Planet MicroCap Podcast | MicroCap Investing Strategies

In this episode of the Planet MicroCap Podcast, I spoke with Chris Mayer, Author of the new book, "The Investor’s Odyssey: Resisting the Sirens and Playing the Long Game", to dig into why finding great companies is only half the battle - and why keeping them is where most investors lose the war. We break down how the Odyssey became the perfect metaphor for long-term investing, what the sirens look like in today’s market, why the harder problem was never finding the hundred-bagger but holding through the drawdowns, and what commitment devices actually work for staying tied to the mast when everything around you is screaming to sell. We also get into how AI is changing the calculus on moats, when selling is the right answer and not a siren at all, and what Ithaca really means for a long-term investor. To get your copy of "The Investor's Odyssey", please visit: https://a.co/d/06FIKVuw Chapters: 00:00 Why holding a 100-bagger is harder than finding one 04:04 The drawdowns and long plateaus that test investors 06:13 How the Odyssey metaphor shaped Mayer’s investing 10:33 Today’s sirens: market chatter and fear of missing out 13:13 Commitment devices: tie yourself to the mast 16:08 Why business quality comes before management 18:07 Retail investors, trading apps, and endless distractions 20:08 Staying invested through regimes, peaks, and index rallies 23:51 Are investors now in the sirens’ episode? 29:00 Interest rates, valuation, and why early is overrated 32:05 When selling is a sound decision 34:17 AI, business change, and Mayer’s own investing challenge 37:48 Ithaca: freedom, curiosity, and control of your time 39:16 A recommended book and final investing advice Planet Microcap hosts the highest quality in-person microcap events in North America. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors, companies, and allocators together to gather, connect, and grow.; visit https://planetmicrocap.com/ to learn more about our Las Vegas and Toronto events. This presentation is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security referenced herein. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC and MicroCapClub LLC (collectively, “we” or “our”) are not licensed brokers nor registered investment advisors. We, our partners, contractors, members, subscribers, guests, or affiliates may or may not hold positions in one or more of the securities mentioned in this presentation and may trade in such securities at any time. We may have received cash compensation from one or more participants for presenting at past, present, or future events. We recommend you consult a licensed investment adviser, broker, or legal counsel before purchasing or selling any securities referenced in this presentation.

In this episode of the Planet MicroCap Podcast, I spoke with Todd Wenning, President and CIO of KNA Capital Management, Publisher of Flyover Stocks, and Director of the Hanley Center for ESG Investing at the University of Dayton, for a wide-ranging conversation on moats, AI, rates, and what endures through periods of rapid change. We break down how AI is shortening the time a moat buys a company, why agentic commerce tools like Meta’s Muse threaten businesses that rely on consumer inertia and obfuscation, and how rising real yields are quietly reshaping where capital flows. We also get into what teaching corporate finance to college students has revealed about first principles investing, why the UK market is presenting some of the most compelling valuations he’s seen in years, and what history’s revolutions tell us about where AI is headed. For more information about KNA Capital Management, please visit: https://www.kna-capital.com/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and guest background 02:06 Todd Wenning's teaching journey and ESG focus 03:53 The value of teaching and first principles investing 06:07 Changes in the investment Venn diagram and moat trends 10:01 AI's impact on wide moats and business disruption 11:09 Thesis development for companies in the AI era 13:03 Corporate culture and AI adoption 14:01 Main risks to economic moats in the age of AI 18:10 How AI shortens the duration of moats 19:53 The influence of rates and yields on market behavior 22:12 AI's effect on consumer surplus and obfuscation 32:53 Opportunities in microcaps and emerging moats 42:07 Global opportunities and UK market insights 42:59 Capital allocation and strategic planning in uncertain times 45:08 Managing proprietary knowledge and AI risks 48:11 The importance of authenticity and human ingenuity 49:59 Looking ahead to 2029 and future themes Planet Microcap hosts the highest quality in-person microcap events in North America. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors, companies, and allocators together to gather, connect, and grow.; visit https://planetmicrocap.com/ to learn more about our Las Vegas and Toronto events. This presentation is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security referenced herein. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC and MicroCapClub LLC (collectively, “we” or “our”) are not licensed brokers nor registered investment advisors. We, our partners, contractors, members, subscribers, guests, or affiliates may or may not hold positions in one or more of the securities mentioned in this presentation and may trade in such securities at any time. We may have received cash compensation from one or more participants for presenting at past, present, or future events. We recommend you consult a licensed investment adviser, broker, or legal counsel before purchasing or selling any securities referenced in this presentation.

In this episode of the Planet MicroCap Podcast, recorded just ahead of Planet MicroCap Toronto, we brought back the Investors Roundtable with three voices deeply embedded in Canadian microcap markets - Mathieu Martin of the Rivemont MicroCap Fund, Ryan Irvine of Keystone Financial, and Teagon Murray of Canadian Value Investors, making his first-ever podcast appearance. We dig into what’s worked and what hasn’t across Canadian capital markets in 2026, why cannabis is attracting generalist and growth investors, how Canadian companies have adapted to tariff uncertainty better than most expected, and why the market is seeing more takeouts than IPOs right now. Mathieu runs through the highlights from his September Good, Bad, and Ugly - including a software name that doubled overnight on a restructuring announcement and an ongoing hostile takeover battle in the cannabis space. We close out with each guest’s process for making the most out of the Planet MicroCap Toronto conference, chalk full of management teams and a preview of what they’re watching for the event. For more information about Keystone Financial, Canadian Value Investors and Rivemont MicroCap Fund, please visit: https://www.canadianvalueinvestors.com/ | https://keystocks.com/ | https://rivemont.ca/en/alternative-funds/rivemont-microcap-fund/  Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the Canadian microcap market and guests 04:06 Market trends and sector insights from Teagon Murray 05:06 Ryan Irvine discusses market performance and company picks 09:00 Discussion on capital raising and IPO activity in Canada 11:00 Cannabis sector evaluation and market sentiment 17:05 Conference strategies and company evaluation tips 21:58 Management team assessment and event preparation 29:55 Impact of tariffs and geopolitical risks on investments 34:55 Market resilience and sector opportunities post-tariffs 40:06 Conference preview and individual investor strategies 50:02 Top company interests and investment themes 57:00 Closing thoughts and conference expectations Planet Microcap hosts the highest quality in-person microcap events in North America. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors, companies, and allocators together to gather, connect, and grow.; visit https://planetmicrocap.com/ to learn more about our Las Vegas and Toronto events. This presentation is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security referenced herein. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC and MicroCapClub LLC (collectively, “we” or “our”) are not licensed brokers nor registered investment advisors. We, our partners, contractors, members, subscribers, guests, or affiliates may or may not hold positions in one or more of the securities mentioned in this presentation and may trade in such securities at any time. We may have received cash compensation from one or more participants for presenting at past, present, or future events. We recommend you consult a licensed investment adviser, broker, or legal counsel before purchasing or selling any securities referenced in this presentation.

In this episode of the Planet MicroCap Podcast, I spoke with Jeremy Kokemor, Founder and Portfolio Manager at Right Tail Capital, to dig into how two decades inside institutional investing shaped a concentrated, quality-focused approach he now runs on his own terms. We break down his framework for owning roughly fifteen high quality businesses at a time, why returns on capital are central to how he evaluates businesses, how he's thinking about AI both as a research tool and as a threat to the companies he owns, and what covering small cap metals and mining at T. Rowe Price taught him about the wide quality spectrum in public markets. We also get into his process for knowing when a thesis has broken - being patient when the thesis is intact, but moving on the underlying thesis has genuinely broken.  For more information about Jeremy Kokemor and Right Tail Capital, please visit: https://www.righttailcapital.com/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Jeremy Kokemor and Right Tail Capital 02:06 Jeremy's background and early influences in investing 04:50 Jeremy discusses his transition from institutional to independent investing 11:00 Starting Right Tail Capital: motivations and timing 16:46 Defining quality and evaluating distressed assets 22:24 Research process and team building at Right Tail 24:31 The role of AI in research and decision-making 26:50 AI's potential to disrupt or enhance current holdings 33:58 Portfolio construction and new investment evaluation 36:39 Lessons from past investment mistakes and exits 41:04 Jeremy's best decision and personal stories 44:00 Influence of poker on investment strategy 46:39 Future outlook on AI and investment opportunities 48:28 Where to follow Jeremy and learn more Planet Microcap hosts the highest quality in-person microcap events in North America. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors, companies, and allocators together to gather, connect, and grow.; visit https://planetmicrocap.com/ to learn more about our Las Vegas and Toronto events. This presentation is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security referenced herein. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC and MicroCapClub LLC (collectively, “we” or “our”) are not licensed brokers nor registered investment advisors. We, our partners, contractors, members, subscribers, guests, or affiliates may or may not hold positions in one or more of the securities mentioned in this presentation and may trade in such securities at any time. We may have received cash compensation from one or more participants for presenting at past, present, or future events. We recommend you consult a licensed investment adviser, broker, or legal counsel before purchasing or selling any securities referenced in this presentation.

In this episode of the Planet MicroCap Podcast, I spoke with Sean Westropp, Founder and Portfolio Manager at Deep Sail Capital, to dig into his four pillars framework for finding exceptional growth companies - and why running both sides of the book makes him a sharper long investor. We break down how he balances quality, management, growth prospects, and valuation across a portfolio split between emerging and established growth names, why outstanding management is the one pillar he refuses to compromise on, and what the 2022 drawdown permanently changed about how he manages a portfolio. We also get into his criteria for shorting in microcap, why defense has been his best-performing sector, and the hard lessons on headline risk. For more information about Sean Westropp and Deep Sail Capital, please visit: https://www.deepsailcapital.com/  Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Sean Westropp and Deep Sail Capital 02:05 Sean's background and transition from anonymous to public 04:06 Founding Deep Sail Capital and investment focus 07:17 The four pillars framework explained 11:33 Finding high-quality business models 13:05 The importance of outstanding management 14:38 Assessing long-term growth prospects 16:50 Valuation and profitability considerations 18:16 Balancing pillars and managing compromises 20:03 Management quality and business quality in microcaps 27:05 Skepticism of high growth companies that can't sustain hyper growth 31:55 Criteria for shorting and red flags 38:27 Identifying management changes and business pivots 44:47 Timing and valuation in shorting 52:31 Impact of industry focus and sector mistakes 54:20 Key investing lessons and process changes 57:17 Portfolio optimization and active management 01:01:00 Parting thoughts and management meeting tips Planet Microcap hosts the highest quality in-person microcap events in North America. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors, companies, and allocators together to gather, connect, and grow.; visit https://planetmicrocap.com/ to learn more about our Las Vegas and Toronto events. This presentation is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security referenced herein. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC and MicroCapClub LLC (collectively, “we” or “our”) are not licensed brokers nor registered investment advisors. We, our partners, contractors, members, subscribers, guests, or affiliates may or may not hold positions in one or more of the securities mentioned in this presentation and may trade in such securities at any time. We may have received cash compensation from one or more participants for presenting at past, present, or future events. We recommend you consult a licensed investment adviser, broker, or legal counsel before purchasing or selling any securities referenced in this presentation.

In this episode of the Planet MicroCap Podcast, I spoke with Jeremie Boyer, Co-Founder and Lead Research Analyst at Aurelion Research, for a conversation on what it looks like to build an independent research firm in your early twenties - and how staying outside traditional institutional constraints can be a genuine edge. We break down his process for identifying ideas before the broader market catches on - from tracking global elections as a timing signal to uncovering shipping cycles that large funds won't touch - and why he believes a simple, well-timed price target beats a full DCF model almost every time. We also get into why Aurelion keeps its portfolio concentrated but sector-diversified, what he learned from his early calls in oil tankers and Canadian consumer brands, and the internship pitch that didn't land but set everything else in motion. For more information about Aurelion Research, please visit: https://aurelionresearch.com/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Jeremie Boyer and his research approach 02:10 Jeremie's background and early investment experiences 04:46 The advantages of independent research and quick decision-making 05:13 Jeremie's start in investing during 2020 and initial influences 06:25 Lessons from early investment mistakes and successes 07:50 Influence of Mathieu Martin and Rivemont process 10:16 Adapting strategies from Rivemont to independent research 14:29 Key criteria for discovering investment ideas 19:21 Using political and macro analysis to identify opportunities 26:49 Case study: Shipping industry cycles and overlooked opportunities 32:10 Learning from investment experiences and managing risk 43:52 Focus on overlooked sectors like healthcare and uranium 52:08 Jeremie's independent research process and future outlook Planet Microcap hosts the highest quality in-person microcap events in North America. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors, companies, and allocators together to gather, connect, and grow.; visit https://planetmicrocap.com/ to learn more about our Las Vegas and Toronto events. This presentation is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security referenced herein. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC and MicroCapClub LLC (collectively, “we” or “our”) are not licensed brokers nor registered investment advisors. We, our partners, contractors, members, subscribers, guests, or affiliates may or may not hold positions in one or more of the securities mentioned in this presentation and may trade in such securities at any time. We may have received cash compensation from one or more participants for presenting at past, present, or future events. We recommend you consult a licensed investment adviser, broker, or legal counsel before purchasing or selling any securities referenced in this presentation.

In this episode of the Planet MicroCap Podcast, we brought back the Investors Roundtable - our first since 2022 - with Maj Soueidan of GeoInvesting, Tim Heitman of Investing 501, and Mathieu Martin of the Rivemont MicroCap Fund. With the Russell MicroCap up roughly 27% year to date, we dig into what's actually driving that move, what's worked and what hasn't for our panelists, and whether this rally feels earned or fragile. We run through the Good, Bad, and Ugly from August 2026 earnings season - including a report that looked ugly on the surface but told a very different story underneath. We also close out with each guest's highest conviction idea right now and where they're looking heading into 2027. For more information about GeoInvesting, Investing 501 and Rivemont MicroCap Fund, please visit: https://geoinvesting.com/ | https://substack.com/@investing501 | https://rivemont.ca/en/alternative-funds/rivemont-microcap-fund/  Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the Investors Roundtable 02:10 Market Overview and Rally Drivers 03:41 Discipline in the Current Rally 05:09 Value Investing in the Age of AI 07:03 Russell MicroCap Composition and Performance 08:30 Sector Contributions to MicroCap Rally 14:14 Portfolio Strategies and Sector Challenges 17:37 Cannabis Stocks and Sector Opportunities 22:05 What Has Worked and What Hasn't in 2026 44:53 Earnings Season Highlights and Key Reports 01:07:25 Looking Ahead to 2027: Trends and Themes 01:17:41 Follow the Experts: Social and Newsletter Links Planet Microcap hosts the highest quality in-person microcap events in North America. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors, companies, and allocators together to gather, connect, and grow.; visit https://planetmicrocap.com/ to learn more about our Las Vegas and Toronto events. This presentation is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security referenced herein. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC and MicroCapClub LLC (collectively, “we” or “our”) are not licensed brokers nor registered investment advisors. We, our partners, contractors, members, subscribers, guests, or affiliates may or may not hold positions in one or more of the securities mentioned in this presentation and may trade in such securities at any time. We may have received cash compensation from one or more participants for presenting at past, present, or future events. We recommend you consult a licensed investment adviser, broker, or legal counsel before purchasing or selling any securities referenced in this presentation.

In this episode of the Planet MicroCap Podcast, I spoke with Lucas Sacerdote, Founder and CIO of Valora Investment Group, for his first-ever podcast appearance. We break down his focus on real, tangible assets trading at steep discounts to book value, why he believes the technology frontier is currently being bottlenecked by the physical frontier, and how he thinks about building concentrated positions in energy and infrastructure names. We get into his biggest current position, Canadian Solar, why he thinks the hate on solar is overblown, and how he differentiates between value traps and genuine opportunity. We also touch on EOS Energy, LibertyStream, Comstock, Adecoagro, and his broader thesis on Argentina. We mention several companies during this conversation, and Lucas is a current shareholder in Canadian Solar, EOS Energy, LibertyStream, Comstock, and Adecoagro. For more information about Valora Investment Group, please visit: https://www.valoraig.com/  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Lucas Sacerdote and his background 01:58 Lucas's investment philosophy and focus on tangible assets 03:58 His journey from KIG Investment Management to founding Ballora 08:01 Argentina's capital markets ecosystem and opportunities 12:05 Filtering process from 53,000 companies to 50 stocks 19:00 Case study: Canadian Solar and due diligence process 23:01 Managing conviction and position sizing in microcap investing 29:53 Market run-ups, valuation, and behavioral biases 37:07 Lessons from 2022 and downside protection 39:58 Argentina’s macro outlook and investment thesis 44:09 Advice for young investors and where to follow Lucas Planet Microcap hosts the highest quality in-person microcap events in North America. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors, companies, and allocators together to gather, connect, and grow.; visit https://planetmicrocap.com/ to learn more about our Las Vegas and Toronto events. This presentation is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security referenced herein. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC and MicroCapClub LLC (collectively, “we” or “our”) are not licensed brokers nor registered investment advisors. We, our partners, contractors, members, subscribers, guests, or affiliates may or may not hold positions in one or more of the securities mentioned in this presentation and may trade in such securities at any time. We may have received cash compensation from one or more participants for presenting at past, present, or future events. We recommend you consult a licensed investment adviser, broker, or legal counsel before purchasing or selling any securities referenced in this presentation.

In this episode of the Planet MicroCap Podcast, I spoke with Tim Heitman - full-time private investor, MicroCap Club member, and longtime Dallas Stars team photographer - for a wide-ranging conversation that started at the World Cup and ended up deep in the weeds of microcap due diligence. We break down how his time at Fidelity during the Lynch era and later at David Tice's Behind the Numbers shaped a simple but durable framework: understand the business first, the numbers take care of themselves. We get into his approach to management interviews - including why he tells CEOs to treat him like a new board member, how he uses Claude to grade his own interview performance, and why asking the jerk question is sometimes the most important thing you can do. We also cover why obsessing over models is the most common mistake smart new investors make, and what sports photography taught him about controlling emotions under pressure. We mention several companies during this conversation, and Tim is a current shareholder in Mama Creations, Noble Romans, and Innovative Foods. For more information about Tim and Investing 501 Newsletter, please visit: https://investing501.substack.com/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and guest background 39:28 The Role of Management Changes and Management Quality 40:36 Case Study: Mama Creations and Management Turnarounds 41:42 Assessing Management Genuineness and Track Record 43:10 The Importance of Asking Hard Questions 44:28 Using AI to Prepare for Management Calls 45:50 Techniques from Negotiation Expert Chris Voss 46:51 Analyzing Conference Call Transcripts with AI 48:11 Grading Your Own Interview Performance 50:19 Post-Interview Follow-up and Deepening Insights 51:47 Reflections on Microcap Investment Strategies 52:03 The Evolution of Microcap Information Access 54:01 The Power of Information Arbitrage in Microcaps 55:29 Advice for Young Microcap Investors 56:35 Common Mistakes in Microcap Analysis 57:16 Building Better Models and Valuations 58:46 Controlling Emotions and Having a Process 01:00:07 Rethinking Assumptions About Boards and Management 01:01:27 How to Approach Management as a Potential Board Member 01:03:28 Shifting Focus from Pitch to Strategy 01:04:55 Using Questions to Uncover Management Incentives 01:07:22 Managing Cultural Change in Microcap Companies 01:08:20 Advice for Younger Investors and Analyzing Management 01:09:40 Leveraging Conference Decks and Transcripts for Insights 01:11:36 Controlling Emotions and Having a Clear Plan 01:12:17 Interrelation of Photography and Investing Mindsets 01:12:48 The Importance of Basic Accounting and Behavioral Finance 01:13:17 Controlling Emotions and Consistent Process in Investing 01:14:05 Where to Follow Tim Heitman and Engage Planet Microcap hosts the highest quality in-person microcap events in North America. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors, companies, and allocators together to gather, connect, and grow.; visit https://planetmicrocap.com/ to learn more about our Las Vegas and Toronto events. This presentation is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security referenced herein. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC and MicroCapClub LLC (collectively, “we” or “our”) are not licensed brokers nor registered investment advisors. We, our partners, contractors, members, subscribers, guests, or affiliates may or may not hold positions in one or more of the securities mentioned in this presentation and may trade in such securities at any time. We may have received cash compensation from one or more participants for presenting at past, present, or future events. We recommend you consult a licensed investment adviser, broker, or legal counsel before purchasing or selling any securities referenced in this presentation.

In this episode of the Planet MicroCap Podcast, I spoke with Shawn Behnam and Gabriel Etessami, Co-Founders of Garden Capital Management, for their first-ever investing podcast appearance. We break down their S-curve framework for identifying technologies at the early stages of adoption, how they think about position sizing when the outcome is clear but the timing isn't, and why they run a concentrated portfolio in a space where most people default to diversification. We also get into their current conviction on energy infrastructure as an AI tailwind, a deep look at Joby Aviation and the eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) space, and where they think market consensus is simply wrong right now. For more information about Garden Capital Management, please visit: https://www.gardencapitalmanagement.com/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Garden Capital and the Podcast 02:06 Backgrounds of Shawn and Gab and their investment philosophies 06:55 The origin of their interest in equity analysis and early-stage tech 15:06 Understanding the S-curve and its significance in investing 21:10 Differentiating real inflection points from false signals 27:48 Managing uncertainty and sizing positions in long-term bets 32:10 Focus on smaller companies and the investment universe 38:09 Emerging themes like energy demand and quantum computing 41:51 Market consensus and identifying mispriced opportunities 49:59 The role of social media and fan engagement in investing 54:51 The importance of management quality and team alignment 01:01:52 Key experiences shaping their investment approach 01:02:53 How to find undervalued companies on the S-curve 01:04:11 Closing thoughts and contact information for Garden Capital Planet Microcap hosts the highest quality in-person microcap events in North America. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors, companies, and allocators together to gather, connect, and grow.; visit https://planetmicrocap.com/ to learn more about our Las Vegas and Toronto events. This presentation is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security referenced herein. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC and MicroCapClub LLC (collectively, “we” or “our”) are not licensed brokers nor registered investment advisors. We, our partners, contractors, members, subscribers, guests, or affiliates may or may not hold positions in one or more of the securities mentioned in this presentation and may trade in such securities at any time. We may have received cash compensation from one or more participants for presenting at past, present, or future events. We recommend you consult a licensed investment adviser, broker, or legal counsel before purchasing or selling any securities referenced in this presentation.