

The Jacob Shapiro Podcast
Jacob Shapiro
Hosted by Jacob Shapiro, the Jacob Shapiro Podcast is long-form exploration of geopolitics, markets, crypto, agriculture, macro-finance, commodities, ForEx, and much much more! Tune in biweekly for interviews with experts across the globe, and weekly for roundups of global financial and geopolitical events!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 8, 2024 • 54min
#181 - Weekly Update: What If Trump Wins? (Tariff edition)
Jacob is on the road, Rob is on vacation…and still they bring the analytical firepower to you each week! They do a little microgeopolitics on Eden Prairie, MN, before tackling a big, scary question: What happens if Trump wins and actually does what he says he will do in terms of tariffs? They close with a few thoughts on Emmanuel Macron’s spicy week.--Timestamps:(00:00) - Intro(00:43) – Microgeopolitics (Eden Prairie)(11:54) – What if…tariff edition(20:30) - Tariff of Abominations History Lesson(27:00) – Investment takeaways(42:00) - Rejoinders from the Trump administration(44:40) – France--CI Site: cognitive.investmentsJacob Site: jacobshapiro.comJacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShapSubscribe to the Newsletter: bit.ly/weekly-sitrep--Cognitive Investments is an investment advisory firm, founded in 2019 that provides clients with a nuanced array of financial planning, investment advisory and wealth management services. We aim to grow both our clients’ material wealth (i.e. their existing financial assets) and their human wealth (i.e. their ability to make good strategic decisions for their business, family, and career).--Disclaimer: Cognitive Investments LLC (“Cognitive Investments”) is a registered investment advisor. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Cognitive Investments and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure.The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investor’s particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status or investment horizon. You should consult your attorney or tax advisor

Mar 4, 2024 • 47min
#180 - Matt Gertken: The "Black Swan" Scenarios
Jacob and Matt discuss China's economy, Taiwan's future, and 'Black Swan' scenarios for 2024. They reminisce about their time at Stratfor, reflect on US-China relations, and explore the implications of generational change in US leadership. A dynamic discussion on geopolitics and market analysis.

Mar 1, 2024 • 1h 4min
Pleasant Prairies and A Middle East Update
From Pleasant Prairie, WI, the hosts discuss microgeopolitics and the Middle East conflict. They ponder the future of Europe and unpack the UAE's $35 billion investment in Egypt. Historical analogies are debated, leaving listeners intrigued and informed.

Feb 26, 2024 • 44min
What’s in a name? (North Korea edition)
In this podcast, Jacob and Rodger discuss North Korea's shift in referring to South Korea, the implications for the region, and potential scenarios. They explore internal dynamics, U.S. election impacts, and Rodger's insights on demographics and military tech. The episode offers a deep dive into geopolitics and strategic analysis.

Feb 23, 2024 • 1h
The Horseradish Capital of the World
Jacob hits the road and brings perspectives on geopolitics and markets from the point of view of Eau Claire WI, formerly Sawdust City, home of Bon Iver, the once mighty U.S. tire industry…and the biggest horseradish producer around. Rob and Jacob discuss the U.S. tire industry and the lessons its demise poses for geopolitics and markets, before backing into conversations about China, U.S. trade policy, NVIDIA HYPE, and human capital.--Timestamps:(00:00) - Intro(01:30)– Eau Claire, WI(04:30) – Tires(24:15) – China and Mexico(30:03) – Trump's U.S. trade policy + semis(43:37)– Human capital(51:00) – Quick global roundup--Referenced in the Show:--CI Site: cognitive.investmentsJacob Site: jacobshapiro.comJacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShapSubscribe to the Newsletter: bit.ly/weekly-sitrep--Cognitive Investments is an investment advisory firm, founded in 2019 that provides clients with a nuanced array of financial planning, investment advisory and wealth management services. We aim to grow both our clients’ material wealth (i.e. their existing financial assets) and their human wealth (i.e. their ability to make good strategic decisions for their business, family, and career).--Disclaimer: Cognitive Investments LLC (“Cognitive Investments”) is a registered investment advisor. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Cognitive Investments and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure.The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investor’s particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status or investment horizon. You should consult your attorney or tax advisor

Feb 16, 2024 • 52min
Making Astrology Respectable
Hosts discuss U.S. inflation, China's deflation impact, political implications, and global geopolitical risks. They explore economic forecasting, alternative investment strategies, and interconnectedness between countries. The conversation includes insights on global challenges, political shifts, and tensions in South America over territorial claims and oil reserves.

Feb 9, 2024 • 58min
Extrapolating Doom
Rob is busy trying to get French citizenship, so favorite-guest Chase Taylor from Pinecone Macro joins the podcast to talk U.S. macro, oil and natural gas prices, and how to think about investing in a world of doom & gloom.--Timestamps:(00:00) - Intro(00:45) – U.S. macro(09:26) – Oil(20:15) – NatGas(27:55) – U.S. v. Intl | Hong Kong/China(41:35) – Extrapolating doom: Egypt and Pakistan(49:10) – Bitcoin--CI Site: cognitive.investmentsJacob Site: jacobshapiro.comJacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShapSubscribe to the Newsletter: bit.ly/weekly-sitrep--Cognitive Investments is an investment advisory firm, founded in 2019 that provides clients with a nuanced array of financial planning, investment advisory and wealth management services. We aim to grow both our clients’ material wealth (i.e. their existing financial assets) and their human wealth (i.e. their ability to make good strategic decisions for their business, family, and career).--Disclaimer: Cognitive Investments LLC (“Cognitive Investments”) is a registered investment advisor. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Cognitive Investments and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure.The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investor’s particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status or investment horizon. You should consult your attorney or tax advisor

Feb 7, 2024 • 42min
Dams and the Rio Grande
Caroline Eaton Tracey joins the podcast to offer a thoughtful perspective on the Rio Grande River based on her recent article in The New York Review of Books. After discussing how dams on the river supported by the Mexican and U.S. governments have changed local communities and endangered natural ecosystems, they turn to Caroline’s new research interest and the topic of her forthcoming book: Salt Lakes.--Timestamps:Caroline’s website – https://cetracey.com/Stopping the Old Rio Grande – https://www.nybooks.com/online/2024/01/11/stopping-the-old-rio-grande/Climate change and the Rio Grande – https://e360.yale.edu/features/warming-and-drought-take-a-toll-on-the-once-mighty-rio-grandeSatellite images of the Rio Grande – https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/150244/rio-grande-runs-dry-then-wet--Referenced in the Show:--CI Site: cognitive.investmentsJacob Site: jacobshapiro.comJacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShapSubscribe to the Newsletter: bit.ly/weekly-sitrep--Cognitive Investments is an investment advisory firm, founded in 2019 that provides clients with a nuanced array of financial planning, investment advisory and wealth management services. We aim to grow both our clients’ material wealth (i.e. their existing financial assets) and their human wealth (i.e. their ability to make good strategic decisions for their business, family, and career).--Disclaimer: Cognitive Investments LLC (“Cognitive Investments”) is a registered investment advisor. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Cognitive Investments and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure.The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investor’s particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status or investment horizon. You should consult your attorney or tax advisor

Feb 3, 2024 • 52min
Confusion
Better late than never! Jacob was on the road this week so instead of recording on Thursday they had to record on Friday. The theme of the episode might be confusion – confusion over the narrative on the U.S. economy, on oil prices, on natural gas prices, and even on the future of Ukraine. There are more questions than answers in this episode during a surprisingly pivotal week in geopolitics.--Timestamps:(00:00) - Intro(04:45) - US Economy(14:05) – Middle East(24:00) – Oil(35:50)– Natural gas(42:12) – Ukraine--Referenced in the Show:Link to affective polarization article: https://carnegieendowment.org/2023/09/05/polarization-democracy-and-political-violence-in-united-states-what-research-says-pub-90457--CI Site: cognitive.investmentsJacob Site: jacobshapiro.comJacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShapSubscribe to the Newsletter: bit.ly/weekly-sitrep--Cognitive Investments is an investment advisory firm, founded in 2019 that provides clients with a nuanced array of financial planning, investment advisory and wealth management services. We aim to grow both our clients’ material wealth (i.e. their existing financial assets) and their human wealth (i.e. their ability to make good strategic decisions for their business, family, and career).--Disclaimer: Cognitive Investments LLC (“Cognitive Investments”) is a registered investment advisor. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Cognitive Investments and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure.The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investor’s particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status or investment horizon. You should consult your attorney or tax advisor

Jan 30, 2024 • 52min
The Blood of the Martyrs
Jacob welcomes Farzam back onto the podcast – and they have a great deal to discuss, not least of which is the death of three U.S. soldiers in a drone attack by a group supported by Iran. Jacob and Farzam dive past the headlines and talk about what the consequences of the attack will be, whether Iran was behind it, and what Iran’s strategic thinking is in the region more generally, and especially in relation to Oct. 7 and the Red Sea shipping disruptions.--Timestamps:(00:00) - Intro(03:00) - What happened with the attack in Jordan?(11:24) - Who was behind the attack? Was it Iran?(20:26) - Chances for a regional war/Iran’s red lines(31:00) – What does Iran want and how will it affect Red Sea shipping(41:08) – Iran-China relations(46:00) – Iran’s domestic politics--CI Site: cognitive.investmentsJacob Site: jacobshapiro.comJacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShapSubscribe to the Newsletter: bit.ly/weekly-sitrep--Cognitive Investments is an investment advisory firm, founded in 2019 that provides clients with a nuanced array of financial planning, investment advisory and wealth management services. We aim to grow both our clients’ material wealth (i.e. their existing financial assets) and their human wealth (i.e. their ability to make good strategic decisions for their business, family, and career).--Disclaimer: Cognitive Investments LLC (“Cognitive Investments”) is a registered investment advisor. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Cognitive Investments and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure.The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investor’s particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status or investment horizon. You should consult your attorney or tax advisor


