The Grant Williams Podcast

Ian Cassel, founder of MicroCapClub and author of Stock Picker, joins me for a fascinating conversation about investing, conviction and the advantages that can still exist for individuals willing to venture into the neglected corners of public markets. Ian’s journey began with a $20,000 family gift that he turned into $120,000 during the dot-com bubble before promptly losing 90% of it when the bubble burst—an experience which, rather than driving him away from markets, made him determined to understand what he’d got wrong. We talk about the chance investment in XM Satellite Radio that introduced him to the power of meeting management teams face-to-face, why micro-caps offer individual investors opportunities that simply aren’t available to large institutions, and the crucial difference between believing in an investment and developing genuine conviction through doing more work than everybody else. Ian also talks candidly about the things that have “chased” him throughout his life—from proving doubters wrong…

On this episode of The End Game, Bill Fleckenstein and I welcome Mike Green for a fascinating conversation about a force that has quietly become one of the most important drivers of modern financial markets: passive investing. Mike argues that ETFs, mutual funds, target-date funds and systematic strategies increasingly function as liquidity-concentration mechanisms, mechanically directing capital into securities with little regard for price, valuation or fundamentals—and, in doing so, changing the behaviour of the markets themselves. We discuss the work behind his new firm, Tier1 Alpha Asset Management, which attempts to identify the distinctive “signature” left by these flows and use that information to construct portfolios capable of responding more intelligently to incoming liquidity. Mike walks us through some extraordinary examples of the distortions this process can create, including the role leveraged semiconductor ETFs such as SOXL have played in individual stocks and even the composition of the S&P…

In this episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I welcome back Jared Dillian for a fascinating conversation about his terrific new book, The Awesome Portfolio, and a deceptively simple question: what should an investment portfolio actually be designed to achieve? Jared argues that too many investors optimise for maximum returns while paying insufficient attention to volatility, drawdowns and, crucially, their own ability to withstand losses when markets turn against them. His alternative is strikingly straightforward—a 20/20/20/20/20 allocation across stocks, bonds, gold, cash and real estate, designed to capture much of the long-term return available from equities while producing a considerably smoother journey. From there, we explore FOMO, concentration, the reluctance to take profits, the importance of creating a “life hedge” between your investments and your source of income, and why the best portfolio may ultimately be the one that allows you to spend the least amount of time worrying about it. Every…

In this episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I welcome back Andrew McDermott of Mission Value Partners for a fascinating reassessment of one of the world’s most misunderstood economies. While many investors remain focused on Japan’s currency, bond market, and decades of sluggish growth, Andrew argues that these headline narratives obscure a far more important story: Japan remains one of the world’s indispensable industrial powers. Together, we explore how Japanese companies quietly embedded themselves deep within global supply chains after the trade tensions of the 1980s and 1990s, becoming world leaders in advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, robotics, defence systems, machine tools, and precision engineering. The discussion also examines the strategic consequences of a weaker yen, Japan’s evolving relationship with the United States, and why the country’s greatest investment opportunities may lie not in broad market indices but in the globally competitive industrial businesses that continue to…

In this episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I welcome back Gerard Minack back for a fascinating discussion about one of the most consequential questions facing investors today: whether AI represents a durable investment opportunity or an extraordinary technology surrounded by an increasingly fragile earnings boom. Gerard makes an important distinction between an earnings bubble and a valuation bubble, arguing that the extraordinary profits currently being generated by the companies supplying the AI buildout are real, but may prove far less sustainable than markets expect as Chinese competition intensifies, customers become increasingly price-sensitive, and margins inevitably come under pressure. From there, our conversation broadens into what happens if the AI trade cracks, why that needn’t necessarily produce a US recession, and where capital might flow next. Gerard’s answer leads to a compelling discussion of Japan, where improving corporate behaviour, a cheap currency, strengthening domestic…

In this episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I welcome Marvin Barth of Thematic Markets back for a characteristically wide-ranging conversation about central banking, fiscal sustainability, and the intellectual frameworks underpinning modern monetary policy. Beginning with our shared admiration for the work of our mutual friend Dave Dredge at Convex Strategies, we examine the dangers of a policymaking establishment built around models that consistently underestimate fat tails, volatility clustering, and the messy realities of financial markets. That leads naturally to newly appointed Fed chair Kevin Warsh and the fascinating question of whether his emphasis on epistemic humility, accountability, and framework-based policymaking represents a genuine assault on decades of central-bank orthodoxy. From Warsh’s task forces and the conspicuous absence of mainstream Neo-Keynesian economists to America’s deteriorating fiscal position, term premia, Japan’s changing monetary regime, and the possibility that the next…

In this episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I welcome back Brent Johnson of Santiago Capital for a thoughtful and wide-ranging discussion built around Brent’s latest piece, The Band, and the evolution of his long-standing dollar thesis. What begins as an exploration of a simple framework for understanding the limits of dollar strength and weakness quickly expands into a deeper examination of the global monetary system and the unique role the dollar continues to play within it. Brent explains why dollar credit remains the lifeblood of global finance, how excessive moves in either direction create stress throughout the system, and why understanding those dynamics is essential for interpreting everything from emerging-market crises to sovereign debt, capital flows, and geopolitics. Along the way, we also explore how recent geopolitical events have altered global incentives, the growing tension between economic efficiency and national security, and what the next chapter of the international monetary order…

In this episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I welcome my dear friend Rick Rule into the studio for a wide-ranging discussion about commodities, capital allocation, and the kind of opportunities that emerge when patience meets deep industry knowledge. Drawing on decades of experience in the resource sector, Rick explains why he believes the fundamental case for commodities remains compelling despite years of investor neglect. From copper and oil to inflation, monetary instability, and the lessons of previous commodity cycles, our conversation explores the forces driving supply shortages and why many investors continue to underestimate how difficult and time-consuming it is to bring new production online. Along the way, Rick also shares his thoughts on speculation, risk management, and the importance of understanding not just what you own, but why you own it. Every episode of the Grant Williams podcast, including This Week In Doom, The End Game, The Super Terrific Happy Hour, The Narrative Game, Kaos…

In this episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I’m joined by author Dominic Frisby for a conversation that is equal parts monetary history, philosophy, and comedy. Best known to many as a comedian, writer, and commentator, Dominic brings a rare ability to explain complex financial ideas with clarity, humour, and perspective. The discussion traces his journey from trying to finance a West End musical to becoming one of the most recognisable voices in the world of gold and sound money. Along the way, we explore why gold continues to exert such a powerful hold over the human imagination, what its enduring appeal reveals about the nature of money itself, and why the debate over gold remains as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago. Every episode of the Grant Williams podcast, including This Week In Doom, The End Game, The Super Terrific Happy Hour, The Narrative Game, Kaos Theory, Shifts Happen and The Hundred Year Pivot, is available to Copper and Silver Tier subscribers at my website…

In this episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, Brendan Ballou returns for a fascinating and deeply important conversation about the rise of forced arbitration and the quiet transformation of the American legal system. Brendan explains how what began as a narrow mechanism for resolving commercial disputes has evolved into a vast private justice system that increasingly shields corporations from public accountability. Through examples ranging from hidden cellphone fees to wrongful-death cases, the discussion explores how decades of court decisions have steadily weakened consumers’ and workers’ ability to challenge powerful institutions—particularly when harms are individually small but collectively enormous. Along the way, he lays out why this matters far beyond the courtroom, touching on incentives, transparency, corporate power, and the broader erosion of trust in public institutions. Every episode of the Grant Williams podcast, including This Week In Doom, The End Game, The Super Terrific Happy Hour, The…

In this episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I welcome my good mate Dave Dredge of Convex Strategies for a fascinating conversation about fragility, portfolio construction, and why so many traditional investment frameworks are no longer fit for purpose. Using everything from London Tube strikes to Mandelbrot’s work on volatility clustering, Dave explains why markets should be understood not as stable systems occasionally disrupted by shocks, but as inherently fragile structures where hidden stresses build quietly over time before suddenly erupting. At the heart of our discussion is the “total portfolio approach”—a growing institutional framework that focuses less on the standalone return of individual assets and more on how each position contributes to the resilience, correlation profile, and survival of the portfolio as a whole in an increasingly unstable world. Every episode of the Grant Williams podcast, including This Week In Doom, The End Game, The Super Terrific Happy Hour, The Narrative Game, Kaos…

In this episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I reconnect with Jawad Mian for a deeply thoughtful conversation that moves seamlessly between markets, personal evolution, and the challenge of building an intellectually honest life in an increasingly noisy world. Jawad reflects on his decision to leave Dubai and return to Toronto, explaining how the move forced him to rethink not only where he wanted to live, but also the kind of person and investor he wanted to become. What emerges is a discussion about rhythm, reflection, and the importance of creating enough mental and emotional space to think clearly in a world dominated by speed, outrage, and constant distraction. Along the way, we trace the origins and growth of Stray Reflections, the role of community and conversation in shaping ideas, the importance of remaining flexible, curious, and humble when navigating both markets and life itself and apply all that knowledge and understanding to today’s wild markets – particularly the AI trade and the rocketship…

In this episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I welcome my old friend, and veteran copper analyst Simon Hunt for a sweeping conversation that connects the war in Iran to supply chains, commodities, monetary power, and the future of the global order. Speaking from his home in Dubai, Simon describes a city transformed almost overnight by the conflict before widening the lens to argue that the struggle over Iran is ultimately about far more than the Middle East. From BRICS strategy and copper shortages to wartime economics, gold-backed currencies, and the long-term weakening of the dollar system, Simon lays out what is most definitely a non-consensus and deeply interconnected framework for understanding a world moving steadily toward geopolitical and financial fragmentation. Every episode of the Grant Williams podcast, including This Week In Doom, The End Game, The Super Terrific Happy Hour, The Narrative Game, Kaos Theory, Shifts Happen and The Hundred Year Pivot, is available to Copper and Silver Tier…

In this episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I welcome David Leiter for a lively and highly practical conversation about his new book, Stop Making Stupid Investments: 7 Rules to Avoid the Hype and Build Real Wealth. David traces the unlikely path from guitar-obsessed kid and struggling salesman to Credit Suisse banker, Queens real-estate investor, and ultimately author of a book designed to help people avoid the traps he has seen ruin investors again and again. From dot-com mania and crypto yield schemes to Wall Street’s talent for repackaging risk under more appealing names, David lays out a refreshingly plain-spoken framework built around cash flows, downside risk, emotional discipline, and one beautifully simple maxim: “math is the enemy of bullshit.” Every episode of the Grant Williams podcast, including This Week In Doom, The End Game, The Super Terrific Happy Hour, The Narrative Game, Kaos Theory, Shifts Happen and The Hundred Year Pivot, is available to Copper and Silver Tier subscribers at my…

In the latest episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I welcome Danielle DiMartino Booth back for a wide-ranging conversation about a macro backdrop that feels increasingly detached from the official story. Danielle explains why consumer sentiment—particularly rising expectations of unemployment—is flashing a far darker signal than headline labour data suggests, and why she believes the average household is under far more pressure than policymakers are willing to admit. From hidden weakness in the job market to the spread of gambling, speculation, and buy now, pay later behaviour, our discussion paints a picture of an economy held together by coping mechanisms, financial stress, and a deepening sense that something important is missing beneath the surface. Every episode of the Grant Williams podcast, including This Week In Doom, The End Game, The Super Terrific Happy Hour, The Narrative Game, Kaos Theory, Shifts Happen and The Hundred Year Pivot, is available to Copper and Silver Tier subscribers at my…

In this episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I’m joined once again by Marvin Barth to unpack a rapidly shifting geopolitical and monetary landscape through the lens of the superb recent piece he published titled “Alea Iacta Est”—the die is cast. Marvin argues that once the United States and Israel crossed the threshold into open confrontation with Iran, the strategic calculus for all players changed irreversibly. From the distinction between Iran as a nation and its ruling regime to the broader implications for China, Europe, and the global financial system, the conversation weaves together geopolitics, currency dynamics, and investor positioning in a world increasingly defined by fragmentation and high-stakes decision-making. Every episode of the Grant Williams podcast, including This Week In Doom, The End Game, The Super Terrific Happy Hour, The Narrative Game, Kaos Theory, Shifts Happen and The Hundred Year Pivot, is available to Copper and Silver Tier subscribers at my website www.Grant-Williams.com.…

In this episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, Grant is joined by David Murrin for a sweeping and provocative discussion about the structural forces shaping today’s geopolitical landscape. David argues that current conflicts—from Ukraine to the Middle East—are not isolated crises, but manifestations of a long-term power transition from a declining US-led order to a rising, strategically coordinated China. Framed through his concept of a 100-year “war cycle,” our conversation explores how modern warfare, technological asymmetry, and internal Western fragmentation are converging to create a far more dangerous and unpredictable global environment than most investors or policymakers are prepared for. Every episode of the Grant Williams podcast, including This Week In Doom, The End Game, The Super Terrific Happy Hour, The Narrative Game, Kaos Theory, Shifts Happen and The Hundred Year Pivot, is available to Copper and Silver Tier subscribers at my website www.Grant-Williams.com. Copper Tier subscribers get access…

In this episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I’m joined by Variant Perception’s Tian Yang for a sweeping discussion of what he calls a “late-cycle macro, early-stage regime shift.” Tian argues that the global economy is pivoting away from efficiency and toward sovereignty, as great powers prioritise control of supply chains, technology, and industrial capacity. Drawing parallels to McKinley, Roosevelt, FDR, and Eisenhower, he explains why state-driven investment, industrial policy, and fiscal dominance are becoming permanent features of the economic landscape. From AI-driven melt-up dynamics in markets to gold’s role as a geopolitical hedge, Tian lays out a framework for navigating a world where governments are increasingly shaping the direction—and outcomes—of economic growth. Every episode of the Grant Williams podcast, including This Week In Doom, The End Game, The Super Terrific Happy Hour, The Narrative Game, Kaos Theory, Shifts Happen and The Hundred Year Pivot, is available to Copper and Silver Tier…

With the recent volatility in precious metals raising an inordinate amount of questions (and generating an even greater amount of hot takes and opinions from let’s just say ‘commentators who are relatively inexperienced in the idiosyncrasies of gold and silver markets’), it felt appropriate to have a conversation with Simon Mikhailovich – a man who has not only been involved in precious metals for some considerable time, but who is also as sound and as savvy a commentator as you’ll find and who brings a unique perspective to his views that’s rooted in both a wealth of experience and balanced, objective analysis. This is a wide-angle conversation about why gold matters—not as a trade, but as protection in a world built on promises.A much more useful approach in times like these. Every episode of the Grant Williams podcast, including This Week In Doom, The End Game, The Super Terrific Happy Hour, The Narrative Game, Kaos Theory, Shifts Happen and The Hundred Year Pivot, is available to Copper and Silver Tier…

In this episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I’m joined by Rabobank’s Michael Every for a provocative exploration of why the post-Cold War liberal world order is breaking down — and what may replace it. Michael argues that decades of hyper-market economics hollowed out America’s industrial and military base, and that Trump’s project represents a radical attempt to reverse that trajectory by fusing national security and economic policy. Drawing on deep historical parallels with the collapse of the Soviet Union, he sets out his ‘reverse Gorbachev’ thesis: an effort to impose a form of capitalism with a national-security face, subordinating markets to strategic necessity, elevating the Treasury over the Federal Reserve, and accepting higher inflation, heavier state intervention, and intensified political conflict at home and abroad in order to rebuild power and resilience. Every episode of the Grant Williams podcast, including This Week In Doom, The End Game, The Super Terrific Happy Hour, The Narrative Game,…

In this episode of The Hundred Year Pivot, Demetri and I are joined by geopolitical strategist Kamran Bokhari for a sweeping, historically grounded exploration of how Iran arrived at its present moment of instability—and where it may be heading next. Kamran traces Iran’s modern political evolution from Qajar Persia through the Pahlavi monarchy, the 1953 Mosaddegh coup, and the 1979 Islamic Revolution, explaining how the regime’s dual-military structure—split between the regular army and the IRGC—was forged in war and later transformed into a vehicle for political and economic dominance. From Iran’s revolutionary ideology and fear of encirclement to the rise and possible unraveling of its proxy network, the conversation builds toward a sober assessment of today’s protests, currency collapse, and internal decay—arguing that while the Islamic Republic may be weakening in unprecedented ways, the path forward is likely to be turbulent, uncertain, and region-shaping rather than clean or sudden. Every episode of…

Demetri and I welcome journalist and author Brian Winter to The Hundred Year Pivot to discuss the recent events in Venezuela and where they fit into the upheaval coming at us from seemingly every direction. Brian is the editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly and a seasoned analyst of Latin American politics and his balanced perspective is a welcome antidote to the unbridled certainty about the future that seems to have erupted since Maduro’s extradition/kidnap. We discuss the finer details of Venezuelan politics, what likely happens next, other key potential flashpoints in Latin America as well as the surprising resurgence of right-wing politics across a continent with a history of tending very consistently towards the other extreme of the political spectrum. Every episode of the Grant Williams podcast, including This Week In Doom, The End Game, The Super Terrific Happy Hour, The Narrative Game, Kaos Theory, Shifts Happen and The Hundred Year Pivot, is available to Copper and Silver Tier subscribers at my…

In this episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. John Bosetti, MD, an eye surgeon who has dedicated his career to tackling one of the most devastating—and most solvable—health crises in the developing world: preventable blindness. Dr. Bosetti recounts how a life running a successful ophthalmology practice in Napa, California gave way to a mission in Sub-Saharan Africa after witnessing first-hand the scale of untreated cataracts and the limits of short-term medical missions. What followed was a bold plan to build local capacity through Eye Surgeons International—creating world-class training, infrastructure, and sustainability to restore sight, dignity, and economic vitality to millions of people who have been left behind by global healthcare systems. What better way to start the new year than with a profoundly moving conversation that offers hope to thousands and provides an opportunity for us to give back? Happy New Year everyone! Every episode of the Grant Williams podcast, including This…

In this episode of Super Terrific Happy Hour, Steph and I return with our customary blend of easy-going banter coupled with a shameless plug and a sobering assessment of the global financial landscape. What begins with complaints about the cold weather and Seinfeld callbacks, as well as our upcoming live event in St. Petersburg, quickly turns into a candid examination of sovereign refinancing risks, leveraged corporate balance sheets, and a Treasury market increasingly supported not by central banks but by hedge funds and private foreign buyers. As short-term debt dependence grows and refinancing waves collide across governments, corporates, and AI-driven capex, we explain why we continue to sleep better owning gold—and why this moment feels less like a trade than long-term insurance for an unstable monetary age. Every episode of the Grant Williams podcast, including This Week In Doom, The End Game, The Super Terrific Happy Hour, The Narrative Game, Kaos Theory, Shifts Happen and The Hundred Year Pivot, is…

In this episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I welcome Diana Choyleva, Chief Economist at Enodo Economics, for a rigorous unpacking of what ‘de-dollarisation’ really means—and what it doesn’t. Moving beyond the familiar extremes of “the dollar is finished” versus “the dollar is untouchable,” Diana explains how China is methodically building an alternative financial infrastructure centred on the digital yuan and modern payment rails. The issue, she argues, is not oil being priced in dollars, but how energy is paid for and how those dollars are recycled. From Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role to the quiet technological arms race in cross-border payments, this is a masterclass in how currency, geopolitics, and technology are converging to reshape the global monetary order far faster than most realise. Every episode of the Grant Williams podcast, including This Week In Doom, The End Game, The Super Terrific Happy Hour, The Narrative Game, Kaos Theory, Shifts Happen and The Hundred Year Pivot, is available to Copper…

n the latest episode of The End Game, Bill and I welcome Gerard Minack for a masterclass in macro perspective and market realism. Gerard, founder of Minack Advisors, dissects the current investment landscape—where AI euphoria collides with fiscal fragility and complacent bond markets. Drawing on historical parallels to the late 1990s tech bubble, he explains why today’s optimism may mask structural risks: stretched valuations, rising deficits, and a world growing comfortable with unsustainable debt dynamics. The conversation spans AI’s commercial limits, the growing strain on fiscal and monetary policy, and gold’s curious role as both hedge and mirror of uncertainty, offering a sharp, grounded assessment of what the end game may truly look like for global markets. Every episode of the Grant Williams podcast, including This Week In Doom, The End Game, The Super Terrific Happy Hour, The Narrative Game, Kaos Theory, Shifts Happen and The Hundred Year Pivot, is available to Copper and Silver Tier subscribers at…

In this latest episode of The Hundred Year Pivot, Demetri Kofinas and I are joined by Peter Atwater, adjunct professor at William & Mary and author of The Confidence Map: From Chaos to Clarity. Together we explore Peter’s groundbreaking framework for understanding how confidence shapes behaviour, societies, and markets through four emotional quadrants: the comfort zone, the stress centre, the launch pad, and the passenger seat. What begins as a psychological model quickly expands into a sweeping reflection on generational fragility, social media conformity, and the dangerous imbalance of a world where too few people feel in control of their own lives—and where the next shift in collective mood could redefine politics, finance, and community itself. Every episode of the Grant Williams podcast, including This Week In Doom, The End Game, The Super Terrific Happy Hour, The Narrative Game, Kaos Theory, Shifts Happen and The Hundred Year Pivot, is available to Copper and Silver Tier subscribers at my website…

In this episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I welcome my old mate Ned Naylor-Leyland, long-time precious-metals fund manager, for a detailed discussion on the shifting dynamics of gold, silver, and the mining sector. Ned argues that gold has decisively emerged from a 44-year bear market against Treasuries to reclaim its role as the world’s true risk-free asset, signalling the start of a genuine, structural bull market. He outlines why silver—still lagging behind gold—may soon explode higher, driven by surging industrial demand, physical shortages, and growing Indian appetite, before turning to the extraordinary profitability now building within mining equities. The result is a conversation that reframes precious metals not as relics of the past, but as vital assets in a new monetary era. Every episode of the Grant Williams podcast, including This Week In Doom, The End Game, The Super Terrific Happy Hour, The Narrative Game, Kaos Theory, Shifts Happen and The Hundred Year Pivot, is available to Copper and…

In the ninth episode of The Hundred Year Pivot, Grant and Demetri welcome Roger Mitchell for a deeply reflective conversation on faith, values, and the unraveling of the modern social contract. Against the backdrop of growing disillusionment in Western society, Roger shares his personal journey and explores how the erosion of traditional anchors—family, faith, and community—has left many searching for meaning in a world defined by materialism and inequality. Together, we examine the rise of financial nihilism, the politicisation of belief, and the enduring human need for moral and spiritual grounding, offering a thoughtful exploration of how ancient principles might guide us through contemporary darkness. Every episode of the Grant Williams podcast, including This Week In Doom, The End Game, The Super Terrific Happy Hour, The Narrative Game, Kaos Theory, Shifts Happen and The Hundred Year Pivot, is available to Copper, Silver and Gold Tier subscribers at my website www.Grant-Williams.com. Copper Tier…

In this episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I welcome author and entrepreneur Robert Glazer to discuss his new book, The Compass Within—a powerful exploration of how uncovering and living by one’s personal core values can transform leadership, relationships, and decision-making. Robert shares how identifying his own guiding principles reshaped his approach to life and business, and how that experience evolved into a story-driven framework designed to help others find clarity and alignment. Together, we explore the difference between corporate “values” that often ring hollow and genuine personal ones forged through experience—showing how an internal compass, once discovered, can guide people toward purpose, resilience, and meaningful success.

In a blockbuster episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I welcome Julien Garran of MacroStrategy for a penetrating discussion on what Julien believes is the most dangerous bubble in modern financial history—the AI mania. Drawing parallels to the dot-com and housing booms but arguing this one far exceeds both, Julien dissects how years of ultra-loose fiscal and monetary policy have produced staggering capital misallocation, distorted incentives, and a fragile financial order. He explores the structural flaws in large language models, the monopolistic grip of tech giants, and the unsustainable losses lurking beneath the surface, warning that the eventual unwinding of this bubble could reshape global capital flows, undermine productivity, and accelerate inflation across the developed world. Every episode of the Grant Williams podcast, including This Week In Doom, The End Game, The Super Terrific Happy Hour, The Narrative Game, Kaos Theory, Shifts Happen and The Hundred Year Pivot, is available to Copper, Silver…

In this long-overdue episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I’m joined by Larry McDonald, founder of The Bear Traps Report and author of How to Listen When Markets Speak, to explore how extraordinary fiscal and monetary responses have reshaped the investing landscape. Larry argues that the disinflationary era is over, replaced by an inflationary, multipolar world that calls for a fresh approach to portfolios—one that favours hard assets like copper, coal, and natural gas over stretched technology stocks. Our conversation spans the political and structural forces driving this shift, from chronic underinvestment in energy and the policy bottlenecks that worsen shortages, to the rising populism fuelled by inflation. Larry highlights how the makeup of the S&P 500 is set to evolve, with industrials, materials, and energy poised to reclaim influence, while risks mount in areas such as passive investing, private credit, and certain financial stocks. We close by examining the implications of the AI-driven capital…

In this episode of The Hundred Year Pivot, Demetri and I sit down with Jonathan Kirshner, a leading classical realist and scholar of international relations, for a wide-ranging discussion on realism, uncertainty, and America’s shifting role in global affairs. Jonathan outlines realism as a descriptive framework for understanding a world defined by anarchy—where no supreme authority exists—and the resulting unpredictability of state behaviour. We explore how changing geopolitical conditions are prompting nations, including the US, to more clearly articulate and pursue their national interests, touching on recent US foreign policy choices, the weakening of the dollar order, and the rise of personalist regimes and pluto-populism. The conversation draws on history to distinguish between risk and uncertainty, while warning of the dangers that arise when societies lose shared truths—making realism an essential lens for navigating today’s turbulent international landscape. This is a conversation that’s simply too…

In this episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I’m joined by David Fergusson, CEO of Atlas Consolidated in Singapore, for a fascinating look at the disruptive rise of digital banking. From his early days building Hugosave in Singapore to launching Atlas’s HugoHub platform for banks, fintechs, and insurers worldwide, David explains how technology, open banking, and shifting regulations are reshaping the industry. Our discussion highlights how digital platforms slash costs, expand access in underserved markets, and integrate AI to accelerate adoption—all pointing to a future where financial services are more efficient, affordable, and transformative than ever before as David digs into the mechanics of this transformation, sharing how digital platforms cut operating costs, improve compliance, and unlock adoption in markets where legacy infrastructure has historically failed to reach. Every episode of the Grant Williams podcast, including This Week In Doom, The End Game, The Super Terrific Happy Hour, The…

In thie latest episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I’m joined by Michael Oliver, founder of Momentum Structural Analysis, for a deep dive into the powerful undercurrents driving today’s markets. Michael explains why the US equity rally rests on shaky ground, with broken momentum structures in the S&P 500, Nasdaq-100, and leading tech names hinting at sharp declines ahead. He also outlines how weakening bonds, a faltering dollar, and the setup for explosive moves in commodities and precious metals point to a much broader period of market upheaval. From the risk of Bitcoin tumbling back toward $50,000 to the likelihood of central banks turning once more to the printing presses, Michael makes the case that investors are standing on the cusp of a structural rupture that could redraw the financial landscape. Every episode of the Grant Williams podcast, including This Week In Doom, The End Game, The Super Terrific Happy Hour, The Narrative Game, Kaos Theory, Shifts Happen and The Hundred Year Pivot, is…

In the seventh episode of The Hundred Year Pivot, Demetri Kofinas and I are joined by renowned financial historian Edward Chancellor for a sweeping conversation on the century-long evolution of money and interest rates. Our discussion traces the abandonment of gold-backed currency, the rise of fiat money, and the resulting waves of speculation, monetary intervention, and economic distortion. Eddie examines how decades of artificially low rates fueled bubbles and imbalances that are now unwinding, reshaping industries from real estate to renewable energy. Together, we explore the political and societal consequences of ‘mispriced’ money, mounting deficits, and wealth inequality—and consider whether the world is nearing a return to sounder forms of money, albeit through a turbulent and uncertain path. Every episode of the Grant Williams podcast, including This Week In Doom, The End Game, The Super Terrific Happy Hour, The Narrative Game, Kaos Theory, Shifts Happen and The Hundred Year Pivot, is available to…

In the latest episode of The Hundred Year Pivot, Demetri and I sit down with Lawrence Fossi—better known to many as Montana Skeptic—for a fearless exploration of America’s fraying social fabric. From the shifting character of New York City to the cults of personality surrounding Elon Musk and Donald Trump, we dissect the cultural, political, and institutional forces eroding public trust and cohesion. With Lawrence’s trademark candour, the conversation delves into the dangers of celebrity-driven populism, the fragility of democratic norms, and the deep structural imbalances threatening the US political and economic system. This is a sobering yet essential listen for anyone trying to make sense of the chaos—and looking for slivers of hope within it. Every episode of the Grant Williams podcast, including This Week In Doom, The End Game, The Super Terrific Happy Hour, The Narrative Game, Kaos Theory, Shifts Happen and The Hundred Year Pivot, is available to Copper, Silver and Gold Tier subscribers at my website…

After a ridiculously long hiatus, The Super Terrific Happy Hour returns as Steph and I dive back into the rapidly changing world of global finance, exploring how Japan’s decades-long experiment with low interest rates and high debt is no longer unique, as the United States and other developed economies find themselves on a similar path. We unpack Japan’s recent inflation surge, the Bank of Japan’s extraordinary bond holdings, and the risks of major capital flows if Japanese investors start bringing their money home before pivoting to the broader implications of a world where globalization may be reversing—raising questions about reshoring, capital controls, and whether governments might coerce institutions to buy more domestic debt. There’s bundles of skepticism on display as we evaluate policymakers’ ability to manage these seismic shifts and a warning of systemic risks, fragile financial systems, and the potential for a painful redistribution of wealth. Amid the uncertainty, we discuss the enduring appeal…

In the latest episode of The End Game, Fleck and I welcome back Harley Bassman—aka the ‘Convexity Maven’—for a deep dive into the shifting landscape of global bond markets, inflation, and the future of the US dollar. Harley contends that while US bond yields have risen sharply in recent years, they are now approaching fair value when measured against historical spreads and nominal GDP. The real challenge, he argues, lies in the rapid adjustment after decades of suppressed rates, and in how markets adapt to this new reality. Our discussion explores the profound impact of demographic trends, such as the early retirement of baby boomers and delayed household formation among millennials, as well as the often-underappreciated role of immigration in sustaining US economic growth. We also examine the risks associated with persistent fiscal deficits and mounting debt, as the potential erosion of the dollar’s reserve currency status presents a problem with potentially far-reaching consequences. Despite the scale of…

In this episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I talk with with cybersecurity expert and author Dmitri Alperovitch to discuss his book, ‘World on the Brink,’ and the escalating risk of conflict between China and Taiwan. Dmitri, who forecast Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, draws striking parallels between Vladimir Putin’s motivations and those now driving Xi Jinping’s ambitions toward Taiwan, identifying five recurring factors—distorted historical narratives, belief in national destiny, security imperatives, personal ego, and the urgency of aging leaders—that are converging once again, this time in East Asia. The conversation examines concrete evidence of China’s preparations for a potential invasion, from military training sites in Inner Mongolia replicating Taipei’s streets, to sophisticated cyber campaigns targeting US infrastructure, and the construction of landing craft engineered for amphibious assaults and Dmitri argues that Taiwan’s significance extends well beyond its semiconductor industry; control of…

In the fifth episode of The Hundred Year Pivot, Demetri Kofinas and I sit down with economist Charles Calomiris for a probing exploration of America’s fiscal future and the deeper societal forces shaping it. The conversation delves into the concept of fiscal dominance—the point at which mounting government debt and deficits compel inflationary policies, sidelining the intentions of central banks, with Charles warning that the US is edging closer to this scenario, driven by unsustainable deficits and a political system gridlocked by the self-interest of key voting blocs and an unwillingness to confront hard choices around entitlements like Social Security and Medicare. However, the discussion moves beyond the technicalities of economic policy as Charles contends that the roots of the crisis are as much moral and societal as they are financial, pointing to a broader decline in civic responsibility and shared values across generations. Drawing on historical parallels, he suggests that periods of crisis can also…

In the latest episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I’m joined by Victor Haghani, founder and CIO of Elm Wealth, for a conversation that spans revolution, crisis, and hard-earned wisdom. From seeing his family lose nearly everything during the Iranian revolution, to his high-stakes years at Salomon Brothers and as a founding partner of the infamous Long-Term Capital Management, Victor’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. After stepping back from markets for over a decade following LTCM’s collapse, he returned with a mission: to help investors avoid the pitfalls he’d seen firsthand. We discuss the crucial—and often overlooked—importance of position sizing, the seductive danger of private equity pitches, and why too many wealthy investors are flying blind. Victor shares the principles behind his “eyes open” investing philosophy and explains why sticking to low-cost, diversified, logic-based strategies may be the most underrated path to long-term success. This is a conversation packed with insight,…

In another compelling episode of The Hundred Year Pivot, Demetri and I are joined by Dr. Pippa Malmgren to unpack the profound challenges facing American society today. Drawing from her extensive experience in US and UK political spheres, Pippa explores the collapse of shared narratives amid political polarization, economic pressures, and an overwhelming flood of information that drives people into ideological silos. She highlights how this ‘narrative collapse,’ fueled by repeated national traumas and algorithm-driven media, threatens public trust, rational discourse, and the very legitimacy of government. Pippa calls this moment a Copernican shift in American reality, emphasizing the urgent need for what she so beautifully describes as ‘heartware’- empathy, compassion, and courageous dialogue – to navigate these turbulent times. We also touch on the implications of recent UAP disclosures as symbols of institutional opacity and the limits of current scientific paradigms as Pippa offers a vital perspective on…

In this episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I’m joined by Warren Pies of 3Fourteen Research to unpack the challenges of investing in a world defined by policy shocks, geopolitical uncertainty, and persistent volatility. His data-driven approach allows Warren to cut through the noise of political unpredictability—particularly around Trump-era tariffs—and we focus the conversation on market signals, sentiment shifts, and technical indicators in today’s unstable landscape. From the precarious relationship between bonds and equities to the evolving role of the U.S. dollar, Warren offers a grounded yet insightful take on where the real risks—and opportunities—lie. We dive deep into sector dynamics, especially the misunderstood signals coming from oil and credit markets, and Warren explains how quantitative models can help investors adapt to a regime defined by monetary debasement. With a candid look at sentiment extremes and capital flow inertia, Warren frames the U.S. not as a market without problems, but as…

In the third episode of The Hundred Year Pivot, Demetri and I are joined by one of our main inspirations for setting out on this podcast journey, renowned financial historian Russell Napier, for a sweeping exploration of the deep structural imbalances reshaping the global economic and monetary order. Russell lays out a powerful framework for understanding the unwinding of decades-long distortions—rising debt, trade and capital flow asymmetries, and the pivotal role of China in the shifting global balance. As geopolitical alliances realign and governments turn increasingly to capital controls and financial repression, Russell warns that traditional investment strategies may prove dangerously inadequate. From the future of the U.S. dollar to the strategic role of gold and real assets, Russell offers a masterclass in navigating a world where preserving wealth demands foresight, flexibility, and a willingness to think far beyond the consensus as The Hundred Year Pivot forces us to completely change the way we…

In the second episode of The Hundred Year Pivot, Demetri and I talk with the man whose work inspired us to set off on this journey together – the co-author of seminal book The Fourth Turning and author of The Fourth Turning is Here, Neil Howe. What follows is a timely and thought-provoking conversation on generational theory and the turbulent state of not just the United States, but the entire world today. From rising partisanship and institutional decay to shifting cultural norms around religion, gender, and substance use, Neil unpacks the patterns he sees repeating—and what they might mean for the road ahead. We explore the defining characteristics of a Fourth Turning, why America and the rest of the world may already be deep into one, and what the implications could be both at home and on the world stage—including the possibility of a major confrontation with China. This is a deep dive into the forces reshaping our society with one of their keenest observers—and a disturbing look at what history tells us…

In this thought-provoking episode, I’m joined by Tian Yang of Variant Perception to explore the deep structural forces reshaping the global economy and geopolitical order. From the unintended consequences of Donald Trump’s tariff policies to China’s underappreciated resilience and strategic foresight, Tian offers a fresh, data-driven perspective on the shifting balance of power between East and West. The conversation moves beyond headlines to examine how innovation, manufacturing re-shoring, and changing reserve dynamics are altering the investment landscape. Tian also highlights the growing divergence in policymaking philosophies between major economies and the investment opportunities arising from those fractures before highlighting Europe’s fiscal constraints, the risks of financial repression in the US, and the emergence of a CapEx-driven supercycle. Every episode of the Grant Williams podcast, including This Week In Doom, The End Game, The Super Terrific Happy Hour, The Narrative Game, Kaos Theory and…

To celebrate the 100th episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I’m delighted to welcome my friend Lynne Bryan Phipps for a discussion unlike any of the 99 that preceded it as she and I take a personal journey into the incredible world of Integrative Equine Therapy (IET). Lynne – an ordained minister, architect and psychologist and the founder of one of Rhode Island’s leading charter schools – also founded Beachwood Centre, an extraordinary place where Lynne and her staff provide help for those suffering from trauma, anxiety, PTSD, grief and other stress-related issues, with the aid of horses. My own personal experience working with Lynne opened my eyes to something remarkable and, in this conversation, we talk about the remarkable work being done at Beachwood, the extraordinary data collected by Brown University, demonstrating the incredible healing power of IET and how (and why) horses are a transformational factor when it comes to this kind of work. This is a conversation you won’t forget. At the end of the…

This is a brand new podcast series for which I’ve teamed up with my good friend Demetri Kofinas, to explore and understand the changing world around us.Welcome to The Hundred Year Pivot.This joint effort is based on a shared belief that we are living through a once-in-a-century reordering - geopolitical, economic, moral, even spiritual. Everything – our families, societies, and governments- depends on us getting it right.Demetri and I invite you to join us as we develop novel maps and investment frameworks to help us navigate:• The breakdown of our existing political and social systems of organization and control• The emergence of new economic, financial, and monetary trading blocks• The reprioritization of national and economic security• The channeling of national savings into a new military and technological arms race• The development of a new investment paradigm with historic implications for investors Together, Demetri and I will be speaking with the smartest, most thoughtful people we know to help us…

In the latest episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I sit down with Marko Papic of BCA Research to explore the intricate interplay between geopolitics and the global economy. Marko, a good friend and seasoned geopolitical strategist, walks us through his invaluable framework for understanding the preferences and constraints of policymakers—a critical lens for navigating today’s rapidly shifting dynamics—before we dive into trade wars and regional integration in a conversation which delves into how political decisions are shaping financial markets and economic opportunities around the world. Also discussed the Trump administration’s use of tariffs and trade wars, which Marko analyzes through the prism of U.S. constraints compared to other nations, and Europe’s unique position to capitalize on current geopolitical shifts, particularly through deeper integration and increased investment prospects. Meanwhile, Marko explains why China faces significant challenges in stimulating domestic demand while grappling…