In this episode of the Portfolio Construction podcast, Paul O'Connor, Head of Investment at Netwealth, chats with Nathan Lim, Chief Investment Officer at Lonsec Investment Solutions. Nathan breaks down Lonsec's take on alternatives, explaining the difference between defensive and growth assets based on their volatility, while emphasising that volatility alone doesn't fully capture the strategy's nature. They dive into the opportunities and risks of alternative strategies like private equity and private credit, highlighting the importance of picking the right managers and understanding illiquidity. They also discuss how the post-COVID economic landscape, with rising inflation and interest rates, impacts alternative investments and what to consider when building a portfolio.