UPTHINKING FINANCE

Upthinking Finance™ is now trademarked This episode is my reflection on nearly four decades in the financial services industry. I want to share some of the most important lessons I’ve learned—from portfolio management missteps and tax planning pitfalls, to the value of flexibility, liquidity, and real client relationships. Over the past four decades, the financial industry has evolved enormously,...

Upthinking Finance™ is now trademarked In this Step One edition, we tackle one of the most pressing topics for the younger generation: homeownership. With home prices rising dramatically faster than incomes, buying a home today requires more thoughtful planning, saving, and strategy than ever before. We explore the reality of the home-buying journey, break down the economics behind the decision, a...

Upthinking Finance™ is now trademarked On the show this week, I’m joined by Larry Reddell, Partner at St. James Investment Company, to discuss the changing landscape of investing and financial stewardship. We explore the enduring principles of long-term, value-oriented investing in a market that can feel saturated with speculation and passive strategies. Larry shares his experience on the importan...

Upthinking Finance™ is now trademarked The enduring wisdom of financial planning often revolves around diversification(1). Yet, as highlighted in this episode of Upthinking Finance™, the ways we balance portfolios—and the very assumptions underpinning traditional advice—may be overdue for review. We’re focusing on the critical importance of risk management for investors, especially in the years le...

As AI tools continue to develop, prompting equal measures of optimism and apprehension, we explore their profound impact on our lives—from the opportunities it creates to the risks it poses. Global Futurist and Foresight Consultant John Smart joins us to examine how AI is not just a technological leap but an extension of humanity’s collective wisdom and decision-making. We discuss practical uses o...

Upthinking Finance™ is now trademarked For many young people today, money feels confusing, stressful, and often out of reach. Between rising living costs, debt, and uncertainty about the future, it’s no surprise that financial planning can feel overwhelming. In this episode of UpThinking Finance, we cut through the noise with a refreshingly simple approach: a three-step framework designed to help...

In this episode, we’re joined by metals market experts from Aberdeen Investments, Bob Minter, Director of Investment Strategy, and Dan Magnusson, Senior Director of Mutual Fund Operations, to break down the dramatic movements in the precious and industrial metals markets over the past year. They take you through the cyclical history of gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and copper, exploring what’...

I welcome back market analyst, former hedge fund manager, and author Alex Krainer to discuss the intersection of global finance, organized crime, and geopolitical intrigue. We explore headline-grabbing scandals like the Epstein list and their far-reaching implications on economic and political systems in the UK, Europe, and beyond. Alex breaks down the hidden machinations of money laundering, offs...

Upthinking Finance™ is now trademarked We welcome back Julia C. Hermann, Global Market Strategist at New York Life Investments, for a wide-ranging conversation on the 2026 economic outlook. We’re discussing the key macro trends shaping the future, from the ongoing AI boom and its comparison to the dot-com era, to the Federal Reserve's policy moves, the impact of tariffs and inflation, and the fast...

Upthinking Finance™ is now trademarked  On the show this week, we’re exploring the real-life transitions and perspectives around retirement and life after work. In this episode, we’re joined by a diverse panel, Vicki Goodman, Darci Fersch, Cookie Talmage, Howard Lenoble, Joy Lunt, and Con Haffmans, who open up about their own journeys, challenges, and share their words of wisdom surrounding r...

Upthinking Finance™ is now trademarked Is the energy transition really leaving oil and gas behind, or is the story more complicated? In this episode, Emerson sits down with Simon Lack, CFA, Managing Partner at SL Advisors and veteran of more than four decades in investment management, to unpack what is actually happening inside the midstream energy space. Simon draws on his experience as an invest...

Upthinking Finance™ is now trademarked In this episode of Upthinking Finance, we’re joined by returning guest Alex Krainer, a former hedge fund manager, market analyst, and outspoken commentator on global affairs, who shares candid perspectives on looming global tensions and his personal mission to help others understand the forces shaping our economic and political landscape. We discuss the fragi...

Upthinking Finance™ is now trademarked Most retirement planning tends to focus on the financial side, but on this episode of Upthinking Finance™, we welcome Dr. Sara Yogev, clinical psychologist and author of “A Couple’s Guide to Happy Retirement and Aging.” We’re digging into the often-overlooked emotional and psychological aspects of transitioning into retirement. Drawing on over 30 years of exp...

Upthinking Finance™ is now trademarked Melissa Ciummei, an independent investor and researcher in Northern Ireland, joins us on Upthinking Finance™ to take a global look at the rapidly evolving world of digital currencies, digital IDs, and the shifting economic landscape. We discuss the push for Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) in the EU, UK, and US, explaining how digital identity is becom...

Upthinking Finance™ is now trademarked  Today's guest is Kristian Kerr, who is the head of macro Strategy at LPL Finance. Before joining LPL, he was the Western region head of foreign exchange and macro at City Private Bank. Before that, he spent a number of years in New York as a global hedge fund manager and is also head of various strategy and trading roles at other global financial instit...

Upthinking Finance™ is now trademarked Today, we have the opportunity to learn more about Emerson Fersch as he shares his personal story, interviewed by Amy LeNoble. Discover more about how Emerson got started in finance, his convictions in business and life, and the experiences that shaped them.  You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Welcome to Upthinking Finance (00...

Upthinking Finance™ is now trademarked Today’s guest is Charles Hugh Smith, a returning voice of insight and critique. As the founder of the long-running blog OfTwoMinds and a published author, Charles has explored the intersections of society, economics, and technology since 2005. His thought-provoking work is featured across platforms, including Patreon and Substack . Today's interview explores...

Upthinking Finance™ is now trademarked It’s a pleasure to welcome back to the show, Mr. Alex Krainer, a highly respected expert in finance and economics. A former hedge fund manager and portfolio manager, Alex is also the founder of I-System Trend Following , an innovative strategy focused on market trends.  He’s authored several books on market dynamics and economic trends, and his insights...

I’m excited to welcome Julia Hermann, CFA, Global Market Strategist at New York Life Investments, to today’s episode. As a director on the Global Market Strategy team, Julia provides valuable economic research, asset allocation insights, and thought leadership that help guide investment decisions. She’s also the co-host of the “Market Matters” podcast. Before joining New York Life, Julia worked as...

In this episode of UPThinking Finance™, Chris Hoke shares the story behind Underground Ministries, an organization dedicated to helping incarcerated individuals reintegrate into society. Also joining us is Corrina Lozano, a former participant whose journey of struggle and redemption highlights the transformative power of the ministry’s support. Through their key programs—gang outreach and One Pari...

How do we reinvigorate a global resistance that seems to have lost its way? In this thought-provoking episode of UPThinking Finance®, John Waters reflects on the challenges facing modern movements for change.  Drawing comparisons to the unity and purpose of past revolutions, like the Velvet Revolution of 1989, Waters questions why today’s resistance struggles to attract artists, intellectuals...

Today’s guest is economist Lyn Alden, an independent analyst and founder of  Lyn Alden-Investment Strategy , where she publishes monthly research reports for both retail and institutional investors.  With a background in electrical engineering and a master’s in engineering management specializing in financial modeling, Lyn excels at breaking down complex economic trends into plain Englis...

Today, I want to share a message of hope—one that invites us to reflect on what progress truly looks like in our world today and how it should look moving forward. To help explore this topic, I’m joined by my business partner, Amy LeNoble, and returning guest Charles Hugh Smith. Charles has been writing about social, economic, and technological trends since 2005 on his widely followed blog. He’s a...

In today’s episode, we dive into the significance of the 2024 Presidential Election. While every election impacts the country, this one feels especially critical, with far-reaching consequences that extend beyond U.S. borders. Our guest is Alex Krainer, a former hedge fund manager, market analyst, and creator of the I-System trend-following model. With his unique global perspective, we explore the...

Today's episode is for anyone interested in learning about the intricacies of investing in the financial markets. Are you wondering what the fiat currency system is, or are you curious about how financial analysis works?  We explore perspectives on the currency market and how it impacts investment strategies. We discuss the complex relationships between financial concepts that influence the v...