Trends with Benefits

Hosted by VanEck

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Episodes

174

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

Welcome to Trends with Benefits, the podcast that gives you an insider's edge into finance, tech, and investing. Hosted by Ed Lopez, VanEck's Head of Product Management.

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60 recent

November 10, 2026Episode 16438 min

Parrot Finance: From Shark Tank to a Registered Investment Advisor

These three Parrot Finance co-founders went from Wall Street and fintech careers, to a Shark Tank pitch, and eventually became an SEC registered investment advisor. Hear what they learned about pivoting, building fast, and why the human touch still matters in an AI world, with VanEck's Ed Lopez. 00:00 Meet Parrot Finance 02:55 Meet the Founders 06:48 Pivots, 13F Data, Integrations and Compliance 13:48 Investment Strategies and What Users Want 24:20 Behind the Scenes of Shark Tank 31:00 What's Next: AI and Personalization 35:23 Trend or Fad

October 27, 2026Episode 16351 min

Mortgage REITs Are Back? Annaly CEO talks Rates, GSEs, and Housing

Explore why mortgage REITs are a macro play, not a real estate bet, how GSE reform shifted from IPO to policy tool, and why today's rate environment echoes Annaly's best decade, with Annaly Capital CEO David Finkelstein and VanEck's Ed Lopez. 00:00 Introduction to mortgage REITs and episode overview 11:08 Interest rates normalization and market equilibrium 19:15 Long-term capital allocation and growth strategies 26:25 GSE reform, conservatorship, and market implications 34:34 Housing policy, institutional investment, and market stability 41:30 Advice for individual investors in mortgage REITs

October 13, 2026Episode 16253 min

Sports as an Asset Class: NY Islanders Owner Jon Ledecky

Explore why sports franchises are increasingly viewed as an investable asset class, how institutional capital and media rights are reshaping valuations, and why owners see themselves as stewards of a community asset, with New York Islanders co-owner Jon Ledecky and VanEck's Ed Lopez. 00:00 Introduction 04:30 From Entrepreneur to Sports Owner 08:30 Lessons from Failure and Entrepreneurial Spirit 12:01 Community Impact Through Sports Ownership 19:29 Acquisition of the New York Islanders 23:10 Sports as an Alternative Investment 32:25 The Evolving Landscape of Sports Ownership 38:37 Emerging Sports and Investment Opportunities 41:29 Sports as an Asset Class 43:04 The Future of Sports Betting and Fan Engagement

September 29, 2026Episode 16112 min

Future Proof 2026: Tech, Real Assets, and What Clients Really Need

Explore what stood out at Future Proof 2026, from advisor skepticism about AI's real client value, to the rising case for fixed income and real assets, and why human connection remains the edge no algorithm can replicate, with VanEck's Ed Lopez. 00:00 Introduction to Future Proof Conference 02:46 AI's Impact on Financial Advisory 06:01 The Human Element in Financial Advisory 08:54 Fixed Income and Real Assets

September 15, 2026Episode 1601 hr 13 min

Bob Pisani. 40 Years of Market History. Zero Filter.

Explore CNBC's Bob Pisani's reflections on 40-plus years of finance journalism, how he navigated the information overload of modern markets, what he learned from the NYSE trading floor, and what life looks like after leaving one of the most recognizable roles in financial media. 00:00 Introduction 09:39 The Art of Storytelling in Finance 12:28 Reflections on Career and Life Choices 18:32 Curiosity: An Innate Trait or Learned Skill? 23:13 Wealth Inequality and Market Participation 32:19 The Reality of Market Volatility 51:20 Active vs. Passive Investment Strategies 53:51 Market Concentration and Indexing Concerns 56:36 Inflation and Bond Market Dynamics 58:05 Real Assets and Alternative Investments 01:05:23 The Future of Work in an AI-Driven World

August 18, 2026Episode 15947 min

Steph Pomboy: AI Debt Binge, Credit Cracks, & Gold

Explore the case for hard assets over paper, the pension system's growing private credit exposure, and why deglobalization may reshape financial markets for a generation, with Macro Mavens founder Steph Pomboy. 00:00 Introduction 03:04 AI, leverage, and the dot-com parallel 05:54 The competition for capital in 2026 08:48 The $15 trillion capital problem nobody is talking about 09:51 The triple B debt crisis and corporate balance sheet risk 22:25 The Fed as buyer of last resort for treasuries 28:24 The private credit boom and the pension problem 39:27 The upside of deglobalization and reshoring 44:52 Trend or Fad?

August 4, 2026Episode 15854 min

Mark Zandi: Stock Wealth Fuels Growth, But at What Risk?

Explore the growing divide between top and bottom earners, the wealth effect driving consumer spending, inflation's staying power, and what AI may mean for jobs and the economy, with Moody's Analytics Chief Economist Mark Zandi. 00:00 Introduction 02:01 Divergence Between Economy and Markets 12:03 Consumer Spending Dynamics 18:04 Wealth Effect and Its Implications 23:56 Equity Valuations and Market Concerns 30:46 Globalization, Inflation, and Economic Outlook 35:55 Interest Rates and Economic Outlook 36:38 Consumer Spending and Recession Risks 39:43 Job Losses and AI Impact 44:01 Policymaking in the Age of AI 50:15 Trend or Fad?

July 21, 2026Episode 15717 min

Ed Lopez Recaps Wealth Management EDGE

From the Wealth Management Edge conference floor: VanEck's Head of Product Management Ed Lopez explores what advisors are asking about, from AI and AEO to private markets, real assets, and the three macro themes shaping portfolios. 00:00 Conference Overview and Key Themes 02:04 EDGE Conference evolution 05:28 Christian Munafo's session on private markets 07:20 AEO: Making your business searchable on AI 08:40 Ed Lopez sits on Women in ETFs panel 15:15 Ed's EDGE Takeaways

July 7, 2026Episode 15649 min

A CIO's Take on Geopolitics, the Dollar, and the Case for Going Global

Explore why the S&P may be mispricing geopolitical risk, the case for India, the dollar's decline, and gold as a trade (not a strategy), with Mercer Advisors CIO Don Calcagni. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background 01:57 Changes in Asset Allocation and Private Markets 04:01 US and International Equity Diversification 07:11 Market Concentration and Diversification Benefits 11:14 Geopolitical Risks and Global Market Drivers 16:57 US Political Risks and Domestic Instability 17:53 India's Growth and Investment Potential 24:20 Gold as a Strategic Asset and Trade 29:33 Private Markets and Current Valuations, Access and Risks 35:23 Private Equity and IPO Strategies 40:46 Market Mispricing and Geopolitical Risks 44:14 Long-term Trends and AI Innovation 47:59 Trend or Fad

June 9, 2026Episode 15553 min

Space, AI, and Private Equity Trends

AI is creating 'zombie companies' and the next wave of winners may never go public. VanEck's Head of Private Growth Strategies Christian Munafo reveals how to find them, why IPOs are still stalled, and what the SpaceX listing could unlock.