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Smart Money Circle

Author: Adam Sarhan

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This show interviews the “smart money” (large money managers & CEOs) for timeless investing advice. My goal is to provide you with timeless/actionable advice that you can use to make smarter investment decisions, and help you become intellectually wealthy.

The Host:
Adam Sarhan, Author, Investor, and Forbes Contributor, interviews real money managers with over $100 million in assets under management (AUM) and CEOs for timeless advice.

Disclaimer:
All our work is general in nature and for educational/informational purposes only. No specific investment advice is given.
274 Episodes
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Full name: Thierry L. BernardTitle: Chief Executive OfficerWebsite: https://www.qiagen.com/usTicker: $QGENBiography: Thierry Bernard joined QIAGEN in February 2015 to lead the company’s growing presence in molecular diagnostics, the application of Sample to Insight solutions for molecular testing in human healthcare.He was named Chief Executive Officer in March 2020 after serving in this role on an interim basis and became a member of the Managing Board in 2021.Previously, Mr. Bernard held roles of increasing responsibility during 15 years with bioMérieux SA, most recently as Corporate Vice President, Global Commercial Operations, Investor Relations and the Greater China Region, and held senior management roles in several other leading international companies.He was named Chair of the AdvaMedDx Board of Directors in March 2023, a U.S. industry trade association, and joined the Board of Directors of Neogen Corporation (NASDAQ: NEOG) in 2024.Mr. Bernard has earned degrees and certifications from Sciences Po, the London School of Economics, the College of Europe, Harvard Business School, Centro de Comercio Exterior de Barcelona. He has been appointed Conseiller du Commerce Extérieur by the French government.
Guest:Edward (a.k.a. Scooter) F. Thomas IIITitle: Financial AdvisorAUM: ~$250MWebsite: https://savantwealth.com/employee/scooter-thomas/Bio:As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, Chartered Special Needs Consultant® (ChSNC®), and Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®), Scooter is knowledgeable in all areas of financial planning, including wealth transfer and philanthropy, proactive income and estate tax planning, retirement cash flow projections, retirement income optimization, insurance needs analyses, debt management, and education funding.Scooter has been involved in the financial services industry since 2017. He was an associate advisor with Bridgeworth until it joined with Savant in 2023. Prior to joining Bridgeworth, Scooter served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps and then transitioned to the reserve forces.While serving our country, Scooter was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. In 2021, he was recognized by the Birmingham Business Journal as a Veteran of Influence.Scooter maintains his affiliation with the Marine Corps Reserve and serves as a Regional Air Defense Policy Planner on the Aviation Expeditionary Enabling team at the Pentagon. He is a member of the Monday Morning Quarterback Club and the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park Board, serves as president of the Birmingham chapter of the Hampden-Sydney Alumni Club, and is the board finance chair for the Birmingham Committee on Foreign Relations..Scooter earned a bachelor of arts degree in religious studies (Islam) from Hampden-Sydney (VA) College.Scooter and his wife Megan happily reside in Mountain Brook with their daughter Evie, son Franklin, and two dogs, Lettie and Macy.DisclaimerThis discussion is intended to provide general information. Please consult your financial professional for guidance on your unique situation before implementing any of the ideas presented. Savant Wealth is a registered investment advisor with the SEC. Visit www.savantwealth.com for more information about our firm.
Guest:Neil Blumenthal Co-founder and Co-CEO of Warby ParkerWebsite:https://www.warbyparker.com/Ticker: $WRBYBio:Neil Blumenthal is a co-founder and co-CEO of Warby Parker, a direct-to-consumer lifestyle brand focused on vision for all. Since day one, over twenty million pairs of glasses have been distributed through the company’s Buy a Pair, Give a Pair program. Neil has been named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young, and one of the 100 Most Creative People in Business by Fast Company. He serves on the board of directors of Sweetgreen (NYSE: SG), as well as the nonprofit organizations Robin Hood, Tech: NYC, the Partnership Fund for New York City, and the Warby Parker Impact Foundation. Neil also sits on the leadership council of Responsible Innovation Labs, and he serves as a General Partner of Good Friends LLC, an early stage venture capital firm. A native of New York City, Neil received his BA from Tufts University and his MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
GuestTed Halpern, Regional President, Managing Director | MAI Capital MAI Capital’s AUM =$35BWebsitehttps://mai.capital/BioTed Halpern brings over 30 years of experience in financial services, having launched Halpern Financial, Inc. in 1998. He joined MAI in 2024, where he continues to provide comprehensive financial, investment, and wealth management planning to affluent families, professionals, and their businesses. Ted serves on the Board for Institutional Investor and is involved in several charities. He holds a B.S. in Finance from the University of Maryland. He and his wife, Bethe, live in both Naples, FL and Ashburn, VA, and are proud parents of twins.
Guest:Mark DiGiovanni is founder and president of Marathon Financial Strategies Inc.Website:https://www.marathon-forthelongrun.com/Bio:-Runner since 1969-BS in 1975-Middle school teacher 1976-1980-Married since 1983-MBA in 1987-Passed CPA exam in 1988-Episcopalian since 1989-Father since 1989-Founded Marathon in 1995-Certified Financial Planner (CFP) since 1997-Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) since 1997-CFP Ambassador since 2010-Named a Five-Star Wealth Manager by Atlanta magazine last thirteen years (click here for details)-Board member of Episcopal Community Foundation since 2017-Member of AARP's Executive Council since 2018-Wrote seven books in ten years. (See Mark's Books-Free to You page.)
Name: Will Rhind Granite Shares ETFs – Over $10B AUM Title: Founder and CEOAUM: GraniteShares AUM ~ $10 Billion AUMCompany name:GraniteSharesWebsite: https://graniteshares.comBio: Will Rhind is the Founder & CEO of GraniteShares, an award-winning ETF company managing over $10 billion in assets. A recognized leader in commodities and alternative investing, Will helps investors protect and grow capital in inflationary and volatile markets — exactly where smart money wants an edge.Before GraniteShares, Will held senior roles at iShares, ETF Securities, and The World Gold Council, building innovative products that make real assets accessible to everyday investors. He’s a trusted voice on CNBC, Bloomberg, and Fox Business, known for breaking down complex macro trends into clear, actionable strategies. Originally from the UK and now based in New York.
Guest Axel Merk President and Chief Investment Officer of Merk Investments With Over $2.5B AUMAUM: $2.5BCompany: Merk InvestmentsWebsite: https://www.merkinvestments.com/Tickers: OUNZ / ASABio:Axel Merk is the Founder, President, and Chief Investment Officer of Merk Investments, a leading investment advisory firm managing over $2 billion, with a focus on gold and precious metals. With a B.A. and M.Sc. from Brown University, Axel brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the financial industry.Known for his proactive approach, Axel believes in taking action, whether in markets or life. His leadership extends beyond finance, as he actively participates in community service, including serving on the Board Committee for the Dancers Repertory Theatre.Axel's commitment to using his skills and resources for the greater good makes him a dynamic and inspiring figure in both investment and community circles.
Guest: Oktay Kavrak, Director of Comms and Strategy at Leverage Shares & IncomeSharesCompany: Leverage Shares ETPsWebsite: www.leverageshares.com / www.incomeshares.com AUM: ~$2 Billion Bio:Oktay Kavrak is the Director of Communications & Strategy at Leverage Shares, the pioneer in single-stock ETPs, and IncomeShares, Europe’s first options-based income ETPs on single stocks, indices, and commodities. He has been instrumental in bringing some of the most popular products to the London Stock Exchange, including the most traded ETP for three consecutive years.A CFA Charterholder, Oktay has built his career across banking, fund administration, and product strategy before taking on his current leadership role in the ETF industry. He has been quoted in Bloomberg, the Financial Times, CNN, and ETF Stream, and has appeared on CNBC, Benzinga, and others.Known for making complex financial products easy to understand, Oktay has built a following of more than 30,000 investors and professionals by sharing digestible, data-driven content across social media. When he’s not deep in markets, he reminds himself - and his audience - that life is too short to overthink the petty things.Disclaimer:The views expressed in this interview are Oktay’s own and not necessarily those of Leverage Shares. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Always do your own research.
Alan StraussSenior Partner, Director of Investor Relations at Crystal Capital Partners with $1B in assetsWebsitehttps://www.crystalfunds.com/BioAlan has been with the firm since 2009. During that time, he has helped lead the firm’s investor relations department and continues to focus on client relations, sales, and marketing initiatives. He earned both his M.S.Ed. in Sport Administration and his B.S. in Broadcast Journalism and Spanish from the University of Miami.Crystal has over $1bn of AUM on its platform
This $3B Money Management Firm Shares Timeless Lessons & Takes A Holistic Approach To Investing GuestDaria Victorov – Financial Advisor and Partner atAbacus Wealth Partners with approximately $3B in AUMWebsite: https://abacuswealth.com/ BioDaria graduated from Virginia Tech's CFP undergraduate education program. Shortly after graduating she relocated to the Bay Area and worked for a small RIA in Silicon Valley. There she kick started her career working primarily with young professionals in tech. After a year the company merged with another RIA where she gained experience working with a transcontinental team and focusing on transitioning clients to the new firm.In 2016 she moved to Abacus Wealth Partners where she is now a relationship manager and partner. Abacus is a national RIA that serves ~1,600 households. She has been on FPA Silicon Valley's board of directors and the NorCal committee. Currently she is involved with NAPFA's DEI committee. In 2018 she was named one of Financial Advisor's 10 Young Advisors to Watch. Lastly, in 2024 she was named one of InvestmentNews' Rising Star recipients.Disclaimer:Abacus Wealth Partners, LLC (‘Abacus’) is an SEC registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the SEC nor does it indicate that Abacus has attained a particular level of skill or ability. This material prepared by Abacus is for informational purposes only and is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. Abacus’ website and its associated links offer news, commentary, and generalized research. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information and should not be considered as a recommendation or solicitation of any particular security, strategy or investment product. It is not intended to serve as personalized tax, legal, and/or investment advice since the availability and effectiveness of any strategy is dependent upon your individual facts and circumstances. Abacus is not a legal or accounting firm. Please consult with your tax and/or legal professional regarding your specific tax or legal situation when determining if any of the mentioned strategies are right for you. Nothing on this website should be interpreted to state or imply that past performance is an indication of future performance. All investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.
Name: Tom HulickTitle: CEO – Strategy Asset ManagersAUM: $850MWebsite: https://strategyassetmanagers.com/Bio: Tom Hulick is CEO, CCO and Managing Partner of Strategy Asset Managers. He is the founding partner of Hulick Capital Management, LLC ─ the parent company of both Strategy Asset Managers and Holly Street Wealth Advisors. Mr. Hulick has worked for 25 years as a senior wealth advisor and investment manager for some of the largest financial and investment firms in the world.He is an active member of the Tulane University Fund Advisory Board and serves on the board of the WildlifeNOW ─ Tony Fitzjohn / George Adamson African Wildlife Preservation Trust. Mr. Hulick previously served on the advisory board of the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center in Pasadena, California and the Neighborhood Youth Association, serving underprivileged youth in Los Angeles, CA. He has been a member of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses volunteers since 2007.Mr. Hulick received a B.A. in political science from Tulane University and his MBA from the University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business. He is also a graduate of The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and Aresty Institute of Executive Education, Senior Consultant’s Program, through which he received the designation of Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA).
GuestGleb Budman, Cofounder, CEO, Chairman of Backblaze [NASDAQ: BLZE]Websitehttps://www.backblaze.com/About Gleb BudmanGleb Budman is the co-founder and CEO of Backblaze (NASDAQ: BLZE), the cloud storage company trusted by over 500,000 customers in 175+ countries. From home-built servers to taking the company public, Gleb has led Backblaze with a rare mix of long-term vision, transparency, and scrappiness. Turning a bootstrapped startup into a global cloud platform. Before Backblaze, Gleb led product at two technology startups from beginning through successful acquisitions.
Name: Chris LoTitle: Founder & CEOWebsite: https://ir.jiguang.cnCompany Name: Aurora MobileTicker: JGBio: A serial entrepreneur, founded Aurora Mobile in 2011. Secured multiple rounds of investments from Mandra, IDG, FOSUN, Fidelity, Goldman Sachs, and led Aurora to a successful IPO on NASDAQ in 2018.
Guest:Scott A. Goginsky, CFA ®Partner & Portfolio ManagerBiondo Investment Advisors, LLCAUM: $1.1BWebsite:www.TheBiondoGroup.comDisclosure:Neither the information nor opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation by us of the purchase or sale of any securities. Past performance does not guarantee future results.Bio:Scott was drawn to the value of a small firm culture and local emphasis when he joined Biondo Investment Advisors in 2010 as a Research Analyst & Portfolio Manager. He finds managing the money of individuals rewarding, as he can help make a significant impact to them and their families. He became a Partner in 2020 and is responsible for equity research and portfolio management.Scott has provided expert commentary on financial markets and investment strategies, appearing on platforms such as NASDAQ TradeTalks, TD Ameritrade, and Business Insider to share insights with investors.He began his career at Metropolitan Life in 1996, and later became a securities analyst at ING Investment Management. He then joined Wachovia Securities as a sell-side research analyst, covering the consumer sector, before moving to Schwartz Investment Counsel as an analystand portfolio manager.Scott graduated from University of Kansas with Bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Business Administration. He has an MBA from Oakland University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®). He is also a member of the CFA Institute.Married with twin boys in college, Scott is an enthusiastic reader and sports junkie, with special interest in his favorite team, the Chicago Bears.
GuestCameron Chell, Co-Founder CEO, Draganfly Inc.Websitehttps://draganfly.com/Ticker: DPROBioCameron ChellCEO / PRESIDENTCameron has been a technology entrepreneur for more than 30 years and has spent his career growing a diverse collection of high-potential ideas into revolutionary companies that have changed the way we experience the world.Cameron takes a hands-on leadership role in projects, infusing innovation and adoption with the operational principles of clarity, alignment, and measurement into the culture of every team he works with.
GuestPeter Evans CEO & President Xtract One Technologies Ticker: TSX: XTRAWebsitehttps://xtractone.com/BioPeter Evans has over 25 years of experience leading organizations’ digital transformation and innovation activities for customers in high-growth technology businesses. At Xtract One, Peter is bolstering the physical security technology industry while working to improve the patron experience. With his understanding of the operational challenges customers face, Peter is driving the organization towards delivering tech solutions that replace outdated systems, augment current technology, and enhance existing resources. As a four-time high-tech CEO, Peter has demonstrated repeated success in driving revenue growth and accelerated profitability, by delivering innovative solutions to target markets, and triggered multiple profitable liquidity events. Peter has helped Xtract One transform into an innovative and disruptive company that acquires a broad portfolio of solutions poised for growth by addressing critical security concerns across communities and businesses.Prior to Xtract One, Peter served as a senior executive at several technology and security companies, including IBM, where he was responsible for developing, delivering, and evangelizing the long cycle technical vision and strategy for their Internet Security Systems division. This includes security implications and strategies for Cloud, Telecom, and mobility.
GuestJulina Ogilvie, CIMA®, CPWA®, CEPA®Partner | Wealth AdvisorPrinciple Wealth Author & Host Money Confident Girls Book & Podcast Firm Websitehttps://www.principlewealthpartners.com/Firm AUM $2.5BBio:Julina manages wealth for high-net-worth individuals and families in addition to guiding successful advisors through the firm's succession planning strategy. Prior to joining Principle Wealth Partners, Julina held executive roles at J.P. Morgan Asset Management and Lord Abbett & Co. In these roles, she used her extensive knowledge of the capital markets to educate the country's top advisors.Julina is an accomplished speaker and strategist who has presented wealth management concepts to thousands of financial professionals and clients. She has been recognized for her outstanding achievements and serves as a mentor for young women entering the business. With a passion for financial literacy she created a podcast, Women On Wealth, to empower women on financial concepts. Additionally, she authored Money Confident Girls: A Parents Roadmap to Raising Financially Confident Children (From Toddlers to Teens), further solidifying her commitment to fostering financial competence from an early age.Julina resides in Fairfield, CT with her husband Doug, their daughters Kaylin and Sidney, and two dogs Mudd and Sierra. She currently sits on the Ethics Board of the Investments & Wealth Institute, serves as VP of Finance at the Westport Women's Club, and sits on the Board of Directors at River House Adult Day Center. Julina is an avid skier and triathlete whom qualified for the lronman World Championship in 2024.Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. The statements and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the author. PWP cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any statements or data. For current PWP information, please visit the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov by searching with PWP’s CRD #290180.
TitleClosing the Gender Investing Gap – Meet Dr. Sylvia Kwan CEO & CIO at EllevestGuestDr. Sylvia Kwan, CFA®, CAIA®CEO & CIO EllevestWebsitewww.ellevest.comAbout Dr. KwanDr. Sylvia Kwan, CFA®, CAIA® is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer at Ellevest. Dr. Kwan is a Chartered Financial Analyst with more than 30 years of industry experience. Prior to Ellevest, she founded SimplySmart Asset Management and held senior portfolio management positions at Financial Engines and Charles Schwab. She also serves on the Board of Exit 182, the investment committee that oversees the endowment of Grinnell College.Disclosure© 2025 Ellevest, Inc. All Rights Reserved.The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations, does not constitute a solicitation to buy or sell securities and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.Investing entails risk including the possible loss of principal and there is no assurance that the investment will provide positive performance over any period of time.The information provided does not take into account the specific objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any specific person.Ellevest, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration with the SEC does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Membership fees and additional information can be found at www.ellevest.com.
This $450M Money Manager Uses Stocks & Options To Gain An Edge In The Market -Meet Paul S. Stanley Managing Partner At Granite Bay Wealth ManagementGuest:Paul S. Stanley, CFP®, CPM® Managing Partner At Granite Bay Wealth Management $450M AUMWebsite: https://granitebaywm.com/Bio:Paul graduated from Bentley College with a Bachelor’s in Economics and Finance. He spent the first ten years of his career working at major Wall Street firms. In 2006 he opened Granite Bay Wealth Management after realizing that independence was the only way to truly offer what was best for his clients.Paul obtained his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in 1999. He has successfully completed level one of the Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA®) exam. He also received his Certified Portfolio Manager (CPM®) designation through the Academy of CPM and New York University’s Stern School of Business in 2022.Paul currently serves as a Selectman for the Town of Greenland, NH. He has served as an elected member of the MSAD 35 School Board, Chairman of the South Berwick Sewer District, and a board member of Marshwood Youth Baseball. He spends his free time coaching baseball and soccer, cooking, traveling, golfing, running, and playing guitar. Paul lives in Greenland, NH with his partner Colleen and her daughter Annabelle and has two grown sons: Trevor, who works as a financial advisor for Granite Bay, and Chase, who is attending the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
Description: In this episode, Johnson Investment Counsel’s managing director Chad Maggard joins Adam in a conversation about getting started in wealth management, a snapshot of the industry today and strategies for navigating tough client conversations. Chad shares his perspective on building trust, addressing client concerns and delivering value — even when the markets get messy.About Chad Maggard, Managing Director of Johnson Investment Counsel:Chad joined Johnson Investment Counsel in 2009 and is a Managing Director within Johnson Family Office Services. He is a shareholder of the firm and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation. Prior to coming to the firm, he was a Financial Consultant for AXA Advisors, LLC.Disclaimer: Johnson Investment Counsel cannot promise future results. Any expectations presented here should not be taken as any guarantee or other assurance as to future results. Our opinions are a reflection of our best judgment at the time this material was created, and we disclaim any obligation to update or alter forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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Comments (1)

ann

This is a great program. Sean has a fascinating story and I love his perspective on investing. Here is some more from him https://wineandcountrylife.com/a-vineyard-retirement-in-virginia/ and https://wineandcountrylife.com/4-questions-you-should-ask-your-investment-manager/ that were published in a beautiful Virginia magazine.

Sep 24th
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