#63 - Geopolitics, Critical Technologies, and Industrial Reshoring with John O’Connor, CEO and Chairman, J.H. Whitney (recorded 03/04/26)

In this episode of The Bull of Wall Street, Jimmy Lee is joined by John O’Connor, CEO and Chairman of J.H. Whitney, along with Jim Worden and Talley Leger, for a timely discussion on geopolitics, national security, critical technologies, and the shifting economic framework shaping markets.

John outlines how J.H. Whitney’s work with the U.S. government evolved from advising on strategic competition with China into a broader investing and analytics capability. He explains how the firm assesses critical technologies, supply chain dependencies, and geostrategic entanglement risk, and how that framework has informed both government work and investment strategy.

The conversation then turns to current geopolitical developments, including Iran, China, energy security, industrial policy, tariffs, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, and the longer-term implications of reshoring U.S. manufacturing. John shares his perspective on how these issues intersect with inflation, interest rates, capital markets, and national power, while Jim and Talley explore what these shifts may mean for advisors, investors, and portfolio positioning.

What You’ll Learn

• How J.H. Whitney’s government advisory work evolved into an investing framework
• Why critical technologies, trade, and capital markets are increasingly linked
• How John views the competitive position of the U.S. relative to China
• How current developments involving Iran may affect inflation, rates, and market volatility
• Why rare earths, critical materials, and processing capability matter beyond mining alone
• How AI and quantum may influence productivity, competitiveness, and national security
• How energy, defense spending, and industrial policy may shape the next phase of economic transition

Chapters

03:10 J.H. Whitney’s government advisory work and strategic competition with China

07:55 Trade, technology, and capital markets as instruments of national power

10:39 Why quantum may become more visible in the years ahead

13:58 AI, automation, and U.S. industrial competitiveness

17:13 The U.S. manufacturing renaissance and capital spending incentives

19:47 A geopolitical framework for interpreting current events

25:58 Iran, energy security, inflation, and rate implications

30:16 Follow-up on Iran and possible paths forward

34:29 Energy, defense spending, and the idea of a peace dividend

40:07 AI adoption, software, and the practical impact on productivity

55:58 Productivity measurement and the economic impact of AI

01:02:15 Fiscal balance, government efficiency, and structural pressures

Guests

John O’Connor, CEO and Chairman, J.H. Whitney

Speakers

Jimmy Lee, Chief Executive Officer and Financial Advisor, The Wealth Consulting Group

Jim Worden, Chief Investment Officer, The Wealth Consulting Group

Talley Leger, Chief Market Strategist, The Wealth Consulting Group

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