This is a solo episode where I talk about market commentary, hype from the US Government, where China is really dominant, the big banks return to lithium, price, and Lithium Confidential.

My guests are two voices from the brine world. Murray Brooker and Clint Van Marrewijk. Topics:Why do brine projects take so long?WA's hard rock advantagesWill brine development be faster in this cycleThe impact of big balance sheetsWhat makes a great brine project?Brine recovery ratesThe "promise" of DLENo DLE, no Smackover"Brine without borders"Modular brine productionThe brine talent poolRapid fire

Chris Reed is the Managing Director of NeometalsTopics:Status of the lithium marketWhat China got rightPivoting from urban mining to brineLFPConversion in the WestAfrica DLEThe project in UtahSPAC of the century?Oh CanadaLithium history lessonsDemand in 2030CATL's lithium strategy?Supply in 2035Geopolitics

Tu Le is the founder of Sino Auto Insights, an innovation & management consulting firm.Topics:The Global EV pictureThe final frontier for China EVsThe US "China EV" strategyGM and FordThe status of FSD (full self-driving)The changing perception of Tesla in ChinaWhat's next for BYD and Tesla?When will CATL be producing batteries in the US?The "best of the rest" China EV companiesRapid fireThe growing angst in China over lithium supply

Tom Benson (aka the "Doctor of Volcanoes") is the Vice President of Exploration at Lithium Argentina. Topics:Being creative in explorationThe major upgrade to the Cauchari - Olaroz resourceBigger than the Atacama?Tom's history at Thacker PassLithium Africa - Tom's latest focus The Africa lithium "recipe"Use of new technology & AI in exploration"Permitting Purgatory"Making Africa a lithium successComments on the Smackover & Salton SeaIt's "nice to be nice"Rapid fire

This is a short solo episode.Topics: What lithium investors are askingThe converter in TexasA tale of two earnings callsMy visit to Thacker Pass

YJ Lee is a Director and Fund Manager at Arcane Capital in Singapore. Find him on X @usuallyYJLeeTopics:The BackstoryYJ's path to lithiumThe learning processHis bullish forecasts EVs, E-trucks & BESSPicking winnersGanfeng & Tianqi turn bullishCATL's diminishing lithium market influenceIs another price spike coming?Thacker PassDLE & the SmackoverErametVulcanNemaskaCanadian potential?Rapid fire

Rene is a VP at Lithium Americas and one of the best technical minds in the industry. Topics:How the industry has changed in 20 yearsThe return of LFPFlowsheetsChina's overnight success after two decadesThe challenge for AmericaThe next cycleIs the low hanging fruit gone?What derailed high nickel cathodeTesla's Texas converter hypeBESSDLEThacker Pass update

This is a solo episode. In the past I wrote a time limited "stream of consciousness" New Year's post on LinkedIn. This year I decided to do a podcast with the same rules.

Daniel Jimenez is the founder of iLi Markets and formerly worked for SQM. On X: @D_Jimenez_SchTopics:The rapid growth of BESSCATLChina's weakening grip on lithium Hidden costs in AfricaThe tightening marketWhere is the money made in LIBChile's lithium futureArgentinaRio Tinto's next movesWhen does DLE matter?Alternatives to CO3 & LiOHThe coming price spikeConversion capacity outside ChinaRapid fire