and portfolio management, Liz Ann's wisdom o
Value Investing: Dead or Just Misunderstood? | Special Guest: Tobias Carlisle
In this episode, Jack and Matt dive deep into the state of value investing with special guest Tobias Carlisle, founder of the Acquirers Funds and author of multiple books on value investing. In this insightful conversation, they look at some of the most insightful clips from our guests including Cliff Asness, Aswath Damodaran, Kai Wu, Scott McBride, Larry Swedroe and Dan Rasmussen. They explore wh
Practical Lessons from Bob Elliott
In this compilation episode, Jack Forehand and Matt Zeigler bring you the most valuable insights from our interviews with Bob Elliott, founder of Unlimited Funds and former head of Ray Dalio's research team at Bridgewater. 🔑 Key Topics Covered: Markets and Macroeconomic RealityElliott dismantles the notion that markets can permanently detach from economic fundamentals, walking through how earn
Practical Lessons from Warren Pies
In this episode, Jack and Matt dive deep into unique perspectives on markets and investing through the lens of Warren Pies and Fernando Vidal's innovative research approaches. They explore:A fresh take on the 60/40 portfolio debate and why the death of this strategy may be greatly exaggeratedHow to interpret market breadth and retail sentiment through new indicators like inverse ETF volumeWhy
Practical Lessons from Cem Karsan | Inside the Hidden Forces Moving Markets
In this episode of Excess Returns, Matt and Jack explore key lessons from one of our most popular guests, Cem Karsan. Through selected clips from multiple interviews, they unpack Karsan's unique insights on markets, investing, and risk management. The discussion covers critical concepts including:The fundamental importance of supply, demand, and liquidity in marketsWhy thinking probabilistical
Practical Lessons from Jim Paulsen
In this episode, Matt and Jack break down key insights from our interview with market strategist Jim Paulsen. Paulsen offers unique perspectives on how markets have evolved over his 40-year career, from the days when investors checked bank signs for daily Dow quotes to today's high-speed algorithmic trading environment.Key topics covered:Why traditional market valuation metrics may need updati
Practical Lessons from Jason Buck
In this episode, Jack and Matt dive deep into their conversation with Jason Buck about building truly robust investment portfolios that can withstand any market environment. Moving beyond the typical "stocks only go up" mentality, they explore critical concepts like:
The real difference between offense and defense in portfolio construction
Why treating your portfolio as savings rather t
Practical Lessons from Ed Yardeni
In this deep-dive conversation, Jack Forehand and Matt Zeigler break down key insights from their interview with Dr. Ed Yardeni, one of Wall Street's most respected market strategists. The discussion explores how Yardeni's independent thinking and data-driven approach led him to correctly predict several major market developments in 2023-24, including the path of inflation and the absence
Practical Lessons from Cliff Asness
In this episode, Jack Forehand and Matt Zeigler discuss their fascinating interview with AQR founder Cliff Asness. They explore several key topics from their conversation, including:
Cliff's humorous take on morning routines and why correlation doesn't equal causation when it comes to success habits
The "Less Efficient Market Hypothesis" and why Cliff believes markets may be bec
Practical Lessons from Warren Buffett | Timeless Wisdom from the Oracle of Omaha
In this episode of "Two Quants and a Financial Planner," we break down some of Warren Buffett's most important investing lessons and life wisdom through a series of interview clips and annual meeting footage. We start by discussing whether Buffett truly deserves the "GOAT" (Greatest of All Time) title in investing, drawing some interesting parallels to NFL running backs like Barry Sanders and comp
Practical Lessons from Larry Swedroe | Why Evidence Beats Market Narratives
In this episode of "Two Quants and a Financial Planner," we explore key insights from our previous conversations with Larry Swedroe, one of investing's most evidence-based thinkers. Through a series of clips, we examine crucial investment principles including:
Why all investment decisions should be grounded in evidence rather than narratives or speculation
The challenge of market forecasting and
The Unforecast Episode: Making Our 2025 Market Calls to Show Why Forecasting is a Waste of Time
We're back with our annual predictions episode, where we look back at our (surprisingly not terrible) 2024 market calls and make fresh predictions for 2025 (which will likely be very wrong). In this episode, we're embracing the humbling experience of market forecasting to prove to everyone (and ourselves) why market forecasting is a waste of time.
You'll hear us:
Review how Justin actually naile
Do You Really Need International Diversification? 10 Top Investors Debate
In this episode of "Two Quants and a Financial Planner," we explore one of investing's most debated topics: international diversification. Through clips from 10 different investing experts, we examine whether U.S. investors truly need international exposure in their portfolios.
Key topics include:
What actually constitutes "international exposure" in today's interconnected markets
Why U.S. stock
Practical Lessons from Andy Constan | Bridgewater, Macro Pillars and Navigating Deleveragings
Join Matt Zeigler and Jack Forehand as they break down some of the most insightful frameworks from our interviews with macro thinker Andy Constan.
Drawing from multiple conversations with Andy, they explore:
Andy's experience at Bridgewater Associates and their fascinating approach to systematic investing
The four pillars of macro analysis that help make sense of complex market environments
A p
10 Great Investors Share Their Most Important Lesson
We ask one question at the end of each of our episodes:
Based on your experience in markets, if you could teach one lesson to your average investor, what would it be?
In this episode, we discuss our favorite answers from our guests in 2024.
Featuring insights from:
Jim Paulsen on understanding your true impact as an investor
Cliff Asness on the importance of looking at your portfolio less fr
Practical Lessons from Ben Carlson
In this episode of Two Quants and a Financial Planner, we explore the timeless investing wisdom of Ben Carlson. We break down several crucial investing concepts, including why investors shouldn't blindly follow billionaires' market moves, the importance of finding an investment strategy you can stick with, and why the market rarely operates at extremes despite what headlines might suggest.
We exa
What the Rise of Passive Investing Means for Your Portfolio | Special Guest: Dave Nadig
In this episode, Jack Forehand and Matt Zeigler dive deep into one of the most debated topics in modern finance with special guest Dave Nadig. This episode explores how passive investing has transformed markets, featuring insights from leading experts including Mike Green, Aswath Damodaran, Rick Ferri, Rob Arnott, and Cliff Asness.
Key discussions:
Why active investing's poor performance led to
The Six Most Controversial Takes from Excess Returns in 2024
In this episode of Two Quants and a Financial Planner, Jack and Matt dive into some of the most controversial takes we've heard on Excess Returns in 2024.
From Aswath Damodaran's spicy thoughts on the Berkshire annual meeting (spoiler: he's not a fan) to Cem Karsan's mind-bending perspective on options being the "dog" rather than the "tail," we're breaking down six of the hottest takes from 2024
Practical Lessons from Cullen Roche
In this episode, we look at the biggest lessons we have learned from Cullen Roche, one of our most frequent and insightful guests.
We cover:
"All Duration Investing" - Cullen's framework for matching investments to specific time horizons
The Fed as Chuck Norris - Why the threat of Fed action can be more powerful than the action itself
QE vs Fiscal Stimulus - Understanding why QE wasn't inflation
Practical Lessons from Tobias Carlisle | Value Investing, Buffett and the Importance of Survival
In this episode, we sit down for a deep dive into lessons from value investor Tobias Carlisle, exploring several key insights from our conversations with him over the years. In this Halloween-themed episode (complete with plenty of Reese's cups), we break down Toby's perspectives on what makes an ideal business, the critical importance of survival in investing, portfolio concentration vs diversifi
Practical Lessons from Meb Faber | Dividends, Trend Following and a Timeless Asset Allocation
In this episode, we dive into our conversations with Meb Faber, analyzing some of his most interesting takes on investing and wealth management. We explore several clips from our interviews where Meb shares perspectives that often challenge conventional wisdom, including his thoughts on dividend investing, trend following, and the Federal Reserve.
We discuss:
- The limitations of dividend-focuse
Practical Lessons from Rob Arnott
In this episode of Two Quants and a Financial Planner, we dive deep into the insights we've gained from our conversations with investing legend Rob Arnott. We explore Rob's unique perspectives on identifying market bubbles, the challenges facing value investors in today's market, and how the rise of passive investing is reshaping market dynamics.
We break down Rob's thoughts on the power of narra
Practical Lessons from Jerry Parker
In this episode, we dive deep into the world of trend following with legendary trader Jerry Parker. We explore key insights from our previous interviews with Jerry on Excess Returns, discussing his experiences as one of the original Turtle Traders and how his approach has evolved over time.
We cover several important topics, including:
- The challenges of sticking to a trading system, even when
Practical Lessons from Guy Spier
In this episode of Two Quants and a Financial Planner, we dig into the biggest lessons we learned from investing legend Guy Spier. Drawing from our extensive interview with Guy, we explore key insights that can benefit investors at all levels.
We discuss:
- The importance of learning from mistakes early in your career
- Aligning your inner and outer self for authenticity and success
- The power
Practical Lessons from Chris Davis
In this episode of Two Quants and a Financial Planner, we dive deep into the investing wisdom of Chris Davis, exploring eight valuable lessons from our interview with this renowned investor.
We break down Chris's insights on behavioral finance, the power of inversion in decision-making, the challenges of holding winning positions, and the pitfalls of blindly imitating successful strategies.
We
Practical Lessons from Michael Mauboussin
In this episode of Two Quants and a Financial Planner, we dive deep into the investing wisdom of Michael Mauboussin, one of the most respected thinkers in finance. We revisit our interview with Michael and distill 10 key lessons that are still incredibly relevant for investors today.
We explore crucial concepts like:
The difference between investing and speculating
Understanding expectations inv
Quality and Low Volatility: The Factors That Get No Respect
In this episode of Two Quants and a Financial Planner, we dive deep into the world of quality and low volatility factors in investing. We explore how these factors work, their academic foundations, and their practical applications in portfolio construction.
We discuss the definitions of quality and low volatility, examining how they're measured and why they can be valuable additions to invest
Practical Lessons from Aswath Damodaran
In this episode, we dive into key lessons from our recent Excess Returns interview with valuation expert Aswath Damodaran. We unpack Damodaran's insights on:
Why dogma in investing can be dangerous
The evolving landscape of active vs passive investing
Challenges facing factor investing
The critical role of storytelling in valuation
How AI and 'personal bots' might reshape investing careers
Focusi
The Case Against Value Investing
In this episode, we tackle a question that is on many investor's minds: Is value investing dead? We explore various arguments for and against value investing's continued relevance in today's market.
We discuss:
The impact of low interest rates and Fed policy on value investing
Whether too many investors have adopted value strategies
How narrative-driven markets affect value investing
Our Guests Gave Us 119 of Their Most Important Investing Lessons: We Give You Our Favorite 12
We ask all our guests on Excess Returns one closing question:
If you could teach one lesson to the average investor, what would it be?
In this episode of Two Quants and a Financial Planner, we compile and discuss the most impactful answers we have received to it. We break down valuable insights on investing and financial planning from experts like Michael Mauboussin, Rick Ferri, Bob Elliott, A
10 Common Misconceptions About Factor Investing
In this episode, we explore common misconceptions about factor investing. We discuss why factors aren't less risky than the market, the challenges of diversification, and why adding more factors isn't always beneficial. We emphasize the importance of long-term perspectives when evaluating factor performance and the need for strategies to evolve with changing markets. We also touch on the e
Inside the Recent Market Volatility | What You Need to Know to Navigate It
In this episode, we dive into recent market volatility and its implications for investors. We examine several intriguing charts highlighting unusual market behavior, including significant VIX spikes and their historical context. We discuss the importance of understanding market mechanics while maintaining a long-term perspective. Throughout our conversation, we emphasize key lessons for navigatin
Lessons from Jack Schwager | 10 Things Long-Term Investors Can Learn from History's Best Traders
In this episode, we dive into lessons long-term investors can learn from our interview with Jack Schwager, author of the Market Wizards series. Drawing on Schwager's insights, we explore ten key takeaways that can benefit long-term investors, including why trading is not for everyone, the importance of learning from failure, and how to pivot strategies when markets change. We discuss Schwager&
What You Need to Know About Momentum Investing | Six Experts Help Us Understand the Basics
In this episode, we dive deep into momentum investing, bringing you insights from some of the smartest investors we know. We explore the fundamentals of momentum, breaking down its types and examining the academic research that supports its effectiveness. We discuss why momentum works, looking at behavioral explanations and comparing it to other investment factors. We also share ways to enhance mo
Practical Alternatives to the 60-40 Portfolio
In this episode, we dive deep into practical alternatives to the traditional 60/40 portfolio. We explore various approaches like the Permanent Portfolio, risk parity and return stacking and take a detailed look at how we build alternative portfolios for our clients. We also examine Nomadic Samuel's innovative work on building diversified portfolios using new ETF products. Throughout our conver
Eight Things We Learned from Our Interview with Mike Green | Practical Takeaways for Investors
In this episode, we dive into the key takeaways from our recent interview with Mike Green of Simplify. We explore several important lessons, including the need to be open-minded about new ideas in investing, the potential unintended consequences of passive investing, and the importance of looking beyond market aggregates. We discuss how these concepts apply to the average investor and what they me
Our Biggest Takeaways from the First Half of 2024 | Inflation, Growth, Market Concentration
In this episode, we take a look back at the first half of 2024 and examine some surprising trends in the economy and markets. We discuss how inflation has remained stickier than many expected, but wage growth has actually outpaced inflation for many workers. We analyze the extreme concentration of returns in the stock market, with a small number of large tech companies driving most of the gains wh
Lessons From Our Interview with Rick Ferri | The Benefits of Simplicity
In this episode, we dive into the key lessons from our recent conversation with Rick Ferri on the Excess Returns podcast. We explore Rick's approach to simple, low-cost investing and discuss how his insights apply to various investment strategies, including factor investing. We cover topics such as favoring simplicity, the enduring relevance of the 60/40 portfolio, the importance of fees, and
A Practical Guide to the 4% Rule
In this episode, we explore the 4% rule for retirement withdrawals, discussing its origins, applications, and limitations. We delve into the importance of considering individual circumstances, market conditions, and the ability to adjust withdrawal rates over time. We also discuss the challenges of unsustainable withdrawal rates and the balance between sustaining one's lifestyle and leaving mo
What You Need to Know About Analyzing Backtests
In this episode of the podcast, we dive into the world of backtesting investment strategies. We discuss the importance of approaching backtests with a healthy dose of skepticism, as it's easy to create a backtest that looks impressive but may not hold up in the real world. We explore various questions to ask when evaluating a backtest, such as whether it accounts for human emotions, has a soun
Timeless Investing Lessons | Breaking Down Corey Hoffstein's 15 Lessons from 15 Years Managing Money
In this episode of Two Quants and a Financial Planner, we dive into Corey Hoffstein's insightful list of "15 Ideas, Frameworks and Lessons from 15 Years." We explore several key concepts, such as the transformation of risk, the necessity of pain to achieve premiums, and the philosophical limits of diversification. Through a mix of investing and real-life examples, we discuss how thes
The Market is Expensive: Should You Care? | The Practical Implications of Market Valuation
In this episode we dive into the world of market valuation. We look at the major valuation metrics used to value the market and what they are and are not useful for from an investing perspective. We also look at value spreads, cross country valuations and expected returns and delve into the practical applications of valuation data in financial planning, considering factors such as time horizons, l
Q&A | ETFs vs Mutual Funds, Asset Location, Sizing Focused Factor Strategies, Direct Indexing
In this episode of Two Quants and a Financial Planner, we delve into a diverse range of listener-submitted investing and financial planning questions with speclal guest Ben Tuscai. We cover the tax efficiency of ETFs compared to mutual funds, the pros and cons of having retirement savings in different account types (Roth, Traditional IRA, taxable), strategies for investing in AI and new technologi
Investor Q&A | GameStop, Value Spreads, AI Backtesting and the Market as a Casino
In this episode of Two Quants and a Financial Planner, we tackle a range of listener questions, from the recent resurgence of meme stocks like GameStop to the potential impact of the upcoming presidential election on investors. We discuss the role of small trading accounts, the pros and cons of generative AI in backtesting investment strategies, and the significance of value spreads. While we may
Ten Lessons from Two Decades of Managing Money
In this episode of Two Quants and a Financial Planner, we explore the biggest lessons we've learned throughout our careers in investing and financial planning. We discuss the importance of diversification, the challenges of balancing long-term strategies with changing market conditions, and the critical role of understanding an investor's true risk tolerance. We also discuss the principal-
Lessons From 24 Market Experts | What We Learned From the 12 Hour PNL For a Purpose Livestream
In this episode of Two Quants and a Financial Planner, we discussed the key insights and lessons learned from our 12-hour live podcast event, "PNL for a Purpose." Throughout the day, we interviewed 24 guests on a wide range of topics, including macro investing, quantitative investing, value investing, and technology. We delved into the importance of being open to changing one's opini
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