Global Thinking
by Forstrong Global Asset Management
Welcome to Global Thinking, the podcast where we explore the intersection of global macro investing, geo-political tensions, and financial advice. Join our host Rob Duncan, as they guide you through the complex world of personal finance and help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of global markets. Every month we bring on top experts to share their insights and perspectives on the latest trends and events shaping the global economy. Whether you're an experienced investor or just starting out, this podcast is your go-to resource for understanding how to manage your wealth in a rapidly changing world. So sit back, relax, and join us for an engaging and thought-provoking conversation on Global Thinking.
Episodes
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Bonds, Bad News and Bull Markets
Bond yields are surging. Oil prices remain elevated. Tariffs, geopolitics and inflation continue to dominate the headlines. Investors are stressed. And yet, the bull market keeps going. So what exactly are investors supposed to make of all this? In this episode of the Global Thinking Podcast…
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Signal or Noise? Staying Cool in a Hot Money World
A young hedge fund manager built his entire investment thesis around one idea: artificial intelligence would reshape the world. His conviction was so strong he named his fund Situational Awareness. For a while, it looked brilliant. Then reality intervened. What does that teach investors today? In...
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The Great Rebuilding: Why the World Is Changing Faster Than Markets Realize
In this episode of the Global Thinking Podcast, Rob Duncan sits down with Forstrong CEO and CIO, Tyler Mordy, to unpack one of the biggest investment themes of 2026: The Great Rebuilding. While investors have spent the year reacting to wars, tariffs, inflation scares, and shifting central bank...
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Markets, Multipolarity, and the Next Cycle
For more than a decade, investors have been rewarded for a simple strategy: buy U.S. stocks, own big technology companies, and trust that American exceptionalism would continue to drive markets higher. But what if that playbook is beginning to change? In this episode of the Global Thinking…
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Crisis Fatigue: Have Investors Tuned Out Risk?
Markets are rallying. Oil is rising. War is ongoing. And yet, investors seem to be moving on. In this episode of the Global Thinking Podcast, Rob Duncan sits down with Forstrong Lead Portfolio Manager David Kletz to unpack the biggest question facing markets today. Is this resilience — or...
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Chasing Alpha: SPIVA 2025, Active vs Passive Investing, and Why Most Managers Underperform
In this episode of the Global Thinking Podcast, host Rob Duncan sits down with Dr. Joe Nelesen from S&P Dow Jones Indices to break down the SPIVA Canada 2025 report and what it reveals about active vs passive investing. The data is clear. Most active managers underperform their benchmarks — not...
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Sell First, Ask Questions Later: A Crash Course in Oil Shocks
In this episode of the Global Thinking Podcast Rob Duncan sits down with Forstrong CEO & CIO, Tyler Mordy, to unpack the market reaction to the escalating conflict involving Iran and why investors may be focusing on the wrong risk. When geopolitical shocks hit, markets tend to do what they always...
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Liquidity Illusion: The Wake-Up Call in Canadian Private Markets
In this episode of the Global Thinking Podcast, host Rob Duncan sits down with Nimar Bangesh of Obsiido to unpack one of the most infuriating developments in Canadian investing this year: fund gating. After years of rapid growth, private markets have become mainstream in Canadian portfolios. But...
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From Chaos to Conviction: Positioning Portfolios for Stability in 2026
2025 looked like the kind of year that should have broken markets — geopolitical shocks, political dysfunction, and nonstop macro stress. Instead, risk assets powered ahead. That disconnect is exactly why investors should be paying attention. In this episode of the Global Thinking Podcast Rob...
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Double Vision: Investing in a Split-Screen World
In this episode of the Global Thinking Podcast, Rob Duncan is joined by Forstrong CEO and CIO, Tyler Mordy, to unpack a market that refuses to send a single, clear signal. Equity markets are strong, yet risks are building — a Split-Screen World where optimism and fragility coexist. Tyler provides...
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Canada in the Crosshairs: Hard Markets, High Rates, and Hidden Opportunities
In this episode of the Global Thinking Podcast, host Rob Duncan sits down with Matthew Barasch, Senior Portfolio Manager at RBC Dominion Securities, for a candid, wide-ranging look at the realities of investing in today's market environment. Barasch calls this one of the toughest years of his...
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Don't Stop Believin': Why Global Markets Still Have Room to Run
In this episode of the Global Thinking Podcast Rob Duncan sits down with Lead Portfolio Manager, David Kletz, to explore the powerful shift in global market leadership that has defined the year. Since "Liberation Day," momentum has moved decisively toward International and Emerging Markets, with...
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Wired for Growth or Blown Fuse?
Emerging Market equities are the year's top performer, with Canadian and International equities close behind — leaving U.S. stocks lagging. Will America stage a comeback, or are we entering a new era where global equities take center stage? In this episode of the Global Thinking Podcast host, Rob...
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From Generational Wealth Myths to Modern Advising: Wealth 3.0
In this episode of the Global Thinking Podcast, host Rob Duncan sits down with Jamie McBride of Stewart & Kett to unpack the evolution of wealth management and the rise of Wealth 3.0. Wealth 3.0 represents a shift beyond spreadsheets and tax strategies toward an approach that prioritizes family...
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Flooding The Zone
Steve Bannon once described Donald Trump's media strategy as "flooding the zone" — overwhelming the airwaves with noise to confuse and distract. Recent months have offered a masterclass, leaving investors to sift through tariffs, trade wars, and endless headlines. In this mid-year edition of the...
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Guns, Gold, and Getting Paid: Global Investing in a Fractured World
In this episode of Global Thinking, Forstrong Portfolio Manager Rob Duncan sits down with friend of the firm, Chris McHaney, Executive Vice President and Head of Investment Management and Strategy at Global X Investments Canada Inc., for a wide-ranging conversation on where global capital is...
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Desensitized and Diversified: Investing Through Policy Whiplash
In this episode of the Global Thinking Podcast, host Rob Duncan sits down with Forstrong Portfolio Manager, Terry Shaunessy, to unpack how investors are navigating a world where political theatrics, including Trump's tariff flip-flops, no longer move markets like they used to. They explore why…
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Power Shifts, Trade Rifts, and Investment Lifts
Global Thinking: Power Shifts, Trade Rifts, and Investment Lifts In this no-holds-barred episode of the Global Thinking Podcast, host Rob Duncan sits down with AGF Investments CEO and CIO, Kevin McCreadie, to unpack the chaos, clarity, and contradictions shaping markets in 2025. From political…
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Elbows Up – Time to Pivot and Rebalance
In this episode of the Global Thinking podcast, host Rob Duncan sits down with Forstrong CEO and CIO, Tyler Mordy, to unpack a rowdy stretch in markets and politics. From Canada's recent election to Trump's tariff tantrums, the conversation dives into how economic confidence has taken a hit on…
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Panic, Policy, and the New Playbook
In this episode of the Global Thinking Podcast Rob Duncan is joined by Forstrong CEO and CIO, Tyler Mordy, to unpack what may become one of the most studied financial panics of our time. With markets rattled by a sudden loss of confidence, they explore how erratic policy moves and recent tariff...
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Chasing Alpha: The Wisdom of Crowds and Market Efficiency
The majority of active managers underperform their benchmarks - but why? In this episode of the Global Thinking Podcast Rob sits down with Dr. Joseph Nelesen, Head of Specialists, Index Investment Strategy at S&P Dow Jones Indices, to unpack the 2024 SPIVA Report—the definitive study comparing...
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The Great Vibe Shift: From MAG 7 to Drag 7
In this episode of the Global Thinking Podcast Rob Duncan sits down with Forstrong's CEO & CIO, Tyler Mordy, to unpack the evolving market landscape and the unmistakable "vibe shift" happening in global markets. The once-unstoppable dominance of U.S. equities and the MAG 7 is showing signs of...
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Trump, Tariffs, Tech, and Turbulence
In this episode of the Global Thinking podcast Rob sits down with Forstrong's Lead Portfolio Manager, David Kletz, to tackle two of the biggest forces shaping markets today: trade policy and technology. To start, they dive into the latest tariff turmoil, where Trump's abrupt policy flip-flop left...
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Unlocking the Power of Alternatives
In this episode of the Global Thinking podcast, host Rob Duncan sits down with Adam Payne, President and Chief Compliance Officer of Kinsted Wealth, for a deep dive into the evolving world of alternative investments. With market uncertainty and traditional asset classes facing headwinds,...
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Markets in Motion - Resilience and Rivalries
In this episode Rob joins Forstrong CEO and Chief Investment Officer, Tyler Mordy, to unpack the defining moments of 2024 and the forces shaping 2025. The past year was further evidence we are not in a traditional economic cycle. In the face of elevated volatility, geopolitical tensions, and a...
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Global Thinking Vibecession with Keith Dicker
In this episode of the Global Thinking Podcast, host Rob Duncan welcomes Keith Dicker, Founder and Chief Investment Officer at IceCap Asset Management, for an in-depth exploration of the global financial landscape. Keith shares captivating insights from his unique career path, the art of global...
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5 Questions Keeping Investors Up at Night
2024 is proving to be another year full of surprises. Investors have been bracing for recession as a waterfall of misleading signals have dominated headlines. While many braced for a looming recession, markets defied expectations with strong returns—leaving many sidelined in cash or GICs, missing...
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From Paper to Pixels: Canada's Fintech Transformation
Financial technology, or Fintech, in Canada has traditionally trailed behind the U.S. by nearly a decade. Until recently, even basic processes like virtual onboarding were rare in Canada, where advisors and clients often dealt with stacks of paper for signatures and mailed-off documents. But a...
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Podcast From China: Beijing's Policy Shockwaves
Over the past year, China has grappled with escalating challenges—from a real estate meltdown to tech crackdowns and slowing growth—leading many investors to deem the country "un-investable." However, recent policy moves from Beijing, including significant interest rate cuts and liquidity...
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Keep Calm and "Carry" On – Seizing Global Opportunities in a Shifting ETF Market
Investors have been pouring into Canadian ETFs at an unprecedented rate in 2024. While cash and US equity ETFs have dominated flows this year, recent trends suggest a shift is underway. Weaker economic data and volatility in Japan have investors worried, while international markets present...
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The Great Market Rotation: Is It For Real?
When asked about the prognosis for markets, American financier J. P. Morgan once famously quipped, "they will fluctuate". That statement is not meant to be dismissive of recent market volatility: the first half of 2024 has faced a long list of new realities from an AI fervour to contentious…
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Navigating Nvidia's Volatility: Keeping Your Head When Others May Have Lost Theirs
Everyone is talking about Nvidia. Just 2 years ago the stock was worth a mere $400 billion. Now, depending on the time of day, it is worth somewhere around $3 trillion and was briefly the most valuable company in the world. Investors should not overcomplicate things here: Nvidia and the broader…
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Canadian ETFs - A Bull Market in the Making
Canadian ETF inflows continued at a brisk pace in May, bringing the year-to-date number to more than $24 billion (handily beating their mutual fund counterparts). Total assets now stand at more than $432 billion with 1407 ETFs to choose from. With all this selection, how do investors know which…
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2024's Rotation Trade Continues
Looking back on the month of April, it was a tough time for many investors. Broadly, many stock market sectors broke their winning streak. Bonds didn't fare any better as continued strong global economic data pressured long-term yields higher. As the macro regime continues to unfold, Forstrong's...
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Is US equity still the easiest asset allocation decision?
US equities have taken center stage over the last few years and are touching all-time highs as consumers continue to show strength with healthy balance sheets and less sensitivity to higher interest rates. But is all this good news already priced in? What may be surprising is that returns are no...
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Interest Rate Obsession
Interest Rate Obsession: Are Markets Missing the Bigger Picture? Markets have found a new obsession to dote upon: timing central bank rate cutes. Everywhere you look, interest rate expectations continue to dominate headlines and market narratives. Imminent recession fears have been replaced with...
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Global Thinking Market Update with Franklin Templeton
In this episode Rob sits down with Michael Greenberg, Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions, to ask questions about their market outlook and where they see opportunity in the year ahead. Throughout the podcast Mike shares his perspectives on...
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Running with Bulls - Is the Market Rally Broadening?
One year ago, market forecasters were in absolute agreement. A Bloomberg consensus survey showed that 100% of the respondents predicted a global recession in 2023. Rising interest rates would surely create an inevitable "hard landing". When such agreement exists in the investment world one must…
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Macro Musings from A Latam Perspective
On this episode Rob sits down with our good friend Rodrigo Gordillo from Resolve Asset Management. Rodrigo has a fascinating background and shares how hyperinflation in 1980s Peru shaped his life and investment philosophy. He also discusses why emerging markets have been more proactive in…
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Bonds, Bitcoin and The Biggest Year Ever For Democracy
Welcome back to all our listeners. This is now Season 4 of the Forstrong Global Thinking podcast and there is no shortage of topics to dive into. In this episode Rob sits down with Tyler Mordy, CEO and CIO, to discuss which macro trends are shaping the investment landscape. Looking back, last…
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Shifting Market Narratives - Higher for Longer Hits Home
The US bond selloff over the last few years is on par with the largest ever in history. In this podcast Rob sits down with Forstrong Lead PM, David Kletz, to discuss market performance and what "higher for longer" interest rates means for investors. While this new environment has dampened...
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What Happens When AI Gets Real, Part 2
In part 1, Rob Duncan sat down with Reza Samahin, Portfolio Manager at KJ Harrison, to discuss the big ideas behind Artificial Intelligence and what impact it may have on the future In part 2, Rob and Reza discuss the implications of AI from an investment perspective. Is this Dot Com 2.0? Will...
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What Happens When AI Gets Real?
Last month 2,600 tech industry professionals signed a petition led by Elon Musk and Apple co-founder, Steve Wozniak, to halt AI development until there was a clear understanding of its full implications. Although he did not sign the letter, Geoffrey Hinton, the so-called "Godfather of AI"…
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Postcard from China, Part 2
It has been four long years since Forstrong last visited mainland China. In that time, the country faced a real estate collapse, technology crackdowns and more than 1100 days of brutal lockdowns. Given the size and scale of China's influence on the global economy, their reopening is something…
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Is The Developed World Slowing Down?
Coming off a surprisingly resilient Q1, Global Equities staged a rally for a second quarter despite the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and renewed fears of another 2008 financial crisis. While US markets staged a late rally to pull ahead of Canada, International markets continue to be global...
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Global Thinking Invité spécial - Clément Gignac
Cette semaine, nous avons un invité très spécial pour notre podcast "Global Thinking". Omar Rayes de Forstrong s'assoit une deuxième fois avec l'Honorable Clément Gignac. Clément a eu une longue et brillante carrière dans les secteurs public et privé. Sur la scène internationale, il a présidé en...
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Global Thinking Special Guest - Clement Gignac
This week we have a very special guest for our "Global Thinking" Podcast. Forstrong's Omar Rayes sits down for a second time with the honorable Clément Gignac. Clément has had a long and distinguished career in both the public and private sectors. On the international scene, he chaired in 2012…
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SVB Failure: Moving Fast and Breaking Things
Silicon Valley's scrappy attitude of "move fast and break things" not only became standard start-up advice over the last decade, but quickly evolved into a global movement for the technology sector. Yet, a rich irony has emerged. It turns out that customers can also move fast and break things.…
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A Surprisingly Resilient Economy
It has been a long string of surprises over the last year. The Fed was surprised inflation wasn't transitory. Investors were surprised to see the fastest rate hikes since the 1980s. Economists are now surprised we aren't in a recession. Yet, in our view, the biggest surprise continues to be the...
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Forstrong Super Trends 2023: Metamorphosis
As it was in 2022, financial markets had their own Kafkaesque backdrop. Investors did not need to stretch their imaginations: reality did it for them. Supposedly rare events appeared more frequently than ever. All of this has forged an easy fraternity for those predicting more macro doom. Global...
About this show
Welcome to Global Thinking, the podcast where we explore the intersection of global macro investing, geo-political tensions, and financial advice. Join our host Rob Duncan, as they guide you through the complex world of personal finance and help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of global markets. Every month we bring on top experts to share their insights and perspectives on the latest trends and events shaping the global economy. Whether you're an experienced investor or just starting out, this podcast is your go-to resource for understanding how to manage your wealth in a rapidly changing world. So sit back, relax, and join us for an engaging and thought-provoking conversation on Global Thinking.
Hosted by
Forstrong Global Asset Management