Alternative Allocations Podcast Trailer

In this episode of Alternative Allocations, host Tony Davidow sits down with Anant Kumar from  Benefit Street Partners to cut through the noise and misconceptions surrounding the private credit market. They explore the nuanced impact of artificial intelligence on the software sector, discussing how proprietary data and "systems of record" can protect companies from disruption while creating unique alpha opportunities for savvy investors. The conversation also tackles the evolution of fund structures, emphasizing the importance of educating investors on these vehicles and the true nature of underlying illiquid investments. Anant also highlights why a multi-asset approach and strong underwriting are essential for navigating today's market dispersion and avoiding losses.

Tony was excited to sit down with Dana D’Auria, who recently joined Franklin Templeton’s RIA Advisory Council as an Industry Leader. This newly formed group has enabled the firm to work together to help shape how private markets are evolving in the RIA Channel. In this episode Tony and Dana tackle important structural considerations around liquidity, valuation, and the limitations of so-called "semi-liquid" investments, while emphasizing the untapped potential of private equity, private credit, and real assets in enhancing client outcomes. They discuss how technology platforms and model-based approaches can help advisors scale their practices while maintaining their core value proposition: providing clients access to sophisticated investment strategies that would otherwise be out of reach. This is an essential listen for advisors looking to navigate the operational complexities of private markets and deliver differentiated value to their clients.

In this episode, Tony Davidow sits down with Wendy Li, founder of Ivy Invest, who brings nearly two decades of experience investing for major endowments and foundations to her mission of democratizing institutional investment strategies. Wendy shares invaluable lessons learned and explains why the illiquidity premium shouldn't be reserved for institutional investors alone and how evergreen fund structures are changing the game for individual access to private markets. The conversation explores current opportunities in GP-led secondaries and distressed credit, while providing practical guidance on how advisors can help clients overcome their conditioning around daily liquidity. This is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand how endowment-style portfolio construction can work for everyday investors.