Share
))
HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons hosts the most downloaded sports podcast of all time, with a rotating crew of celebrities, athletes, and media staples, as well as mainstays like Cousin Sal, Joe House, and a slew of other friends and family members who always happen to be suspiciously available.
…
continue reading
Manage episode 484115731 series 3649221
Content provided by Jason Vondersmith. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Jason Vondersmith or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://staging.podcastplayer.com/legal.
Episode Summary
Hedge funds were born as a clever way to hedge risk—so how did they become the ultimate financial gatekeepers? In this fiery Ctrl-Alt-Invest deep-dive, Jason Vondersmith and James Goodwillie trace hedge-fund history from Alfred Jones in 1949 to today’s billion-dollar family offices. Along the way we unpack junk-bond kings, insider-trading crackdowns, meme-stock revolts, Puerto-Rican tax havens, and whether America has quietly slipped into oligarchy. You’ll learn why “regulation” can create more gatekeepers, how market shake-ups hit your 401(k), and what collective action really takes. If you’ve ever wondered why the rich stay rich—and what you can do about it—press play.
Quick Navigation
00:00 – Introduction to Gatekeeping in Finance
03:03 – The Genesis of Hedge Funds
05:54 – The Evolution of Hedge Funds & Key Figures
09:02 – The Dark Side of Hedge Funds
11:58 – Regulation & the Hedge Fund Market
14:57 – Scandals & Failures in Hedge Fund History
18:05 – The Impact of Hedge Funds on the Economy
20:58 – The Role of Government & Regulation
24:06 – Oligarchy & Corporate Influence
27:03 – Privacy, Surveillance & Corporate Power
28:30 – Historical Perspectives on Wealth & Power
30:49 – The Role of Oligarchs in Modern Society
34:06 – Government Influence & Economic Policies
37:01 – The Hedge Fund Landscape & Its Implications
39:58 – Tax Strategies & Wealth Management
45:00 – Regulation & Its Impact on the Market
49:47 – The Future of Wealth Distribution
55:04 – Collective Action Against Financial Inequities
Key Takeaways
- Hedge-fund history: From Alfred Jones to Bridgewater and Citadel
- Scandals decoded: Madoff, SAC Capital, Archegos, junk-bond era
- Regulation paradox: How new rules can entrench gatekeepers
- Oligarchy vs. democracy: Concentrated wealth, political capture
- Tax arbitrage: Puerto-Rico Act 60 loopholes for fund managers
- Action steps: Community investing, diversified indexing, policy engagement
Resources Mentioned
- Books: “Principles” by Ray Dalio, “All the Presidents’ Bankers” by Nomi Prins
- Docs: Netflix “Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street,” PBS “The Crash of 2008”
- Tools: SEC Edgar filings, FINRA Investor Education
⭐️ Love the show? Rate & review on Apple & Spotify Podcasts—it helps fellow rebels find us!
Subscribe to our channel on Youtube for videos!
12 episodes
