A Book with Legs

Trent Preszler - Evergreen

In this episode, learn about how evergreen trees have uniquely shaped America as we know it today, impacting how we build our homes, celebrate holidays, and more. In fact, the American Revolutionary War might have really started with the Pine Tree Riot, which happened a year before the Boston Tea Party! Smead Capital Management CEO and Portfolio Manager Cole Smead is joined by Trent Preszler, author of “Evergreen: The Trees That Shaped America.” Trent is also a professor of practice in the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management at Cornell University and serves as director of the Henry David Thoreau Foundation's Planetary Solutions Initiative. To hear more, check out the full episode!

The Smead Book List - Winter 2025

In this special quarterly ‘book list’ episode, Cole Smead is joined by Smead Capital Management’s analyst team. Together, they discuss the books that they have recently finished and what they are reading now, including titles from authors such as Andrew Ross Sorkin, Roger Lowenstein, and more.The Smead team also shares their perspectives on current markets and what shapes their points of view.

David McWilliams - The History of Money: A Story of Humanity

In this episode, Cole Smead is joined by economist and author David McWilliams to discuss his book, “The History of Money: A Story of Humanity.” McWilliams outlines the thesis of his book, that “money is the foundational technology that explains human progress.” The two examine through historical and contemporary lenses the meaningful ways that currency has shaped our society, impacted quality of life, and more.

Charles Murray - Taking Religion Seriously

In this episode, Bill Smead and Cole Smead are joined by author Charles Murray to discuss his book, “Taking Religion Seriously.” The three discuss Murray’s personal journey with religion and Christianity, as well as how modern explanations of the universe’s origins align with biblical accounts, what it means to be “tone-deaf spiritually,” and more.

James Grant - Friends Until The End

In this episode, Cole Smead is joined by author James Grant to discuss his book, “Friends Until the End: Edmund Burke and Charles Fox in the Age of Revolution.” The book details the remarkable lives and friendship of British politicians Edmund Burke and Charles Fox, who often united in the pursuit of political causes, despite having wildly different lifestyles and backgrounds. Cole and James’ conversation also touches on their perspectives on today’s economy.