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On a new edition of Thinking Thursdays, Elevate Podcast host Robert Glazer and producer Mick Sloan delve into the remarkable history of Disney's CEO succession process. Robert and Mick discuss how Disney has been putting off the retirement of current CEO Bob Iger for over 10 years, why Iger's first attempt to retire went terribly wrong, and the ascension of new CEO Josh D'Amaro. Robert and Mick discuss key leadership lessons that go far beyond succession. Before that, Robert gives his view on the shocking rise and fall of silver prices in the market. Thank you to the sponsors of The Elevate Podcast Shopify: shopify.com/elevate Masterclass: masterclass.com/elevate Framer: framer.com/elevate Northwest Registered Agent: northwestregisteredagent.com/elevatefree Homeserve: homeserve.com Indeed: indeed.com/elevate Vanguard: vanguard.com/audio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tom and Don break down why gold, silver, and individual stocks remain speculative distractions rather than reliable investments, using recent volatility in precious metals and Microsoft as cautionary examples. They explain how globally diversified portfolios helped investors stay steady while fear-driven assets whipsawed. The show tackles retirement allocation risks, high-cost target date funds, and how much risk retirees may actually need to take. Listener questions cover 401(a) rollovers, withdrawal strategies, rebalancing after a decade, tax treatment of tips, collective investment trusts, teacher retirement plans, and high-yield savings accounts—reinforcing the case for low costs, broad diversification, and disciplined investing. 0:04 Why gold and silver are speculation, not investments 1:19 Precious metals crash and volatility reality check 3:11 Microsoft drop and risks of single-stock investing 4:40 Fear, home bias, and global diversification 7:12 Birthday story and listener banter 8:31 Elaine's 401(a) and risky target-date fund allocation 11:24 High expense ratios vs. low-cost index options 12:47 Retirement income needs and withdrawal risk 14:04 Monte Carlo results for 60/40 portfolios 15:56 Tips income, taxes, and rebalancing questions 18:03 Standard deduction and real tax impact 23:39 Capital Group CIT vs. Vanguard index funds 25:21 Downsides of collective investment trusts 28:08 403(b)WISE and school district plan ratings 29:55 Teacher retirement plan advocacy 32:32 High-yield savings account recommendations 34:18 Rebalancing after 10 years 35:17 Asset location and tax efficiency Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of Talking Real Money, Don and Tom dig into the Washington State pension system's heavy exposure to private equity, sparked by Jason Zweig's Wall Street Journal reporting and a Seattle Times investigation. They explain why high fees, opaque valuations, and lack of liquidity make private equity especially dangerous for public retirement funds—and why Washington leads the nation in risk. The conversation expands to compare pension strategies across states, question governance and oversight, and warn retirees about the real-world consequences of excessive risk. Later, the hosts respond to a listener trapped in a high-fee, actively managed portfolio and variable annuity, illustrating how costs and complexity quietly erode wealth. The show wraps with practical retirement guidance inspired by Warren Buffett—simplify and protect—plus a discussion of converting mutual funds to ETFs for greater efficiency. 0:04 Show open, call-in invitation, and setup on private equity 0:32 Jason Zweig's WSJ reporting on private equity fees and markups 1:25 Washington State pension's heavy private equity exposure 3:23 Valuation and liquidity problems in private equity 4:35 Breakdown of WA pension assets (private equity + real estate) 5:18 Risks of market downturns and illiquidity 6:25 Who's overseeing the pension fund and their qualifications 7:06 Concerns for Washington retirees and contributors 8:28 Board “experts” and potential conflicts of interest 9:55 Difficulty exiting private equity investments 11:06 Questioning reported 12.3% returns vs public markets 11:59 Call for political accountability and reform 12:50 Comparison to states using mostly public index funds 13:35 Why private equity suffers most in downturns 14:22 Comparison of pension private equity exposure by state 15:58 Rebalancing and “emperor's clothes” concern 17:07 Caller Luke reacts to pension risks 18:11 Promotion of RetireMeet and retirement education 19:22 Warren Buffett's retirement advice: simplify and protect 20:28 Risk reduction and advisor role in retirement 21:26 Fiduciary standards and conflicts of interest 22:55 Emphasis on simple, protective portfolios 23:07 Caller Jane asks about high advisory fees 24:40 Discussion of “active management” risks 26:12 Review of proposed funds and red flags 29:57 Analysis of high-fee, high-turnover portfolio 30:57 Concentration and volatility concerns 32:16 Variable annuity warning signs 33:37 Commission conflicts and surrender charges 33:57 Recommendation to change advisors 34:56 Recap of excessive fees and risks 36:33 Importance of honest warnings vs future losses 37:48 Question on converting Vanguard mutual funds to ETFs 38:52 Advantages of ETFs: cost, tax efficiency, liquidity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Daniel Coyle is the New York Times bestselling author of The Culture Code and several other books. Daniel has advised organizations such as the Navy SEALs, Microsoft, Google, and the Cleveland Guardians, and his work has reshaped how leaders think about group performance, skill development, and human connection. His newest book, Flourish: The Art of Building Meaning, Joy, and Fulfillment, is his most personal and expansive yet, which published the day this episode airs. Daniel joined host Robert Glazer on The Elevate Podcast to talk about his new book, how leaders can find meaning and fulfillment, how to help others do the same, and much more. Thank you to the sponsors of The Elevate Podcast Shopify: shopify.com/elevate Masterclass: masterclass.com/elevate Framer: framer.com/elevate Northwest Registered Agent: northwestregisteredagent.com/elevatefree Homeserve: homeserve.com Indeed: indeed.com/elevate Vanguard: vanguard.com/audio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ravi Rajani shows you how to build meaningful relationships, one conversation at a time. — YOU'LL LEARN — 1) The Three C's of building trust2) What makes people say, “Tell me more” 3) Why compliments come across as insincereSubscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1125 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT RAVI — Ravi Rajani is an international keynote speaker, transformational coach and LinkedIn Learning instructor, with over 65,000 people having taken his courses on Conscious and Charismatic Communication. Widely seen as one of the world's top communication experts, mission-driven leaders, entrepreneurs and organizations such as Oracle NetSuite, T-Mobile, and Sherwin-Williams have engaged Ravi to help them and their people become masterful communicators so they can build meaningful relationships that amplify revenue growth and cultivate a culture of trust.Off stage or camera, Ravi lives just outside of London, UK, with his wife, son, daughter and furry little West Highland Terrier. He loves the movie Limitless, a good stand-up comedian and a quintessentially British suit.• Book: Relationship Currency: Five Communication Habits For Limitless Influence and Business Success• LinkedIn: Ravi Rajani— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Study: “Processing of Social and Monetary Rewards in the Human Striatum” by Keise Izuma, Daisuke N. Saito, and Norihiro Sadato• Book: Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown— THANK YOU SPONSORS! — • Monarch.com. Get 50% off your first year on with the code AWESOME.• Vanguard. Give your clients consistent results year in and year out with vanguard.com/AUDIOSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this new episode of Weekend Conversations, we're host Robert Glazer and producer Mick Sloan discuss degrading of accountability and ownership in organizations. Robert shares a recent chaotic customer service experience that prompted the topic, and Robert and Mick share why too many leadership and organizations prioritize process and policy, rather than delivering great outcomes for customers and clients, and the effect of that shift in priorities. Read The Post: Taking Ownership (#521) Thank you to the sponsors of The Elevate Podcast Shopify: shopify.com/elevate Masterclass: masterclass.com/elevate Framer: framer.com/elevate Northwest Registered Agent: northwestregisteredagent.com/elevatefree Homeserve: homeserve.com Indeed: indeed.com/elevate Vanguard: vanguard.com/audio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3440: Philip Taylor explores smart strategies for building long-term savings beyond retirement, emphasizing the importance of balancing liquidity, risk, and returns. Whether you're dreaming of early retirement, funding a future business, or leaving a generous gift to loved ones, he offers clear guidance on where to park your money for optimal long-term growth without locking it away like retirement funds. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://ptmoney.com/best-long-term-savings-building-nest-egg/ Quotes to ponder: "I think it's wise to have specific savings goals for all your money." "Saving just for the sake of saving is a sign you might need to stop down and think about what you want for your future." "Don't throw asset allocation and diversity out the window just because of low returns in the cash and savings arena." Episode references: Vanguard: https://www.vanguard.com Betterment: https://www.betterment.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this Friday Q&A episode, Don answers listener questions on handling backdoor Roth conversions with investment gains, whether Avantis or Vanguard makes more sense for bond investing, and why 529 plans have become even more attractive with new Roth rollover rules. He also tackles a puzzling report of inflated ETF pricing on Vanguard's platform, urging further investigation, and reassures a listener concerned about AVGE's diversification compared to VT. Along the way, Don emphasizes the importance of low fees in fixed income, the long-term logic behind factor investing, and the reality that taking additional risk is what creates the potential for higher returns. 0:04 Friday Q&A intro and plea for more listener questions 1:44 Backdoor Roth with gains—how to handle taxable growth 6:01 Avantis vs. Vanguard for bond funds and why fees matter more in fixed income 8:00 Using 529 plans for kids and new Roth rollover rules 11:19 Odd ETF pricing on Vanguard and why it makes no sense 13:38 AVGE vs. VT diversification concerns and factor investing explained 18:24 Risk, factor tilts, and long-term expectations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3440: Philip Taylor explores smart strategies for building long-term savings beyond retirement, emphasizing the importance of balancing liquidity, risk, and returns. Whether you're dreaming of early retirement, funding a future business, or leaving a generous gift to loved ones, he offers clear guidance on where to park your money for optimal long-term growth without locking it away like retirement funds. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://ptmoney.com/best-long-term-savings-building-nest-egg/ Quotes to ponder: "I think it's wise to have specific savings goals for all your money." "Saving just for the sake of saving is a sign you might need to stop down and think about what you want for your future." "Don't throw asset allocation and diversity out the window just because of low returns in the cash and savings arena." Episode references: Vanguard: https://www.vanguard.com Betterment: https://www.betterment.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jen Fisher discusses the strategic value of hope—and how leaders can harness it to improve wellbeing and transform the workplace. — YOU'LL LEARN — 1) Why hope is a valid strategy in the workplace2) How a few words can kill or build hope3) How to counter your brain's tendency to be overly criticalSubscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1124 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT JEN — Jen Fisher is a global authority on workplace wellbeing, the bestselling author of Work Better Together, and the founder and CEO of The Wellbeing Team.As Deloitte US's first chief wellbeing officer, she pioneered a groundbreaking, human-centered approach to work that gained international recognition and reshaped how organizations view wellbeing. Jen is also the creator and host of The WorkWell Podcast, a TEDx speaker, and a sought-after voice at events like Workhuman, SXSW, Milken Global Conference, and Happiness Camp. At the heart of Jen's work is the knowledge that hope is not just a feeling—it's a strategic imperative. She helps leaders harness hope as a catalyst for cultural transformation, guiding them to reimagine work as a force for human flourishing. She lives in Miami with her husband, Albert, and their dog, Fiona.• Book: Hope Is the Strategy: The Underrated Skill That Transforms Work, Leadership, and Wellbeing• LinkedIn: Jen Fisher• Substack: Thoughts on Being Well• Website: Jen-Fisher.com— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Study: “Hope theory: Rainbows in the mind.” by C.R. Synder• Book: The Choice: Embrace the Possible by Dr. Edith Eva Eger— THANK YOU SPONSORS! — • Monarch.com. Get 50% off your first year on with the code AWESOME.• Vanguard. Give your clients consistent results year in and year out with vanguard.com/AUDIOSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Cal Newport is carrying the banner for a movement to slow down. Cal is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Georgetown University. He is also the New York Times bestselling author of eight books, including, his latest: Slow Productivity, which debuted at number two on the NYT list in March. Cal is also a contributing writer for The New Yorker and the host of the Deep Questions podcast. On this classic episode Cal joined host Robert Glazer on the Elevate Podcast for a deep-dive conversation on Slow Productivity, including how it works and why it can lead to achievement without burnout. Thank you to the sponsors of The Elevate Podcast Shopify: shopify.com/elevate Masterclass: masterclass.com/elevate Framer: framer.com/elevate Northwest Registered Agent: northwestregisteredagent.com/elevatefree Homeserve: homeserve.com Indeed: indeed.com/elevate Vanguard: vanguard.com/audio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
You don't have time to sift through endless financial content. That's why I do it for you. Get my top 5 must-read articles every week in a quick, easy-to-digest email. Sign up for my newsletter. ----- In this episode, Peter sits down with Vanguard's Kevin DiCiurcio to unpack how Vanguard thinks about long-term return forecasts—and why the percentiles in those tables are the part most investors misunderstand. They go behind the scenes of the Vanguard Capital Markets Model (VCMM), and translate what it's really saying into practical guidance for planning and portfolio decisions. Listen now and learn: ► How Vanguard builds and governs its capital markets model—and what it's designed to do (and not do) ► A simple way to interpret percentiles without turning them into predictions ► What changes when you shift from a 10-year lens to a 30-year lens ► The key portfolio implications Kevin thinks long-term investors should be paying attention to Visit www.TheLongTermInvestor.com for show notes, free resources, and a place to submit questions. (00:00) Introduction (02:16) What the Vanguard Capital Markets Model (VCMM) Is—and Why Return Assumptions Matter (04:04) How Vanguard Wants Investors to Use VCMM: Expectations, Risk Trade-Offs, and Smarter Allocation Decisions (09:27) How Vanguard Builds the Forecasts—and the Capital Market Assumption Approaches They Didn't Rely on Alone (15:08) How to Read Percentiles, 10-Year vs 30-Year Forecasts, and What Vanguard Likes Most Right Now (29:21) The Performance-Chasing Problem: When Investors Suddenly Want More International Again (30:05) AI, Mega Trends, and Three Scenarios: Why Economic Upside Doesn't Guarantee Stock Market Upside (34:31) Geopolitics and Markets: Why It's Not a Direct Forecast Input, But Still Shapes Long-Term Premia (37:48) The 2026 Signposts: What Would Actually Change Vanguard's Conviction and Move the Outlook (39:32) What Vanguard's Capital Markets Research Team Is Focused on Next—and Why Ranges Beat False Precision Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com) Disclosure: This content, which contains security-related opinions and/or information, is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon in any manner as professional advice, or an endorsement of any practices, products or services. There can be no guarantees or assurances that the views expressed here will be applicable for any particular facts or circumstances, and should not be relied upon in any manner. You should consult your own advisers as to legal, business, tax, and other related matters concerning any investment. The commentary in this "post" (including any related blog, podcasts, videos, and social media) reflects the personal opinions, viewpoints, and analyses of the Plancorp LLC employees providing such comments, and should not be regarded the views of Plancorp LLC. or its respective affiliates or as a description of advisory services provided by Plancorp LLC or performance returns of any Plancorp LLC client. References to any securities or digital assets, or performance data, are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. Charts and graphs provided within are for informational purposes solely and should not be relied upon when making any investment decision. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The content speaks only as of the date indicated. Any projections, estimates, forecasts, targets, prospects, and/or opinions expressed in these materials are subject to change without notice and may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed by others. Please see disclosures here.
After a decade of UK underperformance, Vanguard is going global. The UK's most popular fund range is dialling back the domestic tilt, and launching a purely market-cap weighted alternative. We look at what's changing, whether you need to do anything, and if home bias is actually a mistake. And in today's Dumb Question of the Week: Why are multi-asset funds limited to stocks and bonds? ---Get in touch
Greg McKeown changed the way so many leaders think about life with his New York Times Bestselling book, Essentialism. He is the founder and CEO of McKeown Inc, an organization that helps leading companies like Apple, Google, Pixar and more reach the next level of growth. In addition to Essentialism, Greg is also New York Times bestselling author of Effortless and The Essentialism Planner, a world-renowned keynote speaker, and the host of the Greg McKeown Podcast. On this classic episode, Greg joined host Robert Glazer on the Elevate Podcast to talk about how he prioritizes the essentials in his own life, living a life by design, seeking and implementing feedback, and much more. Thank you to the sponsors of The Elevate Podcast Shopify: shopify.com/elevate Masterclass: masterclass.com/elevate Framer: framer.com/elevate Northwest Registered Agent: northwestregisteredagent.com/elevatefree Homeserve: homeserve.com Indeed: indeed.com/elevate Vanguard: vanguard.com/audio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bryan Wilkins is a long-tenured and highly respected track and cross country coach at Vanguard University, leading the program since 1988. A Vanguard Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, he has coached more than 118 NAIA All-Americans and 151 NAIA Scholar-Athletes, building a program known for competitive excellence, academic achievement, and athlete development.
Alan Stein, Jr. shares how elite performers bounce back and how you can do the same. — YOU'LL LEARN — 1) How to take back control over your emotions and actions2) How to practice self-compassion without lowering your standards3) How to anticipate obstacles without becoming paranoidSubscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1123 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT ALAN — Alan Stein, Jr. is an experienced keynote speaker and author. At his core, he's a performance coach with a passion for helping business leaders change behaviors. He spent 15+ years working with the highest performing basketball players on the planet (including NBA superstars Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, and Kobe Bryant). Through his customized programs, he transfers his unique expertise to maximize both individual and organizational performance. Alan is a dynamic storyteller who delivers practical, actionable lessons that can be implemented immediately. He teaches proven principles on how to utilize the same approaches in business that elite athletes use to perform at a world-class level.• Book: Next Play: How to Focus on What Matters Most and Improve Performance, Productivity, and Fulfillment• Instagram: @alansteinjr• LinkedIn: Alan Stein, Jr.• Website: AlanSteinJr.com— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Book: Exactly What to Say: Your Personal Guide to the Mastery of Magic Words by Phil Jones• Book: Leading with the Heart: Coach K's Successful Strategies for Basketball, Business, and Life by Mike Krzyzewski, Donald Phillips, Grant Hill• Video: “THIS IS WATER!” by David Foster Wallace• Past episode: 1107: How to Confront Your Inner Saboteurs with Shirzad Chamine— THANK YOU SPONSORS! — • Monarch.com. Get 50% off your first year on with the code AWESOME.• Vanguard. Give your clients consistent results year in and year out with vanguard.com/AUDIOSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this new episode of Weekend Conversations, we're host Robert Glazer and producer Mick Sloan discuss the recent protests in Iran, the Iranian regime's response, and how the crisis has been discussed by the media, humanitarian leaders, and activists. Robert and Mick discuss why so many people struggle to find the line between right and wrong, how social media distorts our values, and much more. Read The Post: Clear Lines (#520) Thank you to the sponsors of The Elevate Podcast Shopify: shopify.com/elevate Masterclass: masterclass.com/elevate Framer: framer.com/elevate Northwest Registered Agent: northwestregisteredagent.com/elevatefree Homeserve: homeserve.com Indeed: indeed.com/elevate Vanguard: vanguard.com/audio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
William Vanderbloemen discusses how professionals can find both success and satisfaction in their careers. — YOU'LL LEARN — 1) The one habit that puts you ahead of 90% of people2) How to learn what you don't know about yourself3) The one skill to work on—regardless of your jobSubscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1122 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT WILLIAM — William Vanderbloemen has been leading the Vanderbloemen Search Group for 15 years, where they are regularly retained to identify the best talent for teams, manage succession planning, and consult on all issues regarding teams. This year, Vanderbloemen will complete their 3,000th executive search. Prior to founding Vanderbloemen Search Group, William studied executive search under a mentor with 25+ years of executive search at the highest level. His learning taught him the very best corporate practices, including the search strategies used by the internationally known firm Russell Reynolds. Prior to that, William served as a Senior Pastor at one of the largest Presbyterian Churches in the United States.• Book: Be the Unicorn: 12 Data-Driven Habits that Separate the Best Leaders from the Rest• Book: Work How You Are Wired: 12 Data-Driven Steps to Finding a Job You Love• Website: Vanderbloemen.com— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Tool: reMarkable• Book: Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear• Past episode: 971: Mastering The Three Keys to Getting Noticed with Jay Baer• Past episode: 1066: How to Thrive When Your Resilience Runs Out with Dr. Tasha Eurich— THANK YOU SPONSORS! — • Monarch.com. Get 50% off your first year on with the code AWESOME.• Vanguard. Give your clients consistent results year in and year out with vanguard.com/AUDIOSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Perryne Desai, CFA, is the Head of Index Fixed Income Product at Vanguard, responsible for overseeing the strategy and expansion of Vanguard's fixed-income exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and related products. Our conversation covers fixed-income basics, different indices that funds follow, how to use bond funds and ETFs in portfolios, and the new products Vanguard has launched or is developing. For information on understanding bond math and various types of bond yields, see Bond yields 101: A guide for smarter investing. Rick Ferri, a long-time Boglehead and investment adviser, hosts this episode. The Bogleheads are a group of like-minded individual investors who follow the general investment and business beliefs of John C. Bogle, founder and former CEO of the Vanguard Group. It is a conflict-free community where individual investors reach out and provide education, assistance, and relevant information to other investors of all experience levels at no cost. The organization supports a free forum at Bogleheads.org, and the wiki site is Bogleheads® wiki. Since 2000, the Bogleheads have held national conferences in major cities across the country. In addition, local Chapters and foreign Chapters meet regularly, and new Chapters form periodically. All Bogleheads activities are coordinated by volunteers who contribute their time and talent. This podcast is supported by the John C. Bogle Center for Financial Literacy, a non-profit organization approved by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) public charity on February 6, 2012. Your tax-deductible donation to the Bogle Center is appreciated.
DAMIONMLK Day:Incoming Walmart CEO John Furner:Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy reminds us blahblahblah. During our annual MLK Day Celebration, we reflected on blahblahblah. We care for people. Blahblahblah We strive to be honest, fair, and courageous. And we put others first in the work we do to help people live better.When we lead with care, show respect and do what's right, we honor Dr. King's legacy through action and continue building a Walmart that reflects our purpose and values.Walmart: $27,408,854, the fiscal 2025 annual total compensation of our median associate was $29,469, and the ratio of these amounts was 930:1.By 11:14 AM: He has earned $29,469 (the median worker's entire year of labor).Total Earnings by MLK Day: ~$1,425,000That $1.4 million is equivalent to the lifetime earnings of 48 median Walmart associates (assuming each works for one year at $29,469)As of January 20, 2026, the combined net worth of the Walton family has reached a historic $513.4 billion, according to the latest Bloomberg and Forbes data.As of January 2026, the Walton family collectively receives approximately $3.4 billion per year in dividends from Walmart.Per Day: The family earns roughly $9.27 million every day just by owning the stock.Per Hour: They earn about $386,000 per hour, 24 hours a day.King was literally campaigning for a living wage in Memphis when he was shot by the FBI. your move, walmart CEO John Furner WHO DO YOU BLAME?WestJet reverses cramped seating layout after viral videos show passengers' knees pressed against seats.In the reconfigured layout, which rolled out in late October on select Boeing 737s, space between rows was reduced to 28 inches to accommodate an extra row of seats. WestJet also made economy class seats non-reclinable, offering passengers the option to pay extra for adjustable seats.In a news statement, the company said it will reverse what it called the "densified seating" by removing the additional row of seats.WHO DO YOU BLAME?Samantha (Sam) Taylor was appointed WestJet Group Executive Vice-President and Chief Experience Officer March 2025. Sam joined Sunwing in March 2020 as Chief Marketing Officer. Sam's portfolio is accountable for critical touch points in the guest journey and includes leading all Marketing, Guest Experience and Contact Centres for WestJet and Sunwing Vacations. MMStakeholders!Customers: WestJet's rollout of the reconfigured seats has sparked widespread outrage among travelers and even crew members.Employees: Reuters reported that pilots and flight attendants have raised concerns over the new configuration's comfort and safety, specifically whether passengers could safely evacuate the plane in an emergency due to the confined seating.Journalists: Reuters reported that pilots and flight attendants have raised concerns over the new configuration's comfort and safety, specifically whether passengers could safely evacuate the plane in an emergency due to the confined seating.Labor Unions: Alia Hussain, president of the union local representing WestJet cabin personnel, said: "It created a hostile working environment for us as cabin personnel."Onex Corporation, WestJet's publicly traded ownersWhich is really founder and board Chair Gerry Schwartz (annual Chair fee of $1 million), who maintains 100% control of the Multiple Voting Shares (MVS) of Onex Corporation, which effectively grants him 60% of the total voting power in the company.This control allows him to elect 60% of the members of Onex's Board of Directors. While he also personally holds a significant portion of the Subordinate Voting Shares (SVS)—roughly 11.3% as of late 2024—the primary mechanism of his control is the MVS class.All stupid U.S. dual class dictatorships who do not do this!!The "Sunset" Provision: In May 2023, Onex shareholders approved a plan to implement a "sunset" on these special voting rights. Under this agreement, Schwartz's multiple voting rights are scheduled to expire three years after the effective date of the amendment (roughly May 2026).Current Status: As we are currently in early 2026, Schwartz remains the controlling shareholder. Upon the "Event of Change" later this year, the Multiple Voting Shares will convert into Subordinate Voting Shares, and he will lose his absolute control, shifting the company toward a more traditional governance structure.Matt Damon says Netflix wants to make action movies differently to account for shorter attention spansHow the art of filmmaking is being subvertedThe "Say What You Do" Rule: Writers are frequently being told to eliminate subtext. In traditional filmmaking, if a character is sad, you show them staring at a cold cup of coffee. Now, streamers often request that the character explicitly say, "I'm just so sad right now," or have another character ask, "Why are you so sad?"The Reason: If you are looking at your phone during a silent, emotional shot, you miss the story. If the character says it out loud, you can follow the plot without looking at the screen.Heightened Audio Cues: If you've noticed that modern movies have very aggressive sound design—sudden loud bangs, dramatic musical stings, or high-pitched notification-like sounds—it's often intentional.The "Audio Hook": These sounds act like a "ping" to pull your eyes back from your phone to the TV. It's a literal alarm clock for your attention.The "First 10 Minutes" Mandate: In the past, a movie could have a "slow burn" opening (think 2001: A Space Odyssey). Today, Netflix and other streamers use data that shows exactly when a user hits the "Back" button.The Note: Writers are told that a "major event" (an explosion, a death, or a massive hook) must happen within the first 2 to 5 minutes. If the "inciting incident" happens at the 20-minute mark, the data shows they will lose 30% of the audience to TikTok.Centered Framing: Cinematographers are increasingly being told to keep the "important" action in the center of the frame.The Reason: This makes the content easier to view on a mobile device if the user decides to switch from the TV to their phone, or if they are watching a cropped "clip" of the movie on social media later.Increased "Recapping": Have you noticed characters summarizing what just happened more often?The "TikTok Brain" Fix: Because people are multitasking, they often lose the thread of the plot. Streamers now encourage dialogue like, "So, let me get this straight, we have to get the key from the vault before the guard returns in five minutes?" It's a recap for someone who tuned out for the last three minutes.WHO DO YOU BLAME?Netflix: Ted Sarandos & Greg Peters (Co-CEOs of Netflix), Reed Hastings, Jay HoagDrug CEOs (re: The Algorithm): Passive Viewing: Data shows that up to 94% of people use a phone while watching TV.TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew: TikTok is widely considered the pioneer of the "Short-Form Video" era. Its algorithm is specifically designed to provide "intermittent reinforcement" (like a slot machine), which studies suggest can reduce the ability to focus on long-term tasks.Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg: Zuckerberg pivoted Facebook and Instagram (Reels) to aggressively compete with TikTok. Critics argue this transition turned a platform for connection into one of "passive scrolling" that further erodes focus.YouTube CEO Neal Mohan: Under his leadership, YouTube Shorts was launched to capture the short-attention-span market. Even YouTube co-founder Steve Chen has recently warned that these short videos are "shrinking kids' attention spans."Smartphones: Former Apple CEO Steve Jobs MMStanford: The "Father of Persuasive Tech": B.J. FoggStanford's Persuasive Technology Lab, run by B.J. Fogg, taught many of the founders and early employees of Instagram and Facebook.The "Fogg Behavior Model" taught engineers how to use "triggers" and "rewards" to change human behavior through software. He provided the scientific framework that allowed tech companies to treat the human brain like hardware that could be "hacked" for maximum engagement.Trump calls NYSE Dallas expansion plans 'unbelievably bad' for New York: Trump says move poses 'big test' for newly inaugurated Mayor Zohran Mamdani. WHICH HYPOCRISY DO YOU BLAME?The Free Market BullshitTrump and Texas leaders have long championed the freedom of businesses to flee blue-state regulations. However, now that a prestigious icon like the NYSE is actually expanding to Dallas, Trump has pivoted to calling it "unbelievably bad" for New York.The Anti-Woke /Anti-ESG scaremongeringTexas frames itself as a "Sanctuary from Socialism," yet the Texas Stock Exchange (TXSE) is being used to bypass ESG transparency. While railing against woke mandates, these leaders are creating their own ideological silos—demanding a protected market where management isn't held accountable by shareholders for social or environmental impacts.Texas AG Ken Paxton described BlackRock, State Street, and Vanguard as an "investment cartel" that was "illegally controlling national energy markets" and "squeezing more money out of hardworking Americans."Paxton sent a formal warning to Larry Fink and other CEOs, stating that their "radical environmental policies" and "race-based quotas" (DEI) would face severe enforcement actions if they prioritized "politics over consumers."Lead by example: Trump quits NYC and Musk's Dexit to Y'all StreetThroughout his 2024 campaign, Trump consistently compared New York unfavorably to states like Florida and Texas: as an example, he pointed to the lack of state income tax in Florida as a reason why "everyone is leaving New York." Elon Musk's Dexit from Delaware/California is sold as a strike for freedom, yet his empire is built on nearly $40 billion in government subsidies and contracts. He moved to Texas to escape over-regulation (re: his pay package and people being mad about nooses in his factories) while simultaneously heading the most over-regulatory body ever: Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).Leader name calling and scaremongeringTrump's pre-bromance attacks on New York's new mayor, Zohran Mamdani (communist lunatic" and a "Marxist"). Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson (UPenn, Harvard, Princeton): "un-American socialist impulse" and explicitly marketed Dallas as a "sanctuary from socialism" for businesses looking to Dexit New York. The Elite vs. Common Man NonsenseDespite bullshit Y'all Street populist framing, the Texas Stock Exchange is backed by the world's most powerful financial titans. There is no common man victory here; it is the CEO class moving the financial capital to a jurisdiction with fewer labor protections and less oversight.The Big Four Anchor InvestorsBlackRock: (managing ~$14 trillion), despite being the primary target of "anti-woke" and anti-ESG rhetoric from the same politicians who support the TXSE.Citadel Securities: Led by Ken Griffin, this firm executes roughly 1 in 4 of all stock trades in the U.S. Left Chicago for Miami.J.P. Morgan Chase: Jamie Dimon. Joined in 2025 during a $90 million funding round and holds an observer seat on the board.Charles Schwab: handles over 50% of U.S. retail stock orders.MATTWalmart International CEO Kath McLay to step down - WHO DO YOU BLAME?Half exiting CEO Doug McMillonMcLay was under McMillon her entire tenure at WalMart, raised to CEO of the international divisionClearly a protege - passed over for the new CEO?Incoming CEO John FurnerThe white guy who became CEO is such an interesting new story, but Furner started as a sales clerk and has been with the WALTONS a long time through Sam's Club as CEO, another Walton jointFurner/McMillon/Walton family named David Guggina CEO of Walmart US (passing McLay), Chris Nicholas replace McLay, Seth Dallaire was made chief growth officer… rounding out an all male promotion cycle of new execs - no women in major positionsMaybe McLay read the tea leaves - women got chief legal and chief of people, like everywhere else, but leave the big jobs to the swinging dicks.The compensation and management development committee, who according to the company charter, ir responsible to “periodically review and recommend to the full Board succession planning practices for the Company's CEO and other executive officers.”Carla Harris (chair) - black woman with “multicultural” in her job description at Morgan Stanley who apparently didn't apply “multiculturalism” to Walmart executive search?Marissa Mayer - yes, THAT Marissa Mayer, who is on the board of Starbucks with Brian Niccol and AT&T where Randall Stephenson was CEOBrian Niccol - CEO of Starbucks, with no conflict by having Marissa Mayer on the same boardRandall Stephenson - ex CEO of AT&T, with no conflict of interest by having Marissa Mayer on the board. Also on the board - Tom Horton, ex CEO of American Airlines who was… CFO of AT&T under StephensonShishir Mehrotra - who worked at Google via YouTube when… Marissa Mayer worked there (she was in search/maps)Kath McLay, who just couldn't cut it at Walmart anymoreAn SEC official has said (implied) you don't HAVE to vote your proxies as an investor - WHO DO YOU BLAME?Brian Daly, who gave a speech titled (Re)Empowering Fiduciaries in Proxy Voting on Jan 8 in which he argued that not voting doesn't necessarily violate fiduciary dutyGamblers: “Not voting makes sense in many situations. Look, for example, at quantitative and systematic managers, who often operate models that merely seek exposures to identified sources of alpha.”Index investors: “But it may be appropriate for these categories of investment advisers (and the Boards that exercise oversight over this function) to consider whether taking positions on fundamental corporate matters, or on precatory proposals, is consistent with their investment mandates.”Hedging himself: “So, there is no stock answer to the “Must I vote?” question... Instead, it is important that advisers and clients have a fair amount of latitude to decide what works in their individual cases.”Threatening using proxy advisors: “And if we are raising issues for consideration, I will also mention, because the President did, that there is real concern out there that habitual adherence to a proxy consultant's recommendations could pull an adviser into a Section 13(d) group.”Investors, because no matter what Brian Daly suggests, investors almost never vote against management and neither do proxy advisors, so what the fuck are we talking about?Cost, because Daly points out, “And in assessing proposed votes, investment advisers might utilize the Fiduciary Interpretation's concept of a “reasonable inquiry into the client's objectives.” If an investment adviser routinely follows a proxy advisor's stock recommendations without a tailored engagement or independent analysis, is this “reasonable inquiry?” Maybe, but it is certainly worth thinking about. And, to go back to the first question, if the voting process is so burdensome that it requires extensive external resources, why is the adviser voting at all?”John Chevedden, along with Jim McRitchie, without whom we have maybe half the shareholder rights as SP500 companies, and who the no-action data is now showing is disproportionately getting responses for exclusion from the SEC (as if to double down on the idea that we can ignore those commie socialists entirely, but we want to tell you explicitly you're totally legally cool and there's no threat if you exclude Chevedden). Chevedden might be the reason investors were voting at all - maybe now they won't have to?
Jon Couture, CHRO at Vanguard, joined The Modern People Leader to share how Vanguard is balancing 50 years of legacy with the next 50 years of change. ---- Downloadable PDF with top takeaways: https://modernpeopleleader.kit.com/episode277Sponsor Links:
Clatter Tongue by K.A Ren Wild You’ll hear a live reading of a short story written by Ren Wyld and performed by Katie Becket for Story Saloon – a live storytelling show and podcast. The story itself comes from the First Nation Anthology of speculative fiction, titled This All Come Back Now, edited by Koori and Lebanese writer Dr Mykaela Saunders. This interplay between voice and voicelessness. The juxtaposition of the fantastic with the real world. Tackles the larger question of empowerment and disempowerment. Written by K.A Ren Wyld, Read by Katie Beckett. It was performed at the Vanguard in 2025 for StorySALOON, a live storytelling show and podcast that combines Australia’s best written storytelling with electrifying live reads. StorySALOON’s executive producer is Jane Messer, audio recording by Martin Gallagher at Echidna Audio. Find out more by heading to storysaloon.com.au Also, a link to the last time we featured a StorySALOON live reading. All The Best Credits Program Manager & Host: Kwame Slusher Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie Theme Music composed by Shining Bird Mixed & Compiled: Emma Higgins Cover Art: Ray Vo Special shout-out to our volunteers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode: One woman writes in talking about her biggest retirement regret. Millions of pre-retirees are moving money from their 401(k)s to their own IRAs. A smart move. Yet many people are stuck on what to do next. Subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode! Check out Fire Your Financial Advisor on YouTube! Learn more at GoldenReserve.com or follow on social: Facebook & LinkedIn.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Spencer and Jamie break down the 10 core principles of Bogleheads investing and show how military service members can apply this simple, low-cost approach to build wealth through the TSP and other accounts. If you're overwhelmed by investing advice or tempted by day trading and crypto, this episode cuts through the noise with a proven strategy that's worked for decades. Hosts: Spencer Reese (former Air Force pilot, 12 years active duty) and Jamie (active duty officer) The 10 Bogleheads Principles Develop a workable plan - Create an investment policy statement (even informal) to guide decisions during market volatility Invest early and often - Automate contributions to remove decision fatigue; increase TSP allocation today Never bear too much or too little risk - Age-appropriate asset allocation; avoid the old G Fund default trap Diversify - Don't put all eggs in one basket; TSP funds cover entire US market plus international exposure Never try to time the market - Time IN the market beats timing the market; market dropped 19% in April 2025, now up 38% from that low Use index funds when possible - TSP offers five low-cost index funds; 90% of active managers can't beat index funds over 20 years Keep costs low - TSP expense ratios under 0.1%; avoid predatory companies charging 1-2%+ fees Minimize taxes - Leverage Roth TSP and Roth IRA; military tax advantages (BAH, BAS, combat zone exclusion) Invest with simplicity - LADS approach (Low-cost, Automated, Diversified, Simple); Warren Buffett's S&P 500 bet crushed hedge funds Stay the course - Measure performance in decades, not days/weeks; don't panic sell during downturns Key Takeaways Why Bogleheads Philosophy Works for Military: Takes power back from financial advisors and complex products Simple enough anyone can succeed with minimal effort Perfect match for TSP's low-cost index fund structure Removes emotion from investing decisions TSP Advantages: Five index funds (C, S, I, G, F) cover nearly entire investable market Lifecycle funds automatically balance risk by retirement year Expense ratios under 0.1% (incredibly low) Now defaults to lifecycle funds instead of G Fund (huge improvement with Blended Retirement System) Common Military Investing Mistakes: Old G Fund default trap - cost retirees millions in missed gains Trying to time the market or day trade Paying high fees to predatory companies Not automating contributions Measuring performance over days/weeks instead of decades The Math That Matters: First $100K took Spencer 4+ years; second $100K took 2 years (compound growth accelerates) Market will drop 30% in next 10 years (guaranteed) - but timing it is impossible S&P 500 gained 125% over 10 years vs. best hedge fund's 87% in Warren Buffett's famous bet April 2025 market drop: 19% down, then 38% up from that low within months Diversification Made Easy: C Fund: 500 largest US companies (S&P 500) S Fund: ~2,000 smaller US companies I Fund: 5,000+ international companies (20+ developed + emerging markets, excludes China/Hong Kong) Combined: Total US and international market exposure Add VXUS in Roth IRA for China/Hong Kong exposure if desired Automation is Your Friend: Log into MyPay once, increase TSP allocation, never think about it again Every promotion or time-in-grade raise = bump allocation by 1% One decision removes 100 future decisions Eliminate decision fatigue and emotional reactions Fee Impact Example: Predatory companies charge 1-2%+ fees TSP: Under 0.1% Fidelity FZROX: 0% expense ratio Vanguard funds: 0.03% Rule of thumb: Stay under 0.25%, ideally under 0.10% Resources Mentioned Books: "The Little Book of Common Sense Investing" by Jack Bogle "The Military Money Manual" by Spencer Reese (available at MWR Library, Libby app, Amazon) Investment Accounts: TSP (Thrift Savings Plan) - Military 401k Roth TSP and Roth IRA (tax-advantaged accounts) Recommended brokerages: Fidelity, Vanguard, Schwab Key Terms: LADS: Low-cost, Automated, Diversified, Simple Index fund vs. active management Expense ratio and basis points Asset location strategy Investment Policy Statement Previous Episodes Referenced: TSP deep dives (search podcast) Roth TSP vs. Roth IRA explanations "Do Better" episode on predatory companies Real-World Examples Lieutenant with $50K in checking account - proves military pay allows saving, just need to invest it Service member paid off all auto and student loans in 3 months of deployment Retirees with $250-500K in G Fund who missed out on millions Enron, WorldCom, Lehman Brothers - why diversification matters MicroStrategy (MSTR) - current example of concentrated risk Who This Episode Is For Military service members at any rank TSP participants unsure how to invest Anyone tempted by day trading, crypto, or "get rich quick" schemes New investors overwhelmed by options Service members paying high fees to financial advisors Anyone who wants a simple, proven wealth-building strategy Quick Action Steps Log into MyPay and increase TSP allocation (even 1% helps) Verify you're in appropriate Lifecycle Fund (birth year + 60-65 years) NOT in G Fund unless near retirement Set automatic annual increases (1% per year) Open Roth IRA at Fidelity, Vanguard, or Schwab Read "The Military Money Manual" (free at base library) Stop checking account daily - check quarterly at most Contact Website: MilitaryMoneyManual.com Instagram: @MilitaryMoneyManual Book: "The Military Money Manual" (Amazon, $3 Kindle, free at MWR libraries) The Bogleheads philosophy has helped millions become millionaires through simple, low-cost index fund investing. As a military service member, you have access to one of the best low-cost investment vehicles in the world - the TSP. Stop overthinking it, automate your investments, and stay the course.
Guest: Marcus MachadoEpisode DescriptionGuitarist Marcus Machado joins host Steve Roby to discuss his journey from childhood prodigy to genre-blurring artist. Dubbed "the next young gun" by Rolling Stone, Machado has toured and recorded with Anderson Paak, Robert Glasper, and Jon Batiste, while his film scores have appeared in award-winning documentaries, including Mr. Soul and Apollo. In this episode, he shares stories about his early influences, his approach to blending rock, funk, hip hop, and jazz, and what audiences can expect from his upcoming intimate performances at SF Jazz. Featured Songs"Get By" – An instrumental track recorded during the pandemic, offering a message of hope and resilience during difficult times."Black Psychedelic Funk" – A spontaneous groove that started in Amsterdam in 2007-2008, featuring Daru Jones on drums and Jermaine Holmes (from D'Angelo and The Vanguard) on backing vocals.Episode HighlightsMarcus's incredible origin story: picking up a guitar at age 2, playing electric by age 4.His first musical memory: hearing Jimi Hendrix's "EXP" from Axis: Bold as Love.Performing "The Wind Cries Mary" at his kindergarten graduation.The influence of the Band of Gypsys as the first true funk-rock band.His philosophy of staying hungry and remaining a student of the guitar. Gear talk: analog pedals, Vox amps, Barons fuzz faces, and keeping it simpleWhat to expect from his intimate trio performances at SF JazzShow DetailsMarcus Machado at SFJAZZ Center – Joe Henderson LabDate: Thursday, January 22ndSets: 7:00 PM & 8:30 PMFeaturing: Uriah Duffy (bass) and Damon Jamal Taylor (drums) – all Bay Area musiciansTickets: https://www.sfjazz.org/tickets/productions/25-26/marcus-machado Limited edition vinyl available at the show, including Aquarius Purple and Blue Diamonds – each with a mystery color variant! LinksMarcus Machado's Website: https://www.marcusmachado.comBackstage Bay Area: https://www.backstagebayarea.comBackstage Bay Area is hosted by Steve Roby
This Friday Q&A covers real-world money decisions with real consequences, including how to invest life-insurance proceeds after a spouse's death, why dividend-and-leverage strategies promoted online are fundamentally dangerous, and how inherited IRA rules actually work under the IRS's 10-year framework. Don also tackles long-term HSA investing, explains why the 4% rule isn't a one-size-fits-all solution (especially when advisor fees are involved), and even demonstrates an AI-generated version of himself to explore whether good advice can outlive the human delivering it. Equal parts practical guidance, hard math, and skeptical humor. 0:04 Friday Q&A returns, holiday illness, and how to submit questions 1:04 Investing life-insurance proceeds after a spouse's death 1:45 Why portfolio allocation depends on income need, taxes, and risk tolerance 3:05 Why a fee-only fiduciary is essential for survivor planning 3:49 Living off dividends using leverage and margin 5:03 Why “paycheck into brokerage + leverage” strategies are dangerous 7:43 Dividend cuts, margin risk, and downturn math reality 9:29 Inherited IRA rules when the original owner had begun RMDs 11:32 The 10-year rule, annual RMDs, and IRS life-expectancy tables 12:48 Listener appreciation and the value of taking money seriously 14:01 How to invest an HSA that won't be used for years 15:09 Adjusting the 4% rule when paying an advisor 15:54 AI voice demo, advisor value, and Vanguard's Advisor Alpha Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On today's episode, we discuss how collapsing national currencies—from Iran's rial to Venezuela's bolívar—are driving ordinary people into Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as a last‑ditch store of value. Mark explains why institutional players like Vanguard and Morgan Stanley are finally recommending small crypto allocations, how ETF filings and FOMO are pushing Bitcoin higher, and why none of this should be confused with personalized investment advice. From there, the conversation moves to practical home tech: VPNs, Starlink, and why reliable local storage and good passwords still matter more than shiny gadgets when the internet goes dark. James and Mark also kick around Elon Musk's AI and robotics ambitions—Grok, xAI, Optimus, and full self‑driving Teslas—debating whether a Unix‑like, tightly controlled “Apple‑style” stack will prove safer than a more open, Windows‑like ecosystem for autonomous vehicles. A creek‑flooding scenario near James's house becomes a case study in what current self‑driving systems still miss, forcing humans to override software that cannot yet reliably interpret brown, moving water across a road. That leads into a broader discussion of how many edge cases engineers must sample before regulators will bless truly driverless cars, and why early adopters will inevitably be the ones whose mishaps teach the machines. Throughout, they keep circling back to a core theme: in both finance and transportation, new tech may be transformative, but ordinary users still have to live with the bugs, crashes, and unintended consequences of bleeding‑edge systems. Don't miss it!
Discussion on the Pros and cons of ROTH ConversionsVanguard has a new tool that may help but, it has llimitations.It is a good time to think about re-balancing your portfolio.Why you might want to pay some extra taxes on realized LT GainsWhy are houses so expensive and why it might get worse.
Retirement income doesn't have to mean hoarding assets or obsessing over leaving an inheritance. In this episode of Talking Real Money, Don and Tom dig into a topic that still makes many investors flinch: reverse mortgages. Using recent research and real-world planning logic, they walk through why modern reverse mortgages aren't the shady last-ditch option they once were, how they can reduce cash-flow stress, and when they may (or may not) make sense as part of a broader retirement plan. Along the way, they tackle myths about heirs losing the house, unpack the true costs, and explain why being “house rich and cash poor” is a real planning problem. The show also answers listener questions on bond ladders using iShares iBonds ETFs, critiques Vanguard's newer fixed-income ETF BNDF, and closes with a reminder that yield chasing — even from respected firms — still carries risk. 0:04 Retirement isn't about dying rich — it's about spending your money on you 0:25 Why inheritance shouldn't be the primary goal (with one important exception) 1:21 Shirt colors, corporate culture, and the last people still wearing white dress shirts 2:48 Smoking everywhere: airplanes, hospitals, grocery stores — and why it mattered financially 4:12 Disney jokes, expensive vacations, and setting the tone 5:08 Introducing the real topic: reverse mortgages 5:15 Why reverse mortgages still scare people — and why that reputation exists 6:44 How FHA regulation changed the reverse-mortgage landscape 7:21 Are reverse mortgages really a “last resort”? 8:14 Using home equity to improve lifestyle, not just survive retirement 8:52 Are reverse mortgages expensive? Breaking down the real costs 10:53 Lending limits, age factors, and how much equity you can actually access 12:39 When the upfront costs make sense — and when they don't 14:35 Myth busted: heirs can still inherit the home 15:08 You still own your house — it's just a mortgage with no monthly payment 16:18 Reverse mortgages as liquidity, not a wealth-building tool 16:33 The importance of planning before touching home equity 16:45 $35 trillion locked in U.S. home equity — and why paying off mortgages isn't always smart 17:57 Downsizing versus staying put: another option entirely 19:59 Listener question: simplifying a complex bond ladder 21:17 Using iShares iBonds ETFs to build a disciplined bond ladder 22:32 The risk of breaking the ladder when rates change 23:41 Listener question: Vanguard's BNDF ETF 24:44 Why chasing yield in bond funds can backfire 26:06 Gimmicks, relevance, and Vanguard's shift away from leadership 26:33 RetireMeet 2026 preview and registration details Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Every year, Wall Street rolls out its market predictions. Targets get published, expectations get set, and the headlines make it sound like the future is just a spreadsheet away. But markets have a long history of humbling even the most confident forecasts, and that creates a real problem for retirement savers. Because, while short-term forecasts are usually noise, ignoring market expectations altogether isn't the answer either. So in today's episode, I break down how to think about market outlooks the right way. We'll cover why forecasts so often miss the mark, when long-term assumptions actually matter, and how market research can be used as a planning tool (not a prediction engine). I also share key themes from Vanguard's Economic and Market Outlook for 2026, focusing on growth, inflation, and expected returns—and why all of that matters for your portfolio and retirement plan. ***
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/AnalyticJoin The Normandy For Additional Bonus Audio And Visual Content For All Things Nme+! Join Here: https://ow.ly/msoH50WCu0KIn this segment of Notorious Mass Effect, Analytic Dreamz reacts to the explosive Deadpool: The Merc with a Mouth character reveal trailer for Marvel Rivals. Dive into the official gameplay showcase as Wade Wilson breaks all the rules, becoming the game's first triple-role hero—versatile as Vanguard, Duelist, and Strategist in one chaotic package. Analytic Dreamz breaks down the flashy moves, devastating damage output, impenetrable shields, swift healing, fourth-wall-breaking banter, unique progression mechanics, and signature Deadpool antics like photo mode invincibility and ultimate-blocking flair. Explore how this Merc with a Mouth launches into Season 6: Night at the Museum on January 16, bringing fresh team-ups, visual chaos, and unpredictable gameplay to the free-to-play hero shooter. Whether you're a longtime Marvel Rivals player or Deadpool fan, this reaction covers the hype, abilities, and impact of his arrival.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/analytic-dreamz-notorious-mass-effect/donationsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
This episode dismantles the myth of “one-size-fits-all retirement,” arguing that retirement isn't a date, an age, or a lifestyle—it's a personal transition that demands both an income plan and a purpose plan. Don and Tom explore the growing trend of “un-retiring,” why fear and economic anxiety are lousy motivators for going back to work, and how a lack of planning fuels unnecessary worry later in life. Listener questions cover smart uses of 529-to-Roth conversions, parking large sums of cash, Roth strategies for young investors, rebuilding emergency funds without sabotaging retirement, and why converting Vanguard mutual funds to ETFs in taxable accounts is often a no-brainer. The through-line is clear: stop predicting the future, stop reacting emotionally, and build flexible plans that let your money support the life you actually want. 0:04 Retirement isn't a script, a date, or a finish line 0:56 The myth of “retire at 65 and stop living” 1:20 The rise of “un-retiring” and why Disney hires retirees 3:22 Fear-based reasons people go back to work 4:28 Why retirees often worry more, not less 5:10 Studies showing how many retirees expect to work again 6:38 Income plans vs. purpose plans in retirement 7:16 The Dalai Lama, retirement, and dark humor 8:16 Using leftover 529 money for a future Roth IRA 10:31 Anton Chekhov's The Bet and money as a moral test 12:08 Parking $3.5M: T-bills vs. high-yield savings 14:30 Why holding massive cash piles is usually a mistake 16:21 Interest-rate predictions and the illusion of certainty 19:17 How (and where) people actually listen to podcasts 21:02 Mortgage rates under 6% and why context matters 23:15 Roth IRAs for young investors and compounding reality 25:12 VT vs. AVGE vs. AVGV for long-term simplicity 27:51 Disney's $60B expansion and what it says about costs 31:07 Rebuilding emergency funds without derailing retirement 33:32 Converting Vanguard mutual funds to ETFs in taxable accounts 35:20 Why small tax efficiencies matter over decades Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Scarce Assets: Alex Pron explains why wealth managers are finally embracing Bitcoin, how Wall Street distribution changes the market, & why long-term conviction matters more than cycles.---
BackgroundBioArticles and Papers Discussed“The Theory Behind the Age-Related Positivity Effect,” Andrew Reed and Laura Carstensen, NIH.gov, Sept. 27, 2012.“Investing Without Blind Spots,” Better Vantage podcast, Nov. 12, 2025.“Out of Sight, Out of Market: The IRA Cash Drag,” by Andy Reed et al., Vanguard.com, Sept. 5, 2024.“Advisors and Investors Split on Inflation, Bond Views,” by Xiao Xu and Andy Reed, Vanguard.com, Sept. 12, 2025.“Stress, Debt, and the Power of Planning,” by Anna Madamba and Andy Reed, Vanguard.com, April 9, 2025“Improving Retirement Outcomes by Default: The Case for an IRA QDIA,” by Andy Reed, et al., Vanguard.com, July 2024."Maximizing versus Satisficing: Happiness Is a Matter of Choice," by Barry Schwartz, Andrew Ward, et al., NIH.gov, November 2002.“The Ostrich Effect: Selective Attention to Information,” George Loewenstein and Duane Seppi, CMU.edu, Feb. 11, 2009.“Inside the Minds of Equity Income Fund Investors,” Sharon Hill and Paulo Costa, Vanguard.com, Aug. 26, 2025.“Trading Is Hazardous to Your Wealth: The Common Stock Investment Performance of Individual Investors,” Brad Barber and Terrance Odean, Berkeley.edu, April 2000.Books DiscussedThe Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less, by Barry SchwartzNudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness, by Richard Thaler and Cass SunsteinThe Elements of Choice: Why the Way We Decide Matters, by Eric JohnsonOther“Was Bogle's Princeton Thesis Eerily Prescient?” by Jess Bebel, Morningstar.com, May 27, 2022. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In the first new 401(k) Specialist Pod(k)ast episode of 2026, Editor-in-Chief Brian Anderson sits down with Kelby Meyers, founder and CEO of Nestimate, to explore the evolving landscape of in-plan retirement income and the Nestimate Retirement Income Summit.Meyers discusses the upcoming second annual Nestimate Retirement Income Summit, shares insights on new initiatives at Nestimate—including its recently launched TDF-IQ analytics tool—and weighs in on what the Vanguard-TIAA target-date CIT with a built-in annuity could signal for the future of default investments. The conversation also examines how advisors and plan sponsors can better evaluate lifetime income options, manage fiduciary risk, and prepare for key developments shaping the retirement income market in 2026 and beyond.Key Insights1. Retirement Income Summit Offers Critical Education for AdvisorsThe second annual Estimate Retirement Income Summit aims to help plan advisors, sponsors, and home office professionals better understand and evaluate in-plan lifetime income solutions. With speakers like Matthew Eichman, Brendan McCarthy, and Spencer Look, the event emphasizes fiduciary clarity and objective analysis of evolving income strategies.2. Vanguard-TIAA Collaboration Marks a Market ShiftThe launch of a target date collective investment trust (CIT) by Vanguard and TIAA is seen as a turning point in the retirement income landscape. Vanguard's rare move after 22 years signals growing industry momentum toward embedding annuities in target date funds to ensure retirement income security.3. Technology and Recordkeeper Integration Drive AdoptionTools like Estimate's TDF-IQ offer fiduciaries an outcome-based framework for evaluating annuity-infused target date funds. Meanwhile, broader recordkeeper availability and support for annuity options could help solve portability challenges, accelerating adoption of lifetime income solutions in 2026.SEE ALSO:• Nestimate Introduces TDF Analyzer
Today's episode is all about real estate, straight from the questions you asked during our recent live webinar. We dig into Real Estate Professional Status, short term rental rules, and how the tax benefits actually work across direct properties, syndications, and private funds. We also tackle REITs, including whether target date funds are enough, other Vanguard options beyond VNQ, and where REITs belong in your portfolio from a tax perspective. We also discuss if you really need real estate at all, and how do syndications, funds, and real estate debt compare in the real world. Questions from the Real Estate Webinar: -What does due diligence actually mean? -For the short term rental REP loophole can you still spend more than 100 hours doing a different job, any qualify? -Please go in more detail about short term and opportunity tax loopholes. Any specific resources? -Can the tax benefits of REPs apply to your whole portfolio? ie. direct real estate and private investments? -If you become a real estate professional, for rentals, do you still have to be picked up by a brokerage or can you be the brokerage? -Can you benefit from bonus depreciation to offset your w-2 income in syndications and private real estate funds and does this require REPS? -Are there other REITs with vanguard other than VNQ that may not only include large commercial properties? -If you are going to invest in REITs, where is the best place to purchase those funds? 401? Taxable account? Roth? HSA? -Am I leaving money on the table if I don't invest in real estate in some way? -What are pros & cons of investing in RE Syndication vs Fund vs RE Debt Locumstory.com is a free, unbiased educational resource about locum tenens – it's not a staffing agency. They help answer your questions about the how-to's of locum tenens work on their website, podcast, webinars, videos, and they even have a locums 101 crash course. Locumstory.com is where you should go to find out if locums makes sense for you and your career goals. Locumstory is unique because it's more of a peer-to-peer platform, with real physicians sharing their experiences and stories – both the good and bad – about working locum tenens – hence the name, "Locum-story." See for yourself on their self-service platform with no obligation. The White Coat Investor Podcast launched in January 2017, and since then, millions have downloaded it. Join your fellow physicians and other high income professionals and subscribe today! Host, Dr. Jim Dahle, is a practicing emergency physician and founder of The White Coat Investor blog. Like the blog, The White Coat Investor Podcast is dedicated to educating medical students, residents, physicians, dentists, and similar high-income professionals about personal finance and building wealth, so they can ultimately be their own financial advisor-or at least know enough to not get ripped off by a financial advisor. We tackle the hard topics like the best ways to pay off student loans, how to create your own personal financial plan, retirement planning, how to save money, investing in real estate, side hustles, and how everyone can be a millionaire by living WCI principles. Main Website: https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com YouTube: https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com/youtube Student Loan Advice: https://studentloanadvice.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewhitecoatinvestor Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewhitecoatinvestor Twitter: https://twitter.com/WCInvestor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewhitecoatinvestor Subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/whitecoatinvestor Online Courses: https://whitecoatinvestor.teachable.com Newsletter: https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com/free-monthly-newsletter 00:00 WCI Podcast #453 09:27 Due Diligence in Real Estate 14:12 Goodman Capital Interview 24:35 REPS - Real Estate Professional Status 34:26 REITs - Real Estate Investment Trusts 42:06 Should I Invest in Real Estate? 47:22 Real Estate Syndication vs. Equity Fund vs. Debt Fund
Ever feel overwhelmed by the impossible task of scaling a team without losing your soul or your culture? You're not alone… or powerless.In this episode, Sivana Brewer is joined by David Chol, COO of Vanguard Properties, for a candid conversation about breaking through isolation, banishing burnout, and the rare leadership moves every operator needs to hear (but never gets taught).They dive deep into why “quality over quantity” culture trumps complexity, how to actually build people (not just systems), and what happens when you ditch the rulebook and trust your gut. Learn proven ways to create psychological safety, unleash autonomy, and develop team members you never realized were hiding in plain sight.Listen now if you want a legendary team, not headaches. Tune in today to steal the strategies you won't find on any corporate checklist and avoid the silent cost of letting your best people stagnate.Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – The wild, serendipitous story of how an overseas friendship turned into a game-changing recruiting move[01:24] – “Quality over quantity”: The Vanguard way of winning big without getting bigger[04:46] – Why career-crushing heartbreaks can open doors to your best opportunities—and why David welcomes them[10:17] – There was no playbook: What happens when you're handed your “dream job” and left to sink or swim[13:15] – Surprising truths: What David really discovered about himself when the safety nets disappeared[19:04] – The secret to creating a culture of radical autonomy without chaos—or loss of accountability[21:10] – Why most interviews are fake (and how to truly get to know someone before you hire them)[31:35] – The 15-calls-a-day ritual: The proven method that keeps hidden talent from falling through the cracks[38:03] – Exactly how to keep your best people growing—plus the overlooked dangers of ignoring their untapped skills[42:07] – The harsh realities no one tells COOs about—plus honest ways to navigate “second in command” constraintsAbout the GuestDavid Chol is the Chief Operating Officer of Vanguard Properties, the Bay Area's largest independent and LGBT-led brokerage, boasting 500+ agents and a forty-year legacy. A lifelong real estate operator with roots ranging from private equity to technology, David is known for building standout cultures and pioneering people-first leadership strategies that drive growth, even when markets are in turmoil. At Vanguard, he champions autonomy, radical honesty, and transforming hidden staff potential into real company wins.
This episode opens with a reality check on streaming delays before diving into the growing divide between investing and gambling, highlighted by Charles Schwab's refusal to promote crypto, options, and prediction markets while Robinhood leans fully into high-intensity trading. Don and Tom warn that flashy features and frequent trading usually lead to worse outcomes, not better ones. Listener questions cover whether employees can roll a 401(k) during a plan change (usually no), how to cope with bad retirement plans, and how to choose between a high-cost growth fund and a low-cost index option. The show also tackles whether mixing Avantis and Dimensional funds truly adds diversification, argues that over-engineering portfolios is counterproductive, and closes with a candid discussion about the decline of financial radio, the rise of podcasts, and why a strong financial plan matters more than recent market gains. 0:04 Recorded-not-live reality, streaming delays, and why nothing feels real anymore 1:56 Schwab draws a hard line between investing and gambling 2:56 Robinhood's casino-style features and the problem with pandering 6:12 Why trading more usually means ending up with less 6:52 Listener question: Can you roll a 401(k) during a plan change while still employed? 9:23 Why “in-service” rollovers usually aren't allowed before 59½ 11:53 What employees can do when stuck in a bad 401(k) plan 14:44 Fund choice question: Fidelity Growth vs. Vanguard 500 Index Trust 18:06 Why expenses, risk, and diversification matter more than past performance 19:21 Why podcasts are replacing traditional financial radio 22:06 How to listen to podcasts using Apple Podcasts and Spotify 27:22 Avantis vs. Dimensional: does doubling up add diversification? 31:52 Over-diversifying and the illusion of control 34:42 New-year reminder: returns don't equal good planning 35:25 The importance of having an actual financial plan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Welcome back to Word Balloon! Today, we're diving deep into the Star Trek universe with one of its most accomplished storytellers — David Mack. You know his work from the Deep Space Nine episodes “Starship Down” and “It's Only a Paper Moon”, two fan-favorite installments that captured the show's emotional depth and moral complexity.Since then, Mack's become one of Star Trek's defining novelists — the author behind landmark books like Destiny, Vanguard, and Control, and now, the brand-new Strange New Worlds novel, Ring Of Fire. We'll talk about how David approaches writing for different eras of Trek, what it's like balancing the optimism of Strange New Worlds with the grittier tone of his earlier work, and how he helped expand Star Trek's literary canon into something as rich and compelling as the shows themselves.Plus, we'll get into his latest creative venture — co-writing the Star Trek: Khan audio drama, exploring the rise and legacy of one of the franchise's most fascinating villains. It's a fascinating look at a writer who's helped shape Star Trek across television, novels, and now audio storytelling. So grab your communicator, set your phasers to “listen,” and join me as we boldly go into the creative mind of David Mack — right here on Word Balloon!
The group frames 2025 as a “crab market” year that forced a psychological reset: ETFs, institutional interest, and political tailwinds can coexist with long sideways price actionBrandon's Bitcoin moment of 2025 is “Bitcoin becoming boring,” arguing that social and political resistance has faded, with zero “Bitcoin obituaries” as a symbolic indicatorJohn's Bitcoin moment of 2025 is the US Bitcoin strategic reserve executive action as a long-arc legitimacy milestone, even if it didn't catalyze price immediatelyOverhyped 2025 narratives include the strategic reserve as a near-term price catalyst, DOGE-style government “waste cleanup,” and the idea that “hundreds of MicroStrategy clones” would rapidly scaleQuietly important 2025 developments include older coins distributing to new holders, steady growth in non-leveraged corporate treasury adoption, and “sticky” wealth-platform channel dynamics (Vanguard and broader advisory adoption)Cultural moments highlighted include “Paper Bitcoin Summer” and the “Great Creatine Awakening,” with a forecast that “four-year cycle is dead” memes will dominate once a new all-time high arrives“Bitcoin-adjacent circus” talk shifts to crypto-friendly legislative/regulatory theatrics and a 2026 concern: prediction markets and “trade everything” pushing 24/7 speculation into equities and daily lifeThe most embarrassing fiat moments center on obvious government fraud and the contradictions of central banking narratives (including officials critiquing “intrinsic value” while managing fiat debasement) and symbolic milestones like phasing out the penny“Main character” is debated: the group leans toward the idea that leaderlessness is a feature, but names surface including Larry Fink as the high-impact mainstream convert, with long-odds speculation about future political and tech megaphone figures Swan Private helps HNWI, companies, trusts, and other entities go beyond legacy finance with BItcoin. Learn more at swan.com/private. Put Bitcoin into your IRA and own your future. Check out swan.com/ira.Swan Vault makes advanced Bitcoin security simple. Learn more at swan.com/vault.
#676: Ally:How can I optimize my asset allocation and Roth contributions now that I'm over $1 million in assets? I'm 45, single, never married, with about $1.2 million in assets. Roughly $100,000 is in stocks, which might scare some people. Here's my breakdown: Vanguard brokerage account: VTSAX $132,000, ISCV $5,000, VOO $5,000 Vanguard Rollover IRA: VTSAX $65,000, IVV $25,000, VOO $62,000 Vanguard Roth IRA: VTSAX $228,000, ISCV $6,000 Pre-tax 401(k): Active stock fund $218,000 (0.01% expense ratio), Equity dividend fund $55,000 (0.01% expense ratio) Russell 1000: $270,000 (0% expense ratio) HSA: $9,000 in the Russell 1000 and Russell 2000 ESPP: $90,000 Savings account: $12,000 I view my brokerage accounts as savings, where I can sell assets if I need cash, as well as sell my company shares. My questions: How far am I from the efficient frontier? How efficient is my asset allocation? I've mostly been a “VTSAX and chill” type. If I rebalance, what's the best way to do it without incurring taxes? Next year, I'll make more than $150,000, even after contributing $24,500 to my pre-tax 401(k) in 2026. Can I still do a backdoor Roth, given that I already have an IRA balance? I was told it could be complicated. Am I out of luck investing in a Roth next year? Also, should I roll over my 401(k) into my existing Rollover IRA to gain more investment options, even though the 401(k) fees are very low? I've reached over $1 million in assets, but I'm not confident my first million was invested efficiently. I want to correct it before reaching my next million. Emma: Can We Split a Dependent's Tax Status Midyear to Maximize Health Insurance Subsidies? We're a family of four with two adults and two children, ages 15 and 21. Our 21-year-old is a full-time university student and is expected to graduate in May 2026. The hope is that she'll secure a full-time job after graduation. Our health care broker told us that we could claim her as a dependent for half of the year and then have her claim herself for the second half. According to the broker, this would allow her to stay on our health insurance and help us qualify for a larger premium subsidy. Is it actually possible to split a dependent's tax status this way within a single year, or is this a misunderstanding? Anonymous: Is It Wise to Hold Some Investments Outside the U.S. for Geopolitical Diversification? I've always believed that “this time isn't different,” but lately I'm feeling uneasy. I'm increasingly concerned about what seems like a slow erosion of institutional trust in the U.S., especially regarding agencies and structures that support our financial system. From leadership changes at key government institutions to growing political influence over economic policy, I'm starting to wonder if it's prudent to hold a small portion of assets physically and legally outside the U.S. I'm not talking about exotic offshore schemes. I mean legitimate ways to invest in broad index funds or ETFs through a brokerage account based abroad—as a form of geopolitical diversification and personal contingency planning. I'd love to hear your perspective. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jeremy Utley reveals why many aren't getting the results they want from AI—and how to fix that. — YOU'LL LEARN — 1) The #1 mistake people are making with AI 2) ChatGPT's top advantage over other AI platforms (as of late 2024) 3) The simple adjustments that make AI vastly more useful Subscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1010 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT JEREMY — Jeremy Utley is the director of executive education at Stanford's d.school and an adjunct professor at Stanford's School of Engineering. He is the host of the d.school's widely popular program "Stanford's Masters of Creativity.” • Book: Ideaflow: The Only Business Metric That Matters • Article: "For Conversations You Dread, Try a Chatbot" • Article: “Don't Let Gen AI Limit Your Team's Creativity” • Website: JeremyUtley.design • LinkedIn: Jeremy Utley • Podcast: Beyond the Prompt • Course: AI Bootcamp— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Term: Einstellung effect • Podcast: Huberman Lab • Video: #NSDR (Non-Sleep Deep Rest) with Dr. Andrew Huberman • Book: That Will Never Work: The Birth of Netflix and the Amazing Life of an Idea by Mark Randolph • Previous episode: 903: How to Save Time Using ChatGPT at Work with Donna McGeorge• Previous episode: 1111: How to Get Better Results from AI to Amplify Your Productivity with Gianluca Mauro— THANK YOU SPONSORS! — • Vanguard. Give your clients consistent results year in and year out with vanguard.com/AUDIO• Quince. Get free shipping and 365-day returns on your order with Quince.com/Awesome• Cashflow Podcasting. Explore launching (or outsourcing) your podcast with a free 10-minute call with Pete.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon Stancil and Murs Tariq discuss a major Vanguard announcement that signals a meaningful shift in retirement planning. For years, annuities were often dismissed by large investment firms, yet today we are seeing industry leaders embrace their role in guaranteed income in retirement. Vanguard's move to introduce a 401k annuity option inside the Vanguard retirement plan validates what many retirees already need—predictability, income, and risk control as they plan for retirement.Listen in to learn about why annuities in 401k plans are gaining traction, how fixed annuities can serve as a bond alternative, and why firms like Fidelity retirement, BlackRock retirement, and Vanguard are acknowledging the importance of retirement income planning in the face of ongoing market volatility. Radon and Murs explain how this evolution helps investors create your own pension, supports retiring comfortably, and strengthens efforts to secure your retirement.In this episode, find out:Why the Vanguard announcement is a turning point for annuities retirement strategiesHow guaranteed income in retirement helps offset market volatilityWhat a 401k annuity option really means for retirement planningWhen IRA rollover options may provide more flexibility than a company 401kHow the Three Bucket Strategy simplifies planning retirement and managing riskTweetable Quotes:“As you approach retirement, predictability and reliable income matter just as much as growth.” — Radon Stancil“Annuities aren't about giving up growth; they're about creating confidence and peace of mind in retirement.” — Murs TariqBy combining growth assets with income-focused strategies, retirees can follow a clearer retirement checklist, reduce stress during volatile markets, and build a customized retirement planning approach. Whether inside a Vanguard retirement plan or through broader IRA rollover options, the goal remains the same: thoughtful planning, smarter risk management, and a strategy designed to help you plan for retirement with confidence.Resources:If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.
This week we end 2025 with a Pediheart tradition - an episode on personal finance for medical professionals with noted authority on index investing and personal finance, Mr. Paul Merriman. Paul is a retired investment advisor who now has a popular podcast "Sound Investing" and website in which he offers advice on investing for 'do it yourself' investors. In this week's episode, the 5th of his visits to Pediheart, Mr. Merriman discusses 'factor investing' via index-like ETF's and funds. He also reviews who he believes might benefit from a financial advisor, what sort of advisor most should seek out and why he believes that many do not need one if they can 'stay the course'. Resources mentioned in today's podcast are below. Wishing all a happy and healthy new year in 2026. Paul's website:https://www.paulmerriman.com/#gsc.tab=0'Best In Class' ETF's:https://www.paulmerriman.com/Best-in-Class-ETF-Recommendations2025#gsc.tab=0Sound Investing 'Quilt Charts':https://irp.cdn-website.com/6b78c197/files/uploaded/(K)_Quilt_Charts_(1928-2024)_-_2024_Returns_(1).pdfDFA 'Turn Out The Noise':https://www.dimensional.com/filmAs a reminder, all of the information provided in this week's episode should be considered entertainment and all financial decisions should be vetted with professionals or knowledgeable and trusted friends/family.
Tasha Eurich shares why pushing through sometimes isn't enough–and how to bounce back stronger than ever.— YOU'LL LEARN — 1) The hidden costs of “grit gaslighting” 2) How to know when you've hit your “resilience ceiling” 3) The three needs that unlocks the best version of yourselfSubscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1066 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT TASHA — Dr. Tasha Eurich is an organizational psychologist, researcher, and New York Times best-selling author (Shatterproof, Insight, Bankable Leadership). She helps people thrive in a changing world by becoming the best of who they are and what they do. With a PhD in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Tasha is the principal of The Eurich Group, a boutique consultancy that helps successful executives succeed when the stakes are high. As an author and sought-after speaker in the self-improvement space, Tasha is a candid yet compassionate voice. Pairing her scientific grounding with 20+ years of experience on the corporate front lines, she reveals the often-surprising secrets to success and fulfillment in the 21st century. • Book: Shatterproof: How to Thrive in a World of Constant Chaos (And Why Resilience Alone Isn't Enough) • Quiz: The Resilience Ceiling Quiz • Website: TashaEurich.com— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Book: Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success by Adam Grant • Book: Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness by Rick Hanson and Forrest Hanson • Book: Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin • Book: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald • Study: Need Crafting• Website: World Uncertainty Index • Past episode: 1065: Harvard's Stress Expert Shares Top Resilience Tools with Dr. Aditi Nerurkar— THANK YOU SPONSORS! — • Vanguard. Give your clients consistent results year in and year out with vanguard.com/AUDIO• Quince. Get free shipping and 365-day returns on your order with Quince.com/Awesome• Cashflow Podcasting. Explore launching (or outsourcing) your podcast with a free 10-minute call with Pete.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The polished facade of NXIVM has shattered, and in Part 2, we take you inside the federal courthouse where its leaders finally face justice. We explore the harrowing trial of Keith Raniere, built on the brave testimony of the women who escaped his control. From the secret master-slave sorority known as DOS to the shocking details of branding, blackmail, and psychological abuse, the full truth of the cult is laid bare. We cover the verdicts, the sentences, and the downfall of the man who called himself "Vanguard." But what happens after the headlines fade? To discuss the case's complex legacy, we are joined by a special guest: Natalie, the host of the popular podcast "Allison After NXIVM." She shares her unique insights into the story, the people involved, and the long road to recovery for those who lived through it. Find more information about "Allison After NXIVM" here Thank you to this week's sponsors! IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% off all IQBAR products—including the sampler pack—plus FREE shipping. Text MOMS to 64000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. Give the gift of confidence this holiday season with Nutrafol. Right now, Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month's subscription plus free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com com and use promo code MOMS. It's time to get your own personal stylist with DailyLook. Head to DailyLook.com to take your style quiz and use code MOMS for 50% off your first order. #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #momsandmysteries #nxivm #keithraniere #trial #dos #allisonafternxivm #justice #cult New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com
On episode 443 of Animal Spirits, Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson discuss: the stock market rally is broadening out, no one wants an AI bubble, the return outlook for 2026, Howard Marks on how to invest today, hedging an AI bubble, concentration risk, financial markets don't care about labor markets yet, the worst part about inflation, data centers in space, the housing outlook for 2026 and more. This episode is sponsored by YCharts and Vanguard. This episode is sponsored by YCharts. download Charts That Defined 2025, and start your free YCharts trial through Animal Spirits (new customers only) at https://go.ycharts.com/animal-spirits Learn more about Vanguard at: https://www.vanguard.com/audio Sign up for The Compound newsletter and never miss out: thecompoundnews.com/subscribe Find complete show notes on our blogs: Ben Carlson's A Wealth of Common Sense Michael Batnick's The Irrelevant Investor Feel free to shoot us an email at animalspirits@thecompoundnews.com with any feedback, questions, recommendations, or ideas for future topics of conversation. Investing involves the risk of loss. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be or regarded as personalized investment advice or relied upon for investment decisions. Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson are employees of Ritholtz Wealth Management and may maintain positions in the securities discussed in this video. All opinions expressed by them are solely their own opinion and do not reflect the opinion of Ritholtz Wealth Management. The Compound Media, Incorporated, an affiliate of Ritholtz Wealth Management, receives payment from various entities for advertisements in affiliated podcasts, blogs and emails. Inclusion of such advertisements does not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation thereof, or any affiliation therewith, by the Content Creator or by Ritholtz Wealth Management or any of its employees. For additional advertisement disclaimers see here https://ritholtzwealth.com/advertising-disclaimers. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. Any mention of a particular security and related performance data is not a recommendation to buy or sell that security. The information provided on this website (including any information that may be accessed through this website) is not directed at any investor or category of investors and is provided solely as general information. Obviously nothing on this channel should be considered as personalized financial advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any securities. See our disclosures here: https://ritholtzwealth.com/podcast-youtube-disclosures/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Imagine thinking you signed up for a self-improvement course, only to wake up inside a secret hierarchy where starvation, blackmail, and branding were sold as empowerment. This is the story of NXIVM, the so-called leadership program that unraveled into one of the most disturbing criminal enterprises in modern history. In Part 1, we pull back the curtain on how Keith Raniere, a man who called himself "Vanguard," and his partner Nancy Salzman built a multi-million dollar empire on the promise of human potential. We explore the early days of their Executive Success Programs (ESP), the manipulative techniques used to lure in thousands of followers—including celebrities and business leaders—and the slow, deliberate process of indoctrination. How did a group that started with corporate retreats and PowerPoint presentations devolve into a destructive cult? We trace the origins of the abuse, the creation of a master-slave sorority, and the psychological tactics that kept its members loyal, even as the darkness closed in. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Find gifts so good you'll want to keep them with Quince! Go to Quince.com/moms for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #momsandmysteries #nxivm #keithraniere #cult #nancysalzman #selfhelp #esp #vanguard New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com
An incident at a Cinnabon dominated social media over the weekend, and a woman was fired for calling someone a naughty word. Santa won't be happy. The Trump administration suggested a new rule to limit asset management funds, like Black Rock and Vanguard. Then he said "affordability" is a con-job. So, let's do a good Trump, bad Trump. Pope Leo is out there saying that anti-Islamic rhetoric in Europe is xenophobic. The Crusades called. They want their religion back. GUEST: Josh Firestine Link to today's sources: https://www.louderwithcrowder.com/sources-december-8-2025 Let my sponsor American Financing help you regain control of your finances. Go to https://americanfinancing.net/crowder or call 800-974-6500. NMLS 182334, http://nmlsconsumeraccess.org/ DOWNLOAD THE RUMBLE APP TODAY: https://rumble.com/our-apps Join Rumble Premium to watch this show every day! http://louderwithcrowder.com/Premium Get your favorite LWC gear: https://crowdershop.com/ Bite-Sized Content: https://rumble.com/c/CrowderBits Subscribe to my podcast: https://rss.com/podcasts/louder-with-crowder/ FOLLOW ME: Website: https://louderwithcrowder.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/scrowder Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/louderwithcrowder Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevencrowderofficial Music by @Pogo