Episodes

For generations, Pizza Hut was more than a pizza restaurant. It was a place for family dinners, birthday celebrations, and evenings out. From its recognizable red-roof restaurants to its famous pan pizza, Pizza Hut became part of American culture. But the restaurant industry changed, and so did the way people ordered and enjoyed pizza. In this episode of Fundamentals Unfiltered, Matt and Louie take a nostalgic look at Pizza Hut's history before turning their attention to the business behind th...

What happens when AI starts shopping for consumers? And are higher interest rates becoming something businesses and investors need to plan around for years to come? This week on Fundamentals Unfiltered, Matt and Louie discuss how AI shopping agents could change the way businesses reach customers and why adapting to new technology may become an increasingly important part of running a business. Then, the conversation turns to interest rates, housing, and investing. They explore how mortgage rat...

Remember walking into a Waldenbooks at your local shopping mall? Once one of America's most recognizable bookstore chains, Waldenbooks eventually disappeared. What went wrong, and could different business decisions have changed its future? In this episode of Fundamentals Unfiltered, Matt and Louie look back at the rise and fall of Waldenbooks and the business lessons behind its story. Topics discussed: How Waldenbooks grew into a major mall bookstore chain Kmart, Borders, and the impact of c...

The stock market is reaching record highs, but what does that really mean for investors? In this episode of Fundamentals Unfiltered, Matt and Louie discuss the difference between headline market performance and what is happening beneath the surface. They begin by examining how major stock market indexes are constructed, why large companies can have an outsized influence on index returns, and how the growth of AI-related companies has affected the market. The conversation then moves to private...

What can the rise and fall of KB Toys teach us about business today? And what should investors be thinking about as the AI boom and Nvidia continue to reshape the technology landscape? This week on Fundamentals Unfiltered, Matt and Louie look at business from two very different perspectives: a company many of us remember from the past and one of the biggest business stories happening today. First, they revisit KB Toys, the once-familiar mall toy store that disappeared in 2008. But this isn't j...

Matt and Louie remember September 11, 2001 and examine its economic impact before turning to the latest jobs report, small-business ownership, financial independence, and whether the American Dream is still achievable.

What can Dolly Parton teach us about business and investing, and is today's massive AI spending boom creating the next investment bubble? In this episode of Fundamentals Unfiltered with Matt & Louie, we tackle two very different stories connected by a common theme: understanding how businesses create, protect, and invest capital. First, Matt and Louie look beyond Dolly Parton the entertainer to explore Dolly Parton the entrepreneur. They discuss the story behind I Will Always Love You, her decis...

Matt and Louie examine the decline of JCPenney and American department stores before turning to Treasury markets, interest rates, U.S. debt, economic sanctions, the dollar, AI, and the repo market.

What really happened to the American shopping mall? Matt and Louie explore the rise and decline of malls and what changing retail can teach investors about business and competition. Plus, In the News: Amazon’s growth, AI IPOs, rising Treasury yields, and a surprising shakeup between Burger King and Wendy’s.

What does it actually mean to think like a business owner—and why should investors learn to do the same? In the first episode of Fundamentals Unfiltered, Matt and Louie dig into the mindset behind successful business ownership, using Warren Buffett’s approach to management as a starting point. They explore the gap between owning a business and truly thinking like an owner, why incentives matter, lessons they’ve learned from their own business experience, and why a business that doesn’t work on p...