PODCAST · business
Left Brain Thinking
by Left Brain Investment Research
Left Brain Thinking highlights the securities analysis of Left Brain Investment Research and the logical approach that the firm brings to creative investment ideas. Each week, you'll get Left Brain's take on specific stocks and bonds. Tune in to experience the disciplined decision-making and independent thinking that powers the firm’s search for profitable investment opportunities. leftbrainir.substack.com
Episodes
-
How Much Income can a $5M Portfolio Generate?
I’ll come right out and say it: net worth is the wrong number to fixate on. If you have a $5 million portfolio and need $120,000 a year from it, that’s a 2.4% annual cash flow need. Almost nobody frames it that way. Everybody asks the net worth question instead.The first mistake people make is...
-
Can You Retire at 50 with $5 Million?
I’ll come right out and say it: “can I retire with $5 million” is the wrong question. Two 50-year-olds can have the exact same $5 million portfolio and get completely different answers about whether they can walk away from work. The number isn’t what matters. What that number has to support is…
more -
Hidden Concentration: What Your Index Fund Isn't Telling You
You can own hundreds of stocks in an index fund and still be more concentrated than you think. That idea, hidden concentration, anchors this quarter's Investment Committee conversation, alongside the question we get asked constantly: is AI in a bubble?On the surface, Q2 2026 was a strong quarter...
-
The Equity Comp Email You Didn't Actually Read
When HR sends your equity award, most executives do the same thing: look at the headline number, feel good about it, and move on. The details go unread. The plan goes unmade. That works fine until it doesn’t, and when it doesn’t, it’s usually expensive. An unexpected tax bill at filing. Options...
-
Why Smart People Hoard Cash (And What It's Actually Costing You)
If you've got cash sitting in the bank that isn't earmarked for anything (not an emergency fund, not a near-term purchase, just... sitting there), you're not alone, and you're probably not ignorant about it either. In this week's episode of Fundamentals of Investing, Brian Dress and Noland…
more -
What happens if you're wrong about your company stock?
Most executives with a concentrated stock position have never sat down and done the actual math. Not just what the grants say. Not just what the stock is worth today. The full picture: restricted stock, stock options, employee stock purchase plan, deferred compensation, 401(k) — all of it, as a...
-
Your Company Stock Is Crashing. Here’s What Executives Actually Do About It.
If you’re a corporate executive watching your net worth fall in real time as your company’s stock slides —this one’s for you. In our latest video, Left Brain CEO Noland Langford and Director of Research Brian Dress have the conversation most advisors aren’t equipped to have: what do you actually…
more -
The Diversification Trap Nobody Sees Coming
Most executives spend more time optimizing their portfolio than thinking about their single biggest financial risk: the concentration building quietly inside their compensation package. In this week’s episode of Fundamentals of Investing, Noland Langford and I talk through what we call the...
-
The $300K Income Level Where Taxes Become Strategy
Once income crosses roughly $300K, taxes often become one of the largest controllable expenses. At that level, several things begin to change: • deductions phase out • equity compensation adds complexity • timing decisions matter more We recently recorded a discussion covering several of these...
-
Buying the Dip Worked. That May Be Changing.
For 15 years, buying the dip worked. Markets rewarded investors who stepped in during volatility. That reflex became discipline. That discipline became habit. But what happens when the environment shifts? We’re now seeing: • Multiple compression across growth stocks• Defensive sectors leading•...
-
The Most Overlooked Part of a Job Offer
Executives often compare job offers by salary alone. But long-term wealth is rarely in the paycheck; it’s potentially built through employee stock compensation. This week, we’re breaking down how to evaluate equity compensation like an investor: • RSUs, options, and performance shares• What your...
-
Why Strong Earnings Aren’t Lifting Stocks
Q3 2025: Strong Results, Surprising Market Reactions Markets behaved unusually in the wake of the most recent earnings season. Many of the strongest Q3 earnings reports were met with muted (or even negative) stock reactions. Beneath the surface, the slowdown in consumer spending is becoming more...
-
Why the Bull Market Is Stronger Than You Think
Are you missing the bull market? While headlines highlight layoffs, inflation fatigue, turmoil in Washington, and mortgage sticker shock, Q3 market results told a much different story. Markets ended Q3 with strength across major indices, but many investors still don’t feel like we’re in a bull...
-
Stop Letting Your Cash Sleep!
If you're holding idle cash or searching for a way to replace a paycheck in retirement, this is your wake-up call. In this episode of Fundamentals of Investing, Left Brain Wealth Management’s Director of Research, Brian Dress, and CEO/CIO Noland Langford explore the often-overlooked power of…
more -
Are You Making These Costly Wealth Mistakes?
There’s a saying that’s becoming old hat: “More Money, More Problems”. As a high income professional, your progressively increasing income makes your life easier in many ways. But, as the saying goes, higher income also increases the complexity of your financial life. As advisors, we’ve seen many...
-
Overexposed to Company Stock? Don’t Make These Mistakes!
Are you a corporate executive sitting on a growing pile of company stock, but unsure what your next steps should be? We’ve seen it happen far too many times: executives who build wealth through stock compensation, but ultimately fail to fully take advantage because they lack a well-considered…
more -
Forget the Headlines: How Smart Money is Investing in 2025
In this episode, Left Brain Wealth Management’s Brian Dress (Director of Research) and Noland Langford (CEO & CIO) take a level-headed look at the first half of 2025 and explore where smart investors are putting their money right now — without letting political noise cloud their decisions. We...
-
How AI Is Rewriting the Rules of Software Investing
Are you a high net worth investor looking to stay ahead of the curve in the age of AI? Here’s your inside track on how artificial intelligence is transforming enterprise software—and where forward-thinking investors are putting capital to work right now.In this episode, Brian Dress (Director of...
-
Protecting and Growing Your Wealth Amid Tariff Turbulence
With market volatility elevated in the midst of consistent talk about the US trading and tariff regime, we wanted to gather clients and friends together to share our views of the current market environment. CEO and Chief Investment Officer Noland Langford (and the Left Brain gang summarized) the...
-
Is Your Portfolio Ready for 2025? Trends and Strategies for 2025
0:00 Intro 1:20 Should You Make Changes Post-Election? 2:42 Topic 1: Preparing for a New Administration 5:20 Should You Be Looking at Financials? 8:34 Questioning International Investment Exposure 11:03 Where Can We Expect Outperformance and Underperformance in 2025? 14:39 Topic 2: Talking…
more -
Is "Too High, Too Fast" Really a Thing?
0:00 Intro 0:56 Recapping the Year for the Market's Best Performers 2:28 How to Respond When Your Stocks are Up Significantly 3:59 Topic 1: Debunking "Too High, Too Fast" 13:39 Topic 2: Alternatives if You Can't Stomach Staying Long 16:40 Bonus: Another Income Idea In speaking with clients over…
more -
The Election is Over -- What's Next?
0:00 Intro 0:59 Market Update 3:29 Topic 1: Outlook for New Administration Policy 8:09 Topic 2: Investment Opportunities in the New Administration 11:27 BKLN -- Another Income Security The US Election is past and we have a definitive winner. There are plenty of implications for health policy,...
-
How Could This Election Impact Your Portfolio?
0:00 Intro 0:53 A Look Back at the Year to Date 3:52 Topic 1: Investing Around the US Election 7:49 Topic 2: Earnings Season in Full Swing 13:01 Topic 3: BONUS -- Income Securities We know there are jitters among investors as we move swiftly toward the US Presidential #election. Volatility has...
-
Are You Taking Full Advantage of Your Company Benefit Plan?
0:00 Intro 0:54 Preview 2:11 Topic 1: Deferred Compensation 8:06 Topic 2: After-Tax Contribution to Retirement Plans 12:45 Topic 3: Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) So you're an executive at work with an excellent benefit plan. Have you sat down with a professional to make sure you are taking…
more -
Are You Maximizing Your Employee Stock Compensation?
0:00 Intro 1:04 Importance of Optimizing Your Stock Compensation 1:52 Topic 1: Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPPs) 7:35 Topic 2: Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) 11:06 Topic 3: Stock Options Does your benefits plan at work include equity (stock) compensation? If so, there are a lot of nuances and...
-
How is AI Impacting Software?
0:00 Intro 1:02 Why Noland is at SaaStr this year 1:40 Topic 1: Recapping 2024 SaaStr 5:24 Topic 2: Trends and Takeaways from SaaStr Software companies and, consequently, software stocks, have been on a rollercoaster ride over the last three years. Rising interest rates and the emergence of AI…
more -
Is This a Market in Transition?
0:00 Intro 0:49 Market Recap 1:59 Topic 1: 2nd Quarter Earnings Review 8:36 Topic 2: Is This a Market in Transition? With 2nd quarter earnings moving toward a close, we are taking inventory of trends developing in the overall markets. Where information technology and communications services were...
-
How Does a Weakening Consumer Affect Your Investments?
0:00 Intro 0:53 Market Recap 3:44 Topic 1: Earnings Review; Consumer Weakening 7:36 Topic 2: Who Benefits from Lower Interest Rates? Markets experienced a quick and sharp correction in early August. This was driven at least, in part, by a weakening consumer and a perception that the Federal…
more -
Are You Ready for a Market Rotation?
0:00 Intro 0:45 Market Recap 2:23 Topic 1: Market Rally is Broadening 7:52 Topic 2: Previewing 2nd Quarter Earnings As summer rolls on, we are coming into the most important time in the investment calendar: Earnings Season In this week's Jarvis® Update, CEO Noland Langford and Director of…
more -
Is Your Money Safe?
0:00 Intro 1:54 Topic 1: Common Scams 5:38 Topic 2: Ways to Secure Your Money (and Data) 10:32 Topic 3: Ways Left Brain is Protecting You 15:57 Key Takeaways Have you or anyone you know been caught up in financial online scams? It's much more common than you may think! Securing money, data, and…
more -
The Market Bull is Roaring -- Are You Taking Advantage?
0:00 Intro 1:02 Market Recap 2:23 Topic 1: Bull is Roaring, But the Rally is Narrowing 8:04 Topic 2: Interest Rates, Inflation, and the Consumer As summer begins, we are back with you with a market update video for the first time in the last six weeks. In this week's Jarvis® Update, CEO Noland...
-
Should You Invest in Real Estate (Part II)
0:06 Is Real Estate Really "Passive"? 2:20 What About Vacancy? 3:39 More Hidden Costs 5:53 Four Passive Investment Alternatives to Real Estate Should you invest in real estate? As advisors, this is one of the most frequently asked questions we hear from clients and other investors. Most important...
-
Should You Invest in Real Estate? (Part 1)
0:00 Intro 2:24 What Are Your Goals? 5:10 Hidden Costs of Rental Ownership 6:55 Pros of Real Estate Investing 8:00 Cons of Real Estate Investing Should you invest in real estate? As advisors, this is one of the most frequently asked questions we hear from clients and other investors. Most…
more -
How Should You Respond to this Market Correction?
0:00 Intro 1:34 Market Recap 2:56 Topic 1: Earnings Review -- Things Have Been Changing 6:22 Topic 2: Practical Ways to Respond to the Market Correction We are smack dab in the middle of the earnings season. Results so far have been mixed and we've seen a few extreme negative reactions. What has…
more -
Can Earnings Season Bolster a Weak Market?
0:00 Intro 1:15 Market Recap 3:01 Topic 1: Earnings Season -- The Antidote for the Macro Malaise? 8:52 Topic 2: A Tax-Efficient Income Strategy It's been some time since we've heard any substantial news about companies and their microeconomics. That's about to change, as we move into earnings...
-
What's In Store for the Rest of 2024?
0:00 Intro 2:19 Market Recap 4:25 Topic 1: Winners and Losers in 2024 8:31 Topic 2: Previewing the Rest of 2024 The first quarter of the year is now in the books and, boy, did it fly by! After a strong 2023, we have seen an excellent start to the year in markets, with both the S&P 500 and the...
-
Bitcoin Rising – But is AI the Real Growth Engine?
0:00 Intro 2:18 Market Recap 4:36 Topic 1: Bitcoin "Mooning" but It's Not the Only Growth Engine 7:19 Topic 2: Ways to Take Advantage of the Bull Market Bitcoin has been dominating the news in recent weeks and with good reason: it's been up more than 60% in the first few months of 2024. But we...
-
What's Driving the Bull Market?
0:00 Intro 2:19 Market Recap 3:43 Topic 1: Giving the Bull Market Some Context 9:50 Topic 2: Action Steps for Investors in Early 2024 We continue to see evidence that the US stock market is in bull territory. This week we dive deeper into the data of 2024's first two months as we look to see what...
-
It's a Bull Market -- What Does it Mean for You?
0:00 Intro 2:16 Market Recap 5:00 Personal Finance Corner: IRAs and Roth Conversions 6:16 Topic 1: NASDAQ 1990s -- A History Lesson 11:18 Topic 2: Earnings Season -- Trends Are Emerging Earnings season is coming to a close and a conclusion is emerging -- we are looking at the early stages of a…
more -
Tips to Adjust Your Retirement Plan (and Earnings, Too)
0:00 Intro 1:59 Market Recap 4:26 Topic 1: Making the Right Moves for 2024 7:59 Topic 2: Earnings Season in Full Swing 13:47 Noland Makes his Super Bowl Pick The beginning of the year is the best time to make adjustments to your financial plan. This week we wanted to cover some of the most…
more -
January Effect and Turnaround Candidates for 2024
0:00 Intro 2:43 Market Recap 6:16 Topic 1: The "January Effect" 10:05 Topic 2: Turnaround Candidates for 2024 We turn the page on 2023 and move forward with our first update of 2024. Markets ended the year strongly and have continued with a positive beginning of the year. In this week's Jarvis®...
-
The Fed Finally Lets Up! Why We Are Optimistic for 2024
0:00 Intro 2:20 Market Recap 4:39 Topic 1: Putting the Macro Behind Us (For Good) 7:59 Topic 2: What Makes Us Optimistic for 2024 The investing year of 2023 has been a rollercoaster, but we look to be ending the year out on a positive note. Interest rates and inflation have dominated the...
-
Turnaround Candidates for 2024: Jarvis® Update December 1, 2023
0:00 Intro 2:20 Market Recap 4:39 Topic 1: Growth Stocks Over Last 3 Years 7:59 Topic 2: Turnaround Stocks in 2024 Investor sentiment has been weak in the second half of 2023, but things have certainly changed for the better in November. Interest rates seem to have topped and we are moving toward...
-
Langford: Rising rates, higher inflation are changing the look of 'growth'
Noland Langford, Chief Executive Officer at Left Brain Investment Research, says that changing economic conditions are forcing investors to re-evaluate growth, noting that higher interest rates require a discounting of future cash flows, dropping valuations. That translates into a changing of the...
-
As the growth outlook changes, so should your portfolio
Brian Dress, director of research at Left Brain Investment Research, says that current economic conditions -- rising inflation, slowing growth and more -- are making it more important than ever that growth investors look beyond technology stocks and companies with projected future earnings in...
-
Tax selling and rebalancing could be a financial gift this holiday season
Freddy Garcia, vice president for investments for Left Brain Wealth Management, discusses year-end financial strategies that investors should consider before it's too late, noting that there's real value to using losses to offset gains from big winners, even in cases where you expect the losing...
-
Earnings season confirms outlook for Nvidia, Bath and Body Works
Noland Langford, chief executive at Left Brain Investment Research, says that third-quarter earnings reconfirmed the firm's commitment to both Nvidia and Bath and Body Works, albeit for different reasons. Nvidia has seen both its revenues and stock price grow much faster than anyone anticipated,...
-
Recent setbacks are creating an opportunity in ROKU
Brian Dress, director of research at Left Brain Investment Research, says that Roku -- the firm's "stock of the year" for 2020 -- has seen its stock price struggle this year off a mixed earnings picture, but he says that the company's business model hasn't changed and the medium- to long-term...
-
'Investment planning' involves putting the money to work
Freddy Garcia, vice president of Investments for Left Brain Wealth Management, says that investors who hire advisers to help manage their money need to get appropriate help picking and selecting stocks, bonds and mutual funds, rather than simply following cookie-cutter programs. Garcia says that...
-
Income opportunities in energy stocks, bonds, preferreds and an ETF
Noland Langford, chief executive officer at Left Brain Investment Research, says that while energy prices have gone up dramatically -- lifting the value of energy equities and bonds -- the trends and fundamentals in the business have continued accelerating, and that pace of growth makes the…
more
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Left Brain Thinking highlights the securities analysis of Left Brain Investment Research and the logical approach that the firm brings to creative investment ideas. Each week, you'll get Left Brain's take on specific stocks and bonds. Tune in to experience the disciplined decision-making and independent thinking that powers the firm’s search for profitable investment opportunities.
leftbrainir.substack.com
HOSTED BY
Left Brain Investment Research
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Left Brain Thinking have?
Left Brain Thinking currently has 51 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Left Brain Thinking about?
Left Brain Thinking highlights the securities analysis of Left Brain Investment Research and the logical approach that the firm brings to creative investment ideas. Each week, you'll get Left Brain's take on specific stocks and bonds. Tune in to experience the disciplined decision-making and...
How often does Left Brain Thinking release new episodes?
Left Brain Thinking has 51 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Left Brain Thinking?
You can listen to Left Brain Thinking on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Left Brain Thinking?
Left Brain Thinking is created and hosted by Left Brain Investment Research.
URL copied to clipboard!