Top Traders Unplugged
Niels Kaastrup-Larsen
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
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 20, 2025 • 1h 11min
SI379: The Illusion of Safety in a Fully Invested Market ft. Cem Karsan
Cem Karsan, a renowned options and macro strategist famous for his insights into market volatility and structure, discusses the hidden fragility in today's bullish market. He highlights how record low cash levels can mask significant risks and explains why the VIX may not be a reliable measure of fear. Cem also critiques traditional 60/40 portfolio strategies, advocating for a more nuanced approach to risk management that includes tail exposure and non-correlated assets. The conversation explores the impact of geopolitical factors and generational shifts on market dynamics.
10 snips
Dec 17, 2025 • 1h 10min
GM92: Politics in an Age of Hard Borders and Rising Hegemons ft. Gary Gerstle
In this engaging discussion, historian Gary Gerstle dives into the shifting landscape of global politics and the declining influence of the neoliberal order. He underscores a rise in nationalism and authoritarian tendencies, challenging democratic values. Gary analyzes the implications of a Trump 2.0 landscape, including economic policies and their impacts on the affordability crisis. He warns of the risks entailed in politicizing institutions and considers the future of U.S. national security amid a backdrop of regional hegemons. Expect insights that provoke thought on democracy's resilience.
47 snips
Dec 13, 2025 • 1h 3min
SI378: When Prices Stop Making Sense ft. Mark Rzepczynski
Mark Rzepczynski, an experienced market strategist and academic, dives deep into the complexities of today's financial markets. He discusses how uncertainty, rather than predictability, shapes investing decisions, especially in light of recent Federal Reserve actions. The conversation covers the challenges of distinguishing signals from noise, the implications of market narratives, and the risks of bubbles fueled by analyst optimism and rising leverage. Rzepczynski also touches on the evolving landscape of safe assets and the momentum behind market trends.
7 snips
Dec 10, 2025 • 1h 14min
TTU151: What Comes After 60/40? Systematic Thinking, BlackRock Style ft. Jeff Rosenberg
Jeff Rosenberg, Managing Director at BlackRock Systematic, dives into how the post-COVID world is reshaping investment strategies. He discusses the shift from bonds as mere diversifiers to vital income sources amidst rising inflation. The conversation also touches on the impact of government debt and soft financial repression on interest rates. With a focus on systematic investing, Rosenberg highlights the emergence of liquid alternatives and the necessity for whole-portfolio approaches to navigate growing equity concentration risks.
6 snips
Dec 6, 2025 • 1h 9min
SI377: What's New in SG Indices in 2026? + The Regime-Adaptive Portfolio ft. Alan Dunne
Alan Dunne, an investment strategist and founder of Archive Capital, shares his insights on navigating today's fragile macro regime. He discusses the shifting dynamics affecting systematic investing, including the implications of a politicized Fed and the evolving bond market. Dunne introduces his innovative 'Regime-Adaptive Portfolio', advocating for a balanced approach of growth, adaptive strategies, and diversifiers. The conversation delves into how these adaptive strategies can lower drawdowns and enhance compounding, offering a fresh perspective on portfolio construction in uncertain times.
5 snips
Dec 3, 2025 • 1h 5min
ALO32: AI Booms, Fiscal Strains and the New Macro Regime ft. Joe Little
In this discussion, Joe Little, Global Chief Strategist at HSBC Asset Management, delves into the shifting macroeconomic landscape. He highlights the transition to a supply-constrained regime, where inflation is becoming a sticky challenge. Joe also explores AI's potential as an investment boom, the implications of fiscal dominance, and the complexities of emerging markets. He shares insights on portfolio strategies, emphasizing the need for diversification and adapting to a multipolar world, as well as the nuanced dynamics affecting the dollar.
40 snips
Nov 29, 2025 • 1h 6min
SI376: What They’re Only Now Starting to See ft. Andrew Beer
Andrew Beer, a managed futures and CTA strategist, shares his insights on the evolving landscape of wealth management. He explores how the broken 60/40 investment strategy is pushing managers to seek new diversifiers, highlighting the surge in trend ETFs and liquid alts. The discussion delves into the complexities of replication versus traditional CTAs, the true costs of investing, and the potential of managed futures as a ‘cloudy crystal ball’ for market predictions. Andrew also introduces a new low-fee ETF based on his index strategy.
14 snips
Nov 26, 2025 • 1h
IL43: The Land Trap: How Property Shapes Power ft. Mike Bird
Economist Mike Bird joins the discussion, diving into the fascinating relationship between land and power. He explains the 'land trap' and how it uniquely affects China, creating a perplexing housing paradox. Mike outlines land's pivotal role as collateral in banking and its unyielding traits of immovability and fixed supply. He contrasts China's challenges with Singapore's model of effective land use, raising questions about whether other nations can implement similar reforms. This engaging conversation reveals the intricate ties between real estate, finance, and political structures.
70 snips
Nov 22, 2025 • 1h 17min
SI375: CTAs After the Walls Come Down ft. Rob Carver
Rob Carver, an experienced systematic trader and quantitative researcher, joins to explore the nuances of trend following. He discusses whether it's a true edge or merely a compensation for discomfort. The conversation dives into the pitfalls of robustness testing, the complexities of position sizing, and the implications of CalPERS' Total Portfolio Approach for CTAs. Carver provides valuable insights on trading strategies, including the risks of intraday trading and the importance of aligning data frequency with trading horizons.
75 snips
Nov 19, 2025 • 1h 4min
UGO08: The Coming Hunger Games for Global Savings ft. David Dredge
David Dredge, a seasoned volatility strategist and author, joins to discuss how risk can be reframed as freedom. He shares his F1 brakes analogy, illustrating how protection boosts resilience in investing. Dredge critiques the traditional 60/40 portfolio, touting a 'preserve and enhance' approach for better long-term performance. He delves into the growing 'Hunger Games' dilemma for global savings amid fiscal repression and demographic shifts, arguing for convexity-focused strategies and the integration of gold and Bitcoin as protective assets.
