Jake flies solo this week while Jeff escapes the Texas heat, but that doesn’t stop the markets—or the commentary—from heating up. The S&P 500 hit new all-time highs despite a cascade of bad news, including shrinking GDP, falling consumer spending, and a housing market in a 2008-style funk. Jake untangles this economic knot with his usual mix of insight and dry wit.

Also on deck: the mysterious “Rio Reset,” BRICS nations plotting dollar workarounds, and why gold might be the new global handshake. Plus, a reminder that recessions, like exhaling, aren’t the end of the world—just part of the cycle.

Along the way, Jake explores why confidence matters more than numbers, how the bond market seems to be ignoring the Fed, and why housing data may be the canary in the coal mine. This episode is part education, part economic therapy, and 100% The Personal Wealth Coach.

This episode was recorded on June 27th, 2025.

If you would like to contact us, please send an email to us at Jeff@tpwc.com or Jake@tpwc.com. We are happy to address any of your questions about Economics and Finance.

If you are ready and would like to book an appointment either in office or over the phone, you can also send a message to us through the contact form on our website TPWC.com.

** The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. We are “The Personal Wealth Coach,” which is also the name of an SEC-registered investment advisory firm. However, being registered with the SEC does not authorize us to provide investment advice. Investment advice should be personalized, offered in a private setting, and be in the best interests of the individual as a fiduciary. If we make any fraudulent statements, you should report them to the SEC. The information presented in this educational episode has been obtained from sources that we deem to be reliable, but we make no warranty or guarantee as to the completeness or accuracy of said information.

This week, Jeff broadcasts from the serene, cool mountains while Jake sweats it out in molten Texas—proving once again that podcasting thrives on contrast. But things really heat up when they tackle the week’s economic headlines: the Fed stands still while inflation paces ahead, aluminum prices hit new highs thanks to tariffs, and the market dances around the all-too-psychologically-important 6000 mark.

They unpack the ripple effects of rising tensions in the Middle East, from trade routes to oil prices, and what a shifting global alliance could mean for investors. You’ll also hear about the job market’s strange split, where new grads face unemployment while bond yields stay stubborn, and why round numbers hold more power over us than we’d like to admit.

If you like your finance with a side of sarcasm, economic storytelling, and a few Shakespearean nods, you’re in the right place. It’s the kind of episode that makes global chaos oddly reassuring—or at least understandable.

This episode was recorded on June 20th, 2025.

If you would like to contact us, please send an email to us at Jeff@tpwc.com or Jake@tpwc.com. We are happy to address any of your questions about Economics and Finance.

If you are ready and would like to book an appointment either in office or over the phone, you can also send a message to us through the contact form on our website TPWC.com.

** The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. We are “The Personal Wealth Coach,” which is also the name of an SEC-registered investment advisory firm. However, being registered with the SEC does not authorize us to provide investment advice. Investment advice should be personalized, offered in a private setting, and be in the best interests of the individual as a fiduciary. If we make any fraudulent statements, you should report them to the SEC. The information presented in this educational episode has been obtained from sources that we deem to be reliable, but we make no warranty or guarantee as to the completeness or accuracy of said information.

This week, Jake McClure flies solo while Jeff enjoys the North Carolina mountains—but don’t worry, the insights are just as sharp. In this episode, Jake dives into the economic whirlwind of the week: a 13% spike in oil prices thanks to escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, the curious case of inflation hiding in plain sight (hint: check your toy aisle), and why the bond market is the quiet giant you should be watching.

Expect a masterclass in market behavior, a breakdown of the “Big Beautiful Bill” and its trillion-dollar implications, and a surprisingly deep economic lesson from a Transformer toy. Jake also tackles the political theater around tariffs, the debt ceiling, and why AI might be both the villain and the hero of the job market.

If you like your financial commentary with a side of Shakespeare, a dash of sarcasm, and a whole lot of clarity, this episode is for you.

This episode was recorded on June 13th, 2025.

If you would like to contact us, please send an email to us at Jeff@tpwc.com or Jake@tpwc.com. We are happy to address any of your questions about Economics and Finance.

If you are ready and would like to book an appointment either in office or over the phone, you can also send a message to us through the contact form on our website TPWC.com.

** The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. We are “The Personal Wealth Coach,” which is also the name of an SEC-registered investment advisory firm. However, being registered with the SEC does not authorize us to provide investment advice. Investment advice should be personalized, offered in a private setting, and be in the best interests of the individual as a fiduciary. If we make any fraudulent statements, you should report them to the SEC. The information presented in this educational episode has been obtained from sources that we deem to be reliable, but we make no warranty or guarantee as to the completeness or accuracy of said information.