Podcast
The HC Commodities Podcast
Hosted by Paul Chapman, HC Group · EN
Each day, around the world, we have fascinating one-on-one conversations with our connections in the commodities sector. Our collaborators are uniquely informed, creative and inspirational in their fields. We want to provide our community a seat alongside us, listening in to these conversations in that special way podcasting provides as we tackle topical and people related issues with the leaders and leading minds in our sector. Visit www.hcgroup.global more information about our search and talent intelligence services for the energy and commodities sectors.
To connect with our host Paul Chapman, you can find him at www.linkedin.com/in/paulchapmanhc/
99episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Coming El Niño with Michael Ferrari
Today00:53:04Summary readyToday we discuss El Niño - the dramatic, periodic, shift in climate patterns, that depending on intensity and duration can have profound impacts on our world, economies, and the commodities sector. And as of right now, we are back in an El Niño and it is expected to be one of the strongest on records. What are the known impacts? And how might the state of the world today, with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, exacerbate those impacts? And what could happen if we hit Super El Niño territory? Our guest is Michael Ferrari, head of research at Moby, an AI native investment platform targeted to retail investors. Michael has previously been on the show and has a stellar career at the center of data, analytics, insight, and building platforms to support that in various roles in such companies as Coca-Cola, Syngenta, Engine No. Point72, and latterly at AlphaGeo. For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a search firm dedicated to the energy & commodities sector, visit https://www.hcgroup.global
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Real-Ekonomik: The Iran War's Longevity with Nick Kumleben
6d ago00:57:30Summary readyWe return in a special episode to the Iranian-US war to discuss how "Real-Ekonomik" is shaping realpolitik. Nick Kumleben, Director at Greenmantle, the geopolitical risk and strategy consultancy, where Nick handles the energy and commodities portfolio, joins us to discuss the status of the war and its potential future track. We use commodities and more broadly economics to try and understand the strategies and positioning of the various participants and their allies. Who wants peace, who wants all-out war, if any and who is OK with the status quo for now. For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a search firm dedicated to the energy & commodities sector, visit https://www.hcgroup.global
SummaryChip War: how semiconductors became the new oil with Chris Miller (summer repeat)
1w ago00:55:12Summary readySemi-conductors, microchips, are the new oil - the scarce resource on which the modern world depends. Today, military, economic, and geopolitical power are built on a foundation of computer chips. This has only accelerated with the emergence of AI. Yet, the supply chain is incredibly concentrated with just a handful of countries and companies dominating. As with oil in the previous century, chips sit at the center of geopolitics, great-power rivalry and trade, especially between the US and China. How did chips become some crucial and their supply chains so concentrated and what does it mean for all our futures? Our guest is economic historian Chris Miller, author of Chip War - The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology, the New York Times best seller. For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a search firm dedicated to the energy & commodities sector, visit https://www.hcgroup.global
SummaryThe Price of Money with Edward Chancellor (Summer Repeat)
2w ago01:01:45Summary readyToday, we are talking interest rates. The rate of interest, or the price of money, has a profound impact on the energy and commodities sector, influencing the cost of carry, the price of assets and investment decisions. The story we're about to tell is what happens to economies and societies and the energy and commodities sector when interest rates are unnaturally low, as after the global financial crisis. In this episode, recorded just prior to the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Credit Suisse in 2023, financial historian Edward Chancellor, joined us to discuss his book “The Price of Time”. He's noted for his prescient warnings on major economic bubbles, has many awards and accolades, and described by Fortune magazine as one of the greatest financial historians alive. For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a search firm dedicated to the energy & commodities sector, visit https://www.hcgroup.global
SummarySolar Flares and Coronal Mass Ejections with Edl Schamiloglu (Summer Repeat)
3w ago00:42:11Summary readyIn this episode, we discuss geomagnetic storms, extreme electromagnetic events known as coronal mass ejections that would destroy every satellite around the planet, wipe out power grids and most if not all of our electronics. The Carrington event that happened in 1859 destroyed the only electrical system at that point, the telegraph, across all of North America. An event such as that now would have catastrophic, even civilization-ending impacts. Scientists predict an event like the Carrington event happens every 100 to every 500 years. And the Carrington event is small compared to pre-history events. Yet despite the profound impact and the likelihood, public awareness remains low, there is little political action, little has been done to harden our power grid or plan for such an event. Since recording this episode in 2024, we have witnessed numerous X-class flares and geomagnetic storms triggering Northern Lights across the Northern Hemisphere. To talk about geomagnetic storms, their impact, the likelihood, the fragility of our global power grids and some solutions, is Distinguished. Professor of Electronics and Computer Engineering, Edl Schamiloglu. Edl is the Distinguished and specializes in extreme electromagnetic phenomena. For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a search firm dedicated to the energy & commodities sector, visit https://www.hcgroup.global
SummaryWhale Oil with Eric Jay Dolin (Summer Repeat)
4w ago00:48:47Summary readyIn 1859, illumination throughout the major metropolises of the West was powered by whale oil. Whale oil was at the center of international trade (and trade disputes). Prices were at an all time high and great fortunes had been made. Yet, in that same year, Edwin Drake started the oil rush in Titusville, Pennsylvania…and every thing changed. Quickly. What lessons are there in this first energy transition in the modern era? In this episode we dig into the history of whaling and whale oil. Our guest is historian Eric Jay Dolan, author of Leviathan: A history of whaling in America. Eric takes us through the history of whale oil. A history of the first commodity cartels (they failed too), extraordinary entrepreneurs, boom and bust, environmental exploitation and Benjamin Franklin’s taste for Spermaceti Candles. For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a search firm dedicated to the energy & commodities sector, visit https://www.hcgroup.global
SummaryDe-Dollarization, Debasement & Diversification: Precious Metals with Nicky Shiels
Jun 3000:47:31Summary readyToday we discuss gold, silver and the platinum group metals. What drove the huge run-up in prices for all of them in 2025 and into 2026, and was the US-Iran war just a setback to those prices or the end of a bull market? Our guest is Nicky Shiels, Head of Research and Strategy for MKS Pamp, a global trading house and refiner for precious metals serving a diverse and global customer base. For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a search firm dedicated to the energy & commodities sector, visit https://www.hcgroup.global
SummaryData Centers aren't the bubble with Eugene McGrane
Jun 2300:55:18Summary readyToday we return to the subject of data centers. Are we in the midst of a huge AI bubble? And building over capacity in data centers that are destined to end up as dusty sheds in the middle of nowhere with huge power supplies attached, or are data centers the rate limiting factor and the crucial midstream of the future industrial age? Here to discuss bubbles and data centers is Eugene McGrane, Executive Managing Director at Cushman Wakefield, servicing all manner of clients with respect to real estate needs for the power and data center sectors. For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a search firm dedicated to the energy & commodities sector, visit https://www.hcgroup.global
SummaryWhy is oil so cheap? With David Wech
Jun 1600:48:11Summary readyToday, we return to the subject of oil and the impact of the Iran War. How have flows and demand changed and why are prices so relatively low? Is this a function of great PR work on behalf of the US Administration? Or is something else happening? Why, contrary to all expectations, oil prices remain relatively subdued? And how long can this go on for? Here to answer those questions is David Wech, Chief Economist at Vortexa, the energy and shipping data and analytics firm. For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a search firm dedicated to the energy & commodities sector, visit https://www.hcgroup.global
SummaryDigital Assets and the Blockchain Renaissance with Joe Miscioscia
Jun 900:48:00Summary readyToday we return to digital assets, quant trading and blockchain infrastructure. Since we last checked in on the space in the wake of FTX's collapse, digital assets, crypto trading, blockchain infrastructure has recovered and gone mainstream. From major institutions and hedge funds having multiple desks to the rise of blockchain infrastructure in settlements and payments - not only in the commodities sector, but across all of industry. What are the latest trends? What is talent demand and for which disciplines? What is the intersection with the commodities sector? Our guest is Joe Miscioscia, Founder and CEO of the Joseph Anthony Group, a recruitment firm dedicated to digital assets, quant trading, and blockchain infrastructure. Visit https://www.josephanthonygroup.com for more, For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a search firm dedicated to the energy & commodities sector, visit https://www.hcgroup.global
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