

Strong Source
Strong Source
Our mission with the Strong Source podcast is to educate and inform, by creating a community where experts and guests from the entire commodity industry can share their unique perspectives. Martijn, ex-cacao trader, and Alexander, ex-dairy trader and founder of Vesper, have a deep-passion for this industry, which inspired them to start this venture: "We’ll be sharing our personal experiences, the valuable lessons we’ve learned along the way, and give you a glimpse of what to expect in our future episodes." This podcast is powered by Vesper, the leading commodity platform.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 31, 2025 • 1h 9min
Episode 18 with Dwight Anderson
In this episode of the Strong Source Podcast, we are excited to welcome Dwight Anderson, founder of Ospraie Management and one of the most respected names in commodity investing. With decades of experience, Dwight has navigated volatile markets, from trading cocoa and metals to managing hedge fund risk during the 2008 financial crisis.Throughout this conversation, Dwight shares his insights on the evolution of commodity trading, the impact of algorithmic strategies and AI, and why fundamentals still matter in today’s market. He also offers a candid look at the weight of leadership, the responsibility of managing capital, and what it takes to build a successful investment firm.

Oct 24, 2024 • 1h 11min
Episode 17 with Ed Turner
In this episode, we welcome Ed Turner, an experienced commodity trader with over a decade in the energy markets. Ed discusses his journey from trading base metals at Mitsubishi UFJ to leading Mandara’s trading desk. Now a Senior Trader at Gunvor and an entrepreneur with Shogun Sakes Ltd., he shares insights on navigating oil trading dynamics, the transition from large firms to smaller, high-intensity environments, and the importance of risk management. Ed also explores the psychological aspects of trading and his shift from market-making to a more strategic, balanced approach.

Oct 4, 2024 • 1h 2min
Episode 16 with Kristine Hochbaum
In this episode of the StrongSource Commodity Podcast, we are thrilled to welcome Kristine Hochbaum, a seasoned commodity trader with an impressive 19-year career at Cargill. Kristine has held several key leadership roles, including her most recent position as Global Trading & Risk Management Director for the oils and fats business. During her time at Cargill, Kristine significantly expanded the trading discipline across global markets, promoted inclusive leadership, and even increased female representation in her trading teams from 22% to 38%. Throughout her career, Kristine has been known for her dynamic leadership, keen risk management strategies, and ability to balance both people management and high-stakes commodity trading.

Sep 16, 2024 • 52min
Episode 15 with Willem Uijen
With over 25 years at Unilever, Willem Uijen brings a wealth of experience, having worked across the globe in various supply chain roles before transitioning to procurement. As our first Chief Procurement Officer guest on the show, Willem offers unique insights into the challenges and strategies of managing commodities on a global scale, touching on topics like sustainability, supply security, and managing volatility in today's markets. Tune in for an engaging conversation with one of the top leaders in the FMCG industry.

Aug 3, 2024 • 1h 4min
Episode 14 with Javier Blas
In this episode, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Javier Blas, a distinguished energy and commodities columnist at Bloomberg and the co-author of the acclaimed book The World for Sale. Javier takes us through his fascinating and unexpected journey into the world of commodity journalism, beginning with his early interest in the Middle East and leading to his extensive coverage of the oil market.
Over the years, Javier has become a prominent voice in the field of commodities. During our conversation, he delves into the inspiration behind writing The World for Sale, a book that aims to shed light on the crucial yet often shadowy world of commodity trading—a sector that plays a pivotal role in the global economy.

Jul 18, 2024 • 60min
Episode 13 with Marc Perathoner
Join us in this episode of the StrongSource commodity podcast as we welcome Marc Perathoner, Director of Commodity Risk Management at FrieslandCampina. Marc shares his fascinating career journey from Goldman Sachs to the Chicago Board of Trade, where he gained extensive experience in commodity trading and price risk management.
The discussion explores his expertise in financial instruments and market dynamics, as well as his success in creating and implementing commodity price risk management units within multinational companies. Don't miss his insights on managing risk in the dairy industry and how his investment banking background has shaped his approach.

Jul 4, 2024 • 60min
Episode 12 with Edwin van Stipdonk
This week, we welcome Edwin van Stipdonk, the Chief Commercial Officer of Interfood Group, one of the world's leading dairy trading companies. In this episode, Edwin shares his journey from a junior trader to a key business leader in a family-owned company. He provides an in-depth look at the functioning of the dairy market, exploring its complexities and opportunities.

Jun 14, 2024 • 50min
Episode 11 with Tom Kopczynski
For the first time, commodity market wizard, hedge fund manager and legendary cocoa trader Tom Kopczynski, speaks about his trading career at Blenheim, once the biggest commodities hedge fund in the world.
In this episode, Tom covers the influence of macroeconomic factors on commodity trading, the rise of algorithmic trading, the future of the cocoa industry, and many more...

May 31, 2024 • 48min
Episode 10 with Chris Mahoney
We are thrilled to announce that this Strong Source episode features Chris Mahoney, former CEO of Glencore Agriculture.
Chris shares his incredible journey from rowing in the Moscow Olympics to leading Glencore Ag, delving into his strategic insights on commodity trading and the importance of cultivating a strong team.
In this episode, you'll hear about: chris's unique entry into the world of commodities, his experiences working with industry legends like Andy Hall, the strategic evolution of Glencore Ag under his leadership, the significance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

May 15, 2024 • 46min
Episode 9 with Willem Zimmerman
We're excited to feature Willem Zimmerman, VP of Global Cocoa Trading and Sourcing at Barry Callebaut Group, on this episode of the Strong Source Podcast.
With extensive experience at Cargill and Barry Callebaut, Willem offers deep insights into the cocoa industry's challenges and guidance for its future.


