The Meb Faber Show - Better Investing

Today’s guest is Richard Bernstein, Chief Investment Officer of Richard Bernstein Advisors, which he founded in 2009. He was previously the Chief Investment Strategist at Merrill Lynch.

In today’s episode, Richard argues that the market is defined by rampant speculation and extreme narrowness. He explains why he’s bullish on both dividend-paying and international stocks and believes crypto is the first global investment bubble. To close, he warns that corporate credit is priced for perfection, inflation risks aren’t gone, and diversification is the best defense in a bubble-prone market.

(0:00) Starts

(1:20) Richard on market narrowness & speculation

(6:21) The Earnings Expectations Life Cycle

(12:33) Non-US stocks are undervalued

(18:38) Small cap trends and long-term investment themes

(24:14) American Industrialization Renaissance

(27:10) Corporate credit risk

(33:42) Is the Fed independent?

(36:38) Is crypto the first global investment bubble?

(41:11) The importance of financial history

(46:07) Richard's most memorable investment

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For detailed show notes, click here

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Sponsor: Join Alpha Architect’s LIVE webinar Feb 3rd to learn if a 351 Exchange may fit your clients’ needs. 

Before the webinar, visit Alpha Architect’s 351 Education Center for use cases, tools, FAQs, upcoming launches, and more.

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Interested in sponsoring the show? Email us at [email protected]

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Past guests include Ed Thorp, Richard Thaler, Jeremy Grantham, Joel Greenblatt, Campbell Harvey, Ivy Zelman, Kathryn Kaminski, Jason Calacanis, Whitney Baker, Aswath Damodaran, Howard Marks, Tom Barton, and many more. 

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Meb's invested in some awesome startups that have passed along discounts to our listeners. Check them out here! 

-----Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).
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My guest today is Marc Faber, editor of the “Gloom Boom & Doom Report.”

In today’s episode, Marc explores the unpredictable nature of financial markets, the resurgence of precious metals and how money printing has fueled economic inequality. He argues that bonds are currently under-owned and may offer opportunity, and explains why emerging markets such as Thailand and Vietnam deserve consideration. 

To close, Marc underscores the importance of diversification in an increasingly uncertain world.

(0:00) Starts

(2:25) The rise of precious metals

(10:18) Impact of money printing on asset prices and social problems

(23:14) Bond bull case

(29:31) History of wealth redistribution

(36:13) Global investment insights: Thailand & beyond

(48:40) Importance of diversification

-----

Follow Meb on X, LinkedIn and YouTube

For detailed show notes, click here

To learn more about our funds and follow us, subscribe to our mailing list or visit us at cambriainvestments.com

-----

Sponsor: Join Alpha Architect’s ⁠LIVE webinar⁠ Feb 3rd to learn if a 351 Exchange may fit your clients’ needs. 

Before the webinar, visit ⁠Alpha Architect’s 351 Education Center⁠ for use cases, tools, FAQs, upcoming launches, and more.

-----

Follow The Idea Farm: X | LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok

-----

Interested in sponsoring the show? Email us at [email protected]

-----

Past guests include Ed Thorp, Richard Thaler, Jeremy Grantham, Joel Greenblatt, Campbell Harvey, Ivy Zelman, Kathryn Kaminski, Jason Calacanis, Whitney Baker, Aswath Damodaran, Howard Marks, Tom Barton, and many more. 

-----

Meb's invested in some awesome startups that have passed along discounts to our listeners. Check them out here! 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My guest today is Cullen Roche, Chief Investment Officer at Orcam Financial Group and Discipline Funds. His latest book is Your Perfect Portfolio: The ultimate guide to using the world’s most powerful investing strategies.

In today’s episode, Cullen walks through the principles of portfolio construction. He emphasizes the importance of viewing investments as a means of savings rather than a quick path to wealth. Cullen explores the significance of time horizons in investment decisions, why real returns are what matter, and the origins of the 60/40 portfolio.

(0:00) Starts

(1:38) Principles of portfolio construction

(6:12) Real vs nominal returns

(11:01) Asset allocation and time horizon considerations

(26:59) Evaluating the role of government bonds in portfolios

(30:21) Origins of the 60/40 portfolio

(37:44) The forward cap portfolio

(46:49) The concept of duration in investing

(56:23) Disciplined Funds

(1:02:39) Asset liability matching

(1:03:15) Factors influencing investor behavior

-----

Follow Meb on X, LinkedIn and YouTube

For detailed show notes, click here

To learn more about our funds and follow us, subscribe to our mailing list or visit us at cambriainvestments.com

-----

Follow The Idea Farm: X | LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok

-----

Interested in sponsoring the show? Email us at [email protected]

-----

Past guests include Ed Thorp, Richard Thaler, Jeremy Grantham, Joel Greenblatt, Campbell Harvey, Ivy Zelman, Kathryn Kaminski, Jason Calacanis, Whitney Baker, Aswath Damodaran, Howard Marks, Tom Barton, and many more. 

-----

Meb's invested in some awesome startups that have passed along discounts to our listeners. Check them out here! 

-----

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest is Jack Ablin, CIO at Cresset Asset Management, which manages over $70 billion AUM. Jack was RIA Intel’s “CIO of the Year” for 2022 and was previously the CIO at BMO for 17 years.

In today’s episode, Jack walks through the ins and outs of investing in founder-led companies and what has led them to historically outperform. He also explains his approach to asset allocation, which structures portfolios based on time horizons rather than traditional asset classes. Finally, he offers an outlook for equities and fixed income next year, discusses private market opportunities, and looks at the future of Cresset Asset Management.

(0:00) Starts

(1:51) Overview of Cresset Asset Management

(6:40) Founder-led companies: Advantages and portfolio impact

(19:52) Fixed income and private market investment strategies

(26:32) Future prospects in Opportunity Zones and equities

(31:15) Currency considerations and foreign investment opportunities

(37:01) Jack's most memorable investment

-----

Follow Meb on X, LinkedIn and YouTube

For detailed show notes, click here

To learn more about our funds and follow us, subscribe to our mailing list or visit us at cambriainvestments.com

-----

Follow The Idea Farm: X | LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok

-----

Interested in sponsoring the show? Email us at [email protected]

-----

Past guests include Ed Thorp, Richard Thaler, Jeremy Grantham, Joel Greenblatt, Campbell Harvey, Ivy Zelman, Kathryn Kaminski, Jason Calacanis, Whitney Baker, Aswath Damodaran, Howard Marks, Tom Barton, and many more. 

-----

Meb's invested in some awesome startups that have passed along discounts to our listeners. Check them out here! 

-----

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest is David McWilliams, an economist, podcast host and author. David worked at the Central Bank of Ireland, UBS and BNP Paribas and is the founder of the Kilkenomics Festival, a unique blend of economics and stand-up comedy. His book is called The History of Money: A Story of Humanity, which is my favorite book from 2025.

In today’s episode, David walks through the evolution of money over the last 5,000 years. He explains why money is a foundational social technology that is central to every aspect of our civilization, from the political to the artistic. He delves into historical anecdotes—from clay tablets in Mesopotamia to Gutenberg’s printing press to Martin Luther’s disruptive influence on the church. Throughout the episode, he emphasizes that economists need to do a better job helping people understand money and its role in navigating modern economic principles.

(0:00) Starts

(1:26) David explains the Kilkenomics Festival

(3:41) David McWilliams on "Money, The History of Money, A Story of Humanity"

(9:55) Evolution and trust in money throughout history

(26:28) Impact of the Gutenberg printing press and Martin Luther

(36:42) Historical perspectives on speculation and losing money

(43:18) Future of economics, storytelling, and equity culture differences

(49:18) Educating youth on finance and investing

-----

Follow Meb on X, LinkedIn and YouTube

For detailed show notes, click here

To learn more about our funds and follow us, subscribe to our mailing list or visit us at cambriainvestments.com

-----

Sponsor: Join Alpha Architect’s ⁠⁠LIVE webinar⁠⁠ Feb 3rd to learn if a 351 Exchange may fit your clients’ needs. 

Before the webinar, visit ⁠⁠Alpha Architect’s 351 Education Center⁠⁠ for use cases, tools, FAQs, upcoming launches, and more.

-----

Follow The Idea Farm: X | LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok

-----

Interested in sponsoring the show? Email us at [email protected]

-----

Past guests include Ed Thorp, Richard Thaler, Jeremy Grantham, Joel Greenblatt, Campbell Harvey, Ivy Zelman, Kathryn Kaminski, Jason Calacanis, Whitney Baker, Aswath Damodaran, Howard Marks, Tom Barton, and many more. 

-----

Meb's invested in some awesome startups that have passed along discounts to our listeners. Check them out here! 

-----

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).

-----

Ad Disclaimer: This information does not constitute advice or a recommendation or offer to sell or a solicitation to deal in any security or financial product. Certain information contained herein has been obtained from third party sources and such information has not been independently verified by The Idea Farm. No representation, warranty, or undertaking, expressed or implied, is given to the accuracy or completeness of such information by The Idea Farm or any other person. While such sources are believed to be reliable, The Idea Farm does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information. The Idea Farm does not undertake any obligation to update the information contained herein as of any future date.
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