
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
Jul 6, 2024 • 1h 1min
SI303: The Unstoppable Volpocalypse ft. Cem Karsan & Alan Dunne
Global macro expert Cem Karsan and Alan Dunne delve into market volatility, options trading strategies, wealth effect, elections impact, and global implications of the US election. They discuss the market microstructure, volatility dynamics, market breadth, potential market decline post-August, and trading strategies amidst increasing volatility.

Jul 3, 2024 • 57min
GM64: Why the Economy is Vulnerable to Recession ft. Claudia Sahm
Claudia Sahm, Chief Economist at New Century Advisors, discusses the vulnerability of the economy to recession. They analyze conflicting macroeconomic data, the decline in inflation, and the shift towards active fiscal policies. They also explore the implications of debt sustainability for the next US administration.

Jun 29, 2024 • 1h 8min
SI302: The Negative Crisis Beta and CTA's Hidden Market Timing Skills ft. Nick Baltas
Nick Baltas discusses CTAs' negative crisis beta and hidden market timing skills with Alan Dunne. They explore trend-following programs, volatility levels, constructing carry strategies, and the impact of equity exposure in crisis situations. The podcast delves into market timing, downside protection, and optimizing portfolio design with trend following and carry strategies.

Jun 26, 2024 • 1h 17min
GM63: War Without Rules ft. General Robert Spalding
Retired General Robert Spalding discusses China's strategies for global dominance in 'War Without Rules.' The conversation covers warning signs, countering CCP tactics, and essential insights for policymakers and investors. Topics include evolving warfare tactics, CCP influence through TikTok, preserving democracy, defining red lines in modern warfare, and navigating conflicts with China.

Jun 22, 2024 • 1h 6min
SI301: The AI Hype within Investing...a Step Too Far? ft. Rob Carver
Expert Rob Carver discusses buying put options for tail risk, trend following, carry strategies, and the impact of the U.S. election on the economy. He shares skepticism about AI hype, challenges of fee setting, and investor preferences for high-fee managers. The podcast explores the risks and liabilities of AI in asset management, the complexities of performance fees, and the importance of transparency and caution in utilizing AI tools.

Jun 19, 2024 • 51min
OI08: Trend Following...Austrian Style ft. Michael Neubauer & Joseph Waldstein from SMN
Guests Michael Neubauer & Joseph Waldstein from SMN Investment Services discuss their 28-year track record in trend following. They cover trading many different markets, including synthetic and exotic markets. They explain their unique approach to trading VIX futures and why they monitor this market hourly for potential exits.

Jun 15, 2024 • 57min
SI300: Finding the Optimal Trend Following Rules ft. Richard Brennan
Expert in trend following strategies, Richard Brennan, discusses finding optimal trend rules, market regimes, Markov models, and AI's impact on trading competitiveness. Topics include industry performance updates, using ATR for position sizing, optimizing rules in different market regimes, skepticism in fund performance, and exploring future trend episodes.

9 snips
Jun 12, 2024 • 57min
IL27: Unlocking the Secrets of Great Communication ft. Charles Duhigg
Award-winning writer Charles Duhigg shares insights on effective communication, highlighting the importance of asking deep questions, understanding multiple identities, and building unity. He discusses creating meaningful conversations between different groups and the power of communication in fostering connections. Includes examples of using soccer to unite communities and navigating communication rules in the digital age.

Jun 8, 2024 • 1h 10min
SI299: Sharing the Trend Following Pie ft. Andrew Beer
Financial expert Andrew Beer discusses inflation, macroeconomic modeling, and trend following strategies. Topics include the existential crisis in modeling, trend followers as short sellers, dealing with replication model lag effect, sharing the trend following pie, money as packed anxiety, ETF industry positivity injection, and managed futures space stalling.

Jun 5, 2024 • 1h 4min
GM62: How to Build a Future-Proof Portfolio ft. Bob Elliott
Bob Elliott, founder of Unlimited Funds and former right-hand man of Ray Dalio, discusses income-led economic expansion in the US, mispricing in interest rate term-structure, inflation's impact on Fed policy, global macro issues in China and Europe. Cem shares his 2024 outlook. Diversification, systematic macro understanding, navigating economic shifts, enhancing portfolio performance, global exchange rates, market factors, and political influence on investments are key topics.