Capitalism, Agency, and Investing with Dave Nadig | Treussard Talks (E04)

Capitalism, Agency, and Investing with Dave Nadig | Treussard Talks (E04)

On this episode, I sit down with Dave Nadig, one of the most thoughtful voices in asset management, to explore the roots and evolution of investing, the purpose and power of capitalism, and how trust and agency fit into today’s financial world.

Our conversation goes beyond stocks and markets to look at the system itself: why we pool resources, how we decide who—and what—to trust, and what it means to “bet with the house” as individuals and as a society.

We dig into the sweeping changes and recurring cycles in asset management, from mutual funds and ETFs to the rise of indexing and crypto, and examine how technology, generational attitudes, and societal trust keep shifting the ground beneath our feet.

You’ll hear us cover:

• What capitalism is really for—and who it serves
• Why distrust and agency are at the heart of modern investing
• The journey from mutual funds to ETFs, index funds, and crypto
• What it means to “bet with the house”—and why it can feel like giving up agency
• How to navigate complexity by focusing on trust, transparency, and relationships in markets
• Personal reflections on risk, entrepreneurship, and finding meaning beyond returns

Dave brings a rare mix of intellectual curiosity, lived experience, and industry wisdom.

If you want to understand how the machinery of investing fits into the bigger picture of society—and your own life—this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

If these kinds of conversations resonate with you, you might also enjoy Wealth, Empowered, a bi-monthly newsletter where I share candid and authentic insights, frameworks, and reflections from the intersection of money, meaning, and modern wealth.

DISCLAIMER: The content of ”Treussard Talks” is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The views expressed are those of Jonathan Treussard and his guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Treussard Capital Management or its affiliates. Listeners should consult with their own financial advisors before making any investment decisions. Go to treussard.com for additional disclaimers.

01:00 — Capitalism and pooling resources
07:00 — The journey from mutual funds to ETFs
13:00 — Generations and institutional distrust
21:00 — Betting with the house: trust, risk, and agency
32:00 — Crypto, collapse, and “hyper-agency”
38:00 — Black hat/white hat: trust and transparency in asset management
44:00 — Dave’s story, lessons learned, and final thoughts