On Our Radar: Summer Edition

Kristin Chisholm, CIMA
Senior Relationship Manager

I have two go-to podcasts that help me stay up to date on the news, markets, and other interesting topics. I usually listen on my commute to work or sometimes before bed. I don’t often have the news on at home, and I don’t always have time to catch up online, so I’ve found podcasts to be an easy way to stay informed.

Podcast: Up First — NPR

Up First is a daily news podcast that provides a quick overview of the day’s biggest stories, with reporting and analysis from NPR journalists in about 10 – 15 minutes. I like that it makes staying informed feel manageable rather than overwhelming. The episodes are concise but provide enough context to understand why each story matters, while covering a range of national and international issues.

Podcast: The Journal — The Wall Street Journal

The Journal explores important stories across business, markets, technology, politics, and current events. Episodes typically focus on one topic, using reporting, interviews, and real-world examples to go beyond the headlines and explain why a story is important and how it can affect people. The episodes are also informative and engaging while still being easy to follow.

Michael Clare
President

Book: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

If you haven’t seen the movie yet, do yourself a favor and read the book first.

Project Hail Mary is one of my favorite books of the past decade. It’s an incredibly entertaining mix of science, humor, problem-solving, and an unexpected friendship that makes it hard to put down. Even if science fiction isn’t normally your genre, I’d still recommend giving this one a try — it’s a great story with memorable characters and plenty of twists.

Taylor Cope, CFA
Equity Research Analyst

Book: Operation Mincemeat by Ben Macintyre

I’d like to recommend the book Operation Mincemeat by Ben Macintyre. On its face, this is a thrilling “truth is stranger than fiction” tale of real-life spycraft and deception that helped the Allies secure victory in World War II. While it is certainly worth a read for the plot alone, the book has several helpful lessons for investors.

The deception at the center of the story is a masterpiece of creativity and outside-the-box thinking, as well as calculated risk-taking. On the other hand, what allowed the ruse to succeed was the prevalence of rigid hierarchy, confirmation bias, and cognitive systems failure on the part of the Axis leadership. In terms of both “what to do” and “what not to do,” investors would be hard pressed to find such good examples packaged within such an entertaining yarn.

Harold Kotler, CFA
Founder-Chairman and Chief Investment Officer

Book: La Place de la Concorde Suisse by John McPhee

La Place de la Concorde Suisse by John McPhee is an amazing and very educational read about Switzerland’s approach to national defense. We tend to think of Switzerland primarily as a neutral country, but McPhee shows just how seriously the Swiss take the responsibility of defending that neutrality. Military service and preparedness are deeply embedded in the country’s culture, and the book offers a fascinating look at the mindset of a small nation determined to protect its independence. Early on, McPhee draws a comparison to the Israeli Defense Forces, underscoring how differently small nations can think about security and self-reliance. A great read and a fascinating perspective on Switzerland.

Brett Kozlowski, CFA
Taxable Bond Portfolio Manager

Neither of my recommendations is particularly new, but both have stuck with me for the way they challenge us to think about the world with a more open mind. Each, in a very different way, questions our assumptions and offers a less conventional perspective on how we make sense of the world around us.

Book: The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

The Black Swan challenges us to recognize the limits of what we think we know — and the biases that shape our expectations. Taleb explores our tendency to make sense of the world based on patterns and experiences we’ve already observed, even though rare and unpredictable “black swan” events can have an outsized impact. It’s a thought-provoking reminder that markets — and life more broadly — don’t always behave within the bounds of what we consider normal.

Podcast: Revisionist History with Malcolm Gladwell

Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History podcast takes a similarly unconventional approach, revisiting ideas, events, and assumptions from unexpected angles. One trilogy I found particularly fascinating explores how Jesuit thinking approaches seemingly unanswerable questions by relating them to situations that are similar, but meaningfully different. While the framework comes from a religious tradition, the larger takeaway is about finding new ways to reason through difficult questions. There are countless episodes that have made me look at a familiar subject differently.

Mark Lewis, CFA
Senior Wealth Advisor

Book: Neptune’s Inferno: The US Navy at Guadalcanal by James D. Hornfischer

For those currently captivated by the History Channel’s WWII with Tom Hanks, this book may be for you. Neptune’s Inferno provides a detailed account of how the strategy and execution of the Guadalcanal campaign unfolded. You’ll learn more about the struggles facing admirals like Chester Nimitz and William “Bull” Halsey, but the book also gives a voice to the many lesser-known officers and sailors who never returned home.

I also found it fascinating to learn how rapidly advancing US technology helped slow the “Tokyo Express” and gradually shift the balance of power in the Pacific, just as naval warfare was transitioning from the era of battleships to aircraft carriers.

Scott Peterson, CFA, CTFA, AEP
Senior Wealth Advisor

My two picks come from very different worlds—music and tennis—but both offer a fascinating look at the dedication and drive behind long, successful careers.

Book: The Storyteller by Dave Grohl

I recently read The Storyteller by Dave Grohl and highly recommend it. It’s a collection of stories from his life and career, from drumming for Nirvana to building Foo Fighters into a global act, and it’s more personal and reflective than you might expect from a rock memoir. What stood out to me was his relentless work ethic and drive to keep pushing creatively even after massive success. His passion for music and genuine gratitude come through alongside heartfelt stories about family. The audiobook is narrated by Dave himself, which adds a lot of personal feeling—I highly recommend that format if you’re a fan.

Rafa on Netflix

Rafa is a three-part documentary series following Rafael Nadal through his final season, and it goes well beyond the usual sports highlights reel. His practice discipline is remarkable — he continued training rigorously even while managing significant injuries — and his drive for excellence comes through in how he frames competing, rather than winning, as the true motivation. There’s also a meaningful thread around his commitment to family and giving back to his community in Mallorca. Overall, it’s less about tennis and more about what sustained purpose looks like over a career. It’s definitely worth a watch if you’re looking for something inspiring.

Tom Powers
Partner, CEO

Book: 1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History by Andrew Ross Sorkin

I decided to read 1929 after hearing Andrew Ross Sorkin discuss it on a podcast and on CNBC. I had enjoyed his earlier book, Too Big to Fail, and thought it would be interesting to compare his treatment of two pivotal periods in financial history.

Sorkin is skilled at bringing complex historical events to life through the prominent figures at their center, including John D. Rockefeller, Herbert Hoover, Richard Whitney, and Federal Reserve officials. What struck me was how the crash resulted not from a single event, but from a combination of excessive borrowing, rampant speculation, and human behavior — greed as the market climbed and fear as it fell.

Sorkin is a great storyteller, and while 1929 is a long book, it’s an easy read. I’d recommend it to anyone interested in financial history or the timeless role human behavior plays in markets.

Kara South, CFA
Municipal Bond Portfolio Manager

Podcast: Odd Lots — Bloomberg with Joe Weisenthal and Tracy Alloway

Bloomberg’s Odd Lots is a finance and markets podcast that takes a deep dive into one topic per episode, with guests who bring expertise and firsthand perspective to the discussion. Topics range widely — from cybersecurity and commodities to real estate, market structure, AI, and more. What I value most is that variety, paired with a consistent level of rigor and depth. The hosts ask detailed questions that get beyond the headlines and into the mechanics of what’s actually driving markets.

Leigh Williamson, CFA
Client Portfolio Manager

Book: Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

Theo of Golden is Allen Levi’s first novel, and it’s magical.

I first discovered this book while killing time before a flight at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after several days of business travel. As I tried to tune out the airport chaos, two things caught my eye: 1) the title (Theo was the name of my beloved Bernese Mountain Dog, who had passed away peacefully earlier that month) and 2) the cover, whose minimalist design — a single feather against a cream background — is delightfully peaceful and happens to match most of my wardrobe: cream, white, and black.

Lucky for me, the story itself outdid the cover art. A man named Theo arrives mysteriously in the small town of Golden, purchases ninety-two portraits by a local artist, and sets out to give them as gifts to their rightful owners. What ensues is a story about connecting with new people, building unexpected friendships, and the ripple effect that kindness and generosity can have. It makes you want to be a better version of yourself. I would recommend it to everyone.

Lulu Zheng, CFA
Research Analyst

Podcast: Yet Another Value with Andrew Walker

I enjoy Andrew Walker’s Yet Another Value, which focuses on event-driven and special-situations investing, frequently featuring small cap companies. The companies showcased are often at critical inflection points, and there is fascinating psychology behind motivations of various stakeholders involved.

I find it interesting to hear different investment managers explain their approaches, the catalysts and key performance indicators they watch, and what makes a particular investment compelling.

Research analysts are often trained to follow a particular framework for thinking about investing — value versus growth, fundamental versus quantitative, and so on. While I think it’s important to maintain conviction, Walker’s interviews are a good reminder that there are many investment philosophies and diverse ways to generate alpha. Understanding how other investors think can broaden your perspective, sharpen critical thinking, and ultimately make you a better investor.