Scott and Ed open the show by discussing the aluminum and steel tariffs, Trump’s plan to close the carried interest loophole, and Elon Musk’s bid for OpenAI. Then Alice Han, China economist and director at Greenmantle, returns to the show to break down the potential impact of Trump’s tariffs on China’s economy. She explains how China’s weak consumer environment is driving down prices domestically, weighs in on what the “Sputnik moment” of DeepSeek means for China’s place in the AI race, and offers her take on the country’s relationship with Elon Musk. Finally, Alice shares why she believes we’re entering a period of heightened geopolitical instability.
Podcast Type: Markets
Spotify’s First Year of Profitability + Is Google Losing its Edge?
Scott and Ed open the show by discussing Disney, Novo Nordisk and Uber’s earnings. Then they break down Spotify’s results and discuss Chappell Roan’s Grammy speech criticizing the music industry. Scott outlines how she could drive real impact in the industry, while Ed explains why he doesn’t think Spotify is to blame for the struggle of artists. Finally, they unpack Google’s earnings, with Scott highlighting the biggest red flag for shareholders and Ed explaining why he remains bullish on the company.
The Trouble With Tariffs + Why Palantir Could Dominate AI — ft. Aswath Damodaran
Scott and Ed open the show by discussing the potential tariffs on Mexico and Canada, Palantir’s earnings, and Vanguard’s largest fee cut ever. Then Aswath Damodaran, professor of finance at NYU’s Stern School of Business, returns to the show to analyze how DeepSeek’s rise reshapes the AI landscape. He shares why he hasn’t valued Palantir yet but still sees it as a potential AI leader and a prototype for the premium AI market. Aswath also weighs in on whether Tesla and Nvidia are overvalued, offers his views on tariffs, and explains why he thinks Intel has been overly punished.
Meta & Microsoft Brush Off DeepSeek + Starbucks Stages a Comeback
Scott and Ed open the show by discussing the White House’s employee buyout, Starbucks’ fourth quarter earnings, and the beta launch of T-Mobile’s exclusive Starlink deal. Then they break down Meta, Microsoft, and Tesla’s earnings, and examine why big tech has yet to adjust its spending plans in response to the DeepSeek drawdown.
Winners and Losers After DeepSeek — ft. Robert Armstrong
Scott and Ed open the show by discussing the stock market’s reaction to DeepSeek’s arrival, a record in private equity stake sales, and the rising unemployment rate among recent MBA graduates. Then Robert Armstrong, U.S. financial commentator for the Financial Times, returns to the show to break down the winners and losers of the DeepSeek trade. He explains why, despite significant developments in China’s corporate economy, he still believes Chinese stocks remain uninvestable. Robert also offers his thoughts on European and U.K. stocks relative to their U.S. peers, gives his take on Trump’s comments on interest rates, and explains how the immigration crackdown could affect investors.
Project Stargate & The Rise of Oracle + Scott’s Stake in La Equidad Football Club
Scott and Ed open the show by discussing Netflix’s fourth quarter earnings, Johnson and Johnson’s latest earnings call, and potential TikTok bidders. Then Scott breaks down the new Stargate initiative, explaining how it served as a strategic branding victory for the Trump administration and will likely enhance Oracle’s influence within the tech industry. Ed offers his thoughts on what the project reveals about the evolving AI industry. Finally, Scott discusses his stake in a Colombian soccer team, explaining how the deal came about and how it aligns with his broader investment strategy.
$TRUMP, What’s Next For TikTok, and The State of the Streaming Wars — ft. Rich Greenfield
Scott and Ed open the show by discussing how the markets reacted to the inauguration, Trump and Melania’s new meme coins, and a record-breaking year for investment in global ETFs. Then Rich Greenfield, Partner and Media & Technology Analyst at LightShed Partners, joins the show to discuss the shifting media landscape. He predicts what will happen to TikTok this year and explains why he’s bearish on YouTube Shorts. Rich also gives his take on David Ellison’s purchase of Paramount, shares what he thinks will happen to the Murdoch empire, and breaks down the evolving dynamics of sports programming.
The TikTok Showdown, UnitedHealth’s First Earnings Post-Shooting, and a Banking Boom
Scott and Ed open the show by discussing the latest inflation report, Meta’s next round of layoffs, and the uncertain future of TikTok. Then Scott breaks down United Health’s first earnings call since the killing of executive Brian Thompson, explaining why the company appeared to downplay its successful year. He delves into how profit incentives in sectors tied to social goods can create harmful externalities. Finally, Scott and Ed review fourth-quarter bank earnings, explaining why the results are clear evidence that mergers and acquisitions are back.
LA Fires, Trump Trades, TikTok, and Legacy Media’s Fate — ft. Andrew Ross Sorkin
Scott and Ed open the show by discussing Kalshi’s decision to appoint Donald Trump Jr. as its new advisor, a decline in tipping across America, and the economic impact of the wildfires in Los Angeles. Then Andrew Ross Sorkin, editor-at-large of DealBook at the New York Times and co-anchor of CNBC’s Squawk Box, joins the show to discuss the key economic trends he’s watching for Trump’s second term. He explains why he thinks the private equity space is broken right now, analyzes the changing landscape of the AI industry, and shares his thoughts on the rumors that China is considering selling TikTok to Elon Musk. Andrew also offers his perspective on how journalists and legacy media should adapt to a social media era that lacks fact-checking and trust.
The DOJ’s Landlord Lawsuit + Can Trump Buy Greenland?
Scott and Ed open the show by discussing Anthropic’s upcoming funding round, a huge drawdown in quantum stocks, and Getty Images’ acquisition of Shutterstock. Then Scott breaks down the Department of Justice’s lawsuit against some of the nation’s largest real estate firms, arguing why he believes the move doesn’t address the broader housing crisis. Finally, Scott and Ed discuss why Trump wants to buy Greenland and the Panama Canal and explain why the plans are unlikely to materialize.