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Rich Weiss, CIO of Multi-Asset Strategies at American Century, brings 40 years of investment experience to discuss market reactions to global turmoil and why the VIX index remains surprisingly calm despite international tensions.

• Markets appear to be undervaluing risk despite geopolitical conflicts and economic uncertainties
• Economic consensus forecasts predict 1.5% growth this year, avoiding recession but not stellar
• Manufacturing and housing sectors show concerning weakness while consumer data remains resilient
• Bond vigilantes could reject the "Big Beautiful Bill" and drive up interest rates if deficit concerns intensify
• Fed Chair Powell maintaining independence despite political pressure for rate cuts
• Companies likely to pass tariff increases directly to consumers in coming months
• Congressional Budget Office estimates tax legislation could add $2-3 trillion to deficit over next decade
• U.S. interest payments as percentage of GDP have reached approximately 4%, comparable to struggling economies
• Gold has overtaken the Euro as the second most popular central bank reserve asset globally
• Diversification remains "the only free lunch in investing" during uncertain times
• Short-term investment thinking resembles gambling more than actual investing
• High-quality corporate bonds may provide better security than treasuries in the near term

For more insights on navigating market uncertainty with a balanced approach, subscribe to "Ask Rich" on Mondays at 4:00 PM or follow the Skeptic's Guide to Investing.

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Disclaimer - These podcasts are not intended as investment advice. Individuals please consult your own investment, tax and legal advisors. They provide these insights for educational purposes only.

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Financial literacy isn't just about knowing investment terms—it's about transforming your relationship with money. Marcus Sturtevant, founder of ABC Squared in Charlotte, shares his journey from a loving household where money wasn't discussed to becoming a financial advisor passionate about educating others.

"We didn't grow up rich, but we didn't realize we weren't rich," Marcus explains, highlighting how his entrepreneurial spirit emerged early—selling candy from a gumball machine at five and working jobs from fourteen—but understanding investment opportunities came much later. This personal experience fuels his mission to bridge the financial literacy gap he sees in communities like his own.

The conversation reveals three critical mistakes most people make with money: not tracking where it actually goes, poor cash flow management, and not realizing help exists for people at all income levels. Marcus points out the irony of individuals spending hundreds on lottery tickets while claiming the stock market is "fixed"—a misconception that prevents meaningful wealth accumulation.

One particularly valuable insight centers around tax diversification. Many focus exclusively on pre-tax retirement accounts and cash, neglecting tax-diversified options like Roth accounts. This oversight often results in retirees facing unexpectedly large tax bills when they begin withdrawals. "Most people only see two buckets," Marcus explains, "their savings and retirement accounts. They don't have those allocated out of pre-tax."

Most intriguing is Marcus's concept of a "Carolina Portfolio"—investments focused on companies based in or with significant operations in North and South Carolina. This approach connects investors to visible growth in their communities while creating surprisingly diverse exposure across industries from banking (Bank of America, Truist) to manufacturing (Boeing, BMW), retail (Lowe's), and technology.

Whether you're just starting your financial journey or looking to refine your investment strategy, this episode offers practical wisdom for navigating today's complex markets. As Marcus advises, "Don't try to jump into fancy, complicated investment strategies or just go with the fastest thing going on the internet." Instead, understand your cash flow, learn from reliable sources, and develop strategies to remove emotion from investment decisions.

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Disclaimer - These podcasts are not intended as investment advice. Individuals please consult your own investment, tax and legal advisors. They provide these insights for educational purposes only.

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Clem Miller recounts his month-long journey through Eastern Canada, sharing observations about icebergs, puffins, and whales along with insights into Canadian economics and culture with relevance for investors. His adventures to Newfoundland and Labrador reveal how travel experiences can broaden investment perspective and inform financial decision-making.

• Planning for retirement should include time and energy for adventure, not just financial security
• Eastern Canada offers unique opportunities to see icebergs, puffins, and whales during May-June
• Vikings established North America's first European settlement in Newfoundland about 1021, or over a 1000 years ago.
• Canada shows increasing economic nationalism with emphasis on Canadian ownership
• Canadian resources (minerals, energy, lumber) present significant investment opportunities
• Well-established Canadian legal system offers strong protections for investors
• Travel experiences provide context and perspective that can improve investment decisions
• Historical connections between Canada and Europe may lead to increased economic coordination

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with friends and colleagues who might benefit from a broader investment perspective. Email or text us with questions or comments about how travel has informed your investment thinking.

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Please check out our other podcasts:

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Disclaimer - These podcasts are not intended as investment advice. Individuals please consult your own investment, tax and legal advisors. They provide these insights for educational purposes only.

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We explore how news media affects investment decision making and identify reliable sources of financial information in today's fragmented media landscape.

• Traditional media networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, FOX) prioritize sensationalism and local stories over global context
• Bloomberg and Reuters provide better global perspectives on how various markets interconnect
• News media has shifted from educating viewers to entertaining them for ratings
• Corporate ownership of media creates conflicts of interest with government oversight
• Seeking Alpha offers valuable investment data and subscriber articles without political bias
• Wall Street Journal delivers quality factual reporting alongside opinion sections
• Social media and TikTok spread misleading investment information, particularly about cryptocurrency
• AI-generated content presents growing concerns for verifying authenticity of news
• Geographic divides in media consumption reinforce regional biases
• Verifying sources and being selective about information consumption is essential

Take a few minutes to evaluate your news sources and focus on channels providing accurate, global perspectives that can truly inform your investment decisions.

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Please check out our other podcasts:

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Disclaimer - These podcasts are not intended as investment advice. Individuals please consult your own investment, tax and legal advisors. They provide these insights for educational purposes only.

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The complex dynamics of the Israel-Iran conflict have broad implications for global stability and investment strategies as Israel conducts preemptive strikes against Iran's alleged nuclear weapons program.

• Israel claims Iran is developing nuclear weapons despite Iran's insistence that its nuclear program is for civilian use
• Iran's enrichment of uranium to near weapons-grade levels contradicts their civilian energy claims
• Religious divisions between Shia groups (Hezbollah, Iranian government) and Sunni entities (Hamas, Gulf states) complicate regional dynamics
• Global powers like China and Russia maintain loose alliances with Iran while avoiding direct military confrontation
• Probability of US using bunker-busting bombs on Fordow plant estimated at 60%
• Iranian retaliation could involve cyber attacks rather than conventional military responses
• Investors should consider reducing exposure to transportation and automotive sectors if oil prices rise
• Defensive portfolio positioning with lower beta stocks, reasonable valuations, and gold allocation recommended
• Turning off sensationalist news helps maintain investment discipline in uncertain times
• Focus on quality and value investments for long-term success despite geopolitical tensions

Join us next time as we discuss Canada as a resource to the north and examine the role of news media in shaping public perception.

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Please check out our other podcasts:

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Disclaimer - These podcasts are not intended as investment advice. Individuals please consult your own investment, tax and legal advisors. They provide these insights for educational purposes only.

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The Ukraine conflict shows no signs of resolution despite early predictions, with Russia taking a long-term strategic approach that suggests we may be only halfway through what could become a six-year confrontation.

• Russia's aggression extends beyond Ukraine with increased military presence near Finland, telecommunications sabotage, and cyber warfare against Europe
• Ukraine is developing a powerful military force with homegrown equipment and innovative tactics, potentially becoming a major NATO contributor
• Europe is shifting from ESG-focused spending to military expansion, with Germany committing 5% of its budget to defense
• Defense companies with diverse military offerings and less dependence on US government financing present long-term investment opportunities
• Ukraine's rare earth mineral reserves represent strategic assets coveted by both Russia and Western nations
• Energy security has accelerated Europe's investments in alternative sources, creating opportunities for American LNG exporters
• Long-term investment in defense requires tolerance for significant volatility driven by geopolitical developments

Join us next time with special guests Rich Weiss and Marcus Sturtevant as we continue exploring investment opportunities in an increasingly complex global landscape.

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Please check out our other podcasts:

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Disclaimer - These podcasts are not intended as investment advice. Individuals please consult your own investment, tax and legal advisors. They provide these insights for educational purposes only.

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Skeptic's Guide to Investing introduces the co-hosts, Steve Davenport and Clem Miller.
This episode also goes into the hosts experiences and the mission for the podcast.

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We want to give people an interpretation of what the mainstream media passes off as information although disinformation might be more accurate. There is so much complexity and acronyms when we all just want simplicity in our lives.

Your money matters and we want you to understand what is happening with the economy and the investments which you own. There are many great reasons to invest and many great companies. There are also SPACs, memes stocks, crypto and some very questionable companies. Let's learn how to get to a better state of financial wellness with what you own and how you understand it.
Clem and Steve are professionals who are doing this podcast as a non profit. They do not take advertising or other sources of income. They want to help people achieve better outcomes.

Disclaimer: The podcast is not investment advice. It is for purely for educational and entertainment purposes. Please consult your own investment, legal and tax advisors.

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Please check out our other podcasts:

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Disclaimer - These podcasts are not intended as investment advice. Individuals please consult your own investment, tax and legal advisors. They provide these insights for educational purposes only.

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The wealth management industry is transforming through fragment consolidation, increased democratization of investment opportunities, and technology-enabled customization of client services. Today's episode of Skeptics Guide discusses wealth management with Chris Guarino of Alpine Strategic Partners.

• Private equity access is becoming more democratized, with quality boutique managers offering differentiated opportunities for smaller investors
• ETFs now outnumber individual stocks, shifting focus from stock picking to thematic investment approaches
• Technology enables "made-to-measure" investment solutions previously unavailable to all but the wealthiest clients
• "Analog is the new digital" - as technology handles routine tasks, human advisor interactions become more valuable
• Advisors typically lose clients during wealth transfers because of relationship/coverage issues, not investment performance
• Holistic coverage is increasingly important across client segments, with high-net-worth individuals expecting private banking treatment
• Inflation and housing costs present significant long-term concerns for investors, particularly those on fixed incomes
• Technology that enables proactive client engagement (like alerting advisors when clients frequently check portfolios) can enhance relationships

Alpine Strategic Partners LLC is an institutional consulting firm and is neither a broker-dealer nor a registered investment advisor. The views and opinions expressed by the firm are solely our own and are provided for informational purposes only. Nothing contained herein should be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation to purchase or sell any specific securities or to engage in any investment strategy. All information is subject to change without notice and should not be relied upon for investment decision-making.

Straight Talk for All - Nonsense for None

Please check out our other podcasts:

https://skepticsguidetoinvesting.buzzsprout.com

Disclaimer - These podcasts are not intended as investment advice. Individuals please consult your own investment, tax and legal advisors. They provide these insights for educational purposes only.