This week on the Payne Points of Wealth, Bob, Ryan, Chris, and Courtney are joined by Washington Examiner columnist and sharp political commentator Tiana Lowe-Doescher for a deep dive into the complex intersection of politics and financial markets.

We explore the Trump administration’s push to lower interest rates — and why the Federal Reserve no longer dictates long-term yields like mortgage rates. Instead, it’s the bond market calling the shots, driven by the sheer scale of our national debt. With 31% of the $29.7 trillion in marketable debt maturing within the next year, every 1% rise in interest rates could cost taxpayers nearly $100 billion — roughly the annual budget of the entire Department of Homeland Security. So, who really holds the reins on our national debt? Investor confidence has been shaken by the Trump administration’s attempts to remove Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Meanwhile, we are headed to unknown territory as the government attempts to manage the US’s $2 trillion annual deficit.

We also break down how markets are responding to the Trump administration’s aggressive tariff strategy. Despite implementing the steepest tariff regime in nearly a century, President Trump has defied economists’ dire expectations — inflation hasn’t surged, and economic growth remains resilient. Why? In part, thanks to tens of billions in savings from sweeping deregulation.

Tiana helps us unpack the nuanced market reactions: investors are increasingly distinguishing between tariffs used to offset new debt issuance — which markets favor — and those aimed at shrinking trade deficits, which can disrupt the current account surplus and push Treasury yields higher. It’s never easy!

It’s a timely, thought-provoking conversation on monetary policy, fiscal discipline, and the political forces shaping America’s economic future. Don’t miss it.

This week on Payne Points of Wealth, Bob, Ryan, Chris, and Courtney dive into the evolving dynamics of the U.S. labor market. Despite predictions of a slowdown, companies are hesitant to lay off workers—even as hiring remains sluggish. Is this a sign of economic weakness, or are deeper demographic shifts like an aging population and reduced immigration reshaping the workforce?

We also unpack Wall Street’s push to make alternative investments more accessible to everyday investors—a movement often branded as “democratization.” While financial firms tout the benefits of private equity and other alternatives, few are talking about the risks. In fact, as retail investors are being encouraged to buy in, institutional giants are quietly heading for the exits. Yale’s $41.4 billion endowment is unwinding nearly $3 billion in alternative holdings.

Meanwhile, private credit—a market that barely existed a decade ago—is surging toward $2 trillion. Firms like Apollo and Blackstone are now lending directly to businesses, consumers, and real estate investors, giving regular investors unprecedented access. But is this truly a golden opportunity, or a hidden risk to your retirement? We break down the opaque, illiquid nature of these investments and what they could mean for your long-term financial future.

Tune in for our take on what’s really happening in the job market and whether Wall Street’s latest pitch is worth your hard-earned dollars.

In this week’s episode, Bob, Ryan & Chris dive into the Federal Reserve’s latest interest rate cut. Was it a necessary move to support a slowing economy—or is Jerome Powell just spiking the punch bowl? With all major U.S. stock markets sitting at all-time highs, the trio debates whether investors are too focused on the “AI trade,” pouring into names like Nvidia, Tesla, Palantir, and meme stock Opendoor, while overlooking new bull markets hiding in plain sight.

Meanwhile, money market fund assets have ballooned to $7.28 trillion, but yields are falling fast as inflation ticks up. That means real returns on short-term instruments are collapsing—so where will all that cash go next?

As economic growth picks up, the dollar weakens, and short-term rates fall, Bob, Ryan & Chris break down the smartest strategies to grow and protect your wealth. Whether you're planning for retirement or just trying to stay ahead of the curve, this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate the shifting financial landscape.

In this week’s episode, Ryan, Chris, and Courtney dive into the paradox of modern investing: why are so many investors chasing assets like Gold, Bitcoin, and Nvidia, which offer little to no income—while ignoring the historical power of dividend-paying stocks?

We unpack a revealing JP Morgan study showing that concludes 55% of the S&P 500’s total return since 1987 came from re-invested dividends. Contrary to popular belief, high-flying tech stocks haven’t been the primary engine of long-term market returns. In fact, the best-performing U.S. stock over the past 40 years, Altria Group (ticker: MO), formerly known as Philip Morris, is an old-school producer and marketer of tobacco products. From 1985–2025, Altria stock returned an incredible 2,033,839%, a $1,000 invested in 1985 would be worth over $20 million today! Even more remarkably, over 80% of that return can be attributed to dividend reinvestment.

But here’s the twist—dividend paying value stocks have been underperforming their growth stock counterparts over the past decade, driven by themes like AI, have dramatically outperformed. Is this just a temporary anomaly? Will markets revert to the mean? Are dividend stocks about to make a comeback? Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway is betting big on income-rich sectors like healthcare and energy instead of chasing the current hype around the Magnificent 7. With many high-yielding stocks trading at steep discounts to the tech-heavy S&P 500, is now the time to lean into income? We give you the “Payne Perspective.”

We also tackle the recent signs of weakness in the labor market—and what it really reveals about the underlying health of the economy. Are Wall Street economists missing the mark yet again? The stock market is hitting all-time highs, economic growth is accelerating, and corporate profits are trending upward, all forward-looking indicators that point to a continued expansion. So, do we truly need more rate cuts? Or is the Federal Reserve simply spiking the punch bowl—risking an overheated economy and inflated asset prices? We break it all down and share exactly what we think.

💰 Warren Buffett’s latest moves—abandoning the Magnificent 7 and doubling down on value-rich healthcare, homebuilder & energy stocks

📉 The recent labor market weakness—what it really signals about the economy

📈 Why Wall Street strategists might be missing the mark (again)

🏦 Whether the Fed is about to overdo it with rate cuts, risking an overheated economy

If you’re wondering where the smart money is headed and how to position your portfolio for long-term success, this episode is a must-listen.

This week on Payne Points of Wealth, Bob, Ryan, Chris, and Courtney unpack what Ryan’s recent trip to MetLife Stadium to see his favorite band, Oasis, reveals about the current state of the economy. Yes, even a rock concert can be an economic indicator!

We dive into Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s surprising pivot toward cutting interest rates this fall. What does this mean for economic growth and the stock market? Is this the fuel the bull market really needs to keep melting higher?

Plus, retail investors are now responsible for 18% of all stock market trades—nearly double the amount of 2010, according to estimates by Sifma, a Wall Street trade group. Are individual investors becoming smarter, or are we seeing classic late-stage bull market behavior? We weigh in with our decades of experience navigating market psychology.

And in our Financial Autopsy segment, we dissect a real-life financial plan to spotlight one of the biggest mistakes investors make: overloading on low-yield or declining cash flow investments. Income is king when it comes to financial independence—are you building your portfolio the right way today?

Tune in for insights, hot takes, and actionable advice to help you build real wealth in today’s market.

In this week’s episode of Payne Points of Wealth, we sit down with John A. Catsimatidis Jr., President and COO of Red Apple Group, a $7 billion powerhouse spanning energy, supermarkets, media, real estate, and investments.

In a wide-ranging conversation, we discuss how John applies elements of Warren Buffett’s investment philosophy to his own portfolio management. We forecast the direction of energy prices and their impact on inflation, and explore what Fed interest rate cuts could mean for an ailing real estate market. We also dive into Gen Z’s affordability crisis and how to solve the current New York City housing shortage without resorting to socialism.

John’s approach to life, business, and investing is refreshingly straightforward—rooted in common sense, the ability to integrate principles across many disciplines, driven with clarity & conviction.

Whether you’re an investor, entrepreneur, or just curious about the current forces shaping our economy, this episode offers invaluable insights from one of NYC’s rising business leaders.

🎧 Tune in for a fascinating conversation that blends big-picture thinking with practical wisdom.

In this week’s episode of the Payne Points of Wealth, Bob, Ryan, Chris, & Courtney dive into President Donald Trump’s controversial new executive order that opens the door for private equity, venture capital, and hedge funds to be included in your retirement account. Is this a golden opportunity to supercharge your portfolio—or just another Wall Street scheme to rake in higher fees with less transparency? We break it all down and give you our take.

💥 Plus, we tackle the ongoing debate around inflation. With consumer prices less hot than expected, is inflation finally behind us—or is this just the calm before the storm? Economists predicted a summer spike due to tariffs, but so far, they’ve missed the mark. Meanwhile, oil prices are plunging, helping to offset rising costs elsewhere. We’ll help you navigate this uncertainty and position your portfolio accordingly.

🔍 And in our Financial Autopsy segment, we dissect a real-life financial plan to highlight the dangers of parking your money in CDs and cash—especially with the Fed potentially cutting rates again. Sitting on the sidelines could seriously derail your retirement goals. We’ll give you a blueprint for allocating your capital for both growth and safety in today’s market

📈 Don’t miss this episode—it’s packed with insights to help you make smarter financial decisions in uncertain times.

This week on the Payne Points of Wealth, Bob, Ryan, and Chris dive into Trump’s reign of tariffs, unpacking the economic ripple effects of his aggressive import tax strategy. From business impacts to what it means for your wallet and investments, we break down the real-world consequences of the ongoing trade war.

We also tackle the high-stakes dilemma facing Fed Chair Jerome “Jay” Powell. With political pressure mounting from the Trump administration, will the Fed cut rates at the September meeting? Should they? And what would a rate cut mean for the markets, the economy, and your portfolio?

Plus, we explore the wild world of corporate finance as companies start raising debt to buy Bitcoin. Is this a genius hedge or financial madness? And what about the rise of stablecoins like Circle’s USDC—are they a threat to the traditional banking system, or just another crypto fad that won’t end well?

And don’t miss our signature segment: the Financial Autopsy. We dissect a real-life financial plan, exposing some of the most common—and costly—mistakes people are making today when building and protecting their retirement wealth. From being sold an annuity to underestimating the true risk in their portfolio, we highlight the pitfalls you need to avoid.

This episode is packed with insights, hot takes, and practical advice you won’t want to miss. We cover everything you need to know right now to stay ahead of the curve.