Psychology's role in trading decisions

Most people react to the headlines, but the real money is made in the backstory everyone else missed. Brad Olesen joins the show to pull back the curtain on how financial news is actually manufactured and why being "first" is worthless if you don't have context. We dive into the shifting landscape of media, from the rise of AI-generated "slop" to the dangerous allure of vanity metrics on social media. Brad shares why the most successful traders focus on preserving wealth rather than getting rich quick and how psychological biases often lead us into failed investment campaigns. Whether you're an entrepreneur tracking your competition through SEC filings or a self-directed trader looking for a speed advantage, this conversation is a masterclass in separating signal from noise in a world of constant distraction.

5 Key Takeaways

Context over Content: Headlines alone can lead to the wrong side of a trade; understanding the market's anticipation is key to "selling the news" effectively.

Wealth Preservation First: Focus on sustaining yourself long-term; mathematically, a 10% loss requires much more than a 10% gain just to break even.

Competition Intelligence: Entrepreneurs should dive deep into SEC filings and public disclosures to find strategic weaknesses in their competitors.

Watch Action, Not Words: Rely on aggregate data of what customers actually do rather than the loudest voices or vanity metrics.

The Trust Deficit: As AI makes content creation cheaper, the value of established brands with human "checks and balances" will continue to rise.

Direct Quotes

"The more you understand a particular asset class... the better positioned you're going to be to trade."

"We want to make sure that they're just not turning around and disintermediating the very people that they're looking to train upon."

"It's less about getting rich quick and more about how can you sustain yourself longer term."

"Losing money hurts a lot more than making a little bit of money."

"Watch what they do, not what they say."

Brad Olesen 

Best place to connect https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradolesen/

Company website https://www.benzinga.com/

About the Podcast

Invest in You is a global podcast where entrepreneur and investor Fredrik Sandvall shares practical ideas and conversations with founders, investors, and operators. Episodes focus on investing, entrepreneurship, and building long-term control and freedom.

Occasionally joined by his sons Ivan and Charlie, the show offers both experience-based insight and a next-generation perspective.

Listeners in 155+ countries tune in to think clearer, act smarter, and build with intent.

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Fredrik Sandvall

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