Ever wondered how a 15-second dance trend turns into a million-dollar phenomenon? Or why your favorite streaming service is suddenly charging more for that must-watch series? Welcome to "Viral Valuations," the podcast that pulls back the curtain on the dollars and cents behind your favorite pop culture moments. Join Sarah Chen, a Stanford economist with a knack for predicting pop culture trends, and Mike Okonkwo, a Wall Street analyst turned tech entrepreneur, as they unravel the economic threads woven through the fabric of entertainment, social media, and everything trending.

From dissecting the business models of chart-topping artists to exploring the financial ripple effects of canceled conventions, "Viral Valuations" brings you bite-sized economic insights wrapped in pop culture packaging. Sarah's academic rigor and reality TV obsession perfectly complement Mike's street smarts and tech industry connections, offering listeners a unique perspective on the marketplace of cool. Whether you're a numbers nerd, a trend tracker, or just curious about the cash behind the flash, tune in weekly to hear this dynamic duo break down complex economic concepts through the lens of pop culture. Get ready to see your newsfeed in a whole new light – where follower counts meet supply and demand, and even the most outrageous celebrity antics have a price tag.

Viral Valuations: Diving into pigeon forge

Join host Matt Zeigler as he interviews Danika Waddell, founder of Xena Financial Planning, in this engaging conversation about career pivots, financial independence, and creating a more inclusive financial services industry. Danika shares her journey from accounting to launching her own financial planning firm during the pandemic, and how her personal experiences shaped her mission to help women in tech achieve financial independence.

The Intentional Investor #26: Danika Waddell

Lennar FY2026+ Strategy and Outlook

Join Matt Zeigler on The Intentional Investor podcast as he interviews Daryl Fairweather, Chief Economist at Redfin and author of the new book "Hate the Game: Economic Cheat Codes for Life, Love, and Work." In this engaging conversation, Daryl shares her journey from MIT to the University of Chicago, her experiences navigating corporate America, and how she applies economic principles to everyday life decisions. With her unique background spanning academia, tech, and real estate, Daryl offers fascinating insights on using economic frameworks to understand human behavior and make better decisions.

The Intentional Investor #27: Daryl Fairweather

The Complete Ninja Training Guide

In this episode of The Intentional Investor, Matt Zeigler sits down with Brent Kochuba, founder of financial research firm SpotGamma. Brent shares his remarkable journey from network administrator to options trading expert, including his experiences at major financial institutions, surviving market crashes, and ultimately building his own successful derivatives research business. With humor and candor, Brent reveals the unexpected paths that led him to where he is today, including family influences, career pivots, and seizing opportunities during uncertain times.

The Intentional Investor #28: Brent Kochuba

In this captivating episode of The Intentional Investor, Matt Zeigler sits down with Kris Abdelmessih, the mind behind Moontower. From his immigrant family upbringing in New Jersey to becoming a seasoned market maker who covered virtually every trading pit imaginable, Kris shares his fascinating journey through the financial world. Learn how key mentors, family influences, and pivotal life moments shaped his path from trading floors to becoming a respected financial writer.

The Intentional Investor #29: Kris Abdelmessih

In this episode of The Intentional Investor, Matt Zeigler sits down with Andrew Cohen, a former market maker at Bernie Madoff’s firm whose life took a dramatic turn when the largest Ponzi scheme in history unraveled. But this isn’t just a story about scandal—it's about resilience, reinvention, and redefining success on your own terms.

The Intentional Investor #30: Andrew Cohen

From bagpipes to bouncing to betting markets, Andrew Mack’s journey to becoming a successful trader and sports bettor is anything but conventional. In this deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation, Andrew opens up about the detours, doubts, and decisions that shaped his unlikely path from rural Canada to algorithmic trading. Along the way, he shares what working in oil fields, selling used cars, and studying sociology taught him about risk, discipline, and finding conviction in uncertainty. This is a story about reinvention, self-reliance, and the grit it takes to build your own edge from scratch.

The Intentional Investor #31: Andrew Mack

Bryan Moore, host of The Active Advisor Podcast and veteran ETF trader, joins us to share his remarkable journey through trading pits, ETF desks, market crashes, and more — including putting on a trade for the Vatican. In this conversation, Bryan reveals how embracing discomfort, risk, and uncertainty has been the key to his success in markets and life. From the trading floor to intentional investing, you’ll learn how to rethink risk, growth, and your investing mindset.

Viral Valuations: Diving into pigeon forge

Evan Ratner