First Trust ROI Podcast
Episodes
Ep 61 | Bob Stein | What Surprises Are Ahead for the US Economy in 2026? | ROI Podcast
22 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
At the precipice of a new year, Bob Stein discusses the implications of a probable new Fed Chair, the possibility of a Supreme Court ruling against ta...
Ep 60 | Kevin Bishopp | Is AI a Friend or Foe to Financial Advisors? | ROI Podcast
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Will AI replace—or empower—financial advisors? Performance coach Kevin Bishopp shares how financial professionals are already leveraging AI tool...
Ep 59 | Strider Elass | What Moved the Needle for the US Economy in 2025? | ROI Podcast
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Strider Elass, Senior Economist at First Trust, joins the ROI Podcast to discuss tariff turbulence, DOGE’s spending purge, AI’s productivity poten...
Ep 58 | Bob Carey | The Tug of War Between FOMO and Fear | ROI Podcast
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bob Carey discusses some of the biggest questions on the minds of financial professionals heading into the final stretch of 2025, including whether or...
Ep 57 | Bill Housey & John Wilhelm | Overlooked Opportunities in Tax-free Bonds | ROI Podcast
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the wake of underperforming municipal bonds this year, portfolio managers Bill Housey and John Wilhelm of First Trust highlight why they believe fr...
Ep 56 | Josh Volen | Finding an Edge in Commercial Real Estate | ROI Podcast
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Josh Volen, co-founder and managing principal at CIRE Equity, joins the podcast to discuss trends in commercial real estate investing as urban populat...
Ep 55 | Dave McGarel | Reassessing the Reality of a Re-Rating Rally. | ROI Podcast
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McGarel discusses potential winners and losers in the equity market as the Federal Reserve embarks on a new interest rate cutting cycle.---------...
Ep 54 | Brian Wesbury | It’s a Topsy-Turvy World | ROI Podcast
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Wesbury discusses Fed independence, inflationary fears, the growth of government, and whether the broader economic benefits of AI adoption will ...
Ep 53 | Brian Comiskey | How are Technologies Evolving into Digital Utilities?| ROI Podcast
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Comiskey, Senior Director of Innovation and Trends at the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), explores how emerging technologies—including ...
Ep 52 | Bob Stein | Midterms to Tariffs: Economic Trends and Election Predictions | ROI Podcast
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bob Stein breaks down 2028 presidential contenders, 2026 midterm odds, Trump’s fiscal agenda, tariffs’ impact, and the economic forces shaping Ame...
Ep 51 | Jeff Chang | Addressing Bitcoin and Volatility | ROI Podcast
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Jeff Chang breaks down the virtues and risks of Bitcoin, highlighting Bitcoin-linked tools and strategies that aim to generate income ...
Ep 50 | Jim Murchie | New Developments in the Race for More Electricity | ROI Podcast
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jim Murchie explains recent developments in the energy sector, including growing, bipartisan demand for nuclear power and why the non-cyclical energy ...
Ep 49 | Brian Wesbury | Unconventional Wisdom on Tariffs, Taxes, and the Fed | ROI Podcast
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Wesbury discusses why the conventional wisdom about tariffs and inflation is wrong, how the Fed can save taxpayers $2 trillion over the next dec...
Ep 48 | Richard Bernstein | Where to Invest When Certainty is Scarce | ROI Podcast
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Richard Bernstein draws on over four decades of investment experience to offer insights on how to navigate risks and opportunities amid soaring econom...
Ep 47 | Bob Carey | Cataracts and Cadillacs…Unpacking Equity Market Trends | ROI Podcast
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bob Carey discusses his long-term outlook for equity markets as the baby boom generation ages. He also weighs in on potential near-term drivers of e...
Ep 46 | Ron Pernick | Power and Infrastructure: Beyond the Political Narratives | ROI Podcast
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ron Pernick is the founder of Clean Edge, a firm specializing in thematic research surrounding clean energy, transportation, water, and the power grid...
Ep 45 | Brian Wesbury | Trading Quarter-Zips for Farmland | ROI Podcast
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Wesbury shares his views on why the Trump Administration is upending global trade, why tariffs may be an insufficient cure for problems created ...
Ep 44 | Bob Stein | Tariffs, Taxes, and Trade: Decoding the New Administration | ROI Podcast
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bob Stein provides perspective on likely economic outcomes that may result from the evolving policy mix of the new Trump Administration. Plus…Bob ...
Ep 43 | Bill Housey | Separating the Signal from the Noise in the Bond Market | ROI Podcast
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bill Housey explores how fixed income investors can navigate rising uncertainty—from trade policies to inflation and beyond—in this deep dive into...
Ep 42 | Dave McGarel | Down but Not Out: New Opportunities Emerge as Equity Markets Broaden | ROI Podcast
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Amid a sharp drawdown in US equities, Dave McGarel highlights the risks and opportunities that may lie on the horizon.--------------------------------...
Ep 41 | Gibson Smith | Actively Managing Through Uncertain Times | ROI Podcast
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Gibson Smith, founder and CEO of Smith Capital, discusses some of the unique challenges—and opportunities—facing fixed income investors today.----...
Ep 40 | Jim Murchie | Who Benefits from the Growing Power Demands of AI, Reshoring, and EVs? | ROI Podcast
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Electricity demand is poised to soar after decades of slow growth, driven by AI, reshoring, and EVs. Jim Murchie, CEO and portfolio manager at Energ...
Ep 39 | Brian Wesbury | Why Government Spending Cuts May Cause Short-Term Pain, But Long-Term Prosperity | ROI Podcast
10 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Wesbury explains why cutting government spending could be painful in the near-term but boost longer-term economic growth, similarities and diffe...
Ep 38 | Mandeep Singh | What’s Next for Artificial Intelligence? | ROI Podcast
27 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mandeep Singh, Global Head of Technology Research at Bloomberg Intelligence, joins the podcast to explore how massive investments in artificial intell...
Ep 37 | Ryan Issakainen | Ripple Effects & Second Order Investment Opportunities Arising from AI | ROI Podcast
14 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Companies are investing billions to build out artificial intelligence capabilities. Ryan shares First Trust’s perspective on various investment th...
Ep 36 | Paul Black and Mike Trigg | Why Culture Matters When Seeking to “Defy the Fade” for International Equities | ROI Podcast
30 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Paul Black and Mike Trigg are portfolio managers and co-CEOs at WCM Investment Management. They join the podcast to discuss WCM’s unique path to b...
Ep 35 | Richard Bernstein—What Surprises Await Investors for 2025? | ROI Podcast
09 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Richard Bernstein provides his perspective on key investment themes to watch in the year ahead, including overlooked opportunities, potential pitfalls...
Ep 34 | Dave Rutherford | Lessons in Leadership, Fear, and Success | ROI Podcast
25 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dave Rutherford has been a Navy SEAL, a contractor for Blackwater and the CIA, and performance coach. In this episode, he shares insights and strate...
Ep 33 | Brian Wesbury | Post-Election Economic Insights | ROI Podcast
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Brian Wesbury discusses the implications of Trump's recent election victory. Recorded the day after Election Day, Brian explores...
Ep 32 | Bob Stein | Election Countdown: Assessing the Odds and Outcomes | ROI Podcast
28 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Bob Stein — As Election Day looms, Bob analyzes the probabilities of different election scenarios. Additionally, we explore how tariffs and other ta...
Ep 31 | Bill Housey | Why Have Longer-Term Interest Rates Increased Since the Fed Began Cutting Rates? | ROI Podcast
14 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Bill Housey discusses recent dynamics in the bond market, including why longer-term interest rates have increased since the Fed began cutting rates, w...
Ep 30 | Dave McGarel |Broadening Markets and Factor Investing: Opportunities Amid Fed Rate Cuts | ROI Podcast
30 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dave McGarel provides insights on what sort of stocks are poised for long-term outperformance in light of Fed rate cuts, valuation gaps, and factor an...
Ep 29 | Bob Carey | Risks and Opportunities for Stocks When Interest Rates Decline | ROI Podcast
19 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan talks with Bob Carey about the implications of a falling interest rate environment for equity markets.-------------------------------------------...
Ep 28 | Brian Comiskey | Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, AI/Robotics, and the New Era Of Digital Coexistence | ROI Podcast
03 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Comiskey, Senior Director at the Consumer Technology Association, joins the podcast to discuss how recent trends in technology are reshaping the...
EP 27 | Bob Stein | Updated Odds and Scenarios for a Reset Presidential Race | ROI Podcast
12 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Bob Stein joins the podcast to discusses how the nomination of Kamala Harris will impact the upcoming presidential election, his thoughts on each cand...
Ep 26 | Chris Jeppesen | Should Financial Professionals Feel Threatened or Empowered by AI? | ROI Podcast
29 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Ryan talks to Chris Jeppesen, Chief of the Advisor Practice group at First Trust Chief of Advisor Consulting about what sets financia...
Ep 25 | Bob Stein | Key Insights from the First Half of 2024 | ROI Podcast
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Ryan looks back at the first half of 2024, highlighting some of the key insights provided by guests of the podcast—including Bob St...
Ep 24 | Jeff Chang | What’s Behind the Growth in Buffered ETFs? | ROI Podcast
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff Chang, President and Co-founder of Vest Financial, discusses the growth of buffered investments over the past few years. -----------------------...
Ep 23 | Brian Wesbury | Is Government Spending Boosting or Slowing the Economy? | ROI Podcast
17 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of the podcast, Ryan asks Brian Wesbury about the impact of government spending on economic growth, the upcoming presidential election...
Ep 22 | Richard Bernstein | Are Investors Ignoring a More Powerful Secular Growth Theme than AI? | ROI Podcast
03 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Richard Bernstein, CEO/CIO of Richard Bernstein Advisors, discusses deglobalization, the reindustrialization of America, and how most investors are ig...
Ep 21 | Brian Wesbury | A Recession is Still Likely…But Here’s Why We Could Be Wrong | ROI Podcast
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Wesbury joins the ROI Podcast for a wide ranging discussion about the state of the US economy, why government spending suppresses growth, and wh...
Ep 20 | Dave McGarrel | Will the Stock Market Continue to Defy Expectations? | ROI Podcast
06 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave McGarel, Chief Investment Officer at First Trust shares his perspective on the risks and opportunities that may lie ahead for eq...
Ep 19 | John Gambla | Rethinking Diversification: Are Stocks and Bonds Enough? | ROI Podcast
22 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we explore why more and more investment professionals are allocating to call-writing funds, long/short strategies, and commodities.--...
ROI Podcast | Episode 18 | Navigating a Narrow Market | Chris Bush | April 8, 2024
08 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan discusses factor investing with Chris Bush, portfolio manager at First Trust, as well as risk and opportunities for various industries and themes...
ROI Podcast | Episode 17 | How Can Technical Analysis Guide Portfolio Allocations? | Jay Gragnani | March 25, 2024
25 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Ryan is joined by Jay Gragnani, Senior Market Strategist at Nasdaq Dorsey Wright for a discussion about how financial professionals a...
ROI Podcast | Episode 16 | Has the Balance between Potential Risks and Returns Shifted in Favor of Bond Investors? | Bill Housey | March 12, 2024
11 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the podcast, Ryan is joined by Bill Housey, Managing Director of Fixed Income at First Trust for a discussion about the US economy,...
ROI Podcast | Episode 15 | What Solutions Can Direct Indexing Offer? | Jon DiGiovanni | February 26, 2024
26 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the podcast, Ryan speaks with Jon DiGiovanni, Managing Director of Direct Indexing and Separate Managed Accounts at First Trust, ab...
ROI Podcast | Episode 14| Dissecting Incentives and Opportunities in (Traditional and Alternative) Energy | Jim Murchie | February 12, 2024
12 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the podcast, Ryan is joined by Jim Murchie, co-founder of Energy Income Partners for a deep dive into the energy industry, discussi...
Ep 13 - Bob Stein - Handicapping the Odds for a 2024 Recession and Upcoming Elections - ROI Podcast
29 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Ryan speaks with Bob Stein, Deputy Chief Economist at First Trust about why a US recession didn’t materialize in 2023, why it may s...
Ep 12 - Rob Biddinger - How are Alternatives Expanding the Traditional Toolbox of Investment Professionals? - ROI Podcast
12 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Ryan talks to Rob Biddinger, managing director at First Trust Capital Solutions, about the growing popularity of alternative investme...
Ep 11 - Bob Carey - Will the Stock Market Rally Continue in 2024? - ROI Podcast
02 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For the first episode of the podcast in 2024, Ryan is joined by Bob Carey, Chief Market Strategist at First Trust. After an unexpected rally for the...
Ep 10 - Jackie Wilke - How Are Elite Teams Serving the Next Generation of Investors? - ROI Podcast
18 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Ryan talks to Jackie Wilke from the Advisor Consulting Group at First Trust about serving female investors, the need to build multi-g...
Ep 9 - Leonardo Da Costa - Are There Any Catalysts on the Horizon for Emerging Markets? - ROI Podcast
04 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Ryan speaks with Leonardo Da Costa, portfolio manager at First Trust Global Portfolios, about why returns for many international inve...
Ep 8 - Scott Friske - How to Stay at the Cutting Edge of Asset Management - ROI Podcast
17 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Ryan is joined by Scott Friske, head of new product development at First Trust for a discussion about where great ideas come from and...
Ep 7 - Jim Bowen - What’s the Secret to Success in Financial Services? - ROI Podcast
03 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Ryan is joined by Jim Bowen, CEO of First Trust for a discussion about the importance of intellectual freedom, service to others, and...
Ep 6 - Brian Wesbury - Will Inflation Keep Trending Lower…and Is a Recession Still Coming? - ROI Podcast
23 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the First Trust ROI Podcast, Ryan talks with Brian Wesbury, Chief Economist at First Trust about his expectations for the US econom...
Ep 5 - Dave McGarel - Why Should Investors Look Beyond the “Magnificent Seven”? - ROI Podcast
10 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the First Trust ROI Podcast, Ryan is joined by Dave McGarel, Chief Investment Officer at First Trust. Ryan and Dave discuss paral...
Ep 4 - Bob Stein - Will an economic recession decide the next US president? - ROI Podcast
26 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Bob Stein, Deputy Chief Economist at First Trust, spent several years working in Washington D.C. before coming to First Trust in 2006, including as ch...
Ep 3 - Jeff Chang - How can investors exploit volatility to manage risk and generate income? - ROI Podcast
19 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the First Trust ROI Podcast, Ryan talks with Jeff Chang, President of CBOE Vest, about two areas of the ETF industry that have seen...
Ep 2 | Bill Housey | Is the Inverted Yield Curve a Broken Signal or Is a Recession Still Coming? And What Does that Mean For Fixed Income? | ROI Podcast
10 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Historically, an inverted yield curve has often preceded economic recessions, and many investment professionals view the current inversion as a troubl...
Ep 1 | Bob Carey | Why are stocks up this year & can the rally continue? | ROI Podcast
02 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Why are stocks up this year…and can the rally continue?On the heels of the worst year for stocks since 2008, pessimism dominated most forecasts comi...