We Thought It Was About Algorithms. It Wasn’t

Matt Zeigler and Jack Forehand look at what recent Intentional Investor conversations can teach us about creativity, investing, YouTube, AI, mentorship and building a media business.

Using clips from Michael Perry, Marc Rubinstein and Mat Cashman, they explore why knowing your limits, understanding your strengths, learning from mentors and building real relationships still matter in a world of algorithms and LLMs.

Main topics covered:

• Why personal stories reveal how investors and creators actually think
• Michael Perry on accepting ceilings and learning from people you may never catch
• What YouTube creators can learn from studying bigger platforms without copying them
• Why different shows and platforms require different strategies
• Marc Rubinstein on being a slow, methodical thinker and finding the right role
• Shared values and complementary skills in creative partnerships
• How Substack, YouTube, Twitter and audio platforms each serve different audiences
• Why attention is the scarce resource in modern media
• Mat Cashman on learning options from a real-world mentor on the CBOE floor
• How AI and LLMs can become virtual mentors and strategy partners
• Why relationships, trust and networks remain the edge technology cannot replace

Timestamps:

00:00 What Intentional Investor can teach Just Press Record and Excess Returns

03:32 Why personal stories matter in finance and investing conversations

06:35 Michael Perry on ceilings, competition and accepting limits

09:17 Learning from bigger creators without trying to become them

13:40 Marc Rubinstein on slow thinking, research and knowing your strengths

15:54 Shared values, complementary skills and creative collaboration

18:21 Push and pull decisions, networking and building credibility over time

19:56 Different strategies for YouTube, Substack, Twitter and audio

21:05 Differentiated and discoverable content

23:00 Why five lessons posts resonate with guests and audiences

23:59 Attention as the scarce resource in the clip economy

26:10 Mat Cashman on learning options from Lanny on the CBOE floor

30:18 Direct mentors, indirect mentors and learning from the internet

32:03 How AI and LLMs change the learning curve

33:26 Why curiosity and hard work still create an edge

35:08 Leaning into AI before it becomes table stakes

36:20 Networks, relationships and the human edge that will not go away

38:13 Closing thoughts and disclosures