Partnering to Create Wealth

Building a Private Bank: Discipline, Trust & Long-Term Investing, with George Dickson, Jr.

In this episode of Partnering to Create Wealth, David Marcus sits down with George Dickson, Jr., Senior EVP and CIO of New York Private Bank & Trust, and Emigrant Bank, to discuss the evolution of Emigrant Bank and the principles that have guided the institution across decades of market cycles. George shares how the bank transformed from a traditional savings institution into a modern private banking platform, while maintaining a conservative, client-first approach to risk and capital management. The conversation explores how that discipline has enabled the bank to navigate major financial crises — from 1987 to 2008, the pandemic, and recent banking volatility. They also discuss the firm’s investment philosophy, including its focus on transparency, tax efficiency, and portfolio construction through ETFs and separately managed accounts. George explains how helping clients truly understand what they own — and the risks they’re taking — is central to the bank’s approach. Finally, the conversation turns to the evolution of the broader Emigrant platform, including the development of specialized businesses and the growing role of the venture ecosystem under Michael Milstein, culminating in the transformation of 22 Vanderbilt into a hub for innovation and investment.

Value Investing, Gold, and the Future of Real Assets with Whitney George

Whitney George, CEO of Sprott Inc. and one of the most respected names in value investing and the metals sector, joins David Marcus for a wide-ranging discussion on markets, cycles, and conviction. Whitney reflects on his path from Royce & Associates, where he helped build a $40B small-cap platform, to his leadership at Sprott, where he’s steering one of the world’s premier asset managers in precious metals and critical materials. Topics include:  • The evolution of small-cap and value investing over four decades  • Gold’s dual role as safe haven and alternative currency  • How inflation, fiscal policy, and deglobalization are reshaping markets  • The coming “supply-demand crunch” in uranium, copper, and silver  • Why real assets may define the next decade of opportunity Whitney also shares lessons learned from past cycles, his optimism about the resilience of U.S. markets, and why patience and discipline still matter most in investing.

Betting on the Future with Tim Draper

David Marcus sits down with legendary Silicon Valley venture capitalist Tim Draper — founder of Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Draper Associates, and Draper University. Tim has backed some of the world’s most transformative companies including Baidu, Tesla, Skype, SpaceX, Twitch, Hotmail, Robinhood, and Coinbase, and was an early, vocal advocate of Bitcoin. We cover: * 🧠 How Tim spots opportunities in industries ripe for disruption * 🚀 Why he’s “crazy optimistic” about Gen Z founders, AI, and space exploration * 🪙 Bitcoin’s network effect and its most underappreciated use case * 🦾 Robotics, AI, and biotech: the next industrial revolution * 🌍 Why decentralization — not government planning — drives real innovation * 🪙 Why gold is outdated and Bitcoin is better technology for value storage * 🤖 “Humans with AI” vs. “Humans without” — and why the future is bright Tim also shares stories ranging from Don Henley to Elon Musk, and reflects on optimism as a competitive edge in venture capital.

Finding the Right Lender: A Conversation with Cirrus Capital’s Jacob Gonzalez

In this episode of Partnering to Create Wealth, David Marcus speaks with Jacob Gonzalez, co-founder and Head of Debt Capital Markets at Cirrus Capital Partners. Jacob shares his journey from Cornell to investment banking, private equity, and now building Cirrus Capital alongside his partner, Ryan Ridgeway. Together, they’ve carved out a niche working hands-on with lower-middle-market businesses to find the right lenders, prepare for diligence, and secure tailored credit solutions. We discuss: * The evolution of Cirrus Capital and what sets their model apart from traditional brokers and advisors * Key diligence steps every borrower should prepare for before raising debt * How lenders evaluate fit beyond price — and what borrowers should be looking for in return * Trends shaping the debt markets in 2025, including hybrid structures and a resurgence in consumer packaged goods (CPG) lending * Why lender–borrower relationships thrive on partnership, trust, and long-term alignment Jacob also shares candid reflections on entrepreneurship, choosing the right business partner, and his vision for Cirrus Capital’s future as a merchant bank.

Inside the World of Family Office Direct Investing with François de Visscher

François de Visscher, co-founder and Executive Chairman of FODIS, joins me to discuss how family offices approach direct investing. We cover the opportunities and challenges families face, how to avoid common pitfalls, and the keys to sustaining wealth across generations. In this episode of Partnering to Create Wealth, François shares lessons from 45 years of advising families worldwide — from the importance of strategy over opportunism, to how direct investments can reinforce a family’s identity, and why stewardship goes beyond financial capital. Key Takeaways: * How François’ family business roots shaped his career. * The founding of FODIS and its role as an outsourcing arm for family offices. * Why direct investments can reinforce a family’s identity and cohesion. * The balance between family offices and private equity — partners and competitors. * The importance of strategy over opportunism in direct investments. * François’ SGA framework (Stability, Growth, Agility) for building trans-generational wealth.