Expanding Frontiers
Alternative investments, frontier research, and the ideas reshaping both.
Expanding Frontiers explores alternative investments and the frontier research reshaping how they're built, evaluated, and accessed. Each episode engages with academic papers, industry research, and emerging frameworks across hedge funds, private equity, private credit, real assets, structured products, digital assets, and the data science transforming investment management.
Hosted by Kathryn Wilkens, PhD, CAIA, adjunct professor at Rutgers Business School's Master of Financial Analysis program and author of the graduate textbook Alternative Investments: Expanding Frontiers, the show is for practitioners, allocators, students, and curious investors who want substance over surface.
New episodes weekly.
Production note: Episodes are produced with the help of AI tools, including NotebookLM, for research synthesis and audio generation. All content is reviewed by the host for accuracy. This podcast is independent and not affiliated with any organization unless explicitly stated. Content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, legal, or professional advice.
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Episodes
Saturday Mar 08, 2025
Saturday Mar 08, 2025
This discussion serves as an introduction to alternative investments, targeting both institutional and retail investors, particularly those pursuing the CFA (or CAIA) designation. It defines alternative investments by what they are not (traditional stocks and bonds) and by what they are (hedge funds, real assets, private equity, etc.). The material explores the debate around including alternative investments in portfolios, touching on the historical limitations faced by retail investors and the emergence of liquid alternatives. It also examines various fund types like private funds, 40' Act funds, and separately managed accounts. The study guide outlines key differences between alternative and traditional investments, like uncorrelated returns and illiquidity, and provides resources for further study and project work.
Podcast Disclaimer
This podcast is an independent production and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any third-party entities unless explicitly stated. The content is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, legal, or professional advice. Listeners should consult qualified professionals before making any decisions based on this content.
This episode is based on the first chapter of my book, Alternative Investments: Expanding Frontiers (soon to be released on LeanPub.com), and was generated using Notebook LM and other AI tools. While I have reviewed the content for accuracy, it may still contain errors, inaccuracies, or omissions. Neither the producers nor any affiliates accept liability for any damages or losses arising from the use or interpretation of this content.
By listening, you acknowledge that the information provided is subject to change and should not be solely relied upon for decision-making.