In this episode, investment analyst Brett Gardner joins Cole and Bill Smead to discuss his newly released book, "Buffett’s Early Investments," which explores Warren Buffett’s key initial ventures that shaped his approach to wealth-building. Gardner provides readers with a closer look at how the legendary investor's financial instincts and disciplined strategies helped lay the groundwork for his later success.

In this episode, seasoned investor-turned-commerce secretary Wilbur Ross joins Cole and Bill Smead to discuss his new book, "Risks and Returns," where he delves into the complex world of distressed asset investing. Ross shares his experiences and strategies for identifying undervalued opportunities, managing risk and maximizing returns, blending financial wisdom with personal anecdotes from a career spent transforming troubled companies intro profitable ventures.

In this episode, author Michael Craig joins Cole Smead and Bill Smead to discuss his book, "The Professor, The Banker, and the Suicide King," which dives into the world of high-stakes poker. The story follows the legendary Texas Hold’em showdown between billionaire banker Andy Beal and a team of top professional players, and explores the psychological tactics and strategic decisions behind each move.

In this episode, wealth manager Megan Gorman joins Cole Smead to discuss her newly released work title “All the Presidents’ Money”. The book offers a fascinating dive into the personal finances of U.S. presidents, revealing how their wealth (or lack thereof) shaped their leadership and policies. Gorman offers a compelling mix of history and financial insight to reveal the impact of money on American politics. 

In this episode, Smead Capital Management CEO Cole Smead and CIO Bill Smead talk about the firm's quarterly book list. They also discuss the state of markets and the economy, investment lessons learned, and much more. Listen in to hear what books they have recently read, what they are currently reading, and the books they have on deck.

In this episode, author Dan Slater joins Cole Smead to discuss his recently published book, "The Incorruptibles", which explores how Jewish immigrant communities played a significant role in shaping early organized crime and law enforcement efforts in the 20th century. Slater delves into the tension between labor unions, emerging crime syndicates, and the federal agents determined to combat corruption, ultimately shaping modern policing strategies. 

In this episode, Professor Anne Murphy joins Cole Smead to discuss her latest work, "Virtuous Bankers,” which explores the foundations of banking in 18th century England. Murphy tells the story of how early bankers leveraged moral integrity and trust, which were essential to the development and stability of the financial system at the time. The book argues that the success of the Bank of England and the banking industry at large relied heavily on a strong reputation for virtue. 

In this episode, author Richard Blakemore joins Cole Smead to discuss his newly published book, "Enemies of All", which explores the world of 18th-century piracy through a blend of historical elements and masterful storytelling. He navigates the economics of privateering by exploring themes including power and wealth. The novel highlights strategic alliances and negotiations by pirate crews who sought to maximize profits while evading imperial powers. 

In this episode, businessman Steve Green joins Bill and Cole Smead to discuss his work, "This Beautiful Book," in which he delves into the transformative impact of the Bible on society and culture. The book explores how biblical wisdom has shaped major business decisions and leadership styles throughout history, emphasizing its influence on business ethics, leadership, and decision-making through compelling anecdotes, such as the establishment of Hobby Lobby and its adherence to biblical...

In this episode, author Eric Weiner joins Cole Smead to discuss his newly released work, “Ben & Me,” which explores the life of Benjamin Franklin through research and reflection. Weiner provides a blend of historical anecdotes and practical advice, highlighting Franklin’s experiences and philosophies to offer readers timeless lessons for living meaningful and impactful lives. 

In this episode, psychologist Nicky Hayes discusses her newly released title, "A Little History of Psychology," which offers an engaging overview of key figures and concepts when it comes to the study of the mind. Hayes explores how psychological research has been applied both positively and negatively throughout history while focusing on the evolution of psychological thought and practice.

In this episode, the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry CEO Danny Seiden joins Cole Smead and Seamus Sullivan to talk about the firm's quarterly book list while providing thought-provoking context with insightful historical anecdotes. They also discuss the state of markets and the economy, the business environment in the state of Arizona, and much more. Listen in to hear what books they have recently read, what they are currently reading, and the books they have on deck.   Have a book...

In this episode, distinguished historian Martin Goodman joins Bill and Cole Smead to discuss his latest work, "Herod the Great," in which he documents the Jewish king's ability to generate wealth through various means amid the Roman revolution. Goodman highlights Herod's use of taxation, trade deals and construction projects to boost Judea's economy and secure his political power while strengthening his ties with Rome.

In this episode, writer David Bellos discusses his latest work, "Who Owns This Sentence", which provides a detailed history of copyright law by questioning who owns the meaning of a sentence when it crosses linguistic boundaries. Bellos shares anecdotes about the importance of precise language, while highlighting how accurate translation impacts business dealings globally.

In this episode, author and journalist Bryan Burrough joins Bill and Cole Smead to discuss his classic work, "Barbarians at the Gate." The book is a detailed narrative of the high stakes battle for RJR Nabisco. Burrough explores the complex negotiations behind one of the largest leveraged buyouts in corporate history, highlighting the strategies by the major players involved. 

In this episode, reporter Rob Copeland joins Cole Smead to discuss his book, "The Fund," which provides a detailed account of the rise of Ray Dalio and the founding of Bridgewater Associates, one of the largest hedge funds in the world. Copeland provides insights into Dalio's impact on the finance industry through his unique approach to economics and risk management. 

In this episode, activist Benji Backer joins Cole Smead to discuss his newly released book, "The Conservative Environmentalist," which makes the case for the economic benefits of the strategic merging of conservative values and environmental sustainability. Backer argues that environmentalism can align with American economic interests while offering a pragmatic approach to climate change. 

In this episode, historian Jennifer Burns joins Cole Smead to discuss her book "Milton Friedman: The Last Conservative," which provides an in-depth analysis of Friedman's economic theories and their lasting impact on conservative ideology. The book chronicles key moments in the life of one of the most influential economists of our time, and how his pragmatic way of thinking significantly shaped contemporary economic discourse. 

Interested in the Smead Capital Management book list? Listen in to hear Cole and Bill Smead list the books they have recently read, what they’re currently reading, and the books they have on deck. Have a book you would like to recommend for the podcast? Email your suggestions to [email protected].

In this episode, author and Professor Ekaterina Pravilova joins Cole Smead to discuss her book, “The Ruble: A Political History.” Ekaterina’s book explores the evolution of the Russian currency over a 200-year time period through the interplay between politics, culture, and ultimately, power. Their conversation covers financial turmoil, currency reforms, and an extensive discussion of Ruble’s story.

In this episode, author and historian Harold James joins Cole Smead to discuss his book, “Seven Crashes: The Economic Crises That Shaped Globalization.” Their discussion delves into major economic downturns throughout history, offering insights into their causes, impacts, and reforms to prevent future crises.

In this episode, author Chris Roush joins Cole Smead to discuss his book, "The Future of Business Journalism," which explores the evolving media landscape and its impact on business reporting. Roush navigates the challenges and opportunities facing business journalists in an era of technological disruption and shifting audience demands.

Live from the 2024 Smead Investor Oasis, venture capitalist George Gilder joins Bill and Cole Smead to discuss his latest work, "Life after Capitalism," in which he redefines capitalism as a knowledge-based system. Gilder presents a vision of the future in which technological advances disrupt traditional capitalist structures, emphasizing innovation and knowledge over wealth accumulation.

In this episode, Professor Andrew Pettegree joins Cole to discuss his newly released title, "The Book at War." The book is a captivating analysis of the power of print in society and conflicts throughout history. At the heart of this literary work is the paradox of words during wartime. The notion that books are weapons in the war of ideas is tested in this account on how the written word leaves a lasting impact on the fabric of societies.