Capital Allocators

Recent Episodes

1. AI in the Investment Office – Abby Barlow, Laura Hill, Brian Sugrue, Jenny Heller, John Lawrence, Matt Bank, Kristin Kallergis Rowland, Jon Webster (EP.515)

   Sep 14, 2026

   Ted Seides convenes eight chief investment officers across different organization sizes—from single-family offices to the largest Canadian pension fund—to discuss how they are deploying AI in investment processes today. The discussion spans practical use cases (meeting prep, document analysis, portfolio monitoring), strategic boundaries (preserving human judgment, data security), and the progression toward alpha generation. Consistent themes emerge around tool selection (Claude, ChatGPT, enterprise platforms), the importance of data quality and standardization, and skepticism about claims that AI alone can drive investment decisions.

2. Best of Habit Formation: James Clear

   Sep 7, 2026

   James Clear, author of the bestselling book Atomic Habits, discusses his journey from entrepreneur to writer and thought leader on habit formation. Clear shares how he built his audience through consistent writing (articles every Monday and Thursday), stumbled into blogging as a business model, and eventually secured a book deal. The conversation covers his framework for habit change—the four laws of behavior (make it obvious, attractive, easy, satisfying)—and his philosophy on operationalizing abstract concepts into actionable strategies.

3. Best of Habit Formation: Katy Milkman

   Sep 7, 2026

   Katy Milkman, behavioral scientist and author of "How to Change," discusses her research on behavior change and habit formation. The episode explores key obstacles to change including getting started, impulsivity, procrastination, forgetting, laziness, confidence, and conformity, along with scientific strategies to overcome each. Milkman shares insights from her work at Wharton and discusses her podcast Choiceology, which applies behavioral economics to investment decision-making.

4. SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Capital Allocators University Online

   Sep 3, 2026

   Ted Sides announces the launch of Capital Allocators University online, moving the program from an annual in-person cohort to an on-demand format while maintaining an annual gathering for networking. The episode covers the six core modules (interviewing, public speaking, decision-making, leadership and management, time management, and modern investment frameworks), the curriculum's evolution over five years, and lessons learned from both allocator and investor relations cohorts. The decision to go online was driven by demand for accessibility, the value of repeated exposure to content, the importance of ongoing networking, and the ability to reduce price points for broader participation.

5. Best of Negotiations: Chris Voss

   Aug 31, 2026

   Former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss, author of Never Split the Difference and founder of the Black Swan Group, discusses tactical empathy and negotiation techniques applicable to business and investment contexts. The episode covers his methods for gathering information, building rapport, and achieving mutually beneficial deals through emotional intelligence, mirroring, labeling, and strategic use of silence.

6. Best of Negotiations: Daylian Cain

   Aug 31, 2026

   Daylian Cain, a Yale professor of negotiations, discusses negotiation strategy and preparation with host Ted Seides. Cain emphasizes the importance of pre-negotiation research, understanding trade-offs and priorities, contingency planning, and identifying non-monetary value creation. He covers topics including bargaining power dynamics, the theory of the pie, gender bias in negotiations, and practical frameworks for both high and low-power negotiators in deal-making scenarios.

7. Best of Storytelling: Matthew Dicks

   Aug 24, 2026

   Matthew Dicks, a retired middle school teacher and bestselling author of Storyworthy, discusses the art and science of storytelling with host Ted Seides. Dicks shares a newly-crafted personal story about witnessing a uniquely singular moment in his life, then deconstructs his storytelling methodology, including his "homework for life" practice, narrative structure techniques (chronological vs. non-linear), and how he transitioned from classroom teaching to training corporate clients at major tech companies. The episode explores where story ideas originate, how to identify compelling moments, and common storytelling pitfalls.

8. Best of Storytelling: Donald Miller

   Aug 24, 2026

   Donald Miller, creator of StoryBrand, discusses the art and science of storytelling as an essential skill for investment pitches, business messaging, and persuasion. Miller explores how clarity in messaging, emotional resonance, and narrative structure drawn from Joseph Campbell and screenwriting principles can drive business growth and customer engagement. The episode covers the seven story elements that comprise effective brand messaging, the importance of positioning oneself as a guide rather than a hero, and practical applications across industries from consumer products to financial services.

9. Best of Pre-Mortem Analysis: Gary Klein

   Aug 17, 2026

   Gary Klein, a cognitive psychologist and expertise researcher, discusses pre-mortem analysis—a risk assessment technique he developed while working with fighter pilots in the 1970s. Originally discovered through studying how expert decision-makers operate, Klein explains how pre-mortems work by asking teams to imagine a plan has failed catastrophically, then identify reasons why. He is joined by Paul Johnson and Paul Sonkin to discuss the application of pre-mortems to investment analysis and common misuses of the technique.

10. Interdisciplinary Skills: Interviewing – The Art of the Interview

    Aug 10, 2026

    Ted Seides, host of Capital Allocators, appears as guest in an unusual role-reversal episode where Matt Breitfelder from Apollo interviews him about the craft of interviewing. Over his nine years hosting the podcast, Seides has developed a sophisticated framework for conducting interviews that emphasizes active listening, psychological safety, and authentic engagement—skills he learned more deeply through podcasting than through 20 years of interviewing investment managers. The conversation covers preparation techniques, the mechanics of active listening (presence, mirroring, validation, empathy), question construction, and the application of these skills to public speaking and high-stakes professional conversations.