Absolute Return Podcast

On today’s show we welcome special guest, Whitestone REIT CEO Dave Holeman. Whitestone REIT is a publicly traded real estate investment trust that primarily owns, operates, and redevelops retail community-centered properties in Texas and Arizona. On the show we discuss: The thesis behind Whitestone’s focus on community and neighborhood centers The challenges and opportunities in real estate due to the dramatic increase in interest rates Keys to success in the real estate industry Which segment of the real estate market he is most bullish on And more

On today’s show we welcome special guest, Meteora Capital Founder and CIO Vik Mittal, his second time on the podcast. Meteora Capital is an investment firm specializing in SPAC-related instruments in both public and private companies. On the show, we discuss: What has happened in the SPAC market over the past 24 months Meteora’s approach to investing in the SPAC market A look into Canna-Global Acquisition (CNGL) What he thinks is next for the SPAC market And more

On today’s show, we welcome special guest, Stanford AI Researcher Dr. Mohammad Rasouli. Mohammad helps funds to realize the benefit of artificial intelligence for alternative asset investment by providing AI education and tailored AI strategy, and by implementing the proprietary InvestAI technology. These include using AI for both alpha generation and operational efficiency, including deal sourcing/insight, fundraising, portfolio transformation, investor communications, and marketing.   On the podcast, we discuss: Compelling use cases for large language models in investing Specific examples of how AI has helped uncover unique investment opportunities more effectively than traditional methods How investment managers can balance the use of AI with human judgment And more

On today’s podcast we welcome special guest Jeffrey Seder, founder of EQB, a company that provides thoroughbred racehorse buying, selling, breeding, and racing management services. On the show, we discuss: What got him into the business of thoroughbred racehorse buying, selling, and breeding The basics of horse racing betting A look into the advanced analytics used by professional horse racing bettors The ideal outcome for an investment into a racehorse And more

March 13, 2024 - On today’s podcast we welcome special guest Carson Block of Muddy Waters. Carson is an activist short seller who conducts in-depth fundamental short analysis focused on business fraud, accounting fraud, and fundamental problems. On the show, we discuss: His fortuitous path to short selling as a profession Sino Forest and the short that put him on the map The thesis behind his bearish view on Fairfax Financial His approach to risk management And more

December 17, 2023 - On today’s episode we welcome special guest, Hodes Weill Managing Partner and Co-founder, Doug Weill. Hodes Weill is a leading, global capital advisory firm focused on the real estate and real assets investment and funds management industry. On the show, we discuss: How real estate plays a role in investment portfolios Which segments of the real estate market are most favourable, and which investors should avoid The biggest risk facing real estate investors currently His real estate “top pick” And more!

October 24, 2023 - On today’s show we welcome special guest, Zapata AI Co-Founder and CEO Christopher Savoie. Zapata AI is an industrial generative AI software company developing solutions and applications to solve enterprises’ hardest problems.On the show we discuss: How Christopher went from getting his PhD in a medical field to founding several tech startups A deep dive into what artificial intelligence is and what it can accomplish Some use cases for industrial generative AI How the company offers faster, cheaper, and more accurate generative AI And more  

Bitcoin Depot CEO Brandon Mintz discusses his bitcoin journey and the founding of Bitcoin Depot. They focus on the benefits of Bitcoin ATMs, their target demographic, convenience, and regulatory differentiation. They also explore Bitcoin Depot's business model, regulatory compliance, and plans for industry consolidation. Lastly, they touch on investment diversification, the recent merger with GSRM SPAC, approaching Bitcoin skeptics, and the future of Bitcoin.

February 27, 2023 - On today’s show we welcome special guest and the 2022 Dealmaker of the Year, Danny Rice. Danny was the CEO of Rice Acquisition 1, which merged with Archaea Energy in a $1.15 billion deal and then subsequently sold to BP for $4.1 billion. Danny is now the CEO of Rice Acquisition 2, which recently announced a $1.5 billion merger with NET Power, a clean energy technology company. On the show, Danny discusses: Key lessons learned from the Archaea Energy SPAC merger and subsequent sale to BP A primer on NET Power’s innovative clean energy technology The case for U.S. shale gas powering reliable, clean and low-cost power What inspires him as an entrepreneur and business leader And more

January 6, 2023 - On today’s show we welcome special guest Phil Bak, CEO of Armada ETF  Advisors. Phil has been innovating in the ETF industry for over 15 years. He has previously served as Founder/CEO of Exponential ETFs, an ETF issuer and sub-advisor acquired by Tidal ETF Services in 2020. Phil has also served as Chief Investment Officer at Signal Advisors, a venture-backed startup in Detroit and Managing Director at the New York Stock Exchange. On the show, Phil discusses:   Characteristics of ETFs that make them a great tool for investors Some major innovations in ETFs over the past 15 years The bull case for residential real estate What is happening in the private REIT space The major risk investors face in private REITs And more