Why Commodities with James Cordier

Join "Why Commodities," hosted by James Cordier, a seasoned trader, author, and founder of Alternative Options and the Cordier Commodity Report. This podcast explores the world of commodity markets. James will explain how crude oil, gold, soybeans, and more drive the global economy. Learn how global events impact market trends and get insights into commodity fundamentals like supply and demand. "Why Commodities" aims to provide an alternative option to financial wisdom. Whether experienced in the market or just starting, James and his guests will help you understand an underused instrument to find new investment opportunities. Subscribe to "Why Commodities" now.

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Episodes

Short-Term Fear vs Long-Term Profits: The Truth About This Market

Are investors reacting to headlines instead of reality? This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or a solicitation to trade. Futures and options trading involves substantial risk of loss and is not appropriate for all investors. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and only risk capital should be used. In this episode of the Cordier Commodity Report, Joe Pardavila sits down with veteran trader James Cordier to break down what’s real...

Mar 26, 2026•30 min

Why Smart Investors Lose Money Following the Crowd | Commodity Expert James Cordier

Most investors think following the headlines gives them an edge. Commodity trader James Cordier says the opposite is true. In this episode of the Cordier Commodity Report, Joe Pardavila sits down with a 30 year commodities veteran to break down why markets move the way they do and why the most dangerous place for an investor is inside the crowd. They discuss how geopolitical news, oil shocks, precious metals, and even coffee prices trigger herd behavior across financial markets. The conversation...

Mar 17, 2026•30 min

How Energy and Gas Prices Move During Conflict

Oil prices jumped to $120 a barrel. Gas prices followed immediately. Most people blame conflict in the Middle East. Commodity trader James Cordier explains why the real story runs deeper.In this episode of the Courtier Commodity Report, host Joe Pardavila asks the question many people ask during market chaos. Why do prices rise instantly even when supply still exists?Cordier explains the role of trader psychology, media hype, global reserves, and investor panic. He also breaks down why gold and ...

Mar 10, 2026•29 min

What Gold, Oil, and Copper Reveal About Inflation

Markets feel shaky. Headlines move fast. Noise feels nonstop. In this episode of the Cordier Commodity Report, Joe Pardavila sits down with veteran commodities trader James Cordier to break down what is actually driving gold, silver, oil, and inflation right now. James explains why commodities often signal economic reality faster than stocks or headlines, and why real assets sit underneath every major shift, including AI, energy policy, and global conflict. The conversation covers why copper and...

Feb 10, 2026•32 min

What’s Actually Driving Gold, Silver, and Oil in 2026

In this episode of the Cordier Commodity Report, Joe Pardavila sits down with veteran commodities trader James Cordier to break down what truly moves gold, silver, oil, and the global economy beyond headlines. James explains why most market commentary looks backward and how indicators like open interest reveal who is buying with conviction versus who is scrambling to exit losing positions. He walks through his recent call on gold’s historic pullback, the emotional forces behind precious metals, ...

Feb 05, 2026•31 min

Warren Buffett Does It Too: Selling Options on Commodities Explained

Options trading in commodities is no longer an insiders-only strategy. In this episode of Why Commodities, James Cordier of OptionSpreaders.com talks about how he evolved from a young investor analyzing coffee and crude oil data into a leading voice in structured, leveraged option selling. James explains why selling options, not buying them, has been the key to consistent alpha over decades, how high net worth investors use commodities to diversify beyond stocks, and why seasonality matters when...

Nov 10, 2025•31 min

Corn, Cattle, and Commodities: The Cow Guy’s Take on Agriculture, Markets, and the Future of Farming

In this episode of Why Commodities with James Cordier, James and Joe are joined by Scott Shellady, affectionately known as "The Cow Guy." Together, they dive deep into the world of commodities, focusing on corn and cattle markets. Scott shares his fascinating journey from trading in Chicago to running a Japanese bank in London, and how he became an accidental commentator on agricultural markets. The discussion covers the current state of cattle herds, record-high prices, and the challenges of ex...

Mar 26, 2025•40 min

Brewing Profits: The Coffee Industry from Farm to Futures

In this episode of Why Commodities, expert trader James Cordier takes a deep dive into the global coffee industry with agronomist and coffee consultant Jonas Leme Ferraresso. Jonas shares his firsthand insights into coffee farming in Brazil, from his family's deep-rooted history in the industry to the challenges farmers face with climate change, specialty coffee production, and organic farming. The discussion covers how Brazil has become a powerhouse in coffee production, the role of technology ...

Feb 20, 2025•49 min

Powering 2025: Energy, Commodities, and Economic Opportunity with Phil Flynn

In this electrifying episode of Why Commodities, James Cordier is joined by Phil Flynn, senior energy analyst at Price Futures and Fox Business contributor, for a deep dive into the world of energy, commodities, and economic policy in 2025. The two industry veterans discuss the pivotal role energy plays in commodities markets, the intersection of geopolitics and oil, and the evolution of energy policies under new leadership in Washington. From the dynamics of natural gas and gold markets to the ...

Jan 16, 2025•43 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Exploring Commodities: Judy Ganes on Coffee, Markets, and Long-Term Trends

James Cordier welcomes renowned commodities and futures analyst Judy Ganes to share her remarkable journey from selling jewelry in high school to becoming a trusted expert in agricultural and food markets through her firm, J. Ganes Consulting. With over 30 years of experience and a reputation for sharp market analysis, Judy provides an insider's view of the factors shaping commodities today. In this episode, Judy discusses how shifts in the market have redefined trading, the unique appeal of cof...

Dec 19, 2024•48 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Commodities 101: Learning from James Cordier’s Wins and Losses

In the debut episode of Why Commodities, James Cordier, founder of Alternative Options, joins Forbes Books podcaster Joe Pardavila to share his journey through the highs and lows of trading commodities. James recounts how a childhood fascination with silver coins sparked a passion that led to a career managing commodity option portfolios. He reflects on his professional setback in 2018, revealing how it reshaped his approach to trading and deepened his commitment to calculated risk management. J...

Nov 21, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 2

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