Kontrarian Korner

Ben Kelleran
  • 4.5 (17)
  • INVESTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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

  1. Kontrarian Korner #111 - Brandon Weichert

    2H AGO

    Kontrarian Korner #111 - Brandon Weichert

    Yesterday I had Brandon Weichert on the podcast for the first time to discuss everything going on in the world. We started with Trump’s recent visit to China and the implications for the Middle East, summer supply chain disruptions, and the various problems facing the US here at home. It was a fun conversation that will definitely give listeners a couple things to think about. You can find Brandon’s books on Amazon, but you can also find him at 19fortyfive.com and NatSecTalk, as well as on Twitter. Podcast Summary * What Trump’s trip to China means for the Middle East, different trade deals, and various supply chains. * How the disruptions from the Strait of Hormuz are going to be felt this summer around the world. * Why the recent chaos is not part of some 5D chess plan, and Trump’s tendencies to react and improvise to current events. * How things could be setting up for stagflation depending on what the Fed does. * The generational divide in the recent Massie’s primary. * How the data center buildout is about building a digital control grid. * The hyperfinancialization of the US and how it leads to cultural and economic issues. * The biggest issues facing the US at home and what it means for the future of the country. * Book Recommendation: Everyone Is Wrong About China by Brendan O’Reilly. 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

    55 min
  2. Kontrarian Korner #110 - Mike Ariza & Stan Ellis

    2D AGO

    Kontrarian Korner #110 - Mike Ariza & Stan Ellis

    Yesterday I had Mike Ariza back on the podcast, and we were joined by California Assemblyman Stan Ellis. We got an update on California’s coming oil crisis, and the problems that are fast approaching with no imports on the way. It might provide Trump with an opportunity to come in and fix things, but they believe it would be a temporary fix. If you want a breakdown of what is happening and what is on the horizon for California and other surrounding states as far as energy supply chains, you will enjoy this one. You can find Mike on Twitter, but he has also been contributing to Gas Crisis, where you can find his work and reach out to get in touch with Stan. Podcast Summary * How California could face serious problems with oil supply chains in the next couple months. * How CARB has reached the point of diminishing returns. * The problems that California faces with no more imports of crude and products on the way. * What all this means for the military and the bases in California, Nevada, and Arizona. * How the average legislator is disconnected from the reality of supply chains and the real world. * The potential solutions to the problem, and how quickly they could be implemented. * How Trump has an opportunity to come in and fix things, and why it might only be a temporary fix. 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

    50 min
  3. The OSS/CIA Files - Part 3

    3D AGO

    The OSS/CIA Files - Part 3

    Yesterday I had Colonel Towner-Watkins back on the podcast for part 3 of our series on the OSS and the CIA. We talked in detail about Operation Paperclip, which is one of the most interesting operations in the post World War II period. She covered a list of the notable scientists that were moved out of Germany, where they ended up, and the programs they were working on. This is an area I have been interested in for a while, but you can see the foundation of many of the military and intelligence programs of the late 20th Century in Operation Paperclip. You can find Colonel Towner-Watkins on Twitter and Rumble. Podcast Summary * The projects in Argentina and other parts of South America that helped them develop military technologies. * The missile project in Egypt, and how Israel responded. * How scientists from Germany contributed to the U-2 and SR-71 programs. * The number of German scientists that ended up in the Soviet Union. * Where these scientists ended up in the US, and the biological, chemical, and aerospace programs they worked on. 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

    57 min
  4. Kontrarian Korner #109 - Dylan Marrello

    MAY 14

    Kontrarian Korner #109 - Dylan Marrello

    Yesterday I had Dylan Marrello (Raging Bull Investments) back on the podcast. We talked about a bunch of different things, and listeners will either come away with food for thought on the path of the US and markets or some new investment ideas to dig into. We talked about several individual ideas, but my favorite part was the philosophical discussion about the actual purpose of financial markets and how far we have deviated from that. You can find Dylan at Marrello Capital and on Twitter. Podcast Summary * The S&P continuing to run, and how narratives, vibes, and other short term drivers move markets. * The increasing volatility based on short term investors, leverage in the system, and the lack of fundamental investors. * Why he doesn’t prioritize macro over the individual ideas in his investing process. * How Miami International $MIAX benefits from increased trading volumes and volatility. * The hyperfinancialization of markets, and the nihilism involved with sports betting and prediction markets. * How the function of markets has deviated from the original purpose, and where that might lead in the coming years. * The incentives (or lack thereof) for new businesses to go public. * How recent moves in Playboy $PLBY show the short term thinking from investors. * Recent developments with Turning Point Brands $TPB , and why nicotine is one of the greatest businesses of all time. * How investors that don’t have experience operating a business or the ability to understand the complexities of running a business often miss the big picture when it comes to stocks. * How AI and the data center buildout interacts with the commodities cycle, and why he still likes offshore oil services. * Book Recommendation: The Fourth Turning by Neil Howe. 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

    1h 27m
  5. Kontrarian Korner #108 - Tom Luongo & Dexter White

    MAY 13

    Kontrarian Korner #108 - Tom Luongo & Dexter White

    Yesterday I had both halves of Gold Goats n’ Guns on the podcast, and it was a great follow up to our one on one conversations in April. Tom Luongo and Dexter White returned to discuss the situation in the Middle East with Schrodinger’s Strait, the messaging problems that the Trump administration has here at home, and how Trump’s meeting with Xi in China could play out. This was a great conversation that bounced around several of the most important topics playing out in the world today. You can find Tom on Twitter and his podcast at Gold, Goats n’ Guns. You can also find Dexter on Twitter. Podcast Summary * The messaging problem that the Trump administration has on the domestic front. * How the redistricting push changes things for the midterms. * How recent events in the Middle East will change global trade flows, and the potential supply chain problems that could echo through the economic system. * The UAE leaving OPEC, and why Venezuela could be next. * Kevin Warsh’s role at the Fed, and how things might change in coming months. * California’s looming energy supply chain crisis, and how it could present a golden opportunity for the Trump administration. * How Europe is setting up to be a powder keg this summer, and why they are looking like the odd man out on the geopolitical chessboard. * How Schrodinger’s Strait of Hormuz has led to a polluted media environment around recent events. * Why Trump needs to string together some domestic wins over the next several months. * Why Susie Wiles needs to go. * What phase 2 of the Iran War might look like, and how that gives Trump leverage for his meeting with Xi in China. * How the discussions in China could lead to significant changes in US-China relations, and why it will take several years to rebalance things. * Russia’s role in what comes next, and how their relationship with China could present problems for the West. * Why investors should take a look at the globe and understand the bottlenecks and distances between countries. 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

    1h 47m
  6. Kontrarian Korner #107 - Vince Lanci

    MAY 12

    Kontrarian Korner #107 - Vince Lanci

    Yesterday I have Vince Lanci back on the podcast for an update on precious metals, but we also took a detour into current events, geopolitics, and the future of the US. We talked about why copper is leading metals higher, why Europe is the odd man out, and how Chaos Americana is shaking up the geopolitical chessboard. You can find Vince on Twitter and his work at GoldFix. Podcast Summary * Why silver is perking up, and why copper is leading the charge lately. * Why gold is setting up to follow silver higher. * How oil, the FIFA World Cup, and the 250th Anniversary are setting up a stagflationary environment. * Platinum also following the path of silver. * The continued bifurcation of financial markets. * Why the UAE leaving OPEC is the first domino to fall in the beginning of the end of OPEC, and what it means for the petrodollar. * Why the status quo is going to change in the next month with China. * Europe as the odd man out, the problems they need to address, and the changes that need to happen with their welfare spending. * South America’s role in the in the reshuffling of the global trade system. * Why things are going to change and deals will be renegotiated after Trump is done in 2028. * How the left captured the bureaucracy over the last couple decades. * Why the US is trending towards an authoritarian system. * How equities and bonds will react over the next several years. * Book Recommendation: Andrew Jackson by H.W. Brands. 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

    52 min
  7. The OSS/CIA Files - Part 2

    MAY 11

    The OSS/CIA Files - Part 2

    Yesterday I had Colonel Towner-Watkins back on the pod for Part 2 of our series on the OSS and the CIA. This week we talked about the post WWII CIA operations in China. Today’s situation with Taiwan can trace its roots back to these operations with Formosa and Chiang Kai-Shek’s conflict with Mao and mainland China. We also talked about Unit 731 and how the drug trade is always operating in the background. You can find Colonel Towner-Watkins on Twitter and Rumble. Podcast Summary * The conflict between Chairman Mao, Chiang Kai-Shek, and Japan near the end of WWII. * How the US had 100,000 troops in China in 1946. * Unit 731, how the US shielded some of the top Japanese scientists involved, and how they even brought several to the US. * The origins of the Flying Tigers, and how that led to the Civil Air Transport and eventually Air America. * How the drug trade is always operating in the background as the funding mechanism for some of these operations. * The different CIA operations that were based out of Tibet. * The various prominent figures that will eventually play a role in other operations in the future, and the connections between the CIA and the State Department. 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

    1h 7m
  8. Kontrarian Korner #106 - Joaquin Flores

    MAY 7

    Kontrarian Korner #106 - Joaquin Flores

    Yesterday I had Joaquin Flores on the podcast for the first time. Our conversation bounced all over the place, but he connected some of the dots between what is going on the Middle East and the ripple effects we could see in Europe and China in coming months. If you’re interested in the countries and topics to keep an eye on into the summer, you will enjoy this one. You can find Joaquin on Telegram, and he’s a must follow for geopolitics and current events. Podcast Summary * How maritime trade developed over the last couple centuries, and why we will see rail logistics become a larger piece of the global trade pie. * The supply chain disruptions that are baked into the cake, and how it will impact Europe and Germany in particular. * How Greenland is an important puzzle piece to watch. * Why the US is better positioned to weather the coming supply chain problems. * How most news today has an agenda. * The crypto connections with the oil trade in Iran. * China’s role in the global power competition and the competition between factions of their elites. * The accelerating bifurcation of financial markets. * Book Recommendation: The Great Reset by Klaus Schwab. 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

    1h 8m
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4.5
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17 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Ben Kelleran
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    145
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Kontrarian Korner
  • Show Website
    Kontrarian Korner

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