We Study Billionaires - The Investors Podcast

On today’s episode, Clay is joined by Joseph Shaposhnik to discuss the launch of his new ETF, Rainwater Equity. The Rainwater Equity ETF just launched on June 18th, 2025, under the ticker RW, and its objective is to compound capital at an above-average rate by investing in publicly listed recurring revenue businesses. The fund Joseph managed at his previous firm compounded at 16.7% since 2015, versus the S&P 500’s 13.1% over that same time period. It was also the top-performing fund out of 343 in its US Large Cap Core Equity category by Nasdaq eVestment. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 02:39 - Joseph’s lessons from spending a day with Peter Lynch. 12:09 - Why the active management industry is broken and how Joseph has set out to fix it. 22:12 - Why Bill Miller invested in Joseph’s new ETF. 28:25 - Why recurring revenue is the ultimate business model. 40:11 - Whether any of the Magnificent 7 companies fit into Joseph’s recurring revenue framework. 46:35 - The role that valuation plays in

Seb and Preston explore the hidden emotional and societal costs of fiat currency, how Bitcoin changes our perception of value, and why money is more than just economics—it's identity. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 01:28 - The emotional toll of living within a fiat monetary system 10:04 - How Bitcoin changes the way we express values through money 12:55 - The real-life shifts that occur when someone adopts low time preference 15:37 - How hard money can enable authentic altruism and creativity 19:11 - How broken money disrupts psychological growth through Maslow’s hierarchy 20:24 - Why fiat incentives fuel fear, narrow focus, and societal disconnection 22:41 - The impact of viable saving on emotional and creative well-being 25:45 - Why fiat may be driving an identity crisis and inauthentic life paths 33:22 - What Bitcoin reveals about curiosity and intellectual integrity 41:05 - How note-taking and integration fuel personal and intellectual growth Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies

On today’s show, Stig Brodersen talks with co-host William Green, the author of “Richer, Wiser, Happier.” In their quest for meaningful relationships and being the best version of themselves, they discuss what has made them Richer, Wiser, or Happier in the past quarter. You’re invited to join them on their journey. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 00:07:45 - Why you will waste years if you can’t waste hours 00:08:04 - The power of (not) structuring your day 00:13:53 - What you can clone from an optimal life design 00:59:46 - What William and Stig have read the last quarter that made them Richer, Wiser, and Happier 01:01:55 - How to have work-play integration rather than a work-life balance 01:03:55 - Why what is important starts and ends with quality 01:22:13 - Why the best things in life come from compounding Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences. BOOKS AND RESOURCES Join Clay and a select group of passio

In this episode, Clay explores the core ideas behind Capital Returns by Edward Chancellor and Marathon Asset Management. Based on decades of investing experience, the book uncovers the capital cycle framework, which reveals how capital flows, supply dynamics, and managerial incentives drive long-term investment outcomes. Whether you're a value investor, a portfolio manager, or simply curious about market cycles, this episode offers guidance for understanding the boom and bust nature of cyclical industries. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 01:31 - How the capital cycle explains boom and bust industry dynamics. 07:03 - Why tracking supply is often more useful than forecasting demand. 16:20 - How capital discipline separates great managers from average ones. 05:07 - Why excess investment leads to lower future returns. 30:38 - Why cyclical industries can offer high-return opportunities. 41:50 - How incentives and ownership structures impact corporate decision-making. 49:10 - How low interest

Michael and Preston explore Bitcoin's foundational principles, covering digital scarcity, mining incentives, node infrastructure, and the importance of self-custody versus third-party management. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 12:13 - How Bitcoin prevents government-led currency debasement 19:14 - Why block reorganizations occur and how they're resolved 23:11 - The mechanics of block creation and transaction verification 28:55 - What makes Bitcoin a secure and decentralized timekeeper 31:13 - The economic incentives behind Bitcoin mining 33:54- The role of transaction fees as block subsidies decline 37:01 - How Bitcoin's security model addresses hack concerns 41:05 - How self-custody empowers users and mitigates risks 50:02 - Differences between running a node and mining 1:00:04 - Innovations in node infrastructure from the 256 Foundation Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences. BOOKS AND RESOURCES Michael’s X Acc

In today's episode, Stig Brodersen is talking stocks with Tobias Carlisle and Hari Ramachandra. Stig’s pick is Microsoft, the world’s biggest market cap company for good reason. Tobias is pitching Devon Energy, an oil and gas producer with a big upside if you’re right about the timing. Hari’s stocks of choice are Adyen and Block, two fast-growing companies with stronger moats that meet the eye. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 01:51 - Why Hari is bullish on Block and Adyen (Ticker on NYSE: XYZ and on Euronext: ADYEN). 12:48 - The bear case for Block and Adyen, including valuation and disruption. 24:22 - Stig’s bull case is for Microsoft (Ticker on NASDAQ: MSFT). 44:55 - The bear case for Microsoft, including the rich valuation. 56:56 - Why Toby is bullish on Devon Energy (Ticker on NYSE: DVN). 01:05:31 - The bear case of Devon Energy, including the debt level and share issuance. 01:27:06 - What the TIP Mastermind Community is and how we’re forming meaningful relationships. Disclaim

In this episode, Clay explores Hamilton Helmer’s 7 Powers framework, breaking down each of the seven sources of enduring competitive advantage. While companies all over the world offer benefits and value to society at large, few have barriers in place that prevent competitors from easily replicating those advantages. Whether you’re an investor or business operator, this episode is an essential listen to understand the critical ingredients for long-term success in business. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 01:34 - What it means for a company to have Power. 07:04 - The power of scale economies. 12:12 - Why network effects are one of the best competitive advantages a business can have. 18:05 - Why counter-positioning is Hamilton Helmer’s favorite Power. 30:19 - The types of switching costs that can keep customers locked in for years. 38:24 - Why customers are willing to consistently pay up for a great brand name. 51:24 - How companies can capture a cornered resource that even well-funded co

Garrett Johnston shares why Bitcoin—not crypto—should be the foundation for insurance innovation. We explore regulatory friction, risk evolution, and strategic adoption for carriers and corporates. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 04:57 - How digital asset risk profiles evolve as companies scale 16:09 - The case for Bitcoin in insurance company treasuries 16:15 - Why Bitcoin enhances risk-adjusted returns in institutional portfolios 21:39 - Why current regulatory frameworks hinder BTC adoption 21:54 - How NAIC rules classify BTC as a non-admitted asset 22:07 - The importance of state-by-state education and reform 30:28 - Gaps in current insurance coverage for Bitcoin-native businesses 45:03 -Why “Bitcoin not crypto” is critical in traditional insurance circles 47:12 - ESG misconceptions about Bitcoin in insurance contexts 48:26 - Game theory behind state-level regulatory adoption (e.g., NH SBR) 49:39 - AI’s emerging role in insurance and supply chain risk analysis Disclaimer: Slig

On today’s episode, Kyle Grieve chats with Jon Cukierwar about his unique global investing approach focused on undiscovered companies. They delve into Jon’s high-conviction strategy, his in-depth on-the-ground research process, and how he uncovers overlooked opportunities by combining valuation, quality, and growth. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 03:02 - Lessons Jon learned working for legend Bob Robotti 07:19 - Why Jon favours high-quality, growing businesses 17:26 - How Jon counters bias when meeting charismatic CEOs 25:50 - Why local investor networks unlock global insights 36:23 - Why Jon prioritizes owners’ earnings over net income 37:41 - The three essential traits Jon demands in investment and what makes an investment a “no-brainer” for Jon 39:47 - Why holding winners is harder than it seems 53:57 - Why Jon leans toward “boring” low-tech businesses 1:00:30 - What traits Jon values most in company leadership Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to

On today’s episode, Clay is joined by Tim Koller to discuss all things valuation. Tim is the lead author of Valuation: Measuring and Managing the Value of Companies which is the #1 best-selling guide to business valuation. This book—now in its eighth edition—has sold more than one million copies, and is used as a textbook at top business schools such as Wharton School, University of Chicago, MIT, INSEAD, Tuck School of Business, and Northwestern University. As a Partner at McKinsey & Company, Tim combines broad cross-sector experience with decades of service to clients in value creation, corporate strategy, capital-markets issues, and M&A transactions. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 01:45 - How companies create shareholder value. 05:13 - The common misconceptions related to creating shareholder value. 13:54 - How managers should think about return on invested capital. 28:08 - Why it’s so common for managers to not take a long-term approach. 33:16 - How return on invested capital impa

Preston and Matthew discuss the upcoming Bitcoin Policy Summit, explore strategic financial maneuvers involving Bitcoin, dissect stablecoin impacts, and examine shifting global crypto dynamics. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 01:20 - Challenges facing the Federal Reserve’s independence 13:21 - Insights into Elon's policy influence and federal restructuring 17:46 - The U.S. trade deficit's impact on Bitcoin and equity markets 19:59 - The Genius Act’s implications for stablecoin regulation 24:21 - How stablecoins are disrupting traditional banking 32:30 - How the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve could reshape fiscal policy 33:50 - Strategic execution plans for government Bitcoin acquisitions 37:13 - Bitcoin vs. gold as sovereign investment tools 39:27 - National strategies around AI, energy, and global Bitcoin positioning 48:40 - Details of the upcoming Bitcoin Policy Summit  Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences. BOOKS AND RES

On today’s episode, Kyle Grieve chats about one of the most iconic businesses in history—Coca-Cola—and explores its enduring competitive advantages, its remarkable turnaround under CEO Roberto Goizueta, and what Warren Buffett saw that made it one of Berkshire Hathaway’s most legendary investments. Kyle unpacks why Coke’s brand power, global distribution, and intelligent capital allocation have helped it dominate for over a century and why understanding this story can help you spot other life-changing investments. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 02:03 - What gives Coca-Cola four enduring edges over competitors worldwide. 08:04 - A brief overview of Coca-Cola’s two primary business segments. 09:38 - Why Goizueta’s personality reshaped Coca-Cola’s future in unexpected ways. 11:14 - What makes Coca-Cola’s brand unforgettable across cultures and decades. 25:16 - The unique metric Goizueta used to unlock hidden value. 27:12 - What Warren Buffett saw before betting big on Coca-Cola. 39:40 - A

On today’s episode, Kyle Grieve chats with James and Abigail Zimmerman about the strength of growing and sustainable cash flowing businesses; the importance of strong balance sheets; how they navigate their circle of competence, and the steps they take to expand it; why simplicity is so important in an age of complexity, how they use cash as a boost, and not a drag on returns, and much more. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 02:28 - How communities—public and private—can spark better investment ideas. 07:06 - Why free cash flow yield is their north star metric. 10:09 - How to tell if value drivers are simple or deceptively complex. 14:00 - Why staying inside your circle of competence protects your downside. 19:22 - How “Fort Knox” balance sheets help survive any market storm. 28:23 - Key signals that suggest a business can sustain high ROIC. 32:56 - What truly shows management is aligned, not just insider ownership. 43:25 - The hidden risks that make many retailers dangerous investments.

Explore the launch of Twenty One Capital, its strategic ties with Tether, SoftBank, and Cantor Fitzgerald, and how it compares to MicroStrategy or ETFs. Plus, Strike’s bold leap into secure Bitcoin lending. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 15:29 - How Twenty One Capital was formed and why now is the right time for a Bitcoin-native public company 17:16 - What SoftBank contributes beyond funding, including possible global Bitcoin adoption strategies 19:05 - How Twenty One differentiates itself from MicroStrategy and ETFs as a Bitcoin investment vehicle 19:55 - Why “Bitcoin Per Share” is used to track performance instead of traditional fiat metrics 27:31 - The ownership structure and governance dynamics between Tether, SoftBank, and other stakeholders 28:45 - Whether and how Strike and Twenty One will collaborate, and how CEO responsibilities are managed 31:26 - How the company navigates U.S. regulatory challenges, especially with Tether’s involvement 33:07 - The roadmap for Twenty One’s operation

In this special celebratory episode, William Green spotlights some of the most important lessons from the greatest investor of all time: Warren Buffett. In honor of Buffett’s historic decision to retire after 60 years as Berkshire Hathaway’s CEO, William offers his thoughts on Buffett’s legacy & Berkshire’s future; he also shares powerful highlights from his conversations about Buffett with Joel Greenblatt, Nick Sleep, Thomas Russo, Chris Davis, Chuck Akre & Christopher Bloomstran. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 04:20 - What makes Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meeting a joyous experience. 06:13 - How Warren Buffett’s virtues & values shone through at this year’s AGM. 14:51 - How he & Charlie Munger made most of their money off 8 or 9 big bets. 22:41 - What Buffett taught Joel Greenblatt about buying great businesses. 27:24 - What stunned Greenblatt when he finally met Buffett. 33:45 - Why Chuck Akre attributes his enormous success to Buffett’s teachings. 38:18 - What Thomas Russo learned

On today’s episode, Clay and Kyle give an overview of their best quality stock idea for Q2 2025. This quarter, they discuss Booking Holdings. To our surprise, Booking Holdings is the world’s largest travel company. We explore how the company built a dominant position in Europe through its network effect, asset-light business model, and sound capital allocation decisions. We also cover Booking’s competitive advantages, financial performance, and key risks facing the business.  Clay finds Bookings Holdings to be a compelling long-term compounder, which led him to initiate a position in the company earlier this year. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 06:42 - How Booking built its dominant position in Europe and other markets globally. 11:47 - Why Booking Holdings is one of the most dominant and profitable online travel agencies in the world. 16:59 - An overview of the competitive landscape for online travel agencies. 38:21 - Booking Holdings’ competitive advantages. 40:46 - An overview of B

Andy Edstrom unpacks whether Bitcoin is truly the last asymmetric bet for companies, diving into MicroStrategy's model, capital structure risks, and Bitcoin's rising institutional role. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 03:40 - Why Michael Saylor calls Bitcoin a lifeline for “zombie companies” 05:20 - How Bitcoin’s returns compare to traditional assets over the last decade 07:10 - The strategic and accounting evolution enabling Bitcoin treasury allocations 12:00 - MicroStrategy’s premium-to-NAV strategy and its replicability 15:40 - Risks and rewards of BTC-backed leverage and convertible notes 18:05 - The logic behind “torque” metrics in Bitcoin-financed capital structures 21:10 - If preferred shares like STRK and STRF are innovative or dangerous 23:05 - Wall Street’s changing views on Bitcoin-leveraged equity plays 27:20 - Legal and governance hurdles in corporate Bitcoin adoption 29:10 - What a BTC-heavy balance sheet should do during a major drawdown Disclaimer: Slight discrepanci

In this episode, Clay and Kyle reflect on their weekend at the Berkshire Hathaway annual shareholders meeting in Omaha and play a few of their favorite clips from the Q&A session with Warren Buffett, Greg Abel, and Ajit Jain. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 01:16 - Our thoughts on Buffett’s announced retirement of CEO at Berkshire Hathaway. 07:07 - How Warren Buffett and Greg Abel’s management style might differ as CEO. 20:03 - Why Buffett seeks to surround himself with wonderful people. 35:03 - How Buffett and Abel balance patience with acting quickly and opportunitistically. 49:31 - How Buffett and Abel view Berkshire’s investments in Japan. 01:06:05 - The most important factor to consider when investing in emerging markets. 01:10:44 - Berkshire’s recent investment activity and Buffett’s thoughts on today’s market. And so much more!  Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences. BOOKS AND RESOURCES Join Clay and a select g

On today’s episode, Kyle Grieve breaks down the contrarian investing philosophy of Anthony Bolton, revealing how he consistently outperformed the market by combining sentiment analysis, in-depth fundamental research, and a flexible yet disciplined portfolio strategy. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 03:27 - The traits Bolton observed in the best fund managers. 04:55 - Why incomplete knowledge can be a strength. 06:56 - A simple method for conviction-based portfolio reviews. 11:48 - What to do when your investments aren't working. 16:05 - The role of sentiment in Bolton’s investing edge. 22:40 - How to spot and avoid artificial conviction. 29:14 - Using bond prices to assess business risk. 31:18 - Why controlling your destiny matters in business. 35:45 - Insights Bolton gained from meeting company management. 01:00:45 - Three big mistakes—and what they taught him. And so much more! Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences.

This episode explores Bitcoin’s emerging role as a global economic force, from its convergence as money to grid integration, payment tech, and strategic policy shifts. Preston and Parker also spotlight Zaprite's innovations for Bitcoin payments and the broader implications of CBDCs and regulatory changes. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 01:12 - Key developments in Texas: grid reliability, strategic reserves, and Bitcoin Park 07:12 - How Bitcoin mining can support energy grid reliability and cost efficiency 09:47 - Economic pros and cons of a U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. 12:57 - Navigating regulatory pressures while fostering innovation in the Bitcoin space 14:08 - How Zaprite helps businesses integrate Bitcoin payments with ease 15:50 - The impact of Zaprite’s new Payments API on the merchant landscape 21:26 - Why Bitcoin, not crypto, is positioned as the singular monetary convergence point 27:51 - The rationale behind global convergence toward Bitcoin as a monetary standard 28:4