How I Invest with David Weisburd

Nolan Bean, Chief Investment Officer at FEG Investment Advisors, dives into the current landscape of private equity. He argues that large buyouts are struggling due to high entry multiples and rising capital, while the lower middle-market still offers great opportunities with founder-led deals. Nolan discusses the risks associated with small-company investments, the impact of 401(k) access to private markets, and the shrinking liquidity premium. He also emphasizes the importance of relationships in investing and advocating for a proactive, crisis-oriented investment strategy.

In this conversation, Pete Kadens, a serial entrepreneur and philanthropist behind Green Thumb Industries, spills the secrets of scaling a multibillion-dollar cannabis company. He reveals the power of targeting overlooked markets, particularly emphasizing female consumers aged 30-50. Kadens discusses the importance of operational discipline, financial transparency, and employee ownership for driving performance. Shifting from corporate success to philanthropy, he shares his journey of character transformation and parenting, blending purpose with presence.

Join S. Alan McKnight, Jr., the Executive Vice President and CIO at Regions Asset Management, as he unpacks secrets behind elite CIO decision-making. Discover why liquidity is misunderstood and how it impacts portfolio construction. Alan reveals his barbell strategy that combines hyper-liquid and hyper-private exposures to enhance returns. He emphasizes the importance of process accountability over outcome, and how structural alpha can be found in co-investments and secondaries. Plus, learn why embracing forced illiquidity can ironically lead to better decisions!

Facing your greatest fears can unlock personal growth and resilience. Discover how Lloyd Blankfein navigated the 2008 crisis and emerged more robust. Explore Joe Rogan's ability to turn public backlash into strength. The concept of 'manufacturing a crisis' raises questions about self-discovery. Learn how founders bounce back stronger from setbacks. Embrace the idea that confronting fear can forge an anti-fragile leader. Reflect on the importance of tackling personal trials head-on for empowerment and clarity.

In this conversation with Steven Wang, a 23-year-old Harvard dropout and the innovative CEO of dub, listeners dive into the explosive growth of retail trading and how it shaped his company. Steven explains the billion-dollar potential of AI dubbing, emphasizing emotion over mere translation. He shares insights on building a productive startup culture, navigating the Gen Z investment mindset, and the impact of social media on retail investor behavior. With a focus on ethical AI development, he discusses challenges in scaling his tech-driven approach to content accessibility.

Giuseppe Infusino, Chief Investment Officer and Managing Partner at InvestBev Group, shares insights on transforming aged whiskey barrels into profitable, institutional asset classes. He discusses the unique economics of whiskey aging and how barrel pricing generates asymmetric returns. Giuseppe reveals the near-zero correlation of whiskey with traditional markets, highlighting its appeal during economic shifts. He also emphasizes the challenges consultants face in finding innovative managers and how InvestBev is redefining investment strategies in this niche sector.

In this engaging discussion, Mike Annunziata, Founder of Also Capital and former allocator at Cornell Endowment, shares insights on identifying world-class venture founders. He highlights the importance of marrying ambition with credibility for success. Drawing parallels to amateur pilots, Mike explains disciplined risk-taking under pressure. They explore how to assess behavioral tells that differentiate exceptional founders and the increasing role of AI in hard tech. Finally, he emphasizes the need for a strong mission to attract top talent and the value of owning a few great deals deeply.

Sara Crown Star, a Venture Partner at FemHealth Ventures and President of SCS Innovations, dives into the transformative potential of women's health investments. She reveals how her family's legacy of integrity drives her philosophy. Sara discusses the revolutionary FemHealth Framework and highlights AI's role in improving fertility. She emphasizes the overlooked opportunities in women's health, from postpartum depression treatments to gaps in clinical trials. Personal stories weave through her insights on community impact and the importance of fostering independent thinkers.

Discover why our brains are wired for instant gratification and how it sabotages long-term success. Learn about the two types of dopamine that drive our decision-making: fast rewards lead to addictive behavior, while slow rewards promote sustainable growth. Uncover practical strategies to enter 'monk mode' for deeper work and identify non-urgent tasks that yield exponential results. Delve into how powerful automations can leverage your time, and why changing your thinking patterns can unlock extraordinary potential in business and life.

Kendrick Nguyen, Co-founder and CEO of Republic, discusses how his platform is revolutionizing private investing by enabling over 3 million people access to markets traditionally reserved for the wealthy. He explains the impact of tokenization, the importance of bridging the gap between retail and institutional investors, and reflects on the untapped $150 trillion opportunity in retail capital. Kendrick highlights how fractional ownership and 'return on experience' can change investing for the masses, making participation more significant than speculation.