
Onward, a Fundrise Production
Onward is a podcast from America's largest direct-to-investor alternative asset investment platform, Fundrise. Onward offers unique insights and perspectives from company co-founder and CEO Ben Miller and guests.
Latest episodes

Apr 21, 2025 • 1h 15min
46: Trump's Trade Roadmap: From Hidden Plan to Radical Reality
Dive into the intriguing trade roadmap crafted by Stephen Miran for the Trump era. Explore potential futures—from global cooperation that could revive manufacturing to the real risks of recession and inflation. The discussion highlights the intricacies of U.S. trade policy, the dollar's dual role, and the impact of foreign sell-offs on American assets. Tactics used in trade negotiations are examined, revealing a calculated approach amidst aggressive rhetoric. Finally, the unmatched manufacturing strength of China complicates U.S. economic strategies.

11 snips
Apr 7, 2025 • 52min
45: How tariffs will impact the economy, with Anna Wong, Chief US Economist at Bloomberg
Anna Wong, Chief U.S. Economist at Bloomberg, brings her extensive experience from the Federal Reserve and the U.S. Treasury to discuss the impact of tariffs on the economy. She highlights the challenges of navigating current U.S. trade policies and the potential for recession and stagflation due to rising tariffs. Wong also reflects on the early pandemic response and its lessons, while addressing the implications of political biases in economic decision-making at the Federal Reserve and the future challenges facing China.

Mar 10, 2025 • 1h 1min
44: Rebuilding the World Trade Center, with Tal Kerret
Tal Kerret, President of Silverstein Properties, shares insights from overseeing the rebuilding of the World Trade Center, a project steeped in logistical challenges and emotional significance. He discusses transitioning from tech to real estate, emphasizing innovation and risk management. Tal explores the vital role of team dynamics and company culture, likening hiring to a balanced basketball team. He also provides a unique Israeli perspective on American society, touching on cultural nuances that drive collaboration and leadership in business.

26 snips
Jan 16, 2025 • 1h 1min
43: Sell your tech company for $310M or $30B, with Auren Hoffman
Auren Hoffman, a serial tech entrepreneur and CEO of SafeGraph, shares his insights from nearly 30 years in Silicon Valley. He reflects on the challenges of selling LiveRamp for $310M and the complexities of entrepreneurial decision-making. The conversation dives into the evolution of tech from the 90s to AI, emphasizing how AI can enhance creativity and productivity. Auren also discusses the changing landscape of networking, the complexities of venture capital, and how marketing shapes societal perceptions of value.

13 snips
Jan 2, 2025 • 43min
42: The greatest capital broker in the nation, Simon Ziff
Simon Ziff, President of Ackman-Ziff and a key player in over $100 billion in real estate deals, shares his remarkable journey through the evolving landscape of commercial real estate. He reflects on navigating market cycles, the shift from family-run firms to institutional dominance, and the rise of CMBS and private equity. Ziff also addresses current market challenges due to rising interest rates, financing struggles, and emphasizes the importance of relationships and transparent compensation in driving success.

26 snips
Dec 20, 2024 • 51min
41: AI policy under the Trump Administration, with Neil Chilson
Neil Chilson, Head of AI Policy at the Abundance Institute, brings nearly two decades of policy expertise to the conversation. He discusses crucial AI policy strategies in the U.S. versus the EU, spotlighting the balance between strict regulations and innovation. Chilson critiques past and potential shifts in AI policies under different administrations while emphasizing the need for clear federal guidelines. He explores the challenges of scaling tech beyond Silicon Valley and touches on state versus federal legislation impacts on AI and privacy.

22 snips
Nov 15, 2024 • 47min
40: From Bootstrap to Billion-Dollar Business, with Tristan Handy CEO of dbt Labs
Tristan Handy, Co-founder and CEO of dbt Labs, shares his inspiring journey from a data practitioner to leading a billion-dollar tech company. He discusses the transformative power of cloud technology and the birth of dbt as a community-driven tool for data transformation. Key topics include the impact of AI on non-linear growth in technology, the challenges of scaling data solutions, and the ethos of self-reliance in entrepreneurship. Tristan emphasizes the importance of resilience and innovation in navigating the evolving landscape of data analytics.

Oct 30, 2024 • 55min
39: The Rise of Build-to-Rent: A New Era in Real Estate, with Josh Hartmann CEO of NexMetro
In this discussion, Josh Hartmann, CEO of NexMetro Communities, reveals the transformative impact of Build-to-Rent (BTR) in real estate. He explores BTR's appeal to renters seeking single-family home lifestyles without the burdens of ownership. Hartmann outlines three BTR categories, emphasizing their benefits, from townhomes to cottage-style units. He also dives into the challenges developers face, including zoning regulations and supply needs, while highlighting how BTR addresses modern demographic shifts and consumer preferences.

40 snips
Jul 30, 2024 • 53min
38: Are we vastly underestimating AI? with Dwarkesh Patel
Dwarkesh Patel, a prominent figure in discussions on artificial general intelligence, shares insights into the future of AI and its societal impacts. He compares today’s AI revolution to the Industrial Revolution, highlighting its potential to boost productivity and transform economies. The conversation dives into scenario planning for AI’s development, addressing both optimistic and cautionary perspectives. Dwarkesh stresses the need for effective management of public expectations and the importance of preparing for varied outcomes as AI progresses.

Jul 23, 2024 • 58min
37: The Housing Expert Guiding the Homebuilding Industry, with John Burns
Renowned housing expert, John Burns, delves into the economic indicators and risks in the housing market, evolution of outsourced research organizations, economic impact of construction, immigration trends, demographic cohorts, and challenges faced by players in the homebuilding industry.
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