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Trends with Benefits

VanEck

Welcome to Trends with Benefits, the podcast that gives you an insider's edge into finance, tech, and investing. Hosted by Ed Lopez, VanEck's Head of Product Management.

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23 episodes
fortnightly
Avg 44 min
English

Episodes 23

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S1 · E161
September 29 · 12 min
Future Proof 2026: Tech, Real Assets, and What Clients Really Need
Explore what stood out at Future Proof 2026, from advisor skepticism about AI's real client value, to the rising case for fixed income and real assets, and why human connection remains the edge no algorithm can replicate, with VanEck's Ed Lopez. 00:00 Introduction to Future Proof Conference 02:46 AI's Impact on Financial Advisory 06:01 The Human Element in Financial Advisory 08:54 Fixed Income and Real Assets
#160
September 15 · 1 hr 13 min
Bob Pisani. 40 Years of Market History. Zero Filter.
Explore CNBC's Bob Pisani's reflections on 40-plus years of finance journalism, how he navigated the information overload of modern markets, what he learned from the NYSE trading floor, and what life looks like after leaving one of the most recognizable roles in financial media. 00:00 Introduction 09:39 The Art of Storytelling in Finance 12:28 Reflections on Career and Life Choices 18:32 Curiosity: An Innate Trait or Learned Skill? 23:13 Wealth Inequality and Market Participation 32:19 The Reality of Market Volatility 51:20 Active vs. Passive Investment Strategies 53:51 Market Concentration and Indexing Concerns 56:36 Inflation and Bond Market Dynamics 58:05 Real Assets and Alternative Investments 01:05:23 The Future of Work in an AI-Driven World
#159
August 18 · 47 min
Steph Pomboy: AI Debt Binge, Credit Cracks, & Gold
Explore the case for hard assets over paper, the pension system's growing private credit exposure, and why deglobalization may reshape financial markets for a generation, with Macro Mavens founder Steph Pomboy. 00:00 Introduction 03:04 AI, leverage, and the dot-com parallel 05:54 The competition for capital in 2026 08:48 The $15 trillion capital problem nobody is talking about 09:51 The triple B debt crisis and corporate balance sheet risk 22:25 The Fed as buyer of last resort for treasuries 28:24 The private credit boom and the pension problem 39:27 The upside of deglobalization and reshoring 44:52 Trend or Fad?
S1 · E158
August 4 · 54 min
Mark Zandi: Stock Wealth Fuels Growth, But at What Risk?
Explore the growing divide between top and bottom earners, the wealth effect driving consumer spending, inflation's staying power, and what AI may mean for jobs and the economy, with Moody's Analytics Chief Economist Mark Zandi. 00:00 Introduction 02:01 Divergence Between Economy and Markets 12:03 Consumer Spending Dynamics 18:04 Wealth Effect and Its Implications 23:56 Equity Valuations and Market Concerns 30:46 Globalization, Inflation, and Economic Outlook 35:55 Interest Rates and Economic Outlook 36:38 Consumer Spending and Recession Risks 39:43 Job Losses and AI Impact 44:01 Policymaking in the Age of AI 50:15 Trend or Fad?
#157
July 21 · 17 min
Ed Lopez Recaps Wealth Management EDGE
From the Wealth Management Edge conference floor: VanEck's Head of Product Management Ed Lopez explores what advisors are asking about, from AI and AEO to private markets, real assets, and the three macro themes shaping portfolios. 00:00 Conference Overview and Key Themes 02:04 EDGE Conference evolution 05:28 Christian Munafo's session on private markets 07:20 AEO: Making your business searchable on AI 08:40 Ed Lopez sits on Women in ETFs panel 15:15 Ed's EDGE Takeaways
S1 · E156
July 7 · 49 min
A CIO's Take on Geopolitics, the Dollar, and the Case for Going Global
Explore why the S&P may be mispricing geopolitical risk, the case for India, the dollar's decline, and gold as a trade (not a strategy), with Mercer Advisors CIO Don Calcagni. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background 01:57 Changes in Asset Allocation and Private Markets 04:01 US and International Equity Diversification 07:11 Market Concentration and Diversification Benefits 11:14 Geopolitical Risks and Global Market Drivers 16:57 US Political Risks and Domestic Instability 17:53 India's Growth and Investment Potential 24:20 Gold as a Strategic Asset and Trade 29:33 Private Markets and Current Valuations, Access and Risks 35:23 Private Equity and IPO Strategies 40:46 Market Mispricing and Geopolitical Risks 44:14 Long-term Trends and AI Innovation 47:59 Trend or Fad
S1 · E155
June 9 · 53 min
Space, AI, and Private Equity Trends
AI is creating 'zombie companies' and the next wave of winners may never go public. VanEck's Head of Private Growth Strategies Christian Munafo reveals how to find them, why IPOs are still stalled, and what the SpaceX listing could unlock.
S1 · E154
May 26 · 43 min
20 Years of GDX: How VanEck Changed the ETF Industry
Explore the origin story of VanEck's first ETF, the bullish case for gold, and where the ETF industry may be headed next, with VanEck CEO Jan van Eck and COO Adam Phillips.
S1 · E153
May 12 · 47 min
This Mining CEO Is Not a Gold Bug. But He Is Bullish.
Explore the dynamics of the gold market, supply constraints, technological innovations, gold as a currency, and technology in mining efficiency, with Agnico Eagle Mines CEO Ammar Al-Joundi. 00:00 Introduction 03:30 Drivers of Gold Prices 14:38 Challenges to Gold's Bullish Outlook 17:24 Supply Constraints in Gold Mining 21:33 Advantages of Operating in Developed Markets 25:56 Investor Perspectives on Gold Mining 32:38 Leveraging Technology for Efficiency 42:05 Trend or Fad?
S1 · E152
April 28 · 38 min
The Tax Changes Nobody Is Talking About
Explore the biggest tax planning changes of 2026, the One Big Beautiful Act, Roth conversion pitfalls, and how AI is reshaping wealth management, with Wealth.com Senior Tax Strategist Shane Ball. 00:00 Introduction 08:28 The Role of Technology in Tax Planning 17:08 Common Tax Mistakes and Best Practices 17:56 Navigating State and Federal Tax Provisions 18:28 Understanding Roth Conversions 25:09 Integrating Estate and Tax Planning 27:17 The Future of Tax Policy 31:46 Investment Trends and Insights 34:24 Trend or Fad?
April 13 · 50 min
How AI is Shaping Next-Gen Manufacturing
Explore how AI is transforming industrial automation, machine learning, autonomous manufacturing, and the key workforce skills required, with Rockwell Automation VP Jordan Reynolds. 00:00 Introduction 02:18 Rockwell Automation's Role in Industrial AI 06:03 Adaptable Learning: The Next Inflection Point of Automation 16:39 The Rise of Learning and Adaptation in Automation 29:49 Jobs and Skills in the Age of AI 31:16 The Human Role in Autonomous Manufacturing 35:47 AI's Impact on Supply Chains and Scarcity 44:23 Trend or Fad?
March 10 · 19 min
EM Debt Strengthens Amid U.S. Fiscal Uncertainty
Explore U.S. fiscal uncertainty, tariff shifts, Fed changes, and why stronger emerging market fundamentals may offer diversification despite tighter spreads.
S1 · E150
February 24 · 46 min
The Human Role in Modern Financial Advice
Explore how fintech and AI expand access to personalized financial guidance, regardless of wealth level, and why human connection is vital in the age of AI with Connective CEO Ian Rosen. 00:00 Introduction 02:49 The Gaps in Financial Education and Advisory Services 09:08 Building Trust in Financial Services 13:03 Addressing Financial Anxiety and Health 14:37 The Journey to Founding Connective 23:08 The Future of Human Connection in Wealth Management 31:36 The Ripple Effect of Financial Support 32:31 The Need for Financial Professionals 42:24 Trend or Fad?
February 11 · 11 min
Bitcoin's Next Move: Volatility, Cycles & Signals
Explore Bitcoin's recent price drawdown, the four-year halving cycle, leverage unwinds, market structure shifts, and why long-term Bitcoin adoption continues to advance despite near-term volatility.
S1 · E149
February 3 · 58 min
Dave Nadig's ETF Reality Check for 2026
Explore today's ETF landscape, including retail usage, AI in portfolios, market outlook, regulations, and the rise of active ETFs with President and Director of Research at ETF.com, Dave Nadig. 00:00 Introduction 02:27 ETF Awards and Innovations 04:41 State of the ETF Landscape 12:01 Regulatory Changes and ETF Launches 17:59 Active ETFs and Market Trends 32:04 Navigating the Challenges of Private Investments 38:05 Emerging Trends in Investment Products 40:23 The Impact of AI on Investment Strategies 53:18 Trend or Fad?
S1 · E148
January 20 · 46 min
Why We Panic, Hesitate, and Chase Markets
Learn about the importance of behavioral finance in understanding investor emotions, decision-making, and common behavioral mistakes investors make with Chief Behavioral Officer, at RFG Advisory, Brendan Frazier. 00:00 Introduction 03:29 Journey into Behavioral Finance 12:21 Behavioral Mistakes Investors Make 14:17 The Impact of Past Experiences on Financial Behavior 22:43 The Rivalry Between Current and Future Sel 25:15 Understanding Client Goals and Motivations 30:50 The SAFE Framework for Clients 38:11 Setting Expectations to Mitigate Fear 42:39 The Impact of Technology on Human Behavior 44:56 Trend or Fad?
S1 · E147
January 6 · 48 min
How Couples Can Become a Financial Team
Hear how understanding individual money stories and shared contributions helps couples build a healthier relationship with each other through money, with Money Together authors Douglas and Heather Boneparth. 00:00 Introduction 02:06 The Book Launch and Reception 10:59 The Impact of Personal Experiences on Financial Views 21:05 Navigating Difficult Conversations About Money 31:39 The Importance of Financial Knowledge 32:11 Joint vs. Separate Accounts 34:26 Navigating Financial Agency 36:23 Addressing Non-Financial Risks 39:43 Planning for Future Caregiving 42:01 The Impact of Technology on Relationships 44:30 Trend or Fad?
S1 · E145
Nov 25, 2025 · 49 min
Harnessing Social Media for Smarter Investing
Learn how online investing is redefining transparency, trust, and community for the next generation of retail investors from Blossom CEO Max Nicholson. 00:00 Introduction 02:22 What Is Blossom? 07:14 Privacy vs. Transparency 09:20 Blossom Origin Story 19:59 Where Blossom Fits in the Investor Lifecycle 22:05 Can Tech Help Advisors Serve Smaller Accounts? 29:45 Covered-Call & Single-Stock ETFs: Education vs. Yield-Chasing 34:00 Is the Meme-Stock Era Over? 35:57 Diversification vs. Thematics 39:45 Long-Term Retail Trends 47:24 Trend or Fad?
S1 · E144
Nov 11, 2025 · 53 min
The Power of Financial Planning for Women Breadwinners
Hear how women breadwinners can take control of their finances through intentional planning, clear goals, and confidence.
S1 · E143
Oct 28, 2025 · 56 min
The Future Hard Asset Supercycle: Inflation, Credit & Geopolitics
In this episode of Trends with Benefits, Ed Lopez sits down with Larry McDonald, Founder of the Bear Traps Report, to discuss the current state of financial markets. Larry dives into signals pointing to potential economic turbulence, from mounting consumer credit pressures to persistent inflation. He shares insights on the growing investor shift toward hard assets amid de-dollarization and global tensions and weighs in on how demographics are reshaping asset allocation. The conversation also touches on the future of AI, energy infrastructure, and the changing dynamics of passive investing, highlighting why reading market signals is more critical than ever.

Showing 1–20 of 23 episodes