Markets and Political Utilities: A Complex Intersection

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 and Dave explore the deeper patterns shaping our society and markets—and why so many people miss the bigger picture.

🎙️ Topics discussed include:

• Why the Fourth Turning is more about renewal than collapse

• The misunderstood role of inflation in crisis periods

• How generational memory loss fuels leadership failure

• Why passive investing might be the ultimate Millennial move

• Gen X’s emergence as a uniquely flawed (and necessary) leadership class

• How conflict can become the incubator for lasting community

This is not a forecast—it’s a framework. And it might just change how you see the world around you.