Absolute Return Podcast

On today’s show we welcome special guest, the co-CIO of Cambrian Asset Management, Martin Green. Cambrian is a quantitative investment firm for digital assets. On the show, we discuss: Cambrian’s approach to crypto investing and how it is differentiatedNavigating crypto’s volatility and macro events including the FTX bankruptcyKeys to success and staying power in the digital asset spaceAnd more

On today’s show we welcome special guest, Whitestone REIT CEO Dave Holeman. Whitestone REIT is a publicly traded real estate investment trust that primarily owns, operates, and redevelops retail community-centered properties in Texas and Arizona. On the show we discuss: The thesis behind Whitestone’s focus on community and neighborhood centersThe challenges and opportunities in real estate due to the dramatic increase in interest ratesKeys to success in the real estate industryWhich segment of the real estate market he is most bullish onAnd more

On today’s show we welcome special guest, Meteora Capital Founder and CIO Vik Mittal, his second time on the podcast. Meteora Capital is an investment firm specializing in SPAC-related instruments in both public and private companies. On the show, we discuss: What has happened in the SPAC market over the past 24 monthsMeteora’s approach to investing in the SPAC marketA look into Canna-Global Acquisition (CNGL)What he thinks is next for the SPAC marketAnd more

On today’s show, we welcome special guest, Stanford AI Researcher Dr. Mohammad Rasouli. Mohammad helps funds to realize the benefit of artificial intelligence for alternative asset investment by providing AI education and tailored AI strategy, and by implementing the proprietary InvestAI technology. These include using AI for both alpha generation and operational efficiency, including deal sourcing/insight, fundraising, portfolio transformation, investor communications, and marketing.   On the podcast, we discuss: Compelling use cases for large language models in investingSpecific examples of how AI has helped uncover unique investment opportunities more effectively than traditional methodsHow investment managers can balance the use of AI with human judgmentAnd more

On today’s podcast we welcome special guest Jeffrey Seder, founder of EQB, a company that provides thoroughbred racehorse buying, selling, breeding, and racing management services. On the show, we discuss: What got him into the business of thoroughbred racehorse buying, selling, and breedingThe basics of horse racing bettingA look into the advanced analytics used by professional horse racing bettorsThe ideal outcome for an investment into a racehorseAnd more

March 13, 2024 - On today’s podcast we welcome special guest Carson Block of Muddy Waters. Carson is an activist short seller who conducts in-depth fundamental short analysis focused on business fraud, accounting fraud, and fundamental problems. On the show, we discuss: His fortuitous path to short selling as a professionSino Forest and the short that put him on the mapThe thesis behind his bearish view on Fairfax FinancialHis approach to risk managementAnd more

December 17, 2023 - On today’s episode we welcome special guest, Hodes Weill Managing Partner and Co-founder, Doug Weill. Hodes Weill is a leading, global capital advisory firm focused on the real estate and real assets investment and funds management industry. On the show, we discuss: How real estate plays a role in investment portfoliosWhich segments of the real estate market are most favourable, and which investors should avoidThe biggest risk facing real estate investors currentlyHis real estate “top pick”And more!

October 24, 2023 - On today’s show we welcome special guest, Zapata AI Co-Founder and CEO Christopher Savoie. Zapata AI is an industrial generative AI software company developing solutions and applications to solve enterprises’ hardest problems.On the show we discuss: How Christopher went from getting his PhD in a medical field to founding several tech startupsA deep dive into what artificial intelligence is and what it can accomplishSome use cases for industrial generative AIHow the company offers faster, cheaper, and more accurate generative AIAnd more

August 14, 2023 -  On today’s show we welcome special guest, Bitcoin Depot CEO Brandon Mintz. Bitcoin Depot operates the largest bitcoin ATM network in the world. On the show, we discuss: Brandon’s “bitcoin moment” and what initially got him interested in the cryptocurrencyHis entrepreneurial journey and where he got the idea to start the companyWhy their customers use ATMs instead of online exchanges to buy bitcoinBitcoin Depot’s growth initiatives, including their approach to M&AWhat he believes is in store for the future of bitcoin

February 27, 2023 - On today’s show we welcome special guest and the 2022 Dealmaker of the Year, Danny Rice. Danny was the CEO of Rice Acquisition 1, which merged with Archaea Energy in a $1.15 billion deal and then subsequently sold to BP for $4.1 billion. Danny is now the CEO of Rice Acquisition 2, which recently announced a $1.5 billion merger with NET Power, a clean energy technology company. On the show, Danny discusses: Key lessons learned from the Archaea Energy SPAC merger and subsequent sale to BPA primer on NET Power’s innovative clean energy technologyThe case for U.S. shale gas powering reliable, clean and low-cost powerWhat inspires him as an entrepreneur and business leaderAnd more

January 6, 2023 - On today’s show we welcome special guest Phil Bak, CEO of Armada ETF  Advisors. Phil has been innovating in the ETF industry for over 15 years. He has previously served as Founder/CEO of Exponential ETFs, an ETF issuer and sub-advisor acquired by Tidal ETF Services in 2020. Phil has also served as Chief Investment Officer at Signal Advisors, a venture-backed startup in Detroit and Managing Director at the New York Stock Exchange. On the show, Phil discusses:   Characteristics of ETFs that make them a great tool for investorsSome major innovations in ETFs over the past 15 yearsThe bull case for residential real estateWhat is happening in the private REIT spaceThe major risk investors face in private REITsAnd more

On today’s show we welcome special guest, David Friedberg, Founder and CEO of The Production Board. Dave is an entrepreneur, business leader and investor who founded The Climate Corporation, which was sold to Monsanto for $1.1 billion. He now leads The Production Board, a holding company of businesses established to solve the most fundamental problems.   On the show, Dave discusses: - His early experiences in investment banking, Google, and what it was like working with Larry Page - The founding, growth and sale of his first venture, the Climate Corporation - High potential investment themes that he is focused on - Insight into one of his latest deals: Lavoro, Brazil’s largest agricultural inputs retailer - And more

On today’s podcast we welcome special guest, Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus. Intuitive Machines is a diversified space exploration, infrastructure, and services company. On the show, Steve discusses: -Some of his main learning experiences at NASA and what inspired him to leave to launch a startup -The current state of the space race -The potential for long-term lunar infrastructure and commerce -What he thinks is in store for space exploration over the next 50 years -And more

On today’s podcast we welcome special guest, AvePoint CEO TJ Jiang. AvePoint is the largest data management solutions provider for the Microsoft cloud.  On the show, TJ discusses: His journey from new immigrant, to Wall Street, to successful entrepreneur taking his company publicHow he made it through the adversity when founding the companyLessons learned from taking his company publicHis thoughts on the current recessionary economic environmentAnd more

On today’s show we welcome special guests, Newsight Imaging CEO Eli Assoolin and VSAC CEO George Sobek. Newsight Imaging develops high-quality image sensors that can be integrated into industries such as robotics, automotive, mobile and many others. Vision Sensing Acquisition is a SPAC that is set to merge with Newsight. On the show, Eli and George discuss: -A teach-in on vision sensors and chips -Growth opportunities in semiconductors -Market conditions and whether there’s a recession -Their top productivity hacks -And more

On today’s show we welcome special guest, Social Leverage Founder Howard Lindzon. Social Leverage is a venture capital firm that specializes in early-stage and seed-stage investments in the Software, Consumer, and Fintech industries. On the show, Howard discusses: How he initially got into investing and what is appealing about early-stage investingKey lessons learned from his hits and misses within startups, angel investing and venture capitalWhat he thinks is in store for NFTs, crypto and web3 in the futureHis thoughts on the current market environmentAnd more

On today’s show we welcome special guest, Trinity Capital President Kyle Brown. Trinity Capital is a provider of venture debt financing, a smart financing option for high-growth venture capital-backed startups. On the show, Kyle discusses: -A primer on business development companies -The basics of venture loans and equipment leases -How venture debt fits into an investment portfolio -And more

On today’s show, we welcome special guest Dragonfly Energy CEO Denis Phares. Dragonfly Energy is a leader in energy storage and producer of deep cycle lithium-ion storage batteries.  On the show, Denis discusses: Advantages of lithium-ion products over lead-acid batteries The outlook for lithium carbonate prices Key aspects of the business that investors should consider His favourite productivity hack And more

On today’s show we welcome special guest, Delphia's Andrew Peek. Delphia runs an algorithmic investing strategy powered by machine learning.  On the show, Andrew discusses: -Predicting fundamental data using AI to drive investment alpha -Which fundamentals their algorithm trades on -How humans can incorporate machine learning into their investment process -What he finds most compelling about capital markets -And more

On today’s show we welcome special guest, Grove Collaborative CEO Stu Landesberg. Grove Collaborative is a leading sustainable consumer products company. On the podcast, Stu discusses: -How he made the jump from the buy side to entrepreneurship -The opportunity he sees in environmentally friendly home and personal care products -Struggles and successes building a new venture from scratch -His favorite productivity hack -And more