

Lead-Lag Live
Michael A. Gayed, CFA
Welcome to the Lead-Lag Live podcast, where we bring you live unscripted conversations with thought leaders in the world of finance, economics, and investing. Hosted by Melanie Schaffer each episode dives deep into the minds of industry experts to discuss current market trends, investment strategies, and the global economic landscape.In this exciting series, you'll have the rare opportunity to join Melanie Schaffer as she connects with prominent thought leaders for captivating discussions in real-time. The Lead-Lag Live podcast aims to provide valuable insights, analysis, and actionable advice for investors and financial professionals alike.As a dedicated listener, you can expect to hear from renowned financial experts, best-selling authors, and market strategists as they share their wealth of knowledge and experience. With a focus on topical issues and their potential impact on financial markets, these live unscripted conversations will ensure that you stay informed and ahead of the curve.Subscribe to the Lead-Lag Live podcast and follow @leadlagmedia on X to stay updated on upcoming live conversations and to gain exclusive access to a treasure trove of financial wisdom. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn from the best and brightest minds in the business.Join us on this journey as we explore the complex world of finance and investments, one live unscripted conversation at a time. Be sure to like, comment, and share the Lead-Lag Live podcast with your network to help others discover these invaluable insights.Stay tuned for the latest episode of the Lead-Lag Live podcast, and remember to turn on notifications so you never miss a live conversation with your favorite thought leaders. Happy listening!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 27, 2025 • 11min
Weekly Payouts from Volatility? Will Rhind on GraniteShares YieldBOOST ETFs
William Rhind, Founder and CEO of GraniteShares, shares insights on innovative YieldBOOST ETFs designed to capitalize on market volatility. He explains how these funds generate impressive weekly distributions by selling options on assets like Tesla and Bitcoin. Rhind highlights the unique blend of high returns and risk management through downside protection, differentiating this strategy from traditional options trading. Listeners will also discover what’s next in the Yield Boost lineup and the growing demand for income-focused ETFs in a fluctuating market.

Aug 26, 2025 • 26min
Fantasy vs Fundamentals: Seth Cogswell on Bubbles, Passive Flows, and What Breaks Next
Seth Cogswell, Founding Partner and Portfolio Manager at Running Oak, dives deep into the world of investing. He discusses how the current market strength stems more from fantasy than fundamentals. Cogswell warns about the hidden risks in passive strategies and the destabilizing effects of concentrated index flows. He emphasizes that Fed stimulus has only postponed risks, not eliminated them, and champions the significance of mid- and small-cap stocks when narratives shift. His insights challenge conventional investing wisdom in today's volatile landscape.

Aug 23, 2025 • 1h 8min
Wall Street Meets Humanitarianism: RSU Founder Iryna Vashchuk Discipio Joins Gayed, Block & CNBC
In a heartfelt discussion, Adam Kishleski, a retired Marine and CEO of MLB Outdoors, shares how outdoor therapy aids veterans. Iryna Vashchuk Discipio, founder of Revived Soldiers Ukraine, discusses the charity's efforts in providing medical aid to injured soldiers. David Piesetsky, a Ukrainian soldier, recounts his frontline experiences and volunteer work. Together, they highlight the resilience of those affected by war and emphasize the powerful role of U.S. veterans in supporting Ukraine's fight for freedom.

Aug 21, 2025 • 29min
Inside ETF Strategy: Paul Baiocchi on Market Shifts and Innovation at SS&C ALPS
Paul Baiocchi, CFA and Head of Funds Sales and Strategy at SS&C ALPS Advisors, dives into the evolving ETF landscape and market dynamics. He shares insights on how ALPS stands out in a competitive environment and the critical role of innovation in fund design. The conversation highlights shifting investor strategies in a volatile market, potential opportunities in active ETFs, and the importance of reevaluating sectors like REITs. Baiocchi also discusses the intersection of AI and energy demands and how new ETFs are addressing these trends.

Aug 19, 2025 • 24min
Balanced or Broken? Jay Hatfield on Rates, Inflation, and Market Risks
In this conversation, Jay Hatfield, CEO and Portfolio Manager at InfraCap Funds, shares his insights on looming market risks, including persistent inflation and surging government debt. He discusses the implications of high interest rates on the U.S. economy and warns that the Fed's policy may not match market expectations. Hatfield also critiques outdated inflation measurement methods and offers investment strategies for navigating the uncertainty ahead, including advice on equities and fixed-income funds.

13 snips
Aug 17, 2025 • 38min
Value Beyond Growth with Kevin Orr
Kevin Orr, who leads strategic partnerships at CraneShares, shares his expertise on investment strategies. He discusses the shift from passive to active investing and the rise of smart beta strategies that promise enhanced returns. Orr dives into the importance of diversification using a whale-watching metaphor and explores emerging markets, particularly China, as key opportunities. He emphasizes innovative approaches to portfolio optimization and the need for strategies that lower volatility in uncertain market environments.

Aug 13, 2025 • 19min
Rethinking Diversification: Alex Shahidi on Risk Parity and the 60/40 Problem
In this discussion, Alex Shahidi, Managing Partner and Co-CIO at Evoke Advisors, delves into the flaws of the traditional 60/40 portfolio and advocates for risk parity as a solution. He highlights the importance of true diversification to guard against growth and inflation shocks. Shahidi also explains why current market conditions, including concentration in U.S. tech stocks, necessitate a balanced approach to investing. Listeners gain insights into constructing resilient portfolios that can withstand potential market turbulence and avoid "lost decades."

Aug 12, 2025 • 21min
Breaking the 60/40 Rule: Matthew Tuttle on HEAT, AI, and Thematic Investing
In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Matthew Tuttle, CEO and CIO of Tuttle Capital, to talk about why the 60/40 portfolio no longer works — and how his HEAT formula helps investors adapt to today’s market realities.We dig into why bonds fail as a hedge, how AI is reshaping investing, and the thematic opportunities most people are missing — from old economy AI plays to the future of space.In this episode:- Why bonds aren’t a reliable hedge anymore- How the HEAT formula works — hedges, edges, asymmetry, themes- Using leveraged and inverse ETFs strategically- Thematic investing in AI, crypto, and space- How AI is leveling the playing field for retail investorsLead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with top financial minds shaping markets in real time.Subscribe for more interviews, insights, and raw takes that cut deeper than the headlines.#LeadLagLive #ETFs #Investing #HEATFormula #AI #StockMarket #MatthewTuttle #PortfolioStrategy #ThematicInvestingEnergy Rocks: the trending Focus Candy now on sale! or Power up now with Energy Rocks Adult Focus Candy. energyrocks.store/LEAD25OFF. Support the show

18 snips
Aug 11, 2025 • 41min
Global Market Valuations: Finding Alpha Beyond US Shores with Phil Wool
Phil Wool, a savvy investor from Raliant Capital, argues for looking beyond U.S. stocks, which are historically overvalued. He highlights the potential of emerging markets, suggesting they offer better growth at attractive valuations. Wool challenges common misconceptions about international equities, emphasizing their technology sectors' crucial role in the AI boom. He introduces a 'quantamental' approach to investing, merging data analysis with strong fundamentals to uncover hidden gems in international markets.

Aug 11, 2025 • 44min
The Diversification Illusion with Brad Barrie and Matt O'Brian
Most investors believe they're diversified, but they're likely clinging to an illusion. As the Shiller PE ratio hovers at 38 – a level only seen during the tech bubble – historical patterns show future returns likely to be flat over the next five years. Brad Barry and Matt O'Brien from Dynamic Wealth Group challenge the conventional wisdom of diversification, revealing how those pretty colored slices on your pie chart might all move in lockstep when markets face real stress. Remember 2022? Both stocks and bonds plummeted together, exposing the fundamental flaw in traditional 60/40 portfolios.True diversification isn't just about owning different labels – it's about understanding what drives returns. When economic growth falters, assets that seemed uncorrelated suddenly converge. Meanwhile, one single stock now comprises nearly 8% of the S&P 500, creating hidden concentration risk few investors recognize.Global macro strategies offer a compelling alternative, historically performing well during precisely the market conditions we're facing today. By identifying supply and demand imbalances across currencies, commodities, and fixed income markets, these approaches can deliver returns through fundamentally different mechanisms than traditional investments.The Dynamic Alpha Macro Fund combines global macro with US equities, creating smoother return profiles that don't rely solely on economic growth. As Brad aptly puts it, "Hope is not a plan" – hoping traditional diversification will protect you during the next market crisis isn't sound portfolio management.Ready to rethink your approach to asset allocation? Download their enlightening white paper at rethinkassetallocation.com or visit dynamicwg.com to learn how multiple return drivers can help prepare your portfolio for whatever economic conditions lie ahead.Energy Rocks: the trending Focus Candy now on sale! or Power up now with Energy Rocks Adult Focus Candy. energyrocks.store/LEAD25OFF. Sign up to The Lead-Lag Report on Substack and get 30% off the annual subscription today by visiting http://theleadlag.report/leadlaglive. Foodies unite…with HowUdish!It’s social media with a secret sauce: FOOD! The world’s first network for food enthusiasts. HowUdish connects foodies across the world!Share kitchen tips and recipe hacks. Discover hidden gem food joints and street food. Find foodies like you, connect, chat and organize meet-ups!HowUdish makes it simple to connect through food anywhere in the world.So, how do YOU dish? Download HowUdish on the Apple App Store today: Support the show