Best Michael Kofman Podcasts (2025)

1
Not the Last Net Assessment 27:40

2h ago27:40

27:40

In this joint episode with the Net Assessment crew, recorded last week on "Liberation Day," Ryan joins Chris, Zack, and Melanie to talk about what's happening in the world as well as the future of Net Assessment, which is moving on to its forever home with the Stimson Center. If you would like to support Net Assessment, please consider donating to …

1
Are We About to Enter the First White-Collar Recession? | James van Geelen 54:30

33m ago54:30

54:30

In Episode 408 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with James van Geelen, the founder of Citrini Research, which specializes in illuminating and demystifying the transformative “megatrends” poised to shape societies, economies, and the market’s distribution of returns for years to come. James and Demetri spend the first hour of their conversat…

1
Why Fiscal Policy Is What Really Matters For Investors | Kevin Muir 57:32

7d ago57:32

57:32

In Episode 407 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with the Macro Tourist’s Kevin Muir about the power of fiscal spending and why fiscal austerity and trade tariffs will lead to lower asset prices, U.S. equity market underperformance, and a falling U.S. dollar. Kevin and Demetri spend the first hour of this podcast discussing the importance of…

1
A Stroll Through the Indo-Pacific, the Most Important Region in the World 43:02

12d ago43:02

43:02

In this episode, we get into what's driving the Indo-Pacific's security dynamics, from China's threats to Taiwan to AUKUS and the Quad to stability (or lack thereof) on the Korean Peninsula to bases in the Philippines. We also touch on how prepared the United States may be to deliver military power in the Indo-Pacific based on forthcoming resourcin…

1
Navigating the Twin Crises of the 2020s | George Friedman 52:55

14d ago52:55

52:55

In Episode 406 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with renowned geopolitical analyst and forecaster George Friedman about the pivotal institutional and socioeconomic cycles that shape historical events—and how their convergence is driving the economic and political crises of the 2020s. George and Demetri examine critical turning points in Ame…

1
Is the US at Risk of Losing the Long-Game to China? | Rush Doshi 56:35

21d ago56:35

56:35

In Episode 405 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with Rush Doshi, former Deputy Senior Director for China and Taiwan on the National Security Council about the state of the U.S.-China competition, the Trump administration’s China policy, and how the United States can compete successfully with China without risking imperial overreach or bankr…

1
112 | Choosing to have children as a creative with Dinuka McKenzie and Lee Kofman 52:18

27d ago52:18

52:18

What considerations come into choosing to have a baby for creatives? And once baby enters the picture, how do you balance parenting with your creative practice? We ask Dinuka McKenzie and Lee Kofman, two beloved past guests who happen to be both authors and parents, about their decision to have children and how they manage their writing lives as pa…

1
Living In Wonder: Finding Mystery and Meaning in a Secular Age | Rod Dreher 57:11

28d ago57:11

57:11

In Episode 404 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with religious writer Rod Dreher about the crisis of modernity and how to open our eyes to the reality that life and the world are far more mysterious, exciting, and adventurous than we have been led to believe. Dreher and Kofinas spend the first hour of their conversation engaging on fundamen…

1
Can the U.S.-Ukrainian Rift Be Healed? 41:34

1M ago41:34

41:34

Last week, a meeting with President Zelensky of Ukraine at the White House exploded into acrimony in front of the cameras. Since then, an era-defining drama has been unfolding across the West as Europe prepares for a world where it might not be backed by U.S. military power. U.S. military aid and at least some intelligence support for Ukraine have …

1
Ending the Ukraine War: A Reset in U.S.-Russia Relations? | Andrea Kendall-Taylor & Michael Kofman 52:53

1M ago52:53

52:53

In Episode 403 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with Russia and U.S. national security experts Andrea Kendall-Taylor and Michael Kofman about the Ukraine peace talks between the United States and Russia, and whether they are part of a larger vision by the Trump administration to reset American grand strategy and the global order. Across the…

1
Lt. Gen. Sklenka on Staying in the Fight 31:27

1M ago31:27

31:27

The Marine general and deputy commandant in charge of installations and logistics was kind enough to join Ryan for a wide-ranging conversation on military service, logistics, and so much more. Whether you are a servicemember or someone interested in how the U.S. military will be able to stay in the fight should a war break out in the Indo-Pacific, …

1
The Puzzling Diplomacy over Ukraine's Future 37:34

1M ago37:34

37:34

Nothing about the war in Ukraine is simple — including the diplomacy, which might be even messier than the battlefield. Michael Kofman, Justin Logan (Cato), and Liana Fix (the Council on Foreign Relations) joined Ryan to help him understand the negotiations underway about Ukraine's fate. From the minerals deal to Zelensky's approach to Trump to the…

1
"We Stand with Free People" — U.K. Security & Strategy with Tom Tugendhat 20:39

2M ago20:39

20:39

Member of U.K. Parliament and military veteran Tom Tugendhat was recently in Washington and was kind enough to join Ryan for a short but weighty conversation. Tugendhat chaired the Foreign Affairs Select Committee between 2017 and 2022 and then served in the previous government as minister of state for security. They discussed his time in governmen…

1
A Turning Point for Value Investing | Mark Holowesko 57:09

2M ago57:09

57:09

In Episode 402 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with Mark Holowesko, the founding Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Holowesko Partners—a Bahamian-based, value-oriented investment firm that allocates capital across a wide range of industries, geographies, and market capitalizations. This episode is part of a series in which Demetri inte…

1
Navigating the Fourth Turning: Power, Technology, & Moral Decline | Demetri Kofinas 1:38:42

2M ago1:38:42

1:38:42

In Episode 401 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas shares his recent appearance on the Grant Williams podcast in which he and Grant discuss how the interplay of political power, technology, and moral decline in society are driving the unraveling of the social order as we pass through the final stages of what Neil Howe has famously described as “The F…

501
Transforming NATO for the Future Fight 28:12

2M ago28:12

28:12

Will NATO be able to innovate and adapt before a crisis? Adm. Pierre Vandier popped into War on the Rocks HQ for a most interesting chat about this very question. He serves as Supreme Allied Commander Transformation. A senior leader in the French navy and career fighter pilot, Vandier is responsible for the transformation of NATO's military structu…

1
111 | Surviving second book syndrome - James and Ashley talk 'Cold Truth' 38:45

2M ago38:45

38:45

Cold Truth, Ashley's new thriller, is out now. James and Ashley discuss just how difficult writing this book was, plus why she chose to set in a city that makes headlines for being colder than the surface of Mars. They also chat about real-life research, including the time Ashley learned how to pick a lock with a credit card. Plus, James horrifies …

1
Taking the Chainsaw to Argentina's Bureaucracy | Federico Sturzenegger 1:07:58

2M ago1:07:58

1:07:58

In Episode 400 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with Federico Sturzenegger, the current head of the Ministry of Deregulation and State Transformation under President Javier Milei in Argentina. Demetri asks Sturzenegger about Argentina’s political and economic history in the 20th century, comparing its industrial model, capital markets, and …

1
Is a Libertarian Revolution Underway in Argentina? | Bowtied Mara 46:55

2M ago46:55

46:55

In Episode 399 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas interviews Bowtied Mara about Argentina’s political history, its economy, the local real estate market, the energy sector, and President Javier Milei’s efforts to revive growth, combat inflation, and liberalize the country’s economy. In the first hour, Mara and Demetri explore Argentina’s political h…

1
Assessing Ukraine's Prospects in 2025 22:34

2M ago22:34

22:34

Mike Kofman joined Ryan for a wide-ranging conversation on the challenges faced by both Ukraine and Russia this year. They discuss losses on both sides, manpower challenges, the importance of following the discourse in Ukraine, the Russian economy, and whether the Russian pace of operations will clearly slow down. This episode is brought to you by …

1
Finding Value in an Upside-down World | Charles Heenan & Geoff Legg 59:24

2M ago59:24

59:24

In Episode 398 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with Kennox Strategic Value Fund investment directors Charles Heenan and Geoff Legg about their investment framework and macro worldview. Known for their focus on top-quality, sector-leading companies, Charles and Geoff share valuable insights about what it takes to build and manage a portfoli…

1
What’s Driving the Rise in Long-Term Bond Yields? | Jim Bianco 56:42

3M ago56:42

56:42

In Episode 397 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with Jim Bianco, President and Macro Strategist at Bianco Research, about the macroeconomic factors driving the recent rise in bond yields and a range of other variables shaping the economies of the U.S., Europe, and China, as well as their impact on investors' portfolios. In the first hour, B…

1
110 | Back to the 90s with Michelle See-Tho, author of 'Jade and Emerald' 41:11

3M ago41:11

41:11

'I always knew I wanted to write a novel, but I didn’t have any ideas that I thought could extend to a novel-length work.' In episode 110, Michelle See-Tho shares her journey from aspiring writer to winner of the 2023 Penguin Literary Prize for her debut novel, Jade and Emerald. Though she started out writing short stories and video game reviews, s…

1
Extinction of Experience: Being Human in a Disembodied World | Christine Rosen 54:51

3M ago54:51

54:51

In Episode 396 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with Christine Rosen about her book, “Extinction of Experience: Being Human in a Disembodied World,” which explores the cultural and emotional shifts that accompany our embrace of technology and its effects on our experience of life as embodied human beings. Christine is a senior fellow at the…

1
Investing in Argentina, AI, and More in 2025 | Zach Abraham & Chase Taylor 48:25

3M ago48:25

48:25

In Episode 395 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with Zach Abraham and Chase Taylor about the recent revision in the Fed’s summary of economic projections, the investment opportunities in Latin America, the economic effects of the war in Syria, the state of the outgoing Biden administration, and the economic prospects associated with a secon…

1
Championing NATO's Digital Transformation 17:54

3M ago17:54

17:54

On the sidelines of I/ITSEC in Orlando, we hosted a live podcast recording. Our guest for this very special episode was Maj. Gen. Dominique Luzeaux of France, currently championing NATO's digital transformation. This wide-ranging conversation between Ryan and Maj. Gen. Luzeaux covered training with new technologies, lessons from Ukraine, AI and mor…

1
109 | What have we read? Every book recommendation from 2024 1:40:34

4M ago1:40:34

1:40:34

Here it is - the annual end-of-year book recommendation extravaganza! This bumper episode contains every single edition of 'What are you reading?' from 2024, in which James, Ashley and guests discuss the books on their shelves, and why you should read them too (or not). Use it as a last-minute Christmas shopping guide or a wishlist for your own per…

1
The Fall of Damascus and the New Geopolitics of the Middle East | Kamran Bokhari 51:10

4M ago51:10

51:10

In Episode 394 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with geopolitical analyst and forecaster Kamran Bokhari about the fall of Damascus and the implications of Bashar al-Assad’s ouster in Syria for the balance of power in the Middle East. Kamran last came on the podcast a year ago to discuss the violence ignited by Hamas’ October 7th attacks, th…

1
108 | Compelling, subversive, beautiful: the books we loved most in 2024 40:19

4M ago40:19

40:19

It's that time of year again - the annual Bed on a Plinth Awards, in which James and Ashley discuss the best books they've read in the last twelve months! Use this particularly eclectic list to gather Christmas gift ideas, or simply top up your own 'to be read' pile. Books & authors discussed in this episode (spoilers below!): Red River Road by Ann…

1
Will AI Generate a New Growth Wave of Creative Destruction? | Herman Mark Schwartz 59:52

4M ago59:52

59:52

In Episode 393 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with Herman Mark Schwartz, a professor in the Politics department of the University of Virginia and the author of three books on economic development, globalization, and the geopolitics of the subprime mortgage crisis. Demetri and Mark discuss an article that he recently co-authored in America…

1
Waiting for a Theory of Victory in Ukraine 23:06

4M ago23:06

23:06

Mike Kofman and Ryan have a high-level conversation on strategy in this war, or the lack thereof. From Ukraine's mobilization reluctance to the Biden administration's curious approach to sequencing authorities and capabilities, they review what might ultimately cost Ukraine the war. And make no mistake, that is where the war is trending. Ryan also …

1
107 | Living with dissociative identity disorder/multiple personality disorder with Maggie Walters, author of 'Split' 36:49

4M ago36:49

36:49

'It's not a mental illness. It's actually a creative coping mechanism.' What's it like to discover other people living in your own head? In Maggie Walters' debut memoir, she describes her life with dissociative identity disorder, formerly known as multiple personality disorder (which remains Maggie's preferred term). After surviving years of abuse …

1
National Capitalism & Death of the International Monetary System | Russell Napier 56:47

4M ago56:47

56:47

In Episode 392 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with author, investor, and financial historian Russell Napier, about how to navigate a seminal transition in the global trade and monetary order. This episode aims to provide you with the tools to understand, value, and manage the assets, exposures, and risks in your portfolios and to capitali…

1
Technology, the Battlefield, and Beyond in Ukraine 1:01:34

4M ago1:01:34

1:01:34

We are sharing a free Thanksgiving episode of the Russia Contingency with you all to express our gratitude for your listenership and support. This episode, brought to you by OneBrief, features Michael Kofman and Rob Lee discussing the state of the Russo-Ukrainian War and the role of technology, especially drones. Many of the insights they share are…

1
The End of the German Economic Miracle | Wolfgang Münchau 52:08

4M ago52:08

52:08

In Episode 391 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with Wolfgang Münchau, the director and co-founder of Eurointelligence and the author of a phenomenal new book about post-WWII Germany, the rise and fall of the German economy, its industrial sector, and the end of what he dubs “The German Miracle.” Wolfgang Münchau and Demetri spend the first…

1
106 | The worst decision ever with Richell-Prize-winner Simone Amelia Jordan 35:08

5M ago35:08

35:08

'That was the most naive, worst decision I've ever made in my life, because the disease came back with a vengeance.' In episode 106, Ashley speaks to award-winning memoirist Simone Amelia Jordan about the career that took her from Australia to New York City, and the health crisis that changed everything. We also speak about family heritage and fami…

1
De-banking, Censorship, and the Right to Die | Rupa Subramanya 58:46

5M ago58:46

58:46

In Episode 390 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with Rupa Subramanya, a journalist at the Free Press, about the de-banking of political dissidents, censorship, and the “right to die.” Rupa first came on Demetri’s radar for the work she has done writing about what is known as “de-banking:” the closure of people's or organizations' bank accou…

1
Why the Fed Risks Losing Control of the Bond Market | Andy Constan 46:26

5M ago46:26

46:26

In Episode 389 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with Andy Constan, the founder and proprietor of Damped Spring Advisors about why he believes the Federal Reserve is at risk of losing the long-end of the bond market, which would lead to a reacceleration of inflation and a hard landing for the economy. Andy and Demetri spend the first hour di…

1
As Ukraine Stumbles and Russia Advances, What Does it Mean? 21:13

5M ago21:13

21:13

Mike Kofman came by WOTR HQ to discuss the state of the front and findings from his most recent research trip to Ukraine. From North Korean troops, to manpower woes, to Donald Trump coming back to the Oval Office, what does it all add up to for Ukraine?

1
Semiconductors, Tariffs, & Chip Restrictions Under Trump | Chris Miller 49:48

5M ago49:48

49:48

In Episode 388 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with semiconductor expert Chris Miller about the state and future of the semiconductor industry in the context of Trump’s 2024 U.S. electoral victory, with all its implications for industrial policy, defense spending, tariffs, export controls, trade wars, and much more. This conversation is a …

1
Who Is Going to Win the 2024 U.S. Elections? | Henry Olsen 51:47

5M ago51:47

51:47

In Episode 387 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with political analyst, author, and host of “Beyond the Polls,” Henry Olsen about the state of the 2024 presidential race and what to expect from what could be the most contested election in American history. Henry tells us how each candidate is performing in the key swing states and districts…

1
The Transformation of Marine Marksmanship 32:22

5M ago32:22

32:22

Ryan popped over to Quantico to speak with four marines at the forefront of major advances in marksmanship in America's 9-1-1 force. Listen in as Maj. Steve Stephenson, Capt. Phil Williams, Gunner Josh Grayek, and Gunnery Sgt. Jude Stewart of Weapons Training Battalion explain how they are making the Marine Corps more lethal and capable than ever b…

1
105 | Finding community with author and artist Arna Radovich 44:37

5M ago44:37

44:37

In ep 105, James and Ashley interview Arna Radovich, the author of Limits of Forgetting, a collection of stories interwoven with themes of memory, grief and reflection. Arna shares insights into how her own experiences provide the background for her fiction, and how she found the resolve to release her collection after the loss of her husband. We a…

1
Turning Point: A New Security Order in the Middle East? | Joshua Landis 56:48

5M ago56:48

56:48

In Episode 386 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with the Director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma, Joshua Landis about two possible futures for the Middle East: The first will be defined by perpetual conflict, insecurity, and the specter of nuclear proliferation. The second would be defined by a tenuous, …

1
Financial Markets and the AI Revolution | Adam Butler 51:23

6M ago51:23

51:23

In Episode 385 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with Adam Butler, the CIO of Resolve Asset Management, an alternative asset management firm that focuses on providing cutting-edge, globally diversified, and systematic investment strategies that are non-correlated to traditional portfolios. In the first hour, we explore the structural changes…

1
104 | Staying afloat with Olympic gold medallist Michael Klim 49:00

6M ago49:00

49:00

'For me, the only decision was to put myself out there and become more of service to others.' Olympic gold medallist Michael Klim speaks with James about his diagnosis and life with CIDP, the same autoimmune condition James lives with. Michael discusses his childhood and Olympic career, how his worsening health affected his mental health, and how h…

1
Moving From an Income-Driven to a Credit-Driven Cycle | Bob Elliott 55:24

6M ago55:24

55:24

In Episode 384 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with Bob Elliott, the co-founder and CEO of Unlimited, a financial services firm that uses machine learning to create products that replicate the index returns of alternative investments. Demetri asked Bob Elliott back on the podcast today to discuss the big macroeconomic story everyone’s been…

1
Why the Fed’s Rate Decision Marks a Profound Shift in Monetary Policy | James Aitken 57:10

6M ago57:10

57:10

In Episode 383 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with James Aitken, a financial markets veteran and advisor to many of the world’s most powerful, sophisticated, and successful investors. In the first hour, Demetri and James discuss all that has changed since Aitken was last on the podcast three years ago, which came just as the world had sta…

1
The Meaning of Creeping Ukrainian Losses in the East 26:15

6M ago26:15

26:15

Michael Kofman popped into WOTR HQ to speak with Ryan about the war. They discussed territorial losses in the Donbas, the situation in Kursk, manpower challenges on both sides, and how Ukraine is seeing war termination on favorable terms. This episode also features a short preview of the most recent episode of Mike's members-only show, "The Russia …

1
The U.S. Assassination and Terror Threat | Jacob Ware 49:31

7M ago49:31

49:31

In Episode 382 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with Jacob Ware, an expert in domestic and international terrorism, counterterrorism, and assassination, about the growing U.S. assassination and terror threat ahead of the 2024 elections. Jacob and Demetri spend the first hour of their conversation discussing the two recent assassination atte…

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