In Depth with Graham Bensinger

Billionaire entrepreneur and explorer Ray Dalio talks about his long-standing passion for the ocean, as well as why he wants to fund research and cinematically document the deep sea. The founder of financial powerhouse Bridgewater Associates explains his principles of management. Plus, Dalio opens up about witnessing his mother's death, and helping his son battle depression. Dalio also shares moments from meetings with Vladimir Putin and Elon Musk. Additionally, hear from Dalio's friends and colleagues, including Arianna Huffington, his long-time co-CIO at Bridgewater, Bob Prince, and Vincent Pieribone, Vice Chairman of Dalio’s OceanX.

Ray Dalio: My new ocean exploration ship

Billionaire investor and philanthropist Ray Dalio has had a passion and curiosity for under-sea exploration since he was a child, inspired by Jacques Cousteau. We have explored less than 5% of Earth's oceans, estimates Dalio. He is working to change that. After having purchased an ocean exploration ship, his son Mark, a filmmaker with National Geographic, and director James Cameron urged him to capture those moments. Dalio founded Alucia Productions, now OceanX Media, to help bring that experience to the public. Dalio describes his vision for educating and inspiring students, as well as his new exploration vessel. OceanX Vice Chairman Vincent Pieribone, currently in the Red Sea, discusses the outfitting of the new vessel, and the importance of ocean conservation. Plus, Dalio details his close encounters with arctic wildlife, care of NatGeo photographer Paul Nicklen, and a 'mind-blowing' experience he had under water.

Billionaire Ray Dalio: Greatest tragedy of mankind

Billionaire hedge fund manager and founder of Bridgewater Associates Ray Dalio says that the first things he looks for in a person are reasonableness and consideration. After that, it is the three C's: commonsense, creativity, and character. Dalio, who has spoken and written extensively on his principles of management, says he gives a lot of tough love, but he also likes disagreement, there is honesty behind it. In his own life, his success has been largely due to questioning his own opinions, and challenging what he knows. Plus, Dalio's longtime friend and co-CIO Bob Prince describes how Dalio has changed throughout his career, and Arianna Huffington, Thrive Global Founder & CEO, shares discussions she has had with Dalio on self-improvement and development.

Billionaire Ray Dalio: I predicted Great Recession

Billionaire hedge fund manager and founder of Bridgewater Associates Ray Dalio pays close attention to history. The things that may come as a surprise have probably happened before. Dalio discusses how he and his team predicted the Great Recession in 2008, and warned the White House and the Federal Reserve. Bridgewater 'missed' the pandemic, though, said Dalio. They've ultimately recovered, and are finding unique ways to work during COVID-19.

Ray Dalio: My mother died in front of me

Billionaire and philanthropist Ray Dalio says he had a very happy childhood. As an only child, he enjoyed the attention of his mother, they would often watch movies together. But, at the age of 19, his mother had a heart attack in front of Dalio. He tried to revive her, but she died. He said the experience brought him closer to his father, a jazz musician who played with Frank Sinatra. Dalio says his father was a strong man, and he was almost the opposite, not studying in school, or having a very good work ethic. Plus, Dalio explains why he changed his last name.

Billionaire Ray Dalio: I punched my boss in the face

Billionaire and founder of Bridgewater Associates Ray Dalio definitely has some rowdy stories to tell from early in his career. Those were different times, he says, so punching his boss in the face didn't get him fired. Eventually, he established Bridgewater Associates. Plus, a string of spot-on market predictions gave Dalio confidence in his intuition, which ultimately caused him to lose. Now, not only is he a little more risk averse, but he surrounds himself with people who question his assumptions.

Ray Dalio: My Vladimir Putin & Elon Musk meetings

Billionaire hedge fund manager and philanthropist Ray Dalio says that when looking to find his replacement as leader of Bridgewater, he looked to the innovative minds of our time as guideposts. Dalio gave personality tests to Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Microsoft founder Bill Gates, as well as Nobel Prize Winner Muhammad Yunus and others, to find benchmarks for greatness. These "shapers," as he calls them, were all creative, but also practical, and deep-thinkers.Dalio recalls conversations with Musk about going to Mars, and Gates on social and technological issues. Dalio's longtime friend and co-CIO Bob Prince says that Dalio engages with global leaders as part of his desire for his work to have a helpful impact in the real world. Plus, Dalio describes the dinner he had with former Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew, Former Secretary of the Treasury Robert Rubin, and former Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker. Also, Dalio recounts his conversations with Vladimir Putin of Russia.

Ray Dalio: Beatles got me into meditation

Billionaire hedge fund manager and founder of Bridgewater Associates Ray Dalio says that work-life balance is an important topic that comes down to learning how to get more out of an hour. Personally, he would take his kids on business trips. Thrive Global Founder & CEO Arianna Huffington says she has learned from Dalio when it comes to prioritizationPlus, hear how blind-date and language barrier could not stop the romance between Ray Dalio and his wife of 42 years, and how The Beatles started him on 50 years of transcendental meditation.

Ray Dalio: Saving my son from suicide

Billionaire philanthropist Ray Dalio's son, Paul was in a Los Angeles hotel when he experienced a psychotic episode, was jailed, and ultimately diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Dalio details the subsequent three years of working to help his son, a filmmaker, cope with his illness, and find a path. Dalio's longtime friend and co-CIO Bob Prince recalls Dalio leaving meetings to be with Paul during this time. Dalio also recounts the moment he saved Paul from committing suicide. Paul's film, Touched with Fire, recounts his struggle with the disorder.

Billionaire Ray Dalio on how to get hired

Billionaire founder of Bridgewater Associates Ray Dalio describes the three things he looks for in a candidate, and why he doesn't prioritize people's skills when hiring. He sought to establish an idea meritocracy with radical transparency, where subordinates are encouraged to question his ideas and decisions. This culture challenges employees and supervisors, but also creates a lot of turnover within the organization. Dalio's longtime friend and co-CIO Bob Prince says that people who value personal improvement, respond well to feedback. Plus, Dalio explains how Bridgwater's baseball card system fits employees to specific jobs.

Billionaire Ray Dalio: I only do what excites me

Billionaire hedge fund manager and founder of Bridgewater Associates Ray Dalio describes transitioning away from managing his company a little bit like being the parent to a 45-year-old. He's there to give thoughts, advice, to mentor, but not to interfere. Now he tasks himself with only doing things he is excited about, ocean exploration, diving, bow hunting, stock trading, he doesn't know what work is. For him, retirement simply means being free from obligations. He has reached a phase in his life where he doesn't want to be more successful. Plus Dalio discusses how he will determine where his wealth goes.

Ray Dalio: USA is headed for a clash

Billionaire hedge fund manager Ray Dalio grew up during the New World Order, a time that emphasised equal access to opportunities. It isn't like that anymore, he says. Income inequality impacts people as children, with wealthier families better able to educate their children, and give them access to opportunities. Dalio says to solve this we need to reorient the country to be on the same path, we're currently at risk of wasting resources fighting. This isn't just to help individuals, Dalio posits that as a nation, if there is a large wealth, a lot of debt, and an economic downturn, you're probably going to have a clash. Plus, Dalio discusses the three things changing the current world order.

Ray Dalio: I invested caddy savings into stocks

Billionaire hedge fund manager and founder of Bridgewater Associates Ray Dalio would make $6 a bag to caddy at a local golf club. He would take his earnings and invest them in the market, his first foray into finance.