Podcasts about monarch money

Kiera is joined by Alexis Gallati, founder and lead tax strategist at Cerebral Tax Advisors, to talk about tax strategy not just for 2025 success, but 2026 and beyond. They discuss asking your CPA the right questions, shifting income from your higher tax bracket down, the Augusta rule, and a ton more. Episode resources: Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Schedule a Practice Assessment Leave us a review Transcript: The Dental A Team (00:00) Hello, Dental A Team listeners. This is Kiera and today I am super jazzed. I have an incredible guest joining us on the podcast today ⁓ to talk about last minute tax strategies before April 15th. Like why not? I mean, hey, maybe you were like, you're not the early bird. You were like, shoot, I forgot. Like what things can I do? And so I'm super excited. Alexis Gallati, she reached out to us. ⁓ She is founder and lead tax strategist at Cerebral Tax Advisors.   Ansari Real Wealth Academy. And I was so excited about this topic because I know you guys know I love to geek out about this and I have it on my vision board of tax expert ahead. Like I hate taxes. I love taxes. I believe that taxes are such a beautiful way for us to pay to be in this incredible country. But you better believe I don't want to pay a penny more than I need to. So really figuring that out just a little bit about her is she is got a dual master's degree in business administration and taxation, which is super rad because   Let's be real, she gets the business side of it. She gets the taxation and we were chatting before and she was like, what people make like their top line revenue versus their take home pay are two different things. And I was like, amen sister, preach on. She's enrolled agent, NTPI fellow and certified tax strategist. She also is the author of advanced tax planning for medical professionals. She specializes in high level strategic tax planning and multi-state tax preparation for healthcare professionals and business owners. She's raised in a family of physicians and married to one.   She empathizes with the financial challenges medical professionals face. This personal connection inspired her to create accessible, unbiased tax solutions tailored to their busy lives. Driven by passion and guided by cerebral thinking, Alexis forms Cerebral to help professionals keep more of their hard earned money. Amen sister. That's what we want. That's why you're here. Their approach breaks the mold of traditional financial advice, offering a unique perspective for medical professionals and business owners. So while yes, she's not 1000 % dental guys were in the healthcare world and she's so brilliant. So Alexis, welcome to the show today. How are you?   Alexis Gallati (01:54) Thank you so much for having me. I'm doing very well. Hope you had a wonderful holiday season.   The Dental A Team (01:58) Yes, likewise. And I was so excited when I heard that you would be a guest on our podcast. I geek out about this, Alexis, I know it's like our first day meeting, but ⁓ I just think the world of tax is such the game of monopoly. And I'm like, if you would have just told me that rule, I could have played and won the game better. But I feel like it's always as ever changing, ever evolving. And I know there were some big things that happened in 2025 that are impacting like our our taxes. And so, yeah, definitely a timely and   exciting podcast to throw out there. So Alexis, I know I gave you a very welcomed ⁓ bio and intro, but yeah, tell us a little bit about who is Alexis. You're married to a physician. You're in this world of tag. How does one become obsessive about CPA? I'm truly just curious. How do you like, how does this happen? How did you become this?   Alexis Gallati (02:49) Yeah, so I love law and I love money. And so when I was in undergrad, I took a tax and accounting class and loved more the tax side than the accounting side, I do admit. And so after meeting my husband in college and us starting to go through that full medical journey, was about a year and a half out from him.   The Dental A Team (02:54) you   Alexis Gallati (03:18) from him finishing his residency. And I really saw the writing on the wall. Even at that time, with him being in residency, about four months of his salary was going towards taxes. And I was like, that's not right. That's not right. With   The Dental A Team (03:36) No.   Alexis Gallati (03:38) hard he works and how hard   medical community works in general. ⁓ my gosh, that's not right. So that's when I really dedicated myself to   finding out, why do the Warren Buffets and the Bill Gates of the world have this really low to sometimes non-existent tax bracket? And I really dove into that tax planning. ⁓ And so, you know, what's very unique about, ⁓ you know, the way that I work and my business is that my husband and I are in the same exact position as majority of our clients. And so, yes, I'm looking for   strategies for my clients, but I'm also looking for those strategies for myself.   The Dental A Team (04:19) You're like, hey,   it's me. I'm going to help myself out. I'm very motivated to do this.   Alexis Gallati (04:25) Very motivated. And I love it. I love it. It's like you said, it's ⁓ Congress keeps us on our toes, changing the laws consistently year after year. ⁓ it's like a puzzle. Like, hey, how can I just keep more of what I'm earning?   The Dental A Team (04:43) Yeah, and I, this is what I get obsessed about. what I learned, gosh, it's like, I was so naive when I started the company. was like, marketing is marketing. I just need to hire a marketer they can do everything. And then I was like, oh, there's a content marketer. There's a copywriter marketer. There's a strategist. There's a growth marketer. There's like an AEO marketer now. There's an SEO. Like you guys, this thing is like a web. They're a content marketer. And then I started realizing it's similar to CPAs and financial planners that like,   I thought you hire a CPA, Alexis. Like I'm so naive to business. I'm shocked that I've made it this far. Like truly I'm proud of like the journey we've been on, but like not all CPAs are created equal. And then I realized like CPAs play by different rules. Like it's the same rule, but there's shades of gray. They're how comfortable are you with this and how uncomfortable are you with it? Like there's one CPA that told me like, here, you can totally go skiing in Tahoe. Just like put your logo on your skis and you can totally ride it off and like put your logo on your boat and you can ride it off.   And then there's like the Alexis of the world was like, oh, hard pass. No, you're going to like totally get flagged. But I'm like, what rule is right? And so I realized that there are, like you said, tax strategy and for higher wealth earners. I do believe that there's a game, like you said, how did the Warren Buffett's, how did the Bill Gates, like they're not paying this. And then you get into the real estate game and you get into all these other things. You're like, how can we do this? And so Alexis, I'm just jazz. This is me being nerdy. And I'm going to ask you a bajillion questions and I can't wait.   to learn. So let's kind of talk about most of your clients, what's the size of take home net pay that they do. So that way we know like what brackets were in. So that way right clients come to you. I also learned not all financial advisors take all people. I was like, I make 30 grand. They're like, great. So we're going to help you out just a little bit. And then like, when you get to this level, we'll chat with you. ⁓ tell us kind of that. And then let's dig into how do we keep more money, Alexis, legally.   Alexis Gallati (06:10) I love it.   The Dental A Team (06:39) I'm here for legal advice. I'm willing to go gray, but not go to jail. So that's my line. So as long as we're on the same page, I think we are, I'm here for it.   Alexis Gallati (06:40) Yes.   Definitely, yeah. I am more than happy to play in the gray areas. We just have to feel comfortable defending it in an audit. And so that's our line in the sand. ⁓ But yeah.   The Dental A Team (06:55) Mm-hmm.   She's like, this is why I went to law guys. This is why I like the law side and the CPA.   I like it. I like your style. It's so unique and I just am excited. So, okay, I'm ready.   Alexis Gallati (07:07) Yeah.   Yeah. at Cerebral, we work with those that earn at minimum $400,000 per year in taxable income. So we have lots of businesses, which by the way, 99.9 % of our clients are medical professionals. I think we have like maybe two clients that have zero ties to the medical industry. And so the practices we work with, you know,   generally range from anywhere from maybe about $700,000 in gross revenue all the way up to eight figures. So we tend to not work with those that are larger practices, that usually over 50 employees. And that's just because once you get above 50 employees, yeah, it changes quite a bit. So we're definitely in there with those smaller to medium sized practices.   The Dental A Team (07:56) Tax co-changes. Yep.   Amazing. No, that's super helpful. And I know we were talking before, like the average of your clients, about 700,000 like net pay is typical where you guys are at. You have some that are higher, but that minimum of 400,000, which is great because I do think that there are thresholds. ⁓ And I did learn through going through business that who Kiera needed as a tax support and advisor when I was in that 30,000 range compare and as a business owner, I thought it was so funny.   Gosh, taxes, like they hurt so bad sometimes. Like, whoa, easy come, easy go. Like I've never, I've always been a W-2. So that was such a fascinating world for me. But yeah, let's dig into some of the things you've seen for the medical world. Cause I know I have friends that were physicians and they're really big on real estate. And like I took the real estate Kool-Aid and I'm just like, is this really real? There's gotta be easier ways than doing this. And so I'm just jazzed to kind of go through what are some of the things we can do now before April 15th.   What are things that we can do even past April 15th to set us up for great success for 2026? So Alexis, this is your show. I'm just excited, kind of riffed us through it. Of course, I'm gonna geek out and ask probably about way more questions than you care to even be asked, but I'm really excited to learn more today.   Alexis Gallati (09:20) Yeah, great. Well, yeah, I hate to be a little bit of a Debbie Downer in the beginning and that when your past December 31st, ⁓ the number of tax strategies that are available to you are before you actually go to file your tax return are limited. It's just the nature of the code.   The Dental A Team (09:37) I agree. was super, when you were   like, what are the tech? I was like, I want to know because most of the times like when the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, it's like game over and we start again. But yes, which is why I want to know what are like the small ones, but then also Alexis like, let's set our listeners up for like, what things can they do this year to be better prepared for it in conjunction? So yes, before April 15th, but selfishly I want to know what else can I do this year that maybe I haven't thought of.   Alexis Gallati (09:52) Yeah.   you   The Dental A Team (10:06) because the clock hasn't struck midnight in 2026. So like we've got time. So yeah, for 2025 filing, but also for 2026 as well.   Alexis Gallati (10:09) Yeah.   Yeah, so let's talk about 2025 filing first. Especially if you're a business owner, there are actually a number of things that you could still put together for yourself that can impact your 2025 financials. ⁓ So even basic things like if you haven't been taking advantage of your home office deduction or ⁓ vehicle expenses ⁓ and unreimbursed business expenses. So those are expenses that you paid   personally, but our business expenses. So all of those items, you can still go and report on your 2025 return. So if you haven't taken the time to sit down and say, how much should I pay in my home utilities or insurance, repairs, et cetera, and take the percentage. So let's say your home office is 7%.   of your total square footage of your home. Well, then you can write off 7 % of your home expenses on your taxes. the treatment's a little bit different depending upon if you're a sole proprietorship or an S corporation. But in general, you still have that time to take advantage of that. And a lot of you might be like, oh, Alexis, it's such a little amount. I don't even know if it's worth it. Believe me.   All these little things can really add up together. And easily, I usually see between $10,000 to $20,000 of really ⁓ easy to grab savings for yourself if you just take even a few hours to gather all the information. ⁓ And you can even use ⁓ personal financial apps like Monarch Money or You Need a Budget, things like that to help.   organize that information for you throughout the year so it's a little more automated.   The Dental A Team (12:10) Yeah, that's amazing. I do love the YNAB. You're throwing me back to like pharmacy school days of you need a budget. I was like, oh my gosh, got to answer this every time. They have updated so much, but I love that you said like 10 to 20 grand, I think is worthwhile, but more than it being pennies or dollars, I think it's the discipline of having it prepared for next year too. So that way we don't, I think it's like, well, it might not be enough this year, but I'm like, you take that this year and we compound over the next year and the next year and the next year. I think these little things to me at least,   Alexis Gallati (12:15) Ha ha ha.   The Dental A Team (12:41) Like I said, it's their game of monopoly. And I'm like, okay, maybe I didn't get it that time, but I'm going to take that rule and I'm going to apply it this year and the next year and the next year. So I'm even taking notes over here, guys. So Alexis, if you see me, I'm writing it like, okay, I'm going to check in on that, check in on that. So make sure, make sure that they're being taken into consideration because I don't prep my own taxes. I don't even know half the stuff. Like they just tell me. So I also think being a good steward as well and always double checking your CPA to make sure like, are we maximizing every deduction we can?   Alexis Gallati (12:53) Good, I like it.   Of course.   Yeah. And being proactive is like you said, the number one thing because the IRS can deny deduction if you don't have that itemized receipt or you don't have the proper documentation. And 99 % of any fight with the IRS is that documentation. And I did a three year fellowship in IRS representation. So I'm obviously very focused on that tax savings, but also very focused on making sure   that everything's set up properly. So if the IRS were to challenge it or even the state, you're in good hands. then that way, you can just give them the stuff and say, go away.   The Dental A Team (13:51) Exactly. And I heard somebody once tell me, they're like, Kiera, it's not a matter of if I'll be audited, it's when. Like every business will most likely be audited at some point. I hope and pray like we're not. I think about that a lot of like cross my T's, dot my I's, make sure that I'm constantly trying to be compliant with things. But your wealth of knowledge on that Alexis of what things and how to become, I mean, shoot three years of IRS. Girl, you got my vote. That's impressive. And like love the love the authority piece that you're bringing to our podcast today.   Alexis Gallati (14:20) Thank you. Thank you. So some other things that you're able to do before you file that tax return, and this is a big one, is retirement. So you actually have until the filing of a tax return, and that includes extensions. So for example, if you're an S corporation or a partnership, have the original due date, which is March 15th, or the extended due date, which is September 15th, to go and   open and fund that retirement plan. So if you have employees, it can get obviously a little bit more complicated, but you still are able to do it and ⁓ do that employer contribution. And that's obviously really one of the lower hanging fruits when it comes to not only tax savings, but also wealth generation.   The Dental A Team (15:12) Yeah, no, I love that. That's a great idea. And I think a lot of people miss that. And again, CPAs, tax strategists, wealth advisors, they're all playing in their own lanes, but how can we make sure all of them are maximizing together? Because you as a human are trying to build that wealth. So I love that.   Alexis Gallati (15:30) Yeah. And don't forget as well, you know, kind of in the same vein as retirement is that health savings account. So if you had a high deductible plan throughout the year, but maybe your employer didn't actually provide a ⁓ health savings account, like so if you're a W-2, for example, or even if you're self-employed, you can still go open up your   own Health Savings account through, I think Fidelity has some, ⁓ Optum Bank, HSA Bank. So there's a whole bunch of different providers out there. can just Google and find the provider that works best for you.   The Dental A Team (16:07) Interesting. And I know like I just wrote that down because a lot of dentists don't have HSA. Like we are the providers for it. But hearing that that might even be a resource to attract people into your business if you were able to like, don't necessarily provide it, but these are some companies that we could help our employees get if they wanted to have an HSA because I know that that's something that my husband works at a hospital. So there's an HSA there, but as sole proprietors and S-Corps, a lot of times they aren't provided. That's actually really like, I think just a great tool and resource to   possibly provide to our employees, depending upon what it looks like for your business.   Alexis Gallati (16:40) Yeah, definitely. And then one other thing that you ⁓ may be able to do, depending upon your state, ⁓ to help with state taxes, is go and contribute to a 529 plan, which is for education for yourself or other dependent. And some states like Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, South Carolina, there's a number of them. They allow you to make that contribution all the way up to the   filing of the tax return.   The Dental A Team (17:13) Interesting. I did not know that I wrote that down. That's fascinating. I love this. This is like so fun. Keep going.   Alexis Gallati (17:20) Yeah. Yeah. So that, you know, is, a good, especially for, you know, higher earners. ⁓ that's kind of a good summary of what you can be doing before this, ⁓ April 15th or even the extended due date as well. ⁓ but when you start looking into 2026, who, that book, that book opens up, there is.   The Dental A Team (17:39) It does, right? It's like the   monopoly Bible. Like it's so big. Like how do I play the game of taxes? So I truly, and I think like for all the listeners, like the home office, the HSA, ⁓ retirement, the 529 plan, like there's still time. So go look at those things. And even if you can't contribute or do those things now, having that set up for next year, like, Alexis, truly, I'm like, I'm getting the popcorn. I'm getting my notepad. Like,   I am so excited because half these things I haven't heard of. And so it's very fun to just hear different perspectives. And I do love that you've got a legal background too. I love that you're in IRS. I love that you're in medicine and healthcare and like for your own personal savings too. It's like you're the Nancy Drew of like, how can I do the most amount through all of this? It's a very fascinating perspective you bring today.   Alexis Gallati (18:27) thank you. I appreciate that. yeah, when obviously when you are a W-2 employee still that your options are not as open for those that have a business. But ⁓ besides obviously retirement HSA that you can do all year, one thing that a lot of W-2 employees forget is to actually check with your employer to see what their reimbursement policy looks like.   The Dental A Team (18:29) course.   Alexis Gallati (18:55) because if you're maybe in a private practice with a large group, and I mean, these could even be groups that have sometimes hundreds of physicians in it, or even if it's just a hospital system, they'll have actually pretty generous reimbursement policies for things like your CME, your new loops, or going and   doing your mileage in between different hospitals or clinics, things like that. So making sure that you are keeping track of those things. Obviously, if you're a business owner, you definitely want to keep track of those. But some of my favorite for those that own their own practices, my absolute favorite is hiring your kids.   The Dental A Team (19:36) Of course, yeah.   Alexis Gallati (19:48) It seems so basic, but believe me, there are definitely steps in place that have to be done in order to make sure they ⁓ qualify. for me, the ⁓ court tested age is seven. So I usually don't recommend my clients going and hiring their kids until they're at least that age. You can do it younger, but the old my kids are models strategy is kind of ⁓ antiquated now just because ⁓   everybody has these great cameras now on their phones. And so it's kind of devalued, being a model ⁓ for those that aren't professionals basically. ⁓ But that's a really great way to shift income from your higher tax bracket down to their non-existent tax bracket.   The Dental A Team (20:21) Totally.   Right?   Alexis Gallati (20:40) and you can then put that money into a Roth IRA for them. And if you do that, let's say over like a 10 year period in 2026, that amount is 7,500 is the max you can put in. They're easily, by the time they're age 65, gonna have at least 2 million plus dollars in savings. So it's a really great way to create a legacy for your kids and give them a little headstart.   The Dental A Team (20:48) Mm-hmm.   Yeah, that's amazing. And I think so many people are like, I don't know how to help my kids with college or different things like that. And it's like, these are great ways to prepare them for the future for when they retire for things like that. I mean, how awesome I know a couple of ⁓ doctors because   The bulk of our audience, Alexis, are not W-2 earners. They are self-employed, like dental practice owners. ⁓ But I know that there were several that didn't tell their kids that they had done this for them. And then the surprise when they graduated college of, we've been putting this into place for you. I mean, shoot, that money's going to go to the government or to your kids. Why not invest in your children? You're going to pay that money regardless. So ⁓ definitely think that that's such a brilliant idea. And I've heard people, they're like,   their real job, like they have to have a real job. They're like a paper shredder. Like they like literally shred the paper or they open the mail or they like pick out the cards or they pick out the toys for the prize boxes, like actual legit jobs that they employ them for. But I think what an amazing gift and legacy to give your kids as well.   Alexis Gallati (21:51) they   Yeah, exactly. All four of my children are, obviously cerebral isn't a dental practice, but they're hired through cerebral. So that way they are earning enough to put that money into their Roth IRA. ⁓ And a lot of ⁓ my clients are like, man, I don't know what my kids can do. And like you said, there's a lot of admin work that they can do. Even a seven-year-old can.   like you said, shred paper, stamp envelopes. They can help with doing their ABCs and filing things away if you're an older ⁓ practice owner and they have ⁓ still the paper file system. ⁓ yeah, it really is a wonderful way to not only teach responsibility, but also to save. ⁓ I highly recommend ⁓ doing that. And even if you have parents that you financially support, you could even   The Dental A Team (22:45) Yeah.   Yeah.   Alexis Gallati (23:02) go and hire your parents through your practice ⁓ and write off their support. Of course, again, they need to also have a legitimate job in the business. with parents, you have to be careful if they have any benefits like social security or Medicare. Then you just want to make sure that you're not pushing them out of those benefits because of their income ⁓ or making any part of their social security taxable. So that takes a little bit more. ⁓   finesse than hiring a child.   The Dental A Team (23:36) No, that's great. That's a really good idea too, because I hadn't thought about parents. I have heard about children, but you're right, parents are retired. And if there's ways that you can support and give back rather than like, again, I love the government. I am happy to pay taxes, but if there's ways that I can support my own family, ⁓ I think it's great because I'm going to pay that money anyway, but paying it to people that I love and care about is really a great idea.   Alexis Gallati (24:00) Yeah. Another popular one I'm sure that you've seen on TikTok or other social media is the Augusta rule. ⁓ and this is where you're renting your home to your business. ⁓ and this is perfect example where documentation is absolutely critical. ⁓ but basically what happens is you rent your home to your business for 14 days or less. Those days do not have to be consecutive and your business gets to   The Dental A Team (24:07) Mm-hmm.   Alexis Gallati (24:28) right off the cost of that rent. So obviously lowers your taxes. But then you as the individual do not have to pay tax on that rental income. Now, if you do it for 15 days and you've ruined the strategy and you have to pay tax on all 15 days. So that's really important you do 14 days or less. But this is again a really great way if you have monthly board meetings, that's 12 days right there.   Or if you have employee parties, if you have colleagues over in discussing business, though, as long as you have a rental agreement in place between yourself and your business, and you document through meeting minutes everything that occurred during that event, then that is the documentation that the IRS would need in order to substantiate that.   strategy. And obviously a reasonable rental rate as well.   The Dental A Team (25:27) Yeah, no, didn't realize,   I did not realize that you needed a rental agreement. Can you expand more on that? like we check all the Airbnb's and the VRBO's in the area to see what does our house actually go for and like keep that documented every single year and then have an actual agenda and like have it in the calendar. So it's in our Google calendar. It's got an agenda. It's got a PDF didn't attach. But how does the rental agreement work? like, yeah, how do you, I didn't realize that that was a necessary piece to it.   Alexis Gallati (25:57) Yeah, so you can even just use ChatGPT to create it. ⁓ But essentially what you do is it's just that agreement between the business and personal. So ⁓ you just want to think about it like any other rental that you would do. If you were to go to a conference room in a hotel, for example, or go rent that Airbnb, you're going to be signing some sort of agreement saying that this can happen.   that this event can happen on this date. ⁓ you can either do one agreement for the entire year, spelling out like, here are the days that we're going to be doing these things, ⁓ or you can have an agreement for each time that it happens.   The Dental A Team (26:43) Very cool. That's super helpful. Yeah, I do love the addresses for all anything people. And I mean, I've had CPAs and like, don't go crazy. Like that's where I say like check Airbnb, check VRBO like what you think your house is worth versus what market value says your house is worth. Like, let's make sure that we are accurate on that. But yeah, that's definitely an amazing one that I think is great for offices to surely do.   Alexis Gallati (26:51) Yes.   Yep. Go and get two to three comps. So then that way can just take an average. I feel like that's a very safe way to, ⁓ show reasonableness. You're not just like, Hey, I'm taking the highest one on the block. You know, it's taking a few of them.   The Dental A Team (27:21) Totally. No, definitely agree. I love that. Okay, Alexis, what other ideas? know we're, I'm like just like sitting here. I'm like, I love this writing it down. Great ideas. What are some of the ones that like, yeah, anything else that's going to save us? Um, because like taxes are taxes and we are going to pay them, but like, what else can we do to, like you said, Bill Gates or, um, like Warren Buffett, what are the things that you found for like these higher net worth earners? Like, do they need to get into real estate and like use the big, beautiful tax bill or like,   Alexis Gallati (27:23) Yeah.   Okay.   The Dental A Team (27:50) anything else that you've seen that like really moves the noodles or is like, no, just the small consistent things are really going to help them out.   Alexis Gallati (27:57) Yes, well, they all help out. ⁓ But if you are looking for more of that, hey, Alexis, what's like Hail Mary that I can be doing to act to really save? ⁓ You can look at real estate. ⁓ That could be a whole podcast by itself. ⁓ But in general, you you tend to ⁓ get into real estate when you're not talking about like reets or things I can do through the stock market.   The Dental A Team (28:14) Right.   Alexis Gallati (28:26) ⁓ You're either doing like real estate syndications, ⁓ direct ownership, like long-term rentals or short-term rentals. And ⁓ each of those are treated differently and have different ways of making that ⁓ a tax deduction for yourself. So when it comes to, in general, ⁓ real estate syndications, this is where you're   The Dental A Team (28:49) Mm-hmm.   Alexis Gallati (28:54) buying into a partnership that maybe owns an office building. And you go in with other partners and ⁓ it's syndicated. So it's very passive. There's no way for you to write off any losses in that current year. ⁓ When it comes to direct ownership, the IRS basically says, hey, that real estate is considered passive unless you have real estate professional status or you do that short-term rental   deduction or excuse me, short-term rental exclusion. And so what ⁓ happens if you can qualify for the short-term rental exclusion or real estate professional status is that those what would have been passive losses that you can't use against your current income will be considered active losses. And then you can use it against your   active income, when I say active income, things like your W-2 or your business. So you're getting a current year deduction from that. And you can do cost segregation study to help accelerate depreciation. ⁓ So this is very, very much in the nutshell sort of explanation. ⁓ But it can really be a great way to lower your taxes if   The Dental A Team (29:57) Mm-hmm.   Yeah.   Alexis Gallati (30:16) you essentially want a second job. Just know that real estate is not as passive as the social media gurus go and ⁓ try to glamorize. It really does take a lot of extra work. You want to make sure that you are following the rules properly so that you can get that tax benefit in the current year. ⁓ But if you   The Dental A Team (30:19) Yeah.   Alexis Gallati (30:41) do have that prerogative and you want to learn and get do things properly, then it can really save you quite a bit of money.   The Dental A Team (30:48) Yeah. Are there any other things, Alexis, that are like real estate that save that much but don't require that much work? I'm asking you for the weight loss drug of taxes, please. What's our easiest way with the most amount of bang for buck that you've seen? These are the big hits that if you want, because agreed, real estate's great. If you do that short-term thing, but it is a lot of work. With the big, beautiful tax bill that came through, that 100 % depreciation is pretty fantastic. But like you said,   Alexis Gallati (30:54) Yes.   Mm-hmm.   The Dental A Team (31:17) got to have it rented out, you got to have the pieces, you got to like reno it like there are and you have to have it done by the end of the year and like it's a stressful zone. ⁓ So are there other things that you've seen that might be like 50 or 100 or 200,000 off taxes that aren't necessary real estate? The Augustus one, yes. Like paying people, there's things but is there anything else you've found that are like some of those bigger chunks that maybe people don't think about they don't recognize? Yes of course they're going to take a little bit more work but...   Alexis Gallati (31:17) You gotta work for it.   The Dental A Team (31:45) that you found that could be benefits to our audience.   Alexis Gallati (31:48) OK, so let's talk about my Hail Mary for tax savings. I   love this one towards the end of the year because you're going to want to know, have a good idea of where your tax situation is going to end up. So I use this a lot for year end planning. And this is oil and gas. When you ⁓ invest in oil and gas, again, just like with real estate, there's a lot of different options.   But my favorite is our drilling funds and this is where you invest in a partnership that owns oil and gas wells and these this allows you in that first year to Essentially write off usually somewhere between 80 to 95 percent of the investment that you've put in So let's say you invest a hundred thousand dollars Then you're getting about and let's say conservatively an eighty thousand dollar deduction that can go a   against your ordinary income. So if you're W2 or your business. usually, a good rule of thumb is that, let's say, if you're putting in $100,000, you're saving $30,000 in tax. You're putting in $200,000, you're saving $60,000 in tax. And then after year one, you're earning overall, during the life of the investment, about a 2x   The Dental A Team (33:10) Bye.   Alexis Gallati (33:11) you put   100,000, you're getting about 200,000 back. And so it's considered a very conservative investment. And just because the length of the investment, and this is one of the cons of it, is that it's usually about a 10 to 12 year period. So it's generally only about a 7 % return on investment over the life of the investment. the great thing about it is that   you let's say if you did put in that hundred thousand, you're getting that 30,000 in savings, and then you can go put that into something else that will earn you even more money. So then this is something that you can do every single year. And, you know, just depends on how much money you want to save and so that how much you put in for that investment.   The Dental A Team (33:57) Gosh, that's such a good one. And these are things of like just fun, like tips and topics. Like I said, it's the rules of monopoly. I caught like, how do we play tax strategy better? Alexis, what are any like resources? I feel like you guys have some resources. Like I feel the world of tax is so daunting. And so it's like, we hear from podcasts and we hear snippets and we see TikTok and it's like real estate games. like, where do people go if they like want to dig a little bit deeper and really become like more tax expert and more tax savvy and.   like tax strategy, like what are any resources you found or ways for people just to become a little bit more literate in the tax world.   Alexis Gallati (34:33) Yes, so ⁓ of course I'm to do a little shameful plug. My book, The ⁓ Advanced Tax Strategies for Medical Professionals, it's really just that it's a brain dump of all different types of strategies, whether it's for your business or W-2 only, charitable, these alternative investments. And so it's really a space.   The Dental A Team (34:36) as you should.   Alexis Gallati (34:58) for readers to learn more about their options. So then that was the way they can go online and do more research or bring it to their current advisor. So, you know, it's just about opening those possibilities. Otherwise, you know, one resource that is really great for especially medical professionals is the White Coat Investor that Dr. Dali, he has a wonderful, wonderful site and he puts out really good material.   The Dental A Team (35:11) Yeah.   Alexis Gallati (35:25) when it comes to not only taxes, but also for ⁓ just finances in general. And then, of course, on ⁓ CerebralTaxAdvisors.com, our website has wonderful ⁓ material that I put out all the time. There's lots of goodies there, as well as ⁓ different resources and worksheets and stuff like that.   The Dental A Team (35:52) Yeah, no, that's super helpful.   But Alexis, what do you find ⁓ as you go through this? Like one, how often are you meeting with your clients? Because I feel like so many CPAs and tax strategists meet with them in like December 1st and they're like, hey, you owe this much money. Is that how you guys plan? Like how should tax planning actually work?   or is that normal? Like I'm just trying to find a vibe of how this should work in the industry.   Alexis Gallati (36:15) Yeah.   Yeah. So when a medical professional first starts working with us, I design a tax plan for them. And that's really critical because right then and there, OK, what can we be doing to dramatically lower your taxes, legally, of course, and set you up for success? And then we meet with our clients at minimum twice a year. So we do a mid-year tax projection and a year-end tax projection.   The Dental A Team (36:34) course.   Alexis Gallati (36:45) And especially with medical professionals, your income is so variable throughout the year, depending upon insurance reimbursements or seasonality and things like that. And so we really want to make sure that we have a good, clear understanding, good six plus months in advance. Hey, what are you going to be owing tax wise? What does cash flow look like? What quarterly estimated payments do you need to make?   All of these things should not be a surprise. So that's why when I built Cerebral in the packages we have, I was really focused around how do we eliminate those surprises.   The Dental A Team (37:23) Yeah, no, I love that. that's super helpful because I feel like so many just wait till December and it's like, no, like there's things I could have been doing and if I would have known. So that's super helpful. And then I think the other question is like, okay, you guys are tax strategy. Are you CPA? Are you bookkeeping? Like kind of differentiate. Are you in the financial advisor world? Like what specifically would we say I need you for XYZ, but I'm going to need these people again, like marketing, right? Like what facet of my wealth management are you?   and who do I need paired with you?   Alexis Gallati (37:54) Yep, so we are your tax compliance, tax planning, your bookkeeping, and CFO services, and also business advising as well. So we're able to set up entities for you ⁓ as well as provide ⁓ just a lot of the years and years of experience that we have in running businesses and seeing different types of practices, et cetera. ⁓ We are not investment advisors, so we won't   say, buy Coca-Cola versus Pepsi. But we will introduce you to different investments that have tax benefits. And one very unique quality of Cerebral that's very different from other firms is that we do not take any commissions or kickbacks on any strategies we recommend or vendors we recommend. And we don't sell any products. So we're very education-based. I'm very focused on   you understanding your options so you can make a educated decision on what you want to move forward with. And then we are a white glove done for you firm that will implement those strategies on your behalf and make sure they're reported properly on your tax returns. Because that's what we've found being in this industry, especially specializing in medical professionals, is there's a lot of people out there that know about these strategies.   but they do not know how to implement them properly. And that honestly is 80 % of the fight when it comes to doing any of these strategies.   The Dental A Team (39:26) Yeah, no, that's incredible. So, and again, this is just like naiveness on my side. Do I need a CPA or are you guys the replacement of a CPA?   Alexis Gallati (39:35) Yeah, we're the replacement of CPA. We are CPAs. We are EAs. So we are taking care of your tax preparation, so personal and business. We do it all. I try to keep these packages as comprehensive as possible because I hate being nickel and dined. communication's a top priority for us. And so we don't want our clients to hesitate whatsoever to connect with us. And so that's why we don't.   The Dental A Team (39:56) Totally.   Amazing.   Alexis Gallati (40:05) shot like I, my gosh, I just got like a bill from my attorney the other day and it was for stuff that I talked to him about like in August. I'm like, I hate those pop-up bills. So that's yeah, that's, why I try to make it as comprehensive as possible.   The Dental A Team (40:10) Yep.   Right.   Awesome.   No, that's fantastic. That's really helpful. And I know a lot of people are very nervous to switch from their CPA. CPAs, feel like we're so embedded and we trust them with our souls. Truly, I see this. ⁓ So is there complementary calls we have with you? how do we start with that? Because I know, honestly, untangling from a CPA is such a pain. It is so annoying. so ⁓ how does that process work if people want to work with you, Alexis?   Alexis Gallati (40:46) So the best thing you can do is go to our website and go to the contact page. And you will ⁓ go through a very quick questionnaire to make sure that you're a good fit for us, because we also want to make sure we're a good fit for you. And we will ⁓ have a tax discovery session. And during that session, we will. We'll talk about what your needs are and what it's like to work with us. ⁓ I'm very focused on that return on investment. We actually have a guarantee.   with the design of our plans that I will save you at least two times what you pay us in ⁓ tax savings or you get the plan for free. And on average, our clients actually achieve 4.5 multiple with the design of our plans. So again, it doesn't make sense for us to work together if I can't save you more than what you're paying us.   The Dental A Team (41:39) That's amazing. No, that's incredible. And that's a great guarantee. And ⁓ then let's say hypothetical, we do get audited. How often do you guys go through audits and like success rate? Like I'm imagining if you were three years in IRS, you're probably pretty fantastic at that. But these are always things that I'm just curious. Like how does that work? And how often are your clients audited? And like, how is your success rate on that? And if you don't want to share this, I hope you do. We're just going to go for it. Like, yeah, I'm just going to ask the weird questions. Why not?   Alexis Gallati (42:01) Yeah.   I love the weird questions. They're the best. So yeah, that's one thing I can never guarantee that you won't be audited because of course there are always random audits that happen. We've only had three audits since I started Cerebral over 10 years ago. In 2014, I started Cerebral. ⁓ And ⁓ one of them was for the mortgage interest deduction. there's a limitation in that.   The Dental A Team (42:18) It's incredible.   Alexis Gallati (42:28) Um, and that was just, unfortunately, a client had not provided the correct information. And so we were easily able to just change it and be on our way. Um, and then another two were regarding actually real estate professional status. And that was just New York state saying, Hey, like we don't, we don't think that you're actually qualified for this. we're like, Oh, yeah, we do. Here's the paperwork. And they're like, Oh, okay. See you later. So yeah.   The Dental A Team (42:50) Yeah.   That's amazing.   That's a huge thing. And I'm so glad I asked the question because I think for me, that's something I'm curious on of like, I get it. Like you said, you can't guarantee that, but as long as you back in, do you guys charge extra for those audits or is that part of the plan? Like, nope, we stand behind it. Like, how does that work? Cause I know there's some firms that I have chatted with and if we do get audited, it's like 375 an hour for the audit. And I'm like, okay, like I'll just plan for that. But how does that work for you guys?   Alexis Gallati (43:18) Yep, so we back up all of our work and all of our packages. If you do receive a notice for anything that we prepare, you send it to us and we help you take care of it. So yeah, we 100 % back up our work. If you come start working with us and you have some a notice from a year that we didn't handle, like we didn't prepare, we'll still help you handle it. But that would be just.   at our hourly rate, depending upon the extensiveness of the notice. But to go back to your original question about making that change, I 100 % get it, especially if you've been with somebody for so long. And so you just have to look at that cost benefit and see, hey, staying with this person, how much is that costing me in tax savings versus   The Dental A Team (44:01) Right.   Alexis Gallati (44:12) going with somebody like cerebral and we try to go and make that process as seamless as possible when it comes to getting ⁓ up to date in your history and then ⁓ getting access to your bookkeeping and getting your tax returns. ⁓ And so, because I completely understand it can be daunting, but. ⁓   Happy to have a conversation around it when we meet about the discovery session and to see if it's something you'd want to move forward with.   The Dental A Team (44:43) Amazing. Alexis, has been such a great podcast and I just love meeting great individuals. I love how much you have a passion for the law and for the tax wealth and it's your own life and your own livelihood. So if people want to reach out, I know you said it before, how do they connect with you? So yeah, they can get started if they're interested.   Alexis Gallati (45:01) Yeah. So you can Google us or just go to CerebralTaxAdvisors.com. And which by the way, the reason why I have cerebral is because my husband is a private practice neurosurgeon and my dad's a retired private practice neurologist. hence cerebral in the brain. So if y'all can remember. But yeah, so CerebralTaxAdvisors.com is the best way to get a hold of us.   The Dental A Team (45:14) There you go.   I love it. Yeah.   Alexis Gallati (45:27) ⁓ And I look forward to potentially talking with y'all.   The Dental A Team (45:32) Well, Alexis, thank you so much for this. And for all of you listening, I hope you take advantage between now and April 15th. I hope you just like have a conversation. I'm always pro. I love CPAs. My CPA listens to this podcast and I'm always interested in meeting new people like Alexis, chatting with them. Are there different ways that they can benefit me? Because yes, I love my CPA, but I love more than that saving money and learning new strategies that maybe I didn't know about. So Alexis, I really hope a lot of them reach out to you, connect with you and for   All of you listening, thank you for listening. I'll catch you next time on the Dental A Team Podcast.  

A milestone birthday trip to Turkey is supposed to be Lena's main-character moment: sunrise photos at a historic mosque, solo-traveler bliss, and a little flirtation that feels harmless—until it turns into a full-blown romance-and-tariff scam run by a charming “uncle,” a too-good-to-be-true heartthrob, and a pressure-cooker handoff that leaves Lena scrambling for a flight… and suddenly out tens of thousands of dollars. But just when the story seems destined for the familiar ending, Lena snaps out of the shame spiral, flips the power dynamic, and goes on a creative, scorched-earth mission to get her money back—leading to one of the most unexpected outcomes we've ever had on the show. This one is wild, infuriating, darkly funny, and ultimately empowering.Click here to join our Patreon! For only $5 a month you will get 2 extra episodes a month, monthly virtual live events, and access to our community page. And now for $9 a month you can get all of that, plus ad free episodes!If you've been dogfished and want to share your story on the show, email investigate@thedatingdetectivespodcast.com or contact us through our website using this linkThis episode of The Dating Detectives is sponsored by Ava. Rebuild your credit fast with no interest, no credit check, with AVA. Download the AVA app and use promo code DATING. Rebuild your credit fast with no interest, no credit check, with AVA. Download the AVA app and use promo code DATING.Take control of your data today. Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan by visiting joindeleteme.com/datingdetectives and using the promo code TDD at checkout. Get control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code DATING at MonarchMoney.com in your browser (not app) for half off your first year!This episode is sponsored by Baked By Melissa. Get 20% off your order by going to bakedbymelissa.com/datingdetectives.This episode is sponsored by Miracle Made. Get silver-infused, bacteria-fighting, temperature-regulating sheets and towels at TryMiracle.com/TDD and use code TDD to save over 40% and claim a FREE 3-piece towel set.***The following Program contains names, places and events that have been anonymized or fictionalized for the purposes of protection and safety. The following Program is provided for entertainment purposes only and any commentary from the hosts are strictly conjecture and should not be held as making any definitive statements about the truth or identity of any particular individuals or circumstances.If you or a loved one are involved in an abusive relationship, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for support.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Send us a textAre you managing money together, or living in two separate financial worlds? In this episode, Jessica and Brandon get real about a problem nearly every couple faces: one partner handling finances while the other stays out of the loop. That disconnect causes confusion, stress, and even resentment.We break down:Why this common imbalance happensThe hidden risks of not sharing financial insightHow Monarch Money can change the way you see and plan your money togetherReal life wins and step‑by‑step guidance to get startedHow to build healthy “money dates” and financial teamworkWhether you're just starting life together or years into your relationship, this episode helps you build transparency, avoid financial surprises, and make decisions as a team.Resources mentioned in this episode:Get 50% off Monarch Money subscriptionSign up with AllySubscribe to The Sugar Daddy Podcast newsletter Explore The Sugar Daddy Podcast Stan Store — Downloadables, tools, and more to level up your money game together! Head over to our YouTube channel to catch this episode in full video form. Apply to be a guest on the show. You can also email us at: thesugardaddypodcast@gmail.com Connect with us on InstagramWe're most active over at @thesugardaddypodcast Chat with BrandonWant to work together? Learn more about Brandon Book a free 30-min call to see if it's a fit. Show us some love, hit subscribe, leave a five star rating, and drop a quick review! Money, relationships, and the mindset to master both. Hosted by financial advisor Brandon and his wife Jessica, The Sugar Daddy Podcast breaks down how to build wealth, unpack old money beliefs, and have real conversations about love and finances. Their mission? To help couples and individuals grow rich in every sense of the word: emotionally, relationally and fina...

If you've ever walked away from a conversation feeling spun, rattled, or subtly controlled, this episode is for you. Drawing directly from my experience as a trial lawyer, I break down the exact strategy I use in court to disarm manipulative and narcissistic behavior—without escalating, over-explaining, or losing your footing. You'll learn how to stop their momentum, respond in a way that gives them nothing to grab onto, and use one powerful phrase that instantly puts you back in control of the conversation. Order The Next Conversation Workbook: https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/workbook Thank you to our sponsors: Cozy Earth. Upgrade Your Every Day. Get 40% off at cozyearth.com/jefferson or use code JEFFERSON at check out. Monarch Money. 50% off your first year at https://monarchmoney.com/jefferson  BetterHelp. Click https://betterhelp.com/jeffersonfisher for a discount on your first month of therapy. Order my new book, The Next Conversation, or listen to the full audiobook today. Like what you hear? Don't forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review! Suggest a topic or ask a question for me to answer on the show!  Want a FREE communication tip each week? Click here to join my newsletter.  Join My School of Communication Watch my podcast on YouTube  Follow me on Instagram  Follow me on TikTok Follow me on LinkedIn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s a new year, and that means new goals! Cody and Justin share their top tips and tricks to help you set yourself up for success in 2026. The guys are already hitting the ground running with their 2026 goals: Cody is already testing out snowbirding down in Florida Justin is actively recruiting for his first international group trip Don’t forget to share your goals with us in the Facebook Group. To kick off the episode, the guys break down how the methods they’ve used to successfully meet their goals, which include: Tracking is Key “What gets measured, gets managed.” You need to know how you're doing currently to improve For finance, use apps like YNAB, Monarch Money, or a spreadsheet For fitness, use apps like MFP, TrainHeroic, etc. For any goal you want to actually reach, there needs to be tracking Inputs vs. Outputs “I'm going to invest $1,000 every month” vs “I'm going to increase my net worth by $25K” “I'm going to work out 5x per week” vs “I'm going to lose 20 pounds.” Accountability Join online groups or local groups Groups that have people ahead of where you currently are are a big bonus Share milestones/goals with friends Keep talking about it to the point where you'd be embarrassed if you didn't finish Set punishments and rewards for your actions Goal Sizing Goals shouldn't be so big that they paralyze you They also shouldn't be so easy that you hit them without much effort A “good” goal should require quite a bit of effort, but still be possible If you hit your goal too early in the year, you may lose steam (you can always level up your goal, too; it’s just important to know your personality) A / B Goals Many runners/athletes in competition have an A and a B goal, maybe even a C goal.  A -> The stars align perfectly, you can see a path to it, you're putting in the work, but it's a reach B -> Fairly confident, little room for error, still can be very proud of the outcome C-> as within your control as possible, room for error, a backstop to avoid just giving up if your more aggressive goal fails Becoming a person who ____ “I'm the type of person who saves 50% of my income.” “I'm the type of person who runs marathons.” “I'm the type of person who volunteers.” Let go of the fear of failure by playing the tape forward If you can look yourself in the mirror and be proud of your effort, what is really the biggest drawback to you trying and failing? Celebrate the wins along the way Maybe your goal is a 10k this year Celebrate your first 5-mile run Celebrate your new 5k PR Cody and Justin’s 2026 Goals! Here’s a sneak peek into the goals we shared publicly in this episode: Cody's Goals: Fewer decisions driven by money Make decisions bc I want to do them (regardless of money) More regular fitness challenges Ironman, Hyrox, 100k steps, etc Spontaneous adventures Always discovering and exploring new places (even at home) Book launch Goal is April/May release, podcast tour, book tour, etc Gold City Ventures Nail down an ad strategy, continue to grow business Real estate Keep running existing properties, only “buying” new properties via syndication. Scaling back a bit feels good Justin's Goals: Run a Marathon in December (CIM) A goal -> sub 3:15 B goal -> sub 3:30 C goal -> sub 4hr New PRs 5k / 10k / half marathon / Deadlift Hyrox Double with Leslie Lead a group fitness-focused trip A goal -> 12+ person international B goal -> any number domestic C goal -> any number in Austin Build Fitness Community Host 6+ in-person fitness meetups Design 12 12-week beginner Hyrox guide Post weekly fostering community This goal is in support of the fitness trip goal Hang out with at least one friend every week we're in Austin Run the greatest number of annual miles of my life A goal -> Avg  30 miles per week post Achilles rehab B goal -> Avg  25 miles per week post Achilles rehab C goal -> Avg  20 miles per week post Achilles rehab Finish House Remodel in Mississippi A Goal – Full remodel, landscaped, short-term rental B Goal – Full remodel, long-term tenant C Goal – Liveable for personal use Complete another amazing multi-month International trip with Leslie Build out Recipes A Goal – 50+ fully documented recipes posted on Substack with social posts B Goal – 50 Recipes Designed, 25 documented and posted on Substack C Goal – 50 Recipes Designed Finish documenting the 2025 trip on Substack We hope you enjoy getting these tried and true methods for hitting your goals. If you found value in the episode, please share it with a friend! Links from the Episode Spain Fitness Retreat Share Your Goals With Us The Ultimate FI Spreadsheet YouTube Interview https://youtu.be/KXe07xlJzRA Join the Community We'd love to hear your comments and questions about this week's episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community! Grab the Ultimate FI Spreadsheet Join our Facebook Group Leave us a voicemail Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review! >> You can do that by clicking here 

To kick off 2026, I'm taking this podcast back to its roots — recording from my car — and answering real listener questions in an AMA. We talk about how to reopen communication after estrangement, how to handle confidence-shaking rumors at work, and one small habit that can immediately improve your relationships. If you want a grounded, practical way to start the year communicating with more clarity and confidence, this episode is for you. Order The Next Conversation Workbook: https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/workbook Thank you to our sponsors: Cozy Earth. Upgrade Your Every Day. Get 40% off at cozyearth.com/jefferson or use code JEFFERSON at check out. Monarch Money. 50% off your first year at https://monarchmoney.com/jefferson  Our Place. Visit https://fromourplace.com/JEFFERSON and use code JEFFERSON for 10% off sitewide. https://fromourplace.com/?utm_source=audio&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=JEFFERSON  BetterHelp. Click https://betterhelp.com/jeffersonfisher for a discount on your first month of therapy. Order my new book, The Next Conversation, or listen to the full audiobook today. Like what you hear? Don't forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review! Suggest a topic or ask a question for me to answer on the show!  Want a FREE communication tip each week? Click here to join my newsletter.  Join My School of Communication Watch my podcast on YouTube  Follow me on Instagram  Follow me on TikTok Follow me on LinkedIn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Dating Detectives episode we talk to Mary, a devoted true-crime fan who believed she knew every red flag—until she found herself pulled into an online connection that felt unusually thoughtful, emotionally intimate, and too real to ignore. What begins on Bumble slowly moves off-app, where charm, consistency, and shared vulnerability blur the line between intuition and overthinking. As subtle cracks begin to show, Mary uncovers a truth far darker and more sophisticated than a typical romance scam. This episode explores modern crypto romance fraud, emotional manipulation, and how even the most informed daters can be targeted, revealing why sometimes a bad feeling is more than enough reason to walk away.Click here to join our Patreon! For only $5 a month you will get 2 extra episodes a month, monthly virtual live events, and access to our community page. And now for $9 a month you can get all of that, plus ad free episodes!If you've been dogfished and want to share your story on the show, email investigate@thedatingdetectivespodcast.com or contact us through our website using this linkGet control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code DATING at MonarchMoney.com in your browser (not app) for half off your first year!This episode of The Dating Detectives is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit betterhelp.com/tdd today to get 10% off your first monthMake this spring your most delicious yet with Green Chef. Head to greenchef.com/50datingdetectives and use code 50datingdetectives to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.This episode of The Dating Detectives is sponsored by Ava. Rebuild your credit fast with no interest, no credit check, with AVA. Download the AVA app and use promo code DATING. Rebuild your credit fast with no interest, no credit check, with AVA. Download the AVA app and use promo code DATING.***The following Program contains names, places and events that have been anonymized or fictionalized for the purposes of protection and safety. The following Program is provided for entertainment purposes only and any commentary from the hosts are strictly conjecture and should not be held as making any definitive statements about the truth or identity of any particular individuals or circumstances.If you or a loved one are involved in an abusive relationship, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for support.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On the final Dating Detectives Monday of the year, Mackenzie and Hanna celebrate nearly three years of sleuthing with a classic PI Undercover episode, this time featuring private investigator Helen, business partner to fan-favorite Ken. Helen shares her journey into the PI world and takes us deep into a jaw-dropping case involving an out-of-state client, a glamorous LA girlfriend, and a web of lies that unraveled into a full-blown Dogfish discovery. Click here to join our Patreon! For only $5 a month you will get 2 extra episodes a month, monthly virtual live events, and access to our community page. And now for $9 a month you can get all of that, plus ad free episodes!If you've been dogfished and want to share your story on the show, email investigate@thedatingdetectivespodcast.com or contact us through our website using this linkGet control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code DATING at MonarchMoney.com in your browser (not app) for half off your first year!***The following Program contains names, places and events that have been anonymized or fictionalized for the purposes of protection and safety. The following Program is provided for entertainment purposes only and any commentary from the hosts are strictly conjecture and should not be held as making any definitive statements about the truth or identity of any particular individuals or circumstances.If you or a loved one are involved in an abusive relationship, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for support.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is 2026 the year you finally take control of your military finances? With a 3.8% pay raise, new TSP contribution limits of $24,500, and proven strategies that helped one E-7 reach $600,000 in net worth by year 14, Spencer and Jamie break down exactly how to build wealth while serving, even if you're starting from scratch or recovering from financial setbacks. In this episode, we provide a comprehensive 2026 financial reset for military families, covering everything from emergency funds and debt payoff to maxing tax-advantaged accounts and avoiding lifestyle creep. Perfect for anyone wanting to turn the new year into a fresh financial start. Main Discussion Points Know Where You Are Before You Start Track your spending using apps like Monarch Money, YNAB, Rocket Money, or simple spreadsheet Face your financial reality- write down all debt and net worth even if it's negative Government shutdown proved why emergency funds matter: 3-6 months of expenses minimum Example: $500 car repair covered by emergency fund eliminated stress entirely Unique Military Financial Advantages Tax-free income: BAH, BAS, COLA not subject to federal income tax or payroll taxes (7%+ savings) State tax residency: Change to tax-free state (Texas, Florida, etc.) when stationed there! Spouse can too under Military Spouse Residency Relief Act TSP match: 5% automatic match after 2 years for BRS members. Don't leave free money on table Healthcare and housing covered through Tricare and BAH/base housing Example: Saving $300/month by changing state residency adds up to thousands annually 2026 Numbers to Know TSP contribution limit: $24,500 (up from previous year) TSP annual additions limit: $72,000 (includes match and combat zone contributions) Roth IRA limit: $7,000 per person ($14,000 for married couples, even if spouse doesn't work) Military pay raise: 3.8% coming. Automate at least 1% of increase into TSP E6 with 8+ years gets roughly $150-180/month extra income from pay raise Priority Order for Tax-Advantaged Accounts Contribute 5% to TSP (get full government match for BRS members) Max Roth IRA: $7,000 for you, $7,000 for spouse Go back and max TSP at $24,500 Only then consider taxable brokerage accounts Total to max everything: $48,500 for married couples Don't stress if you can't max—contributing 10-20% is still excellent and beats average American 5% savings rate Invest Simply Using LADS Method Low-cost, Automated, Diversified, Simple TSP Lifecycle 2075 fund: 60% US stocks, 40% international, minimal bonds—perfect set-it-and-forget-it option Alternative: 80% C Fund, 10% S Fund, 10% I Fund Don't performance chase because last year's winner often becomes next year's loser Boring is beautiful in investing. Let it compound for 20 years Path to Military Millionaire Status E7 example: $500/month starting as E3, by age 45 = $1 million at 7% return Real example from Reddit: E7 with 14 years, $600,000 saved, contributing $20-25k/year In 10 years that E7 will have $1.2 million just from money already contributed (before new contributions) Add military pension: $30k/year plus $40k from 4% rule = $70k annual income in retirement Time is your biggest asset. US stock market doubles roughly every 7-10 years Common Mistakes to Avoid in 2026 Not contributing to TSP at all (minimum 5%, goal 15%+) TSP loans for non-emergencies...change behavior instead New car trap: 7-year car loans becoming standard, shooting yourself in financial foot Lifestyle creep: Give half of pay raise to savings, half to lifestyle improvements Waiting for "perfect time." Spoiler: there's never a perfect time. Start this weekend Capture Free Money Review LES monthly for accuracy File paperwork for CZTE, hostile fire pay, family separation allowance Follow up with finance multiple times if needed. Don't give up on money you're owed Request corrected W2s if aircrew touching tax-free zones in Nov/Dec Spencer recovered $20,000+ over career by being persistent with finance Take Action Now Schedule family money meeting. Make it a priority! Hire babysitter if needed, dedicate one hour Write down all debt on paper: credit cards, student loans, auto loans Acknowledge it's overwhelming but necessary to move forward Resources: Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover or Ramit Sethi's I Will Teach You to Be Rich Resources & Links Budgetting and tracking: Monarch Money, YNAB (You Need A Budget), Rocket Money, Every Dollar Credit card offers: Card Pointers Chrome plugin Free books: Libby app + MWR library on base Military Money Manual by Spencer Reese Selected as US Air Force Academy Class of 2023 graduating gift Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover Ramit Sethi's I Will Teach You to Be Rich and Money for Couples TSP match/max charts by rank The Money Guy Show: Financial Order of Operations   Spencer and Jamie offer one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions. Get your personal military money and personal finance questions answered in a confidential coaching call. militarymoneymanual.com/mentor Over 20,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 In the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, such as waived annual fees, on elite cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. https://militarymoneymanual.com/amex-platinum-military/ https://militarymoneymanual.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-military/ Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. Want to be confident with your TSP investing? Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual.

Happy New Year! As we roll into 2026, organizing money becomes top of mind and one of the most common New Year's resolutions. So today on the show we have an expert with the leading money management app- Monarch Money, Rachel Lawrence. She is a Certified Financial Planner and fintech leader who works at the intersection of personal finance, behavior, technology, and artificial intelligence (AI). She also runs her own fee-only financial planning firm called Reverie Wealth. In this episode Rachel gives us a masterclass on how to organize your financial life with Monarch's modern way to manage money that goes beyond the basics of budgeting. Plus, we'll get a peek into what changes they have coming in 2026!     DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS:   MONARCH MONEY The modern way to manage money! Monarch will change the way you organize your financial life. Track, budget, plan, and do more with your money – together. Get 50% off the first year using this link and entering code: CATCHINGUP50   ALLOY The Alloy Market offers a seamless and efficient way to sell your gold, silver, and platinum jewelry, regardless of its condition. They are committed to transparency and fairness, ensuring you get the best possible value for your items. Use this special Link and enter code CUTOFI15 to get a $15 bonus when you sell items over $199 (limited time offer).    For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners     

One snowy Christmas Eve in Texarkana, Neighbor Doug settled into bed in his snazzy Superman Footie PJs (Amazon affiliate link), still buzzing on Joe's Mom's eggnog… Today's special holiday episode recounts a completely original tale of Doug and the money lessons learned when he's visited by three ghosts—past, present, and future. Especially when it comes to past credit mistakes, what's done is done. Whatever method works best for you (debt snowball or debt avalanche), do that one. Come to terms with your bad money habits and realize that you can't outearn them. It's on you to fix the bad money habits of your past. Focus on what's current and fix what needs fixing today. Don't get caught in the trap of lamenting your past nor only planning for the future. Our only truly limited resource is time. Balance living for today with planning for the future. Remain in the present – especially when spending time with your loved ones – while keeping a vision in mind for your longer-term future plans. Be intentional about your plans and actions today and timeline what you want to achieve in what time you have remaining. Communicate on a regular basis with your “team” (loved ones) about your financial goals, progress, and situation. We recommend scheduling a weekly Family Budget Meeting. Automate as many of your financial decisions as possible today so you never have to think about them again in the future. Commit to paying off that mortgage early, ramp up those retirement savings contributions, stack those Benjamins for your kids' college savings. Decide where you want to be financially in the future; face reality of where you are currently (we like our sponsor, Monarch Money, to track where you are); and take the necessary step to make that future a near certainty. Remember that time is the one commodity that's finite for all of us. Value your time and experiences while staying responsible to your present and future self. Remember and learn from the sins of your past to build on your strengths; focus on living in the present and building your financial foundation; and head into the future with more confidence than Joe's Mom's Neighbor Doug during the annual Sun's Out, Guns Out El Camino Competition at the Sizzler. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/doug-and-the-three-ghosts-2025-holiday-special-1778 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

December is chaos. Holidays, travel, weather, kids, hosting, work, pressure to “make it special” – and then we act shocked when the credit card statement smacks us in January. In this 12 Days of Giving episode, I bring back money expert Rachel Duncan to walk through the one simple system she built to stop December from blindsiding her every single year: a recurring “Holiday Lessons Learned” calendar event that future Rachel is very, very grateful for.Rachel breaks down exactly how she built her holiday playbook: what went wrong, what worked, who actually enjoys which tasks, how much candy they really need for Halloween, why New Year's hosting hits different, and how all of that quietly adds up to real money. She shows you how she turned a chaotic season into a repeatable checklist that lives in her calendar and gets better every year instead of starting from zero every time.From there, we go straight into the money. We talk holiday “specialness” spending, why the real budget busters are the so-called “one-off” expenses, and how seasonal stuff like camps, hobbies, gifts, travel and parties are exactly what push people into debt. Rachel walks through her “holiday specialness” category, sinking funds, and even a controversial but smart use of a dedicated credit card you pre-load like a savings bucket. This isn't theory – this is how real families actually spend.Then we zoom out into the psychology. We hit future-self research, the idea of seeing your future self as a real person, and why we're willing to plan better for others than we are for ourselves. Rachel shares how aging a photo of herself, naming future-Rachel, and literally thanking “past me” changed how she spends in the moment. It's not about guilt. It's about taking responsibility for the version of you who has to live with December's decisions.If you're tired of swearing “next year will be different” and then repeating the same pattern, this episode is your line in the sand. We're giving you a concrete way to capture your own holiday lessons, track the real costs, and start funding them like adults instead of pretending we'll remember. This is part of our 12 Days of Giving series – one raw, practical episode every day from December 12–23 to get your money and mindset right heading into 2026.

Ready to take control of your finances in 2026? Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench are breaking down one of the most powerful tools for financial success: the personal financial statement. Think of it as your complete financial snapshot—tracking your net worth, cash flow, assets, and liabilities all in one place. The best part? They're giving you a free comprehensive spreadsheet to make it ridiculously easy. This Episode Covers: What a personal financial statement is and why it's essential for reaching your 2026 FI goals How to calculate your net worth and track it over time Step-by-step instructions for filling out your financial statement spreadsheet Organizing your assets and liabilities in one powerful location Using cash flow analysis to understand where your money goes Tips for serious financial planning with your completed statement Access to the free comprehensive spreadsheet template at BiggerPocketsMoney.com/resources Mindy and Scott's recommended budgeting software, Monarch Money (use code 'Pockets' for 50% off Your First Year) Whether you're just starting out or ready to level up your money game, this episode gives you the foundation you need. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most powerful weapons in difficult conversations isn't yelling, insults, or aggression — it's confusion. In this episode, I break down how confusion gets weaponized to avoid accountability, derail clarity, and exhaust you into giving up. You'll learn how to spot when confusion is genuine versus strategic, and exactly what to say to regain control, slow the conversation down, and protect your clarity without escalating the conflict. Order The Next Conversation Workbook: https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/workbook Thank you to our sponsors: Cozy Earth. Upgrade Your Every Day. Get 40% off at cozyearth.com/jefferson or use code JEFFERSON at check out. Monarch Money. 50% off your first year at https://monarchmoney.com/jefferson  BetterHelp. Click https://betterhelp.com/jeffersonfisher for a discount on your first month of therapy. Order my new book, The Next Conversation, or listen to the full audiobook today. Like what you hear? Don't forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review! Suggest a topic or ask a question for me to answer on the show!  Want a FREE communication tip each week? Click here to join my newsletter.  Join My School of Communication Watch my podcast on YouTube  Follow me on Instagram  Follow me on TikTok Follow me on LinkedIn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever felt like other people understand power better than you do — like they know the rules of the game and you don't? In this episode, I sit down with The 48 Laws of Power author Robert Greene to talk about what power really is, how to use it without becoming manipulative, and why feeling powerless can quietly wreck your life. We get into communication, self-love, boundaries, and how to spot people who don't have your best interests at heart, plus a preview of his new book The Law of the Sublime and what surviving a near-death experience taught him about appreciating life. Order The Next Conversation Workbook: https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/workbook Thank you to our sponsors: Cozy Earth. Upgrade Your Every Day. Get 40% off at cozyearth.com/jefferson or use code JEFFERSON at check out. Monarch Money. 50% off your first year at https://monarchmoney.com/jefferson  Momentous. Visit https://www.livemomentous.com/ and use code JEFFERSON for 35% off your first order. BetterHelp. Click ⁠https://betterhelp.com/jeffersonfisher⁠ for a discount on your first month of therapy. Order my new book, The Next Conversation, or listen to the full audiobook today. Like what you hear? Don't forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review! Suggest a topic or ask a question for me to answer on the show!  Want a FREE communication tip each week? Click here to join my newsletter.  Join My School of Communication Watch my podcast on YouTube  Follow me on Instagram  Follow me on TikTok Follow me on LinkedIn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this wild new episode of The Dating Detectives, Hannah and Mackenzie sit down with a guest whose dating app romance took a turn so shocking, you'll be yelling at your phone. What started as the perfect match quickly spiraled into a maze of fear, manipulation, and unbelievable claims, including her boyfriend insisting he was part of the Russian mafia. As red flags pile up and his stories grow darker, Susan finds herself trapped in a reality that feels more like a crime thriller than a relationship. This episode is emotional, infuriating, and impossible to stop listening to. If you've ever ignored a gut feeling or fallen for someone who seemed “too good to be true,” this one's going to hit hard. Click here to join our Patreon! For only $5 a month you will get 2 extra episodes a month, monthly virtual live events, and access to our community page. And now for $9 a month you can get all of that, plus ad free episodes!If you've been dogfished and want to share your story on the show, email investigate@thedatingdetectivespodcast.com or contact us through our website using this linkThis episode is sponsored by Revolve. Shop at REVOLVE.com/DATINGDETECTIVES and use code DATINGDETECTIVES for 15% off your first order. Offer expired on 12/1.This episode of The Dating Detectives is sponsored by Ava. Rebuild your credit fast with no interest, no credit check, with AVA. Download the AVA app and use promo code DATING. Rebuild your credit fast with no interest, no credit check, with AVA. Download the AVA app and use promo code DATING.This episode is sponsored by Suvie. Get the smart countertop kitchen robot that refrigerates, cooks, and meal-preps dinner while you're away. Go to Suvie.com/DatingDetectives to start your 100-day risk-free trial and get 16 FREE meals with your order.This episode is sponsored by Miracle Made. Get silver-infused, bacteria-fighting, temperature-regulating sheets and towels at TryMiracle.com/TDD and use code TDD to save over 40% and claim a FREE 3-piece towel set.Get control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code DATING at MonarchMoney.com in your browser (not app) for half off your first year!This episode of The Dating Detectives is sponsored by Paired. Head to PAIRED.COM/DATINGDETECTIVES to get a 7-day free trial and 25% off if you sign up for a subscription.***The following Program contains names, places and events that have been anonymized or fictionalized for the purposes of protection and safety. The following Program is provided for entertainment purposes only and any commentary from the hosts are strictly conjecture and should not be held as making any definitive statements about the truth or identity of any particular individuals or circumstances.If you or a loved one are involved in an abusive relationship, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for support.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this two-part Dating Detectives story, we meet Jessica, a dog groomer and accomplished show-dog handler whose grief after her father's death left her vulnerable to a “Show Dogfish". What begins as comforting late-night calls with Dylan, a fellow competitor in the dog show world, escalates into love-bombing, a sudden proposal, a courthouse wedding, and controlling red flags—from secretive money moves, to keeping her car keys. As Jessica juggles her dogs, grief, and mounting estate logistics, a crisis at home collides with a shocking knock at her door: a process server tied to a $2M fraud case naming Dylan. Click here to join our Patreon! For only $5 a month you will get 2 extra episodes a month, monthly virtual live events, and access to our community page. And now for $9 a month you can get all of that, plus ad free episodes!If you've been dogfished and want to share your story on the show, email investigate@thedatingdetectivespodcast.com or contact us through our website using this linkThis episode is sponsored by SKIMS. Shop the SKIMS Fits Everybody Collection at SKIMS.com. After you place your order be sure to let them know we sent you by filling out the survey!This episode is sponsored by Miracle Made. Get silver-infused, bacteria-fighting, temperature-regulating sheets and towels at TryMiracle.com/TDD and use code TDD to save over 40% and claim a FREE 3-piece towel set.Make this spring your most delicious yet with Green Chef. Head to greenchef.com/50datingdetectives and use code 50datingdetectives to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.This episode is sponsored by Wayfair. Refresh your home for less. Shop back-to-routine deals by visiting Wayfair.com.Take control of your data today. Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan by visiting joindeleteme.com/datingdetectives and using the promo code TDD at checkout. Get control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code DATING at MonarchMoney.com in your browser (not app) for half off your first year!***The following Program contains names, places and events that have been anonymized or fictionalized for the purposes of protection and safety. The following Program is provided for entertainment purposes only and any commentary from the hosts are strictly conjecture and should not be held as making any definitive statements about the truth or identity of any particular individuals or circumstances.If you or a loved one are involved in an abusive relationship, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for support.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

 Headlines: – Welcome To Mo News (02:00) – Flight-Cancellation Plans Prompt Scramble Across Travel Industry (04:20) – Senate To Vote On Pathway To End Shutdown (06:40) – SNAP Benefits Must Be Fully Paid by Trump Administration By Friday, Judge Orders (07:10) – First-Time Home Buyers Are Older Than Ever (08:10) – Kazakhstan To Join Abraham Accords (11:15) – Teacher Awarded $10M In Lawsuit Against Principal Who Failed To Stop 6-Year-Old Who Shot Her (13:25) – Nancy Pelosi Says She Will Not Seek Reelection (15:10) –  Obesity Drugs May Drop to as Little as $149 a Month (16:50) – Starbucks' Viral Bearista Cup Is Causing Mayhem: ‘I Will Fight You for It' (18:50) – What We're Watching, Reading, Eating (20:40) Thanks To Our Sponsors:  – ⁠LMNT⁠ - Free Sample Pack with any LMNT drink mix purchase –⁠ Industrious⁠ - Coworking office. 50% off day pass | Promo Code: MONEWS50 – Surfshark - 4 additional months of Surfshark VPN | Code: MONEWS – Factor Meals – 50% your first box plus free shipping | Promo Code: monews50off – Monarch Money - 50% off your first year | Promo Code: MONEWS

 Headlines: – Welcome To Mo News (02:00) – FAA to Cut Flights by 10% at 40 Airports Due to Government Shutdown (05:20) – Trump Doubles Down On Killing The Filibuster After Election Trouncing (06:50) – Justices Cast a Skeptical Eye on Trump's Tariffs (10:45) – Trump Warns New Yorkers Will Flee to Florida after Mamdani Win (19:50) – Update On UPS Plane That Crashed And Exploded In Kentucky (24:00) – Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pressing Charges in Groping Incident (25:50) – Louvre Video Security Password Was ‘Louvre,' Report Reveals (27:40) – Miss Piggy Movie From Jennifer Lawrence And Emma Stone (30:00) – On This Day In History (30:45) Thanks To Our Sponsors:  – ⁠LMNT⁠ - Free Sample Pack with any LMNT drink mix purchase –⁠ Industrious⁠ - Coworking office. 50% off day pass | Promo Code: MONEWS50 – Surfshark - 4 additional months of Surfshark VPN | Code: MONEWS – Factor Meals – 50% your first box plus free shipping | Promo Code: monews50off – Monarch Money - 50% off your first year | Promo Code: MONEWS

Headlines: – Welcome To Mo News (02:00) – Election Night Takeaways: Mamdani Wins In NYC; Dems Win In VA, CA, NJ, PA and GA (04:20) – Department of Transportation Might Be Forced To Shut Down Some Airspace Next Week (21:20) – Shutdown Now Longest In History: Status Update (25:30) – Louisville Plane Crash Kills 7, Injures 11 After Massive Explosion (28:10) – Former Vice President Dick Cheney Dies: His Legacy (30:00) – Bend A Knee Like Beckham: Soccer Star David Beckham Knighted By King Charles (34:40) – Jonathan Bailey is People's First Openly Gay ‘Sexiest Man Alive' (36:00) – How Morning Sex Could Increase Your Job Satisfaction — And Help You Score A Raise (37:10) – On This Day In History (39:40) Thanks To Our Sponsors:  – ⁠LMNT⁠ - Free Sample Pack with any LMNT drink mix purchase –⁠ Industrious⁠ - Coworking office. 50% off day pass | Promo Code: MONEWS50 – Surfshark - 4 additional months of Surfshark VPN | Code: MONEWS – Factor Meals – 50% your first box plus free shipping | Promo Code: monews50off – Monarch Money - 50% off your first year | Promo Code: MONEWS

If you've ever felt a conversation slip out of your control, this episode is for you. I'm walking you through exactly how to shift the power dynamic back in your favor without getting loud or defensive. I'll show you how to use smart reset questions, how to call out intent with “Did you mean…” phrases, and why silence is often your strongest move. These three tools will help you stay composed, confident, and in control—no matter who you're talking to. Thank you to our sponsors: Cozy Earth. Upgrade Your Every Day. Get 40% off at cozyearth.com/jefferson or use code JEFFERSON at check out. Monarch Money. 50% off your first year at https://monarchmoney.com/jefferson  BetterHelp. Click https://betterhelp.com/jeffersonfisher for a discount on your first month of therapy. Order my new book, The Next Conversation, or listen to the full audiobook today. Like what you hear? Don't forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review! Suggest a topic or ask a question for me to answer on the show!  Want a FREE communication tip each week? Click here to join my newsletter.  Join My School of Communication Watch my podcast on YouTube  Follow me on Instagram  Follow me on TikTok Follow me on LinkedIn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Headlines:  – Welcome To Mo News (02:00) – Election Preview: NYC, New Jersey, Virginia, California (07:00)– SNAP Delays, Soaring Healthcare Costs As Shutdown Nears Record Length (16:40) – Trump Threatens Military Action In Nigeria Over Anti-Christian Violence (23:00)– Mass Stabbing Attack On UK Train (27:15) – French Gov: Louvre Heist Was Done By Petty Criminals (29:00) – New Mexico Becomes First State To Offer Free Child Care (29:50)– Interstellar Come 3I/Atlast: Why Some Scientists Think Its Alien Craft (32:45) – NASA Pushes Back On Kim Kardashian's Moon Landing Conspiracy (36:20) – Dodgers Back-To-Back Champs After Wild Game 7 Win In Toronto (40:30) – On This Day In History (42:20) Thanks To Our Sponsors:  – ⁠LMNT⁠ - Free Sample Pack with any LMNT drink mix purchase –⁠ Industrious⁠ - Coworking office. 50% off day pass | Promo Code: MONEWS50 – Surfshark - 4 additional months of Surfshark VPN | Code: MONEWS – Factor Meals – 50% your first box plus free shipping | Promo Code: monews50off – Monarch Money - 50% off your first year | Promo Code: MONEWS

 Headlines:  – Welcome to Mo News + The Debate Over Daylight Saving Time (02:00) – What to Know About The Trade Deal With China's Xi (07:00) – Trump Tells Pentagon To Resume Nuclear Testing (12:20) – Judge Skeptical Over Trump Administration Decision to Suspend Food Stamps (16:20) – ICE Raids To Continue Over Halloween (23:50) – Teacher Shot By 6-Year-Old Student Testifies Against School Administrator (27:00) – King Charles Strips Brother Andrew Of Prince Title Over Epstein Scandal (30:00) – Pumpkin Stylists Are Making a Killing This Fall (32:40) – On This Day In History (34:20) Thanks To Our Sponsors:  – ⁠LMNT⁠ - Free Sample Pack with any LMNT drink mix purchase –⁠ Industrious⁠ - Coworking office. 50% off day pass | Promo Code: MONEWS50 – Incogni - 60% off an annual plan| Promo Code: MONEWS – Factor Meals – 50% your first box plus free shipping | Promo Code: monews50off – Monarch Money - 50% off your first year | Promo Code: MONEWS – BetterHelp – 10% off your first month 

 Headlines:  – Welcome to Mo News + Dictionary.com's Word Of The Year: “6-7” (2:00) – Hurricane Melissa Kills Over 30 in the Caribbean (07:00) – Fed Cuts Interest Rates by Another Quarter Point (10:30) – Incomes Flatline as Corporate America Slows Spending (12:50) – Nvidia Becomes First $5 Trillion Company (15:30) – Trump Says 'It's Pretty Clear' He Can't Run For 3rd Term (19:20) – JD Vance On Running For President & His Friendship With Sec. State Marco Rubio (20:15) – Trump Orders Pentagon To Move Ahead With Nuclear Weapons Tests (28:00) – Yellowstone's Taylor Sheridan Is Leaving Paramount (30:20) – Your Latest Prescription Is To Get Outside (33:30) – On This Day In History (36:40) Thanks To Our Sponsors:  – ⁠LMNT⁠ - Free Sample Pack with any LMNT drink mix purchase –⁠ Industrious⁠ - Coworking office. 50% off day pass | Promo Code: MONEWS50 – Incogni - 60% off an annual plan| Promo Code: MONEWS – Factor Meals – 50% your first box plus free shipping | Promo Code: monews50off – Monarch Money - 50% off your first year | Promo Code: MONEWS – BetterHelp – 10% off your first month 

  Headlines: – Welcome to Mo News (02:00) – Hurricane Melissa Makes Historic Landfall in Jamaica As Category 5 Storm (05:40) – US Kills 14 In Strikes On Alleged Drug Boats in Pacific, In Deadliest Maritime Attacks Yet (09:00) – Netanyahu Orders ‘Forceful' Strikes on Gaza After Hamas Breaks Ceasefire (15:20) – Mass Civilian Killings Reported In Sudanese City Seized By Paramilitary Group (19:00) – Texas Sues Tylenol Makers, Claiming They Hid Autism Risks (22:30) – U.S. Obesity Rates Fall As Record Number Of Americans Take GLP-1 Injectables (25:20) – Francis Ford Coppola Forced To Sell Prized Watches After His Movie Bombs (27:10) – On This Day In History (28:20) Thanks To Our Sponsors:  – ⁠LMNT⁠ - Free Sample Pack with any LMNT drink mix purchase –⁠ Industrious⁠ - Coworking office. 50% off day pass | Promo Code: MONEWS50 – Incogni - 60% off an annual plan| Promo Code: MONEWS – Factor Meals – 50% your first box plus free shipping | Promo Code: monews50off – Monarch Money - 50% off your first year | Promo Code: MONEWS – BetterHelp – 10% off your first month 

  Headlines: – Welcome to Mo News + The Loneliest Day of the Year for Singles—and It's Not Valentine's Day (02:00) – Shutdown Hitting Air Traffic Controllers: What It Means For Travel (05:15) – Breaking Down Trump Third Term Talk & Constitution (10:50) – Jamaica Braces For Its Worst Hurricane In Island History (18:40) – Amazon To Announce Largest Layoffs In Company History (21:45) – Bird Flu's Sending Turkey Prices Higher Ahead Of Thanksgiving (24:10) – Ohio Looks At Controversial ‘Success Sequence' Bill (26:45) – Hottest Costume Of The Year: KPop Demon Hunters (28:30) – On This Day In History (31:00) Thanks To Our Sponsors:  – ⁠LMNT⁠ - Free Sample Pack with any LMNT drink mix purchase –⁠ Industrious⁠ - Coworking office. 50% off day pass | Promo Code: MONEWS50 – Incogni - 60% off an annual plan| Promo Code: MONEWS – Factor Meals – 50% your first box plus free shipping | Promo Code: monews50off – Monarch Money - 50% off your first year | Promo Code: MONEWS – BetterHelp – 10% off your first month 

 Headlines: – Welcome to Mo News (02:00) – Louvre Suspects Arrested (03:30)– U.S. Warships Head To Caribbean Amid Rising Tensions With Venezuela (07:10) – Hurricane Melissa Expected To Bring Catastrophic Threat To Jamaica, Haiti (19:50) – U.S., China Talks Sketch Out Rare Earths, Tariff Pause (21:40) – Trump Adds 10% Tariff On Canada Over Reagan TV Ad (26:00) – Shutdown Continues– Federal Workers Get Side Hustles (30:45) – Healthcare Costs Rise For Americans & Federal Workers Go Without Paychecks (32:00) – Travis Kelce Is Jumping In to Save Six Flags Just When It Needed It Most (35:20) – Smart Toilets Analyze Urine & Poop (37:10) – On This Day In History (41:15) Thanks To Our Sponsors:  – ⁠LMNT⁠ - Free Sample Pack with any LMNT drink mix purchase –⁠ Industrious⁠ - Coworking office. 50% off day pass | Promo Code: MONEWS50 – Incogni - 60% off an annual plan| Promo Code: MONEWS – Factor Meals – 50% your first box plus free shipping | Promo Code: monews50off – Monarch Money - 50% off your first year | Promo Code: MONEWS – BetterHelp – 10% off your first month 

 Headlines: – Welcome to Mo News (02:00) – NBA Coach Chauncey Billups, Player Terry Rozier Arrested In FBI Gambling Probe (05:20) – Trump Calls Off 'Surge' Of Federal Deployment To San Francisco (12:50) – White House Releases List of Donors For Trump's Multi-Million-Dollar Ballroom (19:30) – Trump Pardons Convicted Binance Founder (27:50) – China's Xi and Trump to Meet Next Thursday (30:20) – Harvard Says Latest Freshman Class Is Less Black (32:50) – Gen Z Not Interested in Sex, Romance, or Love Triangles in Movies or TV–Study (35:15) – What We're Watching, Reading, Eating (38:50) Thanks To Our Sponsors:  – ⁠LMNT⁠ - Free Sample Pack with any LMNT drink mix purchase –⁠ Industrious⁠ - Coworking office. 50% off day pass | Promo Code: MONEWS50 – Incogni - 60% off an annual plan| Promo Code: MONEWS – Factor Meals – 50% your first box plus free shipping | Promo Code: monews50off – Monarch Money - 50% off your first year | Promo Code: MONEWS – ⁠Boll & Branch⁠ – 15% off, plus free shipping on your first set of sheets – BetterHelp – 10% off your first month 

 Headlines: – Welcome to Mo News (02:00) – Federal Agents Stage Raid on Canal Street in New York City, Arresting 9 (05:00) – Russia Tests Nuclear Missiles After Putin's Meeting With Trump Postponed (10:00) – Government Shutdown Now Second Longest In History (16:00) – North Carolina Advances New Congressional Maps To Help GOP Gain Seats In US House (19:30) – Mo News Conversation With Fox News Anchor Bret Baier (23:50) – Democratic Senator's 22 hours Filibuster (17:30) – Amazon Plans to Replace More Than Half a Million Jobs With Robots (27:15) – Here's How Much Prices Are Rising Across The Fashion Industry (30:00) – Netflix Inks Major Deals With Mattel and Hasbro for ‘KPop Demon Hunters' Toys, Games and Products (32:00) – On This Day In History (33:20) Thanks To Our Sponsors:  – ⁠LMNT⁠ - Free Sample Pack with any LMNT drink mix purchase –⁠ Industrious⁠ - Coworking office. 50% off day pass | Promo Code: MONEWS50 – Incogni - 60% off an annual plan| Promo Code: MONEWS – Factor Meals – 50% your first box plus free shipping | Promo Code: monews50off – Monarch Money - 50% off your first year | Promo Code: MONEWS – ⁠Boll & Branch⁠ – 15% off, plus free shipping on your first set of sheets – BetterHelp – 10% off your first month 

 Headlines: – Welcome to Mo News + National Nut Day (02:00) – Construction Begins On White House Ballroom (05:30) – The Impact of Cellphone Bans in Schools on Student Outcomes: Evidence from Florida (16:00) – Pardoned Jan. 6 Rioter Charged With Threatening Hakeem Jeffries (21:20) – White House Pushes Back On Report That Trump Is Considering Pardoning Sean 'Diddy' Combs (24:00) – Trump Said to Demand Justice Dept. Pay Him $230 Million for Past Case (26:00) – Germany's Merz Under Fire For 'Racist' Deportation Comment (28:20) – Mosquitos Found in Iceland For First Time As Climate Warms (32:20) – American Airlines Brews New Coffee From Lavazza On Board And In Lounges (34:10) – On This Day In History (38:00) Thanks To Our Sponsors:  – ⁠LMNT⁠ - Free Sample Pack with any LMNT drink mix purchase –⁠ Industrious⁠ - Coworking office. 50% off day pass | Promo Code: MONEWS50 – Incogni - 60% off an annual plan| Promo Code: MONEWS – Factor Meals – 50% your first box plus free shipping | Promo Code: monews50off – Monarch Money - 50% off your first year | Promo Code: MONEWS – ⁠Boll & Branch⁠ – 15% off, plus free shipping on your first set of sheets – BetterHelp – 10% off your first month 

Headlines: – Welcome to Mo News (02:00) – Amazon Outage Takes Down Apps, Websites Around World (05:45) – JD Vance Arriving In Israel To Bolster Gaza Truce (10:20) – The State Of Hamas As It Splinters Into Multiple Groups (13:00) – Appeals Court Allows Trump's Oregon Troop Deployment (19:40) – Trump's Private Blow-Up With Zelensky Revealed (23:00) – FBI Investigates Hunting Stand With Sight Line to Trump's Air Force One Exit (26:30) – Police Stop Georgia Man Looking To Conduct Shooting At ATL Airport (28:50) – Peanut Allergies Have Plummeted in Children, Study Shows (30:50) – Spotify Partners With Netflix For Video Podcast Distribution Deal (33:45) – On This Day In History (37:10) Thanks To Our Sponsors:  – ⁠LMNT⁠ - Free Sample Pack with any LMNT drink mix purchase –⁠ Industrious⁠ - Coworking office. 50% off day pass | Promo Code: MONEWS50 – Incogni - 60% off an annual plan| Promo Code: MONEWS – Factor Meals – 50% your first box plus free shipping | Promo Code: monews50off – Monarch Money - 50% off your first year | Promo Code: MONEWS – ⁠Boll & Branch⁠ – 20% off, plus free shipping on your first set of sheets

 Headlines: – Welcome to Mo News (02:00) – Trump's Latest Target In The Latin American Drug Trade (05:50) – George Santos Sentence Commuted By President Trump (13:30) – Heists Steal Jewels At The Louvre & Picasso At Spanish Museum (21:40) – Millions Gather At Anti-Trump "No Kings" Rallies Across The U.S. (26:00) – Israel, Hamas Affirm Ceasefire Commitment After Sunday Attack (31:00) – Louisiana Resident Assisted In Hamas 7 October Attack, US Says (34:00) – Prince Andrew To Lose Royal Title Due To Jeffrey Epstein Sex Abuse Ties, Allegations (35:15) – The End Of The Social Media Era? (37:50) – On This Day In History (41:15) Thanks To Our Sponsors:  – ⁠LMNT⁠ - Free Sample Pack with any LMNT drink mix purchase –⁠ Industrious⁠ - Coworking office. 50% off day pass | Promo Code: MONEWS50 – Incogni - 60% off an annual plan| Promo Code: MONEWS – Factor Meals – 50% your first box plus free shipping | Promo Code: monews50off – Monarch Money - 50% off your first year | Promo Code: MONEWS – ⁠Boll & Branch⁠ – 20% off, plus free shipping on your first set of sheets

 Headlines: – Welcome to Mo News (02:00) – White House Announces Proposal Seeking to Make IVF More Affordable (06:00) – ​​Trump to Meet Putin For Another Summit To End War in Ukraine (10:30) – President Issues New Warning To Hamas (17:00) – NYC Mayoral Debate Takeaways (19:20) – Former National Security Adviser John Bolton Indicted Over Handling of Classified Information (26:00) – Government Shutdown Shows No Signs Of Ending (29:30) – OpenAI's ChatGPT Will Soon Allow ‘Erotica' For Adults in Major Policy Shift (31:45) – What We're Watching, Reading, Eating (35:40) Thanks To Our Sponsors:  – ⁠LMNT⁠ - Free Sample Pack with any LMNT drink mix purchase –⁠ Industrious⁠ - Coworking office. 50% off day pass | Promo Code: MONEWS50 – Incogni - 60% off an annual plan| Promo Code: MONEWS – Factor Meals – 50% your first box plus free shipping | Promo Code: monews50off – Monarch Money - 50% off your first year | Promo Code: MONEWS – Shopify – $1 per-month trial | Code: monews – ⁠Boll & Branch⁠ – 15% off, plus free shipping on your first set of sheets – Leesa – 25% off mattress, plus extra $50 off | Promo Code: MONEWS – BetterHelp – 10% off your first month

 Headlines: – Welcome to Mo News + Winter Snow Forecast 2025-26 (02:00) – Supreme Court Weighs Role of Race in State (07:00) – Judge Blocks Trump From Firing Federal Workers During Government Shutdown For Now (15:10) – Trump Administration Authorizes Covert C.I.A. Action in Venezuela (17:00) – Nearly All Major Media Outlets Reject Pentagon's Restrictive Press Policy (25:50) – Protein Powders and Shakes Contain High Levels of Lead {REPORT} (34:30) – Lottery Winner Gives Back To Community (38:00) – Oklahoma Girls' Basketball Team Returns Championship After Realizing They Lost (39:50) – On This Day In History (42:20) Consumer Reports Subscription Deal: MO NEWS DISCOUNT  Thanks To Our Sponsors:  – ⁠LMNT⁠ - Free Sample Pack with any LMNT drink mix purchase–⁠ Industrious⁠ - Coworking office. 50% off day pass | Promo Code: MONEWS50 – Incogni - 60% off an annual plan| Promo Code: MONEWS – Factor Meals – 50% your first box plus free shipping | Promo Code: monews50off – Monarch Money - 50% off your first year | Promo Code: MONEWS – Shopify – $1 per-month trial | Code: monews

 Headlines: – Welcome to Mo News (02:00) – Pres. Trump Posthumously Awards Charlie Kirk Presidential Medal of Freedom (06:00) – Man Pleads Guilty In Arson Attack On Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's Residence (09:00) – Instagram Will Limit Content for Teenagers Based on PG-13 Ratings (11:20) – Hamas Returns Bodies Of 4 More Hostages After Israel Threatens Aid Cut (18:15) – Government Shutdown Day 15: White House Warns More Layoffs Are Coming (24:00) – FDA Clears Blood Test To Help Rule Out Alzheimer's Disease In People Showing Symptoms (27:30) – America's Gender Pay Gap Going In Wrong Direction (29:40) – The New York Sun Revives Print Edition (31:25) – On This Day In History  (34:45) Thanks To Our Sponsors:  – ⁠LMNT⁠ - Free Sample Pack with any LMNT drink mix purchase –⁠ Industrious⁠ - Coworking office. 50% off day pass | Promo Code: MONEWS50 – Incogni - 60% off an annual plan| Promo Code: MONEWS – Factor Meals – 50% your first box plus free shipping | Promo Code: monews50off – Monarch Money - 50% off your first year | Promo Code: MONEWS – Shopify – $1 per-month trial | Code: monews

 Headlines: – Welcome to Mo News (02:00) – Remaining 20 Living Israeli Hostages Freed From Gaza; About 2,000 Palestinian Prisoners Released From Israeli Prisons (04:30) – Trump Addresses Knesset After Historic Peace Deal (13:00) – Trump Signs Ceasefire Deal In Egypt (19:10) – Dozens Rescued In Alaska After Remnants of Typhoon Halong Batter Region (29:40) – Education Department Layoffs Hit Offices That Oversee Special Ed. (30:40) – Airports Say They Won't Air Kristi Noem Shutdown Video At TSA Checkpoints (33:20) – News Outlets Broadly Reject Pentagon Rules Before Signing Deadline (35:00) – Why Everyone Is Getting a Prenup (39:45) – On This Day In History (42:20) Thanks To Our Sponsors:  – ⁠LMNT⁠ - Free Sample Pack with any LMNT drink mix purchase –⁠ Industrious⁠ - Coworking office. 50% off day pass | Promo Code: MONEWS50 – Incogni - 60% off an annual plan| Promo Code: MONEWS – Factor Meals – 50% your first box plus free shipping | Promo Code: monews50off – Monarch Money - 50% off your first year | Promo Code: MONEWS – Shopify – $1 per-month trial | Code: monews

 Headlines: – Welcome to Mo News (02:00) – Israel Hostages Set For Release As Trump Heads To Middle East (05:00) – Govt. Shutdown Enters Third Week: Federal Layoffs, Paychecks Halt (14:10) – Melania Trump Working With Russia's Putin To Reunite Missing Ukrainian Children (22:20) – China Says It's Not Afraid Of Trade War After Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs (25:20) – U.S. Will Host Qatari Air Force Facility In Idaho (27:25) – Trump Eyes The ‘Insurrection Act' As Courts Rule On National Guard Deployment (31:50) – Blast At Tennessee Explosives Plant Kills 16 People (36:30) – Remembering Diane Keaton, Who Died At 79 (37:40) – On This Day In History (40:40) Thanks To Our Sponsors:  – ⁠LMNT⁠ - Free Sample Pack with any LMNT drink mix purchase –⁠ Industrious⁠ - Coworking office. 50% off day pass | Promo Code: MONEWS50 – Incogni - 60% off an annual plan| Promo Code: MONEWS – Factor Meals – 50% your first box plus free shipping | Promo Code: monews50off – Monarch Money - 50% off your first year | Promo Code: MONEWS – Shopify – $1 per-month trial | Code: monews

Part Two of Claudia's saga is a tangle of exes, receipts, and survival. As she builds a new life with Amber, a DM from Melissa's ex, Taylor, detonates everything—revealing a secret alliance with Amber's ex Kayla, alleged surveillance, financial doxxing, and the chilling photo of Claudia's child sleeping on a mattress in a closet. We follow Claudia into court, through “defensive parenting,” and onto TikTok where a web of past partners surfaces a pattern of control; veganism-as-control, forced tattoos, baby pressure, and love-bombing wrapped in “toxic positivity.” Trigger warning: child endangerment and abuse are discussed.Click here to join our Patreon! For only $5 a month you will get 2 extra episodes a month, monthly virtual live events, and access to our community page. And now for $9 a month you can get all of that, plus ad free episodes!If you've been dogfished and want to share your story on the show, email investigate@thedatingdetectivespodcast.com or contact us through our website using this linkThis episode is sponsored by Miracle Made. Get silver-infused, bacteria-fighting, temperature-regulating sheets and towels at TryMiracle.com/TDD and use code TDD to save over 40% and claim a FREE 3-piece towel set.Make this spring your most delicious yet with Green Chef. Head to greenchef.com/50datingdetectives and use code 50datingdetectives to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.Get control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code DATING at MonarchMoney.com in your browser (not app) for half off your first year!This episode of The Dating Detectives is sponsored by Paired. Head to PAIRED.COM/DATINGDETECTIVES to get a 7-day free trial and 25% off if you sign up for a subscription.This episode is sponsored by SKIMS. Shop the SKIMS Fits Everybody Collection at SKIMS.com. After you place your order be sure to let them know we sent you by filling out the survey!This episode is sponsored by Baked By Melissa. Get 20% off your order by going to bakedbymelissa.com/datingdetectives. ***The following Program contains names, places and events that have been anonymized or fictionalized for the purposes of protection and safety. The following Program is provided for entertainment purposes only and any commentary from the hosts are strictly conjecture and should not be held as making any definitive statements about the truth or identity of any particular individuals or circumstances.If you or a loved one are involved in an abusive relationship, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for support.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, Marques, Andrew, and David start things off with Instagram Ring awards, a new electric skateboard, and final thoughts on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Then they talk all about the new Tesla Model 3 and Model Y standard editions before trying to explain a mystery cultural event in terms of tech. It's a chaotic one. Enjoy! Links: Instagram Rings post: https://creators.instagram.com/blog/introducing-instagram-rings Liquid Skateboard video: https://liquidskateboard.com/ Verge - Boox P6: https://www.theverge.com/news/794751/onyx-boox-p6-pro-e-ink-reader-smartphone-color-palma MKBHD - Pixel 10 Pro Fold video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tl8RS0sR-qA Reddit - iPhone discoloration thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/iphone/comments/1ny7nt9/comment/nhssp50/ Decoder - RJ Scaring (Rivian CEO) interview: https://www.theverge.com/podcast/790685/rivian-ceo-rj-scaringe-r2-tariffs-china-ev-apple-carplay Gjeebs - Model Y Standard video: https://youtu.be/qbApdIzx29U?si=FTnDGNAMqTZJRWas&t=336 Everyday Chris - Tesla Model Y video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbApdIzx29U&t=336s Autofocus- Tesla Alternatives video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llRut0MpjfU This episode is brought to you by: ⁠Monarch Money - www.monarchmoney.com (Code: wave) Coda - www.Coda.io (Code: wave) ⁠LinkedIn⁠ - www.linkedIn.com/mkbhd Grammarlu - www.grammarly.com/podcast Music provided by ⁠Epidemic Sound ⁠ ⁠Shop the merch!⁠ Social: ⁠Waveform Threads⁠ ⁠Waveform Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠Waveform TikTok⁠⁠ Hosts: ⁠Marques⁠ ⁠Andrew⁠ ⁠David⁠ ⁠Adam⁠ ⁠Ellis⁠ Join the ⁠Discord⁠ Music by ⁠20syl⁠ Waveform is part of the Vox Media Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

 Headlines: – Welcome to Mo News (02:00) – NY AG Letitia James Indicted Over Mortgage Fraud Claims (07:00) – Israel Says Gaza Ceasefire Now in Effect After Hostage Deal (12:30) – Federal Judge Halts Trump's Chicago Military Deployment (20:45) – California Becomes First State To Phase Ultraprocessed Food Out Of School Meals (26:10) – Judge Dismisses Drake's Lawsuit Over Kendrick Lamar's ‘Not Like Us' (28:45) – Bob Ross's ‘Happy Little' Paintings Will Be Auctioned (31:15) – The Boldest Grocery Trends Coming in 2026, According to Whole Foods (33:00) – What We're Watching, Reading, Eating (35:40) Thanks To Our Sponsors:  – ⁠LMNT⁠ - Free Sample Pack with any LMNT drink mix purchase –⁠ Industrious⁠ - Coworking office. 50% off day pass | Promo Code: MONEWS50 – Incogni - 60% off an annual plan| Promo Code: MONEWS – Leesa – 25% off mattress, plus extra $50 off | Promo Code: MONEWS – Factor Meals – 50% your first box plus free shipping | Promo Code: monews50off – Monarch Money - 50% off your first year | Promo Code: MONEWS

Headlines: – Welcome to Mo News (02:00) – Israel, Hamas Agree To ‘First Phase' Of Peace Plan; Hostages Will Come Home Monday (04:50) – Texas National Guard Troops Arrive In Illinois Over Leaders' Objections (16:45) – Former FBI Director Comey Pleads Not Guilty (26:45) – How Many Americans Could See Health Insurance Premiums Rise (31:00) – Palisades Fire Suspect Used ChatGPT To Plan Blaze (35:15) – Denmark Plans Social Media Ban For Kids Under 15 (38:10) – Dolly Parton Says 'I Ain't Dead Yet' as She Gives Health Update (39:40) – On This Day In History (42:40) Thanks To Our Sponsors:  – ⁠LMNT⁠ - Free Sample Pack with any LMNT drink mix purchase –⁠ Industrious⁠ - Coworking office. 50% off day pass | Promo Code: MONEWS50 – Incogni - 60% off an annual plan| Promo Code: MONEWS – Leesa – 25% off mattress, plus extra $50 off | Promo Code: MONEWS – Factor Meals – 50% your first box plus free shipping | Promo Code: monews50off – Monarch Money - 50% off your first year | Promo Code: MONEWS

 Headlines: – Welcome to Mo News (02:00) – Pam Bondi Clashes With Senate Democrats in Fiery Capitol Hill Hearing (04:15) – Texas National Guard Arrives In Chicago (11:10) – Air Traffic Chaos Grows as Trump Floats No Retro Pay for Federal Workers (12:10) – ‘Two Bullets to the Head': Leaked Texts Rock Virginia Attorney General Race (19:45) – Supreme Court Appears Poised to Strike Down Ban on Gay Conversion Therapy (23:00) – Gold Tops $4,000 as Investors Flee Dollar for ‘Safe Havens' (26:00) – Zach Bryan Sparks Backlash Over Anti-ICE Lyrics in New Song ‘Bad News' (28:15) – Taylor Swift Explains Why She Doesn't Want Super Bowl Halftime Gig (31:15) – On This Day In History (34:00) Thanks To Our Sponsors:  – ⁠LMNT⁠ - Free Sample Pack with any LMNT drink mix purchase –⁠ Industrious⁠ - Coworking office. 50% off day pass | Promo Code: MONEWS50 – Incogni - 60% off an annual plan| Promo Code: MONEWS – Leesa – 25% off mattress, plus extra $50 off | Promo Code: MONEWS – Factor Meals – 50% your first box plus free shipping | Promo Code: monews50off – Monarch Money - 50% off your first year | Promo Code: MONEWS

Being nice won't save you — especially in conflict. Too often, we think if we're agreeable enough, people will treat us better or listen more. But that's not how it works. In this episode, I talk about why “nice” people often get steamrolled in difficult conversations, the difference between being nice and being respectful, and how respectful firmness is actually the real power move. Thank you to our sponsors: Cozy Earth. Upgrade Your Every Day. Get 40% off at cozyearth.com/jefferson or use code JEFFERSON at check out. Monarch Money. 50% off your first year at https://monarchmoney.com/jefferson  BetterHelp. Click https://betterhelp.com/jeffersonfisher for a discount on your first month of therapy. Order my new book, The Next Conversation, or listen to the full audiobook today. Like what you hear? Don't forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review! Suggest a topic or ask a question for me to answer on the show!  Want a FREE communication tip each week? Click here to join my newsletter.  Join My School of Communication Watch my podcast on YouTube  Follow me on Instagram  Follow me on TikTok Follow me on LinkedIn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Headlines: – Welcome to Mo News (02:00) – Judge Declines to Stop Guard Troops From Deploying in Illinois, for Now (04:00) – Bari Weiss Named Editor In Chief Of CBS News (12:45) – Day Seven Of The Government Shutdown (19:15) – White House Avoids Setting Deadline For Gaza Talks, But Says It Wants Deal ‘Quickly' (23:50) – Hostage Families Urge Nobel Committee To Give Trump Peace Prize (26:450 – Survey: Most Jewish Americans Say Antisemitism Now Part Of Daily Life (27:15) – Supreme Court Rejects Appeal From Ghislaine Maxwell (28:30) – Costco to Sell Popular Weight-Loss Drugs Ozempic and Wegovy (30:50) – Online Holiday Spending Growth Set To Slow To 5.3% As Shoppers Seek Discounts (32:00) – On This Day In History (33:10) Thanks To Our Sponsors:  – ⁠LMNT⁠ - Free Sample Pack with any LMNT drink mix purchase –⁠ Industrious⁠ - Coworking office. 50% off day pass | Promo Code: MONEWS50 – Incogni - 60% off an annual plan| Promo Code: MONEWS – Leesa – 25% off mattress, plus extra $50 off | Promo Code: MONEWS – Factor Meals – 50% your first box plus free shipping | Promo Code: monews50off – Monarch Money - 50% off your first year | Promo Code: MONEWS

 Headlines: – Welcome to Mo News (02:00) – Trump Says Gaza Deal Is Near As Netanyahu Faces Pressure To Accept Terms (07:30) – Trump Moves To Send Troops To Chicago And Portland (23:30) – A Look At The Major Cases Ahead Of The Supreme Court's New Term (34:00) – Attempted Kavanaugh Assassin Gets 8 Year, DOJ To Appeal (38:40) – Japan Set To Have First Female Prime Minister (41:15) – NFL Analyst & Ex-QB Mark Sanchez Stabbed, Arrested After Drunken Confrontation (43:15) – Saudi Arabia's First Global Comedy Festival Sparks Backlash (45:10) – Taylor Swift Breaks Records With “The Life Of A Showgirl” (49:30) – On This Day In History (52:10) Thanks To Our Sponsors:  – ⁠LMNT⁠ - Free Sample Pack with any LMNT drink mix purchase –⁠ Industrious⁠ - Coworking office. 50% off day pass | Promo Code: MONEWS50 – Incogni - 60% off an annual plan| Promo Code: MONEWS – Leesa – 25% off mattress, plus extra $50 off | Promo Code: MONEWS – Factor Meals – 50% your first box plus free shipping | Promo Code: monews50off – Monarch Money - 50% off your first year | Promo Code: MONEWS

 Headlines: – Welcome to Mo News (02:00) – 2 Dead, 4 Seriously Injured In Terror Attack At UK Synagogue On Yom Kippur (06:15) – Latest Drone Swarm Shuts Down Munich Airport (12:00) – White House Warns Thousands Of Federal Workers Could Be Fired Amid Shutdown (13:00) – Israel Intercepts Gaza-Bound Flotilla Trying To Break Blockade (21:30) – Awaiting Hamas Response To US-Led Middle East Peace Plan (24:45) – Trump Admin Explains Legal Rationale For Blowing Up Drug Boats (25:20) – Nearly $300K Raised For Family Of Michigan Church Shooter By Church Community (29:00) – OpenAI's New App ‘Sora 2' Booms With Lifelike AI Videos (31:15) – Jane Goodall, Legendary Chimpanzee Researcher And Conservationist, Dies At 91 (34:00) – What We're Watching, Reading, Eating (37:00) – What Mosh Is Reading: Jake Cohen Cookbook Thanks To Our Sponsors:  – ⁠LMNT⁠ - Free Sample Pack with any LMNT drink mix purchase –⁠ Industrious⁠ - Coworking office. 50% off day pass | Promo Code: MONEWS50 – Surfshark - 4 additional months of Surfshark VPN | Code: MONEWS – Leesa – 25% off mattress, plus extra $50 off | Promo Code: MONEWS – Factor Meals – 50% your first box plus free shipping | Promo Code: monews50off – Monarch Money - 50% off your first year | Promo Code: MONEWS

American democracy is facing one of its most turbulent and concerning moments in decades. In a special edition today, Mosheh is the guest on today's podcast in a special simulcast edition of the Mo News Podcast. He recently joined the Beyond A Ballot podcast–a Canadian political podcast with analysts Rachael Segal and Amanda Alvaro –to unpack the state of U.S. politics. We dig into the cultural reactions to recent political flashpoints, the role of late-night television in shaping public opinion, and what the erosion of trust in public health institutions says about the future of American democracy. With polarization at historic levels, we also explore what lies ahead. Thanks To Our Sponsors:  – ⁠LMNT⁠ - Free Sample Pack with any LMNT drink mix purchase – ⁠Boll & Branch⁠ – 20% off, plus free shipping –⁠ Industrious⁠ - Coworking office. 50% off day pass | Promo Code: MONEWS50 – Surfshark - 4 additional months of Surfshark VPN | Code: MONEWS – Leesa – 25% off mattress, plus extra $50 off | Promo Code: MONEWS – Factor Meals – 50% your first box plus free shipping | Promo Code: monews50off – Monarch Money - 50% off your first year | Promo Code: MONEWS

This episode is a solo Q&A session where I answer a bunch of questions. We covered a ton of ground, from personal health protocols to professional frameworks and creative projects. This episode is brought to you by:Eight Sleep Pod Cover 5 sleeping solution for dynamic cooling and heating: EightSleep.com/Tim (use code TIM to get $350 off your very own Pod 5 Ultra.)Monarch Money track, budget, plan, and do more with your money: MonarchMoney.com/Tim (50% off your first year at monarchmoney.com with code TIM)Shopify global commerce platform, providing tools to start, grow, market, and manage a retail business: https://shopify.com/tim (one-dollar-per-month trial period)Timestamps: [00:00:00] Start[00:06:00] Coyote retail distribution challenges and data gathering.[00:09:12] Elbow surgery recovery: sequencing, decongestion, Marc Pro device, peptides, BFR training.[00:16:14] California vs. Austin for builders, mechanical engineers, and tech startups.[00:19:06] Using AI for medical advice workflow (and cross-referencing with professionals).[00:23:51] Current supplement regimen and PAGG/AGG status.[00:31:54] California vs. Texas considerations for aspiring parents.[00:32:48] Saying "No" to good things for "Hell, yes" moments.[00:34:34] Philanthropy lessons learned since starting Saisei Foundation.[00:37:45] Something I've changed my mind about recently: intermittent fasting.[00:42:44] Precious items from childhood I still keep: D&D relics and marine biology books.[00:43:03] Bucket list hike: Glacier National Park.[00:43:42] How the catalytic chaos of publishing The 4-Hour Chef led to launching this podcast.[00:45:52] Bringing delight vs. sixth-gear, high-performance focus.[00:49:05] Thoughts on extended human fasting research from the Soviet era.[00:52:58] Most magical New Mexico experience: Mountain Cloud Zen Center meditation retreat.[00:53:22] Meta skills for the AI era: Hyper-adaptability and world-class learning.[00:54:01] The (real and ideal) future of CØCKPUNCH/Legends of Varlata.[00:59:47] Competitive chess training enhancement: glucose management, intermittent fasting, MCT oil.[01:06:31] Behind-the-scenes projects: Fusion, algae feed additives, meat alternatives.[01:08:32] Countries I wish I had visited earlier, and places I'd still like to see.[01:11:06] "Not yet" vs. "No" in early growth phases.[01:14:14] Post Coyote, do I have any future games in the works?[01:14:46] Over-ear vs. in-ear headphones for podcasting.[01:15:16] What's the uncrowded channel right now?[01:16:17] Recommendations for Dr. Mindy Pelz.[01:16:58] Robert Rodriguez and project juggling.[01:17:24] Fast neutron reactors and the Bugatti of ketones.[01:19:05] Extended family outings and Mahonk Mountain House.[01:20:31] NO BOOK meetup plans?[01:20:54] Parting thoughts.*For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim's email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim's books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissPast guests on The Tim Ferriss Show include Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Jackman, Dr. Jane Goodall, LeBron James, Kevin Hart, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jamie Foxx, Matthew McConaughey, Esther Perel, Elizabeth Gilbert, Terry Crews, Sia, Yuval Noah Harari, Malcolm Gladwell, Madeleine Albright, Cheryl Strayed, Jim Collins, Mary Karr, Maria Popova, Sam Harris, Michael Phelps, Bob Iger, Edward Norton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Neil Strauss, Ken Burns, Maria Sharapova, Marc Andreessen, Neil Gaiman, Neil de Grasse Tyson, Jocko Willink, Daniel Ek, Kelly Slater, Dr. Peter Attia, Seth Godin, Howard Marks, Dr. Brené Brown, Eric Schmidt, Michael Lewis, Joe Gebbia, Michael Pollan, Dr. Jordan Peterson, Vince Vaughn, Brian Koppelman, Ramit Sethi, Dax Shepard, Tony Robbins, Jim Dethmer, Dan Harris, Ray Dalio, Naval Ravikant, Vitalik Buterin, Elizabeth Lesser, Amanda Palmer, Katie Haun, Sir Richard Branson, Chuck Palahniuk, Arianna Huffington, Reid Hoffman, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Rick Rubin, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Darren Aronofsky, Margaret Atwood, Mark Zuckerberg, Peter Thiel, Dr. Gabor Maté, Anne Lamott, Sarah Silverman, Dr. Andrew Huberman, and many more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.