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Is faith-based investing an all-or-nothing decision, or is there room for balance? In this episode of Retire in Texas, Darryl Lyons, CEO and Co-Founder of PAX Financial Group, continues the two-part conversation on faith-based (biblical responsible) investing by exploring the remaining perspectives investors often hold. Building on Part 1, Darryl focuses on investors who are fully committed to biblical responsible investing - as well as those who take a more blended approach. Through real-world examples and conversations, he unpacks how deeply held convictions, market realities, and fiduciary responsibility intersect in portfolio construction. Episode highlights include: The mindset of investors who are "all in" on biblical responsible investing, and why conviction matters. Potential explanations as to why faith-based investing has underperformed the S&P 500 in recent years - and what caused the divergence. How excluding the "Magnificent Seven" impacted performance across many strategies, not just faith-based portfolios. The role of asset managers, shareholder advocacy, and proxy voting in responding to corporate behavior. Why fiduciary duty requires flexibility - especially when certain asset classes aren't yet available in faith-based strategies. How advisors help clients balance convictions with diversification, opportunity, and long-term planning. What it means to be "in the world, but not of the world" when it comes to investing. This episode completes the four-perspective framework introduced in Part 1 and offers a practical, thoughtful approach for investors navigating faith, finances, and long-term responsibility. To learn more or start a conversation, visit PAXFinancialGroup.com and click "Connect With Us." Enjoying the show? If Retire in Texas has been helpful to you, we'd appreciate it if you left a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps more people find the show and continue the conversation. Resource: https://www.inspireetf.com/news/does-it-matter-if-i-underperform-the-s-p-500 Disclosure: This material is provided by PAX Financial Group, LLC. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. The information herein has been derived from sources believed to be accurate. Please note: Biblically Responsible Investing ("BRI") involves, among other things, screening for companies that fit within the goal of investing in companies aligned with biblical values. Such screens may serve to reduce the pool of high performing companies considered for investment. Investing involves risk. BRI investing does not guarantee a favorable investment outcome. PAX Financial Group has conducted due diligence for their Biblically Responsible Investing (BRI) process and proudly serves as each client's advocate using fully vetted third-party specialists for the administration of BRI methodology. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investments will fluctuate and when redeemed may be worth more or less than when originally invested. This information should not be construed as investment, tax, or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any Federal tax penalty. This is neither a solicitation nor recommendation to purchase or sell any investment or insurance product and should not be relied upon as such.
On November 7, 1980, Steve McQueen — the massive movie star whose minimalist swagger earned him the nickname “The King of Cool” — died at the age of 50 following complications from cancer surgery. A countercultural icon who bridged old Hollywood and the rebellious New Hollywood era, McQueen embodied a new kind of leading man: taciturn, restless, and unmistakably modern. From his breakout role in The Magnificent Seven to era-defining performances in Bullitt, The Great Escape, and Papillon, McQueen reshaped action cinema with a raw physicality and anti-authoritarian edge that made him one of the biggest stars in the world. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Stop losing the AI revenue multiplier game. Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://theultimatepartner.com/ebook-subscribe/ Check Out UPX: https://theultimatepartner.com/experience/ In this episode, Jay McBain reveals why focusing solely on consumer AI hype is a massive mistake that causes businesses to miss the real opportunity: the 99% of business data currently sitting in cold storage. We discuss the critical shift toward “Agentic AI” and integrations, where the real money lies for partners—moving from a standard transaction to a $3 to $7 multiplier effect. Jay also issues a stark warning about the “book of failure” waiting for companies that refuse to adopt a platform mindset, explaining why you can’t hire your way out of the talent shortage and must embrace the seven-partner ecosystem to survive the next decade. https://youtu.be/RXRJW027Qz8 https://youtu.be/RXRJW027Qz8 Key Takeaways Partners can unlock a $3 to $7 multiplier on every dollar of Microsoft revenue by focusing on the full customer journey. 99% of the world’s business data is not yet trained into models, representing the massive “Agentic AI” opportunity. The talent shortage is forcing end customers to outsource because they cannot compete with hyperscalers for AI skills. Integration is now the number one buying criteria for modern customers, necessitating a platform approach. We are overestimating the AI change in two years but vastly underestimating the transformation coming in ten years. Your visible pipeline may be less than 10% of your total addressable market because you aren’t seeing the 28 moments before a sale. If you're ready to lead through change, elevate your business, and achieve extraordinary outcomes through the power of partnership—this is your community. At Ultimate Partner® we want leaders like you to join us in the Ultimate Partner Experience – where transformation begins. Key Tags Agentic AI, AI Multiplier, Cold Storage Data, Business Integration, Jay McBain, Platform Economy, Ecosystem Strategy, Managed Services, Co-selling, Hyperscaler Partnerships, Talent Shortage, Magnificent Seven, Digital Transformation, 28 Moments, AI Governance. Transcript: [00:00:00] Jay McBain: And getting from one to two to $3 a multiplier. So if Microsoft wins a hundred thousand dollars, I win $300,000 at 75% margin. And a sticky customer that’s gonna continue to enrich every 30 days forever. [00:00:16] Vince Menzione: I want to double click here. You talked about ag agentic technology and ai. I just wanna go back in on this. [00:00:21] Vince Menzione: So where is the money? Where’s the real money for the partners that are, that are participating? Microsoft? We’ll talk to Microsoft about Frontier Firm in a little while, but is it on advisory? Is it on build? Is it on managed services or ongoing optimization? Of the, of the stack. Where, where is it? [00:00:36] Jay McBain: Yeah. All the above. [00:00:37] Vince Menzione: All of the above. [00:00:38] Jay McBain: So Microsoft is famous for, you know, $8 and 45 cents of multiplier. We’ve written probably three dozen of these reports. Just this year. So whether you’re in a cyber platform, whether you’re in a hyperscaler platform, big SaaS platform, the first thing the CEO does when they get on CNBC or they get, uh, on their keynote in Vegas is say, Hey, you know, you can make $7 and 5 cents. [00:01:01] Jay McBain: You can make $7 and 13 cents, and here’s where it’s. This percentage of it is in consulting advisory. This percentage is in design and architecture, implementation, integration, managed services. This is how much, it’s a small little slice in procurement. If you wanna resell, that’s fine, but here is the opportunity and there’s no customer on the planet that’s gonna outsource seven to one. [00:01:23] Vince Menzione: Right? [00:01:23] Jay McBain: You know, it’s not advisable that anyone hands over the keys. You have to have some insourced talent Absolutely. To keep the thing running. But what would’ve been in the past, maybe one to one, or you know, two to one, is quickly becoming three to one to say that I can’t find, as an end customer, the AI talent to do this. [00:01:43] Jay McBain: I can’t find the cyber talent. I can’t find the infrastructure talent. I, I can’t find the talent. Even if I did, I can’t compete with these magnificent seven. I can’t compete with these big partners in terms of what they can pay. So now my ability, and now a younger buyer, majority buyer, now being a millennial loves a team sport. [00:02:02] Jay McBain: So they don’t mind this outsourcing of talent where they need it, and that’s why there’s seven partners around the table. But in this multiplier effect, the biggest opportunity for partners is not a specific skill or not a specific part of the journey. It’s actually understanding this multiplier and better serving the customer. [00:02:20] Jay McBain: Through before, during, and after the transaction and getting from one to two to $3 a multiplier. So if Microsoft wins a hundred thousand dollars, I win $300,000 at 75% margin. And a sticky customer that’s gonna continue to enrich every 30 days forever. [00:02:38] Vince Menzione: I love that. Uh, we can talk all day about ai. There’s a couple things specifically though, but what is the one missed? [00:02:45] Vince Menzione: Conception that partners have about Agen, AI’s impact on go-to market? [00:02:50] Jay McBain: Well, the misconception I can broadly at this point is that all of the hype cycle in the first, you know, two to three years of build out has been all consumer. [00:02:58] Vince Menzione: Yeah. [00:02:59] Jay McBain: So, Nvidia being the richest company and you know, Elon Musk becoming the richest person and all the changes that are happening and you know, how, how the world’s mostly it’s a consumer story. [00:03:08] Vince Menzione: It is. [00:03:09] Jay McBain: You know, Chachi PT became the fastest growing product in history. And you know, to the point of having 850 million, you know, daily users. Crazy. You know, just in a couple of years we’ve all changed our behavior from going to do a search and getting a bunch of links and then clicking the links to try to find the answer to answer first. [00:03:25] Vince Menzione: Yeah. [00:03:26] Jay McBain: And you start to think now through the business side of it, 99% of world’s business data has yet to be trained or tuned into models. 83% of it sits in cold storage at the edge. So I, I always tell the story. I mean, probably the most likely story in our industry is when you get your flight canceled and now you’ve got this chat bot [00:03:45] Vince Menzione: Yeah. [00:03:45] Jay McBain: You know, that comes and cancels your flight and is very empathetic, you know, feels really bad for you, but it can’t do anything. [00:03:52] Vince Menzione: No. [00:03:53] Jay McBain: So what I would like as a consumer when you do that, is to go download my 53 years of flying and understand what kind of flyer I am. ’cause I could be the, you know, we’re sorry we canceled your flight. [00:04:05] Jay McBain: We’ve already got a Marriott night for you and an Uber waiting at the curb and we’ll have you back here at 5:00 AM for the next available flight. Or you happen to be like me. We’re gonna get you on a flight. You gotta run across the airport. But we got a flight, you know, waiting to go and that’ll get you about six hours away from your home and your kids. [00:04:24] Jay McBain: We already have a hertz rental waiting. Yeah. And you’re gonna drive that six hours, but you’re gonna be home, you know, to take your kids to school tomorrow. Exactly. So that’s the business data. And that goes to finance, that goes to pharmaceutical. I mean, it goes into every industry, but if that chat bot got access to the business data and being able to act on a richer set of data about you personally, and then became AG agentic. [00:04:46] Jay McBain: Again, I don’t want to go to Marriott. I don’t wanna go to Uber. I don’t wanna go to Hertz. There’s a thousand permutations in a canceled flight and I, and I, you know, wanna notify my family and there’s so many things going on that age Agentic work becomes everything, which I love it, by the way, in our partnership term is called integrations. [00:05:03] Vince Menzione: Yeah. [00:05:04] Jay McBain: Our buyers now in integration, first buyer, it’s their number one criteria and every company thinking through their adjacencies. Including technology companies have to be the most integrated of their set of competitors. [00:05:17] Vince Menzione: So we need to get this part right. [00:05:19] Jay McBain: We have to get this part right. [00:05:20] Vince Menzione: What do you think, what do you think the time horizon is for that? [00:05:23] Vince Menzione: When are we gonna, when are we gonna see that chat bot that comes back and says, Jay, I’ve rebooked your flight. I’ve got the Hertz rental car ready for you. I’ve notified Michelle and the kids, and here you go. [00:05:33] Jay McBain: Yeah. Well for me that’s a 10 year horizon. [00:05:36] Vince Menzione: Okay. [00:05:37] Jay McBain: I mean, the biggest problem is no airline right now. [00:05:39] Jay McBain: No company right now wants to open up their cold storage and, you know, forklift it up into. You know, a consumer level, large language model. Yeah. So the security isn’t set yet. The governance, the compliance, the risk, all the different things. Nobody wants to be first, uh, in, in that area. So we’re running little pilots. [00:05:59] Jay McBain: The pilots, you know, aren’t converting into production at the level we want. But that, that, that goes back to the Bill Gates quote. You know, we tended to overestimate what would happen in two years. Two years, but we’re absolutely underestimating what’s gonna happen in 10. [00:06:12] Vince Menzione: Yeah. [00:06:13] Jay McBain: This has been the fastest growing industry for 50. [00:06:15] Jay McBain: It’s going to be for the next 10 guaranteed, but probably for the next 20 to 50 as well. And, and this is that stage of how do you start to make these integrations? If you go to the platform slide, this is the, you know, I, I tried to think through the, what would the book read when, when 53% of companies that we know and love today fail. [00:06:36] Jay McBain: Somebody writes the book, you know, they invented the thing that killed them or they, you know, as mismanagement or whatever, it’s, you know, the book always starts, you blame the CEO for the first chapter. You blame the board fiduciary responsibility in the second chapter, but now you got like eight more chapters to write. [00:06:51] Jay McBain: I think the answer is here. [00:06:53] Vince Menzione: I [00:06:53] Jay McBain: agree. Winning in the AI era is platforms. Big platforms working with other platforms up on the upper right, the integrations. Yep. That’s the number one criteria. It’s the airline working with all the different pieces. It’s the real estate agent working with all the different pieces the bank working with. [00:07:11] Jay McBain: All our lives all become interconnected, and these agents start working side doors and back doors on our behalf. Before we ever know we need them before the flight’s even canceled. [00:07:20] Vince Menzione: Yeah. [00:07:21] Jay McBain: And then the seven partnerships, the services and channel partnerships. If you’re in cybersecurity, 91.6% of it goes through the channel. [00:07:30] Jay McBain: That’s how it’s transacted. You need channel partnerships, but you also need partnerships with the other six partners around the table. You’re not just gonna win without one reseller. You are gonna have to build the other partnerships. So to get to the two or three, that’s the services and channels you have to win In alliances, this is a big part of ultimate partnerships. [00:07:47] Vince Menzione: Yes. [00:07:47] Jay McBain: Is winning with the hyperscalers, winning with the SaaS companies, winning on these marketplaces, winning with the big cyber platforms, distribution platforms. These bigger platforms are starting to take shape and this is what they look like working well. And you could compete tooth and nail in the morning. [00:08:03] Jay McBain: And be best friends by the afternoon. [00:08:04] Vince Menzione: Your frenemies. [00:08:05] Jay McBain: Your frenemies. Yeah. And then finally it all comes to go to market. You got these 28 moments before a sale and somebody is earning and winning those moments. And in the majority of cases, you’re never gonna see these moments. And that’s why your pipeline is less than half of your TAM and maybe less than 10% of your tam. [00:08:23] Jay McBain: ’cause you just don’t have visibility to where your buyers are. But the more partners, the seven partners that you connect to. You’re gonna start to see them and the more technology and more agentic technology that you connect, you don’t want humans filling out deal registration forms. You don’t want humans calling other humans. [00:08:40] Jay McBain: You want all of this being shared. The more of this you do in go to market, the co-selling, the co-marketing, co-innovation, all of this comes together. This is the rest of the book. If the companies today in every industry aren’t driving a platform in their own industry. They’re going to probably fail. [00:08:58] Vince Menzione: Absolutely. You know, we talk about situational awareness in an account. You talk about the seven seats at the table. The customer is talking to all these companies. You may not know about it. You think you’re, you’re dominant in the account, and they’re relying on all these decision makers that I think you said 6.3 is the actual number, right? [00:09:13] Vince Menzione: Yeah. Uh, analysis wise, how many. Organizations are part of that trusted group. You need to go influence all of those. You need to build the co-develop co, co-create with those organizations as well. And you need to be thinking about the whole ecosystem. This ties into this conversation about the decade of the ecosystem. [00:09:30] Vince Menzione: You know, you’ve been talking about it since 2020, maybe a little bit before. I think you might’ve even in this podcast studio. It might have been one of the first times we talked about the decade of the ecosystem. It really feels like this is the moment that all of this comes together. Maybe this slide defines why organizations need to think ecosystem and not vendor channel, if you [00:09:49] Jay McBain: agree. [00:09:50] Jay McBain: Yeah. And there’s a couple of, you know, companies and more than a couple that kind of have this slide posted in the CEO’s office. [00:09:58] Vince Menzione: Yeah. Should be. [00:09:59] Jay McBain: Every [00:09:59] Vince Menzione: CEO should be, and uh, every CEO should see this. The Ultimate Partner Winter Retreat is gonna be here in the Boca Studio. This is the third year that we’re gonna be here in Boca. [00:10:10] Vince Menzione: This is always a favorite of our community members, our executive members, our sponsors and speakers. We’ll all be here in the studio, which is a really intimate. Setting, we can see upwards of 40, 50 people. Uh, we’ll be hosting an incredible dinner at the Boca Resort overlooking the golf course. That’s an incredible property. [00:10:32] Vince Menzione: And, uh, we’d love to have you join us. Thank you for being part of the ultimate Partner community, and I hope to see you this year at one of our events. Thank you.
Follow Last Call on SpotifyFollow Last Call on Apple PodcastsJoin Jack Forehand and Matt Zeigler for the premiere episode of Last Call, a new monthly market wrap show where we go beyond the headlines to deliver actionable investment insights — and have a little fun along the way.Instead of focusing on index performance or short-term moves, we step back and connect the dots between macro instability, narrative shifts, options market signals, private credit risk, AI capital spending, and the changing nature of the Magnificent Seven.Featuring conversations with Brent Kochuba from SpotGamma, Ben Hunt from Perscient, Kai Wu from Sparkline Capital, and clips from our recent interviews with Liz Ann Sonders and Aswath Damodaran, the episode blends market structure, behavioral finance, valuation discipline, and long-term investing context to help investors understand what is really driving today's market environment — and how to think about it going forward.Main Topics:• Why this is not a traditional market recap and how Last Call is designed to be more useful for investors• Instability versus uncertainty — and why today's market feels different• Loss of trust in institutions, policy, and global systems and its impact on markets• What options market flows reveal about hidden market risks and sudden volatility• How private credit has reached bubble-like conditions and why narrative risk matters• The debate over retail and retirement account exposure to private credit• Why valuation discipline looks different when correlations rise across asset classes• Aswath Damodaran on trimming positions, raising cash, and the difficulty of finding uncorrelated assets• How the Magnificent Seven are changing from asset-light to asset-heavy businesses• AI capital expenditure, historical spending booms, and why infrastructure builders often underperform• Whether this AI cycle is truly different from railroads, telecom, and past technology boomsTimestamps00:00 — Intro and opening clips01:10 — What Last Call is and why this format exists04:30 — Instability versus uncertainty in today's market09:58 — Loss of trust, gold, and historical parallels13:18 — Brent Kochuba on options flows and hidden market stress25:17 — How options dislocations explain sudden market drops25:40 — Ben Hunt on private credit narrative risk28:00 — Why private credit exposure is everywhere32:32 — Retail access versus restrictions in private credit36:19 — What happens if the private credit bubble breaks39:28 — Aswath Damodaran on raising cash and trimming positions47:08 — The changing nature of the Magnificent Seven47:42 — Kai Wu on AI capex and asset-heavy tech50:48 — Why high capital spending often leads to underperformance56:01 — Historical parallels from railroads to the dot-com boom
Virgil and Mark welcome Mahoning Lot Manager Dave to the podcast to talk about recent retro films they've viewed at home and in the theater. Films discussed include THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (1960), THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS (1982), DON'T PANIC (1987), A BRIDGE TOO FAR (1977), VALLEY OF THE DOLLS (1967), SLITHER (2006), and more.Recorded 1/26/26For exclusive additional podcasts, videos, sneak peeks, and on-site discounts, visit the Mahoning Drive-In Patreon page at:https://www.patreon.com/mahoningdriveinhttps://www.mahoningdit.comhttps://www.facebook.com/mahoningdriveintheaterhttps://www.instagram.com/mahoningdriveintheaterhttps://twitter.com/mahoningditFor Mahoning Drive-In merch online:https://merchbin.net/collections/mahoning-drive-in-theaterhttps://www.crackerjackposters.com/s/shop
Earnings season has kicked off, with the Magnificent Seven set to report over the next few weeks. What does the future hold for U.S. equities after their recent underperformance? Hear from John Schlegel, J.P. Morgan's global head of Positioning Intelligence, and Andrew Tyler, global head of Market Intelligence, as they dive into the evolving landscape for equities amid headline-driven volatility and robust earnings. Tyler shares why his team remains tactically bullish, anchored by resilient macro data, positive earnings growth and easing trade tensions. This episode was recorded on January 26, 2026. The podcast's views do not necessarily reflect those of J.P. Morgan Chase & Co or its affiliates (together “J.P. Morgan) and are not from J.P. Morgan's Research Department. They do not constitute recommendations or offers to buy or sell securities. Intended for institutional and professional investors, not retail use, it is for informational purposes only. Products and services mentioned may not suit all investors or be available in all jurisdictions. J.P. Morgan may make markets and trade in discussed securities and asset classes. Visit www.jpmorgan.com/disclosures/salesandtradingdisclaimer for more disclaimers and regulatory disclosures. External speakers' opinions are personal and not J.P. Morgan's views. Copyright 2026 JPMorgan Chase & Co. All rights reserved
Talley Leger, chief market strategist at The Wealth Consulting Group, says the market is facing seven different headwinds, but that it has 10 tailwinds, all blowing to overcome potential troubles to where he expects the Standard & Poor's 500 to reach 8,500 this year. That would make 2026 the fourth consecutive year with double-digit market gains, but Leger is confident in his pick, noting that easing financial conditions — including a few more rate cuts from the Federal Reserve — should support economic re-acceleration to let the rally roll on. Leger is not the only one who is optimistic, as the latest Business Conditions Survey, released today by the National Association for Business Conditions, showed that the nation's economists have mostly factored recession out of the picture for this year. While the economists do see potential overhangs from tariffs and other policies impacting business, they say that spending plans in their companies — but more broadly for the economy at large — should fuel continued growth. Vijay Marolia, chief investment officer at Regal Point Capital, is also optimistic for the future, coming off of the World Economic Summit at Davos — where he says the lesson was to keep watching geopolitics without over-reacting to them by overhauling your portfolio. Further, in "The Week That Is," he discusses how the market is reacting to feelings rather than fundamentals in the current earnings season, and how it's still not too late for investors to reconsider their commodities holdings, even after gold and silver popped again last week, with silver reaching fresh highs above $100. David Trainer, founder and president at New Constructs, puts five different technology stocks — including Magnificent Seven member Meta Platforms and tech giant Oracle — in "The Danger Zone," noting that they have troubling balance sheets that have created significantly misleading stock valuations, which he says will not hold up once the market recognizes the potential for trouble.
Will 2026 deliver another strong bull-market year — or a long-overdue reality check as AI, market valuations, and global shifts collide? In this episode, we discuss: 2026 S&P 500 predictions (15.2% vs. 6.7%) AI's explosive growth The Magnificent Seven's shrinking dominance Why equal-weighted investing reduces volatility Why bonds, gold, and diversification matter again How pre-retirees can protect gains while staying invested Today's article is from Kitces.com titled, 10 Charts To Help Explain The 2026 Market To Clients. Listen in as Founder and CEO of Howard Bailey Financial, Casey Weade, breaks down the article and provides thoughtful insights and advice on how it applies to your unique financial situation. Show Notes: HowardBailey.com/545
Intel initially dropped after better-than-expected results but disappointing guidance. Investors prepare for several Magnificent Seven earnings and a Fed meeting next week. Important DisclosuresThis material is intended for general informational purposes only. This should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned may not be suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decisions.The Schwab Center for Financial Research is a division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.All names and market data shown above are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. Supporting documentation for any claims or statistical information is available upon request.Past performance is no guarantee of future results.Diversification and rebalancing strategies do not ensure a profit and do not protect against losses in declining markets.Indexes are unmanaged, do not incur management fees, costs, and expenses and cannot be invested in directly. For more information on indexes, please see schwab.com/indexdefinitions.The policy analysis provided by the Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., does not constitute and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any political party.Fixed income securities are subject to increased loss of principal during periods of rising interest rates. Fixed income investments are subject to various other risks including changes in credit quality, market valuations, liquidity, prepayments, early redemption, corporate events, tax ramifications, and other factors.All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market, economic or political conditions. Data contained herein from third party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed.Investing involves risk, including loss of principal, and for some products and strategies, loss of more than your initial investment.Digital currencies [such as bitcoin] are highly volatile and not backed by any central bank or government. Digital currencies lack many of the regulations and consumer protections that legal-tender currencies and regulated securities have. Due to the high level of risk, investors should view digital currencies as a purely speculative instrument.Cryptocurrency-related products carry a substantial level of risk and are not suitable for all investors. Investments in cryptocurrencies are relatively new, highly speculative, and may be subject to extreme price volatility, illiquidity, and increased risk of loss, including your entire investment in the fund. Spot markets on which cryptocurrencies trade are relatively new and largely unregulated, and therefore, may be more exposed to fraud and security breaches than established, regulated exchanges for other financial assets or instruments. Some cryptocurrency-related products use futures contracts to attempt to duplicate the performance of an investment in cryptocurrency, which may result in unpredictable pricing, higher transaction costs, and performance that fails to track the price of the reference cryptocurrency as intended. Please read more about risks of trading cryptocurrency futures here.Apple Podcasts and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.Google Podcasts and the Google Podcasts logo are trademarks of Google LLC.Spotify and the Spotify logo are registered trademarks of Spotify AB.(0131-0126) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Welcome back for Season 3 of A Sam Girl Retrospective! In our first episode back, Audree, Vic, and Christie discuss the opening episode of Supernatural S3: "The Magnificent Seven." Also, you'll hear the addition of a secondary rating system to supplement our Sam Fan scale! This is the last episode we recorded before we used our Patreon funds to upgrade our recording software, so enjoy the lower quality one last time, haha! We're so excited to be back talking about this Winchesters with you guys. Don't forget to check out the visuals for this episode on Instagram, drop comments of your thoughts on our takes, and rate/like and subscribe! Episode Links: Discussion of a controversial scene in Andor S2 Sinners official trailer Ruby's Knife from my Sam cosplay 2014 Taylor Swift buys back her masters Like/Rate/Review & Subscribe to the show on: Apple Spotify Youtube Patreon And anywhere else you listen to podcasts! Email us at: samgirlretrospectivepod@gmail.com Follow us on IG for visuals and updates. Follow us on Tiktok for clips and memes. Images from Supernatural Archive.
A chaotic but revealing game-show-style opening leads into a sharp lesson on why market trivia doesn't matter nearly as much as discipline. Tom and Don walk through eye-opening 2025 market stats, including the real impact of the Magnificent Seven, international stocks' outperformance, and a surprising Bitcoin result, before pivoting to listener calls on risk aversion in retirement, tax drag in fixed income, ETF vs. mutual fund structure, pensions as “bond substitutes,” and the fear of poorly timed rollovers. The episode reinforces a consistent theme: markets anticipate, investors overthink, and long-term success comes from diversification, cost control, and building portfolios around real human behavior—not headlines. 0:04 Cold open and chaotic “What Do You Know?” game show setup 1:58 S&P 500 return vs. performance without the Magnificent Seven 5:16 Magnificent Seven's staggering 10-year return 5:48 International stocks outperform U.S. stocks in 2025 7:35 Retired caller weighs SGOV vs. VTEB and tax efficiency 10:01 Risk aversion, inflation fears, and when bonds actually belong 13:11 CD ladders as a stability alternative to bond funds 14:27 Clean energy ETFs rise despite negative policy headlines 16:41 Colombia emerges as best-performing global stock market 18:02 Bitcoin's surprising full-year decline in 2025 19:02 Why none of this market trivia actually matters 20:28 ETFs vs. mutual funds explained simply and clearly 24:44 Why fund companies resist ETF conversions 27:13 Pension income vs. bonds in portfolio construction 31:20 AI voice experiment and margin rate reality check 32:02 Fear of rolling over 401(k)s and “hodgepodge-itis” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Phil talks about the latest headlines and why they're not impacting markets, dives into new inflation data, and explains the rising success of sectors beyond the Magnificent Seven.
Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://theultimatepartner.com/ebook-subscribe/ Check Out UPX: https://theultimatepartner.com/experience/ In this high-impact podcast episode to kick off 2026, Vince Menzione sits down with Jay McBain (Canalys/Informa) to decode the tectonic shifts reshaping the technology ecosystem. Jay reveals why the tech economy is forecasting double-digit growth while the broader economy lags, introducing a “Tale of Two Cities” where direct infrastructure sales are booming but partner influence is more critical than ever. He explains the drop in channel transact share to 66.7% and why the “96% Partner Assist” is the new metric for success. Jay also details the shift away from traditional “Gold/Silver/Bronze” programs toward point systems that recognize partners at every one of the “28 moments” in the customer journey, from influence to long-term retention. Key Takeaways The tech industry is forecast to grow 10.2% in 2026, outpacing the global economy’s 2.7% growth. Channel transact share has dropped from 75% to a forecast of 66.7% as infrastructure deals go direct. Nvidia and the “Magnificent Seven” are driving a massive direct infrastructure build-out for the next era. Microsoft measures a 96% “Partner Assist” rate, with up to seven partners involved in every deal. 80% of customers now prioritize partner certifications and competencies over relationships when choosing partners. The number one request from partners is to be recognized for value across all 28 moments, not just the point of sale. If you're ready to lead through change, elevate your business, and achieve extraordinary outcomes through the power of partnership—this is your community. At Ultimate Partner® we want leaders like you to join us in the Ultimate Partner Experience – where transformation begins. Key Tags: Jay McBain, Canalys, Informa Tech, Partner Assist, 28 Moments, Tech Growth 2026, Channel Strategy, Nvidia, Infrastructure Buildout, Partner Economics, Microsoft Ecosystem, AWS, Direct Sales, Indirect Sales, Partner Influence, Multiplier Effect, Customer Journey, Partner Programs, Tech Economy, Ecosystem Orchestration. https://youtu.be/ntogEr6mjKg?si=_AaBPBfv9KcMRA9D Transcript: [00:00:00] Jay McBain: By the way, marketplaces, the massive growth in marketplaces for everyone that doesn’t own the marketplace is also an indirect sale. It should be helping these numbers. Yeah, so, but there’s one company that’s driving and happens to be the most valuable company in the world right now. [00:00:15] Vince Menzione: Let’s start off with the first, my burning question I have first, let’s cover it first. [00:00:21] Vince Menzione: If you had a sum up 2026 for partners in one sentence. What is it and what are people still underestimating? [00:00:29] Jay McBain: Yeah, it’s one, one word is probably opportunity. Opportunity. Um, so we look around the world, uh, the world economy without technology in it is gonna grow at 2.7%. That’s about $120 trillion with technology in it, technology industry, we’re forecasting to grow by double digits. [00:00:47] Jay McBain: Amazing. You know, in a world that’s growing at two, uh, we’re expecting 10.2%. Growth. And this industry, as you know, is surrounded by partners. Yes. And there are opportunities in hardware, in software, in services, in telco, all the different parts of the customer’s budget. And to look through the double digits though, I mean the, the extension of the sentence is, it’s a tale of two cities. [00:01:11] Jay McBain: Yeah. I was gonna ask you about this. Police do. There isn’t an opportunity in every slice. You know, some of the slices are shrinking by single digits. Some of them are growing by low single digits, but some of them are in the 20, 30, 40% growth range. And this is what partners are starting to think, these tectonic shifts that are happening, the ultimate partnerships that are happening are in very specific places that you kicked off this session talking about. [00:01:35] Vince Menzione: Yeah. So I would love to di dive in here because we have your, we have your slide up behind us. In fact, in talking about this $6.1 trillion economy around te uh, tech and telco and this opportunity. So, you know, we’re, there are gonna be winners and losers right in, in terms of these, uh, these segments or slices of the economy. [00:01:55] Vince Menzione: We can talk about that now. I, I think maybe it would be a good idea to talk about both the channel and, and why the par the channel plays such a big role in this growth. And then talk about what the winners and losers are gonna be. [00:02:07] Jay McBain: Yeah, I mean, broader. Um, actually if we go to the next, uh, slide, there is, um, a declining number and in the world economy that 120 trillion, 75% of it. [00:02:20] Jay McBain: Uh, moves indirectly. You bought your last car from a dealer. Yeah. You bought your last, uh, TV from a retailer, you know, peanut butter from a grocer, that type of thing. But the agencies, the brokers, the resellers, the retailers, the franchisees, the gas stations, pharmacies, grocery, all the different parts of the 27 industries, you know, play an incredible role. [00:02:40] Jay McBain: Our industry was at 75, not just three years ago. Wow. It dropped to 73.2. Two years ago, down to 70.1 last year, and this year’s forecast to be 66.7, so it’s dropping by about 3% each year and it’s this how money changes hands. Yeah. By the way, marketplaces, the massive growth in marketplaces for everyone that doesn’t own the marketplace is also an indirect sale. [00:03:05] Jay McBain: It should be helping these numbers. Yeah, so, but there’s one company that’s driving and happens to be the most valuable company in the world right now, Nvidia. Yeah. And the broader data center buildup mostly on consumer side, but this infrastructure data center build out globally happening right now is mostly happening direct. [00:03:22] Jay McBain: Yeah. There are the magnificent seven who are spending hundreds of billions of dollars each. On these chips and on this, uh, capability and capacity for this next 20 year era. And this is not a resell gain. They’re not buying through distribution and not buying through a reseller. And that’s where you talk about haves and have nots. [00:03:40] Jay McBain: You talk about this economy that, you know, Nvidia for example, was growing at triple digits, quarter in, quarter out, you know, becoming the most valuable company. And it’s not. A traditional technology opportunity, right? There isn’t managed service providers inside these data centers. There isn’t technology folks like VARs and system integrators in plugging in the equipment. [00:04:02] Jay McBain: Yeah. So we gotta watch and, and look at where this next shift takes us and where this multiplier opportunity wraps around it. So that’s the second number here. 96%. Which hasn’t changed. This is a number by the way, that Microsoft measures Yes. Understand. And, and Microsoft looks at it and, you know, second most valuable company in the world measures every deal they’re in and then have been for decades. [00:04:26] Jay McBain: And they measure this 96% of partner assist upwards of seven partners in every one of their deals. And looking at this partner assist number is what drives them. And in Microsoft’s case. You know, perhaps without a better product price or uh, promotion than their lead competitor. AWS, they’ve outgrown them for 26 straight quarters. [00:04:45] Jay McBain: Yes. And they point to place as the reason why that two, three, maybe even four of those seven partners may be leading with Microsoft in critical moments. And so every company, large, medium, and small, look at this partner assist number. And this is where we take that ecosystem conversation. [00:05:02] Vince Menzione: So with 96% partner assist, why do partners touch, touching, everything still feel invisible in many cases. [00:05:11] Vince Menzione: And what’s the one move that they, they make? Or need to make to make them undeniable to [00:05:15] Jay McBain: vendors in 2026? Yeah, I mean, this is a long legacy. There’s 44 years of legacy of being measured at the point of sale where programs were built and paid at the point of sale. Yeah. Assuming you did a bunch of stuff like consulting and design and advisory before the point of sale, assuming you’re gonna stay after the sale and get the renewal and get the upsell, cross sell, and enrichment, there was this assumption, but you were really recognized only at one moment. [00:05:41] Jay McBain: And when we did the survey last year across, you know, 20,000 partners around the world, the number one thing they’re asking vendors for now. Is to recognize, measure monitor me at every moment. Mm-hmm. 28 of them before the sale every 30 days. Forever after the sale. Yep. At the point of sale, the provisioning, the procurement, all the pieces of where we add value. [00:06:02] Jay McBain: And now Microsoft was one of the leaders that came out with a point system over three years ago to say, we’re gonna start measuring and, you know, spreading the program dollars around a little bit like peanut butter. There’s over 400 companies now who have followed suit. You know, Cisco goes live in two weeks, so we’re in this mode now where the world is changing of economics, of partnering. [00:06:23] Jay McBain: It’s changing how recognition happens and it’s the number one thing partners want. [00:06:27] Vince Menzione: Yeah, we’re moving away from the gold, silver, bronze, uh, days of the past and, and tying ’em to these moments. In particular, the Ultimate Partner Winter retreat is gonna be here in the Boca Studio. This is the third year. [00:06:41] Vince Menzione: That we’re gonna be here in Boca. This is always a favorite of our community members, our executive members, our sponsors and speakers. We’ll all be here in the studio, which is a really intimate setting. We can see it upwards of 40, 50 people. We’ll be hosting an incredible dinner at the Boca Resort overlooking the golf course. [00:07:01] Vince Menzione: That’s an incredible property and uh, we’d love to have you join us. Thank you for being part of the ultimate Partner community, and I hope to see you this year at one of our events. Thank you.
Welcome back to the Investor Professor Podcast— In Episode 180, we kick off 2026 with a market that's already moving fast and giving investors zero time to catch their breath. The major indexes are positive to start the year, but the “Magnificent Seven” have stumbled out of the gate, hinting at a possible broadening in market leadership. From Venezuela and oil headlines, to sudden shifts in defense stocks, to a proposed credit card interest cap shaking financial names like Capital One and American Express, the theme of this episode is clear: don't let breaking news whip you into impulsive portfolio decisions. Headlines can move stocks quickly—but those moves can fade just as fast if the underlying fundamentals haven't truly changed. We also dig into the current state of the AI trade and earnings season, highlighted by a strong Taiwan Semiconductor report that helped reignite confidence across the chip and AI ecosystem. With banks reporting solid results and tech earnings ramping up, the focus turns to forward guidance and what companies are seeing for 2026—especially as political risk continues to rise and markets remain sensitive to sudden policy shifts. Even with all the noise, the bigger message remains steady: build a portfolio you believe in, own companies you understand, and stay committed through volatility—because markets can climb a wall of worry, but only disciplined investors benefit from it. *This podcast contains general information that may not be suitable for everyone. The information contained herein should not be construed as personalized investment advice. There is no guarantee that the views and opinions expressed in this podcast will come to pass. Investing in the stock market involves gains and losses and may not be suitable for all investors. Information presented herein is subject to change without notice and should not be considered as a solicitation to buy or sell any security. Rydar Equities, Inc. does not offer legal or tax advice. Please consult the appropriate professional regarding your individual circumstance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Kolejny odcinek, w którym bierzemy na tapet technologiczne spółki z grona „Magnificent Seven” – tym razem przyszła pora na Amazon. Z czym Wam się kojarzy? Posłuchajcie, czym faktycznie się tym zajmuje. #BoCzemuNie ? POBIERZ ODCINEK Partnerzy technologiczni: > iDream – Apple Premium Reseller, Apple Premium Service Provider > Pancernik – Akcesoria do telefonów i nie tylko […]
Get an inside look at what's shaping my thinking. Bi-weekly, I share the top 5 investing and financial planning articles I'm reading—straight to your inbox. Sign up for my newsletter. ----- Liz Ann Sonders, Chief Investment Strategist at Charles Schwab, joins me for a wide-ranging conversation about what actually matters for long-term investors heading into 2026. We get past the headline forecasts and into how a seasoned strategist interprets markets in real time—without falling into the traps that trip up most investors. Listen now and learn: ► Why "forecasts" can be useful even when you're not making price targets—and how to use them the right way ► A clearer way to think about what really drove market returns in 2025 (and what many investors missed) ► What to pay attention to with the Fed in 2026, and what's mostly just noise ► A grounded framework for thinking about the U.S. dollar, national debt, and the long-term investor's edge Visit www.TheLongTermInvestor.com for show notes, free resources, and a place to submit questions. (03:00) Why Schwab Won't Do Year-End Targets (08:23) How Liz Ann Builds an Outlook: cycles, quadrants, and "better or worse" vs. "good or bad" (13:33) 2025's Biggest Investor Lesson (16:48) The Magnificent Seven Misconception: contribution ≠ performance (21:05) The 2026 Outlook (26:09) The Federal Reserve, Rate Cuts, and a New Fed Chair: why the "C" in FOMC matters (31:39) The US Dollar and Reserve Currency Fears: "there's no replacement for it" (35:19) US National Debt: not a default story, but a long-term "wet blanket on growth" (43:02) Long-Term Investing vs. Gambling: owning vs. hoping, and why "get in/get out" isn't a strategy (47:22) How Liz Ann Sonders Invests Her Own Money (50:16) What's Different Now: post-COVID sentiment, the retail trader, and why psychology got harder (52:55) Where to Find Liz Ann's Research Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com) Disclosure: This content, which contains security-related opinions and/or information, is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon in any manner as professional advice, or an endorsement of any practices, products or services. There can be no guarantees or assurances that the views expressed here will be applicable for any particular facts or circumstances, and should not be relied upon in any manner. You should consult your own advisers as to legal, business, tax, and other related matters concerning any investment. The commentary in this "post" (including any related blog, podcasts, videos, and social media) reflects the personal opinions, viewpoints, and analyses of the Plancorp LLC employees providing such comments, and should not be regarded the views of Plancorp LLC. or its respective affiliates or as a description of advisory services provided by Plancorp LLC or performance returns of any Plancorp LLC client. References to any securities or digital assets, or performance data, are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. Charts and graphs provided within are for informational purposes solely and should not be relied upon when making any investment decision. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The content speaks only as of the date indicated. Any projections, estimates, forecasts, targets, prospects, and/or opinions expressed in these materials are subject to change without notice and may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed by others. Please see disclosures here.
Markets are shifting fast, and the rules that worked yesterday won't necessarily hold up tomorrow. In Season 6, Episode 9 (EP. 131) of the What Dewey Do? Podcast, the 2026 investing playbook takes center stage. The focus is on what still works, what deserves a second look, and what may no longer belong in a modern portfolio. Key themes include the second wave of AI infrastructure, the rotation beyond the Magnificent Seven, global opportunities outside the U.S., bonds making a real comeback through active management, and where private credit and private equity may fit for qualified investors. The goal is simple: help listeners position capital with intention instead of reacting to headlines. Press play, take notes, and start shaping a smarter game plan for 2026, one move at a time. Tune in NOW! Quotes: - Dewey Steffen: "Private credit can be a powerful fixed-income tool, but it comes with liquidity and risk considerations." - Dewey Steffen: "Private equity isn't for everyone, but established revenue-generating businesses can offer compelling growth.” - Dewey Steffen: "Smart investors focus on what matters, ignore the noise, and position their money intentionally." ➡️ WDD TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@whatdeweydopodcast ➡️ WDD Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatdeweydopodcast ➡️ WDD Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatdeweydo ➡️ GLW YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GLWealth Thanks for watching! What Dewey Do? is a podcast by Great Lakes Wealth (www.greatlakeswealth.us) and executively produced by Evry Media (https://www.evry.media.com) and Broadcast Your Authority (https://www.BroadcastYourAuthority.com). Great Lakes Wealth, LLC is a registered investment advisor. The information provided is solely for informational purposes. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Great Lakes Wealth and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. No advice may be rendered without a service agreement in place. Securities offered through Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, Member FINRA/SIPC Headquartered at 80 State Street, Albany, NY 12207. Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments and Great Lakes Wealth are not affiliated companies. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice. Nothing herein constitutes investment advice or a recommendation that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. Any mention of a particular security and related performance data is not a recommendation to buy or sell that security or a depiction of past investments made by Great Lakes Wealth, LLC.
In this episode of The Leader's Notebook (Ep. 295) from our seven-part series, The Magnificent Seven, and the final message in this series, I turn our attention to Paul the Apostle and the decisive turning points God used to shape the most influential voice of the early church. We begin with his commissioning in Acts 13 and look back to his dramatic conversion, his unmistakable calling, and the costly obedience that followed. Saul of Tarsus emerges as a Roman citizen, an elite rabbinical scholar, and a relentless Pharisee who encountered the risen Christ and was forever changed. From that encounter, Paul became the great theologian of salvation by faith alone, clarifying what it means for Gentiles to be grafted into the body of Christ. His life reminds us that to touch the church is to touch Christ Himself, and that true Kingdom leadership is not formed by ease, reputation, or advantage, but by answering God's call wherever it leads. – Dr. Mark Rutland Chapters (00:00:03) - The Leaders Notebook(00:00:25) - Paul the Apostle(00:04:02) - Paul the Apostle(00:12:10) - Saul of Tarsus(00:20:22) - Paul the Apostle's life(00:21:30) - Why Do Certain People Change Their Names?(00:27:40) - Paul the Apostle: Suffering and Joy(00:35:58) - Simon Peter on the Book of Hebrews(00:43:17) - Gentiles and the Law
In this episode, Scott Becker walks through The Motley Fool's ranking of the Magnificent Seven stocks, from Alphabet and Nvidia at the top to Apple at number seven
In this episode, Scott Becker walks through The Motley Fool's ranking of the Magnificent Seven stocks, from Alphabet and Nvidia at the top to Apple at number seven
In this episode of Excess Returns, we dive deep into one of the most pressing investing debates today: how to think about valuations, profit margins, and artificial intelligence in a market that feels both expensive and transformative. Sam Ro joins Matt Zeigler and Kai Wu for a wide-ranging conversation that explores whether traditional valuation tools still matter, how AI is reshaping corporate economics, and why history suggests investors should be cautious about bubble narratives even when enthusiasm runs high. From profit margins and capital intensity to the future of the Magnificent Seven, this episode focuses on how long-term investors can frame uncertainty without relying on false precision or short-term market calls.Timestamps00:00 Valuations, bubbles, and why timing markets is so hard01:41 Do valuations still matter for investors05:58 S&P 500 valuation levels versus history09:30 Profit margins and why mean reversion has not shown up yet14:39 Household finances, pricing power, and consumer resilience15:47 AI, productivity, and the limits of forecasting economic impact19:15 Valuations adjusted for structurally higher profit margins21:15 Tech multiples, growth expectations, and PEG ratios24:07 Are we in an AI bubble and why that question may not help29:14 Lessons from past bubbles and irrational exuberance30:14 How transformative AI could be compared to past innovations35:20 Massive AI capital spending and the risk of overbuild39:42 Who captures value in AI: builders versus users46:39 Revenue per worker and productivity trends48:00 Dispersion inside the Magnificent Seven51:34 Big tech shifting from asset-light to asset-heavy models59:53 Turnover among top companies over time01:01:10 Why Wall Street price targets miss the point01:04:30 Presidential cycles and market returns01:06:28 Fund manager surveys and why popular risks are often lagging indicatorsTopics coveredHow investors should think about valuations over long time horizonsWhy elevated profit margins may be more structural than cyclicalThe role of AI in productivity, earnings, and competitive dynamicsBubble psychology and lessons from the dot-com eraCapital intensity, overinvestment, and the risk of write-downsWhy AI infrastructure builders may not capture most of the valueWhat dispersion within the Magnificent Seven signals for marketsWhy broad diversification still matters in a rapidly changing market
As 2026 begins, Wall Street consensus is shifting away from the "Magnificent Seven" and toward "Old Economy" cyclicals... we will analyze whether this rotation is real or a head-fake.Today's Stocks & Topics: The Procter & Gamble Company (PG), Market Wrap, Portfolio Management, Equinor ASA (EQNR), Energy Transfer LP (ET), Price of Silver, “The 2026 "Great Rotation": Tech vs. The Old Economy”, Franco-Nevada Corporation (FNV), Signet Jewelers Limited (SIG), Paymentus Holdings, Inc. (PAY), Klarna Group plc (KLAR), The Condo Market.Our Sponsors:* Check out ClickUp and use my code INVEST for a great deal: https://www.clickup.com* Check out Invest529: https://www.invest529.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Josh Jamner reviews jobless claims data, pointing out the continued strength of the labor market. He suggests this strength, coupled with disinflationary trends and lower oil prices, could lead to two or more Federal Reserve rate cuts later in the year. Jamner also discusses a leadership rotation in the market, favoring value and small-cap stocks over the "Magnificent Seven," and sees potential upside in consumer-focused companies. He concludes with a look at the A.I. narrative, anticipating a "pause that refreshes" as growth rates, though still strong, begin to slow.======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Options involve risks and are not suitable for all investors. Before trading, read the Options Disclosure Document. http://bit.ly/2v9tH6DSubscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about
Buckle up for a takedown of the stolen 2020 election fraud machine on today's explosive Joe Oltmann Untamed! We kick off with the entire country buzzing about massive election irregularities, Venezuela's shadowy role, and the wave of impending indictments and arrests. President Trump just dropped a thunderous re-truth exposing the truth, while Emerald Robinson drops hints of secret indictments cooking behind the scenes. We revisit the damning video I recorded years ago with Mark Cook laying bare the Dominion vulnerabilities, and tie it all to the heroic fight for Tina Peters, the innocent patriot still rotting in prison despite Trump's bold pardon. This is the storm the deep state fears!We welcome third-generation Hollywood property master and armorer Donnie Bruno, fresh from blockbuster sets like American Sniper, John Wick, and The Magnificent Seven. Donnie pulls no punches on how Hollywood has morphed from storytelling into a blatant propaganda arm, shoving DEI, climate hysteria, and anti-patriot narratives down America's throat especially in action films that shape views on violence, military, and authority. From insider pressure on crews to overt ideological mandates from executives, he reveals how the industry weaponizes entertainment for social engineering, and why it's gotten far worse post-9/11 and during COVID. This is the red-pill drop on Tinseltown's war against real American values!We close with refreshing Joe Biden's own 2020 admission of the "largest voter fraud in history," David Clements' brutal takedown of Eric Coomer the radical Antifa-linked Dominion architect who bragged "Trump's not going to win, I made f***ing sure of it" and the Sequoia Voting Systems nexus. We break down Trump's order revoking Chris Krebs' security clearance, Wikileaks cables on Smartmatic, and my latest posts calling out the traitors attacking truth-tellers. The closer we get to the target, the harder they hit but justice is coming. Tune in now: The fraud empire is crumbling, Tina Peters must be freed, and the reckoning is here!
In this episode of The Leader's Notebook (Ep. 294) from our seven-part series, The Magnificent Seven, I examine the life, faith, and formation of Simon Peter—introduced in John 1 as a fisherman who meets Jesus and is immediately renamed, redefined, and relentlessly shaped by grace. Peter is bold, impulsive, strong, outspoken, and deeply human: quick to confess Jesus as the Christ, equally quick to resist the cross; first to step out of the boat, first to deny with a curse; yet also first to preach at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit transforms failure into authority. We trace Peter's journey from natural leadership to spiritual power, from Jewish boundaries to Gentile inclusion, and from rough-edged disciple to apostolic voice whose letters reveal profound theological depth. In the end, Peter himself tells us what mattered most—not miracles, not Pentecost, not even leadership—but seeing Christ in His glory, a vision that steadied his life and clarified his witness. – Dr. Mark Rutland Chapters (00:00:03) - The Leaders Notebook(00:00:53) - Simon Peter(00:09:38) - Simon Peter(00:13:23) - Simon Peter(00:16:58) - Simon Peter Confirmed as the Messiah by Jesus(00:22:28) - Simon Peter at Pentecost(00:28:48) - Simon Peter the Disciples(00:35:43) - St. Paul the Gentile encounter(00:39:02) - 1 Peter and 2 Peter(00:40:22) - The Greatest Moment of Peter's Life(00:46:24) - Leader's Notebook
New year, new goals—but which financial resolutions actually reduce stress and build wealth? We break down practical investing and money habits that help you focus on what matters most, from setting a clear plan to staying disciplined in volatile markets. If you're ready to start the year with clarity and confidence—not noise—this episode is for you.There's a baby boom happening at Henssler—and it sparked an important conversation exploring how welcoming a child changes your financial life and the critical first steps every new parent should take. From putting the right legal protections in place and reviewing insurance coverage, to understanding new tax benefits and when it makes sense to start saving for college, this episode offers a clear financial starting point during one of life's biggest transitions.After the break, we tackle two timely listener questions that many investors are quietly asking. First, does it make sense to step away from work at 50 and use Substantially Equal Periodic Payments (SEPP) to access retirement funds early? Then, with the Magnificent Seven driving much of the market's recent gains, we discuss whether now may be the right time to take some profits and diversify into income-producing dividend ETFs. If you're weighing early retirement strategies or wondering how concentrated your portfolio has become, this segment offers practical perspective—and a few important cautions.Join hosts Nick Antonucci, CVA, CEPA, Director of Research, and Managing Associates K.C. Smith, CFP®, CEPA, and D.J. Barker, CWS®, and Kelly-Lynne Scalice, a seasoned communicator and host, on Henssler Money Talks as they explore key financial strategies to help investors navigate market uncertainty. Henssler Money Talks — January 3, 2026 | Season 40, Episode 1Timestamps and Chapters8:26: Start the Year Right: Simple Steps for Financial Health20:03: Henssler Baby Boom: Planning for the Littlest Investors39:11: Hot Questions, Smart Answers Follow Henssler: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HensslerFinancial/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/HensslerFinancial LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/henssler-financial/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hensslerfinancial/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hensslerfinancial?lang=en X: https://www.x.com/hensslergroup “Henssler Money Talks” is brought to you by Henssler Financial. Sign up for the Money Talks Newsletter: https://www.henssler.com/newsletters/
Is your portfolio making a big bet on the Magnificent Seven? Mega-cap names like Nvidia, Alphabet, and Apple belong to the exclusive club that has largely driven US returns higher in recent years. Their success has led to market concentration. Portfolios tracking broad benchmarks have seen their diversification decrease and risk increase. How can you prepare your portfolio to absorb potential shocks? And where are the opportunities beyond the Mag Seven? Morningstar Holland's Chief European Market Strategist Michael Field is one of the researchers who investigated this.Beyond the Magnificent Seven: Unlocking Value in a Concentrated Stock MarketOn this episode:00:00:00 Welcome00:01:49 The Magnificent Seven's strong returns have benefited many investors. Why is their dominance a risk?00:02:07 Your team highlighted a noteworthy stat in the report. The top 10 US stocks make up about 35% of the overall market. That's almost double from a decade ago. What does that signal to you?00:02:39 Can you explain what the hidden cost of market concentration is?00:03:07 If the top stocks hold so much of the gains, where does that leave the rest of the market?00:03:41 Let's focus on key periods of market concentration. How does the current environment compare to the dot-com bubble?00:04:11 And what about now versus the global financial crisis?00:04:40 What if investors pulled back due to market concentration concerns in the last decade? Why would that have backfired?00:05:51 How can investors manage the risk of market concentration in their portfolios?00:05:50 Morningstar has identified investment opportunities for 2026. Why does the team favor US small caps over US large caps?00:06:59 Another opportunity is the healthcare sector. What companies do Morningstar analysts think could fend off the competition for 10 years or more?00:07:35 Morningstar encourages international diversification. Can you talk about the regions outside the US that look attractive for stock investors?00:08:03 What's the takeaway for diversifying beyond the Magnificent Seven in 2026? Watch more from Morningstar:9 Top ETFs for Income Investors That Stood Out in 2025 LINKWhere to Invest in 2026 After This Year's Market Volatility LINKWhy Betting Against Nvidia in the AI Arms Race Could Be a Mistake Follow Morningstar on social:Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/X https://x.com/MorningstarIncInstagram https://www.instagram.com/morningstarinc/?hl=enLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/morningstar/posts/?feedView=all Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Bob Lang shares his market outlook for 2026, anticipating a year of volatility and increased liquidity, driven by potential Federal Reserve rate cuts and a new round of quantitative easing. He foresees a positive year for markets, with mid to high single-digit returns. While the traditional Magnificent Seven may not lead the charge, new technology leaders like Micron Technology (MU), CrowdStrike (CRWD), and Palo Alto Networks (PANW) are emerging.======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Options involve risks and are not suitable for all investors. Before trading, read the Options Disclosure Document. http://bit.ly/2v9tH6DSubscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about
In this first episode of 2026, we sit down for a deep dive into one of the hottest concerns coming from clients and listeners lately: Is the U.S. stock market dangerously concentrated—and are we in an AI bubble? Ben, Dan, and Ben unpack the data, the history, and the psychology behind today's valuations, drawing lessons from past episodes of market euphoria such as Nortel in Canada, the dot-com boom, and Japan's 1989 peak. They explain why high market valuations—not concentration—pose the bigger challenge, how bubbles historically fuel real economic innovation while hurting investors, and why diversification continues to offer the only reliable protection against unknowable futures. Along the way, they revisit examples of how value stocks, small-cap value, and global diversification have fared across different market regimes. Key Points From This Episode: (0:00:40) What RR is about: evidence-based insights, synthesis episodes, expert interviews, and long-form inquiry — not debates. (0:04:20) Why listeners value RR: transparency, friendly inquiry, returning to topics over time, and the hosts' dynamic. (0:09:25) Rising concern: clients asking whether U.S. market concentration and an AI bubble mean it's time to exit stocks. (0:11:10) Advisors echo similar worries: U.S. politics, all-time highs, and emotional decision-making. (0:14:20) Today's data point: Top seven U.S. stocks = 36% of S&P 500; 32% of the total U.S. market — highest on record. (0:16:10) Why people fear concentration: a decline in the Magnificent Seven could meaningfully drag down the index. (0:17:30) Canada's cautionary tale: Nortel once hit 36% of the TSX — collapsed to zero — but the market recovered by 2005. (0:21:20) Bubbles through history: canals, railways, fiber optics, dot-coms — innovation funded by speculation. (0:25:30) Dot-com parallels: huge ideas, low cost of capital, lots of failures — but lasting infrastructure remained. (0:28:40) AI dominance: Since ChatGPT, AI-linked companies drove 75% of S&P returns, 80% of earnings growth, 90% of capex. (0:31:15) Reminder: No bubble calls — just context. High prices don't equal an inevitable crash. (0:33:10) Concentration vs. valuation: concentration shows weak links to future returns; valuations matter far more. (0:35:05) Market timing trap: U.S. valuations were high in 2021 — selling then would have been disastrous. (0:36:40) The U.S. lost decade: 2000–2010 returns were flat; in CAD, recovery didn't happen until 2013. (0:38:55) Value stocks held up: U.S. value and small-cap value delivered positive returns while broad indexes stagnated. (0:41:00) Recency bias reminder: Canadians once avoided U.S. stocks entirely after a decade of underperformance. (0:44:05) Japan 1989: World's largest market crashes — still not recovered in real terms 36 years later. (0:47:10) Global diversification wins: A 40% Japan-weighted global portfolio still performed fine thanks to U.S. growth. (0:49:00) Cross-country data: Many markets are far more concentrated than the U.S. — still delivered solid returns. (0:52:30) Valuation evidence: Higher CAPE = lower future returns — economically strong pattern across countries. (0:55:40) Core lesson: Diversification + discipline. You will always hold winners and losers — that's the point. (0:57:55) Practical ways to lower concentration risk: global equity funds, small caps, and Canada's 10% cap rule. (1:00:30) Why active managers don't help: only ~30–47% outperform depending on concentration trend. (1:03:25) Final takeaway: high valuations may imply lower returns, but prediction is impossible — stay diversified. (1:05:15) After-show review: Addressing a one-star critique ("Fartcoin Designer") with humour and community context. Links From Today's Episode: Meet with PWL Capital: https://calendly.com/d/3vm-t2j-h3p Rational Reminder on iTunes — https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-rational-reminder-podcast/id1426530582. Rational Reminder on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/rationalreminder/ Rational Reminder on YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/channel/ Benjamin Felix — https://pwlcapital.com/our-team/ Benjamin on X — https://x.com/benjaminwfelix Benjamin on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminwfelix/ Cameron Passmore — https://pwlcapital.com/our-team/ Cameron on X — https://x.com/CameronPassmore Cameron on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronpassmore/ Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com)
Stijn Schmitz welcomes Chris Vermeulen to the show. Chris Vermeulen is Founder & Chief Investment Officer, The Technical Traders. In this episode, Vermeulen provides an in-depth analysis of current market conditions, focusing primarily on precious metals, equities, and potential economic cycles. Chris suggests the precious metals market may be approaching a potential peak, characterized by high volatility and significant price fluctuations. He believes the market is currently experiencing its “last parabolic phase” and warns investors to be cautious. While acknowledging the excitement surrounding precious metals, he emphasizes the importance of having a strategic approach to manage potential risks. A key aspect of Vermeulen’s analysis is the relationship between stock market performance and precious metals. He observes that the stock market, particularly the Magnificent Seven tech stocks, has not yet experienced the significant pullback that typically precedes a precious metals rally. He anticipates that when the equity market begins to sell off, it could trigger a substantial correction in precious metals. Vermeulen recommends a strategy of following price action rather than getting caught up in market narratives. He suggests investors should be prepared to rotate between stocks, bonds, currencies, and cash positions. He is currently bullish on gold, equities, and potentially the US dollar index, while being bearish on oil and energy sectors. Looking ahead to 2026, Vermeulen predicts significant market volatility. He warns that the current low VIX (volatility) index suggests a lack of market fear, which could be a potential warning sign. His analysis indicates that the market might experience a relatively swift pullback, potentially lasting eight to twelve months, which could create opportunities for strategic investors to re-enter markets at more attractive valuations. Ultimately, Chris’s message is about maintaining flexibility, following technical indicators, and being prepared to adapt to changing market conditions. He emphasizes that successful investing is not about predicting exact market tops and bottoms, but about having a disciplined strategy to manage risk and capitalize on market movements. Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:01:00 – Precious Metals Volatility 00:03:34 – Parabolic Phase Thesis 00:07:56 – Timing Physical Positions 00:09:55 – Market Cycle Analysis 00:13:04 – Equities Rollover Indicators 00:16:12 – Current Investment Opportunities 00:20:54 – Oil Gas Outlook 00:28:22 – 2026 Volatility Expectations 00:30:42 – Technical Traders Service 00:32:08 – Concluding Thoughts Guest Links: Website: https://thetechnicaltraders.com/ X: https://x.com/TheTechTraders Chris Vermeulen is the Founder & Chief Investment Officer of The Technical Traders and the visionary mind behind Asset Revesting. In his book Asset Revesting – How to Exclusively Hold Assets Rising in Value, Profit During Bear Markets, and Continue Building Wealth in Retirement, he lays out this investment framework. Chris launched his financial career at 16, parlaying his knack for trading and risk management into funding his final year of college, where he earned a business diploma in operations management. By his twenties, he had achieved financial independence as a full-time entrepreneur and trader. After a setback—blowing up a trading account—Chris dedicated himself to treating trading as a business, completing the Trading Strategy Mastery and Trading Is Your Business courses. A technical analysis expert, he devises systematic methods to spot market opportunities and control portfolio risk, rejecting traditional buy-and-hold approaches that cling to depreciating assets. His efficient asset allocation models balance short- and long-term strategies to minimize drawdowns and consistently outperform benchmarks. Those seeking reliable capital preservation and growth turn to his proven techniques.
In this episode of Excess Returns, Jack Forehand and Matt Zeigler dig into forecast season by reviewing and synthesizing insights from 22 major Wall Street and institutional market outlooks. Rather than treating year-end forecasts as precise predictions, the conversation uses them as a framework for understanding consensus views, hidden assumptions, and where the real risks and surprises for 2026 may lie. The discussion spans macroeconomic conditions, AI-driven growth, earnings expectations, valuation risks, and the growing divergence beneath headline market performance, helping investors think more clearly about the range of outcomes ahead.Main topics covered• Why year-end market forecasts are still useful despite being consistently wrong on exact targets• What consensus forecasts reveal about expectations for economic growth in 2026• The role of artificial intelligence in driving earnings, productivity, and capital spending• Reacceleration versus late-cycle slowdown and how forecasters are split on the outlook• Inflation expectations, interest rates, and the likelihood of fewer Fed cuts than expected• Fiscal policy, deficits, and the growing role of government stimulus• Energy constraints, data centers, and the physical limits of the AI buildout• Profit margin expansion versus revenue growth and why this matters for valuations• S&P 500 price targets, earnings assumptions, and where optimism and caution diverge• The dominance of the Magnificent Seven and the debate over market and earnings broadening• Risks beneath the surface, including margin compression, valuation resets, and sector rotation• What investors can learn by comparing the most bullish and most bearish forecastsTimestamps00:00 Forecast season and why reading outlooks still matters03:00 Why precise market targets are misleading but informative05:30 Using consensus forecasts to identify risks and surprises08:30 AI, economic reacceleration, and productivity expectations13:00 Recession risks, stagflation fears, and late-cycle dynamics17:00 Inflation outlook and why it may reemerge later in the year22:00 Fed policy, rate cuts, and rising internal dissent26:00 Fiscal stimulus, deficits, and long-term consequences28:00 AI infrastructure, energy constraints, and data centers35:00 AI diffusion and real-world productivity gains39:00 S&P 500 targets, earnings growth, and valuation assumptions43:00 Profit margins, mean reversion, and long-term risks47:00 Magnificent Seven earnings versus the rest of the market52:00 Market broadening, international stocks, and diversification56:00 Key takeaways for investors heading into 2026
Wir werfen einen Blick auf die Performance unserer Depots und überprüfen die Predictions aus dem letzten Jahr. Welche Thesen sind eingetreten, welche lagen daneben und welche waren schlicht zu früh? Dabei geht es um OpenAI, Meta, Microsoft, Apple und die Magnificent Seven, um KI-Hype versus Realität und um die Frage, wo tatsächlich Wert entstanden ist. Außerdem sprechen wir über Metas Übernahme von Manus für rund 2 Milliarden, die Entwicklung von Agenten-Startups, das weitgehend ausgebliebene Agentic Web und warum Inferenz inzwischen mehr Ressourcen verbraucht als Training. Wir ordnen IPOs, Robotik-Fortschritte, Temu, Energie als Engpassfaktor für KI sowie Europas Rolle im Tech-Wettbewerb ein. Unterstütze unseren Podcast und entdecke die Angebote unserer Werbepartner auf doppelgaenger.io/werbung. Vielen Dank! Philipp Glöckler und Philipp Klöckner sprechen heute über: (00:00:00) Intro & Jahresrückblick (00:02:20) Meta kauft Manus für 2 Mrd. (00:05:45) Predictions Review Start (00:08:06) Peak OpenAI falsch (00:10:07) WhatsApp vs OpenAI (00:12:27) Meta AI enttäuscht (00:13:52) Microsoft Performance (00:15:50) Office 365 Wachstum (00:17:23) KI-Realität tritt ein (00:19:41) Agentic Web Nullnummer (00:21:52) AI macht Internet kaputt (00:23:02) E-Ink Reader Vision (00:24:38) Tech Produkte 2025 (00:27:25) Acast vs Spotify (00:30:03) Podcast Performance (00:31:37) DOGE & US-Haushalt (00:33:35) PayPal-Mafia Aktien (00:35:36) KI-Chance für Europa (00:39:10) Arbeitslosenquote Deutschland (00:40:12) New Work Definition (00:41:23) LinkedIn Follower Wette (00:42:05) Trade Republic Kritik (00:44:07) Podcast Zahlen 2025 (00:47:28) Newsletter Performance (00:49:12) Robotik & Agenten (00:54:20) China Tech-Reise Idee (00:55:00) IPO Jahr Review (00:57:13) Shein & Temu (00:59:09) Kampf um Energie (01:00:19) Inferenz vs Training (01:04:20) Magnificent Seven Performance (01:08:36) Euro-Dollar Impact (01:11:20) Alphabet beste Aktie (01:13:44) DAX outperformt USA (01:16:07) Edelmetalle Boom (01:18:16) Bitcoin enttäuscht (01:20:41) Bitcoin Reserve Irrsinn (01:23:06) RAM beste Investment (01:25:07) Portfolio Performance (01:29:29) Private Markets Erfolg (01:31:08) Persönliche Depots (01:32:48) Schuldenbremse aufgeweicht (01:33:50) Somali-Fraud Debatte (01:42:17) Steuerhinterziehung vs Sozialbetrug (01:47:06) Focus Clickbait (01:49:30) NGO-Hetze Shownotes Meta übernimmt KI-Startup Manus und gewinnt Millionen zahlender Nutzer hinzu - wsj.com Nick Shirley auf X - x.com Kältebus- linkedin.com Elon Musk auf X: "Etwa 20% des Bundesbudgets sind Betrug. - x.com
In this episode of The Leader's Notebook (Ep. 293) from our seven-part series, The Magnificent Seven, I walk through the astonishing life and ministry of John the Baptist. He stands as the last Old Testament prophet and the first man to publicly identify Jesus as Messiah. His voice rises out of four centuries of prophetic silence, set against the political brutality of Rome and the corruption of Herod. John does not emerge as a stylist or strategist, but as a singular, God-anointed voice preparing the way. He calls a nation to repentance and redefines the Messianic mission as sacrificial redemption. Standing in the Jordan, he declares Jesus to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire. His courage, clarity, and refusal to measure success by comfort or applause confront our modern assumptions about leadership and faithfulness. John's life reminds us that true success is obedience to God's call, even when it costs everything, and that the highest aim of any leader is to see Jesus clearly and point others to Him. – Dr. Mark Rutland Chapters (00:00:03) - The Leaders Notebook(00:00:26) - John the Baptist and the Taxation(00:01:26) - The Story of the Birth of Jesus(00:07:38) - The Life of Zechariah and the Angel Gabriel(00:15:17) - John 3: Behold the Lamb of God that taketh(00:15:56) - John the Baptist(00:20:25) - John the Baptist's Baptism(00:27:25) - Joel the prophet(00:35:21) - The Personal End of John the Baptist(00:41:06) - John Baptist: A Success or a Failure?
Welcome to the final full trading day of 2025! On this episode of the Hot Options Report, host Mark Longo breaks down a surprisingly active market for a holiday week. From massive dividend capture plays in the REIT sector to "hope springs eternal" bullish bets in the Magnificent Seven, we cover everything lighting up the tape as we head into the new year. In this episode, we analyze the top 10 most active names on the options tape, including: The Big Two: Tesla (TSLA) and Nvidia (NVDA) dominate the volume again. We look at the heavy paper in the NVDA 190 calls and why Tesla traders are sweating the $460 strike. Dividend Plays: Why did Agency Investment Corp (AGNC) and Annaly Capital Management (NLY) suddenly crash the top 10? We break down the ex-dividend activity driving massive volume in the Jan 10 and Jan 22 calls. The AI Ecosystem: Analyzing the "coin flip" sentiment in Palantir (PLTR) puts and the "opening paper" selling 40 calls in Intel (INTC). The "Monster" Moves: MicroStrategy (MSTR) continues its wild ride—is the $160 call a trap or a breakout play for the week? Big Tech Highlights: A look at the "Number of the Beast" close for Meta and the last-minute lottery tickets in Apple (AAPL) and Netflix (NFLX). Check the Data for Free: TheHotOptionsReport.com.
In this episode of Excess Returns, we sit down with Paul Eitelman, Global Chief Investment Strategist at Russell Investments, to unpack their 2026 outlook and the idea of a “Great Inflection Point” for markets and the economy. Paul explains why the U.S. economy may be shifting from resilience to reacceleration, how artificial intelligence is moving from hype to measurable returns, and why market leadership could finally broaden beyond the Magnificent Seven. The conversation blends macroeconomic analysis, behavioral finance, and real-world portfolio implications, offering investors a framework for thinking about growth, risk, and diversification as we head into 2026.Main topics covered• The cycle, valuation, and sentiment framework and how it shapes investment decisions• Why economic growth may reaccelerate in 2026 after navigating policy headwinds• Accelerating AI adoption and what early signs of ROI mean for productivity and profits• The J-curve of new technologies and where AI may sit today• Capital spending, leverage, and profitability risks among hyperscalers and large tech firms• Energy demand, labor market impacts, and other societal risks tied to AI• Tariffs, immigration, and uncertainty as fading or manageable economic headwinds• Financial conditions, fiscal stimulus, and deregulation as emerging tailwinds• The gap between hard economic data and weak consumer sentiment• Why recession forecasts have been wrong and how to think about recession risk going forward• Inflation dynamics, the Federal Reserve's priorities, and the outlook for rates• The case for market broadening beyond the Magnificent Seven• Global diversification, small caps, international equities, and emerging markets• Behavioral finance, investor sentiment, and staying invested through volatility• Portfolio construction implications, including real assets and alternativesTimestamps00:00 Introduction and the Great Inflection Point outlook03:00 Cycle, valuation, and sentiment investing framework05:50 From economic resilience to potential reacceleration07:00 AI as a transformational technology and historical parallels09:20 Measuring returns on AI investment and productivity gains11:00 The AI J-curve and timing of benefits13:00 Capital intensity, leverage, and risks for big tech15:00 Energy demand, labor markets, and AI risks19:00 How Paul uses AI in his own research workflow20:30 The case for economic reacceleration into 202621:40 Tariffs and their real economic impact23:20 Immigration and labor supply effects24:10 Uncertainty, confidence, and business decision-making26:10 Financial conditions and household wealth28:00 Fiscal stimulus and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act29:20 Deregulation as a potential growth tailwind30:40 Hard data versus soft data in the economy34:10 Why recession forecasts failed37:10 Recession risk outlook for 202640:30 Inflation dynamics and the Fed's focus43:50 Broadening market leadership beyond the Magnificent Seven46:10 Investor sentiment, panic, and opportunity49:00 Translating macro views into portfolio strategy51:30 Real assets, alternatives, and diversification54:30 Investing lessons, compounding, and staying invested
In this episode of The Leader's Notebook (Ep.292) from our seven-part series, The Magnificent Seven, I walk through the life of King David not as a children's story hero, but as one of the most complex, gifted, and broken leaders Scripture ever presents, drawing from Psalms 22, 23, and 51 to show how a shepherd, poet, warrior, prophet, outlaw, king, and sinner could still be called a man after God's own heart. David's genius was not perfection but pursuit: an uncommon ability to flex with the seasons of life, to rebound from moral collapse and personal tragedy, and to refuse both despair and denial when confronted with his own sin. From prophetic insight that reached the cross of Christ, to public repentance that matched the depth of his failure, David teaches us that leadership is not validated by flawlessness but by repentance, resilience, and an unrelenting chase after the heart of God, even when life is marked by pain, conflict, and unfinished battles. – Dr. Mark Rutland Chapters (00:00:03) - The Leaders Notebook(00:00:25) - Psalm 22, The Book of Psalms(00:02:19) - David the Extraordinary Man(00:07:31) - The Fall of David(00:09:09) - The Life of King David(00:13:23) - The Story of David and the Defeat of Goliath(00:21:41) - David the King of Israel(00:28:00) - David's Sin with Bathsheba(00:35:03) - David the Book of Life(00:39:38) - Was David a Man After God's Own Heart?
This week on Inside the Economy, we dive into stock performance and take a closer look under the hood at AI, inflation, wages, and the U.S. job market. The “Magnificent Seven” stocks of the S&P 500 have been primary drivers of the market over the past few years. Is the index beginning to broaden now? What has led to Google's success this year? We also examine long-term inflation, which has averaged around 3% in the U.S. How do inflation numbers in the 2020s compare to those of the 1970s and 1980s, and what insights can be drawn from 2025 inflation numbers? Meanwhile, disposable income and compensation growth have recently exceeded inflation by more than 2%, according to available data. Unemployment has ticked up to 4.6%, but when we zoom out historically, where are we and what cracks may be present? Tune in to learn more. Key Takeaways: • Crude Oil at $55.07 a barrel • Unemployment at 4.6% • California's share of U.S. GDP is 14.5%
2025 CPMHOF Lifetime Achievement Award Winner:Richard (Dick) E. Phelan was born and raised in the Allison Hill area of Harrisburg. Dick had an initial love of sports and music. He graduated from John Harris HS in 1963. While in high school, he began his music career with a group of other classmates forming “The Organization” (which included future founder of The Magnificent Men, Bob Angelucci).While on the road in 1964, he found a property on N Front St. in Harrisburg that was for lease and he had a vision that would soon become “The Barn.” He soon outgrew that location and decided to go big with the acquisition of a parcel of farm property in suburban Harrisburg, on which, he opened The Raven on Thanksgiving weekend in 1965. Opening night the house band was “The Magnificent Seven” (soon to become The Magnificent Men).By 1968, Dick was looking for bigger venues to promote his musical connections. He sold The Raven (it became The Rover) and embarked on a career of promotion national acts all over the east coast. He was a road manager and promoter for such acts as Grand Funk Railroad, Uriah Heep, an early version of Chicago, Aerosmith, Earth, Wind, & Fire, and more! He had the first US booking for a new British artist, Elton John. He also controlled a northeast corridor of minor league hockey rinks, which became perfect venues for concerts.Later in life, Dick's entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish a string of successful restaurants, numbering as many as 19. This included the famous Gingerbread Man franchise and another special music venue, Rod's Roadhouse.Enjoy!You can find out more about the CPMHOF @ https://cpmhof.com/Brought to you by Darker with Daniel @ Studio 3.http://darkerwithdaniel.com/All media requests: thecpmpodcast@gmail.comWant to be on an episode of the CPMP? For all considerations please fill out a form @ https://cpmhof.com/guest-considerationJoin us back here or on your favorite audio streaming platform every other week for more content.
From festive traditions to financial realities, this episode covers a wide range of timely topics as the year comes to a close. We start with a lighter look at the season, unpacking some of this year's biggest holiday trends, starting with Elf on the Shelf's Marietta roots. Elf on the Shelf has grown from a simple idea into a global enterprise. Its deep connection to holiday tradition has helped create a sustainable, enduring business model year after year. Next we jump into the shopping trends from Labubu to Crumbl Cookies to luxury items. We consider what current consumer spending trends reveal about shoppers' confidence. We'll discuss what a K-shaped recovery tells us about consumer financial health and what it could mean for the economy heading into the new year.From there, we turn to the economy, diving into recently released data including November's employment growth and the current unemployment rate. Is the AI trend fully supporting our economy? In some ways yes, but we're also seeing the broader market catch up to the Magnificent Seven. Student loans are also back in the spotlight, with significant changes carrying major implications for millions of borrowers. We break down what's happening with income-driven repayment plans, including updates to IBR and the emerging Repayment Assistance Plan, and how these shifts may affect monthly payments and long-term forgiveness timelines. Our host KC was recently quoted in CNBC on these developments, and we'll explain what the legal and policy changes mean for your financial future.Finally, we look ahead to upcoming tax-law changes tied to higher education, including repayment plan phase-outs and expanded rules around federal education benefits—part of the broader One Big Beautiful Bill that could reshape student debt and college costs in the years ahead.Join hosts Nick Antonucci, CVA, CEPA, Director of Research, and Managing Associates K.C. Smith, CFP®, CEPA, and D.J. Barker, CWS®, and Kelly-Lynne Scalice, a seasoned communicator and host, on Henssler Money Talks as they explore key financial strategies to help investors navigate market uncertainty. Henssler Money Talks — December 20, 2025 | Season 39, Episode 51Timestamps and Chapters6:01: Holiday Fads & Favorites 13:52: Holiday Spending Checkup27:49: Employment Data and Market Breadth37:31: The Student Loan Reset: New Rules, New Risks, New DecisionsFollow Henssler: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HensslerFinancial/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/HensslerFinancial LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/henssler-financial/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hensslerfinancial/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hensslerfinancial?lang=en X: https://www.x.com/hensslergroup “Henssler Money Talks” is brought to you by Henssler Financial. Sign up for the Money Talks Newsletter: https://www.henssler.com/newsletters/
This episode of Talking Real Money takes aim at the latest “easy money” illusion—house flipping—explaining why rising costs, higher interest rates, softer housing demand, and plain old competition have drained much of its appeal. Tom and Don connect flipping's decline to a familiar pattern of speculative behavior, much like day trading or past real estate manias, and reinforce why there are no reliable shortcuts to wealth. Listener calls drive a wide-ranging discussion on global diversification versus U.S.-only investing, the dangers of concentration risk in the S&P 500, how recency bias distorts performance comparisons, and why owning more markets matters more than making predictions. The episode wraps with practical retirement guidance for older investors, including simplifying portfolios with low-cost target-date funds, and closes with trademark humor and perspective. 0:05 Show open, intro banter, singing callbacks, and weekend rhythm 0:28 House flipping compared to day trading and FOMO investing 1:28 Why flipping activity is down sharply: costs, rates, and competition 3:41 The myth of “passive income” in real estate 4:50 Softer housing markets and demographic headwinds 6:02 No magic systems—long-term investing still wins 8:27 Lisa (Colorado): investing nonprofit funds at Vanguard 10:30 VOO vs VTI vs VT and the case for global diversification 12:29 Volatility, standard deviation, and diversification basics 14:44 Sharpe ratios, recency bias, and misleading performance metrics 16:54 Charles (Seattle): Boeing plans, VOO, and AVGE at Schwab 18:32 S&P 500 concentration risk and the “Magnificent Seven” 21:33 Jason (Sammamish): VTI vs VT debate and long-term market data 28:41 Debbie (Camano Island): portfolio risk concerns at age 73 31:20 Risk tolerance vs risk capacity in retirement 33:16 Vanguard target-date funds as a simple retirement solution 36:01 Lighter close with creative fundraising and holiday humor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of The Leader's Notebook (Ep. 291) from our seven-part series, The Magnificent Seven, I take you into the long, demanding life of Moses—a man called by God and shaped by struggle. From a baby hidden in the reeds to an old prophet standing before Pharaoh, Moses learned that God forms leaders slowly and uses them despite their fears, failures, and reluctance. We walk through the burning bush, the wilderness years, and the heavy burden of leading a stubborn people, discovering that true leadership is meekness—great authority restrained by obedience to God. Moses' life points us again and again to the grace of God, a grace that still flows even when the servant falters, and ultimately to Christ, the greater Deliverer, who bears the curse and brings us into freedom. Moses reminds us that God does His greatest work through surrendered lives, and that faithfulness matters more than brilliance or strength.– Dr. Mark Rutland Chapters (00:00:03) - The Leaders Notebook(00:00:25) - The Magnificent Seven(00:01:12) - Joseph the Desecrator(00:09:53) - Why Was Moses Named Moses?(00:13:37) - THE LIFE OF MOSES(00:21:46) - Meekness and God's Plan for Israel(00:27:28) - The healing power of the Cross(00:33:46) - Moses the Great
In this episode of the Money Matters Podcast, Wes Moss and Connor Miller offer an educational discussion on current financial market headlines, retirement planning considerations, and developments in artificial intelligence. • Review publicly reported details of Disney's collaboration with OpenAI and discuss how large media organizations are evaluating AI-enabled content tools. • Examine Time Magazine's recognition of the collective “Architects of AI” as 2025's Persons of the Year and what that designation reflects about technology's growing prominence. Then, reflect on past Time Person of the Year selections to provide cultural and economic context across different market eras. • Discuss widely cited data on the increase in millionaire 401(k) accounts and explain how market conditions and contribution patterns can sometimes influence account balances. • Summarize the Federal Reserve's recent monetary policy decision, often described as a “hawkish cut,” including how commentators interpret interest-rate signaling. • Compare the recent performance of the Magnificent Seven stocks with the broader S&P 500 to illustrate changes in market concentration over time. • Highlight market data showing broader participation in equity returns, with a greater share of S&P 500 companies posting positive performance. • Revisit common asset allocation discussions involving balanced portfolios, including equities and fixed income, in long-term planning contexts. • Explain how short-term and long-term interest rates can respond differently to policy changes and why those distinctions are often referenced in borrowing discussions. • Review current U.S. labor market indicators—such as jobless claims, labor force participation, and wage growth—based on widely followed economic releases. • Outline health insurance marketplace open-enrollment timelines and general considerations individuals often review when evaluating coverage options. • Discuss survey-based research identifying an association between having a written retirement plan and reported retirement satisfaction, without implying causation. • Consider how economists and analysts describe AI's potential role in productivity and economic growth, acknowledging uncertainty and variability. • Preview commonly discussed themes for 2026, including historical patterns around election cycles, market volatility, and consumer spending behavior. Listen and subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast for ongoing discussions that help frame financial topics within a broader, long-term perspective.
Associates on Fire: A Financial Podcast for the Associate Dentist
In this episode of the Dental Boardroom Podcast, host Wes Read, CPA and financial advisor at Practice CFO, is joined by Brandon Hobson and Paul for their quarterly deep dive into the stock market, global economy, and what dentists and practice owners should prepare for as 2026 approaches.The episode covers:The Federal Reserve's rate movements and expected leadership changeWhether the current AI wave is a bubble or a true productivity revolutionThe future relevance of the traditional 60/40 investment strategyHow economic shifts impact dentists' borrowing, practice finances, and patient spendingPractice CFO's investment outlook and positioning for 2026A must-listen for dental entrepreneurs and investors navigating today's unpredictable financial landscape.Key Topics & Takeaways1. Federal Reserve Update & Interest RatesCurrent Fed Funds Rate: 3.75%–4%, with another 0.25% cut expected soon.Kevin Hassett is the likely replacement for Jerome Powell in 2026 potentially a more politically influenced choice.Concerns about Fed independence rising due to political pressure.Rate cuts stimulate borrowing but risk inflation if overdone.Importance for dentists:Affects practice loans, buildouts, refinancing, and equipment financing.Impacts patient discretionary spending, especially in cosmetic dentistry.2. Stagflation Risk?Inflation appears stable around the mid-2% range.Unemployment creeping toward 4%.Risk emerges if inflation rises while unemployment increases = “stagflation.”Not yet alarming, but the rate of change is what matters.3. GDP & Economic StrengthU.S. GDP last reading (Q2): 3.8%, stronger than expected.Global GDP remains surprisingly strong despite trade tensions.Q3 & Q4 readings delayed due to government shutdown but expected to stay positive.4. AI: Bubble or Breakthrough?Big tech's AI infrastructure spend expected to hit $3 trillion by 2028.53% of investors believe we are in an AI bubble.OpenAI & NVIDIA valuations are 30–40× revenue, compared to Walmart at 1.3×.MIT study: 95% of companies currently see no ROI from AI.Major concerns:Revenue lag vs. massive AI investmentCircular funding structures (promising investments without cash to fulfill them)Big tech taking on debt to fund AI (Meta's off-balance-sheet financing)Parallel drawn to the dot-com era huge innovation + huge speculative hype.5. What About the Magnificent Seven?High valuations and interconnected dependence create contagion risk.NVIDIA's unusually high profit margins may attract new competition.Some tech (like Google, Meta) still offers strong fundamentals & cash flow.But investors should avoid blindly overweighting tech indexes.6. Is the Classic 60/40 Portfolio Back?After years of underperformance, value stocks and quality companies are regaining momentum.PracticeCFO's positioning:Lower tech exposure (15–18% vs. S&P 35–40%)Higher weight in value, quality, and cash-flow-focused companies20–40% international stocks for diversificationAI benefits will extend to all sectors consumer staples may monetize AI faster and cheaper than...
In this episode of The Leader's Notebook (Ep. 290) from our seven-part series, The Magnificent Seven, we explore the life and leadership of Joseph—the dreamer whose faith and character carried him through betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment to become the second most powerful man in Egypt. From the prophetic dreams God gave him as a youth to the fulfillment of those dreams decades later, Joseph's story illustrates how God orchestrates destiny through patience, integrity, and unwavering trust. I share practical insights on how to hold onto the dreams God places in your heart, how to persevere through setbacks, and how to recognize the divine timing in your life. Joseph's life teaches us that God's promises often arrive in ways we cannot yet comprehend, and that the power of a dream can transform both personal destiny and the course of nations.– Dr. Mark Rutland Chapters (00:00:03) - The Leaders Notebook(00:00:36) - Joseph's Life in Dreams(00:09:12) - Joseph the Despot: My Story(00:16:37) - Joseph the Jewish People(00:20:06) - The Dream of Your Life(00:25:27) - The Story of Purple Mountain Majorem(00:28:34) - Dreams and the power of them(00:34:03) - Mark Rutland on His(00:38:20) - The Greatest Dream Encourager of All Time(00:44:55) - A Little Girl's Dream(00:50:28) - God has a Dream for Your Life
CNBC and MSNBC commentator Ron Insana joins Michael to break down what's really driving the stock market — and why most investors aren't feeling the gains. From the soaring dominance of the “Magnificent Seven” tech giants to fears of an AI-fueled bubble, Insana explains the risks, the misconceptions, and how everyday Americans should think about investing in a highly concentrated market. They also tackle AI job displacement, universal basic income, Nvidia's explosive rise, and the surprising decline in what it means to be “wealthy” today. Original air date 4 December 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In this episode of The Leader's Notebook (Ep. 289), I open our new series, The Magnificent Seven, by turning our attention to Abraham—the first great patriarch and the man through whom God began the redemptive story that shapes all of Scripture. Abraham stands at the headwaters of biblical history, yet he emerges from a pagan culture with no prior record of faith, only a heart somehow attuned to the voice of God. That alone is a profound leadership lesson: God speaks to those who will listen. In this teaching, I explore Abraham's courageous obedience, his willingness to step into the unknown, and the leadership strength that caused entire households to follow him simply because he trusted the word of the Lord. At the same time, Abraham's failures—his impatience, his missteps, his attempts to force God's promise—offer sober warnings for every leader. His life reminds us that obedient faith, not human strategy, is the pathway to God's best. Join me as we learn from the strengths and shortcomings of this remarkable man and consider what real spiritual leadership requires in our own time.– Dr. Mark Rutland Chapters (00:00:03) - The Leaders Notebook(00:00:25) - 7 characteristics of the 7 people in the Bible(00:08:38) - Abram's Obedient Faith(00:11:29) - Abram the Desecrator(00:14:19) - Abram the Jew and Lot(00:20:32) - The Sin of Sodom(00:27:52) - Abraham and the Jews(00:28:19) - God's Mercy for Abram and His People(00:36:56) - God's challenges in our life(00:39:11) - Abraham's Final Test of His Life
We will dig into the market's obsession with the “Magnificent Seven” tech giants, the hidden concentration risk in many portfolios, and how to rebalance without missing out on innovation.Today's Stocks & Topics: Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (AGM), Market Wrap, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL), “Magnificent Seven Overload: Is Your Portfolio Too Top-Heavy?”, iShares Top 20 U.S. Stocks ETF (TOPT), The Crypto Fall, Medical Properties Trust, Inc. (MPW), Micron Technology, Inc. (MU), Start Taking Equity, Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc (RYCEY), The Housing Market.Get an exclusive 5% discount on NordProtect plans. ➼ Go to: https://nordprotect.com/investalk and use the code investtalk at checkout.Take back your personal data with Incogni! Use code investtalk at the link below and get 60% off annual plans: https://incogni.com/investtalkOur Sponsors:* Check out Gusto: https://gusto.com/investtalk* Check out Invest529: https://www.invest529.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.com* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code INVEST for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
CONTINUED ALSO NYC MAYORALTY Liz Peek Liz Peek discusses the "AI bubble," noting the Magnificent Seven stocks are priced to perfection amidst concerns that massive investments may not yield adequate returns, observes that although the market is "risk off"...
Liz Peek Liz Peek discusses the "AI bubble," noting the Magnificent Seven stocks are priced to perfection amidst concerns that massive investments may not yield adequate returns, observes that although the market is "risk off" the US economy seems "okay" according to data points, and expresses alarm about New York Mayor-Elect Mamdani, a socialist without management expertise who is surrounding himself with ideologues, including Hassan Sheheryar, his transition director, who is "clearly anti-Semitic" and anti-Israel, raising significant concerns for the city.E
SHOW 11-18-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR 1894 "THE ANGEL OF THE REVOLUTION" THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT GAZA. FIRST HOUR 9-915 Liz Peek Liz Peek discusses the "AI bubble," noting the Magnificent Seven stocks are priced to perfection amidst concerns that massive investments may not yield adequate returns, observes that although the market is "risk off" the US economy seems "okay" according to data points, and expresses alarm about New York Mayor-Elect Mamdani, a socialist without management expertise who is surrounding himself with ideologues, including Hassan Sheheryar, his transition director, who is "clearly anti-Semitic" and anti-Israel, raising significant concerns for the city.E 915-930 CONTINUED 930-945 Judy Dempsey Judy Dempsey addresses the rising costs and future decline of the global cocoa crop, linking it to transcontinental climate change caused by Amazon deforestation, criticizes the EU and NATO for reacting too slowly and lacking strategic vision concerning the Ukraine war and defense, notes European military infrastructure is inadequate for rapid deployment forcing reliance on ships instead of trains, and observes that while the Russian threat is understood by most member states, political fumbling in Germany is allowing the anti-NATO, pro-Russia AfD party to gain significant ground. 945-1000 Gregory Copley Gregory Copley discusses the US military presence off Venezuela, noting President Trump seeks a negotiated outcome with Maduro to avoid long-term intervention, covers Mohammed bin Salman's influence in the Abraham Accords and the challenge posed by Turkey-backed Hamas, analyzes the symbolic rail sabotage in Poland questioning Russian involvement, and addresses the declining viability of NATO's Article 5 and the potential for King Charles III to intervene in UK political chaos. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 Charles Burton Charles Burton discusses his book, The Beaver and the Dragon, illustrating China's fundamental untrustworthiness and statistical manipulation, which has intensified under centralized leadership, noting Canada's past cooperation with China's National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) failed as officials often falsely reported data, and despite historical deception and security risks, there is a push in Canada to increase trade with China to offset trade issues with the United States, with Burton cautioning that trusting the Chinese Communist Party has always "gone badly wrong." 1015-1030 CONTINUED. 1030-1045 Jonathan Schanzer Jonathan Schanzer discusses Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), calling him a deeply flawed but essential leader driving Saudi modernization and normalization with Israel, with a "pathway to a Palestinian state" as the current diplomatic objective, emphasizing that resolving the Gaza situation and achieving broader peace hinges on eliminating Hamas, while the region faces long-term challenges from Iran and Turkey, the latter complicating Israel's security operations in chaotic Syria, with the UN endorsement of the Trump 20-point plan for Gaza reconstruction considered a landmark win. 1045-1100 CONTINUED CONTINUED KING CHARLES THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 Gregory Copley Gregory Copley discusses the US military presence off Venezuela, noting President Trump seeks a negotiated outcome with Maduro to avoid long-term intervention, covers Mohammed bin Salman's influence in the Abraham Accords and the challenge posed by Turkey-backed Hamas, analyzes the symbolic rail sabotage in Poland questioning Russian involvement, and addresses the declining viability of NATO's Article 5 and the potential for King Charles III to intervene in UK political chaos. 1115-1130 CONTINUED MBS 1130-1145 CONTINUED KING CHARLES 1145-1200 CONTINUED FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 Mary Kissel Mary Kissel addresses three foreign policy dilemmas: regarding Venezuela, the US military buildup is seen as leverage to force dialogue with Maduro following a successful playbook used against North Korea; in Europe, she notes a dichotomy between committed Eastern European states and "weaker lazier" Western powers regarding support for Ukraine; and the China dilemma involves whether to treat Beijing as a legitimate trading partner or an enemy narco-terrorist state responsible for exporting fentanyl precursors, with Kissel suggesting current US policy is confused and benefits the CCP. 1215-1230 1230-1245 oseph Sternberg Joseph Sternberg analyzes the BBC political bias scandal, which is significant because the BBC is "omnipresent" and arranges the "mental furniture for British society," noting the BBC, funded largely by a mandatory license fee, faced allegations ranging from deceptive editing of President Trump's remarks to the Arabic service pushing Hamas propaganda potentially fueling anti-Semitism, while domestically discussing the UK Labour Party's dilemma over controversial immigration policies to control illegal channel crossings, a crisis that has strengthened Nigel Farage's Reform party. 1245-100 AM