Boxes and Lines

Ronan and JR welcome back Chris Ekimoff and Kurt Wolfe, co-hosts of the 'inSecurities' podcast, to talk shop about the latest in securities regulation. With Chris's forensic accounting expertise and Kurt's background in law and SEC enforcement, they discuss the SEC's cautious stance on predictive analysis, industry reactions, and the effects of what some call the SEC’s 'regulation by enforcement' approach in the crypto space. Later in the show, they discuss how lawyers can protect their mental health in an industry where 24/7 work and availability is the norm, as well as the financial advice they’d give to their younger selves. Recorded January 16, 2024.

Join us for a special episode of Boxes and Lines, featuring Neal Freyman and Toby Howell of the wildly popular newsletter, the Morning Brew. Listen as JR and Ronan learn how they’ve helped re-shape business news, making it digestible for millennials and Gen Z - or should we say, Zillennials - from its humble beginnings as a cheat-sheet at the University of Michigan to becoming a digital media powerhouse under Business Insider. Neal and Toby discuss the changing habits of media consumption, the craft of simplifying complicated or niche business and financial news, and the time Toby accidentally purchased $40,000 worth of Sherman Williams stock. Tune in for a lively conversation on the impact of media in finance and the work that goes into a daily podcast and newsletter, starting with arriving to the office at an eye-watering 4:45 a.m. Recorded January 11, 2024.

Join Ronan and JR as they kick off 2024 with Dave Nadig, a “Financial Futurist” for ETF Trends and ETF Database, and an all-around expert in the ETF industry. In this episode, Dave shares his predictions for the year, discussing the election's impact on investments, the prospects of ESG and clean energy, the implications of SEC-approved Bitcoin ETFs, challenges in active ETFs, insights on Cathie Wood’s ARK in 2023, and the role of AI in finance. Get out your crystal balls out and compare your notes on what lies ahead with Dave on this special episode. Recorded January 9, 2024.

Shelley Eleby, Head of Marketing for Electronic Trading at BMO Capital Markets, discusses the importance of market microstructure, her skepticism towards AI, and the value of diversity in finance. She shares advice for women in the industry: know your product deeply and always ask 'why'.

Amy Magnotta brings her expert take on the state of equity markets to the pod as we approach 2024. The Co-Chief Investment Officer at Ategenos Capital sheds light on everything from the fed's stance on interest rates, alpha drivers and the promising outlook for Japan, and potential tailwinds from the U.S. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. As 2024 looms as a “spicy” election year, Amy shares her strategies for navigating these politically choppy waters. Recorded December 5, 2023.

Finance industry veteran Michael Seigne discusses the intricacies of share buybacks, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing corporate client benefits over maximizing margins. Topics include market abuse rules, broker fees alignment, challenges in transparency laws, and the evolution of trading desks. The podcast culminates in a fun hypothetical scenario with the Wall Street bull and a listener survey with a sock giveaway.

Ramon Gonzalez, Head of Technology Operations for IEX Exchange, discusses the daily checklist his team goes through to prepare the stock market for a smooth day. They also delve into topics such as 'bare metal' infrastructure, data centers, and the potential for exchanges to move into the cloud.

Jim Toes, President and CEO of the Securities Traders Association and a leading voice in market structure, joins Ronan and JR on the pod this week. Jim gives the guys a sneak peek of what's on the docket for STA’s 90th Annual Market Structure Conference, and also discusses the rise of stablecoins and Bitcoin ETFs, his thoughts on the SEC's proposed market structure reforms, the implications of a 24-hour trading day, and the greatest moment in the Big Short. Recorded October 3, 2023.  

Anna Kurzrok, Managing director of market structure at Jefferies, discusses the impact of SEC's market structure proposals on institutional players and everyday traders, the trajectory of AI in trading, the fragmentation of trading venues, and off-exchange trading.

Barry Ritholtz, CIO of Ritholtz Wealth Management and host of the popular Bloomberg podcast “Masters In Business,” discusses poking holes in financial status quo, inflation myths, and the value of patience. He gained reputation by criticizing flawed interview questions and brings transparency to the industry. They explore the 2008 financial crisis, focusing on 'too big to fail'. They debunk misconceptions about inflation and discuss its measurement flaws. They also touch on luck in achieving success, shared delusion in currency, and express gratitude to the guest.