Ted Merz is a veteran media and product leader with 30+ years shaping financial journalism, rising from Bloomberg's 15th newsroom hire to Managing Editor for the Americas and leading product innovation with AI-driven analytics before co-founding Principles Media and Pricing Culture.

Episode Sponsor: Fiscal AI is a modern data terminal that gives investors instant access to twenty years of financials, earnings transcripts, and extensive segment and KPI data—use my link for a two-week free trial plus 15% off: https://fiscal.ai/talkingbillions/Find me on Substack!

3:00 - Ted discusses New York's unique advantage: unlike cities dominated by single industries (SF/tech, DC/politics, LA/entertainment), New York offers everything—tech, finance, media, advertising—creating endless opportunities to learn from the best across multiple domains.

8:00 - The Bloomberg origin story: When Ted joined as the 15th hire in 1990, nobody knew it would become dominant. People questioned whether a data company had the right to produce news. Bloomberg fought for White House credentials, viewed as illegitimate by established media.

15:00 - Bloomberg's founding insight: Mike Bloomberg created the first B2B SaaS company before the term existed, building a real-time financial information platform that fundamentally changed how markets consumed data.

25:00 - Career transition wisdom: Your network changes dramatically when you leave big institutions. Ted learned to broaden his approach—meeting people not for immediate transactions but for perspective, serendipity, and unexpected connections.

35:00 - The evolution of media: Ted emphasizes the importance of "learning in public"—creating content that reaches beyond immediate circles. Even 1,000 views represents an audience unimaginable in the 1980s.

55:00 - On building networks: Don't only meet people who can hire you. Meet broadly for perspective on what you should do, how to do it, and who else is playing the game. Matt Ziegler exemplifies the "one plus one equals a thousand" connector.

1:04:00 - Redefining success: Ted's perspective evolved dramatically from Bloomberg days when titles and team size mattered. Now success means doing passionate work—writing, communicating, shaping words—while making a living and meeting great people.

1:06:00 - The Friday night test: Bogumil shares his realization—spending Friday evening researching a company out of pure curiosity, not obligation. When you love the process itself, you've found something meaningful.

Podcast Program – Disclosure Statement

Blue Infinitas Capital, LLC is a registered investment adviser and the opinions expressed by the Firm’s employees and podcast guests on this show are their own and do not reflect the opinions of Blue Infinitas Capital, LLC. All statements and opinions expressed are based upon information considered reliable although it should not be relied upon as such. Any statements or opinions are subject to change without notice.

Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.

Information expressed does not take into account your specific situation or objectives, and is not intended as recommendations appropriate for any individual. Listeners are encouraged to seek advice from a qualified tax, legal, or investment adviser to determine whether any information presented may be suitable for their specific situation. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

My appearance on Value CVille Podcast with Jeff Henriksen and Donnie Sattar.

This episode explores the intersection of investing and philosophy, focusing on the role of AI in investment decision-making, the importance of understanding value beyond just financial metrics, and the emotional journey of investing.

https://www.valuecville.com/podcast

Full credit goes to two wonderful host: Jeff Henriksen and Donnie Sattar.

Podcast Program – Disclosure Statement

Blue Infinitas Capital, LLC is a registered investment adviser and the opinions expressed by the Firm’s employees and podcast guests on this show are their own and do not reflect the opinions of Blue Infinitas Capital, LLC. All statements and opinions expressed are based upon information considered reliable although it should not be relied upon as such. Any statements or opinions are subject to change without notice.

Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.

Peta Milan is the founder and principal of Dubai-based Henmel Group, a regenerative investing pioneer, award-winning filmmaker, published author, and international speaker who’s building the world’s only family office exclusively focused on regenerative investment methodology.

3:00 - Peta shares her challenging childhood in a lower-middle-class family, describing how she developed the capacity to “see the truth beyond the lies” and question accepted norms from an early age.

5:30 - The disruptive child: How being curious and rule-breaking created conflict with parents but developed the independent thinking that would define her career path.

7:15 - Philosophy to practice: Peta explains why studying philosophy at university made “perfect sense” for business, wanting to apply learned concepts to create real-world impact rather than write books selling for 50 cents.

12:00 - The evolution from ESG skepticism: After being hired by a family to develop an ESG strategy, Peta discovered the entire movement was “a complete greenwashing exercise” and began searching for genuine alternatives.

18:45 - Regenerative vs. sustainability: “If you’re saying you’re doing less harm, by the very fact of that, you’re still doing harm. And so we need to start thinking differently.” The fundamental flaw in sustainability thinking.

25:30 - The 10 principles of living systems: Peta introduces the regenerative methodology framework based on understanding how nature actually works, not human-imposed systems.

32:15 - Indigenous wisdom integration: How working with elders from Africa, South America, and South Asia taught Peta that regenerative principles have been practiced for thousands of years.

39:00 - Shocking statistics: $2 trillion spent on climate initiatives with only 1% reaching genuine systemic impact and less than 30 projects achieving scale globally.

46:20 - Investment returns: Regenerative projects delivering 15-22% returns while creating systemic positive impact—proof that doing good doesn’t require sacrificing financial performance.

52:45 - The embodied learning revolution: Why behavior change requires emotional and physical experience, not just data and guilt—how Einstein’s breakthroughs came as “muscle spasms.”

59:00 - Henmel Group’s multiple pathways: 18-month professional certification, bioregional development programs for philanthropy, direct family office transitions, and venture studio for early-stage founders.

61:05 - The planet perspective: “The planet will take care of itself if we’re gone”—a powerful reframing about what we’re actually trying to preserve.

Podcast Program – Disclosure Statement

Blue Infinitas Capital, LLC is a registered investment adviser and the opinions expressed by the Firm’s employees and podcast guests on this show are their own and do not reflect the opinions of Blue Infinitas Capital, LLC. All statements and opinions expressed are based upon information considered reliable although it should not be relied upon as such. Any statements or opinions are subject to change without notice.

Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.

Information expressed does not take into account your specific situation or objectives, and is not intended as recommendations appropriate for any individual. Listeners are encouraged to seek advice from a qualified tax, legal, or investment adviser to determine whether any information presented may be suitable for their specific situation. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.