In thie latest episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I’m joined by Michael Oliver, founder of Momentum Structural Analysis, for a deep dive into the powerful undercurrents driving today’s markets. Michael explains why the US equity rally rests on shaky ground, with broken momentum structures in the S&P 500, Nasdaq-100, and leading tech names hinting at sharp declines ahead. He also outlines how weakening bonds, a faltering dollar, and the setup for explosive moves in commodities and precious metals point to a much broader period of market upheaval. From the risk of Bitcoin tumbling back toward $50,000 to the likelihood […]
In this episode of Shifts Happen, Luke Gromen joins me to untangle the increasingly unsustainable triangle formed by Donald Trump, Fed Chair Jay Powell, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Together we examine how competing imperatives—shoring up U.S. manufacturing and military strength, preserving the dollar’s reserve status, and keeping Treasury yields under control—are colliding in ways that no policy mix can reconcile. From Powell’s politically motivated rate decisions to Trump’s onshoring drive and Bessent’s politically packaged but flimsy “three arrows” plan, the conversation lays bare a system straining under the weight of conflicting goals and shifting global realities. What emerges is a sobering exploration of how debt monetization, geopolitical realignment, and the waning power of the dollar are setting the stage for a permanent break with the post-1971 order.
In the latest episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I'm joined (after a few technical problems) by legendary trader and derivatives strategist Victor Sperandeo for a wide-ranging conversation on the complexities of financial derivatives, the distortions shaping today’s markets, and the long-term challenges facing investors. Drawing on decades of experience, Vic offers a candid look at how structured products and derivative strategies are designed, who truly benefits from them, and why caution is essential when navigating this opaque corner of finance. Our discussion expands to cover central bank intervention, government debt, suppressed volatility, and the risks these forces pose to economic stability, before turning to gold’s role as a hedge, the looming prospect of hyperinflation, and the generational divides defining wealth and opportunity in today’s economy.
In this episode of The Hundred Year Pivot, Demetri and I sit down with Jonathan Kirshner, a leading classical realist and scholar of international relations, for a wide-ranging discussion on realism, uncertainty, and America’s shifting role in global affairs. Jonathan outlines realism as a descriptive framework for understanding a world defined by anarchy—where no supreme authority exists—and the resulting unpredictability of state behaviour. We explore how changing geopolitical conditions are prompting nations, including the US, to more clearly articulate and pursue their national interests, touching on recent US foreign policy choices, the weakening of the dollar order, and the rise […]
In the latest episode of Kaos Theory, Michael Kao and I are joined by Kim Ghattas, author of Black Wave, for a deep dive into multiple points of conflict in the Middle East, the transformative year of 1979 and its lasting impact on the region. Speaking from Beirut, Kim examines how three seemingly unrelated events—the Iranian Revolution, the siege of Mecca’s Holy Mosque, and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan—triggered a cultural and political upheaval that set Saudi Arabia and Iran on a path from cooperation to bitter rivalry. She traces how Iran consolidated power under Ayatollah Khomeini, built proxy networks […]
In this episode of The Narrative Game, Ben warns of a dangerous politicization of the Federal Reserve following Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s push to subordinate the Fed to Treasury control, arguing that this marks a decisive step toward financing government spending through unchecked money creation—a path historically linked to currency debasement and economic collapse. With institutions too weak to resist and political narratives distracting the public, Ben and I ponder whether the US is on an irreversible trajectory toward monetary dysfunction, leaving alternative assets like gold and Bitcoin as the few remaining safeguards against a looming crisis.
In the seventh episode of The Hundred Year Pivot, Demetri Kofinas and I are joined by renowned financial historian Edward Chancellor for a sweeping conversation on the century-long evolution of money and interest rates. Our discussion traces the abandonment of gold-backed currency, the rise of fiat money, and the resulting waves of speculation, monetary intervention, and economic distortion. Eddie examines how decades of artificially low rates fueled bubbles and imbalances that are now unwinding, reshaping industries from real estate to renewable energy. Together, we explore the political and societal consequences of ‘mispriced’ money, mounting deficits, and wealth inequality—and consider whether […]
I’m back! After a brief hiatus, I’m joined by everybody’s favourite Green Chicken, Doomberg for a lively, wide-ranging conversation on the nature of money, gold’s timeless role, and the psychology shaping modern markets. We explore why gold’s centuries-tested reliability still matters in a world of fragile fiat systems and passionate Bitcoin believers, and how stablecoins are quietly creating fresh demand for US treasuries while propping up the current financial order. Next, we veer off into the rise of financial nihilism, where investors willingly lose money for community or cause, reflecting a dramatic shift from traditional market logic, before re-emerging on the 38th Parallel […]
In the latest episode of The Hundred Year Pivot, Demetri and I sit down with Lawrence Fossi—better known to many as Montana Skeptic—for a fearless exploration of America’s fraying social fabric. From the shifting character of New York City to the cults of personality surrounding Elon Musk and Donald Trump, we dissect the cultural, political, and institutional forces eroding public trust and cohesion. With Lawrence’s trademark candour, the conversation delves into the dangers of celebrity-driven populism, the fragility of democratic norms, and the deep structural imbalances threatening the US political and economic system. This is a sobering yet essential listen […]
After a ridiculously long hiatus, The Super Terrific Happy Hour returns as Steph and I dive back into the rapidly changing world of global finance, exploring how Japan’s decades-long experiment with low interest rates and high debt is no longer unique, as the United States and other developed economies find themselves on a similar path. We unpack Japan’s recent inflation surge, the Bank of Japan’s extraordinary bond holdings, and the risks of major capital flows if Japanese investors start bringing their money home before pivoting to the broader implications of a world where globalization may be reversing—raising questions about reshoring, […]
In the latest episode of The End Game, Fleck and I welcome back Harley Bassman—aka the ‘Convexity Maven’—for a deep dive into the shifting landscape of global bond markets, inflation, and the future of the US dollar. Harley contends that while US bond yields have risen sharply in recent years, they are now approaching fair value when measured against historical spreads and nominal GDP. The real challenge, he argues, lies in the rapid adjustment after decades of suppressed rates, and in how markets adapt to this new reality. Our discussion explores the profound impact of demographic trends, such as the […]
In this episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I talk with with cybersecurity expert and author Dmitri Alperovitch to discuss his book, ‘World on the Brink,’ and the escalating risk of conflict between China and Taiwan. Dmitri, who forecast Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, draws striking parallels between Vladimir Putin’s motivations and those now driving Xi Jinping’s ambitions toward Taiwan, identifying five recurring factors—distorted historical narratives, belief in national destiny, security imperatives, personal ego, and the urgency of aging leaders—that are converging once again, this time in East Asia. The conversation examines concrete evidence of China’s preparations for a potential invasion, […]
In the fifth episode of The Hundred Year Pivot, Demetri Kofinas and I sit down with economist Charles Calomiris for a probing exploration of America’s fiscal future and the deeper societal forces shaping it. The conversation delves into the concept of fiscal dominance—the point at which mounting government debt and deficits compel inflationary policies, sidelining the intentions of central banks, with Charles warning that the US is edging closer to this scenario, driven by unsustainable deficits and a political system gridlocked by the self-interest of key voting blocs and an unwillingness to confront hard choices around entitlements like Social Security […]
In the latest episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I’m joined by Victor Haghani, founder and CIO of Elm Wealth, for a conversation that spans revolution, crisis, and hard-earned wisdom. From seeing his family lose nearly everything during the Iranian revolution, to his high-stakes years at Salomon Brothers and as a founding partner of the infamous Long-Term Capital Management, Victor’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. After stepping back from markets for over a decade following LTCM’s collapse, he returned with a mission: to help investors avoid the pitfalls he’d seen firsthand. We discuss the crucial—and often overlooked—importance of position […]
In another compelling episode of The Hundred Year Pivot, Demetri and I are joined by Dr. Pippa Malmgren to unpack the profound challenges facing American society today. Drawing from her extensive experience in US and UK political spheres, Pippa explores the collapse of shared narratives amid political polarization, economic pressures, and an overwhelming flood of information that drives people into ideological silos. She highlights how this ‘narrative collapse,’ fueled by repeated national traumas and algorithm-driven media, threatens public trust, rational discourse, and the very legitimacy of government. Pippa calls this moment a Copernican shift in American reality, emphasizing the urgent […]
In the latest episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I’m joined by Warren Pies of 3Fourteen Research to unpack the challenges of investing in a world defined by policy shocks, geopolitical uncertainty, and persistent volatility. His data-driven approach allows Warren to cut through the noise of political unpredictability—particularly around Trump-era tariffs—and we focus the conversation on market signals, sentiment shifts, and technical indicators in today’s unstable landscape. From the precarious relationship between bonds and equities to the evolving role of the U.S. dollar, Warren offers a grounded yet insightful take on where the real risks—and opportunities—lie. We dive deep into […]
In the third episode of The Hundred Year Pivot, Demetri and I are joined by one of our main inspirations for setting out on this podcast journey, renowned financial historian Russell Napier, for a sweeping exploration of the deep structural imbalances reshaping the global economic and monetary order. Russell lays out a powerful framework for understanding the unwinding of decades-long distortions—rising debt, trade and capital flow asymmetries, and the pivotal role of China in the shifting global balance. As geopolitical alliances realign and governments turn increasingly to capital controls and financial repression, Russell warns that traditional investment strategies may prove […]
In this thought-provoking episode, I’m joined by Tian Yang of Variant Perception to explore the deep structural forces reshaping the global economy and geopolitical order. From the unintended consequences of Donald Trump’s tariff policies to China’s underappreciated resilience and strategic foresight, Tian offers a fresh, data-driven perspective on the shifting balance of power between East and West. The conversation moves beyond headlines to examine how innovation, manufacturing re-shoring, and changing reserve dynamics are altering the investment landscape. Tian also highlights the growing divergence in policymaking philosophies between major economies and the investment opportunities arising from those fractures before highlighting Europe’s […]
In the second episode of The Hundred Year Pivot, Demetri and I talk with the man whose work inspired us to set off on this journey together – the co-author of seminal book The Fourth Turning and author of The Fourth Turning is Here, Neil Howe. What follows is a timely and thought-provoking conversation on generational theory and the turbulent state of not just the United States, but the entire world today. From rising partisanship and institutional decay to shifting cultural norms around religion, gender, and substance use, Neil unpacks the patterns he sees repeating—and what they might mean for […]
To celebrate the 100th episode of The Grant Williams Podcast, I’m delighted to welcome my friend Lynne Bryan Phipps for a discussion unlike any of the 99 that preceded it as she and I take a personal journey into the incredible world of Integrative Equine Therapy (IET). Lynne – an ordained minister, architect and psychologist and the founder of one of Rhode Island’s leading charter schools – also founded Beachwood Centre, an extraordinary place where Lynne and her staff provide help for those suffering from trauma, anxiety, PTSD, grief and other stress-related issues, with the aid of horses. My own […]