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PODCAST · business

Trends with Benefits

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.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Aug 18, 2026 · Source feed

  1. 170

    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

  2. 169

    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.

  3. 168

    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.

  4. 167

    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?

  5. 166

    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?

  6. 165

    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?

  7. 164

    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.

  8. 163

    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?

  9. 162

    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.

  10. 161

    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?

  11. 160

    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?

  12. 159

    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?

  13. 158

    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?

  14. 157

    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.

  15. 156

    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.

  16. 155

    Robinhood's Approach to Reaching Next-Gen Investors

    Steph Guild, CIO and Director of Investment Strategy at Robinhood, shares insights on AI, next-gen investors, market shifts, and financial education.

  17. 154

    Future-Proof Investing: Stephanie Link on the Biggest Growth Trends

    Stephanie Link, Chief Investment Strategist and Portfolio Manager at Hightower Advisors, unpacks investor sentiment, tech innovation, and demographic shifts, and what's next for Q4 and beyond.

  18. 153

    Inside MP Materials and America's Rare Earth Revival

    MP Materials CFO Ryan Corbett shares how his firm is rebuilding America's rare earth supply chain by securing magnets for EVs, defense, and tech in a post-China world.

  19. 152

    How Investor Sentiment is Driving the Markets with Jamie Wise

    Find out how online sentiment can be used to track dynamic stock themes, like AI, crypto, and space, and why retail investors remain a powerful market force.

  20. 151

    The GENIUS Act: A Game Changer for Stablecoins, with Matthew Sigel

    Understand the GENIUS Act and its impact on stablecoins, the U.S. banking system, payments, and crypto adoption across traditional finance.

  21. 150

    The GENIUS Act: A Game Changer for Stablecoins

    Understand the GENIUS Act and its impact on stablecoins, the U.S. banking system, payments, and crypto adoption across traditional finance.

  22. 149

    Catching Big Trends: Todd Sohn on ETFs, Sentiment & Market Signals

    Todd Sohn breaks down 2025's top trends, from crypto and thematics to smart risk tools, and how investors are using ETFs to stay agile, diversified and ahead of the market curve.

  23. 148

    Alts for All: Retail Investors and the Private Market Revolution

    Find out from Eric Mancini how private investments are transforming portfolios, offering new access points, lower correlations, and long-term growth through evolving fund structures and strategies.

  24. 147

    The Next Big Shift in Investing Has Begun with Jim Wiandt

    Learn how ETF pioneer Jim Wiandt is using AI, fintech, and venture capital to enhance advisor-client gaps, build smart infrastructure, and shape the future of personalized investing.

  25. 146

    Big News for Nuclear Energy—What It Means for Investors

    Find out about the future of nuclear power in the U.S.

  26. 145

    Back the Farmer, Bank the Yield: Farmland Lending Takes Root

    Dr. David Mieczkowski of AgAmerica discusses trade impacts, farmland investing, ag lending trends, and the future of U.S. farming in a changing economic and demographic landscape.

  27. 144

    Navigating 2025 Without Losing Your Mind

    Mary Ann Bartels unpacks 2025 market volatility, AI trends, crypto, and how Star Trek may have predicted our digital financial future.

  28. 143

    The Case for Israel and Global Diversification in 2025

    Discover the current state of global markets, tariff risks, implications for investors, and opportunities beyond the U.S., including Israel.

  29. 142

    Bringing Institutional-Grade Investing to Individual Portfolios

    Learn how institutional investing, proper diversification, and goal-driven planning are transforming wealth management for modern families.

  30. 141

    Unlocking the VC Secondary Market

    Explore how VC secondary markets are transforming venture capital, what's fueling their growth and how they are creating new opportunities for investors.

  31. 140

    Navigating Private Investments and Alternatives with Craig Robson

    Discover why investors are turning to alternatives, including private equity, private credit, and digital assets and how each plays a unique role in portfolio diversification and growth. 

  32. 139

    Reviewing Crypto Predictions with Matthew Sigel

    VanEck's Matthew Sigel reflects on his 2024 crypto predictions—wins, misses, and what's next for 2025, including his bitcoin price target and the Trump administration's impact on crypto.

  33. 138

    How Tech and Consolidation Are Reshaping the RIA Industry with Eric Flynn

    Find out how technology, AI, and consolidation are transforming RIAs as Eric Flynn shares insights on scaling firms, offering seamless client experiences, and industry trends.

  34. 137

    Shape Up Your Financial Health with Shannon McLay

    Learn how to improve your financial health by overcoming emotional spending, identifying your non-negotiable spending habits, and setting goals-based budgeting strategies.

  35. 136

    Harvesting Opportunities in the Agricultural Commodities Market with Sal Gilbertie

    This episode's guest is Sal Gilbertie, the CEO and founder of Teucrium Trading, a leader in commodity-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs). We discuss the impact of geopolitics, the Trump administration, and climate change on the pricing of agricultural commodities. Sal dives into how to approach investing in different commodities and shares what led him to founding Teucrium.

  36. 135

    Is Inflation Conquered? With David Schassler

    Hear about inflation regimes over time, how different types of assets function during them, and why today's core issue is financial excess.

  37. 134

    Unpacking the Semiconductor Market: AI and Beyond with Brian Colello

    As AI and the semiconductor industry remain in the spotlight and continue to capture investor interest, this episode takes a deep dive into the dominant companies and the competitive landscape.

  38. 133

    How Election Cycles and Seasonality Affect Market Patterns with Jeff Hirsch

    Find out about market cycles, the 2024 election, and sector opportunities, along with trends like AI, biotech, and Bitcoin.

  39. 132

    Financial Planning Strategies for Uncertain Markets with Katy Song

    This episode covers some of the top financial planning goals facing families, including homebuying, childcare, long-term care, and college funding.

  40. 131

    Trends with Benefits Podcast Trailer – Discover the Perks

    What's the next big thing in finance, tech, and investing? Trends with Benefits is the podcast that gives you an insider's edge in this fast-paced world.  We tackle everything from tech innovations to revolutionizing your investment strategies to financial planning for the future.  Discover the perks of Trends with Benefits.

  41. 130

    What's Next in Markets with Cameron Dawson

    Cameron Dawson covers small-caps, her election outlook, how to approach thematic investing, and attractive areas in equities and fixed income.

  42. 129

    Scaling Advisor Solutions with TAMPs

    Learn how turnkey asset management platforms are helping RIAs and how model portfolio adoption has changed over time.

  43. 128

    The Business of Sports with Will Wilson

    Following the recent start of the Paris 2024 Olympics, Will Wilson discusses the Olympics economy, why he thinks sponsors are the biggest "winners," and wealth management for athletes.

  44. 127

    Investing Using Artificial Intelligence with Ron Insana

    Hear from Ron Insana about artificial intelligence as an investing tool, India's economic potential, and whether he's concerned about Nvidia's concentration in the market.

  45. 126

    Investing in Corporate Credit with Winnie Cisar

    Learn about the top factors to consider when investing in corporate bonds and prominent trends in fixed income.

  46. 125

    The Growth of Padel and What's Next in Financial Services

    Bill Ullman joins this episode to discuss padel, a fast-growing racket sport, as well as factors transforming the financial services industry.

  47. 124

    AI-Powered Investing with Doug Clinton

    Doug Clinton discusses how AI models can drive investment decisions.

  48. 123

    NFTs and Tokenization with Matt Bartlett

    Hear about trends in digital assets, including NFTs and tokenization, and how SegMint is enhancing protection for digital assets.

  49. 122

    Estate Planning with Anne Rhodes

    Anne Rhodes discusses estate planning, addresses common obstacles, and highlights why having some plan in place is better than nothing.

  50. 121

    Supporting Bitcoin Core Developers with Brink

    Learn about the technical side of bitcoin, including the developers who maintain the network, how they do it, and how Brink supports them through grants and fellowships.

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

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.

HOSTED BY

VanEck

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Trends with Benefits have?

Trends with Benefits currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Trends with Benefits about?

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.

How often does Trends with Benefits release new episodes?

Trends with Benefits has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Trends with Benefits?

You can listen to Trends with Benefits 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 Trends with Benefits?

Trends with Benefits is created and hosted by VanEck.
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