AlphaStar CIO on growing AUM 5× to $2B — Tony Parish on the AI bubble, org design, and the truth behind company "mission"

Tony Parish, Chief Investment Officer at AlphaStar Capital Management, helped grow the firm from $400 million to $2.2 billion in assets — but his story isn’t just about scale.In this wide-ranging conversation, Tony and host Austin Jia unpack what it really means to think like a CIO in today’s markets: staying calm through volatility, balancing art and analytics, and leading with curiosity in a world obsessed with speed.They cover everything from:Navigating market cycles and volatilityThe real job of a CIO (and why it’s often misunderstood)Building AlphaStar’s culture of clarity and growthAlternative assets, portfolio construction, and where alpha still hidesThe AI bubble — hype or structural change?Why balancing profit and purpose matters more than everPlus, Tony shares how he manages his time, what he reads, and why music remains a quiet teacher for investing.If you care about investing, leadership, or just better decision-making — this episode hits all three.Chapters00:00 Navigating Market Volatility02:44 Understanding the Role of a Chief Investment Officer05:43 The Journey to Becoming a CIO08:47 Curiosity as a Driving Force11:49 Growth Story of AlphaStar Capital Management14:47 Techniques for Achieving Alpha17:36 Optimizing Portfolio Construction20:38 The Role of Alternative Assets23:36 The Yale Model and Its Applicability26:33 The AI Bubble: Parallels with Past Market Crashes31:01 Understanding the AI Bubble34:41 Identifying Major Economic Risks38:11 Building a Successful Business40:23 Cultural Considerations for Business Success42:58 Balancing Profit and Purpose45:29 Time Management and Prioritization47:49 Advice for Junior Analysts48:37 Recommended Reading for Investors50:48 The Role of a CIO52:10 Musical Passions and Personal Insights