Kontrarian Korner

Ben Kelleran

Conversations on Investments, Finance, Macroeconomics, and Current Events https://www.kontrariankorner.com www.kontrariankorner.com

  1. 2d ago

    Kontrarian Korner #163 - Chris Irons

    Yesterday I had Chris Irons (Quoth the Raven) on the podcast for the first time. We talked about his view of financial markets, the geopolitical situation, and the changes he sees on the horizon over the next year. He also laid out his view on the AI Capex bubble and the various funding mechanisms, what could prick the bubble, and why he expects yield curve control and inflation to be the path of least resistance moving forward. It was a great conversation and I’m already looking forward to round two for an update on how things are developing over the coming months. You can find Chris on the QTR Substack and on Twitter. If you want to get in better shape and support the podcast at the same time, check out Axios Fitness. J.D. is offering a free 2 week trial, so take it for a spin and tell him I sent you. Podcast Summary * Why positive real rates have been draining excess liquidity from the system. * The AI Capex bubble and the circular nature of the financing in the sector. * The potential for yield curve control and other policies that would kick the can down the road. * Why he expects a resolution in the Middle East and Ukraine at some point in the next six months. * The midterm situation and why it will be ugly for Republicans. * The current system of crony capitalism and the corruption in D.C. * Immigration problems and the positive steps by the Trump administration to close the border. * How the passive bid and the options market has held markets up, and the potential for those dynamics to work in reverse in the future. * Book Recommendation: The Big Print by Lawrence Lepard. Kontrarian Korner is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.kontrariankorner.com/subscribe

    Kontrarian Korner #163 - Chris Irons
  2. 3d ago

    Kontrarian Korner #162 - Grant Williams

    Yesterday I had Grant Williams on the podcast for the first time. It was a great conversation on where things stand in financial markets, geopolitical changes across the West, and changes on the horizon during the Fourth Turning. We also covered the generational divide, the lack of institutional trust, and a potential shift away from public markets toward private businesses. You can find Grant on his website and on Twitter. If you want to get in better shape and support the podcast at the same time, check out Axios Fitness. J.D. is offering a free 2 week trial, so take it for a spin and tell him I sent you. Podcast Summary * His 30,000 foot view of markets and the narratives around AI Capex spending. * Why we could see geopolitical forces prick the bubble instead of something stemming from financial markets. * His view on the midterms in the US and the political situation in Europe. * Why the separate bond and currency markets in Europe are going to lead to the fracturing of the EU. * The last 80 years of relative peace being the exception to the rule, and why we are in the middle of a return to a more chaotic time as far as geopolitics. * The tension between different generations in the West, and why the promises made to older generations are unsustainable. * How politics became a career and the corruption around political centers of power. * The lack of trust in institutions and why they will be rebuilt after the Fourth Turning. * Insurance, private equity, and private credit as a potential problem for the financial system. * The hyperfinancialization of the system and how it has created problems for the West. * Why gold is his preferred asset to protect wealth in the current environment. * Why investors will start to shift their focus from public markets and the casino towards ownership in private enterprises. * Book Recommendations: 5 Types of People Who Can Ruin Your Life by Bill Eddy, 1873 and Lords of Finance by Liaquat Ahmed, Clown Town by Mick Herron & Even This I Get To Experience by Norman Lear. Kontrarian Korner is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.kontrariankorner.com/subscribe

    Kontrarian Korner #162 - Grant Williams
  3. Oct 16

    Kontrarian Korner #161 - Charles Spadille

    Yesterday I had Charles Spadille on the podcast again for a conversation on the state of men and women and how to fix it. We talked about how these issues always seem to flare up in the public consciousness ahead of political elections, the Cornell 7 coverage and how certain female behaviors have become more obvious in recent years, and why men and women are better together than they are apart. You can find Charles on Twitter and Telegram (@whiskeyandashes), and it sounds like he will soon be on Substack as well. If you want to get in better shape and support the podcast at the same time, check out Axios Fitness. J.D. is offering a free 2 week trial, so take it for a spin and tell him I sent you. Podcast Summary * The Cornell 7 case, the coverage around it, and why he doesn’t blame Jane Doe for the “escape hatch” of making an accusation. * How social media distorts and shapes the relationships between men and women. * Female solipsism, and how it impacts the consensus thinking around certain narratives. * The importance of believing in a higher power. * Why we could see arranged marriages make a comeback, and how it is hard to put societal guardrails in place in low-trust societies. * The importance of taking personal actions and working on yourself. * Men and women’s responsibilities to society and each other, and why men and women are better together than they are apart. * Book Recommendations: Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu & Brood Of The Witch Queen by Sax Rohmer. Kontrarian Korner is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.kontrariankorner.com/subscribe

    Kontrarian Korner #161 - Charles Spadille
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Conversations on Investments, Finance, Macroeconomics, and Current Events https://www.kontrariankorner.com www.kontrariankorner.com

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