Kontrarian Korner

Yesterday I had Vince Lanci back on the podcast to talk about precious metals, and the upcoming buy season as we head into the end of the year. We also talked about the midterms, different aspects of the geopolitical chaos, and the impact of private equity and hyperfinancialization of the economy. We also talked about the centralization of political power across the West, and gold returning to a more central role in the financial system. You can find Vince on Twitter and on the GoldFix Substack.If you want to get in better shape and support the podcast at the same time, check out Axios Fitness. J.D. is offering a free 2 week trial, so take it for a spin and tell him I sent you.Kontrarian Korner is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.kontrariankorner.com/subscribe

Yesterday I had the Colonel back on for Part 26 of the CIA Files. We discussed Richard Nixon’s background, his mafia ties, and Watergate. She also covered the beginning of the War on Drugs, influential figures around the Nixon Administration, and the different nefarious activities of organized crime in that era. We wrapped up by drawing parallels to today’s government, pattern recognition, and a little bit on the midterms and events in Poland. You can find the Colonel on Twitter, Rumble, YouTube, and Substack.If you want to get in better shape and support the podcast at the same time, check out Axios Fitness. J.D. is offering a free 2 week trial, so take it for a spin and tell him I sent you.Kontrarian Korner is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.kontrariankorner.com/subscribe

On Thursday I had retired Brigadier General Blaine Holt back on the podcast to talk about the state of the world. We talked about the midterms, the narrative around military bases needing to prepare for grid problems, why people need to be held accountable, and why we are at an inflection point in the economy and financial markets. He also covered some of the problems facing Idaho, the future of the US, and why there will be huge opportunities over the coming decade. You can find Blaine at Dangerous Intellectuals, as well as on Substack and Twitter. Podcast Summary* The upcoming midterms and the different narratives that have been popping up in recent weeks.* The military planning for bases to be without food, water, fuel, and electricity for months.* Europe’s problems with protests and their financial situation.* Why people need to be held accountable for their actions.* The two-tier justice system and questions about the future of the US.* The future of the financial system and the potential for digital IDs and other dystopian outcomes.* Why chaotic times present huge opportunities for people that are prepared.* Changes in Idaho, and the ongoing immigration debate.* Book Recommendation: The Empire Not Blamed by Lisa Pohovich.Kontrarian Korner is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.kontrariankorner.com/subscribe

Yesterday I had Mike Ariza back on the podcast for an update on California’s energy crisis. We talked about the refining situation in the state, other businesses that are pulling out of the state, and how the state’s energy situation feeds into the military and agricultural supply chains in several states. He also shared his thoughts on the Defense Production Act, the midterms, and why the current situation in California is not just a result of incompetence. You can find Mike on Twitter, but you can also find his work on the Gas Crisis website.If you want to get in better shape and support the podcast at the same time, check out Axios Fitness. J.D. is offering a free 2 week trial, so take it for a spin and tell him I sent you.Kontrarian Korner is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.kontrariankorner.com/subscribe

Yesterday I had the Colonel back on for Part 25 of the CIA Files. This was part two on MK Ultra, so if you want to watch part one first, feel free to go back to last week’s episode. This week we did a deep dive on the Laurel Canyon music scene, the ties from influential musicians directly to powerful government and military officials, and how you can see the roots of the culture war in the music of the day. You can find the Colonel on Twitter, Rumble, YouTube, and Substack.If you want to get in better shape and support the podcast at the same time, check out Axios Fitness. J.D. is offering a free 2 week trial, so take it for a spin and tell him I sent you.Kontrarian Korner is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.kontrariankorner.com/subscribe

On Monday I had the Colonel back on for Part 24 of the CIA Files. This week we did the first of two parts on the MK Ultra program. We covered the different historical roots of using drugs to influence culture and the population, the ties into different industries and institutions, and the global nature of these operations. If you’re interested in the story around LSD, the program’s ties to the eugenics movement, or the ties to music and the Weather Underground, you will enjoy this one. You can find the Colonel on Twitter, Rumble, YouTube, and Substack.If you want to get in better shape and support the podcast at the same time, check out Axios Fitness. J.D. is offering a free 2 week trial, so take it for a spin and tell him I sent you.Kontrarian Korner is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.kontrariankorner.com/subscribe

Yesterday I had Chris Irons (Quoth the Raven) on the podcast for the first time. We talked about his view of financial markets, the geopolitical situation, and the changes he sees on the horizon over the next year. He also laid out his view on the AI Capex bubble and the various funding mechanisms, what could prick the bubble, and why he expects yield curve control and inflation to be the path of least resistance moving forward. It was a great conversation and I’m already looking forward to round two for an update on how things are developing over the coming months. You can find Chris on the QTR Substack and on Twitter. If you want to get in better shape and support the podcast at the same time, check out Axios Fitness. J.D. is offering a free 2 week trial, so take it for a spin and tell him I sent you.Podcast Summary* Why positive real rates have been draining excess liquidity from the system.* The AI Capex bubble and the circular nature of the financing in the sector.* The potential for yield curve control and other policies that would kick the can down the road.* Why he expects a resolution in the Middle East and Ukraine at some point in the next six months.* The midterm situation and why it will be ugly for Republicans.* The current system of crony capitalism and the corruption in D.C.* Immigration problems and the positive steps by the Trump administration to close the border.* How the passive bid and the options market has held markets up, and the potential for those dynamics to work in reverse in the future.* Book Recommendation: The Big Print by Lawrence Lepard.Kontrarian Korner is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.kontrariankorner.com/subscribe

Yesterday I had Grant Williams on the podcast for the first time. It was a great conversation on where things stand in financial markets, geopolitical changes across the West, and changes on the horizon during the Fourth Turning. We also covered the generational divide, the lack of institutional trust, and a potential shift away from public markets toward private businesses. You can find Grant on his website and on Twitter.If you want to get in better shape and support the podcast at the same time, check out Axios Fitness. J.D. is offering a free 2 week trial, so take it for a spin and tell him I sent you.Podcast Summary* His 30,000 foot view of markets and the narratives around AI Capex spending.* Why we could see geopolitical forces prick the bubble instead of something stemming from financial markets. * His view on the midterms in the US and the political situation in Europe.* Why the separate bond and currency markets in Europe are going to lead to the fracturing of the EU.* The last 80 years of relative peace being the exception to the rule, and why we are in the middle of a return to a more chaotic time as far as geopolitics.* The tension between different generations in the West, and why the promises made to older generations are unsustainable.* How politics became a career and the corruption around political centers of power.* The lack of trust in institutions and why they will be rebuilt after the Fourth Turning.* Insurance, private equity, and private credit as a potential problem for the financial system.* The hyperfinancialization of the system and how it has created problems for the West.* Why gold is his preferred asset to protect wealth in the current environment.* Why investors will start to shift their focus from public markets and the casino towards ownership in private enterprises.* Book Recommendations: 5 Types of People Who Can Ruin Your Life by Bill Eddy, 1873 and Lords of Finance by Liaquat Ahmed, Clown Town by Mick Herron & Even This I Get To Experience by Norman Lear. Kontrarian Korner is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.kontrariankorner.com/subscribe

Yesterday I had Charles Spadille on the podcast again for a conversation on the state of men and women and how to fix it. We talked about how these issues always seem to flare up in the public consciousness ahead of political elections, the Cornell 7 coverage and how certain female behaviors have become more obvious in recent years, and why men and women are better together than they are apart. You can find Charles on Twitter and Telegram (@whiskeyandashes), and it sounds like he will soon be on Substack as well. If you want to get in better shape and support the podcast at the same time, check out Axios Fitness. J.D. is offering a free 2 week trial, so take it for a spin and tell him I sent you.Podcast Summary* The Cornell 7 case, the coverage around it, and why he doesn’t blame Jane Doe for the “escape hatch” of making an accusation.* How social media distorts and shapes the relationships between men and women.* Female solipsism, and how it impacts the consensus thinking around certain narratives.* The importance of believing in a higher power.* Why we could see arranged marriages make a comeback, and how it is hard to put societal guardrails in place in low-trust societies. * The importance of taking personal actions and working on yourself. * Men and women’s responsibilities to society and each other, and why men and women are better together than they are apart. * Book Recommendations: Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu & Brood Of The Witch Queen by Sax Rohmer. Kontrarian Korner is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.kontrariankorner.com/subscribe

Yesterday I had John Polomny back on the podcast to talk about where things stand in markets, current events, and the path forward for the US and the West. He laid out his thoughts on where we are in the market cycle, where he sees opportunities, and the investment bubble in technology. We also talked about some of the different societal breakdowns in the West, including sports gambling and prediction markets, the midterm sideshow, and why we are watching the early stages of World War III. You can find John’s Substack below, but you can also find him on Twitter, and his weekly market updates on YouTube are a must watch.Kontrarian Korner is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.kontrariankorner.com/subscribe