Podcast
Trends with Friends
Hosted by Howard Lindzon · EN
Trends with Friends is a weekly podcast and newsletter hosted by Howard Lindzon, JC Parets, and Phil Pearlman, discussing the hottest trends in the market and more. Oh, and they occasionally invite their friends to join the fun.
Follow the Show:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdHmRHXX9yQe07xpndq9wHA
Trends With Friends Newsletter: https://trendswithfriends.com/
Howard's Newsletter: https://www.howardlindzon.com/
Follow The Hosts:
https://twitter.com/howardlindzon
https://twitter.com/allstarcharts
https://twitter.com/ppearlman
21episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Streaming Wars: Why YouTube Wins & Netflix Is Chasing the Wrong Prize
Dec 1700:57:34Summary readyHear ye, hear ye. Howard is back on Trends With Friends with an actual friend and streaming insider: Farhad Massoudi, founder of Tubi – the free, ad-supported streaming service he started in 2011, launched in 2014, and sold to Fox for about $500M. Today, Tubi has 100M+ MAUs, $1B+ in revenue, and is profitable… not bad for what everyone once dismissed as “crap tail content.” Farhad walks through how Tubi really worked:Why he bet on the tail of the library (bottom 99%) instead of the sexy top 20 originalsHow Tubi was always a data & AI company that happened to be mediaWhy fragmentation in news, music, and now TV makes the YouTube-style model inevitableThen they go deep on the Netflix–Warner Bros–Paramount–Ellison–Qatar circus:The AT&T → WarnerMedia → Discovery saga and how the bundling thesis already failed twiceWhy Netflix paying a ~180% premium for Warner is, in Farhad’s words, a huge mistakeThe harsh reality: most of Warner’s library is already licensed out (including to Tubi) for yearsWhy Netflix can’t just move the whole library onto its own service without nuking valuable dealsHow international licensing (like Sky in the UK) totally breaks the “just bring it all under Netflix” fantasyWhy the best they can really do is yet another bundle… over many yearsHoward and Farhad also hit: Why YouTube, not Disney/Paramount/Warner, is Netflix’s real competitionHoward’s own shift from “Netflix first” to YouTube first for nightly viewingWhy platforms + algorithms + data will always beat pure curation, except in tiny “Ferrari” nichesThe idea that AI will lower content costs, blow up creation, and make platforms the big winnersHow Ellison’s media buying spree might be a hedge against his massive AI bet (people with more free time need more entertainment)Why it was so hard to raise money for Tubi, why the Fox deal was the right home, and why Farhad still cares about his “baby”A detour into Bravo-ification of Netflix, sports docs, and whether they actually care if you’re watching or just payingPlus some extremely on-brand degeneracy: Persian carpets, 11-foot chest hairs, and showing up to a brutal Italian cycling trip having never clipped into a bikeIf you care about:Streaming wars (Netflix / Warner / Paramount / NBC / Tubi / YouTube)Platforms vs curationAI’s impact on mediaAnd how real operators see this space……this is a masterclass in how the next decade of media might actually play out.Disclaimer: All opinions expressed on this show are solely the opinions of the hosts’ and guests’ and do not reflect the opinions of Stocktwits, Inc. or its affiliates. The hosts are not SEC or FINRA registered advisors or professionals. The content of this show is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please consult with your financial advisor before making any investment decision. Read the full terms & conditions here: https://stocktwits.com/about/legal/terms/
SummaryGoogle vs OpenAI: Code Red, Gemini, and the AI Arms Race
Dec 900:56:34Summary readyThe gang is back for a “Code Red” episode of Trends With Friends.Howard is joined by regulars Michael Parekh and Roy Rubin to unpack the real state of the AI wars: Google vs OpenAI, Apple’s quiet dominance at the edge, Amazon’s under-the-radar AI position, and why Tesla’s FSD might be the new definition of luxury.They go deep on:Why there’s now a “code red” inside OpenAI after Google’s Gemini pushHow Google’s distribution edge (Search, Chrome, Android, YouTube) changes the AI gameRoy’s real-world shift from ChatGPT power user → Gemini everyday userThe uncomfortable truth about OpenAI’s business model and subscription fragilityWhy Apple and Amazon may actually be the least appreciated AI winnersHow Tesla FSD and Waymo redefine “the edge” and what luxury means (time)The coming battle over AI agents in e-commerce, Shopify/Magento, and who owns the customerWhy prediction markets (Kalshi, Polymarket, etc.) might be the new media layer over news & politicsIf you care about where AI, big tech, and commerce are really going over the next 2–3 years — not just the hype — this is the episode.Google vs OpenAI “code red” momentGemini vs ChatGPT and how users are actually behavingApple’s AI moat at the edge (iPhone, iOS, App Store, Siri)Amazon, AWS, and agentic AI for enterprises & e-commerceTesla FSD, Waymo and autonomy as a time-saving utilityAgentic commerce: AI shopping vs merchant-owned funnelsShopify, Magento, marketplaces, and AI as a new distribution layerPrediction markets (Kalshi, Polymarket) as a new form of media🔢 Chapters00:00 – Welcome to “Trends With Friends: Code Red”01:20 – Roy Rubin intro: Magento, Adobe, and R-Squared Ventures03:00 – Magento’s origin story and the open-source e-commerce era05:30 – From Google’s 2017 transformer paper to today’s AI “code red”09:00 – Google’s TPUs, vertical stack and long-game vs OpenAI12:40 – Roy’s behavior shift: from hourly ChatGPT user to barely opening it16:00 – Usage data, code red at OpenAI & the fragility of subscription revenue18:30 – Ads, incentives, and the “one right answer” problem in AI search21:00 – Apps, agents, and why OpenAI may be crowding out its own ecosystem24:30 – Apple’s AI position: distribution, devices, and Siri’s next act28:00 – Google vs Apple vs Android: ecosystems, habits & where AI really lives31:30 – Browsers, AI search, and why no one downloads new browsers anymore36:00 – Grok on X: nice integration, but will it change user behavior?37:20 – Tesla FSD as the new luxury: time is better than leather; Waymo vs Tesla41:45 – Google, China, Nvidia, and who had to “kiss the ring”42:50 – Amazon & AWS: agents, chips and why they’re underrated in AI46:20 – Anthropic’s enterprise focus and cleaner business model49:45 – Commerce reality check: why AI front-ends are still “all noise”51:40 – Shopify, Magento, walled gardens and agentic commerce54:20 – Prediction markets as a new media layer on top of news56:00 – Final takeaways & what to watch over the next 2–3 yearsDisclaimer: All opinions expressed on this show are solely the opinions of the hosts’ and guests’ and do not reflect the opinions of Stocktwits, Inc. or its affiliates. The hosts are not SEC or FINRA registered advisors or professionals. The content of this show is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please consult with your financial advisor before making any investment decision. Read the full terms & conditions here: https://stocktwits.com/about/legal/terms/
SummaryInternet Capital Markets: Kyle Samani on Solana, Prediction Markets, and the $FORD Play
Oct 2900:59:10Summary readyHoward and Michael sit down with Multicoin’s Kyle Samani for a fast, no-BS tour of where markets are going next. They rewind the Multicoin origin story (including Howard’s IRA adventure), then dive into why 2022–23 was emotionally tougher than the 2018–19 crypto winter. From there, Kyle lays out “Internet Capital Markets”—finance embedded everywhere—why trading inside chats, media, and sports apps is inevitable, and how prediction markets become the new front page of news. We get into Solana’s lead, stablecoins as rails, prime brokerage natively on-chain, and why the biggest market makers are already active on Kalshi. Kyle also breaks down Forward Industries (ticker FORD): the $1.65B PIPE, turning it into a Solana treasury company, and deploying SOL/USD into DeFi yield. Plus: AI x crypto as the only barbell that matters, perps vs. options (in plain English), and what Kyle is funding next—new modalities for issuance and trading.Chapters00:00 Cold Open: Howard, Michael & Kyle (freshly married, freshly groomed)01:46 Howard’s Multicoin IRA story & the 2019 doldrums05:01 2018–19 vs 2022–23: why the second bear hurt more08:03 Solana 101 & “Internet Capital Markets” explained11:49 Breaking “isolated finance”; embedding trading across the web12:26 Telegram bots → trading where conversations happen15:14 Prediction markets in media & sports (buy/sell on the article)17:21 Stocktwits x Polymarket, swipe-to-trade, and peer-to-peer bets22:01 Institutional plumbing: discovery, silos, and cross-venue UIs25:19 On-chain prime brokerage (Zero on Solana) & collateral efficiency31:54 Why Solana leads; the case for $1T+34:02 Stablecoins as the settlement layer for everything36:15 SIG, Citadel, Jane Street, Jump already active on Kalshi37:40 Sportsbooks vs real markets; letting market makers set prices39:34 Crypto is retail-first: sovereignty, keys, and open participation45:05 Inside FORD: $1.65B PIPE, Solana treasury strategy46:43 Not trading SOL price—deploying SOL/USD into DeFi yield48:30 AI x Crypto barbell: what won’t be disrupted53:41 Perps vs options in plain English; leverage (without the Greeks)57:15 Lessons from 2022: correlation, fraud, and risk controls58:40 What Kyle’s funding next: new modalities for issuance & tradingKyle's Panel at the All In Summit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijbLOWFmVe8Join Our Community! https://stocktwits.com/Sign up for our daily FREE newsletter to keep in touch with the market: https://thedailyrip.stocktwits.com/Disclaimer:All opinions expressed on this show are solely the opinions of the hosts’ and guests’ and do not reflect the opinions of Stocktwits, Inc. or its affiliates. The hosts are not SEC or FINRA registered advisors or professionals. The content of this show is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please consult with your financial advisor before making any investment decision. Read the full terms & conditions here: https://stocktwits.com/about/legal/terms/
SummaryHow Speculation Became a Global Pastime: Howard Lindzon and Katie Perry on the Degenerate Economy
Aug 1400:27:34Tap to summarizeHoward is joined by Katie Perry to dive headfirst into the "Degenerate Economy", a term he coined to describe the collision of speculation, vice, free time, and mobile tech. From the sin stocks of the 1980s to Robinhood, crypto, and Zyn pouches, this conversation unpacks how financial speculation has morphed into mainstream entertainment. They explore why the post-COVID world unleashed a wave of retail trading, how platforms like Twitter and Discord are the new Wild West saloons, and what it means when money becomes religion. Plus, Howard shares his own investment thesis behind the Degenerate Economy Index, including why CME, Philip Morris, and even Bitcoin make the cut. A must-watch for anyone wondering how speculation, technology, and culture are reshaping capitalism.Join Our Community! https://stocktwits.com/Sign up for our daily FREE newsletter to keep in touch with the market: https://thedailyrip.stocktwits.com/Chapters00:00 What Is the Degenerate Economy?02:45 From Booze to Zyn: Vice Meets Technology05:00 Speculation as Entertainment08:15 Why Everyone’s a Gambler Now10:00 The Missing “Risk Score” for Investors12:00 Peak Grift and the Summer of Scammers15:00 How Speculation Went Mainstream17:00 Dotcom vs Degen: Are We in a Bubble?20:30 Crypto as the New Global Religion25:00 Building the Degenerate Economy Index27:00 Philip Morris, Zyn, and Modern Vice StocksDisclaimer:All opinions expressed on this show are solely the opinions of the hosts’ and guests’ and do not reflect the opinions of Stocktwits, Inc. or its affiliates. The hosts are not SEC or FINRA registered advisors or professionals. The content of this show is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please consult with your financial advisor before making any investment decision. Read the full terms & conditions here: https://stocktwits.com/about/legal/terms/
Transcribe →From the Death of 60/40 to Bitcoin Treasuries: Rethinking Portfolios with Jeff Park of ProCap
Aug 700:46:40Tap to summarizeHoward is back with another mind-bending episode of Trends With Friends alongside Michael Parekh and special guest Jeff Park, Wall Street alum turned Bitwise crypto Jedi. From the radical rethinking of portfolio construction to the institutionalization of Bitcoin, Jeff unpacks how markets are being rewired in real time. The trio dives deep into the death of the 60/40 portfolio, the rise of Bitcoin treasury companies, the myth of the risk-free rate, and why every investor needs to grapple with global carry dynamics. Plus, they debate Elon’s Tesla troubles, BYD’s China dominance, why CME is booming, and how prediction markets and vibe coding are reshaping the next-gen financial playbook. If you care about capital markets, crypto, and the future of speculation as entertainment, don’t miss this one.Chapters00:00 Meet Jeff Park: From Wall Street to Crypto03:00 Radical Portfolio Theory Explained07:20 Why 60/40 Is Dead and the Global Carry Trade Lives10:45 The Degenerate Economy, Bitcoin Treasury Plays, and the New Risk Paradigm16:00 Institutionalization of Bitcoin, ETFs, and Self-Custody22:00 How Financial Engineering Could Break Bitcoin26:00 Prediction Markets, AI, and Speculation as Income31:00 BYD vs Tesla, Global Retail Flows, and Chart Breakdown37:00 Alpaca, APIs, and Building Brokerages for the World44:00 Vibe Coding, LLMs, and the Coming API ExplosionJoin Our Community! https://stocktwits.com/Sign up for our daily FREE newsletter to keep in touch with the market: https://thedailyrip.stocktwits.com/Disclaimer:All opinions expressed on this show are solely the opinions of the hosts’ and guests’ and do not reflect the opinions of Stocktwits, Inc. or its affiliates. The hosts are not SEC or FINRA registered advisors or professionals. The content of this show is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please consult with your financial advisor before making any investment decision. Read the full terms & conditions here: https://stocktwits.com/about/legal/terms/
Transcribe →From Copilots to Strip-Mining: Inside AI’s New VC Reality with Ed Sim of Boldstart Ventures
Jul 2400:30:21Tap to summarizeHoward is back with a jam-packed episode of Trends With Friends featuring the first guest of summer, longtime friend and inception-stage VC killer, Ed Sim of Boldstart Ventures. From the death of moats to the rise of AI-native founders, Ed breaks down the absurd speed of today’s startup landscape and why VCs must now be part therapist, part operator, and part AI-optimist. The trio (Howard, Michael Parekh, and Ed) cover why founders are ditching the old playbooks, how big tech is strip-mining startups for talent, and why infrastructure is the name of the game. Plus, deep dives into BYD vs Tesla, the “Autonomous Enterprise,” vibe coding, degenerate economies, and how Alpaca is building the brokerage rails for the rest of the world. If you care about the future of capital markets, startups, and where the next great returns will come from, don’t miss this one.Where to find our guests: Howard Lindzon - https://stocktwits.com/howardlindzonMichael Parekh - https://stocktwits.com/MParekhEd Sim - https://x.com/edsimJoin Our Community! https://stocktwits.com/Sign up for our daily FREE newsletter to keep in touch with the market: https://thedailyrip.stocktwits.com/Disclaimer:All opinions expressed on this show are solely the opinions of the hosts’ and guests’ and do not reflect the opinions of Stocktwits, Inc. or its affiliates. The hosts are not SEC or FINRA registered advisors or professionals. The content of this show is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please consult with your financial advisor before making any investment decision. Read the full terms & conditions here: https://stocktwits.com/about/legal/terms/
Transcribe →From Startup to Legend: Vlad Tenev & Howard Lindzon Recount Robinhood’s Rise
May 6, 202500:28:51Tap to summarizeIn this candid interview, Vlad Tenev, co-founder and CEO of Robinhood, sits down with Howard Lindzon to reflect on the remarkable journey from a startup idea to a $40 billion company reshaping investing. Vlad recounts Robinhood’s early days—pivoting from high-frequency trading software to mobile-first commission-free investing—and the challenges of fundraising and navigating regulation when no one wanted to back a brokerage startup.The conversation dives into pivotal moments: the explosive growth after Robinhood’s waitlist launch, the GameStop crisis, and steering the company through intense public scrutiny during the COVID era. Vlad opens up about the evolution of his role as CEO, from scrappy founder to leading a 3,000-person company, and shares why his passion remains rooted in building new products—from prediction markets to digital banking.With reflections on competition, leadership, and the future of fintech, this discussion offers a rare inside look at the highs and lows of building one of the most influential platforms in modern finance.#Robinhood #VladTenev #StartupJourney #Fintech #Investing #Leadership #GameStop
Transcribe →Container Ships Stop, Canada Shocks, and Amazon Fights Back I TWF - Live from the Cashtag Awards NYC
Apr 30, 202501:06:19Tap to summarize📉 China Trade Collapse, Market Confusion, and the Degenerate Economy on Full DisplayJoin Howard Lindzon, Phil Pearlman, Tom Bruni, and Michael Parekh for a live episode from New York as the Trends With Friends crew breaks down an insane week in the markets, rising global tariffs, and why uncertainty is the only certainty. From container ships stopping cold to Canada’s political shock, Amazon pushing back on tariffs, and traders stuck between delusion and reality, it’s a masterclass in behavioral finance, policy risk, and staying sane through the chaos. Plus: Apple earnings, the most interesting chart in the world, and the rise of the degenerate economy.📍 Recorded live from New York City at Witz podcast studios in affiliation with The Stand🎙️ Hosted by the Trends With Friends crew🔑 Presented by StocktwitsKey Topics Covered:🚢 China Trade Crash – Container departures to the U.S. plunge as tariffs bite📉 The New Smoot-Hawley? – How Trump’s global 10% tariff threat is freezing trade🇨🇦 Canada’s Surprise Election – Why markets are ignoring a political shift at our border📊 Delusion vs. Reality – Behavioral breakdowns as markets bounce hard off the VIX 60 lows📈 Zweig Breadth Thrust vs. Financial Crisis Echoes – Which side wins?🛒 Amazon Adds Tariff Warnings – Retailers brace for the supply chain backlash🏦 Small Cap Struggle – Why the real damage might be happening in companies no one sees🥇 The Degenerate Economy Kit – From LA Golf to Manscape giveaways at the Cash Tag Awards💬 Why Being Honest Isn’t Partisan – A riff on politics, finance, and staying realSlides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vSpwlTNeQ0Gh8N4XZaXn9PRMl8gLn27H9K_1pM1PE4ZSqDrmjTfin08eeSqm0Pg45VCSEVK5IdAXADM/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000Chapters00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage10:25 Market Trends and Economic Indicators19:13 Investor Behavior and Market Psychology27:12 Earnings Reports and Corporate Responses35:42 The Impact of Tariffs on Retailers38:14 Earnings Season Insights42:37 Market Reactions and Analyst Expectations46:39 The State of American Brands50:51 Apple's Supply Chain Challenges59:29 Antitrust Issues in Tech01:06:29 Final Thoughts and Call to ActionWhere To Find Howard and Friends:• Howard - https://stocktwits.com/howardlindzon• Phil - https://stocktwits.com/ppearlman• Michael Parekh - https://stocktwits.com/MParekh• Tom Bruni - https://stocktwits.com/BruniChartingDisclaimer: All opinions expressed on this show are solely the opinions of the hosts’ and guests’ and do not reflect the opinions of Stocktwits, Inc. or its affiliates. The hosts are not SEC or FINRA registered advisors or professionals. The content of this show is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please consult with your financial advisor before making any investment decision. Read the full terms & conditions here: https://stocktwits.com/about/legal/terms/
Transcribe →Growth, Degeneracy & The End of Confidence in the United States
Apr 22, 202501:11:14Tap to summarizeJoin Howard Lindzon, Phil Pearlman, Michael Parekh, and special guest Jeff Richards (GP at Notable Capital, $10B AUM) as they break down the chaos of today’s markets and the long-term promise of AI and American innovation. From Tesla’s fading dominance and the flood of Chinese EVs, to self-driving disruption, the flight from U.S. assets, and even betting on the next Pope—the crew covers it all. A full-spectrum conversation on growth, degeneracy, macro risk, and why patience may be the sharpest tool in your portfolio.📅 Recorded April 22nd, 2025🎙️ Special Guest: Jeff Richards, General Partner at Notable Capital🔑 Brought to you by Stocktwits Slides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vSIU7WPtLf4q3-e5KYUO6KUTCyRsXL4_vWCdKukc7nwsVt3p1_1UcC2cFLdCCZCF3UQB97ceU1a0zmO/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000🚘 Tesla vs. the World – EV competition, declining sales, and used Teslas piling up🤖 AI Is Still Early – Why VCs are long on infrastructure and private innovation📉 Are We in a Self-Inflicted Recession? – The real risk behind rising tariffs and policy chaos📈 The Case for Long-Term Optimism – Why the innovation cycle will outlast the headlines📊 Buffett's Cash & the Waiting Game – What Warren’s $300B war chest signals📉 Flight to Europe? – Why European banks are quietly surging🧠 Behavioral Finance 101 – The power of patience, planning, and not panic-selling🎰 The Degenerate Economy Lives – Robinhood betting, Kalshi markets, and 14-year-olds betting on WNBA💡 Will the Next Pope Be Pietro? – Yes, that’s an actual market on KalshiWhere To Find Howard and Friends:• Howard - https://stocktwits.com/howardlindzon• Phil - https://stocktwits.com/ppearlman• Michael Parekh - https://stocktwits.com/MParekh• Jeff Richards - https://x.com/jrichliveDisclaimer: All opinions expressed on this show are solely the opinions of the hosts’ and guests’ and do not reflect the opinions of Stocktwits, Inc. or its affiliates. The hosts are not SEC or FINRA registered advisors or professionals. The content of this show is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please consult with your financial advisor before making any investment decision. Read the full terms & conditions here: https://stocktwits.com/about/legal/terms/
Transcribe →Inside Vitalik’s Movie, AI Meltdowns & The China Tech Shock
Apr 15, 202501:17:31Tap to summarize📉 The Dumbest Bear Market Ever, Vitalik’s Journey, and the Rise of SolanaJoin Howard Lindzon, Phil Pearlman, Michael Parekh, Tom Bruni, and special guests Chris Temple and Zach Ingrasci—creators of The Ethereum Story—for a jam-packed episode exploring macro madness, market sentiment, and crypto’s conflicted future. From record bearishness and VIX spikes to what Vitalik Buterin’s life really says about decentralization, the crew unpacks the psychology of investors, the global AI race, and the business of storytelling in a fragmented media landscape.📅 Recorded live on April 15th, 2025🎥 Special Guests: Chris Temple & Zach Ingrasci, Directors of Vitalik and the Ethereum Story🔑 Brought to you by StocktwitsKey Topics Covered:📉 Net New Lows Soar – Why market breadth has cratered to historic levels🇨🇳 China's Tech Ascendancy – The US is losing the AI war and supply chain battle🌐 The Tariff Effect – How policy chaos is dragging down AI, semis, and consumer tech🧠 Vitalik vs. Elon – Why Ethereum’s creator is nothing like other tech founders🎥 Making Movies in Web3 – How Vitalik’s film was crowdfunded through NFTs🚀 Solana Surges – What its outperformance means for Ethereum’s future🧘♂️ Fitness, Fear & the Social VIX – How sentiment data is shaping trading strategies🏌️♂️ Rory’s Redemption at The Masters – A lesson in grit for every investorSlides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/...Chapters00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductions08:07 Market Trends and Analysis21:07 The Vitalik Movie and Its Themes42:21 The Current Landscape of Documentary Filmmaking48:21 The U.S.-China Tech Battle01:03:40 The Role of AI in Film and Media01:14:06 Lessons from the Masters: Grit and ResilienceWhere To Find Howard and Friends:• Howard - https://stocktwits.com/howardlindzon• Phil - https://stocktwits.com/ppearlman• Michael Parekh - https://stocktwits.com/MParekh• Tom Bruni - https://stocktwits.com/BruniCharting• Chris Temple - https://x.com/Christemple8• Zach Ingrasci - https://x.com/zachingrasciDisclaimer: All opinions expressed on this show are solely the opinions of the hosts’ and guests’ and do not reflect the opinions of Stocktwits, Inc. or its affiliates. The hosts are not SEC or FINRA registered advisors or professionals. The content of this show is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please consult with your financial advisor before making any investment decision. Read the full terms & conditions here: https://stocktwits.com/about/legal/te...
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