Watchdog on Wall Street

Chris Markowski, the Watchdog on Wall Street, discusses various pressing financial issues, including tariffs on the film industry, property taxes, economic indicators, the presence of corruption in finance, the implications of government intervention in business, and the challenges of student loan debt. He emphasizes the need for financial literacy and accountability in both personal and institutional finance.

Chris Markowski discusses the realities of financial planning and investment strategies, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and understanding one's financial situation. He critiques conventional financial planning methods and advocates for a more resilient approach to investing, focusing on timeless wisdom and the concept of anti-fragility. The discussion also touches on the emotional aspects of investing and the need for a structured process rather than rigid planning.

Chris Markowski, the Watchdog on Wall Street, discusses the importance of frank speech in financial matters, critiques the influence of media and advertising on public perception, and debunks common myths surrounding annuities. He highlights the consequences of white collar crime, particularly in the context of government shutdowns and spending. Markowski also addresses the rising costs of healthcare and the economic realities faced by companies like Starbucks, emphasizing the need for transparency and truth in financial discussions.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  While mainstream media looks the other way, mass killings and kidnappings of Christians—especially Catholics—continue in Nigeria. Between 2015 and 2025, over 145 Catholic priests were abducted, with many massacres striking churches. Why is this tragedy underreported? Follow the money: major oil interests, global corporations, and offshore profits all tie into a story of silence and complicity.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  We're not plugged into pods powering machines—but millions of us are letting AI think for us. In this episode:The lesson from The Matrix that today's algorithms prove trueHow social feeds, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook are designed to manipulate—not inform—youWhy “picking a side” is the only way the algorithm rewards creators—and how that destroys honest debateThe dangers of letting AI curate your worldview while shutting out dissentWhy you must “take the red pill”: put the phone down, read everything, and think for yourself You may not be a literal battery, but if you let the algorithms do your thinking, you're already living inside the Matrix.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  Here's the blunt truth: the shutdown standoff is theater—and the real deal being cut in the back room is whether Trump and Republicans extend juiced Obamacare subsidies to dodge political heat before the midterms. In this episode:Why the “who wins the shutdown?” narrative is a distraction from a massive spending caveHow enhanced ACA subsidies became permanent by “temporary” design—and doubled enrollment since 2021The GOP's fear play: extending subsidies to avoid blame for higher premiums in key red districtsWhy subsidies always raise prices—and how healthcare became a middleman bonanzaThe path not taken: real market reforms (HSAs, catastrophic plans, cross-state competition) Republicans abandonedIf the White House trades another year of Obamacare steroids for a PR win, both parties will claim victory—while you pay the bill and the system keeps breaking.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  Surveys show Americans remain deeply anxious about retirement savings, but quick fixes and cookie-cutter portfolios often make matters worse. Drawing on lessons from Nassim Taleb and Warren Buffett, WDOWS stresses the importance of preparation over prediction—creating resilient, “anti-fragile” strategies that can withstand financial storms and unexpected shocks.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  Compounding is the royal road to riches... or the fast track to ruin. In this episode:Why small financial mistakes snowball into massive life problems if ignoredThe shocking story of a $74,000 grad school loan that ballooned to $300,000How Gen X is entering retirement with the heaviest student loan burden of any generationWhy “wishing it away” or waiting for government forgiveness only makes it worseThe simple rule: deal with debt immediately, work extra if you have to, and stop compounding mistakes Debt doesn't disappear. It compounds. And for millions of Americans, it's turning into a lifelong financial prison.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  Democrats are screaming “protect healthcare!”—but the brawl is over juiced Obamacare subsidies that never went away after COVID. In this episode:How Biden supercharged subsidies and why both parties use fake “expiration dates” as an accounting gimmickSubsidies up to 400% of the poverty line—and what that does to premiums and politicsThe eye-popping math: ~$3.45/week at 100% FPL (taxpayers cover ~98%) and ~$52/week at 250% FPL (taxpayers cover ~⅔)Why 40% of fully subsidized enrollees had zero claims—insurers still get paidWorkers ditching employer plans for free/cheap exchange plans—and the $450B price tag to extend this for a decade This isn't “protecting healthcare.” It's locking in massive subsidies, masking costs, and sending you the bill while our broken system gets even worse.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth summoned America's top military leaders to Quantico for a sweeping speech on merit, fitness, and readiness—vowing to scrap DEI initiatives and return to a “warrior ethos.” Supporters call it common sense reform, while critics argue the highly publicized event blurred the line between leadership and political theater.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  On this Watchdog on Wall Street episode, Chris Markowski unpacks the latest polling that shows Donald Trump's economic numbers slipping—while Democrats somehow manage to fare even worse. From manufacturing job losses and sinking consumer confidence to Biden's empty promises of a future boom, the disconnect grows wider. Meanwhile, Democrats push “free everything” policies that only rack up costs, leaving voters disillusioned. With AOC grabbing the spotlight and the Schumer shutdown looming, the left looks leaderless, feckless, and out of ideas.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  In this Watchdog on Wall Street episode, Chris Markowski takes a hard look at America's education and family crisis. From failing schools and endless union demands to broken homes and generational welfare dependency, the cycle keeps repeating—and worsening. Why throwing more money at the problem only fuels decline, and why real reform requires courage, accountability, and cultural change.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  In this explosive Watchdog on Wall Street episode, we uncover the staggering scope of Jeffrey Epstein's hidden banking empire. From Wells Fargo to Deutsche Bank, more than 20 major financial institutions funneled money through his complex network of shell entities—long after his crimes were public. Discover how hedge funds, crypto deals, and even billion-dollar “advisory fees” kept his operations afloat, and why ethics seemed optional for the banks involved.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured   Don't be fooled—the D.C. shutdown fight is pure theater. In this episode:Why the budget battle is nothing more than a fake pillow fight that makes us poorerHow Republicans are signing off on Joe Biden's spending while pretending to resistThe truth about continuing resolutions and why the real squeeze comes at ThanksgivingWhy Obamacare still ruins health insurance for everyone—and Republicans never fixed itHow Bill Clinton and Al Gore in the 90s sounded more MAGA than today's DemocratsThe shutdown isn't about cuts. It's about keeping the spending spigot open while politicians gaslight you.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured   Dozens of Starbucks locations are closing across New York City—and the media won't tell you the real reason. In this episode:Why skyrocketing coffee prices (thanks to tariffs) are crushing Starbucks' bottom lineHow unionized workers and greedy landlords add to the cost spiralWhy businesses walk away from packed, profitable locations when the numbers don't workThe truth about government interference and how it destroys the free market Starbucks isn't just downsizing—it's a warning sign of what happens when costs outpace reality and the government keeps piling on.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  Chris argues that Republicans should embrace a government shutdown as leverage to confront two of the nation's most contentious issues: illegal immigration and the failures of Obamacare. From enforcing E-Verify and ending incentives that attract undocumented workers, to cutting bloated government programs and rethinking health care, he makes the case for bold action. But will lawmakers have the resolve to follow through, or will political pressure push them back to compromise?

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  Chris breaks down Donald Trump's ambitious new proposal for peace in Gaza—a sweeping 20-point plan that promises de-radicalization, redevelopment, international oversight, and eventual Palestinian self-determination. While the framework aims to end hostilities and rebuild Gaza, Chris questions the real-world challenges: entrenched bad actors, international corruption, and deep mistrust on both sides. Is this plan a bold path to peace or just another chapter in decades of failed Middle East negotiations?

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  The Left loves to promise free college—but the reality tells a different story. In this episode: Why American universities are panicking over fewer kids enrollingThe truth about “free” college in Europe, China, and beyondWhy foreign students aren't flocking to those supposedly free systemsHow U.S. taxpayers already fund massive subsidies that politicians never mentionThe free college myth sounds good on paper—but once you follow the money, you'll see why it's one of the biggest lies in modern politics.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  Wall Street's double standard is on full display. Chris revisits his long-standing argument that major investment houses and their executives are virtually untouchable—facing fines that amount to little more than parking tickets—while outsiders who cross them pay a steep price. Using the case of Charlie Javis, the Frank founder sentenced for defrauding JP Morgan Chase, he exposes how the rules of power, profit, and punishment work differently when you're not part of the “Too Big to Fail” club.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  Florida's governor is taking on one of the biggest burdens for American homeowners: property taxes. In this episode:Why DeSantis says property taxes make you nothing more than a “serf on the Lord's Manor”How eliminating property taxes would completely change housing markets in the U.S.Why experts argue you never truly “own” your home as long as property taxes existWhat Europe and corporations do differently—and how Florida could lead the wayCanceling property taxes isn't just a policy tweak. It's a game-changer that could free millions of Americans from lifelong payments on homes they supposedly already own.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  From the excitement of elite athletes to the disgrace of unruly fans, this reflection calls out bad behavior at sporting events. Using the Ryder Cup at Bethpage as a cautionary tale, it reminds us to appreciate the skill, dedication, and performance of the players—not to embarrass ourselves, our families, or our country by acting like an inebriated fool. Sportsmanship, respect, and watching the game with your eyes wide open matter more than loud cheers or cheap antics.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  A 100% tariff on films made overseas might sound tough, but it ignores the real reasons Hollywood productions left the U.S. in the first place. From high healthcare costs to foreign tax breaks, no tariff will bring them back—and the result would only saddle consumers and farmers with more economic pain. This breakdown exposes the political theater behind the policy and why it misses the mark.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  Drawing from Stanley Kubrick's controversial film and real-life scandals, this reflection explores the hidden depravity that exists behind wealth, power, and prestige. From Hollywood predators to high-flying financiers, “Eyes Wide Shut: Evil Hiding in Plain Sight” warns of a world where exploitation is protected, truth is buried, and vigilance is essential. It's a call to recognize that the darkness portrayed on screen is not just fiction—it's real, and often much closer than we think.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  AOC's caucus says it wants to ban stock trading in Congress—but their own portfolios tell a different story. In this episode:The Progressive Caucus' jaw-dropping returns: 106% for one rep, 71% for PelosiHow “blind trusts” are the new insider trading loopholeThe thousands of trades lawmakers make while supposedly doing their jobsWhy Peter Schweizer warned us about this 15 years ago—and nothing's changedCongress isn't banning stock trading. They're gaming the system—and getting rich while you pay the bill.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  Washington's latest “shutdown showdown” is nothing but political theater. In this episode:Why shutdown threats never cut spending—they just grow government biggerHow Republicans plan to sneak through a pork-stuffed bill right before ThanksgivingThe Obamacare lie: government says health insurance is down 20%—your wallet says otherwiseWhy the Uniparty always wins (and you always lose)Don't be fooled. This isn't about fiscal responsibility—it's about stuffing their districts while you foot the bill.

Chris Markowski, the Watchdog of Wall Street, discusses the myths and realities of financial media, the true state of inflation, and the implications of AI investments. He critiques the current taxation policies and foreign policy decisions, reflecting on the historical context of military spending and its consequences. The conversation also touches on the importance of free speech and the challenges posed by censorship in modern media.

Chris Markowski, the Watchdog on Wall Street, discusses the pervasive myths and realities of the financial world, emphasizing the importance of financial literacy and personal responsibility. He critiques the current state of private equity and alternative investments, warns about the dangers of government intervention in capitalism, and highlights the challenges faced by younger generations in the housing market. Markowski uses the Sisyphus analogy to illustrate the ongoing struggle against financial misinformation and scams, urging listeners to be vigilant and informed in their financial decisions.

 Chris Markowski reflects on the legacy of Jonathan Clements, a mentor and financial columnist who championed financial independence and exposed Wall Street's misleading practices. The conversation delves into the importance of financial literacy, the challenges faced by Generation X regarding retirement, and the pervasive myths propagated by the financial industry. Markowski emphasizes the need for self-reliance and critical thinking in personal finance, urging listeners to be wary of scams and to prioritize genuine wealth-building strategies.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  Like the cursed king Sisyphus, condemned to push a boulder uphill only to watch it roll back down, the fight against private equity schemes feels endless. Week after week, slick firms push risky investments into retirement accounts—masking credit troubles, hiding covenants, and leveraging borrowed money to keep the illusion alive. Despite decades of warnings, too many ignore the dangers until it's too late. This episode lays bare how private equity's tricks mirror Sisyphus' curse—and why investors risk getting crushed under the same rock again and again.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  The White House just floated a $100,000 H-1B visa fee and a $1 million “gold card” for wealthy immigrants—and no one, not even Trump's team, seems to know what it really means. In this episode:Why Silicon Valley is in full-blown panic over the proposalHow Lutnick fumbled the rollout, confusing even Trump's own baseThe real problem with H-1Bs: do they depress wages or fill gaps Americans can't?Why our broken schools and low literacy rates feed this crisisThe line between fair immigration policy and creating a migrant underclassImmigration doesn't have to be chaos—but DC's mixed messages are making it worse.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  Trump took the world stage at Turtle Bay and didn't hold back. In this episode:Why he says the UN creates more problems than it solvesThe “greatest con job ever” of climate change spendingHow the UN is funding mass migration instead of stopping itWhy European leaders ignore their voters at their own perilThe part of Trump's delivery that still turns people off—zero humilityLove him or hate him, Trump's UN speech shows why he dominates the stage…and why some think he needs a new shtick.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  From Obamacare to Trump's steel deals, Washington has steadily blurred the line between referee and player. When government takes stakes in private companies, shields them from failure, or dictates how industries operate, capitalism's core principle—creative destruction—dies. Like Dorian Gray hiding his rot behind a flawless portrait, corporations propped up by public-private partnerships live on unnaturally, while the free market withers. This episode unpacks how both parties have undermined true capitalism in the name of power, politics, and control.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  Jimmy Kimmel praised free speech defenders—but left out one thing: admitting he was wrong. In this episode:Why censorship has become a two-way street, with both parties guilty of playing the gameHow Trump, Biden, and the media all weaponized cancellation when it was convenientWhy real conservatives can't call themselves free speech defenders while cheering on silencing their enemiesFree speech means defending it even when it's ugly, offensive, or unpopular. That's the hard truth nobody in power wants to face.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  I stayed up all night watching Bodyguard of Lies — and you should, too. In this episode:The jaw-dropping receipts the doc uncovers: fraud, cash stuffed in VCRs, bridges blown up for repeat contractsHow $2 trillion and thousands of American lives bought a permanent war-contractor economy around DCWhy both parties (yes, Bush through Biden) share blame for the arrogance and the cover-upsReal examples of mission creep, wasted “nation-building,” and the corrupt incentives that keep wars goingWhat this means for America: gutting waste, rethinking foreign policy, and redirecting money back homeIf you care about where our tax dollars — and our kids' lives — are going, this is essential viewing.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  The Trump administration is exploring a controversial move: reopening Bagram Air Base and reestablishing ties with the Taliban, all under the banner of countering China and boosting U.S. influence. But critics warn it looks like reinvasion, demanding tens of thousands of troops and billions more in wasted dollars. From Taliban resistance to the ghosts of past failures, this piece questions whether America is doomed to repeat the same costly mistakes in Afghanistan—trading debt, lives, and credibility for a strategy that's never worked.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  Nvidia's cash flow is soaring, AI spending is exploding—and some Wall Street vets are getting déjà vu. In this episode:Why today's AI frenzy looks eerily similar to the dot-com bubble's vendor financing schemesHow Nvidia's $100B OpenAI deal is structured—and why it's different (but not risk-free)The regulatory roadblocks that could trip up Big Tech's AI dominanceWhy AI isn't going anywhere—but the winners and losers aren't clear yetAI is here to stay. But the question is—are we building a revolution, or another bubble?

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  Jimmy Kimmel was on the ropes—until Trump's FCC handed him a lifeline. In this episode:Why free speech means letting clowns like Kimmel bury themselvesHow the FCC's “public interest” standard has always been abusedAyn Rand's 1962 warning about bureaucrats deciding what Americans should hearWhy meddling in media only backfires, fueling the very voices you want silencedThe left didn't rescue Kimmel—the Trump administration did. A colossal unforced error.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  A blistering take on how private equity uses financial engineering — SPVs, rating tricks, and “volatility laundering” — to disguise junk-like credit as investment-grade paper and shove it into pensions, insurers, and unsuspecting investors. This piece exposes inflated valuations, hidden illiquidity, and fee-heavy schemes that keep limited partners waiting for real payouts while PE firms paper over risk. Read it as a warning: do your homework, demand honest mark-to-market accounting, and don't let glossy suits and clever legal structures hide the rot.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  The Wall Street Journal says U.S. colleges are fighting hard to keep international students—and Markowski explains why. It's not about diversity or prestige, it's about economics: foreign students bring in nearly $44 billion a year, often paying full tuition while American kids chase financial aid. Just like tourism dollars flowing into Orlando, universities treat education as an export. Sure, security checks are needed, but if international students want to spend big to study here, that's a net positive. The bigger problem? A bloated higher-ed industry more focused on status than value.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  Confusion and panic swept airports and embassies after the new $100,000 H-1B visa fee was announced. In this episode:Why current H-1B holders don't need to worry about reentry or renewalsHow the fee only applies to new applications in the next lottery cycleWhy big firms like Disney could still pay up if they want foreign talentThe original intent of H-1B visas — and how abuse of the system led us hereThe headlines are full of noise — here's the clarity you need on what this change actually means.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  Carrier's CEO just sounded the alarm: HVAC sales plunged 30% in July and are set to drop over 40% year-over-year in Q3. Markowski calls it another “dead canary,” warning that private equity is sitting on overinflated investments—from air conditioners to vet clinics—desperately waiting for the next sucker to buy in. With phony valuations, hidden risks, and fees still flowing to insiders, this could be worse than the hedge fund craze. Don't get duped by shiny “alternative” investments pushed into 401(k)s—know the difference between smart money and sucker bets.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  The Fed wants you to believe inflation is under control with its so-called “2% target”—but reality tells a different story. From eggs up 170% to health insurance, housing, and fuel all climbing double-digits, everyday Americans—especially Gen Z—are feeling the squeeze. Markowski exposes why the Fed's claims are pure spin, how Washington's borrow-and-print cycle keeps driving prices higher, and why government waste at fiscal year-end adds insult to injury. If you've ever felt like official inflation numbers don't match your grocery bill, you're right.