Investor Tom Hayes, founder of Great Hill Capital and better known as “Turnaround Tom,” joins Ravin Gandhi and Al Goldstein to explain why some of the best investments are hiding in the companies everyone else has already written off.

Tom breaks down the framework behind his contrarian investing strategy: finding high-quality businesses trading at distressed prices, identifying catalysts for a turnaround, and having the conviction to buy when everyone else is running for the exits. He walks through past bets on ExxonMobil, Wells Fargo, Amazon, Alphabet, Intel and Range Resources—and explains why PayPal is one of his highest-conviction ideas today.

The conversation then turns to the other side of the market. Tom explains why he believes parts of the AI, semiconductor and private-market boom are priced for perfection, why the companies spending the most on AI infrastructure may not ultimately capture the greatest economic value, and why even extraordinary companies like SpaceX can still be bad investments at the wrong valuation.

Tom also makes some provocative market calls: China and international equities could outperform the U.S.; small caps and value could beat large-cap growth; retail investors should be extremely careful with options; and the biggest winner from AI may be a company most investors haven't even heard of yet.

And perhaps his boldest prediction: Berkshire Hathaway will not outperform the S&P 500 over the next decade. Tom explains why Buffett's eventual absence, Berkshire's enormous scale and its capital-allocation challenge fundamentally change the investment case.

Beyond markets, Tom discusses raising high-performing kids, why sports teach lessons that translate into adulthood, how he accidentally built a billion-dollar investment firm from a podcast, and why Warren Buffett's philosophy of getting rich slowly remains one of the most important lessons for young investors.

Tom's central message: The market rewards independent thinking, patience and discipline. The biggest opportunities often appear precisely when conventional wisdom says there is nothing worth buying.

Disclaimer: The Forged in America podcast features personal stories, experiences, and opinions from hosts Al Goldstein and Ravin Gandhi. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not investment advice, financial advice, solicitation of investments, or any form of professional recommendation.We strive for accuracy, but mistakes can happen and are unintentional. Nothing discussed should be relied upon for making financial, business, or personal decisions. Always consult qualified professionals before acting on anything you hear.Past performance or results mentioned do not guarantee future outcomes. Listeners are responsible for their own choices.