
A Book with Legs
Welcome to A Book with Legs podcast, hosted by Smead Capital Management. In each episode, the folks at Smead Capital Management explore value investing through an entirely unique lens, bringing in authors to discuss books that have directly or indirectly influenced the decisions the Smead team has made on their investments in stocks and equities. The podcast is for the curious-minded looking for worldly wisdom. Investing is the last great liberal art, and the team at Smead wants to learn as much as they can. Any level of investor, business person, or thinker, whether personally or professionally, will be intrigued and engaged by these discussions.
Latest episodes

Jun 30, 2025 • 52min
The Smead Book List - Summer 2025
In this special quarterly ‘book list’ episode of A Book with Legs, Smead Capital Management’s analyst team, including Seamus Sullivan, Nick Garcia, and Will Keenan, joins Cole Smead to discuss memorable takeaways from books they have recently read, share what they are reading now, and preview what’s next. They also offer fresh insights for investors on opportunity in homebuilders, oil prices with Israel and Iran’s 12-day war, and more.

Jun 16, 2025 • 1h 9min
Mellon vs. Churchill: The Untold Story of Treasury Titans at War
In this episode, Cole Smead sits down with independent scholar and writer Jill Eicher to discuss her book, “Mellon vs. Churchill: The Untold Story of Treasury Titans at War.” Their conversation explores the never-before-told story of heated debates between Andrew Mellon and Winston Churchill over post-WWI debts. Eicher and Smead discuss how each side of the dispute crafted narratives to shape public opinion, their differences in leadership philosophy, and more.

Jun 9, 2025 • 38min
Enda Kenny - Exclusive Interview
In this special bonus episode, Cole Smead and Conor O’Callaghan sit down with former Taoiseach of Ireland Enda Kenny to dive deeper into Ireland’s rich history and the Great Famine. They also explore the spread of the Irish people and their modern identity. Kenny reflects on his experience as a politician, including run-ins with U.S. Presidents and what it means to be a leader.

Jun 2, 2025 • 1h 43min
Padraic Scanlan - Rot: An Imperial History of the Irish Famine
In this episode, Cole Smead and Conor O’Callaghan sit down with Author and Educator Padraic Scanlan to discuss his book, “Rot: An Imperial History of the Irish Famine.” The three explore the history of the Great Famine, explaining how Ireland’s position in the British Empire and reliance on the potato made it uniquely susceptible to starvation, and more.

May 19, 2025 • 1h 22min
Russell Shorto - Taking Manhattan: The Extraordinary Events that Created New York and Shaped America
In this episode, Cole Smead speaks with author and historian Russell Shorto about his latest book, ”Taking Manhattan: The Extraordinary Events that Created New York and Shaped America,” discussing the birth of New York City, originally a Dutch-controlled settlement called New Amsterdam on Manhattan Island, until English takeover. Their conversation explores this pivotal transfer of power, and the key figures involved, explaining how it shaped the future of New York and the American identity.

May 5, 2025 • 1h 22min
Kyle Paoletta - American Oasis
In this episode, Cole and Bill Smead speak with journalist and author Kyle Paoletta about his book, “American Oasis: Finding the Future in the Cities of the Southwest.” Their conversation explores the unique history of the American Southwest and its most iconic cities. The discussion spans from Spanish colonialism to the impact of railroads and suburbanization. They also examine the region’s key drivers of economic growth today, including innovative water conservation solutions being used to support growing populations.

20 snips
Apr 21, 2025 • 1h 32min
Amar Bhide - Uncertainty and Enterprise: Venturing Beyond the Known
In this episode, author, professor, and Council on Foreign Relations member Amar Bhide, joins Cole Smead to discuss his book, “Uncertainty and Enterprise: Venturing Beyond the Known.” Their conversation explores the relationship between profit and uncertainty when investing, the old and new schools of thought emerging from the Chicago School of Economics, artificial intelligence, and more.

Apr 7, 2025 • 1h 15min
Mary Flannery - Geoffrey Chaucer: Unveiling the Merry Bard
In this episode, writer and medievalist Mary Flannery joins Cole Smead to discuss her book, “Geoffrey Chaucer: Unveiling the Merry Bard.” Their discussion explores the life and work of English writer and poet Geoffrey Chaucer, a father figure in the English literary tradition, covering his most influential and controversial works, numerous titles and royal affiliations, impact on the modern English language, and more.

Mar 31, 2025 • 1h 1min
The Smead Book List - Spring 2025
Dive into memorable book takeaways ranging from financial euphoria to the complexities of land speculation. Explore the historical significance of Palm Beach alongside modern investment strategies. Get insights on inflation pressures and the dynamics of the oil industry. Enjoy anecdotes connecting nature's resilience to economic principles, and join a playful discussion about the parallels between politics and football. This engaging conversation highlights current reading lists and anticipates the financial landscape of the coming decade.

Mar 17, 2025 • 56min
Eric Metaxas - Bonhoeffer
In this episode, author, speaker, and radio host Eric Metaxas joins Cole Smead to discuss his book, “Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy.” Their discussion explores the remarkable life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a dedicated pastor, unwilling to waver in his convictions, even when facing the Nazi regime. Bonhoeffer’s story spans continents and finds him playing a role in a plot to kill Hitler, protecting the German Church from Nazi takeover, and more.