We Study Billionaires - The Investors Podcast

Each quarter, Stig Brodersen sits down with his friend and co-host William Green, author of Richer, Wiser, Happier. Together, they explore the ideas, stories, and timeless principles from the power of the subconscious mind to the universal human longing for appreciation, love, and meaning. This conversation invites you to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with what matters most.  IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:05:49 - How to tap into your subconscious mind through a flow state 00:17:12 - How and why Arnold Van Den Berg hypnotized William to prime him for success 00:52:33 - How to show gratitude in a world full of confusion and anger 01:12:08 - Whether we all want the same things in life, including respect, appreciation, love, and independence 01:36:51 - Why you should treat adversity as a gift to behave well Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences. BOOKS AND RESOURCES Join the exclusive ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Kyle discusses the most important investing lessons he learned in 2025. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:03:01 - Why “strong convictions, weakly held” is one of the most powerful default frameworks 00:09:05 - Why customer loyalty is an underappreciated signal of long-term business quality 00:13:42 - Sleuthing a business 00:17:15 - Why reflecting on your own emotions is essential 00:23:35 - Why intelligent investing always involves incomplete information 00:31:17 - Intentional inactivity 00:37:09 - How understanding company culture helps identify true long-term compounders 00:42:25 - Why founders matter 00:53:56 - Focusing on fragility and downside risk 00:59:01 - Why incentive structures are one of the most critical drivers of business performance Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences. BOOKS AND RESOURCES Join the exclusive ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TIP Mastermind Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ken and Preston examine whether robotics has lost its way, echoing Rodney Brooks’ concerns. They dissect the gap between AI language models and physical robotics, focusing on dexterous manipulation, tactile sensing, and visual feedback. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:02:37 - Why Ken agrees that robotics may have “lost its way” 00:03:37 - The critical gap between AI language skills and robotic manipulation 00:04:33 - How robot mobility is advancing, but dexterity still lags 00:08:15 - Why tying shoelaces is still too complex for robots 00:12:37 - The role of tactile sensing vs. vision in robotic surgery 00:14:45 - How camera placement in robotic hands affects manipulation 00:20:18 - Why the robot data gap could be 100,000 years behind language models 00:25:13 - Why simpler grippers often outperform human-like robotic hands 00:27:03 - The engineering behind Dex-Net and Ambi Robotics’ success 00:34:37 - How real-world testing exposed unexpected robotic limitations Disclaimer: Sli

William Green talks with Nima Shayegh of Rumi Partners about Lou Simpson’s investing wisdom and the power of ignoring noise to achieve outstanding returns. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:06:41 - How Nima Shayegh came to see investing as the ultimate intellectual adventure. 00:10:31 - Why investors must go beyond numbers to grasp deep truths about businesses. 00:16:56 - What riding in a Tesla taught him about the awesome experience of quality. 00:21:05 - Why investors should harness intuition & emotions but avoid ego. 00:36:31 - How to succeed by owning resilient businesses & ignoring macro forecasts. 00:39:26 - What qualities made Nima’s mentor, Lou Simpson, an investing legend. 00:49:27 - How Lou taught Nima to avoid noise, distractions & the lure of a flashy office. 00:59:03 - Why Nima’s portfolio is dominated by stocks like AppFolio & Brookfield. 01:13:08 - What he learned from having dinner with Charlie Munger. 01:30:26 - Why we should surrender to uncertainty & should welc

In this episode, Clay explores the dot-com boom and bust through Roger Lowenstein’s book, Origins of the Crash. The book unpacks how distorted incentives, financial engineering, and speculative excess reshaped markets. By studying this period in market history, investors can better recognize recurring patterns in behavior, incentives, and speculation, and apply those lessons to avoid future manias. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:03:33 - Why stock options often misalign executives and long-term shareholders 00:08:51 - How financial engineering was abused in the 1990s market boom 00:12:45 - How distorted incentives fueled the dot-com bubble 00:27:51 - Why revolutionary technologies don’t guarantee successful investments 00:31:47 - The role Wall Street analysts and the media played in amplifying speculation 00:39:19 - How Enron’s deception exposed systemic failures in governance and oversight 01:11:34 - Clay’s lessons for avoiding hype-driven bubbles in the future Disclaimer: Slight discr

This episode explores the intersection of AI with healthcare, space innovation, and education. Preston and Seb discuss personalized genetic analysis, Google's space data centers, haptic touch tech, and the future of simulated realities. They also touch on AI bias, regulation, and how evolving tech might reshape society, purpose, and connection. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:05:20 - How genetic data is used to create custom supplement plans 00:07:21 - The role of AI in interpreting genetic information 00:16:21 - Why Google's space-based data centers could revolutionize computing 00:19:55 - Technical challenges of Bitcoin mining in orbit 00:24:17 - The implications of space debris and Kessler Syndrome 00:26:11 - How AI is personalizing education through initiatives like "Learn Your Way" 00:30:35 - Pros and cons of VR and humanoid robots in classrooms 00:38:45 - Ethical concerns around AI bias and centralization of regulation 00:54:37 - Advances in haptic touch technology for VR

In this episode, William Green chats with multibillionaire investor Howard Marks, the co-founder & co-Chairman of Oaktree Capital Management. Since its launch 30 years ago, the firm has grown into a global powerhouse in alternative investments, with $218 billion in assets. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:04:01 - Why Howard Marks aims for “steady excellence,” not shooting the lights out. 00:05:59 - What investors should learn from great (& not-so-great) tennis players. 00:13:13 - How to figure out the right “risk posture” for your investment portfolio. 00:20:12 - How he managed to pull off 5 major market calls in the course of his career. 00:33:24 - What makes Bruce Karsh, his long-time partner, a superb investor. 00:36:52 - How specialization can give you a powerful edge. 00:57:53 - How today’s investment environment resembles the dotcom bubble. 00:54:21 - Why Howard expects most AI companies to “end up worthless.” 00:58:55 - Why he’s deeply wary of investing in Bitcoin & gold. 01:1

On today’s episode, Clay is joined by Stig Brodersen to discuss the changes he’s made to his portfolio, why he sold out of Evolution AB, and why he’s bullish on Uber. Clay and Stig also discuss the mental models that Stig has picked up this year, and how our listeners can join us at our live events in Omaha during the Berkshire Hathaway shareholders’ weekend. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:05:08 - The mental models that Stig has picked up this year 00:08:47 - Why Stig sold his position in Evolution AB 00:15:50 - Why Stig has continued to add to his new position in Uber 00:43:29 - The bear case for Uber, and what would break his investment thesis 01:04:52 - Stig’s take on the AI race, and where Alphabet fits into the bigger picture 01:25:19 - How our listeners can join us in Omaha during the Berkshire Hathaway shareholders’ weekend Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences. BOOKS AND RESOURCES Join the exclusive ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Andy and Preston explore the turbulent world of Bitcoin treasury companies, from MicroStrategy’s bold plays to sector-wide risks and poor performance. They dive into Bitcoin-backed stablecoins, valuation models, and adoption barriers. The episode wraps with discussions on energy, AI, and whether Bitcoin's market cycles are evolving toward stability or fresh volatility. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:43 - Why many Bitcoin treasury companies have underperformed or failed 00:03:34 - How MicroStrategy’s debt profile compares to its market cap and cash flow 00:06:59 - The concept of Bitcoin-backed stablecoins and their over-collateralization 00:08:58 - Key solvency risks in stablecoin issuance and Bitcoin securitization 00:14:46 - How valuation frameworks like MNAV apply to Bitcoin treasuries 00:19:26 - Limitations of MicroStrategy stock vs. holding Bitcoin directly 00:26:09 - Why Bitcoin adoption is hindered by complexity and public perception 00:29:18 - Andy’s diversified investment s

Kyle Grieve breaks down Michael Mauboussin’s key insights on combating noise, valuing intangible-rich businesses, using the rule of 40, leveraging checklists and algorithms, understanding base rates, and more. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:03:00 - How to use the BIN acronym to help you deal with forecasting error 00:14:32 - Four myths in investing (many of which I’ve fallen for) 00:26:15 - Why you must take GAAP numbers on a case-by-case basis due to handicaps of the standard 00:25:07 - How the rise in passive investing is making active investing more challenging 00:33:19 - Why GAAP losers outperform GAAP winners 00:37:14 - Why you should understand the differences between pricing and valuing a business 00:48:39 - Why using assorted multiples will help identify true undervaluations 00:45:50 - How to utilize the rule of 40 in your investing regardless of whether you invest in tech or not 00:49:16 - What to know about the base rates of a public business’s survival 00:58:00 - Wh

On today’s episode, Clay is joined by Shawn O’Malley to discuss what he’s learned through hosting The Intrinsic Value Podcast over the past year. They also dive into The Intrinsic Value Portfolio, which includes holdings like Uber, Alphabet, Lululemon, Nike, and Adobe. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:42 - How The Intrinsic Value Portfolio has performed this year 00:18:23 - Why a sizable portion of The Intrinsic Value Portfolio is invested in big tech companies 00:28:41 - How Shawn gets comfortable investing in retail companies 00:43:07 - Why Nike is included in The Intrinsic Value Portfolio 00:49:27 - The best opportunities Shawn sees in today’s market 00:58:16 - Why Shawn is bullish on Adobe despite the collapsing stock price 01:17:23 - Shawn’s estimate of the intrinsic value of Adobe 01:24:19 - Shawn’s process for researching stocks Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences. BOOKS AND RESOURCES Join the exclusive ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, Seb and Preston explore Tesla's FSD 14.2 advancements and their implications for AI-driven autonomy. They also tackle the ethical, societal, and infrastructural challenges of rapid AI development—from brain-inspired computing to nuclear energy’s role in supporting AGI. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:44 - How Tesla’s FSD 14.2 dramatically improved its autonomous driving performance 00:13:42 - The ethical dilemmas and liability concerns around AI decision-making 00:20:27 - Tesla’s sensor-only approach versus LiDAR-heavy systems like Waymo 00:27:31- The potential of biologically-inspired artificial neurons 00:30:32 - How brain-computer interfaces could revolutionize AI and prosthetics 00:32:28 - The societal risks of tech-enhanced human capabilities 00:36:26 - How AI image generation tools like Google’s Nano Banana Pro are evolving 00:49:37 - Why AI’s energy demands are influencing nuclear power policy 01:00:06 - The risks of AI-induced content homogenization and “AI slop

On today’s episode, Kyle Grieve discusses powerful mental models from systems thinking and mathematics and applies them directly to investing and life. He breaks down concepts like feedback loops, kill criteria, scale, compounding, randomness, and regression to the mean to show how they shape real-world outcomes. He'll also share practical frameworks for improving decision-making, managing uncertainty, and positioning your portfolio to benefit from long-term compounding. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:03:23 - How feedback loops stabilize or reinforce outcomes in investing 00:10:11 - How kill criteria help you make predetermined decisions in a noisy world 00:14:09 - Why the cone of uncertainty is useful for evaluating conviction and position sizing 00:17:33 - How scale changes the behavior, costs, and risks of a growing business 00:25:06 - How algorithms clarify which inputs drive the conclusions you rely on 00:30:20 - How to evaluate a company’s ability to reach critical mass and

On today’s episode, Kyle Grieve discusses what makes elite compounders so valuable and why they can generate exceptional returns even when purchased at high valuations. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:02:42 - Why Compounders deserve to trade at a premium 00:10:13 - The three parameters necessary for successful compounding 00:12:49 - The two approaches for reinvestment that compounders take advantage of 00:14:42 - How compounders create resiliency 00:19:37 - The reasons Sweden has so many successful serial acquirers 00:25:25 - About the two pioneers of Swedish decentralization 00:25:25 - Why Electrolux has created so many great business cultures 00:31:03 - The importance of discipline to successful serial acquirers 00:38:36 - The benefits of working capital KPIs 00:57:54 - The surprising ingredient of compounders Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences. BOOKS AND RESOURCES Join the exclusive ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Preston and Natalie discuss her book Bitcoin is for Everyone, a concise, accessible guide to Bitcoin’s relevance in today’s world. They explore Natalie’s personal immigrant story, the financial wake-up call of 2008, and how Bitcoin offers hope amid systemic dysfunction. They also address national vulnerabilities, military planning, and the future of decentralized money. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:03:04 - How Natalie’s immigrant background shaped her views on money and freedom. 00:08:02 - The 2008 financial crisis as a catalyst for her career and beliefs. 00:11:03 - Why Bitcoin is seen as a corrective to a broken financial system. 00:18:02 - The distinction between true capitalism and socialized losses. 00:23:34 - How to explain Bitcoin’s volatility through systemic flaws. 00:28:09 - Why Bitcoin is for Everyone is a great entry point for Bitcoin beginners. 00:31:56 - How energy use and scarcity are central to Bitcoin’s value. 00:35:50 - Why Bitcoin’s design empowers individuals over

On today’s episode, Kyle Grieve discusses significant takeaways from the book Money Masters Of Our Time. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:07:58 - Warren Buffett's emphasis on "controlled greed" and "fascination with your craft" and why it's necessary to survive in the market for a lifetime 00:11:14 - How to identify and take advantage of stocks nobody else wants 00:17:48 - Why more research time should be spent finding the truth of things rather than confirming what you already believe to be true 00:24:46 - A simple framework for identifying and holding businesses that compound capital 00:28:29 - The four kinds of events when a quality business can offer attractive entry points to look for 00:43:51 - Strategies to search for opportunities in newly opened markets 00:52:32 - The importance of perspective when taking advice from people who are playing different games than you 00:56:09 - The importance of being reluctant to take profits 01:02:08 - How to utilize metaphors to aid in your invest

On today’s episode, Clay Finck is joined by Andrew Brenton to discuss the inefficiencies in the stock market as well as his investment thesis on Floor & Decor and Kinsale Capital.  Andrew Brenton is the CEO and co-founder of Turtle Creek Asset Management. Since its inception in 1998, Turtle Creek has achieved an average annual return of 18.8% versus just 8.7% for the S&P 500. $10,000 invested in their fund at inception would have grown to over $1 million, and had that money been invested in the market, it would have been worth around $95,000. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:28 - Andrew’s thoughts on whether today’s markets are becoming more or less efficient 00:13:08 - How today’s market reminds him of the 1999 tech business 00:16:17 - His investment thesis and intrinsic value estimate of Floor & Decor 00:41:26 - Why Andrew is long Kinsale Capital in the fund 00:57:05 - Andrew’s thoughts on weathering periods of underperformance relative to the broader market Disclaimer: Slight di

Luke and Preston delve into America's financial fragility, exploring Treasury funding risks, shifting global power dynamics, and Fed policy challenges. They discuss the rising relevance of Bitcoin and gold amid liquidity constraints, and how economic missteps, tech sector bottlenecks, and geopolitical shifts may shape the future. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:37 - Why the U.S. faces a multi-pronged "poly crisis" despite strong tax receipts 00:02:20 - How short-term debt issuance is straining financial system liquidity 00:04:02 - Why Japan’s bond and currency trends signal deeper global shifts 00:05:10 - The impact of U.S. shale decline and oil demand on inflation 00:12:18 - How hedge funds are absorbing Treasury debt—and why it matters 00:06:27 - The surprising risk factors in the tech sector like hyperscaler power limits 00:19:31 - The contradiction in U.S. housing policy and mortgage lengths 00:26:06 - Why Bitcoin and gold are diverging in investor appeal 00:49:16 - How

Kyle Grieve discusses the incredible origin story of Home Depot and the visionary founders who built it from nothing. He explores how Bernie Marcus, Arthur Blank, and Ken Langone overcame countless setbacks to create a retail powerhouse. Kyle also shares timeless business lessons on leadership, culture, and competitive advantage that continue to define Home Depot’s success today. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:06:13 - The setbacks that sparked Home Depot’s creation after Bernie and Arthur were fired 00:09:35 - Why Ken Langone saw Bernie’s firing as a billion-dollar opportunity in disguise 00:12:15 - How a handshake and a Cadillac nearly killed Home Depot’s first funding deal 00:14:51 - The moment Bernie found his “dream store” was already built… by a competitor 00:19:07 - Why J.C. Penney’s struggling subsidiary became the key to Home Depot’s first stores 00:27:05 - How warehouse grit, not polish, became central to Home Depot’s brand identity 00:27:59 - The creative $2 promotion that pack

On today’s episode, Clay Finck breaks down his best quality stock idea for Q4 2025: Interactive Brokers.  Interactive Brokers is a global online brokerage that gives investors access to markets around the world with industry-low costs in trading stocks, options, futures, currencies, and more. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:02:01 - Why Interactive Brokers could grow from 4 million to 20 million accounts over the next decade 00:14:48 - Thomas Peterffy’s story of building IBKR after immigrating from Hungary 00:18:32 - Why its automation-first culture creates a moat that competitors can’t easily match 00:32:38 - How IBKR earns industry-leading margins 01:00:39 - An overview of their valuation 01:05:20 - The key risks and long-term opportunities investors should monitor Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences. BOOKS AND RESOURCES Join the exclusive ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TIP Mastermind Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠