4: A Beautiful Mind

This podcast episode, "Hell in Heaven," delves into the early life and career of John Bender, a brilliant but unconventional man who made millions in finance. It traces his journey from a physics major and skilled Go player to a successful Wall Street trader, highlighting his intelligence, his problem with authority, and his insatiable desire to win. The episode explores his relationships, including his friendship with Bob Wachtell, his reputation as a ladies' man, and his eventual move to Costa Rica with his wife, Anne, to build a nature reserve. It also touches on his disillusionment with the finance world, his warnings about Bernie Madoff, and the legal battles that followed his departure from his hedge fund, setting the stage for future conflicts and personal struggles.