Insightful Investor
Alex Shahidi
The Insightful Investor is a weekly podcast hosted by Alex Shahidi, Co-CIO of one of the nation’s leading RIAs. In a conversational, “fireside chat” format, Alex interacts with some of the world’s premier investors and business icons to share market insights rarely found elsewhere. While many investors echo common sentiments, our “insights” include concepts that we believe are counterintuitive, widely misunderstood, or underappreciated. With over two decades of experience managing billions of dollars in client assets, Alex offers unique access to some of the industry’s top thinkers. He has authored two investment books and contributed to leading journals, and he consistently ranks among the elite financial advisors by Forbes and Barron’s. As an independent and innovative voice, Alex offers a fresh take on investing. We invite you to tune in and would love to hear your feedback.
https://insightfulinvestor.org/
https://insightfulinvestor.org/
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 26, 2025 • 1h 5min
#85 - Darell Krasnoff: Wealth Management Evolution, Leadership
Darell, managing partner at Evoke Advisors, co-founder of Bel Air Investment Advisors, and ex-Goldman Sachs Partner and manager of their Los Angeles office for private client services in the 1990s, shares insights on the evolution of wealth management, the centrality of trust and transparency, and how AI is reshaping the industry. He reflects on the advisor-client relationship, leadership, and the importance of diversification and patience in investing.
14 snips
Aug 19, 2025 • 1h 8min
#84 - Carl Ross: EM Debt, Global Shifts, Opportunities
Dr. Carl Ross, a partner and lead researcher for Emerging Country Debt at GMO, offers deep insights into the world of emerging market debt. He discusses the evolution of sovereign credit and highlights the complexities of navigating defaults and economic volatility. The conversation also touches on the declining dominance of the US dollar and the benefits of investing in emerging market currencies. With local debt seen as a once-in-a-generation opportunity, Ross stresses the importance of diversification and understanding geopolitical risks for savvy investors.
Aug 12, 2025 • 33min
#83 - Yie-Hsin Hung: Leadership, Innovation, Adaptability
Yie-Hsin Hung, the President and CEO of State Street Investment Management, shares her remarkable journey from engineering to leading a major asset manager. She discusses the importance of adaptability in navigating the complexities of asset management and fostering a culture of innovation. Yie-Hsin reflects on her resilient leadership style, shaped by her immigrant upbringing, and underscores collaboration as essential for success. She also highlights the role of partnerships and emotional intelligence in enhancing investment strategies and positively impacting financial futures.
Aug 5, 2025 • 1h 4min
#82 - Tony Davidow: Alternatives, Education, Bridging Investor Gaps
Tony Davidow, a senior alternatives investment strategist at Franklin Templeton, shares his impressive journey through family offices and institutions. He discusses the crucial role of education in making alternative investments accessible, particularly for everyday investors. Tony highlights the evolution of investment strategies and the importance of tailored approaches for private investors. He also emphasizes the significance of clear communication about risks and rewards in both private and public markets, and explores innovative investment structures like interval funds for better asset allocation.
Jul 29, 2025 • 54min
#81 - Blake Johnson: Entrepreneurship, Bootstrapping, Resilience
Blake Johnson, a serial entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist, shares his inspiring journey from a small farming town to building Byte, a billion-dollar company without outside funding. He discusses the importance of resilience and emotional intelligence in entrepreneurship, the challenges of bootstrapping a business, and the impact of AI on direct-to-consumer strategies in health. Blake also emphasizes philanthropy's role in empowering youth, drawing from his own experiences overcoming hardship. Tune in for invaluable insights!
8 snips
Jul 22, 2025 • 1h 28min
#80 - Andrew Metrick: Master Class in Financial Crises & Bank Runs
Andrew Metrick, the Janet Yellen Professor of Finance at Yale, delves deep into financial crises and bank runs. He reveals the vulnerabilities of the banking system and discusses critical lessons from recent crises, particularly the SVB collapse. Andrew emphasizes the pivotal role of central banks in crisis management and explains the nuances between liquidity and solvency issues. He also critiques the evolution of deposit insurance and highlights the systemic risks confronting today’s financial landscape. Prepare for some insightful revelations!
Jul 15, 2025 • 59min
#79 - Jon Gray: Leadership, Scaling Blackstone, Market Trends
Jon is President and COO of Blackstone—one of the world’s largest and most highly valued investment firms, managing over $1.1 trillion in assets (as of 3/31/25). He shares his career journey, insights on leading through rapid growth, and his outlook on the evolving landscape of investing and innovation. Listen for a candid take on leadership, culture, and the future of finance.
21 snips
Jul 8, 2025 • 1h 39min
#78 - Leonard Kleinrock: Internet Creation, AI Future
Dr. Leonard Kleinrock, a distinguished professor at UCLA and a key figure in the creation of the Internet, shares captivating stories from the very first message sent in 1969. He delves into the culture of collaboration among early pioneers and the radical transformation of the internet from a research tool to a commercial platform. With a keen eye on the future, he discusses the rise of AI, advocating for combined human creativity and technological innovation while cautioning against over-reliance on machines. A fascinating exploration of history and future potential!
Jul 1, 2025 • 57min
#77 - Charlie Ruffel: Asset Management Industry Evolution, Alternatives
Charlie Ruffel, founder and managing partner of Kudu Investment Management, shares his extensive experience in finance and journalism. He discusses the drastic evolution of the asset management industry, focusing on the rise of alternative investments and their importance in modern portfolios. Charlie emphasizes the need for transparency and integrity while navigating complex capital dynamics. He also highlights the potential of Interval Funds in democratizing access to alternatives and the evolving relationships between allocators and managers.
Jun 24, 2025 • 1h
#76 - Jeff Huber: Innovation, Google, GRAIL, Triatomic
Jeff is the founder of Triatomic Capital and former Google SVP. He shares lessons from building Google Maps, Ads, and Gmail, founding GRAIL for early cancer detection, and leading transformative teams. Jeff discusses his vision for backing “century-defining” companies and offers insights on leadership, innovation, biotech, and building companies that change the world.
