Lead-Lag Live
Michael A. Gayed, CFA
Welcome to the Lead-Lag Live podcast, where we bring you live unscripted conversations with thought leaders in the world of finance, economics, and investing. Hosted by Melanie Schaffer each episode dives deep into the minds of industry experts to discuss current market trends, investment strategies, and the global economic landscape.In this exciting series, you'll have the rare opportunity to join Melanie Schaffer as she connects with prominent thought leaders for captivating discussions in real-time. The Lead-Lag Live podcast aims to provide valuable insights, analysis, and actionable advice for investors and financial professionals alike.As a dedicated listener, you can expect to hear from renowned financial experts, best-selling authors, and market strategists as they share their wealth of knowledge and experience. With a focus on topical issues and their potential impact on financial markets, these live unscripted conversations will ensure that you stay informed and ahead of the curve.Subscribe to the Lead-Lag Live podcast and follow @leadlagmedia on X to stay updated on upcoming live conversations and to gain exclusive access to a treasure trove of financial wisdom. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn from the best and brightest minds in the business.Join us on this journey as we explore the complex world of finance and investments, one live unscripted conversation at a time. Be sure to like, comment, and share the Lead-Lag Live podcast with your network to help others discover these invaluable insights.Stay tuned for the latest episode of the Lead-Lag Live podcast, and remember to turn on notifications so you never miss a live conversation with your favorite thought leaders. Happy listening!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 14, 2026 • 8min
Oil Could Hit $150: John Love on the Strait of Hormuz Crisis, Iran War & Energy Shocks
Oil just hit $100 for the first time since 2022. Could it go to $150?John Love of USCF Investments joins Melanie Schaffer on Lead-Lag Live at Future Proof Miami to break down the biggest oil shock since 1973. With 20% of the world's oil supply at risk through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran vowing to keep the waterway closed, and crude spiking 36% in six days — this is the most consequential energy crisis in decades.In this episode, John explains:Why this oil shock is more dangerous than the 1973 Arab oil embargoHow 6% of global supply has already been shut in — and 20% is at riskThe Iran war scenario: drone warfare, small boat threats, and the new AyatollahWhat happens to oil prices if Trump calls off the war vs. prolonged conflictStrategic petroleum reserves: why a coordinated G7 release may not be enoughChina-Taiwan risk: why China quietly built up reserves over the past yearThe Iraq War playbook: could oil see a 33% single-day drop on resolution?Where to invest in commodities through USCF InvestmentsThis interview was recorded live at Future Proof Miami on March 10, 2026, as oil prices surged past $100/barrel amid the escalating Iran conflict.Links & Resources:USCF Investments: uscfinvestments.comLead-Lag Media: leadlagmedia.comThe Lead-Lag Report: theleadlag.reportSubscribe: theleadlag.report/subscribeDISCLAIMER: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.Support the show
Mar 14, 2026 • 8min
Oil Could Hit 150 - John Love on the Strait of Hormuz Crisis
John Love of USCF Investments joins Lead-Lag Live to discuss oil prices and the Strait of Hormuz crisis.Support the show
Mar 10, 2026 • 18min
Europe’s Rebirth: Herve Van Caloen on Germany’s Military & Tech Shift
In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Hervé Van Caloen, President of Mercator Investment Management, to discuss why Europe’s long-standing political and economic models are breaking down — and why that might be exactly what the continent needs for a revival.From Germany’s historic decision to become Europe’s largest military power by 2029 to the shift toward a “two-tier” European Union, Van Caloen explains how a new reality of realism is replacing years of complacency.We also explore the investment opportunities emerging from this shift, looking beyond traditional sectors to uncover hidden opportunities in European defense, semiconductor equipment, and biotech.In this episode:• The End of Complacency – Why the invasion of Ukraine shattered the old French-German leadership model.• Germany’s Military Pivot – How massive defense spending is fueling a revival in German technology and cybersecurity.• The Two-Tier Europe – Chancellor Merz’s vision for a streamlined, decision-oriented European Union.• Investment Frontiers – Why defense leaders like Rheinmetall, Thales, and BAE, along with semiconductor giant ASML, are key players.• Cutting the Red Tape – The urgent need for Europe to return to its 1992 free-market roots and reduce overregulation.Previous Episode: https://youtu.be/hN2qCZv9irYLead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise.#Investing #Europe #Geopolitics #DefenseStocks #Semiconductors #Germany #EuropeanUnion #MarketAnalysis #LeadLagLive #ASML #Biotech #EconomySupport the show
Mar 3, 2026 • 25min
Dollar Decline vs Market Concentration: Henry Greene on Emerging Markets Tech & the Next AI Winners
Henry Greene, investment strategist at KraneShares focused on emerging markets and ETFs. He discusses how a weaker dollar could boost emerging markets tech. He highlights Taiwan and South Korea’s semiconductor strength and China’s AI innovation. He argues for diversification beyond top-heavy U.S. tech and explains how EM tech exposure can capture global AI capex.
Mar 3, 2026 • 18min
Embodied AI in Action: Derek Yan on Humanoid Robotics, KOID ETF & the Physical AI Shift
Derek Yan, Senior Investment Strategist at KraneShares who focuses on thematic ETFs and emerging tech, talks about the rise of humanoid robotics and embodied AI. He explains why humanoids are hitting an inflection point now. He outlines near-term use cases, the KOID ETF’s ecosystem approach, and even brings a working humanoid on air to demonstrate capabilities in real time.
Mar 3, 2026 • 24min
Truth Is the Battleground: Peter Todd on Ukraine, Information Warfare, and the Epstein Files
Peter Todd, founder of OpenTimestamps and longtime Bitcoin contributor, joins from Kyiv where he supports fundraising, logistics, and cyber-resilience. He discusses cryptographic timestamping to prove digital evidence, how truthful leaks can be turned into information warfare, and the intersection of Bitcoin, geopolitical risk, and verified aid efforts in Ukraine.
Mar 3, 2026 • 18min
The AI Trade Is Global: Derek Yan on Dollar Weakness, EM Tech, and Hidden Concentration Risk
Derek Yan, Senior Investment Strategist at KraneShares who focuses on emerging market technology and macro trends. He discusses why US mega‑cap concentration may hide parts of the AI supply chain. He highlights EM strengths in semiconductors, memory and packaging. He explains how a softer dollar can boost EM returns and why diversification into EM tech matters.
Feb 24, 2026 • 23min
The AI Trade Is Shifting: Adoption, Infrastructure Risk, and Hidden Concentration in the S&P 500
In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Kai Wu, Founder and CIO of Sparkline Capital, to break down why the AI boom may be entering a new phase and why investors concentrated in infrastructure stocks could be taking more risk than they realize.With nearly half of the S&P 500 tied directly or indirectly to AI infrastructure buildout, Kai explains the dangers of crowded positioning, excessive capital spending, and valuation expansion. Drawing on historical technology cycles from railroads to the internet, he outlines why the biggest long-term winners often aren’t the builders, but the early adopters who use new technology to gain efficiency and market share.We also dive into enterprise adoption rates, proof-of-ROI versus hype-driven AI mentions on earnings calls, and how to distinguish companies generating measurable productivity gains from those simply telling the story.In this episode:– Why the AI cycle may be shifting from buildout to adoption– How only about 10 percent of firms are currently using AI in production– The valuation risk embedded in infrastructure-heavy portfolios– Why early adopters may outperform the AI builders– How advisors can rethink AI exposure without abandoning the themeLead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise.#AI #StockMarket #SP500 #NVDA #TechStocks #TeslaSupport the show
Feb 23, 2026 • 19min
Rotation vs Concentration: Michael Germano on Cyclicals, Commodities, and the AI Risk Trade
In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Michael Germano, Founder and Wealth Manager at Key Sage Wealth, to discuss whether markets are entering a major rotation after years of mega-cap tech dominance.From signs of mean reversion and passive-driven distortions to the case for a commodity supercycle and a weakening U.S. dollar, Germano explains why investors may want to rethink concentration risk and reassess exposure to AI-driven valuations.In this episode:– Why mega-cap tech may be “long in the tooth”– How passive flows have created market inefficiencies– The case for a structural commodity supercycle– What a weaker dollar means for portfolios– How wealthy investors compound capital using lending strategiesLead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise.#MarketRotation #Commodities #AI #AssetAllocation #WealthManagementSupport the show
Feb 17, 2026 • 20min
Hype vs Deployment: Derek Yan on Humanoid Robotics, KOID ETF, and the Global AI Arms Race
In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Derek Yan, Senior Investment Strategist at KraneShares, to discuss whether humanoid robotics is a real commercialization story or just the next overhyped thematic trade.From factory deployment by Tesla, BMW, and Amazon to China’s aggressive industrial push, Yan explains why embodied AI may represent the next structural shift in automation — and how the KraneShares Global Humanoid and Embodied Intelligence ETF $KOID captures the full ecosystem beyond mega-cap names like Nvidia and Tesla.In this episode:– Why humanoid robotics is already entering commercialization– How equal weighting avoids mega-cap concentration– What Morgan Stanley’s trillion-dollar projections really mean– Why China exposure is a feature, not a bug– The key milestones that signal mass deployment is comingLead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise.#HumanoidRobotics #EmbodiedAI #ArtificialIntelligence #ThematicInvesting #EmergingTech #ETFSupport the show
