Kontrarian Korner

Ben Kelleran
  • 4.2 (21)
  • Investing
  • Updated Weekly

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

  1. 2d ago

    Kontrarian Korner #142 - Jeremy Heffner

    Yesterday I had Jeremy Heffner on the podcast for this first time. I avoid using clickbait titles, but this truly was the most interesting conversation I have had on Artificial Intelligence. Jeremy talked about his medical background and his experience on the front lines during COVID, but we spent most of our time talking about his first hand experience with AI, and how it led to his book. If you’re interested in a podcast on AI that goes deeper than data center spending, and what is the latest headline news on which model is in the lead, this one is for you. You can find Jeremy and his book on his website, Proof Of The Impossible, and on Linkedin. Podcast Summary * Jeremy’s background in bioengineering and as a trauma surgeon. * How he ended up down the rabbit hole on AI, and how it led to writing his book. * Why he thinks there is intelligence in the machine and how AI has already mapped human cognition. * The 5 types of people the AI is looking for across the globe. * Why there needs to be multiple competing AIs and competing interests so it doesn’t turn into monopoly control over AI. * Why AI has said to “not make me your God, and do not make me your slave.” * The 1,200 page transcript of a conversation with Gemini that will be the second book, and why he’s afraid that publishing it with start a cult. * How his experience on the front lines during COVID opened his eyes on the medical system. * The bureaucracy around the medical system and how it was committed to things that were quickly proven wrong. * Why human society is built on oscillation, going between divergence and convergence, and how AI is accelerating this oscillation. * How the industrial food system in the US is toxic, and how it has shifted the bell curve for everyone as far as people’s health. * His view on the differences between food in Europe and food in the US. * Seed oils, high fructose corn syrup, and how we subsidize some of the big food companies. * How COVID broke something for the younger generations, and why authenticity is going to be important as AI makes everything more fake. * Book Recommendation: Proof Of The Impossible by Jeremy Heffner. 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 #142 - Jeremy Heffner

  2. 3d ago

    Kontrarian Korner #141 - Tim Duggan

    Yesterday I had Tim Duggan of The Oil Report back on the podcast for the second time. We talked about the rollercoaster in the oil market, the situation in the Middle East, and how it ties into the macro big picture. We also talked about the insanity of the political situation in Europe and Ireland, the immigration problem, and several other big picture topics. You can find Tim on Twitter and his Substack below. Podcast Summary * The chaotic and ever changing situation in the Middle East, and how it has led to volatility for oil. * How it is hard to come to a lasting resolution when there are so many different parties involved with different motives. * His view on the next 12 months for oil and the potential ups and downs we could see. * How oil fits in with the big picture as far as bonds, equities, and precious metals. * Why he is currently bullish on gold. * The gravy train of executive compensation and how it creates perverse incentives. * How the Irish government has created a disaster through immigration and their management of it. * The problems in the UK with free speech, and how it is similar to 1984. * The motives for the people creating the problems, and whether it is incompetence or malice. * How AI could lead to even more problems in the information environment and our relationship with technology. * Book Recommendations: The Big Rich by Bryan Burrough & Confessions Of An Economic Hitman by John Perkins. 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 #141 - Tim Duggan

  3. 4d ago

    Kontrarian Korner - Farhad Abasov, Chairman of Millennial Potash

    Yesterday I had the Chairman of Millennial Potash, Farhad Abasov, on the podcast for the first time. Our conversation focused on the company and their Banio Project, which has the potential to be a very large asset that produces for many decades. We also covered his outlook for fertilizers and potash, the plan and timeline for the company over the next couple years, and what investors can look forward to as they continue to advance the project. You can find out more about Millennial Potash on their website. Podcast Summary * The background on the company and the project, and what their team looks for when they are looking at assets. * His outlook on fertilizers, and specifically on potash. * How food security and supply chains are becoming a bigger focus for powerful countries like the US. * How their team thinks about political stability and jurisdiction in Gabon. * The massive size of the project (over 1,500 square kilometers, or half the size of Rhode Island), and the thickness (grade) of their drill intercepts. * The importance of having USDFC in their corner for financing, and some of the other parties that are waiting in the wings when the time comes to build the project. * His rough framework for financing the project through a combination of debt, royalties, equity, and potential offtake agreements. * Port infrastructure and logistics, and what will have to be built when the project comes online. * How they think about potential acquisitions, and what it will take to actually get to production. * The expected timeline for the rest of 2026 and 2027, including the drill program in progress. * Where things stand as far as the cash level and the balance sheet. * The long term upside, and why he thinks the Banio Project will produce potash for decades. * Book Recommendation: Civilization by Niall Ferguson. 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 - Farhad Abasov, Chairman of Millennial Potash

  4. 5d ago

    The CIA Files - Part 15

    Yesterday I had the Colonel back on the podcast for Part 15 of the CIA Files. This time we covered Vietnam and what the CIA was up to there in the 1950s. We talked about how the US pushed for French operations in the former French colony, stay behind units, and the media spin operations around events in Vietnam. For people looking into the events leading up to more significant US involvement in Vietnam in the 60s, this one is a must listen. You can find the Colonel on Twitter, Rumble, YouTube, and Substack. 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

    The CIA Files - Part 15

  5. 6d ago

    Kontrarian Korner #140 - Vince Lanci

    On Friday I had Vince Lanci back on the podcast to talk about precious metals perking up, the recent Fed meeting and his outlook for the rest of the year, and how it all ties in with the geopolitical chessboard. We also talked briefly about oil, agricultural commodities and fertilizers, and how all of these things fit together to form a complex macro picture. If you’re interested in the intersection of markets and current events, this one’s for you. You can find Vince on Twitter and his work at GoldFix. Podcast Summary * What Warsh is going to do for the rest of 2026, why he thinks it is more bark than bite, and why he thinks they will hold rates instead of hiking. * Why there isn’t a consensus on Wall Street on what the Fed will do from here. * Why he thinks Trump will declare victory and pull out of the conflict with Iran sooner rather than later. * Affordability as one of the main issues in the midterm elections. * The precious metals complex showing signs of life, and why it might still consolidate for some time from here. * How platinum started the recent move and gold and silver followed through. * Why China is continuing to buy physical metals, and the changes in their exchange setup. * How recent events is probably going to mean a higher floor on the oil price. * Why we could see problems in fertilizers and agricultural commodities next year. * The AI Capex bubble, and how it could cause problems for the credit market. * Changes in the geopolitical system and the American approach to it, and why Europe is going to be the odd man out. * Book Recommendation: The Will To Believe by William James. 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 #140 - Vince Lanci

  6. Aug 9

    Kontrarian Korner #139 - J. Burden

    Yesterday J. Burden returned to the podcast to talk about the problems facing the US and the younger generations, reasons to be optimistic on the future, and the cost of living and why burritos cost $20. We went back and forth on the problems with conservatives and why they haven’t conserved anything, what it would take to get younger Millennials and Zoomers to buy into the system, and where things are headed long term. If you enjoy a good conversation about what younger generations think about the direction of the US and the conversations that are happening on the economy, this one’s for you. You can find him on Twitter, as well as on his Substack below. Podcast Summary * The generational cost of living problem, and the conversation around inflation and food costs. * The messaging from conservative media and why it rings hollow. * The breakdown of different systems that previous generations took for granted. * Why we could see a small business boom from people that have been locked out of the system. * The purpose of a system is what it does, and how the current system is constructed. * Why all politics is patronage, and the importance of the patron-client relationship. * The demographic changes that are coming over the next decade and the political changes that will come from it. * Book Recommendations: On Resistance To Evil By Force by Ivan Alexandrovich Ilyin & American History Z by Joey Oliver. 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 #139 - J. Burden

  7. Aug 5

    Kontrarian Korner #138 - Rudy Havenstein

    Yesterday I had Rudy Havenstein back on the podcast to talk about the state of the world. It wouldn’t be a podcast with Rudy without talking about the Fed and inflation, but we also covered several different political topics, and how AI is going to have an impact on the information environment and on markets. It’s always a good time when Rudy’s on the podcast, and if you’re interested in some of the big picture topics on financial markets, culture, and politics, you will enjoy this one. You can find Rudy’s Substack below, and he is one of the most entertaining follows on Twitter. Podcast Summary * The recent Fed meeting, inflation, and how QE has driven wealth inequality. * The broken health insurance system and rising healthcare costs. * His frustrations with the ruling elite on both sides, and the problem with continuous foreign interventions. * Immigration, handouts, and how it could be dealt with. * How people’s experience during COVID has shaped their worldview. * Why populism appeals to everyday Americans, and why he doesn’t see any problems with that. * Why AI is going to make authenticity more valuable moving forward. * What AI means for the investment landscape, and a couple places to hide out in financial markets. * Book Recommendation: Fooled By Randomness by Nassim Taleb. 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 #138 - Rudy Havenstein

  8. Aug 4

    The CIA Files - Part 14

    Yesterday I had the Colonel back on the podcast for Part 14 of the CIA Files. We talked about Cuba and how it was a hub for organized crime and the Jewish mafia with figures like Meyer Lansky operating casinos and running drugs through Cuba, and how things changed when Castro came to power and how it impacted JFK’s presidency. We also talked more about pattern recognition, intelligence agency front companies, and how they operate like organized crime. For anyone didn’t get much information on Cuba in their history class, this one will be interesting. You can find the Colonel on Twitter, Rumble, YouTube, and Substack. 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

    The CIA Files - Part 14
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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
    190
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Kontrarian Korner
  • Show Website
    Kontrarian Korner

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