
Animal Spirits Podcast
Animal Spirits is a show about markets, life, and investing. Join Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson as they talk about what they're reading, writing, listening to and watching. Look for new episodes every Wednesday morning. See our disclosures here - https://ritholtzwealth.com/podcast-youtube-disclosures/
Latest episodes

Jul 17, 2024 • 1h 5min
Fast Food Inflation (EP.369)
On this episode, they discuss Fed rate cuts, positive outcomes from high inflation, stock market accuracy, global millionaires, Wingstop vs. Chipotle, renters' ability to buy homes, house construction costs, private markets, Kevin Bacon movies, Bitcoin fluctuations, US homeownership stats, housing market dynamics, and actor Nick Cage's routine.

6 snips
Jul 15, 2024 • 36min
Talk Your Book: Trend Following with Eric Crittenden
Eric Crittenden, CIO of Standpoint Asset Management, discusses adjusting for bias in data analysis, defining holding periods for trend following, multi-asset vs managed futures, simplifying trading processes, maximizing compounded returns, and managing risk in financial markets with a rules-based approach to trend following and portfolio allocation.

Jul 10, 2024 • 1h 3min
Buying a House at the Top of the Market (EP.368)
The podcast discusses the challenges of beating the market, the ongoing travel boom, retirement enjoyment for Boomers, young adults making money, the slowing economy, Bitcoin ETFs, guaranteed income preferences, and the new season of The Bear.

Jul 9, 2024 • 29min
Talk Your Book: Public and Private Market Credit Opportunities
Ben Santonelli, from Polen Capital, discusses interval funds, managing interest rates in bond allocation, valuing businesses, and risks in high yield bonds. They explore strategies for navigating the low yield environment, the impact of interest rate moves, and the importance of sector specialization in credit opportunities.

Jul 6, 2024 • 40min
Talk Your Book: Why We Don't Build Enough Houses
Coby Lefkowitz, Partner at Backyard, joins to discuss the complexities of homebuilding, challenges in urban planning and zoning, solutions to the housing crisis, and the role of financial institutions in shaping real estate projects towards scale and cost efficiency.

Jul 3, 2024 • 52min
Living Paycheck-to-Paycheck (EP.367)
Exploring US stock market dominance, credit spreads, 401k impact, American wealth, economic slowdown, travel trends, meal deal inflation indicator, and more interesting topics in this episode.

7 snips
Jul 1, 2024 • 34min
Talk Your Book: Income Outcome Investing
Hamilton Reiner, MD, portfolio manager at JPM, shares insights on active strategies with option overlays, improving investor experience by limiting outcomes, constructing option strategies, volatility impact on yield, and unique income outcome investing strategies for efficient equity exposure.

Jun 26, 2024 • 54min
Who Owns the Stock Market? (EP.366)
The podcast discusses the difference between bull and bear markets, Gen Z's interest in the stock market, spending habits on concerts and groceries, Fed's role in the housing market, and amusing topics like honking horns while driving.

Jun 24, 2024 • 39min
Talk Your Book: Growth Stock Concentration
Kathleen McCarragher, a portfolio manager, discusses market concentration in S&P 500, growth stock challenges, valuation impact of interest rates, success stories like Nvidia, and opportunities in consumer markets and international investments.

Jun 19, 2024 • 1h
The Fed Needs to Cut (EP.365)
Topics discussed include the need for the Fed to cut rates, valuations, hedges against an AI boom-bust cycle, housing price factors, lack of movement, financial perspectives from tragedy, crime rates in bull markets, bad drivers, and TV show discussions.