

Lead-Lag Live
Michael A. Gayed, CFA
Lead-Lag Live is your front-row seat to unscripted, real-time conversations with the sharpest minds in finance, economics, and investing.Hosted by Michael A. Gayed, CFA — publisher of The Lead-Lag Report and a widely followed voice on macro strategy — each episode features candid discussions with top portfolio managers, economists, ETF strategists, best-selling authors, and market practitioners. No scripts. No teleprompters. Just raw insight from people who move markets.Every week, we go deep on the themes that matter most: macro trends, interest rates and Fed policy, equity and bond markets, ETF strategies, geopolitical risk, asset allocation, commodities, currencies, and the interplay between risk-on and risk-off positioning.Whether you manage billions or are just getting started, Lead-Lag Live delivers actionable analysis and frameworks you can use — not surface-level market commentary.Originally broadcast live on X Spaces, every conversation is available here as a full-length podcast so you never miss a discussion.Subscribe now and follow @leadlagmedia on X for upcoming live events.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 26, 2025 • 25min
Fed vs Reality: Jay Hatfield on Outdated Data, Rate Cuts, and Where to Invest Now
In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Jay Hatfield, CEO of Infrastructure Capital Advisors, to unpack why the Fed keeps getting it wrong—and how investors can actually benefit from the new rate-cutting cycle.From outdated shelter calculations to overlooked leading indicators, Jay explains why monetary policy needs modernization and where the next opportunities lie as markets adjust.In this episode:– Why the Fed’s reliance on lagging shelter data distorts inflation– How the monetary base drives every economic– Why small caps and financials stand to outperform in a lower-rate– The case for preferred, high-yield bonds, and MLPs as overlooked– How AI-driven energy demand is creating a hidden natural gasLead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise.#LeadLagLive #JayHatfield #Fed #InterestRates #SmallCaps #Preferreds #MLPs #AI Sign up to The Lead-Lag Report on Substack and get 30% off the annual subscription today by visiting http://theleadlag.report/leadlaglive. Support the show

8 snips
Sep 19, 2025 • 26min
Collar Strategies: Protecting Downside While Keeping Upside Alive
Discover how traders effectively use the collar strategy as a dynamic insurance policy for their portfolios. The discussion dives into crucial risk management practices over stock picking, illustrated by real examples from Apple and Nvidia. Learn how collars offer flexibility in protecting investments while maintaining upside potential. Plus, gain insights into advanced adjustments and the importance of viewing diversification as managing opportunities, not just spreading investments.

Sep 18, 2025 • 52min
Access the AI Revolution — How AGIX Gives Investors Pre-IPO Exposure to AI Unicorns
In this engaging discussion, Derek Yan, Director at KraneShares and lead on the AGIX ETF initiative, reveals how AGIX allows investors to tap into promising private AI companies like Anthropic and xAI. He elaborates on the hybrid ETF design that marries public equities with late-stage private firms, utilizing a unique AI scoring framework to spot genuine innovators. The conversation also dives into the potential of foundational model companies and why enterprise AI might soon eclipse its consumer counterpart in profitability.

Sep 18, 2025 • 14min
The Forgotten Hedge: Brandon Thor on Gold, Sovereignty, and Beating Wall Street’s Game
In this conversation, Brandon Thor, CEO of Thor Metals Group and advocate for financial sovereignty through gold, sheds light on the misconceptions surrounding the precious metal. He discusses why less than 1% of investors own gold, emphasizing its stability against counterparty risk. Brandon critiques Wall Street's resistance to gold ownership and highlights his firm's transparency in combating industry markups. He also argues that crypto falls short as a true alternative and stresses the importance of gold in intergenerational wealth transfer.

Sep 12, 2025 • 2min
High Yield and Rate Strategy Unveiled
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Sep 4, 2025 • 40min
Data vs Reality: Jay Hatfield on Jobs Revisions, Fed Cuts, and Where Value Hides
Jay Hatfield, CEO of Infrastructure Capital, shares his expertise on the questionable accuracy of BLS jobs data and its impact on investment strategies. He discusses how bond markets are signaling potential Fed cuts and argues for focusing on small caps and REITs as we approach year-end. Hatfield also emphasizes the need for a modern approach to labor data and warns that tariffs may distract from more pressing Fed policy issues. Tune in for valuable insights on navigating a slowing economy and uncovering hidden investment opportunities.

Sep 4, 2025 • 14min
Rates vs Reality: David Busch on Fed Signals, Inflation, and Positioning for Year-End
David Busch, CFA and Co-Chief Investment Officer at Trajan Wealth, shares his expertise on navigating today’s turbulent financial landscape. He delves into the Federal Reserve's recent signals and their impacts on market expectations. David contrasts the contrasting trends of CPI and PPI, highlighting their implications for investors. He addresses the growth versus value equity dilemma and warns of potential weaknesses in consumer data. Additionally, he presents an intriguing case for intermediate-term bonds as a unique investment opportunity amidst current volatility.

Sep 3, 2025 • 16min
Narratives vs Numbers: Brendan Ahern on EM Growth, Dollar Flows, and What Investors Miss
Brendan Ahern, Chief Investment Officer at KraneShares, shares his insights on separating narratives from data in emerging markets. He reveals how headline returns can obscure strong tech performance and highlights key players like TSMC and Alibaba. Ahern discusses the implications of a weaker dollar on global investments, advocating for a shift towards growth stocks outside of U.S. equities. Listeners will gain valuable strategies for navigating the complexities of emerging markets and optimizing their portfolios.

Aug 27, 2025 • 10min
Weekly Payouts from Volatility? Will Rhind on GraniteShares YieldBOOST ETFs
William Rhind, Founder and CEO of GraniteShares, shares insights on innovative YieldBOOST ETFs designed to capitalize on market volatility. He explains how these funds generate impressive weekly distributions by selling options on assets like Tesla and Bitcoin. Rhind highlights the unique blend of high returns and risk management through downside protection, differentiating this strategy from traditional options trading. Listeners will also discover what’s next in the Yield Boost lineup and the growing demand for income-focused ETFs in a fluctuating market.

Aug 26, 2025 • 25min
Fantasy vs Fundamentals: Seth Cogswell on Bubbles, Passive Flows, and What Breaks Next
Seth Cogswell, Founding Partner and Portfolio Manager at Running Oak, dives deep into the world of investing. He discusses how the current market strength stems more from fantasy than fundamentals. Cogswell warns about the hidden risks in passive strategies and the destabilizing effects of concentrated index flows. He emphasizes that Fed stimulus has only postponed risks, not eliminated them, and champions the significance of mid- and small-cap stocks when narratives shift. His insights challenge conventional investing wisdom in today's volatile landscape.


