Explore every episode of the podcast Trends with Benefits

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

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

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.

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.

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?

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?

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?

Explore U.S. fiscal uncertainty, tariff shifts, Fed changes, and why stronger emerging market fundamentals may offer diversification despite tighter spreads.

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?

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.

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?

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?

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?

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?

Hear how women breadwinners can take control of their finances through intentional planning, clear goals, and confidence.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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. 

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

Doug Clinton discusses how AI models can drive investment decisions.

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

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