Odd Lots

Are We Doing Decarbonization Totally the Wrong Way?

This podcast episode delves into the complexities surrounding the transition to renewable energy, emphasizing that reliance on capitalism alone may hinder progress. Brett Christophers, author of "The Price is Wrong," argues that the financial models of solar and wind energy are fraught with uncertainties and low return...

How a Professional Sports Bettor Really Makes Money

This podcast episode explores the rise of sports betting and its impact on the industry. The speakers discuss the increase in online gambling and its effect on physical locations like Las Vegas casinos. They also delve into the integration of gambling into sports media, the use of dynamic pricing strategies by gambling...

Lots More With Luke Kawa on Memestock Mania 2.0

This podcast episode explores the memestock phenomenon and its impact on financial markets, discussing topics such as the intersection of internet culture, investing, and market dynamics. It delves into the concept of a perpetual motion machine created by coordinated buying power on stocks, the financial strategies imp...

How a DOJ Economist Approaches Antitrust in America

This podcast episode explores the expanding definitions of antitrust and anti-competitive practices, highlighting their impact on inflationary bottlenecks and corporate power. The conversation delves into the role of antitrust enforcement in addressing these issues and its relationship with competition in various secto...

Introducing: Big Take Asia

This podcast episode provides a glimpse into the complexities and dynamics of Asia, highlighting the diversity of the region with its numerous countries and languages. It discusses the rapid economic growth in Asia and the challenges of covering such a vast area. The episode also touches upon the issues of press freedo...

How to Succeed at Multi-Strategy Hedge Funds

This podcast episode delves into the world of pod shops in quantitative finance, discussing their success and the factors that contribute to their achievements. It features an interview with Giuseppe Paleologo, the author of 'Advanced Portfolio Management: A Quant's Guide for Fundamental Investors', who shares insights...

Jeff Currie on Why Copper Is His Highest-Conviction Trade Ever

This podcast episode explores the challenges and dynamics of the copper market, highlighting the tension between long-term demand driven by electrification and decarbonization efforts and short-term supply fluctuations. It delves into the concept of the SuperCycles thesis and its relevance in today's commodity market, ...

Pierre Andurand Says the World Could Run Out of Cocoa Inventories

This podcast episode explores the current state of the cocoa and copper markets, highlighting the supply issues and potential price explosions. The discussion delves into the factors affecting cocoa production, including declining exports from Ivory Coast and Ghana, weather conditions, and structural issues. It also an...

Viktor Shvets on How the Fed Has Become a Prisoner of Its Own Making

This podcast episode explores the intricacies of the Federal Reserve's data dependency and its reliance on the use of "dots" as a communication tool. It discusses the potential impact of interest rate hikes, the challenges faced by the Federal Reserve, and the role of central banks in shaping global dynamics. The episo...

Lots More With Brad Setser on the Yen, a New China Shock and Excavators

This podcast episode explores the weakness of the yen and its impact on Japan's economy, as well as the export boom in China and its repercussions globally. It delves into the factors driving yen weakness, such as monetary policy and interest rate differentials, and discusses the debate surrounding the need for higher ...

Hugh Hendry on the "Terrifying" Yen Move, and Risk of "Mad Max" Deflation

This podcast episode explores the rise of Chinese firms in various industries and the concerns it raises among Americans about the US economy. It discusses China's command economy policy lever, the analysis of investment strategies, the role of China in global asset markets, and the implications of China's approach to ...

What a Fed President Hears When He Goes on the Road

This podcast episode features Tom Barkin, the president and CEO of the Richmond Fed, as he engages in discussions with various businesses and community leaders during his research trips. Barkin's goal is to gather insights into the direction of the economy by exploring areas such as labor markets, supply chains, pricin...

Lots More on How CHIPS Act Money Got Awarded

This podcast episode explores various aspects of the semiconductor industry, including the CHIPS Act, government funding, the impact of budget negotiations, criticism surrounding subsidy programs, the challenges of lagging-edge chips, the threat to chip production in Taiwan, the core pillars of Bidenomics, and the work...

Luis von Ahn Explains How Computers and Humans Learn From Each Other

This podcast episode explores the evolving dynamic between humans and machines in the realm of language and visual recognition. It discusses the increasing difficulty of CAPTCHAs and the struggle to prove human identity online, as well as the concept of CAPTCHA and its role in differentiating humans from computers. The...

The Ultra Wealthy Have Their Own Separate World of Real Estate

This podcast episode explores the development of mega-cities in the Middle East, particularly in northern Egypt, and the booming ultra-luxury real estate market. It delves into the motivations and challenges faced by developers, the competitive nature of the market in Dubai, and the role of rule of law and branded prop...

An Ex-CIA Officer Explains How to Spot a Lie in Business

Here's Who's Winning the Global Fight for AI Talent

This podcast episode explores the growing rivalry between the U.S. and China in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications. It delves into the shortage of AI talent and the geopolitical factors driving countries to develop their own AI capabilities. The episode also discusses the origins of a talent...

Josh Wolfe: The ChatGPT of Robotics is Coming

This podcast episode explores the broader applications of AI beyond ChatGPT and chatbots, particularly in industrial settings. It discusses the current landscape of AI, the rise and fall of novelty AI projects, the Moravec paradox in robotics, the differences between open and closed aspects of AI and robotics, the impo...

Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin On Getting Inflation Under Control

This podcast episode discusses the persistence of inflation above the Fed's 2% target and the factors that the Federal Reserve considers when assessing the restrictiveness of monetary policy. It also examines the impact of restrictive monetary policy on the housing market and the potential risks of the Federal Reserve ...

What AMLO's Legacy Means For Mexico's Upcoming Election

This podcast episode explores the lack of media coverage on Latin America, specifically Mexico, and highlights its growing economic and political significance. The speakers discuss the upcoming Mexican presidential election, the potential of Mexico as a hub for nearshoring, President AMLO's policies and infrastructure ...