CtrlAltInvest

Think Wall Street’s rigged? This episode uncovers how two “quiet” giants—BlackRock and Vanguard—manage a combined $19 trillion+ in assets and hold majority stakes in almost 90 % of the S&P 500—yet most investors have never questioned their influence. Jason and James trace the playbook from J.P. Morgan’s 1907 panic rescue to BlackRock’s AI engine Aladdin, revealing why the system bends to a select few—and what you can do about it.

KEY TOPICS COVERED

00:17 – Why “tear down the facade” of traditional wealth advice still matters today

02:45 – The psychological pivot away from Wall Street’s comfort...

Episode Summary

Hedge funds were born as a clever way to hedge risk—so how did they become the ultimate financial gatekeepers? In this fiery Ctrl-Alt-Invest deep-dive, Jason Vondersmith and James Goodwillie trace hedge-fund history from Alfred Jones in 1949 to today’s billion-dollar family offices. Along the way we unpack junk-bond kings, insider-trading crackdowns, meme-stock revolts, Puerto-Rican tax havens, and whether America has quietly slipped into oligarchy. You’ll learn why “regulation” can create more gatekeepers, how market shake-ups hit your 401(k), and what collective action really takes. If you’ve ever wondered why the rich stay rich—and wha...

Welcome back to CtrlAltInvest! Jason Vondersmith and James Goodwillie are diving head-first into the vast, intriguing, and often misunderstood world of markets. From the historic roots of stock exchanges to the bizarre dynamics of modern finance, this episode is packed with insights, humor, and thought-provoking debates.

🎙️ In this episode, you’ll hear about:

The Birth of the Stock Market: How did the Dutch East India Trading Company pave the way for the first shareholders?Casino Capitalism: Is the modern stock market more about gambling than investing? Jason and James peel back the layers.Market Manipulation: From Black M...

Introduction

Financial freedom rarely comes from playing Wall Street’s rigged game. In this eye-opening conversation, hosts Jason Vondersmith and James Goodwillie sit down with Jordan Brown—self-storage investor, Utah State Aggie, father of twins, and reformed financial advisor—to unpack his viral hot-take: “Diversification is a lie.” Together they explore why concentrating on a niche you control (like cash-flowing storage facilities) can crush a “401(k) & hope” strategy, how to raise capital through real-estate syndications, and the mindset shift from instant to delayed gratification.

Key Takeaways

03:30 – The origin of Jordan’s “diversification is a lie” post08:15 – Wha...

Brief Introduction

Hosts Jason Vondersmith and James Goodwillie welcome finance executive Vinod Vangimalla—econ grad (UMD), MS-Finance (UC Irvine) and Director of Finance at Value Savers—to unpack how he scaled from single-family rentals to a portfolio of leased, residential assisted-living homes that cash-flow while he keeps his day job. ​

Episode Highlights

[00:07:57] Why you don’t need your own money to start—contacts, knowledge and a solid deal matter more.[00:09:04] Vinod’s first two rentals in the 2009 crash and his 20-25 % capital rule.[00:13:00] Underwriting an apartment syndication: cash-flow, IRR and five-year exit math.[00:23:40] Accredited-investor “gatekeepers” a...

Taxes got you stressed? Join Control Alt Invest as Jason Vondersmith & James Goodwillie unpack the messy world of taxes—federal vs. state, income to capital gains. From Founding Fathers’ debates to today’s 4M-word tax code, learn why complexity hurts the little guy & how the wealthy game the system. Get tips to navigate tax season & build wealth smarter. Visit vondiecapital.com for passive income hacks! #Taxes #Finance #WealthBuilding #Investing #MoneyMindset

What You’ll Learn:

Tax Basics: Explore key tax buckets—income, capital gains, real estate, personal property—and how they hit your wallet. Historical Roots: Understand the Federali...

Dive into Control Alt Invest’s deep dive on tariffs—the 2025 buzzword shaking markets! Hosts Jason Vondersmith & James Goodwillie break down what tariffs mean for your 401(k), small biz, & global trade. From Hamilton’s era to Trump’s tweets, explore how taxes on imports spark volatility, crush China’s edge, & hit your wallet. Get actionable tips to protect your wealth in this trade war chaos.

Passive income awaits at vondiecapital.com!

What You’ll Learn:

Tariffs 101: Discover how taxes on imports (like 125% on China) work, from revenue boosts to negotiation tactics.Wealth Impact: Understand why your 401(k...

Leverage isn’t just for hedge fund bros—it’s the ultimate tool for rebels, contrarians, and anyone who knows the system is rigged. In this episode, we break down the good, the bad, and the ugly of leverage: how Wall Street abuses it, how you can use it smarter than they do, and why your 401k-loving financial advisor won’t touch this topic with a 10-foot pole.

Key Takeaways:

✅ What leverage really is (and why it’s not just debt)

✅ 3 ways to use leverage (without ending up like 2008 Lehman Bros)

✅ Leverage beyond money (ho...

Key Takeaways:

The Instagram Facade: Social media platforms like Instagram often present a curated version of success, hiding the true costs and struggles behind the scenes. It's essential to look beyond the highlight reels.Time: The Ultimate Currency: Time is the most precious resource you have. Every decision should be evaluated based on how it uses your time, not just your money.Opportunity Cost: When evaluating opportunities, consider what you're giving up by choosing one path over another. This includes time, energy, and potential earnings from alternative choices.The Myth of Overnight Success: Most successful stories involve years...

What does it really mean to be too big to fail? In this episode, we break down the history behind this phrase and its real-world implications. From the very first government bailout to the Great Depression and the taxpayer-funded rescue during the 2008 financial crisis, we examine how institutions grow so large that their failure could shake entire economies.

Key Takeaways:

🔹 The origins of too big to fail and why it matters today

🔹 A look back at the first-ever bailout in history

🔹 How the Great Depression reshaped...

Is your money really safe? In this episode, we break down the misconceptions around investment security, exploring the risks hidden in so-called "safe" assets like savings accounts, bonds, and even 401(k)s. We uncover how market volatility—driven by sentiment, not just performance—impacts stocks and discuss whether real estate investment trusts (REITs) offer a safer alternative. By the end, you’ll have a sharper perspective on where to put your money and why questioning traditional financial advice is crucial.

Key Takeaways:

💰 The Stock Market = A Gambling Market? While not fraudulent, it operates with fewer regulatio...

Tired of playing Wall Street’s rigged game? In this episode, we rip apart the 401(k) myth and expose how Wall Street gets rich while you take all the risk.

Here’s what we cover:

✅ Why your 401(k) is designed to keep you broke while fund managers cash in

✅ The 2008 financial crisis—how Wall Street gambled with your money and walked away rich

✅ Why real estate beats a 401(k) when it comes to cash flow, tax advantages, and real wealth-building

✅ How to take control of your financial future instead of handing it...