Former fund manager turned financial journalist Whitney Tilson shares lessons learned from knowing and studying great investors Warren Buffett, Charlie Munger and Bill Ackman. WEALTHTRACK episode 2111, broadcast on Sept. 13, 2024 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wealthtrack/support

Jonathan Clements, a personal finance expert, shares impactful lessons following his terminal cancer diagnosis. He discusses how this life-altering event reshaped his financial planning, emphasizing the importance of preparing for the future to ease loved ones' burdens. Clements highlights unseen financial risks and the need for diversification in the face of health challenges. He also advocates for a holistic approach to finances, blending personal values with practical strategies, and encourages open discussions about money to foster gratitude and stronger relationships.

Bill Wilby, a legendary global investor who retired in 2007, shares his insights on managing a retirement portfolio with a hands-on stock-picking approach. He discusses the shifts in private equity and venture capital, emphasizing the risks posed by debt and leverage. Wilby reveals his strategy for a diversified portfolio, highlighting growth in emerging sectors like AI, and the importance of investing in transformative technologies like ASML in the semiconductor industry. He underscores the necessity of diversification for long-term wealth protection.

Whitney Tilson, an influential newsletter editor and former hedge fund manager, discusses troubling signs of a potential bubble in high-quality stocks. He highlights the risks of inflated valuations and shares strategies for investing in leading companies like Costco and Nvidia. Tilson offers fascinating insights into activist investing's impact on firms such as Nike, and emphasizes the importance of a disciplined, long-term portfolio strategy. He also draws wisdom from Charles T. Munger's teachings, illustrating the need for continual learning in the pursuit of quality investments.

Mary Beth Franklin, a Social Security expert, dives into the program's critical financial challenges and future outlook. She highlights the alarming depletion of trust funds by 2033 and discusses individual strategies to maximize benefits. Franklin emphasizes the importance of timing and investment decisions, offering insights on how married couples and divorced individuals can strategically claim their benefits. She also provides advice for younger workers on preparing for potential cuts, ensuring future retirees strengthen their income.

Morningstar's mutual fund expert Russ Kinnel discusses the evolution of mutual funds over 100 years, the impact of ETFs, and the active vs. passive investing debate. They also explore the rise of major fund companies like Vanguard and innovations in actively managed ETFs and crypto ETFs.

Matt Hougan, a renowned crypto expert, delves into the transformative launch of Bitcoin ETFs, marking a pivotal moment for Bitcoin's acceptance in mainstream finance. He discusses the shift from skepticism to trust among major institutions and how regulatory advancements have paved the way for heightened interest. The conversation also highlights the rising significance of cryptocurrencies in investment portfolios, advocating for a thoughtful approach to long-term diversification, particularly with Bitcoin and Ethereum as key assets.

Noted strategist Richard Bernstein shares key investment lessons from the past 20 years. He discusses navigating economic challenges, cautions against hype in artificial intelligence investments, stresses diversification in portfolios, explains the changing fixed income landscape, suggests investing in U.S. mid-caps and small caps, and expresses skepticism towards Bitcoin ETFs.

Renowned strategist Richard Bernstein discusses successful investment themes over the last two decades and focuses on deglobalization and reindustrialization. He compares active vs. passive investing, highlights market leadership, AI narratives, and de-globalization as investment themes, and emphasizes conservative investing and diversification to build wealth.

Larry Cunningham, expert on Warren Buffett, discusses potential changes at Berkshire Hathaway post-Buffett era. Topics include the close partnership of Buffett and Munger, decentralized management at Berkshire, and long-term investment recommendations.