

Two Quants and a Financial Planner
Excess Returns
Two Quants and a Financial Planner bridges the worlds of investing and financial planning to help investors achieve their long-term goals. Join Matt Zeigler, Jack Forehand and Justin Carbonneau as they cover a wide range of investing and financial planning topics that impact all of us and discuss how we can apply them in the real world to achieve the best outcomes in our financial lives.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 10, 2025 • 1h 6min
Practical Lessons from Jim Paulsen
In this episode, Matt and Jack break down key insights from our interview with market strategist Jim Paulsen. Paulsen offers unique perspectives on how markets have evolved over his 40-year career, from the days when investors checked bank signs for daily Dow quotes to today's high-speed algorithmic trading environment.Key topics covered:Why traditional market valuation metrics may need updating for the modern eraA novel way to measure productivity through "profit per job" and its implications for market valuationsWhy Main Street confidence has remained low despite strong markets, and what this means for investorsHow the Federal Reserve's approach to communication and policy has transformedWhy traditional recession indicators failed in the recent cycleThe conversation features numerous "aha moments" where Paulsen reframes conventional market wisdom in enlightening new ways. His candid insights on what really drives markets and the limited role of policy makers challenge common assumptions about investing.The hosts also explore Paulsen's humble yet profound advice for investors: focus on not disrupting the core 90% of your portfolio while seeking opportunities for outperformance with the remaining 10%. This episode offers valuable perspective for both professional and retail investors trying to navigate today's complex market environment.SEE LATEST EPISODEShttps://excessreturnspod.comFIND OUT MORE ABOUT VALIDEA CAPITALhttps://www.valideacapital.comFIND OUT MORE ABOUT SUNPOINTE INVESTMENTShttps://sunpointeinvestments.com/FOLLOW JACKTwitter: https://twitter.com/practicalquantLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-forehand-8015094FOLLOW JUSTINTwitter: https://twitter.com/jjcarbonneauLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcarbonneauFOLLOW MATTTwitter: https://twitter.com/cultishcreativeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-zeigler-a58a0a60/

Feb 3, 2025 • 49min
Practical Lessons from Jason Buck
In this episode, Jack and Matt dive deep into their conversation with Jason Buck about building truly robust investment portfolios that can withstand any market environment. Moving beyond the typical "stocks only go up" mentality, they explore critical concepts like:
The real difference between offense and defense in portfolio construction
Why treating your portfolio as savings rather than a get-rich-quick scheme is crucial
Understanding real vs. nominal returns and why this distinction matters more than ever
The dangers of U.S. market exceptionalism and what we can learn from other markets' struggles
How to think about portfolio construction like building a championship sports team
The critical concept of ergodicity and why averages can be deceiving
Using colorful analogies from the Dallas Cowboys' infamous Herschel Walker trade to Dennis Rodman's overlooked impact on the Chicago Bulls, this episode breaks down complex investment concepts into actionable insights. Perfect for investors wanting to move beyond basic diversification and build portfolios ready for whatever the future holds.
SEE LATEST EPISODES
https://excessreturnspod.com
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT VALIDEA CAPITAL
https://www.valideacapital.com
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SUNPOINTE INVESTMENTS
https://sunpointeinvestments.com/
FOLLOW JACK
Twitter: https://twitter.com/practicalquant
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-forehand-8015094
FOLLOW JUSTIN
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jjcarbonneau
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcarbonneau
FOLLOW MATT
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cultishcreative
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-zeigler-a58a0a60/

9 snips
Jan 27, 2025 • 52min
Practical Lessons from Ed Yardeni
In an insightful conversation, the hosts explore Ed Yardeni's data-driven market predictions for 2023-24, emphasizing the importance of independent thinking. They discuss why traditional recession indicators failed this time, highlighting the value of labor market data. Yardeni's 'Roaring 2020s' thesis showcases the optimistic outlook for growth driven by technology. Practical investment wisdom includes a focus on quality dividend-yielding stocks and the significance of maintaining a skeptical approach to market consensus.

Jan 20, 2025 • 58min
Practical Lessons from Cliff Asness
In this episode, Jack Forehand and Matt Zeigler discuss their fascinating interview with AQR founder Cliff Asness. They explore several key topics from their conversation, including:
Cliff's humorous take on morning routines and why correlation doesn't equal causation when it comes to success habits
The "Less Efficient Market Hypothesis" and why Cliff believes markets may be becoming less efficient over time, particularly evident in the dot-com bubble and 2019-2020 market events
A thoughtful discussion on passive investing's impact on markets, including Cliff's perspective on what percentage of passive investing might be sustainable
The importance of getting comfortable with investment discomfort, especially when following factor strategies that can experience long periods of underperformance
An insightful discussion about the evolution of factor investing and whether factors need intuitive explanations to be valid
Cliff's key advice for average investors: look at your portfolio as little as possible to avoid making emotional decisions
The episode showcases Cliff's unique ability to combine deep quantitative insights with humor and practical wisdom, making complex investment concepts accessible and entertaining. Don't miss this conversation with one of the most influential figures in quantitative investing.
SEE LATEST EPISODES
https://excessreturnspod.com
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT VALIDEA CAPITAL
https://www.valideacapital.com
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SUNPOINTE INVESTMENTS
https://sunpointeinvestments.com/
FOLLOW JACK
Twitter: https://twitter.com/practicalquant
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-forehand-8015094
FOLLOW JUSTIN
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jjcarbonneau
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcarbonneau
FOLLOW MATT
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cultishcreative
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-zeigler-a58a0a60/

Jan 13, 2025 • 54min
Practical Lessons from Warren Buffett | Timeless Wisdom from the Oracle of Omaha
Warren Buffett, the renowned CEO of Berkshire Hathaway and legendary investor, shares his timeless wisdom in this insightful conversation. He explains the critical importance of knowing your 'circle of competence' and how it shaped his investment choices. Buffett discusses the evolution of his strategies, shifting from cigar butt investments to prioritizing quality businesses. He also emphasizes the value of self-investment, learning from mistakes, and the concept of heroes. Throughout, listeners enjoy fun analogies, including comparisons between investing and the NFL.

11 snips
Jan 6, 2025 • 1h 3min
Practical Lessons from Larry Swedroe | Why Evidence Beats Market Narratives
Larry Swedroe, a leading voice in evidence-based investing, shares insights on why decisions should be data-driven, not narrative-driven. He discusses the common failures of market predictions and the concept of bifurcated market valuations. Swedroe emphasizes the importance of enduring long-term underperformance and the unique risks in portfolio building. He also critiques the reluctance of many investors to engage with illiquid assets and provides a compelling defense for value investing in today's market.

Dec 30, 2024 • 1h 1min
The Unforecast Episode: Making Our 2025 Market Calls to Show Why Forecasting is a Waste of Time
The hosts humorously tackle the challenges of market forecasting, recalling their surprisingly accurate 2024 predictions. They explore the unpredictable nature of the stock market, critiquing traditional methods while sharing their own hit-or-miss experiences. The discussion includes insights on inflation, Fed policy, and what could drive markets in 2025, like M&A activity and IPOs. They also reminisce about an unexpected rise in YouTube subscribers, all while questioning the reliability of forecasts and keeping the conversation lighthearted.

10 snips
Dec 23, 2024 • 57min
Do You Really Need International Diversification? 10 Top Investors Debate
Dan Rasmussen, an investing expert known for discussing the 'Great Rotation' and U.S. equity dominance, dives into the heated debate on international diversification. He highlights how interconnected today’s markets are and questions the long-term trends favoring U.S. stocks. The discussion uncovers currency exposure's role and critiques passive investing flows. With insights from top investors, the conversation explores optimal allocation strategies, market unpredictability, and the case for a globally diversified portfolio, helping listeners refine their investment approaches.

Dec 17, 2024 • 1h 1min
Practical Lessons from Andy Constan | Bridgewater, Macro Pillars and Navigating Deleveragings
Join Matt Zeigler and Jack Forehand as they break down some of the most insightful frameworks from our interviews with macro thinker Andy Constan.
Drawing from multiple conversations with Andy, they explore:
Andy's experience at Bridgewater Associates and their fascinating approach to systematic investing
The four pillars of macro analysis that help make sense of complex market environments
A practical framework for evaluating market deleveraging events
Essential lessons about personal portfolio management and the importance of having clear financial goals
The realities of working in the financial industry and managing concentrated stock positions
Andy's ability to break down complex topics into simple, actionable frameworks has made him one of the most valuable voices in macro investing. Whether you're a professional investor or managing your personal portfolio, this episode offers important insights into how to think about markets and risk in a systematic way.
SEE LATEST EPISODES
https://excessreturnspod.com
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT VALIDEA CAPITAL
https://www.valideacapital.com
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SUNPOINTE INVESTMENTS
https://sunpointeinvestments.com/
FOLLOW JACK
Twitter: https://twitter.com/practicalquant
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-forehand-8015094
FOLLOW JUSTIN
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jjcarbonneau
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcarbonneau
FOLLOW MATT
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cultishcreative
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-zeigler-a58a0a60/

Dec 9, 2024 • 58min
10 Great Investors Share Their Most Important Lesson
We ask one question at the end of each of our episodes:
Based on your experience in markets, if you could teach one lesson to your average investor, what would it be?
In this episode, we discuss our favorite answers from our guests in 2024.
Featuring insights from:
Jim Paulsen on understanding your true impact as an investor
Cliff Asness on the importance of looking at your portfolio less frequently
Aswath Damodaran on preserving and growing wealth vs. chasing returns
Jared Dillian on avoiding catastrophic losses
Ian Cassel on the value of doing your own work
Bob Elliott on the importance of humility
Ed Yardeni on fading the consensus
Eric Crittenden on mastering the basics before pursuing complexity
Andrew Beer on the power of long-term thinking
Kris Sidial on balancing optimism with preparedness
Learn why the fundamentals of investing often matter more than complex strategies, how to avoid common behavioral pitfalls, and why getting the basics right can put you ahead of 90% of investors. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your investment journey, these practical insights will help you build a more resilient investment strategy.
SEE LATEST EPISODES
https://excessreturnspod.com
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT VALIDEA CAPITAL
https://www.valideacapital.com
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SUNPOINTE INVESTMENTS
https://sunpointeinvestments.com/
FOLLOW JACK
Twitter: https://twitter.com/practicalquant
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-forehand-8015094
FOLLOW JUSTIN
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jjcarbonneau
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcarbonneau
FOLLOW MATT
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cultishcreative
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-zeigler-a58a0a60/


