Competent Man Podcast

In this podcast, Tom Bodrovics interviews Doomberg, the head writer for The Doomberg Team and creator of the Doomberg Substack, to discuss various geopolitical and economic topics. Doomberg begins by analyzing a recent post by Donald Trump about Ukraine, suggesting that Trump's words were sarcastic and aimed at distancing the U.S. from direct involvement in the conflict. Doomberg argues that the mainstream interpretation of Trump's post as a shift in policy is misleading and that Trump is, in fact, disengaging from the Ukraine situation. The conversation then shifts to the broader geopolitical landscape, with Doomberg discussing the increasing military capabilities of countries like Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, which vastly exceed NATO's current capabilities. He criticizes the Western techno-arrogance that underestimates these countries' advancements and highlights the potential for a catastrophic outcome if the U.S. and its allies underestimate their adversaries. Doomberg also delves into the future of the United Nations (UN) and NATO, suggesting that both organizations may face significant challenges and potential restructuring. He argues that the UN, with 16% of its budget coming from the U.S., may be sleepwalking into a position where it needs to reassess its power and relevance. Similarly, he believes that NATO has run its course and that the U.S. will focus more on the Western hemisphere, rebuilding its military supply chains, and re-industrializing. The discussion then turns to the energy sector, with Doomberg critiquing the green energy transition as built on a fundamental lie—that it is possible to wean off fossil fuels without sacrificing standard of living. He explains the limitations of solar and wind power, emphasizing that they are neither base load nor dispatchable, and that relying too heavily on them can lead to grid instability. Doomberg also highlights China's strategic moves in the energy sector, including stockpiling critical minerals and converting coal into oil products, as indicators of its long-term planning and preparation for potential conflicts. Doomberg further discusses the potential bifurcation of energy markets between the BRICS countries and the G7, with the BRICS countries potentially replacing treasuries and European debt with gold for settling energy trades. He also touches on the potential use of crypto and stablecoins by the U.S. to devalue its debt, suggesting that this could be a form of financial repression and yield curve control. The podcast concludes with Doomberg emphasizing the importance of lateral thinking as a valuable skill for interpreting complex geopolitical and economic situations. He advocates for supplementing linear thinking with lateral thinking to gain a more comprehensive understanding of global events and to make more informed decisions.

During the podcast, host Tom Bodrovics and guest Michael Oliver, from Momentum Structural Analysis (MSA), discussed various market dynamics and trends. Oliver emphasized that the S&P 500 is at the top of a major bubble, which has been evident since late 2024 or early 2025. He noted that the recent surge in the S&P, despite making new highs, is a counter-trend rally within a broken long-term uptrend. Oliver highlighted that historical patterns, such as those seen in 2000 and 2007, suggest that the current market structure is similar to past market tops. Oliver also discussed the underperformance of key sectors like financials, healthcare, and industrials, which together make up a significant portion of the market. He contrasted this with the strong performance of tech sectors, particularly information technology and communication services, which have driven the recent market rally. This narrow leadership, Oliver argued, is a sign of market weakness and potential rollover. The conversation also touched on the bond market, particularly the T-bond market, which Oliver described as being in a critical state. He noted that the market has not behaved as an alternative to stocks, as it typically would, and that this anomaly could signal broader market issues. Oliver also discussed the potential for a bond vigilante resurgence if the market structure breaks. Turning to cryptocurrencies, Oliver expressed concern about Bitcoin's momentum structure, which he believes is at risk of breaking. He noted that Bitcoin's price action has been closely correlated with the NASDAQ 100, and a breakdown in Bitcoin could potentially drag down the NASDAQ as well. In contrast, Oliver sees gold and silver as having significant upside potential, with silver poised for a dramatic breakout. He also mentioned that silver miners are outperforming gold miners and could see substantial gains in the near future. Oliver concluded by discussing the potential for a return to a gold-backed currency, driven by global trends and the failure of central bank policies. He sees gold as a prime beneficiary of the current market dynamics and expects rapid and significant changes in the near future.

Nicole Schaefer, a leadership coach who uses horses to teach leadership skills, discusses the importance of authentic leadership and the role of horses in developing self-awareness and effective communication. She highlights the societal shift towards gender-specific initiatives, including those for men, which aim to create safe spaces for individuals to be seen and heard without conforming to societal expectations. Schaefer emphasizes the importance of leading from one's core values and principles, rather than adhering to societal norms or expectations. Schaefer's leadership coaching involves working with horses, which provide honest and candid feedback, helping individuals become more self-aware and authentic. Horses do not react to performance or expectations but rather to the individual's true self, making them excellent mirrors for personal growth. This approach helps leaders understand their energy levels, body language, and communication styles, enabling them to connect more effectively with their teams. The conversation also touches on the concept of "me first leadership," where leaders show vulnerability and create a safe space for their teams to do the same. This approach fosters innovation, creativity, and a sense of community within the team. Schaefer shares her personal experience with burnout, attributing it to a disconnect between her values and her work environment. She emphasizes the importance of honoring one's values and taking time to recharge and reflect, rather than constantly pushing for productivity. Schaefer's work with horses helps individuals understand their spatial bubbles, energy levels, and communication styles, enabling them to build more effective relationships and teams. She also discusses the importance of pausing and allowing for creativity and innovation, rather than constantly pushing for productivity. Schaefer's upcoming projects include working with residents in pediatric medicine to build interpersonal skills and confidence, as well as expanding her coaching services to more individuals.

Tom Bodrovics normally your host instead joins Gabriel Custodiet to discuss a range of topics from precious metals investing to the complexities of welding and self-sufficiency. Tom is known for his podcast "Palisades Gold Radio," which focuses on contrarian investing, economics, and the monetary system, particularly from an Austrian or libertarian perspective. The show has garnered over 100,000 subscribers on YouTube, despite algorithmic challenges, and features notable guests like Rick Rule, Doug Casey, and Matthew Pipenburg

This discussion with David Marin explores the importance of resilience, competence, and lateral thinking in navigating the challenges facing society. Marin shares his personal journey as a dyslexic individual who developed unique problem-solving abilities through adversity. He argues that lateral thinkers, often misunderstood, possess valuable skills that are crucial for leadership and innovation, especially as the world faces increasing conflict and disruption. Marin emphasizes the need for educational systems that nurture diverse learning styles and the importance of parents deliberately fostering resilience in their children through exposure to hardship and challenges. He cautions against the dangers of overprotection, which can stifle personal growth and adaptability. Marin also delves into the dynamics of partner selection, advocating for lateral individuals to seek compatible matches to cultivate fulfilling relationships. Looking ahead, Marin foresees a looming "extinction event" for linear thinkers as artificial intelligence increasingly automates repetitive tasks. He believes lateral individuals, with their ability to think creatively and adapt, will be better positioned to thrive in this shifting landscape. Ultimately, Marin emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and a willingness to confront one's fears as key components of building resilience and competence, both on an individual and societal level.