Padraic Scanlan - Rot: An Imperial History of the Irish Famine
In this episode, Cole Smead and Conor O’Callaghan sit down with Author and Educator Padraic Scanlan to discuss his book, “Rot: An Imperial History of the Irish Famine.” The three explore the history of the Great Famine, explaining how Ireland’s position in the British Empire and reliance on the potato made it uniquely susceptible to starvation, and more.
2025/6/02
1:42:59
Russell Shorto - Taking Manhattan: The Extraordinary Events that Created New York and Shaped America
In this episode, Cole Smead speaks with author and historian Russell Shorto about his latest book, ”Taking Manhattan: The Extraordinary Events that Created New York and Shaped America,” discussing the birth of New York City, originally a Dutch-controlled settlement called New Amsterdam on Manhattan Island, until English takeover. Their conversation explores this pivotal transfer of power, and the key figures involved, explaining how it shaped the future of New York and the American identity.
2025/5/19
1:21:42
Kyle Paoletta - American Oasis
In this episode, Cole and Bill Smead speak with journalist and author Kyle Paoletta about his book, “American Oasis: Finding the Future in the Cities of the Southwest.” Their conversation explores the unique history of the American Southwest and its most iconic cities. The discussion spans from Spanish colonialism to the impact of railroads and suburbanization. They also examine the region’s key drivers of economic growth today, including innovative water conservation solutions being used to support growing populations.
2025/5/05
1:22:26
Amar Bhide - Uncertainty and Enterprise: Venturing Beyond the Known
In this episode, author, professor, and Council on Foreign Relations member Amar Bhide, joins Cole Smead to discuss his book, “Uncertainty and Enterprise: Venturing Beyond the Known.” Their conversation explores the relationship between profit and uncertainty when investing, the old and new schools of thought emerging from the Chicago School of Economics, artificial intelligence, and more.
2025/4/21
1:32:20
Mary Flannery - Geoffrey Chaucer: Unveiling the Merry Bard
In this episode, writer and medievalist Mary Flannery joins Cole Smead to discuss her book, “Geoffrey Chaucer: Unveiling the Merry Bard.” Their discussion explores the life and work of English writer and poet Geoffrey Chaucer, a father figure in the English literary tradition, covering his most influential and controversial works, numerous titles and royal affiliations, impact on the modern English language, and more.
Welcome to A Book with Legs podcast, hosted by Smead Capital Management. In each episode, the folks at Smead Capital Management explore value investing through an entirely unique lens, bringing in authors to discuss books that have directly or indirectly influenced the decisions the Smead team has made on their investments in stocks and equities. The podcast is for the curious-minded looking for worldly wisdom. Investing is the last great liberal art, and the team at Smead wants to learn as much as they can. Any level of investor, business person, or thinker, whether personally or professionally, will be intrigued and engaged by these discussions.
South Africa