This week on Degen Download, we break down Warren Buffett's big announcement — and what it really means for Berkshire Hathaway and markets at large. Then we dive into the return of SPAC mania (are we back?), and why it might actually make sense this time. Plus, Dave Portnoy goes scorched earth in punishing whoever disrespected him, his people, and his club -- we get into the drama and what it says about the future of America. As always, we’re bringing the facts, a few hot takes, and plenty of laughs. Let’s get into it.

Episode recorded on 5/5/25

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On this episode, we're joined by Dan Calabro, founder of ⁠Ferris⁠. This one’s a wild ride — we cover it all. We get into the Shannon Sharpe drama, how AI is already starting to reshape the construction industry, and even dive into a few conspiracy theories. We also break down some insane engineering facts from 9/11 and take a closer look at how tariffs are hammering the industry.

On top of that, we talk about the future of crypto, the impact of tech disruption on business, and the lessons we've learned around personal branding and adapting to change. And of course, we dig into why AI might just be the endgame.

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On this episode, we have our first guest: Spencer Cliff. Spencer is the founder and CEO of KR8.ai and CTO at Foxo. Spencer worked as a software engineer at Apple for 8 years before branching off to launch his own AI-focused startup.

We explore a diverse array of topics—from the captivating realm of oceanic treasure hunting and advancements in drone technology to the complexities of the creator economy and the influence of social media. We share our experiences at Coachella, discuss the role of AI in content creation, and contemplate the future of major tech companies like Apple.

Our conversation also delves into the importance of viewer retention, the evolution of content creation, and the dynamics of advertising on social media platforms. Throughout, we offer insights on building a personal brand and emphasize the significance of consistency in content creation.

Episode recorded on April 17 2025

Welcome to another episode. In this conversation, we talk through what’s happening in the market right now — from the ups and downs of volatility to how politics and trade policies are playing a big role. We get into the challenges of negotiating with China, explore how AI could shape the future of the economy, and share some thoughts on where crypto might be headed. We also touch on wealth distribution and what that future will look like. More than anything, we highlight how staying curious and focused can help us navigate a market that’s constantly changing

Episode recorded on April 10 2025

00:00 – Market Volatility and Personal Experiences
02:57 – Political Influence on Market Dynamics
05:16 – Trade Relations and Economic Impacts
08:09 – Negotiation Strategies with China
10:50 – The Future of US-China Relations
17:17 – The Value of American Consumption
19:44 – Trade Dynamics and Economic Impact
21:17 – Investing in Crypto: Strategies and Insights
24:34 – Inflation and Its Effects on Wealth
28:27 – The Role of AI in Future Economies
32:58 – Staying Informed and Engaged in Market Trends

Welcome to episode 5. This week we break down:

• Overview of the current state of the stock market and the significant downturn

• Implications of the market drop for investors

• Volatility of mega-cap stocks and what it means for portfolios

• Challenges currently facing Tesla

• Comparison of Bitcoin vs. Gold as a hedge against market fluctuations

• Discussion on government regulation of cryptocurrency

• Analysis of Trump’s economic strategies and their market impact

• Speculation around the potential acquisition of TikTok

• Exploration of cultural influences, especially the role of streamers like Speed in China

• • Final thoughts on how to navigate a volatile market landscape

  
  

  Episode recorded on 4/3/25

• 
  

  (00:00) Market Collapse: A Bloodbath in the Streets
  (02:48) Consumer Companies in Crisis
  (05:49) Investment Strategies Amidst Volatility
  (08:46) The Nightlife Economy: Spending Big in Miami
  (11:45) Tesla and the Future of Electric Vehicles
  (14:34) Bitcoin vs. Gold: The Digital Gold Debate
  (17:33) Government Oversight and Crypto's Future
  (20:26) Trump's Economic Strategy and Market Reactions
  (23:24) The Future of TikTok: Who Will Buy?
  (26:58) The Tech Giants' Influence
  (27:30) OnlyFans and Content Creation Dynamics
  (29:57) The Impact of Streaming Platforms
  (31:30) E-commerce and TikTok's Rise
  (33:28) China's Cultural Influence and Speed's Impact
  (37:06) The Evolution of Content Creators
  (40:33) The Future of Influencer Marketing
  (47:03) The Dark Side of Online Content Consumption
  (49:12) Market Insights and Future Trends

Welcome to episode 4. This week we break down:

• The Signal Scandal and what it means for the Trump admin
• Ashton Hall's Morning Routine - how and why it went vital
• Chat GPT's Ghibli takeover - what does this mean for creatives, artists, and the general economy
• Ben's new apartment
• Robinhood's product release - will it destabilize tradfi?
• And more...

Episode recorded on March 27 2025

(00:00) Introduction

(03:03) Ben's Move to Miami and Content Creation

(05:45) The Rise of Ashton Hall and Viral Content

(08:38) The Impact of Earned Media on Brands

(11:29) Robinhood's Innovative Approach to Finance

(13:53) Retail Investors and Market Dynamics

(16:42) Gamification in Finance and Customer Engagement

(19:13) The Future of Retail Investing and Company Transparency

(24:52) GameStop's Bitcoin Gamble

(29:24) GameStop's Struggles in a Changing Market

(32:31) The Digital Economy and AI Innovations

(40:50) The Future of Work in an AI-Driven World

(48:22) Taking Action in the Age of AI

(58:56) The Journey of Entrepreneurship

(01:01:38) Navigating Ethical Business Practices

(01:01:52) Geopolitical Insights: The Houthi Conflict

(01:07:37) Political Accountability and Leadership

(01:12:50) Economic Policies and Tariffs

(01:22:33) Final Thoughts and Life Lessons

We're delivering the sauce in this episode. Dakota gives us a deep dive into his Ecommerce businesses and his experience working at Amazon for 5 years. We also discuss recent stock market shifts, Pepsi's $2B acquisition of Poppi, and more.

Episode recorded on March 20 2025.

(00:00) Podcast Launch and Market Overview
(02:41) Stock Market Insights and Nvidia's Robotics
(05:09) Victoria's Secret: A Retail Comeback?
(07:57) Snapchat's Future and Market Positioning
(10:40) Netflix's Growth and Content Strategy
(13:17) The Power of Social Media and Content Creation
(21:39) The Rise of Mr. Beast and Celebrity Brands
(29:33) Navigating the E-commerce Landscape
(44:26) Building a Brand: Strategies for Success
(51:30) Building Healthier Brands
(53:33) The Power of Branding and Marketing
(57:06) The Role of Founders in Brand Growth
(59:17) Leveraging Organic Content for Success
(01:04:29) The Influence of Social Media on Marketing
(01:09:04) Opportunities in the Current Market

The boys are back with episode 2 and this one gets spicy.

Episode recorded on March 13 2025

(00:00) Market Turmoil and Tariffs
(02:59) Crypto Market Sentiment
(05:30) Investment Strategies and Lessons Learned
(08:38) The Psychology of Investing
(11:22) Understanding Value in Investments
(14:01) Luxury Cars and Social Perception
(23:56) Navigating Relationships and Social Proof
(25:21) Finding Value in Living Situations
(26:35) The Miami Lifestyle and Its Appeal
(27:59) Gun Ownership and YouTube Content
(30:05) Transitioning from Streaming to YouTube
(33:08) Monetizing YouTube: Tips and Strategies
(35:53) Building a Community and Engaging with Followers
(38:08) The Demand for Connection in Content Creation
(40:30) The Reality of Social Media and Follower Quality
(46:00) The Importance of Authenticity in Content Creation