Michael Batnick

Michael Batnick, Managing Partner at Ritholtz Wealth, joins the program. Ritholtz is a nationwide wealth management firm and RIA. Batnick is a prolific financial commentator and content creator through his blog the Irrelevant Investor, co-hosting both the Animal Spirits and Compound & Friends podcasts, and his 2018 book Big Mistakes: The Best Investors and Their Worst Investments. Our conversation covers Michael’s unconventional path to Ritholtz, the firm’s independence and content creation as differentiators, asset allocation thoughts, views on alternative investments, liquidity, fee structures, and the potential outcomes of recent redemption waves at private funds. This episode is sponsored by Commonwealth National Commercial Services – your national net lease title & escrow partner. Visit Commonwealth's website HERE for additional information and contact National Account Manager John Heap at (602) 705-4180 or john.heap@cltic.com. Check out www.netleaseobserver.com for all net lease and sale/leaseback content.

Josh Brown and Michael Batnick on Ritholtz, Authenticity, and Why Risk Finds a Way What began as a funny observation from Boyar Value Group founder Mark Boyar — that Josh Brown and Michael Batnick are “the Howard Stern of financial podcasting” — turned out to be a pretty good way into the real story. Josh and Michael built an audience by being candid, irreverent, and willing to say things much of traditional Wall Street would rather leave unsaid. But underneath the humor is a serious wealth-management business, a disciplined investment process, and a culture that has become a magnet for clients and talent. In this wide-ranging episode, Jonathan Boyar sits down with Josh and Michael to discuss Ritholtz Wealth Management, their highly successful Compound and Friends podcast, the dangers of making stock picks public, how to build a financial brand today, Porterhouse, and why — in markets as in business — risk finds a way. Key Topics Covered: Authenticity as a Competitive Advantage How Josh and Michael built trust by being candid, irreverent, self-aware, and willing to sound different from traditional Wall Street. The Real Business Behind Ritholtz Why Ritholtz is not simply a content platform attached to an RIA, but a serious wealth-management firm that also creates influential financial media. Building a Talent and Client Flywheel How Ritholtz’s audience has helped attract clients, advisors, employees, and like-minded people who already understand the firm’s culture. Why Wealth Management Became One of Wall Street’s Best Businesses Josh explains why the RIA model has become such a powerful business and how wealth management has reshaped financial media and Wall Street. Could Ritholtz Be Built Again Today? Josh and Michael discuss whether their content-driven model could be replicated now, and why LinkedIn, YouTube, and owning a niche matter more than ever. CNBC, Media, and Market Commentary How Josh prepares for CNBC and how Michael has helped sharpen that process. The Danger of Public Stock Picks Michael draws on lessons from his book Big Mistakes to explain why publicly discussing investments can make it harder to change your mind. Porterhouse and Rules-Based Investing Josh and Michael discuss Ritholtz’s new Porterhouse equity strategy and why systematic rules can help investors avoid emotional mistakes. Why Risk Finds a Way A discussion of market leadership, momentum, and the idea that new opportunities tend to emerge even after difficult periods. Unlocking Investment Opportunities Since 1975 At the Boyar Value Group, we've dedicated nearly five decades to the pursuit of value on behalf of our clients. Founded in 1975, our firm has earned a reputation as a trusted source for uncovering undervalued opportunities in the stock market. To find out more about the Boyar Value Group, please visit www.boyarvaluegroup.com

Episode 108: Michael Batnick is the Managing Partner at Ritholtz Wealth Management, where he helps shape one of the most influential RIAs in the country while also co-hosting popular podcasts like Animal Spirits. Known for his candor and curiosity, Michael brings a refreshing perspective to investing, leadership, and the business of advice. This week, Kyle talks with Michael about his winding path into finance—from drifting through college and struggling in sales to finding purpose in markets and mentorship. Michael reflects on the lessons of curiosity, humility, and hiring the right people, while unpacking the challenges of building a sustainable RIA. The conversation spans advisor recruitment, the pull of private equity, operational hurdles, tech frustrations, and AI’s coming role in reshaping client service. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:17) - Michael's money moment (04:38) - From cold calling to discovering a passion for the markets (10:06) - Michael's hiring philosophy (13:35) - Ritholtz acquisition strategy (14:49) - The influence of private equity on RIAs (19:02) - What makes Ritholtz an excellent choice for advisors (24:28) - What it takes to run support infrastructure for advisors (28:41) - Ritholtz's tech stack (33:30) - Mystery chart challenge (35:56) - Michael's thoughts on AI and the future of the industry (44:14) - Michael's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Hire for personality, not just the resume. Skills can be taught, but finding someone you actually want to work with every day is irreplaceable. Don't underestimate the power of a strong brand and organic growth. Organic reach and sustainable growth allow firms to hire advisors who are philosophically aligned with their values, rather than those who are simply motivated by an upfront payout. The best advisors are the best listeners. Over-talking is a rookie mistake. Clients value being heard more than being dazzled with facts. AI will make advisors better listeners. Real-time feedback and conversation analysis will help advisors catch missed cues and improve client relationships. Quotes "Things change a lot, they change always, and they change often. And I didn't want to be an expert on an earlier version of the world. The world is a dynamic place, and you need to stay involved in what's going on." ~ Michael Batnick "The job of an advisor is very difficult. It is to be a listener first." ~ Michael Batnick "Younger advisors tend to oversell and overcommunicate. It's not about you convincing the prospect that you are smarter than they are. The best advisors are the best listeners." ~ Michael Batnick"It's relatively easy to convince clients to give you money. But what's hard is actually executing and implementing and doing the things that you said that you were going to do." ~ Michael Batnick Links Michael Batnick on LinkedIn Ritholtz Wealth Management Joshua Brown Barry Ritholtz BlackRock Jay Tini Anna Chaiken <a href="https://www.link

Today Nicole taps into market insights with Michael Batnick, Managing Partner at Ritholtz Wealth Management and cohost of The Compound and Friends podcast—alongside Money Rehab regular, Josh Brown. Nicole and Michael dive into whether the fallout from Trump-era tariffs and the “TACO Trade” has run its course, and where interest rates might be headed next. Plus, in a round of Bullish or Bearish, Michael shares his takes on some of the market’s buzziest names, including Palantir, UPS and American Eagle. For more Michael, subscribe to The Compound and Friends This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor before making any financial decisions or investments. All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. Brokerage services for US-listed, registered securities, options and bonds in a self-directed account are offered by Public Investing, Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. As part of the IRA Match Program, Public Investing will fund a 1% match of: (a) all eligible IRA transfers and 401(k) rollovers made to a Public IRA; and (b) all eligible contributions made to a Public IRA up to the account’s annual contribution limit. The matched funds must be kept in the account for at least 5 years to avoid an early removal fee. Match rate and other terms of the Match Program are subject to change at any time. See full terms ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Public Investing offers a High-Yield Cash Account where funds from this account are automatically deposited into partner banks where they earn interest and are eligible for FDIC insurance; Public Investing is not a bank. Cryptocurrency trading services are offered by Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC (NMLS ID 1890144), which is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the NYSDFS. Cryptocurrency is highly speculative, involves a high degree of risk, and has the potential for loss of the entire amount of an investment. Cryptocurrency holdings are not protected by the FDIC or SIPC. *APY as of 6/30/25, offered by Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Rate subject to change. See terms of IRA Match Program here: public.com/disclosures/ira-match.

In this episode of FinTech Impact, host Jason Pereira interviews Matt Cerminaro, Chief Product Officer, and Michael Batnick, CEO of Exhibit A. Exhibit A is a charting and visualization tool for financial advisors that originated from the Riol Wealth Management team. This custom-branded platform simplifies complex data into clean, daily-updated visuals, making it easier for advisors to communicate with clients. Matt and Michael discuss the platform's origin, its development challenges, the importance of simplicity in financial charts, and their plans for ongoing innovation. The duo shares their commitment to improving client communications and their proactive approach in updating and improving their tool based on user feedback. Early feedback has been positive, highlighting the tool’s value in replacing or complementing the need for an in-house analyst. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Growing a financial advisory firm is tough. Hiring the right people, maintaining culture, and scaling strategically—it’s a delicate balance. In this episode, we're throwing it back to a conversation between Kelsey McKenna, Zach Conway, and Michael Batnick on the fundamentals of business-building in wealth management. They reflect on how Michael’s insights from Ritholtz Wealth Management have shaped their own journey over the past year can be even tougher. 🎯 Key Takeaways: ✅ Strategic Hiring: Why culture fit matters just as much as skill set. ✅ Sustainable Growth: Expanding your reach without sacrificing core values. ✅ Proactive Problem-Solving: How to anticipate challenges before they derail progress. ✅ Empowering Leadership: Building a team that’s trusted, motivated, and set up for success. Thanks for listening! Connect with us: Zach Conway on LinkedIn Kelsey McKenna on LinkedIn Want to learn more about how Seeds Investor can assess investors’ true investing preferences, personalize portfolios, and present engaging insights–all in one digital solution? Then be sure to click on the links below! Seeds Investor Website Our Blog Disclosures #FinancialAdvisors #WealthManagement #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #CultureMatters #ScalingSuccess #PodcastAlert Ask Zach and Kelsey a question! Ask Zach and Kelsey a question!

What goes into making a worldwide Top 100 podcast? This episode we’re joined by Michael Batnick, Managing Partner at Ritholtz Wealth Management, to break down the key elements of a successful podcast in the financial space. Key Takeaways: • Michael’s origin story and the evolution of his podcast • The importance of authenticity and relatability in connecting with listeners • Audience feedback and pivoting • The role of hard work, consistency, and passion in achieving success Connect with us below! Michael Batnick on LinkedIn Animal Spirits Podcast on Spotify The Compound and Friends Podcast on Spotify Brodrick Lothringer on LinkedIn To learn more about PodPony and how we help thought leaders tell their stories through content, visit our website by clicking below. >> PodPony.com

Michael Batnick shares his incredible journey from struggling student to managing partner at Ritholtz Wealth Management. Discover how a chance train encounter changed his life and propelled him into the world of finance. Michael opens up about his career setbacks, finding passion for the markets, and lessons learned along the way. Plus, hear his candid market outlook for 2025, thoughts on active vs. passive investing, and strategies for navigating financial challenges. This episode is packed with valuable career advice, market wisdom, and personal growth insights. 0:00 - **Intro: Welcome Michael Batnick** 0:34 - **Early Career Struggles & Academic Setbacks** 3:20 - **Getting Kicked Out of College—Twice** 5:58 - **Selling Insurance & Finding Direction** 9:35 - **Life-Changing Stock Story: Celgene’s Impact** 12:11 - **Discovering a Passion for Markets** 15:00 - **Career Desperation & Job Search Struggles** 20:54 - **The Life-Changing Train Encounter with Josh Brown** 25:06 - **Breaking into Finance: Getting Hired** 27:30 - **How Relentless Hard Work Pays Off** 30:12 - **Building a $5B Wealth Management Firm** 34:40 - **Harnessing ADD for Success** 38:01 - **Market Insights & 2025 Outlook** 45:37 - **Why Realistic Market Expectations Matter** 50:05 - **Market Cycles & the Importance of Patience** 55:30 - **Active vs. Passive Investing Explained** 1:03:30 - **Investing Philosophy & Tactical Models** 1:07:18 - **The Role of Financial Advisors During Crises** 1:08:20 - **Closing Thoughts & What’s Next**

I went into The Compound and came out alive. Recently, I joined Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson of Ritholtz Wealth Management on their Animal Spirits podcast by The Compound . It is a fantastic show that produces frank and thoughtful conversations on markets and the wealth management world. They invited me on their show to discuss why alts are going mainstream. We had a great conversation on the animal spirits of alts and we unpacked the opportunities and challenges ahead for private markets, wealth managers, and the alternative asset managers looking to work with the wealth channel. We covered: * Why I don’t like the term “downstreaming of alts.” * The size and scale of the opportunity with the wealth channel. * Why and how it can make sense for the wealth channel to allocate to alts. * The changing nature of asset allocation from slices of a pie to buckets and spectrums. * The concept of liquidity. * The attractiveness of evergreen funds for both GPs and LPs. * Are private markets in a bubble? * Why GP stakes are a compelling investment opportunity given structural trends in private markets. * Can private markets be indexed (and should they be)? Thanks Michael and Ben for having me on the show. Really enjoyed the conversation and it was a pleasure to join you. Michael and Ben are fantastic and thoughtful asset allocators and commentators in investing and wealth management. If you don’t already listen to their podcast or read their commentary on markets, you can check out their blogs below: Michael Batnick’s The Irrelevant Investor . Ben Carlson’s A Wealth of Common Sense . Join over 5,800 thought leaders from top private markets firms like Blackstone, Apollo, Goldman Sachs, Ares, KKR, Carlyle, Fidelity, iCapital, Franklin Templeton, and more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit altgoesmainstream.substack.com

I went into The Compound and came out alive. Recently, I joined Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson of Ritholtz Wealth Management on their Animal Spirits podcast by The Compound . It is a fantastic show that produces frank and thoughtful conversations on markets and the wealth management world. They invited me on their show to discuss why alts are going mainstream. We had a great conversation on the animal spirits of alts and we unpacked the opportunities and challenges ahead for private markets, wealth managers, and the alternative asset managers looking to work with the wealth channel. We covered: Why I don’t like the term “downstreaming of alts.” The size and scale of the opportunity with the wealth channel. Why and how it can make sense for the wealth channel to allocate to alts. The changing nature of asset allocation from slices of a pie to buckets and spectrums. The concept of liquidity. The attractiveness of evergreen funds for both GPs and LPs. Are private markets in a bubble? Why GP stakes are a compelling investment opportunity given structural trends in private markets. Can private markets be indexed (and should they be)? Thanks Michael and Ben for having me on the show. Really enjoyed the conversation and it was a pleasure to join you. Michael and Ben are fantastic and thoughtful asset allocators and commentators in investing and wealth management. If you don’t already listen to their podcast or read their commentary on markets, you can check out their blogs below: Michael Batnick’s The Irrelevant Investor . Ben Carlson’s A Wealth of Common Sense .

Howard Lindzon, JC Parets, Phil Pearlman, Michael Batnick, and Michael Parekh dive into the current state of the markets, from Starbucks' resurgence with the news of their new CEO to the hidden bear market in venture capital. They cover: • Starbucks' turnaround strategy and the power of consumer habits • The disconnect between public and private markets • How AI is reshaping wealth management • The rise of exchanges and their data-driven advantage • Gold's global breakout and its appeal in uncertain times • The impact of AI on companies like Apple and the future of personal health tracking — Recorded live on Tuesday, August 13th — Charts: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1qEEmnJ1SaAw8F0wivbebxGkIzr-ke57l-2ysb2sPhfc/edit?usp=sharing — Skip Ahead: (00:00) Introduction and Starbucks discussion (05:12) Apple's AI strategy and future potential (09:28) The hidden bear market in venture capital (16:35) Market sentiment and VIX analysis (21:42) AI's impact on wealth management (33:12) The future of personal health tracking (37:53) The rise of exchanges and their data advantage (52:35) Gold's global breakout and appeal (59:17) Closing thoughts on market trends — Where To Find Howard and Friends: • Michael Batnick - https://x.com/michaelbatnick • Howard - https://stocktwits.com/howardlindzon • JC - https://stocktwits.com/allstarcharts • Phil - https://stocktwits.com/ppearlman • Michael Parekh - https://stocktwits.com/MParekh • Production and Marketing - https://penname.co/ — Trends with Friends is brought to you by Stocktwits: https://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/c/uncategorized/2024/02/21/stocktwits-newsletter-disclaimer/

In this episode of PRess Play: The StreetCred Podcast, Elena Krasnow and Jimmy Moock are joined by Michael Batnick, CFA®, managing partner at Ritholtz Wealth Management. From his early soul-searching in financial services to becoming a prominent industry thought leader, Michael provides deep insights into wealth management, strategic career moves and his personal approach to content creation. Michael discusses: the full story of how a serendipitous train station encounter with Josh Brown sparked a transformative leap in his career how he approaches hiring at Ritholtz and why he doesn’t read résumés why it’s important for him to continue overseeing client portfolios what he loves most about creating content for TCAF, The Animal Spirits podcast, The Unlock podcast, and The Irrelevant Investor blog the launch of The Unlock, a new podcast tailored for financial advisors his all-time favorite book recommendation and more! Resources: The Parallels Between Business and Dating with Emily Binder (Ep. 15) The Compound And Friends (TCAF) The Animal Spirits Podcast The Unlock Podcast The Irrelevant Investor Blog The Overstory by Richard Powers All About Love by Bell Hooks The Creative Act by Rick Rubin The Last Days of Night by Graham Moore <a href="h