Subscribe now and watch my free trend following VIDEO.

Ep. 343: Ryan Holiday Interview with Michael Covel on Trend Following Radio

Ryan Holiday
Ryan Holiday

My guest today is Ryan Holiday, an American author, writer, and marketer. He is the media strategist behind authors Tucker Max and Robert Greene, the former Director of Marketing for American Apparel and an editor-at-large for the New York Observer.

The topic is writing a book.

In this episode of Trend Following Radio we discuss:

  • Always being in a research mindset
  • Why some people don’t take advantage of standing on the shoulders of the giants that came before them
  • To know where you’re going and to have a plan when it comes to writing; why it’s “all material”
  • The idea of listening to the same song over and over again
  • The “flow” state and its importance in writing
  • The importance of having a purpose in your writing
  • Discipline and commitments
  • Outsourcing and hiring experts for your writing project

Listen to this episode:

Jump in!

Ep. 90: Richard Weissman with Michael Covel on Trend Following Radio

Richard Weissman
Richard Weissman

My guest today is Richard Weissman, a professional trader with over 25 years of experience and an author. Weissman considers himself a “swing trader”. He is one of the world’s foremost authorities and thought leaders in the fields of derivatives, risk management and technical analysis.

The topic is his book Trade Like a Casino: Find Your Edge, Manage Risk, and Win Like the House.

In this episode of Trend Following Radio we discuss:

  • Weissman’s path from how he started trading with his father in 1987 to how he made his way to where he is today
  • Background to Weissman naming his book
  • The influence of Jack Schwager’s work
  • Risk management
  • Positive expectancy
  • How Weissman defines trends and signs of strength
  • The idea of “don’t anticipate, just participate”
  • Positive expectancy and the probability skew
  • The connection between table limits and risk management
  • How there are no truly “safe investments”
  • Some tools that Weissman has used to influence his own trading psychology and smooth out the emotional highs and lows
  • Not letting a high price stop you from buying, and not letting a low price stop you from selling
  • Weissman’s concept of “the opaque urn”
  • The three things you can guarantee

Listen to this episode:

Jump in!

Ep. 89: Tadas Viskanta Interview with Michael Covel on Trend Following Radio

Tadas Viskanta
Tadas Viskanta

My guest today is Tadas Viskanta, the founder and editor of the Abnormal Returns blog and a private investor with 20-plus years of experience. Viskanta calls his blog a “forecast free investment blog”.

The topic is his book Abnormal Returns: Winning Strategies from the Frontlines of the Investment Blogosphere.

In this episode of Trend Following Radio we discuss:

  • Investment philosophies and strategies to the challenges authors and bloggers face in the world today
  • Disadvantage given to those who follow the constant data stream from the media
  • Why Viskanta felt the need to write “Abnormal Returns”, and the strategy and style behind it
  • The phrase “abnormal returns” and trying to measure returns over and above the risk taken
  • Underperforming
  • Preparing for abrupt change in the markets
  • Viskanta’s move from value investing to a more systematic strategy–and Covel’s early experiences with value investing material
  • Now that so many global barriers are easy to cross, why so many people have “home bias” and difficulty placing global investments
  • Why people still look at the markets with rose colored lenses and so easily forget the bubbles of the past
  • The behavior gap
  • Why having a suboptimal strategy that you can follow in a systematic way is better than having no strategy at all
  • The ramifications of instant feedback in the blogosphere
  • Why you need a burning desire to be an author today

Listen to this episode:

Jump in!

Ep. 80: Robert Greene Interview with Michael Covel on Trend Following Radio

Robert Greene
Robert Greene

My guest today is Robert Greene, the bestselling author of the classic book, “The 48 Laws of Power”, in addition to other bestsellers such as “The Art of Seduction”, “The 33 Strategies of War”, and “The 50th Law” with musician and entrepreneur, 50 Cent.

The topic is his book Mastery.

In this episode of Trend Following Radio we discuss:

  • The influence “The 48 Laws of Power” had on Covel’s own writing
  • Using the 48 Laws as a defense strategy rather than as a cutthroat offense
  • Some of Greene’s early influences that led him into his writing career
  • Using Zen Buddhism and meditation as a tool to gain perspective and focus
  • The importance of using your unique life experiences in your career to create an irreplaceable style
  • Embracing opportunity

Listen to this episode:

Jump in!

Ep. 73: Peter Brandt Interview with Michael Covel on Trend Following Radio

Peter Brandt
Peter Brandt

My guest today is Peter Brandt, a trader who has been in the commodity trading space since 1976. He’s traded his own proprietary account from the late 1970s until today and is currently entering the hedge fund world by running a multi-CTA fund-of-funds. Brandt got his start in Chicago trading commodities and working at the Chicago Board of Trade for Continental Grain Company.

The topic is his book Diary of a Professional Commodity Trader: Lessons from 21 Weeks of Real Trading.

In this episode of Trend Following Radio we discuss:

  • How the accident influenced his trading and how great lessons can be learned through adversity
  • The idea of trading a five-minute chart pattern vs. a weekly chart pattern
  • The biggest mistakes you can make as a novice trader
  • Averaging a loser
  • Risk management and the right amount to risk on any trade
  • Upside volatility and the fantasy of a straight line up of profit growth
  • The importance of reducing the incessant head chatter and living in the moment now

Listen to this episode:

Jump in!