Podcasts about exchange commission

Alex Thorn talks with Zack Pokorny (Galaxy Research) about crypto lending markets, DAO and AI agents having issues with legal personhood, prediction markets and what rulemaking might say about insider information and market manipulation, and Coinbase's announcement that their Ethereum L2 Base is leaving the Optimism Superchain. Alex also talks with Beimnet Abebe (Galaxy Trading) about market risks from AI anxiety and geopolitical tensions. Participants, along with Galaxy, hold a financial interest in Bitcoin (BTC). Galaxy regularly engages in buying and selling BTC, including hedging transactions, for its own proprietary accounts and on behalf of its counterparties. Galaxy also provides services to vehicles that invest in BTC.  If the value of such assets increases, those vehicles may benefit, and Galaxy's service fees may increase accordingly. The valuation in this communication is based on technical, fundamental, and market analysis and not on any formal valuation method. For more information, please refer to Galaxy's public filings and statements. Cryptocurrencies, including BTC, are inherently volatile and risky and ultimate market movements may not align with this statement.   For additional risks related to digital assets, please refer to the risk factors contained in filings Galaxy Digital Inc. makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) from time to time, including in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, filed with the SEC on November 10, 2025, available at ⁠www.sec.gov⁠. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.galaxy.com/research/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more! This podcast, and the information contained herein, has been provided to you by Galaxy Digital Holdings LP and its affiliates (“Galaxy Digital”) solely for informational purposes. View the full disclaimer at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.galaxy.com/disclaimer-galaxy-brains-podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This Day in Legal History: Hiram Rhodes RevelsOn February 25, 1870, Hiram Rhodes Revels was sworn in as the first African American to serve in the United States Senate. His election came during the turbulent Reconstruction era that followed the Civil War, a period defined by constitutional change and political uncertainty. Revels represented Mississippi, a former Confederate state that had only recently been readmitted to the Union. In a moment heavy with symbolism, he filled the Senate seat once held by Jefferson Davis, the former president of the Confederacy. The contrast between the two men reflected the profound transformation taking place in American law and government.Revels' swearing-in came after the ratification of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, which abolished slavery, guaranteed equal protection, and protected voting rights regardless of race. His presence in the Senate gave tangible meaning to those constitutional promises. Yet his path to office was not without challenge. Some senators argued that he did not meet the Constitution's nine-year citizenship requirement, claiming that the Supreme Court's decision in Dred Scott v. Sandford had denied Black Americans citizenship before the Civil War. Supporters countered that the 14th Amendment had settled the question of citizenship, making Revels eligible to serve. The Senate ultimately voted to seat him, affirming the legal force of the Reconstruction Amendments.Revels served only a brief term, but his impact was lasting. His election marked a rare window in American history when federal power was actively used to expand civil and political rights in the South. Although Reconstruction would eventually give way to decades of segregation and disenfranchisement, February 25, 1870 stands as a reminder of a constitutional moment when the nation attempted to redefine equality under the law.The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission released its first major update to its enforcement manual in eight years, outlining a new vision focused on fairness and transparency. SEC Chairman Paul Atkins described the revisions as overdue and said the agency will now review the manual annually. The updated 115-page guide provides clearer direction on how enforcement investigations will proceed and what options are available to individuals and companies under scrutiny.One key change involves the Wells process, which notifies potential defendants that SEC staff intend to recommend enforcement action. Under the revised policy, recipients of a Wells notice will have four weeks to submit a written response. After filing that response, they may request a meeting with senior leadership in the Division of Enforcement to argue against pursuing charges or to present their perspective on the case.Atkins has previously indicated that reforming the Wells process is a priority, emphasizing the need for accurate and carefully considered enforcement actions. Enforcement Division Director Meg Ryan also noted that a persuasive Wells response can influence whether commissioners ultimately approve a case. The manual further reinstates the ability of settling parties to request waivers from automatic industry bars that can follow enforcement actions. In addition, it introduces clearer guidance on how cooperation may reduce penalties and explains how the SEC may coordinate with criminal authorities. Overall, the agency says the revisions aim to clarify how it enforces federal securities laws and strengthen public confidence in the process.SEC Lays Out New Enforcement Vision In Revised Guidelines - Law360Paramount Skydance has submitted a revised proposal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, as a bidding battle with Netflix continues. The new offer follows the expiration of a seven-day waiver period under WBD's existing merger agreement with Netflix. For Paramount's deal to move forward, WBD's board must first determine that the revised bid qualifies as a “Company Superior Proposal” under the Netflix agreement. After that, a four-business-day match period would need to pass, the Netflix agreement would have to be terminated, and a new definitive agreement would need to be signed with Paramount.While the board reviews the updated proposal, Paramount said it will keep its tender offer in place and continue urging shareholders to reject what it calls the less favorable Netflix transaction. The rivalry between the bidders has spilled into public statements, with Paramount criticizing the structure of the Netflix deal as potentially reducing shareholder value. Netflix has pushed back, accusing Paramount of mischaracterizing regulatory issues and focusing on appearances rather than results.WBD confirmed it received the revised bid but reiterated that its current merger agreement with Netflix remains active and that the board still recommends the Netflix deal. Specific terms of Paramount's updated offer were not disclosed, though it recently added financial safeguards, regulatory commitments, and an offer to cover the breakup fee if WBD exits the Netflix agreement. Netflix's agreement to acquire WBD's studio and streaming operations is valued at about $82.7 billion, while Paramount's competing proposal to purchase the entire company is valued at roughly $108.4 billion.Paramount Revises WBD Offer As Netflix Bid War Goes On - Law360​​A federal judge has temporarily barred prosecutors from freely searching devices seized from a Washington Post reporter during a national security leak investigation. The FBI searched reporter Hannah Natanson's home in January and took electronic devices as part of a probe into the alleged disclosure of government secrets. Natanson, who has reported on President Donald Trump's efforts to dismiss large numbers of federal employees, has not been charged with any crime.U.S. Magistrate Judge William Porter ruled that the government may not conduct an unrestricted review of the seized materials. Instead, he said the court will oversee the examination of the devices to ensure that journalistic protections are respected while still allowing investigators to seek relevant evidence. Porter rejected the Justice Department's request to let prosecutors carry out a broad, unsupervised search.Justice Department attorneys had argued that reviewing the materials was essential to a criminal investigation involving national security concerns. They proposed using a separate FBI “filter team” to screen the data and remove irrelevant content before investigators accessed it. The judge's order reflects an effort to balance press freedom with the government's authority to pursue evidence in sensitive cases.US judge blocks search of Washington Post reporter's devices | ReutersA California woman is set to testify in Los Angeles that her early use of Instagram and YouTube harmed her mental health, in a closely watched trial against Meta and Google. The plaintiff, identified as Kaley G.M., says she began using YouTube at age six and Instagram at nine, and later struggled with depression and body dysmorphia. Her attorneys argue the companies deliberately designed their platforms to attract and retain young users despite being aware of potential psychological risks.The case is part of a broader international push to address the impact of social media on children, with some countries already imposing restrictions. Earlier phases of the trial focused on what the companies knew about the effects of their platforms on young users and how they targeted that demographic. Now the proceedings are turning to Kaley's personal experiences and whether the platforms substantially contributed to her mental health challenges.To succeed, her legal team must prove that the design or operation of the platforms was a significant factor in causing or worsening her condition. Meta has pointed to her history of family instability and alleged abuse as alternative explanations for her struggles. Her lawyer, however, referenced internal company research suggesting that teens facing difficult circumstances were more likely to use Instagram compulsively.The lawsuit also challenges features such as autoplay videos, endless scrolling, “like” buttons, and beauty filters, which the plaintiff claims encouraged prolonged use and distorted self-image. YouTube's defense argues that she did not fully use available safety tools and presented data indicating her recent average viewing time was relatively limited.Woman suing Meta, YouTube over social media addiction takes the stand at trial | Reuters This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

President Trump delivers the annual State of the Union address, proclaiming the economy is “roaring like never before.” In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and co-host Neil Shapiro review some of the President’s proposals and separate style from substance. This material is prepared by the Washington Policy Strategy Group of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated (“Stifel”). This material is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or solicitation to purchase or sell any security or instrument or to participate in any trading strategy discussed herein. The information contained is taken from sources believed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed by Stifel as to accuracy or completeness. The opinions expressed are those of the Washington Policy Strategy Group and may differ from those of other departments that produce similar material and are current as of the date of this publication and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance. Stifel does not provide accounting, tax, or legal advice and clients are advised to consult with their accounting, tax, or legal advisors prior to making any investment decision. Additional information is available upon request. Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated is a broker-dealer registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and is a member SIPC & NYSE. ©2026See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Interview with Nick Morgan, Founder and President, Investor Choice Advocates Network (ICAN) For decades, small investors and entrepreneurs who run afoul of the Securities and Exchange Commission have faced a stark reality: challenge a powerful federal agency with seemingly unlimited resources or settle. The result is a staggering 98% settlement rate that has led to ruined businesses, lost opportunities, and forever changed lives. Our guest on this episode of Voices of Freedom is doing something about it. Nick Morgan is Founder and President of the Investor Choice Advocates Network, or ICAN, a nonprofit public interest law firm that provides free legal representation to small investors and entrepreneurs facing SEC overreach. Before founding ICAN, Nick spent seven years as senior trial counsel at the SEC, followed by 18 years in private practice defending clients against securities enforcement actions. His insider's perspective revealed how heavily the deck is stacked against ordinary Americans trying to pursue economic opportunity — and drove him to act. Topics Discussed on this Episode: How the SEC's structure and incentives undermine fairness for small investors and entrepreneurs ICAN's mission and the clients it serves Building legal precedent through strategic litigation and regulatory reform advocacy The proper balance between investor protection and economic freedom What gives Nick hope that the balance of power between individual Americans and the SEC can shift

Alex Thorn talks to Omid Malekan, blockchain professor at Columbia Business School, about stablecoins and the CLARITY Act. Alex and Omid discuss the bank lobby's current negotiating position and argue that the fears of deposit flight or a negative impact on credit creation by yield-bearing stablecoins are overblown at best and disingenuous at worst. Alex also talks to Galaxy Trading's Beimnet Abebe about bitcoin markets, macro conditions, and geopolitical concerns. Past performance is not indicative of future results.   Participants, along with Galaxy, hold a financial interest in Bitcoin (BTC). Galaxy regularly engages in buying and selling BTC, including hedging transactions, for its own proprietary accounts and on behalf of its counterparties. Galaxy also provides services to vehicles that invest in BTC.  If the value of such assets increases, those vehicles may benefit, and Galaxy's service fees may increase accordingly. The valuation in this communication is based on technical, fundamental, and market analysis and not on any formal valuation method. For more information, please refer to Galaxy's public filings and statements. Cryptocurrencies, including BTC, are inherently volatile and risky and ultimate market movements may not align with this statement.   For additional risks related to digital assets, please refer to the risk factors contained in filings Galaxy Digital Inc. makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) from time to time, including in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, filed with the SEC on November 10, 2025, available at ⁠www.sec.gov (http://www.sec.gov/)⁠. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.galaxy.com/research/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more! This podcast, and the information contained herein, has been provided to you by Galaxy Digital Holdings LP and its affiliates (“Galaxy Digital”) solely for informational purposes. View the full disclaimer at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.galaxy.com/disclaimer-galaxy-brains-podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Financial management isn't flashy, but it can make or break your collision shop. Too many owners stay focused on daily operations while their bookkeeping and reporting fall behind, hurting cash flow, increasing stress, and lowering business value when it's time to sell.In this episode, Matt Di Francesco sits down with Bill Park, Founder of Crunchit Financial Services and a 30-year shop owner with four successful exits, to talk about what it really means to be “bankable.” Bill explains common financial mistakes, why most CPAs focus only on taxes, and how messy books can cost you 20–30% in a third-party sale.Matt and Bill also talk about:(09:20) Long-term strategy vs. short-term tax thinking(13:32) How a second set of eyes can transform a shop's financial clarity(16:02) The real reason most shops operate below full utilization(18:33) Building a financial structure that allows faster, more confident decisions(20:51) Why clean financials directly increase third-party sale value(21:21) What transparency and discipline signal to buyers(28:18) Fix your chart of accounts before trying to fix your profits(29:08) The ROI of a full financial cleanup Connect With Bill ParkLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billpark8/Email: billpark8@me.comWebsite: https://www.crunchitfs.com/Connect With Matt DiFrancesco:matt@highliftfin.com(814)201-5855LinkedIn: Matt DiFrancescoLinkedIn: High Lift FinancialFacebook: High Lift Financial Instagram: @high_lift_financialYouTube: @highliftfinancialAbout the guest:Bill Park has walked the same road many collision shop owners are on right now. He spent 30 years as a body shop owner and successfully exited four businesses, so he understands firsthand the pressure, long hours, and constant daily fires that come with running a shop.After living that grind and learning some hard financial lessons along the way, Bill founded Crunch It Financial Services. His mission is simple: help shop owners simplify their numbers, reduce unnecessary taxes, and build real wealth instead of just surviving year to year.Today, Bill works alongside shop owners to bring clarity, structure, and long-term strategy to their financial picture so they can operate with confidence and exit on their terms.Disclaimer:All information is obtained from sources deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. No tax or legal advice is given nor intended. Content provided herein or on our website should not be construed as an offer for investment advice or for securities, insurance, or other investment products. Investments involve the risk of loss and are not guaranteed. Consult a qualified legal, tax, accounting, or financial professional before implementing any investments or strategy discussed here.High Lift Financial is a DBA for DiFrancesco Financial Concierge, LLC.  Investment advisory services are provided through Cornerstone Planning Group, LLC, an independent advisory firm registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In this episode of the Why Invest? podcast, hosts Luke Hyde-Smith and James Carter are joined by Benjamin Hall, Manager of the Waverton Asia Pacific Equity Fund. Ben shares his journey into investing and offers a thoughtful perspective shaped by over 15 years' experience across emerging and Asian markets.The conversation explores how investors should think differently about China, challenging headline-driven narratives and focusing instead on long-term fundamentals. Ben discusses why profitability, capital discipline, and incentives matter more than raw growth, and why market sentiment in the region can swing between extreme optimism and pessimism.Ben also touches on some of the biggest themes shaping markets today, including China's evolving economy, technology, energy, and AI.If you would like further information about anything discussed in this episode, please do get in touch whyinvest@w1m.com.This podcast is issued by W1M Wealth Management Limited which is authorised and regulated by both by the Financial Conduct Authority of 12 Endeavour Square, London E20 1JN, with firm reference number 120776 and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission of 100 F Street, NE Washington, DC 20549, with firm reference number 801-63787. Registered in England and Wales, Company Number 02080604.The information provided in this podcast is for information purposes only and W1M Wealth Management Limited does not accept liability for any loss or damage which may arise directly or indirectly out of use or reliance by the client, or anyone else, on the information contained in this recording. This podcast should be used as a guide only is based on our current views of markets and is subject to change.The information provided does not constitute advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investor's particular wealth management or investment objectives, strategies, tax status or investment horizon.All materials have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy is not guaranteed. There is no representation or warranty as to the current accuracy of, nor liability for, decisions based on such information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Donald Trump wants to keep home prices high, bypassing calls to ramp up construction so people can afford what has been a ticket to the middle class. The real estate industry, local officials and apartment dwellers say is needed to fix a big chunk of America's affordability problem. Meanwhile, Megatel received a “no-action” letter from the Securities and Exchange ‌Commission, allowing it to launch the universal payments token helping households earn a portion of the money they had spent.~This episode is sponsored by BTCC~ BTCC 10% Deposit Bonus! ➜ https://bit.ly/PBNBTCCGuest: Zach Ipour, Founder & CEO at Megatel HomesMegatewl Homes website ➜ https://www.megatelhomes.com/MegPrime App ➜ https://megprimepay.com/00:00 intro00:08 Sponsor: BTCC00:46 Recap: Trump Wants Higher Home Prices02:41 Housing Crisis03:05 Affordability03:29 First SEC No Action Letter for Real Estate04:07 How Megatel Homes is cutting costs09:09 Florida Coming Next09:29 Low Mortage Rates10:45 Coldwell Banker is skeptical11:28 Combating skepticism with validation12:12 Trump support?13:26 Closing hundreds of homes14:55 Token launch15:33 A.I. in Real Estate16:20 Market Size potential17:07 outro#Bitcoin #Ethereum #Crypto~Trump DEMANDS Higher Prices!?

Alex Thorn talks with Multicoin Capital General Counsel Greg Xethalis about crypto legislation and policy, the CLARITY Act, the future of Multicoin Capital, and the “Vanderbilt Mafia” at the top of financial services policymaking in Washington. Alex also talks with Beimnet Abebe (Galaxy Trading) about bitcoin price action, the impact of AI on jobs, and growing uncertainty in markets. Past performance is not indicative of future results.   Participants, along with Galaxy, hold a financial interest in Bitcoin (BTC). Galaxy regularly engages in buying and selling BTC, including hedging transactions, for its own proprietary accounts and on behalf of its counterparties. Galaxy also provides services to vehicles that invest in BTC.  If the value of such assets increases, those vehicles may benefit, and Galaxy's service fees may increase accordingly. The valuation in this communication is based on technical, fundamental, and market analysis and not on any formal valuation method. For more information, please refer to Galaxy's public filings and statements. Cryptocurrencies, including BTC, are inherently volatile and risky and ultimate market movements may not align with this statement.   For additional risks related to digital assets, please refer to the risk factors contained in filings Galaxy Digital Inc. makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) from time to time, including in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, filed with the SEC on November 10, 2025, available at ⁠www.sec.gov⁠. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, February 11, 2025. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.galaxy.com/research/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more! This podcast, and the information contained herein, has been provided to you by Galaxy Digital Holdings LP and its affiliates (“Galaxy Digital”) solely for informational purposes. View the full disclaimer at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.galaxy.com/disclaimer-galaxy-brains-podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, host Luke Hyde-Smith is joined by Alexandra Innes, a Non-Executive Director and Board Adviser for listed and private companies across financial services, real estate, sports and media.They delve into the shifts shaping the financial services industry, including consolidation, private markets, sustainability, and the future of real assets, and discuss leadership at the highest levels of business, from The All England Lawn Tennis Club to the Bank of England.Alexandra shares candid reflections on her career journey, the role of a non-exec and finding balance beyond the boardroom.If you would like further information about anything discussed in this episode, please do get in touch using the email address whyinvest@w1m.com.This podcast is issued by W1M Wealth Management Limited which is authorised and regulated by both by the Financial Conduct Authority of 12 Endeavour Square, London E20 1JN, with firm reference number 120776 and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission of 100 F Street, NE Washington, DC 20549, with firm reference number 801-63787. Registered in England and Wales, Company Number 02080604.The information provided in this podcast is for information purposes only and W1M Wealth Management Limited does not accept liability for any loss or damage which may arise directly or indirectly out of use or reliance by the client, or anyone else, on the information contained in this recording. This podcast should be used as a guide only is based on our current views of markets and is subject to change.The information provided does not constitute advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investor's particular wealth management or investment objectives, strategies, tax status or investment horizon.All materials have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy is not guaranteed. There is no representation or warranty as to the current accuracy of, nor liability for, decisions based on such information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marcia Dawood is an early-stage investor and author of Do Good While Doing Well, TEDx speaker and host of The Angel Next Door podcast, with a new book debuting next month called Unapologetic Wealth. Marcia serves as the chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission's Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee. She is a venture partner with Mindshift Capital and the chair emeritus of the Angel Capital Association (ACA), a global professional society for angel investors. She is also an associate producer on the award-winning documentary Show Her the Money.

Another partial government shutdown looms, a New Fed Head emerges, and pivotal midterm elections start to take shape. Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and co-host Neil Shapiro break things down in the latest episode of Potomac Perspective. This material is prepared by the Washington Policy Strategy Group of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated (“Stifel”). This material is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or solicitation to purchase or sell any security or instrument or to participate in any trading strategy discussed herein. The information contained is taken from sources believed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed by Stifel as to accuracy or completeness. The opinions expressed are those of the Washington Policy Strategy Group and may differ from those of other departments that produce similar material and are current as of the date of this publication and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance. Stifel does not provide accounting, tax, or legal advice and clients are advised to consult with their accounting, tax, or legal advisors prior to making any investment decision. Additional information is available upon request. Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated is a broker-dealer registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and is a member SIPC & NYSE. ©2026 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's episode is one that I've been excited to share. How to value private businesses, even if you only invest in public stocks. Now, you might be thinking, I don't buy private businesses. I buy stocks. Why should I need this? That's exactly what we're gonna unpack today. Understanding how to value a private business might be the most powerful mental model you can borrow as a public market investor. By the end of this episode, you'll see why some of the greatest investors in history, including Buffettt, Munger, and many small cap specialists, think this way. First, why should you think like a private buyer? When you buy a share of stock, you're buying a small piece of a real business, not just a squiggly line on a chart. Most investors forget this. They think of a stock as a lottery ticket or a day-to-day trading vehicle. Thank you for watching. ❤️If you'd like to support Global Value, the links below help a lot. They're affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you and everything earned is reinvested into making the videos better.- TIKR: The research platform I use for financial data and company analysis. Join 250,000+ investors here: https://www.tikr.com/globalvalue- Seeking Alpha Premium: Get 20% off + a free 7-day trial with my link: https://www.sahg6dtr.com/H4BHRJ/R74QP/- Sharesight: Portfolio tracking made simple (4 months free when you sign up annually): https://www.sharesight.com/globalvalue- Interactive Brokers: Broker I recommend for global market access and professional-grade tools: https://www.interactivebrokers.com/mkt/?src=gvy1&url=%2Fen%2Fwhyib%2Foverview.php- Patreon: Support the channel directly and help fund future episodes: https://www.patreon.com/GlobalValue#ValueInvesting #Valuation #BusinessValuation #PrivateBusiness #StockInvesting #InvestingBasics #FundamentalAnalysis #IntrinsicValue #DCF #OwnerEarnings #CashFlow #InvestLikeBuffett #WarrenBuffett #CharlieMunger #LongTermInvesting

Alex Thorn, Head of Firmwide Research at Galaxy, speaks with Beimnet Abebe of Galaxy Trading, who previously warned that bitcoin was entering a bear phase. Abebe, a market strategist focused on macro and crypto structure, reiterates his view that bitcoin is likely to test its 200-week moving average near $60,000 amid deteriorating liquidity and weakening risk appetite. The discussion situates crypto within broader market stress. Abebe argues that equity momentum has stalled, software valuations are vulnerable to AI disruption, and marginal buyers are retreating. He points to cracks in the labor market, softer consumer sentiment, and rising odds of Fed cuts driven by employment weakness rather than renewed stimulus. Thorn challenges whether bitcoin's failure to track gold undermines the “digital gold” thesis, while Abebe maintains that reflexivity and improved risk-reward at lower levels could reset positioning. What's Happening Abebe frames the recent bitcoin drawdown as a structural breakdown, not a transient dip. Liquidity has thinned, sentiment has turned, and equities—particularly software and AI-exposed names—are repricing. He highlights slowing retail flows, de-dollarization pressures, and labor data signaling softness. The pair debate whether AI threatens software moats and how that repricing feeds into broader risk assets, including crypto. Why It Matters If equities correct further and labor weakens, the Fed's dual mandate could tilt toward easing, altering fixed income and risk allocations. For bitcoin, a move toward the 200-week average would historically mark a value zone with asymmetric upside. The conversation underscores how tightly crypto remains linked to macro liquidity and equity sentiment. Key Takeaways • Bitcoin's market structure has weakened, increasing odds of a test near $60,000. • Equity repricing, especially in software, reflects AI-driven moat erosion concerns. • Labor softness may push the Fed toward cuts despite inflation above target. • Lower bitcoin levels could offer asymmetric risk-reward for long-term allocators. Participants, along with Galaxy, hold a financial interest in Bitcoin (BTC). Galaxy regularly engages in buying and selling BTC, including hedging transactions, for its own proprietary accounts and on behalf of its counterparties. Galaxy also provides services to vehicles that invest in BTC.  If the value of such assets increases, those vehicles may benefit, and Galaxy's service fees may increase accordingly. The valuation in this communication is based on technical, fundamental, and market analysis and not on any formal valuation method. For more information, please refer to Galaxy's public filings and statements. Cryptocurrencies, including BTC, are inherently volatile and risky and ultimate market movements may not align with this statement. For additional risks related to digital assets, please refer to the risk factors contained in filings Galaxy Digital Inc. makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) from time to time, including in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, filed with the SEC on November 10, 2025, available at ⁠www.sec.gov⁠.   This episode was recorded on Wednesday, February 4, 2025. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.galaxy.com/research/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more! This podcast, and the information contained herein, has been provided to you by Galaxy Digital Holdings LP and its affiliates (“Galaxy Digital”) solely for informational purposes. View the full disclaimer at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.galaxy.com/disclaimer-galaxy-brains-podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Many collision shop owners think growth comes from doing more themselves. But when your days are filled with decisions, emails, and operational noise, the work that truly drives progress gets crowded out, limiting both growth and freedom.In this episode, Matt DiFrancesco introduces a simple shift: stop asking how and start asking who. Drawing from Who Not How, he explains how focusing on your unique genius and delegating the rest removes the owner as the bottleneck. Through his personal experience, Matt shows how putting the right people in the right roles creates clarity, capacity, and sustainable growth.Matt also talks about:(00:57) Why asking “how” keeps shop owners stuck in the weeds(01:50) Tracking your time reveals what should be delegated or replaced(05:13) Your unique genius should drive the business, not daily tasks(06:11) Hiring an assistant frees you to focus on higher-value work(07:29) Why administrative help is a growth move, not an expense(08:53) Putting the right people in the right seats drives real revenue growth(10:29) Focusing on “who” instead of “how” removes you as the bottleneckConnect With Matt DiFrancesco:matt@highliftfin.com(814)201-5855LinkedIn: Matt DiFrancescoLinkedIn: High Lift FinancialFacebook: High Lift Financial Instagram: @high_lift_financialYouTube: @highliftfinancialDisclaimer:All information is obtained from sources deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. No tax or legal advice is given nor intended. Content provided herein or on our website should not be construed as an offer for investment advice or for securities, insurance, or other investment products. Investments involve the risk of loss and are not guaranteed. Consult a qualified legal, tax, accounting, or financial professional before implementing any investments or strategies discussed here.High Lift Financial is a DBA for DiFrancesco Financial Concierge, LLC.  Investment advisory services are provided through Cornerstone Planning Group, LLC, an independent advisory firm registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission

A new slate of leaders is poised to make its mark on the US audit board and launch the next chapter for the embattled regulator. Among those set to serve on the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board are two administration officials who have held key roles at federal agencies targeted by a White House campaign to hobble federal agencies and derail regulations. Those agencies include the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the National Credit Union Administration. The PCAOB last year was also caught up in the administration's efforts to rein in the federal bureaucracy. Republican lawmakers attempted to sunset the board and hand its duties over to the Securities and Exchange Commission, which oversees the board and named the new leaders. On this episode of Talking Tax, Senior Reporter Amanda Iacone discusses the incoming board members and what this latest leadership shake-up means for the future of the independent audit regulator. Do you have feedback on this episode of Talking Tax? Give us a call and leave a voicemail at 703-341-3690.

Unusual Whales Pod Ep. 67: Fed HOLDS Rates at First FOMC Meeting of 2026This episode of the Unusual Whales Pod was recorded Live on January 28th, 2026. From housing, to the absolute faceripper in Gold and Silver, the panel breaks down how the macro landscape looks as we breach into 2026.Panel:Joseph Wang https://twitter.com/FedGuy12Thelastbearstanding https://twitter.com/LastBearStandngJonny Matthews https://x.com/super_macroMartin Pelletier https://twitter.com/MPelletierCIOCem Karsan https://x.com/jam_croissantHosted by: Nicholas FNS: https://twitter.com/NicholasFNSUnusual Whales: https://twitter.com/unusual_whalesThis Pod is not financial advice. Unusual Whales Inc. is not registered as a securities broker-dealer or an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) or any state securities regulatory authority. The stock market is risky, and any trade or investment is expected to have some, or total, loss. Please do research before any trade. Do not use this information for financial decisions or for investing. You should consult your legal or tax professional regarding your specific situation.Unusual Social Media:Discord: https://discord.com/invite/unusualwhalesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/unusualwhalesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unusualwhales/Reddit: https://old.reddit.com/r/unusual_whales/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unusual_whalesTwitter: https://twitter.com/unusual_whalesYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/unusualwhales/Merch: https://unusual-whales.creator-spring.com/**Disclaimer:Any content referenced in the video or on Unusual Whales are not intended to provide legal, tax, investment or insurance advice. Unusual Whales Inc. is not registered as a securities broker-dealer or an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) or any state securities regulatory authority. Nothing on Unusual Whales should be construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any security by Unusual Whales or any third party. Certain investment planning tools available on Unusual Whales may provide general investment education based on your input.

Alex Thorn talks with Will Foxley (Blockspace) about their conferences OP_NEXT and bitcoin development. Alex and Will also talk about crypto media and the supposed threat to bitcoin from quantum computers. Alex also talks to Beimnet Abebe (Galaxy Trading) about the results of the Federal Reserve Open Markets Committee meeting, interest rates. and the degrading investment environment. Participants, along with Galaxy, hold a financial interest in Bitcoin (BTC). Galaxy regularly engages in buying and selling BTC, including hedging transactions, for its own proprietary accounts and on behalf of its counterparties. Galaxy also provides services to vehicles that invest in BTC.  If the value of such assets increases, those vehicles may benefit, and Galaxy's service fees may increase accordingly. The valuation in this communication is based on technical, fundamental, and market analysis and not on any formal valuation method. For more information, please refer to Galaxy's public filings and statements. Cryptocurrencies, including BTC, are inherently volatile and risky and ultimate market movements may not align with this statement.    For additional risks related to digital assets, please refer to the risk factors contained in filings Galaxy Digital Inc. makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) from time to time, including in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, filed with the SEC on November 10, 2025, available at www.sec.gov.   This episode was recorded on Wednesday, January 21, 2025. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.galaxy.com/research/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more! This podcast, and the information contained herein, has been provided to you by Galaxy Digital Holdings LP and its affiliates (“Galaxy Digital”) solely for informational purposes. View the full disclaimer at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.galaxy.com/disclaimer-galaxy-brains-podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This episode of the Unusual Whales Pod was recorded Live on January 26, 2026, sponsored by PlusAI. Nicholas hosts two co-founders of PlusAI, to walk through where they see autonomous trucking headed next.David Liu is the CEO and co-founder of PlusAI, with a background that blends deep technical training and startup experience, including a PhD in Electrical Engineering from Stanford. He leads the company's strategy and commercialization efforts as autonomous trucking moves toward scale.Tim Daly is the chief architect and co-founder of PlusAI, bringing more than two decades of experience in AI and large-scale systems. He leads the technical development of PlusAI's autonomy platform, focused on making real-world, highway-ready self-driving technology work reliably.PlusAI Website: https://plus.ai/Joined by:PlusAI (David Liu): https://x.com/PlusAI_IncTim Daly: https://x.com/thetimjrHosted by:Nicholas FNS: https://twitter.com/NicholasFNSUnusual Whales: https://twitter.com/unusual_whalesThis Pod is not financial advice. Unusual Whales Inc. is not registered as a securities broker-dealer or an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) or any state securities regulatory authority. The stock market is risky, and any trade or investment is expected to have some, or total, loss. Please do research before any trade. Do not use this information for financial decisions or for investing. You should consult your legal or tax professional regarding your specific situation.

The federal government is headed toward a second shutdown in four months, with no funding deal in sight. In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and co-host Neil Shapiro examine what’s behind the latest stalemate. This material is prepared by the Washington Policy Strategy Group of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated (“Stifel”). This material is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or solicitation to purchase or sell any security or instrument or to participate in any trading strategy discussed herein. The information contained is taken from sources believed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed by Stifel as to accuracy or completeness. The opinions expressed are those of the Washington Policy Strategy Group and may differ from those of other departments that produce similar material and are current as of the date of this publication and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance. Stifel does not provide accounting, tax, or legal advice and clients are advised to consult with their accounting, tax, or legal advisors prior to making any investment decision. Additional information is available upon request. Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated is a broker-dealer registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and is a member SIPC & NYSE. ©2026See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex Thorn talks with Starkware CEO & Co-Founder and Zcash Co-Founder Eli Ben-Sasson about blockchain scaling, zero-knowledge proofs, DeFi, and the potential for quantum computing to threaten blockchain security. Alex also talks with Beimnet Abebe (Galaxy Trading) about Greenland, debt markets, and bitcoin price action. Participants, along with Galaxy, hold a financial interest in Bitcoin (BTC) and Zcash (ZEC). Galaxy regularly engages in buying and selling Bitcoin and Zcash, including hedging transactions, for its own proprietary accounts and on behalf of its counterparties. Galaxy also provides services to vehicles that invest in Bitcoin and Zcash.  If the value of such assets increases, those vehicles may benefit, and Galaxy's service fees may increase accordingly. The valuation in this communication is based on technical, fundamental, and market analysis and not on any formal valuation method. For more information, please refer to Galaxy's public filings and statements. Cryptocurrencies, including BTC and ZEC, are inherently volatile and risky and ultimate market movements may not align with this statement.   For additional risks related to digital assets, please refer to the risk factors contained in filings Galaxy Digital Inc. makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) from time to time, including in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, filed with the SEC on November 10, 2025, available at www.sec.gov. (http://www.sec.gov/) This episode was recorded on Wednesday, January 21, 2025. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.galaxy.com/research/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more! This podcast, and the information contained herein, has been provided to you by Galaxy Digital Holdings LP and its affiliates (“Galaxy Digital”) solely for informational purposes. View the full disclaimer at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.galaxy.com/disclaimer-galaxy-brains-podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Many business owners believe staying busy in the day-to-day is the best way to grow their company. But when all your time is spent working in the business, strategic thinking and renewal are often the first things to disappear, quietly limiting long-term growth and value.In this episode, Matt Di Francesco breaks down the three types of time every owner must intentionally manage: tactical time, strategic time, and renewal time. Through personal experiences and real-world success stories, Matt shows how creating space for renewal allows leaders to think bigger, innovate, and build a business that works without depending on them every day.Matt also talks about:(01:04) Why most owners spend too much time putting out fires(03:37) How stepping away helps your mind solve business problems(04:44) Why bigger businesses need more time to reset and think(06:44) How taking a break helps you think bigger and grow faster(08:25) Why a business that runs without you means real ownershipConnect With Matt DiFrancesco:matt@highliftfin.com(814)201-5855LinkedIn: Matt DiFrancescoLinkedIn: High Lift FinancialFacebook: High Lift Financial Instagram: @high_lift_financialYouTube: @highliftfinancialDisclaimer:All information is obtained from sources deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. No tax or legal advice is given nor intended. Content provided herein or on our website should not be construed as an offer for investment advice or for securities, insurance, or other investment products. Investments involve the risk of loss and are not guaranteed. Consult a qualified legal, tax, accounting, or financial professional before implementing any investments or strategies discussed here.High Lift Financial is a DBA for DiFrancesco Financial Concierge, LLC.  Investment advisory services are provided through Cornerstone Planning Group, LLC, an independent advisory firm registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission

Show Notes: "Before You Give or Take Financial Advice, Read This" [SMMC Blog Post]: https://blogs.uofi.uillinois.edu/view/7550/862829868 FTC Disclosures 101 for Social Media Influencers: https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/disclosures-101-social-media-influencers Investor.gov professional verification tools: https://www.investor.gov/introduction-investing/getting-started/working-investment-professional/check-out-your-investment-professional Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation: https://online-dfpr.micropact.com/lookup/licenselookup.aspx IRS guidance on choosing tax preparers: https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/choosing-a-tax-professional “Hack-Proof Your Holidays #GetSavvy Webinar Recording” [YouTube Video]: https://youtu.be/p2Leqox64cY?si=VAKsFJTuZFcCvyEF Related Episodes: Ep. 14 – Short-selling: https://blogs.uofi.uillinois.edu/view/7550/433822269 Ep. 25 – Choosing a Financial Professional: https://blogs.uofi.uillinois.edu/view/7550/518681996 Ep. 65 – Financial Planner vs AI: https://blogs.uofi.uillinois.edu/view/7550/1933077943 Ep. 76 – What is Crypto Anyway?: https://blogs.uofi.uillinois.edu/view/7550/1253298616 Ep 78 – Is Crypto the Wild West?: https://blogs.uofi.uillinois.edu/view/7550/1888916702 Ep. 99 – Financial Socialization: https://blogs.uofi.uillinois.edu/view/7550/1342187809 References: American Institute of CPAs. (2024). AICPA.org. https://www.aicpa.org/ Benson, J. (2016). Cognitive bias codex. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Cognitive_bias_codex_en.svg Center for Advanced Hindsight. (2024). Resources. https://advanced-hindsight.com/resources/ CFA Institute. (2024). CFA Institute. https://www.cfainstitute.org/ CFP Board. (2024). Code of ethics and standards of conduct. https://www.cfp.net/ethics/code-of-ethics-and-standards-of-conduct Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. (2024). CFP.net. https://www.cfp.net/ Dictionary.com. (2021). Parasocial relationship. https://www.dictionary.com/e/tech-science/parasocial-relationship/ Federal Trade Commission. (2019). Disclosures 101 for social media influencers. https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/disclosures-101-social-media-influencers FINRA. (2024). FINRA.org. https://www.finra.org/ Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation. (2024). License lookup. https://online-dfpr.micropact.com/lookup/licenselookup.aspx Internal Revenue Service. (2024). Choosing a tax professional. https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/choosing-a-tax-professional Investment Advisers Act of 1940, 15 U.S.C. § 80b-1 et seq. https://www.sec.gov/about/laws/iaa40.pdf Investor.gov. (2024). Check out your investment professional. https://www.investor.gov/introduction-investing/getting-started/working-investment-professional/check-out-your-investment-professional Klayman, J. (1995). Varieties of confirmation bias. Psychology of Learning and Motivation, 32, 385-418. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0079-7421(08)60315-1 National Association of Personal Financial Advisors. (2024). NAPFA fiduciary standard. https://www.napfa.org/fiduciary-standard Pellegrini, A. (2025). Before you give or take financial advice, read this. University of Illinois Extension Blog. https://blogs.uofi.uillinois.edu/view/7550/862829868 Securities and Exchange Commission. (2022, October 3). SEC charges Kim Kardashian for unlawfully touting crypto security [Press release]. https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2022-183 The Decision Lab. (2024). Cognitive biases: A list of the most relevant biases in behavioral economics. https://thedecisionlab.com/biases Yakoboski, P. J., Lusardi, A., & Sticha, A. (2024). The TIAA Institute-GFLEC Personal Finance Index (P-Fin Index). Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center (GFLEC). https://gflec.org/initiatives/personal-finance-index/

Story of the Week (DR):Target silent after federal immigration agents arrest Twin Cities employees, operate near stores DRPress Release, January 14, 2026: Target Expands Its Style Offerings with Exclusive Bedding Collection from Acclaimed Interior Designer Jeremiah BrentQuote from the investors page: “Together, Target's purpose-driven team of more than 400,000 works daily to help all families discover the joy of everyday life.” Brian Cornell, Chair and Chief Executive OfficerBill Ackman defends donation to ICE officer who shot Minnesota woman: 'Presumed innocent until proven guilty'Chipotle clarifies Bill Ackman 'not affiliated' with chain after billionaire's ICE agent donationFord worker suspended for calling Trump 'pedophile protector' has 'no regrets' for 'embarrassing' presidentSuspended Michigan autoworker who heckled Trump gets outpouring of donationsGrok blocked from undressing images in places where it's illegal after global backlashI asked Grok's AI to undress me after X's new limits. It's still easy on the appGrok was finally updated to stop undressing women and children, X Safety saysGrok Is Getting Access to Classified Military Networks Elon Musk's xAI probed by California DOJ over Grok's deepfake explicit imagesElon Musk's X Under UK Investigation Over Grok's Sexualized A.I. ImagesOpposition to Elon Musk's AI Stripping Clothing Off Children Is Nearly Universal, PollingMalaysia and Indonesia block Musk's Grok over sexually explicit deepfakesAshly St Clair, the conservative influencer who had Musk's baby, just sued Xai for sexualizing her - after saying in 2024 that X and Musk were “essential” to free speech, that Musk was the only one doing it, and that, “Truly, the only things they will ban are things that are against the law”... oops?Trump canceled or stopped enforcement against 166 corporations in his first year. Many of them were donorsNew analysis finds federal agencies halted or limited enforcement and prosecution, including many involving companies and individuals with ties to President Donald TrumpRipple, the cryptocurrency company behind XRP, donated $4.9 million — among the largest donation — to Trump's inauguration events. Shortly afterward, the Securities and Exchange Commission withdrew an appeal seeking nearly $2 billion in penalties against the company, settling instead for $125 million.After he and his wife donated $1.8 million to Trump's reelection, Trevor Milton — the CEO of electric vehicle startup Nikola, who was convicted in 2023 of defrauding investors — received a presidential pardon wiping out over $660 million in restitution. Milton's legal team included Attorney General Pam Bondi's brother, Brad Bondi.Amazon was facing an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission lawsuit for allegedly discriminating against pregnant workers. After Trump signed an April 2025 executive order directing agencies not to rely on disparate impact analysis — an important tool for proving discrimination — the EEOC then dismissed the case.The report details how Amazon donated $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund, made another $1 million in-kind donation by streaming the inauguration on Amazon Video, and is backing Trump's $300 million “Golden Ballroom” in the White House's East Wing. The company also announced a deal to stream The Apprentice, resulting in "unspecified" payments to Trump, who starred in and executive-produced the show. The company reportedly also paid $28 million to first lady Melania Trump for a documentary.What's more, Attorney General Pam Bondi worked as a registered lobbyist for Amazon in 2020 and 2021, while Trump ally Brian Ballard lobbied on Amazon's behalf in 2024.Trump tries to reduce CEO pay and halt billions in stock buybacks at defense contractorsTrump threatens to sideline Exxon from Venezuela's oil: 'They're playing too cute'Justice department opens investigation into Jerome Powell as Trump ramps up campaign against Federal ReserveFed chair accuses DoJ of threatening criminal charges over building renovation projects because central bank defied Trump's interest rate demandsGoodliest of the Week (MM/DR):DR: MacKenzie Scott is using her $26 billion philanthropy push to rescue organizations in danger after the Trump administration's funding cutsMM: RFK Jr.'s Health Department Is Studying Health Effects of CellphonesNot that there are any doctors there, or that anything they do anymore is science, BUT THIS IS GREATEven if they end up with spurious research that says “your cellphone and wifi will give you ballsack cancer”, it means less phones, less online, and happier humans with human friends and going outside moreAssholiest of the Week (MM):Brian Cornell“That could have been one of my Target team members”.“We have to be the role models that drive change and our voice is important. And we've got to make sure that we represent our company principles, our values, our company purpose on the issues that are important to our teams.”“The eyes of America, and the eyes of the world were on Minneapolis.”“As a Target team, we've huddled, we've consoled, we've witnessed horrific scenes similar to what's playing out now and wept that not enough is changing. And as a team we've vowed to face pain with purpose.”“We've got to stand up and do more”Oh, wait, that's not when ICE shot a woman without due process or outside of every protocol? That was when there was a lot of money in saying “we're for DEI” and every other CEO put out the same statement? Ahhh… maybe one of your board members should say something… Derica Rice flipped on DEI at Disney, probably not himDmitri Stockton flipped on DEI at both Deere and Black & Decker, probably not him…Grace Puma is on the board of Phillips 66 who wants in on Venezuelan oil, probably not her…Christine Leahy is the CEO of CDW who has had 11bn of government contracts in the last decade, and 270m+ last year, so probably not her…David Abney is on the board of Northrup Grumman…Monica Lozano was on Disney… Brian Cornell and Michael Fidelke run the board…That leaves a minority of directors who MIGHT have said something! Bill Ackman DR The woman shot in the face was apparently NOT innocent until proven guilty, or at least Bill can't find a way to get her any money because “her GoFundMe had closed”... also, she's deadAckman needs to get punched in the mouth - no one should care what he thinks about anything, every, at all. He's the worst kind of blowhard - has he ever offered a full throated defense of a blank person? A woman he's not married to who's not on Fox News? Does he ever admit he's wrong, biased, or a fucking hypocrite? Oh, but he says we all are? Shut. Your. Mouth.But Ackman is part of a bigger problem - at this point you are either aiding ICE's tactics, which have crossed fully into unaccountable personal army of the US dictator, or you're not aiding them. ICE abetting includes: AT&TBooz Allen HamiltonComcastDellGeneral DynamicsL3Harris TechnologiesMotorola SolutionsMen from Stanford saying they love people who didn't go to schoolGoogle's Sergey Brin admits he's hiring ‘tons' of workers without degrees: ‘They just figure things out on their own in some weird corner'Go hire some homeless people, tooHeadliniest of the WeekDR: Tech Billionaire Forced to Rename Humongous Yacht After Realizing It Spelled Something Horrible BackwardsLarry Ellison: “Izanami.”MM: Opposition to Elon Musk's AI Stripping Clothing Off Children Is Nearly Universal, Polling ShowsNEARLY96 percent said they shouldn't be able to generate “undressed” images of minors only wearing clothing like underwearSo… should they release the names and addresses of the 4%?MM: Jamie Dimon slams DOJ probe of Jerome Powell, warning investigation could stoke inflationNot says, SLAMSWho Won the Week?DR: Acclaimed Interior Designer Jeremiah Brent and his new Exclusive Bedding Collection at TargetMM: Rhode Island - 350,000 homes will be powered by wind despite Trump's make believe “radar interference”PredictionsDR: Target lazily repurposes its October 20, 2025 news feature “Target's Partnership with RICE — fueling a more inclusive economy” to “Target's Partnership with ICE — fueling a more exclusive economy”MM: Brian Cornell, after seeing the error in his ways, is seen outside of ICE officer Jonathan Ross's house kneeling in solidarity and burning gay pride merchandise as a tribute

Alex Thorn talks with Alex Sternhell (Sternhell Group) and Chris Maneval (PFS), two very connected Washington policy consultants, about the prospects for the crypto market structure bill. The three discuss timelines, the likelihoods of different scenarios, and the impact on crypto in America. Alex also talks to Beimnet Abebe (Galaxy Trading) about inflation and markets. Participants, along with Galaxy, hold a financial interest in Bitcoin (BTC). Galaxy regularly engages in buying and selling Bitcoin, including hedging transactions, for its own proprietary accounts and on behalf of its counterparties. Galaxy also provides services to vehicles that invest in Bitcoin.  If the value of such assets increases, those vehicles may benefit, and Galaxy's service fees may increase accordingly. The valuation in this communication is based on technical, fundamental, and market analysis and not on any formal valuation method. For more information, please refer to Galaxy's public filings and statements. Cryptocurrencies, including BTC, are inherently volatile and risky and ultimate market movements may not align with this statement.   For additional risks related to digital assets, please refer to the risk factors contained in filings Galaxy Digital Inc. makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) from time to time, including in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, filed with the SEC on November 10, 2025, available at www.sec.gov. (http://www.sec.gov/) This episode was recorded on Wednesday, January 14, 2025. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.galaxy.com/research/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more! This podcast, and the information contained herein, has been provided to you by Galaxy Digital Holdings LP and its affiliates (“Galaxy Digital”) solely for informational purposes. View the full disclaimer at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.galaxy.com/disclaimer-galaxy-brains-podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The feud between President Trump and Fed Chairman Jerome Powell reaches a fever pitch. In the Season Five premier episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and co-host Neil Shapiro examine what’s behind the growing war of words and what’s at stake for the markets. Also discussed: Could the President cap credit card rates? How can housing be made more affordable? Are we getting closer to a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency? This material is prepared by the Washington Policy Strategy Group of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated (“Stifel”). This material is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or solicitation to purchase or sell any security or instrument or to participate in any trading strategy discussed herein. The information contained is taken from sources believed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed by Stifel as to accuracy or completeness. The opinions expressed are those of the Washington Policy Strategy Group and may differ from those of other departments that produce similar material and are current as of the date of this publication and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance. Stifel does not provide accounting, tax, or legal advice and clients are advised to consult with their accounting, tax, or legal advisors prior to making any investment decision. Additional information is available upon request. Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated is a broker-dealer registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and is a member SIPC & NYSE. ©2026 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when three industry titans leave the corporate world to build a firm from the ground up? In this episode of The Stephen and Kevin Show, we sit down with the founders of &Partners—David Kowach, Kristi Mitchem, and John Alexander.Together, they have created one of the fastest-growing hybrid RIAs in the country, surpassing 100 advisor practices and $50 billion in assets in a remarkably short period.In this episode, we discuss:Scaling with Soul: How to build an organization that feels small and personal but operates with massive scale.The Leadership Shift: Lessons carried over from leading massive organizations like Wells Fargo Advisors and BMO Global Asset Management.Intentional Culture: Why &Partners is focused on advisor ownership and removing the bureaucracy of "big-scale" players.Advisor Growth: Specific growth activities and marketing shifts for advisors moving away from large wirehouses.The Five-Year Vision: What success looks like as they target $120 billion in assets by 2028.Whether you are a solo advisor or leading a large team, these insights on leadership and intentional growth are a masterclass for anyone in the wealth management space.&Partners has selected Fidelity Investments (Fidelity) through its broker-dealer National Financial Services LLC (NFS) as our primary custodian. Fidelity Investments is one of the longest-standing private financial services companies in the United States. Fidelity utilizes NFS for the purposes of providing custody and safeguarding client assets. Registered Representatives are registered to conduct securities business and licensed to conduct insurance business in limited states. Response to, or contact with, residents of other states will only be made upon compliance with applicable licensing and registration requirements. The information in this website is for U.S. residents only and does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase brokerage services to persons outside of the United States. Securities and investment advisory services offered through &Partners, LLC, a broker-dealer and investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and member FINRA/SIPC.

What happens when women stop treating money as taboo — and start using it as power? In this eye-opening episode, I sit down with Marcia Dawood, author of Do Good While Doing Well, TEDx speaker, host of The Angel Next Door Podcast to talk about the real story behind women, wealth, and financial confidence — and why we're standing at a turning point. Together, we unpack: How generations of conditioning shaped women's relationship with money Why financial independence is about more than numbers — it's about choice How angel investing is opening doors for women to support women The mindset shift required to move from “money avoidance” to “money ownership” Marcia shares her personal journey into angel investing, breaks down the myths that keep women on the sidelines, and explains how investing — even at a small level — can create meaningful social impact and financial return. This conversation is empowering, practical, and deeply validating for any woman who's ever thought: “I'm not good with money.” (Plot twist: you are.) You'll walk away knowing: Women are far more capable with money than we've been led to believe Access to investing has changed — and it's more available than ever Community and collective action are key to closing the wealth gap You don't need to be rich to invest — you need to be informed Doing good and doing well can absolutely coexist If you're ready to rewrite your money story — and step into financial confidence with curiosity instead of fear — this episode is a must-listen.

Alex Thorn talks to Beimnet Abebe (Galaxy Trading) about markets, macro and economic data, and bitcoin price predictions. Participants, along with Galaxy, hold a financial interest in Bitcoin (BTC). Galaxy regularly engages in buying and selling Bitcoin (BTC), including hedging transactions, for its own proprietary accounts and on behalf of its counterparties. Galaxy also provides services to vehicles that invest in Bitcoin (BTC).  If the value of such assets increases, those vehicles may benefit, and Galaxy's service fees may increase accordingly. The valuation in this communication is based on technical, fundamental, and market analysis and not on any formal valuation method. For more information, please refer to Galaxy's public filings and statements. Cryptocurrencies, including BTC, are inherently volatile and risky and ultimate market movements may not align with this statement.    For additional risks related to digital assets, please refer to the risk factors contained in filings Galaxy Digital Inc. makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) from time to time, including in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, filed with the SEC on November 10, 2025, available at www.sec.gov. (http://www.sec.gov/) This episode was recorded on Wednesday, January 7, 2025. Participants, along with Galaxy, hold a financial interest in Bitcoin (BTC). Galaxy regularly engages in buying and selling Bitcoin (BTC), including hedging transactions, for its own proprietary accounts and on behalf of its counterparties. Galaxy also provides services to vehicles that invest in Bitcoin (BTC).  If the value of such assets increases, those vehicles may benefit, and Galaxy's service fees may increase accordingly. The valuation in this communication is based on technical, fundamental, and market analysis and not on any formal valuation method. For more information, please refer to Galaxy's public filings and statements. Cryptocurrencies, including BTC, are inherently volatile and risky and ultimate market movements may not align with this statement. For additional risks related to digital assets, please refer to the risk factors contained in filings Galaxy Digital Inc. makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) from time to time, including in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, filed with the SEC on November 10, 2025, available at ⁠www.sec.gov⁠. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.galaxy.com/research/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more! This podcast, and the information contained herein, has been provided to you by Galaxy Digital Holdings LP and its affiliates (“Galaxy Digital”) solely for informational purposes. View the full disclaimer at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.galaxy.com/disclaimer-galaxy-brains-podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Calibration has quickly shifted from a “nice to have” to a critical safety requirement in today's collision industry, but many shop owners still underestimate what it truly demands. How much space does it really take? What are the real costs? And where does liability begin and end?In this episode, Matt Di Francesco sits down with Frank Phillips, a 35-year collision industry veteran with experience at Caliber, Rivian, and ADAS-focused operations, to break down the realities of ADAS calibration. Frank explains why calibration is as much a business decision as it is a technical one, sharing real-world examples of space requirements, production efficiency, and equipment investment. Matt and Frank  also talk about:(04:13) Why increasing business value is a long-term process, not a short-term decision(05:06) How documenting SOPs ahead of time protects value in any transition(06:43) Why exit planning becomes emotional and requires a true leap of faith(09:43) How acting as a trusted partner helps owners gain confidence in their transition(11:00) Why helping owners grow value over time is the most rewarding part of the workConnect With Frank PhillipsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-phillips-17b33341/Email: frank.phillips72@gmail.comConnect With Matt DiFrancesco:matt@highliftfin.com(814)201-5855LinkedIn: Matt DiFrancescoLinkedIn: High Lift FinancialFacebook: High Lift Financial Instagram: @high_lift_financialYouTube: @highliftfinancialAbout the guest:Frank Phillips brings more than three decades of experience in the automotive collision industry, shaped by years of working alongside some of the most respected organizations and professionals in the field. His career has given him a deep understanding of how the industry has evolved, from traditional repair methods to today's highly technical, safety-driven environment.At this stage of his career, Frank is dedicated to helping others navigate that complexity. He is passionate about education, accountability, and raising awareness around the responsibilities that come with modern vehicle repair. By mentoring shop owners and technicians and advocating for higher standards, Frank aims to strengthen the credibility of the collision industry and support those who will carry it forward in an increasingly advanced and demanding landscape.Disclaimer:All information is obtained from sources deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. No tax or legal advice is given nor intended. Content provided herein or on our website should not be construed as an offer for investment advice or for securities, insurance, or other investment products. Investments involve the risk of loss and are not guaranteed. Consult a qualified legal, tax, accounting, or financial professional before implementing any investments or strategies discussed here.High Lift Financial is a DBA for DiFrancesco Financial Concierge, LLC.  Investment advisory services are provided through Cornerstone Planning Group, LLC, an independent advisory firm registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Another special episode recorded at the CEPR annual symposium in Paris. The Trump administration says it wants America to lead in AI, but what does that mean in practice for trade and productivity? Will AI make growth great again, or just inflate a short-term capital spending boom?Gary Gensler of MIT and CEPR (also a former chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission) unpacks the administration's AI action plan, helps us work out what's happening to export controls, and untangles the deal-making geopolitics of AI hardware. 

Brian Skrobonja closes out the year with a milestone episode that marks the final episode of 2025 and the conclusion of this version of the show. He shares the gratitude he feels for the listeners who have supported the mission, the team whose work brought each idea to life, and the recognition the podcast received from Forbes as one of the top shows by financial advisors. Tune in to hear Brian reflect on why he started this podcast, how the mission has been accomplished, and why this moment isn't an ending but the beginning of a bigger vision that will unfold in 2026. He also shares the three core truths that can reshape your financial future if you're ready to take them to heart and take action. Brian reveals that today's episode is a meaningful milestone. It closes out the year and marks the end of this version of the show. He takes a moment to thank the listeners, the production team, and Forbes for recognizing the podcast among the top in the industry. He reflects on why he started the podcast in the first place: To cut through the constant misinformation about money and share the strategies his team uses to help people achieve real financial results. Looking back, he believes that mission has been accomplished.  Brian makes it clear that this is not an ending but a transition into something bigger. He shares that a complete rebrand and new platform will be announced in 2026, designed to serve listeners at a much higher level. Before signing off, he leaves the audience with three core truths that can transform their financial future. Truth #1: Not all financial advisors are the same. Some sell products, while others build full plans that protect your assets and future. Learn how to spot the difference so your plan always comes first. Truth #2: Chasing interest rates won't make you wealthy. True financial success is about outcomes, not chasing quick wins. When your plan dictates the strategy, your money finally works for your life. Truth #3: Stop procrastinating. According to Brian, waiting for the perfect moment or strategy only delays your security and peace of mind. Taking action now, even imperfectly, moves you toward real results and freedom. Brian explains how a real financial plan protects more than your investments. It covers taxes, estate planning, long-term care, Social Security timing, and income planning. With a holistic plan, you stop guessing and start living with security and clarity. Learn why a plan comes before products. Products like stocks or insurance aren't your strategy, they are tools your plan uses to achieve your goals. When you focus on planning first, every financial move has purpose and impact. Brian reveals how to choose the right financial advisor. Look for someone who brings tax, legal, and comprehensive planning expertise to the table. The right advisor helps you use your money to build the life you want. For Brian, the secret to building wealth is taking imperfect action. Waiting for the perfect strategy or market conditions rarely works. Brian shows how moving forward, even with small steps, creates momentum and confidence.  Brian explains why financial clarity beats short-term gains. Rates of return and interest are important, but they don't define success. Outcomes, security, and a plan that fits your life always win in the long term. Even as this podcast chapter closes, bigger opportunities and tools are coming to serve you at a higher level.     Mentioned in this episode: BrianSkrobonja.com SkrobonjaFinancial.com SkrobonjaWealth.com BUILDbanking.com Common Sense Financial Podcast on YouTube  Common Sense Financial Podcast on Spotify     Alternative investments may be subject to less regulation than other types of pooled investment vehicles. Alternative Investments may impose significant fees, including incentive fees that are based upon a percentage of the realized and unrealized gains and an individual's net returns may differ significantly from actual returns. Such fees may offset all or a significant portion of such Alternative Investment's trading profits. Incorporating alternative investments into a portfolio presents the opportunity for significant losses including in some cases, losses which exceed the principal amount invested. Also, some alternative investments have experienced periods of extreme volatility and in general, are not suitable for all investors. Asset allocation and diversification strategies do not ensure profit or protect against loss in declining markets ---- BUILD Banking™ is a DBA of Skrobonja Insurance Services, LLC. Benefits and guarantees are based on the claims paying ability of the insurance company. Not FDIC insured. Results may vary. Any descriptions involving life insurance policies and its use as an alternative form of financing or risk management techniques are provided for illustration purposes only, will not apply in all situations, may not be fully indicative of any present or future investments, and may be changed at the discretion of the insurance carrier, General Partner and/or Manager and are not intended to reflect guarantees on securities performance. The term BUILD Banking™, private banking alternatives or specially designed life insurance contracts (SDLIC) are not meant to insinuate that the issuer is creating a real bank for its clients or communicating that life insurance companies are the same as traditional banking institutions. This material is educational in nature and should not be deemed as a solicitation of any specific product or service. BUILD Banking™ is offered by Skrobonja Insurance Services, LLC only and is not offered by Madison Avenue Securities, LLC. nor Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC. ---- This content is intended for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions, nor should it be construed as advice designed to meet the particular needs of an individual's situation. Skrobonja Financial Group, LLC, Skrobonja Insurance Services, LLC, Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC are not permitted to offer and no statement made during this presentation shall constitute tax or legal advice. Our firms are not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or any governmental agency. The information and opinions contained herein provided by third parties have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed by Skrobonja Financial Group, LLC, Skrobonja Insurance Services, LLC, Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC. ---- Securities offered only by duly registered individuals through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC. (MAS), Member FINRA &SIPC. Advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals through Skrobonja Wealth Management (SWM), a registered investment advisor. Tax services offered only through Skrobonja Tax Consulting. MAS does not offer Build Banking or tax advice. Skrobonja Financial Group, LLC, Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC, Skrobonja Insurance Services, LLC, Skrobonja Tax Consulting, and Build Banking are not affiliated with MAS. Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC is a registered investment adviser. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. The firm is a registered investment adviser with the state of Missouri, and may only transact business with residents of those states, or residents of other states where otherwise legally permitted subject to exemption or exclusion from registration requirements. Registration with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any state securities authority does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Skrobonja Wealth Management has no ownership interest, compensation arrangement, revenue-sharing agreement, or other economic relationship with Veta Investment Partners. We may allocate a portion of a client's portfolio to strategies managed by Veta Investment Partners when we determine that the allocation is appropriate for the client's objectives, risk tolerance, and overall portfolio design. Our selection of Veta's strategies is based solely on the merits of the investment and the needs of the client, and not on any financial relationship between our firms.

Alex Thorn talks to Galaxy CEO and Founder Mike Novogratz about 2026 predictions for bitcoin, crypto, and artificial intelligence. Mike offers his views on macro, crypto markets, tokenization and real-world assets, monetary policy, and the impact of artificial intelligence on labor markets. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. Participants, along with Galaxy, hold a financial interest in Bitcoin (BTC). Galaxy regularly engages in buying and selling Bitcoin (BTC), including hedging transactions, for its own proprietary accounts and on behalf of its counterparties. Galaxy also provides services to vehicles that invest in Bitcoin (BTC).  If the value of such assets increases, those vehicles may benefit, and Galaxy's service fees may increase accordingly. The valuation in this communication is based on technical, fundamental, and market analysis and not on any formal valuation method. For more information, please refer to Galaxy's public filings and statements. Cryptocurrencies, including BTC, are inherently volatile and risky and ultimate market movements may not align with this statement. For additional risks related to digital assets, please refer to the risk factors contained in filings Galaxy Digital Inc. makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) from time to time, including in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, filed with the SEC on November 10, 2025, available at www.sec.gov. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.galaxy.com/research/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more! This podcast, and the information contained herein, has been provided to you by Galaxy Digital Holdings LP and its affiliates (“Galaxy Digital”) solely for informational purposes. View the full disclaimer at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.galaxy.com/disclaimer-galaxy-brains-podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this milestone 100th episode of the Common Sense Financial Podcast, host Brian Skrobonja delves into the critical topic of managing taxes in retirement. The episode focuses on strategies for minimizing tax liabilities, especially for retirees with tax-deferred accounts facing potential hefty tax bills. Brian emphasizes the importance of sustainable income creation during retirement and the role of tax optimization in this process. Most people envision their retirement to be built from predominantly tax-free income, but after many years of deferring taxes, retirees are facing a sizable tax bill on distributions taken from their retirement accounts that could be a third or more of what has been accumulated. When you're saving for retirement, growth of your assets is the priority. But many people don't realize that once they retire that's no longer true. The priority is actually creating sustainable income to support you through retirement while minimizing taxes. A common issue I've seen is future retirees knowing they will owe taxes on their deferred accounts, but not realizing the extent of the problem since the rules change once they retire. Many retirees we work with tend to have the same income goals in retirement, yet with fewer deductions. They no longer have children or mortgage interest to help them offset their tax burdens, which makes the situation more complex. Delaying distributions isn't an option either. Required Minimum Distributions will eventually force your hand. There are two tax problems facing retirees: taxes you will have to contend with today, and taxes that you will have to contend with in the future. With the national deficit continuing to rise, do you expect tax rates to go down in the future or go up? The most likely answer is that tax rates are on the rise, so we should be planning accordingly. There are two possibilities to help minimize the level at which you participate in paying your fair share towards the government's future revenue increases. You can either complete a Roth conversion or through tax deferred withdrawals contribute to an overfunded permanent life insurance policy. Making the decision of which strategy to implement is the easy part. The trick really is completing this process with minimal tax liabilities, which requires specialized knowledge. The progressive nature of the code makes understanding your tax burden complicated and miscalculating this could result in having a larger tax liability than anticipated. Depending on your income level, a taxable distribution can subject your Social Security to additional taxes. This is a separate calculation from the income tax brackets and uses a two step process to determine how much of your social security will be subject to taxation. This is important to know because a taxable distribution may not only push you into a higher income tax bracket, but it could trigger additional taxes on your social security, which could result in a higher effective rate. You should also be aware of the impact a taxable distribution can have on Medicare premiums. The impact of any possible premium increase is typically delayed by two years. This is one of those things that often comes as a surprise when people make decisions about distributions. The antidote to taxable income is deductions, credits and losses which can help reduce the net income subject to tax. There are a few options that can help offset the burden of taxes and make the transition from tax-deferred to tax-free easier, but they don't work for everyone, which is why we recommend working with a professional. The first thing is a donor advised fund or DAF. This allows you to contribute future charitable donations into a fund that you control when distributions are made that can also receive the tax benefit of the donation in the year you make the contribution into the fund. By making multiple years of donations in a single year into that fund, you have the potential of helping offset a taxable distribution from your retirement account in that year. The second is a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT), where you can contribute future charitable donations into the trust and receive the tax benefit of the donation in the year you make the contribution. You can also receive income from the trust while you're living within IRS limits. A CRT is a more complex arrangement than a DAF with many options and requires an attorney to draft the trust. The third is a qualified charitable donation or QCD, which allows for anyone over the age of 70 and a half to make a direct donation from a qualified account to a charity. The fourth is something known as IDCs, or intangible drilling costs, which allows accredited investors to participate in the drilling expenses of an oil and gas company that could provide reportable tax losses that can help offset all forms of income, as well as the potential for cash flow back to the investor once the wells are operational.     Mentioned in this episode: BrianSkrobonja.com SkrobonjaFinancial.com Common Sense Financial Podcast on YouTube  Common Sense Financial Podcast on Spotify Brian's article - From Tax-Deferred to Tax-Free: Navigating Taxes in Retirement   References for this episode: https://www.usdebtclock.org/ https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-provides-tax-inflation-adjustments-for-tax-year-2024 https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-provides-tax-inflation-adjustments-for-tax-year-2024 https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/taxes.html https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare/medicare-premiums.html#anchor5 https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/charitable-contribution-deductions https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-remainder-trusts https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/qualified-charitable-distributions-allow-eligible-ira-owners-up-to-100000-in-tax-free-gifts-to-charity https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/intangible-drilling-costs.asp https://www.crfb.org/blogs/tax-break-down-intangible-drilling-costs     Securities offered only by duly registered individuals through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC. (MAS), Member FINRA &SIPC. Advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals through Skrobonja Wealth Management (SWM), a registered investment advisor. Tax services offered only through Skrobonja Tax Consulting. MAS does not offer Build Banking or tax advice. Skrobonja Financial Group, LLC, Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC, Skrobonja Insurance Services, LLC, Skrobonja Tax Consulting, and Build Banking are not affiliated with MAS. Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC is a registered investment adviser. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. The firm is a registered investment adviser with the state of Missouri, and may only transact business with residents of those states, or residents of other states where otherwise legally permitted subject to exemption or exclusion from registration requirements. Registration with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any state securities authority does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. This is intended for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions, nor should it be construed as advice designed to meet the particular needs of an individual's situation. A ROTH Conversion is a taxable event. Consult your tax advisor regarding your situation. Investments in securities are subject to investment risk, including possible loss of principal. Prices of securities may fluctuate from time to time and may even become valueless. Gas and oil investments are speculative in nature and are sold by Private Placement Memorandum (PPM). Carefully read the PPM before investing. Certain accreditation requirements may apply. Donor Advised Funds represent an irrevocable gift of assets from the donor to the fund. Contributions made to the fund are irrevocable and cannot be returned or used for any other individual or used for any purpose other than grant making to charities. The gift is not an investment or a security. When evaluating a contribution to the fund, carefully consider the terms and conditions, limitations, charges, and expenses. Depending on the tax filing status, DAF contributions may or may not be tax deductible.

Is Trump using his control over the Department of Energy, Department of Environmental Protection and Securities and Exchange Commission to earn billions of dollars for his family in a new announced merger between his Truth Social company and a nuclear fusion company backed by Google? Popok got his hands on the investor presentation slide deck and ferrets out the answers on his latest hot take. Dose: Save 35% on your first month of subscription by going to https://dosedaily.co/MEIDAS or entering MEIDAS at checkout. Subscribe:  @LegalAFMTN  Visit https://meidasplus.com for more! Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: ⁠https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast⁠ Legal AF: ⁠https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af⁠ MissTrial: ⁠https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial⁠ The PoliticsGirl Podcast: ⁠https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast⁠ Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum with Dr. Steve Hassan: ⁠https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan⁠ Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen: ⁠https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen⁠ The Weekend Show: ⁠https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show⁠ Burn the Boats: ⁠https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/burn-the-boats⁠ Majority 54: ⁠https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54⁠ Political Beatdown: ⁠https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown⁠ On Democracy with FP Wellman: ⁠https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman⁠ Uncovered: ⁠https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex Thorn talks to Strategy Chairman and Founder Michael Saylor at his home in Miami. Thorn and Saylor discuss Strategy's evolution into a digital credit issuer, the future of digital banking, the overlap of bitcoin and AI, and Michael's impact on markets. The two also take stock of changes to government, markets, and Strategy in the year since Michael previously appeared on Galaxy Brains in December 2024. This episode was recorded on Tuesday, December 16. Participants, along with Galaxy Digital, hold a financial interest in bitcoin. Galaxy Digital regularly engages in buying and selling bitcoin including hedging transactions, for its own proprietary accounts and on behalf of its counterparties. Galaxy Digital also provides services to vehicles that invest in bitcoin.  If the value of such assets increases, those vehicles may benefit, and Galaxy Digital's service fees may increase accordingly. For more information, please refer to Galaxy's public filings and statements.   For additional risks related to digital assets, please refer to the risk factors contained in filings Galaxy Digital Inc. makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) from time to time, including in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, filed with the SEC on November 10, 2025, available at www.sec.gov. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.galaxy.com/research/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more! This podcast, and the information contained herein, has been provided to you by Galaxy Digital Holdings LP and its affiliates (“Galaxy Digital”) solely for informational purposes. View the full disclaimer at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.galaxy.com/disclaimer-galaxy-brains-podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

2026 is shaping up as a pivotal year for policy, with potential actions on healthcare and housing plus we'll get a new head at the Fed. In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and co-host Neil Shapiro preview what to expect. This material is prepared by the Washington Policy Strategy Group of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated (“Stifel”). This material is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or solicitation to purchase or sell any security or instrument or to participate in any trading strategy discussed herein. The information contained is taken from sources believed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed by Stifel as to accuracy or completeness. The opinions expressed are those of the Washington Policy Strategy Group and may differ from those of other departments that produce similar material and are current as of the date of this publication and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance. Stifel does not provide accounting, tax, or legal advice and clients are advised to consult with their accounting, tax, or legal advisors prior to making any investment decision. Additional information is available upon request. Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated is a broker-dealer registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and is a member SIPC & NYSE. ©2025See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Exit planning is often talked about in terms of numbers, valuation, and deal structure, but what happens when the real work starts with people, emotions, and a clear sense of what comes next?In this episode, Matt Di Francesco sits down with Hannah Chalker, a Certified Exit Planning Advisor and Certified Growth Value Advisor, to explore what truly drives successful business transitions. Hannah shares how her journey into the Exit Planning space began, why the discovery process is the foundation of every strong plan, and how she learned to see transition planning as both a strategic and deeply human process.Matt and Hannah also talk about:(04:13) Why increasing business value is a long-term process, not a short-term decision(05:06) How documenting SOPs ahead of time protects value in any transition(06:43) Why exit planning becomes emotional and requires a true leap of faith(09:43) How acting as a trusted partner helps owners gain confidence in their transition(11:00) Why helping owners grow value over time is the most rewarding part of the workConnect With Hannah ChalkerLinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-chalker/Connect With Matt DiFrancesco:matt@highliftfin.com(814)201-5855LinkedIn: Matt DiFrancescoLinkedIn: High Lift FinancialFacebook: High Lift Financial Instagram: @high_lift_financialYouTube: @highliftfinancialAbout the guest:Hannah Chalker helps business owners build stronger, more valuable companies through strategic financial and exit planning. As Director of Business Development and an Exit Planning Advisor at HighLift Financial, she works alongside Matt DiFrancesco to guide owners through value growth, transition planning, and long-term decision making. A Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) and Certified Value Growth Advisor (CVGA), Hannah brings clarity, structure, and a steady hand to every stage of the journey, helping owners protect their legacy and confidently plan what comes next.Disclaimer:All information is obtained from sources deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. No tax or legal advice is given nor intended. Content provided herein or on our website should not be construed as an offer for investment advice or for securities, insurance, or other investment products. Investments involve the risk of loss and are not guaranteed. Consult a qualified legal, tax, accounting, or financial professional before implementing any investments or strategy discussed here.High Lift Financial is a DBA for DiFrancesco Financial Concierge, LLC.  Investment advisory services are provided through Cornerstone Planning Group, LLC, an independent advisory firm registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In this podcast episode, Brian Skrobonja takes us on a thought-provoking journey through the evolving concept of retirement. As we dive into the past, present, and future of retirement, Brian helps us unravel the complexities of this modern-day concept which, though deeply ingrained in our society, is relatively new in human history. This episode is essential for anyone planning for retirement, offering a fresh perspective on how to approach this significant life stage in the context of rapid societal shifts, economic developments, and increasing human longevity. We start off by exploring the concept of retirement and its transformation from ancient societies to the modern era. The Industrial Revolution marked a significant shift from agrarian societies to industrial ones, influencing how people viewed work and retirement. It even shaped the way that families and communities lived together. The change in how work was done over the centuries resulted in the creation of a retirement system based on pensions, which was the precursor to modern-day retirement benefits. In the 1900's, Social Security was introduced which shifted the responsibility from families and communities onto the government. In a relatively short period of time, the concept of retirement has changed drastically, and the pace of change is continuing to accelerate. Based on the way technology and healthcare are developing, it's very likely that retirement will look very different in the future as well. As the Baby Boomer generation progresses toward retirement, it will put tremendous strain on programs like Social Security and Medicare due to a considerably lower worker-to-retiree ratio than ever before in history. The programs and retirement paradigm will change, similar to the way that pensions underwent change. Pensions used to be the default vehicle for retirement but have become scarce and relegated, mainly for those with government jobs. According to the Social Security Administration, benefits are projected to run negative by 2033. And according to the Congressional Budget Office, the national debt is projected to reach $52 trillion in 2033. Life expectancy also continues to rise, which puts pressure on the current retirement paradigm from another angle. With new breakthroughs in human longevity, the concept of retirement will have to adapt. Retirement was once considered a necessary transition when a person was no longer productive in their work and had a short life expectancy once retired. Today, people retire when they're still fully capable of working. That reality is widening the chasm between the number of workers and retirees, as well as the financial resources needed to sustain retirement for longer periods of time. Retirement needs to be redefined, since the reality of shorter lifespans is no longer the case for most people. There are three factors that contribute to success in retirement. The first is contribution. The longer you contribute, the better. Perhaps redefining expectations after the age of 60 and looking toward a second half of life with a meaningful career or business may be called for. The second is prevention. The longer your retirement is, the more risks are amplified and can have a significant impact. Finding ways to move things into your control helps prevent unforeseen problems that put your retirement at risk. Examples of this include: insurance, annuities, and tax-free investments. The third is delegation. Retirement planning is a team sport. You can delegate the heavy lifting of a retirement plan to financial advisors, attorneys, insurance agents and CPAs and then use that collective wisdom to implement the actual plan.     Mentioned in this episode: BrianSkrobonja.com Common Sense Financial Podcast on YouTube  Common Sense Financial Podcast on Spotify   References for this episode: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/interactive/2023/aging-america-retirees-workforce-economy/ https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/TRSUM/index.html https://www.cbo.gov/publication/58946 https://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/IndustrialRevolutionandtheStandardofLiving.html#:~:text=On%20the%20other%20hand%2C%20according,come%2C%20it%20was%20nevertheless%20substantial https://www.ssa.gov/history/lifeexpect.html#:~:text=Life%20expectancy%20at%20birth%20in,and%20paid%20into%20Social%20Security https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/USA/united-states/life-expectancy#:~:text=The%20current%20life%20expectancy%20for,a%200.08%25%20increase%20from%202020 https://www.diamandis.com/blog/mark-hyman https://www.kiplinger.com/taxes/what-to-do-before-tax-cuts-and-jobs-act-tcja-provisions-sunset     Securities offered only by duly registered individuals through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC. (MAS), Member FINRA &SIPC. Advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals through Skrobonja Wealth Management (SWM), a registered investment advisor. Tax services offered only through Skrobonja Tax Consulting. MAS does not offer Build Banking or tax advice. Skrobonja Financial Group, LLC, Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC, Skrobonja Insurance Services, LLC, Skrobonja Tax Consulting, and Build Banking are not affiliated with MAS. Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC is a registered investment adviser. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. The firm is a registered investment adviser with the state of Missouri, and may only transact business with residents of those states, or residents of other states where otherwise legally permitted subject to exemption or exclusion from registration requirements. Registration with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any state securities authority does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Our firm is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency.

Crypto News: The Securities and Exchange Commission publishes crypto custody guide. Standard Chartered, Coinbase deepen alliance to build institutional crypto infrastructure. Brought to you by ✅ VeChain is a versatile enterprise-grade L1 smart contract platform https://www.vechain.org/

My guest today is Bill Barton. Bill is a Founding Partner of Colrain Capital – overseeing all elements of the firm's portfolio management. Founded in 2001, Colrain specializes in fundamental stock picking. They run one concentrated portfolio of best ideas. The team initially met at legendary value equity firm GMO – and left in 2001 to form Mayo Capital with Richard Mayo. That firm is now known as Colrain. Bill earned is BA in English at Dartmouth College and his MBA from Darden at UVA.  I was originally introduced to the Colrain team by another family office. We frequently get introductions and referrals, but this one was special. The principal of the family office insisted that we meet due to Colrain's disciplined and successful track record of picking stocks over the years. But the main reason was the integrity and partnership of the founders. Colrain sticks to their principles while exhibiting the flexibility and humility to thrive in today's market. For those listeners interested in a different perspective on stock picking, this will not disappoint. We talk market structure, sectors, and yeah… we go into names, too.This podcast was recorded on December 2, 2025.  The respective opinions expressed are those of Mr. Barton and Biltmore Family Office, LLC..  The opinions referenced are as of the date of this podcast and are subject to change without notice.  This material is for informational use only and should not be considered investment advice. The information discussed herein is not a recommendation to buy or sell a particular security or to invest in any particular sector.  Forward-looking statements are not guaranteed.  BFO reserves the right to modify its current investment strategies and techniques based on changing market dynamics or client needs and there is no guarantee that their assessment of investments will be accurate.  The discussions, outlook and viewpoints featured are not intended to be investment advice and do not take into account specific client investment objectives.  Before investing, an investor should consider his or her investment goals and risk comfort levels and consult with his or her investment adviser and tax professional.   Biltmore Family Office, LLC is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. More information about BFO's investment advisory services can be found in its Form ADV Part 2, which is available upon request.

In this episode, Brian Skrobonja goes over the three main retirement mindsets that could negatively impact your retirement plans. He sheds light on what most retirees get wrong about retirement planning, why being confident doesn't eliminate investment risks, and what to consider when hiring a financial planner. Brian goes over three retirement mindsets that have the potential to derail even the best-laid retirement plans. He starts by explaining that there is more to the conversation around retirement than just having a permanent vacation. Retirement is not a destination; it's a transition into a new stage of life. The different mindsets you need when saving money and growing a nest egg versus spending and withdrawing money from your retirement accounts. Mindset #1 - The Idea That Annuities Are Bad. For Brian, retirement is about having a steady stream of income you can rely on no matter what Wall Street throws your way. Brian reveals that most retirees want consistency and predictability in retirement--they want to know exactly how much money they have coming in each month. Annuities are designed specifically to deliver this predictability and remove guesswork out of producing income for retirement. Remember, stock market risks are real and they don't disappear just because an investor is optimistic about what could potentially happen. Mindset #2 - The idea of the status quo of the stock market in retirement. Some people believe that a well-diversified portfolio will predictably turn out enough profit to sustain them throughout retirement. According to Brian, what is missing from this ideology is that the market doesn't go up in a straight line. If you experience a 50% loss, 50% in earnings will not get you back to even; you need 100%. And if you're making withdrawals, that only compounds the problem. Brian reveals why the stock market is a great tool for wealth creation--but only if you allow the money to grow and aren't making withdrawals for income purposes. Mindset #3 - Fee anchoring. What is a fee anchor? It's the amount someone has in their mind for what they should pay for financial related advice. When considering a fee for an advisor, it's important to understand that it's less about the fee and more about what you're getting in return. A fee is only an issue when there is a vacuum of value. For Brian, if you try to get an advisor to cut their fees, the more experienced and valued advisors will not take you as a client. Brian explains why finding the right advisor can be invaluable, especially when it comes to navigating complex financial products like annuities, private markets, or selling a business. Fees are important and you should understand them, but Brian encourages people to not use them as the primary consideration for making a decision.   Mentioned in this episode: BrianSkrobonja.com SkrobonjaFinancial.com SkrobonjaWealth.com BUILDbanking.com Common Sense Financial Podcast on YouTube  Common Sense Financial Podcast on Spotify     Securities offered only by duly registered individuals through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC. (MAS), Member FINRA & SIPC. Advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals through Skrobonja Wealth Management (SWM), a registered investment advisor. Tax services offered only through Skrobonja Tax Consulting. MAS does not offer Build Banking or tax advice. Skrobonja Financial Group, LLC, Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC, Skrobonja Insurance Services, LLC, Skrobonja Tax Consulting, and Build Banking are not affiliated with MAS. Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC is a registered investment adviser. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. The firm is a registered investment adviser with the state of Missouri, and may only transact business with residents of those states, or residents of other states where otherwise legally permitted subject to exemption or exclusion from registration requirements. Registration with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any state securities authority does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The views and opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Madison Avenue Securities, LLC This material contains forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict.  Actual future results and trends may differ materially from what is forecast. Investing involves risk including the potential loss of principal. Consider your risk tolerance and specific situation before investing. Investments in securities are subject to investment risk, including possible loss of principal. Prices of securities may fluctuate from time to time and may even become valueless. Carefully read all of the relevant investment product's offering documents and information before investing. Seriously consider investment suitability by referencing your financial position, investment objectives, and risks profile before making any investment decision. Annuity guarantees rely on financial strength and claims-paying ability of issuing insurance company. Annuities are insurance products that may be subject to fees, surrender charges and holding periods which vary by carrier.   Annuities are not FDIC insured.

At NADA Miami 2025, Bad at Sports' Duncan MacKenzie and Ryan Peter Miller sit down with Hilde Lynn Helphenstein, better known to most of the art world as meme-lord and art-world agent provocateur Jerry Gogosian. In a conversation that swings between dead serious and totally unhinged, Hilde traces the unlikely origin story of Jerry: a near-fatal tick bite in Hudson, NY; weeks in the ICU where she went blind, deaf, and lost the use of her hands and feet; and the eight-month bedridden period that led her to start making art-world memes "six or seven a day" just to stay sane.  She explains how Jerry Gagosian—a name cheekily mashed up from Jerry Saltz and Larry Gagosian—became an anonymous voice for the insiders, registrars, assistants, and "world's oldest interns" of the art world. Positioned "at the cutting edge of stating the obvious," Jerry's memes mined the absurdities of art fairs, galleries, power, and self-seriousness, often circulating so widely that even Arne Glimcher at Pace blasted one to the entire staff. For Hilde, the memes were "fast food," while the deeper writing and podcasting they spawned became the real work. The episode also dives into Hilde's hatred of artspeak, her love of Pixar movies as real art, and the gulf between what artists claim their work does in press releases and what's actually visible in the work. She riffs on turning incomprehensible exhibition texts into literal film scripts, skewers academic pretense, and praises the raw "holy" feeling of walking into a gallery without any language or theory at all.  In the second half of the conversation, Hilde talks about going to business school at NYU Stern after years inside galleries and the market. Learning macro- and microeconomics, statistics, and reading things like Enron's 10-K filings gave her a new lens on the art world as a distorted, unsustainable luxury market in a broader service-and-finance-based U.S. economy. From there, she and the hosts push into the hard questions: oversupply and under-demand for art, MFA pipelines, self-censorship, the moral theater of "perfect" artists, and why she believes most art schools should probably be consolidated or shut down. Hilde Lynn Helphenstein / Jerry Gogosian https://www.instagram.com/jerrygogosian/ Jerry Saltz https://www.vulture.com/author/jerry-saltz/ Larry Gagosian https://gagosian.com/ Arne Glimcher https://www.pacegallery.com/artists/arne-glimcher/ Ben Davis https://news.artnet.com/author/ben-davis Kenny Schachter https://www.artnet.com/artists/kenny-schachter/ Magnus Resch https://www.magnusresch.com/ Barbara Kingsley https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-kingsley-5b6b2411/ Delvin Duarte https://www.instagram.com/delvinduarte/ Keith Boadwee https://www.keithboadwee.com/ NADA Miami https://www.newartdealersalliance.org/ Art Basel Miami Beach https://www.artbasel.com/miami-beach Pace Gallery https://www.pacegallery.com/ Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) https://www.moca.org/ NYU Stern School of Business https://www.stern.nyu.edu/ San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI) https://sfai.edu/ SEC (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission) https://www.sec.gov/ Enron (corporate reference) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enron Vancouver Art Gallery https://www.vanartgallery.bc.ca/ Pixar https://www.pixar.com/ Up (Pixar Film) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1049413/ Inside Out (Pixar Film) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2096673/ Soul (Pixar Film) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2948372/ The Diving Bell and the Butterfly https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0401383/ John Wick https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2911666/

A U.S. official just reminded Congress of the enormous threat we face from Communist China: “America's adversaries…are already embedded in our systems, mapping our infrastructure, and preparing to disrupt critical operations at a time of their choosing….Cyberattacks on energy infrastructure are a daily reality and a growing strategic weapon.”  This report makes all the more astounding the fact that the Securities and Exchange Commission continues to enable Chinese Communist companies – even ones blacklisted for being tied directly to the CCP's military – to have privileged access to America's capital markets.  While SEC Chairman Paul Atkins says he's going to “scrutinize” more carefully such companies and what they are doing, unless and until he terminates a 2013 Memorandum of Understanding engineered by then-Vice President Joe Biden, our investors will continue – mostly unwittingly – to prop up and otherwise underwrite the greatest threat this country has ever faced. This is Frank Gaffney.

After decades of growing Peters Body Shop into a trusted name in Fort Wayne's collision repair community, Andy Peters found himself at a crossroads when his long-time advisors retired and friends began asking when he would finally slow down.In this episode, Matt DiFrancesco talks with Andy about the moment he realized he needed a transition plan, his early consideration of selling to a big box buyer, and why he ultimately chose a succession path that protected both his people and the legacy he built. Andy shares how he found Matt, how bringing his production manager into the process reshaped his future, and how understanding taxes, valuation, and continuity guided every decision.Matt and Andy also talk about:(01:59) How losing his long-time advisors pushed Andy to finally plan his future.(04:59) Why a big box offer became the wake-up call that changed his direction(06:53) How exploring ESOPs and internal transfers helped clarify his ideal transition(11:34) Why investing in his production manager became the foundation of his succession plan(14:47) How Google reviews reshaped his customer experience strategy(16:07) Why mastering valuation, taxes, and continuity made his exit plan workIf Andy's story hits home and you want to explore your own path forward, you can schedule a call with Matt at https://highliftfinancial.com/. He offers a complimentary 30 minute conversation to understand your current situation, your long term vision, and whether working together makes sense. And even if it isn't the right fit, Matt will make sure you're guided toward the best next steps for your transition.Connect With Andy PetersLinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-peters-9ba30117/Website: https://petersbodyshop.com/Connect With Matt DiFrancesco:matt@highliftfin.com(814)201-5855LinkedIn: Matt DiFrancescoLinkedIn: High Lift FinancialFacebook: High Lift Financial Instagram: @high_lift_financialYouTube: @highliftfinancialAbout the guest:Andy Peters is the owner of Peters Body Shop in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a collision repair business he has built and led for more than 46 years. Known for his commitment to craftsmanship, a strong family atmosphere, and developing the next generation of leaders, Andy has created a shop culture rooted in integrity and continuous improvement. As he transitions into the next chapter of his life and business, Andy remains focused on preserving the legacy he built and empowering his team to carry it forward.Disclaimer:All information is obtained from sources deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. No tax or legal advice is given nor intended. Content provided herein or on our website should not be construed as an offer for investment advice or for securities, insurance, or other investment products. Investments involve the risk of loss and are not guaranteed. Consult a qualified legal, tax, accounting, or financial professional before implementing any investments or strategies discussed here.High Lift Financial is a DBA for DiFrancesco Financial Concierge, LLC.  Investment advisory services are provided through Cornerstone Planning Group, LLC, an independent advisory firm registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

December is shaping up as a busy month in Washington, as Congress races to enact “must pass” legislation before year end. Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and co-host Neil Shapiro examine what’s at stake. Also discussed: President Trump closes in on a new Fed Chairman and all eyes on Tennessee, where a special election could signal implications for the 2026 midterms. This material is prepared by the Washington Policy Strategy Group of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated (“Stifel”). This material is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or solicitation to purchase or sell any security or instrument or to participate in any trading strategy discussed herein. The information contained is taken from sources believed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed by Stifel as to accuracy or completeness. The opinions expressed are those of the Washington Policy Strategy Group and may differ from those of other departments that produce similar material and are current as of the date of this publication and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance. Stifel does not provide accounting, tax, or legal advice and clients are advised to consult with their accounting, tax, or legal advisors prior to making any investment decision. Additional information is available upon request. Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated is a broker-dealer registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and is a member SIPC & NYSE. ©2025See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Summary: In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, Benoy sits down with Rob Sternthal, Managing Director at Expedition Infrastructure Partners, to break down how investors evaluate solar platforms and development pipelines. Rob brings more than 20 years of experience in investment banking, tax equity, structured finance, and renewable energy, and he explains the real criteria that determine platform value today. Benoy and Rob discuss why platforms are being repriced, how rising SG&A and longer development timelines are reshaping exits, and what investors are prioritizing in the current market. They also cover the Pine Gate bankruptcy, the renewed shift toward “develop and flip,” battery economics, tax credit insurance constraints, FEOC uncertainty, and the wave of distress expected to define the industry over the next two to three years. Biographies Benoy Thanjan Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, solar developer and consulting firm, and a strategic advisor to multiple cleantech startups. Over his career, Benoy has developed over 100 MWs of solar projects across the U.S., helped launch the first residential solar tax equity funds at Tesla, and brokered $45 million in Renewable Energy Credits (“REC”) transactions. Prior to founding Reneu Energy, Benoy was the Environmental Commodities Trader in Tesla's Project Finance Group, where he managed one of the largest environmental commodities portfolios. He originated REC trades and co-developed a monetization and hedging strategy with senior leadership to enter the East Coast market. As Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, Benoy crafted project finance solutions for commercial-scale solar portfolios. His role at Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with 125 MWs of U.S. renewable assets, involved evaluating investment opportunities and maximizing returns. He also played a key role in the sale of the firm's renewable portfolio. Earlier in his career, Benoy worked in Energy Structured Finance at Deloitte & Touche and Financial Advisory Services at Ernst & Young, following an internship on the trading floor at D.E. Shaw & Co., a multi billion dollar hedge fund. Benoy holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a BS in Finance and Economics from NYU Stern, where he was an Alumni Scholar. Rob Sternthal For the last 20+ years, Rob has been a leading investment banking executive and recognized platform builder across the renewable power, energy, ESG and real assets sectors, advising on more than $25 billion of transactions. Prior to joining XIP, Rob was a Managing Director focusing on renewable power at Piper Sandler. Before that, Rob was responsible for building platforms at Rubicon Capital Advisors as well as CohnReznick (now CRC-IB). He founded and built CohnReznick's Capital Markets group (CRC) into a market-leader over ten years, completing nearly $20 billion in transactions and managing a team of 30 professionals. Prior to CRC, Rob established and led multiple real estate and asset-backed securities practices for Credit Suisse in the United States as well as internationally. He began his career as an attorney for the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission as well as in private practice at Milbank. Rob received a bachelor's degree in economics and French, with honors, from Emory University and a Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from the Temple University School of Law. Rob is a Registered Representative of BA Securities, LLC. Member FINRA, SIPC. Stay Connected: Benoy Thanjan Email: info@reneuenergy.com  LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com Website: https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com   Rob Sternthal Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-sternthal-548b287/    Website:  ​​https://xipllc.com/  Email:  Rob@xipllc.com  NPM Podcast related to XIP's partnership with Gordian:   https://newprojectmedia.com/npm-interconnections-us-episode-172-rob-sternthal-peter-kauffman-xip-gordian/  If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share the Solar Maverick Podcast so more people can learn how to accelerate the clean energy transition.   Join Us for the Winter Solstice Fundraiser!  I'm excited to invite you to our Winter Solstice Fundraiser, hosted by Reneu Energy and the Solar Maverick Podcast on Thursday, December 4th from 6–10 PM at Hudson Hall in Jersey City, NJ! https://www.tickettailor.com/events/reneuenergy/1919391 This event brings together clean energy leaders, entrepreneurs, and friends to celebrate the season while raising funds for the Let's Share the Sun Foundation, which installs solar and storage systems for families and communities in need in Puerto Rico. We'll have: -Great food and drinks -Amazing networking with solar and sustainability professionals -Sports memorabilia auctions (with proceeds benefiting Let's Share the Sun) -An inspiring community focused on making an impact through solar energy If you or your company would like to get involved as a sponsor, please message us at info@reneuenergy.com.     Reneu Energy Reneu Energy provides expert consulting across solar and storage project development, financing, energy strategy, and environmental commodities. Our team helps clients originate, structure, and execute opportunities in community solar, C&I, utility-scale, and renewable energy credit markets. Email us at info@reneuenergy.com to learn more.            

Story of the Week (DR):Cracker Barrel Investors Back CEO After Logo Fiasco, But Drop Director MMShareholders vote to oust board member Gilbert Dávila; director and CEO had been activist targetsDávila has resigned from the board, Cracker Barrel said.US regulator will permit companies to exclude shareholder proposals from proxiesSecurities and Exchange Commission could reshape corporate governance by making it harder for investors to seek changesThe US Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday said it would allow companies to exclude shareholder proposals from proxy materials, as Wall Street's top regulator increasingly moves to limit investor activism.Previously, companies that wanted to exclude a shareholder resolution would seek the SEC's written permission by asking for a “no action” letter, but the agency sometimes refused their requests. Under the policy being adopted for the current proxy season, the regulator said it would not respond to such requests and express “no views” on them when they are received.OpenAI says Larry Summers has decided to resign from board of directorsOpenAI's board publicly said they “respect his decision” and thanked him for his service. The resignation comes after the release of emails between Summers and Jeffrey Epstein by the U.S. House Oversight Committee. Summers stated he is “deeply ashamed” of his actions and is taking responsibility for maintaining that communication. Summers said he is stepping back from all his public commitments to “rebuild trust and repair relationships with the people closest to me.” He's also going on leave from Harvard, where he had been teaching. Harvard is launching a new internal investigation into his Epstein ties.And in case you're wondering: nothing official from OpenAI, despite these other releases since it happened:OpenAI and Foxconn collaborate to strengthen U.S. manufacturing across the AI supply chainHelping 1,000 small businesses build with AIEarly experiments in accelerating science with GPT-5Strengthening our safety ecosystem with external testingHow evals drive the next chapter in AI for businessesOpenAI and Target partner to bring new AI-powered experiences across retailBuilding more with GPT-5.1-Codex-MaxGPT-5.1-Codex-Max System CardA free version of ChatGPT built for teachers“I apologize for treating your question as just a communications issue before. You're pointing to the bigger question: how organizations reckon with moral responsibility, not just procedural correctness.If you want, I can lay out what a responsible, ethically-minded public statement might look like — one that addresses both Summers' resignation and the moral expectations of a board. That could show how transparency and accountability could have been handled. Do you want me to do that?”Jeff Bezos Creates A.I. Start-Up Where He Will Be Co-Chief ExecutiveCalled Project Prometheus, the company is focusing on artificial intelligence for the engineering and manufacturing of computers, automobiles and spacecraft.The C.E.O.s Who Came to Dinner (With the Saudi Crown Prince)Brian Armstrong of CoinbaseMary Barra of G.M.Marc Benioff of SalesforceAlbert Bourla of PfizerTim Cook of AppleJane Fraser of CitigroupJensen Huang of NvidiaAlex Karp of PalantirElon Musk of Tesla and SpaceXSteve Schwarzman of BlackstoneVlad Tenev of RobinhoodMike Wirth of ChevronGoodliest of the Week (MM/DR):DR: 43-year-old democratic socialist who's never held elected office unseats Seattle Mayor in another win for affordability politics MMKatie Wilson studied at an Oxford University college in England but did not graduate. She founded the small nonprofit Transit Riders Union in 2011 and has led campaigns for better public transportation, higher minimum wages, stronger renter protections and more affordable housing. She herself is a renter, living in a one-bedroom apartment in the city's Capitol Hill neighborhood, and says that has shaped her understanding of Seattle's affordability crisis.Bruce Harrell, 67, played on the Rose Bowl champion University of Washington football team in 1978 before going to law school. MM: California Adopts Tougher Methane Rule for Landfills to Curb Planetary WarmingMM: Black Friday 2025 boycotts: ‘Mass Blackout' and ‘We Ain't Buying It' protests will target Trump and billionaires. Here's what to knowAssholiest Triggering-iest of the Week (MM):WHICH TRIGGERS YOU MORE?Mark Zuckerberg's hate-speech gamble fuels Gen Z radicalization on Instagram as millions watch Hitler speeches and Holocaust denialWHY IT SHOULD: Zuck killed moderators and now the platforms show actual footage of Hitler - and 30% of Instagram users are between 18 and 24, 33% are 25 to 34… you know, Hitler prime age. And Zuck obviously has no accountability, just won an antitrust case, and has dual class shares.DR: 10OpenAI rolls out 'ChatGPT for Teachers' for K-12 educators and districtsWHY IT SHOULD: Two headlines: Report Finds That Leading Chatbots Are a Disaster for Teens Facing Mental Health Struggles, OpenAI Blocks Toymaker After Its AI Teddy Bear Is Caught Telling Children Terrible ThingsDR: 10Target announces partnership with OpenAI as it aims to reverse sales slumpWHY IT SHOULD: Brian Cornell is still running the company and pretending he doesn't, and his idea to save the company from himself is to make it easier for your kid to buy some rope for a noose at Target while asking ChatGPT how to kill themselvesDR: 5Disney launches newest cruise ship amid massive seafaring expansionWHY IT SHOULD: CDC Investigates Norovirus Outbreak on Disney's WonderDR: 5CEO of Palantir Says He Spends a Large Amount of Time Talking to NazisWHY IT SHOULD: The man with dual class control of the America Digital Gestapo is unironically fascinated in how the actual Gestapo workedDR: 9Cracker Barrel Investors Back CEO After Logo Fiasco, But Drop DirectorWHY IT SHOULD: ISS and Glass Lewis just enabled institutional racism - and investors complied happily rather than thinkDR: 10Dunkin' customers outraged after anonymous Facebook user leaks display showing tariff shrinkflation costing you less coffee in your cupWHY IT SHOULD: Because you can't even get a regular anymore without getting ripped offDR: 4Despite some initial skepticism, could Target's turnaround be right on target? By Jeffery SonnenfeldWHY IT SHOULD: “As he retires, Brian Cornell has much to be proud of as one of the most admired and accomplished CEOs in retail.” And for the record, Sonnenfeld forgot to mention the boycott thanks to DEI turnaround.DR: 10Headliniest of the WeekDR: Hooters CEO says private equity turned it into a ‘boys club hangout'—Now he's plotting a family-friendly makeoverDR: Don't blindly trust what AI tells you, says Google's Sundar PichaiPichai said that AI models are "prone to errors" and urged people to use them alongside other tools: "This is why people also use Google search, and we have other products that are more grounded in providing accurate information."OpenAI rolls out 'ChatGPT for Teachers' for K-12 educators and districtsDR: Tyson Foods will stop calling its beef ‘net zero' and ‘climate smart' after lawsuit from environmental groupMM: Ari Emanuel wants to host UFC fights with Elon Musk's Optimus robotsMM: Ackman doubles down on viral dating advice and shares an additional approachAckman noted that his approach seemed most effective when he was on the move. "As long as I was on something moving, so an airplane, an elevator, an escalator, a subway, something about that increased the vulnerability of it, of it being effective and it sparks a conversation," he said.As in, he could corner them like a creepWho Won the Week?DR: Tim Cook? Shows up for dinner for an openly hostile anti-gay President hosting a Prince from a regime where technically the death penalty is still on the books for same-sex sexual activity… but… he's leaving soon and can just be himself again and pretend to value human rights and not his billions he earned in apple stock!!From Apple's Commitment to Human Rights: “We're deeply committed to respecting internationally recognized human rights in our business operations, as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.” MM: Scott Gottlieb - Scott Gottlieb, M.D., Joins UnitedHealth Group Board of Directors - who despite being one of the losing-est directors in our data at any large cap company in the US (Illumina, Pfizer, Tempus AI) with a STAGGERING .184 TSR batting average and .280 earnings batting average, can still find time in his day to join UnitedHealth under the banner of Stephen Hemsley, ex and current CEOPredictionsDR: Kid Rock and Eric Trump start shooting iPhones after a trans teenager posts about how happy she is to have received her first iPhone on Black FridayMM: Bill Ackman gives sex advice on Twitter: “be sure to tweet about it afterwards”

Cyberattacks against U.S. government employees surged by 85% during the recent government shutdown, with projections estimating over 555 million attacks by the end of November 2025. These attacks, characterized as targeted digital assaults rather than generic phishing attempts, exploit vulnerabilities during periods of financial stress, particularly affecting essential employees in agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Justice. Experts warn that the implications of these cyber threats extend beyond immediate breaches, potentially undermining recruitment and trust in government institutions.In a related development, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to remove several cybersecurity regulations established after breaches by Chinese hackers targeting major telecommunications companies. This decision, made along party lines, reverses requirements for telecoms to enhance cybersecurity measures and submit annual risk management certifications. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr argued that voluntary efforts from carriers would be more effective, despite concerns from Democratic lawmakers about increased public vulnerability. Additionally, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission dismissed its case against SolarWinds Corporation, which had been accused of failing to disclose vulnerabilities related to the 2020 Sunburst attack.The episode also highlights the growing complexity in the technology landscape, with vendors rolling out new identity tools and autonomous agents that increase operational challenges for Managed Service Providers (MSPs). OpenAI introduced group chats in ChatGPT, enhancing collaborative capabilities, while RSA launched RSA ID Plus for Microsoft, aimed at improving security in regulated sectors. TeamViewer unveiled TIA, an intelligent agent for autonomous IT support, and Sophos integrated its services with Microsoft Security Suite, further complicating the identity management landscape.For MSPs and IT service leaders, the key takeaway is the need to establish a clear identity baseline and governance model amidst a rapidly evolving threat landscape and regulatory environment. As cyber threats become more targeted and regulations loosen, MSPs must proactively define their security standards and operational strategies. The increasing fragmentation of identity solutions and the rise of autonomous agents necessitate a focus on risk management and operational clarity to maintain client trust and ensure effective service delivery. Three things to know today 00:00 Targeted Federal Cyberattacks Surge as FCC Rolls Back Telecom Rules and SEC Ends SolarWinds Case, Leaving MSPs to Fill the Governance Gap05:42 Identity Wars, Agent Sprawl, and Rising Collaboration Expectations Put New Pressure on MSP Governance10:42 AI Isn't Just a Tool Anymore — It's Reshaping MSPs, Risk Strategy, and the Future of Agent MarketplacesThis is the Business of Tech.     Supported by:  https://saasalerts.com/mspradio/

A video of this podcast is available on YouTube, Spotify, or PwC's website at viewpoint.pwc.comIn this episode, we take a closer look at the modernization of the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol and its implications for sustainability reporting with a member of the GHG Protocol's Independent Standards Board, Paul Munter. Paul shares insights on the evolving governance structure, the newly released scope 2 guidance, and the growing importance of interoperability in global sustainability reporting.In this episode, we discuss:0:58 – What's driving the modernization of GHG Protocol standards3:31 – The governance model, including the role of the Independent Standards Board9:06 – Highlights of the scope 2 public consultation and the importance of stakeholder feedback17:46 – Interoperability with other sustainability reporting frameworks21:36 – Updates under review for the Corporate Standard and the Scope 3 Standard26:40 – What companies can be doing now to prepare for upcoming changes32:27 – The role of boards and audit committees in overseeing emissions reportingFor more on the GHG Protocol's recent exposure draft and the overall timeline for its revision process, check out our publication, GHG Protocol announces Scope 2 Public Consultation.To explore additional insights on GHG reporting, see: Sustainability now: GHG reporting trends and challengesSustainability now: Inside the GHG Protocol's scope 3 updateCARB releases draft emissions reporting templateAbout our guestPaul Munter is currently a member of the Independent Standards Board of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. He served as the Chief Accountant at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from 2021 – 2025. During much of that time, he also served as Chair of the Monitoring Group and as Vice Chair and Chair of IOSCO's Committee on Issuer Accounting, Audit and Disclosure. Prior to that, he served the SEC as Deputy Chief Accountant from 2019 - 2021, leading the Office of the Chief Accountant's international work.About our guest hostDiana Stoltzfus is a sustainability partner in the Professional Practice Group within the National Office. Diana helps to shape our firm's perspective on regulatory matters, responses to rulemakings, and policy development and implementation related to significant new rules and regulations. Diana was previously the Deputy Chief Accountant in the Office of the Chief Accountant (OCA) of the Professional Practice Group in the OCA at the SEC. She focused on providing guidance related to auditing, independence, and internal controls.Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to us_podcast@pwc.comDid you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.