Essential Listening: Superbosses

One of the things holding podcasting back from becoming a more viable advertising medium is the lack of consensus on what constitutes a download, let alone a listen. This is very much an inside baseball sort of topic, but it underlines the fact that podcasting still has a way to go to catch up to other, more advertiser-friendly media.

Among the reason I started writing these posts was to expose enthusiasts to a more diverse list of podcasts. Other people are on this same thread as well. For example, Nick Quah is committing himself full time to his podcasting newsletter, Hot Pod, in the hopes of building a sustainable business.

If you’re interested in sampling more podcasts, be sure to explore earlier editions of Essential Listening. As usual, the latest installment includes a broad selection of content to make your next bit of down time a little more illuminating.

• There are few economic prognosticators as omnipresent of late as Mohamed El-Erian. Barry Ritholtz of Ritholtz Wealth Management talks with El-Erian about his new book, The Only Game in Town: Central Banks, Instability, and Avoiding the Next Collapse. They discuss how the global economy got here and the two paths forward. (The Big Picture)
• Much has been made about the changes going on in the financial advisory business. James Osborne of Bason Asset Management is very much going his own way. James sits with Aaron Watson to discuss the future of money management, and the need to gird ourselves psychologically as investors. (Going Deep with Aaron Watson)
• Rumors abound regarding what moves Amazon will make next. There is talk that Amazon wants to get deeper into transportation and will start opening brick and mortar stores. Dan Raff and Amanda Nicholson debate the prospects for Amazon’s move into physical retail and what it may mean for the company and industry. (Knowledge@Wharton)
• Equity crowdfunding has been hyped for a long time now. One area in which it has actually taken off is in the funding of consumer-facing companies. Ryan Caldbeck, of the crowdfunding platform CircleUp, explains why crowdfunding works for their universe of companies and doesn’t for pure tech plays. (The Twenty Minute VC)
• Michael Covel interviews Nobel Prize–winning economist Angus Deaton about his research and the impact of winning the Nobel Prize. They examine the state of global poverty and the importance (and misuse) of data when considering income trends. (Trend Following)
• In the digital age, handwriting is taking a backseat to typing, swiping, and clicking. Are we losing something by de-emphasizing handwriting? There is some compelling evidence that handwriting beats typing when it comes to taking notes and ultimately understanding information. (Freakonomics)
• Mark Cuban seems to be everywhere. That is why a long-form discussion with him is worth a listen. Patrick Bet-David sits down with Cuban to learn how he got started in business and why entrepreneurs need to define their edge. (Finance Trends)
• What does it take to be a superboss? In short, it requires the ability to collect and inspire talent. Sydney Finkelstein, author of Superbosses: How Exceptional Leaders Master the Flow of Talent, discusses specific bosses and the insights he has gained from them. (Harvard Business Review)
• Brian Koppelman talks with producer/director/screenwriter (and superboss) Judd Apatow about making the transition from writer to full-blown media mogul. They discuss going from mentee to mentor and the need (and desire) to work with people you like rather than people you have to work with. (The Moment)
• Speaking of Brian Koppelman, Jordan Harbinger explores the fine line between delusion and artistry with the Billions co-creator. They delve into the lessons Koppelman learned from going to law school and the need for putting in the time to hone your craft. (The Art of Charm)

Feel free to leave a comment or suggest other podcasts from whcih Enterprising Investor readers and listeners may benefit. I might highlight your suggestion in this ongoing series on the world of podcasting.

You can read more from Tadas Viskanta on his blog Abnormal Returns or follow him on Twitter @abnormalreturns.

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All posts are the opinion of the author. As such, they should not be construed as investment advice, nor do the opinions expressed necessarily reflect the views of CFA Institute or the author’s employer.

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