EM Debt Strengthens Amid U.S. Fiscal Uncertainty
Explore U.S. fiscal uncertainty, tariff shifts, Fed changes, and why stronger emerging market fundamentals may offer diversification despite tighter spreads.
Mar 10, 2026•19 min
Trends with Benefits
Welcome to Trends with Benefits, the podcast that gives you an insider's edge into finance, tech, and investing. Hosted by Ed Lopez, VanEck's Head of Product Management.
Last refreshed: ⓘ
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
Episodes
The Human Role in Modern Financial Advice
Explore how fintech and AI expand access to personalized financial guidance, regardless of wealth level, and why human connection is vital in the age of AI with Connective CEO Ian Rosen. 00:00 Introduction 02:49 The Gaps in Financial Education and Advisory Services 09:08 Building Trust in Financial Services 13:03 Addressing Financial Anxiety and Health 14:37 The Journey to Founding Connective 23:08 The Future of Human Connection in Wealth Management 31:36 The Ripple Effect of Financial Support 3...
Feb 24, 2026•46 min•Season 1Ep. 150
Bitcoin's Next Move: Volatility, Cycles & Signals
Explore Bitcoin's recent price drawdown, the four-year halving cycle, leverage unwinds, market structure shifts, and why long-term Bitcoin adoption continues to advance despite near-term volatility.
Feb 11, 2026•12 min
Dave Nadig's ETF Reality Check for 2026
Explore today's ETF landscape, including retail usage, AI in portfolios, market outlook, regulations, and the rise of active ETFs with President and Director of Research at ETF.com, Dave Nadig. 00:00 Introduction 02:27 ETF Awards and Innovations 04:41 State of the ETF Landscape 12:01 Regulatory Changes and ETF Launches 17:59 Active ETFs and Market Trends 32:04 Navigating the Challenges of Private Investments 38:05 Emerging Trends in Investment Products 40:23 The Impact of AI on Investment Strate...
Feb 03, 2026•59 min•Season 1Ep. 149
Why We Panic, Hesitate, and Chase Markets
Learn about the importance of behavioral finance in understanding investor emotions, decision-making, and common behavioral mistakes investors make with Chief Behavioral Officer, at RFG Advisory, Brendan Frazier. 00:00 Introduction 03:29 Journey into Behavioral Finance 12:21 Behavioral Mistakes Investors Make 14:17 The Impact of Past Experiences on Financial Behavior 22:43 The Rivalry Between Current and Future Sel 25:15 Understanding Client Goals and Motivations 30:50 The SAFE Framework for Cli...
Jan 20, 2026•47 min•Season 1Ep. 148
How Couples Can Become a Financial Team
Hear how understanding individual money stories and shared contributions helps couples build a healthier relationship with each other through money, with Money Together authors Douglas and Heather Boneparth. 00:00 Introduction 02:06 The Book Launch and Reception 10:59 The Impact of Personal Experiences on Financial Views 21:05 Navigating Difficult Conversations About Money 31:39 The Importance of Financial Knowledge 32:11 Joint vs. Separate Accounts 34:26 Navigating Financial Agency 36:23 Addres...
Jan 06, 2026•48 min•Season 1Ep. 147
Harnessing Social Media for Smarter Investing
Learn how online investing is redefining transparency, trust, and community for the next generation of retail investors from Blossom CEO Max Nicholson. 00:00 Introduction 02:22 What Is Blossom? 07:14 Privacy vs. Transparency 09:20 Blossom Origin Story 19:59 Where Blossom Fits in the Investor Lifecycle 22:05 Can Tech Help Advisors Serve Smaller Accounts? 29:45 Covered-Call & Single-Stock ETFs: Education vs. Yield-Chasing 34:00 Is the Meme-Stock Era Over? 35:57 Diversification vs. Thematics 39...
Nov 25, 2025•50 min•Season 1Ep. 145
The Power of Financial Planning for Women Breadwinners
Hear how women breadwinners can take control of their finances through intentional planning, clear goals, and confidence.
Nov 11, 2025•54 min•Season 1Ep. 144
The Future Hard Asset Supercycle: Inflation, Credit & Geopolitics
In this episode of Trends with Benefits, Ed Lopez sits down with Larry McDonald, Founder of the Bear Traps Report, to discuss the current state of financial markets. Larry dives into signals pointing to potential economic turbulence, from mounting consumer credit pressures to persistent inflation. He shares insights on the growing investor shift toward hard assets amid de-dollarization and global tensions and weighs in on how demographics are reshaping asset allocation. The conversation also tou...
Oct 28, 2025•57 min•Season 1Ep. 143
Robinhood's Approach to Reaching Next-Gen Investors
Steph Guild, CIO and Director of Investment Strategy at Robinhood, shares insights on AI, next-gen investors, market shifts, and financial education.
Oct 14, 2025•46 min•Season 1Ep. 142
Future-Proof Investing: Stephanie Link on the Biggest Growth Trends
Stephanie Link, Chief Investment Strategist and Portfolio Manager at Hightower Advisors, unpacks investor sentiment, tech innovation, and demographic shifts, and what's next for Q4 and beyond.
Sep 30, 2025•48 min•Season 1Ep. 141
Inside MP Materials and America's Rare Earth Revival
MP Materials CFO Ryan Corbett shares how his firm is rebuilding America's rare earth supply chain by securing magnets for EVs, defense, and tech in a post-China world.
Sep 16, 2025•57 min•Season 1Ep. 140
How Investor Sentiment is Driving the Markets with Jamie Wise
Find out how online sentiment can be used to track dynamic stock themes, like AI, crypto, and space, and why retail investors remain a powerful market force.
Sep 05, 2025•51 min•Season 1Ep. 139
The GENIUS Act: A Game Changer for Stablecoins, with Matthew Sigel
Understand the GENIUS Act and its impact on stablecoins, the U.S. banking system, payments, and crypto adoption across traditional finance.
Aug 29, 2025•16 min
The GENIUS Act: A Game Changer for Stablecoins
Understand the GENIUS Act and its impact on stablecoins, the U.S. banking system, payments, and crypto adoption across traditional finance.
Aug 21, 2025•16 min
Catching Big Trends: Todd Sohn on ETFs, Sentiment & Market Signals
Todd Sohn breaks down 2025's top trends, from crypto and thematics to smart risk tools, and how investors are using ETFs to stay agile, diversified and ahead of the market curve.
Jul 22, 2025•48 min•Season 1Ep. 138
Alts for All: Retail Investors and the Private Market Revolution
Find out from Eric Mancini how private investments are transforming portfolios, offering new access points, lower correlations, and long-term growth through evolving fund structures and strategies.
Jul 08, 2025•52 min•Season 1Ep. 137
The Next Big Shift in Investing Has Begun with Jim Wiandt
Learn how ETF pioneer Jim Wiandt is using AI, fintech, and venture capital to enhance advisor-client gaps, build smart infrastructure, and shape the future of personalized investing.
Jun 17, 2025•46 min•Season 1Ep. 136
Big News for Nuclear Energy—What It Means for Investors
Find out about the future of nuclear power in the U.S.
May 29, 2025•11 min
Back the Farmer, Bank the Yield: Farmland Lending Takes Root
Dr. David Mieczkowski of AgAmerica discusses trade impacts, farmland investing, ag lending trends, and the future of U.S. farming in a changing economic and demographic landscape.
May 20, 2025•44 min•Season 1Ep. 135
Navigating 2025 Without Losing Your Mind
Mary Ann Bartels unpacks 2025 market volatility, AI trends, crypto, and how Star Trek may have predicted our digital financial future.
May 06, 2025•43 min•Season 1Ep. 134
The Case for Israel and Global Diversification in 2025
Discover the current state of global markets, tariff risks, implications for investors, and opportunities beyond the U.S., including Israel.
Apr 24, 2025•30 min
Bringing Institutional-Grade Investing to Individual Portfolios
Learn how institutional investing, proper diversification, and goal-driven planning are transforming wealth management for modern families.
Apr 01, 2025•30 min•Season 1Ep. 133
Unlocking the VC Secondary Market
Explore how VC secondary markets are transforming venture capital, what's fueling their growth and how they are creating new opportunities for investors.
Mar 04, 2025•40 min•Season 1Ep. 132
Navigating Private Investments and Alternatives with Craig Robson
Discover why investors are turning to alternatives, including private equity, private credit, and digital assets and how each plays a unique role in portfolio diversification and growth.
Feb 19, 2025•40 min•Season 1Ep. 131
Reviewing Crypto Predictions with Matthew Sigel
VanEck's Matthew Sigel reflects on his 2024 crypto predictions—wins, misses, and what's next for 2025, including his bitcoin price target and the Trump administration's impact on crypto.
Feb 03, 2025•26 min
How Tech and Consolidation Are Reshaping the RIA Industry with Eric Flynn
Find out how technology, AI, and consolidation are transforming RIAs as Eric Flynn shares insights on scaling firms, offering seamless client experiences, and industry trends.
Jan 21, 2025•29 min•Season 1Ep. 130
Shape Up Your Financial Health with Shannon McLay
Learn how to improve your financial health by overcoming emotional spending, identifying your non-negotiable spending habits, and setting goals-based budgeting strategies.
Jan 06, 2025•37 min•Season 1Ep. 129
Harvesting Opportunities in the Agricultural Commodities Market with Sal Gilbertie
This episode's guest is Sal Gilbertie, the CEO and founder of Teucrium Trading, a leader in commodity-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs). We discuss the impact of geopolitics, the Trump administration, and climate change on the pricing of agricultural commodities. Sal dives into how to approach investing in different commodities and shares what led him to founding Teucrium.
Dec 03, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 128
Is Inflation Conquered? With David Schassler
Hear about inflation regimes over time, how different types of assets function during them, and why today's core issue is financial excess.
Nov 05, 2024•22 min
Hosted on Libsyn
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android