The Jay Young Show

What makes self-storage one of the most resilient investment sectors in real estate? In Episode 235 of The Jay Young Show, Jay Young and Jordan Soto sit down with Paul Bennett of AAA Storage to break down market cycles, alternative assets, investor returns, and why disciplined operators win over time.

Paul shares how he got started in real estate syndication, the biggest lessons he learned over a 45-year career, and how financial strength, disciplined investing, and the right partnerships help investors survive downturns and capitalize on opportunity.

The conversation dives into self-storage development, small bay industrial, private market investing, risk vs. return, IRR expectations, and what young investors often get wrong when evaluating deals. Paul also explains AAA Storage’s current fund strategy, how ground-up development creates value, and why he believes self-storage remains one of the most resilient sectors in real estate.

If you’re interested in real estate investing, alternative investments, private equity, self-storage funds, wealth building, and market cycle strategy, this is an episode you do not want to miss.

Topics covered in this episode:

• Self-storage investing
• Real estate syndication
• Alternative assets
• Private market investing
• Market cycles and downturns
• Small bay industrial
• Fund structure and investor returns
• Wealth building strategies
• Risk management in real estate
• Lessons for young investors

Timestamps / Chapters

00:00 Intro to The Jay Young Show
01:05 Jay welcomes Jordan Soto and talks weather in Colorado and Dallas
02:10 Introducing Paul Bennett of AAA Storage
03:20 Paul Bennett’s background and how he got started in real estate syndication
07:10 Reinventing through market shifts and downturns
10:00 Lessons learned from a 45-year career in real estate
13:05 Why financial strength matters in every market cycle
16:00 How adversity creates opportunity in self-storage
19:10 Inside AAA Storage Growth Fund 2
22:10 Ground-up development, Texas markets, and small bay industrial
25:15 Why Paul stays focused on fundamentals instead of trends
28:05 Institutional buyers, RV and boat storage, and exit strategy
31:20 Expected returns, IRR, and how investors get paid
35:10 Capital calls, timelines, and fund structure
38:00 What young investors underestimate most
41:15 Why sponsor quality matters more than flashy returns
44:00 The future of self-storage and why the sector remains resilient

Join Rachel Griffith, Aaron Ledyard, and Mark Ayers for a live Q&A and oil and gas rundown. Get insights on some of the latest news in the oil and gas industry.

More information:
https://KingOperating.com

In this episode of The Jay Young Show, Jay Young and Jordan Soto sit down with Nikki Morris, Director of the Ralph Lowe Energy Institute at TCU’s Neeley School of Business, live from NAPE in Houston. Nikki shares her journey from Ohio to Texas, from geology and oil & gas to global leadership roles in Angola, Suriname, and Paris, and now back to TCU where she’s helping shape the next generation of energy leaders. 

The conversation dives into the rapid growth of TCU’s energy program, why students are becoming more interested in oil and gas careers, and how hands-on field trips, internships, and industry exposure are changing perceptions of the energy business. Jay, Jordan, and Nikki also discuss global oil demand, $100 oil, Venezuela, energy poverty, natural gas, nuclear energy, produced water, and the future workforce gap in energy. 

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in energy investing, oil and gas careers, TCU energy education, the future of oil demand, and the real-world importance of hydrocarbons in a changing world. 

Estimated Timestamps / Chapter Markers
0:00 – Intro to The Jay Young Show
Jay introduces the show’s focus on entrepreneurship, capital markets, energy, and personal growth. 

0:45 – Live from NAPE in Houston
Jay and Jordan set the scene from NAPE and introduce guest Nikki Morris of TCU’s Ralph Lowe Energy Institute. 

2:00 – Nikki Morris’ path into oil and gas
From Ohio to TCU, geology, volleyball, and building an 18-year career in energy. 

4:30 – What the Ralph Lowe Energy Institute actually does
How TCU’s energy business minor works, why it’s open to all majors, and why energy needs finance, marketing, engineering, and communications talent. 

6:30 – Why field trips matter in energy education
Nikki explains how hands-on exposure to rigs, frac sites, and operating centers changes students’ understanding of the industry. 

8:30 – How to change the perception of oil and gas
The group discusses why younger generations often see energy as “dirty” and how the industry can better humanize its importance. 

11:30 – Energy poverty, global development, and why hydrocarbons still matter
A deeper look at clean water, electricity access, global population growth, and why oil and gas remain essential. 

15:00 – Will oil demand peak?
Jay and Nikki discuss oil demand over the next 5, 10, and 20 years, declining wells, supply constraints, and the possibility of $100 oil. 

18:30 – From 8 students to 200: TCU’s energy program growth
Nikki shares how the institute has expanded rapidly and what’s driving student interest. 

20:30 – The power of internships, networking, and industry connections
Why introductions, relationships, and exposure matter so much for students entering the energy business. 

22:30 – Did Landman help drive interest in energy careers?
A fun but revealing conversation about culture, media, and curiosity around land management and oil & gas. 

24:00 – Venezuela, corruption, and the realities of doing energy business abroad
Nikki explains why rebuilding energy systems overseas is about more than money. It takes trust, time, local relationships, and human capital. 

29:00 – Heavy crude, U.S. reserves, and long-term supply questions
Jay and Nikki talk about Venezuela’s reserves, crude quality, blending, and how the U.S. should think about long-term production. 

32:00 – Where the Ralph Lowe Energy Institute goes next
Nikki lays out her vision for 500 students, more community engagement, and earlier energy education in middle and high school.

35:00 – April 15 TCU symposium: ERCOT, Diamondback, nuclear, produced water
A preview of TCU’s upcoming symposium and the major topics shaping Texas energy’s future. 

38:00 – Final thoughts and staying connected
Jay wraps up by praising the program’s growth and offering support from King Operating and The Jay Young Show. 

Join King Founder and CEO, Jay Young, along with Rachel Griffith, Steve Mullican, and Bill Phillips for a live Q&A and oil and gas rundown. Get insights on some of the latest news in the oil and gas industry.

More information:
https://KingOperating.com

In this episode of The Jay Young Show, host Jay Young and co-host Jordan Soto sit down with Brandon Davis, founder of Trek One Capital, a Houston-based investment firm that has grown to over $80 million in assets in just 18 months.

Brandon shares how his firm identifies undervalued businesses, acquires them using strategic financing, and transforms them into profitable companies. Through leveraged acquisition strategies and strong partnerships, Trek One Capital has already helped launch or fund more than 100 businesses.

This episode is packed with insights for entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners looking to scale their companies or explore acquisition strategies.

In this episode we discuss:

• How to identify undervalued businesses worth acquiring
• The strategy behind leveraged acquisitions
• What separates successful companies from struggling ones
• A real story of turning around a struggling chocolate brand
• Key financial strategies entrepreneurs should understand before raising capital
• Brandon’s roadmap to grow Trek One Capital to $1 billion in assets

Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or business owner, this conversation dives into the mindset and financial strategy needed to build serious momentum in business.

About the Guest

Brandon Davis is the founder of Trek One Capital, an investment firm focused on acquiring and scaling undervalued businesses through leveraged acquisition strategies and strategic partnerships.

Join King Founder and CEO, Jay Young, along with Rachel Griffith and Rex Gifford, for a live Q&A and oil and gas rundown. Get insights on some of the latest news in the oil and gas industry.

More information:
https://KingOperating.com

On this episode of The Jay Young Show, host Jay Young and co-host Jordan Soto sit down with Stephanie Rieben-de Roquefeuil, co-founder of Diadem Capital.

Stephanie launched Diadem Capital to solve one of the biggest challenges in venture capital: efficient deal flow and investor access. Today, the platform connects 1,600+ venture capital firms, family offices, syndicates, and private credit funds with high-quality startups seeking capital.

Since launching in 2022, Diadem has helped 72 startups raise more than $250 million across Pre-Seed through Series D rounds.

Before founding Diadem, Stephanie spent over a decade on Wall Street working with global institutions at Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, and Berenberg Bank before moving into venture-backed fintech startups.

In this episode we discuss:

• How the venture capital fundraising landscape has changed in the last three years
• The biggest mistakes founders make when raising startup capital
• Why deal flow sourcing is broken for many investors
• Where venture capital and private markets money is flowing today
• How platforms like Diadem are modernizing capital markets

Oil & Gas News of the Week

Jay also breaks down global oil market volatility, including geopolitical tensions involving Iran and Middle East energy supply, and what it means for investors watching WTI crude and Brent prices.

Energy remains one of the most geopolitically sensitive asset classes, and understanding risk premiums in oil markets is critical for investors.

Jay’s Weekly Five

Word of the Week: Target
Bible Verse: Philippians 3:14

Join Rachel Griffith, Ryan Goeres, and Mark Ayers for a live Q&A and oil and gas rundown. Get insights on some of the latest news in the oil and gas industry.

More information:
https://KingOperating.com

In this episode of The Jay Young Show, Jay Young (CEO of King Operating Corporation) and co-host Jordan Soto sit down with Rob Hayworth, senior investment leader at U.S. Bank Asset Management Group, for a practical conversation on what’s driving markets in 2026. Rob breaks down why the consumer has stayed resilient, what investors may be underestimating, and how to think about risk when headlines feel noisy. They also explain index funds in plain English, discuss interest rates and mortgage rates, and explore whether energy and commodities can hedge macro and geopolitical risk. Rob closes with areas he finds attractive right now—including global equities, global infrastructure, municipal bonds, and reinsurance/catastrophe bonds—plus timeless advice on building wealth through consistent investing and ongoing education.

Chapters:
00:00 – Welcome + guest intro
05:20 – Building wealth early: saving, investing, and staying disciplined
15:10 – 2026 market outlook: what investors are underestimating
27:10 – Index funds explained + biggest portfolio mistakes
39:35 – Energy, commodities, gold, and peak oil demand
52:10 – Rates and inflation: what’s next + where to invest now
1:06:40 – Career advice + wrap-up

Join King Founder and CEO, Jay Young, along with Rachel Griffith, Steve Mullican, and Billy Phillips for a live Q&A and oil and gas rundown. Get insights on some of the latest news in the oil and gas industry.

More information:
https://KingOperating.com