Podcast
Smart Money Circle
Hosted by Adam Sarhan · EN
This show interviews the “smart money” (large money managers & CEOs) for timeless investing advice. My goal is to provide you with timeless/actionable advice that you can use to make smarter investment decisions, and help you become intellectually wealthy.
The Host:
Adam Sarhan, Author, Investor, and Forbes Contributor, interviews real money managers with over $100 million in assets under management (AUM) and CEOs for timeless advice.
Disclaimer:
All our work is general in nature and for educational/informational purposes only. No specific investment advice is given.
46episodes
Episodes
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This CEO Helps People Invest Like Institutions – Meet Joe Barrato Founder & CEO Arrow Funds
5d ago00:30:15Tap to summarizeGuest Joseph Barrato Founder & CEO of Arrow Investment AdvisorsWebsitehttps://arrowfunds.com/BioJoseph Barrato is the Founder and CEO of Arrow Investment Advisors, where he has spent nearly two decades developing institutional-style portfolio solutions designed to help financial advisors navigate changing market environments through diversification, tactical allocation, and alternative investments.With more than 25 years of experience spanning ETF innovation, quantitative modeling, managed futures, and tactical portfolio construction, Joe has been involved in the development of several pioneering investment structures throughout his career. Prior to founding Arrow in 2006, he held leadership roles at Rydex Investments, where he worked on research, momentum modeling, and product development initiatives that contributed to some of the earliest innovations in smart beta, tactical allocation, and ETF portfolio design, including work associated with the Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF.Earlier in his career, Joe spent 12 years at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, where he worked as both a financial analyst and senior financial examiner supporting economists, analyzing monetary data, and advising Federal Reserve officials on financial and operational matters.Under Joe’s leadership, Arrow became an early adopter of managed futures within the 40 Act structure and today manages one of the industry’s longest-running managed futures strategies in a mutual fund wrapper. Arrow has also helped develop innovative solutions across tactical balanced portfolios, global macro strategies, income-oriented ETFs, and Tactical Bitcoin strategies focused on managing volatility within digital assets.In addition to portfolio management and product development, Joe regularly publishes market commentary and portfolio research through Arrow Insights, focusing on portfolio construction, volatility, diversification, and evolving market structure. He is also actively involved in charitable and community outreach initiatives, including Dividend Angels and service-oriented programs supporting recovery and underserved communities in Baltimore.Joe’s investment philosophy centers on a belief that portfolio structure matters just as much as asset selection. His work has consistently focused on helping advisors incorporate non-correlated exposures, systematic disciplines, and dynamic allocation frameworks into modern portfolio construction.
Transcribe →This $2B CEO Built An ETF Powerhouse Based By Using Macro Themes & Smart Beta 2.0
1w ago00:25:37Tap to summarizeThis $2B CEO Built An ETF Powerhouse Based By Using Macro Themes & Smart Beta 2.0GuestFrank Holmes CEO & CIO of US Global Investors With Many ETFS ~$2B AUM CEO and Chief Investment Officer of U.S. Global Investors (GROW, JETS, HIVE, SEAS, and more) Executive Chairman of HIVE Digital Technologies (NASDAQ: HIVE)Company Name: U.S. Global InvestorsCompany Website: usfunds.comFrank Holmes BioFrank Holmes is the CEO and chief investment officer of U.S. Global Investors (NASDAQ: GROW). Mr. Holmes purchased a controlling interest in U.S. Global Investors in 1989 and became the firm’s chief investment officer in 1999. He is the co-author of The Goldwatcher: Demystifying Gold Investing. Over 100,000 subscribers follow his weekly commentary in the award-winning Investor Alert newsletter, across social channels and in his Frank Talk blog, which is read in over 180 countries.Under his guidance, the company’s mutual funds have received recognition from Lipper and Morningstar over the years. In 2015, Mr. Holmes led the company into the exchange-traded fund (ETF) business with the launch of the U.S. Global Jets ETF (NYSE: JETS), which invests in the global airline sector. In 2017, the firm launched its second ETF, the U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF (NYSE: GOAU), focusing on gold royalty companies. In 2017, U.S. Global Investors made a strategic investment in HIVE Digital Technologies (TSX.V: HIVE, NASDAQ: HIVE). Mr. Holmes serves as Executive Chairman of HIVE, which is the first cryptocurrency mining company to go public, mining Bitcoin.Mr. Holmes is a much-sought-after keynote speaker at national and international investment conferences. He is a regular commentator on popular financial networks and has been profiled by Fortune as well as The Financial Times. U.S. Global Investors — ETFsU.S. Global Investors ETFs - Total Assets (ETFDb): ~2B AUMU.S. Global Jets ETF (JETS)AUM: $941.84MU.S. Global Go GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF (GOAU)AUM: $220.09MU.S. Global Technology and Aerospace & Defense ETF (WAR)AUM: $12.30MU.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF (SEA)AUM: $12.10M
Transcribe →This Company Wants To Keep Your Heart Healthy – Meet Todd Usen CEO Adagio Medical – ADGM
2w ago00:30:09Tap to summarizeThis Company Wants To Keep Your Heart Healthy – Meet Todd Usen CEO Adagio Medical – ADGMGuest Todd Usen, Chief Executive Officer Adagio MedicalCompany: Adagio MedicalTicker: ADGMWebsite: https://adagiomedical.com/Bio: Adagio Medical is a medical device company focused on developing and commercializing products for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias utilizing its novel, proprietary, catheter-based Ultra-Low Temperature Ablation (ULTA) technology. ULTA is designed to create large, durable lesions extending through the depth of both diseased and healthy cardiac tissue. The Company is currently focused on the treatment of ventricular tachycardia (VT) with its purpose-built vCLAS™ catheter, which is CE Marked and is currently under evaluation in the FULCRUM-VT U.S. IDE Pivotal Study. FULCRUM-VT, which took only eleven months to fully enroll 209 patients, completed enrollment in October 2025 and FDA approval of vCLAS is expected by the end of 2026.
Transcribe →This $1B Money Manager Is Funding The American Dream. Meet Damien Dwin Founder/CEO Lafayette Square
2w ago00:32:55Tap to summarizeThis Money Manager Is Helping Companies Grow & Financing The American Dream.Guest: Damien Dwin Founder & CEO Lafayette Square$1.1B AUMCompany Name: Lafayette SquareWebsite: www.lafayettesquare.comDamien’s Bio:Damien Dwin is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lafayette Square®, a private credit firm lending capital to growing middle market companies in working-class places. Previously, Damien served as Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Brightwood Capital Advisors from its founding in 2010 to October 2020. Damien began his career as a trader with Goldman Sachs, New York & London, there earning the Michael P. Mortara Award for Innovation. At Credit Suisse, he was the Co-Founder and Head of the North American Special Opportunities business until 2010. Damien also served on the Vice President Selection Committee and led the Fixed Income Division Credit Training Program. Damien serves on the non-profit boards of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Studio Museum in Harlem, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Boys’ Club of New York, and Vera Institute of Justice. He is a Council Member of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.Damien received a B.S./B.A. from Georgetown University. Company bio: Lafayette Square® is a private credit firm lending capital to growing middle market companies in Working-Class places. The firm focuses on non-sponsored deals, significant managerial assistance, and a data-driven investment strategy. Lafayette Square's thesis holds that Working-Class people and places are overlooked by private credit creating an attractive investment opportunity subject to conservative underwriting, managerial assistance, and technology. Lafayette Square® aims to support 100,000 Working-Class jobs, invest 50% of capital in Working-Class places, and curate benefits for 50% of its portfolio by 2030. For more information, please visit www.lafayettesquare.com<http://www.lafayettesquare.com/>.
Transcribe →This CEO Built A $860M Money Management Firm & Is Big On Servant Leadership.
3w ago00:23:15Tap to summarizeThis CEO Built A $860M Money Management Firm & Is Big On Servant Leadership. Guest Max Kulyk CEO and Founder Chicory Wealth with ~$860M in AUM Company Chicory WealthWebsitehttps://chicorywealth.com/Max BioMy main interest is in people – getting to know them, listening to them, and helping them balance their finances with the rest of their lives in a way that has meaning to them. I started in the financial industry in 2002 and opened Maggie Kulyk and Associates soon after. In 2018 this business became Chicory Wealth, a fee-only financial life planning and sustainable wealth management firm.I have a BA in political philosophy from West Chester (Pennsylvania) State University and an MDiv from Candler School of Theology at Emory, finishing ABD from the Graduate School of Religion at Emory. I’m a CRPC® (Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM), a Chartered SRI Counselor™, and a member of the Financial Planning Association. I’m also the author of Integrating Money and Meaning: Practices for a Heart-Centered Life.I’m married to Dr. Wendy Farley, professor of Christian spirituality and director of the Christian Spirituality Program at San Francisco Theological Seminary, and we have four children: Joanna, Scotty, Paul, and Yana, and one grandchild, Liv. My constant companion is a coton de tulear named Teddy.A balanced life for me includes pickleball, beer, time with my beloved family and friends, and hanging out on Orcas Island, Washington.Chicory OrginChicory Wealth is a fee-only private wealth advisory practice with the aim of helping our clients “integrate money and meaning.” We provide financial life planning and socially conscious investing to individuals and nonprofit organizations across the country. With a background in business and religious studies, Maggie Kulyk opened the practice as Maggie Kulyk and Associates in Decatur, Georgia, in 2002, and it became Chicory Wealth in 2018. We are a national, all-virtual business, with a mailing address in Decatur, Georgia.
Transcribe →This $2.4B Money Management Firm Starts With A Comprehensive Plan
3w ago00:12:59Tap to summarizeThis $2.4B Money Management Firm Shares Timeless Advice Chris Ballard, Managing Director at Check CapitalManagement.Websitehttps://checkcapital.com/AUM - 2.4 Billion Company BioCheck Capital Management is an award-winning investment and asset management firm based in Costa Mesa, California, serving clients throughout the United States. Founded in 1987, the firm specializes in long-term, value-oriented portfolio management, with a focus on acquiring shares of high-quality businesses at attractive prices and helping clients protect and grow their wealth.Known for its disciplined investment philosophy and personalized service, Check Capital offers both traditional asset-based fee structures and profit-based management options, designed to align the firm’s interests with client outcomes. The firm manages more than $2.3 billion in assets and serves a diverse clientele, including high-net-worth individuals, retirement plans, and corporate accounts.With a commitment to thoughtful research and a long-term perspective, Check Capital combines rigorous fundamental analysis with a client-first approach to deliver tailored investment solutions and long-term financial guidance.Chris Ballard’s Bio:Chris Ballard, CFP® is a seasoned financial advisor and Certified Financial Planner with a strong focus on helping individuals and families achieve their long-term financial goals. Based in Costa Mesa, California, Chris works with clients at Check Capital Management, where he provides personalized financial planning and portfolio management services tailored to each client’s unique needs.With a comprehensive understanding of retirement planning, investment strategy, and risk management, Chris leverages his CFP® designation and financial expertise to guide clients through complex financial decisions with clarity and confidence. Outside of his professional work, he is known for his commitment to delivering thoughtful, client-centered advice that aligns with both short-term priorities and long-term objectives.
Transcribe →How This $18B Money Management Firm Focuses On Process Over Outcome... Modera Wealth
3w ago00:24:18Tap to summarizeGuestSarah DerGarabedian, Director of Investment Strategy, Principal at Modera WealthCompany: Modera WealthWebsite: www.moderawealth.comAUM ~$18BSarah’s Bio: Sarah specializes in investment strategy at Modera, where she oversees the firm’s research team and investment initiatives. She thrives on solving operational challenges and helps bring clarity to complex financial concepts for the firm’s clients. She is particularly passionate about the behavioral side of investing—understanding what drives investor decisions and guiding them with empathy, evidence, and a touch of humor. Her approach is grounded in consistency, discipline, humility, and a long-term perspective, mirroring her personal philosophy on health and wellness. Sarah’s curiosity and beginner’s mindset keep her adaptable and engaged in the ever-evolving financial landscape. With over 20 years of experience in the RIA industry, Sarah joined Modera in 2023 following an 18-year tenure at Parsec Financial, where she led research, trading, and portfolio management. Before entering the financial sector, she worked in fields as diverse as petroleum geology and academic editing, showcasing her wide-ranging interests and adaptability. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geology from Wellesley College and is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®). She is affiliated with the CFA Institute and the CFA Society North Carolina. Outside of Modera, Sarah is an avid reader who often juggles multiple books across genres—from history and mystery to humor and leadership. She enjoys spending time outdoors with friends and family, whether hiking the mountains around Asheville or searching for shark’s teeth on the beaches of Pawleys Island.
Transcribe →This $12B Money Manager Helps Investors Put Alternative Investments In Their Retirement Accounts. CEO Rocket Dollar
4w ago00:19:38Tap to summarizeThis $12B Money Manager Helps Investors Put Alternative Investments In Their Retirement Accounts. Guest: Henry Yoshida CFP Co-Founder & CEO of Rocket DollarCompany: Rocket Dollar (parent company retired.com) Assets Under Custody ~ $12BWebsite: https://rocketdollar.com/Henry's Bio: Henry is CEO and Co-founder of Rocket Dollar, a web platform that lets people invest tax advantaged retirement monies into private alternative investments. Henry was founder of venture capital backed roboadvisor retirement plan platform Honest Dollar[acquired by Goldman Sachs in 2016], was the founder of MY Group LLC[acquired by Captrust], and spent 10 years at Merrill Lynch. Henry is a Certified Financial Planner and has brought multiple innovative products and methodologies to the market. Yoshida graduated from The University of Texas at Austin, has an MBA from Cornell University, and lives in Austin with his two daughters.Company Bio: Rocket Dollar is a financial services company that lets individuals open self-directed retirement accounts like IRAs and Solo 401(k) plans that give you much greater control over what you invest in like real estate, private equity, cryptocurrency, precious metals, and more.
Transcribe →This Investment Bank Takes Frontier Companies Public and Helps Them Grow
Apr 1700:38:36Tap to summarizeThis Investment Bank Takes Frontier Companies Public and Helps Them GrowGuestDaniel G. Cohen, Executive Chairman Cohen & Company $COHNCompanyCohen & Company, https://cohenandcompany.com/, COHNDaniel’s Bio Daniel G. Cohen is a financier, entrepreneur, and investor with more than two decades of experience building and leading institutions across investment banking, capital markets, asset management, and financial technology. He is the founder of Cohen & Company, the co-founder of The Bancorp, and the founder of Cohen Circle.Mr. Cohen founded Cohen & Company in 1999 and currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cohen & Company Inc. (NYSE American: COHN) and Chairman of the Board of Managers of Cohen & Company, LLC, its majority-owned operating subsidiary.Mr. Cohen co-founded The Bancorp (Nasdaq: TBBK) in 1999 alongside his mother, Betsy Z. Cohen, serving as Chairman from 2000 through October 2021. Under his leadership, the bank became widely recognized as a pioneer in fintech-enabled banking and financial infrastructure.In 2019, Mr. Cohen founded Cohen Circle, LLC, a private investment firm and fund manager focused on financial technology and adjacent sectors. Cohen Circle has raised over $5 billion in capital since its founding. Mr. Cohen is also a recognized leader in the SPAC market, having served as CEO of multiple blank check companies targeting the fintech sector.Mr. Cohen holds a B.A. in East Asian History from the University of Chicago. He serves as a Trustee of the Paideia Institute, a Trustee of the Arete Foundation, and is a member of the board of the Columbia Global Center in Paris.Company BioCohen & Company is a leading financial institution delivering sector expertise, innovative products, and tailored solutions across a broad range of financial services, including investment banking, capital markets, fixed income and equities sales and trading, and asset management. We serve public companies, private companies, and their sponsors and owners, institutional investors, and financial institutions. Our mission is to deliver value to our clients and stakeholders by forming collaborative, long-term relationships that produce successful strategic outcomes.
Transcribe →This $600 Million Money Manager Built A Firm By Doing The Right Thing For His Clients.
Apr 1600:21:41Tap to summarizeThis $600 Million Money Manager Built A Firm By Doing The Right Thing For His Clients. Guest’s Name: Monish Verma * Title: Founding Partner, CEO * Company Website: www.vardhanwealth.com * AUM: ~$630MBio: Monish Verma is the Founding Partner and CEO of Vardhan Wealth Management, a firm dedicated to helping individuals and multigenerational families achieve their financial goals with confidence. With over 25 years of experience in wealth management, Monish combines his deep expertise in financial planning with a steadfast commitment to integrity and client-first service. His personalized approach to financial strategies focuses on uncovering opportunities and addressing challenges guiding clients toward their unique financial goals while navigating both stable and volatile market environments. Before founding Vardhan Wealth Management, Monish served as Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager at UBS Financial Services Inc., where he led the Verma Wealth Management Group. He also held roles at Smith Barney and Morgan Stanley, developing extensive experience across a range of financial services. Monish earned his Bachelor of Science in Communication Pre-Law, with a minor in Business, from Michigan State University. He is a Chartered Retirement Plans SpecialistSM. Monish is actively engaged in the community as a past president and current member of the INDO American Chamber of Commerce, as well as a charter member of Indus Entrepreneurs, Michigan Chapter. When not working, Monish enjoys spending time with his wife, Roshnee, their three sons, and his parents. He loves playing tennis, supporting Michigan State sports, and recently returned to playing golf.
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