
Top Traders Unplugged
Discover the fascinating world of investing with Niels Kaastrup-Larsen and his remarkable co-hosts. Each week, we bring you compelling conversations with legendary investors, leading economists, masterful traders, and forward-thinking thought leaders. From Trend Following and Global Macro to Geo-Politics, Commodities, Quant Investing, Crypto, and Volatility, we uncover the strategies, stories, and lessons behind their success. Gain actionable insights from industry veterans as we celebrate their achievements and learn from their challenges. Stay ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of investing - tune in weekly and elevate your financial knowledge. For the latest episodes and expert insights, visit https://toptradersunplugged.com
Latest episodes

33 snips
May 7, 2025 • 1h 3min
GM81: What If Everything You Believe About Markets Is Wrong? ft. Demetri Kofinas
Demetri Kofinas, the insightful host of the Hidden Forces podcast, joins for a gripping discussion on the narratives shaping our perception of markets. He argues that today’s biggest risk isn't volatility but our flawed beliefs and the distortion from financial media. The conversation touches on the rise of financial nihilism, the Federal Reserve's complex role, and the necessity of accountability in a fragmented society. Kofinas stresses that true clarity in a chaotic world comes from questioning entrenched narratives and embracing intellectual honesty.

26 snips
May 3, 2025 • 1h 9min
SI346: Is the Trend Still Your Friend ft. Rob Carver
Rob Carver, a trend follower and author focused on risk management, offers insights into the challenges of trend-following in today's turbulent market. He discusses the evolving nature of safe haven assets, questioning their reliability amid economic shifts. The conversation also touches on the importance of risk management strategies and execution speed during market fluctuations. Carver reflects on past trading experiences, emphasizing lessons learned from significant losses, and advocates for simpler trading strategies as a pathway to success.

12 snips
Apr 30, 2025 • 1h 11min
IL38: Our Dollar, Your Problem ft. Kenneth Rogoff
What if the most dangerous thing in the global economy isn’t a shock — but the quiet collapse of the frameworks we still rely on?In this rare, unfiltered conversation, Kenneth Rogoff — Harvard professor and former IMF Chief Economist — joins Kevin Coldiron to confront the reality that’s too uncomfortable for most policymakers to admit:The world has changed. The models haven’t.Rogoff explores what happens when inflation refuses to respond, debt compounds beneath the surface, AI reshapes productivity, and geopolitics redraws the map — while central banks keep playing by yesterday’s rules.This isn’t a call for panic. It’s a call for intellectual honesty.Because in a world where the past no longer explains the present, clarity is the only edge that matters.If you manage capital — or ideas — in a world built on assumptions, this episode is for you.-----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HERE-----Follow Niels on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube or via the TTU website.IT’s TRUE ? – most CIO’s read 50+ books each year – get your FREE copy of the Ultimate Guide to the Best Investment Books ever written here.And you can get a free copy of my latest book “Ten Reasons to Add Trend Following to Your Portfolio” here.Learn more about the Trend Barometer here.Send your questions to info@toptradersunplugged.comAnd please share this episode with a like-minded friend and leave an honest Rating & Review on iTunes or Spotify so more people can discover the podcast.Follow Kevin on SubStack & read his Book.Follow Kenneth on X and read his book.Episode TimeStamps: 02:01 - Introduction to Kenneth Rogoff03:04 - What is at stake if the dollar loses its dominance?09:13 - How Trump tariffs are destroying the dollar13:27 - What are the alternatives to the dollar dominance?19:18 - How increased military spending could strengthen the European currencies27:19 - The Chinese Yuan is evolving36:01 - The potential for alternative stable coins43:25 - The perks of currency dominance44:26 - Why dollar dominance gives us lower rates52:05 - Are we entering a new era of currencies?54:55 - What form will the financial repression take?59:24 - How Rogoff would deal with the U.S debt01:03:21 - We are gambling on rates01:06:31 - Its time for the profession to wake upCopyright © 2024 – CMC AG – All Rights Reserved----PLUS: Whenever you're ready... here are 3 ways I can help you in your investment Journey:1. eBooks that cover key topics that you need to know about In my eBooks, I put together some key discoveries and things I have learnt during the more than 3 decades I have worked in the Trend Following industry, which I hope you will find useful. Click Here2. Daily Trend Barometer and Market Score One of the things I’m really proud of, is the fact that I have managed to published the Trend Barometer and Market Score each day for more than a decade...as these tools are really good at describing the environment for trend following managers as well as giving insights into the general positioning of a trend following strategy! Click Here3. Other Resources that can help youAnd if you are hungry for more useful resources from the trend following world...check out some precious resources that I have found over the years to be really valuable. Click HerePrivacy PolicyDisclaimer

30 snips
Apr 26, 2025 • 1h 8min
SI345: From Chaos to Clarity: The Power of Systematic Investing ft. Nick Baltas
This episode is all about exploring the intricacies of market behavior, how trends shift, and what that means for our investment strategies. We’re having a serious chat about the impact of recent market fluctuations and how they influence our approaches to trend following. Together with Nick Baltas, we’ll touch on the dynamics of crowding in trades and how that shapes investor sentiment. So, grab your headphones and get ready for a straightforward, no-nonsense journey through the latest trends and insights in the investing world.-----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HERE-----Follow Niels on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube or via the TTU website.IT’s TRUE ? – most CIO’s read 50+ books each year – get your FREE copy of the Ultimate Guide to the Best Investment Books ever written here.And you can get a free copy of my latest book “Ten Reasons to Add Trend Following to Your Portfolio” here.Learn more about the Trend Barometer here.Send your questions to info@toptradersunplugged.comAnd please share this episode with a like-minded friend and leave an honest Rating & Review on iTunes or Spotify so more people can discover the podcast.Follow Nick on Twitter.Episode TimeStamps:01:59 - What has caught our attention recently?09:44 - We are entering an era of new market drivers15:31 - Why gold might be overrated17:34 - The challenges that investors are facing at the moment21:26 - Pension funds - reasons for concern?25:05 - Industry performance update27:08 - How Baltas' models react to the current markets30:46 - Industry performance numbers32:57 - Q1, Tim: Should an allocator into trend following strategies keep holding on to the winners or switch between trend following strategies?43:35 - Q1.1, Tim: Based on his models, where does Nick currently see crowded trades, and what is his assessment on crowdedness / positioning in equities where things have been particularly choppy?47:15 - Q2, Dimitri: I’m curious whether Nick sees banks allocating more resources to systematic strategies in credit over the next few years?51:12 - Deep dive into economic trend58:29 - Discussing Katy Kaminski's & MAN Groups latest paper on crisis and corrections01:06:31 - What is up for next week?Copyright © 2024 – CMC AG – All Rights Reserved----PLUS: Whenever you're ready... here are 3 ways I can help you in your investment Journey:1. eBooks that cover key topics that you need to know about In my eBooks, I put together some key discoveries and things I have learnt during the more than 3 decades I have worked in the Trend Following industry, which I hope you will find useful. Click Here2. Daily Trend Barometer and Market Score One of the things I’m really proud of, is the fact that I have managed to published the Trend Barometer and Market Score each day for more than a decade...as these tools are really good at describing the environment for trend following managers as well as giving insights into the general positioning of a trend following strategy! Click Here3. Other Resources that can help youAnd if you are hungry for more useful resources from the trend following world...check out some precious resources that I have found over the years to be really valuable. Click HerePrivacy PolicyDisclaimer

15 snips
Apr 23, 2025 • 43min
OI15: Navigating the Commodity Markets with Calculo Capital ft. Ole Hansen & Philip Carlsson
Philip Engel Carlsson, founder of Calculo Capital, and Ole Hansen from Saxo Bank dive into the fast-paced world of commodity trading. They discuss their unique short-term quantitative strategies, leveraging machine learning to capitalize on price movements. The duo highlights rising demand for precious metals and the impact of geopolitical events on market trends. They also explore risk management through historical data analysis, offering insights on navigating volatility and optimizing performance in liquid markets. Their distinctive approach sets them apart in the investment landscape.

60 snips
Apr 19, 2025 • 1h 11min
SI344: Trend Following during Trump Tariff Turmoil ft. Katy Kaminski
The podcast dives into the latest market dynamics, featuring Katy Kaminski's research on crisis alpha and how CTA strategies adapt in turbulent times. They discuss significant shifts in investment trends, including a growing interest in long gold positions amidst economic uncertainty. The hosts also highlight the challenges of trend following during high volatility and the importance of risk management. With a mix of humor and solid insights, they provide strategies to uncover opportunities in today’s complex financial landscape.

43 snips
Apr 16, 2025 • 53min
IL37: Hate the Game? How to Navigate Life's Economic Challenges ft. Daryl Fairweather
Daryl Fairweather, Chief Economist at Redfin and author of "Hate the Game," shares her journey in economics and insights into behavioral economics. She discusses strategic salary negotiations and the importance of empathy in workplace dynamics. Fairweather also highlights unconscious bias in promotions and advocates for policy reforms addressing housing challenges. Her practical advice helps listeners navigate life's economic struggles while empowering them to make informed, strategic decisions amidst systemic inequalities.

44 snips
Apr 12, 2025 • 1h 11min
SI343: CTAs: The Unexpected Heroes of Market Crises ft. Yoav Git
In this discussion with Yoav Git, an expert in trend-following and fixed income markets, we dive into the shifting landscape of bond market volatility and its implications for investors. Yoav reveals how unexpected changes in correlations between stocks and bonds can affect trend-following strategies. He also shares insights on risk management and how Commodity Trading Advisors (CTAs) adapt to market crises. The conversation highlights the importance of diversification and the challenges posed by market dynamics, making it a must-listen for investors.

58 snips
Apr 9, 2025 • 1h 10min
TTU149: Risk, Return, Repeat: The Portable Alpha Revival ft. Razvan Remsing & Alan Dunne
Razvan Remsing, Director of Investment Solutions at Aspect Capital, dives into portable alpha strategies that are gaining traction in today's turbulent markets. He explains how a multi-asset approach can enhance portfolio performance, especially when traditional allocations falter. Listeners will discover how Commodity Trading Advisors (CTAs) play a vital role in managing risk while seeking returns. With insights on the evolving landscape of investment strategies, this discussion highlights the importance of adaptability for a new generation of investors.

28 snips
Apr 5, 2025 • 1h 15min
SI342: From Trend Following to Super Determinism ft. Richard Brennan
In this session, Richard Brennan, a seasoned trend follower who prioritizes processes over predictions, dives deep into the current market uncertainties shaping investor sentiment. He discusses the critical role of trend-following strategies amidst evolving financial landscapes and the challenges of predictive limitations in dynamic markets. Brennan also connects philosophical ideas to trading, emphasizing the significance of understanding complex adaptive systems and the interplay of technology and global dynamics, urging a disciplined approach in trading.
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