The Julia La Roche Show

Danielle DiMartino Booth, CEO and Chief Strategist at QI Research, breaks down why the Fed's decision to pause was both premature and political, arguing Powell is "committing policy errors to quietly dig at the administration." She explains why the Fed should have cut today — and why she believes we need 100 basis points of cuts given deteriorating labor market data that Powell is choosing to ignore. Danielle unpacks the DOJ subpoena drama, revealing that betting markets dropped Powell's odds of leaving by August from 90% to 60% after the charges, and she believes he's now "enjoying the cat and mouse" with Trump. She revisits her open letter calling for the FOMC to elect Chris Waller as chair, explains why Rick Rieder would be "inviting the fox into the hen house," and shares her bold prediction: unemployment will have a 6 handle within a year. Plus, she discusses the hidden stress signals in Buy Now Pay Later data and why gold is behaving like a "meme stock." Links: Danielle's open letter: https://quillintelligence.com/2025/12/10/the-weekly-quill-open-letter-2/Danielle's open letter part 2: https://quillintelligence.com/2026/01/22/the-weekly-quill-open-letter-ii-public/Danielle's Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/dimartinobooth Substack: https://dimartinobooth.substack.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DanielleDiMartinoBoothQIFed Up: https://www.amazon.com/Fed-Up-Insiders-Federal-Reserve/dp/0735211655Timestamps: 0:00 Welcome 1:05 The Powell subpoena: Danielle's reaction 3:35 Betting markets: Powell leaving odds dropped 4:51 Powell is the cat, Trump is the mouse 5:54 Why Powell is being political by NOT cutting rates 6:35 How Powell moved the goalposts on rate probability 7:32 The contradiction: Integrity vs. ignoring the American people 8:33 Financial conditions are easy because of passive investing, not the Fed 9:19 The shutdown has affected data integrity 10:05 Outlook for the year: Rate cuts coming? 10:50 Conference Board labor differential — recession signal 12:06 Should he have cut today? Yes. We need 100 basis points of cuts12:52 Open Letter Part Two: Why the FOMC should have elected Chris Waller 15:03 Rick Rieder: Inviting the fox into the hen house? 16:34 Who will be the next Fed chair? 17:35 What we don't understand about Fed chair transitions 19:04 The questions reporters should have asked Powell 21:29 Hidden signal: Google searches for "file unemployment" keep rising22:28 Buy Now Pay Later for dental bills and utilities — the stress is real25:41 Gen Z risk appetite and the environment that shapes investors 26:45 Gold is a meme now 29:01 DoubleLine roundtable: Long utilities, short financials 31:14 Commercial real estate capitulation and bankruptcies 32:14 Bold prediction: Unemployment will have a 6 handle by next year33:20 Parting thoughts: Don't forget about your neighbors 33:45 Closing

In this week's episode of The Wrap, Chris Whalen breaks down President Trump's Davos speech, noting that despite promises on housing affordability, the administration has no real plan to lower prices — and Trump explicitly said he doesn't want home prices to fall. Chris explains why that won't matter: hot markets like San Diego and Florida are already cooling, and he predicts a significant correction by 2028 that could push prices back to 2020-21 levels, leaving every mortgage made since COVID underwater. He warns that Trump will "run the economy hot" to win the midterms, with consequences to pay afterward. On rates, Chris explains why long-term yields keep rising despite Fed cuts and what happens if a new Fed chairman loses an FOMC vote. He also discusses gold's march toward $5,000, calling it "the return of gold" as central banks worldwide reverse 70 years of policy, and weighs in on the FDIC's approval of Ford and GM to establish deposit-taking banks.Links:    The Institutional Risk Analyst: https://www.theinstitutionalriskanalyst.com/  https://www.theinstitutionalriskanalyst.com/post/theira802Inflated book (2nd edition): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/inflated-r-christopher-whalen/1146303673Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/rcwhalen    Website: https://www.rcwhalen.com/   Timestamps:0:00 Welcome and intro 0:50 Trump at Davos: Greenland walkback and housing 2:55 The two sides of housing: Owners vs. buyers 4:00 401(k) withdrawals for down payments — does it help? 5:00 Why stoking demand pushes prices higher 6:17 Hot markets cool first: San Diego, Florida, Carolinas 7:58 Demographics and housing: Boomers vs. millennials 8:37 Rate cuts coming and the 2028 correction 9:35 What happens if prices fall 20%? Every post-COVID loan underwater10:10 Signs to watch for a broader market shift in 2026 12:36 Why long-term rates rise when the Fed cuts 14:15 How lenders are feeling right now 15:14 Gold closing in on $5,000 16:28 Trump will run the economy hot for the midterms 18:05 You pay for it after the election 18:51 What if the new Fed chair loses an FOMC vote? 21:00 What should the Fed actually be doing? 22:45 The asymmetry of gold and silver investments 26:32 The return of gold: Central banks reverse 70 years of policy 27:06 Peter Schiff's crisis call — does Chris buy it? 28:36 FDIC approves Ford and GM banks — what it means 32:46 Viewer mail: Gold as a hedge for real estate 33:45 Viewer mail: Stable coins debate 35:30 Closing

In this special in-person interview, Jim Rickards breaks down why the Trump administration is far more strategic than the media portrays, explaining the "flood the zone" tactic and Scott Bessent's "Three Arrows" approach to bringing down the debt-to-GDP ratio. Jim dismantles the popular "debasement trade" narrative, revealing that foreign central banks are not dumping Treasuries and that the real risk lies in the Eurodollar market and the $1 quadrillion derivatives system underpinning global finance. He warns that stablecoins are quietly hoarding Treasury bills needed for collateral — and the risk of fraud waiting to blow up. On gold, Jim explains why $5,000 is just the beginning, making the case for $10,000 to $25,000 based on historical precedent from the 1970s when the dollar lost 94% of its value measured in gold. He also offers a bold prediction: the potential breakup of NATO as geopolitical alliances fracture under pressure. More about Rickards: Rickards is a New York Times bestselling author of Currency Wars: The Making of the Next Global Crisis and several other best-sellers, including The New Great Depression, Aftermath, The Road to Ruin, Death of Money, The New Case for Gold, Sold Out: How Broken Supply Chains, Surging Inflation, and Political Instability Will Sink the Global Economy, and his newest book MoneyGPT: AI and the Threat to the Global Economy. An investment advisor, lawyer, inventor, and economist, Rickards has held senior positions at Citibank, Long-Term Capital Management, and Caxton Associates. He is also the Editor of Strategic Intelligence, a widely-read financial newsletter. Links:  http://www.jamesrickardsproject.com/ https://x.com/RealJimRickardsTimestamps: 0:00 Intro 2:33 Why the second Trump term is different from the first 5:25 The Heritage Foundation and Project 2025 6:45 Executive orders and legislative wins 8:20 Federal courts and the Supreme Court battles 9:49 The economy: Is it really chaos? 11:32 The national debt: Why $39 trillion isn't the number to watch 13:45 The debt-to-GDP ratio explained 15:30 The Keynesian multiplier and diminishing returns 17:38 How we fixed the debt ratio after WWII (1945-1980) 18:36 Scott Bessent's "Three Arrows" strategy 19:19 The debasement trade: Why it's a false narrative 21:15 Are foreign central banks dumping Treasuries? (No) 23:15 What triggers a financial panic 24:45 How the Fed actually "prints money" 26:30 The Eurodollar market: Where real money comes from 28:00 The $1 quadrillion derivatives market 30:15 Stablecoins: The hidden risk in crypto 33:24 Tether's commercial paper problem 35:37 Gold: Why it's really moving 37:45 The Russian asset freeze and its unintended consequences 42:26 Gold does well in deflation too 45:48 The first Pentagon financial war game (2009) 49:54 Gold's trajectory: $10,000 to $25,000 or higher 51:45 The 1970s: When gold went up 2,700% 55:30 Anchoring bias and why $1,000 jumps get easier 56:33 Jim Rogers on the 50% retracement rule 58:49 Silver: Precious metal meets industrial input 63:21 Bold prediction: The potential breakup of NATO 67:34 Parting thoughts: True diversification

In this wide-ranging conversation, natural resource investor Rick Rule, president and CEO of Rule Investment Media and co-founder of Battle Bank, shares his macro outlook, warning that the global economy is weaker than most believe. He explains why he sold 80% of his physical silver after its run from $20 to $75 — and redeployed half into silver mining equities where he sees better leverage if prices hold. Rick breaks down the stark math behind America's $160 trillion in combined liabilities versus $167 trillion in total private net worth, arguing that a "dishonest default" through inflation is inevitable. He shares his framework for knowing when to sell, discusses the coming AI disruption to white-collar jobs, offers his candid views on the Fed and taxation, and provides an update on Battle Bank's national rollout after a 54-month regulatory journey.This episode is brought to you by VanEck. Learn more about the VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF: http://vaneck.com/REMXJuliaTimestamps:0:00 Welcome back Rick Rule0:47 Macro outlook: Global economy weaker than people think 3:19 Precious metals are "absolutely screaming" 4:14 Silver update: The coiled spring has sprung 5:16 What's driving the gold price 6:40 US debt: $160 trillion in liabilities vs $167 trillion net worth 9:48 Honest default vs dishonest default 11:00 Why CPI understates real inflation 13:22 What would fix this? (Hint: Nothing politically viable) 15:29 Where could gold go from here 16:37 Warning: Expect 30-50% drawdowns in this bull market 18:23 Is gold and silver still contrarian? 19:16 Why Rick sold 80% of his physical silver 20:47 Redeploying into silver mining equities 21:57 Rick's investment memo framework 24:00 Silver equities: The leverage opportunity 26:44 Wealth taxes and the nature of taxation 29:52 The New York City socialist experiment 33:35 How we fixed it in the 1970s — five lessons 37:34 Innovation as the way out 38:36 "Take care of yourself — society won't be able to" 42:29 Thoughts on the Federal Reserve 44:45 What would free market interest rates look like 46:56 Signs the economy is deteriorating 49:53 AI and the coming white-collar disruption 54:09 AI: "Greatest memory, no common sense" 55:09 Battle Bank update 58:08 Closing

Chris Whalen, chairman of Whalen Global Advisors and author of The Institutional Risk Analyst blog, joins The Julia La Roche Show for "The Wrap with Chris Whalen." In this episode of The Wrap, Whalen breaks down why GSE release is officially off the table after Trump ordered them to buy back their own debt—a move Whalen calls "politics" driven by midterm election fears. He shares his take on crypto as "a polite form of gambling," explains why he prefers gold over silver despite silver's recent run, and dives deep into the housing market's affordability crisis. Whalen reveals his biggest concern for 2026: the hidden risks in private equity and credit, calling them "rancid pools of illiquid, opaque assets" that could cause major bank losses. He also weighs in on the DOJ's subpoena of Fed Chair Jerome Powell, predicting Kevin Warsh will likely be the next Fed chair, and closes with his outlook on markets, the dollar, and bank stocks.Links:    The Institutional Risk Analyst: https://www.theinstitutionalriskanalyst.com/  Inflated book (2nd edition): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/inflated-r-christopher-whalen/1146303673Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/rcwhalen    Website: https://www.rcwhalen.com/   Timestamps:0:00 Welcome back to the Wrap with Chris Whalen0:30 GSE release officially off the table?2:32 The $200 billion announcement is politics 4:08 Political landscape and midterm elections 4:49 Crypto legislation falls apart 5:14 Crypto as speculation vs. gold & silver 6:40 Silver's short squeeze and volatility 8:30 Gold vs. silver as long-term trades 9:07 Copper and Dr. Copper as economic indicator 10:10 Housing policy and affordability crisis 12:10 Will the Fed allow home prices to fall? 14:30 Bank earnings season takeaways 16:50 Consumer delinquencies and economic warning signs 18:12 The hidden risk in private equity and credit 19:48 The "POOP" problem in private lending 21:42 Private credit as a ticking time bomb 22:58 Jerome Powell's DOJ subpoena 24:21 Kevin Warsh and the future of the Fed 27:05 Could the Fed resume MBS purchases? 28:56 Viewer question: NLY/Annaly REIT 30:52 Parting thoughts and 2026 outlook 31:46 Closing

Peter Boockvar, Chief Investment Officer at One Point BFG Wealth Partners and author of The Boock Report, sees "bells ringing" on the AI tech trade with Oracle, CoreWeave, and Nvidia showing tiredness, and warns the question is whether the baton can be passed to other sectors without the market falling apart. His three favorite groups for 2026 are energy (where $60 oil is "one of the cheapest assets in the world" and he sees $70+ minimum), agriculture (fertilizer stocks like Mosaic and Nutrient), and beaten-down consumer staples offering "bond-like dividend yields with equity-like upside." On Venezuela, he disagrees with the oil-for-midterms thesis - it's really about stiff-arming China, Russia, and Iran, and won't impact oil supply for 5-10 years anyway. He's been trimming silver after its vertical move toward $100 but still likes gold driven by central bank buying and dollar diversification. His biggest concern: if we lose the AI trade, its dominance is so large it could take everything down with it.This episode is brought to you by VanEck. Learn more about the VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF: http://vaneck.com/REMXJuliaLinks: Substack/The Boock Report: https://boockreport.com/Twitter/X: https://x.com/pboockvarTimestamps:00:00 Intro and welcome Peter Boockvar01:18 2025 retro: World markets did really well, fire lit under international markets03:15 Bells ringing on AI tech trade - Oracle, CoreWeave, Nvidia tiredness05:45 China competition in AI - models more applicable, monetizing faster06:30 Bifurcated economy: Manufacturing recession, lower-middle income spending weak07:45 Data center build out - question of when not if it slows08:30 Delta earnings: Premium cabin strong, main cabin no growth09:15 Europe bifurcated too: Germany/France struggling, Spain/Greece doing well11:36 Three favorite groups for 2026: Energy, ag, consumer staples12:15 Energy: Bearish sentiment extreme, contrarian setup, CFTC net longs at 15-year lows13:30 Venezuela: 5-10 years before notable production increase14:15 OPEC production lagging quotas - most running at full capacity15:00 US shale production slowing, rolling over even in Permian15:45 Peak oil demand pushed out - hybrids winning, EV demand delayed16:30 Ag: Fertilizer stocks - Mosaic, Nutrient - down and out value plays17:15 Consumer staples destroyed over 12 months - deep value now17:52 Names: Kimberly Clark, Nestle, Pepsi, ConAgra, Coke, Reynolds18:24 Oil at $60 is one of the cheapest assets in the world - sees $70 minimum19:15 Energy holdings: Exxon, BP, Shell, Canadian Natural Resources, Oxy, Noble, EQT23:44 Venezuela won't impact oil supply for 5-10 years - focused on near-term25:32 Inflation: Conflicting dynamics - services decelerating, goods inflation returning27:00 Next Fed chair will have inflation dilemma - sticky around 3%28:45 Services inflation could rebound in back half of 2026 as apartment supply absorbed29:01 Reaction to Powell subpoena30:09 Powell is done cutting - will be playing 18 holes in June31:28 Last Fed cut was not necessary - took neutral rate below 1%32:30 Need low and stable prices first, then labor market improves35:34 Gold north of $4,600 - levels don't surprise, maybe pace did36:27 Silver at $92 - trimming position, tree needs to take a breather37:30 Gold thesis: Central bank buying, dollar diversification has more legs38:49 2025 lesson: World woke up to opportunities outside mag seven40:22 What not to own: Mag seven, long duration bonds40:46 Japan matters for global rates - JGB yields rising, canary in coal mine42:00 Bullish emerging market local currency bonds - better finances, cheap currencies42:57 EM names: China, Malaysia, Singapore, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Indonesia43:45 Biggest risk: Losing AI trade and gap up in long-term rates44:24 Optimism: Broadening out continues, international markets, commodity trade has legs45:03 Parting thoughts: Investors need to be flexible in their thinking

Jim Rogers, who has sold all his US shares, warns that the American market has been going up longer than ever in history and when people say "it's different this time," you should look out the window and ask questions. While he doesn't think we're in a bubble yet, he sees bubble characteristics forming and is watching for signs to start shorting - like kids leaving college for the stock market and everyone talking about their investments. Rogers is deeply concerned about the $38.6 trillion in balance sheet debt plus over $200 trillion in off-balance sheet obligations, noting that historically this has always led to big problems. He still owns gold and silver but isn't buying at all-time highs, holds positions in China and Uzbekistan, and says he's "not happy" about the US capturing Venezuela's president - calling it "not normal" and "not defensible on the international stage." His stark conclusion: "It's a good time to be an old American. Young Americans are going to have lots of problems in their lifetime."This episode is brought to you by VanEck. Learn more about the VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF: http://vaneck.com/REMXJulia00:00 Intro and welcome Jim Rogers01:28 US economy and market going up longest in American history - sold all US shares02:06 Has the US performance surprised you?02:53 What questions should we be asking right now?02:58 When should I start selling short? Exuberance setting us up for a top03:41 Still owns shares in Uzbekistan and China - assessing China after recent run04:12 Is the US in a bubble? Not yet, but beginning to have bubble characteristics05:31 Worst crisis in our lifetime still coming - debt is unbelievable07:55 Fed Chair Powell DOJ subpoena11:00 US debt highest in history of the world, Fed printing huge amounts of money13:12 Gold and silver performance - owns both, not selling, will buy more if they go down15:34 Room to run in precious metals? Debt skyrocketing, money printing everywhere16:36 What signs would make you short? 17:27 America losing financial wherewithal 19:44 Portfolio: Watching China go straight up, watching Uzbekistan, not adding21:30 Venezuela22:53 Nearly every stock market in the world making new highs - time to ask questions24:56 Greatest strength and weakness as investor? 25:57 Biggest mistake? 27:46 Parting thoughts

Chris Whalen, chairman of Whalen Global Advisors and author of The Institutional Risk Analyst blog, joins The Julia La Roche Show for "The Wrap with Chris Whalen." In this episode, Whalen calls Trump's $200 billion mortgage bond buyback idea "idiotic" and says institutional investors aren't the problem with housing - the Fed buying 30-year mortgages and driving up home prices 50% in five years was the real culprit. He explains the Fed has been "operating like a hedge fund" with dangerous variable duration securities that won't pay off for over 10 years. On Venezuela, Whalen says it should have happened long ago - the Iranians had offensive missiles there that could strike the US, and he's astounded previous administrations tolerated it. He warns AI hype is now a systemic risk to tech valuations, with Oracle's Larry Ellison risking his company to chase the crowd, and predicts 2025's "magical year with no apparent cost for risk" is ending as banks prepare for consumer credit deterioration in 2026-27.Links:    The Institutional Risk Analyst: https://www.theinstitutionalriskanalyst.com/  https://www.theinstitutionalriskanalyst.com/post/theira796Inflated book (2nd edition): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/inflated-r-christopher-whalen/1146303673Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/rcwhalen    Website: https://www.rcwhalen.com/   Timestamps:00:00 Intro and welcome Chris Whalen00:48 Non-farm payrolls report - weakness supports those saying economy is weak01:46 Rate cuts likely this year on short end, but long-term rates not coming down02:45 Trump's $200 billion mortgage bond idea - Chris calls it "idiotic"07:25 Housing correction already building in weaker markets08:24 Institutional investors not the problem - Fed buying 30-year mortgages was the problem12:04 What would actually help housing? Build more houses, change zoning13:04 NYC 18:16 Venezuela should have happened long ago24:49 AI hype now a systemic risk to tech valuations?27:06 Buying cheap financials - Flagstar below book, knows the team28:39 2025 magical year with no apparent cost for risk - that's changing30:05 Bank earnings next week30:35 Viewer question: Deregulation impact on banks and real estate32:53 Viewer question: If correction coming, wouldn't metals also fall?34:52 Wrap up and parting thoughts

Macro trends blogger and economist David Woo @DavidWooUnbound, CEO of David Woo Unbound, a global forum devoted to the promotion of fact-based debates about markets, politics, and economics, argues the world changed forever after the US captured Maduro on January 3 in "Operation Absolute Resolve" - the first time in 100 years a country took out another head of state without consent. He explains this signals the death of the rule-based international order, making gold extremely bullish as countries can no longer trust the dollar system. Woo's key trades for 2026: short oil (December contract heading to high 40s/low 50s) as Trump needs to win the affordability argument for midterms, and he gives 65% odds of a massive $2,000 tariff rebate stimulus package. He admits getting gold completely wrong last year (up 60%) but remains bullish, warns the K-shaped economy consensus is about to be upended if lower oil and stimulus help the bottom 80%, and identifies the AI bubble bursting as the biggest risk - with Microsoft's January 28 earnings as a crucial date.This episode is brought to you by VanEck. Learn more about the VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF: http://vaneck.com/REMXJuliaWoo, the former head of Global Interest Rates, Foreign Exchange, Emerging Markets Fixed Income Strategy & Economics Research at Bank of America, is known for some of his bold and contrarian calls, including Trump winning the presidential race in 2016 (https://www.cnbc.com/2016/12/08/bofaml-analyst-got-ovation-from-co-workers-the-morning-after-election.html), and that the 2020 US presidential election would be much closer than expected and the results contested (https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/the-dangerous-groupthink-stalking-wall-street-20210909-p58q48).Links:  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidWooUnbound Website: https://www.davidwoounbound.com/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/DavidwoounboundTimestamps: 0:00 Intro and welcome David Woo01:28 Macro picture - don't fight Trump 02:31 Midterm election is the biggest story of 202605:17 Affordability argument - Venezuela about oil - not democracy, not drugs12:45 Tariff rebate? 65% chance of massive fiscal stimulus before midterms16:10 Don't fight Trump - theme of 202616:35 Gold was up 60% - the ultimate Trump trade of 202517:15 Short oil is the ultimate Trump trade of 202619:03 K-shape economy consensus about to be upended20:43 What David got wrong on gold last year26:17 The world is not the same - Venezuela changes everything31:45 US tech lead over China shrinking from 2-3 years to 6 months33:54 Knock-on effects: Bearish emerging markets, bullish defense, bullish gold38:57 OPEC biggest loser - lost Venezuela, may lose Iran42:04 TACO or FAFO? 44:44 Why does stock market matter to Trump?49:34 Biggest risk for 2026: Bursting of AI bubble52:10 Retail buy-the-dip crowd - most powerful force in markets54:14 Wrap up and where to find David Woo

Henrik Zeberg, head macro economist at SwissBlock and author of The Monetary House of Cards, warns that despite stock markets hitting all-time highs, the real economy is sinking fast - private job creation has fallen below recessionary levels seen in 2007, and 90% of US consumers are now worse off than going into both the 2008 financial crisis and the 1929 depression. Using his Titanic metaphor, he explains first class passengers (top 10%) are still at the bar while third class is already in the water. Zeberg predicts a blow-off top with the S&P potentially hitting 8,200 before a crash worse than 2008, driven by central bank hubris that will trigger stagflation when the Fed inevitably intervenes. He's long-term bullish on gold and silver but warns of a short-term pullback as the dollar spikes to 120+ on the DXY during the deflationary bust, and explains why there's no easy way out this time - we've exhausted the free lunch of money printing.This episode is brought to you by VanEck. Learn more about the VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF: http://vaneck.com/REMXJuliaLinks: X: https://x.com/HenrikZebergSubstack: https://henrikzeberg.substack.com/Book: https://buy.stripe.com/aFacN62DQdYFbZt9APaR201TEDx: https://youtu.be/DAmoawIOMbs?si=Infb0cLi8YPxdX4H00:00 Intro and welcome Henrik Zeberg01:22 Macro view, the real economy is about job creation, not financial markets04:13 90% of consumers worse off than going into 2008 and 192905:58 Titanic metaphor: First class denying while third class already in water06:56 Chart: ADP private job creation declining to recessionary levels08:26 Illusion of stability: Stock market disconnect from economy09:07 Stock market doesn't predict recessions - look at unemployment11:15 Zeberg business cycle model pointing to recession14:55  Bond market sniffing out problems - yield curve signals20:02 Central banks and the Fed: The hubris problem23:02 2020 changed everything - inflation is back as a factor25:26 Gold and silver starting to show end game signs26:20 If Fed intervenes with more stimulus, it creates stagflation28:03 Henrik's views on gold and silver clarified30:55 Dollar regime coming - DXY could spike32:12 Long-term bullish gold/silver but short-term pullback expected35:35 Navigating different regimes as an investor38:19 Strong dollar implications39:06 Current regime still risk-on, riding the blow off top43:29 Why this recession will be worse than 200848:21 No easy way out - we're at the end of the Keynesian curve49:12 Can we get back to sound money? Only through pain51:41 Under the radar trend: Realization of how bad consumer really is53:55 AI won't save us short-term - actually reduces jobs needed54:25 Wrap up: Think for yourself, do your own research

Chris Whalen, chairman of Whalen Global Advisors and author of The Institutional Risk Analyst blog, joins The Julia La Roche Show for "The Wrap with Chris Whalen" for his 2026 outlook.In this episode, Whalen warns of a market correction comparable to 2008, driven by carnage in private equity where hundreds of companies cannot be sold and sponsors are selling companies to themselves. After a decade-and-a-half Fed liquidity party, he predicts corporate credit will worsen in 2026, setting the stage for a housing market decline in 2027-28. Whalen reveals fraud has become epidemic in housing thanks to AI-altered bank statements, discusses the global power shift as Shanghai now sets gold prices (not Chicago or London), and explains why Powell will likely stay on the Fed board through 2028 to protect the institution - betraying Trump just like every Fed chair before him.Links:    The Institutional Risk Analyst: https://www.theinstitutionalriskanalyst.com/  https://www.theinstitutionalriskanalyst.com/post/theira794Inflated book (2nd edition): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/inflated-r-christopher-whalen/1146303673Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/rcwhalen    Website: https://www.rcwhalen.com/   Timestamps:0:00 Intro and welcome back to The Wrap with Chris Whalen01:25 2025 retrospective3:35 Big stories of 2026 05:30 Midterms 08:21 Maxi market correction coming alongside 2008 in textbooks15:09 Will Powell retire or remain on the board?16:45 Will we see a more hawkish Fed in 2026?17:50 Default rates21:25 What happens with housing in 202622:42 Drawing parallels to the Gilded Age26:29 Gold and silver - another good year ahead32:41 Viewer question: Annaly mortgage REIT common vs preferred36:48 What's on the radar next week: Big investment banks piece38:18 Wrap up and where to find Chris Whalen

Peter Grandich delivers his most bearish outlook in a 40+ year career, predicting 2026-2027 could be the most challenging years in 50 years due to mounting debt ($38T heading to $50T), political division worse than any time since the Civil War, and a deteriorating middle class hanging by its fingernails. He explains why this was his best five-year period after moving entirely into gold and precious metals in 2021, with price targets of $5,000 for gold and $100 for silver still ahead. He warns we're in the earliest stages of becoming a banana republic as BRICS launches a gold-backed trading unit and de-dollarization accelerates.This episode is brought to you by VanEck. Learn more about the VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF: http://vaneck.com/REMXJuliaLinks: https://x.com/PeterGrandichhttps://petergrandich.com/https://www.amazon.com/Confessions-FORMER-Wall-Street-Whiz/dp/B096LPRYW6Timestamps: 00:00 Intro and welcome Peter Grandich01:17 Macro view - not a lot of positive things to say09:47 Best year in five years - gold and precious metals trade13:52 Oil prediction: $50 before $15015:12 Deteriorating middle class hanging by fingernails21:41 Most concerned he's ever been in 40+ year career23:01 Trump's trade war mistakes 28:21 De-dollarization and dollars coming back to US30:18 Solutions: Return to moral compass and faith35:48 Wealth preservation vs appreciation for investors41:31 Passive investing 45:12 The 12 factors of why party like 1929 will bite back47:58 Biblical wisdom on debt and finances49:19 Parting thoughts

Carol Roth, a “recovering” investment banker, financial television commentator, entrepreneur, and two-time New York Times best-selling author, joins Julia La Roche again for episode 321. Carol delivers a sobering assessment of America's broken fiscal foundation with debt-to-GDP over 120%, explaining why the K-shaped economy is creating a non-merit-based divide driven by policy and the administrative class wealth transfer. She discusses the wealth paradox - despite abundance, Americans are more stressed than ever due to housing, education, and healthcare costs - and predicts inflation will be the release valve for our debt crisis. Roth shares her bullish thesis on gold and precious metals as central banks shift away from US Treasuries, explains why the Fed's tools are now irrelevant in this fiscal dominance era, and reveals her predictions for 2026 including decoupling from European allies, Fed chaos, and wild out-of-the-box policies. This episode is brought to you by VanEck. Learn more about the VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF: http://vaneck.com/REMXJuliaLinks:  You Will Own Nothing: https://www.carolroth.com/nothing/ Follow Carol Roth on X: https://x.com/caroljsrothTimestamps: 00:00 Intro and welcome Carol Roth00:57 Big picture macro view: Broken fiscal foundation04:07 K-shaped economy debate and wealth paradox11:46 Administrative class wealth transfer problem18:33 Is Trump going to fix the broken fiscal foundation?24:37 Do rate cuts help everyday Americans?30:51 Gold as hedge and insurance policy37:50 "You Will Own Nothing" - what's changed since 202345:33 Predictions for 202648:58 Wrap up and where to find Carol

Chris Whalen, chairman of Whalen Global Advisors and author of The Institutional Risk Analyst blog, joins The Julia La Roche Show for "The Wrap with Chris Whalen." In this episode, Chris Whalen breaks down why Kevin Hassett may have blown his chances for Fed Chair by walking back Trump's views, discusses Kevin Warsh as the emerging frontrunner, and explains his reform proposal to return to a decentralized Fed with 15 district banks focused solely on sound money. He reveals why Trump's rhetoric about interest rates is backfiring (pushing the 10-year UP instead of down), predicts a home price correction in 2027-28, and explains why 3% inflation is now the new target. Whalen also discusses why gold and silver are still in early innings, how commercial real estate pain is being quietly resolved in the background, why good bank numbers mask concerning private credit risks, and answers a viewer question about BOJ rate hikes potentially triggering a broader correction.Links:    The Institutional Risk Analyst: https://www.theinstitutionalriskanalyst.com/  https://www.theinstitutionalriskanalyst.com/post/theira785Inflated book (2nd edition): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/inflated-r-christopher-whalen/1146303673Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/rcwhalen    Website: https://www.rcwhalen.com/   https://international-economy.com/TIE_Su25_Whalen.pdfTimestamps:00:00 Welcome Chris Whalen01:10 Kevin Hassett: Did he blow his chances for Fed Chair?03:38 Reforming the Fed: Decentralized model vs FDR's changes04:11 How decentralization would change Fed policy06:08 Fed must be independent of President, not Congress07:44 Post-1935 power concentration with Fed Chair08:11 How centralization distorted monetary policy09:17 Has the Fed been acting like its own hedge fund?10:30 Home price correction coming in 2027-2811:14 Subscribe reminder11:52 Trump's rate talk pushing yields UP not down12:56 Advice to Trump: Talk about growth and jobs, not rates14:09 Kevin Warsh as emerging frontrunner for Fed Chair15:17 Scrap the dual mandate, focus on sound currency16:41 CPI print this week: 3% is the new target17:23 Raising conforming limits encourages more inflation18:42 Gold, sound money, and what Treasury should do20:14 Is sound money viable?21:33 Roosevelt's New Deal legacy and today's problems22:53 Silver all-time high, gold north of $4,300 - still early innings24:22 Commercial real estate pain and which banks are exposed27:10 Private credit, NDFIs and why good bank numbers are concerning29:37 Inflation driving everything in New York and beyond30:22 Viewer question: BOJ rate hikes and impact on risk assets31:44 Wrap up, year-end predictions preview and where to find Chris

Peter Schiff delivers a stark warning: America is headed for the biggest economic crisis of our lifetimes - not a stock market crash, but a dollar collapse leading to an inflationary depression. He explains why gold hitting $4,300 and silver above $66 are screaming signals of an impending currency crisis, responds to Trump's personal attack calling him a "jerk" and "loser" on Truth Social, and breaks down why both Trump and Biden caused the inflation crisis through massive deficit spending and Fed money printing. Schiff reveals why he's positioned his portfolio for a dollar crash (up 60-120% this year in precious metals), predicts a radical left Democrat will win in 2028, and explains the dark reality: Americans will experience a poor country's economy but with higher prices - unless they protect their wealth now with gold, silver, and foreign assets.This episode is brought to you by VanEck. Learn more about the VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF: http://vaneck.com/REMXJuliaLinks:https://x.com/PeterSchiffEuropac.comhttp://SchiffGold.comTimestamps: 00:00 Intro and welcome Peter Schiff01:19 Big picture macro view: America's bleak outlook04:00 Gold and silver screaming currency crisis is coming07:04 Prediction: Radical left Democrat in White House 202808:39 Peter's reaction to Trump's Truth Social attack10:19 Trump's ridiculous claim that prices are coming down11:37 Biden and Trump both caused inflation crisis13:40 Trump's "big beautiful bill" making deficits worse15:00 Republicans in trouble for 2026 midterms16:28 Trump is not a real conservative or capitalist22:12 Affordability crisis and government spending problem23:33 No politically viable way to right the ship25:00 We need higher interest rates, not lower27:28 Gold up 65%, silver up 120% this year28:30 Why "perma bear" label is wrong30:00 The dollar crash Peter has been predicting32:22 Investors moving money overseas from US stocks34:02 How gold skyrocketing pulls rug from under dollar36:08 Dollar reserve currency status ending38:22 Inflationary depression: weak economy, high inflation44:31 How everyday Americans will be impacted47:09 Early innings for gold and silver53:41 What Peter wishes he said on Tucker56:20 Capitalism blamed for socialism's damage57:59 Wrap up and appreciation

Michael Green, Chief Strategist and Portfolio Manager for Simplify Asset Management, joins Julia La Roche on episode 318 to break down his viral three-part series on America's real poverty line, revealing why families making $100,000-$140,000 are trapped in what he calls the "valley of death" - where government benefits are withdrawn before cash earnings can replace them. He explains how childcare costs, benefit cliffs, and tax code changes since the 1950s have made the American Dream nearly impossible for young families, why economists reacted so negatively to his work, and how the official poverty line ($31,200) is completely disconnected from reality. Green also discusses the implications for markets, predicting a 1929-style crash from passive investing flows, and shares what gives him hope: human potential and the power of free people over slaves.This episode is brought to you by VanEck. Learn more about the VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF: http://vaneck.com/REMXJuliaLinks:Follow Mike on X: https://twitter.com/profplum99Read Mike's Substack: https://www.yesigiveafig.com/Visit Simplify: https://www.simplify.us/Timestamps00:00 Intro and welcome Mike Green01:00 Genesis of the viral poverty line series and why the American Dream is breaking down05:25 The Valley of Death and the benefit cliffs 06:21 The working poor 07:50 Childcare 09:10 $100,000 used to mean something different12:10 The precarity line13:10 How we got here: tax code changes and the gaslighting about taxes and the 1%16:30 What's the solution?18:01 Implications of fixing the problem21:40 Why economists reacted so viscerally24:18 Sentiment analysis 26:35 Revealing what academics have been missing28:34 The affordability crisis vs inflation debate31:35 We need a different framework for poverty32:47 Where this is headed if nothing changes34:45 Political implications 39:09 What Mike plans to do about it40:35 Markets and passive investing momentum46:41 Wrap up and where to find Mike Green

Chris Whalen, chairman of Whalen Global Advisors and author of The Institutional Risk Analyst blog, joins The Julia La Roche Show for "The Wrap with Chris Whalen." Whalen breaks down the latest FOMC meeting, revealing a divided Fed with no clear consensus on future rate cuts. He predicts a home price correction coming and also warns of a brewing crisis in private equity, where 15-20% of companies are insolvent and relying on payment-in-kind structures. Whalen also discusses JPMorgan's surprise expense guidance this week, the Fed's Reserve Management Purchases (and whether it's QE by another name), and explains why the commercial real estate market remains a major risk. He expects higher bank earnings next year despite hidden dangers in lending to non-depository financial institutions, and shares his skeptical view on stablecoins and AI infrastructure spending.Links:    The Institutional Risk Analyst: https://www.theinstitutionalriskanalyst.com/  https://www.theinstitutionalriskanalyst.com/post/theira785Inflated book (2nd edition): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/inflated-r-christopher-whalen/1146303673Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/rcwhalen    Website: https://www.rcwhalen.com/   Timestamps:00:00 Intro and welcome Chris Whalen00:49 FOMC meeting recap04:03 Inflation as the #1 issue for Americans05:13 Home price correction coming06:03 Commercial real estate crisis deepening07:25 Fed's Reserve Management Purchases explained09:22 Fed managing liquidity into year-end11:35 JPMorgan's surprise expense guidance14:33 NDFIs: Lending reminiscent of 1920s practices15:45 Private equity insolvency crisis? (15-20% insolvent)16:51 Deflationary risk from forced asset sales22:45 Private credit hidden risk23:53 2026 outlook24:24 Ginnie Mae vs Fannie/Freddie liquidity problem26:28 Do stablecoins make sense?27:56 Oracle CDS spiking and AI infrastructure spending30:27 Viewer question: Fed control over mortgage rates33:33 Viewer question: Manufacturing renaissance under Trump?34:57 Viewer question: Are 10-year treasuries a good investment now?36:16 Wrap up and where to find Chris Whalen

Melody Wright, author of M3 Melody Substack, returns to the show for an in-person episode to discuss her outlook for housing and why we could see a price correction of 38%. This episode is brought to you by VanEck. Learn more about the VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF: http://vaneck.com/REMXJuliaLinks:YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@m3_melodyX: https://x.com/m3_melodySubstack: https://m3melody.substack.com/Timestamps0:00 - Introduction: Melody Wright joins the show 00:44 - Housing market frozen for three years - lowest sales since 19952:12 - Institutions are net selling and preparing for what's coming 3:16 - The middle class squeezed out of housing market 4:11 - Debunking the "structural housing shortage" myth 6:12 - Regional housing story: What Zillow data reveals 8:03 - Who's running for the exits first: Institutions vs Mom & Pop 9:17 - Home prices going negative for first time in 2+ years 10:20 - 38% correction coming - when housing becomes affordable again11:56 - Why Fed rate cuts won't help housing 14:04 - The China parallel: Over-building and empty inventory 16:48 - Demographics: The silver tsunami and vacant homes 18:15 - Timeline: When foreclosures will materially increase 21:04 - FHA program shutdown and masking delinquencies 23:48 - Why this crisis is worse than 2008 for millennials 24:50 - What Melody changed her mind on about housing 26:04 - The #1 thing people are getting wrong about housing 27:48 - National Association of REALTORS responds to Melody 28:52 - What keeps Melody up at night 30:00 - What a healthy housing market looks like 31:45 - Final advice: Say no to debt slavery and wait

Danielle DiMartino Booth, CEO and Chief Strategist at QI Research, joins Julia La Roche to break down the FOMC and discuss her open letter manifesto to the committee written on behalf of every hard-working American. This episode is brought to you by VanEck. Learn more about the VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF: http://vaneck.com/REMXJuliaLinks:    Danielle's open letter: https://quillintelligence.com/2025/12/10/the-weekly-quill-open-letter-2/Danielle's Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/dimartinobooth  Substack: https://dimartinobooth.substack.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DanielleDiMartinoBoothQIFed Up: https://www.amazon.com/Fed-Up-Insiders-Federal-Reserve/dp/0735211655Timestamps: 0:00 Intro and welcome back Danielle 00:33 Reaction to FOMC 01:36 QE? 02:40 Markets are overreacting 02:59 Danielle's open letter to The Federal Open Market Committee06:57 Kevin Hassett 08:45 How to preserve Fed independence 09:20 Every Hardworking American Who Wakes Up in the Morning Asking Themselves What Went Wrong10:42 The Fed's conflicting mandates 12:25 The unprecedented level of dissent 15:04 Powell was passionately against QE back in 201217:21 The Fed could exert its independence 18:50 Markets think it's QE, but is it? 20:09 Powell 21:29 Fed policy is eviscerating the middle class 25:10 Labor market dynamics 30:12 Biggest fear - civil war without honest monetary policy 32:45 Call to action

Chris Whalen, chairman of Whalen Global Advisors and author of The Institutional Risk Analyst blog, joins The Julia La Roche Show for "The Wrap with Chris Whalen." Whalen breaks down what's ahead for the Federal Reserve and financial markets as we head into 2026. He discusses Kevin Hassett as the likely next Fed Chair, explaining why Fed independence is more myth than reality and how political pressures will influence rate decisions ahead of the midterm elections. Whalen analyzes the upcoming FOMC meeting, commercial real estate risks, and why he's not concerned about an imminent market crisis despite ongoing concerns about the Treasury market and credit conditions. He also tackles why the Fed's 2% inflation target may be outdated and explains the K-shaped economy that has consumers and investors feeling divided about the recovery. Links:    The Institutional Risk Analyst: https://www.theinstitutionalriskanalyst.com/  https://www.theinstitutionalriskanalyst.com/post/theira785Inflated book (2nd edition): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/inflated-r-christopher-whalen/1146303673Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/rcwhalen    Website: https://www.rcwhalen.com/   Timestamps:00:00 Intro and welcome Chris Whalen01:07 Kevin Hassett as next Fed Chair pick?03:10 Fed independence and political dynamics05:00 Midterm elections and rate cut pressure09:28 FOMC meeting preview, Fed worried about being "late to the party"11:27 Importance of mortgage rates over fed funds15:18 State of the economy, no crisis coming 16:56 Bitcoin and crypto market discussion19:33 Commercial real estate reality check23:29 Private credit myths and reality25:00 Viewer question: Bank preferred stocks 26:50 Viewer question: Why the 2% inflation target?28:14 Inflation vs deflation in asset markets30:00 Biggest risks entering 202630:27 Surprise events and systemic risk31:21 K-shaped economy and recovery paths33:00 Wrap up and where to find Chris Whalen

Hugh Hendry, "The Acid Capitalist," returns to the Julia La Roche Show. Hendry breaks down his "macro compass" portfolio framework: 25% equities (overweight Japanese stocks after their 35-year breakout), 25% US treasuries (buying TLT after a 50% decline), 25% alternatives (Bitcoin over gold due to market cap), and 25% strategic cash. His thesis: the treasury market is so large (100% of GDP) that it's prevented inflation despite massive deficit spending, but AI will cause 20% unemployment within 2-3 years. That unemployment will force governments into redistribution mode, finally breaking the system's ability to contain inflation. He discusses why tech valuations are near peak, why the yen carry trade matters, and why sterling may be the first major currency to collapse as the UK's service economy gets hit hardest by AI displacement.Hendry founded Eclectica Asset Management, a global macro hedge fund that was pretty much uncorrelated to everything in the financial universe. Hugh started Eclectica in 2002 and ran for 15 years before closing in 2017. He made more than 30% in 2008 betting against banks.This episode is brought to you by VanEck. Learn more about the VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF: http://vaneck.com/REMXJuliaLinks: Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/hendry_hugh Substack: https://hughhendry.substack.com/Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-acid-capitalist-podcast/id1511187978 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HughHendryOfficial00:00 - Intro00:52 - The macro compass: 4 quadrant portfolio framework03:52 - Quadrant 1: Equities & why Hugh loves Japanese stocks06:10 - Pattern recognition: Buying 35-year breakouts08:32 - Quadrant 2: US treasuries (TLT) after 50% collapse10:35 - The AI singularity & 20% unemployment prediction12:48 - Cheap labor is over: The end of the China era15:07 - Why corporations will shed jobs (but won't admit it yet)18:37 - Quadrant 3: Gold vs Bitcoin - market cap analysis22:03 - Why Hugh prefers Bitcoin over gold25:46 - The currency quadrant: Which currencies to hold28:15 - Why the dollar may weaken despite being "king"32:28 - Hugh's trade of the year: Yen carry unwind38:42 - The reflexivity problem: AI makes everything cheaper43:15 - Why we didn't get hyperinflation despite massive printing48:29 - The treasury market as a "fire gap" stopping inflation53:14 - Tech valuations: Are we in a bubble?58:36 - Why Hugh thinks we're near peak valuations1:02:44 - Why the treasury market stopped inflation (100% of GDP)1:04:31 - The chaos trigger: 20% unemployment will break everything1:05:00 - Youth unemployment & the rise of socialist politics1:06:23 - NYC mayor & the "no billionaires" movement1:07:06 - The UK disaster: Disability spending & currency collapse1:09:34 - Sterling as first currency casualty of AI

Dr. Mark Thornton, Senior Fellow at the Mises Institute and Austrian economist who correctly called the housing bubble, warns that we're living in an everything bubble with a flock of black swans ready to ignite a crisis. From commercial real estate cover-ups to private equity opacity, data center spending without defined returns, and trillions in government debt, Dr. Thornton explains how Fed manipulation and artificial interest rates have created malinvestments across the economy—and why Trump's push for lower rates will only fuel more bubble activity. He breaks down Austrian Business Cycle Theory, why we're on the on-ramp to hyperinflation with 2026 looking turbulent, and makes the case for gold and silver as essential hedges against fiat money depreciation in a world of central bank money printing and currency debasement.This episode is brought to you by VanEck. Learn more about the VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF: http://vaneck.com/REMXJuliaLinksX: https://x.com/DrMarkThorntonFree Hayek book: https://store.mises.org/Hayek-for-the-21st-Century-P11367.aspxMises Institute: https://mises.org/profile/mark-thorntonTimestamps: 0:00 Intro and welcome Dr. Mark Thornton 01:09 Concerns about the macro economy 6:35 Fed manipulation creating vast array of potential swans 12:00 What if inflation ticks up? Long-term government debt and currency depreciation fears 14:50 Living through an everything bubble 18:40 Fed outlook22:30 Austrian Business Cycle Theory explained 28:30 Malinvestment and artificial credit expansion 34:50 Who really benefits from the Fed's policies? 44:50 Inflation to pay off the national debt 46:00 Gold and silver as hedges against fiat money depreciation 52:40 Early on in the precious metals bull market, silver going above $50 is 'the end of the beginning' 1:00:03 Path to hyperinflation 1:07:01 Bitcoin and Austrian School of Economics compatibility 1:10:31 Final thoughts and closing

Professor Steve H. Hanke, professor of applied economics at Johns Hopkins University and the founder and co-director of the Institute for Applied Economics, Global Health, and the Study of Business Enterprise, joins Julia La Roche on 311. This episode is brought to you by VanEck. Learn more about the VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF: http://vaneck.com/REMXJuliaIn this episode, Professor Hanke warns that the Fed's decision to end quantitative tightening in December, combined with bank deregulation unlocking $2.6 trillion in lending capacity, could trigger dangerous money supply acceleration and reignite asset bubbles and inflation. He criticizes the Fed for "flying blind" by rejecting the quantity theory of money in favor of a volatile "data-dependent" approach. On recession, Professor Hanke sits "on the fence"—labor weakness justifies rate cuts, but money supply acceleration could prevent any slowdown. He maintains gold will reach $6,000 in this secular bull market.Links: Twitter/X: https://x.com/steve_hankeMaking Money Work book: https://www.amazon.com/Making-Money-Work-Rewrite-Financial/dp/13942572600:00 - Intro and welcome back Professor Steve Hanke 1:20 - Big picture: money supply as fuel for the economy 3:30 - Fed ending quantitative tightening in December 6:00 - Yellow lights flashing: potential money supply acceleration, asset price inflation concerns and stock market bubble Fed 8:35 - Fed funds rate cut probability fluctuating wildly 9:36 - Quantity theory of money vs. data-dependent Fed 11:37 - Flying blind by ignoring money supply 21:30 - Making Money Work book discussion 26:15 - Gold consolidating around $4,000, why it's headed to $6,00029:24 - Recession probability: sitting on the fence 30:45 - Labor market weakness vs. money supply acceleration 32:12 - Why rate cut is justified based on labor market 33:13 - Closing

New York Times' bestselling author Larry McDonald, founder of The Bear Traps Report, returns to The Julia La Roche Show for episode 310. McDonald warns that a credit crisis has officially started with 16+ "idiosyncratic" events spreading tentacles across markets, while a big disruption is coming in Q1 as $6-8 trillion may leave the NASDAQ 100. But this creates an incredible opportunity for the cheap part of the market as the great rotation from growth to value begins, with coal and natural gas companies offering 15% free cash flow yields while tech giants burn cash in an AI arms race that's destroying their balance sheets. The market has internally crashed with the average S&P stock down 30-40%, but a handful of names are masking the carnage—and Larry reveals where the smart money is rotating.This episode is brought to you by VanEck. Learn more about the VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF: http://vaneck.com/REMXJuliaLinks: How To Listen When Markets Speak: https://www.amazon.com/Listen-When-Markets-Speak-Opportunities-ebook/dp/B0C4DFVFNR Colossal Failure of Common Sense: https://www.amazon.com/Colossal-Failure-Common-Sense-Collapse/dp/B002IFLWMKTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/Convertbond Bear Traps Report: https://www.thebeartrapsreport.com/0:00 Intro: Welcome back Larry McDonald, founder of The Bear Traps Report & author of "How to Listen When Markets Speak" 1:30 Credit bulls turning bearish 3:50 Credit most times leads equities7:12 When does 'idiosyncratic' become systemic? 9:32 Opportunities for great stock buys 13:30 Nvidia 15:03 Dark side of passive investing 20:40 Set up for an incredible rotation from growth to value 22:00 Update on the hard asset thesis, commodity bull market 23:20 AI power trade26:45 Banks buying Credit Default Swaps 29:20 A credit crisis has started 32:00 Parting thoughts

Chris Whalen, chairman of Whalen Global Advisors and author of The Institutional Risk Analyst blog, joins The Julia La Roche Show for "The Wrap with Chris Whalen." Whalen breaks down why markets are heading into a turbulent year-end. With the Treasury pulling $1 trillion out of the banking system and the Fed holding emergency meetings with dealers, a liquidity crunch is brewing just as big banks close their books after Thanksgiving. Chris explains why there won't be a December rate cut despite Fed happy talk, why the "silent crisis" in commercial real estate and private credit is spreading to insurance companies holding retail investors' annuities, and why public companies with Bitcoin exposure are about to report massive losses at year-end. Plus: the housing correction has officially begun as home price appreciation goes flat and GSEs start marking down property values. Links:    The Institutional Risk Analyst: https://www.theinstitutionalriskanalyst.com/  The Wrap: Is it November 2018 All Over Again?: https://www.theinstitutionalriskanalyst.com/post/theira778Inflated book (2nd edition): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/inflated-r-christopher-whalen/1146303673Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/rcwhalen    Website: https://www.rcwhalen.com/   Timestamps:0:00 Intro: Welcome back to The Wrap with Chris Whalen 0:41 No consensus for Fed cut in December2:22 Why John Williams' "happy talk" doesn't matter 4:35 Treasury is the gorilla: $1 trillion drained from markets4:58 Year-end liquidity crisis brewing 6:24 What that emergency Fed meeting was really all about8:40 Bitcoin's ugly fall14:45 Housing correction ahead? 27:04 What Chris Is Watching: Money markets and bank earnings 28:47 Commercial real estate & private credit pain 30:29 Where to find Chris and final thoughts

Danielle DiMartino Booth, CEO and Chief Strategist at QI Research, joins Julia La Roche to break down the FOMC minutes. Danielle discusses the deep divisions within the Federal Reserve and their controversial decision-making heading into December. She argues the Fed is willfully ignoring abundant alternative data sources like ADP's weekly reports while claiming to fly blind without official jobs data—data that won't be released until after their December meeting due to administrative delays. Booth warns that if the Fed doesn't cut rates in December, they risk triggering a liquidity crisis similar to December 2018, when Powell's hawkish stance caused a market bloodbath on Christmas Eve and forced him to reverse course. This episode is brought to you by VanEck. Learn more about the VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF: http://vaneck.com/REMXJuliaLinks:    Danielle's Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/dimartinobooth  Substack: https://dimartinobooth.substack.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DanielleDiMartinoBoothQIFed Up: https://www.amazon.com/Fed-Up-Insiders-Federal-Reserve/dp/0735211655Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction & post-FOMC reaction0:27 - Deep divisions within the Federal Reserve1:47 - Fed's tone deafness on inflation concerns2:05 - Politics at the Federal Open Market Committee3:32 - Alternative data sources: ADP & jobless claims5:38 - The irony: administration's self-inflicted rate cut problem6:51 - ADP data: what Powell said vs. what the Fed does7:32 - Market reaction & Nvidia's impact8:13 - Should the Fed cut rates in December?9:39 - Powell's contacts: the willful blindness problem10:12 - Fed independence vs. politicization11:28 - The damage of playing politics with monetary policy13:51 - Treasury yields & market concerns17:38 - Debt servicing crisis & political implications26:54 - Private credit & private equity discussions27:30 - Liquidity crisis warning: emergency rate cut risk28:44 - Question for Powell?29:27 - Why an emergency cut may be necessary31:52 - Closing thoughts

Value investor Brian Hirschmann, managing partner of hedge fund Hirschmann Capital, warns we're in the most dangerous time in financial history with three unprecedented bubbles—equities, real estate, and bonds. Hirschmann sees gold doubling to $8,000+ in the coming crisis, but argues for significant upside in gold mining developers. He predicts the Fed will be trapped in a stagflation scenario, and warns the next crisis will be the mother of all financial crises.This episode is brought to you by VanEck. Learn more about the VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF: http://vaneck.com/REMXJuliaLinks: Hirschmann Capital: https://www.hcapital.llc/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/HCapitalLLCTimestamps: 0:00 Intro and welcome back Brian Hirschmann1:20 Macro picture, 3 bubbles bigger, most dangerous time in US financial history5:00 Era of bailouts is over, government debt at breaking point8:10 Are we past the point of no return?9:00 US debt at 120% of GDP, virtually all countries at this level defaulted15:55 Gold discussion: doubled since last appearance 18 months ago20:54 Gold could more than double to $8,500+ if crisis hits24:27 Gold miners vs gold: developers trading at 20% of intrinsic value30:36 Misconceptions about gold's rise: tariffs, Chinese central bank, ETFs34:04 Bitcoin39:33 Fed will be trapped, lose control of interest rates in stagflation scenario42:00 Lessons from David Swensen45:19 Closing remarks

Chris Whalen, chairman of Whalen Global Advisors and author of The Institutional Risk Analyst blog, joins The Julia La Roche Show for the debut of his weekly segment "The Wrap with Chris Whalen." Markets hit all-time highs this week before pulling back sharply as the Fed ended quantitative tightening amid growing liquidity stress in money markets—echoing the dangerous conditions of November 2018 when Chairman Powell nearly crashed the system. Whalen warns we're seeing the same warning signs: tightening liquidity, basis trades breaking down, and a Fed flying blind without proper tools to measure reserve availability. Meanwhile, cracks are appearing across markets—from Bitcoin's retreat below $100k to BlackRock's stunning 100% writedown on private debt it valued at par just weeks ago.Links:    The Institutional Risk Analyst: https://www.theinstitutionalriskanalyst.com/  The Wrap: Is it November 2018 All Over Again?: https://www.theinstitutionalriskanalyst.com/post/theira778Inflated book (2nd edition): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/inflated-r-christopher-whalen/1146303673Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/rcwhalen    Website: https://www.rcwhalen.com/   Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction: New weekly segment "The Wrap with Chris Whalen" 0:42 - Markets this week: biggest decline since April 2:34 - Treasury General Account and bank reserves 6:50 - December rate cut now 50-50 toss up 8:14 - Economy still bubbling along robustly 8:39 - If big sell-off, Fed will start QE again 10:40 - Is it November 2018 all over again? 14:38 - Are we setting up for another repo crisis? 17:27 - Bitcoin fell below $95,000 - what's it signaling? 20:50 - Gold discussion: most investors under-invested 24:44 - Private credit concerns 25:48 - Government shutdown resolution 28:29 - Mortgage markets and housing policy 30:00 - Closing remarks and what to watch next week

James Lavish, co-managing partner of the Bitcoin Opportunity Fund and author of The Informationist newsletter, joins Episode 305 of the Julia La Roche Show. In this episode, Lavish explains how the government shutdown has locked nearly $1 trillion in the Treasury General Account, draining liquidity from financial systems and raising concerns about a 2019-style repo crisis as bank reserves fall to dangerous levels. He argues Americans have lost 25% of their purchasing power from 2020 to 2025, and while technology should bring deflation, we instead have persistent 3% inflation because it's necessary to manage $38 trillion in debt through currency debasement. Lavish explains the K-shaped economy where the top 1% gained 8X wealth since 1990 versus 4X for the bottom 50%, noting commercial real estate defaults are spiking and subprime auto lenders are collapsing. When the TGA liquidity eventually floods back into markets, he warns not to mistake it for prosperity—it's currency debasement, which is why he recommends positioning in hard assets like Bitcoin, gold, and real estate. The Fed is trapped between dual mandates with no way out, and while AI stocks may have gotten ahead of themselves risking a market shock, his message is clear: own assets because he's not bullish on the economy, he's bearish on the currency.This episode is brought to you by VanEck. Learn more about the VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF: http://vaneck.com/REMXJuliaLinks: Twitter/X: https://x.com/jameslavish The Informationist: https://jameslavish.substack.com/ The Bitcoin Opportunity Fund: https://www.bitcoinopportunity.fund/ Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction and welcome1:20 - Big picture macro view: Fed battling dual mandates4:30 - Stagflation risk: prices rising as economy rolls over5:10 - Government shutdown removing liquidity from markets7:19 - Treasury General Account (TGA) explained14:21 - 2019 repo crisis explained21:31 - Current concerns about overnight lending market26:18 - Will Fed do QE again?29:03 - Credit markets29:07 - K-shaped economy explained37:08 - Position for currency deterioration38:28 - Why people think 2% inflation is normal40:11 - Lost 25% purchasing power from 2020 to 202540:41 - Technology should bring deflation, not inflation46:30 - Why we need inflation: $38 trillion debt problem50:59 - What's keeping James up at night55:27 - Closing remarks and contact information

Edward Dowd, Founding Partner of Phinance Technologies, a global macro alternative investment firm, and author of "Cause Unknown: The Epidemic of Sudden Deaths in 2021 & 2022,” joins Julia La Roche on episode 304. Ed Dowd argues we're already in a technical recession, with the stock market bubble driven by just seven stocks masking underlying economic weakness as housing rolls over, layoffs accelerate at Amazon and UPS, and credit markets tighten. He warns that insider selling is at unprecedented levels as institutions distribute to retail investors in classic "FOMO" behavior, while the equal-weighted S&P has gone nowhere since January. Dowd criticizes the Trump administration for gaslighting Americans about the economy instead of communicating the Biden hangover from illegal immigration and deficit spending, explains China is exporting deflation due to their real estate crisis and 20 years of excess housing inventory, and predicts a deflation scare with oil plummeting to $30 before the Fed intervenes with massive QE. He recommends raising cash and moving into treasuries like Warren Buffett, expects the dollar to rip as liquidity dries up globally, sees gold hitting $10,000 by 2030 as central banks accumulate it, and warns Bitcoin will go much lower as it's underperforming treasuries—an early warning indicator of the risk-off environment ahead.This episode is brought to you by VanEck. Learn more about the VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF: http://vaneck.com/REMXJuliaThis episode is brought to you by Monetary Metals. Learn more at https://monetary-metals.com/julia Links: PhinanceTechnologies: https://phinancetechnologies.com/ US Economy Outlook 2025: https://phinancetechnologies.com/Product_USEconomyOutlook2025.htm?Twitter/X: https://x.com/DowdEdwardTimestamps: 0:00 - Introduction and welcome1:09 - Macro view5:00 - Credit markets tightening, distribution phase of stock market, Trump administration gaslighting about economy7:00 - China at a crossroads: real estate crisis going acute7:55 - China exporting deflation, depreciating the yuan9:00 - Tariffs are deflationary10:00 - Risk-off environment is coming11:00 - Dollar outlook 12:40 - Risk off environment: flight to safety into treasuries14:20 - Three Hindenburg omens: market breadth disaster15:00 - Gold discussion: long-term bullish, going to $10,000 by 203017:00 - AI bubble: momentum and administration fomenting it22:20 - Retail FOMO buying: sign of unhealthy market24:32 - Fed cutting but still behind the curve27:00 - Credit markets sniffing out deflation scare30:00 - 1970s stagflation period: inflation/deflation yo-yo30:37 - Oil going to $30: China internal consumption plummeted33:43 - Gaslighting about the economy: people feel the reality 35:30 - China facing crossroads and crisis starting in 2020 40:00 - Dollar liquidity issue: people scrambling for dollars 40:40 - Treasury Secretary Bessent can term out debt during recession 41:03 - Yellen front-loaded debt, significance of terming it out 42:30 - Immigration 48:40 - 100% probability we're in recession now 49:30 - How to be allocated: raise cash for flexibility 50:40 - Japan carry trade could blow up at any moment 52:00 - What makes Ed optimistic: asset prices will come down 54:07 - Where to find Ed's work and research

Chris Whalen, chairman of Whalen Global Advisors and author of The Institutional Risk Analyst blog, returns for an in-person conversation for episode 303. Whalen warns that stocks and crypto are slowing down as they run out of buyers, while real estate pain continues with older assets selling at discounts and more trouble ahead for private equity and private credit. He attributes Zohran Mamdani's NYC mayoral victory to inflation-driven affordability concerns, predicts a home price correction by 2027-28, and expects continued corporate exodus from New York City as long-term leases roll off. Whalen criticizes the Fed for pushing home prices up 50% since COVID and failing their mandate on price stability, discusses widespread fraud in private credit markets, and highlights Bank of America's duration risk mistakes compared to JPMorgan and Citi. He's currently focused on gold and junior mining stocks, explaining the "debasement trade" as central banks worldwide shift to gold as their primary reserve asset, while predicting crypto will "go bye-bye" and calling stablecoins a dead end.This episode is brought to you by VanEck. Learn more about the VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF: http://vaneck.com/REMXJuliaThis episode is brought to you by Monetary Metals. Learn more at https://monetary-metals.com/julia Links:    Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/rcwhalen    Website: https://www.rcwhalen.com/    The Institutional Risk Analyst: https://www.theinstitutionalriskanalyst.com/   Inflated book (2nd edition): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/inflated-r-christopher-whalen/1146303673Timestamps:0:00 - Welcome and introduction1:02 - Reaction to Mamdani election2:03 - Is this the product of inflation?2:10 - Inflation driving affordability issues, Fed's failure2:54 - Heading into correction in home prices by 2027-285:26 - How mortgage lenders set rates vs. bond market6:33 - Will we see a housing emergency declared?12:08 - Outlook for New York for next four years14:59 - Big picture view: stocks and crypto slowing down15:30 - Pain in real estate, private equity, and private credit20:37 - Duration risk story at banks27:47 - Will we get December rate cut?29:17 - Fed funds rate targeting piece32:49 - Chris's portfolio: taking acorns off the table35:59 - The debasement trade39:36 - Crypto going bye-bye, stable coins a dead end42:05 - Closing remarks

Value investor and former New York City mayoral candidate Whitney Tilson returns to The Julia La Roche Show following the election of Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic socialist, as NYC's new mayor. Tilson reflects on the election results, expressing concern about the candidate he called a "Trojan horse for the DSA" with dangerous ideas about defunding police and seizing private property—yet remains bullish on New York City's future. He also shares his market outlook, favorite long ideas including Berkshire Hathaway and Amazon, and the "stinky six" stocks he's avoiding right now.This episode is brought to you by VanEck. Learn more about the VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF: http://vaneck.com/REMXJuliaThis episode is brought to you by Monetary Metals. https://monetary-metals.com/julia Links: https://stansberryresearch.com/https://stansberryresearch.com/whitney-tilsons-dailyTimestamps: 0:00 - Introduction and welcome Whitney Tilson, day after NYC mayoral election1:04 - Mixed feelings about election night2:00 - Warnings about Zohran Mamdani and democratic socialist concerns2:45 - Still bullish on New York despite election outcome3:10 - What Mamdani's election says about the city3:22 - Democratic Party dynamics and Trump reaction4:37 - Why Mamdani won: identifying affordability as key issue4:54 - Mamdani's effective messaging: free buses, freeze the rent, universal childcare5:45 - Economics don't work: the promises can't be funded6:30 - Mamdani as a gifted politician and brilliant public speaker7:10 - The "Trojan horse for the DSA" warning7:43 - Whitney's concerns about Mamdani: hostility to Israel, defund police rhetoric8:30 - Mamdani tacking to center: keeping Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch9:27 - NYC's vibe is back post-pandemic9:38 - Big employers making long-term commitments to NYC10:25 - Risk of turning into San Francisco10:52 - Wait and see mode: wealthy residents considering leaving14:30 - Why Mamdani is still dangerous16:06 - Running for mayor: what surprised Whitney20:00 - Hope that Mamdani learns from cautionary tales36:56 - Investment ideas: favorite longs44:00 - Stocks to avoid: the "stinky six"47:04 - Berkshire's massive cash pile: $382 billion51:47 - What's keeping Whitney up at night56:30 - What makes Whitney optimistic: America's economic recovery59:38 - Closing remarks

Legendary economist Dr. A. Gary Shilling, President of A. Gary Shilling & Co., an economic consulting firm and a registered investment advisor, joins Julia La Roche on episode 301 on FOMC day. In this episode, Dr. Shilling warns that the economy is cooling with weakening labor markets and stagnant job creation, yet security markets continue to rise without reflecting this underlying weakness. Despite the government shutdown limiting official data, private sector information reveals businesses are cautious about demand and inflation, while consumers face limited financial slack due to heavy student loan and credit card borrowing. Shilling believes the Fed is cutting rates because they fear a recession is on the horizon, and he cautions that "we're probably gonna wake up one of these days and find that things are really a lot weaker than we expect" - at which point markets could deteriorate quickly. He also expresses concern about the "debt bomb" - the massive accumulation of government debt now exceeding $38 trillion with no logical endpoint in sight. However, Shilling remains impressed by the adaptability and resilience of the US economy, noting how it has successfully adjusted to disruptions like tariffs that many predicted would be disastrous.This episode is brought to you by VanEck. Learn more about the VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF: http://vaneck.com/REMXJuliaThis episode is brought to you by Monetary Metals. https://monetary-metals.com/julia Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction & welcome0:48 - Big picture macro view: economy appears to be cooling1:30 - Government shutdown: private data filling the holes2:00 - Weakening labor markets: limited new hiring2:45 - Businesses cautious about demand and inflation3:17 - Recession concerns: won't know until well into it3:45 - Security markets not reflecting economic weakness4:03 - Fed Chair Powell presser context (October 29th FOMC meeting)4:32 - Why markets are overly focused on Fed actions5:30 - Fed's tightrope walk: keeping economy above water6:25 - Are rate cuts signaling recession fears?6:34 - Fed concerned about softening labor markets7:20 - Finding hidden vulnerabilities during data blackout7:51 - Labor market concerns: limited consumer slack8:20 - Heavy borrowing: student loans and credit cards27:24 - US fiscal picture: debt north of $38 trillion27:45 - The debt bomb concept explained28:45 - Massive global debt expansion concerns29:49 - What happens when debt reaches its limit?30:23 - What's keeping Dr. Shilling up at night31:15 - Lack of concern about debt accumulation32:00 - What makes him hopeful: US economy's strength and adaptability32:46 - Economic adaptability to disruptions33:11 - Tariffs discussion: six months later perspective33:46 - How economies adapt to tariff disruptions35:03 - Where to find Dr. Shilling's work35:25 - Parting thoughts: avoiding fads of the moment36:37 - Closing remarksAccess Dr. Shilling's monthly newsletter INSIGHT by calling this toll free number (1-888-346-7444) or visiting his website (https://www.agaryshilling.com/).

Danielle DiMartino Booth, CEO and Chief Strategist at QI Research, joins Julia La Roche to break down the October 2024 FOMC meeting and Fed Chair Powell's surprisingly hawkish stance despite mounting evidence of labor market weakness. Danielle questions whether the Fed is ignoring its dual mandate as major companies like UPS, GM, Meta, and Amazon announce tens of thousands of layoffs. She discusses the dissents from both Stephen Miran and Jeffrey Schmid, explores potential political dynamics at play within the Fed, and examines growing stress in private credit markets, commercial real estate, and rising corporate bankruptcies. Danielle also highlights alternative labor market indicators like state-by-state data and WARN notices that paint a concerning picture of the economy, while emphasizing the importance of compassion for struggling American families heading into the holiday season.This episode is brought to you by VanEck. Learn more about the VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF: http://vaneck.com/REMXJuliaThis show is brought to you by Monetary Metals.Learn more about Monetary Metals: https://monetary-metals.com/julia⁠ Links:    Danielle's Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/dimartinobooth  Substack: https://dimartinobooth.substack.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DanielleDiMartinoBoothQIFed Up: https://www.amazon.com/Fed-Up-Insiders-Federal-Reserve/dp/07352116550:00 Introduction & episode 300 celebration1:37 FOMC meeting reaction - Powell's hawkish tone2:33 What's really going on at the Fed?3:48 The two dissenters - Miran & Schmid5:39 Market reaction to Powell's comments6:17 The Fed's labor mandate - are they ignoring it?7:16 Major layoff announcements - UPS, GM, Meta, Amazon8:00 Is the Fed sticking it to the administration?9:55 Fed balance sheet & mortgage-backed securities16:19 Private credit market concerns27:04 Corporate bankruptcies rising28:18 October bankruptcy data - highest post-pandemic29:22 Interest rate impact on corporate refinancing30:05 What would you ask Powell? State-by-state data31:29 WARN notices & real labor market data32:19 Layoffs aren't free - cost to companies33:10 ADP weekly data as labor market indicator33:26 Message of compassion during the holidays34:29 Closing & where to find Danielle's work35:09 QI Research & Daily Feather newsletter

Michael Pento, president and founder of Pento Portfolio Strategies (PPS), joins Julia La Roche for episode 299. Pento continues to warn of three unprecedented asset bubbles in stocks, bonds, and credit existing concurrently. Despite being net long and up handsomely this year, he emphasizes the critical need for active management. Pento explains why the next crisis will likely stem from spiking bond yields and intractable inflation rather than insolvency alone, making traditional Fed interventions ineffective. He argues that any meaningful correction would be catastrophic given the massive scale of current distortions, while the Fed desperately tries to keep bubbles inflated through rate cuts and resumed quantitative easing.This episode is brought to you by VanEck. Learn more about the VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF: http://vaneck.com/REMXJuliaThis episode is brought to you by Monetary Metals. Learn more: https://monetary-metals.com/julia⁠ Links: https://pentoport.com/ https://twitter.com/michaelpento0:00 - Introduction & welcome1:11 - Big picture macro view and disclosure: net long the stock market1:38 - Three gargantuan bubbles: unprecedented and scary2:30 - Inflation accelerating, Fed panicking and cutting rates3:15 - Reverse repo facility at zero, Fed ending quantitative tightening3:45 - K-shaped economy: bottom four quintiles eviscerated by inflation4:01 - Market cap to GDP at 220% vs. historical average of 80%4:31 - Housing affordability at record lows5:30 - Credit bubble: $400B leverage loans, $1.7T private credit market5:50 - US margin debt at record high, household equity ownership at peak6:20 - Warning: buy-and-hold 60-40 investors can cancel retirement6:56 - Question: Does being long make you nervous?7:25 - How his model lets him sleep at night despite the danger8:15 - Monitoring financial conditions and credit spreads for early warnings8:50 - Next crisis will be different: stagflation-driven bond yield spike44:07 - Discussion of "i economy" and wealth inequality45:11 - Real estate migration patterns and regional dynamics46:06 - What keeps Michael up at night46:23 - Why distortions are too large for healthy correction47:30 - The great reconciliation: mean reversion would be devastating48:42 - Closing thoughts on protecting investors49:02 - Where to find Michael's work and services

Financial commentator Chris Irons, also known as Quoth the Raven on X and author of the popular Fringe Finance substack, warns we're in "completely off the rails, unprecedented territory" with the Fed trapped between printing money to save markets or allowing deflationary debt defaults. He predicts the Fed will ultimately implement yield curve control to bail out the bond market, pushing America down an emerging market path negative for the dollar—which gold's historic rally is already pricing in. Irons dismisses gold meme stock concerns since central banks are the primary buyers, and argues government spending is politically impossible to cut. Drawing from his background as anonymous short seller "Quoth The Raven," he explains why short sellers face unprecedented challenges as Fed liquidity creates massive distortions—$2 trillion in worthless crypto finds bids while fundamentally sound shorts get squeezed. He believes during April's Liberation Day, markets were "days away from a bond market crisis" when stocks and bonds unusually sold off together. Irons warns a sharp deleveraging event is inevitable though timing is uncertain, offering blunt advice: "Don't listen to anybody, including me" and avoid certainty, because we've never been here before and things can change profoundly overnight.This episode is sponsored by Monetary Metals. Visit https://www.monetary-metals.com/julia/Links: X: https://x.com/QTRResearchSubstack: https://quoththeraven.substack.com/Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction & welcome0:36 - Guest introduction: Chris Irons "Quoth The Raven"1:14 - Big picture macro view: unprecedented territory2:19 - Gold's rally & stock market highs2:54 - The 100-year inflationary cycle4:35 - Fed's dual mandate tension5:34 - Upcoming Fed meeting & rate cuts8:00 - Young generation following monetary policy10:00 - Gold16:00 - The debasement trade going mainstream18:40 - Fiscal picture23:00 - Gold, feels we are on the precipice of a big change28:00 - Short selling 43:00 - The ultimate bubble 45:00 - Closing

Jim Bianco, president of Bianco Research, returns to The Julia La Roche Show for episode 297 for an in-studio appearance. Bianco argues the Fed is making a policy error by cutting rates when financial markets are at all-time highs across the board—stocks, gold, bonds, M2, and home prices. He explains that job creation has slowed from 158,000 to 29,000 per month not because the economy is weak, but because immigration has essentially stopped, reducing population growth to an 80-year low—meaning 29,000 jobs may actually be appropriate. Bianco warns that cutting rates in this environment risks recreating inflation through two key channels: tariffs (average rates up 6x to 17-18%) and remote work (giving labor more power to demand higher wages). He sees dangerous concentration in AI stocks (41 companies representing 47% of S&P 500 market cap) reminiscent of late-1990s bubble dynamics, with aggressive retail buying and passive flows creating mispricing that could end badly when the "buy the dip" mentality finally breaks.This episode is sponsored by Monetary Metals. Visit monetary-metals.com/juliaLinks: BiancoResearch.com BiancoAdvisors.com x.com/biancoresearch 0:00 Welcome Jim Bianco - first in-person episode0:27 Big picture macro view1:18 Jobs market slowdown - 158K to 29K jobs/month2:18 Immigration and population growth collapse3:04 How many jobs should we be creating?4:34 Is the Fed making a policy error by cutting?6:35 Risk of recreating inflation with rate cuts7:28 Tariffs update - average rate up 6x to 17-18%9:00 Remote work as inflation driver10:32 Labor power shift and wage pressure13:00 Where will new workers come from?15:00 What would you ask Jay Powell at FOMC?17:05 What problem does cutting rates actually fix?18:15 Market behavior - everything going up19:08 The 60/40 portfolio debate20:00 Passive bid and perpetual motion machine21:25 Retail buying the dip aggressively23:02 AI concentration - 41 companies = 47% of market cap25:00 Data center overbuilding risk25:59 Opening your statements - everything looks great27:28 Top 10% making 50% of all income29:21 Inflation destroys cultures and economies30:00 Would you trade higher unemployment for lower inflation?33:17 Inflating our way out of debt problem34:19 Jay Powell's "do your patriotic duty" speeches in 202236:23 Story of interviewing for Fed Governor position39:11 Judy Shelton coming up one vote short41:28 Who will be next Fed Chair?42:51 Why Kevin Hassett is the leading choice45:30 Where to find Jim's work and the WTBN ETF

Macro trends blogger and economist David Woo @DavidWooUnbound, CEO of David Woo Unbound, a global forum devoted to the promotion of fact-based debates about markets, politics, and economics, joins Julia La Roche on episode 296 to discuss the trade war, AI, and markets. Sponsors: Monetary Metals. https://monetary-metals.com/julia In this episode, Woo warns that the US economy is heading toward stagflation as tariff impacts finally materialize, with holiday shopping expected to be weak due to consumers having front-loaded purchases in anticipation of price increases. He argues the US is now in a weaker position versus China in the tech war, as China has survived Trump's tariffs through factory automation and AI integration while US manufacturing continues shedding jobs even in protected sectors. Woo is short NASDAQ heading into November 1st, when China's rare earth export restrictions take effect, believing the market has mispriced both the AI bubble (with companies like OpenAI spending unsustainably while hitting technology plateaus) and the intensifying US-China showdown over AI supremacy—calling this "the macro trade of our generation."Woo, the former head of Global Interest Rates, Foreign Exchange, Emerging Markets Fixed Income Strategy & Economics Research at Bank of America, is known for some of his bold and contrarian calls, including Trump winning the presidential race in 2016 (https://www.cnbc.com/2016/12/08/bofaml-analyst-got-ovation-from-co-workers-the-morning-after-election.html), and that the 2020 US presidential election would be much closer than expected and the results contested (https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/the-dangerous-groupthink-stalking-wall-street-20210909-p58q48).Links:  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidWooUnbound Website: https://www.davidwoounbound.com/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/DavidwoounboundTimestamps: 0:00 Welcome David Woo back to the show0:54 Big picture macro view and difficult 20253:08 Why tariffs haven't impacted economy yet6:09 Consumer spending as preemptive buying9:16 Holiday shopping weakness ahead10:05 Gen Z consumer struggles12:05 Stagflation thesis explained14:28 Manufacturing job losses in protected sectors16:43 Who's benefiting from tariffs?18:05 US-China trade war positioning21:52 China's factory automation advantage23:54 US vs China AI strategies26:44 The race for AI dominance29:31 The macro trade of our generation32:01 Jensen Huang: China "nanosecond behind"34:22 September 29th export sanctions expansion35:51 November 1st deadline explained36:27 What would you tell Trump administration?38:37 Shorting NASDAQ and AI bubble thesis40:01 OpenAI's revenue vs spending problem43:44 Technology plateau concerns46:09 AI bubble meets US-China tensions47:06 Risk management for short positions49:15 Key catalysts: November 1st & earnings guidance52:31 What keeps David up at night53:13 Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine concern55:03 Final thoughts and where to find David

Lawrence Lepard explains how the "monetary debasement trade" has gone mainstream as gold hit $4,200 and silver broke to $52. He presents a chart showing Bitcoin lags gold by months before moving harder, predicting Bitcoin will hit $250K as signs point to the "imminent big print" with Powell's May 2026 term ending. Sponsor: Monetary Metals. https://monetary-metals.com/julia Links: X: https://x.com/LawrenceLepard Website: https://ema2.com/ The Big Print book: https://www.amazon.com/Big-Print-Happened-America-Sound/dp/B0DVTCWYNN0:00 Welcome back Lawrence Lepard1:09 Monetary debasement trade going mainstream2:07 Gold broke from $3,400 to $4,200, silver new all-time high at $523:58 Fed5:08 Fed balance sheet signs pointing to imminent big print7:38 Bitcoin has lag to gold - gold smells it first, Bitcoin moves harder9:38 US stock market $66T vs gold/silver miners $800B market cap11:04 Silver move signals real bull market - heading to $60-$10013:22 Big beautiful bill spending away tariff and DOGE savings15:14 Chart: Bitcoin lags gold but moves harder when it catches up18:09 Gold/Bitcoin both sound money - shouldn't fight each other20:16 Everything bubble - been dead wrong shorting stocks22:38 This decade like 1970s on steroids with stagflation24:51 Possible currency reset or hyperinflation tail case27:03 Base case: stagflationary 1970s on steroids28:42 12 Fed members set price of money for 330 million Americans31:13 Real Housewives of Wall Street - wife borrowed $200M non-recourse34:17 HBS confronting Geithner - victory lap for corrupt 2008 bailouts36:07 Changed shorting rules during crisis - got wiped out41:22 Daniel Webster: inflation fertilizes rich man's field with poor man's sweat42:50 WWI Liberty bonds first modern big print doubled prices46:01 Next 10 years vision: Blue team 2028, hyperinflation by 203247:54 Michael Saylor for president 2032 - modern Thomas Jefferson48:28 Why Bitcoin not gold? Better, digital age, hard to move gold50:37 Bitcoin inequality concern - rich will spend it, plumbers get paid in it52:59 Sound money means no more wars - governments can't afford them54:12 Fix debt? It's in worthless dollars - we're out of debt56:52 Decentralization saving us now

Thomas Thornton, founder and president of Hedge Fund Telemetry, returns to The Julia La Roche Show to discuss extreme market conditions with investors "all in, levered, and complacent." He argues we're at a blow-off top characterized by record call buying, leverage through ETFs, and a gambling mentality fueled by 0DTE options and sports betting culture. Thornton highlights dangerous market mechanics: the Goldman Sachs most shorted basket is up 38% year-to-date, meaning short sellers have been squeezed out and won't provide natural buying support during corrections. He notes extreme concentration risk with 10 stocks comprising 40% of the S&P 500, and Nvidia alone responsible for 18% of market gains. Technical indicators show exhaustion signals while the market continues higher on narrowing breadth. Thornton identifies AI trade risks including slowing CapEx growth, insufficient power infrastructure, and water constraints for data centers. He rebuts bull arguments by comparing current conditions unfavorably to 2000, noting $38 trillion in debt versus $4 trillion then. He explains why the Fed can't save markets this time due to Treasury market dysfunction. Currently positioned net short with disciplined risk management, Thornton predicts people will look back on 2025 and say "the signs were so obvious." He advises investors to lower exposures and leverage, warning that opportunities will come when his indicators reach oversold levels and nobody wants to buy.This episode is brought to you by Monetary Metals. https://monetary-metals.com/julia Links: https://www.hedgefundtelemetry.com/https://www.x.com/tommythornton Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction and welcome1:02 - "People are all in, levered, and complacent" - Market positioning3:43 - Gambling mentality and comparison to past market cycles5:20 - How leverage and zero DTE options change market dynamics7:39 - "Market correction or something worse" - What's ahead7:52 - "I definitely think we're at a blow off top"9:20 - Goldman Sachs most shorted basket and dangerous market mechanics11:51 - Passive ETFs and leverage risk12:46 - Market sentiment analysis with charts14:13 - CNN Fear & Greed Index critique15:30 - DeMark indicators flashing exhaustion signals18:22 - Goldman Sachs most shorted basket technical breakdown19:01 - Concentration risk: 10 stocks = 40% of S&P 50021:28 - Call buying extremes and put/call ratios23:23 - AI trade risks and CapEx spending concerns25:42 - Energy and water constraints for AI data centers30:28 - Market narrowing despite new highs32:40 - Bull case rebuttal: Why this is different from 200034:48 - Why the Fed can't save the market this time36:22 - Net short positioning and risk management strategy39:44 - "The signs were so obvious" - How we'll remember 202541:35 - Long idea: Golar natural gas infrastructure play44:28 - Hedge Fund Telemetry overview and parting advice

Danielle DiMartino Booth, CEO and Chief Strategist at QI Research, joins Julia La Roche in-studio following the Fed minutes. In this episode, DiMartino Booth highlights how the Fed quietly reclassified nearly $300 billion in loans on a Friday afternoon with no comment, shifting them from stodgy commercial categories into the "black box" of non-depository financial institution (NDFI) lending now totaling $1.7 trillion. She draws parallels to Enron as First Brands bankruptcy exposes what appeared to be an auto supplier was actually a financial using off-balance sheet vehicles, with subprime delinquency rates likely double reported figures. Elsewhere, Booth warns youth unemployment hit 1988 levels but from lack of demand not supply as companies blindly adopt AI without hiring, leaving the Class of 2025 worse off than 2024. She argues gold has become a "meme stock" with Wall Street firms' price targets signaling contrarian risk, while the government shutdown leaves the Fed "flying blind" without official data for their October 29th meeting.Sponsors: Monetary Metals: https://monetary-metals.com/julia⁠ Links: Danielle's Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/dimartinobooth Substack: https://dimartinobooth.substack.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DanielleDiMartinoBoothQIFed Up: https://www.amazon.com/Fed-Up-Insiders-Federal-Reserve/dp/07352116550:00 Hawkish Fed minutes - knife in Miran's back1:44 Fed insider on Miran controversy2:48 Did Fed want September cut?5:08 Shutdown means Fed flying blind October6:04 Gold and NASDAQ flying - unusual7:03 Gold as meme stock - contrarian warning9:50 NDFI loans - $1.7 trillion black box12:21 $250B loan reclassification bombshell13:14 Fed reclassified quietly on Friday14:17 First brands like Enron revelation16:21 Off balance sheet financing returns18:25 Subprime delinquencies likely double20:15 Is this systemic? Fed doesn't know21:28 Fed won't move without official data22:22 Challenger data horror at Fed24:52 Charts need gray recession bars25:12 Fed put born October 198727:32 Youth unemployment demand crisis30:02 AI adoption without hiring32:24 Parents worry kids made redundant33:20 First five years determine career35:48 Not sending kids to college37:11 Put faces on repo statistics38:47 Markets masking K economy39:01 Lowercase i economy concept

Chris Whalen, chairman of Whalen Global Advisors and author of The Institutional Risk Analyst blog, explains why Americans remain uncomfortable with gold despite it hitting new highs - it implies dollar weakness after 150 years of reserve currency dominance. He reveals FDR seized the Federal Reserve's gold in 1933 with little compensation, while today US gold allocation sits under 1% of portfolios versus growing central bank accumulation. Whalen defends his call for earlier Fed cuts. He sees gold reaching $5,000+ by end of 2026 as US allocations shift from under 1% toward 2%, while warning the average person without assets continues getting screwed as the Fed will eventually monetize Treasury issuance through financial repression.Sponsor: Monetary Metals. https://monetary-metals.com/julia Links:    Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/rcwhalen    Website: https://www.rcwhalen.com/    The Institutional Risk Analyst: https://www.theinstitutionalriskanalyst.com/   Inflated book (2nd edition): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/inflated-r-christopher-whalen/1146303673Timestamps:0:00 Welcome and introduction - Chris Whalen's first in-studio appearance0:24 Julia's introduction highlighting Chris's credentials and analysis1:16 Fed takeaway - Steve Miran only governor wanting 50bp cut2:19 Housing emergency coming - Fed drove prices up, Trump faces constraint2:31 Housing scenarios - mortgage rates retreating after quarter point4:17 Monetary Metals ad read5:34 Housing psychology - homeowners trying to sell at the top6:53 Office space comparison - no longer premium asset class7:38 Fed rate cut outlook - may not see more cuts for months9:58 Bank balance sheet problems - mortgage securities underwater10:54 Politics of inflation - housing affordability crisis13:10 Viewer housing question response - Florida 1924 parallels15:32 DC trip on GSEs - still no roadmap from Treasury18:43 Fannie/Freddie trade - made 30% then got out19:54 Taking profits22:36 Watching the herd mentality25:20 Dollar/deficit thesis - weaker dollar, Treasury pressure ahead27:47 Fed restructuring vision - eliminate Board of Governors31:09 Housing emergency declaration - resuming MBS purchases discussion33:51 Mixed economy - wealthy vs bottom quartile struggling34:34 Debt myths - Americans love inflation, debt is currency36:18 Highest conviction trade - gold and strategic silver

Henrik Zeberg, head macro economist at SwissBlock and author of The Monetary House of Cards, presents his business cycle framework showing leading indicators crossed in November 2024 (Titanic hit iceberg), but imminent recession indicators haven't triggered yet (ship not sinking). He sees a final blow-off top with S&P potentially hitting 7,500 and NASDAQ 28,000 before a potential 50% crash that would still leave valuations at third-highest ever with market cap to GDP at unprecedented 220%. Zeberg warns gold is in a "mini bubble" front-running deflationary collapse and will decline when dollar bottoms, despite $35,000 long-term target. His most provocative thesis: after deflationary bust, Fed money printing will cause stagflation because "Mrs. Johnson" will hoard rate cut savings rather than spend, while Fed remains "way too late" using lagging indicators like "driving by looking in rear window."Sponsors: Monetary Metals. https://monetary-metals.com/julia Links: X: https://x.com/HenrikZebergSubstack: https://henrikzeberg.substack.com/Book: https://buy.stripe.com/aFacN62DQdYFbZt9APaR2010:00 Welcome and introduction - Henrik Zeberg 1:13 Zeberg Business Cycle framework - four phases explained3:28 Leading indicators crossed November 2024 - Titanic hit iceberg5:43 Imminent recession indicators - credit spreads, yield spreads, initial claims8:39 Markets don't lead - unemployment bottoms before stock market tops13:52 Market cap to GDP at 220% - unprecedented bubble territory16:08 Elliott Wave targets - S&P 7,500, NASDAQ 28,000 possible18:40 Singapore index - canary in coal mine for global economy19:17 Everything bubble explained - rate suppression distorted all valuations22:44 Most dangerous when people don't recognize bubble24:37 Fed micromanaging creates inefficient capital allocation27:05 S&P could fall 50% to 3,350 and still be third highest valuation ever29:59 Gold mini bubble - front-running deflationary collapse32:54 Dollar bottom coming - gold decline ahead despite long-term bullishness34:03 Own physical gold but don't buy more right now37:05 Stagflation thesis - deflationary bust then high inflation42:49 Mrs. Johnson won't spend rate cut savings - she'll hoard it44:57 Fed way too late - rearranging deck chairs on Titanic48:43 Housing affordability 51:01 Central bank hubris 53:55 Fed using lagging indicators - driving by looking in rear window57:42 Peak euphoria warning - when it feels best, be most careful

Axel Merk, CIO and founder of Merk Investments with nearly $3 billion in AUM, shares his perspective on the current macro landscape and gold's surge to record highs. In this episode, Merk explains how "fringe" fiscal sustainability concerns have moved mainstream, driving gold to new highs above $3,700. He provides a gold mining primer, distinguishing between speculative junior miners and established producers, while focusing on developers with proven management teams as the "scarcest resource." Merk criticizes the Fed's evolution into micromanaging the economy through its "toolkit," arguing this creates inefficient capital allocation and enables political irresponsibility. He notes gold's correlation breakdown due to dollar weaponization and sees continued upside potential, though warns against overexposure, emphasizing that the best investment advice is to "invest in yourself" and control spending.This episode is sponsored by Monetary Metals. Visit https://monetary-metals.com/juliaLinks:https://www.merkinvestments.com/https://x.com/axelmerkTimestamps: 0:00 Welcome and introduction - Axel Merk returns after 6 months0:38 AUM growth from $2B to $3B reflects gold space interest1:29 Liberation Day framework - tariffs impact financial flows3:04 Fringe views moving mainstream amid elevated valuations3:49 Long-term fiscal sustainability concerns driving gold investment6:08 Fed micromanaging economy enables political irresponsibility7:47 Gold's parabolic rise - perception vs reality of "barbarous relic"10:23 Gold mining dynamics - junior miners haven't had explosive rally yet13:10 Gold Mining 101 - conservative vs speculative investor profiles15:23 Big miners' over/under-investment cycle post-financial crisis17:19 Developer focus - scarcest resource is good management18:31 Junior vs major miners - venture capitalists with hard hats21:14 Gold correlation breakdown - weaponization changed dynamics24:37 Fed micromanagement critique - toolkit means intervention26:48 Inefficient capital allocation favors big companies27:58 Preventing recessions vs natural business cycles31:58 Gold as 20-year hedge - glad you had it in hindsight32:32 Silver complexity - industrial use creates volatility36:02 Investment advice - invest in yourself first, control spending

Michael Howell, CEO of CrossBorder Capital, an investment advisory firm, and author of Capital Wars, returns to The Julia La Roche Show, where he analyzes global liquidity trends and warns of market risks ahead. Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Monetary Metals. https://monetary-metals.com/julia In this episode, Howell presents his global liquidity cycle framework showing markets are late in a 35-month bull run that began in late 2022, with early warning signs emerging in repo markets as SOFR spreads spike. He warns of a massive debt refinancing wall hitting 2026-2029 from COVID-era borrowing, while the Fed transitions from QE to "Treasury QE" under Bessent's direction to fund real economy priorities. Howell's most striking thesis involves gold price targets of $10,000 by the late 2030s and $25,000 by 2052 based on structural deficit math, driven by both US monetary inflation and China's liquidity expansion to escape its debt crisis. He advocates for monetary inflation hedges like gold and Bitcoin as central banks deliberately weaken currencies in a "Make America Great" strategy against China.Links:  Website: http://www.crossbordercapital.com/ Twitter/X https://x.com/crossbordercapSubstack: https://capitalwars.substack.com/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/Capital-Wars-Rise-Global-Liquidity/dp/30303929020:00 Welcome and introduction - Michael Howell returns to discuss markets1:14 Global liquidity cycle framework - 5-6 year cycle approaching top3:41 Late cycle positioning - thinking end game vs beginning6:06 Debt-liquidity integration - 80% of lending now collateral-backed8:46 Early warning signs - SOFR spreads and repo market tensions11:49 Debt-liquidity ratio analysis - refinancing crisis ahead14:15 COVID debt echo effect - massive refinancing wall 2026-202917:04 Fed balance sheet slowdown - similar to early 2022 conditions18:51 Treasury QE emergence - Bessent directing liquidity to real economy20:20 Stablecoin monetization - credit providers buying government debt22:36 Plain vanilla cycle - everything following normal script25:00 Asset allocation phases - rebound, calm, speculation, turbulence29:20 Gold breakout analysis - disconnect from real rates since 202231:45 Structural deficit math - mandatory spending blowout ahead33:42 Gold price targets - $10,000 by late 2030s, $25,000 by 205235:56 Monetary vs high street inflation - currency devaluation vs CPI39:44 Fed independence questioned - Treasury QE running the show41:51 Make America Great currency war - deliberate dollar weakening44:08 China's gold strategy - escaping debt crisis through monetization46:33 Chinese liquidity expansion - driving global commodity reflation50:05 Final thoughts - late cycle caution, gold as monetary hedge

Chris Whalen, chairman of Whalen Global Advisors and author of The Institutional Risk Analyst blog, returns to the show for an in-person episode to recap the FOMC, discuss the state of the economy, housing, and his highest conviction ideas.Sponsor: Monetary Metals. https://monetary-metals.com/julia Links:    Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/rcwhalen    Website: https://www.rcwhalen.com/    The Institutional Risk Analyst: https://www.theinstitutionalriskanalyst.com/   Inflated book (2nd edition): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/inflated-r-christopher-whalen/1146303673Timestamps:0:00 Welcome and introduction - Chris Whalen's first in-studio appearance0:24 Julia's introduction highlighting Chris's credentials and analysis1:16 Fed takeaway - Steve Miran only governor wanting 50bp cut2:19 Housing emergency coming - Fed drove prices up, Trump faces constraint2:31 Housing scenarios - mortgage rates retreating after quarter point4:17 Monetary Metals ad read5:34 Housing psychology - homeowners trying to sell at the top6:53 Office space comparison - no longer premium asset class7:38 Fed rate cut outlook - may not see more cuts for months9:58 Bank balance sheet problems - mortgage securities underwater10:54 Politics of inflation - housing affordability crisis13:10 Viewer housing question response - Florida 1924 parallels15:32 DC trip on GSEs - still no roadmap from Treasury18:43 Fannie/Freddie trade - made 30% then got out19:54 Taking profits22:36 Watching the herd mentality25:20 Dollar/deficit thesis - weaker dollar, Treasury pressure ahead27:47 Fed restructuring vision - eliminate Board of Governors31:09 Housing emergency declaration - resuming MBS purchases discussion33:51 Mixed economy - wealthy vs bottom quartile struggling34:34 Debt myths - Americans love inflation, debt is currency36:18 Highest conviction trade - gold and strategic silver

Danielle DiMartino Booth, CEO and Chief Strategist at QI Research, joins Julia La Roche in-studio following the September FOMC. DiMartino Booth argues the Fed "chose independence over economy" with its 25bp cut, as Waller and Bowman sacrificed potential Fed chair positions by not dissenting for larger cuts. She presents compelling evidence the US has created zero jobs since April in the core private sector and calls a double-dip recession starting Q2 2024. DiMartino Booth's thesis is that "the Fed put is dead" - if the Fed goes to zero bound again, the 40% of stocks owned by 70+ year-olds will be forced to sell, stress-testing passive flows for the first time in history. She advocates reforming the Fed's structure, eliminating the conflicting dual mandate, and warns that unknown leverage in private markets represents the new systemic fault line.Sponsors: Monetary Metals: https://monetary-metals.com/julia⁠ Links: Danielle's Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/dimartinobooth Substack: https://dimartinobooth.substack.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DanielleDiMartinoBoothQIFed Up: https://www.amazon.com/Fed-Up-Insiders-Federal-Reserve/dp/07352116550:00 Welcome and introduction - Danielle in studio post-FOMC0:36 Fed chose independence over economy - 25bp cut reaction2:32 Waller's non-dissent - sacrificing Fed chair shot for integrity3:46 US created zero jobs since April in core private sector5:43 Monetary Metals ad read6:43 Double dip recession call - started Q2 20248:53 Jobs typo in North Carolina data - continuing claims actually rose11:14 Top 10% now account for 49% of consumption12:21 Double dip recession explained - historical 1980-81 parallel14:31 1.4 million full-time jobs lost since January16:08 CEOs investing in AI to cut workers, not add jobs17:20 Fed's dual mandate doesn't make sense - inherently conflicting20:16 The Fed put is dead - new book thesis23:02 Zero bound means boomers sell stocks - passive never stress tested27:24 Fed structure needs reform - too many PhDs, need practitioners29:01 Lehman anniversary - Fed violated law with MBS purchases31:42 Private markets are new fault line - leverage unknown32:32 Final thoughts - give peace a chance, listen to each other

Chris Whalen, chairman of Whalen Global Advisors and author of The Institutional Risk Analyst blog, returns to the show his monthly appearance. In this episode, Whalen reports taking a risk-off position after 30% gains this year, noting Wall Street hedge funds are similarly going net short amid concerns about Treasury market stability. He warns that upcoming Supreme Court tariff decisions could force costly refunds while the Treasury faces mounting deficits from recent legislation. Whalen criticizes the Fed's "reckless" quantitative easing policies and predicts the dollar will lose reserve currency status as countries seek alternatives, leading to inevitable inflation as the US monetizes its debt. He sees parallels to 1924 Florida real estate speculation but expects a coming housing reset that could take prices back to 2020-21 levels, creating opportunities for patient buyers.Sponsor: Monetary Metals. https://monetary-metals.com/julia Links:    Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/rcwhalen    Website: https://www.rcwhalen.com/    The Institutional Risk Analyst: https://www.theinstitutionalriskanalyst.com/   Inflated book (2nd edition): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/inflated-r-christopher-whalen/1146303673Timestamps:0:00 Welcome and introduction - Chris Whalen returns for monthly appearance0:56 Big picture outlook - Trump administration personalities not getting along2:47 Risk off positioning - took 30% gains, markets losing steam5:11 Wall Street going risk off - hedge funds net short after taking gains8:15 Fed meeting outlook - rate cut uncertain despite expectations10:53 Supreme Court tariff decision - could force Treasury refunds12:57 Treasury Secretary's Fed criticism - "reckless gain of function experiments"15:48 Treasury market crisis risk - biggest worry for Chris18:03 Fed rate cut impact - quarter point fine, half point signals recession19:45 Pretend and extend - massive forbearance in commercial real estate20:04 Consumer health - okay for now but housing reset coming23:08 Gold's changing nature - now buying on dollar/inflation concerns24:25 Dollar losing reserve status - will be one of many currencies26:22 Reserve currency burden - domestic inflationary component27:39 Real estate speculation - like 1924 Florida land boom28:53 Coming housing blow-off - prices back to 2020-21 levels

Ted Oakley, Managing Partner and Founder of Oxbow Advisors, joins Julia La Roche on episode 285 to discuss the economy and markets.Sponsored by Monetary Metals. https://monetary-metals.com/julia In this episode, Ted warns that markets are extremely expensive at 23x future earnings while the economy is flatlining. He expects coming Fed rate cuts to be an Arthur Burns-style policy mistake, creating a window to sell long bonds before higher structural inflation takes hold over the next 5-10 years. Oakley advocates significant cash positions (his firm holds 50% short-term treasuries) and exposure to commodities, energy, and gold as hedges against dollar decline and inflation. He sees concerning parallels to late 1990s day-trading mania among retail investors and emphasizes risk management over aggressive growth, particularly for older investors who need to preserve wealth rather than chase returns.With more than forty years of experience in advising high-net-worth clients in the investment industry, Oakley implements the firm's proprietary investment strategies and the “Oxbow Principles” to provide a unique investment perspective. He is a frequent guest on FOX Business News, Bloomberg Radio, KITCO News, Cheddar TV, Yahoo Finance, and many more. Oakley is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). He is a member of the Austin Society of Financial Analysts. He is also a Partner of Herndon Plant Oakley Ltd., an investment company. He is a Board Member of Texas State Aquarium, American Bank, and American Bank Holding Company. Mr. Oakley is a United States Army Veteran. Oakley began his career in Dallas, Texas, over 35 years ago. He is the author of nine books: You Sold Your Company, $20 Million and Broke, Rich Kids Broke Kids – The Failure of Traditional Estate Planning, Crazy Time – Surviving the First 12 Months after Selling Your Company, Wall Street Lies, Danger Time, My Story, The Psychology of Staying Rich, and Your Money Mentality. Oakley's primary philanthropic interest is helping children. He is Chairman Emeritus and Founder of the Foster Angels of South Texas, the largest foster child foundation in South Texas, as well as Chairman Emeritus and Founder of Austin, Texas-based Foster Angels of Central Texas. Also, President and Founder of Advocates for Foster Children Foundation.Links:Oxbow Advisors: https://oxbowadvisors.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OxbowAdvisorsX: https://x.com/Oxbow_AdvisorsBook: https://www.amazon.com/Second-Generation-Wealth-What-Want/dp/1966629168Timestamps: 0:00 Welcome and intro0:51 Big picture outlook - market extremely expensive 2:10 Disconnect between economy and markets - flatlining economy vs rising stocks3:20 48 years in markets - emotions never change at highs and lows4:43 Fed rate cuts coming - Arthur Burns mistake repeating6:24 Sell long bonds opportunity - inflation higher for next 5-10 years9:08 Most people don't know what's in their portfolios10:27 Rate cuts won't significantly impact 30-year rates12:02 Can Fed solve inflation? Only through Volcker-style aggressive tightening13:28 Jobs report 14:20 Recession outlook - wouldn't hurt to clean up system leverage15:52 Retail investor activity - zero commissions created day trading18:22 Warning signs from individual investors - last in, last out19:49 Liquidity allocation by age - different strategies for different ages22:49 Risk management key - never lose a lot of money26:59 Finding opportunities - screening 300 good companies29:45 Current allocation - 50% short-term treasuries across strategies31:48 Gold and bonds relationship - hard assets hedge against dollar decline33:48 Commodities outlook - 25-year lows present opportunity36:15 Biggest surprise this year - tariff costs not fully passed to consumers37:54 Biggest risk - America not as strong militarily as we think39:11 Optimism in American resilience and young people's potential

Melody Wright, author of M3 Melody Substack, returns to the show for episode 284 where she delivers a stark assessment of the housing market. Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Monetary Metals. https://monetary-metals.com/julia Links:YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@m3_melodyX: https://x.com/m3_melodySubstack: https://m3melody.substack.com/Timestamps0:00 Welcome and introduction - Melody Wright returns to the show1:26 Big picture housing outlook - abysmal spring and summer selling seasons3:42 New vs existing home price inversion - builders offering major incentives5:02 First-time home buyers at record lows since 1980s tracking7:17 Investment-driven housing market - not about homeownership anymore9:33 Owner occupancy fraud - FHA program abuse by investors12:06 Mortgage fraud prevalence - 30% chance when investors involved13:46 Julia's first-time homebuyer dilemma - waiting for prices to correct15:04 Demographics and housing supply - 15.6 million boomers leaving by 203517:52 North Carolina housing market turning - hope for buyers19:15 The "Zest effect" - emotional attachment to home value estimates20:20 Housing bubble worse than 2008 - fueled by speculation22:13 Insurance crisis - 50% increases tipping people into delinquency23:05 October 1st FHA changes - loan modification program ending23:25 Spring/summer seasons characterized as "abysmal"24:20 Tracking 2008 patterns - seasonal price peak already passed26:28 Fed rate cuts unlikely to impact housing significantly28:13 Where to find Melody's work and parting thoughts

Warren Pies, founder of 3Fourteen Research, explains how markets have transitioned from a deflationary mindset to a debasement era over the past five years, driven primarily by massive fiscal spending rather than Fed policy. He argues that anger directed at the Fed should be redirected toward fiscal authorities who created unprecedented pro-cyclical deficits. Pies is benchmark long equities and bullish on hard assets like gold, having hit his $3,500 gold target this year. He believes Fed rate cuts will be inconsequential since fiscal dominance has already changed the paradigm, and core CPI won't fall below 3% due to tariff-driven goods inflation replacing the pre-pandemic goods deflation that helped achieve the 2% target. This episode is sponsored by Monetary Metals. Visit https://monetary-metals.com/julia Links: https://www.3fourteenresearch.com/https://x.com/WarrenPiesTimestamps: 0:00 Welcome and introduction 1:18 Big picture framework 5:03 Behavioral changes in debasement era8:00 Fiscal dominance10:49 Jackson Hole speech 12:18 Labor market loosening 16:06 Immigration impact 17:31 Inflation stickiness 21:44 Widening perception gap in macro 26:23 Housing market outlook 30:07 Equity positioning 32:35 Bond allocation35:36 Gold outlook 37:06 Bitcoin allocation38:28 AI optimism 42:45 Closing remarks