Lead-Lag Live

Michael A. Gayed, CFA

Welcome to the Lead-Lag Live podcast, where we bring you live unscripted conversations with thought leaders in the world of finance, economics, and investing. Hosted by Melanie Schaffer each episode dives deep into the minds of industry experts to discuss current market trends, investment strategies, and the global economic landscape.In this exciting series, you'll have the rare opportunity to join Melanie Schaffer as she connects with prominent thought leaders for captivating discussions in real-time. The Lead-Lag Live podcast aims to provide valuable insights, analysis, and actionable advice for investors and financial professionals alike.As a dedicated listener, you can expect to hear from renowned financial experts, best-selling authors, and market strategists as they share their wealth of knowledge and experience. With a focus on topical issues and their potential impact on financial markets, these live unscripted conversations will ensure that you stay informed and ahead of the curve.Subscribe to the Lead-Lag Live podcast and follow @leadlagmedia on X to stay updated on upcoming live conversations and to gain exclusive access to a treasure trove of financial wisdom. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn from the best and brightest minds in the business.Join us on this journey as we explore the complex world of finance and investments, one live unscripted conversation at a time. Be sure to like, comment, and share the Lead-Lag Live podcast with your network to help others discover these invaluable insights.Stay tuned for the latest episode of the Lead-Lag Live podcast, and remember to turn on notifications so you never miss a live conversation with your favorite thought leaders. Happy listening!

  1. 18 HR AGO

    Europe’s Rebirth: Herve Van Caloen on Germany’s Military & Tech Shift

    In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Hervé Van Caloen, President of Mercator Investment Management, to discuss why Europe’s long-standing political and economic models are breaking down — and why that might be exactly what the continent needs for a revival. From Germany’s historic decision to become Europe’s largest military power by 2029 to the shift toward a “two-tier” European Union, Van Caloen explains how a new reality of realism is replacing years of complacency. We also explore the investment opportunities emerging from this shift, looking beyond traditional sectors to uncover hidden opportunities in European defense, semiconductor equipment, and biotech. In this episode: • The End of Complacency – Why the invasion of Ukraine shattered the old French-German leadership model. • Germany’s Military Pivot – How massive defense spending is fueling a revival in German technology and cybersecurity. • The Two-Tier Europe – Chancellor Merz’s vision for a streamlined, decision-oriented European Union. • Investment Frontiers – Why defense leaders like Rheinmetall, Thales, and BAE, along with semiconductor giant ASML, are key players. • Cutting the Red Tape – The urgent need for Europe to return to its 1992 free-market roots and reduce overregulation. Previous Episode: https://youtu.be/hN2qCZv9irY Lead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise. #Investing #Europe #Geopolitics #DefenseStocks #Semiconductors #Germany #EuropeanUnion #MarketAnalysis #LeadLagLive #ASML #Biotech #Economy Support the show

    18 min
  2. 3 MAR

    Truth Is the Battleground: Peter Todd on Ukraine, Information Warfare, and the Epstein Files

    In this special episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Peter Todd, Founder of OpenTimestamps, for a conversation that goes far beyond Bitcoin volatility or market narratives. Peter joins us directly from Kyiv, where he has been working on the ground to support Ukrainian units through targeted fundraising efforts including delivering repaired and donated 4x4 vehicles to frontline teams and supporting interceptor drone initiatives designed to stop attacks on civilian infrastructure. But this discussion also touches on something larger. As debates over the Epstein files dominate online discourse, Peter explains how even truthful information can be used as a form of informational warfare by diverting attention away from conflicts that are unfolding in real time. In a world where deepfakes, AI generated media, and manufactured receipts can spread within minutes, tools like OpenTimestamps are being used to prove that digital evidence existed in the past and has not been recently modified. From Bitcoin’s role in enabling anonymous charitable donations to the use of cryptographic timestamping to document events in wartime, this episode explores how technology, trust, and truth intersect in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment and how viewers can directly support verified aid efforts in Ukraine through organizations working on interceptor drones and frontline logistics. In this episode: – Why Bitcoin drawdowns may be less important than geopolitical risk – How truthful information can still be weaponized – Why the Epstein debate may be crowding out more urgent realities – How OpenTimestamps helps verify digital evidence – How viewers can directly support Ukrainian aid efforts Lead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise. X:https://x.com/peterktodd https://opentimestamps.org/ #EpsteinFiles #Trump #Bitcoin #UkraineWar #Geopolitics #Crypto #InformationWarfare #WarInUkraine #GlobalConflict #BreakingNews Support the show

    24 min
  3. 24 FEB

    The AI Trade Is Shifting: Adoption, Infrastructure Risk, and Hidden Concentration in the S&P 500

    In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Kai Wu, Founder and CIO of Sparkline Capital, to break down why the AI boom may be entering a new phase and why investors concentrated in infrastructure stocks could be taking more risk than they realize. With nearly half of the S&P 500 tied directly or indirectly to AI infrastructure buildout, Kai explains the dangers of crowded positioning, excessive capital spending, and valuation expansion. Drawing on historical technology cycles from railroads to the internet, he outlines why the biggest long-term winners often aren’t the builders, but the early adopters who use new technology to gain efficiency and market share. We also dive into enterprise adoption rates, proof-of-ROI versus hype-driven AI mentions on earnings calls, and how to distinguish companies generating measurable productivity gains from those simply telling the story. In this episode: – Why the AI cycle may be shifting from buildout to adoption – How only about 10 percent of firms are currently using AI in production – The valuation risk embedded in infrastructure-heavy portfolios – Why early adopters may outperform the AI builders – How advisors can rethink AI exposure without abandoning the theme Lead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise. #AI #StockMarket #SP500 #NVDA #TechStocks #Tesla Support the show

    23 min

About

Welcome to the Lead-Lag Live podcast, where we bring you live unscripted conversations with thought leaders in the world of finance, economics, and investing. Hosted by Melanie Schaffer each episode dives deep into the minds of industry experts to discuss current market trends, investment strategies, and the global economic landscape.In this exciting series, you'll have the rare opportunity to join Melanie Schaffer as she connects with prominent thought leaders for captivating discussions in real-time. The Lead-Lag Live podcast aims to provide valuable insights, analysis, and actionable advice for investors and financial professionals alike.As a dedicated listener, you can expect to hear from renowned financial experts, best-selling authors, and market strategists as they share their wealth of knowledge and experience. With a focus on topical issues and their potential impact on financial markets, these live unscripted conversations will ensure that you stay informed and ahead of the curve.Subscribe to the Lead-Lag Live podcast and follow @leadlagmedia on X to stay updated on upcoming live conversations and to gain exclusive access to a treasure trove of financial wisdom. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn from the best and brightest minds in the business.Join us on this journey as we explore the complex world of finance and investments, one live unscripted conversation at a time. Be sure to like, comment, and share the Lead-Lag Live podcast with your network to help others discover these invaluable insights.Stay tuned for the latest episode of the Lead-Lag Live podcast, and remember to turn on notifications so you never miss a live conversation with your favorite thought leaders. Happy listening!

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