Defining Primal Intelligence

***This webcast originally aired live on Hedgeye.com on March 5, 2026***

Hedgeye Founder and CEO Keith McCullough sits down with Primal Intelligence author Angus Fletcher for a Real Conversation that goes straight to the source of performance: how the human mind actually works under uncertainty.

Keith has mentioned Primal Intelligence multiple times on The Macro Show and in The Early Look because the book challenges something most investors take for granted — that better logic automatically leads to better outcomes. Fletcher argues that human intelligence is not primarily built on cold calculation. It is built on narrative, imagination, adaptive thinking, and the ability to simulate possibilities before they happen. In other words, the very capabilities required to navigate volatile markets.

Markets are complex adaptive systems driven by human behavior and shifting expectations. You cannot spreadsheet your way through every inflection point. Success requires pattern recognition, dynamic risk management, probabilistic thinking, and the discipline to update without ego. Fletcher’s work explains why some investors thrive under pressure while others freeze.

In this conversation, Keith and Angus will explore how story-based cognition shapes decision-making, why imagination is essential for forecasting, and how investors can strengthen their ability to adapt during drawdowns and regime shifts. At a time when algorithms and AI dominate headlines, this discussion focuses on the distinctly human edge — the mental frameworks that drive conviction, resilience, and long-term performance.

Visit Hedgeye.com for more great investing content.

Hedgeye Founder & CEO Keith McCullough's long-awaited new book, “Master The Market” is available now! In this 52-page e-book, Keith McCullough distills decades of Wall Street experience into actionable insights. Discover how to navigate market cycles, avoid major losses, and invest with the confidence of a seasoned pro. Download your free copy right now. Go to Hedgeye.com/book. That’s Hedgeye.com/book.

Get an investing edge on the enormous amount of money flowing into options every day, what they’re signaling, and the structural and behavioral trends driving markets higher or lower. The Market Situation Report™ includes access to a daily newsletter and weekly webcast featuring analysis of the Tier 1 Alpha team's proprietary models. CLICK HERE to check out our product page.

Turn off that tired “Old Wall” TV and tune into The Macro Show, Hedgeye’s live daily broadcast featuring key market and economic insights, investing implications and interactive viewer Q&A. See for yourself why more and more investors in the U.S. and abroad have made this “must-see” market TV. We are live online every weekday morning at 9:00am ET. CLICK HERE to check out our product page.